DE102004056868A1 - Arrangement for detecting sparks and/or short circuits in circuit and interrupting circuit has current sensor and switching arrangement formed by semiconducting circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (1) detects sparks and/or short circuits in a circuit (2-4) and interrupts the circuit. The arrangement has a current sensor (6) and a switching arrangement (5) formed by a semiconducting circuit. The semiconducting circuit has at least two connectors for connection to the remainder of the circuit. It has a signal input via which a signal for controlling a circuit interruption can be read into the semiconducting circuit.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting arcing and / or short circuits in a circuit, in particular in a circuit of a motor vehicle. With this arrangement, an interruption of the circuit causes become. The arrangement comprises a current sensor and a switching means.

such Arrangements are known from the prior art.

at the known arrangements are sensor means and separate from the Sensor means switching means provided, both in the circuit are used. As well as the current sensor as well as for the Switching means must while appropriate places in the circuit are kept free. Both components must be in the circuit can be mounted. Likewise, a storage for current sensors and for Switching means necessary.

The Holding and installing two components in a circuit causes relatively high Costs.

Of the The invention is therefore based on the object, the number of vorzuhaltenden and components to be mounted in the circuit.

ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that the arrangement comprises a semiconductor circuit, the same time forms the current sensor and the switching means. This semiconductor circuit can then have two connections with which he shares with the rest Circuit is connected. The mounting of the current sensor and the Switching means advantageously takes place in one step, since only a single integrated semiconductor circuit is provided. The semiconductor circuit can be the function of the previously predominantly mechanical or take over electromechanical switching means. In addition, can the switching means of the semiconductor circuit take over a fuse function and so the circuit from overload and short circuit protection. The Control of such a switching means requires only a small electrical energy for control.

The inventive arrangement with a semiconductor integrated circuit, which is the current sensor and the switching means has the advantage of being clear cost-effective is. It can therefore not just a single one at a reasonable cost such arrangement can be used in a circuit. Much more Is it possible, with an inventive arrangement at reasonable cost different parallel to each other To monitor branches of a circuit with their own arrangements and protect.

Basically it is possible in an arrangement according to the invention to use a voltage sensor instead of a current sensor, d. H. in such a case, the voltage signal is evaluated, around the arcs or short circuits to recognize.

By the use of the semiconductor circuit with integrated switching means is a low-resistance wear-free Switching of loads possible. It can a circuit break in case of thermal overload, caused by short circuit and the occurrence of arcs. Further is also a momentary shutdown with the semiconductor integrated circuit in the presence of an arc possible (blanking of arcs). In addition, the Semiconductor circuit with the integrated switching means a reversible Switching, d. H. after detecting an arc and interrupting the circuit does not require replacement of a protective element, as is the case with fuses, for example.

ever after the execution the semiconductor circuit, a compact design of the arrangement is possible. Of the Semiconductor integrated circuit offers the possibility of including other components the inventive arrangement into the semiconductor integrated circuit. The whole Arrangement can thus ultimately formed by the semiconductor circuit become. As a result, in particular the number of external connections of the inventive arrangement be reduced. An integrated semiconductor circuit of an arrangement according to the invention can be designed so that it is externally programmable. He can Furthermore, be designed so that it, for example, by external programming is extended in its scope, so that he may take over additional functions with appropriate external shading can. External programming can make it possible the inventive arrangement to a vehicle type, to a specific vehicle electrical system or to special load conditions to be adapted in a vehicle electrical system. The adaptation can be done, for example, in the device production for the Arrangement or even done during vehicle assembly.

The semiconductor circuit of an inventive arrangement can at least one Signalein gang, via which a signal for controlling a circuit interruption in the semiconductor circuit is read. Furthermore, the semiconductor circuit may have a signal output at which a current corresponding to the current in the circuit output signal can be tapped. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement comprises a means for detecting the arcs and / or short circuits, which is referred to below as detection means. This detection means is preferably connected to the signal output of the semiconductor circuit. In addition, the detection means may preferably be a part of the semiconductor circuit.

Of the Semiconductor circuit of an inventive arrangement may have a signal output have, over which indicates a short circuit or an arc Signal is read out, which are then fed to further processing can.

The Switching means in a semiconductor circuit according to the invention is preferably a transistor, thyristor o. Ä ..

DRAWINGS

embodiments for arrangements according to the invention for detecting arcs and / or short circuits in a circuit are described in more detail in the drawing. It shows

1 to 3 in each case an embodiment of an inventive arrangement.

