WO2016030120A1

WO2016030120A1 - Communication system for a motor vehicle having an electric drive

Info

Publication number: WO2016030120A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/067470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Detlef Ludwig; Sebastian ROGGE; Edmund Schirmer; Jochen KOSZESCHA
Original assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-08-26
Filing date: 2015-07-30
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: DE102014216993A1

Abstract

The invention describes a system (100) for controlling an electrical machine in a motor vehicle. The system has a) a plurality of submodules (110), wherein each submodule (110) is designed to feed a part of the electrical machine and has an interface (118, 119) for data communication purposes, b) a first data communication structure, and c) a second data communication structure. Both the first and the second data communication structure are connected to the interfaces (118, 119) of the plurality of submodules (110) in such a way that they each form a closed ring. The invention also describes a motor controller.

Description

description

The present invention particularly relates to the technical field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to a system for controlling an electric machine in an electric motor vehicle. In the automotive sector, availability is an important system feature of the vehicle. In conventional electric drives in the vehicle, the control and control is centrally connected via a so-called control and communication ^¬ unit (control board) with the power section of the inverter. A failure of this control structure inevitably leads to a system failure of the drive unit and thus to a non-ready vehicle.

Due to the structure of Multilevelumrichtern said submodules (power units with control, logic unit ^¬ and data acquisition) via a star-shaped communication interface with the higher-order control device are connected to so-. This star-shaped arrangement makes it possible to address each individual submodule directly from the control unit.

A short circuit in one of the data lines with a star-shaped structure can lead to the failure of the entire system (damage to the higher-level control and control unit). As a rule, however, only the affected submodule fails. In both cases, the vehicle is no longer ready to drive.

Another disadvantage of the star-shaped structure is the indirect communication between the individual submodules. All relevant data of the individual modules must be transmitted via the

Control board can be read in and out. The control of the input and output area (battery and motor) takes place exclusively on the control board (master). It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved data communication system which is more robust and efficient over the known star structure.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the vorlie ^¬ constricting invention are described in the dependent claims. According to a first aspect of the invention, a system for controlling an electric machine is described. The described system comprises: (a) a plurality of sub-modules, each sub-module configured for power transmission to or from a portion of the electrical machine having an interface for data communication, (b) a first data communication structure, and (c) a second data communication structure, wherein both the first and the second data communication structure with the

Interfaces of the plurality of submodules are connected in such a way that they each form a closed ring.

The electric machine is preferably provided for a motor vehicle, such as a traction machine or as a starter / generator. The electric machine can be designed as a motor and / or generator. Each submodule is designed to feed a part (approximately in one phase) of the electric machine and / or to receive power from the relevant part or phase. The electrical machine may be a generator of a motor ^¬ plant such as a wind turbine.

The described system is based on the knowledge that a double ring structure is formed by the first data communication structure and the second data communication structure, which both form a separate closed ring. Each closed ring allows direct data communication between the submodules, and should one of the closed rings are broken, for example due to a short circuit, the other closed ring remains ^¬ be and the submodules can continue to communicate with each other unrestricted.

A system is a device, in particular a circuit arrangement. As part of the electrical machine, for example, one of a plurality of phases or windings or phase windings is referred to.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first data communication structure comprises a first data communication line ^¬ on, the second data communication structure includes a second data communication line and the interfaces of the sub-modules are connected in parallel with the first and second Datenkom ^¬ munikationsleitung.

In other words, the interface of each submodule is connected to both the first data communication line and the second data communication line. Thus, the submodules are anagebracht parallel along the two Datenkom ^¬ munikationsleitungen.

As a result, each submodule has direct access to data transmitted on both data communication lines, and can also input its own data directly into both data communication lines to be forwarded to other submodules.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first data communication structure comprises a first plurality of data communication lines representing a first serial connection between the interfaces of the submodules, and the second data communication structure comprises a second plurality of data communication lines comprising a second serial connection between the interfaces of the submodules Submodule represents. In this embodiment, the submodules are connected in series by both the first data communication structure and the second data communication structure. In this case, the first data communication structure has a first plurality of data communication lines, each data communication line providing a first connection between the interfaces of two adjacent submodules, so that all submodules are connected by a first closed ring. In the same manner, the second data communication structure to a second plurality of data communication lines, wherein each data communication ^¬ line providing a second connection between the interfaces of two adjacent sub-modules so that all sub ^¬ module are also connected by a second closed ring.

In this case too, all submodules can communicate with one another directly via the two annular data communication structures. In other words, each submodule can receive and use data from all other submodules, and it can communicate data to all other submodules.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first and second data communication lines or the first and second plurality of data communication lines comprise electrical, optical or magnetic data communication lines.

Electrical data communication lines are, in particular, electrical cables of the conductor tracks with one or more signal lines, for example copper lines.

