Modular system for providing at least one electrical device in a motor vehicle

Abstract

Module system (1) for providing at least one electrical device in a motor vehicle (2), comprising: - a carrier module (4) having a mounting side (7) with a fastening device (8) for fastening the carrier module (4) to the motor vehicle (2) and a connection side (9) different from the mounting side (7) with a socket device (10), wherein the socket device (10) is designed to mechanically fasten a further module (6) to the carrier module (4) in a reversible and non-destructive manner, - at least one portable functional module (5), each having a plug-in side (17) with a holding device (18) corresponding to the socket device (10) for fastening the functional module (5) to the socket device (10) and an electrical functional component (22, 23) for providing a device function for a user, characterized in that a portable intermediate module (6) is provided as the further module and the intermediate module (6) has a plug-in side (17) like the at least one functional module (5) and a connection side (9) like the carrier module (4), so that the intermediate module (6) can be mounted between the carrier module (4) and a functional module (5), wherein the intermediate module (6) has an energy store (16) for storing electrical energy.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a modular system according to the preamble of patent claim 1 for providing at least one electrical device in a motor vehicle, as well as an intermediate module for the modular system and a motor vehicle with the modular system. The modular system comprises at least two modules that a user can combine to create an electrical device with a desired device function in the motor vehicle. By replacing one module with another, the device function in the modular system can be changed.

[0002] In a motor vehicle, especially a truck or a passenger bus, it may be advantageous for a driver to have a specific electrical device on board to perform their current transport or transportation task. For a nighttime journey, an additional light or lamp may be useful; for a journey through a sunny area, such as a desert, a solar module for charging a battery may be useful; for a long-distance journey through several countries, a wideband radio, for example, may be desirable.

[0003] Retrofitting an electrical device for a single transport task or journey can be undesirably complex or expensive. Furthermore, the location of the electrical device may vary depending on the specific transport task. For example, it may be desirable to use the light in the driver's cab or on the outside of the vehicle to provide light for observing a vehicle component or the transported goods. Depending on the location, a different mechanical mounting option or mechanical interface for securing the electrical device to the vehicle is required for the same electrical device, such as a light or a camera.

[0004] Particularly with frequently changing driving tasks, different electrical devices with different mechanical mounting options may be required in the vehicle. This can make equipping the vehicle undesirably complex and expensive.

[0005] DE 102 44 520 A1 discloses a motor vehicle that has a multifunctional holder into which various inserts can be inserted. Each insert has a different shape to accommodate different objects in the vehicle, such as a drinking container, pens, cigarettes, or phone cards.

[0006] DE 101 46 093 A1 discloses that electronic modules in a motor vehicle can be designed in such a way that they can be plugged onto one another, thus combining electronic functions. The electronic modules can be held together by means of snap-in hooks. The electronic modules can be powered by the motor vehicle.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of being able to retrofit an electrical device function in a motor vehicle with little technical effort.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are provided by the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0009] The invention provides an assembly or a modular system, i.e., a modular device. Using the modular system, at least one electrical device can be provided in the motor vehicle. The modular system comprises at least two modules, namely a carrier module and a portable or wearable functional module. Multiple functional modules can also be provided.

[0010] The carrier module is used to attach the module system to the motor vehicle. The carrier module has a mounting side with which the carrier module can be attached to the motor vehicle. The mounting side has a fastening device for this purpose. Furthermore, the carrier module has a connection side that is different from the mounting side. Another module can be attached to the connection side. For this purpose, the connection side has a holder device that is designed to mechanically attach the additional module to the carrier module in a reversible and non-destructively detachable manner. The carrier module therefore represents a basic module or a base station. The carrier module can hold a function module on its connection side, for example.

[0011] Each functional module is designed to be portable, meaning the user can carry it around with one hand, for example, and bring it into a vehicle. To attach the functional module to the carrier module, the functional module has a plug-in side. The plug-in side has a retaining device for securing the functional module to the socket of the carrier module. The retaining device is designed to correspond in shape to the socket, so that the plug-in side with its retaining device fits into or onto the socket of the carrier module.

[0012] The functional module further comprises an electrical functional component for providing a device function to the user. As already explained, the device function can be, for example, a light or a camera. The functional module itself cannot be directly mounted in the vehicle. Instead, the functional module is attached to the carrier module. Therefore, the functional module does not require a complex fastening device, which makes production more cost-effective. Using one and the same carrier module or base module, several different functional modules can be alternately mounted in the vehicle. This makes providing several different device functions particularly inexpensive. The user of the vehicle simply needs to exchange the functional modules on the carrier module.

