Method, computer program product, control unit for providing overload protection, as well as overload protection and a vehicle

Abstract

Method for providing overload protection (S) on a supply line (L) for an electrical load (V) of a vehicle (F), comprising: - Determining a line temperature (T), wherein an electric current (I) flowing through the supply line (L) and / or an ambient temperature (Tu) and / or an ageing state (n) of the supply line (L) are / is taken into account when determining the line temperature (T), - Adjusting the determined line temperature (T) by a cooperative factor (K), whereby the factor (K) takes into account fused sensor data (D) that characterise a tripping behaviour of the overload protection (S), and - Operation of the overload protection (S) depending on the adjusted line temperature (T).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method. The invention also relates to a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0002] The relevance of semiconductor switches for electronic fuses is constantly increasing due to increased demands on functional safety in motor vehicles. The basic functionality of the electronic fuses in the wiring harness, line protection, can be implemented in a variety of ways using appropriate semiconductor switches and does not necessarily have to replicate the functionality of conventional fuses. Examples include calculating the line temperature using the current measured by the semiconductor switch or using a buffer until the fuse is triggered to increase the robustness of the triggering behavior. The implementation of corresponding protection mechanisms can be achieved using both hardware and software. An exemplary device for overload protection is shown in WO 2007 / 009 675 A1.

[0003] When dimensioning the electronic fuse, its tripping behavior is strongly influenced by the load current, while the selected cable is in turn determined by the tripping behavior of the fuse. The motivation for this approach is a possible reduction in the cross-section of the cable protected by the fuse.

[0004] Fluctuating ambient conditions can sometimes only be inadequately taken into account when dimensioning fuses. While conventional fuses react less restrictively to "unexpected" fluctuations in the load current of the consumer during nominal operation, the use of electronic fuses leads to unintentional triggering of the fuse (and thus to "unnecessary" loss of consumers for the vehicle user). Furthermore, if the cable characteristics deviate, the fuse may no longer be able to fully protect the cable harness. The robustness of the dimensioning of the fuse or the cable suffers. Examples of fluctuating ambient conditions include production-related deviations (for example, of the corresponding batch of the cable harness, but also of the respective consumer, etc.).), varying aging conditions (for example of the wiring harness, but also of the respective consumers etc.) and also ambient temperatures.

[0005] JP 2013-169113 A discloses that, in a wire protection device for vehicles, an additional temperature rise value is calculated in advance using the drain-source voltage and the case temperature as parameters to reduce the arithmetic processing load as much as possible, and it is stored in a memory as a heat generation data array. The residual temperature rise value is also calculated in advance using the temperature rise value of the previous period as a parameter, and the result is stored in memory as a heat radiation data array. A wire temperature operation unit estimates the temperature of a wire by reading the additional temperature rise value and the residual temperature rise value from the heat generation data array and the heat radiation data array.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the invention is to enable an improved method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. Preferably, the object of the invention is to enable a safe and reliable method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. The method should preferably enable robust dimensioning of the fuse and / or the line. In addition, the method should increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of the line protection of electronic fuses. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method.Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding overload protection device, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method and which in particular has a specially configured control unit and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for carrying out a corresponding method. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection device for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0007] The problem is solved by a method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, with the features of the independent method claim. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a corresponding overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. In addition, the problem is solved by a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0008] The invention provides: a method for providing overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, comprising the method steps: - Determining (in particular calculating) a line temperature, wherein, when determining the line temperature, an electric current flowing through the supply line and / or an ambient temperature and / or an ageing state of the supply line are / is taken into account, - Adjusting the specific line temperature by a factor, particularly a cooperative or batch-wide factor, wherein the factor takes into account, in particular, fused sensor data that characterise a tripping behaviour of the overload protection, and - Operation of the overload protection depending on the adjusted line temperature.

[0009] In the context of the present disclosure, an overload protector can be understood as an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch. In other words, an overload protector can be understood as a special device that has the functionality of an electronic fuse.

[0010] The overload protection can be placed between a source of electrical energy and an electrical load.

[0011] The method provides a data-based approach to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of line protection of electronic fuses.

[0012] The line temperature can be calculated based at least on the current continuously measured by the electronic fuse. The calculation can also take into account assumptions and / or measurements for the ambient temperature and / or the aging condition of the supply line, etc.

[0013] The calculated line temperature can advantageously be adjusted using a factor. The factor can be determined, for example, using the temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop at the time of tripping.

[0014] A calculation rule for determining the factor K can, for example, be derived empirically (e.g. by the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0015] For simplicity, the value 1 can initially be assumed for the factor.

[0016] A pre-calibration of the calculation rule for the factor K by the vehicle manufacturer is also conceivable.

