Exchangeable overcurrent protection device for protecting a current circuit, fuse box, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an exchangeable overcurrent protection device (100) for protecting a current circuit for a fuse box (200), in particular in a vehicle (10). The exchangeable overcurrent protection device (100) has a separating circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in a close state, a current can flow in the current circuit via the transistor, and in a triggered state, the current circuit can be separated by the transistor. The exchangeable overcurrent protection device also has at least two electric contacts (110) which are arranged at a defined spatial distance (120) to each other, wherein the current circuit can be closed by electrically connecting the at least two electric contacts (110), and the defined spatial distance (120) corresponds to a grid spaicng (25) of a fuse (20) or a relay. The invention additionally relates to a fuse box (200) and a vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Exchange overcurrent protection to secure a circuit, fuse box and vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to an exchange overcurrent protection, a fuse box, and a vehicle.

[0004] In the majority of vehicles currently produced and in operation, fuses and / or relays are generally used to protect the electrical components or the on-board electrical system. With increasing advancements, safety technology in particular is evolving to the point where essential components rely on a constant, reliable power supply.

[0005] For example, the steering can be implemented electronically using a so-called "steer-by-wire" system. In this system, a steering command is transmitted exclusively electrically from a sensor via one or more control units to the electromechanical actuator, which executes the steering command. In such a system, there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels. However, this means that steering may no longer be possible if the voltage drops in the sensor, actuator, or the entire vehicle electrical system. Similar systems can be provided for the brakes, for example.

[0006] Although such modern electrical systems are generally developed according to the concept of functional safety to ensure maximum safety, even against the failure of individual components, the secure power supply of the systems remains of utmost importance.

[0007] The widespread use of fuses has the disadvantage that they generally have a relatively slow tripping characteristic. This is because, on the one hand, slightly elevated currents over a long period of time and significantly elevated but ultra-short currents should not trigger a fuse, but the tripping characteristic can essentially only be influenced by the thickness and material of the melting wire. If short circuits then occur within the vehicle electrical system, the voltage in the entire vehicle electrical system can drop noticeably during the time it takes for the fuse or relay to trip.

[0008] In principle, the use of particularly fast-acting fuses or fast-switching relays would be conceivable. However, fast-acting fuses are also particularly sensitive, meaning that even non-critical overcurrents can trigger them. Fast relays are expensive, and their achievable switching speeds are subject to physical limitations.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exchange overcurrent protection device, a fuse box, and a vehicle that can ensure fast tripping characteristics and are cost-effective to manufacture and operate.

[0010] The above object is achieved by an exchange overcurrent protection device having the features of claim 1, a fuse box having the features of claim 9, and a vehicle having the features of claim 10. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the fuse box according to the invention and / or the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that reciprocal reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention with regard to the disclosure.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, an exchange overcurrent protection device for securing an electrical circuit for a fuse box, in particular in a vehicle, is provided, comprising:

[0012] - a separation circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in a closed state current can flow through the transistor in the circuit and in a triggered state the circuit can be separated by the transistor,

[0013] - at least two electrical contacts which are arranged at a defined spatial distance from one another, wherein the circuit can be closed by an electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts, wherein the defined spatial distance corresponds to a grid spacing of a fuse or a relay.

[0014] A fuse and / or a relay can therefore be replaced by an exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention. The replacement can, for example, be associated with a defective fuse and / or relay, or with the installation and / or activation of a vehicle function, in which a still functioning fuse and / or relay is replaced. The exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention thus represents a special type of fuse.

[0015] An electrical circuit within the meaning of the invention is a system of electrical conductors and components which forms a separable part of an electrical system, in particular the on-board network of a vehicle.

[0016] A fuse box is understood to be a container for one or more fuses. This will be described in more detail in connection with the fuse box according to the invention.

[0017] Within the scope of the invention, a vehicle can, in principle, be any vehicle with at least one electrical circuit. This can, in particular, be at least an aircraft, watercraft, or land vehicle. The vehicle can be designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck.

[0018] An isolating circuit, as defined by the invention, is understood to be a fuse designed to interrupt an electrical circuit when the electrical current exceeds a specified current intensity for a predetermined period of time. For this purpose, the isolating circuit can comprise one or more electrical components designed for isolating purposes.

