WO2020245099A1

WO2020245099A1 - Circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle, vehicle and method

Info

Publication number: WO2020245099A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/065166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albert Finkenzeller
Original assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-06-03
Filing date: 2020-06-02
Publication date: 2020-12-10
Also published as: JP7280389B2; DE102019208065B4; JP2022535070A; DE102019208065A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit (1) for controlling an electric motor (2) of a window lifter (3) of a vehicle (4), wherein the electric motor (2) is configured to open a window (7), assigned to the window lifter (3), when a supply voltage (US) is applied to a first pole (5) and a ground potential (UM) is simultaneously applied to the second pole (6). The invention provides that the circuit (1) has an activation element (9) which is configured to provide, when said element is activated, an activation signal (10) at a first input connection (11) of an auxiliary circuit (12), wherein the auxiliary circuit (12) is configured to provide a second supply potential (US2) at the first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) when the activation signal (10) is applied to the first input connection (12) and an activation signal (15) is simultaneously applied to a second input connection (13) of the auxiliary circuit (12).

Description

description

Circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window regulator

Vehicle, vehicle and procedure

The invention relates to a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle, a vehicle with a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter and a method for operating a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter

Vehicle.

Window lifters for opening and closing a window of a motor vehicle can be operated manually or electrically. Electrically operated

Window lifters have an electric motor which drives the respective window up or down to open or close depending on its direction of rotation along a guide. To control the electric motor, window lifters have an electrical circuit, via which the direction of rotation of the electric motor can be set. To open and close the

Window in an electric window regulator, the driver usually has to operate a window regulator switch. Provision is made to prevent the window from being closed in certain situations by consciously or accidentally actuation of the window switch by the driver. These situations can include, for example, water entering the vehicle. In the specific case, the driver should only be able to open the window.

For this purpose, some electrical circuits for controlling the electric motor of the window lifter have secondary circuits that prevent the window from closing in certain situations. These secondary circuits are often relay circuits. In the case of purely relay-based circuits, there is the disadvantage that a speed control of the electric motor is not possible because this is usually via a means

Pulse width modulation taking place in semiconductor switch elements takes place. To overcome this disadvantage, mixed circuits are provided which include both relays and semiconductor switch elements. About the

Semiconductor switch elements is an operation of the in normal operation

Window regulator with the cruise control allows. In the case of one

A water ingress is detected by a control system Relay-based secondary circuit. However, these mixed circuits have a higher cost.

US 6515377 B1 discloses a circuit for controlling electric windows, sliding roofs or door locks in motor vehicles. The

The circuit is set up to initiate emergency operation after a functional failure or malfunction of parts of the circuit has been detected.

JP 2016 074332 A discloses a control for an actuator. The control is set up to ensure correct operation of an actuator as a function of user activation when water ingress occurs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a circuit which both a safe operation in the event of water ingress, and a

Speed control allows in a normal operation, which causes less costs than the known solutions

The invention comprises a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window regulator of a vehicle. It is provided that a first pole of the electric motor is connected to a supply potential via a first switch element. The first pole of the electric motor is connected to a ground potential via a second switch element. A second pole of the electric motor is connected to the supply potential via a third switch element. The second pole of the electric motor is connected to the ground potential via a fourth switch element. In other words, the poles of the electric motor are above the

Switch elements connected to the ground potential or the supply potential. This makes it possible to set a current direction, one through the

Electric motor running current and consequently the direction of rotation of the

Specify the electric motor by setting the switch elements. The circuit has a control unit which is set up to activate the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 by applying a respective control signal to the respective

To switch control connections of the switch elements to conductive or blocking. In other words, the control unit is set up to generate the respective

Switch elements by providing the control signal to the

To switch control connections of the switch elements to conductive or blocking. The electric motor is set up when there is a concern of the

