Integrated circuit for driving inductive loads

An integrated circuit for driving inductive loads having at least one output terminal for connection to an inductive load and a reference terminal for connection to a reference potential, said output terminal having a variable output potential, said integrated circuit comprising:

• a semiconductor body including at least one substrate of one conductivity type;
• a plurality of isolated epitaxial regions having a conductivity type opposite to said one conductivity type and arranged adjacent to said substrate,
• one of said isolated epitaxial region comprising a first zone of said opposite conductivity type arranged adjacent to said substrate and forming therewith a first rectifying juction,
• a connection between said output terminal and said first zone;
• a second of said isolated epitaxial regions comprising a second zone of said opposite conductivity type and arranged adjacent to said substrate and forming therewith a second rectifying junction;
• a connection between said reference terminal and said second zone;
• a third of said isolated epitaxial regions accommodating a third zone of said one conductivity type defining a circuit ground region;
• a fourth zone of said opposite conductivity type arranged within said third zone and forming therewith a third rectifying junction;
• a connection between said reference terminal and thus said second zone and said fourth zone;
• said second rectifying junction connecting said substrate to said reference terminal when said output potential is greater than said reference potential;
• said first rectifying junction connecting said substrate to said output terminal when said output potential becomes smaller than said reference potential;
• and
• said third rectifying junction keeping said circuit ground region at a same potential as said substrate when said output potential is greater than said reference potential.