[0019] It can be provided that the isolating circuit is designed purely electrically. In other words, the isolating circuit can be free of mechanical components that are suitable for isolating the circuit. This offers the advantage that the tripping characteristics are determined solely by the electrical components. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the isolating circuit has at least one electromechanical component that is suitable for interrupting the circuit, which is installed in particular redundantly to a purely electrical component. In this regard, an electromechanical component is understood to mean, in particular, fuses and relays. A further electromechanical component offers the advantage that the excellent tripping characteristics of the electrical component are supplemented by a redundant fuse, which is also based on a different tripping principle.

[0020] In the context of the invention, a transistor is understood to be an electronic semiconductor component for controlling electrical voltages and currents. The transistor can be designed as a power transistor. This offers the advantage that even large currents or voltages can be switched by the transistor without damage. In particular, the transistor can have at least a maximum collector current or a maximum drain current of more than 1 A, a minimum collector-emitter voltage or drain-source voltage of more than 50 V, a maximum power dissipation of more than 2 W, or a thermal resistance between the junction and the housing of less than 15 K / W.

[0021] The closed and triggered states described in connection with the transistor refer to the corresponding state of the transistor in which it essentially prevents or allows current flow. Depending on the transistor type, corresponding control circuits may be provided that are connected to the transistor to control the transistor for the desired triggering characteristic.

[0022] According to the invention, electrical contacts are understood to be physically formed conductive bodies. In other words, an electrical contact is an electrical component capable of establishing electrical contact between at least two components.

[0023] A defined spatial distance between the at least two electrical contacts within the meaning of the invention refers to a spatial distance determined by the physical configuration of the contacts themselves and / or a receiving body in which the at least two electrical contacts can be accommodated. In other words, the defined distance is not a purely imaginary dimension between two components, but rather a structurally determined distance that is generally unchangeable.

[0024] The grid spacing of a fuse or a relay refers to the structurally determined distance between the corresponding electrical components.

[0025] It can be provided that the grid spacing corresponds to a standardized, especially standardized, fuse or a standardized, especially standardized, relay. This offers the advantage that the replacement overcurrent protection is suitable for replacing a large number of fuses and / or relays, whereby a particularly good fit can be achieved. In particular, it can be provided that the standard is at least DIN 72581, Parts 1 to 2 from 1993 and Part 3 from 2001, SAE J 1284 from 1988, or corresponding, currently applicable standards.

[0026] Furthermore, the fuse spacing can be configured to correspond to a torpedo fuse, particularly according to DIN 72581-1:1993, or a blade fuse. The spacing can be configured to be at least 9.1 mm, 10.9 mm, 19.1 mm, or 29.2 mm. The listed designs and dimensions are particularly common, which offers the advantage that a large number of fuses or relays can be replaced with a suitably designed replacement overcurrent protection device.

[0027] Overall, the exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention offers the advantage of allowing for maximum flexibility in the assembly of a current series. Furthermore, only the necessary outputs need to be assembled, not the entire vehicle. Even within a current series, the exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention can be assembled in a corresponding manner, depending on whether, for example, a vehicle's steering system is installed in the context of smaller or larger batteries. Furthermore, safety-relevant loads can also be integrated into a product upgrade of the vehicle without having to redevelop the entire on-board electrical system architecture.

[0028] Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least one further electrical contact is provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact is arranged at the defined spatial distance from the at least two electrical contacts. In other words, it is conceivable that a plurality of electrical contacts is provided, wherein at least one of these contacts does not have to be suitable for providing a fuse function. On the one hand, an additional contact offers the advantage that the exchange overcurrent protection is more securely positioned and, for example, unused fuse holders can be covered and thus protected.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the additional electrical contact can also be used to supply power to the isolating circuit, or a signal can be transmitted via the additional electrical contact. This provides the advantage that the exchange overcurrent protection can provide additional functions.

