Control circuit for controlling an electronic circuit and method for this

US7459954B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Jochen Kuehner · Backnang, DE
• Robert Plikat · Eningen unter Achalm, DE
• Stefan Mueller · Villingen, DE
• Stephan Rees · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Armin Ruf · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 7, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2008
• Expiry date: Feb 7, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03K17/0822
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A control circuit for controlling an electronic circuit, which has a current path through a semiconductor switch and a line; when the semiconductor switch is switched, the inductance of the line and/or of a component in the current path producing an excess voltage between a first and a second current-carrying terminal of the semiconductor switch; the control circuit having a controllable current source for charging or discharging a charge-controlled gate of the semiconductor switch with the aid of a control current, as well as a control unit; the control unit controlling the current source in such a manner, that in the case of a switching operation, the terminal voltage across the current-carrying terminals of the semiconductor switch does not exceed a predefined setpoint terminal voltage.