Patent · US Expired

Circuit to protect a light element

US6686697B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
5References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 28, 2002
Grant dateFeb 3, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/30
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit protects a light element and prevents a breakdown of a laser diode (LD) when electric static discharge (ESD) occurs. The circuit protects the light element in a drive to control an operation of the light element, which radiates light onto a disc. Here, the drive includes a switch between an active node of the light element and a predetermined potential so that the switch is short-circuited in a normal state, but is open when the drive operates. The light element is protected from static electricity or a surge voltage in a manufacturing process thereof or under a user environment. As a result, the probability that the light element is broken down is remarkably reduced.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.