Electronic water pump redundancy control system, electronic water pump assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of water pump control, in particular to an electronic water pump redundancy control system, an electronic water pump assembly and a vehicle, the system comprises a main controller, a standby controller and a relay, the output end of the relay is connected to the power supply end of an electronic water pump, and the relay is used for controlling power supply of the electronic water pump; the input end of the relay is connected with the control signal output end of the main controller and the control signal output end of the standby controller, and the main controller or the standby controller is used for controlling the relay to be switched on or switched off; the standby controller is in data transmission connection with the main controller, the working state of the main controller is detected through the standby controller, and when the standby controller responds to the abnormal working state of the main controller, on-off control is conducted on the relay through the standby controller, so that power supply of the electronic water pump is controlled. The structure is simple, and the technical problem that a single ECU is abnormal and cannot work normally can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of water pump control, in particular to an electronic water pump redundant control system, an electronic water pump assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Based on cost and technical maturity considerations, the cooling of conventional electric vehicle high-voltage loads (motor, battery) is generally achieved by liquid cooling. For this purpose, a water pump is usually used as the power source to drive the coolant to circulate in the water circuit and finally exchange heat with air in the radiator, so as to reduce the water temperature and the temperature of the high-voltage load and enable it to work normally.

[0003] For traditional fuel vehicles, only the engine needs to be cooled. A mechanical water pump can meet the requirements because after the vehicle starts, the engine is always in operation. By connecting the water pump to the engine shaft through a mechanical transmission device, the continuous operation of the water pump can be ensured without consuming additional energy.

[0004] Electric vehicles are different. On the one hand, the battery capacity is limited, and on the other hand, the number of water pumps is large. For pure electric vehicles, there are generally three typical water pumps: motor water pump, battery water pump, and heating water pump. It is relatively difficult to use a mechanical structure to drive the water pump by the motor shaft. For hybrid vehicles, although there is an engine component, it does not work continuously. However, due to the huge heat generated by the motor, the driving of the motor water pump cannot stop for a moment. Therefore, for electric vehicles, the power source of the water pump must be reconsidered. For this reason, electric vehicles usually use electronic water pumps, which have the advantages of adjustable speed and flexible layout.

[0005] Based on the consideration of vehicle energy consumption and battery life, the electronic water pump is usually not directly connected in series to the constant power circuit, and the ECU needs to control the relay to close to connect the positive and negative poles of the water pump. Generally speaking, by strictly defining the relay closing timing and the relationship between the duty cycle of the water pump and the temperature of the load, after the vehicle completes the calibration of the thermal management system, the optimal combination of function and energy consumption can be achieved to meet the heat dissipation requirements of electric vehicles. However, due to the increasing complexity of electric vehicle functions, the ECU that controls the operation of the water pump usually also has many other functions. The reliability of the wire harness connection can be ensured through processes and quality, but it is difficult to avoid the possibility of the ECU software itself malfunctioning and losing its function. Sometimes it will cause the water pump relay to disconnect, and at this time, the motor and battery will malfunction due to poor heat dissipation and eventually cause the vehicle to lose power. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct redundant design for the control of the electronic water pump to ensure the normal operation of the device.

[0006] CN114592961A discloses an electronic water pump fault handling method, system, storage medium, and electronic device, which can, to a certain extent, solve the problem that when the communication between the ECU and the water pump is interrupted, the high-voltage load continues to dissipate heat by keeping the water pump running at a certain speed, so that the water pump does not need to run at full speed. However, it cannot solve the problem that after the ECU loses its function, the water pump is not powered because the water pump relay cannot be energized.

[0007] CN113311760A discloses a vehicle communication redundant intelligent control electronic water pump and control method. By configuring two communication methods, LIN and PWM, to monitor the water pump control, it mainly solves the problem that the high-voltage load cannot dissipate heat due to the failure of a single communication. This solution has a high cost and also cannot solve the problem that after the ECU loses its function, the water pump is not powered because the water pump relay cannot be energized. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide an electronic water pump redundant control system, an electronic water pump assembly, and a vehicle, which have a simple structure and can solve the technical problem that a single ECU cannot work properly due to an abnormality.

