Electronic control unit and method for supplying energy to an electronic component of an electronic control unit

Abstract

Electronic control unit (100) with a control unit body (200) comprising a control unit housing (101) and an electronic component (102) attached externally to the control unit housing (101), wherein the control unit body (200) is designed to inductively supply the electronic component (102) with energy at least.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control unit and a method for supplying an electronic control unit according to the independent claims. State of the art

[0002] Electronic control units, especially those with high power requirements, often produce so much heat that active cooling is necessary. The active cooling units used for this purpose require a power supply. Various options are available for this. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic control unit with a control unit body comprising a control unit housing and an electronic component attached externally to the control unit housing, wherein the control unit body is designed to inductively supply the electronic component with at least energy.

[0004] An electronic control unit (ECU) is an electronic unit for controlling various functions. Specifically, the ECU is designed as a vehicle computer within a centralized vehicle architecture. As such, it can, for example, centrally control various functions within the vehicle.

[0005] This can result in high power consumption, generating a significant amount of heat within the control unit's main body. The control unit's main body can be understood as the basic structure of the electronic control unit, encompassing the control unit housing and internal electronics. This generated heat must be dissipated to prevent any impairment of the electronic control unit's functionality. Active cooling of the electronic control unit can be used for this purpose. The electronic component attached to the control unit housing can, for example, be designed as a fan. Such a fan can direct an airflow, particularly over fin-shaped features of the control unit housing. These fin-shaped features are thermally coupled to heat-generating components within the control unit's main body in such a way that the fins themselves are cooled.

[0006] Mounting the electronic component externally on the control unit housing advantageously results in improved sealing of the electronic control unit against external influences such as dust and moisture. In particular, when the electronic component is designed as a fan with a fin-shaped design, better sealing can be achieved because an open grille is not required. This reduces the electronic control unit's sensitivity to environmental influences.

[0007] The fact that the electronic component is inductively powered can be understood as a wireless energy transfer from the control unit housing to the electronic control unit. The advantage of this is that it eliminates the need for cable connections to the electronic component. This further reduces the risk of leaks in the control unit housing. This simplifies assembly, increases reliability (no cable breaks), and allows for more flexible placement of the electronic component. Furthermore, the elimination of connectors leads to easier and safer replacement of the electronic component. Maintenance is significantly simplified, as the fan can be replaced simply by loosening and tightening, for example, screws. This requires no electronics expertise and only minimal effort (e.g.,...(maximum torque when tightening the screws) and can therefore also be done in a workshop.

[0008] Furthermore, this solution is also advantageous from the perspective of functional safety and technical function monitoring, as no monitoring of lines for overheating, short circuit, etc. is required.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit housing has a primary coil designed to generate an electromagnetic field, and the electronic component has a secondary coil designed to absorb energy from the electromagnetic field.

[0010] The primary coil is specifically designed as a coil through which alternating current flows and which generates the electromagnetic field. The secondary coil is specifically designed as a coil that receives the electromagnetic field within the electronic component and generates a current through induction.

[0011] The advantage of this design is that the use of primary and secondary coils enables efficient and controlled energy transfer. The spatial separation of the coils allows for a hermetic seal between the electronic control unit and the electronic component.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic component is attached to the control unit housing by means of a holding device, wherein the holding device comprises at least one holder projecting from the control unit housing, which receives the primary coil and engages in a recess in a component housing around which the secondary coil is arranged.

[0013] The holding device can thus be understood as a mechanical device for attaching the electronic component to the electronic control unit. In addition to the protruding mounting bracket that engages with the component housing, the holding device can include other retention options. For example, screw connections can be part of the holding device. In particular, the control unit housing has threaded recesses that serve to attach the electronic component to the control unit housing using screws. Alternatively, the other retention options can be designed as magnetic connections. Neodymium magnets, for example, are conceivable. This results in an even simpler and more secure replacement of the electronic component.

