Fuse box of a vehicle with monitoring device

Abstract

Fuse box (1) of a vehicle with monitoring device (14), wherein the fuse box (1) comprises: - a power interface (10) to which a power supply (3) and at least one component (2) of the vehicle electrical system to be monitored can be connected, - at least one eFuse (11) and / or at least one conventional, passive fuse (12), each of which can be contacted via the power interface (10) with one of the components (2) of the vehicle electrical system in order to protect them from overload, - a monitoring device (14) arranged and configured to record events, comprising at least one eFuse (11) triggering event and / or on-board network fluctuations, and to make them available as processable data or to process them itself, and - at least one optical interface (4) which is set up for the transmission of data between the fuse box (1) and a vehicle-internal, central or zonal further processing unit, wherein the fuse box (1) further comprises a cascading matrix (13) comprising a plurality of smoothing elements, wherein at least one of these can be contacted with one of the components (2) of the vehicle electrical system via the power interface (10) in such a way that it compensates for an increased inductive or capacitive behavior of the component (2) of the vehicle electrical system, wherein the smoothing elements comprise inductors and / or capacitors and / or resistors, wherein the cascading matrix (13) is only switched on by the monitoring device (14) as a measure when a predetermined parameter of one or more components (2) changes over a predetermined period in order to reduce or increase the total energy at the component (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of monitoring components in the automotive sector by means of electrical fuses.

[0002] To protect the cross-sections of wires and components of a vehicle's electrical system from excessive electrical currents, fuses are used, which are centrally located in a fuse box. Currently, conventional, passive fuses such as cartridge fuses are generally used. Conventional fuses have the disadvantage that they cannot be reused after they have blown and therefore must be replaced. Monitoring components in the electrical system is an important task, especially voltage / current monitoring.

[0003] In EP 1 564 863 B1, the power supply is switched on or off via semiconductor switches. Furthermore, a capacitor is provided as a replacement for a starter battery and is charged accordingly. This also serves as a buffer to compensate for voltage fluctuations from the generator.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2016 111 690 B4 discloses a power distribution unit for use in vehicles. Semiconductor switches are used to disconnect consumers. No monitoring of vehicle electrical system fluctuations is performed. Communication between the power distribution unit and an optional external communication device is via optical communication.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2008 020 348 A1 discloses a potential distribution system within a power distribution unit for use in the aviation sector. Semiconductor switches are used to disconnect loads. Communication between power distribution units is achieved via optical communication.

[0006] In DE 11 2022 003 330 T5 and DE 10 2016 210 058 A1, a safety circuit is disclosed for detecting blown fuses.

[0007] DE 603 ​​19 175 T2 shows redundant connections within a vehicle.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2020 106 210 A1 discloses an energy supply system for a motor vehicle, wherein measured values ​​of the energy supply system are determined and the power distributor is controlled based on these values. A plausibility check of the measured values ​​is also performed.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing improved monitoring of fuse-protected conductor cross-sections and components of a vehicle's on-board electrical system.

[0010] This task is solved by the features of independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0011] A vehicle fuse box with a monitoring device is provided, the fuse box comprising: a power interface to which a power supply and at least one component of the vehicle electrical system to be monitored can be connected, at least one eFuse and / or at least one conventional, passive fuse, each of which can be connected via the power interface to one of the components of the vehicle electrical system in order to protect them against overload, a monitoring device which is arranged and configured to record events, including at least one tripping event of an eFuse and / or fluctuations in the vehicle electrical system, and to make them available as processable data or to process them itself, and at least one optical interface which is configured to transmit the data between the fuse box and a vehicle-internal, central or zonal further processing device.

[0012] In one version, a second interface is provided for the transfer of data between the further processing unit and the backup box, which is formed as an optical or an electrical interface.

[0013] Furthermore, a cascading matrix is ​​provided, comprising a plurality of smoothing elements, wherein at least one of them can be contacted with one of the components of the vehicle electrical system via the power interface in such a way that it compensates for an increased inductive or capacitive behavior of the component of the vehicle electrical system, wherein the smoothing elements comprise inductors and / or capacitors as well as resistors.

[0014] In one embodiment, the monitoring device is designed to include a data interface, a SoC, and a storage unit.