[0009] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present utility model is as follows:

[0010] In the first aspect, the present utility model provides an electronic water pump redundant control system, including a main controller, a backup controller, and a relay. The output end of the relay is connected to the power supply end of the electronic water pump for controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump; the input end of the relay is connected to the control signal output ends of the main controller and the backup controller, and the relay is controlled to close or open by the main controller or the backup controller; the backup controller is connected to the main controller for data transmission, detects the working state of the main controller through the backup controller, and when the working state of the main controller is abnormal, controls the on-off of the relay through the backup controller, thereby controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump.

[0011] Further, the main controller is connected to the electronic water pump through a PWM control signal line.

[0012] Further, the working state of the main controller is the communication signal frame rate. If the communication signal frame rate of the main controller is not within the set range, it is determined that the working state of the main controller is abnormal.

[0013] Further, the output ends of the electronic water pump and the relay are connected in series to the constant power supply circuit.

[0014] Further, the backup controller is connected to the main controller through CAN communication.

[0015] Further, the standby controller and the main controller are in the same network segment.

[0016] Further, the main controller is a first ECU, and the standby controller is a second ECU.

[0017] Further, a relay control function pin is preset on the second ECU, and the relay control function pin is connected to the input end of the relay.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present utility model provides an electronic water pump assembly, including the above-mentioned electronic water pump redundancy control system.

[0019] In a third aspect, the present utility model provides a vehicle, including the above-mentioned electronic water pump assembly.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present utility model: By arranging a standby controller, the control signal output end of the standby controller is connected to the input end of the relay, the standby controller is connected to the main controller for data transmission, and the working state of the main controller is detected by the standby controller. And in response to the abnormal working state of the main controller, the standby controller takes over the control of the relay, performs on-off control on the relay, and thus controls the power supply of the electronic water pump. This solves the problem that when the main controller accidentally loses its function, the relay cannot be attracted, resulting in the loss of function of the electronic water pump, and further the vehicle power is interrupted because the high-voltage load cannot be cooled in time, threatening the safety of the driver and passengers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of the electronic water pump redundancy control system provided by the present utility model is shown.

[0023] In the figure, 1 - main controller, 2 - standby controller, 3 - relay, 4 - electronic water pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for explaining the present invention and not for limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that the diagrams provided in the following embodiments only schematically illustrate the basic concept of the present invention. The diagrams only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape, and size of the components in actual implementation. The type, quantity, and ratio of each component in actual implementation can be arbitrarily changed, and the component layout type may also be more complex.

[0026] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides an electronic water pump redundancy control system, including a main controller 1, a standby controller 2, and a relay 3. The output end of the relay 3 is connected to the power supply end of the electronic water pump 4 for controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump 4. The input end of the relay 3 is connected to the control signal output ends of the main controller 1 and the standby controller 2, and the relay 3 is controlled to close or open by the main controller 1 or the standby controller 2. The standby controller 2 is connected to the main controller 1 for data transmission, detects the working state of the main controller 1 through the standby controller 2, and when the working state of the main controller 1 is abnormal, controls the on-off of the relay 3 through the standby controller 2, thereby controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump 4.

[0027] The electronic water pump redundancy control system of the present invention aims to improve the reliability and safety of the operation of the electronic water pump 4. By introducing the standby controller 2 as a redundant backup of the main controller 1, it is ensured that when the main controller 1 fails, the power supply control of the electronic water pump 4 can be seamlessly switched to the standby controller 2, thereby avoiding the shutdown of the electronic water pump 4.

[0028] Main controller 1: As the main control unit of the system, the main controller 1 is responsible for controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump 4 under normal circumstances. The main controller 1 sends a control signal to the relay 3 according to system requirements or a preset program to make the relay 3 close or open, thereby controlling the start or stop of the electronic water pump 4.

[0029] Standby Controller 2: As a redundant backup for the main controller 1, Standby Controller 2 is tasked with monitoring the working status of the main controller 1 during system design. Standby Controller 2 obtains the working status information of the main controller 1 in real time through data transmission connections (such as CAN bus, RS485, etc.). Once it detects an abnormal working status of the main controller 1 (such as a fault, no response, etc.), Standby Controller 2 will immediately take over control and achieve on-off control of the power supply to the electronic water pump 4 by directly sending a control signal to the relay 3, ensuring that the electronic water pump 4 can continue to operate without being affected by the fault of the main controller 1.

