Method for electrically connecting an electronic component to a vehicle electrical system, computer program product and vehicle having a vehicle electrical system

Abstract

Examples relate to a method (10) for electrically connecting at least one electronic component (STG1') to an on-board power network (20) of a vehicle. The method (10) comprises the steps of using (11) an electrically separable element (ET1) as a connecting element between the electronic component (STG1') and the on-board power network (20), wherein a working voltage is applied on the on-board power network (20); and manipulating (12) the electrically separable element (ET1) for a disconnected state of the electrically separable element (ET1) during a physical connection process of the electronic component (STG1'). Further examples relate to a vehicle comprising an on-board power network with an electrically separable element, like an E-Fuse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to a method for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's onboard electrical network. Furthermore, a computer program product for performing the proposed method is provided. Additionally, a vehicle with an onboard electrical network having a voltage source is proposed. Background Technology

[0002] The number of controllers installed in modern motor vehicles is increasing, and these controllers can be reprogrammed (e.g., by loading software updates; flashing) even after delivery. It can be advantageous to install the controllers early in the production process, even if it is known that new software should be loaded (e.g., flashed). After installation in the vehicle, data exchange can be conducted, for example, via over-the-air downloads (e.g., over-the-air updates).

[0003] Known methods allow programming after the vehicle is put into operation or for a very limited period during operation, while the onboard electrical voltage is applied to the onboard electrical network and thus to the individual components. However, during the application of the onboard electrical voltage, additional electronic components cannot be connected to the onboard electrical network because sparks may be generated upon connection, increasing the risk of untraceable defects. Known vehicles are operated completely "offline" during maintenance work (e.g., in a workshop), for example, by completely disconnecting the onboard electrical voltage. This ensures that no defects or malfunctions are caused by sparks (e.g., arcing) when disconnecting or installing electronic components under voltage.

[0004] As complexity and connectivity increase, the programming time and number of controllers in vehicles are also growing. This means that even after vehicle manufacturing is complete, there may still be a period of time required to bring the vehicle software to the latest version or to allow for additional rewriting time during production. This can create time delays between production completion and / or vehicle delivery, potentially leading to operational disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this disclosure is to provide an improved method for electrically connecting electronic components to the vehicle's onboard electrical network, particularly during the vehicle's production process or in maintenance situations.

[0006] The task is solved according to the technical solutions of each independent patent claim. Other advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0007] Accordingly, a method for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's onboard electrical network is proposed. The method includes using an electrical disconnect element as a connection element between the at least one electronic component and the onboard electrical network, wherein an operating voltage is applied to the onboard electrical network. The method further includes manipulating the electrical disconnect element to achieve an open state during the physical connection process of the electronic component.

[0008] The electrical disconnect element used can be, for example, a controllable electrical disconnect element, such as an electronic fuse (E-Fuse) or an electromechanical relay. The electrical disconnect element can actively switch between an open and closed state, like an electrical switch. Here, in the open state, voltage separation can be achieved between the input and output terminals of the electrical disconnect element, and in the closed state, current can flow between the input and output terminals of the electrical disconnect element. Advantageously, the electrical disconnect element can have a current protection function, so that the electrical disconnect element automatically disconnects when a predetermined current intensity is exceeded.

[0009] According to this disclosure, the connection process includes both connecting or inserting electronic components into the vehicle electrical network and disconnecting or removing electronic components from the vehicle electrical network; that is, it includes both electrical connection and electrical disconnection of electronic components. When the electrical disconnection element is disconnected, there is no voltage at the output terminal of the electrical disconnection element (disconnected from the vehicle electrical network voltage), thus the connection process can be performed safely and with reduced spark risk in the absence of voltage.

[0010] A single electronic component can be connected to the electrical disconnect element on the output side. Alternatively, an on-board electrical grid area with multiple electronic components can be connected to the electrical disconnect element on the output side, whereby multiple electronic components can be safely connected (e.g., connected or disconnected) simultaneously when the disconnect element is in the off state.

