WO2001036230A2

WO2001036230A2 - Circuit for supplying an electrical load with electrical power

Info

Publication number: WO2001036230A2
Application number: PCT/DE2000/004049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reiner Höger; Thomas Klug; Thomas Pfaffelhuber; Max-Gerhard Seitz
Original assignee: Infineon Technologies Ag
Priority date: 1999-11-17
Filing date: 2000-11-15
Publication date: 2001-05-25
Also published as: DE19955328A1; DE19955328C2; WO2001036230A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit for supplying an electrical load (10) with electrical power, whereby the circuit comprises a power circuit (16), which supplies the electrical power to the load (10), and a control circuit (17), which controls said power circuit (16). According to the invention, a central supply and control line (12) is provided, which conducts the electrical power together with control and status signals.

Description

description

Circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load with electrical power

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load with electrical power according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 4.

In automotive electronics, electrical circuits are often built on printed circuit boards. A printed circuit board includes, for example, semiconductor components (chips), passive components (capacitors, resistors, coils, transformers), the entire wiring of the components and connections for lines for supplying the module with electrical power, for exchanging control signals with other printed circuit boards and for controlling and driving electrical loads such as motors or lamps. With complex circuits, less than a third of the area of a flat module is often covered by semiconductor components, passive components and connections. The remaining area of the printed circuit board is required for the wiring of the chips and passive components.

In automotive electronics in particular, in which more and more electrical and electronic circuits are used, accommodating the printed circuit boards is problematic on the one hand due to lack of space and on the other hand the wiring of the printed circuit boards to one another is complex due to the large number of control signals to be exchanged. On the one hand, the electrical and electronic circuits, in particular flat assemblies, lamps, motors, have to be supplied with electrical power (current, voltage) from the car battery or the alternator via supply lines, and on the other hand a large number of control lines are used to exchange the large number of control signals or a separate communication bus, e.g. B. CAN bus, essentially between the printed circuit boards. This extensive wiring is usually done using complex wiring harnesses. However, the production of such wiring harnesses is complex and expensive. In addition, the wiring harnesses require a relatively large volume in the automobile.

In automotive and industrial electronics, for example, the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) for exchanging control and status signals is known. The SPI has four lines for the clock, serial input and output data and chip select and therefore requires at least one four-wire bus for wiring. Furthermore, the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus is known, a bus specially developed for automotive electronics for the exchange of control, control and status signals. The CAN bus has twisted two-wire lines over which differential signals are transmitted.

A circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load with electrical power has in particular a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit supplies the electrical load with electrical power (current, voltage). The power circuit can be, for example, a power transistor, a power converter, a tyristor or a triac for controlling, for example, a DC motor or spark plugs. The power circuit is controlled by the control circuit, which can be designed as a digital and / or analog circuit.

If the control circuit is designed as a digital circuit, it can have a microcontroller (microprocessor with memory and peripherals). For example, in the case of electronic motor control, a motor control program can be stored in a memory and is processed by a microprocessor as part of the control circuit. Driver circuits then become digital control signals as part of the control circuit for driving, for example, thyristors, which are included in the power circuit. The thyristors in turn control spark plugs of an engine. Especially with such complex control circuits, a large number of control signals are required, which are transmitted via a

A large number of lines and / or a bus system (for example a CAN bus) must be routed to the control circuit.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load with electrical power, in particular for use in an automobile, which requires little wiring and less space (in particular as a flat module).

This object is achieved by a circuit arrangement with the features of claims 1 and 4, respectively. Preferred embodiments of the circuit arrangement result from the respective dependent patent claims.

To solve this problem, a central supply and control status line is provided in a first embodiment of the invention, which conducts electrical power together with control and status signals. The control and status signals can, for example, be modulated onto the power. Modulation methods known from communications technology, such as amplitude modulation, can be used for this purpose.

Furthermore, a separating device is provided which is coupled to the central supply and control / status line (for example via plugs or inductively) and which separates the control and status signals and the electrical power and vice versa status signals to the supply and control / status line coupled. The separator supplies the electrical power to the power circuit; the control signals are a coupling circuit just in case supplied that a potential separation of the control signals is required. The control signals can also be fed directly to the control circuit if no potential isolation is required. Conversely, the status signals are routed from the control circuit to the isolating device and transmitted from there via the supply and control line.

The coupling circuit is used for the potential-free transmission of the control signals to the control circuit and the status signals to the isolating device. Damage to the control circuit due to high voltage peaks coupled to the control signals is avoided, for example.

