Power switch control circuit for compensating duration threshold, chip, automobile and method

Abstract

The invention provides a power switch control circuit for compensating a duration threshold, and the circuit comprises a power switch, a switch control module, and a duration compensation module which obtains a duration compensation value based on the information of a voltage peak. The overcurrent protection module is connected with the detection current signal, a preset current threshold value and a preset duration threshold value, the overcurrent protection module is further connected with the duration compensation module to receive a duration compensation value, and the overcurrent protection module calculates the duration threshold value and the duration compensation value to obtain a compensation duration signal; the compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to a duration threshold value, the output end of the overcurrent protection module is connected with the switch control module, when the detection current signal is greater than or equal to a current threshold value and the compensation duration signal continues, the overcurrent protection module outputs an overcurrent signal to the switch control module, and the switch control module performs overcurrent protection on the power switch, the detection current signal is used to characterize a current flowing through the power switch. The embodiment of the invention further provides a chip, an automobile and a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power semiconductor switches, and more particularly to a power switch control circuit, chip, automobile, and method for compensating for a time threshold. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the robust growth of the automotive market, especially the explosive growth of the electric vehicle market, such as the electric passenger vehicle market and the electric commercial vehicle market, the demand for automotive electronic components has been increasing. Relays and fuses are among the most frequently used electronic components in automobiles, used to connect or disconnect a load circuit. However, relays and fuses themselves have some drawbacks. For example, relays have long opening and closing delays, are expensive, and are relatively large; while fuses are single-use, have slow response times, and are also relatively large.

[0003] With the development of semiconductor technology, power switch control circuits, such as intelligent electronic switches, have been successfully developed to replace traditional relays and fuses. Typical intelligent electronic switches are used to couple loads to power supplies and have one or more protection features, such as protection against overcurrent events. For example, intelligent electronic switches include a power switch that trips in the event of a short circuit, disconnecting the power supply from the load. Some intelligent electronic switches also incorporate IT and I... 2 The T function can be used as a fuse. This type of smart electronic switch is generally called an electronic fuse. Electronic fuses have advantages such as reusability, fast response, and small size.

[0004] Existing smart electronic switches have one end connected to the positive terminal of the power supply via the main wiring harness, or the other end connected to the positive terminal of the power supply via the load and the main wiring harness. Correspondingly, the other end is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply via the load, or the other end is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. The main wiring harness is very long, for example, 0.5 meters or longer, and there will be parasitic inductance on the main wiring harness. When the current in the main wiring harness suddenly decreases for some reason (for example, there are multiple parallel branches between the main wiring harness and the negative terminal of the power supply, and one or more branches suddenly disconnect, while at least one branch is still conducting), or due to signal interference, a voltage spike may appear at the end of the main wiring harness away from the positive terminal of the power supply. This voltage spike will not cause any damage to the smart electronic switch, nor is it a real load short circuit, nor does it pose any threat to the load. The smart electronic switch would normally not need to handle it. However, due to the overcurrent protection function, this voltage spike may cause the conducting smart electronic switch to be falsely triggered by the overcurrent protection, resulting in false shutdown or false current limiting, causing adverse effects and even affecting personal safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of this application is to provide a power switch control circuit, chip, automobile, and method with a compensation time threshold, addressing the shortcomings of the prior art. This can improve the overcurrent protection performance of the power switch control circuit and enhance its reliability.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of this application provides a power switch control circuit with a compensation duration threshold, comprising:

[0007] The power switch and the switch control module are as follows: the first end of the power switch is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply via the main wiring harness, the second end of the power switch is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the control terminal of the power switch is connected to the switch control module. The switch control module is used to control the power switch to turn on or off. The power switch is used to connect in series with the load.

[0008] The duration compensation module is used to receive information about voltage spikes on the main line harness and obtain duration compensation values ​​based on the voltage spike information.

[0009] The overcurrent protection module is connected to a detected current signal, a preset current threshold, and a preset duration threshold. It is also connected to a duration compensation module to receive a duration compensation value. The overcurrent protection module calculates the duration threshold and the duration compensation value to obtain a compensation duration signal. The compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the duration threshold. The output of the overcurrent protection module is connected to the switch control module. When the detected current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold and the compensation duration signal is continuously applied, the overcurrent protection module outputs an overcurrent signal to the switch control module. The switch control module then provides overcurrent protection to the power switch. The detected current signal is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch.

[0010] Optionally, the overcurrent protection module includes an overcurrent protection unit and a delay control unit. The first input terminal of the overcurrent protection unit is used to receive the detected current signal, and its second input terminal is used to receive the current threshold. Its output terminal is connected to the delay control unit. The delay control unit is used to receive the duration threshold and the duration compensation value respectively. The delay control unit calculates the duration threshold and the duration compensation value to obtain the compensation duration signal. When the overcurrent protection unit determines that the detected current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold, it outputs a first intermediate signal to the delay control unit. When the duration of the first intermediate signal received by the delay control unit is greater than or equal to the compensation duration signal, it outputs an overcurrent signal.

[0011] Optionally, the power switch control circuit further includes a voltage spike detection unit, which is connected to the duration compensation module. The voltage spike detection unit is used to detect voltage spikes in the main harness and outputs a corresponding spike detection signal to the duration compensation module.

[0012] Optionally, the duration compensation module outputs a corresponding duration compensation value based on the duration of the voltage spike, wherein the duration compensation value is less than or equal to the duration of the voltage spike.

[0013] Optionally, the duration compensation module includes a duration calculation unit, which includes a signal recognition unit and a compensation timing unit. The input terminal of the signal recognition unit is connected to the voltage spike detection unit, the input terminal of the compensation timing unit is connected to the signal recognition unit, and the output terminal of the compensation timing unit is connected to the delay control unit. The signal recognition unit identifies the start and end of the voltage spike based on the spike detection signal, and the compensation timing unit is activated or deactivated based on the signal from the signal recognition unit.

[0014] Optionally, after the signal recognition unit is activated, if the detected current signal is greater than or equal to a current threshold, the compensation timing unit is triggered to start timing, and the duration compensation value is the timing duration of the compensation timing unit; or,

[0015] The signal recognition unit is activated after the detected current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold, and the duration compensation value is 0.

[0016] Optionally, the spike detection signal is used to characterize the magnitude of the voltage spike or the magnitude of the slope of the voltage spike.

[0017] Optionally, the duration compensation module obtains the voltage spike information from the switch control module; or,

[0018] The duration compensation module obtains information about the voltage spike from the processor, wherein the processor is connected to the power switch control circuit; or,

[0019] The power switch control circuit forms multiple intelligent electronic switches, each intelligent electronic switch including one or more power switches, and the intelligent electronic switches are connected to each other. Each intelligent electronic switch obtains information about the voltage spike from other intelligent electronic switches.

[0020] Optionally, the power switch control circuit includes multiple power switches, each power switch is connected in series with a corresponding load, and the control terminals of the multiple power switches are all connected to the switch control module. When at least one power switch changes from being turned on to being turned off, the duration compensation module compensates for the duration threshold.

[0021] Optionally, the voltage spike information originates from a voltage spike detection unit, and the switch control module controls whether the voltage spike detection unit is activated to control whether the duration compensation module compensates for the duration threshold; or,

[0022] The switch control module controls whether the duration compensation module is activated; or...

[0023] The voltage spike information originates from the voltage spike detection unit. The switch control module is connected to the processor. The switch control module receives signals from the processor to control the corresponding power switch to turn on or off. The processor controls whether the voltage spike detection unit is activated to control whether the duration compensation module compensates for the duration threshold; or...

[0024] The switch control module includes multiple switch control units, the number of which is less than or equal to the number of power switches. Each switch control unit controls the corresponding power switch to turn on or off. All switch control units communicate with each other, and each switch control unit controls whether the duration compensation module is activated.

[0025] A second aspect of this application provides an integrated circuit chip including the power switch control circuit described above.

[0026] A third aspect of this application provides a chip product including the power switch control circuit described above, wherein the chip product includes at least two chips, and the power switch control circuit is at least partially located on the chips.

