Replaceable overcurrent protection device for protecting current circuit, fuse box and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) for protecting a current circuit for a fuse box (200), in particular in a vehicle (10). The invention relates to a replaceable overcurrent protection device (100), comprising: a disconnecting switch circuit having at least one transistor, a current being able to flow in a current circuit via the transistor in a closed state, and the current circuit being able to be isolated by means of the transistor in a triggered state; the invention relates to a circuit breaker (100) comprising at least two electrical contacts (110) which are arranged in a defined spatial distance (120) from one another, the current circuit being able to be closed by means of an electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts (110). In this case, the defined spatial distance (120) corresponds to a grid distance (25) of the relay or fuse (20). In addition, the invention relates to a safety device box (200) and a vehicle (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a replaceable overcurrent protection device, a fuse box and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In most vehicles currently produced and in operation, fuses and / or relays are usually used to protect electrical components or the onboard power system. With continuous progress, safety technology in particular has further developed in the following way: important components rely on a continuous, reliably available power supply.

[0003] For example, steering can be realized electronically via so-called "steer-by-wire". Here, the steering command is transmitted by sensors via one or more controllers only electrically to an electromechanical actuator that implements the steering command. In such a system, there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels being steered. However, this may result in the situation where, in the event of voltage disturbances in the sensors, actuators or the entire onboard power supply, steering is no longer possible. Similar systems can be provided, for example, for brakes.

[0004] Although such modern electrical systems are usually developed according to the concept of functional safety for maximum safety even in the event of failure of individual components, a safe power supply to the system remains of primary importance.

[0005] The widespread use of fusible fuses has the following disadvantages: These fusible fuses usually have a relatively slow triggering behavior. This is because, on the one hand, they should not trigger in the case of a slight increase in current over a long period of time and a strong but very short increase in current, but the triggering behavior can be influenced essentially only by the thickness and material of the fuse. If a short circuit then occurs in the onboard power supply, the voltage in the entire onboard power supply can drop significantly during the time in which the fusible fuse or relay triggers.

[0006] In principle, it is conceivable to use particularly fast-tripping fuses or fast-switching relays. However, fast-tripping fuses are also particularly sensitive and can trip even in the case of non-critical overcurrents. On the one hand, fast relays are expensive and, on the other hand, the achievable switching speed is physically limited. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable overcurrent protection device, a fuse box and a vehicle, wherein a rapid triggering characteristic can be ensured and which can be manufactured and operated cost-effectively.

[0008] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a replaceable overcurrent protection device with the features of claim 1, a fuse box with the features of claim 9 and a vehicle with the features of claim 10. Further features and details of the invention are derived from the corresponding dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention are of course also applicable in connection with the fuse box according to the invention and / or the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that reference is always made to one another or can be made to one another with respect to the disclosure of the individual inventive aspects.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a replaceable overcurrent protection device for protecting a current circuit of a fuse box, in particular in a vehicle, is provided, which has:

[0010] an isolating switching circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in the closed state a current can flow in the current circuit via the transistor and in the triggered state the current circuit can be isolated by the transistor,

[0011] at least two electrical contacts, which are arranged at a defined spatial distance from one another, wherein a current loop can be closed by electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts,

[0012] The defined spatial distances correspond in this case to the grid distances of the relays or fuses.

[0013] Thus, a fusible fuse and / or a relay can be replaced by a replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention. For example, the replacement can occur in connection with a defect of the fuse and / or the relay, or in connection with the installation and / or activation of a function of the vehicle, wherein a still functional fuse and / or a functional relay is then replaced. Thus, the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention is a special form of fuse.

[0014] A current circuit within the meaning of the present invention is a system of electrical conductors and components which forms a separable part of an electrical device, in particular an onboard electrical system of a vehicle.

[0015] A fuse box is to be understood as a container for one or more fuses. The container is described in detail in connection with the fuse box according to the invention.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, the vehicle can in principle be any vehicle with at least one current loop. In this case, it can in particular be at least an air, water or land vehicle. It can be arranged that the vehicle is implemented as a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car or a truck.

[0017] The isolating switch circuit in the sense of the present invention is understood to be a fuse which is designed to interrupt the electrical current circuit when the current exceeds a specified current intensity within a preset time. For this purpose, the isolating switch circuit can have one or more electrical components designed for isolation.

