Abstract: A device (1) for stabilizing a supply voltage (UBatt) in a motor vehicle, having a function component of the motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a starter (4), a voltage source (10) which is connected to the function component (4) in order to supply the function component (4) with the supply voltage (UBatt), characterized in that the voltage source (10) is connected to the function component (4) via a resistor cascade (30) in order to stabilize the supply voltage (UBatt).

Abstract: A device (1) for stabilising a supply voltage (UBatt) in a motor vehicle, having a function component of the motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a starter (4), a voltage source (10) which is connected to the function component (4) in order to supply the function component (4) with the supply voltage (UBatt) characterised in that the voltage source (10) is connected to the function component (4) via a resistor cascade (30) in order to stabilise the supply voltage (UBatt).

Abstract: A method for determining the buffering effect of the battery (2) for providing a voltage (U) for a power supply system (4), in particular for a vehicle, is provided in order to identify serviceability of a battery as easily and reliably as possible, in which method any voltage change and any current change are detected cyclically, the dynamic internal resistance of the battery is determined on the basis of the quotient of the voltage change and the current change, the specific dynamic internal resistance is monitored for exceeding an extreme value which can be predetermined, and a statement of the buffering effect of the battery is made and is output. In this case, the buffering effect of the battery is better, the smaller the quotient of the voltage change and current change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (7) for protection of an electrical device. In this case, the device is connected via one pole terminal (4) to one pole (3) of a battery (1) . A protective contact unit (9) has a connecting section (10) which is connected directly to the pole terminal (4), and has a starting assistance contact section (11) which is connected to the connecting section (10) via a switch (12). An evaluation circuit (15) operates the switch (12) in order to disconnect the electrical connection between the starting assistance contact section (11) and the connecting section (10) as soon as the evaluation circuit (15) detects a fault current.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for supplying quiescent current to a vehicle having a multi-voltage on-board electrical system with at least two on-board electrical subsystems having different voltage levels during normal operation. The voltage levels of the on-board electrical subsystems are reduced to a uniform value when the engine is stationary.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining the freezing point of a washer fluid with a heater for heating the washer fluid. The invention provides a temperature sensor, which provides continuous electric signals, which represent the current temperature values of the washer fluid, and an analyzing and controlling unit, which ascertains the temperature behavior of the washer fluid from the signals and determines the characteristic values of the washer fluid from the ascertained temperature behavior.

Abstract: A method for determining the ability of a vehicle to start, in order to detect the operational capability of a battery, in particular of a vehicle battery, in a particularly simple and reliable way. Current values and voltage values of the battery are sensed during a predefined time window, in particular while the vehicle is being started. An internal resistance of the battery is determined by reference to the current values and the voltage values by means of linear regression, and a reference resistance value for the starting behavior of the vehicle is determined by reference to a maximum value for the current and a minimum value for the voltage which are sensed within the predefined time window. A value which represents the ability to start is determined by reference to a comparison between the internal resistance and the reference resistance value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic fuse element having a closed housing consisting of an electrically conductive material, in which an explosive is provided, the housing containing two terminal zones for electric contacting, which are electrically connected by means of the electrically conductive material of the housing, the electric connection of the terminal zones being separable by activating the explosive, and the explosive material being embodied as a deflagrating pyrotechnic substance which is provided in such an amount and is configured such that the electric connection of the terminal zones of the housing is separated in a predetermined time after the deflagrating pyrotechnic substance has been activated.

Abstract: In order to recognize an electric arc in a 42V vehicle electrical system and initiate suitable protective measures, a detection line is at least partially guided along a current conducting supply line for the protection thereof, whereby the current flow (IV) in the supply line is at least reduced by means of a detection flow (ID) flowing along the detection line when an electric arc occurs.

Abstract: A method for determining the buffering effect of the battery (2) for providing a voltage (U) for a power supply system (4), in particular for a vehicle, is provided in order to identify serviceability of a battery as easily and reliably as possible, in which method any voltage change and any current change are detected cyclically, the dynamic internal resistance of the battery is determined on the basis of the quotient of the voltage change and the current change, the specific dynamic internal resistance is monitored for exceeding an extreme value which can be predetermined, and a statement of the buffering effect of the battery is made and is output. In this case, the buffering effect of the battery is better, the smaller the quotient of the voltage change and current change.

Abstract: A method for determining the performance of a battery for providing a vehicle power supply system voltage for a vehicle power supply system in particular in a vehicle, is provided in order to identify the serviceability of a battery in as simple and reliable a manner as possible, in which method the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) is recorded, in which process the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and the vehicle power supply system current (I) are monitored for an operating mode which can be predetermined within a time window (Z) which can be predetermined, such that the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) at the end of the time window (Z) exceeds a limit value (G) which can be predetermined, as a function of the vehicle power supply system current (I) which is emitted during that operating mode.

