Method for Detecting Infiltration of a Viscous Medium into an Electronic System for a Vehicle

Abstract

A method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system is provided. [Solution] A method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium 18 into an electronic system 10 for a vehicle, wherein the electronic system 10 includes a redundant section for processing and / or transmitting electrical signals using a circuit board 15, and the redundant section includes a first transmission path 1 and a second transmission path 2 parallel to the first transmission path 1, and when the viscous medium 18 intrudes into the electronic system 10, the electrical signal U transmitted by the second conductors 11; 12; 21; 22 changes to an electrical signal Uv, and the electrical signal Uv is compared with the electrical signal U of the first transmission path 1, and if there is a difference between the electrical signal U and the changed electrical signal Uv, a warning message W is generated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a structure for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Here, the electronic system is provided for transmitting and / or processing electrical signals. At this time, at least one redundant part is provided for transmitting the electrical signal. This means that there are at least two transmission paths for the electrical signal. Such a redundant system is known in the electronic system.

[0003] For example, when moisture or other viscous media reach the electronic system, even if there is redundancy, it may lead to a failure of the electronic system. If a safety-related member such as a steering part, a brake, a radar facility, or a lidar facility of a vehicle such as a passenger car or a commercial vehicle is connected to the electronic system, it may lead to an accident. Even when the vehicle travels partially or completely automatically, the above-mentioned failure of the electronic system may lead to an accident and personal injury.

[0004] Advantageously, it should be possible to detect that moisture or other viscous media have entered so that preventive measures can be taken in a timely manner to avoid damage due to a complete failure of the electronic system before the failure of the electronic system caused by the intrusion of moisture or other viscous media.

[0005] At this time, it is aimed to be able to detect the intrusion of moisture or other viscous media into the electronic system by existing members, that is, without additional sensors.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to configure a method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system, the method being based on existing components as much as possible, and the electronic system being able to function reliably for at least a predetermined period after the detection of the viscous medium.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] This problem is solved by a method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system for a vehicle, the electronic system including at least one housing, a circuit board, and a connection area, the housing substantially enclosing the electronic system tightly, and redundancy being provided with respect to the processing and / or transmission of electrical signals using the circuit board in the electronic system. The redundant part is provided with at least one first transmission path and a second transmission path operatively parallel to the first transmission path. Each transmission path is composed of at least one first conductor and a second conductor, and these conductors are electrically insulated from each other. The first transmission path and the second transmission path transmit the same electrical signal (U). A range is provided in the second transmission path, in which the first conductor and the second conductor associated therewith are not insulated. As a result, when a viscous medium intrudes into the electronic system, the electrical signal (U) transmitted by the second conductor changes to an electrical signal (Uv). The changed electrical signal (Uv) of the second transmission path is compared with the electrical signal (U) of the first transmission path, and when there is a difference between the electrical signal (U) and the changed electrical signal (Uv), a warning message (W) is generated.

[0008] At this time, for protection purposes, the above-described electronic system is mainly surrounded by a housing made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal to protect it from external influences. However, in order to connect the electronic system to other components, at least one connection area, such as a plug connection or a cable outlet, is arranged in the housing. The connection area serves as an interface to the housing. The interface is configured such that moisture or other viscous media do not penetrate into the housing and thus into the electronic system. However, the interface may become less tight, and moisture or other viscous media may penetrate. In this case, the second transmission path is positioned relative to the first transmission path such that the penetrating moisture or other viscous media first reach the area of the second transmission path where the first and second conductors are not insulated from each other and together form a transition location. The penetrating moisture or other viscous media cause a short circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor, so that the electrical signal U to be transmitted changes to a changed signal Uv in the second transmission path. Then, the changed signal Uv is compared with the electrical signal U of the redundant first transmission path. If the two electrical signals are different, the above-described warning signal is generated, and the warning signal can be displayed, for example, to the driver of a vehicle as a warning that the driver should urgently visit a workplace (repair shop). In a vehicle that drives completely automatically, the warning signal can also be used to bring the vehicle to a safe state or an emergency stop state. At this time, the results of the warning signal are merely exemplary and not final.

[0009] Furthermore, it is possible to configure the first transmission path to be parallelly and / or angularly displaced with respect to the second transmission path. At this time, whenever moisture or a viscous medium penetrates, first, the displacement of the second transmission path with respect to the first transmission path is selected such that the ranges of the second transmission path where the first and second conductors are not configured to be insulated and together form a transition location come into contact. Here, it is also possible to consider whether the penetrating moisture or viscous medium can penetrate, or does penetrate, into the housing, and thus into the electronic system, for example in the form of splashes, or droplets, or rising.

