Jump start device and method for operating a jump start device

Abstract

The invention relates to a jump start device (10) for jump-starting a vehicle having a starter unit, the starter unit being operable in a predetermined voltage range, and the jump start device (10) having: a supercapacitor unit (20) which in the charged state provides sufficient energy for operating the starter unit at a predetermined power; a switch (26) which connects an output side (24) of the supercapacitor unit (20) to an input side of the starter unit in an interruptible manner; and a low-voltage DC-DC converter (28), the output side of which is connected to the input side (22) of the supercapacitor unit (20), wherein the low-voltage DC-DC converter (20) can be operated to convert a low-voltage input DC voltage into a low-voltage output DC voltage, which is in the range from 0 V to an upper limit of the predetermined voltage range of the starter unit, and an input side of the low-voltage DC-DC converter (20) has terminals (34) such that a low-voltage DC voltage source (32) external to the vehicle can be connected for charging the supercapacitor unit (20).

Description

[0001] 202401426

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] External starting device and method for operating an external starting device

[0005] The present invention relates to a jump-start device for a vehicle. The jump-start device can be used for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine unit that can be started by means of an electric starter, as well as for an electric vehicle, which typically has a high-voltage traction battery and a low-voltage electrical system. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a jump-start device.

[0006] Vehicles with an internal combustion engine typically have an electric starter unit, also known as an electric starter or motor starter. The electric starter is an auxiliary unit for starting the internal combustion engine. To start the engine, the starter unit requires sufficient energy. This energy is usually supplied by an onboard battery (vehicle battery or starter battery). If the battery fails, the vehicle can be jump-started. This is commonly done using special high-power jump-start packs, usually with an output voltage of 12 V or more, or by using an external vehicle, specifically its battery.

[0007] Even in electric vehicles, a failure of the low-voltage on-board battery can lead to insufficient power supply to the low-voltage components responsible for starting the vehicle. In such a case, the electric vehicle would not start. A jump start would be necessary, even if the high-voltage traction battery has a sufficient charge.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative jump-start device. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating such a jump-start device.

[0009] These and other problems, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art upon studying the present disclosure, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. 202401426

[0010] 2

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a jump-start device for a vehicle is provided with a starter unit, wherein the starter unit is operable in a predetermined voltage range.

[0012] The predetermined voltage range is usually adapted to the vehicle's electrical system. For example, if the vehicle has a 12V / 24V electrical system, i.e., a 12V / 24V battery, then the starter unit would operate at 12V / 24V.

[0013] The jump-start device according to the invention comprises: a supercapacitor unit which, in the charged state, provides sufficient energy to operate the starter unit at a predetermined power, wherein the supercapacitor unit has an input side for charging the supercapacitor unit and an output side for providing the energy at the predetermined power; a switch which connects the output side of the supercapacitor unit to an input side of the starter unit in an interruptible manner, such that when the switch is open an electrical path between the input side of the starter unit and the output side of the supercapacitor unit is interrupted and when the switch is closed the electrical path between the input side of the starter unit and the output side of the supercapacitor unit for supplying the starter unit by the supercapacitor unit is closed.In other words, the switch is designed to allow the starter unit to be supplied by the supercapacitor unit when closed. The jump-start device further comprises a low-voltage DC-DC converter having an input side and an output side, the output side of which is connected to the input side of the supercapacitor unit, the low-voltage DC-DC converter being capable of converting a low-voltage DC input voltage into a low-voltage DC output voltage ranging from 0 V to an upper limit of the predetermined voltage range of the starter unit; and the input side of the low-voltage DC-DC converter having terminals configured to allow an external low-voltage DC power source to be connected to the input side for charging the supercapacitor unit.