[0014] The advantage of this design is that it allows for precise alignment of the primary and secondary coils, thus optimizing energy transfer efficiency. The bracket also serves as a mechanical fastener. It ensures that the electronic component is correctly oriented and cannot easily rotate. It supports the electronic component, reducing assembly effort. Simultaneously, the bracket facilitates energy transfer, acting as an antenna for the emission of the electromagnetic field.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the holding device comprises at least two holders protruding from the control unit housing.

[0016] The advantage of this design is that two or more brackets increase mechanical stability. Furthermore, power transmission can be improved. Additionally, it enables a redundant power supply, which increases system reliability. This can be advantageous, for example, in electronic control units with high safety requirements.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic component includes a rectifier circuit designed to rectify the inductive energy. A rectifier circuit is defined here as an electronic circuit that converts alternating current into direct current. The rectifier circuit can be, for example, a diode or a bridge rectifier.

[0018] The advantage of this design is that the rectifier circuit allows direct use of the inductively transferred energy without the need for a separate power supply.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the primary and secondary coils are additionally configured to transmit data via the electromagnetic field. In other words, in addition to the inductive power supply, data exchange can take place between the control unit body and the electronic component. Information can be exchanged between the control unit body and the electronic component.

[0020] Inductive coupling can therefore be used not only for energy transmission but also for data transmission. This advantageously reduces the number of required cables and simplifies the system.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the primary coil and / or secondary coil are configured to modulate data signals onto the electromagnetic field. In other words, the electromagnetic field is modulated.

[0022] The modulation technique advantageously enables the transmission of data via inductive coupling. This allows, for example, the control and monitoring of the electronic component. Data is also transmitted from the electronic component, particularly by varying the impedance of the secondary coil. This enables bidirectional data transmission.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, a circuit of the electronic component includes a capacitor. A capacitor is an electronic component that can store electrical energy.

[0024] The advantage of this design is that it ensures stable operation of the electronic component. For example, the capacitor can be used to smooth rectified current or to store energy in order to bridge short-term interruptions in the power supply.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic component is configured as either a fan or a microcontroller. A fan is understood to be a device designed to cool the electronic control unit. A microcontroller is understood to be an electronic control unit based on a microcontroller.

[0026] The electronic control unit and the attached electronic component presented here thus exhibit a certain degree of flexibility. Various modular units can be used as electronic components. For example, an inductively powered fan can be used to cool the electronic control unit without requiring additional cables. An inductively powered microcontroller controller allows for flexible placement and simplifies system integration. If necessary, this design can also incorporate a dedicated connector for data transmission. The advantage then lies in the clean separation of data communication channels and the power supply.

[0027] The invention further relates to a method for supplying an electronic component of an electronic control unit at least with energy, wherein the electronic control unit has a control unit base body which comprises a control unit housing and wherein the electronic component is attached externally to the control unit housing, and wherein the supply of the electronic component is inductive via the control unit base body.