[0027] The fourth aspect of this application provides an automobile, including the power switch control circuit described above, or the integrated circuit chip described above, or the chip product described above.

[0028] It also includes a power supply, a load, and a processor, wherein the positive terminal of the power supply is connected to the first terminal of the power switch via a main wiring harness, the negative terminal of the power supply is connected to the second terminal of the power switch, the load is connected in series with the power switch, and the processor is connected to the switch control module of the power switch control circuit.

[0029] The fifth aspect of this application provides a control method for a power switch control circuit, including:

[0030] The power switch is controlled to conduct, wherein the first end of the power switch is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply via the main wiring harness, the second end of the power switch is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the control terminal is connected to the switch control module. The switch control module is used to control the power switch to turn on or off. The power switch is used to be connected in series with the load.

[0031] Receive information about voltage spikes on the main harness;

[0032] The duration compensation value is obtained based on the information of the voltage spike;

[0033] The overcurrent protection module is used to determine whether the duration of the detected current signal being greater than or equal to the current threshold is greater than or equal to the compensation duration signal. The overcurrent protection module is connected to the detected current signal, the preset current threshold, the preset duration threshold, and the duration compensation value, and calculates the duration threshold and the duration compensation value to obtain the compensation duration signal. The compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the duration threshold. The detected current signal is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch.

[0034] If the judgment result is yes, an overcurrent signal is output to the switch control module, and the switch control module performs overcurrent protection on the power switch.

[0035] In this embodiment, a duration compensation module is added. This module receives information about voltage spikes on the main wiring harness and obtains a duration compensation value based on the voltage spike information. The overcurrent protection module calculates the compensation value using a preset duration threshold to obtain a compensation duration signal. If the compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the duration threshold, and the current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold while the compensation duration signal is continuously being compensated, the overcurrent protection module outputs an overcurrent signal to the switch control module. The switch control module then provides overcurrent protection for the power switch. With this configuration, when a brief voltage spike occurs on the main wiring harness for various reasons, the probability of detecting a current signal greater than or equal to the current threshold while continuously compensating for the duration signal is low because the delay control unit compensates for the duration threshold. This improves the problem of false overcurrent protection triggering and avoids adverse effects, such as false shutdown or false current limiting, which is beneficial for the normal operation of the load and improves personal safety. Furthermore, it enhances reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1a This is a partial circuit module diagram of a vehicle according to this application;

[0038] Figure 1b This is another circuit module diagram of the vehicle described in this application;

[0039] Figure 2a It corresponds Figure 1a A circuit module diagram showing the power switch control circuit connected to the main wiring harness and the load;

[0040] Figure 2b It corresponds Figure 1bAnother circuit module diagram showing the power switch control circuit connected to the main wiring harness and load;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a detailed circuit block diagram showing the power switch control circuit of the first embodiment of this application connected to the main wiring harness and the load;

[0042] Figure 4 This is a detailed circuit diagram of the power switch control circuit according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 5a This is a circuit block diagram showing the connection between the k-th duration calculation unit 23k, the voltage spike detection unit, and the k-th delay control unit in the first embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a A detailed circuit diagram;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a partial detailed circuit block diagram of the power switch control circuit according to the second embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7a This is a circuit block diagram showing the connection between the k-th duration calculation unit 23k, the voltage spike detection unit, and the k-th delay control unit in the second embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 7b yes Figure 7a A detailed circuit diagram;

[0048] Figure 8 This is a partial detailed circuit block diagram of a power switch control circuit according to another embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a partial detailed circuit block diagram of a power switch control circuit according to another embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 10 This is a partial detailed circuit block diagram of a power switch control circuit according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 11 This is a detailed circuit block diagram showing the power switch control circuit of the third embodiment of this application connected to the main wiring harness and the load;

[0052] Figures 12a-12c This is a detailed circuit block diagram showing the connection between the power switch control circuit and the main wiring harness and the load in some other embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 13 This is a detailed circuit block diagram showing the power switch control circuit connected to the main wiring harness and load according to another embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 14This is a detailed circuit block diagram showing the power switch control circuit connected to the main wiring harness and load according to another embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the control method for the power switch control circuit of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0057] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, appearing in this application specification, claims, and drawings, 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 may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used to distinguish different objects and are not used to describe a specific order. Connections in this application include direct connections and indirect connections. An indirect connection refers to the presence of other electronic components, pins, etc., between the two connected components. The term "XX terminal" mentioned in this application may or may not be an actual terminal, such as simply one end of a component or one end of a wire. The term "and / or includes three cases" mentioned in this application, such as A and / or B, includes A, B, and A and B.

[0058] First Embodiment

[0059] This application provides an embodiment of a vehicle; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1aThe vehicle includes a power supply 110, a load 130, a processor 120, and a power switch control circuit 200. The power supply 110 is typically a battery, usually a rechargeable battery, providing voltages such as 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, and 60V. Other types of batteries or power sources can also be used, such as AC / DC converters or DC / DC converters. The load 130 includes at least one of resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads. Resistive loads include, for example, seat adjustment devices, auxiliary heating devices, window heating devices, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), rear lighting, or other resistive loads. Inductive loads include, for example, pumps, actuators, motors, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic braking systems (EBS), fans, or other systems that include inductive loads for one or more wiper systems. Capacitive loads include, for example, lighting elements such as xenon arc lamps. In the illustration, each load 130 is represented by a single element for illustrative purposes only; loads 130 are typically more complex loads, such as modules or subsystems with numerous components. The processor 120 is connected to the power switch control circuit 200 and is used to control the power switch control circuit 200, for example, through terminals INPUT1, INPUT2, ..., INPUTn. Simultaneously, the power switch control circuit 200 feeds back its status and related parameter information to the processor 120, such as sending diagnostic parameters, current parameters, and voltage parameters through terminal IS, for processing by the processor 120. The processor 120 includes one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits, and any combination of these components.

[0060] In this embodiment, the power switch control circuit 200 includes a power supply terminal VCC, a power ground terminal GND, and a load output terminal. The power supply terminal VCC is directly or indirectly connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 110 via the main wiring harness. The power ground terminal GND is indirectly or directly connected to the negative terminal of the power supply 110. In this embodiment, a reverse polarity protection diode D1 and a current-limiting resistor R1 are connected in parallel between the power ground terminal GND and the negative terminal of the power supply 110. The load output terminal is connected to one end of the load 130, and the other end of the load 130 is connected to either the negative or positive terminal of the power supply 110. Alternatively, in other embodiments of this application, the reverse polarity protection diode D1 and / or the current-limiting resistor R1 may not be provided between the power ground terminal GND and the negative terminal of the power supply 110.

[0061] In this embodiment, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1a and Figure 2aThe power switch control circuit 200 also includes a power switch and a switch control module 220. The number of power switches can be multiple, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. The illustration uses n power switches as an example, where n is an integer greater than 1. The n power switches are connected in parallel and, from left to right, are named the first power switch M1, the second power switch M2, the third power switch M3, ..., the nth power switch Mn. Correspondingly, the number of load output terminals is also n, namely the first load output terminal OUT1, the second load output terminal OUT2, the third load output terminal OUT3, ..., the nth load output terminal OUTn. However, this application is not limited to this; in other embodiments of this application, the number of power switches can also be one, and the corresponding number of load output terminals can also be one.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first terminal of the first power switch M1 is connected to the power supply terminal VCC, and its second terminal is connected in series with the first load 131 via the first load output terminal OUT1. Its gate is connected to the switch control module 220, and the first load 131 and the first power switch M1 form a first series branch. The first terminal of the second power switch M2 is connected to the power supply terminal VCC, and its second terminal is connected in series with the second load 132 via the second load output terminal OUT2. Its gate is connected to the switch control module 220, and the second load 132 and the second power switch M2 form a second series branch. ... The first terminal of the nth power switch Mn is connected to the power supply terminal VCC, and its second terminal is connected in series with the nth load 13n via the nth load output terminal OUTn. Its gate is connected to the switch control module 220, and the nth load 13n and the nth power switch Mn form an nth series branch. The switch control module 220 is used to control whether the first power switch M1 to the nth power switch Mn are turned on and on. In this embodiment, the first terminal of the power switch is the drain, and the second terminal is the source. However, this application is not limited to this; in other embodiments of this application, the first terminal of the power switch is the source, and the second terminal is the drain. In this embodiment, the power switch is an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor, a junction FET, etc. This embodiment uses an NMOS transistor as an example for illustration. The power switch can be implemented as a silicon device, or it can be implemented using other semiconductor materials, such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or gallium nitride (GaN). The power switch can also be an LDMOS (Lateral Double Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET) or a VDMOS (Vertical Double Diffused MOSFET), etc.