[0018] It can be provided that the isolating switch circuit is implemented purely electrically. In other words, the isolating switch circuit can be free of mechanical components suitable for isolating the current circuit. This provides the advantage that the triggering characteristics are determined only by the electrical components. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the isolating switch circuit has at least one electromechanical component suitable for interrupting the current circuit, which is installed redundantly in particular with respect to the purely electrical components. In this regard, electromechanical components are understood to be in particular fuses and relays. Further electromechanical components provide the advantage that the excellent triggering characteristics of the electrical components can be supplemented by redundant fuses, which are also based on other triggering principles.

[0019] In connection with the present invention, a transistor is understood to be an electronic semiconductor component for controlling voltage and current. It can be provided that the transistor is implemented as a power transistor. This offers the advantage that even large currents or voltages can be switched by the transistor without damaging the transistor. In particular, the transistor can have at least a maximum collector current or a maximum drain current greater than 1 A, a minimum collector-emitter voltage or a drain-source voltage greater than 50 V, a maximum power loss greater than 2 W or a thermal resistance between the blocking layer and the housing less than 15 K / W.

[0020] The closed and activated states described in connection with a transistor refer to the respective states of the transistor in which the transistor substantially prevents or enables a current flow. Depending on the type of transistor, a corresponding control circuit connected to the transistor may be provided in order to actuate the transistor for the desired activation characteristic.

[0021] According to the invention, an electrical contact is understood to be a physically constructed body capable of conducting electricity. In other words, an electrical contact is an electrical component suitable for establishing electrical contact between at least two components.

[0022] The defined spatial spacing of at least two electrical contacts in the sense of the present invention refers to the spatial distance defined by the spatial physical design of the contacts themselves and / or the receiving body in which the at least two electrical contacts can be accommodated. In other words, the defined spacing is not a purely imaginary dimension between the two components, but a spacing determined by the structure that is generally unchangeable.

[0023] Accordingly, the grid spacing of relays or fuses refers to the distance of the corresponding electrical components that is determined by the design.

[0024] It can be provided that the grid spacing corresponds to a standardized, in particular uniform, specification of fuses or a standardized, in particular uniform, specification of relays. This offers the advantage that the replaceable overcurrent protection device is suitable for replacing a large number of fuses and / or relays, wherein a particularly good fit can be achieved. In particular, it can be provided that the specification is at least DIN 72581 Parts 1 to 2 (1993) and Part 3 (2001), SAE J1284 (1988) or a corresponding currently applicable specification.

[0025] Furthermore, it can be provided that the grid spacing of the fuse corresponds to a torpedo fuse or a flat plug fuse, in particular according to DIN 72581-1:1993. It can be provided that the grid spacing is at least 9.1 mm, 10.9 mm, 19.1 mm or 29.2 mm. The constructions and dimensions listed are particularly common, which results in the advantage that a plurality of fuses or relays can be replaced by a correspondingly designed replaceable overcurrent protection device.

[0026] Overall, the following advantages are achieved by the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention: A maximum of flexibility can be achieved in a continuous series. In addition, only the necessary outputs need to be equipped, and it is not necessary to equip the entire vehicle, for example. Even within a continuous series, a corresponding equipment with a replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention can be carried out, depending on, for example, whether the steering system of the vehicle is installed with a smaller or larger battery. In addition, safety-related electrical consumers can also be integrated into product upgrades of the vehicle without redeveloping the entire onboard electrical system architecture.

[0027] It is also conceivable that at least one further electrical contact is provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact is arranged at a defined spatial distance relative to the at least two electrical contacts. In other words, it is conceivable that a large number of electrical contacts are provided, wherein at least one of these contacts does not have to be suitable for providing a fuse function. On the one hand, the further contact offers the advantage that the replaceable overcurrent protection device is safer and, in addition, for example, an unused fuse receptacle can be covered and thus protected.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the other electrical contacts can be used to disconnect the power supply of the switch circuit, or transmit signals via the other contacts. This achieves the following advantage: the replaceable overcurrent protection device can provide additional functions.

