IP Library Granted Patent US 7,675,726
Granted Patent B2
US 7,675,726 · App. 10/566,529 · Granted Mar 9, 2010

Device for protecting electronic modules in a multi-voltage on-board electrical system against short circuits

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,675,726
App. No.
10/566,529
Granted
Mar 9, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for protecting electronic modules in a multivoltage on-board electrical wiring system comprising a first accumulator of a low on-board electrical wiring system voltage, against short circuits after a high on-board electrical wiring system voltage, consisting of a transistor whose drain-source path is inserted between the control device connection and the electronic module connection. The source connection of the transistor is linked to the electronic module connection. A gate resistor and a diode guiding the current in the direction of the plus pole of the first accumulator are parallel-mounted between the gate connection of the transistor and the plus pole of the accumulator. A Zener diode is arranged between the gate connection and source connection of the transistor.

Claims (15)

1. A device for protecting an electronic module disposed in a control device in a multi-voltage on-board electrical system having an accumulator with a low on-board electrical system voltage against short circuiting to a high on-board electrical system voltage, comprising:

a MOSFET transistor having a drain source path inserted between a control device connection and a connection of the electronic module, and with:

a source connected to the connection of the electronic module;

a drain connected to the control device connection; and

a gate;

a Zener diode connected between said gate and said source of said MOSFET transistor;

a gate resistor connected between said gate of said MOSFET transistor and a positive pole of the first accumulator; and

a diode connected in parallel with said gate resistor, for conducting current in a direction from said gate to the positive pole of the accumulator;

wherein when a short circuit to the high on board electrical system voltage is conducted to said drain, said MOSFET transistor turns on or remains turned on; and

wherein said MOSFET transistor has a threshold voltage and, in an event of a short circuit to a highest voltage of the on-board electrical system active at the device connection, a source voltage of said transistor is limited to a value Vs=Vbat 1 −Vth, where Vs is the source voltage, Vbat 1 is the low on-board voltage, and Vth is the threshold voltage of said transistor.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic module is disposed in control device for controlling low-power consumers or for processing/transmitting data.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said Zener diode is configured with a breakdown voltage lower than a maximum permitted gate source voltage of said MOSFET transistor.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein, on occurrence of a the short circuit to the highest voltage of the on-board electrical system active at the device connection, said diode connected in parallel to said gate resistor limits the gate voltage of said MOSFET transistor to a value Vg=Vbat 1 +Vd, wherein Vg is the gate voltage, Vbat 1 is the low on-board voltage, and Vd is a conducting state voltage of said diode.

5. The device according to claim 1 , with the protective circuit integrated in an ASIC.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-voltage on-board electrical system is a motor vehicle on-board electrical system.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2020
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 053395/0584 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2011
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 027263/0068 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2009
From: BOLZ, STEPHAN; LUGERT, GUENTER
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 023661/0093 →