Fluid management module and modular system

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid management module (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, - having at least two functional components (2); - having at least one electrical control / regulating device (3) comprising a circuit board (4) with electrical connectors (5), wherein the electrical connectors (5) comprise: - at least five analog signal input connectors (6a-6e) and at least one component fieldbus connector, each for electrical connection to a functional component (2); - a vehicle fieldbus connector for electrical connection to a vehicle fieldbus of the motor vehicle; - wherein at least the vehicle fieldbus connector, the vehicle fieldbus connector and the at least five analog signal input connectors (6a to 6e) are electrically connected to a microcontroller (15) of the control / regulating device (3) arranged on the circuit board (4); - wherein at least one of the at least two functional components (2) is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connectors (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fluid management module for temperature control of a motor vehicle, and to a modular device and a motor vehicle, each comprising such a fluid management module. Furthermore, this invention relates to a modular system and a method for operating such a fluid management module. Background Technology

[0002] In the most general sense, a fluid management module refers to a device in a vehicle, especially one with an energy storage device and an electric drive motor, that interacts with a fluid, which serves as a heat transfer medium and transfers that heat in a fluid loop.

[0003] Such a fluid management module can, for example, be used as a thermal management module incorporated into a temperature control loop to control the temperature of a temperature-controlled fluid circulating within the loop. For this purpose, the thermal management module or fluid management module can include one or more fluid pumps for delivering the temperature-controlled fluid and multiple valves for controlling the flow through different fluid paths through the fluid management module or temperature control loop. With the aid of a heat exchanger (also known to those skilled in the art as a "cooler") integrated into the thermal management module, heat can be supplied to or extracted from the temperature-controlled fluid.

[0004] In another design, the fluid management module can also be used as a refrigerant management module, integrated as part of the air conditioning system into the refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant flows. In this variant, the refrigerant management module can also include multiple electrically controllable valves, but can be equipped with a compressor instead of a fluid pump, which can not only deliver refrigerant but also compress it.

[0005] In another variant, the fluid management module incorporated into the coolant circuit can be used as a cooling module for so-called immersion cooling of the coolant circulating in the coolant circuit.

[0006] The fluid management module typically contains several so-called functional components (such as the aforementioned electrostatic pump and electrically controllable valve).

[0007] In addition, multiple sensors, especially pressure and temperature sensors, are typically installed in such modules to generate and provide sensor data related to the current operating state of the module.

[0008] Here, the electrical control of the functional components using suitable control / regulation devices often proves to be very complex and therefore expensive. Such control / regulation devices typically include a circuit board housed in a housing, on which at least a microcontroller and electrical connectors are mounted. The microcontroller can then electrically connect to the functional components of the fluid management module via these connectors. Typically, the microcontroller can communicate with the functional components via a so-called LIN bus for data transmission. However, it is also conceivable that simpler functional components (such as sensors) communicate with the microcontroller and transmit sensor data to it via analog signal lines. Because fluid management modules can be used in various ways, different designs of such modules exist; this means that the control / regulation device must be individually adapted to each design for the electrical connectors mounted on the circuit board. However, this involves significant additional costs in manufacturing the control / regulation device and the entire fluid management module. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to create improved or at least alternative embodiments of fluid management modules that take into account the aforementioned problems. In particular, to create fluid management modules with the simplest possible electrical wiring structure, thereby reducing the assembly work and cost framework required to manufacture such fluid management modules.

[0010] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] Therefore, the basic idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a fluid management module for fluids, including an electrical functional component with a control / regulation device. The control / regulation device is disposed on a circuit board in the housing of the control / regulation device and equipped with an electrical connector, so that the control / regulation device with the circuit board can be used in various designs of the fluid management module.

[0012] The electrical connectors required for interacting with the electrical functional components, particularly for controlling these components via control / regulation devices, or for transmitting signals (especially sensor signals) from the functional components to the control / regulation devices, can therefore be led out from the inside of the housing on the circuit board via suitable electrical connection lines, where they can then be electrically connected to the corresponding functional components. In contrast, these electrical connectors, which are not required in some designs of the fluid management module (especially since the maximum number of functional components that can be connected to the control / regulation device does not exist in that design), do not need to be electrically led out from the housing. This measure allows different designs of the fluid management module to use standard circuit boards, particularly regarding the number and design of the electrical connectors on said circuit boards, enabling uniform use across different designs. This results in a reduction in the development and manufacturing costs of different designs of the fluid management module, particularly according to the invention.

[0013] The fluid management module according to the invention (particularly for motor vehicles) includes at least two functional components (particularly for fluid). Furthermore, the fluid management module includes an electrical control / regulation device, which in turn includes a circuit board with electrical connectors. These electrical connectors include a plurality, preferably at least five analog signal input connectors, and at least one component fieldbus connector, particularly a LIN bus connector or a CAN bus connector—each for electrically connecting the control / regulation device, preferably via a component fieldbus, which can preferably be a LIN bus or a CAN bus, and each having at least one of the at least two functional components. Here, "a plurality" means that, according to the invention, at least two analog signal input connectors must be present. The fluid management module according to the invention also includes a vehicle fieldbus connector, preferably a CAN bus connector or a LIN bus connector, for electrically connecting the control / regulation device to the vehicle fieldbus, preferably the CAN line or LIN bus of the motor vehicle. At least the vehicle fieldbus connector, the component fieldbus connector, and at least five analog signal input connectors are electrically connected to a microcontroller of the control / regulation device disposed on the circuit board. These electrical connectors can be implemented via electrical conductor tracks formed on the circuit board. According to the invention, at least one of the at least two functional components is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connectors.

