Graded intelligent electronic switch, integrated circuit chip, chip product and electromechanical equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a graded intelligent electronic switch, which comprises a load output end, a current limiting end and a switch control unit, and is characterized in that the current limiting end is used for connecting an adjusting resistor; the current-limiting threshold generation module can generate a plurality of different second reference thresholds and is provided with a plurality of signal sets, the current-limiting threshold generation module outputs the corresponding second reference thresholds based on the signal set where the adjusting signals are located, the number of the second reference thresholds is the same as that of the signal sets, and the signal sets are provided with a plurality of signal sets. The signal sets are in one-to-one correspondence with second reference thresholds, and the adjusting signals are used for representing resistance values of the adjusting resistors; and the current limiting control unit is connected with the current limiting threshold value generation module to access a second reference threshold value, when the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold value, the current limiting control unit limits the current flowing through the power switch, and the detection current signal is used for representing the current flowing through the power switch. The embodiment of the utility model also provides an integrated circuit chip, a chip product and electromechanical equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of intelligent semiconductor switches, and more particularly to a graded intelligent electronic switch, integrated circuit chip, chip product, and electromechanical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Intelligent electronic switches are typically used to couple loads to a power source and are electronic components that control the continuity of load circuits. Intelligent electronic switches also possess one or more diagnostic capabilities and protection features, such as protection against over-temperature, overload, overcurrent, and short-circuit events. For example, an intelligent electronic switch may include a power switch that trips in cases such as over-temperature events, disconnecting the power supply from the load. Intelligent electronic switches are widely used in automotive electronics, industrial automation, and medical equipment.

[0003] Related technologies have proposed an intelligent electronic switch with a current-limiting protection feature. Specifically, when an overcurrent or short-circuit event occurs, it limits the current flowing through the power switch, preventing the current from increasing excessively and thus protecting the power switch. To broaden the application range of the intelligent electronic switch, the technology proposes an intelligent electronic switch with a current-limiting terminal for connecting an external regulating resistor. By connecting different regulating resistor values ​​to the current-limiting terminal, different current-limiting thresholds can be achieved.

[0004] Generally speaking, the current limiting threshold is linearly related to the regulating resistor. Connecting different regulating resistors to the current limiting terminal will result in different current limiting thresholds. Intelligent electronic switches have very high requirements for the accuracy of the regulating resistor value. When the resistance value of the regulating resistor is not accurate and errors occur, the current limiting threshold will deviate. In particular, when there is a large current mirror between the regulating resistor and the current limiting threshold, the error of the current limiting threshold will be even greater. In addition, high-precision regulating resistors are also very expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of this application is to provide a graded intelligent electronic switch, integrated circuit chip, chip product, and electromechanical device, addressing the shortcomings of the prior art. This can reduce the accuracy requirements of the regulating resistor and lower costs.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of this application provides a smart electronic switch, comprising:

[0007] The system includes a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a current limiting terminal, and a switch control unit. The power supply terminal is used to connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, the power ground terminal is used to connect to the negative terminal of the power supply, the load output terminal is used to connect to the load, and the current limiting terminal is used to connect to an adjustment resistor.

[0008] a power switch, a first end of the power switch is connected with a power supply end, a second end of the power switch is connected with a load output end, and a control end of the power switch is connected with a switch control unit, the switch control unit being configured to control the power switch to be turned on or turned off;

[0009] a current-limiting threshold generation module connected with the current-limiting end, the current-limiting threshold generation module being configured to generate a plurality of different second reference thresholds, the current-limiting threshold generation module being provided with a plurality of signal sets, and the current-limiting threshold generation module being configured to output a corresponding second reference threshold based on a signal set in which an adjustment signal is located, wherein the number of the second reference thresholds is the same as the number of the signal sets, the signal sets correspond to the second reference thresholds one by one, and the adjustment signal is configured to represent a resistance value of the adjustment resistor;

[0010] a current-limiting control unit connected with the current-limiting threshold generation module to access the second reference threshold, the current-limiting control unit being configured to limit a current flowing through the power switch when a detection current signal is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold, and the detection current signal being configured to represent the current flowing through the power switch.

[0011] Optionally, the adjustment signal is a voltage of the current-limiting end, the signal sets are voltage sets, and the current-limiting threshold generation module includes a first constant current source and a voltage comparison processing unit, the first constant current source being connected with the current-limiting end to output a constant current to the adjustment resistor, and the voltage comparison processing unit being provided with a plurality of voltage sets, the voltage comparison processing unit being configured to determine a voltage set in which the adjustment signal is located, and to control a corresponding second reference threshold to be output according to the corresponding voltage set.

[0012] Optionally, the voltage comparison processing unit includes a plurality of voltage comparators, first input ends of the plurality of voltage comparators are all connected with the current-limiting end, second input ends of the plurality of voltage comparators are respectively connected with different reference voltages, and the voltage comparison processing unit further includes a logic processing unit, the logic processing unit being respectively connected with output ends of the plurality of voltage comparators, and the logic processing unit being configured to control a corresponding second reference threshold to be output based on output signals of all the voltage comparators.

[0013] Optionally, the adjustment signal is a current, the signal sets are current sets, the current-limiting threshold generation module is configured to generate a constant voltage to the adjustment resistor, and the current-limiting threshold generation module further includes a current comparison processing unit, the current comparison processing unit being configured to access the adjustment signal, the current comparison processing unit being provided with a plurality of current sets, and the current comparison processing unit being configured to determine a current set in which the adjustment signal is located, and to control a corresponding second reference threshold to be output according to the corresponding current set.

[0014] Optionally, the current comparison processing unit comprises a plurality of current comparators, first inputs of the plurality of current comparators are connected to the adjustment signal, the plurality of current comparators are respectively connected to different reference currents, and the current comparison processing unit further comprises a logic processing unit connected to outputs of the plurality of current comparators, and the logic processing unit controls the corresponding second reference threshold value based on output signals of all the current comparators.

[0015] Optionally, the current limiting threshold value generation module comprises a second resistor, a plurality of second constant current sources, and a plurality of second switches, the plurality of second constant current sources are connected in series with the corresponding plurality of second switches, the current limiting threshold value generation module controls the plurality of second switches to be turned on or turned off based on the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, so as to output a corresponding current to the second resistor, and further generate a corresponding second reference threshold value.

[0016] Optionally, the plurality of second constant current sources generate different current values, the number of the second constant current sources is the same as the number of the signal sets, the number of the second switches is the same as the number of the second constant current sources, and the second reference threshold value corresponds to one of the current values generated by the plurality of second constant current sources; or,

[0017] The number of the second switches is the same as the number of the second constant current sources, at least two second switches in at least one signal set are turned on at the same time, and the second reference threshold value corresponds to a sum or a difference of current values of the second constant current sources connected in series with the turned-on second switches.

