METHOD FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT TO AN ON-BOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND VEHICLE WITH AN ON-BOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Examples relate to a method (10) for electrically connecting at least one electronic component (STG1') to an on-board electrical system (20) of a vehicle. The method (10) comprises the steps of: using (11) an electrical isolating element (ET1) as a connecting element between the electronic component (STG1') and the on-board electrical system (20), wherein an electrical operating voltage is applied to the on-board electrical system (20); and controlling (12) the electrical isolating element (ET1) for an open state of the electrical isolating element (ET1) during a physical connection process of the electronic component (STG1'). Further examples relate to a vehicle with an on-board electrical system with electrical isolating elements, e.g., e-fuses.

Description

Technical area

[0001] Embodiments relate to a method for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's electrical system. Furthermore, a computer program product for executing the proposed method is provided. Furthermore, a vehicle having an electrical system with a voltage source is proposed. background

[0002] Modern vehicles increasingly incorporate control units that can be reprogrammed even after delivery (e.g., installing software updates, flashing). Within the context of a production process, it can be advantageous to install a control unit early on, even if it is clear that new software will still be installed (e.g., flashed). Data exchange can take place after installation in the vehicle, for example, over-the-air (e.g., over-the-air update).

[0003] Known concepts allow programming after the vehicle has been put into operation or for very limited periods of time during commissioning when the on-board electrical system voltage is applied to the on-board electrical system and thus to the component. However, when the on-board electrical system voltage is applied, no further electronic components can be connected to the on-board electrical system, as this could result in sparks occurring during connection, which would increase the risk of undetectable defects. Known vehicles are operated completely "offline" in service mode (e.g., workshop) during work, e.g., by completely disconnecting the on-board electrical system voltage. This ensures that no defects or errors arise from sparks (e.g., arcing) when disconnecting or installing electronic components while live.

[0004] Due to ever-increasing complexity and networking, programming times and the number of control units in a vehicle continue to rise. This means that it can take some time after the vehicle's completion until the vehicle software is up to date or the additional flash time required is included in the production process. This can result in a delay between the completion of production and / or delivery of the vehicle, which can have business disadvantages. Summary

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide improved concepts for electrically connecting electronic components to a vehicle electrical system, in particular during a production process or service of a vehicle.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and in conjunction with the figures.

[0007] Accordingly, a method for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's electrical system is proposed. The method comprises using an electrical isolating element as a connecting element between the at least one electronic component and the electrical system, with an electrical operating voltage applied to the electrical system. The method further comprises controlling the electrical isolating element to an open state of the electrical isolating element during a physical connection process of the electronic component.

[0008] The electrical isolating element used can be a controllable electrical isolating element, e.g., an electronic fuse (E-fuse) or an electromechanical relay. The electrical isolating element can be actively switched between an open state and a closed state like an electrical switch. In the open state, a voltage separation is provided between the input and output of the electrical isolating element, and in the closed state, a current flow is possible between the input and output of the electrical isolating element. Advantageously, the electrical isolating element can have a current fuse function, so that it opens automatically when a predetermined current through the electrical isolating element is exceeded.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the connection process includes both connecting or plugging in and disconnecting or unplugging the electronic component from the vehicle electrical system, i.e., both electrically connecting and disconnecting the electronic component. When the electrical isolating element is open, no voltage is applied to its output (disconnection from the vehicle electrical system voltage), so the connection process can be carried out safely and without voltage, reducing the risk of sparking.

[0010] It is possible for only a single electronic component to be connected to the electrical isolating element on the output side. Alternatively, an on-board power system zone with multiple electronic components can be connected to the electrical isolating element on the output side, allowing multiple electronic components to be safely connected (e.g., connected or disconnected) simultaneously when the isolating element is open.

[0011] According to one aspect, the method further comprises further actuating the electrical isolating element for a closed state of the electrical isolating element after the physical connection process has been completed. The further actuation may be performed immediately after the connection process of the electronic component has been completed, e.g., within less than five minutes (or less than three minutes, or less than one minute) after the physical connection of the electronic component to the vehicle electrical system via the electrical isolating element.

[0012] Advantageously, the proposed method makes it possible to install the electronic component safely (e.g., de-energized) and simultaneously activate it immediately after installation (the on-board electrical system voltage is applied to the electronic component when the electrical isolating element is closed). One advantage may be that the connected, activated electronic component can, for example, be programmed or updated directly, while other electronic components can also be connected de-energized afterwards. This allows data to be exchanged with the electronic component during production and even before the entire vehicle is put into operation, so that, for example, the necessary update times after commissioning can be optimized and, in particular, reduced.

[0013] The further activation of the electrical isolating element for the closed state after the connection process has been completed can advantageously be carried out automatically. For example, at the start of vehicle production, all electrical isolating elements used can be open and then automatically closed after the connection process has been completed by means of further activation.

