DE102020202013A1 - Method and control device for operating a bridge circuit and actuator system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (300) for operating a bridge circuit (100) is presented, the bridge circuit (100) comprising a first tap point (A1) which is connected to a supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a first switch (S1) and by means of a second switch (S2 ) is or can be connected to a ground potential connection and wherein the bridge circuit (100) comprises a second tap point (A2) which is connected to the supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a third switch (S3) and to the ground potential connection (GND) by means of a fourth switch (S4). connected or connectable. The method (300) comprises a step of activating (310) the first (S1) and / or second switch (S2) in order to open or close the first (S1) and / or second switch (S2) and thereby one with to supply the first actuator (210) connected to the first tapping point (A1) with electrical energy. The method (300) further comprises a step of outputting (320) a control signal (225) to the third (S3) and / or fourth switch (S4) in order to open the third (S3) and / or fourth switch (S4) or to close and thereby supply a second actuator (230) connected to the second tapping point (A2) and independent of the first actuator (210) with electrical energy.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a control device for operating a bridge circuit and to an actuator system according to the main claims.

A B6 bridge driver is understood to be an electronic component that can control an electronic load (e.g. 3-phase motor). For this, 6 output stages (which can be referred to as switches here) are required, which are connected as a bridge in this application, from which the designation of the B6 bridge circuit results. With such a B6 bridge circuit, which has already been sufficiently tested and can therefore be implemented in a very reliable manner, an unused bridge path can remain if a load with less than 3 phases is to be operated by such a bridge circuit. A variant of a bridge circuit with only four output stages or switches is also conceivable, which can be used specifically in analog form if three phases are not to be used in one unit, but, for example, the use of only two phases or even one phase is sufficient .

Against this background, the present invention creates an improved method, an improved control device and consequently also an improved actuator system according to the main claims. Advantageous refinements result from the subclaims and the following description.

• - Ansteuern des ersten und/oder zweiten Schalters, um den ersten und/oder zweiten Schalter zu öffnen oder zu schließen und hierdurch einen mit dem ersten Abgriffspunkt verbundenen ersten Aktuator mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen; und
• - Ausgeben eines Steuersignals an den dritten und/oder vierten Schalter, um den ersten und/oder zweiten Schalter zu öffnen oder zu schließen und hierdurch einen mit dem zweiten Abgriffspunkt verbundenen und vom ersten Aktuator unabhängigen zweiten Aktuator mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen.

The approach presented here creates, according to one embodiment, a method for operating a bridge circuit, wherein the bridge circuit comprises a first tap point which is or can be connected to a supply voltage terminal by means of a first switch and to a ground potential terminal by means of a second switch, and wherein the bridge circuit comprises a second tap point which is or can be connected to the supply voltage connection by means of a third switch and to the ground potential connection by means of a fourth switch, the method comprising the following steps:

• Control of the first and / or second switch in order to open or close the first and / or second switch and thereby supply a first actuator connected to the first tapping point with electrical energy; and
• Output of a control signal to the third and / or fourth switch in order to open or close the first and / or second switch and thereby supply a second actuator connected to the second tap point and independent of the first actuator with electrical energy.

In the present case, a switch can be understood to mean, for example, an element which, in a first state, makes electrically conductive contact or connects two connections with one another and in the second state electrically isolates the two connections from one another. An actuator can be understood, for example, to be an electromechanical element which executes a mechanical movement when electrical energy is supplied, for example in the form of applying a voltage or supplying an electrical current. For example, such an actuator can be an electrical machine, a relay, a valve or the like.

The approach presented here is based on the knowledge that, in a bridge circuit, individual bridge branches can be used to control different, mutually independent actuators or purposes. In this way, a bridge circuit that is often already provided as standard in a device can also be used for one of the scenarios in which this bridge circuit is actually oversized, i.e. an actuator to be operated by the bridge circuit does not have three phases (or the maximum number of phases that can be operated with the bridge) needed for its operation. A phase that is not required for operating an actuator can thus be used to control a further actuator. In this way, an electronic circuit can be made smaller or existing standardized elements can be used for several purposes, so that a reduction in production costs for such an electronic circuit can be realized.