[0014] The vehicle fieldbus connector and the component fieldbus connector can therefore be preferably configured as either a CAN bus connector or a LIN bus connector (independently) depending on whether the vehicle fieldbus or the component fieldbus is a CAN bus or a LIN bus.

[0015] In practice, the control / regulation device includes a housing surrounding the interior of the housing, within which a circuit board is arranged. In this variation, at least one of the electrical connectors of the circuit board is electrically extended from inside the housing for electrical connection to at least one functional component. Therefore, the functional component can be electrically connected to the circuit board from outside the housing.

[0016] According to an advantageous further improvement, the control / regulation device includes at least one electrical connection line by which at least one of the electrical connectors is led out from the circuit board and from the inside of the housing. The electrical connection line can be a cable, particularly made of conductive material, preferably a cable with an electrically insulating sheath. The electrical connection line or cable can be electrically connected at one end to a corresponding connector on the circuit board, and electrically connected at the other end to a housing connector located outside the housing.

[0017] Preferably, at least one functional component is electrically connected to the microcontroller via an electrical connector that is electrically led out from inside the housing.

[0018] Particularly preferably, all electrical connectors present on the circuit board, especially signal input connectors, are electrically led out from inside the housing to the outside. Therefore, maximum functionality of the circuit board with the microcontroller can be achieved.

[0019] In an alternative variation, at least one electrical connector, particularly a signal input connector, located on the circuit board is not extended from the housing, preventing the microcontroller from connecting to or from connecting to functional components via this connection. In a further improvement, this can also be applied to two or more electrical connectors. This saves material costs associated with extending the corresponding electrical connectors from the housing, when the fluid management module using the circuit board does not require the electrical connectors or signal input connectors to receive electrical signals from functional components. In particular, it is unnecessary to develop and supply circuit boards with a reduced number of signal input connectors specifically adapted for this purpose. Instead, the standardized circuit board mentioned earlier can be used as part of a control / regulation device.

[0020] In a particularly practical way, all electrical connectors, especially signal input connectors, extending from the inside of the housing on the circuit board are electrically connected to the functional components of the fluid management module. This means that all electrical connectors, especially signal input connectors, are used in the fluid management module.

[0021] However, alternatively, it is conceivable that at least one electrical connector, particularly a signal input connector, located on the circuit board and extending from inside the housing, is not electrically connected to the functional components. This allows the use of the aforementioned standardized circuit board in the control / regulation device without adapting it in terms of the required number of connectors or signal input connectors.

[0022] According to a further advantageous improvement, at least two, preferably exactly two, component fieldbus connectors can be provided on the circuit board. Since the number of functional components that can typically be controlled by a component fieldbus is limited, any number of functional components can be electrically connected to the microcontroller located on the circuit board by providing two or more component fieldbus connectors for connecting the corresponding component fieldbuses. In this variation, it is conceivable that the first component fieldbus connector is a LIN bus connection and the second component fieldbus connector is a CAN bus connector.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, at least one functional component may include or be an electrically controllable valve. Alternatively or additionally, at least one functional component may include or be a controllable fluid pump. Alternatively or additionally, at least one functional component may include or be a temperature sensor. Alternatively or additionally, at least one functional component may include or be a pressure sensor.

[0024] According to another advantageous further improvement, the fluid management module can include a component carrier for carrying the functional components and control / regulation devices. In this further improvement, the housing of the control / regulation device is detachably or non-detachably fastened to at least one of the functional components and / or the component carrier. Here, the detachable fastening of the housing is achieved by means of at least one screw connection and / or clamping connection and / or locking connection. Alternatively or additionally, the non-detachable fastening of the housing is achieved by means of at least one riveted connection and / or welded connection and / or fusion connection and / or adhesive connection.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a modular device having a first fluid management module and at least one second fluid management module, as described above, according to the invention. The advantages of the thermal management module described above according to the invention also apply to the modular device according to the invention. According to the invention, the electrical connectors of the control / regulation devices of the respective fluid management modules disposed on the respective circuit boards are constructed in the same manner. In particular, by means of the modular device according to the invention, two or more thermal management modules constructed in the same or different manners can be integrated into the same fluid circuit. However, it is also obviously conceivable to incorporate at least two fluid management modules of the modular device into different fluid circuits.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the first circuit board of the first fluid management module and the second circuit board of at least one second fluid management module are constructed in the same manner. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the fluid management module of the module assembly is reduced.

[0027] Preferably, in the case of the first fluid management module, electrical connectors disposed on the first and second circuit boards in the same manner (i.e., constructed with the same function) are electrically connected to the functional components of the first fluid management module. In contrast, in the case of the second fluid management module, the electrical connectors in this variant are not electrically connected to the functional components of the second fluid management module.

[0028] In a particularly practical way, the electrical connectors of the second fluid management module that are not connected to the functional components can be led out from inside the housing of the second fluid management module from the circuit board of the control / regulation device. This can save manufacturing costs.

