Intelligent electronic switch, current detection device, chip, chip product and vehicle

Abstract

The present application provides an intelligent electronic switch, a current detection device, a chip, a chip product and an automobile. The intelligent electronic switch includes a sampling terminal, a power switch and a control circuit. Among them, the control circuit can collect the output current of the power switch to obtain a first sampled current. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to a reference current, a first indication signal is output to the microcontroller and the first sampled current is output through the sampling terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, a second indication signal is output to the microcontroller and a second sampled current is output through the sampling terminal. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampled current is less than the first sampled current and is related to the first sampled current. In this way, the microcontroller can determine the output current of the power switch according to the obtained indication signal and the collected signal, solving the problem that the detection result of the microcontroller may be inaccurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electronic circuits, and particularly to an intelligent electronic switch, a current detection circuit, a chip, a chip product, and an automobile. Background Art

[0002] With the development of vehicle intelligence, the functions of automobiles are becoming increasingly complex, and the implementation of these functions requires different loads and different actuators. Among them, the intelligent electronic switch includes at least one or more power switches used as electronic switches and a control unit, and the control unit can control the power switch to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off based on the received control signal.

[0003] In the prior art, the intelligent electronic switch may further include a current sampling unit and a sampling terminal. The current sampling unit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and output the sampling current corresponding to the output current to the sampling terminal, and the sampling terminal is further used to connect a detection resistor and a microcontroller, so that the microcontroller can obtain the sampling voltage corresponding to the sampling current from the sampling terminal and perform reasonable control on the power switch.

[0004] However, in practical applications, the maximum voltage detected by the microcontroller is its rated operating voltage. Thus, when the voltage at the sampling terminal exceeds the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller, the detected voltage of the microcontroller will be inaccurate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an intelligent electronic switch, a current detection device, a chip, a chip product, and an automobile to solve the problem that the detection result of the microcontroller may be inaccurate.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides an intelligent electronic switch, including a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a sampling terminal, a power switch, and a control circuit;

[0007] Among them, the power supply terminal and the power ground terminal are used to be connected to a battery, the power switch is used to be connected in series with a load, its first end is connected to the power supply terminal or the power ground terminal, its second end is connected to the load output terminal, and its control end is connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit is used to control the power switch to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off;

[0008] The control circuit is also connected to the sampling terminal, and the sampling terminal is also used to be connected to a microcontroller. The control circuit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and obtain a first sampled current. The first sampled current is used to represent the current flowing through the power switch. The first sampled current is compared with a reference current. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, a first indication signal is output to the microcontroller and the first sampled current is output through the sampling terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, a second indication signal is output to the microcontroller and a second sampled current is output through the sampling terminal. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampled current is less than the first sampled current and is related to the first sampled current, so that the microcontroller determines the output current of the power switch according to the obtained indication signal and the signal collected from the sampling terminal.

[0009] In a possible design of the first aspect, the intelligent electronic switch further includes a feedback terminal; the feedback terminal is used to be connected to the control circuit and the microcontroller;

[0010] When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, the control circuit outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller through the feedback terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, the control circuit outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller through the feedback terminal.

[0011] Optionally, the control circuit includes a driving unit, a first current sampling unit, and a current processing unit; the driving unit is used to be connected to the microcontroller and the control terminal of the power switch, the first current sampling unit is connected to the power switch and the current processing unit, and the current processing unit is also connected to the sampling terminal and the feedback terminal;

[0012] The driving unit is used to control the power switch to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off according to the switch control signal of the microcontroller; the first current sampling unit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and output the first sampled current, and the current processing unit is used to compare the received first sampled current with the reference current. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, the first sampled current is output to the sampling terminal and a first indication signal is output to the feedback terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, the first sampled current is processed to obtain a second sampled current and the second sampled current is output to the sampling terminal and a second indication signal is output to the feedback terminal.

[0013] Optionally, the current processing unit includes a comparison unit, a first logic unit, and an arithmetic unit;

[0014] The first input terminal of the comparison unit, the input terminal of the first logic unit, and the input terminal of the arithmetic unit are all connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit. The output terminal of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the enable terminal of the first logic unit, the enable terminal of the arithmetic unit, and the feedback terminal. The output terminal of the first logic unit and the output terminal of the arithmetic unit are both connected to the sampling terminal;

[0015] The comparison unit is configured to compare the first sampled current with the reference current, and output a first level signal when the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampled current is greater than the reference current. The first logic unit is enabled when receiving the first level signal, and outputs the received first sampled current to the sampling terminal. The arithmetic unit is enabled when receiving the second level signal, and the arithmetic unit performs a preset operation on the received first sampled current to obtain the second sampled current and outputs it to the sampling terminal. Wherein, the first indication signal includes the first level signal, the second indication signal includes the second level signal. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, the sampling terminal outputs the first sampled current. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, the sampling terminal outputs the second sampled current.

[0016] As an example, the arithmetic unit is a division unit, and a preset value greater than 1 is stored in the division unit, and the second sampled current is equal to the value obtained by dividing the first sampled current by the preset value.

[0017] As another example, the arithmetic unit is a subtraction unit, and the subtraction unit is further configured to access the reference current, and the second sampled current is equal to the value obtained by subtracting the reference current from the first sampled current.

[0018] In another possible design of the first aspect, the control circuit further includes a second current sampling unit, and the second current sampling unit is respectively connected to the power switch and the current processing unit;

[0019] The second current sampling unit is configured to collect the output current of the power switch and output a second sampled current. The second sampling ratio of the second current sampling unit is greater than the first sampling ratio of the first current sampling unit, and the maximum value of the second sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current;

[0020] The current processing unit is configured to compare the received first sampled current with the reference current. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, the first sampled current is output to the sampling terminal and a first indication signal is output to the feedback terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, the second sampled current is output to the sampling terminal and a second indication signal is output to the feedback terminal.

[0021] Optionally, the current processing unit includes a comparison unit and a selection unit;

[0022] A first input terminal of the comparison unit is connected to an output terminal of the first current sampling unit. A second input terminal of the comparison unit is configured to receive the reference current. An output terminal of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the selection unit and the feedback terminal. The selection unit is also respectively connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit, the output terminal of the second current sampling unit, and the sampling terminal. The comparison unit is configured to compare the first sampled current with the reference current, and output a first level signal when the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampled current is greater than the reference current. The selection unit is configured to select the larger current from the first sampled current and the second sampled current and output it to the sampling terminal when receiving the first level signal, and select the smaller current from the first sampled current and the second sampled current and output it to the sampling terminal when receiving the second level signal. Correspondingly, the first indication signal is the first level signal, and the second indication signal is the second level signal;

[0023] Or

[0024] The first input terminal of the comparison unit is connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit. The second input terminal of the comparison unit is used to access the reference current. The output terminal of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the selection unit, the feedback terminal, and the enable terminal of the second current sampling unit. The selection unit is also respectively connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit, the output terminal of the second current sampling unit, and the sampling terminal. The comparison unit is configured to compare the first sampled current with the reference current, and output a first level signal when the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampled current is greater than the reference current. The second current sampling unit is enabled when receiving the second level signal to collect the output current of the power switch and output a second sampled current. The selection unit is configured to output the received first sampled current to the sampling terminal when receiving the first level signal, and output the received second sampled current to the sampling terminal when receiving the second level signal. Correspondingly, the first indication signal is the first level signal, and the second indication signal is the second level signal.

[0025] In the above possible designs of the first aspect, the reference current is related to the sampling capability of the microcontroller, and the current output by the control circuit to the sampling terminal is within the rated sampling range of the microcontroller.

[0026] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a current detection device, including the intelligent electronic switch and the microcontroller described in the first aspect and the above possible designs.

[0027] The microcontroller is connected to the sampling terminal of the intelligent electronic switch, and the microcontroller is configured to determine the output current of the power switch in the intelligent electronic switch according to the indication signal received from the intelligent electronic switch and the signal collected from the sampling terminal.

