A first charge/discharge element is connected in parallel to a coil porion of
the
primary coil of a converter transformer. A second charge/discharge element is connected
in parallel to a coil portion of the primary coil. The first charge/discharge element
is charged with the energy stored in the primary coil when the first switching
element turns off. A smoothing capacitor is charged with the charge energy when
the second switching element turns off. The second charge/discharge element is
charged with the energy stored in the primary coil when the second switching element
turns off. The smoothing capacitor is charged with the charge energy when the first
switching element turns off.