Patent ID: 7212390

Claim:
An electronic control circuit for a starter contacter for a motor vehicle, the said contacter ( 16 ) comprising a power contact ( 20 ) for supplying power to the electric motor ( 12 ) of the starter ( 10 ), and at least one excitation winding ( 18 ) for actuating the power contact ( 20 ) between an open position and a closed position, the said control circuit including a management unit ( 26 ) having: first means for detecting the open or closed state of the power contact ( 20 ), and second means for regulating the power supply to the winding ( 18 ) during the starting cycle when the power contact ( 20 ) is still open after a predetermined time after the commencement of the order for starting, wherein the second means are arranged to produce automatically, during a period of time, a series of pulses delivered to the winding ( 18 ), in such a way as to reiterate activation of the contacter ( 16 ) so long as the order for starting is maintained, and for modifying the intensity of the power supplied to the winding ( 18 ) during the said period of time, or when the operator repeats the demand for starting in the event of non-closure of the moving contact ( 20 ).