[0063] exist Figure 1a and Figure 2a In this configuration, the first power switch M1 through the nth power switch Mn are connected as high-side switches. These switches connect the power supply terminal VCC to the load 130. One end of the power switch is connected to the corresponding load output terminal, and the other end is connected to the power supply terminal VCC. However, this application is not limited to this; please refer to other embodiments of this application. Figure 1b and Figure 2b The first power switch M1 to the nth power switch Mn are connected as low-side switches. This is a switch connected between the corresponding load 130 and the power supply ground terminal GND. At this time, one end of the power switch is connected to the power supply ground terminal GND, and the other end of the power switch is connected to the corresponding load output terminal.

[0064] Please refer to the above. Figure 1a , Figure 2a , Figure 3 and Figure 4In this embodiment, the power switch control circuit 200 has an overcurrent protection function. Specifically, the power switch control circuit 200 includes an overcurrent protection module 210, which is used to protect each power switch. In this embodiment, the overcurrent protection module 210 includes multiple overcurrent protection units and multiple delay control units. The number of overcurrent protection units is equal to the number of power switches, corresponding to n units. The number of delay control units is equal to the number of overcurrent protection units, corresponding to n units. The n overcurrent protection units are designated as first overcurrent protection unit 211, second overcurrent protection unit 212, third overcurrent protection unit 213, ..., nth overcurrent protection unit 21n, and the n delay control units are designated as first delay control unit 261, second delay control unit 262, third delay control unit 263, ..., nth delay control unit 26n. The first overcurrent protection unit 211 and the first delay control unit 261 protect the first power switch M1, the second overcurrent protection unit 212 and the second delay control unit 262 protect the second power switch M2, ..., the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n and the nth delay control unit 26n protect the nth power switch Mn. In this embodiment, the first input terminal of the first overcurrent protection unit 211 is used to receive a first detected current signal, which represents the current flowing through the first power switch M1. The second input terminal of the first overcurrent protection unit 211 is used to receive a preset first current threshold. The output terminal of the first overcurrent protection unit 211 is connected to the input terminal of the first delay control unit 261, and the output terminal of the first delay control unit 261 is connected to the switch control module 220. The first input terminal of the second overcurrent protection unit 212 is used to receive a second detected current signal, which represents the current flowing through the second power switch M2. The second input terminal of the second overcurrent protection unit 212... The output of the second overcurrent protection unit 212 is connected to the input of the second delay control unit 262, and the output of the second delay control unit 262 is connected to the switch control module 220; ...; The first input of the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n is used to connect to the nth detected current signal, which is used to characterize the current flowing through the nth power switch Mn; the second input of the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n is used to connect to the preset nth current threshold; the output of the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n is connected to the input of the nth delay control unit 26n, and the output of the nth delay control unit 26n is connected to the switch control module 220. Here, the first detected current signal, the second detected current signal, ... the nth detected current signal can be collectively referred to as the detected current signal, and the first current threshold, the second current threshold, the third current threshold, ... the nth current threshold can be collectively referred to as the current threshold.In this embodiment, each delay control unit is connected to a preset duration threshold. Specifically, the first delay control unit 261 is connected to a preset first duration threshold Ty1, the second delay control unit 262 is connected to a preset second duration threshold Ty2, ..., and the nth delay control unit 26n is connected to a preset nth duration threshold Tyn. The first duration threshold Ty1, the second duration threshold Ty2, ..., and the nth duration threshold Tyn can be the same or different.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the signal at the first input terminal of the first overcurrent protection unit 211, the second overcurrent protection unit 212, the third overcurrent protection unit 213, ..., the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n is greater than or equal to the signal at its second input terminal, the first overcurrent protection unit 211, the second overcurrent protection unit 212, ..., the nth overcurrent protection unit 21n will output a first intermediate signal, specifically corresponding to the first first intermediate signal, the first second intermediate signal, ..., the first nth intermediate signal. After receiving the corresponding first intermediate signal, the first delay control unit 261, the second delay control unit 262, ..., the nth delay control unit 26n will start timing from 0. When the duration of receiving the first intermediate signal is greater than or equal to the corresponding duration threshold, the first delay control unit 261, the second delay control unit 262, ..., the nth delay control unit 26n will output an overcurrent signal to the switch control module 220. The switch control module 220 will control the corresponding power switch to open or limit the current. In this embodiment, when the first intermediate signal does not continue to correspond to the signal at the first input terminal of the overcurrent protection unit and is less than the signal at its second input terminal, the corresponding overcurrent protection unit will resume outputting the second intermediate signal, and the corresponding delay control unit will stop timing and reset to zero. Afterwards, when the first intermediate signal is output again, the delay control unit will start timing again from 0.

[0066] The inventors of this application discovered during the testing of the power switch control circuit 200: Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 2a , Figure 3 and Figure 4When at least two power switches are turned on, and one or more power switches change from on to off, at least one power switch remains on. The inventors discovered that the overcurrent protection unit corresponding to the still-on power switch may trigger overcurrent protection. Further research revealed that the reason for triggering overcurrent protection is that the main wiring harness between the series branch and the positive terminal of power supply 110 is relatively long. This main wiring harness is shared by all series branches for connection to the positive terminal of power supply 110. A main parasitic inductance L0 exists on the main wiring harness, and this inductance is relatively large. When one or more power switches change from on to off, the current in the main parasitic inductance L0 changes significantly in a short time, causing a voltage spike on the main parasitic inductance L0. This voltage spike acts on the still-on series branch, causing a current spike in that branch. This current spike can... This can cause the signal at the first input terminal of the corresponding overcurrent protection unit to be greater than or equal to the signal at its second input terminal. If this continues for a duration threshold, it can cause misjudgment, resulting in the overcurrent protection of the connected series branch being falsely triggered. Moreover, the series branch itself also has branch harnesses for connection (e.g., branch harnesses from the end of the main harness to the power switch). These branch harnesses have parasitic inductances L1, ..., Ln. The parasitic inductances L1, ..., Ln are relatively small compared to the main parasitic inductance L0. When one or more power switches change from on to off, the current in the parasitic inductance of the off branch becomes 0, which will also generate a certain voltage spike. This voltage spike will be superimposed on the voltage spike on the main parasitic inductance L0, causing the voltage spike on the main parasitic inductance L0 to increase further, thereby further increasing the current spike in the connected series branch. In addition to voltage spikes caused by the power switch changing from on to off, signal interference and other factors can also cause voltage spikes (in which case multiple series branches are not required), potentially leading to false overcurrent protection. However, experiments have shown that these voltage spikes do not cause any damage to the power switch control circuit 200, are not caused by a real short circuit in the load 130, and pose no threat to the load 130. Based on considerations of reliability and safety, the power switch control circuit 200 does not need to trigger overcurrent protection.

[0067] To mitigate the issue of voltage spikes causing current spikes in the conducting branch, thus preventing the overcurrent protection module 210 from falsely triggering overcurrent protection, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1a , Figure 2a , Figure 3 and Figure 4In this embodiment, the power switch control circuit 200 includes a voltage spike detection unit 270 and a duration compensation module 230. The voltage spike detection unit 270 is connected to the main wiring harness, specifically to the end of the main wiring harness furthest from the positive terminal of the power supply 110. In the illustration, the voltage spike detection unit 270 is connected to the power supply terminal VCC. The voltage spike detection unit 270 detects voltage spikes on the main wiring harness and outputs a spike detection signal. When there are no voltage spikes on the main wiring harness, the spike detection signal output by the voltage spike detection unit 270 remains 0. In this embodiment, the duration compensation module 230 is connected to the voltage spike detection unit 270 and also to the delay control unit. The duration compensation module 230 outputs a duration compensation value based on the spike detection signal output by the voltage spike detection unit 270. The delay control unit receives the duration compensation value to compensate for the duration threshold.