[0018] Optionally, the current limiting threshold value generation module comprises a second constant current source, a plurality of second resistors, and a plurality of second switches, the plurality of second resistors are connected in series with the corresponding plurality of second switches, the current limiting threshold value generation module controls the plurality of second switches to be turned on or turned off based on the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, and a current generated by the second constant current source is output to the second resistor via the turned-on second switch, so as to generate a corresponding second reference threshold value; or,

[0019] The number of the second reference threshold values is greater than or equal to 4 and is a preset limited number, an intersection of any two signal sets in the plurality of signal sets is empty, and a union of all the signal sets contains signals corresponding to all resistance values of the allowed adjustment resistor.

[0020] The second aspect of the embodiment of the application provides an integrated circuit chip comprising the intelligent electronic switch, wherein the power supply end is a power supply pin, the power ground end is a power ground pin, the load output end is a load output pin, and the current limiting end is a current limiting pin.

[0021] The third aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a chip product, comprising the intelligent electronic switch, wherein elements of the intelligent electronic switch except the power switch are located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch is located on the second integrated circuit chip.

[0022] The power supply end is a power supply pin, the power ground end is a power ground pin, the load output end is a load output pin, and the current limiting end is a current limiting pin. The first integrated circuit chip comprises the power supply pin, the power ground pin and the current limiting pin, and the second integrated circuit chip comprises the load output pin.

[0023] The fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a mechatronic device comprising the intelligent electronic switch, the integrated circuit chip or the chip product.

[0024] The mechatronic device further comprises a power supply, a regulating resistor, a load and a microprocessor. The positive pole of the power supply is connected with the power supply end, the negative pole of the power supply is connected with the power ground end, one end of the load is connected with the load output end, the other end of the load is connected with the power supply end or the power ground end, the microprocessor is connected with the intelligent electronic switch, the first end of the regulating resistor is connected with the current limiting end, and the second end of the regulating resistor is connected with the power ground end.

[0025] Optionally, the mechatronic device comprises an automobile.

[0026] The current limiting threshold generation module of the embodiment can generate a plurality of second reference thresholds with different sizes. The current limiting threshold generation module is provided with a plurality of signal sets. The current limiting threshold generation module outputs a corresponding second reference threshold based on the signal set in which the regulating signal is located. When the detection current signal representing the current flowing through the power switch is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold, the current limiting control unit limits the current flowing through the power switch. Thus, the second reference threshold of the embodiment is preset and limited, and is discontinuous. The resistance value of the regulating resistor will correspond to the same second reference threshold within a certain range, so that the resistance value precision requirement of the regulating resistor is not high, and the cost of the regulating resistor is reduced. Moreover, the embodiment can obtain different second reference thresholds according to different regulating resistors, and can realize the adjustment of the preset multiple second reference thresholds according to the regulating resistor, so that the same specification chip can meet the protection requirements of different users on the power switch and meet the current limit requirements of different users on the load. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description only only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0028] Figure 1a is the circuit module diagram of the first embodiment of the electromechanical device of the present application;

[0029] Figure 1b is the circuit module diagram of another embodiment of the electromechanical device of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 is the circuit module diagram of the smart electronic switch connected with the adjusting resistor in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3a is the detailed circuit module diagram of the smart electronic switch in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3b is the detailed circuit module diagram of the smart electronic switch in another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 is the relationship diagram of the signal set and the first intermediate signal in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 5 is the detailed circuit module diagram of the smart electronic switch in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6 is the relationship diagram of the signal set and the first intermediate signal in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 7 is the detailed circuit module diagram of the smart electronic switch in the third embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0038] The terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "have", "having" and "contain", "containing" appearing in the specification are to be construed as not limited to a complete recitation of members so as to exclude additional members. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements which have been expressly identified or can be specifically enumerated. In addition, use of terms like "first" and "second" and "third" and the like does not imply a particular order but are used to distinguish one from another. Connections in the present application include direct connections and indirect connections, and the indirect connections refer to that other electronic components, pins, etc. can exist between the two connected components. Embodiments

[0039] Embodiments of the present application provide a kind of electromechanical equipment, electromechanical equipment is for example car, medical equipment, industrial automation equipment, aerospace equipment etc., please see Figure 1a , electromechanical equipment includes power supply 110, load 120, microprocessor 300 and intelligent electronic switch 200. Wherein, power supply 110 is generally battery, battery generally is storage battery, storage battery provides 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, 60V etc. voltage to the outside, of course, it can be other types of battery or power supply, for example AC / DC (alternating current / direct current) converter, DC / DC (direct current / direct current) converter etc..Load 120 includes at least one of resistive load, inductive load and capacitive load, resistive load is for example seat adjustment device, auxiliary heating device, window heating device, light emitting diode (LED), rear illumination or other resistive load, inductive load is for example pump for one or more wiper system, actuator, motor, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake system (EBS), fan or other system including inductive load, capacitive load is for example lighting element, for example xenon arc lamp etc..In the illustration, load 120 is only schematically shown with an element, and load 120 is usually more complex load, for example module or subsystem with a large number of components. Microprocessor 300 is connected with intelligent electronic switch 200, for controlling intelligent electronic switch 200, and at the same time, intelligent electronic switch 200 feeds back its state and related parameter information, for example diagnostic related parameter information, current parameter information, voltage parameter information etc. to microprocessor 300 for processing.

[0040] In this embodiment, the intelligent electronic switch 200 includes a power supply terminal VCC, a power ground terminal GND, and a load output terminal OUT. The power supply terminal VCC is connected to the positive terminal of power supply 110, the power ground terminal GND is connected to the negative terminal of power supply 110, and the load output terminal OUT is connected to one end of load 120. The other end of load 120 is connected to either the negative or positive terminal of power supply 110. Additionally, in other embodiments of this application, a reverse connection protection diode and a current-limiting resistor may be provided between the power ground terminal GND and the negative terminal of power supply 100.

[0041] In this embodiment, the intelligent electronic switch 200 further includes a power switch M1 and a switch control unit 220. One end of the power switch M1 is connected in series with the load 120 via the load output terminal OUT, and the other end is connected to the power supply terminal VCC or the power ground terminal GND. Its control terminal is connected to the switch control unit 220, which is used to control whether the power switch M1 is turned on. In this embodiment, the power switch M1 is an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, junction FET, or IGBT, etc. The illustration uses an NMOS transistor as an example. The power switch M1 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).