[0010] At this time, as described above, in order to accelerate an electronic signal change caused by moisture or a viscous medium, for example by a short circuit, the first and second conductors of the second transmission path can have a transition location in the range.

[0011] At this time, the transition location can be formed by the first and second conductors. At this time, this can be provided in advance on the circuit board.

[0012] Also, the transition location can be formed at the first test point and the second test point, the first test point being conductively connected to the first conductor and the second test point being conductively connected to the second conductor. At this time, such test points are already provided on the circuit board so that, for example, an electrical circuit can be measured.

[0013] At this time, it can be advantageous if the conductor is a conductive path and / or an electrical cable and / or a plug contact on the circuit board located within the housing and / or in the connection range.

[0014] In order to connect the electronic system to another electrical system and / or another electronic system, it is also possible for the connection range to include at least one conductive connection. Here, the other electrical system / another electronic system can be, for example, a steering unit or a brake or a radar facility or a lidar facility.

[0015] The conductive connection can also be configured as a conductive cable or as a plug connection.

[0016] It may also be advantageous for at least one third transmission path to be provided in the redundant part, at least one first and second conductor to be provided in the third transmission path, and the third transmission path to be provided between the first transmission path and the second transmission path.

[0017] Here, the third transmission path can be configured in the same way as the second transmission path. When a viscous medium penetrates into the electronic system, the following matters: a) When the viscous medium further penetrates into the electronic system, in the third transmission path, the electrical signal (U) changes to an electrical signal (Uv) by the viscous medium in terms of range. b) Compared with the electrical signal (U) in the first transmission path. c) If (U) ≠ (Uv’), an additional warning signal (W’) is generated. are set.

[0018] Here, the viscous medium can be water and / or oil and / or emulsion and / or lubricant and / or cleaning agent and / or acid and / or hydraulic fluid.

[0019] At this time, as described above, another electrical system / another electronic system can be a system related to safety regarding the operation of the steering part or the wheel brake or the radar system or the lidar system or the vehicle.

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be illustratively described in detail based on the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an electronic system 10, which is surrounded by a housing 40. At this time, the housing 40 is used, in particular, to protect the electronic system from, for example, moisture or other external influences. Here, a connection area 45 is provided in the housing 40. The electronic system 10 can be connected to another electrical system or electronic system 50, for example, using the connection area 45 and also using a connection part 47. This can be, for example, a known plug connection part located in the housing 40. At this time, at least one circuit board 15 is arranged in the housing 40. Here, at least one first transmission path 1 and a second transmission path 2 are provided on the circuit board 15 for processing and transmitting electronic signals. At this time, each transmission path is constituted by at least a first conductor 11, 21 and a second conductor 12, 22. Here, it is mentioned that the first transmission path 1 and the second transmission path 2 each transmit or convey the same electrical signal U. At this time, each other transmission path is used as a redundant transmission path. Here, further, the conductors 11, 12, 21, 22 are configured to be insulated from each other. Here, it is mentioned that the insulation can be carried out in all known embodiments, for example, it is not necessarily required to provide an insulating layer. For example, it is sufficient that the conductors are spaced apart from each other. At this time, further, a range 30 is provided in the second transmission path 2, and in the range 30, the conductors 21, 22 are provided without an insulating part and preferably further have a transition point 33 here. Here, the transition point 33 is configured such that the two conductors 21, 22 are closer to each other and spaced apart from each other than outside the range 30. At this time, further, it is mentioned that the second transmission path 2 is arranged in the housing 40 such that when a viscous medium can penetrate into the housing 40, the viscous medium is first brought to the range 30 of the second transmission path 2 before the viscous medium can reach another electrical or electronic member in the housing 40. Here, in the above-described embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, the connection area 45 can be a potential penetration point for the viscous medium.At this time, the viscous medium can be almost any kind of liquid, or for example water and / or oil and / or. Emulsion and / or lubricant and / or cleaning agent and / or acid and / or hydraulic fluid. Here, it should be mentioned that these viscous media mentioned above are merely examples. Furthermore, it should be mentioned here that depending on the arrangement of the electronic system in the vehicle, the electronic system may be exposed to water splashes.