[0014] According to one example, it is accordingly provided that a contact sensor is used to detect whether the electronic component is physically connected to the electrical isolating element, wherein the further control for the closed state of the electrical isolating element takes place automatically as soon as a physical connection of the electronic component is detected by the contact sensor. For example, the contact sensor can be provided in the plug of the electrical isolating element, so that the contact sensor is activated as soon as the electronic component is connected to the electrical isolating element. Alternatively, feedback from the connected electronic component can be awaited or this can be used as a trigger (e.g. start of data communication by the electronic component). This is the case, for example, with redundant power supplies for the electronic component (e.g. components with multiple supply inputs, e.g.Load / logic separation, high-availability components (e.g. HAF components) are possible, since these can already be at least partially active before being connected to the on-board power supply.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the control for the open and / or closed state of the electrical isolating element can occur automatically depending on the production status of the vehicle during a production process. For example, the control and further control can occur position-dependently in the production line. At the start of production, the electrical isolating element can be open (e.g., in a front area of ​​the production line). The electronic component can be installed and connected in a predetermined area of ​​the production line. As soon as the vehicle leaves the predetermined area of ​​the production line, further control can occur automatically, since the electronic component is then connected as planned.Thus, data exchange with the electronic component can already take place as soon as the vehicle has passed through the predetermined area and is located in a rear area of ​​the production line, since the electronic component has a power supply and can be active from this point onwards.

[0016] It is also possible for further control for the closed state to be carried out manually, e.g., by a technician. This technician can enable the connection and / or disconnection of the fuse (e.g., electrical isolating element; e.g., E-fuse) independently of or dependent on the production process. Even during servicing (e.g., in a workshop) or, for example, for analysis, service (HO), or a targeted hardware reset of a component, further control of each switching element can be carried out manually as required. For example, during servicing, a vehicle can remain fully activated, except for the deactivation of an electronic component that needs to be replaced.

[0017] For example, the method can further comprise connecting at least one further electronic component to the vehicle electrical system via a further electrical isolating element that is in an open state. In this case, it is provided that, before the further electronic component is connected, data is exchanged with the already physically connected, active electronic component. As already described, this makes it possible for data to be exchanged with the electronic component even when further electronic components are to be installed while the voltage is still off. For example, the loading (flashing) of new software code onto a control unit can take place or be started during the production process, or data can be read out from the electronic component.In other words, the method allows programming of the first electronic component to begin immediately, while other components can then be connected safely (e.g., without voltage and without arcing).

[0018] A further aspect relates to a computer program product or non-volatile storage medium with a program code for carrying out the method described above or below when the computer program is executed on a processor, a computer, or programmable hardware. Such a program can advantageously be executed on an on-board computer or a backend (e.g., a server or cloud service coupled to the vehicle) in order to carry out the proposed method and control the switching state of the electrical isolating element. This enables, for example, safe installation or removal of the electronic component in a de-energized state during assembly or servicing, whereby the electronic component can be activated immediately after installation.

[0019] A further aspect relates to a vehicle with an on-board electrical system. The on-board electrical system comprises an electrical voltage source, an electronic security system with at least one electrical isolating element which is connected on the input side to the electrical voltage source, and at least one electronic component which is designed for connection to the electrical isolating element on the output side. The electronic security system is designed to switch the at least one electrical isolating element to an open state during a physical connection process of the electronic component to the electrical isolating element. Such a vehicle can in particular be assembled according to the proposed method, so that, for example, data can be exchanged with newly installed electronic components immediately after their installation. As a result, the proposed vehicle can, for example, be produced and delivered more efficiently, e.g. in a shorter time.

[0020] For example, it is provided that the electronic security system has at least two electrical isolating elements, with at least one electronic component connected to the output side of each of the at least two electrical isolating elements. In this way, for example, a first electronic component can remain connected to the vehicle electrical system voltage, thereby enabling, for example, data exchange with this active first electronic component, while a second electronic component can be disconnected from the vehicle electrical system voltage, so that the second electronic component can be safely replaced or installed, for example.

[0021] For example, it is provided that at least one further electrical isolating element is connected to at least one electrical isolating element on the output side. In this way, a cascaded electronic security system can be provided.

[0022] For example, it is provided that the at least one further electrical isolating element is connected directly to the at least one electrical isolating element. For example, the at least one electrical isolating element and the further electrical isolating element can be directly coupled to one another without a further, indirectly connecting active electronic component, but merely by means of a passive electrical connection (e.g., a cable connection or busbar) (e.g., a cascaded structure of the vehicle electrical system using the electrical isolating elements).

