Relief switch component, system, method for relieving an electronic fuse

Abstract

A relief switch component (5) for an electronic fuse (4) of an electronic on-board network (3) of a vehicle (2) is specified, comprising - a relief switch (6), and - a relief impedance (7) connected in series with the relief switch (6), wherein - the relief switch (6) comprises at least one electronic switch, and - the relief impedance (7) comprises at least one capacitor (8) and / or at least one resistor (9). Furthermore, a system and a method for relieving an electronic fuse are specified.

Description

[0001] A discharge switch component for an electronic fuse of a vehicle's electronic system is specified. Furthermore, a system and method for discharging an electronic fuse are specified.

[0002] One problem to be solved is to specify a load-relief switch component for particularly safe operation. Furthermore, a system and method for relieving an electronic fuse are to be specified.

[0003] These objects are achieved by the load-discharge switch component and the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments, implementations, and further developments are the subject matter of the respective dependent patent claims.

[0004] First, the load-relief switch component for an electronic fuse in a vehicle's electronic system is specified and explained. The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, a truck, a van, or a motorcycle. Alternatively, the vehicle is an aircraft or a watercraft. The vehicle includes, for example, the electronic system. The electronic system is designed, for example, to supply power to and / or control electrical components of the vehicle.

[0005] The electronic vehicle electrical system comprises at least one branch, in particular at least a plurality of branches. The branch, in particular each branch, comprises, for example, a first vehicle electrical system section and a second vehicle electrical system section. The first vehicle electrical system section is particularly designed to be connected to at least one energy storage device. The second vehicle electrical system section is particularly designed to be connected to at least one load. The load is, for example, characteristic of at least some of the electrical components.

[0006] The energy storage system, for example, comprises a multitude of energy storage cells that are connected to one another. Each of these cells can be a lithium-ion cell or a solid-state cell, for example.

[0007] The energy storage device is connected to the load, for example, via a first conductor of a first type. The first conductor is connected, for example, to a first terminal of the energy storage device. In particular, the first conductor comprises a first section, which is encompassed by the first vehicle electrical system section, and a second section, which is encompassed by the second vehicle electrical system section. In particular, the electronic fuse is arranged between the first section of the first conductor and the second section of the first conductor.

[0008] The energy storage device is connected to the load, for example, via a second conductor of a second type different from the first type. The second conductor is connected, for example, to a second terminal of the energy storage device. In particular, the second conductor comprises a first section, which is encompassed by the first vehicle electrical system section, and a second section, which is encompassed by the second vehicle electrical system section. In particular, the second conductor is connected to a ground, in particular a vehicle ground.

[0009] The type of the first and second conductors, for example, is characteristic of a corresponding polarity. For example, the first terminal of the energy storage device has a positive polarity. For example, the second terminal of the energy storage device has a negative polarity.

[0010] The electronic fuse is arranged, for example, between the first vehicle electrical system section and the second vehicle electrical system section, in particular between each first vehicle electrical system section and each second vehicle electrical system section, in particular between the first section and the second section of the first conductor. The electronic fuse is designed, for example, to control a current flow between the first vehicle electrical system section and the second vehicle electrical system section. The electronic fuse is configured for operation in an open state and / or a closed state. In the closed state, the first vehicle electrical system section is electrically connected to the second vehicle electrical system section, in particular the first section of the first conductor is connected to the second section of the second conductor, via the electronic fuse.In the open state, the first on-board network section is not electrically connected to the second on-board network section, in particular the first section of the first conductor is not electrically connected to the second section of the second conductor, via the electronic fuse.

[0011] The state of the electronic fuse can be specified, for example, depending on a threshold value. In the event of a fault, e.g., a short circuit, a fault current occurs. The fault current is greater than the threshold value, for example. If no fault occurs, the electronic fuse is in the closed state. If a fault occurs, the electronic fuse is in the open state.

[0012] The electronic fuse comprises, for example, at least one semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is designed to control the current flow between the first vehicle electrical system section and the second vehicle electrical system section depending on a voltage applied to the semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is, for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0013] According to at least one embodiment, the relief switch component comprises a relief switch. The relief switch is arranged, for example, between the first conductor and the second conductor. The relief switch is connected, for example, to the first conductor in the first section. The relief switch is designed, for example, to divert a current flow, in particular the fault current, from the first vehicle electrical system section so that it does not have to run free through the electronic fuse. The relief switch is designed, for example, to control a current flow between the first conductor and the second conductor. The relief switch is designed for operation in an open state and / or a closed state. In the closed state, the first conductor is electrically connected to the second conductor, in particular the first section of the first conductor is electrically connected to the second conductor, via the relief switch.In the open state, the first conductor is not electrically connected to the second conductor via the relief switch.

