High-voltage switch having series-connected light-responsive sem

Details High-voltage switch having series-connected light-responsive sem High-voltage switch having series-connected light-responsive sem

1993-01-26

1994-11-29

Nelms, David C.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Signal isolator

327514, G02B 2700

Patent

active

053692837

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high-voltage switch and, more particularly, to a high-voltage switch for an ignition voltage distributor of an internal combustion engine.
A high-voltage switch is known consisting of a plurality of series-connected semiconductor elements, especially sweep diodes in cascade connection, coated with a translucent insulation. When a predetermined voltage is applied the high-voltage switch suddenly switches to a conductive state in such a way that on irradiation of the light sensitive zones of the semiconductor elements by a light emitting element, the high voltage switch switches. From EP 0 377 619, a high-voltage switch is known, which operates as an ignition voltage distributor under static high-voltage distribution. This high-voltage switch comprises semiconductor elements which have light sensitive zones. The light sensitive zones can be driven by light emitting elements so that they switch at a predetermined time, corresponding to the ignition sequence, for example. In the known arrangements, light guides or light diodes are arranged opposite the light sensitive zones of the high-voltage switch. The disadvantage in this arrangement is that a portion of the light energy is lost to the environment, whereby the functional reliability of the high-voltage switch is impaired.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-voltage switch, particularly for an ignition voltage distributor of an internal combustion engine, which does not have the above-described disadvantage.
This object, and others which will be made more apparent hereinafter, is attained in a high-voltage switch consisting of a plurality of series-connected semiconductor elements, especially sweep diodes in cascade connection, coated with a translucent insulator, structured so that, when a predetermined voltage is applied the high-voltage switch suddenly switches to a conductive state, in such a way that on irradiation of the light sensitive zones of the semiconductor elements by a light emitting element, the high voltage switch switches.
According to the invention the high-voltage switch has light concentrating means for transmitting light energy from the light emitting element to the light sensitive zones with minimum los of light energy.
In contrast, the arrangement in accordance with the invention has the advantage that the light energy is transmitted with little loss by virtue of a "light bundle" design of the transition between the light emitting element and the light sensitive zone of the high-voltage switch, and that the functional reliability is improved.
The light concentrating means can be a structural element having an optical lens effect arranged between the light emitting means and the light sensitive zones of the semiconductor elements. However a glass cover can also be provided on the semiconductor elements for concentrating the light. The semiconductor elements can be arranged in a reflector which acts as the light concentrating means, or, a metallized light guide piece can be arranged next to the semiconductor elements to transmit the light energy to the semiconductor elements. Finally, a thin transparent insulating layer can be provided on the semiconductor elements, the light guide can be arranged next to the semiconductor elements and can be specially designed with notches or nodules adjacent the light sensitive zones. It is also advantageous to irradiate only a portion of the semiconductor elements with light so that only a portion of the semiconductor elements are switched and the remainder are switched when a definite breakdown voltage is reached.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: high-voltage switches according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a transitional region in a high-voltage switch accord

REFERENCES:
patent: 4577114 (1986-03-01), Levy et al.
patent: 4695733 (1987-09-01), Pesavento
patent: 4899204 (1990-02-01), Rosen et al.
patent: 4900947 (1990-02-01), Weiner et al.
patent: 5047623 (1991-09-01), Wilcox
patent: 5155352 (1992-10-01), Kim et al.

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