Igniter and vehicle, and method for controlling ignition coil

Abstract

An igniter that includes switch element and switch control device for controlling the switch element depending on ignition signal. The switch control device includes a determination stage that compares voltage associated with the ignition signal with a predetermined voltage to generate a determination signal, a driving stage that controls ON/OFF operations of the switch element depending on the determination signal, a timer circuit that asserts a conduction protection signal when state where the determination signal becomes an assert level corresponding to an ON operation of the switch element continues for predetermined time, a time-varying voltage generating circuit that generates time-varying voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal, and an amplifier that changes the voltage of a control terminal of the switch element such that detection voltage associated with coil current flowing in the switch element is close to the time-varying voltage.

Claims

1. An igniter, comprising: a switch element connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil; and a switch control device configured to control the switch element depending on an ignition signal from an engine control unit (ECU), wherein the switch control device comprises: a determination stage configured to compare a voltage associated with the ignition signal with a predetermined reference voltage to generate a determination signal; a driving stage configured to control ON/OFF operations of the switch element depending on the determination signal; a timer circuit configured to assert a conduction protection signal when a state where the determination signal becomes an assert level corresponding to the ON operation of the switch element continues for a predetermined conduction protection time; a time-varying voltage generating circuit configured to generate a time-varying voltage which decreases from an initial voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal; and an amplifier configured to change a voltage of a control terminal of the switch element such that a detection voltage associated with a coil current flowing in the switch element is close to the time-varying voltage.

2. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is configured to sink a current from the control terminal of the switch element.

3. The igniter of claim 1, wherein, when the detection voltage is higher than the time-varying voltage, the amplifier is configured to change the voltage of the control terminal of the switch element such that the detection voltage is close to the time-varying voltage.

4. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the amplifier comprises: an output transistor installed between the control terminal of the switch element and a ground line; and a voltage comparator configured to compare the detection voltage with the time-varying voltage, and turn on the output transistor when the detection voltage exceeds the time-varying voltage.

5. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the amplifier comprises: an output transistor installed between the control terminal of the switch element and a ground line; and an error amplifier configured to adjust a voltage of a control terminal of the output transistor depending on a difference between the detection voltage and the time-varying voltage.

6. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the time-varying voltage generating circuit comprises: a first node at which the time-varying voltage is output; a first resistor installed between a first voltage line regulated with a predetermined first voltage level and the first node; and a variable impedance circuit installed between the first node and a ground line, and in which an impedance of the variable impedance circuit decreases from an initial impedance corresponding to the initial voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal.

7. The igniter of claim 6, wherein the variable impedance circuit comprises: a second resistor installed between the first node and the ground line; a first transistor installed to be parallel to the second resistor; and a slope voltage source configured to generate a first slope voltage increased over time and supply the generated first slope voltage to a control terminal of the first transistor in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal.

8. The igniter of claim 7, wherein the first slope voltage source comprises: a first capacitor; a first current source configured to supply a predetermined current to the first capacitor; and a first switch installed to be parallel to the first capacitor, and in which ON/OFF operations of the first switch are controlled in response to the conduction protection signal, and wherein a voltage of the first capacitor is the first slope voltage.

9. The igniter of claim 6, wherein the variable impedance circuit comprises: a plurality of variable impedance elements connected in series, wherein each of the variable impedance elements is configured such that an impedance of each of the variable impedance elements varies between a predetermined minimum value and a predetermined maximum value depending on the control signal; and an impedance controller configured to control the plurality of variable impedance elements, wherein the impedance controller is configured to sequentially select one of the plurality of variable impedance elements and change an impedance of the selected variable impedance element from the predetermined maximum value toward the predetermined minimum value over time.

10. The igniter of claim 9, wherein the impedance controller comprises: a first slope voltage source configured to start an operation to periodically and repeatedly generate a first slope voltage increased over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal; and a counter configured to receive a period signal asserted at every period of the first slope voltage to generate an N-bit thermometer code, and wherein the impedance controller is configured to select one of the variable impedance elements based on the thermometer code, control an impedance of the selected variable impedance element depending on the first slope voltage, and fix the impedance of the selected variable impedance element as the minimum value depending on the thermometer code.

11. The igniter of claim 10, wherein each of the variable impedance elements comprises: a second resistor; a first transistor and a second transistor installed in series between one end of a high potential side of the second resistor and the ground line; and a third transistor installed between one end of a high potential side of the second resistor and the ground line, and wherein the impedance controller is configured to output the first slope voltage to a control terminal of the first transistor of each of the plurality of variable impedance elements and control the second transistor of an ith (where 1≦i≦N) variable impedance element and the third transistor of an (i−1)th variable impedance element depending on an ith bit of the thermometer code.