[0023] The following will explain in detail a method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system. As described above, the first transmission path 1 and the second transmission path 2 are provided as redundant transmission paths for an electronic signal or an electrical signal. This means that the same electrical signal / electronic signal is transmitted via both the first transmission path 1 and the second transmission path 2. Here, the electrical signal is transmitted via both the first transmission path 1 and the second transmission path 2. For example, when a viscous medium intrudes into the housing 40 within the connection range 45, the intruding viscous medium 18 first reaches the range 30 of the second transmission path 2. When the viscous medium reaches the non-insulated conductors 21, 22 which are slightly spaced apart from each other in the range 30 here, the viscous medium 18 causes a short circuit between the first conductor 21 and the second conductor 22 at the transition point 33. At this time, the electrical signal U is no longer transmitted as the signal U, and the electrical signal U changes to a changed electrical signal Uv due to the short circuit. At this time, the first transmission path 1 continues to transmit the electrical signal U in an unchanged form, and the signal U still exists at the end of the first transmission path. At the ends of both transmission paths 1, 2, a comparison of the transmitted signals is performed. Since the electrical signal U is transmitted at the end of the first transmission path 1 and the electrical signal Uv is transmitted at the end of the second transmission path 2, it is detected here that an electrical signal change has occurred in the redundant transmission path which is the second transmission path 2. If the electrical signal U is not the same as the changed electrical signal Uv, a warning signal W is generated. By means of the method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system, it is possible to detect the intrusion of the viscous medium by existing components. The warning signal generated when a viscous medium intrudes into the electronic system can be used in the vehicle driver or the vehicle itself to memorize a warning that moisture intrudes into, for example, components related to safety and that staying at the workplace is required here. However, at this time, it is important that the function of the electronic system is still guaranteed by the redundant path.The electronic system 10 can here be connected to an electric steering unit or, for example, an electric braking system for a vehicle, and it is mentioned in order to ensure that it is possible to detect at an early stage the ingress of a viscous medium into the electronic system before a fault in the electronic system occurs. Thus, it is possible here to indicate to the driver or the system the possibility of a fault in a safety-related system.

[0024] Here, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show embodiments of a transition location 33 where detection of a viscous medium takes place, which is relevant to the present invention. Here, FIG. 2 shows a region 30 having a transition location 33, as already shown and described in FIG. 1. Here, the first and second conductors 21, 22 are not here insulated in the region 30, in particular at the transition location 33, so that it is again mentioned that an externally ingressing viscous medium can come into contact with the conductors. The first and second conductors are arranged so as not to contact each other in the region 30 either, so that the transmission path can be reliably ensured in the absence of the viscous medium 18. However, the first and second conductors 21, 22 are spaced from each other as closely as possible in the region 30 so as to ensure rapid detection of the viscous medium. As already mentioned above, when the viscous medium reaches the transition region 33, an electrical connection is formed between the first conductor 21 and the second conductor 22 by the viscous medium 18, and thus the electrical signal U to be transmitted changes to an electrical signal Uv.

[0025] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the transition point 33 in the range 30 between the first conductor 21 and the second conductor 22. Here, in the range 30, so-called test points 25, 26 are provided for the two conductors 21, 22 respectively. For example, in order to check an electric circuit, such test points 25, 26 are known in a circuit board. However, at this time also, here, the test points 25, 26 can be used together to provide the transition point 33. As described in FIGS. 2 and 1, when the viscous medium 18 reaches the transition point 33, the viscous medium 18 forms an electrical connection between the first test point 25 and the second test point 26. Also here, the signal U to be transmitted changes to a changed signal Uv.