[0028] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Drawings

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical reference numerals in the figures denote identical or equivalently acting elements. The figures show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of an electronic control unit in a top view; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a control unit body in a top view; Fig. 3 an embodiment of an electronic control unit in a side view; Fig. 4 an embodiment of an internal structure of a section of the control unit housing and an internal structure in the electronic component; Fig. 5 an embodiment of a method for supplying an electronic component of an electronic control unit with at least energy.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic control unit 100 in a top view. The electronic control unit has a control unit body which comprises a control unit housing 101. An electronic component 102 is attached to the control unit housing 101. The control unit body is designed to inductively supply the electronic component 102 with energy. Further electronic components may also be present inside the control unit housing 101, enabling the control of various functions, for example, of a vehicle. However, such electronics are not shown here for the sake of simplicity. Airflow-guiding and surface-enlarging fins are also omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0031] In this example, the electronic component 102 is designed as a fan 104. The electronic component 102 comprises a component housing 103. A recess 106 is provided in the component housing 103. The electronic component 102 is fastened to the control unit housing 101 by several screws 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3, in this embodiment three. The number 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3 is only for illustrative purposes.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a control unit base body 200 in a top view. This could, for example, be the control unit base body 200 made of Fig. 1. The control unit body 200 comprises a control unit housing 101 and a mounting device. The mounting device, in turn, comprises a bracket 202 projecting from the control unit housing 101. This bracket 202 can engage in a recess of an electronic component to be mounted. The control unit housing 101 is also provided with several, in this embodiment three, threaded recesses 201-1, 201-2 and 201-3. These recesses 201-1, 201-2 and 201-3 can also be part of the mounting device. The control unit housing 101 could also have several brackets like the one shown in Fig. 2 shown bracket 202.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an electronic control unit 100 in a side view. An electronic component 102 is attached to the control unit housing 101. The electronic component 102 is, for example, designed as a fan 104. The electronic component 102 comprises a component housing 103. A retaining device serves to attach the electronic component 102 to the control unit housing 101. This device comprises, firstly, the bracket 202 projecting from the control unit housing 101. The bracket 202 engages in the recess 106 in the component housing, as indicated by the dashed lines. Secondly, the retaining device also includes at least one screw 105. A screw axis 301 of the screw 105 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the internal structure of a section of the control unit housing 101 and an internal structure of the electronic component 102. The control unit housing 101 includes a bracket 202 projecting from the control unit housing 101, which engages in a recess 106 of the component housing 103 of the electronic component 102. The control unit housing 101 also has a primary coil 401, which is designed to generate an electromagnetic field. The bracket 202 accommodates the primary coil 401. Furthermore, a current transformer 402, which can convert between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), can be seen in the part of the control unit housing 101 shown here.

[0035] The electronic component 102 has a secondary coil 403 inside the component housing 103. The secondary coil is arranged around the recess 106. The electronic component 102 also includes a rectifier circuit 404, a capacitor 405, and a motor 406. The motor 406 is designed to drive the electronic component 102.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method 500 for supplying an electronic component of an electronic control unit with at least energy. Here, the electronic control unit has a control unit body that includes a control unit housing, and the electronic component is attached to the outside of the control unit housing. The electronic control unit can, for example, be the one described above. Fig.1 or 3 correspond to the steps. The process starts in step 501. In step 502, the electronic component is inductively supplied with energy. In an optional step 503, data is also transmitted using an electromagnetic field. The process ends in step 504.

Claims

[1] Electronic control unit (100) with a control unit body (200) comprising a control unit housing (101) and an electronic component (102) attached externally to the control unit housing (101), wherein the control unit body (200) is configured to inductively supply the electronic component (102) with at least energy. [2] Electronic control unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit housing (101) has a primary coil (401) which is configured to generate an electromagnetic field, and wherein the electronic component (102) has a secondary coil (403) which is configured to absorb energy from the electromagnetic field. [3] Electronic control unit (100) according to claim 2, wherein the electronic component (102) is attached to the control unit housing (101) by means of a holding device, wherein the holding device comprises at least one holder (202) projecting from the control unit housing (101), which receives the primary coil (401) and engages in a recess (106) in a component housing (103) around which the secondary coil (403) is arranged. [4] Electronic control unit (100) according to claim 2, wherein the holding device comprises at least two holders (202) projecting from the control unit housing (101). [5] Electronic control unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a rectifier circuit (404) is provided in the electronic component (102) which is designed to rectify the inductive energy. [6] Electronic control unit (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the primary coil (401) and the secondary coil (403) are additionally configured to transmit data by means of the electromagnetic field. [7] Electronic control unit (100) according to claim 6, wherein the primary coil (401) and / or secondary coil (403) is / are configured to modulate data signals onto the electromagnetic field. [8] Electronic control unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a circuit of the electronic component (102) comprises a capacitor (405). [9] Electronic control unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic component (102) is designed as a fan (104) or as a microcontroller control. [10] Method (500) for supplying an electronic component of an electronic control unit with at least energy, wherein the electronic control unit has a control unit body comprising a control unit housing and wherein the electronic component is attached externally to the control unit housing, and wherein the supply (502, 503) of the electronic component is inductively provided by means of the control unit body.

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