[0028] In a possible design of the second aspect, the microcontroller is further connected to the feedback terminal of the intelligent electronic switch, and the microcontroller receives the indication signal from the feedback terminal.

[0029] Optionally, when the microcontroller receives the first indication signal from the feedback terminal, the microcontroller determines a first sampled current according to the sampling signal collected from the sampling terminal, and determines the output current of the power switch according to the first sampled current.

[0030] When the microcontroller receives the second indication signal from the feedback terminal, the microcontroller determines a second sampled current according to the sampling signal collected from the sampling terminal, and determines the output current of the power switch according to the second sampled current.

[0031] In another possible design of the second aspect, the current detection device further includes a detection resistor;

[0032] The first end of the detection resistor is connected to the microcontroller and the sampling terminal, and its second end is grounded. The detection resistor is used to determine the sampling accuracy of the microcontroller.

[0033] In a third aspect, an integrated circuit chip provided by an embodiment of the present application includes the intelligent electronic switch as described in the first aspect and each possible design above. Among them, the power supply terminal is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal is a power ground pin, the load output terminal is a load output pin, and the sampling terminal is a sampling pin.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, a chip product provided by an embodiment of the present application includes the intelligent electronic switch as described in the first aspect and each possible design above. Among them, the components of the intelligent electronic switch except for the power switch and some components of the control circuit are located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch and some components of the control circuit are located on the second integrated circuit chip;

[0035] Among them, the power supply terminal is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal is a power ground pin, the load output terminal is a load output pin, the sampling terminal is a sampling pin, the power supply pin, the power ground pin, and the sampling pin are all located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the load output pin is located on the second integrated circuit chip.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an automobile, including the intelligent electronic switch as described in the first aspect and each possible design above, or the integrated circuit chip as described in the third aspect above, or the chip product as described in the fourth aspect above, or the current detection device as described in the second aspect and each possible design above;

[0037] It further includes a battery and a load. Among them, the positive electrode of the battery is connected to the power supply terminal, the negative electrode of the battery is connected to the power ground terminal, one end of the load is connected to the load output terminal, and the other end of the load is connected to the power ground terminal or the power supply terminal.

[0038] The intelligent electronic switch, current detection circuit, chip, chip product, and vehicle provided by the present application. The intelligent electronic switch includes a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a sampling terminal, a power switch, and a control circuit. Among them, after the control circuit collects the output current of the power switch and obtains a first sampled current, it can compare the first sampled current with a reference current. When the first sampled current is less than or equal to the reference current, it outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller and outputs the first sampled current through the sampling terminal. When the first sampled current is greater than the reference current, it outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller and outputs a second sampled current through the sampling terminal. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampled current is less than the first sampled current and is related to the first sampled current. In this way, the signals output by the intelligent electronic switch through the sampling terminal are all within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller. The microcontroller can determine the output current of the power switch based on the indication signal obtained from the intelligent electronic switch and the signal collected from the sampling terminal, solving the problem that the detection result of the microcontroller may be inaccurate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present application.

[0040] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a schematic circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic circuit structure diagram of the current processing unit shown;

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided in the third embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is Figure 4 a schematic composition structure diagram of the current processing unit in the shown embodiment.

[0045] Through the above-mentioned accompanying drawings, the clear embodiments of the present application have been shown, and there will be more detailed descriptions hereinafter. These accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present application in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof appearing in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or modules is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0048] In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. The electrical connections in this application include direct electrical connections and indirect electrical connections. An indirect electrical connection means that there may be other electronic components, pins, etc. between the two electrical components in the electrical connection. The XX terminal mentioned in this application may or may not be an actual terminal. For example, it may only be one end of a component or one end of a wire. The "and / or" mentioned in this application includes three cases. For example, A and / or B includes three cases: A, B, and A and B.

[0049] With the acceleration of the automotive intelligent industrial transformation, more and more electronic switches are installed in vehicles. In practical applications, intelligent electronic switches have gradually become the trend of switch development because they have characteristics such as high reliability, flexibility, low power consumption, and small size and light weight, and are used for driving and switching of in-vehicle loads and protecting and diagnosing the loads.

[0050] An intelligent electronic switch, for example, includes a current measurement circuit to measure the load current of a power switch. The current measurement value of the current measurement circuit can be used, for example, to implement an overcurrent protection function (such as overcurrent shutdown, current limiting, etc.). The intelligent electronic switch can also output the current measurement value so that a microcontroller can process it. To achieve this purpose, the intelligent electronic switch can have a sampling terminal and output a sampling current or sampling voltage through this sampling terminal. The sampling current or sampling voltage can represent the current measurement value of the intelligent electronic switch or one or more parameters.

[0051] In practical applications, a detection resistor and a microcontroller are connected to the sampling terminal of the intelligent electronic switch, enabling the microcontroller to obtain the sampling voltage corresponding to the sampling current from the sampling terminal. Usually, this sampling voltage is equal to the product of the sampling current and the detection resistor. Therefore, when the detection resistor is fixed, the larger the sampling current, the larger the sampling voltage, and the smaller the sampling current, the smaller the sampling voltage. Currently, since the intelligent electronic switch has a wide output current range, the sampling current range output to the sampling terminal is also relatively wide. Correspondingly, the sampling voltage range at the sampling terminal is also large. Since the maximum voltage detected by the microcontroller from the sampling terminal is its rated operating voltage, when the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal exceeds the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller, it will cause the voltage detected by the microcontroller to be inaccurate.

[0052] For example, the range of the output current Iout at the load output terminal of the intelligent electronic switch is 0 - 10A, and the sampling ratio of the current measurement circuit (e.g., the ratio of the output current to the sampling current) is k. Thus, the sampling current Ics output by the intelligent electronic switch to the sampling terminal is Iout / k. Assuming k = 5000, the output current Iout at the load output terminal = 10A, and the detection resistor Rsen = 2kΩ, the sampling current Ics output to the sampling terminal is 2mA (10A / 5000), and the sampling voltage Vcs is 4V (2mA * 2kΩ). Since the rated operating voltage (i.e., the supply voltage) of the microcontroller is generally 3.6V, when the sampling voltage Vcs is greater than or equal to 3.6V, the microcontroller defaults to detecting a voltage of 3.6V, resulting in inaccurate detection results of the microcontroller.

[0053] In related technologies, to solve the above problems, the resistance value of the detection resistor Rsen can be reduced. For example, from 2kΩ to 1kΩ. In this way, when the sampling current remains unchanged, the highest sampling voltage at the sampling terminal is 2V, and it will not exceed the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller. However, new problems will arise. When the change in the output current is small, the change in the sampling current is also small, making the change in the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal small, and the microcontroller may not be able to detect it. For example, when the sampling ratio k of the current measurement circuit = 5000 and the detection resistor Rsen = 1kΩ, if the output current Iout at the output terminal changes by 100mA each time, the sampling current Ics changes by 0.02mA. Correspondingly, the change in the sampling voltage Vcs is 20mV, which exceeds the detection accuracy of the microcontroller, resulting in the microcontroller being unable to detect the change in the output current at the output terminal, with a large error and a problem of low detection sensitivity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an intelligent electronic switch that enables the microcontroller to accurately detect the change in the output current while the resistance value of the external detection resistor at the sampling terminal remains unchanged.

[0054] In view of the above technical problems, the inventor has conducted long-term research and improvement on the intelligent electronic switch, and provided an intelligent electronic switch including a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a sampling terminal, a power switch, and a control circuit. In the intelligent electronic switch, after the control circuit collects the output current of the power switch and obtains the first sampling current, it can compare the first sampling current with a reference current. When the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, it outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller and outputs the first sampling current through the sampling terminal. When the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, it outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller and outputs the second sampling current through the sampling terminal. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampling current is less than the first sampling current and is related to the first sampling current. In this way, the signals output by the intelligent electronic switch through the sampling terminal are all within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can determine the output current of the power switch based on the obtained indication signal and the signal collected from the sampling terminal, solving the problem that the detection result of the microcontroller may be inaccurate.

