KR102252571B1 - Transitor output protection circuit and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A transistor output protection circuit and an operation method thereof are disclosed. The transistor output protection circuit according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a transistor; a current sensing element having one end electrically connected to the transistor; a transistor protection unit including a clear terminal, a preset terminal and a clock terminal and outputting an output signal based on a control signal applied to the transistor and a current sensed by the current sensing element; and a diode connected between the transistor protection unit and the transistor, wherein the transistor can be short-circuited or open according to the control signal and the output signal of the transistor protection unit. The present invention can reduce stress which can be imposed to the transistor in a short-circuit or an overcurrent state by turning off the control signal of the transistor if the current of the transistor exceeds a specific value.

Description

Transistor output protection circuit and its operation method {TRANSITOR OUTPUT PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a transistor output protection circuit and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to a transistor output protection circuit capable of appropriately responding to a short circuit of a transistor by detecting an overcurrent applied to a transistor, and an operating method thereof. .

A vehicle refers to a means capable of moving while traveling on a road or track. The vehicle is generally provided to be movable according to the driving of one or more wheels installed on the vehicle body. Examples of such vehicles include a three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, a construction machine, a bicycle, or a train running on a rail disposed on a track.

Inside the vehicle, a motor is provided to obtain power required for the operation of the vehicle. The motor installed in the vehicle may include, for example, a DC motor, an AC motor, a BLDC motor, a brushless DC motor, a linear induction motor, or the like. The motor installed in the vehicle performs various functions depending on the installed position or purpose. For example, a motor installed in an oil pump allows the oil pump to flow oil to supply oil necessary for an engine or a transmission, for example, engine oil or transmission oil. In addition, a motor installed in an electric vehicle (EV) converts electrical energy charged in a battery in the vehicle into mechanical energy, so that the vehicle can obtain power required for rotation of a wheel. Such vehicles include circuits that control the vehicle using transistors. Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit for controlling a vehicle using Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) may include BJT 1 and BJT 2. In BJT 1, an external control signal is applied to the base, so that the collector-emitter is turned on (Switch-on). In BJT 2, when the current flowing through BJT 1 exceeds a specific value, voltage is applied to both ends of the resistor by the flowing current, and when the voltage exceeds the base-emitter voltage of BJT 2 The collector-emitter of the BJT 2 is turned on (Switch-on).

Hereinafter, an operation of a circuit for controlling a vehicle using a BJT will be described.

The switching operation of BJT 1 is determined by the BJT control signal (Turn-on/off), and current flows through the collector and emitter of BJT 1. When the current flowing through BJT 1 exceeds a certain value, BJT 2 is turned on due to the voltage applied to the resistor, the control signal of BJT 1 falls to Low, and the operation of BJT 1 is turned off ( turn-off). The control signal of BJT 1 is turned off due to the resistor and the current flowing through BJT 1, and through this, a current above a certain value cannot flow to BJT 1. Instead, a current of a specific value continuously flows through BJT 1.

However, if the current flowing through BJT 1 does not exceed a specific value, there is a problem in that the voltage and current are applied to both ends of BJT 1 and thus BJT 1 is subjected to thermal stress.

The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1621973 (announced on May 17, 2016).

The present invention was conceived to improve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to detect an overcurrent applied to the transistor BJT 1 to appropriately respond to a short circuit of the transistor BJT 1. It is to provide a protection circuit and a method of operation thereof.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problem(s) mentioned above, and another problem(s) not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A transistor output protection circuit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transistor, a current sensing element having one end electrically connected to the transistor, a clear terminal, a preset terminal, and a clock terminal, and a control signal applied to the transistor and A transistor protection unit for outputting an output signal based on the current sensed by the current sensing element, and a diode connected between the transistor protection unit and the transistor, wherein the transistor includes the control signal and the output of the transistor protection unit It may be characterized in that it is shorted or opened by a signal.

In the present invention, the diode may be a Schottky diode.

