Method for creating a bus-type-crossing electronics platform for the control electronics of an electric drive of a fluid pump, and comprising a fluid pump and an electronics platform created in this way

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for creating a bus-type-independent electronics platform for a control electronics (1) of an electric drive, in particular a fluid pump, wherein the control electronics (1) for a plurality of variants of the fluid pump has a control electronics board (2) with a uniform board layout (3) and the board layout (3) has a connection pin pattern (4) with a plurality of connection pins (5), the fluid pump has a connector module (6) as an interface from the connection pin pattern (4) of the control electronics (1) to a pin pattern of a customer's vehicle electrical system, comprising the steps: - Providing all necessary connection pins (5) for all bus types to be covered in the connection pin pattern (4) of the PCB layout (3); - Arranging input pins (8) of the connector module (6) in an input pin pattern (9) corresponding to a connection pin pattern (5) of the control electronics board (2), in particular corresponding to a bus type to be contacted; - Arranging output pins (10) in an output pin pattern (11) of the connector module (6) corresponding to the pin pattern of a mating connector module of the customer's vehicle electrical system; - Transferring the input pin pattern (9) of the connector module (6) into the output pin pattern (11) of the connector module (6) within a connector module housing (13), wherein several conductor sections (14), each forming an input pin (8) of the connector module (6) at one end and an output pin (10) of the connector module (6) at the other end, are formed as stamped and bent parts, and the conductor sections (14) are overmolded or overmolded at least in an area between the input pins (8) and the output pins (10) to form a conductor section bundle (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for creating a bus-type-independent electronics platform for control electronics of an electric drive of a fluid pump and a fluid pump comprising an electronics platform created in this way.

[0002] From a supplier's perspective, current practice in fluid pump development, particularly in the development of electric drives for fluid pumps, is to start with individual, customer-specific requirements, such as those of an OEM customer, and develop a fluid pump that meets all of the customer's requirements. For example, with electric fluid pumps, the customer may require different data transmission bus systems or pumps with varying performance levels. Depending on these requirements, current practice involves developing customer-specific control electronics that match the customer's specifications.Electric fluid pumps typically feature an end cap as part of their housing. This cap incorporates a customer-specific connector geometry designed for electrical connection to a socket in a customer-specific wiring harness. Among other things, the connector-socket systems of different customers also vary in the number and / or arrangement of contact pins within a connector. To meet the requirements of each customer, pin assignments are currently implemented through a corresponding arrangement on a control electronics board and a customer-specific connector solution in the end cap.

[0003] While this practice has proven effective in meeting customer-specific requirements, a disadvantage is the relatively high design effort involved with the different control electronics, the varying designs of the end caps with integrated contact pins, and similar components. Furthermore, this results in a very high degree of pump variety, making warehousing and logistical support complex.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an electronics platform with a suitable connector concept in order to cover as many customer interfaces / requirements of various OEM manufacturers as possible with as few interfaces as possible, particularly within the pump itself. A further aim is to achieve a significant reduction in the number of variants while maintaining a consistently high level of adaptability to specific customer requirements.

[0005] These tasks are solved with regard to the method by a method for creating a bus-type-independent electronics platform for the control electronics of an electric drive, in particular a fluid pump, wherein the control electronics for a plurality of variants of the fluid pump has a control electronics board with a uniform board layout and the board layout has a connection pin pattern with a plurality of connection pins, the fluid pump has a connector module as an interface from the connection pin pattern of the control electronics to a pin pattern of a customer's vehicle electrical system, comprising the steps: - Providing all necessary connection pins for all bus types to be covered in the connection pin pattern of the PCB layout; - Arranging the input pins of the connector module in an input pin pattern corresponding to the connection pin pattern of the control electronics board, in particular corresponding to the bus type to be contacted; - Arranging output pins in an output pin pattern of the connector module corresponding to the pin pattern of a mating connector module of the customer's vehicle electrical system; - Transferring the input pin pattern of the connector module into the output pin pattern of the connector module within a connector module housing, wherein several conductor sections, each forming an input pin of the connector module at one end and an output pin of the connector module at the other end, are formed as stamped and bent parts, and the conductor sections are overmolded or overmolded at least in an area between the input pins and the output pins to form a conductor section bundle.

