Temic Telefunken Microelectronic Gmbh

Temic Semiconductor Gmbh

Hella Kg Hueck and Co.

Andreas Fritz

Roland Schropp

Hans-Josef Evens

Robin D Ray

A blinker-hazard flasher circuit has a single comparator (,) for comparing measured circuit output signals (,) containing information with reference signals having different voltage threshold levels to ascertain the information regarding the status of the flasher circuit, for example whether there is a short-circuit or whether the lamps operated by the circuit are in an operational or failed condition. A reference signal generator (,) for generating reference signals at the different voltage threshold levels receives control signals from a central processing unit. These control signals determine the sequence of the voltage threshold levels. The different levels of the reference signals provide different comparator output signals which are further processed and evaluated for obtaining the status information in response to the measured circuit output signals.

Method and circuit arrangement for comparing output signals with reference signals having different reference levels

An electronic blinker circuit for a vehicle has an analog relay control section (24) and a digital circuit control section (25) arranged in a housing having only eight terminals. A holding circuit in the digital circuit section prevents an unintended oscillation when relay contacts are opened while a manual warn-blinker switch is still closed. When the engine ignition is switched off the blinker circuit requires a low quiescent current flow that is typically only 10 .mu.A.

Electronic blinker

A method and an electronic circuit are for monitoring the operation of a circuit including a plurality of intermittently powered parallel load elements, such as the flasher lamps of a vehicle. The total load current is directed through a measuring shunt resistor, and the resulting voltage across the shunt is measured and evaluated. The measured voltage initially arising across the shunt is used as a basis to establish a first voltage level for a load failure control threshold. A second voltage level greater than the first voltage level is established as a short-circuit control threshold. Then, the voltage value arising across the shunt during operation of the circuit is compared to the load failure control threshold and the short-circuit control threshold, and a load failure or a short-circuit is detected dependent upon and responsive to the result of these comparisons. If the measured voltage exceeds the first voltage threshold but not the short-circuit control threshold, then a higher voltage level is established as the load failure control threshold. The method and circuit arrangement are self-evaluating and self-adapting for different current flow conditions, and are suitable for use in a variety of load circuits, particularly a variety of different vehicle flasher light system configurations.

Electronic flasher unit for vehicle lighting system and method of

An electronic flasher unit for one or more flashing lamps activated by flasher switches is described. The flasher unit has at least three control inputs and an integrated circuit for controlling a flashing relay with relay contacts. In addition, further switching means are provided that can be used to alter the operating state of the integrated circuit as a function of the switch settings of the flasher switches and the ignition switch.

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Brackenheim, Germany

Andreas Fritz