[0030] Relay 3: As an actuator for the power supply control of the electronic water pump 4, Relay 3 receives control signals from the main controller 1 or the standby controller 2. When it receives a closing signal, Relay 3 closes to provide power to the electronic water pump 4; when it receives an opening signal, Relay 3 opens to cut off the power supply to the electronic water pump 4. Such a design makes the power supply control of the electronic water pump 4 flexible and reliable.

[0031] Electronic Water Pump 4: As the controlled object, the start and stop of the electronic water pump 4 are directly controlled by the relay 3. Under normal working conditions, the main controller 1 controls the power supply of the electronic water pump 4 through the relay 3; when the main controller 1 fails, the standby controller 2 takes over control and continues to control the power supply of the electronic water pump 4 through the relay 3 to ensure the continuity and stability of the operation of the electronic water pump 4.

[0032] In summary, the electronic water pump redundant control system provided by the present utility model realizes fast switching and seamless takeover in the case of the failure of the main controller 1 by introducing the standby controller 2 as a redundant backup, greatly improving the reliability and safety of the system.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the main controller 1 is connected to the electronic water pump 4 through a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control signal line. The PWM control signal allows the main controller 1 to digitally adjust the voltage or current of the electronic water pump 4, thereby achieving precise control of the rotation speed of the electronic water pump 4.

[0034] Specifically, the PWM control signal is a periodic square wave signal, and its duty cycle (i.e., the proportion of the high-level time in the signal) determines the magnitude of the average voltage or current applied to the electronic water pump 4. By adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signal, the main controller 1 can smoothly adjust the rotation speed of the electronic water pump 4 to meet different working requirements.

[0035] In this configuration, when the main controller 1 obtains a speed adjustment instruction for the electric water pump 4, it generates a corresponding PWM control signal and directly sends it to the electric water pump 4 through the control signal line. The electric water pump 4 internally includes a corresponding PWM decoding circuit or drive circuit for receiving and parsing the PWM signal, and then adjusting the speed of the electric water pump 4.

[0036] In addition, since the backup controller 2 is mainly responsible for taking over control when the main controller 1 fails and controlling the power supply on / off of the electric water pump 4 through the relay 3, the backup controller 2 does not need to be directly connected to the PWM control signal line of the electric water pump 4. The focus of the backup controller 2 is to monitor the working state of the main controller 1 and implement power supply switching through the relay 3 when necessary.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the working state of the main controller 1 is the communication signal frame rate. In response to the communication signal frame rate of the main controller 1 not being within the set range, it is determined that the working state of the main controller 1 is abnormal.

[0038] To more precisely monitor the working state of the main controller 1, its communication signal frame rate is detected to determine whether it is operating normally. The communication signal frame rate, that is, the number or frequency of communication signals sent or received by the main controller 1 per unit time, is an important indicator for evaluating its working state.

[0039] Specifically, the system will preset a normal range value for the communication signal frame rate. This range value is set according to the normal working characteristics of the main controller 1 and system requirements, aiming to ensure that the main controller 1 operates in an efficient and stable state.

[0040] The backup controller 2 will continuously monitor the communication signal frame rate of the main controller 1 and compare it with the preset normal range value. If it is detected that the communication signal frame rate is lower or higher than the set range, it can be considered that the working state of the main controller 1 has become abnormal. This abnormality may be caused by various reasons, such as processor overload, communication interface failure, software error, etc.

[0041] Once it is determined that the working state of the main controller 1 is abnormal, the backup controller 2 will immediately take over control and switch the power supply of the electric water pump 4 by controlling the relay 3 to ensure that the electric water pump 4 continues to operate without being affected by the failure of the main controller 1. At the same time, the backup controller 2 can also record the abnormal information and issue an alarm so that maintenance personnel can take timely measures to repair the problem of the main controller 1.

