USRE33941E - Power driver having short circuit protection - Google Patents
Power driver having short circuit protection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE33941E USRE33941E US07/499,845 US49984590A USRE33941E US RE33941 E USRE33941 E US RE33941E US 49984590 A US49984590 A US 49984590A US RE33941 E USRE33941 E US RE33941E
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- control signal
- power
- switch
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/08—Modifications for protecting switching circuit against overcurrent or overvoltage
- H03K17/082—Modifications for protecting switching circuit against overcurrent or overvoltage by feedback from the output to the control circuit
- H03K17/0826—Modifications for protecting switching circuit against overcurrent or overvoltage by feedback from the output to the control circuit in bipolar transistor switches
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to short circuit protection schemes, and particularly to implementation of short circuit protection in a low side power driver circuit.
- driver circuits function, at least in part, to provide power to a load to thereby effectuate some intended purpose.
- driver circuits include a switch (such as a transistor) that can be operated to make or break a current path that includes the load and a power source.
- the device includes generally no more than three input/output terminals, including a control signal input for receiving a control signal, a power input, and a power output.
- the device further includes a switch connected in series between the power input and the power output, this switch being responsive to the control signal to selectively connect the power input to the power output when desired.
- the device includes an over current detection unit for detecting a level of current through the switch that exceeds a threshold current level. Upon detecting such excessive current flow, the over current detection unit causes the switch to disconnect the power input and power output.
- a comparator compares a first signal that relates to the level of current flowing through the switch against a second signal that relates to the threshold current level.
- the second signal can be formed as a function of the control signal, and the control signal can further function to enable the comparator.
- the input control signal serves a number of functions. As indicated above, this signal functions under ordinary circumstances, to enable both the switch and the comparator, and aids in establishing a comparator reference signal. Due in part to this unique multiple use of the control signal, a three lead device can be offered having only a control signal input, a power in, and a power out terminal that provides reliable and cost effective short circuit protection, particularly if offered in an integrated circuit package.
- FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram view of the device as configurated in an application setting
- FIG. 2 comprises a schematic diagram of a first embodiment
- FIG. 3 comprises a schematic diagram of a second embodiment
- FIG. 4 comprises a schematic diagram of a third embodiment
- FIG. 5 comprises a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment.
- the device can be seen as depicted generally by the numeral 10.
- the device (10) includes three input/output terminals; a control signal output (11), a power input (12), and a power output (13).
- the control signal input (11) can be connected to receive an appropriate control signal.
- the power input (12) can connect to a series configured load (14) and power source (16).
- the power output (13) connects to ground.
- a first embodiment of the device (10) includes generally a switch (17) and an over current detection unit (18).
- the over current detection unit (18) includes generally a second switch (19), a comparator (21), a current sensing unit (22) and a reference signal unit (23).
- the switch (17) can be comprised of an appropriate power transistor, the collector of which comprises the power input (12) and the emitter of which connects to the current sense unit (22) as described in more detail below.
- the base of this transistor connects through an appropriate resistor (24) to the control signal input (11).
- the second switch (19) can be comprised of an SCR (26), the anode of which connects to the base of the power transistor (17) and the cathode to the base of the power transistor (17) and the cathode of which connects to the power output terminal (13).
- the gate for this SCR (26) connects to the comparator (21) as described below.
- the comparator (21) can be comprised of an operational amplifier (27).
- the output of this operational amplifier (27) connects to the gate of the second switch SCR (26).
- the noninverting input of the operational amplifier (27) connects to the current sense unit (22) and the inverting input connects to the reference signal unit (23) as described below in more detail.
- the ground pin for the operational amplifier (27) connects to the power output terminal (13) and the biasing voltage pin connects to the control signal input (11). So configured, the control signal provided at the control signal input (11) will serve to bias the operational amplifier (27) into an enabled state.
- the current sense unit (22) can be comprised of a resistor (28) that connects in series between the switch (17) and the power output terminal (13).
- the high side of the resistor (28) connects to the noninverting input of the comparator operation amplifier (27) as referred to above.
- the reference signal unit (23) includes a voltage divider comprised of two resistors (29 and 31). These resistors (29 and 31) connect in series between the control signal input (11) and the power output terminal (13). The node between these two resistors (29 and 31) connects to the inverting input of the comparator operational amplifier (27). So configured, the control signal as received at the control signal input (11) will provide a bias signal that, through operation of the voltage divider, will provide a reference signal to the inverting input of the operational amplifier (27) that represents a threshold current level.
- control signal will bias the switch (17) into a conductive state, thereby allowing current to flow from the power source and load therethrough to complete a current flow path.
- control signal will power up and thereby enable the comparator operational amplifier (27) to thereby allow the comparator (21) to monitor for an over current condition.
- control signal will bias the reference signal unit (23) to thereby yield a threshold reference signal for use by the comparator (21).
- FIG. 3 a second embodiment of the device will be described.
