EP2003302A2 - Controls, module and ventilator assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The controller (10.1) has an electronic circuit arrangement with a control input and a control unit, and an output stage. The control unit is designed in the form of a programmable microcontroller (11) for receiving and transmitting a set point signal at the microcontroller. The output stage is formed by multiple transistors (T1-T3). The microcontroller is provided for controlling the transistors, independent of engine control signal and an analysis signal that is generated by the circuit arrangement. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a module with a controller for control and/or regulation of electric fan of a motor vehicle (2) a fan arrangement with an electric fan, and a module comprising a controller.

Description

The invention relates to a controller for controlling and / or regulating an electric fan of a motor vehicle, comprising: a circuit arrangement having a control input, a control unit and an output stage. Furthermore, the invention relates to a module and a fan assembly with at least one electric fan and a module.

A drive of an electric fan in the automotive sector is currently. with ever higher demands on the safety and the technical characteristics concerning the control or regulation of the electric fan, in particular the switching, controlling and / or regulating different speed levels of an electric fan, faced. In today's electric fan systems so far a purely electromechanical control is used with interconnection of one or more relays. For example, serial-parallel relays, solid-state relays and associated simple output stages are known.

Such controls prove to be relatively complex and complex in their interconnection and limited in terms of their achievable intelligence or control functions.

It would be desirable to make such controls and systems smarter, especially for the occurrence of a fault.

At this point, the invention is based, whose task is to provide a device with which a simplified circuit, control and / or regulation of an electric fan is possible and which nevertheless has an improved compared to electromechanical controls intelligence potential, especially in case of failure. At the same time, the possible use in the automotive sector should be guaranteed.

Regarding the device, the object is achieved by the invention by means of a control of the type mentioned, according to the invention, the circuit is formed purely electronic, wherein the control unit is formed in the form of a programmable microcontroller, the control input electronically, for receiving and passing a setpoint signal the microcontroller is designed, the output stage is formed by means of a number of transistors and the circuit arrangement has at least one designed for generating and / or passing a diagnostic signal to the microcontroller electronic diagnostic module, and wherein the microcontroller for driving the transistors in response to the motor control signal and the diagnostic signal is designed. In principle, a microcontroller is understood as any electronic logic unit or logic arrangement designed to perform equivalent tasks.

The invention is based on the consideration that, in departure from a previous electromechanical design of a controller, a purely electronic circuit arrangement for the control is indicative of a simultaneously simplified yet safe control design. Accordingly, the invention provides as the basis of the purely electronic design of the circuit arrangement, a programmable microcontroller, an electronic control input and a number of transistors, preferably Power transistors before, which are also connected electronically with an electronic diagnostic module via the microcontroller. In addition to the purely electronic concept of the circuit arrangement of the diagnostic module is provided to detect any error conditions or to deliver a corresponding diagnostic signal to the microcontroller. According to the concept, this is designed to control the transistors in dependence on the motor control and diagnostic signal. For this purpose, the microcontroller preferably has a safety functionality by means of which it is ensured that the controlled and / or regulated electric fan system switched by the controller also assumes a defined state in the event of a fault and thus excessive damage to the overall system is avoided. The controller and the electric fan system according to the concept of the invention is relatively insusceptible to faults due to the provided diagnostic and security functionality.

The invention has recognized that the lack of logic and detection capabilities in previous electromechanical systems can be remedied by a purely electronic system and, to that extent, an electric fan control or circuit provided with additional safety functions and comparatively high comfort potential can be used. Advantageously, the over-dimensioning and inflexibility known from electromechanical circuits is thereby avoided.

The invention also leads to a module with a controller according to the concept of the invention. In particular, in the context of the concept of the invention, a module is preferred which is particularly designed for use in the automotive sector. In particular, a circuit board with the circuit arrangement can be provided, which preferably has a cooling surface, in particular housed in a housing. The cooling surface serves that module even at elevated in the Engine compartment temperatures to keep functioning and the housing protects the board from moisture, dirt or other harmful entries. Due to the purely electronic design of the circuit arrangement, and in particular due to the preferably provided cooling surface and the housing preferably provided, the module proves to be particularly aligned and advantageous for the automotive sector.

The invention also leads to a fan arrangement with at least one electric fan and the module according to the concept of the invention, wherein the module is arranged switching between a vehicle control and the electric fan.