[0011] According to one aspect, the method further includes: after the physical connection process is completed, further manipulating the electrically disconnecting element to achieve a closed state. It may be specified that the further manipulation is performed immediately after the electronic component connection process is completed, for example, within five minutes (or less than three minutes, or less than one minute) after the electronic component is physically connected to the vehicle electrical network via the electrically disconnecting element.

[0012] Advantageously, the proposed method allows for the safe installation of electronic components (e.g., in the absence of voltage) and immediate activation of these components immediately after installation (with the on-board grid voltage applied to the electronic components while the electrical disconnect element is closed). One advantage is that the connected, activated electronic components can be directly programmed or updated, while other electronic components can still be connected subsequently in the absence of voltage. This allows for data exchange with the electronic components during production and even before the entire vehicle is put into operation, thereby optimizing and, in particular, reducing the update time required after operation begins.

[0013] Advantageously, the electrical disconnect elements can be further manipulated to achieve a closed state after the connection process is completed, particularly automatically. For example, at the start of vehicle production, all electrical disconnect elements used can be disconnected and automatically closed by further manipulation after the connection process is completed.

[0014] According to one example, a contact sensor is used to detect whether an electronic component is physically connected to an electrical disconnect element. Once the physical connection is detected by the contact sensor, further manipulation to close the electrical disconnect element is automatically performed. For example, the contact sensor may be located in the plug of the electrical disconnect element, so that the contact sensor is activated once the electronic component is connected to the electrical disconnect element. Alternatively, feedback from the connected electronic component may be awaited or considered as a trigger (e.g., initiating data communication via the electronic component). This is feasible, for example, in cases where the electronic component has redundant power supplies (e.g., components with multiple power inputs, such as load / logic separation, high-availability components, such as HAF components), because these components can already be at least partially activated before being connected to the vehicle's mains voltage.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, during the production process, the control of the opening and / or closing of the electrical disconnect element can be automatically performed based on the vehicle's production status. For example, this control and further control can be performed according to location within the production line. At the start of production, the electrical disconnect element may be open (e.g., in the front area of ​​the production line). Electronic components can be installed and connected in a predetermined area of ​​the production line. Once the vehicle leaves the predetermined area of ​​the production line, the further control can be performed automatically because the electronic components are now connected as planned. Therefore, once the vehicle has passed the predetermined area and is located in the rear area of ​​the production line, data exchange with the electronic components is possible because the electronic components have a power supply and can be activated from this point in time.

[0016] Alternatively, the further manipulation to achieve the closed state can be performed manually, for example by an assembler. The assembler can release and / or disconnect fuses (e.g., electrical disconnect elements; e.g., E-Fuse) independently of or according to the production process. In maintenance situations (e.g., in the workshop) or for targeted hardware resets of components, such as for analysis, servicing (HO), etc., the further manipulation of each switching element can also be performed manually as needed. Therefore, for example in maintenance situations, the vehicle can remain fully active when needed, except for disconnecting the electronic component to be replaced.

[0017] For example, the method may further include connecting at least one additional electronic component to the vehicle electrical network via a separate, disconnected electrical disconnect element. It is specified here that data exchange occurs with the already physically connected, activated electronic component prior to the connection of the additional electronic component. As previously described, this allows data exchange with the electronic component even before other electronic components are installed under no-voltage conditions. For example, this can be done or initiated during the production process by writing (flashing) new software code to the controller or reading data from the electronic component. In other words, according to the method, programming of the first electronic component can begin immediately, while other components can still be safely connected (e.g., without voltage and without arcing) thereafter.

[0018] On the other hand, it relates to a computer program product or non-volatile storage medium having program code for performing the methods described above or below when the computer program is executed on a processor, computer, or programmable hardware. Such a program can advantageously be executed on an onboard computer or backend (e.g., a server or cloud service coupled to the vehicle) to perform the proposed methods and control the switching state of the electrically disconnecting elements. Thus, for example, during installation or in maintenance situations, electronic components can be safely installed or removed in a voltage-free state, wherein the electronic components can be activated immediately after installation.

