Patent ID: 7236893

Claim:
An apparatus for supplying voltage to a plurality of loads in a vehicle having a vehicle power supply system which includes at least a first energy store that is connected in a starter circuit element to a starter for starting an engine, and a second energy store that is connected in a load circuit element to load components, said apparatus comprising: a controller including a data processing unit, and a coupling element that is operable to connect the starter circuit element to the load circuit element; additional coupling elements, each of which is operable to connect one safety related load to the starter circuit element; and a measurement device for providing data from which the data processing unit can determine a state of the respective energy stores in the starter and load circuit elements, and data concerning current flowing through and voltage across a safety related load, whereby the data processing unit can continuously monitor a state of each respective energy store for the starter and load circuit elements as well as the safety related loads, and the paths to the safety related loads, and the data processing unit can also control switching of at least one of the coupling element and the additional coupling elements, in response to said state; wherein: the data processing unit uses voltage of the first energy store, which is applied to respective safety related loads by associated disconnected coupling elements, for current-free monitoring and determination of the availability of supply to the respective safety-relevant load independently of the state of the load circuit element; and the controller drives at least one of a coupling element and a safety device corresponding to determined availability of the supply.