Controller for area-oriented intelligent power supply, area controller and electric vehicle

By using a controller that is intelligently powered to the region in the distribution box, and using the cooperation of the e-Fuse chip and the MCU controller, the problem that traditional distribution box cannot meet the safety requirements of high-level autonomous driving functions is solved, achieving the precise protection of the load circuit and the lightweight of the entire vehicle.

CN222763648UActive Publication Date: 2025-04-15ZHIJI AUTOMOTIVE TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202420591043.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-26
Publication Date
2025-04-15
Estimated Expiration
2034-03-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Because traditional power distribution boxes are open-loop control, they cannot monitor and diagnose the load circuit, and cannot meet the system functional safety requirements of autonomous driving above level L3 or above. At the same time, traditional power supply networks cannot meet the design needs of automobile weight reduction, energy saving, space saving and troubleshooting.

Method used

It adopts a controller that is intelligently powered to the region, including the main housing, power connector, e-Fuse chip and wire harness plug-in interface, which is connected to the load circuit through the e-Fuse chip to provide power distribution protection, and communicates with the e-Fuse chip through the MCU controller to adjust the fuse characteristic curve to meet load needs.

Benefits of technology

Through the high response speed and adjustable fuse characteristic curve of the e-Fuse chip, the precise protection of the load circuit is achieved, the performance of the distribution box is improved, the functional safety requirements of high-level autonomous driving are met, and the lightweight of the entire vehicle and the automatic assembly of the power system is facilitated.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a regional intelligent power supply-oriented controller, a regional controller and an electric automobile, the controller comprises a main shell, the main shell is provided with a power supply connector, the power supply connector is connected with an e-Fuse chip arranged in the main shell, and the e-Fuse chip is connected with the e-Fuse chip. The e-Fuse chip is connected with a load circuit and is used for providing power distribution protection for the load circuit; the main shell is further provided with a wire harness insertion port, and the load circuit is connected with the e-Fuse chip through the wire harness insertion port. According to the utility model, the e-Fuse is used for providing protection for the failure of the load, and the lean type selection level of the wire specification can be improved to the greatest extent through the tailorable fusing characteristic curve of the e-Fuse, thereby facilitating the light weight of the whole vehicle.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile electronic development, in particular to a controller for regional intelligent power supply, a regional controller and an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the deepening of the new four modernizations of automobiles, especially the development of intelligent networking and autonomous driving technologies, coupled with the rise of complex automotive electronic technologies, automobiles are accelerating their transformation from mechanical equipment to highly digitalized and information-based smart terminals.

[0003] In this context, the electrical and electronic architecture has gradually changed from the traditional distributed EEA (Electrical / Electronic Architecture) to the form of a central computing platform + zone controller to meet the needs of safety, computing power, cost, bandwidth, etc. Correspondingly, the power supply and distribution of the low-voltage electrical system are required to be higher, faster, and stronger. Especially when achieving high-level autonomous driving (L3 and above), functional safety not only increases the requirements for reaction time and diagnosis, but also requires diagnosis, prevention, reminders, and avoidance in advance, so as to maximize the functional safety of the vehicle.

[0004] As the power supply and distribution center of the low-voltage electrical system power circuit of the vehicle, the distribution box is the basis for the normal operation of the vehicle electrical system. However, due to open-loop control, the traditional distribution box cannot monitor and diagnose the load circuit and cannot meet the system functional safety requirements of L3 and above autonomous driving. At the same time, considering the influence of factors such as type, volume, assembly, and maintenance, the traditional power supply network that centrally supplies power through the distribution box can no longer meet the design requirements of vehicle weight reduction, energy saving, space saving, and troubleshooting.

[0005] In particular, the fuse, which is the core component of the distribution box, is a heat-responsive component. Its protection action time varies with the ambient temperature. The hotter it is outside, the faster it will melt, resulting in inaccurate protection. Taking a fast-blow blade fuse as an example, the melting time of 200% rated current ranges from 0.15s to 5s. This is undoubtedly a huge hidden danger for autonomous vehicles that require faster response times. In addition, the fuse is disposable and cannot be self-recovering. It needs to be replaced manually after melting. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the above technical problems, the utility model provides a controller for regional intelligent power supply, a regional controller and an electric vehicle, which can improve the performance of the distribution box.