[0014] The term "low voltage" refers to a maximum voltage of 60V. The low-voltage direct-voltage converter (LV-DC-DC) of the invention202401426

[0015] 3

[0016] A jump-start device therefore does not necessarily have to be a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter. Furthermore, the LV-DC-DC converter can be a comparatively inexpensive LV-DC-DC converter, particularly because the low-voltage DC output voltage only needs to be in the range of 0V and the upper limit of the predetermined voltage range of the starter unit; i.e., with the aforementioned 12V or 24V vehicle electrical system, only a maximum of 12V or 24V, respectively.

[0017] The invention is based, at least in part, on the understanding that different electrical system voltage classes or levels during jump-starting can lead to damage to components of the electrical system of the vehicle being jump-started. For example, if the "jump-start vehicle," i.e., the vehicle assisting the disabled vehicle in starting, had a 48 V electrical system, while the vehicle being jump-started had a 12 V or 24 V electrical system, components of the vehicle being jump-started could be damaged during the jump-start process (due to the mismatched voltage levels of the vehicles).

[0018] The invention is further based on the realization that special jump-start packs are usually required to jump-start a vehicle. However, these packs are cumbersome, relatively heavy, and in most cases not readily available.

[0019] The present architecture, however, makes it possible in the future to jump-start the vehicle independently of the vehicle's electrical system voltage and also using mobile charging packs, such as power banks or smartphones.

[0020] This is achieved through a supercapacitor unit to which a low-voltage DC / DC converter is connected on the input side. This architecture allows, for example, a standard power bank, such as those used for charging mobile phones, etc., to be used to charge the supercapacitor unit.

[0021] For example, a standard power bank provides 5V at 3A. This results in a power output of 15W, which is typically available for about 5 hours with such power banks. The power bank therefore delivers an energy of 75Wh. While this amount of energy may be sufficient,

[0022] 4

[0023] its capacity to operate the starter unit, but not the power required for this.

[0024] 15 W is rarely sufficient to operate a starter unit.

[0025] The invention exploits the fact that while a power bank may not provide sufficient power output, it can provide sufficient energy (energy = power * time). To provide this energy at a sufficient power output, it is proposed to use a supercapacitor unit in combination with a pre-connected low-voltage DC-DC converter. The supercapacitor unit has the advantage of a high power density. The supercapacitor unit is charged by the external low-voltage DC power source (e.g., the power bank) at a low power output (e.g., approximately 15W) for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) via the low-voltage DC-DC converter. Subsequently (after charging), the supercapacitor unit can provide a sufficiently high power output at a correspondingly high voltage for, e.g., 5 seconds, to operate the starter unit for starting the combustion engine.

[0026] Although nowadays almost everyone carries an energy storage device in the form of smartphones, mobile phones or power banks, it has not been possible until now to use these widespread and mobile energy sources to start vehicles.

[0027] The present invention makes it possible to use readily available mobile low-voltage DC power sources such as smartphones, mobile phones, power banks, etc., for jump-starting vehicles. The jump-starting device according to the invention is therefore a cost-effective, safe, and flexible way to jump-start a vehicle.

[0028] The jump-start device can be used for both combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles.

[0029] The jump-start device can be designed for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. In such a case, the starter unit would be an electric starter unit (also known as an electric starter or starter motor) that assists the internal combustion engine during starting. The supercapacitor unit in such a jump-start device would be designed to provide sufficient energy to operate the electric starter unit when charged.

[0030] 5

[0031] The jump-start device can also be designed for an electric vehicle with a high-voltage traction battery and a low-voltage electrical system. In such a case, the starter unit would be a

[0032] High-voltage to low-voltage DC / DC converter for supplying power to low-voltage components of the low-voltage electrical system from the high-voltage traction battery. In such a jump-start device, the supercapacitor unit would be designed to provide sufficient energy to operate the high-voltage to low-voltage DC / DC converter when fully charged.

[0033] Preferably, the low-voltage DC-DC converter provides a constant low-voltage output voltage, and the jump-start device includes a resistor arranged between the output of the DC-DC converter and the input of the supercapacitor unit. In other words, the output of the DC-DC converter is connected to the input of the supercapacitor unit via a resistor. This preferred design is based on the finding that a commercially available resistor can be used to limit the charging current for the supercapacitor unit. This allows the DC-DC converter upstream of the supercapacitor unit to be even simpler and more cost-effective.