Optical data communication lines are in particular optical waveguides or fibers which are suitable for the transmission of optical signals. Magnetic data communication lines are in particular line structures which are suitable for data transmission by means of magnetic effects. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a central control unit which is connected to the interfaces of two submodules.

The central control unit is responsible for the overall control of the submodules and has at least one pro cessor ^¬, memory and suitable interfaces. The central control unit may for example specify setpoints for the individual sub-modules, start the execution of certain functions or programs and exit, etc. The central control unit may further be responsible ^¬ sible for monitoring the sub-modules to detect errors and correct them if necessary ,

The central control unit is connected to the interfaces of two submodules. Should the connection to one of the two submodules fail, the central control unit can thus still communicate with the other submodule and thus also with the other submodules via the first and second data communication structure. In other words, the connection secures two sub-modules also provide redundancy and thus a ver ^¬ improved robustness.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the central control unit is connected in each case via a first and a second main data communication line to the interface of each of the two submodules.

In other words, each of the two connections between the central control unit and one of the two sub-modules has two main data communication lines each. Should one of these

Main communication data lines in one of the connections suspend the connection between the central control unit and the affected submodule continues via the other main data communication line. Consequently, the two connections between the central control unit and the two submodules each contain two main Datenkommunikations ^¬ lines and thus have a redundancy, which further improves the robustness.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first main-data communication line is part of the first data communication structure and the second main-data communication line is part of the second data communication ^¬ structure.

In other words, in this embodiment, the central control unit is incorporated in each of the two closed rings formed by the first and second data communication structures.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each submodule has a control unit configured to control and regulate the submodule based on data transmitted by the first and second data communication structures.

The control unit has at least one processor or an ASIC and a memory and is set up for data communication via the interface. The control unit may control the submodule based on data or control signals from the central control unit and / or from other submodules. In particular, the control unit can respond to data coming directly from another submodule, that is without the influence of the central control unit. The control unit may also communicate data and control signals directly to other submodules to directly control the operation thereof. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, each submodule has a sensor unit which is set up for acquiring measured data and for transmitting the acquired measured data by the first and second data communication structures. The sensor unit may have, in particular temperature sensors, voltage sensors ^¬ tension and / or current sensors.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is described an engine control system for a motor vehicle adapted to communicate with a system according to any one of the preceding claims.

The motor control of this aspect is based on the same insight as the first aspect and represents an advantageous implementation of the invention in an electric motor vehicle, that is, an electric or hybrid vehicle.

The functionalities of the control units according to the invention can be determined both by means of a computer program, i. software, as well as by means of one or more special electrical circuits, i. in hardware or in any hybrid form, i. using software components and hardware components.

It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject ^{matters ¬} . In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with method claims and other embodiments of the invention with apparatus claims. the

However, one skilled in the art, upon reading this application, will readily appreciate that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features associated with a type of subject matter, any combination of features that may result in different types of subject matter is also possible belong.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of a preferred embodiment. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention, in which a plurality of submodules is connected in parallel via a double ring structure. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention, in which a plurality of submodules is connected in series via a double ring structure.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention, in which a plurality of submodules is connected in series via a double ring structure.

It should be noted that the embodiment described below represents only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention, in which a plurality of submodules 110 are connected in parallel via a double ring structure 120, 121.

The system 100 has a plurality of submodules 110. Each submodule 110 serves to feed a phase of the electric machine in a motor vehicle with electric drive, and has a power section 112 and a control unit 114. The power part 112 has two switching elements (MOSFETs, IGBTs or the like), a driver 113 and a capacitor. The driver 113 controls the switching elements and the capacitor stores and supplies an appropriate voltage to the corresponding winding or phase of the machine. The power sections 113 are connected in series and thus share the voltage provided by a high-voltage battery 130. Depending on which of the two switching elements is currently open and closed, a portion of the battery voltage is applied to the capacitor for charging, or the sub-module 110 does not remove any portion of the voltage and leaves the other sub-modules 110 the battery voltage. This allows a flexible charging process by providing a relatively high partial voltage to one part of the submodules, while the other submodules do not provide any Tension decreases. For example, each half of submodules 110 may be loaded to provide twice the sub-voltage for each submodule 110 as compared to simultaneously loading all submodules 110.

The control unit 114 in each submodule 110 has a Con troller ^¬ 116 and data communication interface 118 and the 119th The interfaces 118 and 119 may be, for example, optical coupling elements. Alternatively, the interfaces may be electrical or magnetic coupling elements.