[0015] Furthermore, a system consisting of a fuse box and an in-vehicle processing unit is provided, wherein the data in the monitoring unit or the processing unit are processed in such a way that a decision is made as to whether a measure should be initiated or not, and the measure is transmitted to the fuse box via at least the optical interface.

[0016] Furthermore, a method for monitoring the health status of a vehicle's electrical system is provided by means of an in-vehicle processing unit and a fuse box, wherein, in the event that the monitoring unit detects the triggering of at least one eFuse and / or a fluctuation of the electrical system, this information is either processed by the monitoring unit and transmitted to the processing unit via at least the optical interface, or this information is transmitted to the processing unit as processable data for further processing via at least the optical interface.

[0017] One implementation envisages transferring data processed in the further processing facility to an external cloud application.

[0018] One implementation provides that, in the event that an eFuse has been triggered, a check is performed to determine which functionalities of the vehicle are protected by this eFuse in order to reactivate the eFuse. If the functionalities are available, the eFuse is reactivated by a release signal, and if the functionalities are not available or only partially available, a measure is taken.

[0019] In one embodiment, it is provided that if an exceedance or fall below a predetermined voltage threshold of the vehicle electrical system is detected, a plausibility check of the signal integrity is carried out, whereby if it is determined that signal integrity is present, no action is taken, and if it is determined that signal integrity is not present, a action is taken.

[0020] Furthermore, a computing unit is provided, comprising a central or zonal control unit on which the procedure implemented as a computer program is executed.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any combination in a variant of the invention.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle fuse box with a monitoring device and an optical interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the following figure descriptions, identical elements or functions are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0024] In vehicles, electrical components are arranged in a so-called on-board electrical system. Each electrical component is protected against overload, i.e., excessive current or voltage, by a suitable fuse. The fuses are centrally located in a fuse box. Currently, conventional, passive fuses are used, which are no longer usable after they have blown. Conventional, passive fuses are typically cartridge fuses.

[0025] Therefore, it is proposed that conventional, passive fuses be replaced, at least partially, by active, electrical fuses, also known as eFuses. The advantage of eFuses as active fuses is that they can be reused multiple times, as they can be reset even after tripping.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a view of a fuse box 1 of a vehicle with an integrated monitoring device 14 according to an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that a central component of the fuse box 1 is the power interfaces 10, which serve as a connection between the fuses arranged inside the fuse box 1, which are in particular eFuses 11, but can also be conventional fuses 12 or a combination thereof, and electrical consumers of the vehicle electrical system located outside the fuse box 1 (hereinafter also referred to as components 2 of the vehicle electrical system or components 2) and a power supply 3. A monitoring device 14 is also arranged inside the fuse box 1, which is designed to monitor the eFuses 11 and the vehicle electrical system.This monitoring device 14 can include a backbone 140, i.e. a data interface, a SoC 141 (System on Chip), as well as a storage unit for short-term storage of one or more events, and a hardware accelerator, both of which are referred to as reference 142 in . Fig. The monitoring device 14 is designed to detect events related to the eFuses 11, in particular a triggering of the eFuses 11, and / or a fluctuation in the vehicle electrical system, and to transmit them outside the fuse box 1 by means of at least one optical interface 4.

[0027] The optical interface 4 can be implemented as a daisy chain topology, i.e., as a series connection, or as a point-to-point connection and can include Ethernet protocols.

[0028] To provide redundancy for communication between fuse box 1 and external units such as an ECU 6, a second interface 5 is provided, which can be either optical or electrical. Both interfaces 4 and 5 can transmit signals and data in both directions, as shown in Fig. 1 represented by the double arrow.

[0029] The material of the optical transmission link can be a POF (polymer optical fiber), a glass fiber or a polymer microwave fiber.

[0030] The optical transmission path must be protected against thermal, mechanical or electrical stresses by appropriate measures.

[0031] The events detected by the monitoring device 14 (triggering of an eFuse 11 or fluctuation in the vehicle electrical system) are transmitted to a processing unit outside the fuse box 1, which is preferably an in-vehicle central or zonal control unit ECU 6. This can serve as an interface to the overall vehicle system (e.g., a central control unit). The information obtained from the data processing can, in one configuration, be transmitted to an external cloud application (as Cloud 7 in Fig. (designated 1) are transmitted to be available to other vehicles. In an alternative embodiment, the transmission of the events captured by the monitoring device 14 can also take place from the vehicle's internal control unit ECU to a cloud application located outside the vehicle (Cloud 7 in ). Fig. 1) to process the data, which is then transferred to the vehicle's internal control unit ECU.