An embodiment of the approach proposed here is favorable in which the bridge circuit comprises a third tap point which is or can be connected to the supply voltage terminal by means of a fifth switch and to the ground potential terminal by means of a sixth switch, in particular the second tap point being connected to the second actuator by the third tap point is connected. In the output step, the control signal can also be output to the fifth and / or sixth switch in order to open or close the fifth and / or sixth switch and thereby also to supply the second actuator with electrical energy from the third tap point. A control signal can thus be understood to be a signal which can be used to control more than one switch. Such Embodiment of the approach proposed here offers the advantage of being able to use, for example, two bridge branches to operate a common actuator, namely the second actuator here, especially when this actuator is fed with electrical energy from two different phases and thus increased efficiency or uniformity a mechanical movement in the energy conversion. For example, this actuator can be switched between the second and third tap point so that a current can flow to the actuator via the second branch of the bridge and can flow away from the actuator via the third branch of the bridge, or a current can flow to the actuator via the third branch of the bridge and flow away from the actuator via the second branch of the bridge can. In this way, current can flow through the actuator in a very flexible manner by simply activating the switches, whereby, for example, a direction of movement or direction of rotation of the actuator can also be controlled.

According to a particular embodiment of the approach presented here, the second actuator can be designed as an electrical machine with fewer than three phase windings. In this case, in the output step, an electrical voltage from the supply voltage connection can be or can be applied to a first of the phase windings by means of the second tap point and / or an electrical voltage from the supply voltage connection can be applied to a second of the phase windings by means of the third tap point. In this way, current can advantageously flow through individual phase windings of the second actuator as electrical machines very precisely, so that very fine and precise control of the electrical machine can be implemented.

According to one embodiment of the approach presented here, the first switch can be closed at a point in time in the actuation step, while the control signal is output at least in the output step in such a way that the third switch is closed. Alternatively or additionally, in the step of actuation by the output control signal, the second switch can be closed at a point in time, while at least in the output step the control signal is output in such a way that the fourth switch is closed. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here offers the advantage of being able to operate the two actuators very flexibly and independently of one another, so that the approach presented here enables a very flexible use of the two actuators.

According to a further embodiment of the approach presented here, the second switch can be closed in the actuation step in order to connect a connection of the first actuator connected to the first tap point to the ground potential connection in an electrically conductive manner. For example, this allows the first actuator to be connected to a ground potential connection both via a power supply connection and via a power discharge connection so that, for example, if there is an inductance in the first actuator and this actuator is switched off after the first actuator has been operated, any induction voltage peaks that may occur can be diverted, without there being a high risk of damaging this actuator or other components of the bridge circuit.

An embodiment of the approach proposed here is particularly advantageous in which the first and / or second switch is activated in the step of activating in order to supply an electromagnetically actuated valve or an electromagnetically actuated piston as the first actuator with electrical energy and / or that in step of outputting, the control signal is output in order to supply an electrical machine as a second actuator with electrical energy. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of being able to operate different electromechanical energy converters with a standardized and simple control circuit or a standardized and simple control device starting from a common supply voltage connection.

In particular, according to one embodiment, in the output step, the control signal can be output in such a way that a mechanical movement of a component of the second actuator is controlled exclusively by the control signal to the second actuator. In this way, it can advantageously be ensured that the first actuator can be activated independently of the second actuator and thus a completely independent and thus flexible mode of operation of the two actuators is possible.

The approach presented here also creates a control device which is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. The object on which the invention is based can also be achieved quickly and efficiently by means of this embodiment variant of the invention in the form of a control device.

For this purpose, the control device can have at least one processing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for Storing signals or data, having at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading in sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator and / or at least one communication interface for reading in or outputting data that is embedded in a communication protocol . The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, wherein the storage unit can be a flash memory, an EEPROM or a magnetic storage unit. The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and / or wired, a communication interface that can read in or output wired data, for example, can read this data electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it into a corresponding data transmission line.

In the present case, a control device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals as a function thereof. The control device can have an interface which can be designed in terms of hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware design, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the control device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate, integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of a software-based design, the interfaces can be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

An embodiment of the approach proposed here as an actuator system with a bridge circuit, a first and a second actuator is particularly favorable, the bridge circuit comprising a first tap point which is or can be connected to a supply voltage connection by means of a first switch and to a ground potential connection by means of a second switch and wherein the bridge circuit comprises a second tap point which is connected or connectable by means of a third switch to the supply voltage connection and by means of a fourth switch to the ground potential connection, in particular wherein the first actuator is connected between the first tap point and the ground potential connection and a connection of the second actuator is connected to the second point of attack is connected, wherein the actuator system further comprises a control device according to a variant presented here.

The advantages mentioned above can also be realized very easily by means of such an embodiment.

A computer program product with program code, which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out the method according to one of the embodiments described above, when the program is on a computer or a device, is also advantageous is performed.

• 1 ein Blockschaltbild einer herkömmlichen Ansteuerung einer B6-Brücke als Basis zu Erläuterung der Vorteile des hier vorgestellten Ansatzes;
• 2 ein Blockschaltbild eines Ausführungsbeispiels des hier vorgestellten Ansatzes als Aktuatorsystem; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels des hier vorgestellten Ansatzes als Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Brückenschaltung.

The invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a block diagram of a conventional control of a B6 bridge as a basis for explaining the advantages of the approach presented here;
• 2 a block diagram of an embodiment of the approach presented here as an actuator system; and
• 3 a flowchart of an embodiment of the approach presented here as a method for operating a bridge circuit.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

1 shows a block diagram of a conventional control of a B6 bridge 100 as a basis for explaining the advantages of the approach presented here. The B6 bridge 100 (which can also be referred to synonymously as a bridge circuit) here comprises a first switch S1 between a supply voltage connection VCC and a first tap point A1 is switched. Furthermore, the B6 bridge 100 a second switch S2 on that between the first tap point A1 and a ground potential connection GND is switched. This creates a first branch of the bridge 110 formed, the one current path from the supply voltage connection VCC over the first switch S1 , the first point of attack A1 and the second switch S2 to the ground potential connection GND forms.

Also includes the B6 bridge 100 a third switch S3 between the supply voltage connection VCC and a second tap point A2 is switched. The B6 bridge also points 100 a fourth switch S4 on that between the second tap point A2 and the Ground potential connection GND is switched. A second branch of the bridge is used analogously 120 formed, the one current path from the supply voltage connection VCC via the third switch S3 , the tap point A2 and the fourth switch S4 to the ground potential connection GND forms.

Finally includes the B6 bridge 100 a fifth switch S5 between the supply voltage connection VCC and a third tap point A3 is switched. The B6 bridge also points 100 a sixth switch S6 on that between the third tap point A3 and the ground potential connection GND is switched. A second branch of the bridge is used analogously 130 formed, the one current path from the supply voltage connection VCC via the third switch S3 , the third tap point A3 and the sixth switch S6 to the mass production connection GND forms.

There is also an actuator M. provided, which is designed, for example, in the embodiment shown in Figure two as a 3-phase electrical machine. Each of the three phases P1 , P2 and P3 (For example, to energize each phase winding of the electrical machine M. ) is each with one of the points of attack A1 , A2 and A3 electrically conductively connected. Are now through the control unit 140 , which is designed as a B6 bridge driver, for example, the switches S1 , S2 , S3 , S4 , S5 and S6 appropriately controlled, a current can flow from the supply voltage connection VCC through at least one of the phases P1 , P2 and or P3 into the electrical machine as an actuator M. be directed so that the electric machine M. can convert electrical energy into a corresponding torque very efficiently and evenly. An outflow of the into the actuator or the electrical machine M. Current flowing can, for example, via another of the phases P1 , P2 and P3 lead than one in the actuator M. flowing current or alternatively via a direct (in the 1 not explicitly shown) connection of the actuator M. to the ground potential connection GND . The time required for this to control the switch S of such a bridge circuit 100 A person skilled in the art is familiar with a closed or an open state.

In modern applications, however, there is often a case in which there is no 3-phase electrical machine as an actuator M. should be operated, but for example an actuator that only requires a 2-phase or even only a 1-phase control. Often, however, it is used to control such an actuator M. on a well-engineered and well-known bridge circuit 100 used and only a timed switching scheme for controlling the switches S1 , S2 , S3 , S4 , S5 and S6 adapted according to the desired purpose. In this case, a scenario can also arise that a complete bridge branch, as it is for example in the 1 with the first branch of the bridge 110 , the second branch of the bridge 120 or the third branch of the bridge 130 is shown, is not used and therefore runs freely. On the other hand, however, a scenario can also occur in a scenario in which a further actuator is to be operated which, for example, can be correctly controlled with just one bridge branch, so that, according to the approach presented here, it is proposed to control another such actuator Actuator such an unused bridge branch of a bridge circuit configured, for example, as a B6 bridge 100 can be used.

2 . shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the approach presented here as an actuator system 200 . As shown in the representation of the block diagram according to 2 will now be the first branch of the bridge 110 (which can also be referred to as a half bridge) for operating a first actuator 210 used. The first actuator 210 can be, for example, an actuator that can only be operated by a 1-phase control. For example, the first actuator 210 be designed as a relay or a valve, which by closing the first switch S1 via the first tap point A1 with the one from the supply voltage connection VCC provided voltage is applied. Because the first actuator 210 between the first point of attack A1 and a ground potential connection GND is switched, a current now flows from the supply voltage connection VCC via the closed first switch S1 and the first actuator 210 into the ground potential connection GND . The second switch S2 is kept in an open state. For example, should the first actuator now 210 can be deactivated, the first switch S1 be controlled in such a way that it assumes an open state, whereas the second switch S2 is controlled in such a way that it assumes a closed state. In this way, for example, a current flow from the first actuator can also be achieved 210 via the second switch S2 into the ground potential connection GND are conducted, for example by an inductance-related voltage peak when switching off a current flow through the first actuator 210 results. The activation of the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 , i.e. the output of one control signal each 225 to the first switch S1 and / or the second switch S2 , can in this case by a control unit 220 of the control unit 140 respectively.

