Glow time control device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glow time control device (100) for controlling glow rods (206-209) in a vehicle (200). The glow time control device (100) comprises a control unit (IC1), at least two power transistors (T1, T4) and a protective circuit (T6, T7). The control unit (IC1) comprises a control output (GG1) for emitting a control signal, a supply voltage input (VCC) and a supply voltage output (VDD). The control unit (IC1) provides an output voltage at the supply voltage output (VDD) depending on a voltage at the supply voltage input (VCC). A corresponding glow rod control output (G1, G4) is assigned to each of the power transistors (T1, T4) and the control inputs of the power transistors (T1, T4) are coupled to the control output (GG1). The protective circuit (T6, T7) comprises a protective circuit output which is coupled to the control inputs of the power transistors (T1, T4), and an input which is coupled to the supply voltage output (VDD). The protective circuit adjusts a predefined potential at the protective circuit output if the output voltage of the control unit (IC1) is below a predefined value.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.