[0055] It can be understood that in practical applications, the intelligent electronic switch may further include a temperature detection circuit and / or a voltage detection circuit. The temperature detection circuit is used to measure the temperature of the power switch (or the intelligent electronic switch), and the voltage detection circuit can be used to detect the power supply voltage of the intelligent electronic switch (the voltage of the power supply terminal). At this time, the intelligent electronic switch can also output the temperature measurement value or the power supply voltage measurement value through the sampling terminal according to the control of an external signal. For example, the intelligent electronic switch further includes a diagnostic terminal (SEN) and a selector output terminal (SEL). The intelligent electronic switch can determine the type of sampling signal (current signal, temperature signal, or voltage signal) output through the sampling terminal according to the external signals received by the diagnostic terminal (SEN) and the selector output terminal (SEL).

[0056] The following uses specific embodiments to elaborate in detail on the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above technical problems. These several specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The following will describe the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings.

[0057] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a schematic circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided by the first embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the intelligent electronic switch 20 includes a power supply terminal VCC, a power ground terminal GND, a load output terminal OUT, a sampling terminal CS, a power switch K1, and a control circuit 200.

[0058] Among them, the power supply terminal VCC and the power ground terminal GND are used to connect to the battery 10. The power switch K1 is used to connect in series with the load 30. Its first end is connected to the power supply terminal VCC or the power ground terminal GND, its second end is connected to the load output terminal OUT, and its control end is connected to the control circuit 200. The control circuit 200 is used to control the power switch K1 to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off. Exemplarily, in Figure 1A In the illustrated embodiment, the first end of the power switch K1 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 10. At this time, the power switch K1 is connected as a high-side switch (high-side switch), which is a switch connected between the positive electrode of the battery 10 and the load 30. In Figure 1B In the illustrated embodiment, the first end of the power switch K1 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 10, that is, the power switch K1 is connected between the negative electrode of the battery 10 and the load 30. At this time, the power switch K1 is connected as a low-side switch (low-side switch), which will not be elaborated here.

[0059] Continuing to refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, in this embodiment, the control circuit 200 is also connected to the sampling terminal CS, and the sampling terminal CS is also used to connect to the microcontroller (Micro-controller Unit, MCU) 40. Among them, the control circuit 200 is also used to collect the output current Iout of the power switch K1 and obtain the first sampled current Ics1. The first sampled current Ics1 is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch K1. The first sampled current Ics1 is compared with the reference current Iref. When the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, a first indication signal is output to the microcontroller 40 and the first sampled current Ics1 is output through the sampling terminal CS. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, a second indication signal is output to the microcontroller 40 and a second sampled current Ics2 is output through the sampling terminal CS. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampled current Ics2 is less than the first sampled current Ics1 and is related to the first sampled current Ics1, so that the microcontroller 40 can determine the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the obtained indication signal and the signal collected from the sampling terminal CS.

[0060] In practical applications, when the power switch K1 in the intelligent electronic switch 20 is turned on and conducts, there will be a current flowing through the branch where the load 30 and the power switch K1 are located. This current can also be referred to as the output current Iout of the power switch K1. In the embodiment of the present application, the intelligent electronic switch 20 externally connects a detection resistor Rsen through the sampling terminal CS. There is a preset reference current Iref in the control circuit 200. When the resistance value of the detection resistor Rsen remains fixed, the reference current Iref is related to the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40 and the reference voltage of the reference current Iref at the sampling terminal CS is less than or equal to the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40. In this way, the control circuit 200 can compare the obtained first sampling current Ics1 with the reference current Iref. If the first sampling current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, it indicates that the first sampling voltage Vcs1 corresponding to the first sampling current Ics1 is less than or equal to the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40. At this time, the control circuit 200 can directly output the first sampling current Ics1 through the sampling terminal CS. Correspondingly, the control circuit 200 outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller 40 to indicate that the signal output by the sampling terminal CS is the actual sampling signal. However, if the first sampling current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, it indicates that the first sampling voltage Vcs1 corresponding to the first sampling current Ics1 is higher than the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40, exceeding the sampling ability of the microcontroller 40. At this time, the first sampling current Ics1 can be processed to obtain a second sampling current Ics2, and the second sampling current Ics2 is output through the sampling terminal CS. Correspondingly, the control circuit 200 outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller 40 to indicate that the signal output by the sampling terminal CS is the processed sampling signal.

[0061] It can be understood that in this embodiment, the second sampling current Ics2 is less than the first sampling current Ics1 and is related to the first sampling current Ics1, and the second sampling current Ics2 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, that is, the second sampling current Ics2 output through the sampling terminal CS is within the sampling ability range of the microcontroller 40. The reference current Iref is related to the sampling ability of the microcontroller 40. After the reference current Iref is determined, within the output current range of the power switch K1, the current output by the control circuit 200 to the sampling terminal CS needs to be within the rated sampling range of the microcontroller 40.

[0062] Optionally, the second indication signal is different from the first indication signal. For example, when the first indication signal is a first level signal or no output signal, the second indication signal is a second level signal, or, the first indication signal is a second level signal and the second indication signal is a first level signal, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation forms of the first indication signal and the second indication signal.

[0063] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B as shown, it is assumed that the detection resistor Rsen externally connected to the sampling terminal CS is 2 kΩ, the output current range of the power switch K1 is 0 to 10 A, the first sampling ratio k1 of the control circuit 200 is 5000, and the reference current Iref is 1 mA. At this time, when the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is equal to 5 A, the first sampling current Ics1 output to the sampling terminal CS is equal to 1 mA (5 A / 5000), and the first sampling voltage Vcs1 obtained by the microcontroller 40 at the sampling terminal CS is equal to 2 V. When the output current Iout of the power switch K1 becomes 4.9 A, the first sampling current Ics1 output to the sampling terminal CS is equal to 0.98 mA, and the first sampling voltage Vcs1 obtained by the microcontroller 40 at the sampling terminal CS is 1.96 V, with a difference of 40 mV. That is, for every 100 mA change in the output current Iout of the power switch K1, the first sampling voltage Vcs at the sampling terminal CS changes by 40 mV, that is, it has an accuracy of 40 mV, which is significantly increased compared to the 20 mV accuracy when the intelligent electronic switch 20 is connected to a 1 kΩ detection resistor Rsen, and it is within the rated sampling range of the microcontroller 40. The implementation principle when the first sampling current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref is similar, except that the control circuit 200 needs to first perform preset processing on the first sampling current Ics1 to obtain the second sampling current Ics2 and then output it to the sampling terminal CS, which will not be elaborated here.

[0064] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the manner in which the control circuit 200 outputs an indication signal to the microcontroller 40. As an example, the control circuit 200 can output an indication signal through the sampling terminal CS. For example, the first indication signal can be output to the microcontroller 40 before the first sampling current Ics1, or can be used as a prefix part of the first sampling current Ics1 and be sent to the microcontroller 40 together with the first sampling current Ics1.

[0065] As another example, referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the intelligent electronic switch further includes a feedback terminal FB; the feedback terminal FB is used to connect to the control circuit 200 and the microcontroller 40. Correspondingly, when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the control circuit 200 outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller 40 through the feedback terminal FB, and when the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the control circuit 200 outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller 40 through the feedback terminal FB. It can be understood that in practical applications, the feedback terminal FB can reuse existing terminals of the intelligent electronic switch 20. For example, the input terminal INPUT, the diagnostic enable terminal SEN, the function selection terminals SEL0 / SEL1, etc. The feedback terminal FB can also be a newly added terminal of the intelligent electronic switch 20. The embodiments of the present application do not limit it.