[0030] Within the scope of the invention, it is further conceivable for a footprint to be formed by at least one distance between the at least two electrical contacts and a further distance to at least one further electrical contact, and for the footprint to correspond to a grid dimension, wherein the grid dimension is formed by the distances between at least two, in particular standardized, preferably normed, fuses and / or relays. It can also be provided that the exchange overcurrent protection has electrical contacts which are arranged on a surface in such a way that they can be positioned in receptacles which are arranged one below the other in a pattern which is designed to accommodate, in particular, standardized, preferably normed, fuses and / or relays. This achieves the advantage that a larger, in particular wider, exchange overcurrent protection is also possible.This allows more components to be arranged in it and, for example, its functionality to be expanded.

[0031] It is further conceivable that at least one further isolating circuit is provided, which is designed to enable a current flow in a further circuit when closed and to interrupt a current flow in a further circuit when triggered. In other words, the isolating circuit can be designed to be able to open and close at least two circuits. This has the advantage that several fuses can be replaced with just one replacement overcurrent protection. This can be particularly advantageous if a functional unit, e.g. a steer-by-wire steering system, is being upgraded or retrofitted in the vehicle, in which several fuses or relays are to be replaced with an replacement overcurrent protection device according to the invention.The replacement overcurrent protection can then be installed en bloc, simplifying manufacturing and increasing safety by making incorrect assembly less likely.

[0032] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the at least two electrical contacts are designed to enable an electrical connection by plugging into a corresponding contact receptacle. In other words, the at least two electrical contacts can be designed to be pluggable. This simplifies installation, for example, compared to manual soldering or connection in a reflow oven.

[0033] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that at least one diagnostic circuit is provided, which is designed to at least detect the state of at least the isolating circuit or to output it as a signal, and / or that at least one channel function circuit is provided, which is designed to provide a channel function specific to the operation of at least one consumer present in the circuit. In other words, the exchange overcurrent protection can have corresponding electrical components that make it possible to at least monitor, forward, or process the status of the isolating circuit and / or provide further functions.

[0034] It can be provided that the channel function circuit can provide pulse width modulation (PWM) for the circuit to which the isolating circuit is connected or for another circuit. This can be particularly advantageous for circuits in which a light-emitting diode is provided as a load, since the luminous intensity can be regulated by PWM. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the channel function circuit is designed to open a circuit to which the isolating circuit is connected or for open another circuit if a predetermined condition, in particular one defined in switching logic, exists. For example, a circuit relating to a subordinate system can be switched off, in particular as a precautionary measure, if the higher-level system has failed or has a fault.This makes it possible to implement a safety concept, particularly with prioritization, at the overcurrent protection level.

[0035] Within the scope of the invention, it is further conceivable that the isolating circuit and the at least two electrical contacts are designed to functionally replace at least two, four, eight, or twelve fuses or relays, in particular fuses with a fuse rating of at least 20 A, 40 A, or 80 A. In other words, the isolating circuit can be designed to open and close a plurality of circuits, even for different fuse ratings. In particular, the specified number of two, four, eight, or twelve and the fuse ratings of 20 A, 40 A, or 80 A represent frequently occurring fuse requirements, so that exchange overcurrent protection designed in this way offers the advantage of being particularly versatile.

[0036] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that a receiving body is provided which is designed to accommodate at least the isolating circuit and the at least two electrical contacts. In particular, the receiving body is dimensioned such that it essentially corresponds to the defined spatial distance, in particular the footprint, of the at least two electrical contacts. In other words, a carrier can be provided which is designed to carry at least the isolating circuit and the at least two electrical contacts and to connect them to form a component.

[0037] The housing body can be encapsulated. This provides particularly good protection for the components contained within the housing body against environmental influences. Alternatively or additionally, the housing body can also be designed as a heat sink and / or have a heat sink that is thermally connected, in particular, to the isolating circuit. This allows even larger amounts of heat to be reliably dissipated, further increasing the performance of the exchange overcurrent protection.

[0038] It can be provided that the receiving body has a size that corresponds to the size of a housing of a, in particular, standardized, preferably normed, fuse or a standardized, preferably normed, relay. This achieves the advantage that, when installing at least one exchange overcurrent protection device, collisions with other exchange overcurrent protection devices, fuses, relays, or other components that can be installed in a fuse box can be largely avoided.

[0039] According to a further aspect of the invention, a fuse box for securing electrical circuits, in particular in a vehicle, is provided, comprising at least one exchange overcurrent protection according to the invention, wherein in particular the exchange overcurrent protection is arranged on a slot for a fuse or a relay.