[0006] The overmolding of conductor sections to form a conductor section bundle is carried out, for example, using plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, via a plastic injection molding process. However, a one- or multi-component thermoset can also be used. The bundling by overmolding or casting can take place in a suitable mold into which the conductor sections are placed.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the conductor section bundle is designed as a separate component and inserted into the connector module housing.

[0008] Advantageously, in one embodiment, the conductor sections are bundled in a mold for the connector module housing during the manufacture of the connector module housing by overmolding or overmolding.

[0009] For bus-specific adaptation to a customer-specific vehicle electrical system, for example of a particular vehicle, it is useful that the circuit board layout provides at least one connection pin pattern for at least one of the bus types listed below: - Pulse width modulation - LIN bus (local interconnect network, sensors, actuators), especially in version 2.2 including UDS (Unified Diagnostic Systems) - CAN bus, especially CAN-FD (CAN bus with flexible data rate) - Flex-Ray bus (Research: planned bus types e-vehicles) - Ethernet

[0010] To create a reliable, easy and economical connection, it has proven effective to connect the input pins of the connector module to the corresponding connection pins of the connection pin pattern of the control electronics board using press-fit pins, solder connections and / or spring-loaded contact elements.

[0011] A further reduction in individual adaptation effort can be achieved if the pin assignment of the connection pin pattern is adapted to the customer-specific vehicle electrical system solely by means of an adapted conductor section routing within the connector module.

[0012] It is advantageous if a uniform connector collar for attaching the connector module to a uniform end cover of the fluid pumps is molded onto the connector module on the fluid pump side, regardless of customer-specific interface geometries.

[0013] This makes it possible in a special way to reduce the variety of variants and, in particular, to standardize cost-intensive metal components of fluid pumps, such as an end cover.

[0014] With regard to the control electronics, the variety of variants can be reduced to a significant degree if a circuit board layout is used for the control electronics, which is adapted to different customer-specific requirements, for example with regard to pump performance, a bus system used or the like, by means of adapted component placement.

[0015] Such control electronics can be implemented, for example, by using a uniform component placement pattern, i.e., a so-called footprint of the circuit board layout, whereas, for example, different components, such as capacitors of different capacitances, transistors, or, more generally, semiconductor elements with different performance or different heat dissipation, are arranged for a specific component on the designated placement location of the circuit board layout.

[0016] To further simplify and reduce complexity and the variety of variants, it may also be advantageous to provide a uniform mechanical interface independent of customer requirements on a drive housing or on the end cover of the fluid pumps, suitable for different plug modules, in particular for their uniform plug collars.

[0017] Such a measure makes fluid pumps of uniform mechanical design usable for a wide variety of customer-specific requirements without having to make any modifications to, for example, mechanical components of the fluid pumps, such as housing components.

[0018] With regard to the fluid pump-specific tasks, these are solved by means of a fluid pump comprising a bus-type-crossing electronics platform for the control electronics, created according to the inventive method.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: an end cover, an intermediate layer and control electronics as well as a customer-specific plug module for a fluid pump which was manufactured according to the inventive method, in an exploded view; Fig. 2: the order according to Fig. 1 in an isometric view during assembly; Fig. 3 A: a top view of a first embodiment of a control electronics board with 5 connection pins; Fig. 3 B: an isometric view of a customer-specific connector module, which connects to the control electronics board on the pump side according to Fig. 3 A is agreed upon; Fig. 4 A: a top view of a second embodiment of a control electronics board with 4 connection pins; Fig. 4 B: an isometric view of a customer-specific connector module, which connects to the control electronics board on the pump side according to Fig. 4 A is tuned; Fig. 5 A: a top view of a third embodiment of a control electronics board with 3 connection pins; Fig. 5 B: an isometric view of a customer-specific connector module, which connects to the control electronics board on the pump side according to Fig. 3 A is agreed upon; Fig. 6: an isometric view of a first embodiment of a conductor section bundle showing 3 input pins arranged offset on the input pin side; Fig. 7: an isometric view of a second embodiment of a conductor section bundle showing 3 input pins arranged in a row on the input pin side; Fig. 8: a flowchart relating to the method according to the invention