12. The igniter of claim 6, wherein the variable impedance circuit comprises: a plurality of variable impedance elements connected in parallel, wherein each of the variable impedance elements is configured such that an impedance of the variable impedance elements varies between a predetermined minimum value and a predetermined maximum value depending on the control signal; and an impedance controller configured to control the plurality of variable impedance elements, wherein the impedance controller is configured to sequentially select the plurality of variable impedance elements and change impedance of the selected variable impedance element from the predetermined maximum value toward the predetermined minimum value over time.

13. The igniter of claim 12, wherein the impedance controller comprises: a first slope voltage source configured to start an operation to periodically and repeatedly generate a first slope voltage increased over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal; and a counter configured to receive a period signal asserted at every period of the first slope voltage to generate an N-bit thermometer code, and wherein the impedance controller is configured to select one of the variable impedance elements depending on the thermometer code, control an impedance of the selected variable impedance element depending on the first slope voltage, and fix the impedance of the selected variable impedance element as the minimum value depending on the thermometer code.

14. The igniter of claim 13, wherein each of the variable impedance elements comprises: a second resistor, a first transistor, and a second transistor connected in series between the first node and the ground line; and a third transistor installed between both ends of the second resistor, the first transistor and the second transistor, and wherein the impedance controller is configured to output the first slope voltage to a control terminal of the first transistor of each of the plurality of variable impedance elements and control the second transistor of an ith (where 1≦i≦N) variable impedance element and the third transistor of an (i−1)th variable impedance element depending on an ith bit of the thermometer code.

15. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the time-varying voltage generating circuit comprises: a first node at which the time-varying voltage is output; a third resistor in which a potential of a first end is fixed and a second end is connected to the first node; and a slope current source connected to the third resistor and configured to generate a slope current changed over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal.

16. The igniter of claim 15, wherein the slope current source comprises: a differential transistor pair including a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor; a tail current source connected to the differential transistor pair; a first bias circuit configured to supply a predetermined first bias voltage to a control terminal of the fourth transistor; and a second bias circuit configured to generate a second bias voltage changed over time at a voltage level equal to the first bias voltage and supply the generated second bias voltage to a control terminal of the fifth transistor in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal, and wherein the slope current source is configured to generate the slope current depending on a current flowing in the fifth transistor.

17. The igniter of claim 16, wherein the first bias circuit comprises: a fourth resistor installed between a second voltage line, to which a predetermined second voltage is supplied, and the control terminal of the fourth transistor; and a fifth transistor installed between the control terminal of the fourth transistor and the ground line, and wherein the second bias circuit comprises: a sixth resistor installed between the second voltage line and the control terminal of the fifth transistor; and a variable impedance circuit installed between the control terminal of the fifth transistor and the ground line, and in which an impedance of the variable impedance circuit decreases from an initial impedance corresponding to the initial voltage toward zero over time, in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal.

18. The igniter of claim 15, wherein the slope current source comprises: a plurality of variable current sources, wherein each of the variable current sources is configured such that an output current thereof varies between a predetermined minimum value and a predetermined maximum value depending on a control signal; and a current controller configured to control the plurality of variable current sources, wherein the current controller is configured to sequentially select the plurality of variable current sources and change an output current of the selected variable current source between the predetermined maximum value and the predetermined minimum value over time, and wherein the slope current source is configured to output a sum of output currents of the plurality of variable current sources.

19. The igniter of claim 18, wherein the current controller comprises: a second slope voltage source configured to start an operation to periodically and repeatedly generate a second slope voltage changed over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal; and a counter configured to receive a period signal asserted at every period of the second slope voltage to generate an N-bit thermometer code, and wherein the current controller is configured to select one of the variable current sources based on the thermometer code, control an output current of the selected variable current source depending on the second slope voltage, and fix the output current of the selected variable current source as a final value depending on the thermometer code.

20. The igniter of claim 19, wherein each of the variable current sources comprises: a differential transistor pair including a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor; a tail current source connected to the differential transistor pair; a first bias circuit configured to supply a predetermined first bias voltage to a control terminal of the fourth transistor; and a second bias circuit configured to supply a second bias voltage to a control terminal of the fifth transistor depending on the second slope voltage and the thermometer code, and wherein each of the variable current sources is configured to output a current flowing in the fifth transistor.

