Patent ID: 8166946

Claim:
A diesel engine start-up assisting device enabling start-up of a diesel engine when power distribution is applied to at least one of multiple electrical loads, comprising: a plurality of start-up assisting units, each of which includes: a first switching element arranged in a first power distribution path extending from a direct-current power source to each of the electrical loads to energize or cut off the first power distribution path, based on a drive command signal inputted to a control terminal of the first switching element; a drive unit that outputs a drive command signal for driving the first switching element in response to a control command signal inputted from an external control unit to control power distribution to the electrical load; a second switching element arranged in a second power distribution path to supply a predetermined load with a current from the direct-current power source, the second switching element having its control terminal connected to the first switching element thereby passing an electric current proportional to the first switching element; a current sensing unit that detects an electrical current flowing through the second power distribution path; a current output element that outputs an electrical current reduced in proportion to the electrical current flowing through the second power distribution path; an overcurrent protective unit that judges an occurrence of overcurrent when a current detection signal detected by the current sensing unit exceeds a predetermined value and further outputs a power distribution stop signal to the drive unit, thereby bringing the power distribution through the first power distribution path into a stop to protect the first switching element; and an input-and-output unit that supplies the plurality of start-up assisting units with the control command signal and outputs a plurality of current output signals detected by the plurality of current output units to the external control unit thereby to allow the external control unit to generate the control command signal, wherein the plurality of start-up assisting units and the input-and-output unit are integrated into one package having a lead frame, defining the first switching element and the second switching element as a pair of switching elements, the plurality of first switching elements and the plurality of second switching elements are arranged in parallel with each other on the lead frame, and wherein the lead frame has a notch part formed between two pairs of switching elements adjoined to each other.