[0020] The inventive method is schematically described in Fig. 8 is shown in a flowchart and serves to create a bus-type-independent electronics platform for a control electronics 1 of an electric drive, in particular a fluid pump, wherein the control electronics for a plurality of variants of the fluid pump has a control electronics board 2 with a uniform board layout 3 and the board layout 3 has a connection pin pattern 4 with a plurality of connection pins 5, wherein the fluid pump has a connector module 6 as an interface to a pin pattern 7 of a customer's on-board network.

[0021] According to a method according to the invention ( Fig. 8) In step S 101, the provision of all necessary connection pins 5 into the connection pin pattern 4 of the circuit board layout 3 is carried out.

[0022] With regard to the reference numerals for the device components, particular reference is made to the Fig. 1 to 7 referred.

[0023] In step S 102, input pins 8 of the connector module 6 are arranged in an input pin pattern 9 corresponding to a connection pin pattern 5 of the control electronics board 2, in particular corresponding to a bus type to be contacted.

[0024] In step S 103, output pins 10 are arranged in an output pin pattern 11 of the connector module 6 corresponding to the pin pattern of a mating connector module of the customer's vehicle electrical system.

[0025] In step S 104, the input pin pattern 9 of the connector module 6 is converted into the output pin pattern 11 of the connector module 6 within a connector module housing 13, wherein several conductor sections 14, each forming an input pin 8 of the connector module 6 at one end and an output pin 10 of the connector module 6 at the other end, are formed as stamped and bent parts, and the conductor sections 14 are overmolded or cast at least in an area between the input pins 8 and the output pins 10 to form a conductor section bundle 15.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows an end cover 17 for an electric drive of a fluid pump (not shown). The end cover 17 has an inner surface 17.1 which, when the end cover 17 is installed, faces the motor interior of an electric drive of a fluid pump. An insulating intermediate layer 18 is placed against the end cover 17.

[0027] Viewed from the end cover 17, following the insulating intermediate layer 18, the control electronics 1 are arranged with the control electronics board 2. The control electronics board 2 has a board layout 3, which essentially comprises an arrangement of individual component parts 3.1, such as capacitors, transistors, resistors, integrated circuits, and / or inductors. The board layout 3 has a uniform arrangement pattern for the component parts 3.1 and a connection pin pattern 4 for all variants of the control electronics 1 to be covered, which in the present embodiment is shown according to Fig. 1, for example, has six connection pins 5, which are used to contact input pins 8 of the connector module 6 (compare Fig. 3 B, Fig. 4 B, Fig. 5 B), which form a specific input pin pattern 9, are provided.

[0028] The end cap 17 has, in a joining direction FR, a standardized receiving opening 17.2 aligned with the connection pin pattern 4 for receiving a standardized connector collar 16 of the connector module 6. In the context of this invention, "standardized" means that the geometries are identical across different variants of the fluid pumps. For example, the connector collar 16 is geometrically identical across variants, corresponding to the geometrically identical receiving opening 17.2 of different end caps 17, so that the end cap 17 can be used uniformly across different variants of the fluid pumps. Corresponding to the receiving opening 17.2, the intermediate layer 18 also has an opening 18.1.

[0029] Thus, during assembly, it can be ensured that the input pins 8 of the connector module 6 can penetrate the receiving opening 17.2 and the opening 18.1, and that the connection pins 5 of the connection pin pattern 4 of the control electronics board 2 can contact each other from a bottom surface 100. To achieve this, the connection pins 5 are present and plated through the thickness of the control electronics board 2.