21. The igniter of claim 15, wherein the slope current source comprises: a sixth transistor, a predetermined voltage being applied to a base/gate of the sixth transistor; and a variable impedance circuit installed between an emitter/source of the sixth transistor and the ground line, and in which an impedance of the variable impedance circuit changes from an initial impedance corresponding to the initial voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal, and wherein the slope current source is configured to generate the slope current depending on a current flowing in the sixth transistor.

22. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is configured to serve as an overcurrent protection circuit for changing a voltage of the control terminal of the switch element such that the coil current does not exceed a current limit, wherein the initial voltage is determined based on the current limit.

23. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is configured not to operate before the conduction protection signal is asserted, and to change a voltage of the control terminal of the switch element after the conduction protection signal is asserted.

24. The igniter of claim 1, wherein the switch control device is integrated in a single semiconductor substrate.

25. A vehicle, comprising: a gasoline engine; an ignition plug; an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil connected to the ignition plug; an ECU configured to generate an ignition signal for instructing ignition of the ignition plug; and the igniter of claim 1, configured to drive the ignition coil depending on the ignition signal.

26. A method for controlling an ignition coil connected to an ignition plug, comprising: generating an ignition signal for instructing ignition of the ignition plug by an engine control unit (ECU); comparing a voltage of an input line, to which the ignition signal is transmitted, with a reference voltage to generate a determination signal; controlling ON/OFF operations of a switch element connected to a primary coil of the ignition coil depending on the determination signal; asserting a conduction protection signal when a state where the determination signal becomes an assert level corresponding to the ON operation of the switch element continues for a predetermined conduction protection time; generating a time-varying voltage which decreases from an initial voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal; and changing a voltage of a control terminal of the switch element such that a detection voltage associated with a coil current flowing in the switch element is close to the time-varying voltage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an engine room of a gasoline engine vehicle.

(2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of part of an electric system of a vehicle.

(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B are waveform views illustrating an operation of a conduction protection circuit.

(4) FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an igniter according to an embodiment.

(5) FIG. 5 is a waveform view illustrating an operation of the igniter of FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of an igniter.

(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B are circuit diagrams of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a first configuration example.

(8) FIG. 8A is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a second configuration example, and FIG. 8B is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a third configuration example.

(9) FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit of FIG. 8A.

(10) FIG. 10 is a waveform view illustrating an operation of the time-varying voltage generating circuit of FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit of FIG. 8B.

(12) FIGS. 12A to 12C are circuit diagrams of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a fourth configuration example.

(13) FIG. 13A is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a fifth configuration example, and FIG. 13B is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit of FIG. 13A.

(14) FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit according to a sixth configuration example.

(15) FIGS. 15A to 15C are circuit diagrams of part of an igniter according to first to third modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like or equivalent components, members, and processes illustrated in each drawing are given like reference numerals and a repeated description thereof will be properly omitted. Also, the embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and any feature or combination thereof described in the embodiments may not necessarily be essential to the present disclosure.

(17) In the present disclosure, “a state where a member A is connected to a member B” includes a case where the member A and the member B are physically directly connected or even a case in which the member A and the member B are indirectly connected through any other member that does not affect an electrical connection state thereof.

(18) Similarly, “a state where a member C is installed between a member A and a member B” also includes a case where the member A and the member C or the member B and the member C are indirectly connected through any other member that does not affect an electrical connection state, in addition to a case in which the member A and the member C or the member B and the member C are directly connected.

(19) FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an igniter 200 according to an embodiment. The igniter 200 receives an ignition signal IGT from an ECU 108 by an input terminal IN thereof, and controls a current (which is called a coil current or a collector current) of a primary coil L1 of an ignition coil 104 connected to an output terminal OUT thereof depending on the ignition signal IGT.

(20) The igniter 200 has a switch element 202 and a switch control device 300, and is modularized to be accommodated in a single package.

(21) The switch element 202 is, for example, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). A collector of the switch element 202 is connected to the OUT terminal and an emitter thereof is grounded through a GND terminal. Also, as the switch element 202, a MOSFET may be used, and in this case, the emitter may be replaced with a source and the collector may be replaced with a drain.

(22) A basic configuration of the switching control device 300 is the same as that of FIG. 2, has a determination stage 300A and a driving stage 300B, and is a functional integrated circuit (IC) integrated in a single semiconductor substrate.

(23) The determination stage 300A has a high-frequency filter 303 and a determination comparator 302. The ignition signal IGT from the ECU 108 is input to the input line 301. The high-frequency filter 303 removes a high-frequency noise of the input line 301.