[0034] Preferably, the jump-start device further comprises: a second low-voltage DC / DC converter, the input of which is connected to the output of the supercapacitor unit, wherein the second low-voltage DC / DC converter provides a low-voltage output voltage for a subnetwork, for example, a 48 V subnetwork of the vehicle's electrical system. This design utilizes the fact that the supercapacitor unit can be used not only for jump-starting but also for supplying and / or stabilizing a subnetwork of the vehicle's electrical system by means of a downstream, second low-voltage DC / DC converter. For example, the second low-voltage DC / DC converter can provide 48 V on its output side for supplying and / or stabilizing a 48 V subnetwork of the vehicle's electrical system.

[0035] provide. 202401426

[0036] 6

[0037] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a jump-start device according to the first aspect is provided.

[0038] Embodiments thereof are provided. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: Determining whether a starter battery or vehicle battery can be used to start the vehicle; Opening the switch between the supercapacitor unit and the input of the starter unit to interrupt the electrical path between the output side of the supercapacitor unit and the input side of the starter unit when it has been determined that the starter battery or vehicle battery cannot be used to start the vehicle;

[0039] Charging the supercapacitor unit by an external low-voltage DC power source; and closing the switch to operate the starter unit to start the vehicle.

[0040] Preferably, the method further comprises: determining whether the battery voltage of the starter or auxiliary battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined battery voltage that allows recharging of the starter or auxiliary battery, and opening the switch only if the determined battery voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined battery voltage. This preferred embodiment utilizes the understanding that in some situations the starter or auxiliary battery can no longer be charged and therefore, safety-relevant components of the low-voltage electrical system may no longer be supplied with voltage. In such a case, if safety-relevant components could not be supplied, a jump-start attempt makes no sense or even poses a safety risk. Therefore, in such a case, the switch is not opened at all, and a jump-start is prevented.

[0041] A low-voltage DC power source from another vehicle can be used to charge the supercapacitor unit, regardless of the respective voltage levels of the vehicle's electrical systems.

[0042] Preferably, the low-voltage DC power source is the auxiliary battery of the other vehicle and provides the auxiliary battery of the other vehicle with an auxiliary voltage that is higher than the auxiliary voltage of the vehicle being jump-started. In other words, a vehicle with a 48 V auxiliary electrical system could also jump-start a vehicle with a 12 V / 24 V auxiliary electrical system. 202401426

[0043] 7

[0044] Alternatively, the low-voltage DC power source can be a power bank, such as a 5V power bank, or a smartphone or mobile phone that can be used as a power bank. In other words, in the described procedure, a power bank, such as a 5V power bank, or a smartphone or mobile phone that can be used as a power bank can be used as a low-voltage DC power source to charge the supercapacitor unit.

[0045] Preferably, in embodiments in which the external starter unit includes the second low-voltage DC-DC converter, the method comprises the following further steps: stabilizing the 48 V subnetwork of the vehicle by operating the second low-voltage DC-DC converter connected to the supercapacitor unit as an additional power source to support the 48 V subnetwork in the event of undervoltages, and / or operating the second low-voltage DC-DC converter connected to the supercapacitor unit as an additional power sink to reduce overvoltages of the 48 V subnetwork.

[0046] Preferably, the method further comprises: using the supercapacitor unit for passive stabilization of the vehicle electrical system or a sub-system of the vehicle electrical system with the switch closed during vehicle operation. This design is based on the understanding that the switch is usually closed in its default position and can be used in the closed state for passive stabilization of the vehicle electrical system (by means of the supercapacitor unit). When jump-starting the vehicle, the switch would then be opened to allow the supercapacitor unit to be safely charged by means of the external low-voltage DC power supply.