[0007] The first aspect of the utility model provides a controller for regional intelligent power supply, including a main shell, the main shell is provided with a power connector, the power connector is connected to an e-Fuse chip arranged in the main shell, and the e-Fuse chip is connected to a load circuit for providing power distribution protection for the load circuit; the main shell is also provided with a wiring harness plug interface, and the load circuit is connected to the e-Fuse chip through the wiring harness plug interface.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the e-Fuse chip is integrated on a regional controller, the regional controller includes a PCB board and an MCU controller, the e-Fuse chip is arranged on the PCB board and connected to the MCU controller, and the MCU controller is used to control the load circuit.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the e-Fuse chip can adjust its own fusing characteristic curve according to information output by the MCU controller.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the e-Fuse chip may dynamically adjust its own fusing characteristic curve via OTA.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the load circuit feeds back its own status information to the MCU controller via the CAN or LIN bus, and the e-Fuse chip simulates current detection and converts it into a voltage signal and outputs it to the MCU controller.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the MCU controller compares the information fed back by the load circuit with the information fed back by the e-Fuse chip, and outputs a decision signal to the e-Fuse chip.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the wiring harness plug interface includes a vehicle body wiring harness assembly interface, a front cabin wiring harness assembly interface, and a dashboard wiring harness assembly interface.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the main shell is made of aluminum alloy.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides a regional controller, in which the above-mentioned controller for regional intelligent power supply is provided.

[0016] A third aspect of the utility model provides an electric vehicle, which includes the above-mentioned controller for regional intelligent power supply or the above-mentioned regional controller.

[0017] The utility model uses an e-Fuse to provide protection for load failure. The tailorable fusing characteristic curve of the e-Fuse can maximize the level of lean selection of wire specifications, which is beneficial to the lightweighting of the entire vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a controller for regional intelligent power supply in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of module connection of the controller in the embodiment of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the modification of the e-Fuse chip fuse characteristic curve in the embodiment of the utility model.

[0021] Main housing 1; power connector 2; vehicle body wiring harness assembly interface A; front cabin wiring harness assembly interface B; instrument panel wiring harness assembly interface C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0023] See also Figure 1 The utility model provides a controller for regional intelligent power supply, including a main shell 1, on which a power connector 2 is provided, and the power connector 2 is connected to an e-Fuse chip 1 provided in the main shell. The e-Fuse chip is connected to the load circuit to provide power distribution protection for the load circuit, such as safety and overload protection. Since the reaction time of the e-Fuse when a fault occurs is in the microsecond level, the response speed is much higher than the second level of common fuses. When a circuit fails, it can provide sufficient protection for the line; the fusing characteristic curve of the e-Fuse is customized and modified according to the load, and can have higher adaptability, thereby maximizing the protection of the normal operation of electronic and electrical loads; the wire diameter selection is only related to the load current, and there is no need to match and correct it with the wire diameter, which is conducive to the lightweight design of the power supply circuit.

[0024] The main housing 1 is also provided with a wiring harness plug interface, and the load circuit is connected to the e-Fuse chip through the wiring harness plug interface. Figure 2 The e-Fuse chip is connected to the MCU controller and the load circuit respectively, and the MCU controller can obtain information about the load circuit and can also control the e-Fuse chip to turn on or off the load circuit.

[0025] The MCU controller counts the power consumption of the loads in the area, so as to better balance the power of the whole vehicle. According to the electrical parameters and safety level of the loads, combined with the power supply voltage and power load, the power supply of certain loads that do not affect driving safety, such as comfort and entertainment, is adjusted or turned off in real time to improve the acceleration performance of the vehicle, recover braking energy and increase the driving range. When the vehicle is stationary, in order to avoid problems such as low-voltage battery power loss, loads with large static current are turned off.

[0026] Furthermore, the e-Fuse chip is integrated into the regional controller (i.e., the regional controller corresponds to the functional domain). The e-Fuse chip is integrated with the regional controller, which reduces the space occupied. At the same time, this regional-oriented power supply and distribution method can effectively reduce the length of the vehicle power cord and the complexity of the vehicle wiring harness because the load is distributed nearby, and is conducive to improving the level of automated assembly of the vehicle cables.

[0027] Specifically, the regional controller includes a PCB board and an MCU controller, the e-Fuse chip is arranged on the PCB board and connected to the MCU controller, and the MCU controller is used to control the load circuit. Through the integration of the PCB board, the application cost and layout space of the vehicle ECU are effectively saved, while the complexity of the vehicle wiring harness products is reduced and the efficiency of the automated assembly of the wiring harness is improved. The e-Fuse chip can adjust its own fusing characteristic curve according to the information output by the MCU controller. Through the tailorable fusing characteristic curve, the lean selection level of the wire specifications can be maximized, which is conducive to the lightweight of the vehicle.

[0028] Furthermore, the e-Fuse chip can dynamically adjust its own fuse characteristic curve through OTA. Through online upgrades, the functional logic can be flexibly adjusted and various bugs can be repaired in time. By dynamically modifying the range of the e-Fuse's fuse characteristic curve, the short-circuit or overload fuse time range of the chip is reduced, and the matching wire specifications are reduced, so as to achieve lean selection of wires and reduce the cost and weight of the wiring harness assembly. If the chip identifies that the circuit is at risk of failure, the fault can be discovered early according to the software algorithm, and the interrupt program will be executed to reduce the probability of major failures. All load outputs use MOS plus current monitoring protection, and the software can adjust the protection current; at the same time, due to the use of e-Fuse, they all have self-recovery functions, so the system can be maintenance-free. Due to the programmable nature of e-Fuse, through continuous OTA upgrades, the e-Fuse's fuse characteristic curve can be timely corrected according to big data. At the same time, the life cycle and value cycle of the car are extended as much as possible.