[0042] exist Figure 1a In this embodiment, power switch M1 is connected as a high-side switch, which is a switch connected between the power supply terminal VCC and the load 120. However, this application is not limited to this; please refer to other embodiments of this application. Figure 1b Power switch M1 is connected as a low-side switch, which is the switch connected between load 120 and power ground GND.

[0043] Please refer to the above. Figure 1a , Figure 2 and Figure 3aIn this embodiment, the intelligent electronic switch 200 comprises a current limiting end CL and a current limiting threshold value generating module 230. The current limiting end CL is used to connect a first end of the adjusting resistor R0, and a second end of the adjusting resistor R0 is connected with the power supply ground end GND. The resistance value range of the adjusting resistor R0 is generally specified in the product specification of the intelligent electronic switch 200. For example, the resistance value range of the adjusting resistor R0 is 5kΩ-100kΩ, for example, 5kΩ, 10kΩ, 50kΩ, 100kΩ, etc. The application does not make specific limitations on the resistance value range of the adjusting resistor R0, and a person skilled in the art can set it according to the needs. In this embodiment, the current limiting threshold value generating module 230 is connected with the current limiting end CL. The current limiting threshold value generating module 230 can generate a plurality of second reference threshold values, the sizes of the plurality of second reference threshold values are different from each other. The current limiting threshold value generating module 230 is also provided with a plurality of signal sets. The intersection of any two signal sets in the plurality of signal sets is empty, and the union of all signal sets contains all signals corresponding to the resistance values allowed for the adjusting resistor R0. The current limiting threshold value generating module 230 outputs the corresponding second reference threshold value based on the signal set in which the adjusting signal is located. The number of the second reference threshold values is the same as the number of the signal sets. The signal set is one-to-one corresponding to the second reference threshold value. The adjusting signal is used to represent the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0.

[0044] In this embodiment, the adjusting signal is a voltage signal of the current limiting end CL, and the signal set is a voltage set. The current limiting threshold value generating module 230 comprises a first constant current source 231. The upper end of the first constant current source 231 is connected with the first internal power supply 260, and the lower end of the first constant current source 231 is connected with the current limiting end CL. The first constant current source 231 generates a constant first current. The first current is output to the first end of the adjusting resistor R0 through the current limiting end CL. The second end of the adjusting resistor R0 is connected with the power supply ground end GND. Therefore, the voltage (adjusting signal) of the current limiting end CL is:

[0045] I1*R0;

[0046] Wherein, I1 is the size of the first current, and R0 is the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0.

[0047] In this embodiment, since the size of the first current is constant, when the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0 is different, the voltage of the current limiting end CL will also correspond to different, that is, the adjusting signal will also correspond to different, so that the adjusting signal can represent the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0.

[0048] In the embodiment, the current-limiting threshold generation module 230 comprises a voltage comparison processing unit, which is provided with a plurality of voltage sets, for example, 2 voltage sets, 3 voltage sets, 4 voltage sets, 5 voltage sets, 6 voltage sets, 8 voltage sets, 10 voltage sets, etc., preferably 4 or more voltage sets, in the embodiment, 4 voltage sets are taken as an example for description, in the embodiment, the 4 voltage sets are referred to as a first voltage set, a second voltage set, a third voltage set and a fourth voltage set, one adjustment signal will fall into one voltage set, for example, fall into one of the first voltage set, the second voltage set, the third voltage set and the fourth voltage set, one adjustment signal will not fall into multiple voltage sets at the same time. In the embodiment, the voltage comparison processing unit judges which set the adjustment signal falls into at this time, the first voltage set, the second voltage set, the third voltage set and the fourth voltage set, and then controls the corresponding second reference threshold output according to the corresponding voltage set.

[0049] Specifically, the voltage comparison processing unit includes a logic processing unit 232 and a plurality of voltage comparators corresponding to the four voltage sets. In this embodiment, three voltage comparators are taken as an example for illustration, which are referred to as a third first voltage comparator A31, a third second voltage comparator A32, and a third third voltage comparator A33. The first input end of the third first voltage comparator A31, the first input end of the third second voltage comparator A32, and the first input end of the third third voltage comparator A33 are all connected with the current limiting end CL. The second input end of the third first voltage comparator A31 is connected with the first first reference voltage Vref11, the second input end of the third second voltage comparator A32 is connected with the first second reference voltage Vref12, and the second input end of the third third voltage comparator A33 is connected with the first third reference voltage Vref13. The output end of the third first voltage comparator A31, the output end of the third second voltage comparator A32, and the output end of the third third voltage comparator A33 are all connected with the logic processing unit 232. The logic processing unit 232 determines, according to the output signals of the three voltage comparators, in which voltage set of the four voltage sets the voltage of the current limiting end CL is located, and then outputs a corresponding control signal. In this embodiment, the first first reference voltage Vref11 is less than the first second reference voltage Vref12, and the first second reference voltage Vref12 is less than the first third reference voltage Vref13. The corresponding four voltage sets are: less than the first first reference voltage Vref11 (first voltage set), greater than or equal to the first first reference voltage Vref11 and less than the first second reference voltage Vref12 (second voltage set), greater than or equal to the first second reference voltage Vref12 and less than the first third reference voltage Vref13 (third voltage set), and greater than or equal to the first third reference voltage Vref13 (fourth voltage set). For any one adjustment signal, it must fall into one of the four voltage sets. Moreover, the intersection of any two voltage sets of the four voltage sets is empty, and the union of the four voltage sets includes all possible values of the adjustment signal. In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, more than three voltage comparators can be provided, for example, four voltage comparators, which form five voltage interval ranges, and one voltage set contains two voltage interval ranges.

[0050] In the embodiment, when the voltage of the current limiting end CL is less than the first reference voltage Vref11, i.e. the voltage of the current limiting end CL is in the first voltage set, the output signals of the third voltage comparator A31, the fourth voltage comparator A32 and the fifth voltage comparator A33 are, for example, "000" (0 represents low level and 1 represents high level); when the voltage of the current limiting end CL is greater than or equal to the first reference voltage Vref11 and less than the second reference voltage Vref12, i.e. the voltage of the current limiting end CL is in the second voltage set, the output signals of the third voltage comparator A31, the fourth voltage comparator A32 and the fifth voltage comparator A33 are, for example, "100"; when the voltage of the current limiting end CL is greater than or equal to the second reference voltage Vref12 and less than the third reference voltage Vref13, i.e. the voltage of the current limiting end CL is in the third voltage set, the output signals of the third voltage comparator A31, the fourth voltage comparator A32 and the fifth voltage comparator A33 are, for example, "110"; when the voltage of the current limiting end CL is greater than or equal to the third reference voltage Vref13, i.e. the voltage of the current limiting end CL is in the fourth voltage set, the output signals of the third voltage comparator A31, the fourth voltage comparator A32 and the fifth voltage comparator A33 are, for example, "111". In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, the order can be reversed, for example, an inverter is added between the output end and the logic processing unit 232, and the corresponding received signals of the logic processing unit 232 are, for example, "111", "110", "100" and "000". The logic processing unit 232 receives the output signals of the third voltage comparator A31, the fourth voltage comparator A32 and the fifth voltage comparator A33, and the logic processing unit 232 performs logic processing according to the received signals, and then the logic processing unit 232 controls the corresponding second reference threshold value output.

