Circuit configuration for the starter of an automotive internal combustion engine

• US 6,795,766 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Gruenewald, Martin, Theisen, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Willis R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Johnny H.
• Application Number:
  US09/937,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.1, 123/179.14, 123/179.25, 123/179.3, 701/104, 701/103, 701/105, 701/113, 701/114, 701/115
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2250/02 Battery voltage drop at start, e.g. drops causing ECU reset

Abstract

According to the invention, a circuit arrangement for a starter of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine is proposed, with which the starting relay (4) remains activated during a time-limited voltage dip (undervoltage of the battery). Between a computer (19) and an end stage (3) for triggering the starting relay (4), a memory circuit (2) is connected to a locking circuit (1), which in the event of undervoltage of the battery (20) maintains the status at a control input STEN during the voltage dip. A computer (19) which has entered a reset mode during the voltage dip is reactivated after the termination of the voltage dip and controls the locking circuit (1) in such a way that the starting relay (4) now continues to be triggered via the control input STEN. To obtain a defined outset state of the flip-flop (14, 15) upon reconnection of the battery, an RC member is disposed in the memory circuit.

Claims

1. A circuit arrangement for controlling a starting relay of a starter for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, comprising,

a battery (20), wherein said battery is electrically connected to the starting relay (4);

a computer (19) that is disposed in the control circuit of the starting relay (4), wherein between the computer (19) and the starting relay (4), a memory circuit (2) is disposed, wherein said memory circuit is embodied to maintain the existing control signal (STEN) for the starting relay (4) during a chronologically limited undervoltage of the battery (20), wherein between the comouter (19) and the memory circuit (2), a locking circuit (1) is disposed, and wherein the locking circuit (1) detects the instantaneous logic state at a control input (STEN) and stores it in memory with the aid of the memory circuit (2).

2. The circuit arrangement of claim 1, wherein the memory circuit (2) has a ftip-flop (14, 15).

3. The circuit arrangement of claim 2, wherein the flip-flop (14, 15) is settable by means of an RC circuit (17, 18) in such a way that the starting relay (4) is set to the inactive state upon reapplication of the battery voltage.

4. The circuit arrangement of claim 1, wherein the locking circuit (1) is embodied to maintain the triggering for the starting relay (4) if the computer (19) is in a reset mode.

5. The circuit arrangement of claim 1, wherein the computer (19) switches the locking circuit (1) to be inactive once the undervoltage of the battery (20) is ended.

6. The circuit arrangement of claim 1, wherein the computer (19) has a program with which the locking circuit (1) and/or the memory circuit (2) can be controlled.

7. The circuit arrangement of claim 1, wherein the locking circuit and memory circuit (1, 2) span a voltage dip down to approximately 0 volts.

8. The circuit arrangement claim 7, wherein voltages up to approximately 4 volts can be spanned without chronological limitation, and voltages under 4 volts can be spanned with chronological limitation.