[0042] Through this method for monitoring the working state based on the communication signal frame rate, the system can more accurately identify potential problems of the main controller 1 and take necessary measures before the problems affect the normal operation of the system. This helps improve the reliability and stability of the system and reduce the downtime losses caused by the failure of the main controller 1.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the output terminals of the electronic water pump 4 and the relay 3 are connected in series in the constant power supply circuit.

[0044] The constant power supply circuit refers to a circuit that provides continuous power supply and is not directly controlled by other switches or controllers (unless through specific safety mechanisms such as relays). In this configuration, the constant power supply circuit provides a stable power supply basis for the electronic water pump 4, but whether the electronic water pump 4 is actually powered depends on the state of the relay 3. The relay 3, as a switching element, has its output terminal connected in series with the power supply terminal of the electronic water pump 4. When the relay 3 is closed, the current in the constant power supply circuit can flow through the relay 3 to the electronic water pump 4 to power it; when the relay 3 is open, the current is cut off and the electronic water pump 4 stops working.

[0045] With such a setting, the power supply of the electronic water pump 4 can be flexibly controlled by simply controlling the on / off state of the relay 3. At the same time, since the electronic water pump 4 and the relay 3 are connected in series in the constant power supply circuit, they jointly form a safe power supply loop. Even when other parts fail or malfunction, as long as the relay 3 remains open, it can effectively prevent the current from directly flowing to the electronic water pump 4, thus avoiding potential safety risks such as short circuits and overloads. In addition, connecting the electronic water pump 4 and the relay 3 in series in the constant power supply circuit also helps simplify the wiring design of the system. The constant power supply circuit is usually used as the basic power supply network of the system, and the electronic water pump 4 and the relay 3 can be directly connected to this network, and the power supply control of the electronic water pump 4 is achieved by controlling the on / off of the relay 3. This design not only reduces the complexity and cost of wiring, but also improves the overall reliability and maintainability of the system.

[0046] In summary, connecting the output terminals of the electronic water pump 4 and the relay 3 in series in the constant power supply circuit is a safe, reliable and flexible power supply control method, which helps improve the overall performance and stability of the system.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the standby controller is communicatively connected to the main controller via CAN.

[0048] The CAN (Controller Area Network) bus uses differential signal transmission, has strong electromagnetic interference resistance, and can operate stably in harsh industrial environments. In addition, the CAN bus also supports the bus fault detection function, which can detect and isolate faulty nodes in a timely manner to prevent fault spread. At the same time, the CAN bus has a high data transmission rate, usually reaching several hundred kbps to several Mbps, which can meet the real-time requirements of most industrial automation systems. Meanwhile, the CAN bus also supports the priority arbitration mechanism to ensure that high-priority data can be transmitted first. In addition, the CAN bus supports multi-master node communication, that is, any node on the bus can send data at any time without waiting for permission from other nodes. This flexible communication method makes the system structure simpler, easier to expand and maintain. Moreover, the CAN bus follows the international standard ISO / DIS 11898, with wide compatibility and interoperability. CAN devices produced by different manufacturers can be easily interconnected and communicate, reducing the complexity and cost of system integration.

[0049] In the redundant control system of the electronic water pump described in the present utility model, the main controller 1 and the backup controller 2 perform data exchange and status monitoring through CAN communication connection. Specifically, the main controller 1 will send information such as its own working status and control instructions to the backup controller 2 in real time through the CAN bus. The backup controller 2 is responsible for listening to this information and performing corresponding processing as needed.

[0050] When the working status of the main controller 1 is abnormal (such as the communication signal frame rate not being within the set range), the backup controller 2 can quickly detect this change, take over the control of the relay 3, and control the relay 3 to be energized or de-energized based on the control instructions in the CAN bus.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the backup controller 2 and the main controller 1 are in the same network segment.

[0052] When the backup controller 2 and the main controller 1 are in the same network segment, the network configuration becomes simpler. The two can communicate directly through the IP address without going through a complex routing and forwarding process. This reduces the complexity and error rate of network configuration. And within the same network segment, the transmission delay of data packets is lower because the data packets do not need to cross multiple network segments or pass through multiple routers, which helps to achieve a faster communication response time and higher data transmission efficiency.

[0053] Placing the backup controller 2 and the main controller 1 in the same network segment facilitates network administrators to centrally manage and monitor them. The administrator can view and control the status and behavior of these two controllers through a unified network management tool or platform, thus ensuring the stable operation of the system.

