Continental Automotive Gmbh

Harald Schmauss

Walter Schrod

Gunther Wolfarth

Martin Goetzenberger

Johann Falter

Franz Laberer

Achim Reuther

Sven-Michael Eisen

Marco Well

Sergiu Muresan

Cristian Theil

A diagnostic circuit detects an interruption in a connection between a circuit arrangement having at least one first controllable switching element, which forms a load path between a first and a second load terminal, and a load connectable thereto. The load is connectable by the switching element to a supply voltage source with a first terminal for a high supply potential and a second terminal for a lower supply potential. At least one further controllable switching element forms a load path between a first and a second load terminal, the load path of which is connected in parallel to the load path of the first switching element. A control unit controls the control inputs of the first and of the further switching element, whereby the control unit is configured for the control of the first and of the further switching element in accordance with a time-adjustable operating sequence.

Diagnostic circuit and method for the operation of a diagnostic circuit

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil disposed as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuatable switching element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the primary winding and to the control input of the switching element. After charging the ignition coil, building up an ignition spark through non-conductive switching of the switching element, and after renewed conductive switching of the switching element for operating the ignition coil in transformer operation, the supply voltage of the control unit is detected and if a pre-determined value, representing the presence of a surface gap, is exceeded, the switching element is once more switched non-conductive.

Method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine

An apparatus for diagnosing a circuit arrangement for a short circuit and/or a line interruption. The circuit arrangement has at least two load circuits which are connected in parallel. A current measuring device for providing a current signal, which represents the current in the common supply line, is connected in a common supply line to the at least two parallel-connected load circuits. A voltage measuring device detect a node point voltage of each load circuit in the two switching states of the respective switching element. An evaluation device receives the current signal and the node point voltages, converts the current signal into at least one logic current value and the node point voltages into logic voltage values, and infers the type and location of the fault on the basis of prespecified combinations of the at least one logic current value and the logic voltage values.

Device for diagnosing a circuit arrangement

An integrated circuit has a controllable switching element, the load path of which is arranged between an output of the integrated circuit and a supply potential. A test unit is connected to the connections of the switching element in order to carry out tests. A control unit is connected to the test unit via at least one control line. The sequence of tests is carried out dependent on signals on the control line(s). A memory is connected to the control unit the content and the type of which determines the time of the tests. The memory is connected to an input of the integrated circuit in order to enter the content.

Integrated circuit for switching loads, circuit arrangement comprising an integrated circuit and a connected load, and method for operating such a circuit arrangement

A method identifies a short-line fault or line interruption in a circuit configuration having a series circuit of inductive load and controllable switching element. The series circuit is connected between high and low potentials of a supply voltage source. A connecting point between load and switching element is connected through at least one zener element to the high or low potential of the voltage source or the control connection of the switching element so that upon interruption of current flow through the load due to switching off the switching element, magnetic energy stored in the load can be reduced by a zener element becoming conductive. After switching off the switching element, the voltage at the connecting point is ascertained and a voltage pulse duration is compared with a first prescribed duration. If the duration is shorter than the first prescribed duration, a line interruption or a short is inferred.

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Donaustauf, Germany

Harald Schmauss