Abstract: A device for identification of an external start is fitted in a vehicle which has an electrical on-board power supply system (14) fed with an on-board power supply system voltage of about 12.5 V via a vehicle battery (10). A negative pole (11) of the battery (10) is connected to a vehicle earth (15). A monitoring unit (13) is arranged between a positive pole (12) of the battery (10) and the on-board power supply system (14). A conventional voltage sensor (20) for detection of the on-board power supply system voltage, a similarly conventional current sensor (21) for detection of the current flowing out of the battery, and a conventional temperature sensor (22) for detection of the operating temperature of the battery (10) are provided in the monitoring unit (13). The main measurement variable is the on-board power supply system voltage; the battery current and the battery temperature represent auxiliary measurement variables in a monitoring algorithm.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for protecting a multiple voltage supply system against voltage arc-over between the different voltage planes. For this, the voltage in the low-voltage plane of the supply system is clamped to the low-voltage value with a voltage limiter until a battery disconnect switch in the high-voltage plane of the supply system is opened and the generator output voltage in the high-voltage plane is adjusted back to the voltage value of the low-voltage plane. As a result, the high-voltage plane of the supply system is disconnected from the high-voltage sources. Consequently, the voltage in the low-voltage plane is prevented from increasing even in case of a short-circuit between both voltage planes of the supply system and the consumers in the low-voltage plane can continue to be operated safely.

Abstract: A method for operating a safety device for motor vehicles which contains a multistage high-current battery isolating switch, disconnection of the battery from the vehicle's electrical system being blocked by vehicle operating signals, is characterized in that, to reactivate the vehicle, door contact switches are actuated and feed battery current to a switching logic which actuates the battery isolating switch by motor operation, in such a way that said switching logic moves the battery isolating switch into a standard position which connects the vehicle's electrical system to the battery.

Abstract: A control device for the driving motor (10) of a windshield system. A manually operated wiper switch (18) is provided for selecting an operating mode, in at least one of which the wiper speed is automatically controlled by a characteristic curve and the signal from a rain sensor (13). To modify the characteristic curve based on the use of the system by an individual driver, the manually operated wiper switch (18) conveys control commands to an adaptation algorithm control in a control circuit (16). The control circuit (16), in response to switching out of the automatic mode, generates a new characteristic curve at a modified operating point, with the new characteristic curve incorporating the modified operating point. When the switching stage which is dependent on the quantity of rain is again activated, the diving motor (11) is controlled according to the new characteristic curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a potential distribution system for the potential distribution to consumers and suited connectors. The potential distribution system contains a central supply line to which connectors can be joined to the consumer by means of a clamping device, preferably a cutting-clamping device, at freely selectable points. Each connector contains a self reset fuse for the consumer.

Abstract: A wiper rest heater is connected to a sensor. The sensor, when temperatures are low, directly or indirectly measures whether or not the windshield wiper can be moved when the wiper motor is switched on, without thereby damaging the wiper blade element or the motor. As a function of this, the wiper rest heater is then either switched on or off by an intelligent control.

Abstract: A device for identification of an external start is fitted in a vehicle which has an electrical on-board power supply system (14) fed with an on-board power supply system voltage of about 12.5 V via a vehicle battery (10). A negative pole (11) of the battery (10) is connected to a vehicle earth (15). A monitoring unit (13) is arranged between a positive pole (12) of the battery (10) and the on-board power supply system (14). A conventional voltage sensor (20) for detection of the on-board power supply system voltage, a similarly conventional current sensor (21) for detection of the current flowing out of the battery, and a conventional temperature sensor (22) for detection of the operating temperature of the battery (10) are provided in the monitoring unit (13). The main measurement variable is the on-board power supply system voltage; the battery current and the battery temperature represent auxiliary measurement variables in a monitoring algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for protecting consumers from damage caused by polarity reversal in an electrical system, comprising a limiter and a tripping device, wherein the system voltage supply is limited when polarity is reversed and the voltage source connected with reversed polarity can be disconnected.

Abstract: The response time of a melting fuse is controlled or influenced by temporarily boosting a threshold level from a first constant value (I.sub.1) to a second dynamic value (I.sub.2) which is then caused to decay in a controlled manner during a fixed time between (t.sub.1) and (t.sub.2) and in accordance with a selectable decay function. If a current (m) flowing through the fuse exceeds the decaying threshold value a fuse blowing current is generated and supplied to the fuse, whereby the fuse blows sooner than it would have, if the excess current had prevailed for a long enough time between (t.sub.1) and (t.sub.X). On the other hand, the fuse does not blow in response to short duration transient excess currents that occur, for example at starting an engine. The engine start impulse which may be used to temporarily raise the threshold value from (I.sub.1) to (I.sub.2) and then cause said controlled decay.