DE102019213011A1 - System and method for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for electrically connecting an energy source (54) to an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), comprising a fuse device (2) with an electrical input contact (4), a plurality of semiconductor fuses (5-x ), one electrical output contact (6-x) for each of the semiconductor fuses (5-x), and a control device (7) for controlling the semiconductor fuses (5-x), the semiconductor fuses (5-x) on an input side (10 ) are electrically connected together with the electrical input contact (4), the semiconductor fuses (5-x) on an output side (11) being individually electrically connected to one of the electrical output contacts (6-x), and the control device (7) is set up to control the semiconductor fuses (5-x) in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration (20); and a connecting means (3), wherein the connecting means (3) is set up to electrically connect the electrical output contacts (6-x) to one another and to the electrical line branches (53-x) of the cable harness (52) in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration (20). to connect the on-board network (51). The invention also relates to a method for electrically connecting an energy source (54) to an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50).

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a securing device, a connecting means and a motor vehicle.

Electrical semiconductor fuses are known which are controlled by means of a control device. The triggering of the semiconductor fuse or disconnection of an electrical connection takes place here when a current detected by means of a current sensor on the electrical line to be protected exceeds a triggering current.

From the US 6,746,279 B1 a power distribution system is known. This includes a power distribution block and a set of connectors configured to be removably coupled to the power distribution block. The system is useful for distributing energy (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc.). The set of connectors includes at least two types of connectors. The block contains two or more conduction paths, each with two opposite ends. The block and connectors are configured so that one or more connectors of any type in the set can be removably coupled to at least one of the conduction paths at each end of the paths. Each end of each conduction path is connected (both electrically and mechanically) to no more than one connector.

The invention is based on the object of creating a system and a method for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle, which can be used more flexibly.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a system with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 10. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a securing device with the features of claim 7 and a connecting means with the features of claim 8. Advantageous refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

In particular, a system for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle is created, comprising a fuse device with an electrical input contact, a plurality of semiconductor fuses, one electrical output contact for each of the semiconductor fuses, and a control device for controlling the semiconductor fuses, the semiconductor fuses on an input side are jointly electrically connected to the electrical input contact, the semiconductor fuses on an output side being individually electrically connected to one of the electrical output contacts, and wherein the control device is configured to control the semiconductor fuses in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration; and a connecting means for electrically connecting the electrical output contacts of the safety device to electrical branches of a wiring harness of the on-board network, the connecting means being configured to electrically connect the electrical output contacts to one another and to the electrical branches of the wiring harness of the on-board network in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration.

Furthermore, in particular a method for forming an electrical connection between an energy source and an on-board network of a motor vehicle is provided, a fuse device with a plurality of semiconductor fuses controlled by a control device being provided, the semiconductor fuses on an input side together with an electrical input contact of the fuse device are or will be electrically connected, the semiconductor fuses on an output side being individually or being electrically connected to an electrical output contact of the fuse device, the control device of the fuse device being configured and / or provided in such a way that the semiconductor fuses are controlled according to a predetermined electrical configuration, the electrical input contact being electrically connected to the energy source, and wherein a connecting means is selected and / or provided such that the electrical output contacts of the fuse device are electrically connected to one another and to electrical line branches according to the predetermined electrical configuration a wiring harness of the electrical system are connected or are connected.

In a third aspect, in particular a fuse device for a system for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle is created, comprising an electrical input contact, a plurality of semiconductor fuses, in each case one electrical output contact for each of the semiconductor fuses, and a control device for controlling the semiconductor fuses, wherein the semiconductor fuses on an input side are jointly electrically connected to the electrical input contact, the semiconductor fuses on an output side being individually electrically connected to one of the electrical output contacts, and wherein the control device is configured to control the semiconductor fuses in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration.

In a fourth aspect, a connection means for a system for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle is created, the connection means being set up to electrically connect electrical output contacts of a fuse device according to the third aspect according to the predetermined electrical configuration to one another and to electrical line branches To connect the wiring harness of the vehicle electrical system.