[0017] The factor calculation rule, calibrated using field data, can be sent to all (requesting or active) vehicles in the fleet via an air interface.

[0018] Varying production batches or aging conditions of the wiring harness in the respective vehicles can be explicitly taken into account using the factor.

[0019] In this way, cooperative sensor data fusion can be enabled to increase the robustness of the triggering behavior of electronic fuses.

[0020] Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data considered by the factor, in particular a cooperative factor, includes an electrical current measured by the overload protection device. In this way, the current continuously measured by the electronic fuse can be taken into account when determining the line temperature. For the sake of simplicity, the electrical current flowing through the supply line can be substituted for the electrical current measured by the overload protection device. However, it is also conceivable in principle that the electrical current measured by the overload protection device can be incorporated into the calculation rule for the factor.

[0021] Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data taken into account by the factor, in particular a cooperative factor, includes a temperature measured by the overload protection. Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data taken into account by the factor, in particular a cooperative factor, includes a voltage drop measured by the overload protection. In this way, an adaptive factor can be provided that can be calculated as a function of the temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop at the time of the tripping process. A calculation rule for the factor can thus incorporate, in particular, fused sensor data for a temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and a voltage drop at the time of the tripping process, which can be derived, for example, empirically (e.g. by the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0022] Advantageously, a calculation rule for the factor can take into account the characteristics and / or aging states of the production batches from which the overload protection, the supply line, and / or the electrical load originated. In this way, the factor can be used to explicitly account for varying production batches or aging states of the wiring harness in the same or different vehicles.

[0023] Preferably, a calculation rule for the factor can consider sensor data from one or more vehicles. In other words, a calculation rule for the factor can be derived from empirical sensor data (e.g., from the vehicle manufacturer) from different vehicles (e.g., a fleet of vehicles controlled by a customer service department to record the sensor data).

[0024] Preferably, a calculation rule for the factor can be obtained via an air interface. This allows even existing vehicles to be equipped with the improved overload protection. It also ensures that the vehicle has an up-to-date calculation rule for the factor.

[0025] On the one hand, it is conceivable that a calculation rule for the factor is received from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles. In this way, car-to-X communication can be used to transmit the calculation rule for the factor.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding computer program product for performing a corresponding method. Using the computer program product, the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention can be achieved. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Using the control unit, the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention can be achieved. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding overload protection device, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line that connects an electrical energy source to an electrical load, in particular in a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. For this purpose, the overload protection device can have a specially configured control unit (ECU) and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for carrying out a corresponding method. In other words, the overload protection device can have specially configured software and / or hardware components that serve to carry out the method. With the aid of the overload protection device, the same advantages can be achieved that were described above in connection with the method according to the invention. These advantages are fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding vehicle having corresponding overload protection for a supply line connecting an electrical energy source to an electrical load. The vehicle can achieve the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which several embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The figure shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sequence of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0031] The Fig. 1 serves to explain a method according to the invention, which was developed for providing overload protection S, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, on a supply line L for an electrical load V. The method can preferably be used for electrical supply lines to consumers in an on-board electrical system of a vehicle F.

[0032] As the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the procedure comprises the following steps / actions: - Determining a line temperature T, where, when determining the line temperature T, an electric current I flowing through the supply line L and / or an ambient temperature Tu and / or an ageing state n of the supply line L are / will be taken into account: e.g. using a calculation T ≈ f1 (I, Tu, n, ...), - Adjusting the determined line temperature T by a factor K, in particular a cooperative or batch-wide factor, where the factor K takes into account, in particular, fused sensor data D, which characterize a tripping behavior of the overload protection S: e.g. using a calculation T = K * f1 (I, Tu, n, ...), and - Operation of the overload protection S depending on the adjusted line temperature T.

[0033] As the Fig. 1, the overload protection S can be arranged between a source E of electrical energy, e.g. a battery, and an electrical load V.

[0034] The method advantageously uses a sensor data-based approach to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of the overload protection S.

[0035] As the Fig. 1, the method allows for the calculation of the line temperature T to take into account a continuously measured current IsFuse* flowing through the electronic fuse or overload protection S: e.g. using a calculation T ≈ f1 (IsFuse*, Tu, n, ...).

[0036] From the formula shown, it can be seen that when calculating the line temperature T, assumptions and / or measurements for the ambient temperature Tu and / or the ageing state n (e.g. in the form of a time indication since commissioning, a percentage indication of a new condition, e.g. similar to an SOH factor, a number of disconnections, etc.) of the supply line L, etc. can also be taken into account.

[0037] The method proposes to advantageously adjust the calculated line temperature T using a factor K: K=f2(UeFuse*(t), TeFuse(t)).

