INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTER WITH AN INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC POWER CIRCUIT

Motor-vehicle starter with an integrated electronic power circuit which is provided with an electromagnetic switch for switching the starter current on and off. The electromagnetic switch is in operative connection with the ignition lock of the motor vehicle. Integrated into the starter there is, according to the invention, an electronic power circuit via the output current of which the electromagnetic switch is directly controlled. Leading from the ignition lock to the electronic power circuit there is thus now only one control lead, which can be of a design with a small cross-section. The ignition lock now only need a small control current to switch, as a result of which it can be of structurally simple design. An advantageous further development envisages the addition of an electronic control unit which carries out the actuation of the electromagnetic switch as a function of current operating states of the vehicle. Thus, for example, switching on of the starter current can be prevented if preheating in a diesel vehicle has not yet ended, the vehicle is moving, a gear has been engaged or the engine is running.