[0068] In this embodiment, the peak detection signal is used to characterize the magnitude of voltage peak changes, that is, the peak detection signal characterizes the time derivative of the voltage peak. Specifically, the voltage peak detection unit 270 includes a second capacitor C2, a second resistor R2, and a first operational amplifier unit A1. The first end of the second capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the main wiring harness, the second end of the second capacitor C2 is connected to the first end of the second resistor R2, the second end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier unit A1, the inverting terminal of the first operational amplifier unit A1 is also connected to the first end of the second resistor R2, the non-inverting terminal of the first operational amplifier unit A1 is connected to the power supply ground terminal GND, and the output terminal of the first operational amplifier unit A1 is also connected to the duration compensation module 230. The signal at the output terminal of the first operational amplifier unit A1 is the peak detection signal. In this embodiment, the peak detection signal is a voltage. For example, the greater the slope of the voltage peak, the greater the voltage amplitude of the peak detection signal; the smaller the slope of the voltage peak, the smaller the voltage amplitude of the peak detection signal. In this embodiment, when a voltage spike occurs, the spike detection signal starts from 0 and changes to a negative voltage. After reaching the maximum amplitude of the negative voltage, it returns to 0 (corresponding to the maximum value of the voltage spike), then changes to a positive voltage, reaches the maximum amplitude of the positive voltage, and then changes back to 0. At this point, the voltage spike ends, or the positive and negative voltages are reversed. Alternatively, the voltage spike detection unit can also obtain the spike detection signal through other conventional slope detection circuits.

[0069] Please refer to the above. Figure 3 and Figure 4In this embodiment, the duration compensation module 230 includes a duration calculation unit. The number of duration calculation units is equal to the number of delay control units, i.e., the number of duration calculation units is n, corresponding to the first duration calculation unit 231, the second duration calculation unit 232, ..., the nth duration calculation unit 23n. The first duration calculation units 231 to the nth duration calculation unit 23n all receive the spike detection signal. The first duration calculation units 231 to the nth duration calculation unit 23n are connected to the first delay control units 261 to the nth delay control units 26n. Based on the duration of the voltage spike, the first duration calculation units 231 to the nth duration calculation unit 23n output the corresponding duration compensation value to the corresponding first delay control units 261 to the nth delay control units 26n. In this embodiment, the duration compensation value is less than or equal to the duration of the voltage spike. Preferably, the duration compensation value is equal to the duration of the voltage spike, and the first duration compensation value minus the nth duration compensation value is equal. In other embodiments of this application, the duration compensation value may be greater than the duration of the voltage spike, and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0070] Specifically, the first duration calculation unit 231 to the nth duration calculation unit 23n outputs the first duration compensation value and the nth duration compensation value in real time based on the peak detection signal. The first duration compensation value and the nth duration compensation value change dynamically. The first delay control unit 261 calculates the first duration compensation value with the first duration threshold Ty1 to obtain the first compensation duration signal. The first compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the first duration threshold Ty1. The second delay control unit 262 calculates the second duration compensation value with the second duration threshold Ty2 to obtain the second compensation duration signal. The second compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the second duration threshold Ty2. ... The nth delay control unit 26n calculates the nth duration compensation value with the nth duration threshold Tyn to obtain the nth compensation duration signal. The nth compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the nth duration threshold Tyn. In this embodiment, the operations performed by the first delay control unit 261 to the nth delay control unit 26n are addition operations. The first delay control unit 261 adds the first duration compensation value to the first duration threshold Ty1 to obtain the first compensation duration signal. The second delay control unit 262 adds the second duration compensation value to the second duration threshold Ty2 to obtain the second compensation duration signal. ... The nth delay control unit 26n adds the nth duration compensation value to the nth duration threshold Tyn to obtain the nth compensation duration signal.

[0071] In this embodiment, because a preset duration threshold is compensated, even if the current in the series branch exceeds the originally designed maximum current value (corresponding to the duration threshold) due to a voltage spike, the increased duration threshold reduces the probability that the duration of the current in the series branch exceeding or equal to the maximum current value corresponding to the current threshold will exceed the corresponding compensation duration signal. Therefore, the probability of triggering overcurrent protection due to a voltage spike is low, and it will not affect the normal operation of load 130. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the delay control unit can perform more complex calculations to obtain the compensation duration signal, such as through addition, multiplication, or addition, multiplication, and division operations. When a voltage spike exists, the compensation duration signal is greater than the corresponding duration threshold.

[0072] To obtain the duration compensation value, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 and Figure 5a The diagram uses the k-th duration calculation unit 23k as an example, where k is a positive integer less than or equal to n. The other duration calculation units have the same structure as the k-th duration calculation unit 23k and will not be described further. In this embodiment, the k-th duration calculation unit 23k includes a k-th signal identification unit and a k-th compensation timing unit 24k. The k-th signal identification unit identifies the start and end of voltage spikes based on spike detection signals. The k-th signal identification unit includes a first voltage comparator CP1 and a second voltage comparator CP2. The first input terminal of the first voltage comparator CP1 and the second input terminal of the second voltage comparator CP2 are connected to the output terminal of the voltage spike detection unit 270. The second input terminal of the first voltage comparator CP1 is connected to a first reference voltage Vref1, and the first input terminal of the second voltage comparator CP2 is connected to a second reference voltage Vref1. In this embodiment, the first reference voltage Vref1 is less than or equal to 0, and the second reference voltage Vref2 is greater than or equal to 0. For example, the first reference voltage Vref1 is -0.1V (for example), -0.2V, etc., and the second reference voltage Vref2 is 0.1V (for example), 0.2V, etc. The output terminal of the first voltage comparator CP1 is connected to the k-th compensation timing unit 24k, and the output terminal of the second voltage comparator CP2 is connected to the k-th compensation timing unit 24k. The first input terminal is, for example, an inverting terminal, and the second input terminal is, for example, a non-inverting terminal, or vice versa.

[0073] In this embodiment, when no voltage spike occurs, the spike detection signal remains 0, the first voltage comparator CP1 outputs a low level, the second voltage comparator CP2 outputs a low level, the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is deactivated, and the k-th duration compensation value is 0. When a voltage spike occurs, the spike detection signal changes from 0 to a negative voltage. When the spike detection signal is less than the first reference voltage Vref1, the first voltage comparator CP1 changes from outputting a low level to outputting a high level, the second voltage comparator CP2 continues to output a low level, the k-th compensation timing unit 24k receives the rising edge signal output by the first voltage comparator CP1, and the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is triggered and activated. When the amplitude of the voltage spike reaches its maximum value, the spike detection... When the signal changes from negative voltage to 0, the output signal of the first voltage comparator CP1 changes from high level back to low level. When the amplitude of the voltage spike begins to decrease from its maximum value, the spike detection signal changes from 0 to positive voltage. When it is greater than the second reference voltage Vref2, the output of the first voltage comparator CP1 remains low level, and the output of the second voltage comparator CP2 changes from low level to high level. When the amplitude of the voltage spike gradually decreases to 0 and remains at 0, the spike detection signal will gradually decrease to less than the second reference voltage Vref2, and the output of the second voltage comparator CP2 changes from high level to low level. At this time, when the k-th compensation timing unit 24k receives the falling edge signal of the second voltage comparator CP2, the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is deactivated. In this embodiment, the activation of the k-th compensation timing unit 24k does not mean that duration compensation will be performed. Duration compensation will only be performed when the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is activated and overcurrent protection occurs.