Supply potential at the first pole and a simultaneous concern of the Ground potential at the second pole to open a window assigned to the window regulator. In other words, the electric motor is provided so that the window is opened when a current flows through the electric motor when the supply potential is applied to the first pole and the ground potential is applied to the second pole. Conversely, the electric motor is set up to close the window assigned to the window regulator when the supply potential is applied to the second pole and the ground potential is applied simultaneously to the first pole. The window is thus opened when the switch elements T1 and T4 are each set to conducting and the switch elements T2 and T3 are each set to blocking. The window is closed when the switch elements T2 and T3 are each set to conducting and the switch elements T1 and T4 are each set to blocking. It is provided that the circuit has an actuation element which is set up to provide an actuation signal to a first input connection of a secondary circuit when it is actuated. The

Auxiliary circuit is designed to provide a second supply potential at the first pole of the electric motor when the actuation signal is applied to the first input connection and an activation signal is simultaneously applied to a second input connection of the auxiliary circuit. In other words, the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the second supply potential via the secondary circuits. It is provided that the secondary circuit is only conductive when the activation signal is applied to the second input terminal of the secondary circuit and the actuation signal is applied to the first input terminal of the secondary circuit.

The invention has the advantage that a first pole of the electric motor can be connected to a respective supply potential via two different connections.

It can be provided, for example, that the electric motor in a

so-called pair bridge circuit is arranged. The two poles of the electric motor can be connected to the respective switch elements T1 and T2

Be connected to the supply potential. The two switch elements T1 and T2 can act as so-called flight-side switch elements and have a blocking effect without the control signal being applied to the respective control connections and thus not allow any current to flow through them. The two poles can also be connected to the ground potential via two switch elements T3 and T4. The switch elements T3 and T4 can thus be

Low-side switch elements act and also without a concern of the Control signal at the respective control connections have a blocking effect. The circuit described, which is also known as a so-called H circuit, makes it possible to conductively connect the respective poles either to the supply potential or to the ground potential and thus to enable a current through the electric motor in both directions. This allows the

Direction of movement of the electric motor can be set. Over a

Pulse width modulation by means of the switch elements, that is to say switching between a conducting and a blocking state, can be a

Rotation speed of the electric motor can be controlled. In order to be able to control the position of the switch elements, the respective control connections of the switch elements can be connected to a control unit. The control unit can send a control signal to the respective control connection of the switch unit

provide in order to switch the respective switching unit to conducting or blocking. The first pole can be connected to a second via the secondary circuits

Be connected to the supply potential. The second supply potential can be provided by the secondary circuit at the first pole if the

Activation signal is applied to the second input connection of the secondary circuit and at the same time the actuation signal is applied to the first connection of the

Secondary circuit. This can result in two possibilities, one

Provide supply potential at the first pole and thus enable a current flow through the electric motor in one direction, which causes a rotation of the electric motor in a direction which leads to an opening of the window. The first possibility is that the second pole of the electric motor is connected to the ground potential and the first pole is connected to the supply potential via the switch element T1. The second possibility is that the second pole of the electric motor is connected to the ground potential and the first pole is connected to the second supply potential via the auxiliary circuit.

The invention also includes further developments which result in further advantages.

A further development of the invention provides that the secondary circuit has a fifth switch element T5 and a sixth switch element T6. It is provided that the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the further supply potential via the fifth switch element T5. A control connection of the fifth switch element T5 is connected to the first input connection of the secondary circuit via the sixth switch element T6. One

The activation connection of the sixth switch element T6 is with the second Input terminal of the sub-circuit connected. The sixth switch element T6 is set up to switch to conductive when the activation signal is applied to the control connection of the sixth switch element T6. The fifth switch element T5 is set up when the

To switch the actuation signal to the control terminal of the fifth switch element T5 on.

In other words, the secondary circuit provides a logical AND link. For this purpose, the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the further supply potential. The connection is made via the fifth switch element, which when the actuation signal is applied to the

Control connection of the fifth switch element is set to conductive. The

An actuation signal can be applied to the first input terminal of the secondary circuit. Between the first input port and the

Control connection of the fifth switch element is the sixth switch element, which can be conductive or blocking. This has the consequence that the actuation signal can only be passed to the control connection of the fifth switch element when the sixth switch element is set to conductive. The sixth switch element T6 is only turned on when on the

Activation connection of the sixth switch element, the activation signal is present. The activation signal can be received by the secondary circuit at the second input terminal. The result of the circuit is that the second supply potential is only provided at the first pole of the electric motor when both the activation signal and the actuation signal are provided at the same time at the respective input connections.