[0047] Further features and functions of the present invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art by carrying out the teaching presented here and by examining the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0048] FIG 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a jump-start device according to the invention.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a jump-start device 10. The jump-start device 10 can be used to jump-start a vehicle. 202401426

[0050] 8

[0051] The jump-start device 10 can be part of the vehicle's electrical system architecture or be designed separately from the vehicle's electrical system.

[0052] In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle's electrical system is schematically indicated by a dashed box and labeled with reference numeral 12. In this specific example, the electrical system 12 has two subnetworks 14 and 16 with different voltage classes or levels. Subnetwork 14 is, for example, a 12 V or 24 V subnetwork, and subnetwork 16 is a 48 V subnetwork. In other examples not shown, the electrical system 12 may have a common voltage level, e.g., 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V.

[0053] The vehicle electrical system typically includes a battery. This battery powers the components of the electrical system. It can also be considered a starter battery, used for starting the vehicle and powering its components. The voltage rating of the battery determines the voltage rating of the entire electrical system or its sub-systems. For example, if the battery is a 12V battery, it will power the components in the 12V sub-system.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 1, for instance, the 12 V or 24 V subnetwork 14 has a 12 V or 24 V on-board battery (not shown), and the 48 V subnetwork 16 has a 48 V on-board battery. Of course, other voltage classes and / or combinations of on-board batteries with the voltage classes and / or levels of the on-board network are conceivable.

[0055] In the specific example of FIG 1, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that subnetwork 14 is a 12 V subnetwork and that subnetwork 16 is a 48 V subnetwork.

[0056] In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the 12 V subnetwork 14 includes a starter unit. The starter unit can vary depending on the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, the starter unit could be an electric starter 18. The electric starter, also known as a starter motor, serves as an auxiliary unit for starting the internal combustion engine. If, for example, the vehicle is an electric vehicle with a high-voltage traction battery and a low-voltage electrical system, then, for the purposes of this disclosure, a 202401426 would be suitable.

[0057] 9

[0058] The high-voltage-to-low-voltage DC / DC converter 38 (HVLV-DCDC) is a starter unit as defined in this disclosure. The HVLV-DCDC, for example, converts high voltage from the high-voltage traction battery into low voltage to supply low-voltage components of the low-voltage electrical system. These low-voltage components could be control units or other power electronic components. These components would typically be powered by the vehicle's electrical system battery. However, if the battery fails, for example, because it is too low or does not provide sufficient voltage, then the components of the low-voltage electrical system could no longer be operated, and the electric vehicle could not start. In such a case, it would be necessary to supply energy to at least the HVLV-DCDC 38 so that it can then supply the depleted electrical system battery with voltage from the high-voltage traction battery, thereby charging the electrical system battery.In such a case, the HVLV-DCDC 38 would therefore be a starter unit, similar to the electric starter in an internal combustion vehicle.

[0059] The starter unit is usually designed or capable of operating within a predetermined voltage range or voltage class. For example, the starter unit in the 12 V subnetwork 14 is designed for the 12 V voltage class. If the starter unit were in the 48 V subnetwork 16, it would typically be designed for the 48 V voltage class. The starter unit can be operated within its designated voltage class or selected voltage range, for example, to start the internal combustion engine unit.

[0060] The jump-start device 10 now includes a supercapacitor unit 20, which comprises several supercapacitors (abbreviated: supercaps, or SCs), also called ultracapacitors. These capacitors have a comparatively high energy density, which is considerably greater than that of conventional capacitors.

[0061] The supercapacitor unit 20 is designed to provide a sufficiently large amount of energy, or sufficient energy at a predetermined power level, to drive the starter unit when charged (not necessarily fully charged). In an internal combustion engine vehicle, the supercapacitor unit 20 would therefore be designed to supply the electric starter 18, and in an electric vehicle, to supply the HVLV-DCDC converter 38.