Due to the modulation of control and status signals to the electrical power, advantageously only one central line, which is coupled to the separating device, is necessary. The isolating device can also be designed such that, for example, the performance is freed from disturbances such as voltage peaks by smoothing and several supply voltages are generated by voltage regulators.

Status signals from the power circuit and / or load and / or control circuit are preferably also transmitted via the supply and control / status line. For this purpose, measuring devices attached to the load or transducers, e.g. B. sensors, signals about the state of the load can be obtained and transmitted to the isolating device via the control circuit. However, status signals from the power circuit, for example overload signals from the power circuit, can also be transmitted to the control circuit. Finally, the transmission of status signals from the control circuit is also possible if, for example, a problem arises when a program is being processed by a microprocessor in the control circuit. The separator then modulates these status signals onto the power and transmits them via the supply and Control / Statusleιtung. The status signals are used to report the status of the electrical load and / or the power circuit and / or control circuit, for example to a central computer or on-board computer. The central computer can thus signal failures and malfunctions.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, a receiver circuit connected to the control circuit on the output side is provided for receiving radio signals. The radio signals have control signals for the control circuit which are received and demodulated in the receiver circuit and transmitted to the control circuit.

In a preferred embodiment, status signals are also transmitted from the control circuit to a transmitter circuit and modulated by the latter and sent to a further central transmitter circuit for evaluation. The transmitter circuit is preferably combined with the receiver circuit to form a transmitter / receiver circuit (English transceiver).

A supply line is also provided, via which electrical power is supplied to the power circuit. The supply line can either be connected directly to the power circuit or inductively coupled to it.

In this second embodiment of the invention, the control and possibly status signals are transmitted by radio; a routing of the control and status signals via, for example, a control bus or control lines is thus eliminated.

The transmitter and receiver circuit can in particular be similar to transmitter / receiver devices known from mobile radio technology. Circuits be executed. An example here is only the transmitter / receiver circuits of cordless telephones which are based either on an analog radio signal transmission (CTI standard) or on a digital radio signal transmission (DECT standard). Such from the

Known transmitter / receiver circuits are also inexpensive.

It is therefore only necessary to supply the electrical power by means of a supply line (voltage, current) to the power circuit and electrical load, as a result of which the wiring effort, particularly in an automobile, can be reduced considerably. In particular, the previously required flat modules can be dispensed with if a module with control, power and transmitter / receiver circuit m is integrated into the load in a preferred embodiment. It goes without saying that an antenna must be present to transmit the radio signals.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the power circuit, the control circuit, optionally the coupling circuit and the isolating device are preferably combined into one module. In particular, the module can be a multichip module or smgle chip module, in which the circuits mentioned and the isolating device are combined in a fail-safe and space-saving manner. Out

For reliability reasons, the module can also be cast with epoxy resin. Such a module is then also mechanically very resilient. The central supply and control line as well as the electrical load can be connected directly to the module. For this purpose, in particular a connector is provided for connecting the line or the load, or the module is arranged on a small circuit board with connectors. The power can also be coupled inductively to the module, for example via a transformer. Likewise, in the second embodiment of the invention, the transmitter and receiver circuit is preferably combined with the power circuit and the control circuit to form a module. Here, too, the module can be a multichip module or single chip model with the advantages described above. The supply line and the electrical load can then either be connected directly to such a module, or the module is mounted together with plugs on a circuit board.

In a preferred embodiment, the (bidirectional) coupling circuit for coupling the control signals into the control circuit and for coupling the status signals into the separating device has a (bidirectional) optocoupler which reliably controls the control signals on the

Receiving side from the control signals coupled into the control circuit or the status signals on the control circuit side and the isolating device side is galvanically isolated. Opto-couplers are cheap mass products and are available as monolithically integrated circuits, especially in SMT (Surface Mounted Technology) versions. In addition, opto-couplers in SMT versions are particularly small and are therefore suitable for building very small, space-saving modules.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling circuit has at least one transmitter circuit via which control signals are magnetically coupled into the control circuit. In this embodiment too, as with the opto-couplers, there is advantageously a galvanic separation of the control signals from the signals of the supply and control line.

Finally, the power and control circuits are preferably integrated monolithically. The second

The embodiment of the invention is preferably that Receiver and possibly transmitter circuit monolithic with integrated.

Further advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit arrangement with a separating device, and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit arrangement with a transmitter / receiver circuit.

Identical elements or circuits are also provided with the same reference symbols in the following description.

According to FIG. 1, a direct current motor 10, for example a servomotor for headlight range control in the motor vehicle, is controlled by a module 11 (shown by dashed lines) via a first supply line 27. The module 11 is in turn connected to a (central) supply and control / status line 12, which in particular carries a direct current from a car battery.