[0029] According to a further advantageous improvement, the control / regulation device of the first fluid management module can communicate with the control / regulation device of the second fluid management module via data transmission, allowing the control / regulation device of the first fluid management module to take over the functions of the master control / regulation device and control the control / regulation device of the second fluid management module, which functions as a sub-control / regulation device. This achieves a so-called "master-slave operation" between the two fluid management modules. This simplifies the control of existing fluid management modules. In particular, parallel control of the second fluid management module, configured as a sub-module of a motor vehicle, can be omitted or reduced. In various further improvements, it is conceivable that the master control / regulation device also controls two or more sub-control / regulation devices as described above.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a modular system having a module accumulator comprising a plurality of basic modules, each of which includes at least two functional components for fluid. Here, the various basic modules differ from each other in the type and / or number of functional components. Furthermore, the basic modules do not include any control / regulation devices with housings and circuit boards. Instead, the modular system includes a control / regulation device comprising a circuit board with electrical connectors. Here, the electrical connectors include at least five analog signal input connectors and at least one component fieldbus connector, each equipped with functional components for electrically connecting the control / regulation device to each of the basic modules via the component fieldbus. Additionally, these connectors include vehicle fieldbus connectors for electrically connecting the control / regulation device to the vehicle fieldbus of a motor vehicle. Utilizing the modular system according to the invention, the control / regulation device is configured such that it can be combined with each of the basic modules, thereby forming the fluid management module according to the invention. Thus, each of the basic modules is supplemented by a control / regulation device (constructed in the same manner for all basic modules) to form the fluid management module according to the invention. Therefore, the modular system according to the invention allows the use of control / regulation devices with circuit boards disposed in the housing, which can be constructed in the same manner with respect to the electrical connectors present thereon, especially the analog signal input connectors present thereon, and can be installed in different designs for use with the fluid management module according to the invention. Here, only those electrical connectors or input connectors must be forcibly led out from inside the housing to the outside and electrically wired, and in the corresponding designs, these electrical connectors or input connectors also need to be electrically connected to the corresponding functional components.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a battery and / or having a battery / electric drive unit. The motor vehicle according to the invention includes a temperature control circuit for temperature control of the battery and / or battery / electric drive unit, wherein the temperature control circuit includes the temperature control module according to the invention described above. The advantages of the temperature control module according to the invention described above are therefore also applicable to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating the fluid management module introduced above according to the invention, wherein at least one functional component can be connected to a component fieldbus connector (or a LIN bus connector or a CAN bus connector) via a component fieldbus, preferably via at least one LIN bus or CAN bus, thereby connecting to a microcontroller for data transmission. Therefore, the basic idea of ​​the method according to the invention is to configure the microcontroller of the control / regulation device as a functional component for controlling the fluid management module, such that the microcontroller can operate in two different operating modes and can switch between these operating modes. In the first operating mode, control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus are not evaluated by the microcontroller but are directly passed to the component fieldbus for controlling the functional component of the fluid management module, which is connected to the component fieldbus. This enables direct control of the functional component from the vehicle fieldbus. Here, the microcontroller can quasi-interpret the control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus, allowing further processing of these interpreted control commands on the component fieldbus. However, in terms of content, the commands received from the vehicle fieldbus remain unchanged in the first operating mode when passed to the component fieldbus via the microcontroller.

[0033] In contrast, in the second operating mode, control commands received on the vehicle fieldbus are not passed around unprocessed by the microcontroller as in the first operating mode, but are processed by a microcontroller mounted on the circuit board. In processing higher-level commands received from the vehicle fieldbus, the microcontroller can send corresponding commands to functional components via the component fieldbus. This allows the fluid management module to operate largely independently. Specifically, it is no longer necessary to send so-called "low-level" commands directly and unprocessed from the vehicle fieldbus to the functional components as in the first operating mode. It is sufficient to send only higher-level commands to the microcontroller to enable or change a specific functional mode of the fluid management module or one or more of its functional components, which can involve the interaction of multiple functional components. Individual control of the functional components required to implement this functional mode is taken over by the control / regulation device or its microcontroller in the second operating mode. This "modular" control of the functional components simplifies the control of the fluid management module via the vehicle fieldbus. Furthermore, by providing both operating states, the fluid management module can be controlled with a high level of flexibility.

[0034] The fluid management module according to the invention, as described above, is controlled using the method according to the invention. According to the invention, the module's microcontroller is capable of switching between a first operating mode and at least one second operating mode. In the first operating mode, control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus are directly transmitted via the microcontroller to the component fieldbus for controlling the relevant functional components, and remain unchanged at least in terms of content during this process. In contrast, in the second operating mode, the control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus are initially processed by the microcontroller into so-called high-level control commands, meaning that individual control of the relevant functional components is performed by the microcontroller.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, in at least one second operating mode, in response to at least one higher-level control command received from the vehicle fieldbus, the microcontroller controls at least one functional component, preferably multiple functional components. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit multiple separate commands to the corresponding functional components. Detailed control of the relevant functional components can be performed or implemented by the microcontroller. Thus, higher-level control commands that enable, change, or disable higher-level functional modes of the fluid management module can be transmitted from the vehicle fieldbus to the microcontroller, where these higher-level control commands are processed for individual control of each functional component. Depending on the series of fluid management modules, individual adaptation can be made for the individual control of the functional components installed in the fluid management module. In contrast, higher-level commands transmitted to the microcontroller via the vehicle fieldbus can also be uniformly applied to different series. This simplifies the control of fluid management modules from different series, which can differ from each other, particularly in the composition or individual control of each functional component, because the individual composition of the fluid management modules from different functional components can be ignored when generating and sending higher-level control commands to the microcontroller.

[0036] Particularly preferably, in at least one second operating mode, the functional component does not process commands provided by the vehicle fieldbus. This supports the multi-level approach described above, where the functional component does not require any direct communication connection with the vehicle fieldbus.