(24) The determination comparator 302 compares an output voltage V.sub.FIL from the high-frequency filter 303 with a reference voltage V.sub.REF to generate a determination signal S.sub.DET. In this embodiment, a state of V.sub.FIL>V.sub.REF (V.sub.IN>V.sub.REF) corresponds to an ON state of the switch element 202 and a state of V.sub.FIL<V.sub.REF (V.sub.IN<V.sub.REF) corresponds to an OFF state of the switch element 202. Further, the determination signal S.sub.DET becomes a high level (assertion) when V.sub.FIL>V.sub.REF, and becomes a low level (negation) when V.sub.FIL<V.sub.REF, and thus, the high level of the determination signal S.sub.DET is an assert level corresponding to ON of the switch element 202 and the low level of the determination signal S.sub.DET is a negative level corresponding to OFF of the switch element 202. Also, allocation of assertion and negation to the high level and the low level are matters of design and may be replaced.

(25) The driving stage 300B controls ON/OFF of the switch element 202 depending on the determination signal S.sub.DET generated by the determination stage 300A. The driving stage 300B includes a delay circuit 304, a pre-driver 306, and a gate driver 308. The delay circuit 304 provides a predetermined delay Td1 to the determination signal S.sub.DET. The delay amount Td1 is set such that a time difference (delay) between a time at which the ignition signal IGT transitions and a time at which the ignition plug is discharged has a predetermined value. The pre-driver 306 and the gate driver 308 control a voltage V.sub.G of a control terminal (gate) of the switch element 202 depending on an output S2 from the delay circuit 304.

(26) Subsequently, a soft shutoff function of the igniter 200 will be described.

(27) The switch control device 300 also has a soft shutoff circuit 320. The soft shutoff circuit 320 has a timer circuit 322, a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324, and an amplifier 326. When a state where the determination signal S.sub.DET becomes an assert level corresponding to ON of the switch element 202 continues for a predetermined conduction protection time τ, the timer circuit 322 asserts a conduction protection signal S11. The timer circuit 322 may be an analog timer or a digital timer, regardless of the type thereof.

(28) When the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 generates a time-varying voltage (soft shutoff voltage) V.sub.SSO lowered from an initial voltage V.sub.INIT over time. The amplifier 326 changes the gate voltage V.sub.G of the switch element 202 such that a detection voltage V.sub.CS that depends on the coil current I.sub.C flowing in the switch element 202 is close to the time varying voltage V.sub.SSO. The amplifier 326 is configured to sink a current (sink current I.sub.SINK) from a gate of the switch element 202. When the detection voltage V.sub.CS is higher than the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO, the amplifier 326 may discharge gate capacity of the switch element 202 by the sink current I.sub.SINK and lower the gate voltage V.sub.G of the switch element 202 such that the detection voltage V.sub.CS is close to the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO.

(29) In this embodiment, the soft shutoff circuit 320 also serves as an overcurrent protection circuit for changing the gate voltage of the switch element 202 such that the coil current I.sub.C does not exceed a current limit I.sub.CL. Further, the initial voltage V.sub.INIT of the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO is determined depending on the current limit I.sub.CL. Accordingly, a soft shutoff function may be realized, while restraining an increase in a circuit area.

(30) The basic configuration of the igniter 200 has been described above. Subsequently, an operation thereof will be described.

(31) FIG. 5 is a waveform view illustrating an operation of the igniter 200 of FIG. 4.

(32) At a time t0, the ignition signal IGT is asserted and the determination signal S.sub.DET transitions to a high level. The driving stage 300B applies a high level voltage to the gate of the switch element 202 to turn on the switch element 202. When the switch element 202 is turned on, the coil current I.sub.C is increased with a predetermined slope over time.

(33) The time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO output by the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 is the initial voltage V.sub.INIT, and the soft shutoff circuit 320 operates as an overcurrent protection circuit for controlling the gate voltage V.sub.G of the switch element 202 such that the detection voltage V.sub.CS does not exceed the initial voltage V.sub.INIT. When the detection voltage V.sub.CS reaches the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO at a time t1, the gate voltage V.sub.G is lowered and the coil current I.sub.C is clamped at the current limit I.sub.CL.

(34) After the conduction protection time τ has lapsed starting from the time t0, the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted at a time t2. With this as momentum, the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 lowers the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO over time. Then, the gate voltage V.sub.G is controlled by the amplifier 326 such that the detection voltage V.sub.CS is lowered to follow the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO, and accordingly, the coil current I.sub.C is gradually reduced.