[0013] In the invention, the modular system comprises another module type to enable the functional module, for example a light or a radio, to be operated independently of the carrier module. For this purpose, a further development of the invention provides a portable intermediate module. The intermediate module can be mounted between the carrier module and a functional module. This results in a sandwich arrangement comprising three modules, namely the carrier module, the intermediate module, and the functional module. For this purpose, the intermediate module has a plug-in side like the functional module. An embodiment of the described holding device is therefore provided on this plug-in side. The intermediate module can be attached to the carrier module via the plug-in side, just like a functional module. The intermediate module also has a connection side, which can be designed like the connection side of the carrier module itself.In other words, the intermediate module has an embodiment of the described socket device on the plug-in side. This allows a functional module to be attached to the intermediate module. The special feature of an intermediate module is that the intermediate module has an energy storage device for storing electrical energy. The energy storage device is, in particular, an electrical accumulator. A double-layer capacitor, for example, can also be provided in addition or as an alternative. The user of the motor vehicle can therefore first arrange an intermediate module on the carrier module and, in turn, a functional module, for example with a lighting function, on it. If the user then wishes to leave the vehicle in the dark, for example, they can detach the intermediate module with the attached functional module, i.e. the light, from the carrier module and carry the two portable modules with them.

[0014] In order to fasten the carrier module to the motor vehicle, a further development of the invention provides that the mounting side of the carrier module has at least one of the following mechanical interfaces as a fastening device: a flange for screwing the carrier module to the motor vehicle; a magnet for attaching or arranging the carrier module to a ferromagnetic component of the motor vehicle; and a hook-and-loop fastener for strapping or binding the carrier module to the motor vehicle. The use of a flange has the advantage that the carrier module can be fixed in the motor vehicle in a vibration-proof manner. The use of a magnet and / or a hook-and-loop fastener has the advantage that the position of the carrier module can be changed by the user with a simple operating step in the motor vehicle.

[0015] With regard to the attachment of a functional module to the carrier module, a further development of the invention provides that the connection side of the carrier module has at least one snap lock and / or at least one rail and / or a ferromagnetic component as a socket device. A snap lock has the advantage that the connection is self-locking. A rail has the advantage that the functional module and the carrier module can be brought together in a guided manner, whereby, for example, electrical contacts can be protected from bending. A ferromagnetic component has the advantage that the functional module can be temporarily fixed to the carrier module by means of a magnet and can be released again with a simple operating step. Accordingly, a further development of the invention provides that the plug-in side of the functional module has a permanent magnet.

[0016] If the functional module is attached to the carrier module, the two modules must remain firmly attached to one another, even during travel, for example if vibrations or impacts shake the module system. A further development of the invention provides for the connection side of the carrier module with its socket and the plug-in side of the functional module with its holding device to together form a locking mechanism which can be manually switched between a locked and an unlocked state by the user of the module system. In the locked state, the carrier module and the functional module are positively connected to one another and can only be separated by physically destroying the locking mechanism. In the unlocked state, the carrier module and the functional module can be separated from one another without causing damage.When locked, the carrier module and the functional module are connected to each other in a vibration-proof manner.

[0017] It is particularly preferred if an electrical supply for the functional module is also provided via the carrier module. For this purpose, a development of the invention provides that the connection side of the carrier module has electrical connection contacts for a voltage supply of the functional module. The carrier module furthermore has an electrical connection device for connecting the carrier module to a voltage supply of the motor vehicle. The connection device can, for example, have a connection plug and / or a connection cable. In this way, a functional module can advantageously be electrically coupled via the carrier module to the on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle, i.e. the voltage supply of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In order to be able to use a carrier module universally in different motor vehicle types, a further development provides the possibility of also having a stabilization circuit and / or an electronic converter circuit, regardless of the supply voltage (for example, 12 V for a motor vehicle, 24 V for a passenger bus, 42 V for a motor vehicle with a medium-voltage electrical system, and for example 5 V for operating USB devices, USB - Universal Serial Bus). In a further development of the invention, the carrier module therefore has such an electronic stabilization circuit and / or an electronic converter circuit, each of which is designed to provide a DC voltage with a predetermined voltage level at the electrical connection contacts for the functional module. Stabilization circuits and / or converter circuits suitable for this purpose are known per se from the prior art.They can be used to provide a constant DC voltage with a desired voltage level or voltage magnitude, even when the vehicle's supply voltage fluctuates.