[0040] Thus, a fuse box according to the invention brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to an exchange overcurrent protection according to the invention.

[0041] The fuse box can be designed according to the grid dimensions resulting from standardization, particularly the standardization of fuse holders. This offers the advantage that a fuse box designed in this way is particularly versatile.

[0042] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one relay section, which is designed to accommodate at least one relay, or a fuse section, which is designed to accommodate at least one fuse, are provided, wherein in particular at least the relay section or the fuse section are arranged in a housing. In other words, separate areas for fuses and / or relays can be provided in the fuse box. This achieves the advantage that these sections can be easily equipped with both conventional relays and fuses, as well as with one (or more) replacement overcurrent protection devices. Accommodation in a housing offers the advantage that the components are better protected against environmental influences.

[0043] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising at least one exchange overcurrent protection according to the invention and / or a fuse box according to the invention.

[0044] Thus, a vehicle according to the invention offers the same advantages as those already described in detail with reference to an exchange overcurrent protection device according to the invention and / or a fuse box according to the invention. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They schematically show:

[0045] Fig. 1 : a representation of a fuse box with an overview of the recordings for

[0046] Fuses and relays, as well as an example of an exchange overcurrent protection compared with a conventional fuse,

[0047] Fig. 2: a representation of a defined spatial distance or a

[0048] Footprint of an embodiment of an exchange overcurrent protection with corresponding contacts,

[0049] Fig. 3: a representation of a vehicle with a fuse box and a

[0050] Exchange overcurrent protection.

[0051] In the following description of some embodiments of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0052] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an exchange overcurrent protection device 100 for protecting an electrical circuit for a fuse box 200, in particular in a vehicle 10. This device has a disconnecting circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in a closed state, current can flow through the transistor in the circuit and in a triggered state, the circuit can be disconnected by the transistor, as well as at least two electrical contacts 110 arranged at a defined spatial distance 120 from one another, wherein the circuit can be closed by an electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts 110. The defined spatial distance 120 corresponds to a grid spacing 25 of a fuse 20 or a relay.

[0053] The exchange overcurrent protection 100 can therefore be installed in a fuse box 200, in particular connected to a receptacle provided for a fuse 20 shown on the right or a relay. The contacts of the exchange overcurrent protection 100 have the same spacing as a fuse 20 or a relay, as shown in the right-hand part of Fig. 1. Overall, the exchange overcurrent protection 100 according to the invention achieves the advantage that it can be equipped with maximum flexibility within an ongoing series. Furthermore, only the necessary outputs and not the entire vehicle 10 (shown in Fig. 3) need to be equipped. Even within an ongoing series, appropriate equipment with the exchange overcurrent protection 100 according to the invention is feasible, depending on whether, for example, the steering system of a vehicle 10 is installed in the context of smaller or larger batteries.Furthermore, safety-relevant consumers can also be integrated into a product upgrade of the vehicle 10 without having to redevelop the entire on-board network architecture.

[0054] It can be provided that the fuse box 200 has at least one fuse section 230 or one relay section 220, which can in particular be spatially separated from one another. This spatial separation facilitates assembly, thereby enabling the manufacture of the fuse box 200 to be more cost-effective and reliable.

[0055] As can also be seen in Fig. 1, at least one further electrical contact 111 can be provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact 111 is arranged at the defined spatial distance 120 from the at least two electrical contacts 110. On the one hand, an additional contact 111 offers the advantage that the exchange overcurrent protection 100 is more securely seated and, in addition, for example, unused fuse holders can be covered and thus protected.

[0056] Also shown in Fig. 1 is a receiving body 112, which is designed to accommodate at least the isolating circuit and the at least two electrical contacts 110, wherein in particular the receiving body 112 is dimensioned such that it substantially corresponds to the defined spatial distance 120, in particular the footprint 130 (shown in Fig. 2), of the at least two electrical contacts 110. It can be provided that the receiving body 112 has a size that corresponds to the size of a housing of a, in particular standardized, preferably normed, fuse 20 or a standardized, preferably normed relay. This achieves the advantage that when installing at least one exchange overcurrent protection device 100, collisions with another exchange overcurrent protection device 100, fuses 20, relays, or other components that can be installed in a fuse box 200 can be largely avoided.

