Semiconductor switch

• US 20050184715A1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advics Company Limited (Aisin Corp.), DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: Advics Company Limited (Aisin Corp.), DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Kidokoro, Hiroyasu, Watanabe, Yoshihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,535,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/282
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/08104 in field-effect transistor switches H03K17/0812, H03K17/0814 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0822 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/302 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/0806 against excessive temperature

Abstract

A semiconductor switch interrupts output when a microcomputer or an external IC operates abnormally is connected to a control device such, and is turned on or off depending upon a control signal from the control device. The semiconductor switch has feed voltage-monitoring means for monitoring whether the voltage fed to the control device lies within a predetermined range, and is turned off when it is so judged that the voltage is not within the predetermined range.

Claims

1. A semiconductor switch, connected to a control device, wherein the semiconductor switch is turned on or off based upon a control signal from the control device, wherein the semiconductor switch includes feed voltage-monitoring means for monitoring whether the voltage fed to the control device is within a predetermined range, wherein the semiconductor switch is turned off when it is judged that the voltage is not within the predetermined range.

3. A semiconductor switch according to claim 1, wherein the feed voltage monitoring means includes:

overvoltage-detecting means for detecting if the voltage applied to the control device is greater than a predetermined value; and

undervoltage-detecting means for detecting if the voltage applied to the control device is smaller than a predetermined value, wherein the feed voltage monitoring means monitors if the voltage applied to the control device is greater than the predetermined value or is smaller than the predetermined value.

5. A semiconductor switch according to claim 1, further including signal output means for outputting a signal to an external unit when it is judged that the voltage is not within a predetermined range.

7. A semiconductor switch according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor switch is implemented within an anti-lock braking device for an automobile, the anti-lock braking device comprising a fluid pressure pump driven by an electric motor, and a feed side electromagnetic valve and a drain side electromagnetic valve provided for each of the wheels between the fluid pressure pump and a wheel cylinder, for adjusting the pressure of the brake fluid fed from the fluid pressure pump to the wheel cylinder, wherein the semiconductor switch is connected at least either between a power supply feeder line and a drive circuit for the feed side electromagnetic valve or between the power supply feeder line and the drive circuit for a drain side electromagnetic valve.

2. A semiconductor switch connected to a control device, wherein the semiconductor switch is turned on or off depending upon a control signal from the control device, the semiconductor switch having output voltage-monitoring means for monitoring whether the voltage output to the semiconductor switch from the control device is within a predetermined range, wherein the semiconductor switch is turned off when it is judged that the voltage is not within the predetermined range.

4. A semiconductor switch according to claim 2, wherein the output voltage monitoring means includes:

overvoltage-detecting means for detecting if the voltage output to the semiconductor switch from the control device is greater than a predetermined value; and

undervoltage-detecting means for detecting if the voltage output to the semiconductor switch from the control device is smaller than a predetermined value,

wherein the output voltage monitoring means monitors if the voltage output to the semiconductor switch from the control device is greater than the predetermined value or is smaller than the predetermined value.

6. A semiconductor switch according to claim 2, further including signal output means for outputting a signal to an external unit when it is judged that the voltage is not within a predetermined range.

8. A semiconductor switch according to claim 2, wherein the semiconductor switch is implemented within an anti-lock braking device for an automobile, the anti-lock braking device comprising a fluid pressure pump driven by an electric motor, and a feed side electromagnetic valve and a drain side electromagnetic valve provided for each of the wheels between the fluid pressure pump and a wheel cylinder, for adjusting the pressure of the brake fluid fed from the fluid pressure pump to the wheel cylinder, wherein the semiconductor switch is connected at least either between a power supply feeder line and a drive circuit for the feed side electromagnetic valve or between the power supply feeder line and the drive circuit for the drain side electromagnetic valve.