A development of the invention provides that the fifth switch element T5 is connected in parallel to the first switch element T1 and with the

Supply potential is connected as a second supply potential. In other words, the first pole of the electric motor is via the first switch element as well as via the fifth, which is arranged parallel to the first switch element

Switch element connected to the supply potential. The second

The supply potential is therefore identical to the supply potential. This has the advantage that only one supply potential source has to be provided.

A development of the invention provides that the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 have a respective activation connection, the Switch elements T1, T2 and T3 are set up to switch to blocking when the activation signal is applied to the respective activation connection and the switch element T4 is set up to switch to conductive when the activation signal is applied to the respective activation connection. In other words, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 have the respective activation connection in order to place the respective switch element in a predetermined state by means of the application of the activation signal.

Specifically, the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 are set up to switch to blocking when the activation signal is applied to their respective activation connection. The switch element T4 is set up to be turned on when the activation signal is applied to the activation connection. This results in the advantage that the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are switched when the activation signal is applied in such a way that the

Window pane is possible and the pane can be raised at the same time

is excluded. A current flow from the first pole of the electric motor to the second pole of the electric motor is possible in the circuit, but no current flow from the second pole of the electric motor to the first pole of the electric motor. The

Activation connections can be control connections of a relay or be connected to such, if the switch elements are relays. The activation connections can gate connections of a

Semiconductor switch element or be connected to such, if the switch elements are semiconductor switch elements. The

Activation connections of the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 can

For example, have a transistor, to whose gate terminal the

Activation signal can be applied to switch this to conductive.

As a result, the ground potential can be conductively connected to the gate of the switch element, so that the switch element can be turned off. The activation connection of the switch element T4 can have a blocking diode, wherein the activation signal can be provided at the anode of the blocking diode and the cathode can be connected to the control connection of the switch element T4.

A development of the invention provides that the control unit a

Having activation connection, wherein the control unit is set up to be deactivated when the activation signal is applied to the respective activation connection. In other words, when the

Activation signal at the activation connection of the control unit

Provision of the control signals at the control connections of the switch elements prevented by the control unit. This has the advantage that the control of the switch elements and thus the determination of the

Direction of movement of the motor is deactivated by the control unit. In this way, for example, it can be prevented that a control unit operating incorrectly in the specific situations interferes with the operation of the window regulator. The window regulator can instead be controlled by a fail-safe element.

A development of the invention provides that the circuit is a

Having a sensor circuit which is set up to provide the activation signal at the activation connections when a predetermined state is detected. In other words, the circuit has the sensor circuit to detect the predetermined state. The sensor circuit is set up to send the activation signal to the activation connections of the

Switch elements and / or the control unit to provide when the

predetermined state is detected by the sensor circuit. This has the advantage that a fail-safe control of the motor is activated in the event that the predetermined state is detected. For example, it may be necessary to terminate the control of the electric motor by the control unit if a malfunction is detected as a predetermined state by the sensor circuit. This may be necessary because the

Window regulator in the event of a malfunction may no longer be guaranteed. In this case, the control of the window lifter via the secondary circuit can be more fail-safe and therefore preferable in the predetermined state. The sensor circuit can, for example, comprise a transistor which is connected to a ground potential at a gate terminal via a predetermined resistor and a capacitor. The source connection can be connected to the supply potential. The transistor can be blocking. In the event of water ingress, a potential at the gate connection can change, as a result of which the transistor can become conductive. As a result, the transistor can provide the supply potential at a drain connection, which can be the activation signal.

A development of the invention provides that the sensor circuit as

Water immersion sensor is designed and is set up to detect a water ingress into the vehicle as the predetermined state. In other words, the sensor circuit is a circuit that does one

Can detect water ingress into the vehicle. The sensor circuit can For example, detect moisture in the vehicle and then that

Provide activation signal. This has the advantage that a

The window can be prevented from flooding in the event of water ingress. For example, it may be necessary to prevent the window from opening in the event of water ingress to avoid accidental opening.