[0019] On the other hand, a vehicle with an onboard electrical network is disclosed. The onboard electrical network includes: a voltage source; an electronic fuse system having at least one electrically disconnecting element connected to the voltage source on the input side; and at least one electronic component configured to connect to the electrically disconnecting element on the output side. The electronic fuse system is configured to switch the at least one electrically disconnecting element to a disconnected state during the physical connection process from the electronic component to the electrically disconnecting element. Such a vehicle can be assembled, in particular, according to the proposed method, such that data exchange with the newly installed electronic component can occur immediately after its installation, for example. Thus, the proposed vehicle can be produced and delivered more efficiently, for example, in a shorter time.

[0020] For example, the electronic safety system is specified to have at least two electrical disconnect elements, wherein at least one electronic component is connected to each of the at least two electrical disconnect elements on the output side. In this way, for example, the first electronic component can remain connected to the vehicle's electrical grid voltage, thereby enabling data exchange with the activated first electronic component, while the second electronic component can be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical grid voltage, allowing for safe replacement or installation of the second electronic component, for example.

[0021] For example, it is specified that at least one additional electrical separation element is connected to at least one electrical separation element on the output side. In this way, a cascaded electronic fuse system can be provided.

[0022] For example, it is specified that the at least one additional electrical disconnect element is directly connected to the at least one electrical disconnect element. For example, the at least one electrical disconnect element and the additional electrical disconnect element can be directly coupled to each other without additional active electronic components for indirect connection, but only by means of passive electrical connection (e.g., cable connection or bus) (e.g., cascade structure of vehicle electrical network when using electrical disconnect elements).

[0023] In such a cascaded onboard electrical network, it is feasible not only to isolate each electronic component (e.g., controller) from the onboard electrical network voltage individually, but also to isolate a larger area from the onboard electrical network voltage collectively by performing a single operation on an electrical disconnect element located at a higher level (i.e., closer to the voltage source). This, for example, simplifies operation and / or reduces the number of electrical disconnect elements required.

[0024] For example, it is specified that at least two additional disconnect elements are connected in parallel to one electrical disconnect element of the electronic safety system on the output side. In this way, a cascaded, zoned vehicle electrical network can be provided. In such a cascaded vehicle electrical network, for example, each sub-zone with multiple elements can be isolated from the vehicle electrical network voltage by means of a single electrical disconnect element. Thus, for example, the number of electrical disconnect elements required for the vehicle electrical network can be reduced and / or multiple electronic components can be safely installed or removed simultaneously while operating only a single electrical disconnect element.

[0025] In the final level of the disconnect element (e.g., starting from the first level of the vehicle electrical network at the vehicle electrical network voltage), the disconnect element may also be, for example, an electronic fuse, a mechanical fuse, and / or a pyrotechnic fuse (e.g., a fusible fuse or a PCI; a pyrotechnic circuit breaker). For example, these disconnect elements may be located in a sub-zone that can be disconnected from the vehicle electrical network voltage by means of an electrical disconnect element. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for electrically connecting electronic components to an onboard electrical grid;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a vehicle's onboard electrical network with two electrical disconnect elements is shown; and

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an onboard electrical grid with multiple zones is shown, each of which can be isolated from the onboard electrical grid voltage via an E-Fuse. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, some of which illustrate certain embodiments. For clarity, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers, and / or regions may be exaggerated in the drawings. In the following description of the drawings (which show only some embodiments), the same reference numerals may denote the same or similar components.

[0031] An element referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element may be directly connected or coupled to that other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as that given to them by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong.

[0032] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method 10 for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's onboard electrical network is shown. The method includes: using an electrical disconnect element 11 as a connection element between the electronic component and the onboard electrical network, wherein an operating voltage is applied to the onboard electrical network; and manipulating an electrical disconnect element 12 for an off-state during the physical connection process of the electronic component.

