Method and apparatus for protecting an adjustable impedance element controlling the power supply to an electric motor, in particular in a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. In a motor vehicle, a method of protecting an adjustable impedance element (11) controlling the power supply of an electric motor (M), the impedance element having a variable current threshold which is an increasing function of the voltage (Um) across the terminals of a motor (M), in which the control of said adjustable impedance element (11) is modified when the current passing through it exceeds the given threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of protecting an adjustable impedance element such as a transistor controlling the power supplied to an electric motor, in particular in a motor vehicle, wherein the control of said adjustable impedance element is modified when the current passing through it exceeds a given threshold, characterized in that said current threshold is an increasing function of the voltage UM across the terminals of the motor.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. In a motor vehicle, a method of protecting an adjustable impedance element (11) controlling the power supply of an electric motor (M), the impedance element having a variable current threshold which is an increasing function of the voltage (Um) across the terminals of a motor (M), in which the control of said adjustable impedance element (11) is modified when the current passing through it exceeds the given threshold.
- 5. Apparatus for protecting an adjustable impedance element (11) controlling the power supply to an electric motor (M), in particular in a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising means (13a) for measuring the current passing through said adjustable impedance element (11) and a current limiter unit (UC, 13) connected to said current measurement means (13) and controlling said adjustable impedance element (11) in such a manner as to reduce said current when the current exceeds a given threshold, characterized in that said current limiter unit includes means for varying the current threshold with increasing voltage across the terminals of the motor (M).
Specification