[0066] Optionally, in this embodiment, the power switch K1 can be an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (N Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor, NMOS FET, hereinafter referred to as NMOS transistor), a PMOS transistor, a junction field-effect transistor (Junction Field Effect Transistor, hereinafter referred to as JFET), or an insulated gate bipolar transistor (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, hereinafter referred to as IGBT), etc. In the figure, an N-type MOS transistor is taken as an example for illustration. In another possible design of this embodiment, the power switch K1 can also be implemented as a silicon device, or other semiconductor materials can be used for implementation, such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or gallium nitride (GaN), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the power switch K1.

[0067] Optionally, a fuse (not shown) can be connected in series between the battery 10 and the power supply terminal VCC to prevent faults caused by excessive current in the circuit. Other components can also be provided between the power ground terminal GND and the negative electrode of the battery 10. For example, an anti-reverse connection diode and a current-limiting resistor connected in parallel are provided to improve the stability of the intelligent electronic switch 20. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the peripheral components of the intelligent electronic switch 20.

[0068] Optionally, in Figure 1A and Figure 1BIn the schematic diagram shown, the connection relationship between the control circuit 200 and the power supply unit is not shown. However, in practical applications, a power supply unit can be provided inside the intelligent electronic switch 20. One end of the power supply unit is connected to [a certain part], and the other end is connected to circuits such as the control circuit 200, so as to use the power supply unit to step down the voltage of the power supply terminal VCC of the power supply and then supply it to the control circuit 200 or other circuits. In other embodiments, the intelligent electronic switch 20 may not be provided with a power supply unit inside. In this case, a step-down unit needs to be provided between the power supply terminal VCC of the power supply and the positive electrode of the battery 10 to step down the voltage input to the power supply terminal VCC to the rated working voltage of circuits such as the control circuit 200, so that the voltage at the power supply terminal VCC can directly supply power to the circuits inside the intelligent electronic switch 20. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present application, the intelligent electronic switch includes a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a sampling terminal, a power switch, and a control circuit. In this way, after the control circuit collects the output current of the power switch and obtains the first sampling current, it can determine whether it is necessary to process the first sampling current and then output it to the sampling terminal according to the magnitude relationship between the first sampling current and the reference current, and determine the indication signal to be output to the microcontroller. That is, when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, a first indication signal is output to the microcontroller and the first sampling current is output through the sampling terminal. When the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, a second indication signal is output to the microcontroller and the second sampling current is output through the sampling terminal. The first indication signal and the second indication signal are different. The second sampling current is less than the first sampling current and is related to the first sampling current. In this way, the microcontroller can determine the output current of the power switch according to the obtained indication signal and the signal collected from the sampling terminal. In this technical solution, when the current signal is output through the sampling terminal, it is also indicated by the indication signal whether the current signal is a processed current. It does not need to reduce the size of the detection resistor, and it can also make the signal output from the sampling terminal of the intelligent electronic switch within the sampling range of the microcontroller, solving the problem that the detection result of the microcontroller is inaccurate or cannot be detected, and improving the detection accuracy of the microcontroller.

[0070] The above embodiments have given a general introduction to the intelligent electronic switch 20. The following will respectively give a principle explanation of the control circuit 200 in the intelligent electronic switch 20 through different embodiments. Exemplarily, the following embodiments are explained on the basis of the above Figure 1A shown embodiment (with a feedback terminal FB).

[0071] In a possible design, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit module of the intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided in the second embodiment of the present application. In Figure 2In the shown intelligent electronic switch 20, a circuit structure of the control circuit 200 is shown. As Figure 2 shown, in the intelligent electronic switch 20, the control circuit 200 may include a driving unit 201, a first current sampling unit 202, and a current processing unit 203.

[0072] Referring to Figure 2 shown, the driving unit 201 is used to connect to the microcontroller 40 and the control end of the power switch K1. The first current sampling unit 202 is connected to the power switch K1 and the current processing unit 203. The current processing unit 203 is further connected to the sampling terminal CS and the feedback terminal FB.

[0073] In this embodiment, the driving unit 201 is used to control the power switch K1 to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off according to the switch control signal of the microcontroller 40. The first current sampling unit 202 is used to collect the output current Iout of the power switch K1 and output a first sampled current Ics1. The current processing unit 203 is used to compare the received first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref. When the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the first sampled current Ics1 is output to the sampling terminal CS and a first indication signal is output to the feedback terminal FB. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the first sampled current Ics1 is processed to obtain a second sampled current Ics2, and the second sampled current Ics2 is output to the sampling terminal CS and a second indication signal is output to the feedback terminal FB.

[0074] In this embodiment, the driving unit 201 is connected to the microcontroller 40, and it can receive the switch control signal sent by the microcontroller 40 and drive the power switch K1 to turn on and conduct or turn off and cut off based on this switch control signal. For example, when the switch control signal is an on control signal, the driving unit 201 drives the power switch K1 to turn on and conduct. After the power switch K1 conducts, the power supply terminal VCC supplies power to the load 30 through this power switch K1, so that there is a current flowing through the branch where the power switch K1 and the load 30 are located. Therefore, the first current sampling unit 202 can collect the output current Iout of the power switch K1 and output a first sampled current Ics1 during operation. In a possible example, the first current sampling unit 202 is a mirror current sampling unit. Assuming that the mirror ratio of the output current Iout to the first sampled current Ics1 is the first sampling ratio k1, then the first sampled current Ics1 is equal to Iout / k1.

[0075] Correspondingly, the current processing unit 203 is connected to the first current sampling unit 202. It can receive the first sampled current Ics1 from the first current sampling unit 202 and compare the first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref. As an example, when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the current processing unit 203 directly outputs the first sampled current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS and outputs a first indication signal to the feedback terminal FB. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the current processing unit 203 can first process the first sampled current Ics1 to obtain a second sampled current Ics2, then output the second sampled current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS, and output a second indication signal to the feedback terminal FB.

[0076] Optionally, the second sampled current Ics2 can be the difference between the first sampled current Ics1 and the reference current Iref, or the ratio of the first sampled current Ics1 to a preset value. For example, the reference current Iref can be current values such as 1 / 3, 1 / 2, 2 / 3, etc. of the maximum sampled current (Iout(max) / k1), and the preset value can be values such as 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific values of the reference current Iref and the preset value, and they can be selected according to the actual situation as long as the second sampled current Ics2 satisfies the following conditions: the second sampled current Ics2 is less than the first sampled current Ics1 and the magnitude of the second sampled current Ics2 is within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller 40.

[0077] In practical applications, the control circuit 200 can implement the above functions through a variety of different implementation methods. Correspondingly, the current processing unit 203 can have different component structures.

[0078] In a possible design of the present application, Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic circuit diagram of a current processing unit shown. As Figure 3 shown, in this possible design, the current processing unit 203 includes a comparison unit CP, a first logic unit 2031, and an arithmetic unit 2032.

[0079] Among them, the first input terminal of the comparison unit CP, the input terminal of the first logic unit 2031, and the input terminal of the arithmetic unit 2032 are all connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit 202. The output terminal of the comparison unit CP is respectively connected to the enable terminal of the first logic unit 2031, the enable terminal of the arithmetic unit 2032, and the feedback terminal FB. The output terminals of the first logic unit 2031 and the arithmetic unit 2032 are both connected to the sampling terminal CS.

[0080] In this embodiment, the comparison unit CP is used to compare the first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref. When the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, a first level signal is output, and this first level signal serves as a first indication signal and as an enable signal for the first logic unit 2031. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, a second level signal is output, and this first level signal serves as a second indication signal and as an enable signal for the arithmetic unit 2032. Therefore, the first logic unit 2031 is enabled when receiving the first level signal, and outputs the received first sampled current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS. The arithmetic unit 2032 is enabled when receiving the second level signal, and the arithmetic unit 2032 performs a preset operation on the received first sampled current Ics1 in the enabled state to obtain a second sampled current Ics2 and outputs it to the sampling terminal CS. Therefore, the first indication signal includes the first level signal, the second indication signal includes the second level signal. When the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the sampling terminal CS outputs the first sampled current Ics1. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the sampling terminal CS outputs the second sampled current Ics2.

