The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 05, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 07, 2020
Hitachi Astemo Americas, Inc., Harrodsburg, KY (US);
Muaiad Al-Habib, Dearborn Heights, MI (US);
HITACHI ASTEMO AMERICAS, INC., Harrodsburg, KY (US);
Abstract
In some examples, an ECU includes a microcontroller, a first load switch, a first amplifier, a first control circuit, and an internal ground connected to an external ground. The first load switch is operable to connect and disconnect the ECU from a first ground path to the external ground. The first amplifier is operable to sense a current flow relative to the first ground path. The first control circuit is operable to receive an output from the first amplifier and to control the first load switch. When the ECU is non-operational and the microcontroller is in an OFF state, the first amplifier is operable to sense current indicative of a ground fault occurring relative to the first ground path. In response, the first amplifier outputs a signal which causes the first load switch to disconnect the internal ground from the first ground path.