Patent ID: 8508966
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: B60L,H02M

Abstract:
1. A power switching device for switching an electric circuit connecting a DC power supply and a capacitance element in response to a command from an external source, the power switching device comprising: one or more semiconductor elements, inserted along the electric circuit, each allowing current to flow at or below a maximum current determined according to a level of an input control signal, the current corresponding to a difference between a voltage of the DC power supply and a charging voltage of the capacitance element; a controller outputting a control signal individually to each of the one or more semiconductor elements; and a temperature detection circuit detecting a temperature of the one or more semiconductor elements, wherein until a predetermined time period elapses after receipt of a command to place the electric circuit into a closed state, the controller adjusts the level of each control signal in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit so that current flowing through the electric circuit does not exceed a current limit, and after the predetermined time period elapses, the controller adjusts the level of each control signal so that the current flowing through the electric circuit is allowed to exceed the current limit.