Patent ID: 6127830
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B60R,B60T,H03K

Abstract:
A method of monitoring a control circuit having a number of output stages switching inductive loads, wherein the current flowing through the inductive loads is regulated by clocked driving of the output stages, and a free-wheeling current, created during free-wheeling phases upon blockage of the output stages by a drop in energy stored in the inductive loads, is conducted over a current path arranged parallel to the inductive loads and containing a switch; wherein the free-wheeling current created by the energy drop in the inductive loads is at least partially or temporarily routed via a switching element to a current measuring device and evaluated for the purpose of testing one of the output stages and the inductive loads wherein the individual output stages are tested in sequence by routing the free-wheeling current to a common current measuring device.