[0051] In order to output multiple second reference thresholds with different sizes, in the embodiment, the current-limiting threshold generation module 230 includes multiple second constant current sources and multiple second switches, the multiple second constant current sources are connected in series with the multiple second switches corresponding, in the embodiment, the number of the second constant current sources, the number of the second switches and the number of the voltage set are the same, that is, the number of the second constant current sources is 4, the number of the second switches is also 4, the four second constant current sources are called the first second constant current source Is21, the second second constant current source Is22, the third second constant current source Is23 and the fourth second constant current source Is24, the four second switches are called the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23 and the fourth second switch K24, the four second constant current sources are connected in series with the four second switches corresponding, specifically, the first second constant current source Is21 is connected in series with the first second switch K21, the second second constant current source Is22 is connected in series with the second second switch K22, the third second constant current source Is23 is connected in series with the third second switch K23, and the fourth second constant current source Is24 is connected in series with the fourth second switch K24. In the embodiment, the currents generated by the four second constant current sources are different from each other, for example, the first second current generated by the first second constant current source Is21 is less than the second second current generated by the second second constant current source Is22, the third second current generated by the third second constant current source Is23 is less than the fourth second current generated by the fourth second constant current source Is24. In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, the sizes of the four currents can also be other relationships.

[0052] In the embodiment, the control ends of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23 and the fourth second switch K24 are connected with the logic processing unit 232, the logic processing unit 232 generates corresponding control signals according to the input signals of the four voltage comparators, and controls one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23 and the fourth second switch K24 to be conductive. Please see Figure 4In the embodiment, when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "000", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second first switch K21 to be on, the second second switch K22, the second third switch K23 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the output signal is the first intermediate signal, at this time the first intermediate signal is the second first current; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "100", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second second switch K22 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second third switch K23 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the first intermediate signal is the second second current; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "110", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second third switch K23 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second second switch K22 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the first intermediate signal is the second third current; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "111", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second fourth switch K24 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second second switch K22 and the second third switch K23 are all off, at this time the first intermediate signal is the second fourth current.

[0053] In other embodiments of the present application, the four second constant current sources generate the same current, i.e., the first second current = the second second current = the third second current = the fourth second current, which is referred to as the second current. In this case, the logic processing unit 232 generates a corresponding control signal according to the input signals of the four voltage comparators and controls at least one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on. In this embodiment, when the logic processing unit 232 receives a signal such as "000", the logic processing unit 232 controls one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining three are turned off. In this case, the first intermediate signal is the second current. When the logic processing unit 232 receives a signal such as "100", the logic processing unit 232 controls two of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining two are turned off. In this case, the first intermediate signal is the sum of two second currents, for example, the sum of the first second current and the second second current. When the logic processing unit 232 receives a signal such as "110", the logic processing unit 232 controls three of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining one is turned off. In this case, the first intermediate signal is the sum of three second currents, for example, the sum of the first second current, the second second current, and the third second current. When the logic processing unit 232 receives a signal such as "111", the logic processing unit 232 controls all of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on. In this case, the first intermediate signal is the sum of four second currents, for example, the sum of the first second current, the second second current, the third second current, and the fourth second current. In other embodiments of the present application, the difference between two, three, or four can also be used.

[0054] In this embodiment, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 further includes a second current mirror and a second resistor R2. The second current mirror is used to convert the first intermediate signal into a second intermediate signal, and the second intermediate signal is used to be output to the second resistor R2 to obtain a second reference threshold. In this embodiment, the second reference threshold is the product of the second intermediate signal and the resistance value of the second resistor R2. Since the resistance value of the second resistor R2 is determined in this embodiment, the second intermediate signal will be different when the first intermediate signal is different, so that multiple different second reference thresholds can be generated, and four second reference thresholds can be generated in this embodiment.

[0055] Specifically, in the embodiment, the second current mirror includes a second first current mirror, the second first current mirror includes a fifteenth MOS tube M15 and a sixteenth MOS tube M16, the first end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15 is connected with the second internal power supply 221, the control end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15 is connected with the second end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15, and the second end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15 is used for accessing the first intermediate signal; the first end of the sixteenth MOS tube M16 is connected with the first end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15, the control end of the sixteenth MOS tube M16 is connected with the control end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15, the second end of the sixteenth MOS tube M16 is connected with the first end of the second resistor R2, the current flowing through the sixteenth MOS tube M16 is the second intermediate signal, the second end of the second resistor R2 is connected with the load output end OUT, and the first end of the second resistor R2 is also connected with the current limiting control unit 250, so as to output the corresponding second reference threshold to the current limiting control unit 250. In the embodiment, the number of the second first current mirror is one, but the application is not limited to this, in other embodiments of the application, the second current mirror can also not be provided, at this time, the first intermediate signal is directly output to the second resistor R2, or the second current mirror further includes a second first current mirror and a second second current mirror, the number of the second first current mirror and the second second current mirror is set according to the requirement, when the second current mirror includes the second first current mirror and the second second current mirror, the connection mode of the second first current mirror is similar or the same as the foregoing, the second end of the second second current mirror is connected with the power supply ground end GND, and the first end of the second second current mirror is connected with the second end of the fifteenth MOS tube M15 or the sixteenth MOS tube M16 or is used for outputting the second intermediate signal, so as to realize that the output second intermediate signal of the second current mirror is output to the second resistor R2 in the desired mode, which is a conventional technique in the field, and will not be described here. In the embodiment, the fifteenth MOS tube M15 and the sixteenth MOS tube M16 are PMOS tubes, the current flowing through the fifteenth MOS tube M15 is proportional to the current flowing through the sixteenth MOS tube M16, for example, the ratio of the two is 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, etc.

[0056] In the embodiment, the intelligent electronic switch 200 includes a current limiting control unit 250, the current limiting control unit 250 is connected with the current limiting threshold generation module 230, and under normal circumstances, the current limiting control unit 250 limits the current flowing through the power switch M1 when the detection current signal (see the description below) is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold. The detection current signal is used to represent the current flowing through the power switch M1.