In the present invention, the diode may enable a switch latch off operation when a short state occurs in the transistor.

In the present invention, the transistor may be a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT).

In the present invention, the current sensing element may be a resistor.

In the present invention, when the control signal is low, the transistor protection unit outputs a high signal, the transistor is turned off, and when the control signal is high, the transistor is turned on. I can.

In the present invention, when the control signal is high and the transistor is turned on and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, a rising edge ( a rising edge) signal is applied, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal by the rising edge signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor to open the collector and emitter of the transistor. I can.

In the present invention, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, and the control signal is high. In case of is maintained, the transistor protection unit may output a low signal, and the transistor may be maintained in an open state.

In the present invention, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, and the control signal is low. In this case, the clear terminal of the transistor protection part is low so that the transistor protection part outputs a high signal, and a low signal may be applied to the base of the transistor by the diode.

In the present invention, when the control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the transistor is latched off when a low signal is applied from the transistor protection unit, and the transistor When a high signal is applied from the protection unit, the latch-off can be released.

A method of operating a transistor output protection circuit according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a control signal from a transistor protection unit and a transistor, sensing a current applied to the transistor by a current sensing element, and the transistor protection unit controlling the control signal. And outputting an output signal based on a signal and a current sensed by the current sensing element, and shorting or opening the transistor by the control signal and the output signal.

In the present invention, in the step of shorting or opening, when the control signal is low and the output signal is high, the transistor is turned off, and when the control signal is high, The transistor may be turned on.

In the present invention, in the step of shorting or opening, when the control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element is turned on and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the transistor A rising edge signal is applied to the clock terminal of the protection unit, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal by the rising edge signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor, so that the collector of the transistor and the The emitter can be opened.

In the present invention, in the step of the shorting or opening, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, When the control signal is maintained high, the transistor protection unit may output a low signal, and the transistor may be maintained in an open state.

In the present invention, in the step of the shorting or opening, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, When the control signal is low, the clear terminal of the transistor protection part is low, so that the transistor protection part outputs a high signal, and a low signal may be applied to the base of the transistor by the diode. .

In the present invention, in the step of shorting or opening, when the current sensed by the current sensing element in a state in which the control signal is high is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the transistor applies a low signal from the transistor protection unit. When received, the latch is off, and when a high signal is applied from the transistor protection unit, the latch off can be released.

In the transistor output protection circuit and operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the current flowing through the transistor is greater than or equal to a specific value, the control signal of the transistor itself is turned off, so that the transistor is short or overcurrent. It can reduce the stress that can be received in the state.

The transistor output protection circuit and its operation method according to another embodiment of the present invention include a BJT, a single logic IC, and a Schottky diode when a short-circuit condition occurs in the BJT. latch off) operation can be enabled.

The transistor output protection circuit and its operation method according to another embodiment of the present invention can perform latch off and latch off release of a BJT using a single BJT control signal. have.

Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and various effects may be included within a range that is apparent to a person skilled in the art from the contents to be described below.

1 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for controlling a vehicle using a conventional BJT.
2 is a diagram illustrating a transistor output protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a transistor output protection circuit and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thickness of the lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description.

Further, the implementation described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream or a signal. Although discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (eg, only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (eg, an apparatus or program). The device may be implemented with appropriate hardware, software and firmware. The method may be implemented in an apparatus such as a processor, which generally refers to a processing device including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit or a programmable logic device, or the like. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”) and other devices that facilitate communication of information between end-users.

In addition, terms used in the present specification are used only to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof does not preclude in advance. Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. I will do it.

2 is a diagram illustrating a transistor output protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a transistor output protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a transistor 100, a current sensing element 200 (Resistor 1), a transistor protection unit 300, and a diode 400. .

The transistor 100 may perform a switching operation that is shorted or opened by a control signal and an output signal of the transistor protection unit 300.

These transistors use at least one of a junction transistor (BJT, Bipolar Junction Transistor), a thyristor, a field-effect transistor (FET), and an insulated gate bipolar mode transistor (IGBT). Can be implemented.