[0030] The connector module 6 is essentially defined by the connector module housing 13 in terms of its spatial shape and has a connector receptacle 19 for connecting a mating connector module (not shown), which can be connected, for example, to a vehicle electrical system wiring harness (not shown). Within the connector receptacle 19, the output pins 10 of the conductor sections 14 are arranged in the output pin pattern 11 (see in particular the figure). Fig. 6 and Fig. 7).

[0031] In Fig. Figure 6 shows an example of conductor track sections where the input pins 5 are offset from each other in the direction R1, whereas the representation according to Figure 6 is shown in Figure 6. Fig. Figure 7 shows an example where the input pins 5 of all three depicted input pins 5 are arranged in a row. These illustrations are intended to demonstrate how the conductor sections 14 can be arranged on the input pin side to adapt to the connection pin pattern 4. This is, of course, also possible on the output pin side by appropriately designing the conductor sections 14.

[0032] In Fig. 2 is the one in Fig. 1. Exploded view of the assembly shown in the assembled state.

[0033] In summary, the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 makes it clear that for different connection variants, the control electronics 1 with the control electronics board 2, if present, the intermediate layer 18, and the end cap 17 can be designed identically across variants. The connector module 6 has the uniform connector collar 16 for insertion into the receiving opening 17. Customer-specific customization with regard to a customer-specific output pin pattern 11 and with regard to the geometric shape of at least the connector receptacles 19 is achieved exclusively by adapting the connector module 6. The geometric arrangement of the connector receptacle 19 can also be customized. Thus, a plug-in direction perpendicular to the insertion direction FR or at any angle to the insertion direction FR, and any rotational arrangement of the connector receptacle 19 around the insertion direction FR, can be achieved by customer-specific individual adaptation only of the connector module housing 13 or 17.of the connector module 6.

[0034] Based on the following description of the Fig. 3 A, Fig. 4 A, Fig. Section 5 describes a total of 3 different variants of customer-specific control electronics 1, which differ only in their pin configuration 5. All 3 variants according to the Fig. 3 A, Fig. 3 B and Fig. 3 C have the same circuit board layout 3 with identical component positions 3.1. The variants shown differ only in the area of ​​the connection pin pattern 4 as follows: the connection pin patterns 5, which are in the Fig. 3 A, Fig. 3 B and Fig. 3 C are represented as solid dots, representing the electrically occupied connection pins 5, whereas a circular representation of one of the connection pins 5 denotes an electrically unoccupied connection pin 5.

[0035] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 A thus the connection pin pattern 4 is formed by a total of five electrically occupied connection pins 5, which are arranged in two rows, with a middle connection pin 5 of a row (in the view according to Fig. 3 A of the lower row) is not electrically occupied.

[0036] In the embodiment according to the Fig. In the 4A embodiment, only 4 connection pins 5 are electrically occupied, with two connection pins 5 not being electrically occupied. Fig. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 A are all electrically occupied connection pins 5 in a row (in the view according to Fig. 5 A the top row). Of course, any other possible configuration of the connection pins 5, resulting in any connection pin pattern 4, can be implemented. It is essential that the board layout 3 remains the same for the control electronics board 2, regardless of the specific configuration of the connection pins 5 and the resulting connection pin pattern 4.

[0037] To accommodate different pin configurations 4, slots for contact elements, such as press-fit pins, are provided uniformly across all variants of the control electronics board 2. Of course, instead of press-fit pins, free solder pads or spring-loaded contact elements can also be provided on the electrically occupied pins 5. For example, to implement differently powered fluid pump modules for electric drives of fluid pumps, it may be advantageous to replace the components 3.1 of a lower-powered control electronics board 1 with higher-powered components 3.1 arranged at the same location on the board layout 3 and having the same component footprint. Thus, a multitude of contact configurations can be achieved with one and the same board layout 3, i.e., with a single design of the control electronics board 2, as well as by adapting the component placement 3.1 a wide range of control electronics performance 1 are covered.