(35) Thus, according to the igniter 200 of FIG. 4, soft shutoff may be realized. The igniter 200 may also realize soft shutoff by lowering the current limit I.sub.CL of the overcurrent protection circuit over time.

(36) The present disclosure covers various circuits recognized by the block diagram and the circuit diagram of FIG. 4 or drawn from the foregoing description, without being limited to a specific circuit configuration. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration thereof will be described.

(37) FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of the igniter 200.

(38) The amplifier 326 has a voltage comparator 328 and an output transistor 330. The output transistor 330 is installed between the control terminal (gate) of the switch element 202 and a ground line 312. The voltage comparator 328 compares the detection voltage V.sub.CS and the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO, and when the detection voltage V.sub.CS exceeds the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO, the voltage comparator 328 turns on the output transistor 330.

(39) A current sensor resistor R.sub.CS is installed in a path of a collector current I.sub.C, and more specifically, between the emitter of the switch element 202 and a GND terminal. The current sensor resistor R.sub.CS may be a chip component, a resistor component of a bonding wire, or a resistor integrated in an IC of the switch control device.

(40) Subsequently, a configuration example of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 will be described.

(41) FIGS. 7A and 7B are circuit diagrams of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 according to a first configuration example.

(42) The time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 has a first resistor R1, a first node N1, and a variable impedance circuit 332. A time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO is generated at the first node N1. The first resistor R1 is installed between a first voltage line 313 regulated with a predetermined first voltage level V.sub.REG and the first node N1. The variable impedance circuit 332 is installed between the first node N1 and the ground line 312. When the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, an impedance Rv of the variable impedance circuit 332 is reduced from an initial impedance (maximum value) R.sub.MAX corresponding to the initial voltage V.sub.INIT to zero (minimum value R.sub.MIN) over time.

(43) With this configuration, the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO of Eq. (1) may be generated.
V.sub.SSO=V.sub.REG×Rv/(R1+Rv)  Eq. (1)

(44) Further, by lowering the impedance Rv (resistance value) of the variable impedance circuit 332 from the maximum value R.sub.MAX toward the minimum value R.sub.MIN (=0), the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO may be lowered from V.sub.REG×R1/(R1+R.sub.MAX) to 0.

(45) FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the timer circuit 322 and the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 of FIG. 7A. The timer circuit 322 includes, for example, a counter 336 and a digital comparator 338. When the determination signal S.sub.DET is asserted, the counter 336 counts a clock CLK. When a count value CNT of the counter 336 becomes equal to a setting value S12 of the conduction protection time τ, the digital comparator 338 asserts the conduction protection signal S11.

(46) The variable impedance circuit 332 has a second resistor R2, a first transistor M1, and a first slope voltage source 334. The second resistor R2 is installed between the first node N1 and the ground line 312. The first transistor M1 is an N-channel MOSFET, and is installed to be parallel to the second resistor R2. When the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, the first slope voltage source 334 generates a first slope voltage V.sub.SLP increased over time and supplies the generated first slope voltage V.sub.SLP to the control terminal of the first transistor M1. A desirable waveform may be obtained with the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO by increasing the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP with a predetermined slope linearly over time.

(47) For example, the first slope voltage source 334 has a first capacitor C1, a first current source CS1, and a first switch SW1. One end of the first capacitor C1 is grounded, and the first current source CS1 supplies a predetermined constant current to the first capacitor C1. The first switch SW1 is installed to be parallel to the first capacitor C1, to control ON/OFF of the first switch SW1 in response to the conduction protection signal S11. A voltage of the first capacitor C1 is the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP. Also, a configuration of the first slope voltage source 334 is not particularly limited and a known circuit may be used.

(48) The time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO needs to be changed in the order of a few ms to hundreds of ms, and in this case, the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP may also need to be changed in the same order. When this is realized in the first slope voltage source 334 of FIG. 7B, resistance of tens of MΩ is required to reduce an amount of current of the first current source CS1 or a huge capacitor of a few nF is required as the first capacitor C1. Integration of these elements in a semiconductor chip of the switch control device 300r is not practical in terms of size, and an additional external chip component is required, increasing cost and an area.

(49) Hereinafter, a technique of integrating the first slope voltage source 334 in a semiconductor chip will be described.

(50) FIG. 8A is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324a according to a second configuration example. A variable impedance circuit 332a has N (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) number of variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N connected in series between the first node N1 and the ground line 312 and an impedance controller 340a for controlling impedance of the plurality of variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N.