- the second switch can be comprised of a PNP transistor (32), a NPN transistor (33), and three resistors (34, 36, and 37).
- the output of the comparator (21) (FIG. 2) connects through one resistor (36) to the base of the PNP transistor (32) and the collector of the NPN transistor (33).
- the base of the PNP transistor (32) connects through another resistor (34) to the emitter thereof, and also to the base of the switch power transistor (FIG. 2).
- the collector of the PNP transistor (32) connects to the base of the NPN transistor (33) and through the third resistor (37) to the emitter thereof.
- the emitter of the NPN transistor (33) connects to the power output terminal (13) (FIG. 2).
- the above described transistor latch will operate to connect the base of the switch power transistor to the power output terminal (13) upon receipt of an enabling signal from the comparator (21).
- FIG. 4 a third embodiment of the device (10) will now be described.
- control signal input (11) again connects through a resistor (24) to the base of a switch power transistor, the collector of which comprises the power input terminal (12).
- the emitter of the switch power transistor connects directly to the power output terminal (13).
- the over current detection unit (18) again includes a second switch (19), a comparator (21), a current sense unit (22), and a reference signal unit (23).
- the comparator (21) can again be comprises of an operational amplifier (27) having its biasing pin connected to the control signal input (11) and its ground pin connected to the power output terminal (13).
- the second siwtch (19) can be comprised of an NPN transistor (38), the base of which connects to the output of the comparator operational amplifier (27), the collector of which connects to the base of the switch power transistor (17), and the emitter of which connects to the power output terminal (13).
- the current sense unit (22) includes a voltage divider network comprised of two resistors (39 and 41).
- the noninverting input of the operational amplifier (27) connects through one of these resistors (41) to the power output terminal (13) and through the remaining resistor (39) to the power input terminal (12). So configured, the current sense unit (12) monitors the collector saturation voltage of the switch power transistor.
- the reference signal unit (23) includes a voltage divider network comprised of two resistors (42 and 43) and a capacitor (44).
- the capacitor (44) and one resistor (42) are connected in parallel between the control signal input (11) and the inverting input of the operational amplifier (27).
- the remaining resistor (43) connects between the inverting input of the operational amplifier (27) and the power output terminal (13).
- the reference signal unit (23) will operate to effectively provide an initially higher reference signal to the comparator (21), followed by a lower threshold signal once the capacitor (44) has fully charged.
- This bifurcated reference signal structure ensures that the comparator (21) will provide an appropriate initial nonenabling signal to the second switch transistor (38). In this way, the second switch (19) can be made responsive to only a true over current condition and not merely to initial start up conditions.
- FIG. 5 a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described.
- the reference signal unit (23) connects to the inverting input of the comparator operational amplifier (27).
- the current sense unit (22) in this case comprises a conductive path between the base of the switch power transistor (17) and the noninverting input of the operational amplifier (27). So configured, the comparator (21) will monitor the base emitter voltage of the switch power transistor (17).
- the device (10) described through various embodiments set forth above provides a three terminal device that provides power to a load in response to receipt of a control signal, and simultaneously utilizes that control signal to establish an over current reference signal and to enable an over current detection mechanism. Few parts are required, and a generally cost effective yet reliable short circuit protection system results.
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- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/499,845 USRE33941E (en) | 1986-07-23 | 1990-03-27 | Power driver having short circuit protection |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/890,259 US4771357A (en) | 1986-07-23 | 1986-07-23 | Power driver having short circuit protection |
US07/499,845 USRE33941E (en) | 1986-07-23 | 1990-03-27 | Power driver having short circuit protection |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/890,259 Reissue US4771357A (en) | 1986-07-23 | 1986-07-23 | Power driver having short circuit protection |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USRE33941E true USRE33941E (en) | 1992-05-26 |
Family
ID=27053307
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/499,845 Expired - Lifetime USRE33941E (en) | 1986-07-23 | 1990-03-27 | Power driver having short circuit protection |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | USRE33941E (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5497072A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1996-03-05 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Solid state power controller with power switch protection apparatus |
US5548467A (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 1996-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | LAN interface with simplified overcurrent protection |
US20030112568A1 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-06-19 | James Holt | Over-voltage protection circuit |
US6597553B2 (en) | 2001-12-18 | 2003-07-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | Short circuit protection for a high or low side driver with low impact to driver performance |
EP1285483B1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2004-08-04 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Semiconductor component |