[0038] Corresponding to the examples within the framework of the Fig. 3 A, Fig. 4 A and Fig. The control electronics 1 shown in section 5 A in different variants are shown. Fig. 3 B, Fig. 4 B and Fig. 5 B each corresponding plug modules 6, which have the uniform plug collar 16.

[0039] The connector receptacle 19 is adapted in terms of its spatial orientation and shape to the mating connector module (not shown) of a customer-specific cable harness. Within the connector receptacle 19, the output pins 10 are arranged, forming the output pin pattern 11, which corresponds to the contact assignments in the customer-specific mating connector module (not shown).

[0040] In the representation according to Fig. 3B is the input pin pattern 9 with five input pins 8 corresponding to the connection pin pattern 4 of the control electronics board 2 according to Fig. 3A shown. In the illustration according to Fig. 4B is the input pin pattern 9 having four input pins 8, corresponding to the connection pin pattern 4 of the control electronics board 2 according to Fig. 4A shown. In the illustration according to Fig. 5B is the input pin pattern 9 with three input pins 8 corresponding to the connection pin pattern 4 of the control electronics board 2 according to Fig. 5 A shown.

[0041] To adapt the input pin pattern 9 of a connector module 6, which is essentially defined by the connection pin pattern 4 of the control electronics board 2, to a customer-specific output pin pattern 11, formed by the output pins 10, the following procedure is carried out according to the invention. The input pins 8 and the output pins 10 are each connected to each other by a conductor section 14. According to the invention, each of the conductor sections 14 is designed as a metallic stamped and bent part and has an input pin 8 at one end and an output pin 10 at the other end. In a region between the input pins 8 and the output pins 10, compensating sections 14.1 of the conductor track sections 14 are stepped in a first direction R 1 so that they can be guided past each other in different, spaced-apart planes (compare Fig. 6 and Fig.7) By such a "passing-by-pass" arrangement, different pin configurations of the control electronics-specific input pin pattern 9 can be implemented relative to the customer-specific output pin pattern 11. Naturally, the "passing-by-pass" arrangements are electrically isolated and spaced apart from each other. Preferably in the area of ​​the compensating sections 14.1, where the adaptation of the output pin pattern 11 to the input pin pattern 9 is achieved by optionally cross-guiding or stepped-staggered guidance of the conductor track sections 14, several conductor track sections 14 are bundled according to the invention, so that a conductor track bundle 15 is formed. Such bundling can be achieved, for example, by at least partial overmolding or at least partial overmolding with a plastic in an injection mold or a casting mold.In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of conductor track sections 14, which convert a desired input pin pattern 9 into a desired output pin pattern 11, are inserted into a mold for the connector module housing 13 and bundled, for example, during the injection molding manufacturing process of the connector module housing 13 by the plastic forming the connector module housing 13.

[0042] As a result, the method according to the invention allows for a significant reduction in the number of variants of different control electronic circuit boards 2. This applies both to their physical design and to their performance-related adaptation to different pump outputs, for example by mounting different component parts 3.1 on one and the same circuit board layout 3.

[0043] The adaptation of the circuit board layout-specific connection pin pattern 4 to a customer-specific output pin pattern 11 is achieved by appropriately routing the conductor track sections 14 into the compensation section 14.1 and by bundling / overmolding / molding the conductor track bundle 15 during the manufacture of the customer-specific connector module 6. As a result, only the connector module 6 needs to be customized. The end cap 17, the intermediate layer 18, and the control electronics 1, in particular its control electronics board 2, remain unchanged across variants.