[0081] Exemplarily, in Figure 3 the schematic diagram shown, taking the first input terminal of the comparison unit CP as the non-inverting terminal and the second input terminal of the comparison unit CP as the inverting terminal for exemplary illustration. At this time, the first level signal is a low level signal, and the second level signal is a high level signal. It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present application, the first input terminal of the comparison unit CP can also be the inverting terminal, and the corresponding second input terminal of the comparison unit CP is the non-inverting terminal. At this time, the first level signal is a high level signal, and the second level signal is a low level signal.

[0082] Continuing to refer to Figure 3 the figure shown, the first logic unit 2031 is enabled when receiving the first level signal (low level signal 0), and directly outputs the received first sampled current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS. When receiving the high level signal, it is disabled, and the first logic unit 2031 does not receive the first sampled current Ics1 or prevents the first sampled current Ics1 from being output to the sampling terminal CS. That is to say, the first logic unit 2031 can be interpreted as an output switch for the first sampled current Ics1. It is turned on when receiving the first level signal (low level signal 0), allowing the first sampled current Ics1 to be output to the sampling terminal CS, and is turned off when receiving the second level signal (high level signal 1), preventing the first sampled current Ics1 from being output to the sampling terminal CS. Correspondingly, in Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the arithmetic unit 2032 is enabled when receiving the second level signal (high level signal 1), and in the enabled state, performs a preset operation on the received first sampled current Ics1 to obtain a second sampled current Ics2, and outputs the second sampled current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS. When receiving the first level signal (low level signal), it is disabled and does not receive the first sampled current Ics1 or does not process the received first sampled current Ics1.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the intelligent electronic switch 20 outputs the first sampled current Ics1 through the sampling terminal CS and outputs a first indication signal through the feedback terminal FB. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, first, the arithmetic unit 2032 processes the first sampled current Ics1 to obtain a second sampled current Ics2, and then outputs the second sampled current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS and outputs a second indication signal through the feedback terminal FB. The second sampled current Ics2 is less than the first sampled current Ics1 and is related to the first sampled current Ics1, and the second sampled current Ics2 is within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller 40. In this way, the current output by the intelligent electronic switch 20 to the sampling terminal CS, that is, the voltage at the sampling terminal CS, is within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller 40, solving the problem that the microcontroller may detect inaccurately and avoiding the problem that the microcontroller 40 may not detect due to too small a sampled current.

[0084] Optionally, in other embodiments of the present application, the current processing unit 203 may further include a feedback unit (not shown). The input end of the feedback unit is connected to the output end of the comparison unit CP, and the output end of the feedback unit is connected to the feedback terminal FB, that is, the feedback unit is connected between the output end of the comparison unit CP and the feedback terminal FB. The feedback unit outputs a first indication signal to the feedback terminal FB when receiving the first level signal, and outputs a second indication signal to the feedback terminal FB when receiving the second level signal. The first indication signal may be the first level signal or other preset signals. Similarly, the second indication signal may be the second level signal or other preset signals. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the manifestation forms of the first indication signal and the second indication signal.

[0085] Optionally, in Figure 3 In the illustrated current processing circuit, the arithmetic unit 2032 may be implemented by a division unit, may be implemented by a subtraction unit, or may be implemented by other means. The present embodiment does not limit it.

[0086] As an example, Figure 3The operation unit 2032 therein is a division unit, and a preset value greater than 1 is stored in the division unit. Correspondingly, when the division unit is enabled, the function of the division unit is to divide the received first sampled current Ics1 by the preset value. Therefore, the second sampled current Ics2 output by the division unit is equal to the value obtained by dividing the first sampled current Ics1 by the preset value. The selection of the preset value can be made according to actual requirements, that is, the second sampled current Ics2 output after the division unit processes the first sampled current Ics1 needs to be both less than the reference current Iref and within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller 40.

[0087] As another example, Figure 3 The operation unit 2032 therein is a subtraction unit. At this time, the subtraction unit is also used to access the reference current Iref. Therefore, when the subtraction unit is enabled, the function of the subtraction unit is to subtract the received first sampled current Ics1 by the reference current Iref, that is, the second sampled current Ics2 output by the subtraction unit is equal to the value obtained by subtracting the reference current Iref from the first sampled current Ics1. It can be understood that the value of the reference current Iref can be selected according to actual requirements, that is, the second sampled current Ics2 obtained by subtracting the reference current Iref from the first sampled current Ics1 also needs to be within the sampling capability range of the microcontroller 40.

[0088] It can be understood that in different possible designs, when the first sampled current Ics1 is the same, the second sampled current Ics2 obtained after arithmetic processing may be different, which can be determined according to the actual situation and is not limited in this embodiment.

[0089] Optionally, in other embodiments of the present application, the control circuit 200 can also be implemented by other component structures. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit module of an intelligent electronic switch and its peripheral components provided in the third embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is an improvement on the above Figure 2 shown embodiment, and the difference between it and the Figure 2 shown embodiment is that the control circuit 200 can include two current sampling units.

[0090] Referring to Figure 4 shown, on the basis of the above Figure 2 shown embodiment, the control circuit 200 can also include a second current sampling unit 204, and the second current sampling unit 204 is respectively connected to the power switch K1 and the current processing unit 203.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present application, the second current sampling unit 204 is configured to collect the output current Iout of the power switch K1 and output a second sampled current Ics2. The second sampling ratio of the second current sampling unit 204 is greater than the first sampling ratio of the first current sampling unit 202, and the maximum value of the second sampled current Ics2 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref. Accordingly, the current processing unit 203 is configured to compare the received first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref. When the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the first sampled current Ics1 is output to the sampling terminal CS and a first indication signal is output to the feedback terminal FB. When the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the second sampled current Ics2 is output to the sampling terminal CS and a second indication signal is output to the feedback terminal FB.

[0092] Under normal circumstances, the detection resistor Rsen externally connected to the sampling terminal CS of the intelligent electronic switch 20 remains unchanged, and the output current range of the power switch K1 is relatively wide. When using a current sampling unit with a fixed sampling ratio to sample the output current Iout of the power switch K1, the following problems may occur: If the sampling ratio of the current sampling unit (the mirror ratio of the output current Iout to the sampled current) is small and the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is large, the sampled current output to the sampling terminal CS will be large. Accordingly, the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal CS will also be large, which may exceed the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40, resulting in an incorrect detection result of the microcontroller 40. If the sampling ratio of the current sampling unit (the mirror ratio of the output current Iout to the sampled current) is large and the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is small, the sampled current output to the sampling terminal CS will be small. Accordingly, the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal CS will also be small, and there may be a problem that the microcontroller 40 cannot detect it.

[0093] Therefore, to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present application found through practical research that the control circuit 200 can also be improved. For example, two current sampling units are provided in the intelligent electronic switch 20 (i.e., the control circuit 200 of the present application). Specifically, the control circuit 200 includes a first current sampling unit 202 and a second current sampling unit 204 that are independent of each other and have different sampling ratios. Exemplarily, the second sampling ratio of the second current sampling unit 204 is greater than the first sampling ratio of the first current sampling unit 202, and the maximum value of the second sampled current Ics2 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref. At this time, in the intelligent electronic switch 20, the first current sampling unit 202 and the second current sampling unit 204 can be respectively used to sample the output current Iout of the power switch K1.

[0094] As an example, when the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is relatively large, the first sampling current Ics1 obtained by sampling the output current Iout using the first current sampling unit 202 is also relatively large. For example, the first sampling current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref. If the first sampling current Ics1 is output to the sampling terminal CS at this time, the voltage at the sampling terminal CS will exceed the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40, resulting in inaccurate detection results of the microcontroller 40. The second sampling current Ics2 obtained by sampling the output current Iout using the second current sampling unit 204 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref. Therefore, when the first sampling current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, when the current processing unit 203 outputs the second sampling current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS, the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal CS will not exceed the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40, solving the problem that the detection results of the microcontroller 40 may be incorrect when the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is relatively large.