[0057] In the embodiment, one implementation mode of the current limiting control unit 250 is described in detail as follows. Figure 3aThe current-limiting control unit 250 comprises a current detection unit 251, a first comparator A6 and a third MOS transistor M3. The current detection unit 251 is configured to output a detection current signal, which is used to represent the current flowing through the power switch M1. The first input terminal of the first comparator A6 is connected to the detection current signal, the second input terminal of the first comparator A6 is connected to the current-limiting threshold generation module 230 to obtain the second reference threshold, the output terminal of the first comparator A6 is connected to the control terminal of the third MOS transistor M3, the first terminal of the third MOS transistor M3 is connected to the control terminal of the power switch M1, and the second terminal of the third MOS transistor M3 is connected to the load output terminal OUT. In this embodiment, when the detection current signal is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold, which means that the current flowing through the power switch M1 is greater than or equal to the third current-limiting threshold, the first comparator A6 outputs a control signal to the third MOS transistor M3, and the third MOS transistor M3 adjusts the voltage at the control terminal of the power switch M1 to make the detection current signal equal to the second reference threshold, i.e., the current flowing through the power switch M1 is equal to the third current-limiting threshold. In this embodiment, the first comparator A6 is a voltage comparator, and the detection current signal and the second reference threshold are voltages. Of course, those skilled in the art can also make adjustments according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the third MOS transistor M3 is an NMOS transistor. In other embodiments of the present application, the first comparator A6 can also be a current comparator, and the detection current signal and the second reference threshold can also correspond to currents. The specific implementation is a routine technical solution in the art, which will not be described here.

[0058] In the embodiment, the current detection unit 251 comprises a second MOS tube M2 and a first resistor R1, the second MOS tube M2 is a mirror tube of the power switch M1, the type of the second MOS tube M2 is the same as that of the power switch M1, the current flowing through the second MOS tube M2 is approximately proportional to the current flowing through the power switch M1, for example, the ratio of the current flowing through the power switch M1 to the current flowing through the second MOS tube M2 is 100:1, 1000:1, 5000:1, 10000:1, etc., the control end of the second MOS tube M2 is connected with the control end of the power switch M1, the first end of the second MOS tube M2 is connected with the first end of the power switch M1, the second end of the second MOS tube M2 is connected with the first end of the first resistor R1, the second end of the first resistor R1 is connected with the load output end OUT, the signal at the second end of the second MOS tube M2 is the detection current signal, that is, the voltage at the first end of the first resistor R1. In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, the current detection unit 251 can also not be limited to the above-mentioned circuit, for example, the current detection unit 251 comprises a first resistor R1, the first resistor R1 is connected in series with the power switch M1, for example, the first end of the first resistor R1 is connected with the second end of the power switch M1, the second end of the first resistor R1 is connected with the load output end OUT, at this time, the voltage at the first end of the first resistor R1 is the detection current signal, and this current detection mode is a conventional technology in the art, which will not be described here.

[0059] In the embodiment, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 can generate a plurality of second reference thresholds with different sizes, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 is provided with a plurality of signal sets, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 outputs a corresponding second reference threshold based on the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, and the current limiting control unit 250 limits the current flowing through the power switch M1 when the detection current signal representing the current flowing through the power switch M1 is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold. Thus, the second reference threshold of the embodiment is preset and limited, and is discontinuous, and the resistance value of the adjustment resistor R0 will correspond to the same second reference threshold within a certain range, so that the resistance value precision requirement of the adjustment resistor R0 is not high, and the cost of the adjustment resistor R0 is reduced. Moreover, different second reference thresholds can be obtained according to different adjustment resistors R0, the adjustment of the preset multiple second reference thresholds can be realized according to the adjustment resistor R0, the same specification chip can meet the protection requirements of the power switch M1 of different users, and can also meet the requirements of different users on the load current limitation.

[0060] Please continue to see Figure 3aIn the embodiment, the switch control unit 220 comprises a second internal power supply 221 connected with the power supply end VCC, and the second internal power supply 221 is configured to boost the voltage of the power supply end VCC. The second internal power supply 221 can be a charge pump, a bootstrap circuit, etc. In the embodiment, the first end of the fifteenth MOS transistor M15 and the first end of the sixteenth MOS transistor M16 are connected with the second internal power supply 221. Generally, the output voltage of the second internal power supply 221 is 1.3 times, 1.5 times, 1.8 times, 2 times, 3 times, etc. of the voltage of the power supply end VCC. In the embodiment, the first internal power supply 260 is connected with the power supply end VCC, and the first internal power supply 260 is configured to step down the voltage of the power supply end VCC. The first internal power supply 260 can be an LDO, etc. In the embodiment, the output voltage of the first internal power supply 260 is generally 6V, 5V, 4.3V, etc. Those skilled in the art can set the desired output voltage according to actual needs. In other embodiments of the present application, the second internal power supply 221 can also be arranged in other positions.

[0061] In other embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 1b 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3b When the power switch M1 is connected as a low-side switch, the principle is similar to Figure 3a . Those skilled in the art can easily change the scheme of the present application, and the details are not described herein. In addition, the voltage of the power supply end VCC is generally the voltage after step-down, for example, 5V, 6V, etc. In this case, the first internal power supply 260 is not needed, and the second internal power supply 221 can also be not needed.

[0062] The present application also provides an integrated circuit chip comprising the intelligent electronic switch 200 described above, i.e., the intelligent electronic switch 200 described above is arranged on the same semiconductor substrate (die). The power supply end VCC is a power supply pin, the power supply ground end GND is a power supply ground pin, the load output end OUT is a load output pin, and the current limiting end CL is a current limiting pin.

[0063] The chip product includes the intelligent electronic switch 200 described above, wherein the elements of the intelligent electronic switch 200 except the power switch M1 are located on a first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch M1 is located on a second integrated circuit chip, that is, the first integrated circuit chip is made on one semiconductor substrate, and the second integrated circuit chip is made on another semiconductor substrate. The power supply end VCC is a power supply pin, the power ground end GND is a power ground pin, the load output end OUT is a load output pin, and the current limiting end CL is a current limiting pin. The power supply pin, the power ground pin, and the current limiting pin are located on the first integrated circuit chip, and the load output pin is located on the second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip can also add other pins as needed. Here, the first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are packaged into one product.