The system and the method make it possible to establish an electrical connection between an energy source, for example a battery, and an on-board network of a motor vehicle in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration. In particular, it is possible to use structurally identical securing devices when manufacturing motor vehicles. A vehicle-specific connection between the energy source and line branches of the on-board network takes place in particular by configuring the control device in accordance with the specified electrical configuration and by selecting and / or providing a connecting means corresponding to the electrical configuration. Provision can be made, for example, for motor vehicles to have structurally identical securing devices during manufacture, a control device of the securing device not initially being configured. When the motor vehicle passes through the production line, the control device is configured for each vehicle in accordance with the electrical configuration specified for this motor vehicle. Furthermore, line branches of a cable harness of an on-board network of this motor vehicle are produced by means of a connecting means configured individually for the vehicle according to the predetermined electrical configuration. The connecting means connects both output contacts of the securing device to one another in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration and the (partially interconnected) output contacts in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration to line branches of a cable harness of the motor vehicle. Identical securing devices of other motor vehicles can each have different predetermined electrical configurations individually for each vehicle and can be used together with connecting means designed in each case according to the predetermined electrical configuration.

An advantage of the system and the method is that the required power (or power carrying capacity) of electrical connections between the energy source and individual line branches of the on-board network can be configured in almost any way. In particular, several semiconductor fuses can be operated in parallel with one another, so that higher powers can be transported via an electrical connection configured in this way than via a single semiconductor fuse. Since structurally identical safety devices can be configured during the manufacture of motor vehicles (on the software side or on the parameter side), no (or only a few) hardware variants of the safety device have to be provided despite a large variety of different engine and / or equipment variants of the motor vehicles. As a result, the number of pieces of the securing device produced can be increased, so that effort and costs can be reduced.

A semiconductor fuse comprises, in particular, a current sensor for detecting an electrical current flowing via an electrical line to be protected. Furthermore, the semiconductor fuse comprises, in particular, a semiconductor switch for electrically connecting and disconnecting an electrical connection between an input and an output of the semiconductor fuse. The semiconductor switch comprises, in particular, a power semiconductor, for example a power MOSFET (power metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor) or an IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor). The semiconductor switch is controlled by means of the control device of the safety device. For this purpose, sensor data from the current sensor are continuously fed to the control device, which compares them with a predetermined value for a tripping current. If the detected current reaches or exceeds the value of the tripping current, the semiconductor fuse is triggered, that is, an electrical connection is separated by opening the semiconductor switch.

The semiconductor fuses can be housed individually or at least in groups together.

It can be provided that the fuse device or the system comprises several tens to several hundred semiconductor fuses. In this way, secure electrical connections with a large number of different electrical capacities (e.g. with respect to a rated current or a rated power or a maximum current or a maximum power) can be formed in a flexible manner.

The predetermined electrical configuration specifies in particular which output contacts are electrically connected to one another, that is to say between which output contacts an electrical contact is made in each case. For example, it can be provided that with ten semiconductor fuses and associated output contacts, three output contacts are electrically connected to one another are connected so that a total of four separate electrical connections are formed between the input contact and the output contacts, namely three electrical connections that are each protected by three parallel-connected semiconductor fuses, and one electrical connection that is protected by a (single) semiconductor fuse. Furthermore, the specified electrical configuration specifies in particular how the output contacts (possibly electrically connected to one another) are to be or are electrically connected to line branches of an on-board network of a motor vehicle. In the above example, the three electrical connections with parallel-connected semiconductor fuses can each transport a greater amount of power than the electrical connection with the (individual) semiconductor fuse. In another motor vehicle, for example, a different predetermined electrical configuration can be provided for the ten electrical connections, for example 2 x 3 semiconductor fuses connected in parallel and 4 x 1 semiconductor fuses, etc. The other motor vehicle therefore has a different predetermined electrical configuration.

Furthermore, the predetermined electrical configuration specifies how the control device controls the semiconductor fuses. In particular, the specified electrical configuration determines which semiconductor fuses are triggered together. If, for example, the output contacts of three semiconductor fuses are electrically connected to one another according to the specified electrical configuration, so that there are three electrical connections connected in parallel, all three semiconductor fuses are triggered if a tripping current is exceeded on one of these semiconductor fuses, i.e. all three electrical connections are disconnected.

The connecting means comprises in particular electrical and mechanical elements with which mechanically and electrically stable and secure connections can be formed. For this purpose, the connecting means comprises, for example, electrical contact surfaces, electrical connecting bridges and mechanical guide and / or fixing means, for example rails and / or locking means, which interact with each complementary means of the output contacts or the safety device.

The control device can be designed as a combination of hardware and software, for example as program code that is executed on a microcontroller or microprocessor. Values for tripping currents of the semiconductor fuses and the predetermined electrical configuration are or are in particular stored in a memory, in particular a non-volatile memory, of the control device.

In one embodiment it is provided that the connecting means comprises at least one plug, the at least one plug being configured to electrically connect the electrical output contacts to one another and to the electrical branches of the wiring harness of the vehicle electrical system in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration. In this way, an electrical connection can be established in a time-saving manner in that the plug is plugged manually or automatically onto the output contacts of the safety device. In particular when a cable harness is prefabricated, the plug can be connected or connected to line branches of the cable harness in advance.