US6788503B2 (en) * | 2001-02-09 | 2004-09-07 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Protecting circuit against short-circuit of output terminal of AC adapter |
US7408755B1 (en) | 2007-06-12 | 2008-08-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Advanced inrush/transient current limit and overload/short circuit protection method and apparatus for DC voltage power supply |
US20140129851A1 (en) * | 2012-11-06 | 2014-05-08 | Upi Semiconductor Corp. | Voltage identification definition reference voltage generation circuit and boot voltage generating method thereof |
US10756626B2 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2020-08-25 | Asustek Computer Inc. | Power conversion circuit |
Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3311787A (en) * | 1964-04-09 | 1967-03-28 | Tracy B Gunderman | Transistorized circuit breaker |
US3906310A (en) * | 1972-10-16 | 1975-09-16 | Sony Corp | Protective circuit for a main transistor in a monolithic integrated circuit |
US3959713A (en) * | 1975-03-27 | 1976-05-25 | Motorola, Inc. | Solid state current limit circuit |
US4268887A (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1981-05-19 | Sgs-Ates Componenti Elettronici S.P.A. | Protective system for power stage of IC amplifier |
US4278930A (en) * | 1979-09-27 | 1981-07-14 | Gte Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc. | Current sensing circuit for power supply with series control transistor |
US4348709A (en) * | 1980-12-15 | 1982-09-07 | Mauk Ernest R | Electronic load protection circuit |
US4371824A (en) * | 1979-07-05 | 1983-02-01 | Eaton Corporation | Base drive and overlap protection circuit |
US4390828A (en) * | 1982-03-17 | 1983-06-28 | Transaction Control Industries | Battery charger circuit |
US4393431A (en) * | 1980-04-23 | 1983-07-12 | Mcgraw-Edison Company | Overcurrent relay circuit |
US4404473A (en) * | 1981-12-17 | 1983-09-13 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Direct current power controller |
US4423457A (en) * | 1981-02-05 | 1983-12-27 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Overload protection circuit for a semiconductor switch |
US4495537A (en) * | 1983-05-10 | 1985-01-22 | Harris Corporation | Controlled current limiter |
US4509102A (en) * | 1983-03-08 | 1985-04-02 | Canadian Patents & Dev. Limited | Voltage controlled current switch with short circuit protection |
-
1990
- 1990-03-27 US US07/499,845 patent/USRE33941E/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3311787A (en) * | 1964-04-09 | 1967-03-28 | Tracy B Gunderman | Transistorized circuit breaker |
US3906310A (en) * | 1972-10-16 | 1975-09-16 | Sony Corp | Protective circuit for a main transistor in a monolithic integrated circuit |
US3959713A (en) * | 1975-03-27 | 1976-05-25 | Motorola, Inc. | Solid state current limit circuit |
US4268887A (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1981-05-19 | Sgs-Ates Componenti Elettronici S.P.A. | Protective system for power stage of IC amplifier |
US4371824A (en) * | 1979-07-05 | 1983-02-01 | Eaton Corporation | Base drive and overlap protection circuit |
US4278930A (en) * | 1979-09-27 | 1981-07-14 | Gte Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc. | Current sensing circuit for power supply with series control transistor |
US4393431A (en) * | 1980-04-23 | 1983-07-12 | Mcgraw-Edison Company | Overcurrent relay circuit |
US4348709A (en) * | 1980-12-15 | 1982-09-07 | Mauk Ernest R | Electronic load protection circuit |
US4423457A (en) * | 1981-02-05 | 1983-12-27 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Overload protection circuit for a semiconductor switch |
US4404473A (en) * | 1981-12-17 | 1983-09-13 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Direct current power controller |
US4390828A (en) * | 1982-03-17 | 1983-06-28 | Transaction Control Industries | Battery charger circuit |
US4509102A (en) * | 1983-03-08 | 1985-04-02 | Canadian Patents & Dev. Limited | Voltage controlled current switch with short circuit protection |
US4495537A (en) * | 1983-05-10 | 1985-01-22 | Harris Corporation | Controlled current limiter |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5497072A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1996-03-05 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Solid state power controller with power switch protection apparatus |
US5548467A (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 1996-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | LAN interface with simplified overcurrent protection |
EP1285483B1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2004-08-04 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Semiconductor component |
US6788503B2 (en) * | 2001-02-09 | 2004-09-07 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Protecting circuit against short-circuit of output terminal of AC adapter |
US6597553B2 (en) | 2001-12-18 | 2003-07-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | Short circuit protection for a high or low side driver with low impact to driver performance |
US20030112568A1 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-06-19 | James Holt | Over-voltage protection circuit |
US6731486B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2004-05-04 | Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation | Output-powered over-voltage protection circuit |
US7408755B1 (en) | 2007-06-12 | 2008-08-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Advanced inrush/transient current limit and overload/short circuit protection method and apparatus for DC voltage power supply |
US20140129851A1 (en) * | 2012-11-06 | 2014-05-08 | Upi Semiconductor Corp. | Voltage identification definition reference voltage generation circuit and boot voltage generating method thereof |
US9075590B2 (en) * | 2012-11-06 | 2015-07-07 | Upi Semiconductor Corp. | Voltage identification definition reference voltage generation circuit and boot voltage generating method thereof |
US10756626B2 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2020-08-25 | Asustek Computer Inc. | Power conversion circuit |
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