[0019] As already explained, the functional modules in the modular system can be interchangeable. Each functional module contains an electrical functional component. Each functional component can provide at least one of the following device functions: a solar module, a light, a radio, a loudspeaker with wireless reception (for example, with wireless reception according to the Bluetooth standard), a screen with wireless reception (for example, with wireless reception according to the Bluetooth standard or a WLAN standard, WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network), a camera with a wireless transmitter (for example, a Bluetooth transmitter or a WLAN transmitter). By matching or correspondingly designing the connection side of the carrier module and the plug-in side of each functional module, all of these device functions can be operated alternately on one and the same carrier module.

[0020] The intermediate module with its energy storage device can be used in a different way in a further development of the invention. In this development, the intermediate module has a USB port designed to allow a USB device external to the module to be operated via the USB port. In other words, the intermediate module then serves as an electrical energy source for the USB device. For example, a smartphone or digital camera can be connected to the intermediate module.

[0021] The energy storage device can also be charged with electrical energy independently of a carrier module on another device, e.g., a solar module. Such a device, in particular a solar module, can be provided in particular as a functional module of the modular system.

[0022] So far, the modular system according to the invention has always been described in its entirety. A specific or determined combination of carrier module and functional module, and optionally an intermediate module, results in an electrical device in the motor vehicle. The individual modules are described individually below.

[0023] According to an embodiment not encompassed by the invention, a carrier module can be provided for an embodiment of the modular system according to the invention. The carrier module thus has at least one mounting side with a fastening device for fastening the carrier module to a motor vehicle, as well as a connection side different from the mounting side with a socket device. The socket device is designed to mechanically fasten another module of the modular system to the carrier module in a reversible and non-destructively detachable manner. The embodiment not encompassed by the invention also includes further developments of the carrier module, as already described in connection with the further developments of the modular system according to the invention.

[0024] Furthermore, an embodiment not encompassed by the invention provides a functional module of the modular system according to the invention. The functional module is designed to be portable, i.e., it can be carried by a user, for example, with one hand. The functional module has a plug-in side with a holding device for attaching the functional module to a socket device of a carrier module of the modular system. Furthermore, the functional module provides an electrical functional component for providing a device function for a user. One or more of the device functions already described can be provided as the device function, for example.

[0025] The invention also includes an intermediate module for an embodiment of the modular system according to the invention. The intermediate module is also designed to be portable in the above sense. The intermediate module has a connection side with a socket device for attaching a functional module thereto. The socket device is thus designed to mechanically fasten another module of the modular system to the intermediate module in a reversible and non-destructively detachable manner. A plug-in side is provided, different from the connection side. This plug-in side of the intermediate module is designed to attach the intermediate module to a carrier module. The plug-in side therefore has a holding device that is designed to correspond, in particular to correspond in shape, to the socket device of the intermediate module. By means of the holding device, the intermediate module can be attached in its plug-in side to a socket device of a carrier module of the modular system.The intermediate module provides an energy storage device for storing electrical energy, in particular an electric accumulator. The connection side and the plug-in side of the intermediate module can each be developed in the same way as described in connection with the connection side of the carrier module and the plug-in side of the functional module. In particular, the plug-in side can have a permanent magnet to attach the intermediate module, for example, to a ferromagnetic component of a motor vehicle even without a carrier module.

[0026] The invention also includes further developments of the intermediate module according to the invention, which have already been described in connection with the further developments of the module system according to the invention.

[0027] Finally, the invention also includes a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of the modular system according to the invention. The motor vehicle is preferably provided as a motor vehicle, in particular as a truck, passenger bus, or passenger car.

[0028] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exploded view of an embodiment of the module system according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a side view of the module system of Fig. 1 in assembled or plugged-together condition, and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a side view of the module system of Fig. 1, with an intermediate module removed.

[0029] The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual, independently considered features of the invention, which also further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also considered components of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0030] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a module system 1 that can be provided in a motor vehicle 2. Of the motor vehicle 2, Fig. 1 only shows a mounting surface 3, for example a trim part in the interior of the motor vehicle or a ferromagnetic sheet metal part. The modular system 1 can have a carrier module 4, a functional module 5, and an intermediate module 6 designed to be arranged between the carrier module 4 and the functional module 5. A user (not shown) of the modular system 1 can remove the intermediate module if necessary. Furthermore, the user can replace the functional module 5 with another (not shown) functional module if necessary. The functional module 5 can also be attached to the carrier module 4 without the intermediate module 6 in the same way as the intermediate module.