In one embodiment it is provided that the connecting means comprises at least one busbar, the electrical output contacts being connected to one another and to the electrical branches of the wiring harness of the on-board network by means of the at least one busbar according to the predetermined electrical configuration. The busbar or busbars can, for example, have different lengths, with the respective length and a position at which a busbar is arranged determining which output contacts are electrically connected to one another or are electrically connected.

In one embodiment it is provided that the semiconductor fuses have the same electrical properties at least in groups. As a result, a structure of the fuse device can be simplified, since only a limited number of different types of semiconductor fuses have to be used. Electrical properties include, in particular, power properties of the semiconductor fuses, such as, for example, a rated current or a rated power and / or a maximum current or a maximum power. It can be provided, for example, that the fuse device has groups of semiconductor fuses of different power classes, so that an electrical configuration can take place as a function of these power classes.

In one embodiment it is provided that the control device is set up to trigger the semiconductor fuses at least in groups with the same triggering currents.

This allows the safety device to be simplified. In particular, is or will be a This simplifies the configuration of the control device. Corresponding values for the tripping current are or are stored in a memory of the control device.

In one embodiment it is provided that the semiconductor fuses all have the same electrical properties. As a result, the safety device has a particularly simple structure. As a result, both manufacturing effort and costs can be saved during manufacture, since all semiconductor fuses can be of identical construction.

Electrical properties include, in particular, power properties of the semiconductor fuses, such as, for example, a rated current or a rated power and / or a maximum current or a maximum power.

In one embodiment it is provided that the control device is set up to trigger the semiconductor fuses all with the same triggering currents. This makes it particularly easy to design and configure the control device. A manufacturing or configuration effort and costs can be further reduced.

Further features for the configuration of the securing device and the connecting means emerge from the description of configurations of the system. The advantages of the securing device and the connecting means are in each case the same as in the configurations of the system.

Furthermore, in particular a motor vehicle is also created, comprising at least one system according to any of the described embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des Systems zum elektrischen Verbinden einer Energiequelle mit einem Bordnetz eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 2 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens zum Ausbilden einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen einer Energiequelle und einem Bordnetz eines Kraftfahrzeugs.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Here show:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system for electrically connecting an energy source to an on-board network of a motor vehicle;
• 2 a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method for forming an electrical connection between an energy source and an on-board network of a motor vehicle.

In 1 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system 1 for electrically connecting an energy source 54 with an on-board network 51 of a motor vehicle 50 shown. The system 1 is in the motor vehicle 50 formed and comprises a safety device 2 and a connecting means 3rd .

The safety device 2 includes an electrical input contact 4th , a plurality of semiconductor fuses 5-x , one electrical output contact each 6-x for each of the semiconductor fuses 5-x and a controller 7th for controlling the semiconductor fuses 5-x .

The semiconductor fuses 5-x are on an entry page 10 together with the electrical input contact 4th electrically connected. The input contact 4th is, for example, electrically connected to the positive pole of an energy source via "Terminal 30" 54 of the motor vehicle 50 , in particular a battery of the motor vehicle 50 , connected.

On an exit page 11 are the semiconductor fuses 5-x individually each with one of the electrical output contacts 6-x electrically connected.

The semiconductor fuses 5-x include semiconductor switches 8-x , in particular in the form of power semiconductors, for example power MOSFETs or IGBTs. The semiconductor fuses also include 5-x each current sensors (not shown), each one continuously through the semiconductor fuses 5-x Detect flowing electrical current and send associated sensor data to the control device 7th to transfer. The sensor data, that is to say the currents recorded in each case, are provided by the control device 7th with respective tripping currents 30-x compared (for the sake of better allocation, the tripping currents are 30-x in the respective semiconductor fuse 5-1 shown, although the individual values are in a memory of the control device 7th are deposited). Exceeds a on a semiconductor fuse 5-x detected current an associated tripping current 30-x so controls the control device 7th the respective semiconductor fuse 5-x or the semiconductor switches 8-x in such a way that an electrical connection is disconnected.

The control device 7th is set up for this purpose, the semiconductor fuses 5-x according to a predetermined electrical configuration 20th to control. This means in particular that semiconductor fuses are electrically connected in parallel to one another 5-x be triggered together, that is, at the same time. The default electrical configuration 20th is in a memory (not shown) of the control device 7th deposited.

The connecting means 7th includes a plug 9 . Alternatively or additionally, the connecting means comprises 7th at least one busbar 19th .

