Temperature protection in motor vehicle engine control units

摘要

A method of temperature protection in a motor vehicle engine control unit (10) comprises monitoring signals indicative of the temperature of a part (16) to which a component (12) having an upper allowed operating temperature value (T R ) is connected in heat conducting relation and making decisions concerning the operation of the engine control unit according to an estimated temperature (T E ) of that component. The estimated temperature is determined using the temperature (T PCB ) indicated by the temperature indicating signals and a variable temperature value that is variable as a function of the engine control unit operating condition.