One end of the current sensing element 200 may be electrically connected to the transistor 100. The current sensing element 200 may be implemented using, for example, a resistor.

One end of the current sensing element 200 may be connected to an emitter of the transistor 100, and the other end may be connected to another circuit element, component, device, or ground (G).

A signal line connecting one end of the current sensing element 200 and the transistor 100 may be branched at one point, and the branched line may be connected to the transistor protection unit 300. Accordingly, a part of the current before being applied to the current sensing element 200 may be transmitted to the transistor protection unit 300.

The transistor protection unit 300 includes a clear terminal, a preset terminal, and a clock terminal, and may output an output signal based on a control signal applied to the transistor 100 and a current sensed by the current sensing element 200. .

The transistor protection unit 300 includes an electrical signal transmitted through a signal line branched from a control signal generator (not shown) that generates a control signal applied to the transistor 100 and a signal line connecting the transistor 100, A control signal applied to the transistor 100 may be controlled based on an electrical signal transmitted through a signal line branched from a point at one end of the current sensing element 200.

,

, CLK, 및 데이터(D)를 입력으로 하여, 이에 대응하는 출력(Q)와 반전 출력(

)를 제공할 수 있다. 본 발명에서는 프리셋(

) 입력을 하이(high)로 하고, 클럭(CLK) 입력의 상승 에지(rising edge)에서 데이터(D)를 래치(latch)하며 반전 출력(

)을 이용하는 구조로 사용할 수 있다. 즉, 트랜지스터 보호부(300)는 아래 표 1과 같이 동작할 수 있다. The transistor protection unit 300 is

,

, CLK, and data (D) as inputs, and the corresponding output (Q) and inverted output (

) Can be provided. In the present invention, the preset (

) Make the input high, latch the data (D) on the rising edge of the clock (CLK) input, and the inverted output (

) Can be used. That is, the transistor protection unit 300 may operate as shown in Table 1 below.

[Table 1]

The diode 400 may be connected between the transistor protection unit 300 and the transistor 100, and may enable a switch latch off operation when a short state occurs in the transistor 100. . The diode 400 may be implemented using, for example, a Schottky diode.

Hereinafter, the operation of the transistor output protection circuit configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the transistor 100 is limited to the BJT 100 and described.

When the BJT control signal is low, a collector-emitter of the BJT 100 may be opened. When the BJT control signal goes high, the base of the BJT 100 goes high, so that a collector-emitter may be shorted. However, when the current flowing through the collector-emitter of the BJT 100 exceeds a specific value, the rising edge ( A rising edge) signal is applied, so that the base of the BJT 100 may fall low, and the collector-emitter of the BJT 100 may be opened. The open state between the collector-emitter of the BJT 100 is maintained continuously, and the BJT control signal must drop to low and then rise to high. The collector of the BJT 100-already The collector-emitter may be shorted again (Short, Switch on).

The operation of the above-described transistor output protection circuit will be described in detail for each case.

)은 하이(high)이지만, 쇼트키 다이오드(400)에 의해서 해당 하이 신호는 BJT(100)의 베이스(Base)로 전달되지 않는다. 따라서 BJT(100)의 베이스(Base)에는 로우(Low) 신호가 인가되어 BJT(100)는 턴오프되고, BJT(100)의 콜렉터(Collector)와 이미터(Emitter)는 개방(Open)될 수 있다. First, a case in which the BJT control signal is low will be described. In this case, the output of the transistor protection unit 300 (

) Is high, but the corresponding high signal is not transmitted to the base of the BJT 100 by the Schottky diode 400. Therefore, a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 so that the BJT 100 is turned off, and the collector and the emitter of the BJT 100 can be opened. have.

That is, when the BJT control signal is low, the input and output of the transistor protection unit 300, the base of the BJT 100, and the states of the collector-emitter may be as shown in Table 2 below.