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a vehicle onboard electrical network 20 with two electrically disconnecting elements ET1 and ET2 is shown. The vehicle onboard electrical network 20 is illustrated in a system with cloud service C and programming device P. The vehicle onboard electrical network 20 includes an electronic fuse device (ESV) (e.g., an electronic fuse system) having two electrically disconnecting elements ET1 and ET2 (e.g., electronic fuse devices; e.g., E-Fuse). The electronic fuse device ESV is connected on its input side to a voltage source U (e.g., a vehicle battery), which provides the onboard electrical network voltage. The electronic fuse device ESV may be referred to as an electronic distributor, which may be monitored and controlled, for example, by a monitoring or control module. The manipulation can be performed intelligently according to the methods described above or below, for example, to enable the use of components installed during the production process as quickly as possible.

[0034] Two controllers STG1' and STG1'' are provided on the output side of the first electric separation element ET1 for the first vehicle-mounted electric grid zone Z1, and two controllers STG2' and STG2'' are provided on the output side of the second electric separation element ET2 for the second vehicle-mounted electric grid zone Z2.

[0035] The cloud service C and / or the programming device P are configured to control the electronic safety device (ESV) and controllers STG1', STG1'', STG2', STG2'' or to exchange data with the electronic safety device and controllers. Here, for example, data can be read from or loaded onto the controllers wirelessly or via wired means, and the electrically disconnected elements ET1, ET2 of the electronic safety device (ESV) can be controlled according to the described method.

[0036] With the help of Figure 2 A process for connecting an electronic component, such as a first controller STG1', during production can be described exemplarily. The first electrical disconnect element ET1 can be, for example, an E-Fuse. During the assembly of an electronic distributor, such as an electronic fuse (ESV), and the first controller STG1', the E-Fuse is manipulated to achieve a disconnected state (voltage disconnection). Subsequently, the first controller STG1' is connected to the E-Fuse, for example, through a physical connection (the E-Fuse remains disconnected). The E-Fuse is then closed, for example, manually or automatically. For example, in an automated process, the E-Fuse itself can detect the attachment of the controller STG1' and close accordingly (e.g., in the case of using a contact sensor). Communication with the production line can be made, for example, via a cloud service C, where the E-Fuse can be further manipulated based on location. For example, the E-Fuse can be closed when the vehicle has left the area used to assemble the controller STG1'. By closing the E-Fuse for power supply during production, the connected controller can be activated immediately, for example, and programmed immediately after being plugged into the vehicle's electrical grid (the E-Fuse is closed). For example, after the connection process is complete, a notification can be sent from cloud service C to programming device P: Controller STG1' is now ready to exchange data.

[0037] Other details and aspects are mentioned in conjunction with the embodiments described above or below. Figure 2 The illustrated embodiments may have one or more optional additional features, which correspond to combinations of the proposed scheme or combinations of the above (e.g., Figure 1 ) or the following text (e.g. Figure 3 One or more aspects mentioned in one or more embodiments described herein.

[0038] Figure 3A schematic diagram of an onboard electrical network 30 with an electronic fuse (ESV) is shown. This ESV has multiple zones, Zone 1 to Zone 5, each of which can be electrically disconnected from the onboard electrical network voltage via an electrical disconnection element (shown here as an E-Fuse). The onboard electrical network voltage is supplied by a battery (Bat), which can be electrically disconnected from the ESV via an electrical switch (e.g., a transistor, such as a MOSFET). This allows, for example, the entire onboard electrical network to be isolated from the voltage supply device.

[0039] By using the multiple partitioned and cascaded electrical disconnect elements ET1', ET2', ET2'', and ET4', multiple electronic components ELK1-ELK7 (e.g., electrical devices; e.g., controllers) connected to the Electronic Safety Device (ESV) can be individually and / or grouped to disconnect from the vehicle's electrical grid voltage. For example, in the second partition, electrical disconnect elements ET2' and ET2'' are connected in parallel after electrical disconnect element ET1''. Two electronic components ELK6 and ELK7 can thus be individually disconnected from the voltage source, for example, by means of the parallel-connected disconnect elements ET2' and ET2'', or grouped to the voltage source via the upstream electrical disconnect element ET1''.