[0074] Please refer to the above. Figure 5a and Figure 5b In this embodiment, the k-th compensation timing unit 24k includes a trigger UFF, an eighth switch K8, a fourth resistor R4, and a fourth capacitor C4. The k-th delay control unit 26k includes a fourth switch K4, a fifth switch K5, a first inverter INV1, a sixth switch K6, a seventh switch K7, and a second inverter INV2. When no overcurrent protection occurs, the fourth switch K4 and the sixth switch K6 remain open and conducting, while the fifth switch K5 and the seventh switch K7 remain open and cut off. The power switch control circuit 200 also includes n delay preset units 250, namely a first delay preset unit 251, a second delay preset unit 252, ..., an nth delay preset unit 25n. The first delay preset unit 251 is used to generate a first duration threshold Ty1, the second delay preset unit 252 is used to generate a second duration threshold Ty2, ..., and the nth delay preset unit 25n is used to generate an nth duration threshold Tyn. Figure 5b In the middle, the k-th delay preset unit 25k includes a third capacitor C3 and a third resistor R3. Figure 5bThe connection relationships between the various unit modules are not described in detail here. Additionally, the first terminal of the fourth switch K4 is connected to the internal power supply Vdd, which is obtained by converting the voltage of the power supply terminal VCC. This is conventional technology in the art and will not be described further here. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 can be replaced with current sources. This is conventional technology in the art and will not be described further here.

[0075] In this embodiment, when no voltage spike occurs, the output of the trigger UFF is high, and the eighth switch K8 is turned on. When the k-th overcurrent protection unit determines that overcurrent protection has occurred, the sixth switch K6 changes from on to off, and the seventh switch K7 changes from off to on. Since the eighth switch K8 is turned on, the charge on the fourth capacitor C4 is instantly discharged, and the input of the first inverter INV1 changes from high to low. The output of the first inverter INV1 is high. At this time, the fourth switch K4 changes from on to off, and the fifth switch K5 changes from off to on. The third capacitor C3 is discharged through the fifth switch K5 and the third resistor R3. After the discharge of the k-th duration threshold, the input of the second inverter INV2 changes from high to low, and the output of the second inverter INV2 becomes high. This is the overcurrent signal. The k-th duration threshold is not compensated for in terms of duration, that is, the k-th duration compensation value is 0. When a voltage spike occurs, for example, when the trigger UFF receives the rising edge signal from the first voltage comparator CP1, the trigger UFF changes from a high level to a low level, and the eighth switch K8 is turned off. When the k-th overcurrent protection unit determines that an overcurrent protection has occurred, the sixth switch K6 changes from being on to being off, and the seventh switch K7 changes from being off to being on. Since the eighth switch K8 is off, the charge on the fourth capacitor C4 is discharged through the seventh switch K7 and the fourth resistor R4. Therefore, the first inverter INV1 will not immediately output a high level. This is achieved by designing the fourth... The parameters of capacitor C4 and fourth resistor R4 can be designed to preset threshold duration. After the longest possible discharge time, the input of the first inverter INV1 changes from high to low, and the output of the first inverter INV1 becomes high. At this time, the fourth switch K4 changes from open to closed, and the fifth switch K5 changes from closed to open. The third capacitor C3 discharges through the fifth switch K5 and the third resistor R3. When the discharge time threshold k is reached, the input of the second inverter INV2 changes from high to low, and the output of the second inverter INV2 becomes high. This is the overcurrent signal. Generally speaking, the duration of a voltage spike should be less than or equal to the threshold duration, meaning the duration compensation value should be less than or equal to the threshold duration. When the voltage spike ends before reaching the threshold duration, the trigger UFF changes from a low output level to a high output level, the eighth switch K8 turns on, and the remaining charge on the fourth capacitor C4 is instantly discharged. If the k-th overcurrent protection unit 21k still outputs the first intermediate signal, the input of the first inverter INV1 changes from a high level to a low level, and the output of the first inverter INV1 becomes high, ending the duration compensation. This allows control to generate a duration compensation value less than or equal to the threshold duration. When the duration of the voltage spike exceeds the threshold duration, and the overcurrent protection unit outputs a first intermediate signal greater than the threshold duration while the voltage spike exists, the duration compensation value is equal to the threshold duration.

[0076] Please continue reading Figure 5a and Figure 5b In this embodiment, when overcurrent protection occurs first (overcurrent protection caused by the load), the charge on the fourth capacitor C4 is instantly released through the seventh switch K7 and the eighth switch K8. The delay preset unit 250 starts timing. If a voltage spike occurs before the timing reaches the duration threshold, since the charge on the fourth capacitor C4 has been released prematurely, no duration compensation is performed. The overcurrent protection combined with the voltage spike will further trigger overcurrent protection. The delay preset unit 250 continues timing. When the duration threshold is reached, the second inverter INV2 outputs an overcurrent signal, triggering the overcurrent protection. This design is advantageous because it prevents damage to the power switch control circuit, load, etc., caused by a voltage spike following a normal overcurrent. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, even if an overcurrent occurs first and then a voltage spike occurs, duration compensation can still be performed, which is also within the scope of this application.

[0077] Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the k-th signal recognition unit, compensation timing unit, delay preset unit 250, and delay control unit are not limited to... Figure 5a , Figure 5b The implementation method described herein can also be achieved through other conventional techniques in the field, which are also within the scope of this application and will not be elaborated here.

[0078] This embodiment adds a voltage spike detection unit 270 and a duration compensation module 230. The voltage spike detection unit 270 is used to detect voltage spikes on the main harness in real time to obtain a spike detection signal. The duration compensation module 230 obtains a duration compensation value based on the spike detection signal. The delay control unit calculates the corresponding duration compensation value with the corresponding duration threshold to obtain the corresponding compensation duration signal. The compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the corresponding duration threshold. With this setting, when a brief voltage spike occurs on the main harness for various reasons, the probability that the duration of the first intermediate signal output by the overcurrent protection unit is greater than or equal to the compensated duration is low because the delay control unit compensates for the duration threshold. This can improve the problem of false overcurrent protection triggering and will not cause adverse effects, such as false shutdown or false current limiting, which is beneficial to the normal operation of the load 130, improves personal safety, and enhances reliability.

[0079] Furthermore, in this application, the number of signal identification units is not limited to being equal to the number of delay control units. In other embodiments of this application, the number of signal identification units can be one, shared by all compensation timing units. Based on this, the trigger UFF can also be one, in which case all compensation timing units share this single trigger UFF.

[0080] This application embodiment also provides an integrated circuit chip, which includes the aforementioned power switch control circuit 200, i.e., the aforementioned power switch control circuit 200 is fabricated on the same semiconductor substrate. The power supply terminal VCC is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal GND is a power ground pin, and the load output terminal is a load output pin. The integrated circuit chip has n channels, each channel including a power switch.

[0081] Other embodiments of this application also provide a chip product, which includes the power switch control circuit 200 described above. The components of the power switch control circuit 200, except for the first power switches M1 to the nth power switches Mn, are located on a first integrated circuit chip. The first power switches M1 to the nth power switches Mn are located on one or more other integrated circuit chips. That is, the first integrated circuit chip is fabricated on one semiconductor substrate, and the other integrated circuit chips are fabricated on one or more other semiconductor substrates. Preferably, each power switch is fabricated on an independent chip, i.e., n power switches are fabricated on n independent chips. Here, the power switch control circuit 200 is packaged into a single product. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the voltage spike detection unit 270 is not fabricated on the integrated circuit chip; the voltage spike detection unit 270 can be used as an external device.

[0082] Furthermore, the power switch control circuit 200, integrated circuit chip, and chip product of this embodiment are not limited to automotive electronics, but can also be used in fields such as industrial automation, aerospace, and artificial intelligence.

[0083] Second Embodiment

[0084] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a partial circuit block diagram of the power switch control circuit 200 of the second embodiment of this application. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, the parts not described in this embodiment can be referred to the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the voltage spike detection unit 270.

[0085] Please refer to the above. Figure 1a , Figure 2a , Figure 6In this embodiment, the voltage spike detection unit 270 is used to sample and obtain the amplitude of the voltage spike in real time to obtain the spike detection signal. Specifically, the voltage spike detection unit 270 includes a high-pass filter (HPF). One end of the high-pass filter is connected to the end of the main harness away from the power supply 110, and the other end of the high-pass filter is connected to the duration compensation module 230. When a voltage spike occurs, the high-pass filter allows the voltage spike (high frequency) to pass through. The amplitude of the spike detection signal output by the high-pass filter is proportional to the amplitude of the voltage spike. The amplitude of the spike detection signal output by the high-pass filter can characterize the amplitude of the voltage spike in real time. When the spike detection signal is greater than 0, it indicates that a voltage spike has occurred. When the spike detection signal is equal to 0, it indicates that the voltage spike has ended or there is no voltage spike at this time.