[0026] Figure 4 shows another embodiment of detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system. Here, the two conductors 21, 22 are respectively connected to the measurement tip portions 27, 28. At this time, the measurement tip portions are oriented so as to first come into contact with the viscous medium when the viscous medium intrudes into the electronic system 10. When the measurement tip portions 27, 28 come into contact with the viscous medium 18, similarly, the signal U to be transmitted changes to a changed electrical signal Uv.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, as described in FIG. 1, a method and a structure for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system are shown. Here, it is configured such that there are three redundant transmission paths for one electrical signal U. At this time, compared with FIG. 1, a third redundant transmission path 3 is provided, and the third transmission path is configured in the same manner as the redundant transmission path 2. Here, the third redundant transmission path is arranged to first reach the range 30 of the second transmission path 2 when a viscous medium intrudes into the housing 40 or the electronic system 10. As described above, when the viscous medium 18 contacts at the transition point 33 in the range 30, the electrical signal U changes to a changed signal Uv. By the above comparison with the transmission of the electrical signal U through the first transmission path 1, if the transmitted signal U is not the same as Uv, a warning signal W is generated. As described above, the warning signal W indicates that a viscous medium has intruded into the electronic system. When the viscous medium 18 further intrudes into the electronic system 10, due to the arrangement of the third transmission path 3, when the viscous medium reaches the range 30' of the third transmission path 3, similarly, a short circuit is generated between the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32 of the third transmission path 3. At this time, the electrical signal U in the third transmission path 3 changes to an electrical signal Uv' changed at the transition point 33' due to the short circuit. Then, similarly, a comparison is made between the electrical signal U of the first transmission path 1 and the electrical signal Uv' of the third transmission path 3. If U and Uv' are not the same, another warning signal W' is generated. At this time, or by the said arrangement and the said method, it is possible to weight the warning signals. For example, when only the warning signal W exists, it is recognized that the viscous medium 18 has intruded into the electrical system 10, and here, for example, it is recommended that it is advised to visit the workplace. When the warning signal W' is generated, this indicates that the viscous medium 18 has further intruded into the electronic system 10, and for example, it is urgently recommended to visit the workplace or bring the vehicle to a safer state or a stopped state. Of course, it should be noted here that it is possible to arbitrarily increase the redundancy, and it should be noted that the redundancy in the double or triple form as described in FIGS. 1 and 5 can be considered practically.Overall, here the present invention aims to detect the intrusion of a viscous medium into an electronic system by existing components, and it should be noted that redundancy contributes to further ensuring the functionality of the electrical system. In addition, the present invention may also include the following aspects: 1. A method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium (18) into an electronic system (10) for a vehicle, wherein the electronic system (10) includes at least one housing (40), a circuit board (15), and a connection area (45), the housing (40) substantially encloses the electronic system (10), and a redundant part is provided for the processing and / or transmission of electrical signals using the circuit board (15) in the electronic system (10). The redundant part is provided with at least one first transmission path (1) and a second transmission path (2) operatively parallel to the first transmission path. Each transmission path (1; 2) is composed of at least one first conductor (11; 21) and a second conductor (12; 22), and these conductors (11, 12; 21; 22) are electrically insulated from each other. The first transmission path (1) and the second transmission path (2) transmit the same electrical signal (U). In the method, a range (30) is provided in the second transmission path (2). In this range (30), the first conductor (21) and the related second conductor (22) are not insulated. As a result, when a viscous medium (18) intrudes into the electronic system (10), the electrical signal (U) transmitted by the second conductor (11; 12; 21; 22) changes to an electrical signal (Uv). The changed electrical signal (Uv) of the second transmission path (2) is compared with the electrical signal (U) of the first transmission path (1). When there is a difference between the electrical signal (U) and the changed electrical signal (Uv), a warning message (W) is generated. A method characterized by this. 2. The method according to 1. above, characterized in that the first transmission path (1) is arranged with a parallel shift and / or an angular shift with respect to the second transmission path (2). 3. The method according to 1. or 2. above, characterized in that the range (30) is arranged such that the viscous medium (18) intruding into the electronic system (10) first reaches the range (30) of the second transmission path (2). 4. The method according to any one of 1. to 3. above, characterized in that the first and second conductors (21, 22) of the second transmission path (2) have a transition point (31) in the range (30). 5. The method according to 4. above, characterized in that the constriction (31) is formed by the first and second conductors (21, 22). 6. The method according to 4. above, characterized in that the constriction (31) is formed at the first test point (25) and the second test point (26), the first test point (25) being conductively connected to the first conductor (21), and the second test point (26) being conductively connected to the second conductor (22). 7. The method according to any one of 1. to 6. above, characterized in that the conductors (11, 12; 21, 22) are conductive paths, electrical cables and / or plug contacts on the circuit board (15) located within the housing (40) and / or in the connection area (45). 8. The method according to any one of 1. to 7. above, characterized in that the connection area (45) includes at least one conductive connection (47) for connecting the electronic system (10) to another electrical system and / or another electronic system (50). 9. The method according to 8. above, characterized in that the conductive connection (47) is configured as a conductive cable or as a plug connection. 10. The redundant part is provided with at least one third transmission path (3), the third transmission path is provided with at least one first and second conductor (31, 32), and the third transmission path is provided between the first transmission path (1) and the second transmission path (2). The method according to any one of 1. to 9. above, characterized in that it is provided. 11. The third transmission path (3) is configured in the same way as the second transmission path (2). When a viscous medium (18) penetrates into the electronic system (10), the following matters: a) When the viscous medium (18) further penetrates into the electronic system (10), in the third transmission path (3), the electrical signal (U) changes to an electrical signal (Uv) by the viscous medium (18) in the range (30’). b) Compared with the electrical signal (U) in the first transmission path (1). c) If (U)≠(Uv’), an additional warning signal (W’) is generated. 10. The method according to 10. above, characterized in that it is set. 11. The method according to any one of 1. to 11. above, characterized in that the viscous medium (18) is water and / or oil and / or emulsion and / or lubricant and / or cleaning agent and / or acid and / or hydraulic fluid. 13. The method according to any one of 8. to 12. above, characterized in that another electrical system / another electronic system (50) is a system related to safety regarding the steering unit or wheel brakes or radar system or lidar system or the operation of the vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0028] 1 First transmission path 2 Second transmission path 10 Electronic system 11 First conductor 12 Second conductor 15 Circuit board 18 Viscous medium 21 First conductor 22 Second conductor 25 First test point 26 Second test point 27 Measuring tip 28 Measuring tip 30 Range 30’ Range 31 First conductor 32 Second conductor 33 Transition point 33’ Transition point 40 Housing 45 Connection range 47 Connection part 50 Electrical system / electronic system U Electrical signal Uv Changed signal Uv’ Changed signal W Warning signal W’ Warning signal