A further development of the invention provides that the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 are designed as semiconductor switch elements. In other words, the switch elements are transistors or other elements that function based on semiconductor effects. This has the advantage that a speed of the motor can be regulated by means of pulse width modulation.

A further development of the invention provides that the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are designed as N-channel field effect transistors. In other words, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are transistors which become conductive when a positive potential is applied. This has the advantage that the switch elements only conduct when the control signal is present.

A further development of the invention provides that the switch element T6 is designed as a P-channel field effect transistor. In other words, the switch element T6 is a field effect transistor that is switched to conductive as soon as a negative potential is applied to the activation connection terminal.

A further development of the invention provides that the switch element T6 is designed as a PNP transistor. In other words, it is that

Switch element T6 around a transistor in a positive-negative-positive arrangement, the activation terminal being connected to the base of the PNP transistor.

A further development of the invention provides that the circuit has a functional safety circuit which is set up to switch the third and fourth switch elements to blocking in the event of a predetermined error signal. It is provided that the functional safety circuit is set up when the activation signal is applied to a

Activation connection of an eighth switch element of the functional

Safety circuit to be deactivated. A development of the invention provides that the secondary circuit a

Having Zener diode, the control connection of the fifth switch element being connected to the sixth switch element via the Zener diode, and the control connection of the fifth switch element being connected to the supply potential via a resistor.

The invention also includes a vehicle having a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window regulator of the vehicle. The vehicle can be, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck.

The invention also includes a method for operating a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle. It is provided that an actuating element of the circuit provides an actuating signal at a first input connection of a secondary circuit when it is actuated. When the actuation signal is applied to the first input connection and an activation signal is applied to a second input at the same time, the secondary circuit

Input terminal of the secondary circuit provided a second supply potential at the first pole of the electric motor. A window assigned to the window regulator is opened by the electric motor.

The invention also includes further developments of the invention

Method and the vehicle according to the invention which have features as they have already been described in connection with the developments of the circuit according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the method according to the invention and the vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. This shows:

1 shows a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a

Window regulator of a vehicle;

Fig. 2 shows a sensor circuit; 3 shows a control unit;

4 shows a switch position;

5 shows a switch position;

6 shows a switch position;

7 shows a course of a method; and

8 shows a further circuit for controlling an electric motor of a

Window regulator of a vehicle.

The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than the one shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are in each case with the same

Provided with reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a circuit 1 for controlling an electric motor 2 of a

Window lifter 3 of a vehicle 4. The electric motor 2 can, for example, be a direct current electric motor and have two poles 5, 6. The first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 can be via a first switch element T1 with a

Supply potential US must be connected. The first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 can be connected to a ground potential UM via a third switch element T3. The second pole 6 of the electric motor 2 can be connected to the supply potential US via a second switch element T2 and to the ground potential UM via a fourth switch element T4. The electric motor 2 can thus in a

so-called Fl-Bridge be arranged, with the switch elements T1 and T2 being Fligh-Side switch elements and the switch elements T3 and T4 can be low-side switch elements. This arrangement can make it possible to supply the electric motor 2 with current in two directions in order to open or close a window 7 of a window lifter 3. In order to be able to open the window 7, it can be provided that the switch element T1 and the switch element T4 are set to conducting and the switch elements T2 and T3 are set to blocking. This has the consequence that the supply potential US at the first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 and the ground potential UM at the second pole 6 of the

Electric motor 2 are in contact. It can be provided that the window 7

is closed when the switch elements T3 and T2 are switched to conducting and the switch elements T1 and T4 are switched to blocking. Both

Switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 can be relays or semiconductor switch elements, for example. It can be provided that the

Switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are designed as N-channel field effect transistors. The switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 can have a respective one

Have control connection G1, G2, G3 and G4, to which a control signal 8 can be applied to a predetermined position of the respective

Switch element T1, T2, T3, T4 to be set. It can be provided, for example, that a respective switch element T1, T2, T3, T4 is switched to blocking when no control signal 8 is applied to the respective control connection G1, G2, G3, G4. The switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 can be set up to switch to conductive when the control signal 8 is applied to the respective control connection G1, G2, G3, G4.