[0095] As another example, when the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is relatively small, the first sampling current Ics1 obtained by sampling the output current Iout using the first current sampling unit 202 is not large. For example, the first sampling current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref. At this time, the second sampling current Ics2 obtained by sampling the output current Iout using the second current sampling unit 204 will be even smaller. If the second sampling current Ics2 is output to the sampling terminal CS, the second sampling voltage at the sampling terminal CS will be very small, and there may be a problem that the microcontroller 40 cannot detect it. Therefore, when the first sampling current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the current processing unit 203 outputs the first sampling current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS. At this time, the voltage at the sampling terminal CS will neither exceed the rated operating voltage of the microcontroller 40 nor have a problem that the microcontroller 40 cannot detect due to the relatively small output current Iout of the power switch K1.

[0096] It can be understood that in practical applications, the number of current sampling units provided in the intelligent electronic switch 20 (i.e., the control circuit 200 of the present application) in the embodiments of the present application is not limited, and it can be set according to actual needs. For example, in other embodiments, the number of current sampling units can be three or more than three. Correspondingly, the reference current can also be set to two levels or multiple levels. For example, when the number of current sampling units is three, the number of levels of the reference current is two, and when the number of current sampling units is four, the number of levels of the reference current is three, etc.

[0097] Correspondingly, on the basis of Figure 4 the shown embodiment, the current processing unit 203 has the same as Figure 3The different compositional structures of the current processing unit 203 shown. Exemplarily, Figure 5A and Figure 5B are Figure 4 two schematic diagrams of the compositional structures of the current processing unit in the illustrated embodiment. As Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, in this embodiment, the current processing unit 203 includes a comparison unit CP and a selection unit 2033.

[0098] As a possible implementation manner, referring to Figure 5A shown, the first input terminal of the comparison unit CP is connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit 202, the second input terminal of the comparison unit CP is used to access the reference current Iref, the output terminal of the comparison unit CP is respectively connected to the selection unit 2033 and the feedback terminal FB, and the selection unit 2033 is also respectively connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit 202, the output terminal of the second current sampling unit 204, and the sampling terminal CS.

[0099] In this possible implementation manner, the comparison unit CP is used to compare the first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref, and outputs a first level signal when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, and outputs a second level signal when the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref. Correspondingly, the selection unit 2033 is used to select the larger current from the first sampled current Ics1 and the second sampled current Ics2 and output it to the sampling terminal CS when receiving the first level signal. Correspondingly, the first indication signal received by the feedback terminal FB is the first level signal; the selection unit 2033 is also used to select the smaller current from the first sampled current Ics1 and the second sampled current Ics2 and output it to the sampling terminal CS when receiving the second level signal. Correspondingly, the second indication signal received by the feedback terminal FB is the second level signal.

[0100] As an example, when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the comparison unit CP will output a first level signal. On the one hand, this first level signal is output to the feedback terminal FB as the first indication signal. On the other hand, this first level signal is the first function enabling signal of the selection unit 2033. When the selection unit 2033 receives the first level signal, the first function of the selection unit 2033 is enabled, that is, at this time, the selection unit 2033 is used as a maximum value selector. At this time, the selection unit 2033 will select the larger first sampled current Ics1 from the received first sampled current Ics1 and the second sampled current Ics2 and output it to the sampling terminal CS. At this time, the first indication signal is used to indicate that the current sampling ratio of the intelligent electronic switch 20 is the first sampling ratio (the sampling ratio of the first current sampling unit 202).

[0101] As another example, when the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the comparison unit CP outputs a second-level signal. On the one hand, this second-level signal is output to the feedback terminal FB as a second indication signal. On the other hand, this second-level signal is used as the second function enabling signal of the selection unit 2033. When the selection unit 2033 receives the second-level signal, the second function of the selection unit 2033 is enabled, that is, at this time, the selection unit 2033 can be used as a minimum value selector. At this time, the selection unit 2033 will select the smaller second sampled current Ics2 from the received first sampled current Ics1 and the second sampled current Ics2 and output it to the sampling terminal CS. At this time, the second indication signal is used to indicate that the current sampling ratio of the intelligent electronic switch 20 is the second sampling ratio (the sampling ratio of the second current sampling unit 204).

[0102] As a possible implementation, referring to Figure 5B as shown, the first input terminal of the comparison unit CP is connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit 202. The second input terminal of the comparison unit CP is used to connect to the reference current Iref. The output terminal of this comparison unit CP is respectively connected to the selection unit 2033, the feedback terminal FB, and the enabling terminal of the second current sampling unit 204. The selection unit 2033 is also respectively connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit 202, the output terminal of the second current sampling unit 204, and the sampling terminal CS.

[0103] Similar to Figure 5A in this possible implementation, the comparison unit CP is used to compare the first sampled current Ics1 with the reference current Iref, and outputs a first-level signal when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, and outputs a second-level signal when the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref. Different from the Figure 5A scheme, in this possible implementation, the second current sampling unit 204 does not work when receiving the first-level signal, but is enabled (starts to work) when receiving the second-level signal to collect the output current of the power switch and output the second sampled current Ics2. Correspondingly, the selection unit 2033 is used to output the received first sampled current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS when receiving the first-level signal. At this time, the first indication signal received by the feedback terminal FB is the first-level signal; the selection unit 2033 is also used to output the received second sampled current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS when receiving the second-level signal. At this time, the second indication signal received by the feedback terminal FB is the second-level signal.

[0104] As an example, when the first sampled current Ics1 is less than or equal to the reference current Iref, the comparison unit CP outputs a first level signal. On the one hand, this first level signal is output to the feedback terminal FB as a first indication signal. On the other hand, this first level signal can be used as an indication signal to cause the selection unit 2033 to output the received first sampled current Ics1 to the sampling terminal CS. As another example, when the first sampled current Ics1 is greater than the reference current Iref, the comparison unit CP outputs a second level signal. On the one hand, this second level signal is output to the feedback terminal FB as a second indication signal. On the other hand, this second level signal serves as an enable signal for the second current sampling unit 204 to cause the second current sampling unit 204 to start working. On yet another hand, this second level signal can also be used as an indication signal to cause the selection unit 2033 to output the received second sampled current Ics2 to the sampling terminal CS.

[0105] It can be understood that the working principle of the comparison unit CP in this embodiment ( Figure 5A and Figure 5B ) is similar to that of the comparison unit CP in Figure 3 . For the specific implementation, reference can be made to the description in Figure 3 , and details are not elaborated here. The second sampled current Ics2 in this embodiment can be the same as or different from the second sampled current Ics2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , and this application does not make a limitation.

[0106] In the embodiments of this application, the intelligent electronic switch collects the output current of the power switch through two current sampling units with different sampling ratios and correspondingly outputs the first sampled current and the second sampled current. The comparison unit compares the first sampled current with the reference current, and based on the comparison result of the comparison unit, outputs the first indication signal or the second indication signal and selects the appropriate sampled current from the first sampled current and the second sampled current to output to the sampling terminal. This not only solves the problem that the sampling voltage at the sampling terminal may exceed the rated working voltage of the microcontroller when the output current of the power switch is large, but also can avoid the problem that the microcontroller may not be able to detect when the output current of the power switch is small, improving the current detection accuracy.

[0107] It can be understood that for other parts not elaborated in the above embodiments, reference can be made to the descriptions in other embodiments of this application, and details are not elaborated here.

[0108] In this application, Figures 1A to 5B exemplary descriptions are all made with a feedback terminal. However, in actual applications, it can be determined according to the actual situation whether the intelligent electronic switch has a feedback terminal and whether it is necessary to send an indication signal through the feedback terminal. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0109] Optionally, based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a current detection device. Referring to Figures 1A to 5B the structural schematic diagram shown, the current detection device may include the above Figures 1A to 5B shown intelligent electronic switch 20 and microcontroller 40.

