Bosch launches new microchip to prevent electric shock in electric car accidents

There are more and more electric vehicles on the road , but many drivers do not know what to do and what not to do in the event of a collision. At the same time, the use of batteries and motors also brings new challenges to rescue workers, such as electric shock and spontaneous combustion. In fact, electric vehicles also have safety features to deal with collision accidents. A recent Bosch invention can prevent people from being electrocuted after an electric vehicle accident.

Bosch provides automakers with new semiconductor chips for use in special systems. The specially designed microchips can quickly cut off the vehicle's power circuit in less than a second, allowing rescue workers to start work immediately while ensuring the personal safety of first aid workers and vehicle passengers.

Controlled small explosion to isolate the current

Many people are concerned about battery damage and leakage caused by vehicle collisions. After all, these batteries can provide voltages of up to 400-800V. Since Bosch semiconductor chips ensure that the high-voltage battery is automatically disconnected, no one at the accident scene can come into contact with the current-carrying parts. The semiconductor device "explodes" with micro-explosives to quickly and effectively cut off the safety switch system or high-temperature fuse, disconnecting the connection between the cable and the high-voltage battery.

Complex circuits on a few square millimeters of silicon

The integrated circuit CG912 in the pyrotechnic safety switch system is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Automotive safety is one of its specific applications. This ASIC is no bigger than a fingernail, but it combines millions of transistors and is custom designed to reliably activate the safety function in less than 1 second.

The integrated circuit CG912 was originally developed by Bosch for triggering airbags and has now reliably completed millions of tests. Modern vehicles often contain dozens of integrated circuits that control not only safety functions (such as airbags and seat belt pretensioners), but also cruise control, distance sensors, high beam assist, lane keeping support, rain sensors and driver drowsiness detection. Today, microchips are used in almost all areas of automotive engineering.