THERMAL MANAGEMENT PROCESS, ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL UNIT

The invention relates to a method for managing heat in the event of detecting overheating of an electrical heating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of resistive elements configured to be supplied with electric power using a control signal by pulse width modulation according to a setpoint. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: activating a first phase (P1) of gradual adjustment of the setpoint in a first direction of progression, and repeating the first phase (P1) of adjustment until the recorded duty cycle of the control signal by pulse width modulation (PWM_(sub)system) exceeds a determined detection threshold value (PWM_(sub)system_lim_i), and if not, -activating a second phase (P2) of adjustment of the setpoint in a second direction of progression opposite the direction of progression in the first adjustment phase (P1). The invention also relates to a control unit for implementing such a method.