Circuit arrangement, in particular power board and circuit component thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement comprising a mainboard, an electronic control unit, and several outputs that are switched according to the electronic control unit. The outputs are switched using plug-in modules controlled by the control unit. The mainboard has plug-in sockets, and the plug-in modules are inserted into these sockets. The plug-in sockets are designed to be suitable for use with flat blade fuses, with the discrete internal contacts of these sockets being used to connect to discrete conductor tracks of the plug-in modules.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a circuit arrangement comprising a programmable electronic circuit and several outputs switched by this electronic circuit. In particular, the invention relates to a circuit arrangement designed as a so-called central electrical unit or power board, which is used especially in the fields of automotive engineering, agricultural, forestry, construction and special machinery manufacturing, household appliances, heating and air conditioning equipment, machinery, and especially for handling circuit engineering tasks in the field of renewable energy generation. More specifically, the invention relates to a printed circuit board-based power distributor that may optionally include an ICCS controller and can be connected to wiring, especially cable harnesses, via plug connectors.

[0002] These circuit arrangements typically employ a mainboard on which a programmable electronic computer is mounted. Power outputs in the form of transistors are controlled via this computer. These transistors, optionally with heat sinks, are also mounted on the mainboard. The mainboard can also accommodate switching elements such as relays and fuses, as well as connectors and sockets for connecting complementary wiring. These relays and fuses are mounted using standardized sockets, which are pressed into corresponding holes in the mainboard after the electronic computer and transistors have been soldered, in a manner known per se. The connections for wiring, i.e., connectors and sockets, are also preferably pressed into the mainboard.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of creating solutions that offer advantages in the manufacture, configuration changes, especially power scaling, and, if applicable, maintenance and repair of circuit arrangements, particularly in the realization of so-called central electrical systems.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a circuit arrangement comprising: - a motherboard, - an electronic control unit and - several outputs that are switched according to the electronic control unit, - where the outputs are switched using plug-in modules that are controlled by the control unit, - the mainboard has sockets and - the plug-in modules are inserted into the plug sockets.

[0005] This advantageously makes it possible to design the power stages to be controlled by the control unit as a pluggable, modular circuit capable of being connected and addressed. Conventional fuse sockets, otherwise used for the electrical integration of blade fuses, can be used for mechanical securing and electrical contact. The invention is based on the approach of using the contact elements provided in such fuse sockets not for contacting a continuous metallic fuse contact, but for contacting discrete conductor tracks formed on a circuit board that has insertion sections which can be plugged into the fuse socket.This approach can be particularly advantageous when sockets for flat blade fuses are installed on the mainboard and are used both as sockets for flat blade fuses and as sockets for plug-in modules with several discrete conductor sections that come into contact with certain contact elements of the socket.

[0006] The sockets are designed to be suitable as bases for blade fuses, with the discrete internal contacts of these sockets being used, deviating from their original design purpose, to connect discrete conductor tracks of the plug-in modules. In the electrical circuit arrangement, at least one of the sockets is thus designed as a base that is mechanically compatible with a blade fuse, but is used to connect several conductor sections of a plug-in module that are supported by an insulating carrier.

[0007] The socket itself is preferably pressed into the mainboard. The plug-in module comprises a module board. This module board provides two insertion sections that can be plugged into the socket. Discrete conductor sections are formed on these two insertion sections, with these conductor sections providing contact surfaces that make electrically conductive contact with contact elements of the socket. Conductor sections can be formed on both sides of the insertion sections. The module board can carry a transistor or another electrically controllable component that provides a switching function.

[0008] The module board can be designed to carry a bus circuit and be addressable. However, it is also possible to include only a minimal set of electronic components on the module board, which are controlled practically using analog technology via a discrete contact of the socket.

[0009] The respective socket preferably provides several contact elements, and at least two of these contact elements can be coupled via low-impedance connections. At least one of the contact elements is used for signal input or output to the circuit of the plug-in module. Preferably, as many contact elements of the socket as possible are used for the power circuit, and ideally only one or two contact elements are used for controlling the plug-in module. In the standard case, a plug-in socket then provides four, six, or eight contact elements that can be coupled to complementary exposed conductor sections on the module board. Some of the contact elements are used for the power circuit, and only a sufficient number are used for communication between the plug-in module and the main control unit of the power board.

[0010] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawing. It shows Fig. 1 a section of a power board with a plug-in module inserted into a conventional flat fuse socket, which carries an addressable electrical circuit, wherein this circuit itself handles complex tasks and functions in relation to the power circuit also routed through the socket and generates signal feedback to the main control of the board; Fig. 2 A perspective view of the circuit board of a plug-in module with a transistor mounted on it as a switch of a power circuit.