[0014] The state of the relief switch, for example, can be specified depending on the state of the electronic fuse. If no fault occurs, the electronic fuse is closed and the relief switch is open. If a fault occurs, the electronic fuse is open and the relief switch is closed.

[0015] According to at least one embodiment, the relief switch component comprises a relief impedance connected in series with the relief switch. The first conductor is connected, for example, via the relief switch and the relief impedance to the second conductor, in particular in the specified order. In particular, the relief impedance is designed to absorb the fault current. When the relief switch is in the closed state, the relief impedance is designed, for example, to absorb energy stored in an inductance from the first conductor, in particular from the first conductor in the first section.

[0016] According to at least one embodiment of the load-relief switch component, the load-relief switch comprises at least one electronic switch. The electronic switch comprises, for example, at least one semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is designed to control a current flow between the first conductor and the second conductor depending on a voltage applied to the semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is, for example, a MOSFET.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment of the relief switch component, the relief impedance comprises at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor. For example, the relief impedance exclusively comprises at least one capacitor or exclusively at least one resistor. Alternatively, the relief impedance comprises at least one capacitor and at least one resistor. If the relief impedance comprises at least one capacitor and at least one resistor, the capacitor and the resistor are connected in series, for example, with the capacitor being connected to the relief switch and the resistor being connected to the second conductor.

[0018] The capacitor and / or the resistor is designed, for example, to absorb an inductance from the first conductor, in particular from the first conductor in the first section.

[0019] If a fault occurs, the electronic fuse opens. The fault current is designed to run freely during and after the opening, ensuring that no destructive voltages occur. This runaway is achieved, for example, by an "avalanche" effect of the electronic fuse.

[0020] Due to the leakage current, a high electric field can act on electrons within the MOSFET of the electronic fuse, accelerating them. Collisions of the accelerated electrons with atoms in the semiconductor material can knock additional electrons out of bound states, creating electron-hole pairs. This process can lead to a multiplication of charge carriers and, in particular, to a rapid increase in the current flow through the electronic fuse.

[0021] If the electronic fuse is operated in the "avalanche" range, the voltage across the electronic fuse exceeds a critical value, and the current flow through the electronic fuse is dominated by impact ionization. If the operation in the "avalanche" range is overstressed, the electronic fuse can be damaged, for example, due to high energy input, excessive temperature, and / or pulse currents, a so-called single-pulse avalanche.

[0022] Without the relief circuit, thermal stress on the MOSFET of the electronic fuse of typically over 200 °C can occur when the fault current occurs, particularly due to the comparatively high loss input in the "avalanche" range operation.

[0023] Advantageously, after the electronic fuse opens, a current stored in the first conductor in the first section can be diverted via the discharge switch to the discharge impedance. This advantageously provides particularly good protection for the electronic fuse if it is opened due to a fault.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the load-relief switch component, the electronic switch comprises at least one semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is, for example, a MOSFET.

[0025] For example, the semiconductor component of the electronic fuse and / or the semiconductor component of the electronic switch does not include active cooling. Heat generated in the respective semiconductor component is dissipated via the housing, for example. This allows the load-relief switch component to be designed particularly cost-effectively.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the load-relief switch component, the capacitor has a capacitance of at least 100 µF, at least 1 mF, and / or at most 50 mF. For example, a predeterminable energy of the capacitor's capacitance to be stored is at least as large as the energy of the inductance of the first conductor, particularly in the first section. The capacitance of the capacitor is particularly dependent on the predeterminable energy of the capacitor's capacitance to be stored.