[0023] In such a cascaded electrical system, it may be possible to both isolate individual electronic components (e.g., control units) separately from the electrical system voltage, as well as to isolate larger areas from the electrical system voltage collectively by controlling a higher-level electrical isolating element (i.e., facing the voltage source) in a single operation. This can, for example, simplify control and / or reduce the number of electrical isolating elements required.

[0024] For example, it is provided that at least two additional isolating elements are connected in parallel on the output side of an electrical isolating element of the electronic security system. In this way, a cascaded zonal vehicle electrical system can be created. In such a cascaded vehicle electrical system, for example, individual subzones with multiple elements can be isolated from the vehicle electrical system voltage using a single electrical isolating element. This can, for example, reduce the required number of electrical isolating elements in the vehicle electrical system and / or allow several electronic components to be safely installed or removed simultaneously by controlling only one electrical isolating element.

[0025] In a final level of isolating elements (e.g., starting from a first level of the vehicle electrical system, which is connected to the vehicle electrical system voltage), isolating elements can also be, for example, electronic fuses, mechanical fuses, and / or pyrotechnic fuses (e.g., fusible links or PCIs; pyrotechnical circuit interrupters). For example, these isolating elements can be located in a subzone that can be isolated from the vehicle electrical system voltage by means of an electrical isolating element. Short character description

[0026] Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method for electrically connecting an electronic component to an on-board network; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle electrical system with two electrical isolating elements; and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an on-board network with several zones, each of which can be separated from the on-board network voltage via E-fuses. Description

[0027] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers, and / or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. In the following description of the accompanying figures, which only show some exemplary embodiments, like reference numerals may designate like or comparable components.

[0028] An element described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of a method 10 for electrically connecting at least one electronic component to a vehicle's electrical system. The method comprises using 11 an electrical isolating element as a connecting element between the electronic component and the electrical system, wherein an electrical operating voltage is applied to the electrical system, and controlling 12 the electrical isolating element to open the electrical isolating element during a physical connection process of the electronic component.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle electrical system 20 with two electrical isolating elements ET1, ET2. The vehicle electrical system 20 is shown in a system with a cloud service C and a programming device P. The vehicle electrical system 20 comprises an electronic security device ESV (e.g. electronic security system) with two electrical isolating elements ET1, ET2 (e.g. electronic fuses; e.g. E-fuses). The electronic security device ESV is connected on the input side to a voltage source U (e.g. vehicle battery), which provides the on-board electrical system voltage. The electronic security device ESV can be referred to as an electronic power distributor, which can be monitored and controlled, for example, by a monitoring or control module. The control can be carried out intelligently according to a method described previously or subsequently, e.g. in order to be able to use components installed in the production process as quickly as possible.

[0031] On the output side of the first electrical isolating element ET1, two control units STG1', STG1" of a first vehicle electrical system zone Z1 are arranged, and on the output side of the second electrical isolating element ET2, two control units STG2', STG2" of a second vehicle electrical system zone Z2 are arranged.

[0032] The cloud service C and / or the programming device P are designed to control the electronic security device ESV and the control units STG1', STG1", STG2', STG2" or to exchange data with them. For example, data can be read from the control units wirelessly or wired or loaded onto them, and the electrical isolating elements ET1, ET2 of the electronic security device ESV can be controlled according to the method.

[0033] Based on the Fig. 2 can be used to describe, by way of example, a sequence for connecting an electronic component, e.g., the first control unit STG1', in a production process. The first electrical isolating element ET1 can be, for example, an E-fuse. During assembly of the electronic power distributor, e.g., electronic safety device ESV, and the first control unit STG1', the E-fuse is activated to open the state (voltage isolation). The first control unit STG1' is then connected to the E-fuse, e.g., physically connected (E-fuse still open). The E-fuse is closed, e.g., manually or automatically. For example, for the automatic process, the E-fuse itself can detect a connection to the control unit STG1' and then close it (e.g., using a contact sensor). For example, communication with the production line can take place via cloud service C, whereby further activation of the E-fuse can take place location-based.For example, the E-fuse can be closed when the vehicle has left an area where the STG1' control unit is assembled. By closing the E-fuse for the power supply during the production process, the connected control unit can be activated immediately, for example, and the STG1' control unit can be programmed immediately after it is connected to the vehicle electrical system (E-fuse closed). For example, a notification can be sent via the cloud service C to the programming device P after the connection process has been completed, indicating that the STG1' control unit is now ready for data exchange.

[0034] Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the embodiments described above or below. Fig. 2 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects that may be associated with the proposed concept or with one or more of the above (e.g. Fig. 1) or below (e.g. Fig. 3) described embodiments are mentioned.

[0035] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an on-board electrical system 30 with an electronic safety device (ESV) with multiple zones (Zone 1-Zone 5), each of which can be isolated from the on-board electrical system voltage via electrical isolating elements, shown here as E-fuses. The on-board electrical system voltage is provided by a battery (Bat), which can be electrically isolated from the electrical safety device (ESV) by means of an electrical switch (S) (e.g., a transistor, e.g., a MOSFET). This allows, for example, the entire on-board electrical system to be isolated from the power supply.