[0029] In the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable that a footprint is formed by at least one spacing of at least two electrical contacts and a further spacing relative to at least one further electrical contact, which footprint corresponds to a grid size, wherein the grid size is formed by the spacing of at least two, in particular standardized, preferably uniformly sized, fuse-type fuses and / or relays. It can also be provided that the replaceable overcurrent protection device has electrical contacts, which are arranged on a surface so that they can be positioned in a receptacle, which is arranged with respect to each other in a pattern that is implemented to accommodate, in particular, standardized, preferably uniformly sized fuses and / or relays. The following advantages are achieved: a larger, in particular wider, implemented replaceable overcurrent protection device is achieved. In this way, more components can be arranged in the replaceable overcurrent protection device and, for example, its functionality can be expanded.

[0030] It is also conceivable that at least one further isolating switch circuit is provided, which is implemented to enable a current flow in another current circuit in a closed state and to interrupt the current flow in another current circuit in a triggered state. In other words, the isolating switch circuit can be implemented to be able to open and close at least two current circuits. The following advantage is achieved by this: multiple fuses can be replaced at the same time with only one replaceable overcurrent protection device. This can be particularly advantageous if a functional unit, such as a steer-by-wire steering device, is equipped or retrofitted in a vehicle, in which multiple fuses or relays should be replaced at the same time by the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention. The replaceable overcurrent protection device can then be installed "entirely", thereby simplifying the manufacture and increasing the safety, since the probability of incorrect equipment is lower.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that at least two electrical contacts are implemented to be electrically connected by being inserted into corresponding contact receptacles. In other words, at least two electrical contacts can be implemented pluggable. Thus, for example, installation is simplified relative to manual soldering or connections in a reflow oven.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that at least one diagnostic switch circuit is provided, which is designed to at least detect the state of at least the isolating switch circuit or output it as a signal, and / or at least one channel function switch circuit is provided, which is designed to provide a channel function that is specific to the operation of at least one electrical load present in the current circuit. In other words, the replaceable overcurrent protection device can have corresponding electrical components, which enable at least the detection, transmission or processing of the state of the isolating switch circuit and / or provide further functions.

[0033] It can be provided that the channel function switch circuit can provide a pulse width modulation (PWM) function for the current circuit connected to the isolating switch circuit or another current circuit. This can be advantageous in particular for current circuits in which light-emitting diodes are provided as electrical consumers, because the luminous intensity can be adjusted by PWM. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the channel function switch circuit is implemented so that when a predetermined condition, in particular specified in the switching logic, exists, the current circuit connected to the isolating switch circuit or another current circuit can be disconnected. For example, when the upper-level system fails or has a fault, the current circuit involving the lower-level system can be disconnected as a preventive measure. In this way, a safety concept can be implemented at the level of overcurrent protection, in particular with priority.

[0034] It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts are designed as functional replacements for at least two, four, eight or twelve fuses or relays, in particular fuses with a fuse value of at least 20 A, 40 A or 80 A. In other words, the isolating switch circuit can be designed to open and close a large number of circuits even for different fuse values. In particular, the given number of two, four, eight or twelve and the fuse value of 20 A, 40 A or 80 A are frequently occurring fuse requirements, so that the replaceable overcurrent protection device designed in this way offers the advantage of being particularly versatile.

[0035] Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that a receiving body is provided, which is designed to receive at least the isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts, wherein the receiving body is in particular dimensioned such that it substantially corresponds to a defined spatial spacing, in particular a footprint, of the at least two electrical contacts. In other words, a carrier can be provided, which is designed to carry at least the isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts and connect them to form a component.

[0036] It can be provided that the receiving body is cast. As a result, the components contained in the receiving body are particularly well protected from environmental influences. Alternatively or in addition, it can also be provided that the receiving body is designed as a cooling body and / or has a cooling body which is in particular thermally connected to the disconnector circuit. This makes it possible to reliably dissipate even greater amounts of heat, thereby further improving the performance of the replaceable overcurrent protection device.

[0037] It can be provided that the receiving body has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the housing of, in particular, standardized, preferably uniformly sized fuses or standardized, preferably uniformly sized relays. This achieves the advantage that when installing at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device, collisions with other replaceable overcurrent protection devices, fuses, relays or other components that can be installed in the fuse box can be largely avoided.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, a fuse box is provided for protecting a current circuit, in particular in a vehicle, which has at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention, wherein in particular the replaceable overcurrent protection device is arranged on a slot for a fusible fuse or a relay.