Overall, the concept of the invention makes it possible to considerably reduce a development and series application effort for a controller or a module or a fan arrangement by using purely electronic switching, control or regulating electronics and logic for forming a comparatively intelligent control module , This results in manifold, beyond the potential of an electromechanical control options beyond an intelligent provided with diagnostic and safety functions control and appropriate communication options with the electric fan and the electric fan control according to the invention and the engine control. In addition, the present concept of the invention allows a preferred plurality of variants of a circuit arrangement and module or fan assembly, which allow it to be used flexibly with comparatively little effort for different applications. This results in advantages in terms of cost and standardization, as well as shorter development and application times in the context of the concept of the invention. The proposed concept of a controller or an electric fan assembly is with a simplified periphery such as cabling and Control lines and a total of a smaller number of components and thus a higher system security.

Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and specify in particular advantageous ways to realize the above-described concept within the scope of the problem and with regard to further advantages.

Preferably, the diagnostic module comprises at least one current measuring module and / or a temperature measuring module, in particular in the form of one or more shunts. The temperature and lighting environment of an electric fan proves to be particularly relevant to its functionality and its operating point, so that by providing a current measuring module and / or a temperature measuring module, the diagnostic capability of the controller is considerably improved according to this development.

The security functionality of the microcontroller is further developed in a particularly advantageous manner by being able to be guided by a temperature-dependent and / or current-dependent signal. In particular, a temperature-dependent and / or current-dependent control characteristic can be stored in the microcontroller for this purpose.

Within the scope of a particularly preferred development of the invention, the output stage of the circuit arrangement has transistors, preferably power transistors, which are connected to the microcontroller by a respective drive line. As needed, alternatively, or additionally, another type of transistor, such as a field effect transistor, may be used to represent the final stage. The microcontroller itself or an equivalent tasks perceiving logic arrangement, such as ASIC or the like., Can via the electronic control input with a setpoint signal, for example, be controlled by a motor control or other higher-level control of the motor vehicle - for example, is suitable for a pulse width modulated logic arrangement or the like. Depending on the design of the logic arrangement and the higher-level periphery of the controller according to the concept of the invention, the line arrangement between the microcontroller, the transistors and the diagnostic module is designed.

Within the framework of the concept of the invention, three variants of an output stage have proven to be provided with particular advantages.

A particular embodiment of a so-called "Resistor Control Module" (RCM) suitable final stage of the controller according to the invention provides in a first variant, that all drive lines of the transistors of the output stage are at the same potential. This type of power amplifier is designed to drive an electric fan via series resistors for switching different speed levels.

In a second particularly preferred variant of the invention, it is provided that at least two of the drive lines are at a non-ground potential, in particular at least two of the drive lines have a charge pump. This type of power amplifier has proven to be particularly preferred for displaying a so-called "Series Parallel Module" (SPM), which allows different fan speed levels or fan performance by connecting two electric fans in series in a first interconnection state and in parallel in a second interconnection state.

According to a third preferred variant it can be provided that at least one of the drive lines is at a non-ground potential, in particular at least one of the drive lines is a charge pump having. This type of embodiment of the final stage of the circuit arrangement has proven to be particularly suitable for the representation of a so-called "switched brush module" (SBM), in which a single electric fan is controlled by means of brushes of different switchable.

In addition to the particularly preferred three variants embodied here, further differently designed variants of output stages may prove suitable for a circuit arrangement and for controlling one or more electric fans, without these being explained in detail.

Advantageous developments of the module can be found in the dependent claims and specify in particular advantageous ways to realize the above-described concept within the scope of the task and with regard to further advantages.

In particular, according to a particularly preferred development, a module may have a circuit board which has a number of different variants, at least two, preferably three, in particular the previously explained variants of the circuit arrangements of different design together. This makes it possible to provide a multifunctional module which is suitable for controlling a number of different, in particular at least two, preferably three, in particular the variants of an electric fan arrangement explained above. In particular, a module can have an RCM output stage and / or an SPM output stage and / or an SBM output stage.

Advantageous developments of the fan assembly can be found in the dependent claims and specify in particular advantageous ways to realize the above-described concept within the scope of the task, as well as with regard to further advantages.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fan arrangement is provided with a series resistor connected between the module and the electric fan, in particular with a module having an RCM output stage.

In a second variant, the fan assembly may be provided with the module and two electric fans, in particular with the module comprising an SPM output stage.