[0036] Due to the plurality of zonal and cascaded arranged electrical isolating elements ET1', ET2', ET2", ET4', several electronic components ELK1-ELK7 (e.g. consumers; e.g. control units) connected to the electronic safety device ESV can be separated individually and / or in groups from the vehicle electrical system voltage. In this case, for example, electrical isolating elements ET2', ET2" of the second zone are arranged in parallel behind an electrical isolating element ET1". The two electronic components ELK6, ELK7 can thus be separated from the voltage source separately by means of the parallel connected isolating elements ET2', ET2" or separated from the voltage source in groups by the upstream electrical isolating element ET1".

[0037] An electrical isolating element ET4' of the fourth zone, Zone 4, is directly connected to the electrical isolating element ET1' of the first zone, Zone 1. As illustrated by the last zone, Zone 5, before the electronic components, in such a zone, in addition to electronic fuses (E-fuse), also fuses, for example, can be provided.

[0038] Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the embodiments described above or below. Fig. 3 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects that may be associated with the proposed concept or with one or more of the above (e.g. Fig. 1-2) or embodiments described below.

[0039] Examples relate to a concept for the use of switchable electrical isolating elements in a vehicle's electrical system, and in particular, for intelligent e-fuse control for live programming during the manufacturing process. This allows, for example, electronic components to be installed safely in vehicle production (e.g., de-energized without sparking) and activated for use immediately after installation (e.g., to enable immediate data exchange with the electronic component during the production process).

[0040] The disclosed use of e-fuses in an electrical system enables controlled power supply to control units after a plug-in process via e-fuses in the electronic power distribution. This allows for controlled zonal shutdown of electrical system areas. This advantageously enables, for example, programming during production; arcing during the plug-in process can be avoided. Zonal shutdown of a zone (e.g., the front right) can enable repair work in this zone with parallel options for software updates for the rest of the vehicle (remaining electrical system zones).

Claims

[1] Method (10) for electrically connecting at least one electronic component (STG1') to an on-board network (20) of a vehicle, the method (10) comprising: - using (11) an electrical isolating element (ET1) as a connecting element between the electronic component (STG1') and the vehicle electrical system (20), wherein an electrical operating voltage is applied to the vehicle electrical system (20); and - Controlling (12) the electrical isolating element (ET1) for an open state of the electrical isolating element (ET1) during a physical connection process of the electronic component (STG1'). [2] Method (10) according to claim 1, the method (10) further comprising: - further controlling the electrical isolating element (ET1) for a closed state of the electrical isolating element (ET1) after the physical connection process has been completed. [3] Method (10) according to claim 2, wherein a contact sensor is used to detect whether the electronic component (STG1') is physically connected to the electrical isolating element (ET1), wherein the further control for the closed state of the electrical isolating element (ET1) takes place automatically as soon as a physical connection of the electronic component (STG1') is detected by means of the contact sensor. [4] Method (10) according to claim 2, wherein the control (11) for the open and / or closed state of the electrical isolating element (ET1) takes place automatically as a function of a production status of the vehicle during a production process. [5] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the method (10) further comprising: - connecting at least one further electronic component (STG2') to the vehicle electrical system (20) via a further electrical isolating element (ET2) which is in an open state, wherein a data exchange with the already physically connected electronic component (STG1') takes place before the further electronic component (STG2') is connected. [6] Computer program product or non-volatile storage medium with a program code to carry out the method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims when the computer program is executed on a processor, a computer, or programmable hardware. [7] Vehicle with an on-board network (20, 30), the on-board network (20, 30) comprising: - an electrical voltage source (U, Bat); - an electronic safety system (ESV) with at least one electrical isolating element (ET1) which is connected on the input side to the electrical voltage source (U, Bat); - at least one electronic component (STG1') which is designed for output-side connection to the electrical isolating element (ET1), wherein the electronic security system (ESV) is designed to switch the at least one electrical isolating element (ET1) into an open state during a physical connection process of the electronic component (STG1') to the electrical isolating element (ET1). [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the electronic security system (ESV) has at least two electrical isolating elements (ET1, ET2), and wherein at least one electronic component (STG1', STG2') is connected on the output side to each of the at least two electrical isolating elements (ET1, ET2). [9] Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one further electrical isolating element (ET4') is connected to at least one electrical isolating element (ET1') on the output side. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the at least one further electrical isolating element (ET4') is connected in direct connection to the at least one electrical isolating element (ET1'). [11] Vehicle according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein at least two further isolating elements (ET2', ET2") are connected in parallel on the output side to an electrical isolating element (ET1') of the electronic security system (ESV).

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