[0054] Although network security does not entirely depend on whether devices are in the same network segment, devices within the same network segment are generally easier to achieve unified deployment and management of security policies. For example, access to the primary controller 1 and the standby controller 2 can be restricted by setting up a network access control list (ACL) to limit unauthorized devices.

[0055] In the electronic water pump redundancy control system, configuring the standby controller 2 and the primary controller 1 in the same network segment ensures more reliable and efficient communication between the two. When the primary controller 1 fails or the communication signal frame rate is abnormal, the standby controller 2 can quickly detect this change and send a control signal to the relay 3 through the CAN bus or other communication protocols to achieve power supply switching and takeover of control rights. Since the two are in the same network segment, this switching process will be faster and more stable, helping to reduce system downtime and losses.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the primary controller is the first ECU, and the standby controller is the second ECU.

[0057] The first ECU, as the primary controller 1, undertakes the main control tasks of the electronic water pump redundancy control system. The first ECU processes and analyzes data from sensors according to preset programs and algorithms, and then sends control instructions to the relay 3 to achieve precise control of the electronic water pump 4. The first ECU is also responsible for communicating with other ECUs or system components to coordinate the operation of the entire system.

[0058] The second ECU, as the standby controller 2, is in a standby state when the first ECU is working properly, but always monitors the working state of the first ECU. Once it detects that the first ECU fails or communication is abnormal (such as the communication signal frame rate is not within the set range), the second ECU will quickly take over control rights and ensure the continuous operation of the electronic water pump 4 by controlling the relay 3. This redundant design greatly improves the reliability and security of the system.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the second ECU is preset with relay control function pins, and the relay control function pins are connected to the input end of the relay. Considering economics, there are many electric vehicle controllers, and generally, controller chips have reserved pins. It is recommended to preferentially select a controller with reserved relay control function pins itself to serve as the second ECU to control the relay 3. Generally speaking, for existing vehicle models, it is easy to select the second ECU without re-designing the controller hardware. At the same time, combined with the vehicle wiring harness layout, aiming at the shortest wiring harness distance, comprehensively consider and select a suitable second ECU. For newly developed vehicle models, the layout of the second ECU can be planned in advance.

[0060] In another embodiment, the present utility model provides an electronic water pump assembly, which includes the electronic water pump redundancy control system described in any of the above embodiments.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, the present utility model provides a vehicle, which includes the above-mentioned electronic water pump assembly.

[0062] The above embodiments are only preferred embodiments cited to fully illustrate the present utility model, and the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or transformations made by those skilled in the art on the basis of the present utility model are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electronic water pump redundant control system, characterized in that: The system comprises a main controller (1), a standby controller (2) and a relay (3); the output end of the relay (3) is connected to the power supply end of the electronic water pump (4) for controlling the power supply of the electronic water pump (4); the input end of the relay (3) is connected to the control signal output ends of the main controller (1) and the standby controller (2), and the relay (3) is controlled to be closed or opened by the main controller (1) or the standby controller (2); The standby controller (2) is connected to the main controller (1) for data transmission. The standby controller (2) detects the working state of the main controller (1). In response to an abnormal working state of the main controller (1), the standby controller (2) controls the on / off of the relay (3) to control the power supply of the electronic water pump (4).

2. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main controller (1) is connected to the electronic water pump (4) via a PWM control signal line.

3. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The working state of the main controller (1) is the communication signal frame rate. In response to the communication signal frame rate of the main controller (1) not being within a set range, it is determined that the working state of the main controller (1) is abnormal.

4. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output ends of the electronic water pump (4) and the relay (3) are connected in series in a normal power circuit.

5. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The standby controller (2) is connected to the main controller (1) via CAN communication.

6. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The standby controller (2) and the main controller (1) are in the same network segment.

7. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main controller (1) is a first ECU, and the standby controller (2) is a second ECU.

8. The electronic water pump redundant control system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second ECU is preset with a relay control function pin, and the relay control function pin is connected to the input end of the relay.

9. An electronic water pump assembly, characterized in that: It comprises an electronic water pump redundant control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising the electronic water pump assembly as described in claim 9.

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