[0086] In this embodiment, the duration compensation module 230 includes duration calculation units, the number of which is equal to the number of delay control units. Each duration calculation unit outputs a corresponding duration compensation value to the corresponding delay control unit based on the duration of the peak detection signal being greater than 0. In this embodiment, the duration compensation value is less than or equal to the duration of the peak detection signal being greater than 0. For example, if the duration of the peak detection signal being greater than 0 is A seconds, then the duration compensation value is less than or equal to A seconds. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the duration compensation value can be greater than the duration of the peak detection signal being greater than 0, and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0087] Please continue reading Figure 6 In this embodiment, the voltage spike detection unit 270 includes a fifth capacitor C5 and a fifth resistor R5. The connection relationship between the fifth capacitor C5 and the fifth resistor R5 is shown in the attached figure and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, the fifth capacitor C5 and the fifth resistor R5 constitute a passive high-pass filter. The passive high-pass filter is used to acquire the amplitude of voltage spikes on the main harness, thereby obtaining a spike detection signal, which is a voltage. For example, the larger the voltage spike, the larger the voltage at the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5; the smaller the voltage spike, the smaller the voltage at the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5. In this embodiment, the voltage at the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5 is used to characterize whether a voltage spike exists in the main harness and the magnitude of the voltage spike. The voltage at the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5 is output to the duration calculation unit, and the voltage at the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5 is the spike detection signal.

[0088] To obtain the duration compensation value, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 , Figure 7a and Figure 7bThe diagram uses the k-th duration calculation unit 23k as an example. The k-th duration calculation unit 23k includes a k-th signal recognition unit and a k-th compensation timing unit 24k. The k-th signal recognition unit identifies the start and end of voltage spikes based on the spike detection signal. The k-th signal recognition unit includes a third voltage comparator CP3. The first input terminal of the third voltage comparator CP3 is connected to the output terminal of the voltage spike detection unit 270. The second input terminal of the third voltage comparator CP3 is connected to the third reference voltage Vref3. In this embodiment, the third reference voltage Vref3 is greater than or equal to 0, for example, the third reference voltage Vref3 is 0.1V (for example), 0.2V, etc. The output terminal of the third voltage comparator CP3 is connected to the compensation timing unit. The first input terminal is, for example, the same-inverting terminal, and the second input terminal is, for example, the opposite-inverting terminal, or vice versa.

[0089] In this embodiment, when a voltage spike occurs, the spike detection signal changes from 0 to greater than the third reference voltage Vref3, the output signal of the third voltage comparator CP3 changes from low to high, and the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is activated. While the voltage spike persists, the spike detection signal remains greater than the third reference voltage Vref3. When the voltage spike ends, the spike detection signal becomes less than or equal to the third reference voltage Vref3, the output signal of the third voltage comparator CP3 changes from high to low, and the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is deactivated. In this embodiment, the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is activated by a rising edge signal or a high level trigger, and deactivated by a falling edge signal or a low level trigger. In this embodiment, the output of the k-th compensation timing unit 24k is the dynamic duration compensation value. For the connection and principle of the k-th compensation timing unit 24k, the k-th delay control unit, and the k-th delay preset unit 25k in this embodiment, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 7b The description of the first embodiment, as well as the previous one, will not be repeated here.

[0090] The high-pass filter in this embodiment is a passive high-pass filter, but this application is not limited to this. In other embodiments of this application, the high-pass filter can also be an active high-pass filter. An active high-pass filter can be implemented, for example, as a second-order voltage-controlled voltage source high-pass filter circuit. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 8 Or, for example, an infinite-gain multiple-feedback high-pass filter circuit; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 9 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The specific implementation of the high-pass filter function is a conventional technique in the art and will not be elaborated upon here. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the high-pass filter function can also be implemented using other conventional high-pass filter circuits.

[0091] In other embodiments of this application, the voltage spike detection unit 270 includes a bandpass filter (BPF). One end of the bandpass filter is connected to the end of the main harness furthest from the power supply 110, and the other end is connected to the duration compensation module 230. When a voltage spike occurs, the bandpass filter allows the voltage spike (with a frequency within the bandpass filter's acceptable frequency range) to pass through. The magnitude of the spike detection signal output by the bandpass filter is proportional to the amplitude of the voltage spike, thus enabling the bandpass filter to characterize the voltage spike in real time. Here, the bandpass filter can be implemented, for example, as a second-order bandpass filter circuit of a voltage-controlled voltage source; please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10 , Figure 10 The specific implementation of the bandpass filtering function is a conventional technique in the art and will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, in other embodiments of this application, the bandpass filter function can also be implemented using other conventional bandpass filter circuits.

[0092] In the two embodiments above, regardless of the cause of a voltage spike on the main wiring harness, both the voltage spike detection unit 270 and the duration compensation module 230 will operate, meaning they will both compensate for the duration threshold. However, in some cases, it may be desirable to only prevent false triggering of voltage spikes caused by the disconnection of power switches in other series branches, while voltage spikes occurring in other situations do not need to be compensated. To improve this problem, this application provides a third embodiment.

[0093] Third Embodiment

[0094] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a partial circuit block diagram of the power switch control circuit 200 according to the third embodiment of this application. This embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the parts not described in this embodiment can be referred to the first and second embodiments. The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments is that it does not perform duration threshold compensation for all voltage spikes.

[0095] Please refer to the above. Figure 1a , Figure 2a and Figure 11 In this embodiment, the power switch control circuit 200 includes multiple channels, each channel including a corresponding power switch and a load output terminal, and each load output terminal is connected to a corresponding load 130, for example in... Figure 11 In this embodiment, the power switch control circuit 200 includes n channels. In this embodiment, the control terminals of all power switches are connected to the switch control module 220. Since the switch control module 220 controls the on / off state of all power switches, it can determine which power switch is controlled by the processor 120 or has changed from on / off to off due to protection.

[0096] In this embodiment, when a voltage spike appears on the main harness due to the power switch changing from being turned on to being turned off, the duration threshold of the delay control unit or all delay control units of the turned-on power switch is compensated. Voltage spikes on the main harness caused by other reasons are not compensated for by the duration threshold.

[0097] In this embodiment, the switch control module 220 is connected to the voltage spike detection unit 270. Figure 11 Or connect to the duration compensation module 230. Figures 12a-12c When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off based on the control of the processor 120 or for protection purposes, the switch control module 220 controls the voltage spike detection unit 270 to switch from deactivated to activated, or the switch control module 220 controls the duration compensation module 230 corresponding to the on power switch or all duration compensation modules 230 to switch from deactivated to activated. Only after activation is duration threshold compensation allowed. The control of the voltage spike detection unit 270 or duration compensation module 230 by the switch control module 220 includes, but is not limited to, the following methods:

[0098] 1. Please see Figure 11The figure illustrates the voltage spike detection unit 270, which includes a fifth capacitor C5 and a fifth resistor R5. The voltage spike detection unit 270 also includes a first switch K1. The first end of the first switch K1 is connected to the second end of the fifth capacitor C5, and the second end of the first switch K1 is connected to the first end of the fifth resistor R5. The first end of the fifth resistor R5 is used to output a spike detection signal. The control end of the first switch K1 is connected to the switch control module 220. When the switch control module 220 does not control any power switch to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls the first switch K1 to open. At this time, the voltage spike detection unit 270 is deactivated, the spike detection signal is 0, and all duration compensation values ​​are 0. When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls the first switch K1 to turn on. At this time, the voltage spike detection unit 270 is activated. Subsequently, the voltage spike detection unit 270 detects voltage spikes and outputs spike detection signals. The duration compensation module 230 compensates for all duration thresholds based on the spike detection signals. After the switch control module 220 controls the first switch K1 to turn on for a preset threshold time period, it then controls the first switch K1 to return to off, or the voltage spike detection unit 270 detects that the voltage spike has passed and then controls the first switch K1 to return to off. In addition, in other embodiments of this application, the first switch K1 may also be located between the first end of the fifth capacitor C5 and the main wiring harness. In this embodiment, the first switch K1 can be a MOSFET, a transistor, or the like. Additionally, in other embodiments of this application, Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 It can also be controlled in a similar way, which will not be elaborated here.