[0037] According to an advantageous further improvement, a microcontroller is equipped or programmed to perform at least one functional mode, preferably two or more, of the fluid management module in at least one second operating state. In this further improvement, in at least one functional mode, the control of at least one, preferably multiple, functional components is independent of the vehicle fieldbus. Preferably, control is possible according to a predetermined control or regulation strategy assigned to the corresponding functional mode. According to such a control or regulation strategy, two or more functional components can also be controlled. Obviously, two or more such control or regulation strategies can also be assigned to the corresponding functional modes.

[0038] According to another advantageous further improvement, a control loop having an adjustable variable and an adjustable variable that can be adjusted within a functional component can be executed by a microcontroller in at least one functional mode. In this further improvement, the setpoint value of at least one adjustable variable can be additionally provided as a higher-level control command from the vehicle fieldbus to the microcontroller, and controlled by the microcontroller to set the adjustable variable of the corresponding functional component. Therefore, with the assistance of the microcontroller, the adjustment of the functional component can be performed independently, wherein the corresponding adjustment algorithm can be integrated into the microcontroller in software. In particular, monitoring of the adjustment algorithm via the vehicle fieldbus is not required. In contrast, higher-level commands can be received via the vehicle fieldbus, which are typically related to the implementation of the control loop. This also includes changes in one of the adjustable variables already mentioned.

[0039] According to a further advantageous improvement, the microcontroller can switch to a third operating state. In this further improvement, the adjustment of at least one functional mode, particularly the switching from one functional mode to another, is performed in the second operating mode by means of higher-level control commands received by the microcontroller from the vehicle fieldbus. In the third operating mode, particularly in the absence of corresponding higher-level control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus, the adjustment of at least one functional mode, particularly the switching from one functional mode to another, is performed independently by the microcontroller, without the need to receive corresponding higher-level control commands from the vehicle fieldbus. Therefore, compared to the second operating mode, the third operating mode enables the fluid management module to be operated with a greater degree of independence.

[0040] According to another preferred embodiment, in at least one second operating mode, particularly in the second or third operating mode, control of the functional components includes receiving and evaluating sensor signals from at least one of the functional components by the microcontroller.

[0041] Other important features and advantages of the invention can be obtained from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the accompanying description of the drawings.

[0042] It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the features mentioned above and which will still be explained below can be used not only in the corresponding combinations described, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, which are described in detail below, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0044] The following are schematically illustrated:

[0045] Figure 1 An example of a fluid management module designed as a thermal management module is shown in a three-dimensional diagram.

[0046] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a thermal management module, showing that the thermal management module is integrated into the temperature control loop.

[0047] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram is a circuit diagram of the thermal management module, showing the electrical wiring of the thermal management module, including the control / regulation devices.

[0048] Figure 4 A circuit diagram of the control / regulation device and its circuit board is shown, with particular emphasis on the electrical connectors mounted on the circuit board.

[0049] Figure 5 An example of a fluid management module designed as an immersion cooling module is shown in a three-dimensional diagram.

[0050] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an immersion cooling module, showing the immersion cooling module integrated into a temperature control loop.

[0051] Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram shows the electrical wiring of the immersion cooling module, including the thermal management module of the ECU.

[0052] Figure 8 It is a simplified diagram illustrating the various possible operating modes of the fluid management module. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 An example of a fluid management module 1 for a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view. Figure 1 In the example, fluid management module 1 is thermal management module 1a, which can be integrated into the temperature control loop 31 present in the motor vehicle, such as... Figure 2 It is shown schematically in the diagram. Figure 3 A circuit diagram of the electrical wiring of the fluid management module 1 is shown.

[0054] Temperature-controlled fluid can be based on Figure 2 The temperature control loop 31 circulates. Besides the fluid management module 1 or the thermal management module 1a, the battery 32, electric drive 33, and power electronics 34 of a motor vehicle equipped with the fluid management module 1 or the thermal management module 1a, each using a temperature control fluid F for temperature control, can also be installed in the temperature control loop 31. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown in the temperature control loop 31, a heat exchanger 35 can also be provided, by means of which heat can be supplied to or extracted from the temperature control fluid circulating in the temperature control loop 31.

[0055] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The fluid management module 1 includes multiple functional components 2, which can be designed to be electrically controllable. Furthermore, according to... Figure 1 The fluid management module 1 or thermal management module 1a includes a component carrier 40 for carrying functional components 2. For each functional component 2, the component carrier 40 can include a suitable mechanical component interface. The corresponding component interface can be adapted to the corresponding shape, size, and function of the corresponding functional component 2. The corresponding functional component 2 is then detachably fastened to the component carrier 40 via the corresponding component interface. However, fixed (i.e., non-detachable) fastening is also conceivable. A separate fastening interface can be molded onto the component carrier 40, through which the component carrier 40 and thus the module 1 can be fastened to the vehicle body.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, the functional component 2 is a cooler 20, an expansion tank (not shown), and four electrically controlled valves 21 (see [link]). Figure 3 ) and three fluid pumps 22, of which Figure 1 and Figure 2 Only two fluid pumps 22 are shown separately. In addition, module 1 includes a heat exchanger and an expansion tank (not shown) designed as a cooler 20. Other functional components 2 may be the two temperature sensors 36, two pressure sensors 37, and a filler level sensor 38 shown separately. Figure 3(In the circuit diagram shown), the two temperature sensors and the two pressure sensors are used to determine the fluid temperature and fluid pressure of the temperature control fluid at different locations in the temperature control loop, and the filling level sensor is used to determine the filling level of the temperature control fluid in the expansion container (not shown).