[0011] The representation according Fig. Figure 1 shows a circuit arrangement with a mainboard 1, an electronic control unit 2, and several outputs 3, which are switched according to the electronic control unit 2. The outputs 3 are switched using plug-in modules 4, which are controlled by the control unit 2. The mainboard 1 has plug-in sockets 5, and the plug-in modules 4 are inserted into the plug-in sockets 5.

[0012] The sockets 5 are designed to be suitable as bases for blade fuses, with the discrete internal contacts of these sockets 5 being used to connect to discrete conductor tracks 4a of the plug-in modules 4. The socket 5 is pressed into the main board 1. The second socket 5 visible in this illustration is currently unpopulated; it can be fitted with an identical plug-in module 4 to fulfill circuitry requirements. The plug-in module is equipped with high-performance electronics that perform comprehensive sensory, control, and regulation functions and are in bidirectional signal exchange with the controller 2 located on the main board. The plug-in module includes a transistor 6. The current flowing through the plug-in module is detected, and its temporal profile is recorded.The plug-in module provides a total of eight connections on the side of the circuit board facing the viewer, via conductor tracks 4a. Two of these connections are used for signal processing, i.e., communication with the control unit 2 of the main board 1. The remaining conductor tracks 4a are coupled via transistor 6. For power transfer, the inner conductor tracks 4a are used, and the two outer conductor tracks connect to the control unit 2. On the reverse side of the plug-in module board, facing away from the viewer, there are also eight conductor tracks 4a, which make electrical contact with the respective contact elements of the plug-in socket 5. In this embodiment, the plug-in socket 5 contains eight separate contact claws, which are electrically insulated from each other and, after the plug-in module 4 is inserted, make contact with its conductor tracks 4a, which are aligned in the insertion direction.The positions of the conductor tracks 4a are thus aligned with the positions of the contact claws in the corresponding plug socket 5.

[0013] As shown in the illustration Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the plug-in module 4 comprises a module board 41. The module board 41 provides two plug-in sections 4b, 4c which fit into the plug-in socket 5 (see Figure 2). Fig. 1) are pluggable (however, the embodiment according to Fig. 1 designed for plug-in modules 4 with eight conductor tracks 4a). On these two plug-in sections 4b, 4c, discrete conductor sections 4a are formed, wherein these conductor sections provide contact surfaces that come into electrically conductive contact with contact elements of the plug-in socket 5.

[0014] The module board 41 carries a transistor 6. The module board 41 carries a BUS circuit B, which is not yet soldered in this illustration. This circuit can then be addressed and controlled, and drives the base of the transistor. The invention is based on the fact that conventional sockets for blade fuses provide several contact elements to offer a sufficient cross-section for the current through a blade fuse. According to the invention, at least two of the socket's contact elements can be coupled via the plug-in electronics module, which can be inserted into this fuse socket, using a low-impedance connection. At least one of the contact elements is used for signal coupling into or output from the plug-in module's circuit.

[0015] It is possible to provide four additional interfaces on the plug-in modules, allowing them to communicate with the control unit 2 of the power board. These interfaces also allow the plug-in modules 4 to communicate with other controllers and components such as sensors or encoders.

Claims

[1] Circuit arrangement, with: - a motherboard, - an electronic control unit and - several outputs that are switched according to the electronic control unit, - where the outputs are switched using plug-in modules that are controlled by the control unit, - the mainboard has sockets and - the plug-in modules are inserted into the plug sockets. [2] Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one of the sockets is designed as a socket compatible with a blade fuse. [3] Circuit arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the socket is pressed into the mainboard. [4] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the plug-in module comprises a module board. [5] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , That the module board provides two plug-in sections that can be plugged into the socket. [6] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , That discrete conductor sections are formed on these two insertion sections, wherein these conductor sections provide contact surfaces that come into electrically conductive contact with contact elements of the plug socket. [7] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by That the module board contains a transistor and / or that the module board contains a BUS circuit and can be addressed. [8] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the respective plug socket provides several contact elements and at least two of the contact elements can be coupled via low-impedance switching and at least one of the contact elements is used for signal coupling or signal extraction into the circuit of the plug module. [9] Circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that a plug socket provides four, six or eight contact elements that can be coupled to complementary exposed conductor sections formed on the module board. [10] Plug-in module for a circuit arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 9.

Images