[0099] 2. Please see Figure 12aThe duration compensation module 230 includes a duration calculation unit and a second switch K2. The first terminal of the second switch K2 is connected to the first terminal of the fifth resistor R5, and the second terminal of the second switch K2 is connected to each duration calculation unit. The control terminal of the second switch K2 is connected to the switch control module 220. When the switch control module 220 does not control one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls the second switch K2 to turn off, at which time each duration calculation unit is deactivated, and the duration compensation value is 0. When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls the second switch K2 to turn on, at which time each duration calculation unit is activated. Subsequently, the spike detection signal is output to each duration calculation unit via the second switch K2 to compensate for the duration threshold. After the switch control module 220 controls the second switch K2 to turn on for a preset threshold time period, it then controls the second switch K2 to return to open or closed. Alternatively, after the voltage spike detection unit 270 detects that the voltage spike has passed, the switch control module 220 controls the second switch K2 to return to open or closed. Here, the second switch K2 can be a MOSFET, transistor, etc.

[0100] 3. Please see Figure 12b The duration compensation module 230 also includes third switches, the number of which is equal to the number of delay control units. The first terminals of the third switches K31, ..., K3n are connected to the duration calculation unit, and the second terminals of the third switches K31, ..., K3n are connected to the corresponding delay control units. When the switch control module 220 does not control one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls all third switches K31, ..., K3n to be off. When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls all third switches K31, ..., K3n to be on. Here, the third switches K31, ..., K3n can be MOSFETs, transistors, etc.

[0101] 4. Please see Figure 12cThe duration compensation module 230 can also function without additional switches. In this case, each duration calculation unit has an enable terminal, which is connected to the switch control module 220. When the switch control module 220 does not control one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 deactivates all duration calculation units (e.g., controls the eighth switch K8 to be on). When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 activates the duration calculation units (e.g., controls the eighth switch K8 to be off) to compensate for the duration threshold. After the switch control module 220 activates the duration calculation units for the threshold time period, it then deactivates the duration calculation units, or the voltage spike detection unit 270 detects that the voltage spike has passed and the switch control module 220 deactivates the duration calculation units.

[0102] In the implementations of methods 3 and 4 above, to simplify control, when the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls all third switches to be on or controls all duration calculation units to be activated. However, this application is not limited to this; please refer to other embodiments of this application. Figure 12b or Figure 12c When the switch control module 220 controls one or more power switches to change from on to off, the switch control module 220 controls the third switch corresponding to the currently on power switch to turn on or activates the corresponding duration calculation unit. The duration threshold corresponding to the currently off power switch is not compensated because these power switches are off at this time, and the current flowing through these power switches is 0.

[0103] In this embodiment, at least the switch control module 220 is located on the same chip. In this case, the switch control module 220 knows the state and state transitions of all power switches. Preferably, the entire power switch control circuit 200 is located on the same chip, or the entire power switch control circuit 200, except for the voltage spike detection unit 270, is located on the same chip, or the entire power switch control circuit 200, except for the voltage spike detection unit 270 and the power switches, is located on the same chip. However, this application is not limited to this. For other embodiments of this application, please refer to... Figure 13 The power switch control circuit 200 has multiple channels located on different sub-units (which can be called intelligent electronic switches). That is, the power switch control circuit 200 includes multiple intelligent electronic switches, and each intelligent electronic switch can have one channel. Figure 13(Using this as an example for illustration) or multiple channels, the intelligent electronic switch includes a duration calculation unit, an overcurrent protection unit (not shown in the figure), a delay control unit, a switch control unit (the switch control module 220 includes a first switch control unit 221 to an nth switch control unit 22n), and a power switch. The processor 120 is connected to all intelligent electronic switches. The processor 120 can control the corresponding power switch to turn on or off through the switch control unit of the corresponding intelligent electronic switch. The intelligent electronic switch also feeds back to the processor 120 whether its power switch is off. These are all conventional technologies in the field and will not be described in detail here. Here, the processor 120 is also used to control whether the voltage spike detection unit 270 or the duration calculation unit is activated. In one way (e.g.) Figure 13 The processor 120 controls whether the voltage spike detection unit 270 is activated: when the processor 120 controls or learns that the power switch of one or more channels changes from on to off, the processor 120 activates the voltage spike detection unit 270. The voltage spike detection unit 270 detects the spike signal, which is output to the duration calculation unit of each intelligent electronic switch. The duration compensation value is output to the corresponding delay control unit. After the voltage spike passes, the processor 120 controls the voltage spike detection unit 270 to deactivate. In one implementation, the peak detection signal is 0. In another implementation, the processor 120 controls whether the duration calculation unit is activated: when the processor 120 detects that the power switch of one or more channels changes from on to off, the processor 120 controls each duration calculation unit to activate. The duration calculation unit receives the peak detection signal output by the voltage peak detection unit 270, processes it to obtain the duration compensation value, and outputs the duration compensation value to the corresponding delay control unit. After the voltage peak passes, the processor 120 controls the duration calculation unit to deactivate, at which point the duration compensation value is 0. In one implementation, each smart electronic switch is located on its own independent chip; in another implementation, the circuit units of each smart electronic switch, excluding the power switch, are located on their own independent chips, and each power switch is located on its own separate chip.

[0104] Additionally, please refer to other embodiments of this application. Figure 14 Multiple channels are located on different smart electronic switches; a single smart electronic switch can have one or more channels. Figure 14(Taking a smart electronic switch with one channel as an example) Here, the smart electronic switches are interconnected. When the power switch of one channel of one smart electronic switch changes from on to off, the smart electronic switch will inform the other smart electronic switches. For example, the switch control units are interconnected, and each switch control unit outputs or receives the information that the power switch has changed from on to off. The other channels of the smart electronic switch also know this information. Then, the smart electronic switch controls the corresponding duration calculation unit to activate. For example, the corresponding switch control unit controls the corresponding duration calculation unit to activate. The duration calculation unit receives the peak detection signal output by the voltage peak detection unit 270 (which is always active). The duration calculation unit processes the signal to obtain the duration compensation value and outputs the duration compensation value to the corresponding delay control unit. After the voltage peak passes, the smart electronic switch controls the duration calculation unit to deactivate. At this time, the duration compensation value is 0. In other embodiments of this application, when each smart electronic switch learns that the power switch of one or more smart electronic switches has changed from being turned on to being turned off, the switch control unit corresponding to the currently turned-on power switch controls the corresponding duration calculation unit to activate, and the switch control unit corresponding to the unturned power switch continues to control the corresponding duration calculation unit to activate.

[0105] The first to third embodiments all include a voltage spike detection unit 270, but this application is not limited to this. In other embodiments of this application, the voltage spike detection unit 270 may not be included. When the duration compensation module 230 learns from the switch control module 220, the processor 120, or other intelligent electronic switches that there is a voltage spike on the main wiring harness, such as information that one or more intelligent electronic switches change from being turned on to being turned off, the duration compensation module 230 receives the information that there is a voltage spike on the main wiring harness, and the duration calculation unit can output a duration compensation value. This duration compensation value is preset, for example, meaning that the duration compensation value is not related to the duration of the voltage spike, and the duration for which the duration compensation value is not 0 is also preset.

[0106] Figure 15 This is a flowchart corresponding to the methods in the three embodiments above. Figure 15 The method can be referred to the previous ones. Figures 1a-14 The implementation of the power switch control circuit 200 is discussed, but not limited to it. Nevertheless, for ease of explanation, the following descriptions... Figure 15 When using this method, refer to Figures 1a-14 Please see. Figure 15 The control method of the power switch control circuit 200 includes:

[0107] S110: Control the power switch to be turned on, wherein the first end of the power switch is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 110 via the main wiring harness, the second end of the power switch is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply 110, and the control terminal of the power switch is connected to the switch control module 220. The switch control module 220 is used to control the power switch to be turned on or off. The power switch is used to be connected in series with the load 130.

