FI117881B - Intelligent current distribution system for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A single pair of wires (12) distribute the current. These connect (22) to intelligent connectors (1). The connectors have a second input (21) comprising a command bus (11) from a central controller. The connectors can interpret the bus commands and then switch the current to specific loads (9) via switches (10). The connectors contain standard responses to commands but are also programmed with individual behave commands to suit their location.

Description

117881 Intelligent Power Distribution System for Vehicles and Method of Manufacture.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an intelligent power distribution system for vehicles, which comprises connecting smart power connectors to the power distribution cable having output connections for supplying power to the actuators to be connected to the system and switching power to the output terminals and based on control commands received from the connector.

10

The invention also relates to an intelligent vehicle power distribution system, the system comprising: - a power distribution cable having one or more power conductors - at least one communication bus 15 - intelligent blinds connected to a power line and communication operating instructions for distributing power through controllable switches to actuators coupled to the socket in response to control commands from the communication bus or socket input connector, and operating instructions for transmitting fault or control messages to the communication bus.

• · · ··· • · • ·. ···. Such power distribution systems are known in the art e.g. from WO 93/10951, WO 95/15594, EP-564943 and WO 97/02965.

One of the weaknesses of the known systems is that the intelligence required for the function control messages is too centralized in the central processing unit of the system, which results in congested message traffic and system reliability.

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·· * * * * * a ·. * · *. Another serious flaw in known systems is that different application variants of the system ♦ „· (such as different vehicle types or modifications within the same vehicle type) cannot be produced flexibly on an automated line. The variation in the level of equipment already available on the various models of one car makes a remarkable 2 117881 variations in the functions required of the blinds. Applying the system to different car brands and different types of vehicles, the number of different application options becomes very large. It will be appreciated that the production of various application alternatives on an automated line will be problematic if the intelligence is distributed so that the blinds are provided with individual intelligence according to the operational needs of the various actuators involved.

The object of the invention is to solve the above problem and to provide a power distribution system which is of universal applicability and which, nevertheless, can be manufactured flexibly on an automatic line. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for making such a system.

This object is achieved by the invention by the method set forth in claim 1 and by the system set forth in claim 2.

15

In the following, the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a power distribution system according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a block diagram of a single blind and connected to a power distribution cable.

• · ··· ..

Figure 1 illustrates a typical car power distribution system with eight cable branches 2 and one or more intelligent junction blinds 1 on each cable branch. The basic function of the blind 1 is to supply the workflow to the actuators 9, • ·: T: for which the blind has controllable power switches 10 (Fig. 2) and associated output pins 8, which in the case shown are four pairs in one blind.

. · '··. 30 • a • · ·

The communication portion of the socket 1 has three basic functions: reading the control inputs from the input switches 7, controlling the power switches 10 supplying the actuators 9, and serial communication to the communication line formed by the code conductors 11 of the cable 2.

The connections between the socket 1 and the cable 2 may be implemented by means of the connector pins 21 and 22 protruding from the socket 1, which are pressed through the cable insulation into direct contact with the cable code conductors 11 and the current conductors 12, respectively.

The current and code conductors of the different cable branches are connected to the corresponding current and code conductors of a common ring cable 3 which connect the corresponding conductors 11, 12 of the different cable branches. Naturally, the ring cable 3 can be divided into separate ring cables for the current and code conductors. The terminals of the cable branches 2 adjacent to the ring cable 3 can be provided with conventional replaceable fuses for the power cables. The power supply 4 is connected to the current conductors of the ring cable 3. The matching and tracking block 6 is connected to the code wires of the ring cable 3.

The adaptation and monitoring block 6 comprises four functions: control of the event memory and the driver information display 5, which is also maintained by the system without power supply, and monitoring of the system message traffic, e.g. bug reports. In addition, block 6 takes care of communication communications with other external buses and allows simple selection to be sent to the system. 20 programs containing codes, so-called. parameter programs with any • · ·. ···. the individual ERP selections for blind 1 can be reprogrammed, as described in more detail below.

····· The system does not have an actual CPU to control and control the functions of the other parts of the system, but the system intelligence is decentralized to the intelligent sockets 1 in the cable branches 2. Each socket 1 can give operational commands simultaneously available for all cable hook • ·: T; or commands are chained from one socket to another. That is, when one socket receives a given instruction, it interprets the contents of the instruction and depending on the content of the instruction, it may * * ·. · **. 30 sends the same or a different command addressed to the second socket or • · ·.

time-delayed command.

• · • ·· * · ♦ · • · • · * * 117881 4

Also for this function command function, each socket must be individually programmed.

The system shocks are provided with their own serial number, which identifies the codes and messages assigned to them. In this case, the communication from one socket to another may occur irrespective of the location of the receiving socket.

Manual controls 7, such as switches, buttons or rotary knobs, are connected to the inputs of the desired sockets 1. The processor 15 of the socket 1 reads the input-10 data through the ASIC circuit 14 acting as an I / O interface. The ASIC circuit 14 also includes the transmitters and receivers of the serial communication bus 11 and the I / O adaptations. In addition, the ASIC circuit 14 controls the current switches 10 of the output of the blind, which are e.g. FET transistors.