[0062] 10

[0063] The supercapacitor unit 20 has an input side 22 for charging the supercapacitor unit 20 and an output side 24 for providing the energy at a predetermined power.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, a switch 26 is arranged between the output side 24 and an input side of the starter unit 18. The switch 26 can be actuated between a closed and an open (switching) state. Figure 1 shows the switch 26 in the open state. The closed state can be the standard state or the predetermined state (also called default state) of the switch 26.

[0065] When switch 26 is closed, an electrical path is closed between the output side 24 and the input side of the starter unit. In other words, the starter unit and the supercapacitor unit 20 are electrically connected. In this state, for example, the supercapacitor unit 20 could passively stabilize the voltage of the subnetwork 14, or—as will be shown later—be used to start the starter unit.

[0066] When switch 26 is open, the electrical path between the input side of the starter unit and the output side 24 of the supercapacitor unit 20 is interrupted.

[0067] The jump-start device 10 comprises, in addition to the supercapacitor unit 20 and the switch 26, a low-voltage direct-voltage converter (LV-DC-DC converter) 28 connected to its input side 22. The output side of the LV-DC-DC converter 28 is connected to the input side 22 of the supercapacitor unit 20. The LV-DC-DC converter 28 serves to convert DC voltage in the low-voltage range, i.e., up to 60 V. The LV-DC-DC converter can therefore be galvanically connected, but this is not necessarily required. The LV-DC-DC converter 28 is designed to convert a low-voltage input voltage (i.e., a voltage of up to 60 V) into a low-voltage output voltage. The low-voltage output voltage of the LV-DCDC 28 is in the range from 0V up to an upper limit of the predetermined voltage range of the starter unit 18, i.e., for example, a maximum of 12 V or 24 V in a 12 V or 24 V subnetwork 14.The requirements for the LV-DCDC 28 are therefore not particularly high, which is why a comparatively inexpensive LV-DCDC 28 can be used. In any case, the LV-DCDC 28 should provide upward / downward control. 202401426.

[0068] 11

[0069] The LV-DCDC 28 can provide a constant low-voltage output voltage on the output side.

[0070] The LV-DCDC 28 can provide current limiting on the output side.

[0071] Alternatively, current limiting can be achieved by a resistor 30 arranged between the output side and the input side 22 of the supercapacitor unit.

[0072] The LV-DCDC converter 28 has terminals 34 on its input side. These terminals 34 are designed to allow an external low-voltage DC power supply 32 to be connected to the jump-start device 10. The low-voltage DC power supply 32 can be used to charge the supercapacitor unit 20. Preferably, the switch 26 is in the open position during charging.

[0073] In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the jump-start device 10 also includes a second low-voltage DC-DC converter 36. Its input is connected to the output 24 of the supercapacitor unit 24. The second low-voltage DC-DC converter 36 is configured to provide a low-voltage DC voltage for the subnetwork 16. If the subnetwork 16 is a 48 V subnetwork, the second low-voltage DC-DC converter would therefore be configured to convert the output voltage of the supercapacitor unit 24 into the 48 V voltage of the 48 V subnetwork 16, for supplying the components in this subnetwork 16 and / or for stabilizing the voltage in this subnetwork 16 and / or for assisting a starting process in hybrid vehicles.

[0074] The following describes possible applications of the jump-start device 10. 202401426

[0075] 12

[0076] Passive stabilization of subnetwork 14:

[0077] When the switch 26 is closed, the supercapacitor unit 20 can be used to stabilize the voltage level of the subnetwork 14.

[0078] Overvoltages or undervoltages can be compensated for by the supercapacitor unit 20 (up to a certain limit).

[0079] Switch 26 can be in the closed position by default.

[0080] Jump-starting:

[0081] It is assumed that it has been determined that the on-board battery of subnetwork 14, in which the starter unit is located, cannot be used to start the combustion unit.

[0082] In such a case, for example, a control unit (not shown) would move switch 26 from the closed state (default state) to the open state. This would interrupt the electrical path between supercapacitor unit 20 and starter unit 18.