[Table 2]

)은 하이(high)이지만, 쇼트키 다이오드(400)에 의해서 해당 하이 신호는 BJT(100)의 베이스(Base)로 전달되지 않는다. 하지만 BJT 제어신호가 하이(high)이므로 BJT(100)의 베이스(Base)에는 하이(high) 신호가 인가되어 BJT(100)는 턴온되고, BJT(100)의 콜렉터(collector)와 이미터(Emitter)는 단락(Short)될 수 있다.Next, a case where the BJT control signal is high will be described. In this case, the output of the transistor protection unit 300 (

) Is high, but the corresponding high signal is not transmitted to the base of the BJT 100 by the Schottky diode 400. However, since the BJT control signal is high, a high signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 and the BJT 100 is turned on, and the collector and emitter of the BJT 100 ) Can be shorted.

That is, when the BJT control signal is high, the input and output of the transistor protection unit 300, the base of the BJT 100, and the states of the collector-emitter may be as shown in Table 3 below.

[Table 3]

Next, a case where the BJT control signal is high and the BJT 100 is turned on so that the current sensed by the current sensing element 200 is greater than or equal to a preset specific value will be described. When the current flowing through the current sensing element 200 increases while the BJT 100 is turned on, the voltage of the clock (CLK) terminal of the transistor protection unit 300 increases, and when the voltage rises above a specific voltage, the clock (CLK) terminal There is a rising edge on the screen. Then, the transistor protection unit 300 outputs a low signal by the rising edge signal, and the base voltage of the BJT 100 also drops to a low level. Accordingly, a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 so that the BJT 100 is turned off, and the collector and the emitter of the BJT 100 may be opened.

That is, when the BJT control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element 200 when the BJT 100 is turned on is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the input and output of the transistor protection unit 300, BJT ( The state of the base of 100) and the collector-emitter may be as shown in Table 4 below.

[Table 4]

)은 로우(Low)를 유지하고, BJT(100)는 계속 개방(Open) 상태일 수 있다. Next, the transistor protection unit 300 outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 so that the collector and the emitter of the BJT 100 are open. A case in which the control signal is continuously high will be described. In this case, the output of the transistor protection unit 300 (

) Is kept low, and the BJT 100 may be in an open state.

That is, the transistor protection unit 300 outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 so that the collector and the emitter of the BJT 100 are open, and the BJT is controlled. When the signal is still high, the input and output of the transistor protection unit 300, the base of the BJT 100, and the state of the collector-emitter may be as shown in Table 5 below.

[Table 5]

)는 하이(high)에서 로우(low)로 변경될 수 있다. 이에 따라 트랜지스터 보호부(300)의 출력(

)은 하이(high)로 올라가지만, 쇼트키 다이오드(400)에 의해 BJT(100)의 베이스에는 로우 신호가 인가될 수 있다. Finally, the transistor protection unit 300 outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 to control the BJT while the collector and emitter of the BJT 100 are open. A case in which the signal is low will be described. In this case, the clear terminal (

) Can be changed from high to low. Accordingly, the output of the transistor protection unit 300 (

) Rises to high, but a low signal may be applied to the base of the BJT 100 by the Schottky diode 400.

That is, the transistor protection unit 300 outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the BJT 100 so that the collector and the emitter of the BJT 100 are open, and the BJT is controlled. When the signal is low, the input and output of the transistor protection unit 300, the base of the BJT 100, and the state of the collector-emitter may be as shown in Table 6 below.

[Table 6]

As described above, when the control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element 200 is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the transistor 100 applies a low signal from the transistor protection unit 300. When received, the latch is off, and when a high signal is applied from the transistor protection unit 300, the latch off can be released.

Meanwhile, the transistor output protection circuit configured as described above is a power switch (PS)/smart switch circuit used as the BJT 100 and a low side/high side driver. It can also be applied.