[0032] The carrier module 4 can have a mounting side 7 which is Fig. 1 facing the mounting surface 3. On the mounting side 7, the carrier module can have a fastening device 8, for example a flange or a permanent magnet. The intermediate module 6 or the functional module 5 can be fastened to the carrier module 4 on a connection side 9 of the carrier module 4. On the connection side 9, a socket device 10 can be provided, via which the intermediate module 6 or the functional module 5 can be fastened to the carrier module 4. The socket device 10 can be, for example, a snap connection or a snap closure or, for example, a ferromagnetic component, for example, an iron sheet. For electrical contact, the carrier module 4 can have electrical connection contacts 11. In Fig. 1, the connection contacts 11 are shown only schematically as a connection block or connection plug.

[0033] The carrier module 4 can further comprise an electrical connection device 12, for example a connection cable. The carrier module 4 can be electrically connected to a power supply of the motor vehicle 2 via the connection device 12, whereby the connection contacts 11 provide a supply voltage for the intermediate module 6 or the functional module 5. For converting or adapting a supply voltage, the carrier module 4 can comprise an electronic stabilization circuit or an electronic converter circuit 13. The mounting side 7 and the connection side 9 can be provided on a housing 14 of the carrier module 4. The stabilization circuits and / or the converter circuit 13 can also be provided in the housing 14. Furthermore, the electrical contacts 11 and the socket device 10 can also be provided on the housing 14.

[0034] The intermediate module 6 may have a housing 15. The housing 15, like the carrier module 4, may have a mounting side 9, on which a fastening device 10 may also be provided. Electrical contacts 11 may also be provided on the mounting side 9. The intermediate module 6 may have an energy storage device 16, for example, an electric accumulator. For fastening the intermediate module 6 to the carrier module 4, the intermediate module 6 may have a plug-in side 17. Fig. 1, the plug-in side 17 faces the mounting side 9 of the carrier module 4.

[0035] To attach the intermediate module 6 to the carrier module 4, the plug-in side 17 of the intermediate module 6 and the mounting side 9 of the carrier module 4 are brought into contact. A holding device 18 can be provided on the plug-in side 17 of the intermediate module 6, via which the intermediate module 6 can be attached to the socket device 10 of the carrier module 4. This holds the intermediate module 6 to the carrier module 4. The holding device 18 can, for example, have a snap closure and / or a permanent magnet.

[0036] The intermediate module 6 can have an electrical interface 19, via which the energy storage device 16 can be electrically coupled to the electrical connection contacts 11 of the carrier module 4 and charged. The intermediate module 6 can have a USB port 20, via which a module-external USB device (not shown), for example, a smartphone, can be supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage device 16.

[0037] The functional module 5, like the intermediate module 6, can have a plug-in side 17. The plug-in side 17 of the functional module 5 can be configured on a housing 21 of the functional module 5. The functional module 5 can have a holding device 18, via which the functional module 5 can be attached to the socket device 10 of the intermediate module 6 or the carrier module 4. The functional module 5 can further have an electrical interface 19, via which the functional module 5 can be electrically coupled to the electrical connection contacts 11 of the intermediate module 6 or the carrier module 4.

[0038] In the example shown, the functional module 5 can be configured, for example, as a light. For this purpose, the functional module 5 can, for example, have a diffuser 22 with one or more light sources, such as light-emitting diodes, arranged behind it. Furthermore, a switch 23 can be provided for turning the light on and off.

[0039] If the functional module 5 is designed as an energy source, e.g. as a solar module, the energy storage device 16 can be charged via the electrical connection contacts 11 of the intermediate module 6.

[0040] In Fig. 2 shows the module system 1 in its assembled state. A particularly preferred embodiment has the following features. The module system 1 can provide a modular plug-in system including a locking and unlocking mechanism and electrical contact for the use of various electrical modules. It consists of a basic module, i.e., a base station, i.e., the carrier module 4, a battery provided by the intermediate module 6, and an electrical consumer or energy source, i.e., a functional module 5. An energy source can be realized using the solar module device function.