According to a third variant, the fan assembly can be provided with a continuous between the module and the electric fan control line, in particular with the module having an SBM output stage. The electric fan is in particular provided with a brush arrangement which can be switched differently.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the drawing. This is not necessarily to scale the embodiments, but the drawing, where appropriate for explanation, executed in a schematized and / or slightly distorted form. With regard to additions to the teachings directly recognizable from the drawing reference is made to the relevant prior art. It should be noted that various modifications and changes made to the shape and the detail of an embodiment who can, without departing from the general idea of the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, in the drawing and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any combination for the development of the invention. In the context of the invention, all combinations of at least two of those in the description, the drawing and / or the claims disclosed features. The general idea of the invention is not limited to the exact form or detail of those shown and described below preferred embodiment or limited to an object that would be limited compared to the claimed in the claims subject matter. For the given design ranges, values within the stated limits should also be disclosed as limit values and be arbitrarily usable and claimable.

Fig. 1:

in den Ansichten (A), (B), (C) drei unterschiedliche besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsformen eines Moduls gemäß der ersten, zweiten und dritten Variante der Erfindung mit einer Steueranordnung, aufweisend eine RCM-, SPM- bzw. SBM-Endstufe;

Fig. 2:

eine besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines Moduls mit einer oder mit mehreren der Steueranordnungen gemäß Fig. 1 auf einer Platine;

Fig. 3:

in Ansichten (A), (B), (C) unterschiedliche besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsformen einer Lüfteranordnung gemäß der ersten, zweiten bzw. dritten Variante der Erfindung mit einer Steueranordnung entsprechend der Ansichten (A), (B), (C) der Fig. 1.

In detail, the drawing shows in:

Fig. 1:

in the views (A), (B), (C) three different particularly preferred embodiments of a module according to the first, second and third variants of the invention with a control arrangement, comprising an RCM, SPM or SBM output stage;

Fig. 2:

a particularly preferred embodiment of a module with one or more of the control arrangements according to Fig. 1 on a board;

3:

in views (A), (B), (C) different particularly preferred embodiments of a fan assembly according to the first, second or third variant of the invention with a control arrangement according to the views (A), (B), (C) of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 1 shows in view A a particularly preferred embodiment of a controller 10.1 for switching different speed levels of an example of a maximum of 500 W power designed electric fan 1, which is presently provided with a relatively small amount of safety functions in the form of an MTS module 3. The electric fan 1 is present in an in Fig. 3 View A schematically shown manner held in a fan frame 5 and driven by a DC brush motor M. The speed levels of the motor M are set in the present case by two resistors R _v1 and R _v2 in a Vorwiderstandsmodul 7. Leave it in the present case realize four speed levels. In the Fig. 3 View A shown, preferred embodiment of a fan assembly 30.1 is a module 20.1, whose structure is schematically in Fig. 2 is shown, connected, wherein the module 20.1 itself is in turn connected via a vehicle wiring harness 9 with a motor control, not shown. The module 20.1 is connected to the motor M of the electric fan 1 with a control line 8, in which the Vorwiderstandsmodul 7 is connected. In the Fig. 1 View A shown control 10.1 is used to represent a so-called resistor control module 20.1, wherein the circuit arrangement of the control is formed purely electronic. In the present case, the circuit arrangement essentially consists of a microcontroller 11, by which basically any type of programmable logic module or an equivalent arrangement of logic modules can be understood. Furthermore, a current-measuring shunt component 13 is provided, and in an output stage 3 power transistors T1, T2, T3, which are controlled as a function of a pulse width modulated (PWM) setpoint signal at the input of the microcontroller 11. For this purpose, three drive lines 15 lying at the same potential, in the present case connected to the drain terminal, are respectively connected to the transistors T1, T2, T3. In any case, the source output of the power transistors T1, T2, T3 controls in a suitable manner the connection of the series resistors R _v1 and R _v2 via further control lines 17 of the controller 10.1. The gate terminals of the power transistors T1, T2, T3 are respectively connected to terminal 31 designated negative potential of a high current line. Terminal 30 indicates the corresponding positive potential of the high current line. With terminal 15 is another connected to the ignition of a motor vehicle control line (12 V) referred to.

Due to the shunt 13, the present controller 10.1 is thus provided with a diagnostic module which is able to detect fault conditions on the fan 1 independently of a current signal and to supply them to the microcontroller 11 by means of a corresponding diagnostic signal in one appropriately designed diagnostic control line 19. In the microcontroller 11 itself various safety functions are stored, inter alia, depending on the current and in the present case additionally grab a temperature signal. For this purpose, corresponding temperature-dependent and / or current-dependent control characteristics are stored in the microcontroller 11.

In a non-illustrated modification of the presently described embodiment, two of the RCM modules 7 can be used for a dual-fan system.

