Patent ID: 10548186

Abstract:
A control device controls a heating device for heating a component, in particular a lambda sensor. The method comprises the cyclically repeating steps: operating the heating device at a heating voltage, ascertaining a current heating voltage (U_H_a) of the heating device, ascertaining a mean heating voltage (U_H_m) for a predetermined, immediately preceding period of time, determining a maximum permissible heating period (T_max) for which the component may be heated for the maximum length of time using the current heating voltage (U_H_a) or using the mean heating voltage (U_H_m), in dependence upon the mean heating voltage (U_H_m), comparing the current heating voltage (U_H_a) and the mean heating voltage (U_H_m) with a predetermined minimum heating voltage (U_H_min), and reducing the heating voltage of the heating device if the current heating voltage (U_H_a) and/or the mean heating voltage (U_H_m) exceeds the predetermined minimum heating voltage (U_H_min) for the duration of the maximum permissible heating period (T_max).