[0032] Events that can be detected by the monitoring device 14 include the triggering of one or more eFuses 11 and / or a fluctuation in the vehicle electrical system. Through appropriate processing, e.g., in the SoC 141, various parameters of the vehicle electrical system can be monitored, such as voltage dips, electrical currents, the temperature of components 2, and conductor cross-sections.

[0033] In one embodiment, a cascading matrix 13 is provided, which comprises a multitude of smoothing elements. Smoothing elements are, for example, capacitors or inductors with a predefined design. At least one of the smoothing elements can be contacted with one of the components 2 via the power interface 10 in such a way that it can compensate for increased inductive or capacitive behavior of component 2 in order to protect the vehicle electrical system from undervoltages or overvoltages. If one smoothing element is insufficient, one or more additional smoothing elements can be connected. It can be provided that the cascading matrix 13 is only activated as a measure when a predefined parameter of one or more components 2 changes over a predefined (longer) period of time, in order to reduce or increase the total energy at component 2.It is therefore not activated if only individual spikes are detected. Activation occurs, for example, through a control signal from the SoC 141 of the monitoring device 14, or a release message to the SoC 141 from a function of, for example, a central / zonal control unit ECU 6.

[0034] It is necessary to differentiate, based on the current demand or voltage level depending on the time, whether the fuse has tripped or an overcurrent (individual spikes) has been identified in the vehicle electrical system.

[0035] The connection to the outside of fuse box 1 via an optical interface 4 galvanically isolates fuse box 1 from the vehicle's electrical system. This allows safety-critical data to be transmitted to a central control unit of the vehicle. Furthermore, measures can be taken at the system level in near real-time.

[0036] The proposed fuse box 1 with its integrated monitoring device 14 enables monitoring of the health status of individual components 2 as well as fluctuations in the vehicle's electrical system. The use of eFuses 11 allows for improved monitoring, as data from events related to the eFuses 11 within the fuse box 1, in particular the triggering of one or more eFuses 11, can be processed either directly within the fuse box 1, e.g., in the SoC 141, and / or transmitted outside the fuse box 1 to a further processing device (ECU). Fig. 1) can be transferred to perform processing there or to further process data already processed within backup box 1, e.g. in SOC 141.

[0037] eFuses 11 can be reused multiple times by reactivating them after a triggering event using a release signal. The release signal is transmitted to the corresponding eFuse 11 after a corresponding check to determine whether the eFuse 11 may be reactivated, e.g., by a control signal from the SoC 141 of the monitoring device 14 or a release message to the SoC 141 via a function of, for example, a central / zonal control unit ECU 6, using optical interface 4 (or interface 5 if interface 4 is unavailable).

[0038] In the event of, for example, a fault or defect in component 2 or a conductor cross-section, multiple tripping events can occur in quick succession. To detect a malfunction, the power integrity (current integrity) of the voltage level or current level of each component 2 and / or signal integrity can be checked. Only when the signal integrity and / or power integrity is confirmed is a tripped eFuse 11 reactivated or the vehicle electrical system assessed as OK (functional without over- or undervoltage). If the signal integrity and / or power integrity is not confirmed, measures can be initiated, which depend, among other things, on component 2 and the deviation from a predefined signal integrity and / or power integrity. For example, individual functionalities can be selectively deactivated, or the vehicle can be brought into a safe state.

[0039] In the event of over- or undervoltage within a certain range—that is, exceeding or falling below a predefined voltage threshold below which not all functionalities are available—a plausibility check of the signal integrity is performed. If signals are still being received, the voltage level is within acceptable limits, there are no communication interruptions, etc., signal integrity is confirmed, and no action is taken. If signal integrity is compromised, a predefined action is initiated, or a specific action is determined.

[0040] In the event of an eFuse 11 tripping, this tripping is provided as a message for further processing, e.g., by the ECU. A higher-level check is performed to ensure that the functionalities protected by the eFuse 11 remain available. If so, a release signal is sent to the eFuse 11 (as previously described) to reactivate it. This can, for example, prevent unnecessary trips to the workshop. In principle, conventional fuses 12 could also be monitored in this way if suitable measuring devices were available. If the functionalities are unavailable or only partially available, a predefined action is initiated or a specific action is determined.

