Momentary to Latching Circuit with Zero Off Current

Question

I have a project with several physical constraints so that I want to use: 1. A sealed very thin momentary switch as main on/off switch 2. 2 x AAA battery supply = 3V or less 3. Load is a small DC motor pulling max 0.3 amp 4. Momentary to Latching circuit to be as small as possible and with zero current drain in the off state

I have looked a various momentary to latching circuits using transistors, MOSFETS, and Flip Flops but as best I can tell they all have a very small drain current of approximately 10uAmp or more in the off state.

I am correct about the off drain current for these circuits?

If I am not correct can you suggest a circuit that would work for my project?

If I am correct does anyone have a circuit design that would meet true zero drain current for the requirements above?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

Depending on the requirements you could use a latching mosfet circuit as shown below. The first time you push the button M1 is turned on, the second time you push the button it is turned off.

When the circuit is off it does not consume power (other than leakage of the mosfet).

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Answer 2

Answering a comment on the csd17483fa.

No, you don't need a P-Channel if you use a physical slide switch. Any other device you add will simply provide another leakage path that you don't want.

Using a simple slide switch seems the easiest path. You only contend with the Ids leakage of perhaps 60 nA or less.

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

You could also use a push button to activate. Here I've shown an added capacitor which does not add to the leakage when off, so again only Ids leakage counts.

^{simulate this circuit}

You could get creative and implement a way for an MCU to keep you powered on till you decide to shut off. However you have to be careful not to introduce other leakage paths in the process.

You should also note that even the best Alkaline batteries have a self discharge rate: https://na.industrial.panasonic.com/sites/default/pidsa/files/1.5vseries_datasheets_merged.pdf

Engineering much beyond about 3-5 years of battery life for an application is a real challenge. Shelf life for the batteries is predicted at only 7 years for 80% capacity, which would result in a terminal voltage decline to about 1.2 V per cell. The self discharge rate of course is highly temperature dependent which will impact operational lifetime.