(51) Each of the variable impedance elements Rv is configured such that impedance thereof is independently varied between a predetermined minimum value R.sub.MIN (zero) and a predetermined maximum value R.sub.MAX depending on the control signal. The impedance controller 340a sequentially selects a plurality of (N number of) variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N and lowers impedance of the selected variable impedance element Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N from the maximum value R.sub.MAX toward the minimum value R.sub.MIN (zero) over time.

(52) The impedance controller 340a includes a single first slope voltage source 342. The first slope voltage source 342 repeatedly generates a slope voltage V.sub.SLP having a period of 1/N of a time constant (transition time) T.sub.SSO required for the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO. Impedance of the selected variable impedance element Rv is controlled depending on the slope voltage V.sub.SLP.

(53) Thus, since the time constant required for the first slope voltage source 342 is sufficiently 1/N of the time constant of the first slope voltage source 334 of FIG. 7B, the component of the first slope voltage source 342 may be integrated in a semiconductor chip.

(54) FIG. 8B is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324b according to a third configuration example. A variable impedance circuit 332b has N (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) number of variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N connected in parallel between the first node N1 and the ground line 312 and an impedance controller 340b for controlling impedance of the plurality of variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N.

(55) Each of the variable impedance elements Rv is configured such that impedance thereof is independently varied between a predetermined minimum value R.sub.MIN (non-zero) and a predetermined maximum value R.sub.MAX (substantially infinity) depending on the control signal. The impedance controller 340b sequentially selects a plurality of (N number of) variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N and lowers impedance of the selected variable impedance element Rv from the maximum value (infinity) toward the minimum value over time. Also in this configuration, the same effect as that of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324a of FIG. 8A may be obtained.

(56) FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit of FIG. 8A.

(57) Each of the variable impedance elements Rv includes a second resistor R2, a first transistor M1, a second transistor M2, and a third transistor M3. Also, the third transistor M3 may be omitted in an Nth variable impedance element Rv.

(58) Second resistors R2.sub.1 to R2.sub.N of the plurality of variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N are connected in series. A second transistor M2.sub.i (where 1≦i≦N) and a first transistor M1.sub.i are installed in series between one end of a high potential side of a corresponding second resistor R2.sub.i and a ground line. Also, a third transistor M3.sub.i is installed between one end of a high potential side of the corresponding second resistor R2.sub.i and the ground line.

(59) The impedance controller 340a includes a counter 344 and an oscillator 346, in addition to the first slope voltage source 342. When the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, the first slope voltage source 334 starts an operation to periodically and repeatedly generate the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP increased over time. The first slope voltage source 342 may be configured like the first slope voltage source 334 of FIG. 7B.

(60) The oscillator 346 generates a period signal S13 asserted at every period of the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP. The period signal S13 is input to the gate of the first switch SW1 to turn on the first switch SW1 at every predetermined period, and the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP is reset to zero.

(61) The counter 344 receives a period signal S14 asserted at every period of the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP, to generate an N-bit thermometer code TC. Bits of the thermometer code TC are control signals S3.sub.1 to S3.sub.N.

(62) The impedance controller 340a selects one of the variable impedance elements Rv depending on the thermometer code TC, controls impedance of the selected variable impedance element Rv depending on the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP, and fixes the impedance of the variable impedance element Rv already selected depending on the thermometer code TC as a minimum value. Specifically, the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP is output to the control terminal of the first transistor M1 of each of the plurality of variable impedance elements Rv. A second transistor M2.sub.i of an ith variable impedance element Rv.sub.i and a third transistor M3.sub.i-1 of an (i−1)th variable impedance element Rv.sub.i-1 are controlled depending on an ith bit (where 1≦i≦N) S3.sub.i of the thermometer code TC.

(63) Also, the oscillator 346 may be omitted and the first slope voltage source 342 may be used as a self-propelled oscillator. In this case, a comparator for comparing the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP with a predetermined peak voltage may be added to the first slope voltage source 342, and the first switch SW1 may be controlled depending on an output from the comparator. Also, the counter 344 may be operated by using the output from the comparator.

(64) FIG. 10 is a waveform view illustrating an operation of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 of FIG. 9. According to this time-varying voltage generating circuit 324 of FIG. 9, a long time constant T.sub.SSO may be realized by repeatedly using the slope voltage V.sub.SLP having the period T.sub.SSO/N.

(65) FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324b of FIG. 8B.