[0041] To perform the monitoring tasks, a computing unit is provided, which can be either just the SoC 141 or a combination of SoC 141 and computing units provided outside the fuse box 1, such as a central or zonal ECU 6, as well as other control units of the vehicle if required.

[0042] The fuse box 1 can be used in the area of ​​a low-voltage electrical system (12V, 24V, 48V) or in the high-voltage area of ​​a vehicle. Reference symbol list 1 fuse box 10 power interfaces 11 eFuses 12 conventional fuses 13 Cascading Matrix 14 Monitoring device 140 Communication interface (backbone) 141 SoC 142 storage unit / hardware accelerator 2 electrical consumers (component) 3 Energy supply 4 optical interfaces 5 optical or electrical interface 6 ECU / external, zonal control unit 7 Cloud / Cloud application

Claims

[1] Fuse box (1) of a vehicle with monitoring device (14), wherein the fuse box (1) comprises: - a power interface (10) to which a power supply (3) and at least one component (2) of the vehicle electrical system to be monitored can be connected, - at least one eFuse (11) and / or at least one conventional, passive fuse (12), each of which can be contacted via the power interface (10) with one of the components (2) of the vehicle electrical system in order to protect them from overload, - a monitoring device (14) arranged and configured to record events, comprising at least one eFuse (11) triggering event and / or on-board network fluctuations, and to make them available as processable data or to process them itself, and - at least one optical interface (4) which is set up for the transmission of data between the fuse box (1) and a vehicle-internal, central or zonal further processing unit, wherein the fuse box (1) further comprises a cascading matrix (13) comprising a plurality of smoothing elements, wherein at least one of these can be contacted with one of the components (2) of the vehicle electrical system via the power interface (10) in such a way that it compensates for an increased inductive or capacitive behavior of the component (2) of the vehicle electrical system, wherein the smoothing elements comprise inductors and / or capacitors and / or resistors, wherein the cascading matrix (13) is only switched on by the monitoring device (14) as a measure when a predetermined parameter of one or more components (2) changes over a predetermined period in order to reduce or increase the total energy at the component (2). [2] Backup box (1) according to claim 1, wherein a second interface (5) for the transmission of data between the further processing device and the backup box (1) is provided, which is formed as an optical or an electrical interface. [3] Backup box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (14) comprises a data interface (140), a SoC (141) and a storage unit (142). [4] System comprising a fuse box (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a vehicle-internal processing unit, wherein the data in the monitoring unit (14) or the processing unit are processed in such a way that a decision is made as to whether or not to initiate a measure and the measure is transmitted to the fuse box (1) via at least the optical interface (4). [5] A method for monitoring the health status of a vehicle's electrical system by means of an in-vehicle processing unit and a fuse box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event that the monitoring unit (14) detects the tripping of at least one eFuse (11) and / or a fluctuation of the electrical system, this information is either processed by the monitoring unit (14) and transmitted to the processing unit via at least the optical interface (4), or this information is transmitted to the processing unit as processable data for further processing via at least the optical interface (4), and wherein the cascading matrix (13) is activated by the monitoring unit (14) only when a predetermined parameter of one or more components (2) changes over a predetermined period of time,to reduce or increase the total energy at component (2). [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein data processed in the further processing facility is transferred to an external cloud application. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, in the event that an eFuse (11) has been triggered, a check is carried out to determine which functionalities of the vehicle are secured via this eFuse (11) in order to reactivate the eFuse (11), wherein, in the event that the functionalities are available, the eFuse (11) is reactivated by a release signal, and in the event that the functionalities are not available or only partially available, a measure is taken. [8] Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein in the event that an exceedance or fall below a predetermined voltage threshold of the vehicle electrical system is detected, a plausibility check of the signal integrity is performed, wherein in the event that it is determined that signal integrity is present, no action is taken, and in the event that it is determined that signal integrity is not present, a measure is taken. [9] Computing unit comprising a central or zonal control unit (ECU) on which the method implemented as a computer program according to any one of claims 5 to 8 is executed.

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