The circuit 1 may have an actuating element 9 which is attached to a

Ground potential UM can be connected. The actuating element 9 can be configured to switch on when the actuating element 9 is actuated

Provide actuation signal 10 at a first input terminal 1 1 of a secondary circuit 12. The first input terminal 1 1 can with a

Control connection G5 of a fifth switch element T5 be connected. The fifth switch element T5 can be connected to the supply potential US and the first pole 5 of the electric motor 2. The secondary circuit 12 can have a sixth switch element T6, which can be arranged between the first input connection 11 and the control connection G5 of the fifth switch element T5. The sixth switch element T6 can have an activation connection A6, which can be connected to a second input connection 13 of the secondary circuit 12. The switch element T6 can be switched to blocking in a normal state, that is to say when no activation signal 15 is applied to its activation connection A6. The circuit 1 can have a sensor circuit 14, which can be configured to detect a predetermined state. The predetermined state can be, for example, water ingress into the vehicle 4. The sensor circuit 14 can be configured to

Provide activation signal 15 as soon as it has detected the predetermined state. The sensor circuit 14 can be connected to the respective activation connections A1, A2, A3, A4, A6 of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T6. The switch elements T1, T2 and T3 can be set up to switch to a blocking state when the activation signal 15 is applied to the respective activation connection A1, A2, A3. The switch elements T4 and T6 can be set up to switch to conductive when the activation signal 15 is applied to their respective activation connection A4, A6. By blocking the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 and the simultaneous conductive switching of the switch element T4, the window 7 can be prevented from closing. By activating the switch element T6 and its conductive end switch, it may be possible for the actuation signal 10 to be passed to the control connection G5 of the switch element T5. The switch element T5 can in this case be switched to conductive in order to connect the first pole of the electric motor 2 to the supply potential US.

The advantage is a saving in costs because no relays are necessary. In addition, circuit boards and housing surfaces can be saved. In normal operation, which is characterized in that no activation signal 15 is provided by the sensor circuit 14, the electric motor 2 can be controlled via the full bridge driver. When water enters, the activation signal 15 is provided by the sensor circuit 14. The low-side N-channel FET (T4), which is conductive when the power windows are lowered, is via the

Activation signal 15 switched to conductive. It is therefore impossible to run up the power windows. At the same time, all other N-channel FETS T1, T2, T3 of the full bridge are switched to blocking via the activation signal 15. At the same time, the

Control unit 16 are deactivated. At the same time, the connection from

Control connection G5 of the P-channel FET T5 to the actuating element 9, which signals the window lifter depression, is switched to conductive by applying the activation signal 15 to the activation connection A6 of the circuit element T6. By breaking the connection in normal operation, the

Power window switch in normal operation by a connected

Microcontroller or the control unit 16 are read. Only when activated of the actuating element 9, which signals that the window regulator is running low, the P-channel FET T5 is switched to conductive and thus the electric motor 2 is switched to

Direction of travel to open the window 7 energized. A resistor RP must have such a low resistance that the water resistance is not sufficient to activate the P-channel FET T5.

Fig. 2 shows a sensor circuit 14. The sensor circuit 14 can have a seventh switch element T7, with a source connection S7 on the

Supply potential US is applied and a drain connection D7 with the

Activation terminals A1, A2, A3, A4, A6 of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T6 is connected. A ground potential UM can be present at a gate connection G7, which is connected to the via a capacitor C and a resistor R

Gate connection G7 can be connected. It can be provided that the seventh switch element T7 is set to a conductive state when water penetrates into the vehicle 4.

3 shows a control unit 16 which is set up to provide the position of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 by providing a control signal 8 to the respective control connections G1, G2, G3 and G4. At a reset connection (reset) R16 of the control unit 16, a switch element T 16 with an activation connection A16 can be connected, which the

Reset connection R16 can connect to the ground potential UM. It can be provided that the switch element T16 is switched to conductive when the activation signal 15 is provided at the activation connection A16, so that the ground potential UM is provided at the reset connection R16. The control unit 16 can be set up so that it is deactivated when the ground potential is applied to the reset terminal R16.

