Structure and method of thermally protecting power devices for airbag deployment

Abstract

System and method protects power drivers () and () that are used for airbag deployment. Temperature sensors () are strategically located on the integrated circuit () to detect temperature levels in power drivers () and (). When the temperature in the power drivers () and () reaches a maximum level, an output is provided to logic block (). Current detecting circuit () provides an output when the current flowing in power driver () reaches a desired level. Timing circuit () is activated when it receives the output from current detecting circuit (). At the expiration of the time, timing circuit () provides an output to logic block (). When logic block () receives both outputs, logic block () shuts drivers () and () down. When temperature sensors () detects that the temperature in integrated circuit () has reached a minimum level, logic block () reactivates drivers () and ().