Should now a further, second actuator through the control of switches of the bridge circuit 100 can be operated, for example, the bridge branches that are still available second bridge branch again 120 and / or the third bridge branch 130 be used. In the in the 2 The illustrated embodiment is here both the second bridge branch 120 as well as the third branch of the bridge 130 used, although only one of the bridge branches 120 or. 130 the actuator can be used alone or for controlling a separate 1-phase in each case. In the in the 2 However, a second actuator is, for example, shown in the exemplary embodiment 230 used, for example, as an electrical machine M. is designed and between the second tap point A2 and the third tap point A3 is switched, so that the second bridge branch 120 and the third branch of the bridge 130 are connected as an H-bridge. For example, it can be the second actuator 230 be a 1-phase electrical machine, depending on the switching of the third switch S3 , the fourth switch S4 , the fifth switch S5 and / or the sixth switch S6 is operated in a first direction of rotation or in a second direction of rotation. The control of the third switch S3 , the fourth switch S4 , the fifth switch S5 and / or the sixth switch S6 can be done by outputting a control signal 225 to the respective switch S3 , S4 , S5 and or S6 through an output unit 240 of the control unit 140 respectively. It is particularly favorable here if the second actuator 230 mechanical in its movement from the first actuator 210 is decoupled and / or, for example, also (up to the connection of the control unit 140 ) electrically from the first actuator 210 is isolated. This enables two completely independent actuators 210 or. 230 through the control unit 140 can be controlled.

However, it is also conceivable that the second bridge branch 120 and / or the third bridge branch 130 analogous to the first branch of the bridge 110 a 1-phase second (or third, not shown) actuator and thus also connected as a half bridge. In this case, a B6 bridge circuit can be used 100 on three independent actuators can be controlled separately from each other if each of the actuators is in its own bridge branch 110 , 120 or 130 is connected.

With the approach presented here, a possibility is thus opened up, bridge circuits such as the bridge circuit that are often already mature and already implemented in products for switching larger electrical powers 100 to be used for other purposes, if individual of the bridge branches 110 , 120 and or 130 current function are not required. In such a scenario, only the switching cycles or switching times for the respective switches S in the control unit would have to be adapted 210 and / or the output unit 240 which, however, can often be achieved very easily by implementing a changed software code. As a result, manufacturing costs can in some cases be significantly reduced when a control of several actuators is implemented, and aspects of a small installation space required can also come into play.

In summary, it should be noted that in various applications it is often not only necessary to operate electronic loads with 3-phases (connections), but also 2-phase and 1-phase electronic loads that are to be operated from a supply voltage connection. There are already various options for controlling these loads. If there is an electronic load with 2-phases (e.g. motor) and a 1-phase load (e.g. valve), the control can be carried out very easily via a B6 bridge driver or a control device as shown in the 2 is shown as an example. With 2/3 of its logic / connections / power, this takes on the tasks of controlling the 2-phase load (here the second actuator 230 and with 1/3 of its logic / connections / power the tasks for controlling the 1-phase load.

3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the approach presented here as a method 300 for operating a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit comprises a first tap point which is connected or can be connected to a supply voltage terminal by means of a first switch and to a ground potential terminal by means of a second switch, and wherein the bridge circuit comprises a second tap point which is connected to the supply voltage terminal by means of a third switch and to the supply voltage terminal by means of a fourth switch is connected or connectable to the ground potential connection. The process has one step 310 of controlling the first and / or second switch in order to open or close the first and / or second switch and thereby supply a first actuator connected to the first tap point with electrical energy. The method also includes 300 one step 320 outputting a control signal to the third and / or fourth switch in order to open or close the first and / or second switch and thereby supply a second actuator connected to the second tap point and independent of the first actuator with electrical energy.

The exemplary embodiments described and shown in the figures are selected only as examples. Different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another completely or with regard to individual features. An exemplary embodiment can also be supplemented by features of a further exemplary embodiment.

Furthermore, method steps according to the invention can be repeated and carried out in a sequence other than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this can be read in such a way that the exemplary embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and, according to a further embodiment, either only the first Has feature or only the second feature.

