Igniter Circuit Current Threshold Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The semiconductor industry faces challenges in protecting semiconductor devices from damage due to high current flows during ignition coil control, leading to increased costs and reliability issues, as existing fuses can be overly sensitive, causing false open circuits during normal operations or failing to protect the device in time.
Innovation Solution
An igniter circuit with a detect circuit and shutdown control mechanism that monitors current thresholds and control states to selectively enable or disable the load switch, decoupling the DC voltage source when excessive current is detected, thereby preventing damage to the semiconductor device and ignition coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional fuse is used for protection, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the operating costs increase due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service protection system that automatically monitors and protects the semiconductor device without requiring external intervention or component replacement. The current sensing circuit continuously self-monitors the electrical conditions, and the shutdown switch automatically activates when needed. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual fuse replacement, reducing operating costs and maintaining system availability, while the integrated nature of the components keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an igniter circuit may include a circuit to determine if the current through a load switch exceeds a threshold value, and to responsively disable a second switch that couples DC power to the igniter circuit.