4 shows a switch position in a state of the circuit 1 in which no activation signal 15 is applied to the activation connections A1, A2, A3, A4, A6 of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6. In this state, the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 can be open or closed depending on the control signal 8 present. The switch element T6 is when none

Activation signal 15 is applied, blocking. As a result, the switch element T5 is also blocking in this case. When the actuating element 9 is actuated, the switch element T5 cannot be switched to conductive, as a result of which no connection can be established from the supply potential US to the ground potential UN via the electric motor 2. Fig. 5 shows the position of the switch elements with a closed

Actuating element 9 and an applied activation signal 15. As a result of the applied activation signal 15, switch elements T1, T2, T3 are switched to blocking and switch elements T4 and T6 to conductive. It is thus possible that when the actuating element 9 is closed, the

Actuation signal 10 can be provided at the control connection G5 of the switch element T5, whereby the switch element T5 can assume a conductive state. Because the switch elements T4 and T5 are switched on, a current can flow from the supply potential US to the ground potential UM, the electric motor 2 being energized in such a way that the window 7 is opened.

6 shows the switching states when an activation signal 15 is provided and an open actuating element 9 is provided

Activation signal 15, the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 are switched to blocking, while the switch elements T4 and T6 are switched on. If the actuating element 9 is not actuated and thus no actuating signal 10 is provided at the control connection G5 of the switch element T5, that is

Switch element T5 blocking.

7 shows a course of a method. In a first step P1, the predetermined state can be detected by the sensor circuit 14, whereby the activation signal 15 is provided.

By providing the activation signal 15, the switch element T4 is switched to conductive (P2).

At the same time, the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 are switched to blocking (P3).

The switch element T6 is made conductive when the activation signal is applied, as a result of which a connection between the first input connection 11 of the secondary circuit 12 and the control connection G5 of the fifth switch element T5 is provided (P4).

The control unit 16 can be deactivated by receiving the activation signal 15 at its activation connection A6 (P5). In a step P6, the actuating element 9 can be actuated, as a result of which it provides the actuating signal 10. As a result, the switch element T5 is turned on, whereby the electric motor 2 is energized in a deceleration direction and the window 7 opens.

The so-called water immersion requirement in Japan is the requirement that an electrically operated window lifter 3 enables the window 7 to be opened and at the same time prevents the window 7 from being closed in the event of water ingress into the vehicle 4. So far, the requirement has been met by switching circuits for window lifters 3 with relays as

Switch elements were provided. The control of a window regulator 3 by means of relay-based circuits does not offer the possibility of

Speed regulation of the electric motor 2 during an opening or closing process of the window 7. Mixed solutions, which have both relays and semiconductor switch elements, are more expensive than purely relay-based ones

Circuits.

The idea of the circuit 1 presented is to use a

Full window lift bridge circuit in which the electric motor 2 is arranged. This full-bridge power window circuit can be controlled via the control unit 16, which can be a so-called gate driver or full-bridge driver module. The power window full bridge circuit can be N-channel FETS as

Have switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, the position of which can be determined by the control unit 16 by providing the control signals 8 at the control connections G1, G2, G3, G4. The circuit 1 can have the secondary circuit 12, by means of which a p-channel FET can be connected as a switch element T5 in parallel to the existing switch element T1 in the high-side path. Said N-channel FET as switch element T1 is switched to conductive during lowering of window 7. The one provided as a P-channel FET

In the event of water ingress, switch element T5 can be activated via actuating element 9, which can be a window switch, and thus switched to conductive. The gate, which is the control connection G5 of the P-channel FET, is terminated with a relatively low resistance via resistors to the source connection of the FET. This low-resistance termination prevents the activation of the switch element T5 by water. The P-channel FET T5 is only activated when the absolutely low-resistance actuating element 9 is activated. The connection of the control connection G5 of the P-channel FET T5 to the

Actuating element 9 is only released when via the sensor circuit 14 the ingress of water was detected. Furthermore, an additional circuit prevents the power window from being triggered. This is achieved by the fact that the low-side N-channel FET T4, which at

Window lifter lower must be activated by the sensor circuit 14 is activated. Furthermore, all further N-channel FET gates T1, T2, T3 are pulled against the ground potential UM via the sensor circuit 14 and are thus switched to blocking. The control unit 16 can also be deactivated via the sensor circuit 14. Instead of the P-channel FET, a PNP transistor can also be used as the fifth switch element T5.

