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:
Nov. 20, 2001
Filed:
May. 09, 2000
Volker Koelsch, Stuttgart, DE;
Rainer Topp, Reutlingen, DE;
Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, DE;
Abstract
An apparatus for switching loads, based on a starting signal, having a first MOSFET output stage and a second downstream MOSFET output stage, each of the MOSFET output stages being controllable by a logic circuit, with a power supply voltage of the downstream MOSFET output stage being supplied over the first MOSFET output stage. The apparatus includes a line that is adapted to connect each logic circuit of the MOSFET output stages and to provide an input voltage to a logic circuit of the downstream MOSFET output stage. The apparatus also includes a monitoring arrangement, which is activated by the starting signal, that is adapted to monitor the power supply voltage of the downstream MOSFET output stage and prevent activation of the first MOSFET output stage when the power supply voltage is below a predetermined value. Also included in this apparatus is a varying arrangement that is adapted to vary the input voltage when the first MOSFET output stage is activated based on the starting signal, and an activating arrangement that is adapted to activate the downstream MOSFET output stage. The activating arrangement includes a controlling arrangement, which is connected to the line and to another line connecting the MOSFET output stages, that is adapted to control activation of the downstream MOSFET output stage and prevent activation when the power supply voltage exceeds a threshold potential and the starting signal is not detected.