Claims

1. A method for detecting the intrusion of a viscous medium (18) into an electronic system (10) for a vehicle, wherein the electronic system (10) includes at least one housing (40), a circuit board (15) and a connection area (45), the housing (40) substantially encloses the electronic system (10), and with respect to the processing and / or transmission of electrical signals using the circuit board (15) in the electronic system (10), redundancy is provided, and the redundant part is provided with at least one first transmission path (1) and a second transmission path (2) operatively parallel to the first transmission path, and each transmission path (1; 2) is composed of at least one first conductor (11; 21) and a second conductor (12; 22), and these conductors (11, 12; 21; 22) are electrically insulated from each other, and the first transmission path (1) and the second transmission path (2) transmit the same first electrical signal (U). In the said method, One area (30) is provided in the second transmission path (2), and in this area (30), the first conductor (21) and the related second conductor (22) are not insulated. As a result, when a viscous medium (18) intrudes into the electronic system (10), the first electrical signal (U) transmitted by the second conductor (11; 12; 21; 22) changes to a second electrical signal (Uv), and the changed second electrical signal (Uv) of the second transmission path (2) is compared with the first electrical signal (U) of the first transmission path (1). When there is a difference between the first electrical signal (U) and the changed second electrical signal (Uv), a warning message (W) is generated. A method characterized by this.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first transmission path (1) is arranged parallel or angularly displaced with respect to the second transmission path (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the area (30) is arranged such that the viscous medium (18) intruding into the electronic system (10) first reaches the area (30) of the second transmission path (2).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second conductors (21, 22) of the second transmission path (2) have a transition point (33) in the area (30). **Claim 5** The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the transition point (33) is formed by the first and second conductors (21, 22). **Claim 6** The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the transition point (33) is formed at the first test point (25) and the second test point (26), the first test point (25) is conductively connected to the first conductor (21), and the second test point (26) is conductively connected to the second conductor (22). **Claim 7** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conductors (11, 12; 21, 22) are electrical cables and / or plug contacts located in conductive paths and / or connection areas (45) on a circuit board (15) located within the housing (40). **Claim 8** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connection area (45) includes at least one conductive connection (47) for connecting the electronic system (10) to another electrical system and / or another electronic system (50). **Claim 9** The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the conductive connection (47) is configured as a conductive cable or as a plug connection. **Claim 10** At least one third transmission path (3) is provided in the redundant part, at least one first and second conductor (31, 32) is provided in the third transmission path, and the third transmission path is provided between the first transmission path (1) and the second transmission path (2). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that. **Claim 11** The third transmission path (3) is configured in the same way as the second transmission path (2). When a viscous medium (18) penetrates into the electronic system (10), the following matters: a) When the viscous medium (18) further penetrates into the electronic system (10), in the third transmission path (3), the first electrical signal (U) changes to a third electrical signal (Uv') by the viscous medium (18) in the range (30'). b) Comparing the first electrical signal (U) in the first transmission path (1) with the third electrical signal (Uv'). c) If the third electrical signal (Uv') is different from the first electrical signal (U), an additional warning signal (W') is generated. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the above is set.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the viscous medium (18) is water and / or oil and / or emulsion and / or lubricant and / or cleaning agent and / or acid and / or hydraulic fluid.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that another electrical system / another electronic system (50) is a system related to safety regarding the steering part or wheel brake or radar system or lidar system or vehicle operation.

Images