15 The ASIC chip 14 has a fuse protection to protect each of the switch fetuses 10, which can disable the control of the FETs 10 independently of the program commands of the processor 15. The hard guard measures the current flowing through the FETs 10 and integrates the magnitude of the current into the FET to determine the loss power. Thus, the tripping time of the overcurrent depends not only on the magnitude of the overcurrent, but also on its duration, i.e., a slight overcurrent 20 is tolerated for some time, but upon detection of a short circuit the protection is triggered • · «*. * · *. direct. Once the hard guard has tripped, the program must re-enable FET 10 ♦ * ·. FET protection also involves measuring the temperature to turn off the FET when it is overheated, and controlling again when the temperature drops. In addition to hard-shielding, the power supply can be monitored by • 25 power measurement software. This feature is called softa protection and controls that the power consumption of a particular actuator 9 or 9 'remains within a given power window. In other words, the upper limit of the power window: T: Exceeding or lowering the trigger initiates the transmission of a fault message to the communication bus 11. The power switch 10 also includes a no-load identification which operates the switch. ** ·. 30 while off. This load error is checked at system start-up * * * and always when load 9 is switched on. Of course, all fault conditions (overcurrent, heat * *, [· ... dust and no-load) will result in the transmission of a fault message.

• · • · · 117881 5

The basic memory, i.e. the operational memory 16, controlling the functions of the processor 15 may be wholly or partially contained within the processor 15 and may consist of several different types of partial memory. The memory 16 includes a basic program (Kernel) for controlling the operation of the processor 15 and a program for controlling the modeled behavior of the components of the blind 1 (so-called Behave programs).

In addition, individual instructions are required for each blind. These are, for example:

- selection of command signals to which the socket responds 10 - individual operation of how each socket responds to selected messages - ON / OFF control of switches 10 (e.g., time control based on time and / or acknowledgment signal) - actuator 9 coupled to output pins 8 the upper and lower limits of the current drawn - the allowed duration of the downstream current of the load 9 connected to the output pins 8, and 15 - the priority level of the functions of the actuators 9 connected to the various output pins 8.

These parameter control programs that control individual ERP choices already vary from one system to another within a system. In addition, the number and function of the sockets will vary for different car brands and models of the same brand. ·, 20. This results in a major manufacturing problem • ·· [···, when manufacturing systems using automated lines. In the invention, the problem is solved by the interaction of the base memory 16 of the blind 1 and the special parameter program memory 17. Individual parameter programs are stored in the parameter program memory 17 when the socket is installed or after the location of the socket · · 25 and the actuators to be connected to it are known, so that the socket can be assigned an identifying number. Parameter programs are short command queues that direct programs in the operative memory 16 to make various operation choices that are predefined for each socket in the system, ··, ·. separately. Because the base program memory 16 contains the operating program system • • ·. * ··. 30 For any necessary function of any socket, all sockets in the system and also in the various systems may be • · · * ... similar in this respect. Their identification, that is, the selection of individual functions, is accomplished by parameter programs entered into the Parameter Program Memory 17, which are predefined for each of the identified sockets in the system. By means of the identification number, the predetermined parameter programs can be entered into just the right blind 1. The parameter programs control the operating programs of the basic program memory 16 to make only predetermined operation control choices.

The individual functions of the 5 sockets are activated. Processor 15 reads the contents of both memories 16 and 17 and performs operations controlled by operative memory 16 only whose execution instructions (or execution authorization only) can be read from the parameter program memory 17. Typically, only a small fraction of the operational instructions contained in operative memory 16 will be executed. However, the cost of modern memory 10 is low enough relative to the size of the memory to make the system as a whole affordable, given the universally applicable ease of production of the system. The loading of the operative memory 17 may take place already at the manufacturing stage of the wiring system, or it may also be through block 6 after the system has been installed in 15 vehicles. A particular additional advantage of the invention is achieved because the defective blind 1 can be replaced with a new standard shock whose parameter program memory 17 is not loaded until after installation. This is done by entering into the communication bus 11 predetermined parameter programs for the serial number of the respective socket.

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The download program 18 is needed during the production of the sockets to load the base memory 16 «·· and possibly later to modify the behave part *: · of the base memory. Memory 19 is required to store some of the most recently selected functions: Y: for the period when the vehicle power switch is turned off, where: V: 25 the last selected functions are automatically re-activated when the power is turned on.

• * • ♦ · ··· • »• # · v: Some sockets 1 can be used to read inputs and other strains ♦: *: *! 'command. This specialization of sockets is also taken care of by parameter: 30 programs that, from the parameter program memory 17, control the operative: ·. a selection of functions controlled by memory 16. Sockets 1 receiving input- «*. ** ·. messages from bus 11 only, of course, are provided with a parameter program that ··· 117881 7 selects the program for reading and processing input messages serving this function (which is in the operational memory of all sockets 16).