[0040] The electrical disconnect element ET4' of Zone 4 is directly connected to the electrical disconnect element ET1' of Zone 1. As shown in Zone 5, the last zone before each electronic component, in such a zone, in addition to electronic fuses (E-Fuse), for example, a fusible fuse can also be installed.

[0041] Other details and aspects are mentioned in conjunction with the embodiments described above or below. Figure 3 The illustrated embodiments may have one or more optional additional features, which correspond to combinations of the proposed scheme or combinations of the above (e.g., Figure 1-2 (or one or more aspects mentioned in one or more embodiments described below).

[0042] The example relates to a scheme for using switchable electrical disconnect elements in vehicle onboard electrical systems, and particularly for intelligent E-Fuse control for real-time programming during the production process. This allows for the safe (e.g., voltage-free, spark-free) installation of electronic components during vehicle production and their immediate activation for use after installation (e.g., to enable immediate data exchange with the electronic components during the production process).

[0043] By utilizing the disclosed E-Fuse in the vehicle electrical system, controlled power supply to the controller can be achieved via the E-Fuse in the electronic distributor after the plug-in process. This allows for controlled, zoned disconnection of the vehicle electrical system area. Advantageously, this enables, for example, programming during production; advantageously, it avoids arcing during the plug-in process. Zoned disconnection of a section (e.g., the front right section) allows for maintenance work within that section, along with the possibility of concurrent software updates to the rest of the vehicle (the remaining vehicle electrical system areas).

Claims

1. A method (10) for electrically connecting at least one electronic component (STG1') to an onboard electrical network (20) of a vehicle, the method (10) comprising: - Use (11) electrical disconnect element (ET1) as a connection element between electronic component (STG1') and vehicle electrical network (20), wherein an operating voltage is applied to vehicle electrical network (20); - During the physical connection process of the electronic component (STG1'), the electrical separation element (ET1) is manipulated (12) to maintain its disconnected state; and - After the physical connection process is completed, the electrical separation element (ET1) is further manipulated in order to achieve the closed state of the electrical separation element (ET1). The control (11) is performed during the production process to determine the open and / or closed state of the electric disconnection element (ET1) based on the production status of the vehicle.

2. The method (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The contact sensor detects whether the electronic component (STG1') is physically connected to the electrical disconnect element (ET1), and once the physical connection of the electronic component (STG1') is detected by the contact sensor, the further operation to close the electrical disconnect element (ET1) is automatically performed.

3. The method (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, During the production process, the control (12) is automatically performed to open and / or close the electrical separation element (ET1) according to the production status of the vehicle.

4. The method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (10) further comprises: At least one additional electronic component (STG2') is connected to the vehicle electrical network (20) via an additional electrical disconnect element (ET2) in a disconnected state, wherein data exchange with the already physically connected electronic component (STG1') is performed before the additional electronic component (STG2') is connected.

5. A computer program product or non-volatile storage medium having program code for performing the method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims when the computer program is executed on a processor, computer or programmable hardware.

6. A vehicle having an onboard electrical network (20, 30), the onboard electrical network (20, 30) comprising: - Voltage source (U, Bat); - An electronic fuse system (ESV) having at least one electrical separation element (ET1), the electronic fuse system being connected to a voltage source (U, Bat) on the input side. - At least one electronic component (STG1') configured to be connected to an electrical disconnect element (ET1) on the output side. The electronic safety system (ESV) is configured to switch at least one electrical disconnect element (ET1) to an open or closed state during the physical connection process from the electronic assembly (STG1') to the electrical disconnect element (ET1) based on the production status of the vehicle during the production process.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, The electronic safety system (ESV) has at least two electrical disconnect elements (ET1, ET2), and at least one electronic component (STG1', STG2') is connected to each of the at least two electrical disconnect elements (ET1, ET2) on the output side.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, At least one additional electrical separation element (ET4') is connected to at least one electrical separation element (ET1') on the output side.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one additional electrical separation element (ET4') is directly connected to the at least one electrical separation element (ET1').

10. The vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, At least two additional disconnecting elements (ET2', ET2'') are connected in parallel on the electrical disconnecting element (ET1') of the Electronic Safety System (ESV) on the output side.

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