8 shows a further circuit 1 for controlling an electric motor 2 of a window lifter 3 of a vehicle 4. The circuit 1 can be an extended one

Be an embodiment of the circuit 1 shown in FIG. Compared to the circuit 1 shown in Fig. 1, the circuit 1 shown in Fig. 8 can by one

functional safety circuit 17 (also referred to as FuSi in short). The functional safety circuit 17 can be two

Have switch elements T9 and T10, which can be N-channel FETs. The two switch elements T9 and T10 can connect respective ground potentials UM to gate connections of the switch elements T3 and T4 and, if no water ingress is detected, be switched to conductive, so that the switch elements T3 and T4 are switched to blocking by the connected ground potential UM. In operation without water ingress, the two switch elements T9 and T10 on the two low-side N-channel FET gate connections of the switch elements T3 and T4 of the full bridge allow the

Power supply to the electric motor 2 is interrupted. This can take place, for example, when a predetermined error signal is present. In the event of water ingress, however, an interruption is necessary

is excluded.

This functional safety circuit 17 can via the switch element T8, which can be a transistor, after a

Water intrusion detection by the sensor circuit 14 by means of a

Provision of the activation signal 15 at an activation connection A8 of the switch element T8 can be deactivated. The circuit to the functional

Safety circuit 17 can in principle also be implemented differently. It is important for the circuit 1 that the switch element T4 is not erroneously replaced by the functional in the event of a detected ingress of water

Safety circuit 17 can be switched to blocking. In the event that the switch element T5 is a P-channel FET with a

Threshold voltage (gate source threshold) is 1.5 to 2.5 V, an extremely low-resistance pull-up resistor RP with less than 10 ohms would have to be used in order to avoid unintentional switching of the switching element T5 to conductive. Low resistance values of the pull-up resistor RP would lead to extremely high currents via the actuating element 9. This cannot necessarily be designed for this.

In order to avoid this, a Zener diode 18 and a further resistor R acting as a pull-up can be connected to the gate of the P-channel FET

Switch element T5 are switched. In this case it is important that the

Circuit 1 and in particular the gate of the P-channel FET G5 and the

Zener diode 18 are painted waterproof.

Even without the extension by the Zener diode 18, a waterproof coating of the entire circuit 1 can be helpful. With that, the

NPN transistors for deactivating the N-channel FETs and G2, G1, G3, on the functional safety circuit 17 and on the reset connection R16 of the

Control unit 16 (full bridge driver) are dimensioned smaller, because in this case the NPN transistors no longer with current, which of the

Supply voltage US, US2 can flow through broken water.

Overall, the example shows how the invention can provide a semiconductor-based circuit to meet the water ingress requirement.

List of reference symbols

1 circuit

2 electric motor

3 power windows

4 vehicle

5 first pole

6 Second pole

7 windows

8 control signal

9 actuator

10 actuation signal

1 1 First input connector

12 auxiliary circuit

13 Second input connector

14 Sensor circuit

15 Activation signal

16 control unit

17 Functional safety circuit

18 Zener diode

P1 -P6 process steps

T1 -T10 switch elements

T16 switch element of the control unit

G1 -G10 control connections

A1 -A8 activation connections of the switch elements

A16 Control unit activation connection

R16 control unit reset connector

US supply potential

US2 Second supply potential

UM ground potential

C capacitor

R resistance

RP resistance

Claims

1. Circuit (1) for controlling an electric motor (2) of a window regulator (3) of a vehicle (4), wherein

- A first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) is connected to a supply potential (US) via a first switch element (T1) and is connected to a ground potential (UM) via a third switch element (T3),

- A second pole (6) of the electric motor (2) is connected to the supply potential (US) via a second switch element (T2) and is connected to the ground potential (UM) via a fourth switch element (T4),

- The circuit (1) has a control unit (16) which is set up to control the switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) by applying a respective control signal (8) to a control connection (G1, G2, G3, G4) to switch the respective switch element (T1, T2, T3, T4) to conducting or blocking,