Control signals for controlling the module 11 and status signals from the module 11 are modulated onto the electrical power. For example, digital control and status signals can simply be modulated onto a DC voltage that is used to supply electrical loads such as the DC motor 10. The status signals indicate the status of the engine 10 or, more generally, of the module 11.

The control / status signals and the power are then separated or combined in the module 11 by means of a separating device 13. The electrical power is supplied from a separating device 13 to a power circuit 16 via a second supply line 14. The power circuit 16 controls the DC motor 10 via the first supply line 27.

The control signals are fed via a first control / status line 150 from the separating device 13 to a (bidirectional) coupling circuit 18 which has opto-couplers for the potential separation of the control and status signals. This is particularly advantageous here since damage to a control circuit 17 due to high DC components or voltage peaks which may still be present in the control signals is avoided by the potential separation of the optocouplers. The coupling circuit 18 is connected to the control circuit 17 via a second control / status line 151. Furthermore, a third control / status line 152 for the direct connection of the isolating device 13 to the control circuit 17 (dashed) is shown. This line is used when no electrical isolation is required.

The control circuit 17 processes the control signals for controlling the power circuit 16 and transmits the processed control signals to the power circuit 16 via a control line 29. In the case of digital control signals, the control circuit 17 can be a logic circuit with a microprocessor and a program memory, for example a program for Illuminated world regulation is filed. The power circuit 16 in turn can in particular have a power operation amplifier or power transistors for driving the DC motor 10. The separating device 13, the power circuit 16, the control circuit 17 and the coupling circuit 18 are supplied by the one via the supply and control / status line 12 Power supplied. The internal consumption of the aforementioned circuits is low.

Furthermore, the status of the direct current motor 10 is sent to the status signal via a first status line 26

Power circuit 16 transmitted. The power circuit 16 then transmits the status signals via a second status line 28 to the control circuit 17, which in turn transmits them to the separating device 13 via the third control / status line 152 or the second and first control / status line 151 or 150 and the coupling circuit 18 , The separating device 13 transmits the status information contained in these status signals via the supply and control / status line 12 likewise by modulation. A central computer (not shown) can then

Evaluate status information and display it on an LCD display. This can signalize, for example, that the DC motor 10 for headlight range control has failed.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention. A DC motor 10 is also driven by a module 24. Electrical power (current, voltage) for driving the DC motor 10 is supplied to the module 24 via a third supply line 21. The DC motor 10 is fed by a power circuit 16 via a first supply line 27.

The module 24 has the power circuit 16 and one

Control circuit 17 on. The control circuit 17 controls the power circuit 16 by means of control signals via a control line 29, wherein it receives the control signals from a first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 via a fourth control and status line 19. Furthermore receives the

Control circuit 17 via a second status line 28 status signals from the power circuit 16, which in turn Status signals received by the DC motor 10 via a first control / status line 26.

The first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 is provided for transmitting and receiving radio signals 23 which are emitted by a central second transmitter / receiver circuit 22. The radio signals 23 have control and status signals which are processed by the control circuit 17 to control the power circuit 16 and which are used to display the status of the DC motor 10 and the module 24.

The central second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 can control a plurality of transmitter / receiver circuits of different modules for headlight range control, air conditioning, windshield wipers, etc. For this purpose, the second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 can send out control signals for different modules, for example, in m successive time slots. Alternatively, the second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 can transmit control signals for different modules on different frequencies in each case. It goes without saying that the first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 is then provided only for the reception of a specific frequency.

The central second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 is connected via a central bus 25 to a central computer (not shown), via which the module 24 is controlled and which signals the state (status) of the module 24.

The second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 can in particular be installed in the control console of a vehicle together with operating elements. The operating elements can be provided for controlling the lighting world control, for actuating the electric window regulators, for controlling the windshield wipers, for controlling an air conditioning system which may be present or for controlling a car radio. The second transmitter / receiver circuit has a microcontroller and a program memory in which all control programs for controlling, in particular, the aforementioned devices are stored. The second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 transmits control signals to a plurality of modules, which controls the above-mentioned devices, via a frequency m of a plurality of time slots, similar to a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) transmission system. Each time slot is assigned to a specific module, ie each module receives m exactly one of the time slots

Control signals for evaluation. For this purpose, a coding sequence that is assigned to a module is transmitted in each time slot before the control signals. The first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 thus constantly receives radio signals 23 via the frequency, which are emitted by the second transmitter / receiver circuit 22. If the first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 detects the coding sequence intended for the module 24 in a time slot, the control signals following the coding sequence in the time slot are evaluated by the first transmitter / receiver circuit 20 as control signals for the module 24 and sent to the control circuit 17 for processing transfer.