[0108] S120: Receive information about voltage spikes on the main line bundle, wherein the information about voltage spikes is used to characterize voltage spikes on the main line bundle;

[0109] S130: Obtain the duration compensation value based on the information of the voltage spike;

[0110] S140: The overcurrent protection module 210 is used to determine whether the duration of the detected current signal being greater than or equal to the current threshold is greater than or equal to the compensation duration signal. The overcurrent protection module 210 is connected to the detected current signal, the preset current threshold, the preset duration threshold, and the duration compensation value, and calculates the duration threshold and the duration compensation value to obtain the compensation duration signal. The compensation duration signal is greater than or equal to the duration threshold. The detected current signal is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch.

[0111] S151: If the judgment result is yes, then an overcurrent signal is output to the switch control module 220, and the switch control module 220 performs overcurrent protection on the power switch;

[0112] S152: If the judgment result is negative, output a no-overcurrent signal to the switch control module 220.

[0113] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the above-described division of functional units and modules is merely an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional units and modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The functional units and modules in the embodiments can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit. Furthermore, the specific names of the functional units and modules are only for easy differentiation and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. The specific working process of the units and modules in the above system can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0114] It should be understood that "a plurality of" as used herein refers to two or more. Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0115] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0116] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Therefore, any equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of this application shall still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A power switch control circuit that compensates for a time duration threshold, characterized by, The power switch control circuit comprises: a power switch, a switch control module, a first end of the power switch being connected with a positive electrode of a power supply via a main wire harness, a second end of the power switch being connected with a negative electrode of the power supply, and a control end of the power switch being connected with the switch control module, the switch control module being used for controlling the power switch to be turned on or turned off, and the power switch being used for being connected in series with a load; a time length compensation module, which is used for receiving information of a voltage spike on the main wire harness and obtaining a time length compensation value based on the information of the voltage spike; an overcurrent protection module, which is respectively connected with a detection current signal, a preset current threshold value and a preset time length threshold value, and is further connected with the time length compensation module to receive the time length compensation value, the overcurrent protection module performing operation on the time length threshold value and the time length compensation value to obtain a compensation time length signal, the compensation time length signal being greater than or equal to the time length threshold value, and an output end of the overcurrent protection module being connected with the switch control module, the overcurrent protection module outputting an overcurrent signal to the switch control module when the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold value and lasts for the compensation time length signal, and the switch control module performing overcurrent protection on the power switch.

2. The power switch control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The overcurrent protection module comprises an overcurrent protection unit and a delay control unit, a first input end of the overcurrent protection unit being used for accessing the detection current signal, a second input end of the overcurrent protection unit being used for accessing the current threshold value, an output end of the overcurrent protection unit being connected with the delay control unit, the delay control unit being used for respectively accessing the time length threshold value and the time length compensation value, the delay control unit performing calculation on the time length threshold value and the time length compensation value to obtain the compensation time length signal, the overcurrent protection unit outputting a first intermediate signal to the delay control unit when the overcurrent protection unit judges that the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold value, and the delay control unit outputting the overcurrent signal when the first intermediate signal received by the delay control unit lasts for a time length greater than or equal to the compensation time length signal.

3. The switch control circuit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The power switch control circuit further comprises a voltage spike detection unit, the voltage spike detection unit being connected with the time length compensation module, and the voltage spike detection unit being used for detecting a voltage spike of the main wire harness and outputting a corresponding spike detection signal to the time length compensation module.

4. The power switch control circuit of claim 3, wherein, The time length compensation module outputs a corresponding time length compensation value based on a time length during which the voltage spike lasts, and the time length compensation value is less than or equal to the time length during which the voltage spike lasts.

5. The power switch control circuit of claim 4, wherein, The time length compensation module comprises a time length calculation unit, the time length calculation unit comprising a signal identification unit and a compensation timing unit, an input end of the signal identification unit being connected with the voltage spike detection unit, an input end of the compensation timing unit being connected with the signal identification unit, and an output end of the compensation timing unit being connected with the delay control unit, the signal identification unit identifying a start and an end of the voltage spike based on the spike detection signal, and the compensation timing unit being controlled to be activated or deactivated based on the signal of the signal identification unit.

6. The power switch control circuit of claim 5, wherein, When the signal identification unit is activated and the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold value, the compensation timing unit is triggered to start timing, and the time length compensation value is a timing time length of the compensation timing unit. Or The signal recognition unit is activated after the detection current signal is greater than or equal to a current threshold, and the time length compensation value is 0.

7. The power switch control circuit of claim 3, wherein, The spike detection signal is used to represent the amplitude of the voltage spike or the slope of the voltage spike.

8. The power switch control circuit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The time length compensation module obtains the information of the voltage spike from the switch control module; or, The time length compensation module obtains the information of the voltage spike from a processor, wherein the processor is connected with the power switch control circuit; or, The power switch control circuit forms a plurality of intelligent electronic switches, each of which includes one or more power switches, and each intelligent electronic switch is connected with each other, and each intelligent electronic switch obtains the information of the voltage spike from other intelligent electronic switches.

9. The power switch control circuit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The power switch control circuit includes a plurality of power switches, each of which is connected with a corresponding load in series, and the control ends of the plurality of power switches are connected with the switch control module, and the time length compensation module compensates the time length threshold when at least one power switch changes from on to off.

10. The power switch control circuit of claim 9, wherein, The information of the voltage spike is obtained from a voltage spike detection unit, and the switch control module controls whether the voltage spike detection unit is activated to control whether the time length compensation module compensates the time length threshold; or, The switch control module controls whether the time length compensation module is activated; or, The information of the voltage spike is obtained from a voltage spike detection unit, and the switch control module is connected with a processor, and the switch control module receives a signal of the processor to control the on or off of the corresponding power switch, and the processor controls whether the voltage spike detection unit is activated to control whether the time length compensation module compensates the time length threshold; or, The switch control module includes a plurality of switch control units, the number of the switch control units is less than or equal to the number of the power switches, the switch control units are used to control the on or off of the corresponding power switches, all the switch control units communicate with each other, and the switch control units control whether the time length compensation module is activated.

11. An integrated circuit chip, characterized by The power switch control circuit includes the power switch control circuit according to any one of claims 1-10.

12. A chip product, characterized by The power switch control circuit includes the power switch control circuit according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the chip product includes at least two chips, and the power switch control circuit is at least partially located on the chips.

13. An automobile characterized by comprising: The power switch control circuit according to any one of claims 1-10 or the integrated circuit chip according to claim 11 or the chip product according to claim 12; Further including a power supply, a load and a processor, wherein the positive pole of the power supply is connected with the first end of the power switch via a main wire harness, the negative pole of the power supply is connected with the second end of the power switch, the load is connected with the power switch in series, and the processor is connected with the switch control module of the power switch control circuit.

14. A control method of a power switch control circuit, characterized by, The power switch control circuit includes: Controlling the power switch to be turned on, wherein the first end of the power switch is connected with the positive pole of the power source via the main wire harness, the second end of the power switch is connected with the negative pole of the power source, and the control end of the power switch is connected with the switch control module, the switch control module is used for controlling the power switch to be turned on or turned off, and the power switch is used for being connected in series with the load; Receiving information of the voltage spike on the main wire harness; Obtaining a time compensation value based on the information of the voltage spike; The overcurrent protection module is used for judging whether the duration that the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the current threshold value is greater than or equal to the compensation time signal, wherein the overcurrent protection module is respectively connected with the detection current signal, the preset current threshold value, the preset time threshold value and the time compensation value, and the time threshold value and the time compensation value are calculated to obtain the compensation time signal, the compensation time signal is greater than or equal to the time threshold value, and the detection current signal is used for representing the current flowing through the power switch; If the judgment result is yes, an overcurrent signal is output to the switch control module, and the switch control module performs overcurrent protection on the power switch.

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