Coil current limiting feature for an ignition coil driver module
US6100728A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/15787
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The ignition coil driver module of the present invention includes a control integrated circuit, formed of a low voltage semiconductor material, and a high current load driver integrated circuit, formed of a high voltage integrated circuit, housed within a common package. The high current load driver integrated circuit is responsive to a low voltage drive signal provided by the control integrated circuit to permit a load current to flow unrestricted through the load driver integrated circuit and an inductive load connected thereto. The control integrated circuit includes a sense resistor which receives the load current from the high current load driver integrated circuit, converts this current to a sense voltage, compares the sense voltage to a reference voltage generated within the control integrated circuit, and forces the low voltage drive signal to drop to a level which will limit the load current to a predetermined current value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.