[0039] The fuse box according to the invention therefore offers the same advantages as have already been described in detail with regard to the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention.

[0040] It can be provided that the fuse box is constructed according to a grid size resulting from a standardized, in particular uniform, format of the receptacles for the fuses. This offers the advantage that a fuse box designed in this way can be used particularly versatilely.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one relay section is provided which is designed to accommodate at least one relay or a fuse section which is designed to accommodate at least one fuse, wherein in particular at least the relay section or the fuse section is arranged in the housing. In other words, separate areas can be provided in the fuse box for fuses and / or relays. This achieves the following advantage: these sections can be simply equipped not only with conventional relays and fuses, but also with one (or more) of the replaceable overcurrent protection devices. The placement in the housing provides the following advantage: the components are better protected from environmental influences.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided which has at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention and / or a fuse box according to the invention.

[0043] The vehicle according to the invention therefore offers the same advantages as have already been described in detail with regard to the replaceable overcurrent protection device according to the invention and / or the fuse box according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description may be important to the invention individually or in any combination. Schematically:

[0045] Figure 1 A diagram of a fuse box is shown with an overview of the receptacles for fuses and relays, as well as an exemplary embodiment of a replaceable overcurrent protection device in comparison with a conventional fuse.

[0046] Figure 2 A diagram showing a defined spatial spacing or footprint of an exemplary embodiment of a replaceable overcurrent protection device with corresponding contact receptacles,

[0047] Figure 3 The diagram shows a vehicle having a fuse box and a replaceable overcurrent protection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the following description about certain embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0049] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 for protecting a current circuit of a fuse box 200, in particular in a vehicle 10, is shown. The replaceable overcurrent protection device has an isolating switch circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in the closed state, current can flow in the current circuit via the transistor, and in the triggered state, the current circuit can be isolated by the transistor, and at least two electrical contacts 110, which are arranged at a defined spatial distance 120 to one another, wherein the current circuit can be closed by an electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts 110. In this case, the defined spatial distance 120 corresponds to the grid distance 25 of the relay or fuse 20.

[0050] Therefore, the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 can be installed in the fuse box 200, in particular, connected to the receiving portion provided for the fuse 20 or the relay shown on the right. Figure 1 As shown in the right part of FIG. 1 , the contacts of the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 have the same spacing as that of the fuse 20 or the relay.

[0051] In general, the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 according to the invention achieves the following advantages: it can be equipped in a continuous series with maximum flexibility. In addition, only the necessary outputs need to be equipped, and it is not necessary to equip the entire vehicle 10 (in Figure 3). A corresponding equipment with a replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 according to the invention can even be carried out in a continuous series, depending on whether the steering system of the vehicle 10 is installed with a smaller or larger battery, for example. In addition, safety-related electrical consumers can also be integrated into a product upgrade of the vehicle 10 without redeveloping the entire onboard power supply architecture.

[0052] It can be provided that the fuse box 200 has at least one fuse section 230 or relay section 220, which can be separated from each other in particular in space. Spatial separation makes equipment easier, thereby making the fuse box 200 more cost-effective and safer to manufacture.

[0053] As in Figure 1 It can also be seen that at least one further electrical contact 111 can be provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact 111 is arranged in a defined spatial distance 120 relative to the at least two electrical contacts 110. On the one hand, the further contact 111 offers the advantage that the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 is placed more securely and can also, for example, cover and thus protect unused fuse receptacles.

[0054] exist Figure 1 1 and 2. The receiving body 112 is also shown, which is designed to receive at least the isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts 110, wherein in particular, the receiving body 112 is dimensioned so that it substantially corresponds to the defined spatial spacing 120, in particular the footprint 130 (in the case of the at least two electrical contacts 110). Figure 2 ). It can be provided that the receiving body 112 has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the housing of a particularly standardized, preferably uniformly sized fuse 20 or a standardized, preferably uniformly sized relay. This achieves the following advantage: when installing at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device 100, collisions with another replaceable overcurrent protection device 100, a fuse 20, a relay or other components that can be installed in the fuse box 200 can be largely avoided.