[0029] Specific reference Figure 2As shown, the load circuit feeds back its own status information to the MCU controller via the CAN or LIN bus, and the e-Fuse chip simulates current detection and converts it into a voltage signal and outputs it to the MCU controller. The MCU controller compares the information fed back by the load circuit with the information fed back by the e-Fuse chip, and outputs a decision signal to the e-Fuse chip.

[0030] In specific operation, the e-Fuse provides protection for load failure. The e-Fuse chip realizes analog current detection in the loop and converts it into a voltage signal and outputs it to the MCU controller for comprehensive judgment and analysis, and provides a basis for the MCU to output a decision signal. The load circuit feeds back its own status information (working, abnormal, failed, recovered) to the MCU controller through the CAN or LIN bus.

[0031] The MCU controller compares the information fed back by the load circuit with the information fed back by the e-Fuse chip, and outputs a decision signal to the e-Fuse chip. The fuse characteristic curve of the e-Fuse chip can be dynamically adjusted through OTA based on the comprehensive judgment of the MCU controller on the information (such as the functional logic can be flexibly adjusted and various bugs can be repaired in time through online upgrades). When the e-Fuse chip detects that a fault is about to occur or has occurred, it reminds the user through the information display system, or disconnects the circuit in time to ensure the normal operation of the load and avoid unexpected functional failures. The e-Fuse chip can choose to remain disconnected after activation, or resume normal operation after the current fault disappears.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the e-Fuse chip can adapt to the current demand of the load circuit by modifying its own fusing characteristics. If multiple loads are turned on or off at the same time, it is only necessary to customize the fuse characteristic curve of the e-Fuse chip according to the load, without the need to match and modify it with the conventional fuse. Figure 3 The dotted and solid lines in the figure indicate that the fusing characteristics are adjusted.

[0033] Furthermore, the wiring harness plug interface includes a body wiring harness assembly interface A, a front cabin wiring harness assembly interface B, and an instrument panel wiring harness assembly interface C. The use of a wiring harness plug interface is conducive to modular product development, and a connector layout for wiring harness segmentation is adopted. The connectors are connected to the front cabin wiring harness assembly, the instrument panel wiring harness assembly, and the body wiring harness assembly according to the structure. Therefore, the inline connector is cancelled, and for the three-section wiring harness, the complexity of the wiring harness products in the left and right A-pillar areas is reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, the main housing is made of aluminum alloy. The main housing of the utility model can be replaced at any time according to product development needs. For example, if it is applied to hydrogen fuel project models, it can be directly replaced with an aluminum housing, which can effectively increase the heat dissipation effect and effectively prevent fire, explosion, electronic device failure and damage caused by static electricity accumulation.

[0035] The utility model also provides a regional controller, in which the regional intelligent power supply controller is provided.

[0036] The utility model also provides an electric vehicle, which comprises the above-mentioned controller for regional intelligent power supply or the above-mentioned regional controller.

[0037] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0038] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A controller for regional intelligent power supply, characterized in that: It includes a main shell, which is provided with a power connector. The power connector is connected to the e-Fuse chip provided in the main shell, and the e-Fuse chip is connected to the load circuit to provide power distribution protection for the load circuit; the main shell is also provided with a wiring harness plug interface, and the load circuit is connected to the e-Fuse chip through the wiring harness plug interface.

2. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The e-Fuse chip is integrated on the regional controller, which includes a PCB board and an MCU controller. The e-Fuse chip is arranged on the PCB board and connected to the MCU controller. The MCU controller is used to control the load circuit.

3. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to claim 2, characterized in that: The e-Fuse chip can adjust its own fusing characteristic curve according to the information output by the MCU controller.

4. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to claim 3, characterized in that: The e-Fuse chip can dynamically adjust its own fusing characteristic curve through OTA.

5. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to claim 2, characterized in that: The load circuit feeds back its own status information to the MCU controller via the CAN or LIN bus, and the e-Fuse chip simulates current detection and converts it into a voltage signal and outputs it to the MCU controller.

6. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to claim 5, characterized in that: The MCU controller compares the information fed back by the load circuit with the information fed back by the e-Fuse chip, and outputs a decision signal to the e-Fuse chip.

7. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The wiring harness plug-in interface includes a vehicle body wiring harness assembly interface, a front cabin wiring harness assembly interface and a dashboard wiring harness assembly interface.

8. The controller for regional intelligent power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The main shell is made of aluminum alloy.

9. A zone controller, characterized in that: The regional control is provided with a controller for regional intelligent power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: It includes the controller for regional intelligent power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 8.