A first data communication line 120 passes through the interfaces 118 through the control unit 114 of each submodule 110 and forms a first closed ring. A second data communication line 121 passes through the interfaces 118 through the control unit 114 of each submodule 110 and forms a second closed ring. The two data communication lines 120, 121 thus form a double-ring structure. The control unit 116 in each submodule 110 is connected to each of the data communication lines 120, 121. Thus, all submodules 110 in this embodiment are coupled in parallel to the two data communication lines 120, 121. Two submodules 110 (in the illustration submodule A and submodule X) are connected via interfaces 119 and main data communication lines 150, 151, 152, 153 to a central control unit 140. The central control unit 140 has a controller 142 and interfaces 144, and serves to control and monitor the system 100. The connection between the central control unit 140 and submodule A has a first main data communication line 150 and a second main data communication line 151, and the connection between the central control unit 140 and submodule X has a first main data communication line 152 and a second main data communication line 153 . Thus, (communication lines via the data 120 and 121) forming a second double-ring structure which be ^¬ tains the central control unit 140. Submodules 110 further include temperature sensors (not shown), current sensors, and voltage sensors. The corresponding measurement data from each submodule 110 are made available to all other submodules 110 and the central control unit 140 via the two data communication lines.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system 200 according to the invention, in which a plurality of submodules 210 are connected in series via a double ring structure 222, 223. The system 200 is in many ways identical to the system 100 described above, and only the differences will be described below to avoid redundant repetition. The system 200 differs from the system 100 by the

Control units 215 of the submodules 210 and by the structure of the double ring structure 222, 223. These are constructed in this embodiment, that the first Datenkommunik ^¬ onsleitung 222 and the second data communication line 223 are interrupted by the controller 216, in the sense that the two data communication line pass through the controller 216 via the interfaces 218. In other words, the submodules 210 in this embodiment are serially connected by the first data communication line 222 and the second data communication line 223.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of an OF INVENTION ^¬ to the invention system 300 in which a plurality of sub-modules 310 via a double ring structure 324, 325 connected in series. System 300 differs from system 200 only in that the central control unit 340 is coupled between A and submodule submodule X and thus directly in the double ring ^¬ structure 324, 325 is integrated with. The control units 315 ^{λ of} the submodules 310 consequently have no interface which corresponds to the interface 219 in the system 200.

The inventive systems 100, 200 and 300 presented above are flexible and robust communication systems that enable direct data communication between submodules 110, 210, 310 and provide high reliability or error robustness. The system according to the invention can use the direct data communication between submodules to relieve the central control unit and to distribute various functions to the submodules. The double ring structure ensures that the system can continue working even if a submodule or ring fails. Data integrity is maintained and all data (for example, setpoints and actual values) is available to all submodules and the central control unit simultaneously (in real time).

Reference sign list

100, 200, 300 system

110, 210, 310 submodule

112, 212, 312 power section

113, 213, 313 control

114, 216, 316 control unit

116 controllers

118, 119 interface

120, 121 data communication line

130 high-voltage battery

140 Central control unit

142, 242, 342 controllers

144 interface

150-153 main data communication line

215 control unit

218, 219 interface

222, 223 data communication line

230 high-voltage battery

240 Central Control Unit

244 interface

250-253 main data communication line

315 ^λ control unit

318 interface

324, 325 data communication line

330 high-voltage battery

340 Central Control Unit

344 interface

Claims

claims

A system (100) for controlling an electrical machine, particularly in a motor vehicle, the system comprising a plurality of sub-modules (110), each sub-module

(110) is adapted for power transmission on or from a part of the electrical machine and has an interface (118, 119) for data communication, a first data communication structure and

a second data communication structure,

wherein both the first and the second Datenkommunikati ^¬ onsstruktur with the interfaces of the plurality of submodules (110) are in communication so that they each form a closed ring.

2. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first data communication structure has a first Datenkommunika ^¬ tion line (120), wherein the second Datenkommuni ^¬ cation structure has a second data communication line (121), and wherein the interfaces of the plurality of submodules (110) in parallel with the first and second data communication lines (120).

The system (100) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first data communication structure comprises a first plurality of data communication lines (120, 121) representing a first serial connection between the interfaces of the plurality of submodules (110), and wherein the second data communication structure a second plurality of data communication lines having a second serial

Represents connection between the interfaces of the plurality of submodules (110).

The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second data communication lines (120, 121) and the first and second plurality of data communication lines comprise electrical, optical or magnetic data communication lines.

The system (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a central control unit (140) connected to the interfaces of two sub-modules (110).

A system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the central control unit (140) is connected to the interface (118, 119) of each of the two sub-modules (110) via respective first and second main data communication lines (150, 151) is.

A system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first main data communication line is part of the first data communication structure and the second main data communication line is part of the second data communication structure.

A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each submodule (110) comprises a control unit (114) arranged to control and regulate the submodule (110) based on data provided by the first and the second submodule (110) second data ^¬ communication structure to be transmitted.

9. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each sub-module has a sensor unit, which is used to acquire measurement data and to transmit the detected

Measurement data is established by the first and second data communication structure.

10. A motor control for a motor vehicle, which is for commu- nicating with a system (100) according to one of the preceding

Claims is set up.