[0110] Referring to the above Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the microcontroller 40 is connected to the sampling terminal CS of the intelligent electronic switch 20. The microcontroller 40 is configured to determine the output current Iout of the power switch K1 in the intelligent electronic switch 20 according to the indication signal received from the intelligent electronic switch 20 and the signal collected from the sampling terminal CS, so as to accurately monitor the real-time power consumption of the load 30, laying a foundation for accurately controlling the intelligent electronic switch 20.

[0111] In this embodiment, a corresponding relationship between the indication signal and the sampling current Ics may be preset in the microcontroller 40. In this way, after the microcontroller 40 obtains the indication signal, it can determine the current processing scheme for the signal collected from the sampling terminal CS based on the received indication signal, so as to accurately obtain the output current Iout of the power switch K1.

[0112] Exemplarily, continuing to refer to the above Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the current detection device further includes a detection resistor Rsen. The first end of the detection resistor Rsen is connected to the microcontroller 40 and the sampling terminal CS, and its second end is grounded. The detection resistor Rsen is used to determine the sampling accuracy of the microcontroller 40.

[0113] Normally, the microcontroller 40 can detect the sampling voltage of the sampling terminal CS through the detection resistor Rsen connected to the sampling terminal CS, and then inversely determine the output current Iout of the power switch K1. In this embodiment, the resistance value of the detection resistor Rsen is preset in the microcontroller 40. In this way, after the microcontroller 40 collects the voltage signal of the sampling terminal CS, it can calculate the sampling current at the sampling terminal CS according to Ohm's law, and then determine the current processing scheme for the sampling current according to the received indication signal.

[0114] Optionally, referring to the above Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the microcontroller 40 is further connected to the feedback terminal FB of the intelligent electronic switch 20. At this time, the microcontroller 40 can receive the indication signal from the feedback terminal FB.

[0115] In an embodiment of the present application, when the microcontroller 40 receives a first indication signal from the feedback terminal FB, the microcontroller 40 determines a first sampled current Ics1 according to the sampled signal collected from the sampling terminal CS, and determines the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the first sampled current Ics1.

[0116] In another embodiment of the present application, when the microcontroller 40 receives a second indication signal from the feedback terminal FB, the microcontroller 40 determines a second sampled current Ics2 according to the sampled signal collected from the sampling terminal CS, and determines the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the second sampled current Ics2.

[0117] In a possible design, a first sampling ratio and a preset current operation logic (opposite to the function of the operation unit 2032 in the intelligent electronic switch 20) are built into the microcontroller 40. Among them, the first sampling ratio corresponds to the first indication signal, and both the preset current operation logic and the first sampling ratio correspond to the second indication signal. Therefore, when the microcontroller 40 receives the first indication signal, the current at the sampling terminal CS is the first sampled current Ics1, and the microcontroller 40 can calculate the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the first sampling ratio and the first sampled current Ics1. For example, the first sampling ratio is 5000, and the first sampled current Ics1 is 0.8 mA. At this time, the microcontroller 40 can calculate that the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is equal to 4 A (0.8 mA × 5000). When the microcontroller 40 receives the second indication signal, the current at the sampling terminal CS is the second sampled current Ics2. Therefore, the microcontroller 40 first processes the second sampled current Ics2 according to the preset current operation logic to obtain the first sampled current Ics1, and then determines the output current Iout of the power switch K1 based on the first sampled current Ics1 and the first sampling ratio. For example, the first sampling ratio is 5000, the second sampled current Ics2 is 0.8 mA, the preset current operation logic is an addition operation, and the preset reference current Iref is 1 mA. At this time, the microcontroller 40 first performs an addition operation on the second sampled current Ics2 (0.8 mA) and the reference current Iref (1 mA) to obtain the first sampled current Ics1 equal to 1.8 mA (1 mA + 0.8 mA), and then calculates the output current Iout of the power switch K1 equal to 9 A (1.8 mA × 5000) based on the first sampling ratio and the first sampled current Ics1.

[0118] In another possible design, a first sampling ratio and a second sampling ratio are preset in the microcontroller 40, and the first sampling ratio corresponds to the first indication signal, and the second sampling ratio corresponds to the second indication signal. Therefore, when the microcontroller 40 receives the first indication signal, the current at the sampling terminal CS is the first sampling current Ics1, and the microcontroller 40 can calculate the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the first sampling ratio and the first sampling current Ics1. For example, the first sampling ratio is 5000, and the first sampling current Ics1 is 0.8 mA. At this time, the microcontroller 40 can calculate that the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is equal to 4 A (0.8 mA × 5000). When the microcontroller 40 receives the second indication signal, the current at the sampling terminal CS is the second sampling current Ics2, and the microcontroller 40 can calculate the output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the second sampling ratio and the second sampling current Ics2. For example, the second sampling ratio is 10000, and the second sampling current Ics2 is 0.8 mA. At this time, the microcontroller 40 can calculate that the output current Iout of the power switch K1 is equal to 8 A (0.8 mA × 10000).

[0119] It can be understood that when the indication signal at the feedback terminal FB is the second indication signal, the microcontroller 40 can calculate the accurate output current Iout of the power switch K1 according to the corresponding current processing scheme, as long as the microcontroller 40 and the intelligent electronic switch 20 are in good agreement. The embodiments of the present application do not limit it.

[0120] It can be understood that for other parts not detailed in the above embodiments of the current detection device, reference can be made to the content described in the respective embodiments of the above intelligent electronic switch 20, and details are not described here.

[0121] Optionally, based on the above embodiments, an integrated circuit chip is further provided in the embodiments of the present application. The integrated circuit chip includes the intelligent electronic switch 20 in the above embodiments, that is, the above intelligent electronic switch 20 can be made on the same semiconductor substrate. Among them, the power supply terminal VCC is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal GND is a power ground pin, the load output terminal OUT is a load output pin, and the sampling terminal CS is a sampling pin.

[0122] Optionally, other embodiments of the present application further provide a chip product, which may include the above intelligent electronic switch 20. Among them, the components of the intelligent electronic switch 20 except for the power switch K1 and some components of the control circuit 200 are located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch K1 and some components of the control circuit 200 are located on the second integrated circuit chip, that is, the first integrated circuit chip is made on one semiconductor substrate, and the second integrated circuit chip is made on another semiconductor substrate.

[0123] Among them, the power supply terminal VCC is the power supply pin, the power ground terminal GND is the power ground pin, the load output terminal OUT is the load output pin, and the sampling terminal CS is the sampling pin. The power supply pin, the power ground pin, and the sampling pin are all located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the load output pin is located on the second integrated circuit chip. It can be understood that the first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip can also add other pins, omit relevant pins, or combine relevant pins according to needs. Here, the first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are packaged into a product.

[0124] In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, a vehicle is also provided. The vehicle can be an electric vehicle, such as an electric passenger vehicle or an electric commercial vehicle, etc., or it can also be a hybrid vehicle or a fuel vehicle. The vehicle can include the intelligent electronic switch 20 as shown above, or the above-mentioned integrated circuit chip, or the above-mentioned chip product, or the above-mentioned current detection device. In addition, the vehicle can also include a battery 10 and a load 30. The positive electrode of the battery 10 is connected to the power supply terminal VCC, the negative electrode of the battery 10 is connected to the power ground terminal GND, one end of the load 30 is connected to the load output terminal OUT, and the other end of the load 30 is connected to the power ground terminal GND or the power supply terminal VCC. Figures 1A to 5B Among them, the battery 10 is generally a storage battery, which provides voltages such as 12V, 24V, 48V, etc. Of course, it can also be other types of batteries. The load 30 includes at least one of a resistive load, an inductive load, and a capacitive load. The resistive load is, for example, a seat adjustment device, an auxiliary heating device, a window heating device, a light-emitting diode (LED), rear lighting, or other resistive loads. The inductive load is, for example, a pump, an actuator, a motor, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an electronic braking system (EBS), a fan, or other systems including inductive loads for one or more wiper systems. The capacitive load is, for example, a lighting element, such as a xenon arc lamp.