- The electric motor (2) is set up when there is a concern of the

Supply potential (US) at the first pole (5) and a simultaneous application of the ground potential (UM) to the second pole (6), a dem

To open the window (7) assigned to the window regulator (3),

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the circuit (1) has an actuating element (9) which is designed to provide an actuating signal (10) at a first input connection (11) of a secondary circuit (12) when the same is actuated, wherein

the secondary circuit (12) is set up to

when the actuation signal (10) is applied to the first

Input connection (11) and simultaneous application of one

Activation signal (15) to provide a second supply potential (US2) to the first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) at a second input terminal (13) of the secondary circuit (12).

2. Circuit according to claim 1,

d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the

Sub-circuit (12) has a fifth switch element (T5) and a sixth switch element (T6), wherein

- the first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) is connected to the further supply potential (US2) via the fifth switch element (T5), - A control connection (G5) of the fifth switch element T5 via the sixth switch element (T6) to the first input connection (11) of the

Secondary circuit (12) is connected,

- An activation connection (A6) of the sixth switch element T6 is connected to the second input connection (13) of the secondary circuit (12), the sixth switch element (T6) is set up to switch when the activation signal (15) is applied to the activation connection (A6) of the sixth switch element (T6) to be switched on, and

- The fifth switch element (T5) is set up, when the actuation signal (10) is applied to the control connection (G5) of the fifth

Switch element (T5) to conductive.

3. Circuit (1) according to claim 2,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that that

- fifth switch element (T5) to the first switch element (T1)

connected in parallel and connected to the supply potential (US) as a second supply potential (US2).

4. circuit (1) according to claim (3),

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) have a respective one

Activation connection (A1, A2, A3, A4) have, where

the switch elements (T1, T2, T3) are set up for a

Applying the activation signal (15) to the respective

To switch the activation connection (A1, A2, A3) to blocking, and the switch element (T4) is set up to switch to conductive when the activation signal (15) is applied to the respective activation connection (A4).

5. Circuit (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the

Control unit (16) has an activation connection (A16), the control unit (16) being set up to, when the

Activation signal (15) to be deactivated at the activation connection (A16).

6. Circuit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (1) has a sensor circuit (14) which is set up to provide the activation signal (15) at least at the activation connections (A1, A2, A3, A4) when a predetermined state is detected.

7. circuit (1) according to claim 6,

d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the

Sensor circuit (14) is designed as a water immersion sensor, and is set up to detect a water ingress into the vehicle (4) as the predetermined state.

8. Circuit (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7,

d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the

Switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) are designed as semiconductor switch elements.

9. circuit (1) according to claim 8,

d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the

Switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) are designed as N-channel FETs.

10. Circuit (1) according to claim 8 or 9,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that that

Switch element (T6) is designed as a P-channel FET.

11. Circuit (1) according to claim 8 or 9,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that that

Switch element (T6) is designed as a PNP transistor.

12. Circuit (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the circuit has a functional safety circuit (17) which is set up to activate the switch elements (T3, T4) when a

to switch the predetermined error signal to blocking, the functional safety circuit (17) being set up to be deactivated when the activation signal (15) is applied to an activation connection (A8) of a switch element (T8) of the functional safety circuit (17).

13. Circuit (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

- The secondary circuit (12) has a Zener diode (18), the

Control connection (G5) of the fifth switch element (T5) via the

Zener diode (18) is connected to the sixth switch element (T6), and

- the control connection (G5) via a resistor (R) to the

Supply potential (US) is connected.

14. Vehicle (4) having a circuit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method of operating a circuit (1) for controlling a

Electric motor (2) of a window regulator (3) of a vehicle (4), wherein

- an actuation signal (10) is provided at a first input connection (11) of a secondary circuit (12) by an actuation element (9) of the circuit (1) when the same is actuated

- A second supply potential (US2) at a second input terminal (13) of the secondary circuit (12) by the secondary circuit (12) when the actuation signal (10) is applied to the first input terminal (11) and an activation signal (15) is simultaneously applied first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) is provided,

- A window (7) assigned to the window lifter (3) is opened by the electric motor (2).