[0027] According to at least one embodiment of the load-relief switch component, the resistor has an electrical resistance of at least 1 mΩ, at least 10 mΩ, and / or at most 150 mΩ. For example, the electrical resistance can be specified depending on a breakdown voltage of the electronic fuse, in particular of the semiconductor component, and the fault current. The electrical resistance is, for example, at least as large as the breakdown voltage of the electronic fuse divided by the fault current.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the load-relief switch component, the capacitor is negatively precharged. For example, the capacitor is connected to a DC / DC converter. The DC / DC converter is designed to precharge the capacitor with a negative voltage. If the capacitor is negatively precharged, the predeterminable energy of the capacitor's capacitance is less than the energy of the inductance of the first conductor, particularly in the first section. Advantageously, a comparatively low capacitance can thus be used.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the discharge switch component, the discharge impedance comprises the capacitor and a parallel resistor, and the parallel resistor is connected in parallel with the capacitor. If the capacitor is charged, in particular, the capacitor can be discharged via the parallel resistor. The parallel resistor is advantageously a resistor for self-discharge of the capacitor. This advantageously allows the capacitor to be regenerated for a further fault.

[0030] Furthermore, a system is specified. The system can include the relief switch component described here. Thus, all features of the embodiment disclosed in connection with the system are also disclosed in connection with the relief switch component, and vice versa.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment, the system comprises an electronic fuse for an electronic on-board network of a vehicle and a discharge switch component described here, wherein the discharge switch component is connected in parallel with the electronic fuse.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a first vehicle electrical system section which is designed to be connected to at least one energy storage device, and a second vehicle electrical system section which is designed to be connected to at least one load.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment of the system, the electronic fuse and the load-relief switch component are arranged between the first vehicle electrical system section and the second vehicle electrical system section. For example, the electronic fuse is arranged between the first conductor in the first section and the first conductor in the second section. In particular, the electronic fuse electrically connects the first conductor in the first section to the first conductor in the second section when closed. For example, the load-relief switch component is arranged between the first conductor and the second conductor. In particular, the load-relief switch component electrically connects the first conductor to the second conductor when closed.

[0034] According to at least one embodiment of the system, the electronic fuse is designed to electrically disconnect the first vehicle electrical system section from the second vehicle electrical system section in the event of a fault. In particular, the electronic fuse electrically disconnects the first conductor in the first section from the first conductor in the second section when open. If a fault occurs, the electronic fuse is opened.

[0035] According to at least one embodiment of the system, the discharge switch is designed to divert a fault current via the discharge impedance. In particular, the discharge switch electrically connects the first conductor to the second conductor in the closed state. If a fault occurs, the discharge switch is closed. The energy stored in the first line can flow away via the discharge switch and the discharge impedance and advantageously does not flow through the avalanche of the electronic fuse.

[0036] According to at least one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of parallel-connected first vehicle electrical system sections, which are configured to be connected to at least one energy storage device, and a plurality of parallel-connected second vehicle electrical system sections, which are configured to be connected to at least one load. Each first vehicle electrical system section is connected to one of the second vehicle electrical system sections. Each pair comprising a first vehicle electrical system section and a second vehicle electrical system section comprises, for example, the first conductor of the first type and the second conductor of the second type.

[0037] According to at least one embodiment of the system, an electronic fuse is arranged between each first vehicle electrical system section and each second vehicle electrical system section. In particular, an electronic fuse is arranged between each first conductor in the first section and each second conductor in the second section.

[0038] According to at least one embodiment of the system, at least one electronic fuse is designed to electrically disconnect the respective first vehicle electrical system section from the respective second vehicle electrical system section in the event of a fault.

[0039] According to at least one embodiment of the system, at least some other electronic fuses, each designed as a relief switch, are further designed to divert a fault current via the respective loads, each designed as the relief impedance.

[0040] If a fault occurs, at least one electronic fuse is opened. Furthermore, at least some other electronic fuses, each configured as a discharge switch, are closed, so that the fault current is diverted via the respective loads of at least some other electronic fuses. The energy stored in the first line can flow through at least some other electronic fuses and the respective loads, and advantageously does not drop across the at least one electronic fuse.

[0041] Furthermore, a method for relieving an electronic fuse in an electronic vehicle electrical system is specified, in particular comprising a discharge switch component described here. Thus, all features of the embodiment disclosed in connection with the discharge switch component and the system are also disclosed in connection with the method, and vice versa.

[0042] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the electronic fuse is opened in response to a fault to interrupt the current flow.

