Voltage-boosting circuit for an electroluminescent lamp driver

Abstract

In a drive circuit for driving an electroluminescent device having an electroluminescent lamp, a battery, and a frequency divider circuit for generating a plurality of signals, including a first signal, the improved voltage-boosting circuit comprising first and second inductors electrically connected to the battery; a digital logic gate electrically connected to the frequency divider circuit; a first transitive switch electrically connected to the frequency divider circuit for receiving the first signal, and electrically connected to the first inductor for providing the first signal to the first inductor; and, a second transitive switch electrically connected to receive an output signal from the digital logic gate and electrically connected to the second inductor for providing the output signal to the second inductor, wherein the first and second inductors are caused to alternately provide high voltage pulses for driving the electroluminescent lamp. The digital logic gate may comprise a NOR gate having two terminals, one of which is electrically connected to receive a dimming signal for disabling the second inductor thereby reducing the electroluminescent lamp brightness. The operator of the electroluminescent lamp may selectively activate the digital logic gate to reduce lamp brightness.