[0064] In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, the intelligent electronic switch 200 and the integrated circuit chip of the present embodiment are not limited to be used in automotive electronics, but can also be used in industrial automation, aerospace, etc. Embodiment

[0065] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch 200 of the second embodiment of the present application. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, so the parts not described in the present embodiment can be referred to the first embodiment. The main difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the comparison method of the current limiting threshold value generation module.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the adjustment signal is a current signal, and the signal set is a current set. The current limiting threshold value generation module 230 is used to generate a constant voltage for the adjustment resistor R0. In order to generate a constant voltage, the current limiting threshold value generation module 230 includes an operational amplifier OP1 and a twelfth MOS tube M12, wherein the same input end of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to a preset fourth reference voltage Vref4, for example, 0.5V, 0.6V, 0.7V, 0.8V, 0.9V, 1V, etc., the opposite input end of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected with the current limiting end CL, the output end of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected with the control end of the twelfth MOS tube M12, and the second end of the twelfth MOS tube M12 is connected with the current limiting end CL. In the present embodiment, the twelfth MOS tube M12 is an NMOS tube. In the present embodiment, the adjustment signal is the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12. In the present embodiment, when the current limiting end CL is connected with the adjustment resistor R0, at this time, the voltage of the opposite input end of the operational amplifier OP1 is also equal to the fourth reference voltage Vref4, and the current flowing through the adjustment resistor R0 is:

[0067] Vref4 / R0;

[0068] Wherein, Vref4 is the voltage value of the fourth reference voltage, and R0 is the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0. In the embodiment, the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12 is equal to the current flowing through the adjusting resistor R0. However, the application is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments of the application, the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12 can also have a certain difference with the current flowing through the adjusting resistor R0. The difference is generally known, and the difference is very small, for example, the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12 is:

[0069] Vref4 / R0-X;

[0070] Wherein, X is the known difference value, and the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12 is proportional to the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0. Therefore, the current flowing through the twelfth MOS tube M12 can represent the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0, which is the adjusting signal.

[0071] In the embodiment, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 also includes a current comparison processing unit, which is provided with a plurality of current sets, for example, 2 current sets, 3 current sets, 4 current sets, 5 current sets, 6 current sets, etc. In the embodiment, 4 current sets are taken as an example for description, which are referred to as a first current set, a second current set, a third current set and a fourth current set. One adjusting signal must correspond to fall into one current set, for example, fall into one of the first current set, the second current set, the third current set and the fourth current set, and one adjusting signal cannot fall into multiple current sets at the same time. In the embodiment, the current comparison processing unit judges which interval the adjusting signal falls into among the first current set, the second current set, the third current set and the fourth current set, and then controls the corresponding second reference threshold output according to the corresponding current set.

[0072] Specifically, the current comparison processing unit includes a logic processing unit 232 and a plurality of current comparators corresponding to the four current sets. In this embodiment, three current comparators are taken as an example for illustration, which are referred to as a first current comparator, a second current comparator, and a third current comparator. The first input terminal of the first current comparator, the first input terminal of the second current comparator, and the third input terminal of the third current comparator are all connected to the adjustment signal. The second input terminal of the first current comparator is connected to the first reference current, the second input terminal of the second current comparator is connected to the second reference current, and the second input terminal of the third current comparator is connected to the third reference current. The output terminal of the first current comparator, the output terminal of the second current comparator, and the output terminal of the third current comparator are all connected to the logic processing unit 232. The logic processing unit 232 determines which current set of the four current sets the adjustment signal is located in according to the output signals of the three current comparators. In this embodiment, the first reference current is less than the second reference current, and the second reference current is less than the third reference current. The corresponding four current sets are: less than the first reference current (first current set), greater than or equal to the first reference current and less than the second reference current (second current set), greater than or equal to the second reference current and less than the third reference current (third current set), and greater than or equal to the third reference current (fourth current set). For any adjustment signal, it must fall into one of the four current sets. Moreover, the intersection of any two current sets of the four current sets is empty, and the union of the four current sets includes all possible values of the adjustment signal. In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, more than three current comparators can be provided, for example, four current comparators, which form five current interval ranges, and one current set contains two current interval ranges.

[0073] In the embodiment, the first current comparator includes the thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-first MOS M141, the second current comparator includes the thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-second MOS M142, the third current comparator includes the thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-third MOS M143, and the current comparison processing unit includes three third constant current sources, which are referred to as a third first constant current source Is31, a third second constant current source Is32 and a third third constant current source Is33. The thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-first MOS M141 constitute a current mirror, the thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-second MOS M142 constitute a current mirror, and the thirteenth MOS M13 and the first forty-third MOS M143 constitute a current mirror. Specifically, the first end of the thirteenth MOS M13 is connected with the first internal power supply 260, the control end of the thirteenth MOS M13 is connected with the second end thereof, the second end of the thirteenth MOS M13 is connected with the first end of the twelfth MOS M12 to input the adjustment signal, the first ends of the first forty-first MOS M141, the first forty-second MOS M142 and the first forty-third MOS M143 are connected with the first internal power supply 260, the second end of the first forty-first MOS M141 is connected with the third first constant current source Is31, the second end of the first forty-second MOS M142 is connected with the third second constant current source Is32, the second end of the first forty-third MOS M143 is connected with the third third constant current source Is33, and the control ends of the first forty-first MOS M141, the first forty-second MOS M142 and the first forty-third MOS M143 are connected with the control end of the thirteenth MOS M13. In the embodiment, the mirror ratios of the first forty-first MOS M141, the first forty-second MOS M142 and the first forty-third MOS M143 to the thirteenth MOS M13 are the same, the mirrored currents are referred to as a fourth first mirrored current, a fourth second mirrored current and a fourth third mirrored current, and the three currents are equal and collectively referred to as a mirrored current. Of course, in other embodiments of the present application, the mirror ratios of the first forty-first MOS M141, the first forty-second MOS M142 and the first forty-third MOS M143 can be designed to be different, i.e., the fourth first mirrored current, the fourth second mirrored current and the fourth third mirrored current can be designed to be different. In the embodiment, the thirteenth MOS M13, the first forty-first MOS M141, the first forty-second MOS M142 and the first forty-third MOS M143 are PMOS transistors. In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, the current comparison can also be realized by other manners, which is also within the scope of the present application, and will not be described here.

[0074] In this embodiment, the third constant current source Is31 is used to generate the first reference current, the third constant current source Is32 is used to generate the first second reference current, and the third constant current source Is33 is used to generate the first third reference current. The second terminals of the first four MOSFETs M141, M142, and M143 are respectively connected to the logic processing unit 232. The logic processing unit 232 determines which current set of the four current sets the adjustment signal corresponds to based on the signals from the second terminals of the first four MOSFETs M141, M142, and M143.