[0043] According to at least one embodiment of the method, a relief switch, which comprises at least one electronic switch and is connected in parallel with the electronic fuse, is opened depending on the fault, so that a fault current flows through a relief impedance, which is connected in series with the relief switch, to relieve the electronic fuse, wherein the relief impedance comprises at least one capacitor and / or a resistor.

[0044] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the electronic fuse is opened depending on a threshold value. The threshold value is, for example, characteristic of a current of at least 200 A, in particular at least 400 A.

[0045] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the discharge switch is opened depending on a further threshold value, and the capacitor is discharged. The further threshold value is, for example, characteristic of a voltage and / or current at which the electronic fuse is not damaged. If the energy of the inductance of the first conductor, particularly in the first section, has largely flowed into the discharge impedance, the discharge switch is opened depending on the further threshold value.

[0046] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0047] They show: Fig. 1 a system with a relief switch component according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 a vehicle with a system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 3 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment.

[0048] Elements of the same design or function are marked with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

[0049] The system 1 according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 comprises an electronic fuse 4 for an electronic on-board network 3 of a vehicle 2, which is installed, for example, in Fig. 2, and a load-relief switch component 5. The electronic vehicle electrical system 3 comprises a first vehicle electrical system section 10 and a second vehicle electrical system section 11. The first vehicle electrical system section 10 is connected in particular to an energy storage device 16, which has a first terminal with a positive polarity "+" and a second terminal with a negative polarity "-". The second vehicle electrical system section 11 is connected in particular to a load 17. The energy storage device 13 and the load 17 are connected to one another via a first conductor 12 and a second conductor 13. The first conductor 12 is connected to the first terminal and the second terminal via the second terminal. Thus, one type of the first conductor 12 corresponds to a positive polarity and one type of the second conductor 13 corresponds to a negative polarity. The second conductor 13 is connected, for example, to a ground, as in Fig. 1. The first conductor 12 comprises a first section 14, which is encompassed by the first electrical system section 10, and a second section 15, which is encompassed by the second electrical system section 11. The second conductor 13 comprises a first section 14, which is encompassed by the first electrical system section 10, and a second section 15, which is encompassed by the second electrical system section 11.

[0050] The first conductor 12 in the first section 14 and in the second section 15 is each modeled as conductor resistance 18 and conductor inductance 19 and in Fig. 1. Furthermore, a load resistor 20 and a load capacitance 21, which are connected in series, are shown parallel to the load 17. The conductor resistor 18 has, for example, a resistance of 5 mΩ and / or the conductor inductance 19 has, for example, an inductance of 5 µH. The load resistor 20 has, for example, a resistance of 5 mΩ and / or the load capacitance 21 has, for example, a capacitance of 2 mF.

[0051] The electronic fuse 4 is arranged between the first conductor 12 in the first section 14 and the first conductor 12 in the second section 15. When the electronic fuse 4 is in a closed state, the electronic fuse 4 electrically connects the first conductor 12 in the first section 14 and the first conductor 12 in the second section 15.

[0052] The relief switch component 5 is arranged between the first conductor 12 and the second conductor 13. The relief switch component 5 comprises a relief switch 6 and a relief impedance 7. The relief switch 6 is electrically connected to the first conductor 12 in the first section 14. The relief switch 6 is electrically connected to the second conductor 13 via the relief impedance 7. When the relief switch 6 is in a closed state, the relief switch 6 electrically connects the first conductor 12 in the first section 14 and the second conductor 13 to one another, in particular via the relief impedance 7.

[0053] The relief impedance 7 comprises a capacitor 8 and a resistor 9, which are connected in particular in series. The capacitor 8 has, for example, a capacitance of approximately 8 mF and / or the resistor 9 has, for example, an electrical resistance of approximately 5 mΩ.

[0054] The vehicle 2 according to the embodiment of the Fig. 2 comprises an electronic on-board network 3, which Fig. 1. Furthermore, the electronic system 3 includes the Fig. 1 System 1 described in more detail with the electronic fuse 4 and the relief switch component 5.

[0055] In the flowchart of the method according to the embodiment of the Fig. 3, a method step S1 is first carried out in which the electronic fuse 4 of the system 1, as in Fig.1, is opened depending on a fault condition to interrupt the current flow. The electronic fuse 4 is opened depending on a threshold value.

[0056] In the event of a fault, for example, a short circuit, a fault current occurs. If the fault current is greater than the threshold value, the electronic fuse 4 is opened, so that the electronic fuse 4 is in the open state.

