Predriver Power Segmentation for Battery Disconnect Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices in electronic control units of vehicles suffer from excessive power consumption and heat dissipation due to operating at higher voltages than necessary, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety issues when battery terminals disconnect, particularly affecting solenoid drivers and microcomputers.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device with integrated switching power supply and driver circuits that step down voltage inputs, using a predriver circuit to manage power distribution and implement stop processing when battery terminals disconnect, reducing power loss and ensuring reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all circuit units operate at high voltage (12V) to ensure reliable operation, then the device can drive high voltage loads effectively, but power consumption increases significantly and heat dissipation becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable operationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple voltage domains. The semiconductor device includes a high voltage power supply terminal (12V) for driving loads and a low voltage power supply terminal (5V) for operating circuit units that do not require high voltage. This segmentation allows each circuit unit to operate at the appropriate voltage level, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable operation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If circuit units operate at low voltage (5V) to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the ability to drive high voltage loads directly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddriving capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates power supply functions by voltage level. High voltage (12V) is supplied to the power supply terminal for driving loads requiring high power, while low voltage (5V) is supplied to the power supply circuit terminal for operating control circuits and other low power components. This segmentation enables both high power driving capability and energy efficiency to coexist in the same device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single power supply terminal is used to simplify the device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but power loss increases due to unnecessary voltage conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into two independent terminals: a high voltage power supply terminal and a low voltage power supply terminal. This segmentation eliminates the need for voltage conversion circuits that would be required in a single-terminal design, thereby reducing power loss while adding minimal structural complexity. Each terminal can be connected independently to its respective voltage source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Weight of moving object

If the device is miniaturized to reduce vehicle weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but heat dissipation becomes more critical due to higher power density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the power supply into high voltage and low voltage terminals, the device reduces overall power consumption for the same functional output. This reduction in power consumption directly translates to reduced heat generation, allowing the device to be miniaturized without exceeding thermal management limits. The low voltage terminal operates control circuits more efficiently, generating less heat per unit of computational work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves power saving, miniaturization, and weight reduction while maintaining reliable control of solenoid drivers and microcomputers, even during battery disconnection, by optimizing voltage usage and reducing power loss.

Implementation Method 1

a switching power supply circuit which steps down a battery voltage input from the first terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwitching power supply:

Implementation Method 2

a regulator circuit which steps down a voltage input from the second terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12462960B2Semiconductor device, control device for transmission, and control method of electronic control unit

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a power saving and highly reliable semiconductor device on which a switching power supply circuit and a driver circuit are mounted together, and which can perform appropriate control by the driver circuit even when a battery terminal is disconnected while reducing power loss in the entire semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a first terminal which is connected to a battery power source; a switching power supply circuit which steps down a battery voltage input from the first terminal; a second terminal which is connected to a switching power source different from the battery power source; a regulator circuit which steps down a voltage input from the second terminal; and a predriver circuit which is connected to the regulator circuit.