Method for monitoring a plug connection; Electrical device with at least one plug connection and with a control unit for carrying out a method for monitoring the plug connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a plug connection, comprising the following steps: - Provision of signal information and / or energy information; - Provision of movement information; - Determining a correlation between signal information and / or energy information with motion information.

Description

State of the art

[0001] FR 2678072 A1 describes a method for testing an electrical connection. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a plug connection, comprising the following steps: - Provision of signal information and / or energy information; - Provision of movement information; - Determining a correlation between signal information and / or energy information with motion information.

[0003] The connector has two corresponding connector elements, for example, a plug and a socket. When connected, the connector elements are linked both mechanically and electrically. The electrical connection can, for example, supply current and / or voltage for power or transmit signals for information exchange. The mechanical connection is achieved, for example, through a force-fit and / or positive locking mechanism. Preferably, the connector elements are connected by means of a restoring force, in particular a spring force. Wear can occur in the area of ​​the mechanical interface over time, for example, due to heavy mechanical stress, which can lead to temporary connection interruptions.The method according to the invention makes it advantageous to identify irregular errors and connection interruptions and to assign them to the respective connector connection.

[0004] The plug connection is, in particular, part of a plug connection system consisting of many different plug connections of an electrical device. The electrical device could be, for example, a household appliance, a hand-held power tool, a vehicle, an e-bike, etc. However, it is also conceivable that the plug connection is part of a different system altogether.

[0005] For the purposes of this application, an electric bicycle is understood to be, in particular, a bicycle that has a drive unit to assist the rider. The electric bicycle is preferably designed as an e-bike, a pedelec, a cargo bike, a folding bike, or the like. The drive unit comprises a motor, which may, for example, be a mid-drive motor or a hub motor. The motor is preferably an electric motor. The drive unit is connected to the battery pack to supply the drive unit with energy. The housing of the battery pack is preferably detachably connected to the electric bicycle, in particular to the frame of the electric bicycle. The electric bicycle includes electronics with a control device for controlling or regulating the electric bicycle.The electronics preferably comprise a sensor unit, which may include, for example, motion sensors, torque sensors, speed sensors, a GNSS receiver, magnetic sensors, or the like. Furthermore, the electronics preferably include a communication interface for wirelessly connecting the electric bicycle to an external device, such as a smartphone, and / or a server.

[0006] The electrical device includes in particular a communication bus system which is designed such that data or information via the individual connectors are transmitted at least partially only from time to time.

[0007] The signal information is preferably provided via a control unit. The signal information can, for example, be configured to indicate whether a cyclic message, in particular a cyclic message from the communication bus system, was received within an expected time window.

[0008] The energy information is preferably also provided via a control unit. This energy information can, for example, be in the form of information about whether a supply voltage has been interrupted or has dropped.

[0009] Time information is added to the signal information and / or energy information to record the temporal progression. Similarly, time information is added to the motion information to determine a temporal correlation between the different pieces of information.

[0010] Furthermore, it is proposed that an error message and / or a warning message be issued based on the determined correlation. This can advantageously optimize error diagnosis. The error message and / or warning message is preferably connector-specific, so that it is immediately clear which connector is affected by the error. The error message can also be displayed as an indication that the connector is not properly inserted and / or locked in place.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that signal information and / or energy information and motion information be stored, in particular temporarily, and that the correlation be based on a temporal progression of the stored information. Preferably, the storage is designed such that a particularly short signal or event progression can be temporarily stored in order to analyze temporal relationships between the provided signal information, energy information and / or motion information.

[0012] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit for acquiring motion information includes a motion sensor. Specifically, the motion sensor is designed as an accelerometer, particularly as an accelerometer with at least three axes. Alternatively, other sensors for detecting movements or vibrations are also conceivable, for example, gyroscopes or magnetic field sensors.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit be assigned to a control device. The control unit(s) comprise one or more electronic components for acquiring, determining, and / or storing information. For example, the control unit may include logic or a processor, a memory unit, transistors, switches, fuses, or sensors.

[0014] The control unit comprises a housing in which the control unit is partially or completely arranged. The housing of the control unit can be made, for example, of a metallic material and / or of a plastic.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit(s) be assigned to a single control unit. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable that the control units be assigned to at least two control units, which in turn are connected to each other via the plug connection.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit, in particular the control unit housing, includes at least two connectors. This method can advantageously simplify and accelerate troubleshooting in such control units.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical device with at least one plug connection and with a control unit as described above for carrying out a method as described above.

