Method for operating a circuit module, and circuit module

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a circuit module, comprising: an electronic circuit (10) having a plurality of components (12); at least one temperature sensor (20) for reliably detecting a temperature of at least one component (12); and an evaluation module (30) for reliably evaluating the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor (20); wherein measurement values of a temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10) are recorded by the at least one temperature sensor (20); the recorded measurement values are securely transmitted to the evaluation module (30); the measurement values transmitted to the evaluation module (30) are evaluated by checking whether measurement values recorded during a period of time meet at least one criterion; and a warning message is output if the at least one criterion is met. The invention relates to a circuit module which can be operated using the method according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Method for operating a circuit unit and circuit unit

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a circuit unit comprising an electronic circuit with multiple components, at least one temperature sensor for reliably detecting the temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit, and an evaluation unit for reliably evaluating the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor. The invention also relates to a circuit unit operable using the method according to the invention.

[0004] It is well known that electronic circuits with components such as transistors or integrated circuits are temperature-sensitive. In particular, excessive temperatures can destroy individual components or even entire electronic circuits. Other electrical devices such as electric motors can also be destroyed by excessive temperatures.

[0005] DE 102 01 421 A1 discloses a circuit for monitoring an electric motor. The circuit comprises a temperature sensor, which is thermally connected to the windings of the electric motor, and an evaluation unit for evaluating the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0006] DE 102014 210 724 A1 discloses a sensor arrangement for a stator of an electrical machine. The sensor arrangement comprises a sensor element that is inserted into a stator tooth of the stator.

[0007] From JP H05276643 A a detector for detecting an overload of an electronic component on a circuit board is known.

[0008] An integrated semiconductor circuit with overheating protection is known from DE 697 12 274 T2.

[0009] US 2009 / 171513 A1 discloses an information processing device comprising a semiconductor memory. DE 102010 018 037 A1 discloses a temperature monitoring system for monitoring the temperature of a component.

[0010] From DE 102020 125642 A1 a system and a method for monitoring a cooling capacity for a semiconductor pulse-controlled inverter are known.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of developing a method for operating a circuit unit and a circuit unit.

[0012] The object is achieved by a method for operating a circuit unit having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims. The object is also achieved by a circuit unit having the features specified in claim 15.

[0013] A method is proposed for operating a circuit unit which comprises an electronic circuit with a plurality of components, at least one temperature sensor for reliably detecting a temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit and an evaluation unit for reliably evaluating the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor.

[0014] In this process, at least one temperature sensor reliably records measured values ​​of the temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit. The recorded measured values ​​are securely transmitted to the evaluation unit. The measured values ​​transmitted to the evaluation unit are reliably evaluated by checking whether measured values ​​recorded during a certain period of time meet at least one criterion. A warning message is issued if at least one criterion is met.