Thus, the system of the invention may be implemented in such a way that a basic program common to all blind-5 paths is capable of controlling all functions of any blind, but cannot independently decide which actions to perform and when. When any message reaches the blind, the base program asks the individual programs loaded in the parameter memory what functions the message requires. Parameter programs, which are just short sequences of 10 commands to make various choices, tell the base program which actions it should select from a selection of all different actions in the socket. Thus, the individual programs loaded in the parameter program memory 17 determine for each blind individual action responses to different messages.

A particular additional advantage of the invention is that the function commands do not need to be associated with any identifier or address for which the socket is intended, but all the sockets react or fail to respond to the command in a manner determined by the individual parameter program of each socket. Thus, the instructions need only contain information sufficient to identify the instructions, which indicates: \ t 20 what action to perform. It is up to each socket to decide, · 1 2 3 · 1. whether it does or does not act on the action to which the command refers.

The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment, but various forms of the invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in the following claims. For example, separate code lines 11 may not be needed, but power lines 12 may serve as a communication bus. The switches 10 do not need to consist of separate components, but the desired number of switches 10 can be integrated into one component. The cable arms 2 can be connected to each other in ways other than the ring cable 3.

♦ · 1 • · • · ··· · 1 • ·· * · · • · 2 * ·: 3

Claims (6)

A method of producing an intelligent vehicle power distribution system, in which the method is connected to the power distribution cable (2), intelligent connection sockets (1), with output terminals (8) for power supply to the devices (9) and couplings (10) connected to the system. for power distribution to the output terminals (8), and control electronics (14-16) for controlling the connections (10) on the basis of data instructions (11) from the cable (2) or the socket input terminals (7) received control instructions, at In the production stage of the sockets (1), the sockets are equipped with the same control electronics (14-17) and similar basic programs (16, 18), and the socks (1) are connected to the cable (2), characterized in that the sockets are assigned identification numbers and at the mounting stage or thereafter, the control electronics (14-17) are configured for individual function by charging each socket in the parameter program memory (17) of the sockets 15 s functions individually regulating parameter programs, which are pre-defined separately for each identification number corresponding to the socket and which regulator from the base program (16) selects only such function regulations that correspond to the individual function of the relevant socket, and to data communication · · • *: 20 paragraphs (11) measure individual parameter programs from an external cold say that the individual functions of the sockets are newly programmed. • · · • · · i * 2. Intelligent power distribution system for vehicles, comprising: • * »'S - © n power distribution cable (2), with one or more power lines (12) ♦ · ♦ • · · 25 - at least one data communication path (11) - intelligent sockets (1) connected to the power line (12) and then • ··] ···. ceiling communication path (11) and provided with socket function • «regulatory control electronics (14-17), containing for each socket individual operating instructions for distribution of Power via controllable couplings (10) to the devices (9, 9 '), which is connected to the sockets as a result of from the data communication path (11) or the socket's input connection, received control instructions, and instructions for sending an error or control signal to the data communication path (11). ), Each individual socket (1) being provided with a base program memory (16), in which instruction program is stored for the required functions in which hoisted by the system sockets, wherein the socket can be placed in any position of the current distribution system , characterized in that each individual socket (1) is provided with a parameter program memory (17) in which, when mounting the socket, ethylene or thereafter the socket functions are stored individually regulating parameter programs, which are pre-defined for each socket separately and which regulate the base program memory (16) instruction program to perform predetermined function choices for said individual function, and that the system has means (6) for feeding individual parameter programs to the data communication path (11) from an external call said that the socket's individual function choices can be reprogrammed. Intelligent power distribution system according to claim 2, characterized in that the separate sockets of the system have been assigned identification numbers and that the parameter programs indicated by identification number contain for each case the predetermined functional choices for a socket. ··: ^ ·· 20 4. Power distribution system according to claim 2 or 3 with several cable branches (2), characterized in that the leads of the separate cable branches (2) are connected. wires (11,12) are connected to a common wiring harness (3) corresponding to wires which connect the corresponding wires (2) to the corresponding wires (11, 12). • · * • f · 25 ../ 5. A system according to any of claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the parameter program memory (17) can be updated with any parameter program • · ** φ by feeding the desired parameter programs. to the system's data communication path (11) along with the socket identification number. • · * ·; · * 30 « System according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the function selections include the identification of their induction signal, to which socket ethylene reacts, an individual mode of operation, how the socket reacts to each information identified, a switch (10) ON / OFF control and an alarm limit for the consumed power of the devices (9, 9 ') of the same switches (10) connected to the same switch (10). 5 ·· • · · · · 1 * • · · · · · · 1 * · · # • 1 1 * * · • »• 1 · • · ♦ * · * ·· • · · * ·· • 1 • ·· • · · • «♦ · • · ·« «* 1 • · · • 1 • ♦ • · ·« • · · * 1 · • · • ·