[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the motion sensor be located inside the control unit housing. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the motion sensor be located in the immediate vicinity of the connector. This can advantageously improve the accuracy of the diagnostics. Drawings

[0019] Further advantages arise from the following drawing description. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1. A side view of an electrical device in the form of an electric bicycle; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a control unit with multiple connectors; Fig. 3 a block diagram for carrying out a procedure for monitoring a plug connection; Fig. 4 a time course of a procedure for monitoring a plug connection.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of an electrical device 14 in the form of an electric bicycle 16 with an energy storage device 100 in the form of a battery pack 102. The electric bicycle 16 can, for example, be designed as a pedelec or as an e-bike.

[0022] The electric bicycle 16 has a housing in the form of a frame 20, or bicycle frame. Two wheels 22 are connected to the frame 20. The electric bicycle 16 also has a drive unit 26, which includes an electric motor or an auxiliary motor. The electric motor is preferably a permanent magnet excited, brushless DC motor. The electric motor is, by way of example, a mid-drive motor, although a hub motor or the like is also conceivable. The electric bicycle 16, and in particular the drive unit 26 of the electric bicycle 16, is supplied with energy via an energy storage device 100 in the form of a battery pack 102. The battery pack 102 is connected to the electric bicycle 16, and in particular to the frame 20 of the electric bicycle 16, by means of a connecting device 25. The connection is made by moving the battery pack 102 along a connecting direction relative to the electric bicycle 16.

[0023] The battery pack 102 has a housing 104, which is, for example, made of plastic. It would also be conceivable that the housing 104 of the battery pack 102 is made partially or entirely of a metallic material. For example, twenty battery cells are arranged in the housing 104 of the battery pack 102.

[0024] The electrical device 14 comprises a control unit 200. The control unit 200 is, by way of example, assigned to the drive unit 26 and is designed to control or regulate the electrical device 14. The control or regulation is not limited to driving the motor, but also includes the connection to the battery pack 102 and other peripheral devices of the electrical device 14, for example, a front light 40 or an on-board computer 30.

[0025] The electric bicycle 16 has a crankset 28. The crankset 28 has a crank axle (not shown).

[0026] The control unit of the electrical device 14 includes a sensor unit. The sensor unit of the electrical device 14 comprises, for example, several sensor elements, such as a torque sensor, a motion sensor (e.g., in the form of a three-axis accelerometer), and a magnetic sensor.

[0027] The control unit and the drive unit 26, comprising the electric motor and the crank axle, are arranged in a drive housing 27 connected to the frame 20. The drive housing 27 thus also forms a control unit housing 202 for the control unit 200. The sensor unit is, by way of example, completely arranged within the control unit housing 202. The drive motion of the electric motor is preferably transmitted to the crank axle via a gearbox (not shown), with the degree of assistance provided by the drive unit 26 being controlled or regulated by the control unit. The control unit is designed to actuate the drive unit 26 in such a way that the rider of the electric bicycle 16 receives assistance while pedaling. Preferably, the control unit is designed to be operable by the rider, allowing the rider to adjust the level of assistance.

[0028] The control unit and the sensor unit are associated with an electronics assembly (not shown), which, for example, comprises a printed circuit board on which a processing unit in the form of a CPU, a memory unit, and the sensor unit are located. For example, the electronics are arranged entirely within the control unit housing 202 of the control unit 200. However, it is also conceivable that the electronics of the electrical device 14 are only partially arranged within the control unit housing 202 and that at least one component of the electronics is located in other areas of the electrical device 14. Furthermore, an arrangement of the electronics outside the control unit housing 202 is also conceivable.

[0029] The electric bicycle 16 also includes, by way of example, a board computer 30, which is arranged on a handlebar 32 of the electric bicycle 16. The board computer 30 is, by way of example, partially detachable from the electric bicycle 16. The board computer 30 includes a display unit (not shown) designed to display information. The board computer 30 also includes a control element (not shown) by means of which the user or the rider can control the board computer 30 and / or the electric bicycle 16. The control element is, by way of example, designed as a touch-sensitive screen. The board computer 30 is connected to the control unit of the electric bicycle 16 in such a way that information can be exchanged.For example, the display unit can show a speed determined by the control unit, a set level of support for the electric motor, route information from a navigation unit and the charge level of the battery pack 102.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the control unit 200 of the electrical device 14, in particular of the electric bicycle 16, in a perspective view. The control unit housing 202 is, by way of example, made of a metallic material and has several screw points 204 for connection to the electrical device 14, in particular to the frame 20 of the electric bicycle 16.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 200 is provided for six connector connections 206 and has six connector elements 208, which are designed, for example, as sockets 210. Each connector element 208 has at least one electrical contact. The connector elements 208 are intended for connection with corresponding connector elements of a cable (not shown) that connects the control unit 200 to the various components of the electrical device 14, for example, the battery pack 102, the front light 40, the on-board computer 30, a speed sensor (not shown), a rear light (not shown), and another power connection.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram for carrying out a procedure for monitoring the plug connections 206.

