Electric system comprising a load driving apparatus by auto-recovery mode, and method of operating the apparatus
First Claim
1. A driving apparatus for an electric load comprising:
- a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal for an output current to be supplied to the electric load; and
a control module configured todrive said power device in an auto-recovery mode, by switching between activation and deactivation responsive to an overcurrent condition wherein the output current reaches a current threshold, with said power device remaining in a fully on state when the output current reaches the current threshold,evaluate a first time interval between a time when the overcurrent condition occurs, and a first time,generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold, anddrive said power device to a switching-off condition at least as a function of the limit signal;
said control module comprising a control and drive module configured toevaluate a temperature increase of said power device associated with a second time interval and between generating the limit signal and a second time, andgenerate a first signal for switching off said power device when the evaluated temperature increase reaches a first threshold temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A driver for an electric load includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal for an output current, and a control module. The control module is configured to drive the power device in an auto-recovery mode by switching between activation and deactivation in the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, wherein the output current reaches a threshold current. The control module is also configured to evaluate a first time interval between a time wherein the overcurrent condition occurs, and a first time, and generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold. The power device is driven in a switching-off condition at least as a function of the limit signal.
50 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A driving apparatus for an electric load comprising:
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a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal for an output current to be supplied to the electric load; and a control module configured to drive said power device in an auto-recovery mode, by switching between activation and deactivation responsive to an overcurrent condition wherein the output current reaches a current threshold, with said power device remaining in a fully on state when the output current reaches the current threshold, evaluate a first time interval between a time when the overcurrent condition occurs, and a first time, generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold, and drive said power device to a switching-off condition at least as a function of the limit signal; said control module comprising a control and drive module configured to evaluate a temperature increase of said power device associated with a second time interval and between generating the limit signal and a second time, and generate a first signal for switching off said power device when the evaluated temperature increase reaches a first threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electronic device comprising:
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a power device configured to generate an output current; and a controller coupled to said power device and configured to drive said power device in an auto-recovery mode, by switching between activation and deactivation based upon an overcurrent condition, with said power device remaining in a fully on state when the overcurrent condition is reached, evaluate a first time interval between when the overcurrent condition occurs and a first time, generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold, and drive said power device to a switching-off condition based upon the limit signal; said controller is configured to evaluate a temperature increase of said power device associated with a second time interval and between generating the limit signal and a second time, and generate a first signal for switching off said power device when the evaluated temperature increase reaches a first threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for driving an electric load comprising:
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driving a power device coupled to the electric load in an auto-recovery mode, by switching between activation and deactivation based upon an overcurrent condition, with the power device remaining in a fully on state when the output current reaches the current threshold; evaluating a first time interval between when the overcurrent condition occurs and a first time; generating a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold; driving the power device to a switching-off condition based upon the limit signal; evaluating a temperature increase of the power device associated with a second time interval and between generating the limit signal and a second time; and generating a first signal for switching off the power device when the evaluated temperature increase reaches a first threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification