Structure and method of thermally protecting power devices for airbag deployment
First Claim
1. A thermal protection system for an integrated circuit supporting a power driver, comprised of:
- a thermal sensor placed along an edge of said integrated circuit next to said power driver to detect a temperature level near said power driver;
a current detecting circuit coupled to said power driver to detect a current level in said power driver;
a current limiting circuit coupled to said power driver to limit said current level in said power driver;
a logic block to regulate said power driver, wherein said logic block is coupled to said thermal sensor, said power driver, and said current detecting circuit; and
a timing circuit coupled to said logic block, wherein said logic block receives a first output from said timing circuit and a second output from said thermal sensor.
22 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method protects power drivers (10) and (12) that are used for airbag deployment. Temperature sensors (38) are strategically located on the integrated circuit (36) to detect temperature levels in power drivers (10) and (12). When the temperature in the power drivers (10) and (12) reaches a maximum level, an output is provided to logic block (26). Current detecting circuit (24) provides an output when the current flowing in power driver (10) reaches a desired level. Timing circuit (28) is activated when it receives the output from current detecting circuit (24). At the expiration of the time, timing circuit (28) provides an output to logic block (26). When logic block (26) receives both outputs, logic block (26) shuts drivers (10) and (12) down. When temperature sensors (38) detects that the temperature in integrated circuit (36) has reached a minimum level, logic block (26) reactivates drivers (10) and (12).
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A thermal protection system for an integrated circuit supporting a power driver, comprised of:
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a thermal sensor placed along an edge of said integrated circuit next to said power driver to detect a temperature level near said power driver;
a current detecting circuit coupled to said power driver to detect a current level in said power driver;
a current limiting circuit coupled to said power driver to limit said current level in said power driver;
a logic block to regulate said power driver, wherein said logic block is coupled to said thermal sensor, said power driver, and said current detecting circuit; and
a timing circuit coupled to said logic block, wherein said logic block receives a first output from said timing circuit and a second output from said thermal sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for thermally protecting a power device on an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
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activating a power driver to deploy a current;
sensing said current flowing through said power driver;
providing a first output to a logic block when said current reaches a desired level;
activating a timing circuit;
measuring a length of time;
providing a second output at the expiration of said length of time to said logic block; and
deactivating said power driver. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A thermal protection system for an airbag deployment system, comprised of:
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current limiting means to regulate a flow of a current through a power driver;
timing means to mark a period of time and provide a timing output at an expiration of said time period;
current detecting means to provide a first output when said current in said power driver reaches a desired level;
triggering means to activate said timing means when said current reaches said desired level based upon said first output;
logic means to turn said power driver OFF when said logic means receives said timing output. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification