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 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A control device operates a window wiper in a motor vehicle, and includes a switching device for the selection of several wiping functions, a sensor device for determining a wetting degree of a window, and an electronic analyzing system. The window wiper is capable of being operated, depending on the wiping function selected by the user, in a continuous wiping operation and/or in a single wiping operation. The electronic analyzing system, during a first wiping function, analyzes the determined wetting degree of the window and, depending on the determined wetting degree of the window, in a continuous wiping operation, sets a wiping frequency and/or, in a single wiping operation, activates a wiping cycle for the window wiper.

Abstract: An overvoltage protective arrangement to protect an electrical installation against overvoltages, which installation has an onboard power supply system fed by an electrical D.C. generator (9) and electrical devices connected thereto. The overvoltage protective arrangement is provided with a limiting device whose threshold value is above the rated generator voltage.