[0057] Furthermore, module 1 includes an electrical control / regulation device 3 for controlling the electrical functional component 2, which is secured to the component carrier 40 in the same manner as the functional component 2. The control / regulation device 3 includes a housing 10 surrounding the interior of the housing 9.

[0058] according to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The control / regulation device 3 includes a circuit board 4 (not shown for clarity). Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram). On the circuit board 4, a microcontroller 15 and a plurality of electrical connectors 5 are provided, and the plurality of electrical connectors 5 are electrically connected to the microcontroller 15 for connecting the microcontroller 15 to the aforementioned functional component 2. For this purpose, the electrical connectors 5 provided on the circuit board 4 are electrically led out from the housing interior 9.

[0059] Electrical connector 5 includes five analog signal input connectors 6a to 6e and a component fieldbus connector, which in this example is configured as a LIN bus connector 7. In a variant of this example, a different number of signal input connectors are provided (but multiple must be provided, i.e., at least two signal input connectors). The LIN bus connector 7 is electrically connected to the component fieldbus of the fluid management module 1 (LIN bus 17 in this example), which in turn is connected to the functional components 2, in the form of valve 21 and fluid pump 22, via data transfer. Instead of LIN bus 17, a CAN bus can also be used as the component fieldbus, in which case the CAN bus connector is configured as a component fieldbus connector.

[0060] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the example scenario, all five analog signal input connectors 6a to 6e are electrically connected to the corresponding functional component 2. Figure 3 In the example, two signal input connectors 6a and 6b are electrically connected to pressure sensor 37, two signal input connectors 6c and 6b are electrically connected to temperature sensor 36, and signal input connector 6e is electrically connected to filling level sensor 38. Therefore, all electrical functional components 2 are electrically connected to a microcontroller located on circuit board 4. This microcontroller transmits control commands to functional components 2 via LIN bus 17 or receives and processes signals from these functional components via LIN bus 17 or via signal input connectors 6a-6e, thereby taking over control of functional components 2.

[0061] like Figure 3 As can be observed, all five signal input connectors 6a to 6e are led out from the circuit board 4 and thus from the interior of the housing 9 to the exterior of the housing 10 via corresponding electrical connection lines 11 to form these electrical connections, wherein the first housing connector 12a is disposed on the exterior of the housing. Electrical connection lines 12 can be connected to the first housing connector 12a, thus achieving the desired electrical connection with the corresponding functional component 2.

[0062] Thus, the aforementioned functional components 2 (i.e., two pressure sensors 37, two temperature sensors 36, and a filler level sensor 38) are electrically connected to the circuit board 4 of the control / regulation device 3. Furthermore, the electrical connector 5 includes a vehicle fieldbus connector, which in this example is formed as a CAN bus connector 8, for electrically connecting the control / regulation device 3 to the vehicle fieldbus of a motor vehicle (CAN bus 39 in this example). The CAN bus connector 8 also extends from the circuit board 4 and thus via an electrical connection line 11 from the interior of the housing 9 to the exterior of the housing 10, where a second housing connector 12b is disposed. In a variant of this example (not shown), the vehicle fieldbus (independent of the type of component fieldbus) can be a LIN bus. In this case, the vehicle fieldbus connector 8 is a LIN bus connector.

[0063] Figure 4 The control / adjustment device 3, with circuit board 4, is shown in detail. (See attached diagram.) Figure 4 As shown, the aforementioned electrical connectors 5 are all electrically connected to the microcontroller 15 mounted on the circuit board 4 of the control / regulation device 3. Therefore, the microcontroller 15 is electrically connected to both the functional components 2 and the CAN bus 39 of the vehicle, where these functional components are electrically connected to the electrical connectors 5. The microcontroller 15 can receive and process sensor signals provided by sensors 36, 37, and 38 via electrical connection lines 12 and 11 and via signal input connectors 6a to 6e. Similarly, the microcontroller 15 can electrically control the functional components 2 (i.e., valve 21 and fluid pump 22) connected to the LIN bus 17 via the LIN bus connector 7 and via the LIN bus 17.

[0064] Because in Figures 1 to 3 In the case of the thermal management module 1a, all electrical connectors 5 are used, and therefore all electrical connectors 5 (as already mentioned) are also led out from the housing interior 9 via the electrical connection line 11. Therefore, according to... Figures 1 to 3In the thermal management module 1a, the control / regulation device 3 includes corresponding electrical connection lines 11 for each of the electrical connectors 5 (i.e., the five signal input connectors 6a to 6e) and for the LIN bus connection 7 and the CAN bus connector 8, by means of which the electrical connectors 5 are led out from the circuit board 4 and from the housing interior 9. This means that the aforementioned functional components 2 of the fluid management module 1 or the thermal management module 1a are electrically connected to the microcontroller 15 via the electrical connectors 5, which are electrically led out from the housing interior 9.

[0065] With power connector 52 (see) Figure 3 Another connector 5, arranged on the circuit board 4 in the form of a power supply 50, is used to electrically connect the circuit board 4 to a voltage source 50, which can be provided, in particular by a motor vehicle. This voltage source 50 can pass through the housing 10 in the form of a power cable 51. In this case, the power cable 51 can be connected to a power connector 52 by means of an electrical connection cable 11. Furthermore, the voltage source 50 is used to power the functional components 2 formed by the valve 21, for which these functional components are connected to the power cable 51 on the module side.

[0066] Another connector 5, provided on the circuit board 4 in the form of a grounding connector, is used to electrically connect the circuit board 4 to an electrical ground 53, which can be provided, in particular by a motor vehicle. This electrical ground 53 can pass through the housing 10 in the form of an electrical grounding wire 54. In this case, the electrical grounding wire 54 can be connected to the grounding connector 55 by means of an additional electrical connection wire 11.