List of reference symbols

100

Bridge circuit, B6 bridge

110

first bridge branch

120

second bridge branch

130

third branch of the bridge

140

Control unit

VCC

Supply voltage connection

GND

Ground potential connection

M.

Actuator, electric machine

S1

first switch

S2

second switch

S3

third switch

S4

fourth switch

S5

fifth switch

S6

sixth switch

A1

first tap point

A2

second tap point

A3

third tap point

P1

first phase

P2

second phase

P3

third phase

200

Actuator system

210

first actuator

220

Control unit

225

Control signal

230

second actuator

240

Output unit

300

Method for operating a bridge circuit

310

Step of driving

320

Step of spending

Claims (11)

Method (300) for operating a bridge circuit (100), wherein the bridge circuit (100) comprises a first tap point (A1) which is connected to a ground potential connection by means of a first switch (S1) and a supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a second switch (S2) is connected or connectable and wherein the bridge circuit (100) comprises a second tap point (A2) which is connected to the supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a third switch (S3) and to the ground potential connection (GND) by means of a fourth switch (S4), the method (300) comprising the steps of: - Controlling (310) the first (S1) and / or second switch (S2) in order to open or close the first (S1) and / or second switch (S2) and thereby a first connected to the first tap point (A1) To supply the actuator (210) with electrical energy; and - Outputting (320) a control signal (225) to the third (S3) and / or fourth switch (S4) in order to open or close the third (S3) and / or fourth switch (S4) and thereby one with the second To supply the second actuator (230) connected to the tapping point (A2) and independent of the first actuator (210) with electrical energy. Method (300) according to Claim 1 , wherein the bridge circuit (100) comprises a third tap point (A3) which is or can be connected to the supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a fifth switch (S5) and to the ground potential connection (GND) by means of a sixth switch (S6), in particular where the second tap point (A2) is connected to the third tap point (A3) by the second actuator (230), characterized in that in the step (320) of outputting the control signal (225) to the fifth (S5) and / or sixth Switch (S6) is output in order to open or close the fifth (S5) and / or sixth switch (S6) and thereby also to supply the second actuator (230) with electrical energy from the third tap point (A3). Method (300) according to Claim 2 , wherein the second actuator (230) is designed as an electrical machine (M) with less than three phase windings, characterized in that in the step (320) of outputting a first of the phase windings by means of the second tap point (A2) with an electrical voltage to the Supply voltage connection (VCC) is acted upon or can be acted upon and / or a second of the phase windings is acted upon or can be acted upon by means of the third tap point (A3) with an electrical voltage from the supply voltage connection (VCC). The method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the step (310) of actuation the first switch (S1) is closed at a point in time, while the control signal (225) is output in this way at least in the step (320) of outputting that the third switch (S3) is closed and / or that the second switch (S2) is closed at a point in time in the actuation step (310), while the control signal (225) is output in this way at least in the output step (320) that the fourth switch (S4) is closed. Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the step (320) of controlling the second switch (S2) is closed in order to connect a connection of the first actuator (210) connected to the first tap point (A1) to the ground potential connection (GND) to be connected in an electrically conductive manner. The method (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the step (320) of controlling the first (S1) and / or second switch (S2) are controlled to have an electromagnetically operated valve or an electromagnetically operated piston as the first actuator (210) to be supplied with electrical energy and / or that in step (320) of outputting the control signal (225) is output in order to supply an electrical machine as a second actuator (210) with electrical energy Method (300) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that in the output step (320) the control signal (225) is output such that a mechanical movement of a component of the second actuator (230) is controlled exclusively by a control signal (225) to the second actuator (230). Control unit (140) which is set up to carry out the steps (310, 320) of the method (300) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 7th to be executed and / or controlled in corresponding units (220, 240). Actuator system (200) with a bridge circuit (100), a first (210) and a second actuator (230), the bridge circuit (100) comprising a first tap point (A1) which is connected to a supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a first switch (S1) ) and is or can be connected to a ground potential connection (GND) by means of a second switch (S2) and wherein the bridge circuit (100) comprises a second tap point (A2) which is connected to the supply voltage connection (VCC) by means of a third switch (S3) and by means of a fourth switch (S4) is connected or connectable to the ground potential connection (GND), in particular wherein the first actuator (210) is connected between the first tap point (A1) and the ground potential connection (GND) and a connection of the second actuator (230) is connected to the second point of attack (A2) is connected, wherein the actuator system (200) further comprises a control unit (140) according to Claim 8 having. Computer program which is set up to carry out the steps of the method (300) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 7th execute and / or control. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program is based Claim 10 is stored.

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