Exhaust gas aftertreatment device

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust gas aftertreatment device ( 1 ) of a motor vehicle, said device having a heater ( 2 ), which includes a plurality of heating elements ( 5, 6, 7 ), and a control unit ( 9 ) associated with the heater ( 2 ), wherein a common first switch ( 10 ) and in each case a second switch ( 32, 33, 34 ) are associated with the heating elements ( 5, 6, 7 ) and said heating elements ( 5, 6, 7 ) are jointly switchable by means of the first switch ( 10 ) and individually switchable by means of the second switches ( 32, 33, 34 ). The invention thereby provides that said first switch ( 10 ) is disposed separately from the control unit ( 9 ) and can be actuated by the same.

1 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device of a motor vehicle, said device having a heater, which includes a plurality of heating elements, and a control unit associated with the heater, wherein a common first switch and in each case a second switch are associated with the heating elements and said heating elements are jointly switchable by means of the first switch and individually switchable by means of the second switches, wherein said first switch is disposed separately from the control unit and can be actuated by the same. 
     
     
         2 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second switches is provided in the control unit or is likewise disposed separately from said control unit and can be actuated by the same. 
     
     
         3 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first switch ( 10 ) is provided between the heating elements and a positive pole of a direct current source. 
     
     
         4 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second switches are provided between the heating elements and a negative pole or between the first switch and said heating elements. 
     
     
         5 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first switch and/or the second switches are relays or electronic assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein a diagnostic device is associated with the first switch and/or at least a portion of the second switches and/or at least a portion of the heating elements. 
     
     
         7 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic device is connected to the control unit or is formed by the same. 
     
     
         8 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted to actuate the first switch so as to switch off the heating elements in the event that an error occurs. 
     
     
         9 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is connected to the same power source as the heater or to a separate power source. 
     
     
         10 . Exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein an overvoltage protection device is provided between the power source and the control unit and/or the heating elements.