In the further embodiments described below according to the second and third variants of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts or parts of the same or similar function.

Unlike the in Fig. 1 shown control 10.1 or in Fig. 3 shown fan assembly 30.1, in the corresponding views B of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a controller 10.2 shown for a module 20.2, which is designed as a so-called Series Parallel Module (SPM) for controlling two electric fans 1 and 2, wherein the fans are driven by corresponding DC brush motors M1 and M2 and in turn held in a correspondingly modified fan frame 5 become.

In contrast to the one in view A of Fig. 1 in the present case, two of the transistors T2 and T3 are kept at a non-ground potential at the drain connection. In contrast to the control line 17, two of the control lines 18 are connected with a charge pump 16 provided for changing the potential. The other source, gate and drain terminals of the transistors T1, T2 and T3 are in view B in FIG Fig. 1 connected to the motors M1 and M2 such that either one of the motors M1 or M2 or both motors M1 and M2 together through the Switched control 10.2 and be prompted to drive a single fan 1, 2 or to drive both fans 1 and 2.

The controls 10.1 and 10.2 each provide the control of a fan assembly 30.1, 30.2, in which a brush motor M or M1, M2 fixed brushes 4 has.

In view 10 of the Fig. 1 is a controller 10.3 shown, which is for forming a so-called switched-brush module 20.3, which is designed to control a motor M for a fan 2, wherein the motor M present with switchable brushes 6, as in Fig. 1 View C is provided. Incidentally, the connection of the transistors T1, T2, T3 in the output stage of the controller 10.3 is such that only the transistor T3 has a drive line 18 provided with a charge pump 16 and is at a non-ground potential. The source, drain and gate outputs of the transistors T1, T2, T3 are designed for different switching of the switchable brushes 6 of the motor M.

In contrast to a known as such variety of engine speed controls for brush motors in other applications, the concept of the invention in the present application of engine cooling by providing the shunt in a controller 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 and a corresponding security functionality in the microcontroller 11 thus provides additional diagnostics and security functionality which puts a fan arrangement 30.1, 30.2, 30.3 into a defined state even in the case of a fault in a motor M, M1, M2.

In addition, the concept of the present invention provides completely electronically controlled real brush motors as DC motors M, M1, M2. By contrast, BLDC motors that are otherwise used in fan technology are electronically commutated motors that are used in the automotive industry Contrary to the brush motors according to the embodiments shown here have no mechanical commutation on carbon brushes. With the BLDC motor, the windings are powered by power electronics. Depending on the condition of the engine detected by Hall sensors, the windings of the BLDC motor are electronically commutated. BLDC motors in the engine cooling area thus require a PWM controller for speed control, which regulates the speed based on a setpoint signal from the engine control unit. In contrast to this, the concept of the invention, however, has proved to be particularly advantageous for speed control or control of brush motors.

In addition, an in Fig. 1 illustrated controller 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in a module 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 according to Fig. 2 accommodated. The module 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 is presently designed especially for the automotive sector of engine cooling in addition to the aforementioned properties with respect to the controller 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and the motors M, M1, M2. The corresponding safety criteria for engine cooling provide for such a module 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 higher demands on durability, electromagnetic compatibility and temperature resistance or robustness against a variety of possible environmental and climatic influences. Accordingly, the components of the module 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 are arranged in the form of a controller 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 on a corresponding requirements according to the electronic and design guidelines on a board 21, which is equipped on the back with a cooling arrangement 23, which in the situation is to provide the controller 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, even at elevated outside temperatures with a sufficient heat dissipation, to ensure the maintenance of the functionality of the module 20.1, 20.2, 20.3. The equipped with the controller 10.1 or 10.2 or 10.3 board 21 is also protected by a housing 25 from further environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt entry and can be an integral, with the plug-in contact 27 formed with the housing to the periphery of a fan assembly 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, for example, as in Fig. 3 explained. The plug contact is also advantageously protected against dirt or moisture entry.

It has proven to be a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, all three in Fig. 1 shown controls 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 on a board 21 and thereby provide a multi-functional module 20 is able to, in all three applications of the Fig. 3 a fan assembly 3, be it a fan assembly 30.1 or a fan assembly 30.2 or a fan assembly 30.3 to be used. For this purpose, such a multifunctional module 20 is preferably provided with a recognition functionality which is able to recognize the type of fan arrangement 30-1 or 30.2 or 30.3 and a corresponding selection of the control located on the board 21 from the controls 10.1, 10.2, 10.3. This particularly preferred embodiment of a multifunctional module 20 is made possible by the purely electronic design of the circuit arrangement of a Fig. 1 explained control and makes it possible to realize in a previously unprecedented way different variants of a controller for different variants of a fan assembly on a single module 20.