The plug 9 has electrical contacts (not shown) for forming electrical connections between the output contacts 6-x on. The plug 9 this is done, for example, on the output contacts 6-x inserted so that a mechanical and electrical connection is established.

Is at least one busbar 19th present, the electrical connections between the output contacts 6-3 for example through different lengths and positions of the at least one busbar 19th be trained. The at least one busbar 19th is then with the respective according to the given electrical configuration 20th the at least one busbar 19th assigned branch 53-x connected.

In the embodiment shown, the connector is 9 or the at least one busbar 19th according to the given electrical configuration 20th designed or configured in such a way that the output contacts 6-1 , 6-2 , 6-3 with each other and with a branch 53-1 a wiring harness 52 of the electrical system 51 of the motor vehicle 50 are electrically connected. The output contact 6-4 however, is not with the output contacts 6-1 , 6-2 , 6-3 connected, but is only electrically connected to the branch 53-2 of the wiring harness 52 of the electrical system 51 of the motor vehicle 50 connected.

In other words, the predetermined electrical configuration corresponds 20th with an electrical interconnection of the output contacts 6-x in the lanyard 3rd or in the plug 9 .

The system 1 can be flexibly adapted to other vehicle electrical systems or other motor vehicles. All that is needed is a different connection means 3rd and a corresponding configuration of the control device 7th necessary. The safety device 1 can, however, be of the same construction. It can be provided, for example, that the output contacts 6-1 , 6-2 with the branch 53-1 and the output contacts 6-3 , 6-4 with the branch 53-2 are connected. A connecting means designed accordingly for this purpose 3rd then forms according to the predetermined electrical configuration 20th the electrical connections between the output contacts 6-1 , 6-2 or. 6-3 , 6-4 and the branch 53-1 or. 53-2 of the wiring harness 52 of the electrical system 51 out. In addition, the control device 7th configured to this default electrical configuration (ie 2: 2), so the semiconductor fuses 5-1 , 5-2 or. 5-3 , 5-4 in each case together, that is to say at the same time, are triggered when an associated tripping current 30-x is exceeded. The configuration can be carried out, for example, by loading corresponding configuration data into a memory of the control device 7th respectively.

The system 1 can therefore be adapted to different application scenarios and thereby despite similarly designed securing devices 2 can be used very flexibly.

The one in the 1 The embodiment shown is greatly simplified. In particular, it can be provided that the securing device 2 further, in particular several tens or several hundred, semiconductor fuses 5-x with associated output contacts 6-x having. The lanyard 3rd is in each case designed to be complementary thereto; in particular, this has in accordance with one for the corresponding number of semiconductor fuses 5-x predetermined electrical configuration 20th further electrical connections between the output contacts 6-x and to (further) line branches 53-x on.

In one on the one in the 1 The embodiment shown building up the embodiment is provided that the semiconductor fuses 5-x have the same electrical properties at least in groups. It can be provided, for example, that the safety device 2 Groups with different performance classes of semiconductor fuses 5-x has, for example, a group with a nominal power of 5 A, a group with a nominal power of 10 A and a group with a nominal power of 20 A. A number of the semiconductor fuses 5-x in the exemplary groups is, for example, 20, 20, 10.

It can be provided that the control device 7th is set up for this purpose, the semiconductor fuses 5-x at least in groups with the same tripping currents 30-x trigger. In the above example with the three groups of semiconductor fuses 5-x With different rated powers, the same value can also be used for the tripping current for each of the groups 30-x can be selected, for example 5 A, 10 A and 20 A.

In one on the one in the 1 The embodiment shown building up the embodiment is provided that the semiconductor fuses 5-x all have the same electrical properties. For example, the semiconductor fuses 5-x all have the same power rating.

In 2 a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method for forming an electrical connection between an energy source and an on-board network of a motor vehicle is shown.

The electrical connection between the energy source and the electrical system of the motor vehicle is established by means of an embodiment of the system, as it is for example in the 1 is shown.

In one measure 100 a specified electrical configuration is retrieved from a database. This is done for that motor vehicle in which the electrical connection between the energy source and the on-board network is to be established.

In one measure 101 the control device of the safety device of the system is configured and / or provided in such a way that the semiconductor fuses are controlled in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration retrieved from the database. For this purpose, the specified electrical configuration is loaded into an, in particular non-volatile, memory of the control device. Provision can be made for values for tripping currents of the semiconductor fuses to be loaded into the memory at the same time.

In one measure 102 the electrical input contact of the safety device of the system is electrically connected to the energy source of the motor vehicle.

