Patent ID: 7626795
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: H01L,H02H

Abstract:
1. A device for protecting a current consumer, the current consumer comprising a current path between two current path terminals and a control terminal to which a control signal may be applied by means of which a current through the current path is controllable, comprising: a detector for detecting the current in the current path; and an alterer for altering the control signal, wherein the alterer for altering the control signal is implemented to alter the control signal such that when a current value above a threshold value is detected the control signal causes a current reduction, wherein the control signal is a control voltage, wherein the alterer for altering the control signal is implemented as a thyristor which is connected between the control input and a reference terminal such that the control voltage is applied to the thyristor, wherein the thyristor additionally comprises an ignition input to which the control signal of the detector for detecting the current may be applied, and wherein the thyristor comprises semiconductor layers which are such that the thyristor becomes conducting without an ignition signal when exceeding a temperature threshold, wherein the semiconductor layers are implemented such that the temperature threshold corresponds to a maximum temperature allowed for the current consumer.