Patent classifications
H02H5/048
Electronic fuse systems and devices
Embodiments are directed to electronic fuse devices and systems. One such electronic fuse includes current sensing circuitry that senses a current in a conductor coupled between a power supply and a load, and generates a current sensing signal indicative of the sensed current. I2t circuitry receives the current sensing signal and determines whether the sensed current exceeds an I2t curve of the conductor. The electronic fuse further includes at least one of external MOSFET temperature sensing circuitry that senses a temperature of an external MOSFET coupled to the conductor, low current bypass circuitry that supplies a reduced current to the load in a low power consumption mode during which the external MOSFET is in a non-conductive state, or desaturation sensing circuitry that senses a drain-source voltage of the external MOSFET.
Vehicle control device
A vehicle control device using a semiconductor fuse, and enabling an increase in size of the semiconductor fuse to be suppressed and the occurrence of an abnormal current to be detected early to enable shut off of the abnormal current. The vehicle control device includes a shut-off unit that supplies and shuts off a supply of power to a plurality of load devices; a current detector that detects a current flowing to the plurality of load devices; and a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the shut-off unit. Furthermore, the vehicle control device includes a drive controller that, when the temperature of the shut-off unit detected by the temperature detector exceeds a predetermined value, controls and restricts operation of the load devices for which the priority is low, based on priorities set for each of the plurality of load devices.
SOLID-STATE CIRCUIT BREAKER CONFIGURED WITH AT LEAST ONE FAIL-OPEN MECHANISM AND PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
A solid state circuit breaker includes at least one power device and a control circuit configured to detect a fault and further configured to control operation of the at least one power device to open and electrically disconnect a power source from a load. Further, the solid state circuit breaker includes at least one fail-open device.
Intelligent semiconductor switch
A circuit for a smart semiconductor switch includes an electronic switch electrically coupled between an output node and a supply node. An overcurrent protective circuit is configured to generate an overcurrent signal in response to a load current flowing through the electronic switch exceeding a first overcurrent threshold, and to cause the electronic switch to be tripped. A control circuit is configured to switch the electronic switch on and off based on an input signal in a first mode, and to drive a load connected to the output node by repeatedly switching the electronic switch on and off in a second mode, and to prevent the electronic switch from being permanently tripped by the overcurrent protective circuit.