[0015] The method according to the invention allows for the reliable interpretation of the thermal load on an electronic circuit and individual components. By selecting suitable criteria for evaluating the recorded measured values, predictions about the remaining service life of the electronic circuit are possible. This allows the service life of the electronic circuit to be optimized and replacement to be planned in a timely manner.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one temperature sensor records the measured values ​​of the temperature of the at least one component of the electronic circuit cyclically with a cycle time. The cycle time is, for example, one second or one minute.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first criterion is met if at least one measured value recorded during a first period of time exceeds a first limit value. The first period of time is longer than the cycle time. Exceeding the first limit value indicates possible thermal destruction of a component.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a second criterion is met if the difference between two measured values ​​recorded during a second period exceeds a second threshold. The second period is longer than the cycle time and shorter than the first period. Exceeding the second threshold indicates a significant temperature increase during the second period.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a third criterion is met if a minimum number of measured values ​​recorded during a third period exceeds a third limit value. The third period is longer than the cycle time and shorter than the first period. The third limit value is shorter than the first limit value. Exceeding the third limit value indicates excessive heat input during the third period.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a fourth criterion is met if an integral of measured values ​​recorded during a fourth time period exceeds a fourth limit value over the fourth time period. The fourth time period is longer than the cycle time and shorter than the first time period. Exceeding the fourth limit value indicates excessive heat input during the fourth time period.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a fifth criterion is met if the sum of the measured values ​​recorded during a fifth time period exceeds a fifth limit value. The fifth time period is longer than the cycle time and shorter than the first time period. The fifth limit value is greater than the first limit value. The fifth limit value divided by the number of measured values ​​recorded during the fifth time period is less than the first limit value. Exceeding the fifth limit value indicates that heat input was too high during the fifth time period. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a sixth criterion is met if at least one measured value recorded during a sixth time period falls below a sixth limit value. The sixth time period is longer than the cycle time. Falling below the sixth limit value indicates that a component may be destroyed by overcooling.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a seventh criterion is met if the difference between two measured values ​​recorded during a seventh period of time falls below a seventh threshold. The seventh period of time is greater than the cycle time and less than the sixth period of time. Falling below the seventh threshold indicates a significant temperature drop during the seventh period of time.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the circuit unit comprises a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor for reliably detecting a temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit. In this case, measured values ​​of a temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit are reliably recorded simultaneously by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The measured values ​​recorded by the first temperature sensor and the measured values ​​recorded by the second temperature sensor are reliably transmitted to the evaluation unit. An eighth criterion is met if a difference between at least one measured value recorded by the first temperature sensor during an eighth time period and a measured value recorded simultaneously by the second temperature sensor exceeds an eighth limit value. The first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor thus monitor one another.A failure of a temperature sensor is detected promptly.

[0024] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the evaluation unit comprises a counter for counting issued warning messages. The evaluation unit issues an error message if, during a ninth period of time, the number of issued warning messages exceeds a ninth threshold. Preferably, the circuit unit is deactivated simultaneously with the output of the error message.

[0025] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the evaluation unit comprises a neural network. The measured values ​​transmitted to the evaluation unit are fed to the neural network, and the neural network compares a trend of the measured values ​​with previously determined trends of measured values. A neural network allows monitoring of transmitted measured values ​​over an extended period of time. In particular, a neural network is capable of detecting age-related changes in the trend of the measured values.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the neural network is designed as a convolutional network, which has an input layer, a plurality of convolutional layers, and an output layer. In particular, the neural network is preferably designed as a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) with an autoencoder structure. The layers are arranged serially one after the other and linked to one another via mathematical convolution operations. A convolution operation is performed from one layer to the next. The convolution operators used to perform said convolution operations are determined by processing the training data supplied to the neural network.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, training data is supplied to the neural network, which includes curves of measured values ​​of a temperature of the at least one component of the electronic circuit.

[0028] A circuit unit according to the invention comprises an electronic circuit with multiple components, at least one temperature sensor for reliably detecting the temperature of at least one component of the electronic circuit, and an evaluation unit for reliably evaluating the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor. The circuit unit can be operated using the method according to the invention.

[0029] The invention is not limited to the combination of features in the claims. Further possible combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly from the task and / or the problem posed by comparison with the prior art. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures represent the subject matter of the invention only schematically. It shows:

[0030] Figure 1: a schematic representation of a circuit unit.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a circuit unit. The circuit unit comprises an electronic circuit 10. In this case, the electronic circuit 10 serves to control an actuator, for example, an electric motor or a brake. The electronic circuit 10 is, for example, an inverter or a frequency converter and serves to control an electric motor. The electronic circuit 10 is connected to a supply voltage source (not shown here) that supplies a supply voltage, and is supplied with electrical energy from the supply voltage source.

[0032] The electronic circuit 10 comprises several components 12. The components 12 are, for example, transistors and integrated circuits. The electronic circuit 10 further comprises a circuit board 14. The components 12 are arranged on the circuit board 14, which also contains conductive traces.

[0033] The circuit unit includes a temperature sensor 20. The temperature sensor 20 is also arranged on the circuit board 14 of the electronic circuit 10 and in the immediate vicinity of a component 12. The temperature sensor 20 serves to reliably detect the temperature of component 12 of the electronic circuit 10.