[0044] To facilitate the connection of different bus systems, i.e., different data transmission systems, which can vary according to customer requirements, it is advantageous to provide a sufficient number of connection pins 5 in the connection pin pattern 4 and, depending on the data bus used, to electrically connect only a selection of connection pins 5 of the connection pin pattern 4 in order to implement a specific data bus type, such as those typically found in motor vehicles. The figures illustrate variants requiring 3, 4, or 5 connection pins by way of example. Such varying numbers of connection pins 5 can be professionally assigned to corresponding data bus types.Thus, in addition to the performance-related adaptation of a control electronics 1 manufactured according to the invention by varying the component placement of one and the same circuit board layout 3 and the geometric adaptation of the connection pin pattern 4 of the control board 2 to a customer-specific output pin pattern 11, which is implemented in the connector module 6, a data bus adaptation to different data bus types is also possible, in which the connection pin pattern 4 represents different bus types depending on the electrical assignment of the connection pins 5. Reference symbol list 1 Control electronics 2 Control electronics board 3 PCB Layout 3.1 Components 4 connection pin patterns 5 connection pins 6 plug module 7 8 Input Pin 9 Entry pin patterns 10 Output pin 11 Starting pin patterns 12 13 Connector module housing 14 ladder sections 14.1 Compensation sections 15 conductor section bundles 16 plug collars 17 End caps 17.1 Inside 17.2 Intake opening 18 Intermediate shift 18.1 Opening 19 Plug socket Steps S 101 to S104 FR Leading direction R1 first direction

Claims

Method for creating a bus-type-independent electronics platform for a control electronics (1) of an electric drive, in particular a fluid pump, wherein the control electronics (1) has a control electronics board (2) with a uniform board layout (3) for a plurality of variants of the fluid pump and the board layout (3) has a connection pin pattern (4) with a plurality of connection pins (5), the fluid pump has a connector module (6) as an interface from the connection pin pattern (4) of the control electronics (1) to a pin pattern (7) of a customer's vehicle electrical system, comprising the steps of: - providing all necessary connection pins (5) for all bus types to be covered in the connection pin pattern (4) of the board layout (3); - arranging input pins (8) of the connector module (6) in an input pin pattern (9) corresponding to the connection pin pattern (5) of the control electronics board (2), in particular corresponding to a bus type to be contacted;- Arranging output pins (10) in an output pin pattern (11) of the connector module (6) corresponding to the pin pattern (7) of a mating connector module of the customer's vehicle electrical system; - Converting the input pin pattern (9) of the connector module (6) into the output pin pattern (11) of the connector module (6) within a connector module housing (13), wherein several conductor sections (14), each forming an input pin (8) of the connector module (6) at one end and an output pin (10) of the connector module (6) at the other end, are formed as stamped and bent parts, and the conductor sections (14) are overmolded or cast at least in an area between the input pins (8) and the output pins (10) to form a conductor section bundle (15). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor section bundle (15) is designed as a separate component and is inserted into the connector module housing (6). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor sections (14) are bundled in a mold for the connector module housing (13) during the manufacture of the connector module housing (13) by overmolding or overmolding. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection pin pattern (4) of the circuit board layout (3) provides at least one connection pin pattern (4) for at least one of the following bus types: - Pulse width modulation - LIN bus (local interconnect network, sensors, actuators), in particular version 2.2 comprising UDS (Unified Diagnostic Systems) - CAN bus, in particular CAN-FD (CAN bus with flexible data rate) - Flex-Ray bus (research: planned bus types for electric vehicles) - Ethernet Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input pins (8) of the connector module (6) are contacted with the respective corresponding connection pins (5) of the connection pin pattern (4) of the control electronics board (2) by means of press-fit pins, solder connections and / or spring-loaded contact elements. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adaptation of a pin assignment of the connection pin pattern (4) to the customer-specific vehicle electrical system is carried out exclusively by an adapted conductor section routing within the connector module (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a uniform connector collar (16) for fastening the connector module (6) to a uniform end cover (17) of the fluid pump is formed on the fluid pump side, independent of customer-specific interface geometries. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circuit board layout (3) is used for the control electronics (2), which is adapted to different customer-specific requirements, for example with regard to pump performance, a bus system used or the like, by means of adapted component assembly. Method according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that a uniform mechanical receiving interface independent of customer requirements is provided on a drive housing or on the end cover (17) of the fluid pumps for different plug modules (6), in particular for their uniform plug collars (16). Fluid pump comprising a bus-type-crossing electronics platform for the control electronics (1) created according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 9 .

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