However, not only control signals but also status signals are exchanged between the first and second transmitter / receiver circuits 20 and 22. The control circuit 17 namely sends status signals via the fourth control and status line 19 to the first transmitter / receiver circuit 20, which transmits them to the second transmitter / receiver circuit 22 by radio signal 23; the second transmitter /

Receiver circuit 22 in turn transmits the status signals via the central bus 25 to the central computer (not shown), which then causes the DC motor 10 and / or the power circuit 16 and / or the module 24 to fail via an LCD display or through audio signals, Can signal warning tones or voice messages. Thus, all modules are in signal exchange with the central computer, and failures or problems of the individual modules can be transmitted to the central computer via the status signals.

Overall, the proposed circuit arrangements can thus considerably reduce the amount of wiring, in particular in an automobile. It should be pointed out that the circuit arrangements according to the invention can be used advantageously not only in an automobile, but also in all other fields of application in which the wiring effort is to be reduced. In this respect, the circuit arrangements specified in the patent claims and all the parts described above are seen on their own and in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention. Modifications to this are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

reference numeral

10 DC motor

11 module

12 Supply and tax / status management

13 separating device (bidirectional)

14 second supply line

150 first tax / status report

151 second tax / status statement

152 third control / status management

16 power switching

17 control circuit

18 coupling circuit (bidirectional)

19 fourth control / status management

20 first transmitter / receiver circuit

21 third supply line

22 second transmitter / receiver circuit

23 radio signals (bidirectional) 24 module

25 central bus

26 first status line

27 first supply line

28 second status line

29 control line

Claims

claims

1. Circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load (10) with electrical power, in particular for use in an automobile, with a power circuit (16) which supplies the electrical power to the load (10) and a control circuit (17) which controls the power circuit (16), characterized in that a central supply and control line (12) is provided which carries electrical power together with control signals, a separating device (13) is provided which is coupled to the central supply and control line (12) and which separates the control signals and the electrical power and supplies the control signals to the control circuit (17) or the power of the power circuit (16).

2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that a coupling circuit (18) for potential isolation between the control circuit (17) and the separating device (18) is provided.

3. A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, that the supply and control line (12) furthermore for the transmission of the power circuit (16) and / or

Control circuit (17) and / or status signals obtained from the load (10) is provided.

4. Circuit arrangement for supplying an electrical load (10) with electrical power, with

- A power circuit (16) which supplies the electrical power to the load (10), and - A control circuit (17) which controls the power circuit (16), characterized in that a receiver circuit (20) connected to the control circuit for receiving Radio signals (23) are provided, the radio signals (23) having control information for the control circuit (17) and these being received and demodulated by the receiver circuit (20) and transmitted to the control circuit (17), and a supply line (21) is provided which supplies the power circuit (16) with electrical power.

5. Circuit arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that a transmitter circuit (20) connected to the control circuit is provided for transmitting radio signals (23), the radio signals (23) status information of the power circuit (16) and / or control circuit (17) or load (10).

6. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the coupling circuit (18) together with the power circuit (16), the control circuit (17) and the separating device (13) to form a module (11), in particular a multichip module or single Chip module, is summarized, wherein the central supply and control line (12) and the electrical load (10) can be connected directly to the module (11).

7. Circuit arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the receiver circuit (20) and optionally the transmitter circuit together with the power circuit (16) and the control circuit (17) to form a module (24), in particular a multichip module or single Chip module, is summarized, the supply line (21) and the electrical load (10) being directly connectable to the module (24).

8. Circuit arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, d a d u r c h g e k e n n e e c h n e t that the module (11, 24) is integrated in the load (10).

9. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2 or 6, d a d u r c h g e k e n n e e c h n e t that the coupling circuit (18) has at least one opto-coupler.

10. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2, 6 or 9, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the coupling circuit (18) has at least one transformer circuit.

11. Circuit arrangement according to claim 4, 5 or 7, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the transmitter and receiver circuit (20) has at least one coil or antenna for receiving or transmitting an electromagnetic field.

12. Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power circuit (16) and the control circuit (17) are monolithically integrated.

13. Circuit arrangement according to claim 4, 5, 7 or 11, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the receiver circuit (20) and optionally the transmitter circuit together with the line circuit (16) and the control circuit (17) is monolithically integrated.

14. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 or 10, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the isolating device (13) and optionally the coupling circuit (18) together with the power circuit (16) and the control circuit (17) monolithically integrated

15. Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, that the supply and control line (12) with the isolating device (12) or the supply line (21) with the power circuit (16) is inductively coupled, in particular by means of a transformer.