[0041] The modular plug-in system can be used to make lights individually usable, for example. The base module forms the basis of the plug-in system. On the back there is a connection plug for the power supply and devices for mounting. The front forms a click system including a locking and unlocking mechanism and electrical contact. Various optional modules are available to match the basic module. This includes the battery module, the back of which is inserted into the base module, where it is locked and electrically contacted. The front, in turn, forms a click system including locking and unlocking and electrical contact, similar to the basic module. A lighting module, for example, can be inserted into the battery module. The battery and consumer / energy source module can be removed from the base module as a whole and used independently, or they can be removed individually.Direct operation of the consumer / energy supply module on the base module is also possible. Using an energy supply module, such as a solar module, electrical energy can be fed into the vehicle's electrical system. The lighting module described here is an example of an optional module.

[0042] Examples of possible additional optional modules: solar module, outdoor radio, Bluetooth speaker.

[0043] Both the base module and the battery module preferably have magnets on the back for individual attachment to metal surfaces. To provide an optional battery charging function and ensure the operation of other devices, the base module incorporates an electrical stabilization function. Furthermore, the battery module has a USB port for charging and operating external devices.

[0044] The base module, including the power supply interface, forms the basis of the system and is the receptacle for the optional modules. The battery module can only be inserted into the base module. The lighting module or another functional module is inserted either directly into the base module or, as required, into the battery module. The corresponding connection configurations are described in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrates.

[0045] Overall, the example shows how the invention can provide a modular plug-in system for the use of various electrical modules.

Claims

[1] Module system (1) for providing at least one electrical device in a motor vehicle (2), comprising: - a carrier module (4) having a mounting side (7) with a fastening device (8) for fastening the carrier module (4) to the motor vehicle (2) and a connection side (9) different from the mounting side (7) with a socket device (10), wherein the socket device (10) is designed to mechanically fasten a further module (6) to the carrier module (4) in a reversible and non-destructive manner, - at least one portable functional module (5), each having a plug-in side (17) with a holding device (18) corresponding to the socket device (10) for fastening the functional module (5) to the socket device (10) and an electrical functional component (22, 23) for providing a device function for a user, characterized bythat a portable intermediate module (6) is provided as the further module and the intermediate module (6) has a plug-in side (17) like the at least one functional module (5) and a connection side (9) like the carrier module (4), so that the intermediate module (6) can be mounted between the carrier module (4) and a functional module (5), wherein the intermediate module (6) has an energy store (16) for storing electrical energy. [2] Module system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting side (7) has a flange for screwing the carrier module (4) to the motor vehicle (2) and / or a magnet and / or a Velcro strip as fastening device (8). [3] Module system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection side (9) has at least one snap closure and / or at least one rail as a socket device (10). [4] Module system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection side (9) has a ferromagnetic component as the socket device (10). [5] Module system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the plug-in side (17) has a permanent magnet. [6] Modular system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a locking mechanism is formed by the socket device (10) and the holding device (18) corresponding to the socket device (10), which locking mechanism can be manually switched between a locked and an unlocked state by a user of the modular system (1). [7] Module system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection side (9) has electrical connection contacts (11) for a voltage supply of the further module (5, 6) and the carrier module (4) has an electrical connection device (12) for connecting the carrier module (4) to a voltage supply of the motor vehicle (1). [8] Module system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the carrier module (4) has an electronic stabilization circuit and / or an electronic converter circuit (13), each of which is designed to provide a DC voltage with a predetermined voltage level at the electrical connection contacts (11) of its connection side (9). [9] Module system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the at least one functional module (5) the electrical functional component (22, 23) comprises a solar module and / or a lamp (22, 23) and / or a radio and / or a loudspeaker with radio reception and / or a screen with radio reception and / or a camera with radio transmitter. [10] Module system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate module (6) has an electric accumulator as an energy storage device (16) for storing electrical energy. [11] Module system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate module (6) has a USB port (20) for operating a module-external USB device. [12] Intermediate module (6) for a modular system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which is designed to be portable and comprises: - a connection side (9) with a socket device (10) which is designed to mechanically fasten the functional module (5) of the module system (1) to the intermediate module (6) in a reversible and non-destructive manner, - a plug-in side (17) with a holding device (18) corresponding to the socket device (10) for fastening the intermediate module (6) to a socket device (10) of a carrier module (4) of the module system (1), and - an energy storage device (16) for storing electrical energy, in particular an electrical accumulator. [13] Motor vehicle comprising a modular system according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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