[0125] It can be understood that the intelligent electronic switch, the current detection device, and the integrated circuit chip in this embodiment are not limited to being used in automotive electronics, and can also be used in fields such as industrial automation and aerospace, which will not be elaborated here.

[0126] After considering the specification and practicing the application disclosed here, those skilled in the art will easily think of other implementation schemes of the present application. The present application aims to cover any variations, uses, or adaptive changes of the present application. These variations, uses, or adaptive changes follow the general principles of the present application and include the common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed in the present application. The specification and the embodiments are only regarded as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are pointed out by the following claims.

[0127] ​

[0128] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present application is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent electronic switch, characterized in that: It includes a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a sampling terminal, a power switch and a control circuit; The power supply end and the power ground end are used to be connected to a battery, the power switch is used to be connected in series with a load, a first end thereof is connected to the power supply end or the power ground end, a second end thereof is connected to the load output end, and a control end thereof is connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit is used to control the power switch to be turned on or off; The control circuit is also connected to the sampling end, and the sampling end is also used to connect to the microcontroller. The control circuit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and obtain a first sampling current, the first sampling current is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch, and the first sampling current is compared with a reference current. When the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, a first indication signal is output to the microcontroller and the first sampling current is output through the sampling end. When the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, a second indication signal is output to the microcontroller and a second sampling current is output through the sampling end. The second indication signal is different from the first indication signal, and the second sampling current is less than the first sampling current and is related to the first sampling current, so that the microcontroller determines the output current of the power switch according to the obtained indication signal and the signal collected from the sampling end. The reference current is related to the sampling capability of the microcontroller, and the first sampling current and the second sampling current output by the control circuit to the sampling terminal are both within the rated sampling range of the microcontroller.

2. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent electronic switch also includes a feedback terminal; the feedback terminal is used to connect with the control circuit and the microcontroller; When the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, the control circuit outputs a first indication signal to the microcontroller through the feedback end; when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, the control circuit outputs a second indication signal to the microcontroller through the feedback end.

3. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a driving unit, a first current sampling unit and a current processing unit; The driving unit is used to be connected to the microcontroller and the control end of the power switch, the first current sampling unit is connected to the power switch and the current processing unit, and the current processing unit is also connected to the sampling end and the feedback end; The driving unit is used to control the power switch to turn on or off according to the switch control signal of the microcontroller; the first current sampling unit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and output the first sampling current; the current processing unit is used to compare the received first sampling current with the reference current, and when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, the first sampling current is output to the sampling end and a first indication signal is output to the feedback end; when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, the first sampling current is processed to obtain a second sampling current and the second sampling current is output to the sampling end and a second indication signal is output to the feedback end.

4. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The current processing unit includes a comparison unit, a first logic unit and an operation unit; The first input terminal of the comparison unit, the input terminal of the first logic unit and the input terminal of the operation unit are all connected to the output terminal of the first current sampling unit, the output terminal of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the enable terminal of the first logic unit, the enable terminal of the operation unit and the feedback terminal, and the output terminal of the first logic unit and the output terminal of the operation unit are both connected to the sampling terminal; The comparison unit is used to compare the first sampling current with the reference current, output a first level signal when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current; The first logic unit is enabled when receiving the first level signal, and outputs the received first sampling current to the sampling end, the operation unit is enabled when receiving the second level signal, and the operation unit performs a preset operation on the received first sampling current in an enabled state to obtain the second sampling current and output it to the sampling end; wherein the first indication signal includes the first level signal, the second indication signal includes the second level signal, when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, the sampling end outputs the first sampling current, and when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, the sampling end outputs the second sampling current; In which, the operation unit is a division unit, a preset value greater than 1 is stored in the division unit, and the second sampling current is equal to the value of the first sampling current divided by the preset value; or, the operation unit is a subtraction unit, and the subtraction unit is also used to connect to the reference current, and the second sampling current is equal to the value of the first sampling current minus the reference current.

5. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control circuit further includes a second current sampling unit, which is connected to the power switch and the current processing unit respectively; The second current sampling unit is used to collect the output current of the power switch and output a second sampling current, the second sampling ratio of the second current sampling unit is greater than the first sampling ratio of the first current sampling unit, and the maximum value of the second sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current; The current processing unit is used to compare the received first sampling current with the reference current, and when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, output the first sampling current to the sampling end and output a first indication signal to the feedback end; when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current, output the second sampling current to the sampling end and output a second indication signal to the feedback end.

6. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The current processing unit includes a comparison unit and a selection unit; The first input end of the comparison unit is connected to the output end of the first current sampling unit, the second input end of the comparison unit is used to access the reference current, the output end of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the selection unit and the feedback end, and the selection unit is also respectively connected to the output end of the first current sampling unit, the output end of the second current sampling unit, and the sampling end; the comparison unit is used to compare the first sampling current with the reference current, output a first level signal when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current; The selection unit is used to select a larger current from the first sampling current and the second sampling current to output to the sampling end when receiving the first level signal, and select a smaller current from the first sampling current and the second sampling current to output to the sampling end when receiving the second level signal. Correspondingly, the first indication signal is the first level signal, and the second indication signal is the second level signal; or The first input end of the comparison unit is connected to the output end of the first current sampling unit, the second input end of the comparison unit is used to access the reference current, the output end of the comparison unit is respectively connected to the selection unit, the feedback end and the enable end of the second current sampling unit, and the selection unit is also respectively connected to the output end of the first current sampling unit, the output end of the second current sampling unit and the sampling end; the comparison unit is used to compare the first sampling current with the reference current, output a first level signal when the first sampling current is less than or equal to the reference current, and output a second level signal when the first sampling current is greater than the reference current; The second current sampling unit is enabled upon receiving the second level signal to collect the output current of the power switch and output the second sampling current. The selection unit is used to output the received first sampling current to the sampling end upon receiving the first level signal, and output the received second sampling current to the sampling end upon receiving the second level signal. Correspondingly, the first indication signal is the first level signal, and the second indication signal is the second level signal.

7. A current detection device, characterized in that: The intelligent electronic switch and microcontroller comprising any one of claims 1 to 6; The microcontroller is connected to the sampling end of the intelligent electronic switch, and is used to determine the output current of the power switch in the intelligent electronic switch according to the indication signal received from the intelligent electronic switch and the signal collected from the sampling end.

8. The current detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The microcontroller is also connected to a feedback end of the intelligent electronic switch, and the microcontroller receives the indication signal from the feedback end.

9. The current detection device according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the microcontroller receives the first indication signal from the feedback end, the microcontroller determines a first sampling current according to the sampling signal collected from the sampling end, and determines the output current of the power switch according to the first sampling current; When the microcontroller receives the second indication signal from the feedback end, the microcontroller determines a second sampling current according to the sampling signal collected from the sampling end, and determines the output current of the power switch according to the second sampling current.

10. An integrated circuit chip, characterized in that: The intelligent electronic switch comprises the intelligent electronic switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power supply terminal is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal is a power ground pin, the load output terminal is a load output pin, and the sampling terminal is a sampling pin.

11. A chip product, characterized in that: The intelligent electronic switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the components of the intelligent electronic switch except the power switch and some components of the control circuit are located on a first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch and some components of the control circuit are located on a second integrated circuit chip; Among them, the power supply end is a power supply pin, the power ground end is a power ground pin, the load output end is a load output pin, the sampling end is a sampling pin, and the power supply pin, the power ground pin and the sampling pin are all located on the first integrated circuit chip.

12. A car, characterized in that: The intelligent electronic switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the integrated circuit chip according to claim 10, or the chip product according to claim 11, or the current detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 9; It also includes a battery and a load, wherein the positive electrode of the battery is connected to the power supply end, the negative electrode of the battery is connected to the power ground end, one end of the load is connected to the load output end, and the other end of the load is connected to the power ground end or the power supply end.

Images