As described above, in the transistor output protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the current flowing through the transistor is greater than or equal to a specific value, the control signal of the transistor itself is turned off, so that the transistor is short or overcurrent. It can reduce the stress that can be received in the state.

In the transistor output protection circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention, a switch latch off when a short state occurs in the BJT 100 with the BJT 100 and a single logic IC, and the Schottky diode 400 ( Switch latch off) operation can be enabled.

The transistor output protection circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention may perform latch off and latch off release of the BJT 100 using a single BJT control signal. .

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are only exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the field to which the technology pertains, various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible. I will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

100: transistor
200: current sensing element
300: transistor protection unit
400: diode

Claims (16)

transistor;
A current sensing element having one end electrically connected to the transistor;
A transistor protection unit including a clear terminal, a preset terminal, and a clock terminal, and outputting an output signal based on a control signal applied to the transistor and a current sensed by the current sensing element; And
Including; a diode connected between the transistor protection unit and the transistor,
The transistor,
Shorted or opened by the control signal and the output signal of the transistor protection unit,
When the control signal is low, the transistor protection unit outputs a high signal, and the transistor is turned off,
When the control signal is high, the transistor is turned on.
The method of claim 1,
The diode is a transistor output protection circuit, characterized in that the Schottky diode (Schottky Diode).
The method of claim 2,
Wherein the diode enables a switch latch off operation when a short condition occurs in the transistor.
The method of claim 1,
The transistor is a transistor output protection circuit, characterized in that the BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor).
The method of claim 1,
The current sensing element is a transistor output protection circuit, characterized in that the resistance.
delete The method of claim 1,
When the control signal is high and the transistor is turned on and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, a rising edge is formed on the clock terminal of the transistor protection unit by the current sensing element. A signal is applied, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal by the rising edge signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor to open the collector and the emitter of the transistor. Transistor output protection circuit.
The method of claim 7,
The transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor to maintain the control signal high when the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open. In this case, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and the transistor maintains an open state.
The method of claim 7,
When the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, the control signal is low, And a clear terminal of the transistor protection part is low, the transistor protection part outputs a high signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor by the diode.
The method of claim 1,
The transistor,
When the control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, it is latched off when a low signal is applied from the transistor protection unit, and a high signal is applied from the transistor protection unit. A transistor output protection circuit, characterized in that the latch-off is released when received.
Receiving a control signal from the transistor protection unit and the transistor;
Sensing, by a current sensing element, a current applied to the transistor;
Outputting an output signal based on the control signal and the current sensed by the current sensing element by the transistor protection unit; And
Shorting or opening the transistor by the control signal and the output signal,
In the above paragraph or opening step,
When the control signal is low and the output signal is high, the transistor is turned off,
When the control signal is high, the transistor is turned on.
delete The method of claim 11,
In the above paragraph or opening step,
When the control signal is high and the transistor is turned on and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, a rising edge is formed on the clock terminal of the transistor protection unit by the current sensing element. A signal is applied, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal by the rising edge signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor to open the collector and the emitter of the transistor. How to operate the transistor output protection circuit.
The method of claim 13,
In the above paragraph or opening step,
The transistor protection unit outputs a low signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor to maintain the control signal high when the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open. In this case, the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal and the transistor maintains an open state.
The method of claim 13,
In the above paragraph or opening step,
When the transistor protection unit outputs a low signal and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor so that the collector and the emitter of the transistor are open, the control signal is low, The clear terminal of the transistor protection unit is low, so that the transistor protection unit outputs a high signal, and a low signal is applied to the base of the transistor by a diode connected between the transistor protection unit and the transistor. How to operate the transistor output protection circuit.
The method of claim 11,
In the above paragraph or opening step,
When the control signal is high and the current sensed by the current sensing element is greater than or equal to a preset specific value, the transistor is latched off when a low signal is applied from the transistor protection unit, and is high from the transistor protection unit. A method of operating a transistor output protection circuit, characterized in that the latch-off is released when a signal is applied.

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