[0075] Please refer to the above. Figure 5 and Figure 6In the embodiment, when the mirror current is less than the first reference current, the mirror current is in the first current set, the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are low, the output signals of the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are, for example, "000" (0 represents low and 1 represents high); when the mirror current is greater than or equal to the first reference current and less than the second reference current, the second end of the first MOS transistor M141 is high, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are low, the output signals of the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are, for example, "100"; when the mirror current is greater than or equal to the second reference current and less than the third reference current, the second end of the first MOS transistor M141 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 are high, the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 is low, the output signals of the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are, for example, "110"; when the mirror current is greater than or equal to the third reference current, the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are high, the output signals of the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143 are, for example, "111". In other embodiments of the present application, the order can be reversed, for example, an inverter is added between the second end and the logic processing unit 232, and the corresponding received signals of the logic processing unit 232 are, for example, "111", "110", "100" and "000". The logic processing unit 232 receives the output signals of the second end of the first MOS transistor M141, the second end of the first MOS transistor M142 and the second end of the first MOS transistor M143, and the logic processing unit 232 performs logic processing according to the received signals, and the logic processing unit 232 controls the corresponding first intermediate signal output after processing.

[0076] Similarly, in the embodiment, the logic processing unit 232 receives one of the signals "000", "100", "110", and "111", and the logic processing unit 232 outputs a corresponding second reference threshold value according to the received signal. How to generate a plurality of different second reference threshold values is described in the first embodiment, which is not repeated here. In the embodiment, the smaller the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0, the greater the mirror current, and the greater the corresponding second reference threshold value; the greater the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0, the smaller the mirror current, and the smaller the corresponding second reference threshold value. For specific relationships, please refer to Figure 6 .

[0077] The embodiment can also achieve that the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0 corresponds to the same second reference threshold value within a certain range through current comparison, so that the resistance value of the adjusting resistor R0 does not need to be accurate, and the cost of the adjusting resistor R0 is reduced. Moreover, the embodiment can obtain different second reference threshold values based on current comparison according to different adjusting resistors R0, and can achieve preset multi-grade second reference threshold value adjustment according to the adjusting resistor R0, so that the same specification chip can meet the protection requirements of different users on the power switch M1 and meet the requirements of different users on the load current limit. Moreover, the current comparison implementation is simple, which is conducive to cost reduction. Embodiment

[0078] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a circuit module diagram of the intelligent electronic switch of the third embodiment of the application. The embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and thus the parts not described in the embodiment can be referred to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The main difference between the embodiment and the first embodiment and the second embodiment is the generation method of the second reference threshold value.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 7In the embodiment, in order to output multiple second reference thresholds with different sizes, the current limiting threshold generation module 230 comprises a second constant current source Is2, multiple second resistors, multiple second switches, and the multiple second resistors are connected in series with the multiple second switches in correspondence. In the embodiment, the number of the second resistors R2 and the number of the second switches are the same as the number of the signal sets, that is, the number of the second resistors R2 is four, and the number of the second switches is also four. The four second resistors are referred to as a first second resistor R21, a second second resistor R22, a third second resistor R23, and a fourth second resistor R24. The four second switches are referred to as a first second switch K21, a second second switch K22, a third second switch K23, and a fourth second switch K24. The four second resistors are connected in series with the four second switches in correspondence. Specifically, the first second resistor R21 is connected in series with the first second switch K21, the second second resistor R22 is connected in series with the second second switch K22, the third second resistor R23 is connected in series with the third second switch K23, and the fourth second resistor R24 is connected in series with the fourth second switch K24. In the embodiment, the resistances of the four second resistors are different from each other. For example, the resistance of the first second resistor R21 < the resistance of the second second resistor R22 < the resistance of the third second resistor R23 < the resistance of the fourth second resistor R24. In other embodiments of the present application, the resistances of the four second resistors R2 can also have other relationships. In the embodiment, the constant current generated by the second constant current source Is2 is used to provide current for the second resistors. The first end of the second constant current source Is2 is connected with the second internal power supply 221, and the second end of the second constant current source Is2 is connected with the first end of the first second resistor R21, the first end of the second second resistor R22, the first end of the third second resistor R23, and the first end of the fourth second resistor R24.

[0080] In the embodiment, the control ends of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 are connected with the logic processing unit 232. The logic processing unit 232 generates a corresponding output signal according to the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, and controls one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on. Please refer to Figure 7In the embodiment, when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "000", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second first switch K21 to be on, the second second switch K22, the second third switch K23 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the resistance value of the second first resistance R21; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "100", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second second switch K22 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second third switch K23 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the resistance value of the second second resistance R22; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "110", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second third switch K23 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second second switch K22 and the second fourth switch K24 are all off, at this time the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the resistance value of the second third resistance R23; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "111", at this time the logic processing unit 232 controls the second fourth switch K24 to be on, the second first switch K21, the second second switch K22 and the second third switch K23 are all off, at this time the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the resistance value of the second fourth resistance R24.

[0081] In other embodiments of the present application, the four second resistors R2 have the same resistance, i.e., the resistance of the first second resistor R21 = the resistance of the second second resistor R22 = the resistance of the third second resistor R23 = the resistance of the fourth second resistor R24, which is referred to as the second resistance. In this case, the logic processing unit 232 generates a corresponding control signal according to the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, and controls at least one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on. In this embodiment, when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "000", the logic processing unit 232 controls the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be all turned on, and in this case, the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the second resistance multiplied by 1 / 4; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "100", the logic processing unit 232 controls three of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining one to be turned off, and in this case, the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the second resistance multiplied by 1 / 3; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "110", the logic processing unit 232 controls two of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining two to be turned off, and in this case, the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the second resistance multiplied by 1 / 2; when the signal received by the logic processing unit 232 is, for example, "111", the logic processing unit 232 controls one of the first second switch K21, the second second switch K22, the third second switch K23, and the fourth second switch K24 to be turned on, and the remaining three to be turned off, and in this case, the second reference threshold value is equal to the product of the current generated by the second constant current source Is2 and the second resistance.

[0082] The current-limiting threshold value generating module 230 in this embodiment uses a constant current source and obtains second resistors R2 with different resistances based on the signal set in which the adjustment signal is located, thereby obtaining different second reference threshold values. This can also achieve that the resistance of the adjustment resistor R0 in a certain range will correspond to the same second reference threshold value, thereby reducing the accuracy requirement for the resistance of the adjustment resistor R0 and reducing the cost of the adjustment resistor R0. Moreover, this embodiment can also obtain different second reference threshold values according to different adjustment resistors R0, and can achieve preset multi-grade adjustment of the second reference threshold value according to the adjustment resistor R0, so that the same specification chip can meet the protection requirements of the power switch M1 of different users and meet the requirements of different users for the load current limit.