(66) The variable impedance elements Rv.sub.1 to Rv.sub.N are configured in the same manner. Regarding an ith variable impedance element Rv.sub.i, a second resistor R2.sub.i, a second transistor M2.sub.i, and a first transistor M1.sub.i are connected in series between the first node N1 and the ground line 312. A third transistor M3.sub.i is installed in parallel between both ends of the second resistor R2.sub.i, the second transistor M2.sub.i, and the first transistor M1.sub.i. Regarding an Nth variable impedance element Rv.sub.N, a third transistor M3.sub.N may be omitted.

(67) The impedance controller 340b may be configured like the impedance controller 340a of FIG. 9. The impedance controller 340b selects one variable impedance element Rv depending on the thermometer code TC, controls impedance of the selected variable impedance element Rv depending on the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP, and fixes the impedance of the variable impedance element Rv already selected depending on the thermometer code TC as a minimum value.

(68) Specifically, the first slope voltage V.sub.SLP is input to the control terminal of the first transistor M1 of each of the variable impedance elements Rv. Further, a second transistor M2.sub.i of an ith (where 1≦i≦N) variable impedance element Rv.sub.1 and a third transistor M3.sub.i-1 of an (i−1)th variable impedance element Rv.sub.i-1 are controlled depending on an ith bit S3.sub.i of the thermometer code TC.

(69) With this configuration, the long time constant T.sub.SSO may be realized by repeatedly using the slope voltage V.sub.SLP of the period T.sub.SSO/N.

(70) FIGS. 12A to 12C are circuit diagrams of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324c according to a fourth configuration example.

(71) As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324c includes a third resistor R3 and a slope current source 350. A potential of one end of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324c is fixed. The slope current source 350 is connected to the third resistor R3, and when the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, the slope current source 350 generates a slope current I.sub.SLP changed over time. In FIG. 12A, a time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO may be generated by reducing the slope current I.sub.SLP from a maximum value toward zero over time. In FIG. 12B, the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO may be generated by increasing the slope current I.sub.SLP from zero toward the maximum value over time.

(72) FIG. 12C is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324c of FIG. 12A. A slope current source 350 includes a differential transistor pair 352, a tail current source 354, a first bias circuit 356, and a second bias circuit 358. The differential transistor pair 352 includes a fourth transistor Q4 and a fifth transistor Q5. The tail current source 354 is connected to the differential transistor pair 352. The first bias circuit 356 supplies a predetermined first bias voltage Vb1 to a control terminal of the fourth transistor Q4. The second bias circuit 358 generates a second bias voltage Vb2 changed over time at the same voltage level as that of the first bias voltage Vb1 with assertion of the conduction protection signal S11 as momentum, and supplies the generated second bias voltage to a control terminal of the fifth transistor Q5. The slope current source 350 generates a slope current I.sub.SLP depending on a current flowing in the fifth transistor Q5. The transistors Q4 and Q5 may be bipolar transistors. For example, a current mirror circuit 351 for reversing a current I.sub.Q5 and multiplying a predetermined coefficient thereto to generate the slope current I.sub.SLP is installed in the slope current source 350.

(73) The first bias circuit 356 includes a fourth resistor R4 installed between a second voltage line 357 to which a predetermined second voltage V.sub.REG is supplied and the control terminal of the fourth transistor Q4, and a fifth resistor R5 installed between the control terminal of the fourth transistor Q4 and the ground line 312.

(74) The second bias circuit 358 includes a sixth resistor R6 installed between the second voltage line 357 and the control terminal of the fifth transistor Q5 and a variable impedance circuit 360 installed between the control terminal of the fifth transistor and the ground line 312. With assertion of the conduction protection signal S11 as momentum, impedance of the variable impedance circuit 360 is reduced from an initial impedance R7 corresponding to the initial voltage V.sub.INIT toward zero over time. The variable impedance circuit 360 may be configured like the variable impedance circuit 332 described above.

(75) An operation of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324c of FIG. 12C will be described. It is assumed that R4=R6 and R5=R7. Before the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, Vb1=Vb2 and I.sub.Q5=I.sub.t/2. When the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, the impedance of the variable impedance circuit 360 is lowered and the second bias voltage Vb2 is lowered, so that the current I.sub.Q5 and the slope current I.sub.SLP are reduced. Accordingly, the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO lowered over time is generated.