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, the additional power cord 56 can also pass through the housing 10 of the control / regulation device 3, and the circuit board 4 is not electrically connected to this additional power cord. The additional power cord 56 can also be connected to the voltage source 50 of the motor vehicle and used to power the functional component 2 formed by the fluid pump 22, which must be supplied with a higher electrical output (e.g., approximately 300W each) for operation compared to the circuit board 4 with the microcontroller 15 or the functional component 2 formed by the valve 21.

[0068] The functional components 2 (i.e., temperature sensor 36, pressure sensor 37, and filling level sensor 38) connected to signal input connectors 6a to 6e can be powered via circuit board 4 using a separate low-voltage power supply 57. For this purpose, these functional components 2 can be connected to the low-voltage power line 58 of the low-voltage power supply 57, which in turn can be electrically connected to connector 5, which is disposed on circuit board 4 and formed as a low-voltage power connector 59. For this purpose, as... Figure 3 As shown, the low-voltage power connector 59 can be led out from the housing interior 9 to the first housing connector 12a by means of another electrical connection line 11.

[0069] In a further improvement to the fluid management module 1 (not shown), two or more LIN bus connectors 7 can also be mounted on the circuit board 4, wherein each LIN bus 17 can be connected to an existing LIN bus connector 7, which has a functional component 2 of the fluid management module 1 connected to it.

[0070] Figures 5 to 7 It shows Figures 1 to 3 A variation of the example. In this variation, the fluid management module 1 is configured as an immersion cooling module 1b for cooling the battery 32. According to Figure 5 and Figure 6 1b immersion cooling module (similar to the one according to Figures 1 to 3 The thermal management module 1) is integrated into a temperature control loop 31 through which a temperature-controlled fluid can flow (see...). Figure 6 The battery 32, which is subject to temperature control, is also located in the temperature control loop 31 to achieve temperature control through heat transfer from or to the temperature control fluid. The immersion cooling module 1b includes two coolers 20 as functional components 2, a main filter 24, a bypass filter 23, an electrically controlled fluid pump 22, and an electrically controlled valve 21, which are only used in... Figure 6 It is shown schematically in the diagram.

[0071] Figure 6 It is also shown that, as an additional electrical functional component 2, pressure sensors 37 and temperature sensors 36 are provided for determining the fluid pressure and temperature of the temperature-controlled fluid, respectively. Compared to the thermal management module 1a, only one pressure sensor 37 is provided instead of two pressure sensors 37, and only one temperature sensor is provided instead of two temperature sensors 36 as in the thermal management module 1a. The immersion cooling module 1b no longer requires the filling level sensor 38 that exists with the thermal management module 1a. Similarly, compared to the thermal management module 1a, the immersion cooling module 1b does not have three fluid pumps 22, but only a single electrically controlled fluid pump 22. Therefore, compared to the thermal management module 1a described above, the number of electrical functional components in the immersion cooling module 1b is reduced.

[0072] In contrast, the control / regulation device 3, which has circuit board 4 and microcontroller 15, is structurally identical to that of the immersion cooling module 1b, i.e., it is implemented in the same manner as the control / regulation device 3 of the thermal management module 1a. In particular, the connectors 5, especially the signal input connectors 6a-6e, on the circuit board 4 of the immersion cooling module 1b are implemented in the same manner in terms of quantity and electrical wiring. Therefore, the two fluid management modules 1 (i.e., the thermal management module 1a and the immersion cooling module 1b) together form the module device 30, and the electrical connectors 5 provided on the respective circuit boards 4 of these two modules are constructed in the same manner.

[0073] However, the immersion cooling module 1b differs from the thermal management module 1a in that the two electrical connectors 5, which are arranged on the circuit board 4 as signal input connectors 6b and 6d, are not led out from the housing interior 9, so that the microcontroller 15 is not connected to one of the functional components 2 via these connectors. Since the number of functional components 2 is reduced, these two connectors 5 or signal input connectors 6b and 6d are unnecessary. Therefore, compared to the thermal management module 1a, the two electrical connection lines 11, which are led out from the housing interior 9 in the thermal management module 1a, can be eliminated in the case of the immersion cooling module 1b.

[0074] In another design shown in the figure (not shown), the fluid management module can also be used as a refrigerant management module, which can be integrated into the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system as part of the system through which the refrigerant flows. In this variant, the refrigerant management module can also include multiple electrically controlled valves, but can be equipped with a compressor instead of a fluid pump, which can not only deliver refrigerant but also compress it.

[0075] In yet another variant, which is also not explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, the fluid management module can be used as an oil management module for cooling and filtering oil as a temperature control fluid.

[0076] In the following text, references are made to... Figure 8 A simplified diagram. (For example...) Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the control / regulation device 3 can switch between a first operating mode B1, a second operating mode B2, and a third operating mode B3. In the first operating mode B1, control commands received from the CAN bus 39 are not processed by the microcontroller 15, but are directly transmitted to the LIN bus 17 for controlling the relevant functional component 2. In contrast, in the second operating mode B2, control commands received from the CAN bus 39 are processed by the microcontroller 15 as higher-level control commands. This means that the control of the functional component 2 relative to the CAN bus 39 is executed independently by the control / regulation device 3.