[0038] The factor K can be determined, for example, using the temperature TeFuse* measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop UeFuse* at the time of the tripping process.

[0039] A calculation rule f2 for determining the factor K can, for example, be derived empirically (e.g. at the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0040] For the sake of simplicity, the value 1 can initially be assumed for the factor K, e.g. when commissioning a vehicle F.

[0041] A calibration of the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can still be carried out, for example, by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0042] The calculation rule f2 can be calibrated using field data, for example.

[0043] The calibrated calculation rule f2 of the factor K can be sent to all (requesting or active) vehicles via an air interface.

[0044] Varying production batches or aging conditions of the wiring harness in the respective vehicles can be explicitly taken into account using the factor K.

[0045] The adjusted pipe temperature T can then be calculated as follows: T=K*f1(IsFuse*, Tu, n, …)=f2(UeFuse*(t), TeFuse(t))*f1(IsFuse*, Tu, n, …).

[0046] In this way, cooperative sensor data D can be taken into account to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of electronic fuses.

[0047] In detail, the sensor data D, which the factor K, in particular a cooperative one, takes into account, may include an electrical current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0048] As already indicated above, when calculating the line temperature T, for the sake of simplicity, the electrical current I flowing through the supply line L can be substituted by the electrical current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S (T≈f1(IsFuse*, Tu, n, …)). In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the electrical current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S can be included for the factor K via the calculation rule f2.

[0049] Furthermore, the sensor data D, which the, in particular cooperative, factor K takes into account, can include a temperature TeFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0050] Furthermore, the sensor data D, which the, in particular cooperative, factor K takes into account, can include a voltage drop UeFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0051] The calculation rule f2 for the factor K can thus be used to incorporate, in particular, fused sensor data D for a temperature TeFuse* measured by the semiconductor switch, an electrical current leFuse* and / or a voltage drop UeFuse* at the time of the tripping process.

[0052] The sensor data D, in particular the fused ones, can be derived empirically (e.g. at the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0053] Furthermore, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K may take into account characteristics and / or ageing conditions of production batches from which the overload protection S, the supply line L and / or the electrical load V originated / originate.

[0054] Furthermore, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can take into account sensor data D of one or more vehicles F. Thus, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can be derived from empirical sensor data (e.g. from the vehicle manufacturer) of different vehicles F (e.g. a fleet of vehicles F that are controlled by a customer service department to record the sensor data D).

[0055] As the Fig. 1 suggests, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can be obtained via an air interface, e.g. from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles F.

[0056] A corresponding computer program product, a corresponding control unit ecu and a corresponding overload protection S, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, for carrying out a corresponding method, also represent aspects of the invention.

[0057] The overload protection S can comprise a specially configured control unit (ECU) and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for implementing a corresponding method. In other words, the overload protection S can comprise specially configured software and / or hardware components that serve to implement the method.

[0058] A corresponding vehicle F with at least one corresponding overload protection S also represents an aspect of the invention. List of reference symbols D Sensor data K factor ECU control unit F vehicle E Source L supply line S Overload protection V load T line temperature I electric current Tu ambient temperature n Aging state leFuse* Power TeFuse* Temperature UeFuse* Voltage drop f1 Function for calculating the line temperature f2 Calculation rule for the factor

Claims

[1] Method for providing overload protection (S) on a supply line (L) for an electrical load (V) of a vehicle (F), comprising: - Determining a line temperature (T), wherein an electric current (I) flowing through the supply line (L) and / or an ambient temperature (Tu) and / or an ageing state (n) of the supply line (L) are / is taken into account when determining the line temperature (T), - adjusting the determined line temperature (T) by a cooperative factor (K), whereby the factor (K) takes into account fused sensor data (D) that characterise a tripping behaviour of the overload protection (S), and - Operation of the overload protection (S) depending on the adjusted line temperature (T). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the cooperative factor (K) comprise an electrical current (leFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the cooperative factor (K) comprise a temperature (TeFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the cooperative factor (K) comprise a voltage drop (UeFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, whereby a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) takes into account characteristics and / or aging conditions of production batches, from which the overload protection (S), the supply line (L) and / or the electrical load (V) originated, and / or wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) takes into account sensor data (D) of one or more vehicles (F). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, where a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) is obtained via an air interface, and / or wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) is obtained from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles (F). [7] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Control unit (ecu), comprising a computing unit and a memory unit in which a code is stored which, when at least partially executed by the computing unit, carries out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6. [9] Overload protection (S) in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line (L) to an electrical load (V) of a vehicle (F), which is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, and which has a specially designed control unit (ecu) and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Vehicle (F) comprising an overload protection (S) for a supply line (L) to an electrical load (V) according to the preceding claim.

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