[0083] The supercapacitor unit 20 can then be charged by connecting an external low-voltage DC voltage source 32 to the terminals 34 of the low-voltage DC voltage converter 28.

[0084] After the supercapacitor unit 20 has been sufficiently charged, the switch 26 is closed (e.g., again by the control unit) and the supercapacitor unit 20 can provide the necessary energy at the predetermined power to operate the starter unit.

[0085] If the vehicle were an internal combustion engine vehicle, the supercapacitor unit 20 would supply the electric starter 18 with energy (at the predetermined power) until the internal combustion engine unit was started. If the vehicle were an electric vehicle, the supercapacitor unit 20 would supply the HVLV-DCDC converter 28 with energy until the vehicle's electrical system battery was sufficiently charged via the high-voltage traction battery to allow the electric vehicle to be restarted.

[0086] 13

[0087] A vehicle battery from another vehicle can be used as a low-voltage DC power source 32. Starter vehicles whose vehicle battery has a voltage level higher or lower than the voltage level of the starter unit or subnetwork 14 can be used for jump-starting.

[0088] However, a standard 5V power bank or a smartphone or mobile phone equipped with a power bank function can also be used as a low-voltage DC voltage source 32.

[0089] The inventors recognized that the energy from a smartphone or power bank is sufficient to power the starter unit for starting the vehicle. However, the power supplied by the smartphone or power bank may not always be sufficient. To ensure that the energy stored in the power bank or smartphone can be provided at a sufficient power output, the supercapacitor unit 20 is used as a high-energy-density storage device. For this purpose, the supercapacitor unit 20 is charged by the power bank or smartphone at a low power output, e.g., 15 W (since power banks / smartphones typically deliver 5 V at 3 A), for a predetermined time, e.g., 5 minutes, via the low-voltage DC-DC converter 28. Subsequently, the supercapacitor unit 20 can provide a sufficiently high power output at the appropriate voltage for a relatively short period, e.g., 5 seconds.This allows either the electric starter 18 to be used to start the combustion engine unit, or the HVLV-DCDC 38 to charge the vehicle's electrical system battery from the high-voltage traction battery in order to start the electric vehicle. Jump-starting the vehicle can therefore be done using a commercially available and readily available power bank.

[0090] It can happen that the vehicle battery has a voltage that makes recharging it pointless, partly because safety-relevant components might no longer be powered. Therefore, the system determines whether the battery voltage of the starter or vehicle battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage that would make recharging the battery advisable (especially for safety reasons). Switch 26 would only be opened, or a jump-start attempt would only be permitted, if the measured battery voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage.

[0091] 14

[0092] Active stabilization of subnetwork 16:

[0093] In embodiments in which the jump-start device 10 has the second low-voltage DC-DC converter 36, the jump-start device 10 can also be used to actively stabilize the subnetwork 16.

[0094] For example, the second low-voltage DC-DC converter 36 connected to the supercapacitor unit 20 can be used as an additional power source to support undervoltages of the 48 V subnetwork 16.

[0095] Alternatively or additionally, the second low-voltage DC / DC converter 36 can be used as an additional power sink to reduce overvoltages of the 48 V subnetwork 16.

[0096] Other use cases besides the three described are of course conceivable.