[0033] At a first input 300, initial energy information in the form of a supply voltage is recorded by the control unit and provided to a monitoring unit 301.

[0034] At a second input 302, signal information from the communication bus system is captured by the control unit and provided to the monitoring unit 301.

[0035] At a third input 304, further energy information in the form of a supply voltage for the drive and the periphery of the electrical device 14 is acquired and made available to the monitoring unit 301.

[0036] At a fourth input 306, motion information is preferably continuously acquired by the acceleration sensor in the control unit 200 and provided to the monitoring unit 301.

[0037] The monitoring unit 301 receives the signals arriving at the first input 300, second input 302, and / or third input 304 and correlates them with the motion signal arriving at the fourth input 306. In the event of a fault, for example, a missing bus signal or a brief drop in the supply voltage, this fault information is stored in the buffer 310 and can be used, particularly for later diagnostics. The fault information is preferably designed to be specific to the connector element in order to optimize troubleshooting or fault localization.

[0038] By analytically evaluating the error information stored in the buffer, temporal relationships can also be identified analytically, which allows for targeted monitoring of mechanically induced contact interruptions.

[0039] In Fig.Figure 4 is an example of a schematic representation of the time course of the second input 302, the first input 300 and the fourth input 306.

[0040] The second input, 302, continuously sends and receives a bus signal. The fourth input, 306, records a signal for each axis (x, y, z) of the accelerometer if the accelerometer detects movement or vibration.

[0041] For example, at time 410, the reception of a bus signal, particularly a cyclic one, fails to occur, while at the same time 410 a signal from the accelerometer is detected along the x-axis and the z-axis. This observation is stored in the buffer by the monitoring unit 301.

[0042] A substantially constant supply voltage is present at the first input 300. At a further point in time 420, a brief drop in the supply voltage occurs, coinciding with a signal detected by the accelerometer on all three channels. This current and motion information is provided to the monitoring unit 301 and stored as error information in the buffer 310.

[0043] In particular, continuous acquisition of motion information via the motion sensor makes it possible to monitor all digital and / or analog input and output signals.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that monitoring is carried out via several control units, i.e. two or more control units, and the information is synchronized in order to detect error patterns that are not detectable based on a single control unit.

[0045] For example, a first control unit can monitor a data flow or signals from a second control unit. The second control unit provides the first control unit with motion information including a timestamp. The first control unit can then correlate its own acquired data, particularly signal and energy information, with the motion information from the second control unit and thus detect a connector fault in the second control unit. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] FR 2678072 A1

[0001]

Claims

[1] Method for monitoring a plug connection (206), comprising the following steps: - Providing signal information and / or energy information; - Providing movement information; - Determination of a correlation of the signal information and / or energy information with the movement information. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that error information and / or warning information is issued based on the determined correlation. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a storage, in particular an intermediate storage, of the signal information and / or the energy information and the movement information takes place, wherein the correlation is based on a temporal course of the stored information. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the signal information is captured by a control unit. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the energy information is recorded by a control unit. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the movement information is recorded by a control unit. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the control unit has a motion sensor for detecting the motion information. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the motion sensor is designed as an acceleration sensor, in particular as an at least three-axis acceleration sensor. [9] Method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by that the control unit is assigned to a control device (200). [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by that the control units are assigned to a single control device (200). [11] Method according to claim 9, characterized by that the control units are assigned to at least two control devices. [12] Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control unit (200) has a control unit housing (202) which comprises at least two plug elements (208) of two plug connections (206). [13] Electrical device with at least one plug connection (206) and with a control unit (200) according to claim 9 for carrying out a method according to claim 1. [14] Electrical device according to claim 12, characterized by that a motion sensor is arranged in a control unit housing (202) of the control unit (200). [15] Electrical device according to claim 12, characterized by that the electrical device (14) has at least one motion sensor which is arranged in the immediate area of ​​the plug connection (206).

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