Bidirectional electronic switch
US6292341A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/0822
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A protection circuit of a diagnostic output line (K-line) of a control unit for protection of the control unit in the event of a ground disconnection or of a "below ground" condition is provided. The diagnostic output line includes a first interface DMOS transistor with a source connected to ground and a drain coupled to the diagnostic output line through a second DMOS transistor with a source connected to the output line and a drain connected to the source of the first DMOS transistor. The protection circuit also includes a comparator for the voltage of the diagnostic output line with the potential of the ground node, and a two-input logic gate, whose output controls a current generator forcing a current, limited by a resistor, on the diagnostic output line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.