[0057] Subsequently or simultaneously, a method step S2 is executed, in which the relief switch 6, which comprises at least one electronic switch and is connected in parallel with the electronic fuse 4, is closed depending on the fault. In particular, the relief switch 6 is closed depending on the state of the electronic fuse 4. If the electronic fuse 4 is opened, so that the electronic fuse 4 is in the open state, the relief switch 6 is closed, so that the relief switch 6 is in the closed state. This allows the fault current to flow through the relief impedance 7, in particular to relieve the load on the electronic fuse 4.

[0058] Subsequently, the discharge switch 6 can be opened depending on a further threshold value. The capacitor 8 of the discharge impedance 7 is then discharged, e.g., by self-discharge or a parallel resistor. Reference character list 1 system 2 vehicles 3 electronic on-board network 4 electronic fuse 5 Relief switch component 6 relief switches 7 Relief impedance 8 Capacitor 9 Resistance 10 first on-board network section 11 second electrical system section 12 first leader 13 second leader 14 first section 15 second section 16 energy storage units 17 Last 18 conductor resistance 19 Conductor inductance 20 Load resistance 21 load capacity

Claims

[1] Relief switch component (5) for an electronic fuse (4) of an electronic on-board network (3) of a vehicle (2), comprising - a relief switch (6), and - a load-relief impedance (7) connected in series with the load-relief switch (6), wherein - the relief switch (6) includes at least one electronic switch, and - the load reduction impedance (7) includes at least one capacitor (8) and / or at least one resistor (9). [2] Relief switch component (5) according to claim 1, wherein - the electronic switch includes at least one semiconductor component. [3] Relief switch component (5) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein - the capacitor (8) has a capacitance of at least 100 µF, at least 1 mF and / or at most 50 mF, and / or - the resistor (9) has an electrical resistance of at least 1 mΩ, at least 10 mΩ and / or at most 150 mΩ. [4] Relief switch component (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the capacitor (8) is negatively precharged. [5] Relief switch component (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein - the load reduction impedance (7) includes the capacitor (8) and a parallel resistor, and - the parallel resistor is connected in parallel with the capacitor (8). [6] System (1), comprising - an electronic fuse (4) for an electronic on-board network (3) of a vehicle (2), and - a relief switch component (5) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein - the relief switch component (5) is connected in parallel with the electronic fuse (4). [7] System (1) according to claim 6, further comprising - a first on-board network section (10) which is designed to be connected to at least one energy storage device (16), and - a second on-board network section (11) which is designed to be connected to at least one load (17), wherein - the electronic fuse (4) and the relief switch component (5) are arranged between the first on-board network section (10) and the second on-board network section (11), - the electronic fuse (4) is designed to electrically disconnect the first on-board electrical system section (10) from the second on-board electrical system section (11) in the event of a fault, and - the relief switch (6) is designed to dissipate a fault current via the relief impedance (7). [8] System (1) according to claim 6, further comprising - a plurality of parallel connected first on-board network sections (10) which are designed to be connected to at least one energy storage device (16), and - a plurality of parallel connected second on-board network sections (11) which are designed to each be connected to at least one load (17), wherein - an electronic fuse (4) is arranged between each first on-board network section (10) and each second on-board network section (11), - at least one electronic fuse (4) is designed to electrically disconnect the respective first on-board network section (10) from the respective second on-board network section (11) in the event of a fault, and - at least some other electronic fuses (4), each designed as a relief switch (6), are further designed to dissipate a fault current via the respective loads (17), each designed as the relief impedance (7). [9] Method for relieving an electronic fuse (4) in an electronic on-board network (3) of a vehicle (2), comprising: - Opening of the electronic fuse (4) depending on a fault condition to interrupt the current flow, and - Closing a relief switch (6), which includes at least one electronic switch and is connected in parallel to the electronic fuse (4), depending on the fault condition, so that a fault current flows through a relief impedance (7) which is connected in series with the relief switch (6) to relieve the electronic fuse (4), wherein - the load reduction impedance (7) includes at least one capacitor (8) and / or one resistor (9). [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein - the electronic safety device (4) is opened depending on a threshold value and / or - the relief switch (6) is opened depending on a further threshold value, and the capacitor (8) is discharged.

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