[0034] The circuit unit comprises an evaluation unit 30. In this case, the evaluation unit 30 is arranged separately from the electronic circuit 10. However, it is also conceivable for the evaluation unit 30 to be arranged on the circuit board 14 of the electronic circuit 10. In this case, the evaluation unit 30 is connected to the temperature sensor 20 via a data line 25. The evaluation unit 30 serves to reliably evaluate the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20.

[0035] The temperature sensor 20 cyclically records measured values ​​of the temperature of component 12 of the electronic circuit 10 with a cycle time. The cycle time is, for example, one second or one minute. The measured values ​​recorded by the temperature sensor 20 are transmitted via the data line 25 to the evaluation unit 30. The transmitted measured values ​​are evaluated by the evaluation unit 30. The evaluation unit 30 comprises a memory area for storing the measured values ​​and a processor for processing the measured values. During the evaluation of the measured values, a check is carried out to determine whether the measured values ​​recorded during a defined period of time meet at least one specified criterion. If such a criterion is met, a warning message is issued.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 10 electronic circuit 12 component

[0038] 14 circuit boards

[0039] 20 Temperature sensor

[0040] 25 data line

[0041] 30 Evaluation unit

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Method for operating a circuit unit comprising an electronic circuit (10) with several components (12), at least one temperature sensor (20) for reliably detecting the temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10), and an evaluation unit (30) for reliably evaluating the temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10). Temperature sensor (20) detects temperature, wherein measured values ​​of a temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10) are reliably recorded by the at least one temperature sensor (20); the recorded measured values ​​are reliably transmitted to the evaluation unit (30); the measured values ​​transmitted to the evaluation unit (30) are reliably evaluated by checking whether measured values ​​recorded during a period of time meet at least one criterion; and a warning message is issued if the at least one criterion is met.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measured values ​​of the temperature of the at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10) are recorded cyclically with a cycle time by the at least one temperature sensor (20).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first criterion is fulfilled if at least one measured value recorded during a first period of time exceeds a first limit value.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second criterion is fulfilled if a difference between two measured values ​​recorded during a second period of time exceeds a second limit value.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third criterion is met if a minimum number of measured values ​​recorded during a third period of time exceeds a third limit value.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fourth criterion is satisfied if an integral of measured values ​​recorded during a fourth time period exceeds a fourth limit value over the fourth time period.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fifth criterion is fulfilled if a sum of the measured values ​​recorded during a fifth period of time exceeds a fifth limit value.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sixth criterion is fulfilled if at least one measured value recorded during a sixth time period falls below a sixth limit value.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a seventh criterion is fulfilled if a difference between two measured values ​​recorded during a seventh period of time falls below a seventh limit value. 10.A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit unit comprises a first temperature sensor (20) and a second temperature sensor (20) for reliably detecting the temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10), and that temperature readings of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10) are reliably recorded simultaneously by the first temperature sensor (20) and the second temperature sensor (20); and that the temperature readings recorded by the first temperature sensor (20) and the temperature readings recorded by the second temperature sensor (20) are reliably transmitted to the evaluation unit (30); and that an eighth criterion is met if a difference between at least one measurement reading recorded by the first temperature sensor (20) during an eighth time period and one measurement reading recorded simultaneously by the second temperature sensor (20) exceeds an eighth limit value.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (30) comprises a counter for counting issued warning messages, and that the evaluation unit (30) issues an error message if, during a ninth time period, the number of issued warning messages exceeds a ninth limit value.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (30) comprises a neural network, and that the measured values ​​transmitted to the evaluation unit (30) are fed to the neural network, and that a trend of the measured values ​​is compared by the neural network with previously determined trends of measured values.

13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that the neural network is configured as a convolutional network comprising an input layer, a plurality of convolutional layers, and an output layer.

14. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that training data is supplied to the neural network, which includes temperature profiles of the at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10).

15. A circuit unit comprising an electronic circuit (10) with multiple components (12), at least one temperature sensor (20) for reliably detecting the temperature of at least one component (12) of the electronic circuit (10), and an evaluation unit (30) for reliably evaluating the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor (20), wherein the circuit unit is operable with the method of any one of the preceding claims.

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