[0057] In Fig. 2, an exchange overcurrent protection device 100 is shown schematically from below on the left, so that the at least two electrical contacts 110 at the defined spatial distance 120 as well as the further electrical contact 111 can be seen. The contacts 110, 111 of the exchange overcurrent protection device 100 have a footprint 130 that corresponds to a grid dimension 210 (shown on the right), wherein the grid dimension 210 is formed by the distances between at least two fuses 20 and / or relays. By designing the footprint 130 to the, in particular standardized, preferably normed, grid dimension 210, the exchange overcurrent protection device 100 can be easily installed and is suitable for a variety of fuse boxes 200.

[0058] Finally, Fig. 3 shows a vehicle 10 having an exemplary embodiment of a fuse box 200 and an exchange overcurrent protection device 100. Not shown in Fig. 3, but also conceivable within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable for the vehicle to have multiple fuse boxes 200. These can, in particular, divide the circuits according to functional units and / or safety requirements. In other words, it can be provided that at least two fuse boxes 200 are provided, wherein the fuse boxes 200 differ at least in one function or one safety requirement of the protected circuits. This offers the advantage that the functional units (which may have a higher safety requirement) are easier to retrofit. For example, when replacing a functional group, the entire fuse box 200 can be replaced at the same time.

[0059] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] vehicle

[0062] Fuse grid spacing

[0063] Exchange overcurrent protection at least two electrical contacts additional electrical contact receiving body

[0064] Distance

[0065] footprint

[0066] fuse box

[0067] Grid dimension

[0068] Contact us

[0069] Relay section

[0070] Security section

Claims

Patent claims: Replacement overcurrent protection (100) for securing a circuit for a fuse box (200), in particular in a vehicle (10), comprising: - an isolating circuit with at least one transistor, wherein in a closed state current can flow through the transistor in the circuit and in a triggered state the circuit can be separated by the transistor, - at least two electrical contacts (110) arranged at a defined spatial distance (120) from each other, wherein the circuit can be closed by an electrical connection of the at least two electrical contacts (110), wherein the defined spatial distance (120) corresponds to a pitch (25) of a fuse (20) or a relay, wherein at least one further electrical contact (111) is provided, wherein the at least one further electrical contact (111) is arranged at the defined spatial distance (120) to the at least two electrical contacts (110), wherein a footprint (130) is formed by at least a distance (120) between the at least two electrical contacts (110) and a further distance to at least one further electrical contact (111), and the footprint (130) corresponds to a grid dimension (210), wherein the grid dimension (210) is formed by the distances of at least two fuses (20) and / or relays.A replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one further isolating circuit is provided, which is configured to allow current flow in a further circuit in a closed state and to interrupt current flow in a further circuit in a tripped state. A replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least two electrical contacts (110) are configured to allow an electrical connection by insertion into a corresponding contact receptacle (211). A replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one diagnostic circuit is provided which is configured to detect the state of at least the isolating circuit or to output it as a signal, and / or that at least one channel function circuit is provided which is configured to provide a channel function that is specific for the operation of at least one load present in the circuit. A replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the isolating circuit and the at least two electrical contacts (110) are configured to functionally replace at least two, four, eight, or twelve fuses or relays, in particular with a fuse rating of at least 20 A, 40 A, or 80 A.A replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receiving body (112) is provided which is designed to receive at least the disconnecting circuit and the at least two electrical contacts (110), wherein in particular the receiving body (112) is dimensioned such that it essentially corresponds to the defined spatial distance (120), in particular the footprint (130) of the at least two electrical contacts (110). A fuse box (200) for protecting electrical circuits, in particular in a vehicle (10), comprising at least one replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in particular the replacement overcurrent protection device (100) is arranged on a slot for a fuse or a relay.Fuse box (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one relay section (220) which is designed to accommodate at least one relay or a fuse section (230) which is designed to accommodate at least one fuse is provided, wherein in particular at least the relay section (220) or the fuse section (230) is arranged in a housing. Vehicle (10) comprising at least one replacement overcurrent protection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or at least one fuse box (200) according to claim 7.

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