(76) FIG. 13A is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324d according to a fifth configuration example. A slope current source 350d includes a plurality of (N number of) (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) variable current sources CS.sub.V1 to CS.sub.VN and a current controller 362 for controlling the plurality of (N number of) variable current sources CS.sub.V1 to CS.sub.VN. An output current of each of the variable current sources CS.sub.V is configured to be varied between a predetermined minimum value and a predetermined maximum value depending on a control signal. The current controller 362 sequentially selects the plurality of (N number of) variable current sources CS.sub.V1 to CS.sub.VN and changes an output current of the selected variable current source from the maximum value toward the minimum value over time. The slope current source 350d outputs a sum of the output currents of the plurality of (N number of) variable current sources CS.sub.V1 to CS.sub.VN.

(77) The current controller 362 includes a single slope voltage source 364. The slope voltage source 364 repeatedly generates a slope voltage V.sub.SLP having a period of 1/N of the time constant (transition time) T.sub.SSO required for the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO. An output current of the selected variable impedance element CS.sub.V is controlled depending on the slope voltage V.sub.SLP.

(78) Thus, since the time constant required for the slope voltage source 364 is sufficiently 1/N of T.sub.SSO, the component of the slope voltage source 364 may be integrated in a semiconductor chip.

(79) FIG. 13B is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the time-varying voltage generating circuit 324d of FIG. 13A. Immediately when a current mirror circuit 351 receives a sum current of the output currents of the plurality of variable current sources CS.sub.V, the current mirror circuit 351 outputs the sum current to the third resistor R3. Each of the variable current sources CS.sub.V includes a differential transistor pair 352, a tail current source 354, a first bias circuit (not shown), and a variable impedance element Rv. The variable impedance element Rv includes a seventh resistor R7 and first to third transistors M1 to M3. The configuration of the variable impedance element Rv is the same as that of the variable impedance element Rv.

(80) The current controller 362 is configured like the impedance controller 340a of FIG. 9, and the first to third transistors M1 to M3 are controlled in the same manner as those of FIG. 9.

(81) FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of a time-varying voltage generating circuit 324e according to a sixth configuration example. A slope current source 350e includes a current mirror circuit 351 and a variable current source CS.sub.V. The variable current source CS.sub.V includes a sixth transistor Q6 and a variable impedance circuit 366. A predetermined voltage Va is input to a base (gate) of the sixth transistor Q6. The variable impedance circuit 366 is installed between an emitter (source) of the sixth transistor Q6 and the ground line 312. With assertion of the conduction protection signal S11 as momentum, impedance of the variable impedance circuit 366 is changed from an initial impedance corresponding to the initial voltage V.sub.INIT over time. The slope current source 350e generates a slope current I.sub.SLP depending on a current I.sub.Q6 flowing in the sixth transistor Q6. The variable impedance circuit 366 may be configured like the aforementioned variable impedance circuit 332 or a modification thereof.

(82) It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are merely illustrative and may be variously modified by any combination of the components or processes, and the modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, these modifications will be described.

(83) (First Modification)

(84) FIG. 15A is a circuit diagram of part of an igniter 200 according to a first modification. In this modification, a low side transistor M1 of a gate driver 308 is commonly used with the output transistor 330 of the amplifier 326.

(85) (Second Modification)

(86) FIG. 15B is a circuit diagram of part of an igniter 200 according to a second modification. In this modification, the amplifier 326 includes an error amplifier 329 instead of the voltage comparator 328. The error amplifier 329 adjusts a voltage of the control terminal of the output transistor 330 depending on a difference between the detection voltage V.sub.CS and the time-varying voltage V.sub.SSO.

(87) (Third Modification)

(88) FIG. 15C is a circuit diagram of part of an igniter 200 according to a third modification. This modification further has an overcurrent protection circuit 321 in addition to the soft shutoff circuit 320. The amplifier 326 is not operated before the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted, and the amplifier 326 is operated to change a voltage of the control terminal of the switch element 202 after the conduction protection signal S11 is asserted.

(89) (Fourth Modification)

(90) In the embodiment, the coil current I.sub.C is detected by the current sense resistor R.sub.CS, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In order to detect the coil current I.sub.C, a current flowing in the switch element 202 may be duplicated by a current mirror circuit and the duplicated current may be detected, or the coil current may be detected by using an ON resistance of the switch element 202. Alternatively, an auxiliary winding may be added to the ignition coil 104 to estimate the coil current I.sub.C based on a current flowing in the auxiliary winding.

(91) Also, the application of the time-varying voltage generating circuits 324 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. 9, FIG. 11, FIGS. 12A to 12C, FIGS. 13A and 13B, and FIG. 14 is not limited to the igniter 200 and they may be used for other purposes.

(92) According to the present disclosure in some embodiments, it is possible to realize soft shutoff.

(93) While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures. Indeed, the novel methods and apparatuses described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosures.