Device for prompting a controller

• US 7,196,431 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Burani Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Huber, Walter, Eckert, Gerhard, Nagel, Gerhard, Schoener, Hans-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/882,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20050023898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode

Abstract

A device for prompting a controller in a vehicle to switch the controller from a normal operating state into an idle state includes a prompting device which switches a power supply through to the controller when activated to bring it into the normal operating state. The prompting device is connected in series to a first condenser and a resistor between power supply lines. A central tap between the first condenser and the resistor is connected directly or indirectly with the control input of a first transistor. An output of the first transistor is connected directly or indirectly with a control input of a second transistor that switches the supply current for the controller to be prompted. A connection line led back from the second transistor to the node between central tap and control input of the first transistor.

Claims

1. A device for prompting a controller in a vehicle having a power supply circuit for the controller, to transfer the controller from an idle state into a normal operating state, said device comprising:

a prompting means actuatable for switching the power supply through to bring the controller into the normal operating state;

wherein

the prompting means is connected in series with an impulse generator stage, between power supply lines;

the impulse generator stage has a central tap which is connected directly or indirectly with the control input of a first transistor;

an output of the first transistor is connected directly or indirectly with a control input of a second transistor that connects the supply power with the controller; and

a connection line from an output of the second transistor is fed back to a node in a conductor which connects the central tap and the control input of the first transistor, for self-holding of the through switching state of the second transistor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the impulse generator stage comprises a first condenser and a resistor connected in series.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein a second condenser is connected into the connection between central tap and control input of the first transistor.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein a resistor is provided parallel to the first condenser through which the first condenser can discharge.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the prompting device has at least one operating switch allocated to the controller to be prompted and connected parallel.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one parallel connected operating switch is connected together in a wired on circuit so that the activation of each of the operating switches leads to the prompting process of the controller.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein each of the at least one parallel connected operating switch is connected through a diode with the ground line of the means of transport and with the first condenser.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the prompting device has two groups of operating switches which both prompt the same controller; and

the operating switch of one group are electrically connected conductive with a respective further controller.

9. Apparatus for prompting a controller to change from an idle state to an active state, said apparatus comprising:

a first electronic switch having a control input and a first interruptible current path connected between a power supply source and a fixed potential;

a second electronic switch having a control input connected to a voltage at said first interruptible flow path, and having a second interruptible flow path connected between said power supply source and said controller;

an impulse generator;

an input switching device connected in series with said impulse generator, for interruptibly connecting said impulse generator to said power supply source;

a first connecting line which connects said control input of said first electronic switch directly or indirectly to a central top of said impulse generator; and

a second connection line which connects said second current flow path directly or indirectly to a node in said first connecting line.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the impulse generator comprises a first condenser and a resistor connected in series.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein a second condenser is connected into the connection between central tap and control input of the first transistor.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein a resistor is provided parallel to the first condenser through which the first condenser can discharge.