The invention relates to a controller for controlling and / or regulating an electric fan 1, 2 of a motor vehicle comprising: a circuit arrangement having a control input, a control unit and an output stage. In departure from a hitherto electromechanical design of such a controller 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, the concept of the invention provides a purely electronically formed circuit arrangement, wherein the control unit in the form of a programmable microcontroller 11 is formed, the control input electronically, for receiving and passing a setpoint signal the microcontroller 11 is designed and the output stage by means of a number of Transistors is formed and the circuit has at least one designed to generate and / or passing a diagnostic signal to the microcontroller 11 electronic diagnostic module, wherein the microcontroller 11 is designed to drive the transistors in response to the motor control signal and the diagnostic signal. The invention leads to a corresponding module 20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 and a fan assembly 30.1, 30.2, 30.3.

Claims (16)

Control (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for controlling and / or regulating an electric fan of a motor vehicle, in particular designed for switching different speed levels of the electric fan (1, 2), comprising: a circuit arrangement with a control input, a control unit and a power amplifier characterized in that the circuit is formed purely electronically, wherein the control unit is in the form of a programmable microcontroller (11),
the control input is electronically designed to receive and pass on a setpoint signal to the microcontroller (11),
the output stage is formed by means of a number of, in particular power, transistors (T1, T2, T3), and the circuit arrangement has at least one electronic diagnostic module designed for generating and / or relaying a diagnostic signal to the microcontroller (11), and wherein the microcontroller (11) is designed to control the, in particular power, transistors (T1, T2, T3) as a function of the motor control signal and the diagnostic signal, in particular a safety functionality is stored in the microcontroller (11). Control according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the diagnostic module comprises a current measuring module and / or a temperature measuring module, preferably in the form of one or more shunts (13). Control according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the safety functionality is guided by a temperature-dependent and / or current-dependent signal, in particular has a temperature-dependent and / or current-dependent control characteristic. Control according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the, preferably three, in particular power, transistors (T1, T2, T3) of the output stage to the microcontroller (11) are connected by a respective drive line (17). Control according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
all control lines (17, 18) are at the same potential (RCM). Control according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
at least two of the drive lines (17, 18) are at a non-ground potential, in particular at least two of the drive lines (17, 18) have a charge pump (16) (SPM). Control according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
at least one of the drive lines (17, 18) is at non-ground potential, in particular at least one of the drive lines (17, 18) has a charge pump (16) (SBM). Module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) with a controller (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) according to one of claims 7 to 7. Module according to claim 8,
marked by
a circuit board (21) with the circuit arrangement, preferably by a board (21) provided with a cooling surface (23) and / or a board (21) accommodated in a housing (25). Module according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that
a circuit board (21) has at least two, preferably three, circuit arrangements of different design. Module according to claim 10,
characterized in that
in the at least two, preferably three, circuit arrangements on the board (21) which, preferably three, in particular power, transistors (T1, T2, T3) of the output stage to the microcontroller (11) by a respective drive line (17, 18) are, where an output stage is selected from the group consisting of: an RCM output stage in which all drive lines (17, 18) are at the same potential (RCM), an SPM output stage in which at least two of the drive lines (17, 18) are at a non-ground potential, in particular at least two of the drive lines (17, 18) have a charge pump (16) (SPM), an SBM output stage in which at least one of the drive lines (17, 18) is at non-ground potential, in particular at least one of the drive lines (17, 18) has a charge pump (16) (SBM). Fan arrangement (30.1, 30.2, 30.3) with at least one electric fan (1, 2) and a module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) according to one of claims 8 to 11, switching between a vehicle control and the electric fan (1, 2) is arranged. Fan arrangement according to claim 12,
comprising a control line (8), which goes off the wiring harness of a vehicle control. Fan arrangement according to one of claims 12 or 13
with a series resistor connected between the module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) and the electric fan (1, 2), in particular with a module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) comprising an RCM output stage. Fan arrangement according to claim 12 or 13
with the module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) and two electric fans (1, 2), in particular with the module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) comprising an SPM output stage. Fan arrangement according to one of claims 12 or 13 with a between the module (20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) and the electric fan (1, 2), preferably a switchable with brushes (4, 6) provided with electric fan (1, 2), continuous Control line (17), in particular with the module (20., 20.1, 20.2, 20.3) comprising an SBM output stage.

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