Claims

202401426 15 Patent claims 1. Jump-start device (10) for jump-starting a vehicle with a starter unit (18; 38), wherein the starter unit is operable in a predetermined voltage range and wherein the jump-start device (10) comprises: a supercapacitor unit (20) which, in the charged state, provides sufficient energy to operate the starter unit at a predetermined power, wherein the supercapacitor unit (20) has an input side (22) for charging the supercapacitor unit (20) and an output side (24) for providing the energy at the predetermined power, a switch (26) which connects the output side (24) of the supercapacitor unit (20) to an input side of the starter unit in an interruptible manner, such that when the switch (26) is open an electrical path between the input side of the starter unit and the output side (24) of the supercapacitor unit (20) is interrupted and when the switch (26) is closed the electrical path between the input side of the starter unit and the output side (24) of the supercapacitor unit (20), a low-voltage DC / DC converter (28) having an input side and an output side, wherein the low-voltage DC / DC converter (28) is connected with its output side to the input side (22) of the supercapacitor unit (20), the low-voltage DC-DC converter (28) is operable for converting a low-voltage DC input voltage into a low-voltage DC output voltage, which lies in the range from 0 V up to an upper limit of the predetermined voltage range of the starter unit, and the input side has connections (34) which are configured to allow an external low-voltage DC power source (32) for charging the supercapacitor unit (20) to be connected to the input side for jump-starting the vehicle.

2. Jump-start device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the jump-start device (10) is a jump-start device (10) for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine unit and the starter unit is an electric starter unit (18) that assists the internal combustion engine unit during starting, wherein The supercapacitor unit (20), when charged, provides sufficient energy to operate the electric starter unit (18). 16 3. Jump-start device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the jump-start device (10) is a jump-start device (10) for an electric vehicle with a high-voltage traction battery and a low-voltage electrical system, and the starter unit is a high-voltage to low-voltage DC / DC converter (38) for supplying energy to low-voltage components of the low-voltage electrical system from the high-voltage traction battery, wherein The supercapacitor unit (20) provides sufficient energy in the charged state to operate the high-voltage to low-voltage DC converter (38).

4. External starting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the low-voltage DC / DC converter (28) provides a constant low-voltage output voltage at the output side and the output side is connected to the input side (22) of the supercapacitor unit (20) via a resistor (30).

5. External starting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a second low-voltage DC-DC converter (36) which is connected with its input side to the output side of the supercapacitor unit (20), wherein the second low-voltage DC-DC converter (36) provides a low-voltage output voltage for a subnetwork, for example a 48V subnetwork (16) of an on-board network (12) of the vehicle.

6. Method for operating a jump-start device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: Determine whether the vehicle's starter battery or auxiliary battery can be used to start the vehicle. Opening the switch (26) to interrupt the electrical path between the output side (24) of the supercapacitor unit (20) and the input side of the starter unit (18) when it has been determined that the starter battery or on-board battery cannot be used for starting, Charging the supercapacitor unit (20) by means of a low-voltage DC power source (32) external to the vehicle, and Closing the switch (26) to start the vehicle.

7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising: 202401426 17 Determine whether the battery voltage of the starter or auxiliary battery corresponds to at least a predetermined battery voltage that allows the starter or auxiliary battery to be recharged, and The switch (26) will only open if the measured battery voltage is at least equal to the predetermined battery voltage.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a low-voltage DC voltage source (32) of another vehicle is used to charge the supercapacitor unit (20).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the low-voltage DC voltage source (32) is an on-board battery of the further vehicle and the on-board battery of the further vehicle provides an on-board voltage that is greater than an on-board voltage of the jump-started vehicle.

10. Method according to one of claims 6-9, wherein a power bank, preferably a 5 V power bank, or a smartphone or mobile phone usable as a power bank is used as a low-voltage DC voltage source (32) for charging the supercapacitor unit (20).

11. Method according to one of claims 6-10 for operating a jump-start device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: Stabilizing the 48 V subnetwork (16) of the vehicle by Operating the second low-voltage DC-DC converter (36) connected to the supercapacitor unit (20) as an additional power source to support the 48 V subnetwork (16) in case of undervoltages, and operating the second low-voltage DC-DC converter (36) connected to the supercapacitor unit (20) as an additional power sink to reduce overvoltages of the 48 V subnetwork (16).

12. A method according to any one of claims 6-11, wherein the method further comprises: Use of the supercapacitor unit (20) for passive stabilization of the vehicle electrical system (12) or a sub-system (14) of the vehicle electrical system (12) with the switch (26) closed during operation of the vehicle.

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