# US 11,451,225 B2 · Apparatus for driving a switching device and method of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,225 B2 - Document ID: US11451225B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/170,784 - Filed: 2021-02-08 - Published: 2021-09-16 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-13 - Assignees: Aptiv Technologies AG - Applicants: Aptiv Technologies Limited - Inventors: Emmanuel Boudoux; Markus Heinrich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451225B2 ## CPC - H03K 17/063: {in field-effect transistor switches} - H03K 17/687: the devices being field-effect transistors - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - H03K 17/04123: {in field-effect transistor switches} - H02J 7/345: {using capacitors as storage or buffering devices} - H03K 2217/0063: High side switches, i.e. the higher potential [DC] or life wire [AC] being directly connected to the switch and not via the load - H03K 2217/0081: Power supply means, e.g. to the switch driver - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract This publication describes apparatuses and methods for driving a switching device and providing for the fast start-up of the switching device. In an aspect, the apparatus includes a driver circuit and a starter circuit. The driver circuit for applying control signals to a control terminal of the switching device when activated. The switching device is activatable to drive a load in an operating mode when a control signal above a threshold voltage is applied to the control terminal. The starter circuit is coupled to the control terminal and includes an energy store and a switch operable to discharge the energy store to deliver a start-up voltage above the threshold to the control terminal. As such, the switching device can be activated during a delay period before the driver circuit can generate a control signal above the threshold voltage after being activated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a driver circuit for applying control signals to a control terminal of a switching device when activated, the switching device being activatable for driving a load in an operating mode when a control signal above a threshold voltage is applied to the control terminal; and a starter circuit coupled to the control terminal, the starter circuit comprising: an energy store comprising charging connections for connecting the energy store to a power source for charging the energy store; and a switch operable to discharge the energy store for delivering a start-up voltage above the threshold voltage to the control terminal for activating the switching device during a delay period before the driver circuit generates a control signal above the threshold voltage after being activated, the switch comprising a bypass connection for bypassing the charging connections when the switch is operated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a controller for actuating the switch to discharge the energy store in response an increased current demand by the load. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller actuates the switch for recharging the energy store after a predetermined time interval following actuation to discharge the energy store. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller actuates the switch for recharging the energy store in response to a detection of the switching device being activated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy store comprises: a capacitor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging connections further comprise: a diode for directing current discharged from the energy store to the control terminal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises: a battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a start-up connection for connecting the energy store to the control terminal of the switching device, wherein the start-up connection comprises a diode for preventing current flowing from the driver circuit to the energy store. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the start-up connection further comprises: a resistor connected between an anode of the diode and a negative terminal of the power source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the driver circuit comprises: an output connection for connecting the driver circuit to the control terminal, wherein the output connection comprises: a blocking component for preventing reverse current flowing to the driver circuit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blocking component comprises at least one of: a diode; or a bypass switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching device comprises: a MOSFET. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: generating a control signal; applying the control signal to a control terminal of a switching device when activated; determining if the control signal is above a threshold voltage; responsive to determining that the control signal is above the threshold voltage, activating the switching device to drive a load in an operating mode; storing a charge above the threshold voltage in an energy store, the energy store comprising charging connections for connecting the energy store to a power source for charging the energy store; and operating a switch to discharge the energy store to deliver a start-up voltage to the control terminal for activating the switching device during a delay period, wherein the delay period takes place before a control signal above the threshold voltage is generated after the switching device is activated, the switch comprising a bypass connection for bypassing the charging connections when the switch is operated. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining current demand by the load, wherein operating the switch comprises operating the switch to discharge the energy store responsive to determining an increased current demand by the load. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: responsive to determining an expiration of a predetermined time interval following operation of the switch, further operating the switch to recharge the energy store. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: responsive to detecting an activation of the switching device, further operating the switch to recharge the energy store. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the energy store comprises a capacitor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: directing, using a diode of the charging connections, current discharged from the energy store to the control terminal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the power source comprises a battery. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the switching device comprises a MOSFET.