[0083] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the division of the above functional units and modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional units and modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the apparatus is divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. Each functional unit and module in the embodiment can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit, and the integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional unit. In addition, the specific names of each functional unit and module are only for easy distinction, and do not limit the protection scope of the application. The specific working process of the units and modules in the system can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] It should be understood that "a plurality of" as referred to herein means two or more. Other embodiments of the application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure upon consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. The application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the application including equivalents thereof following, in general, the principles of the application and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the application pertains. The specification and examples are to be construed as merely illustrative of the present application and not limitative of the true scope and spirit of the application, which is measured by the claims.

[0085] It should be noted that each of the embodiments in the specification adopts a progressive description manner, and each embodiment focuses on the difference from other embodiments. The same and similar parts between embodiments can be referred to each other. For the device embodiment, since it is basically similar to the method embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can refer to the part of the method embodiment.

[0086] The above disclosure is only the preferred embodiment of the application, and of course cannot limit the scope of the application, so the equivalent changes made according to the claims of the application still fall within the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A graded intelligent electronic switch, characterized in that, include: The system includes a power supply terminal, a power ground terminal, a load output terminal, a current limiting terminal, and a switch control unit. The power supply terminal is used to connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, the power ground terminal is used to connect to the negative terminal of the power supply, the load output terminal is used to connect to the load, and the current limiting terminal is used to connect to an adjustment resistor. A power switch, with its first terminal connected to the power supply terminal, its second terminal connected to the load output terminal, and its control terminal connected to the switch control unit, which is used to control the power switch to turn on or off. A current limiting threshold generation module is connected to the current limiting terminal. The current limiting threshold generation module can generate multiple different second reference thresholds. The current limiting threshold generation module has multiple signal sets. The current limiting threshold generation module outputs the corresponding second reference threshold based on the signal set where the adjustment signal is located. The number of second reference thresholds is the same as the number of signal sets. The signal sets correspond one-to-one with the second reference thresholds. The adjustment signal is used to characterize the resistance value of the adjustment resistor. A current limiting control unit is connected to the current limiting threshold generation module to access a second reference threshold. When the detected current signal is greater than or equal to the second reference threshold, the current limiting control unit limits the current flowing through the power switch. The detected current signal is used to characterize the current flowing through the power switch.

2. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment signal is the voltage of the current limiting terminal, the signal set is a voltage set, the current limiting threshold generation module includes a first constant current source and a voltage comparison processing unit. The first constant current source is connected to the current limiting terminal to output a constant current to the adjustment resistor. The voltage comparison processing unit has multiple voltage sets. The voltage comparison processing unit determines the voltage set where the adjustment signal is located and controls the corresponding second reference threshold output according to the corresponding voltage set.

3. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The voltage comparison processing unit includes multiple voltage comparators, the first input terminals of which are all connected to a current limiting terminal, and the second input terminals of which are respectively connected to different reference voltages. The voltage comparison processing unit also includes a logic processing unit, which is connected to the output terminals of the multiple voltage comparators. The logic processing unit controls the corresponding second reference threshold output based on the output signals of all voltage comparators.

4. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment signal is a current, the signal set is a current set, the current limiting threshold generation module is used to generate a constant voltage to the adjustment resistor, the current limiting threshold generation module also includes a current comparison processing unit, the current comparison processing unit is used to receive the adjustment signal, the current comparison processing unit has multiple current sets, the current comparison processing unit determines the current set in which the adjustment signal is located, and controls the corresponding second reference threshold output according to the corresponding current set.

5. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 4, characterized in that, The current comparison processing unit includes multiple current comparators, each with an adjustment signal connected to its first input terminal. Each current comparator is also connected to a different reference current. The current comparison processing unit further includes a logic processing unit connected to the output terminals of the multiple current comparators. The logic processing unit controls the output of a corresponding second reference threshold based on the output signals of all current comparators.

6. The intelligent electronic switch according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The current limiting threshold generation module includes a second resistor, multiple second constant current sources, and multiple second switches. The multiple second constant current sources are connected in series with the corresponding multiple second switches. The current limiting threshold generation module controls the multiple second switches to turn on or off based on the signal set where the adjustment signal is located, so as to output the corresponding current to the second resistor and thus generate the corresponding second reference threshold.

7. The intelligent electronic switch according to claim 6, characterized in that, The multiple second constant current sources generate different current values; the number of second constant current sources is the same as the number of signal sets; the number of second switches is the same as the number of second constant current sources; and the second reference threshold corresponds to one of the current values ​​generated by the multiple second constant current sources; or... The number of second switches is the same as the number of second constant current sources. At least two second switches are turned on simultaneously in at least one signal set. The second reference threshold corresponds to the sum or difference of the current values ​​of the second constant current sources connected in series with the corresponding turned-on second switches.

8. The intelligent electronic switch according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The current limiting threshold generation module includes a second constant current source, multiple second resistors, and multiple second switches. The multiple second resistors are connected in series with corresponding multiple second switches. The current limiting threshold generation module controls the multiple second switches to be turned on or off based on the signal set where the adjustment signal is located. The current generated by the second constant current source is output to the second resistors via the turned-on second switches to generate a corresponding second reference threshold; or... The number of the second reference thresholds is greater than or equal to 4 and is a preset finite number. The intersection of any two signal sets in the multiple signal sets is empty, and the union of all signal sets contains the signals corresponding to the resistance values ​​of all allowed adjustable resistors.

9. An integrated circuit chip, characterized in that, The intelligent electronic switch includes any one of claims 1-8, wherein the power supply terminal is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal is a power ground pin, the load output terminal is a load output pin, and the current limiting terminal is a current limiting pin.

10. A chip product, characterized in that, Includes the intelligent electronic switch as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the components of the intelligent electronic switch other than the power switch are located on a first integrated circuit chip, and the power switch is located on a second integrated circuit chip; Wherein, the power supply terminal is a power supply pin, the power ground terminal is a power ground pin, the load output terminal is a load output pin, the current limiting terminal is a current limiting pin, the first integrated circuit chip includes the power supply pin, the power ground pin, and the current limiting pin, and the second integrated circuit chip includes the load output pin.

11. An electromechanical device, characterized in that, Includes the intelligent electronic switch as described in any one of claims 1-8, the integrated circuit chip as described in claim 9, or the chip product as described in claim 10; It also includes a power supply, a regulating resistor, a load, and a microprocessor, wherein the positive terminal of the power supply is connected to the power supply terminal, the negative terminal of the power supply is connected to the power supply ground terminal, one end of the load is connected to the load output terminal, the other end of the load is connected to the power supply ground terminal or the power supply terminal, the microprocessor is connected to the intelligent electronic switch, the first end of the regulating resistor is connected to the current limiting terminal, and the second end of the regulating resistor is connected to the power supply ground terminal.

12. The electromechanical equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that, The electromechanical equipment includes automobiles.

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