In one measure 103 the connection means of the system is selected and / or provided in such a way that the electrical output contacts of the safety device are or are electrically connected to one another and to electrical line branches of a cable harness of the on-board network in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration. For example, a connector is selected and / or provided accordingly, which forms the electrical connections with the output contacts and the line branches.

List of reference symbols

1

system

2

Safety device

3

Lanyard

4th

Input contact

5-x

Semiconductor fuse

6-x

Output contact

7th

Control device

8-x

Semiconductor switch

9

plug

10

Entry page

11

Exit page

19th

Busbar

20th

default electrical configuration

30-x

Trip current

50

Motor vehicle

51

Electrical system

52

Wiring harness

53-x

Branch

54

Energy source

100-103

Procedural measures

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 6746279 B1 [0003]

Claims (10)

System (1) for electrically connecting an energy source (54) to an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), comprising: a safety device (2) with an electrical input contact (4), a plurality of semiconductor fuses (5-x), one electrical output contact (6-x) for each of the semiconductor fuses (5-x), and a control device (7) for controlling the semiconductor fuses (5-x), wherein the semiconductor fuses (5-x) are electrically connected on an input side (10) together with the electrical input contact (4), wherein the semiconductor fuses (5-x) are individually electrically connected on an output side (11) to one of the electrical output contacts (6-x), and wherein the control device (7) is set up to control the semiconductor fuses (5-x) in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration (20); and a connecting means (3) for electrically connecting the electrical output contacts (6-x) of the safety device (2) to electrical line branches (53-x) of a cable harness (52) of the on-board network (51), wherein the connecting means (3) is set up to electrically connect the electrical output contacts (6-x) to one another and to the electrical line branches (53-x) of the cable harness (52) of the on-board network (51) in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration (20) . System (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting means (3) comprises at least one plug (9), wherein the at least one plug (9) is set up to electrically connect the electrical output contacts (6-x) to and with one another according to the predetermined electrical configuration (20) to connect the electrical branches (53-x) of the cable harness (52) of the electrical system (51). System (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the connecting means (3) comprises at least one busbar (19), wherein the electrical output contacts (6-x) according to the predetermined electrical configuration (20) by means of the at least one busbar (19) with each other and with the electrical line branches ( 53-x) of the wiring harness (52) of the vehicle electrical system (51) are connected. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the semiconductor fuses (5-x) have the same electrical properties at least in groups. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (7) is set up to trigger the semiconductor fuses (5-x) at least in groups with the same triggering currents (30-x). System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the semiconductor fuses (5-x) all have the same electrical properties. A safety device (2) for a system (1) for electrically connecting an energy source (54) to an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), comprising: an electrical input contact (4), a plurality of semiconductor fuses (5-x), one electrical output contact (6-x) for each of the semiconductor fuses (5-x), and a control device (7) for controlling the semiconductor fuses (5-x), wherein the semiconductor fuses (5-x) are electrically connected on an input side (10) together with the electrical input contact (4), wherein the semiconductor fuses (5-x) are individually electrically connected on an output side (11) to one of the electrical output contacts (6-x), and wherein the control device (7) is set up to control the semiconductor fuses (5-x) in accordance with a predetermined electrical configuration (20). Connection means (3) for a system (1) for electrically connecting an energy source (54) to an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), the connection means (3) being set up to connect electrical output contacts (6-x) of a safety device ( 2) according to Claim 6 according to the predetermined electrical configuration (20) to be electrically connected to one another and to electrical line branches (53-x) of a cable harness (52) of the on-board network (51). Motor vehicle (50), comprising at least one system (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th . A method for establishing an electrical connection between an energy source (54) and an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), a fuse device (2) having a plurality of semiconductor fuses (5-x) controlled by a control device (7) being provided, wherein the semiconductor fuses (5-x) on an input side (10) together with an electrical input contact (4) of the fuse device (2) are or will be electrically connected, the semiconductor fuses (5-x) on an output side (11) each individually are or will be electrically connected to an electrical output contact (6-x) of the safety device (2), wherein the control device (7) of the fuse device (2) is configured and / or provided in such a way that the semiconductor fuses (5-x) are controlled according to a predetermined electrical configuration (20), the electrical input contact (4) being electrically connected to the energy source and wherein a connecting means (3) is selected and / or provided in such a way that the electrical output contacts (6-x) of the fuse device (2) are electrically connected to one another and to electrical line branches (53-x) in accordance with the predetermined electrical configuration (20) a cable harness (52) of the vehicle electrical system (51) are connected or are connected.

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