[0055] exist Figure 2, a replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 is schematically shown from below on the left side, so that at least two electrical contacts 110 and a further electrical contact 111 can be identified in a defined spatial spacing 120. The contacts 110, 111 of the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 have a footprint 130, which corresponds to a grid size 210 (shown on the right), wherein the grid size 210 is formed by the spacing of at least two fuses 20 and / or relays. By designing the footprint 130 as a grid size 210 of a particularly standardized, preferably uniform size, the replaceable overcurrent protection device 100 can be used simply and can be used for a large number of fuse boxes 200.

[0056] at last, Figure 3 A vehicle 10 is shown which has an exemplary embodiment of a fuse box 200 and a replaceable overcurrent protection device 100. Figure 3 It is not shown here, but it is likewise conceivable within the scope of the invention that the vehicle has a plurality of fuse boxes 200. In particular, these fuse boxes can divide the current circuits, in particular according to functional units and / or safety requirements. In other words, it can be provided that at least two fuse boxes 200 are provided, wherein the fuse boxes 200 differ at least in the function or safety requirements of the protected current circuits. This offers the advantage that functional units (which may have increased fuse requirements) can be more easily retrofitted. Thus, for example, when replacing a functional group, the entire fuse box 200 can be replaced at the same time.

[0057] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the invention only within the scope of examples. Of course, the individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, as long as it makes sense technically, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058] List of reference numerals:

[0059] 10. Transportation

[0060] 20 Fuse type safety device

[0061] 25 grid spacing

[0062] 100 Replaceable overcurrent protection device

[0063] 110 At least two electrical contacts

[0064] 111 Additional electrical contacts

[0065] 112 Accommodate the main body

[0066] 120 spacing

[0067] 130 Footprints

[0068] 200 Fuse box

[0069] 210 grid size

[0070] 211 contact accommodating portion

[0071] 220 relay section

[0072] 230 Fuse section

Claims

1. A replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) for protecting a current circuit of a fuse box (200) in particular in a vehicle (10), comprising: - an isolating switching circuit with at least one transistor, wherein: In the closed state, current can flow in the current loop via the transistor, and in the triggered state, the current loop can be isolated by the transistor, at least two electrical contacts (110), which are arranged at a defined spatial distance (120) from one another, wherein the current loop can be closed by electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts (110), wherein the defined spatial spacing (120) corresponds to a grid spacing (25) of a relay or a fuse (20), wherein at least one further electrical contact (111) is provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact (111) is arranged in the defined spatial spacing (120) relative to the at least two electrical contacts (110), A footprint (130) is formed by at least one spacing (120) of the at least two electrical contacts (110) and another spacing relative to at least one other electrical contact (111), and the footprint (130) corresponds to a grid size (210), wherein the grid size (210) is formed by the spacing of the at least two fuses (20) and / or relays.

2. The replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one further isolating switch circuit is provided, which is designed to enable a current flow in the further current circuit in the closed state and to interrupt the current flow in the further current circuit in the triggered state.

3. The replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The at least two electrical contacts (110) are designed to be electrically connected by being inserted into corresponding contact receptacles (211).

4. The replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one diagnostic switching circuit is provided, which is designed to at least detect a state of at least the isolating switching circuit or to output it as a signal, and / or At least one channel function switching circuit is provided, which is designed to provide a channel function that is specific to the operation of at least one electrical load present in the current circuit.

5. The replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts (110) are implemented to functionally replace at least two, four, eight or twelve fuses or relays, in particular fuses or relays with a fuse value of at least 20A, 40A or 80A.

6. The replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A housing body (112) is provided, which is designed to accommodate at least the isolating switch circuit and the at least two electrical contacts (110), wherein in particular the housing body (112) is dimensioned such that it substantially corresponds to a defined spatial spacing (120), in particular a footprint (130), of the at least two electrical contacts (110).

7. A fuse box (200) for protecting a current circuit, in particular in a vehicle (10), comprising at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in particular the replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) is arranged on a slot for a fusible fuse or a relay.

8. The fuse box (200) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that At least one relay section (220) designed to accommodate at least one relay or a fuse section (230) designed to accommodate at least one fusible fuse is provided, wherein in particular at least the relay section (220) or the fuse section (230) is arranged in a housing.

9. A vehicle (10) having at least one replaceable overcurrent protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or at least one fuse box (200) according to claim 7.

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