Active disconnect device

A disconnect device for an automobile vehicle, comprising:

• a mounting plate having:
• a thermally conductive and electrically insulated substrate applied onto the mounting plate;
• a first layer of an electrically conductive material applied onto the substrate;
• a semiconductor switch supported on the first layer connecting or disconnecting an input power source to or from a load;
• a second layer of an electrically conductive material applied onto the substrate electrically isolated from the first layer;
• and
• an electronic sensing, control and protection circuit supported on the second layer and connected to the semiconductor switch to control operation of the semiconductor switch;
• and
• a control unit in communication with the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit via an electrically isolated control path to provide control and communication between the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit and the semiconductor switch.

A method for operating a disconnect device, comprising:

• installing a thermally conductive substrate onto a mounting plate;
• attaching a first layer of an electrically conductive material onto the substrate;
• supporting a semiconductor switch on the first layer acting to connect or disconnect an input power source to or from a load;
• electrically isolating a second layer of an electrically conductive material on the substrate from the first layer;
• connecting an electronic sensing, control and protection circuit to the second layer and to the semiconductor switch to control operation of the semiconductor switch;
• and
• providing a control unit in communication with the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit via an electrically isolated control path to provide control and communication between the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit and the semiconductor switch.