Current drivers that utilize short circuit protection
US9793709B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/0009
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments described herein provide short circuit detection capabilities for current drivers. One embodiment includes a controller and a current driver. The current driver includes a power switch circuit that couples a supply rail to a high side of a load in response to receiving a drive signal. The current driver further includes a continuity circuit that couples the supply rail to the high side and indicates to the controller whether a first current flow to the high side exceeds a first threshold. The current driver further includes a current sense circuit that couples a low side of the load to ground and indicates to the controller whether a second current flow from the low side exceeds a second threshold. The controller identifies, based on the first current flow, the second current flow, and the drive signal, a plurality of short circuit conditions that may exist at the current driver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.