[0077] In contrast, in the second operating mode B2 (and in the third operating mode B3, which is still to be explained), functional component 2 does not directly process control commands provided by the CAN bus 39. More specifically, in the second operating mode B2 and the third operating mode B3, in response to higher-level control commands received from the CAN bus 39, the control / regulation device 3 preferably controls multiple functional components 2. For this purpose, the control / regulation device 3 transmits the corresponding control commands to the functional components 2 via the LIN bus 17.

[0078] Furthermore, control / regulation devices 3 can be equipped with or programmed in the second operating mode B2 and the third operating mode B3 to execute two or more functional modes F1, F2 of the fluid management module 1. In each functional mode F1, F2, the functional component 2 is controlled according to a predetermined control strategy assigned to at least one functional mode F1, F2.

[0079] For example, an adjustment loop with an adjustment variable can be executed in function mode F1 via control / adjustment device 3. This adjustment loop has an adjustment variable that can be adjusted in function component 2. Here, the set value of the adjustment variable, as a higher-level control command, can be provided to control / adjustment device 3 via CAN bus 39, so that control / adjustment device 3 can control function component 2 by means of the corresponding control command to set the adjustment variable.

[0080] exist Figure 3 In the example, the control / regulation device 3 can also switch to a third operating mode B3. In the second operating mode B2, in response to higher-level control commands received by the control / regulation device 3 from the CAN bus 39, adjustments are made to a certain function mode F1 or F2, or the currently set function mode F1 or F2 is switched to another function mode F3. In contrast, in the third operating mode B3, the control / regulation device 3 independently takes over the adjustment of a certain function mode F1 or F2 and the switching between two function modes F1 or F2, without needing to receive higher-level control commands from the CAN bus 39 for this purpose. Instead, the additional information ZI provided to the control / regulation device 3 via the CAN bus 39 can be processed by the control / regulation device 3.

Claims

1. A fluid management module (1), - It has at least two functional components (2); - It has at least one control / regulation device (3), which includes a housing (10) surrounding the interior of the housing (9), and includes a circuit board (4) having an electrical connector (5), wherein the electrical connector (5) includes: - At least five analog signal input connectors and at least one component fieldbus connector, each of which is used for electrical connection to a functional component (2) via a component fieldbus. - Vehicle fieldbus connector for electrical connection to the CAN bus (39) or LIN bus of a motor vehicle; - Wherein at least the vehicle fieldbus connector, the component fieldbus connector and the at least five analog signal input connectors are electrically connected to the microcontroller (15) of the control / regulation device (3) located on the circuit board (4). - At least one of the at least two functional components (2) is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connectors (5); and - The electrical connector (5) therein includes a grounding connector (55) for electrically connecting the circuit board (4) to an electrical ground (53), the grounding connector (55) being disposed inside the housing (9) and passing through the housing (10) by means of an electrical grounding wire (54).

2. The fluid management module according to claim 1, Its features are, - The circuit board (4) is disposed inside the housing (9); - At least one of the electrical connectors (5) of the circuit board (4) is electrically led out from inside the housing (9) for electrical connection to the at least one functional component (2).

3. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The control / regulation device (3) includes at least one electrical connection line (11), by means of which at least one of the electrical connectors (5) is electrically led out from the inside of the housing (9) from the circuit board (4).

4. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The at least one functional component (2) is electrically connected to the microcontroller (15) via an electrical connector (5) that is electrically led out from inside the housing (9).

5. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, Multiple electrical connectors (5) present on the circuit board (4) are electrically led out from inside the housing (9) to the outside.

6. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, All electrical connectors (5) present on the circuit board (4) are electrically led out from inside the housing (9) to the outside.

7. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one electrical connector (5) disposed on the circuit board (4) is not electrically led out from the housing (9), such that the microcontroller (15) is not electrically connected to the functional component (2) via the at least one electrical connector.

8. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, All electrical connectors (5) electrically led out from the inside of the housing (9) of the circuit board (4) are electrically connected to the functional components (2) of the fluid management module.

9. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one electrical connector (5) disposed on the circuit board (4) and electrically extended from the inside of the housing (9) is not electrically connected to the functional component (2).

10. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least two component fieldbus connectors are provided on the circuit board (4), wherein at least one functional component (2) is electrically connected to each component fieldbus connector.

11. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, - The at least one functional component (2) includes an electrically controllable valve; and / or - The at least one functional component (2) includes a controllable fluid pump (22); and / or - The at least one functional component (2) includes a temperature sensor (36); and / or - The at least one functional component includes a pressure sensor (37).

12. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, - The fluid management module (1) includes a component carrier (40). - The housing (10) of the control / regulation device (3) is detachably or non-detachably fastened to at least one of the functional components (2) and / or the component carrier (40); - The removable fastening of the housing (10) is achieved by means of at least one screw connection and / or clamping connection and / or locking connection; or the non-removable fastening of the housing (10) is achieved by means of at least one rivet connection and / or welding connection and / or fusion connection and / or adhesive connection.

13. The fluid management module according to claim 1, Its features are, The fluid management module (1) is used in motor vehicles.

14. The fluid management module according to claim 1, Its features are, The at least one component fieldbus connector is a LIN bus connector (7) or a CAN bus connector, each used for electrical connection to the functional component (2) via a LIN bus (17) or a CAN bus.

15. The fluid management module according to claim 1, Its features are, The vehicle fieldbus connector is a CAN bus connector (8) or a LIN bus connector.

16. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The control / regulation device (3) includes at least one electrical connection line (11), by means of which at least one of the signal input connectors is electrically led out from the inside of the housing (9) from the circuit board (4).

17. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one signal input connector disposed on the circuit board (4) is not electrically led out from the housing (9), such that the microcontroller (15) is not electrically connected to the functional component (2) via the at least one signal input connector.

18. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, All signal input connectors of the circuit board (4) electrically led out from the inside of the housing (9) are electrically connected to the functional components (2) of the fluid management module.

19. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one signal input connector, which is disposed on the circuit board (4) and electrically led out from the inside of the housing (9), is not electrically connected to the functional component (2).

20. The fluid management module according to claim 10, Its features are, Two component fieldbus connectors are provided on the circuit board (4).

21. A modular device (30). It has a first fluid management module and at least one second fluid management module, wherein the first fluid management module and the at least one second fluid management module are fluid management modules according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and the electrical connectors (5) disposed on their respective circuit boards (4) of the first fluid management module and the at least one second fluid management module are constructed in the same manner.

22. The module device according to claim 21, Its features are, The circuit board (4) of the first fluid management module and the circuit board (4) of the at least one second fluid management module are constructed in the same manner.

23. The module device according to claim 21 or 22, Its features are, All electrical connectors (5) of the first fluid management module are electrically connected to the functional component (2) of the first fluid management module, and the second fluid management module includes electrical connectors (5) that are not connected to the functional component (2) of the second fluid management module.

24. The module device according to claim 21 or 22, Its features are, The electrical connector (5) of the second fluid management module that is not connected to the functional component (2) is not electrically led out from the inside (9) of the housing of the second fluid management module from the circuit board (4) of the control / regulation device (3).

25. The module device according to claim 21 or 22, Its features are, The control / regulation device (3) of the first fluid management module is directly connected to the control / regulation device (3) of the second fluid management module, so that the control / regulation device (3) of the first fluid management module takes over the function of the main control / regulation device and controls the control / regulation device (3) of the second fluid management module, which is used as a sub-control / regulation device.

26. The module device according to claim 21, Its features are, The vehicle fieldbus connectors and component fieldbus connectors and at least five analog signal input connectors disposed on their respective circuit boards (4) of the first fluid management module and the at least one second fluid management module are constructed in the same manner.

27. A modular system, - It has a module storage device comprising a plurality of basic modules, each of which includes at least two functional components (2) for fluid, wherein each basic module is different from one another in the type and / or number of the included functional components (2); - Having at least one control / regulation device (3), which includes a circuit board (4) having an electrical connector (5), wherein the electrical connector (5) includes: - At least five analog signal input connectors and at least one component fieldbus connector, each for electrical connection to at least one functional component of each basic module (2). - CAN bus connector (8) for electrical connection to the CAN bus (39) of a motor vehicle. - Wherein at least the vehicle fieldbus connector, the component fieldbus connector and the at least five analog signal input connectors are electrically connected to the microcontroller (15) of the control / regulation device (3) located on the circuit board (4). - The control / regulation device (3) is designed to be able to be combined with each of the basic modules such that the control / regulation device (3) and the selected basic modules together form the fluid management module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

28. The modular system according to claim 27, Its features are, The at least one component fieldbus connector is a LIN bus connector (7) or a CAN bus connector.

29. A motor vehicle, - It has an internal combustion engine and / or an electric drive unit; - It has a temperature control loop for temperature control of at least one component of a motor vehicle, wherein the temperature control loop includes a fluid management module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

30. The motor vehicle according to claim 29, Its features are, The at least one component is a battery and / or battery-powered drive unit for a motor vehicle.

31. A method for operating a fluid management module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one functional component (2) is connected to a component fieldbus connector via a component fieldbus, thereby connecting to a microcontroller in a data transmission manner. According to the method described above: The control / regulation device (3) is capable of switching between a first operating mode (B1) and at least one second operating mode (B2, B3). - In the first operating mode (B1), control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus are transmitted to the component fieldbus (17) via the microcontroller (15) to control the relevant functional components (2) connected to the component fieldbus connector via the component fieldbus. - In the at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), the control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus (39) are processed by the microcontroller (15), so that the control of the relevant functional components (2) is executed by the microcontroller (15).

32. The method according to claim 31, Its features are, In the at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), in response to at least one higher-level control command received from the vehicle fieldbus (39) via the component fieldbus, the control / regulation device (3) controls at least one functional component (2).

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, Its features are, In at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), control commands provided by the vehicle fieldbus (39) are not directly transmitted to the functional component (2) via the component fieldbus.

34. The method according to claim 31, Its features are, At least one functional component (2) is connected to the LIN bus connector (7) or CAN bus connector via at least one LIN bus (17) or CAN bus, thereby connecting to the microcontroller in a data transmission manner.

35. The method according to claim 31, Its features are, In the first operating mode (B1), control commands received from the vehicle fieldbus are transmitted via the microcontroller (15) to the component fieldbus (17) without alteration in content, for controlling the relevant functional components (2) connected to the component fieldbus connector via the component fieldbus.

36. The method according to claim 31, Its features are, In the at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), in response to at least one higher-level control command received from the vehicle fieldbus (39) via the component fieldbus, the control / regulation device (3) controls multiple functional components (2).

37. The method according to claim 34, Its features are, In the at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), in response to at least one higher-level control command received from the vehicle fieldbus (39) via the LIN bus (17) or CAN bus, the control / regulation device (3) controls at least one functional component (2).

38. The method according to claim 34, Its features are, In the at least one second operating mode (B2, B3), in response to at least one higher-level control command received from the vehicle fieldbus (39) via the LIN bus (17) or CAN bus, the control / regulation device (3) controls multiple functional components (2).

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