DESCRIPTION THE EMBODIMENTS

That in the 1 illustrated embodiment of an inventive arrangement comprises a semiconductor circuit 3 and means for detecting arcs and / or short circuits 7 hereinafter referred to as detection means. The semiconductor circuit 3 is about connections 12 switched on in the monitored circuit. The circuit has in addition to the inventive arrangement 1 as a voltage source serving batteries 2 and a burden 4 on. In series and parallel to the load 4 are arcs 15 indicated, which are caused by errors in the load current path, for example, errors in lines on connectors of the circuit. It is a serial arc and a parallel arc with respect to the load 4 , The arcs 15 can by the inventive arrangement 1 be recognized. For this purpose, the semiconductor circuit has a current sensor 6 on. With this current sensor, the current flowing in the circuit is detected and generates an output signal corresponding to the magnitude of the current. This output signal is at a signal output 9 The semiconductor circuit can be tapped off. The signal output 9 the semiconductor circuit is connected to the detection means 7 connected. In the detection means, the output signal is evaluated. The evaluation is done in a known manner. In particular, the noise of the output signal can be evaluated. It is also possible to include current edges in the evaluation.

The detection means 7 has a signal output 10 on, at the same time an output of the arrangement according to the invention 1 forms. About this signal output 10 the arrangement according to the invention can be connected to a control or regulation means. At the signal output 10 a signal can be tapped which indicates that there is a short circuit or an arc in the circuit to be monitored. This output signal is then evaluated by the control or regulation means to effect an interruption of the circuit.

The arrangement according to the invention, in addition to the means for detecting an arc or circuit at the same time a switching means 5 to break the circuit. The switching means 5 is formed by a transistor which is part of the semiconductor circuit 3 is. To control the transistor 5 indicates the semiconductor circuit 3 a signal input 8th on, which also forms a signal input of the arrangement according to the invention and is connected to the means for controlling or regulating. Between the signal input 8th of the semiconductor circuit 3 and the transistor 5 is a charge pump 13 used, raising the voltage level at the signal input 8th applied signals, which is necessary to switch the transistor 5 to reach.

Now, if the circuit is interrupted after the detection of an arc or short circuit, the control or regulating means sends a control signal to the signal input 8th given, the switching of the transistor 5 causes. The circuit is interrupted and the arcs extinguish. When in the 1 illustrated embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention is characterized by a diode 14 symbolically indicated that in the case of an arc or a short circuit, the blocking of the transistor takes place by the gate potential of the transistor via the input 15 of the recognition agent 7 is brought to ground potential.

That in the 2 illustrated embodiment differs from the in 1 illustrated embodiment essentially there through that the detection means 7 Part of the semiconductor circuit 3 is. All essential parts of the arrangement 1 are thus in the semiconductor circuit 3 integrated.

Another difference from the embodiment according to 1 This is because it is possible through a programming input 11 Parts of the integrated circuit, ie the semiconductor circuit 3 can be programmed.

This in 3 illustrated embodiment differs from the in 2 illustrated embodiment in that the programming input 11 and the signal output 10 of the semiconductor circuit 3 are summarized to a connection.

1

arrangement

2

batteries

3

Semiconductor circuit

4

load

5

transistor

6

current sensor

7

recognition means

8th

signal input

9

signal output

10

signal output

11

programming input

12

connections

13

charge pump

14

diode

15

electric arc

Claims (10)

Arrangement ( 1 ) for the detection of arcs and / or short circuits in a circuit ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) and to interrupt the circuit ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) with a current sensor ( 6 ) and a switching means ( 5 ) characterized in that the arrangement comprises a semiconductor circuit ( 3 ), which at the same time the current sensor ( 6 ) and the switching means ( 5 ). Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) at least two ports ( 12 ) for connection to the rest of the circuit. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) a signal input ( 8th ) via which a signal for controlling a circuit interruption in the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) is read. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) a signal output ( 9 ), on which a current corresponding to the current in the circuit output signal can be tapped. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arrangement ( 1 ) means for detecting the arcs and / or short circuits (detection means 7 ). Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the recognition means ( 7 ) with the signal output ( 9 ) of the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) connected is. Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the recognition means ( 7 ) Part of the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ). Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) a signal output ( 10 ), over which a signal indicative of a short circuit and / or an arc can be read out. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) at least one programming input ( 11 ) over which the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) is programmable. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the switching means ( 5 ) of the semiconductor circuit ( 3 ) is a transistor, a thyristor o. Ä. Is.