Device protecting an electronic circuit

• US 7,212,388 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2002
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Josten, Stefan, Wizemann, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHARTI HARIDAS
• Application Number:
  US10/492,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,743 Days
• Field of Search: 361/91.1, 361/216, 361/217
• US Class Current: 361/91.1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3005 Details not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An arrangement for protecting an electronic circuit is suggested which is mounted in a housing and is insulated relative to the housing. At least one connection is provided with which the electronic circuit is connected to a pregiven potential. A voltage-dependent resistor is introduced between the housing and the at least one connection for protecting against ESD-pulses and EMV-irradiation.

Claims

1. An arrangement for protecting an electronic circuit built into a housing and said electronic circuit being electrically insulated relative to said housing, the arrangement comprising:

a source for providing a pregiven potential;

a connection leading to said electronic circuit for connecting said electronic circuit to said pregiven potential;

at least one electric component connected between said housing and said connection for conducting charges of said housing and/or irradiation away from the electronic circuit; and

,

said electric component being one of the following;

a voltage-dependent resistor (varistor), a diode and a discharger.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said housing is the housing of an electric throttle flap actuator of an internal combustion engine;

and, said electronic circuit is an evaluation circuit for a position sensor.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein said pregiven potential is a ground potential.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said ground potential is the ground potential of a control system for controlling the internal combustion engine.

5. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein said electronic circuit functions for evaluating measurement signals from sensors which detect potentiometrically or contactlessly the position of the throttle flap.