Method, computer-program product, control unit for providing an overload protection, as well as an overload protection and a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing an overload protection (S) for a power supply line (L) for an electrical load (V), in particular of a vehicle (F), comprising: - determining a power line temperature (T), wherein an electric current (I) flowing through the power supply line (L), and / or an ambient temperature (Tu) and / or an ageing state (n) of the power supply line (L) are / is taken into consideration when determining the power line temperature (T), - adjusting the determined power line temperature (T) by a factor (K), in particular a cooperative factor (K), wherein the factor (K) takes into consideration sensor data (D), in particular merged sensor data (D), which characterize a tripping behaviour of the overload protection (S), and - operating the overload protection (S) in dependence on the adjusted power line temperature (T).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method, computer program product, control unit for providing overload protection, and overload protection and a vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method. The invention further relates to a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0004] The relevance of semiconductor switches for electronic fuses is constantly increasing due to increased demands on functional safety in motor vehicles. The basic functionality of the electronic fuses in the wiring harness, line protection, can be implemented in a variety of ways using appropriate semiconductor switches and does not necessarily have to replicate the functionality of conventional fuses. Examples include calculating the line temperature using the current measured by the semiconductor switch or using a buffer until the fuse is triggered to increase the robustness of the triggering behavior. The implementation of corresponding protection mechanisms can be achieved using both hardware and software. An exemplary device for overload protection is shown in WO 2007 / 009675.

[0005] When dimensioning the electronic fuse, its tripping behavior is largely determined by the load current, while the selected cable, in turn, is determined by the tripping behavior of the fuse. The motivation for this approach is a possible reduction in the cross-section of the cable protected by the fuse.

[0006] Fluctuating ambient conditions can sometimes only be inadequately taken into account when dimensioning fuses. While conventional fuses react less restrictively to "unexpected" fluctuations in the load current of the consumer during nominal operation, the use of electronic fuses leads to unintentional triggering of the fuse (and thus to "unnecessary" loss of consumers for the vehicle user). Furthermore, if the cable characteristics deviate, the fuse may no longer be able to fully protect the cable harness. The robustness of the dimensioning of the fuse or the cable suffers. Examples of fluctuating ambient conditions include production-related deviations (for example, of the corresponding batch of the cable harness, but also of the respective consumer, etc.), varying aging conditions (for example, of the cable harness, but also of the respective consumer, etc.).Ä.) and also ambient temperatures.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the invention is to enable an improved method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. Preferably, the object of the invention is to enable a safe and reliable method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle. The method should preferably enable robust dimensioning of the fuse and / or the line. In addition, the method should increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of the line protection of electronic fuses. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method.Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding overload protection device, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method and which in particular has a specially configured control unit and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for carrying out a corresponding method. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection device for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0008] The problem is solved by a method for providing overload protection on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, having the features of the independent method claim. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a corresponding computer program product for carrying out a corresponding method. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a corresponding overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line to an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. In addition, the problem is solved by a corresponding vehicle having a corresponding overload protection for a supply line to an electrical load.

[0009] The invention provides: a method for providing overload protection, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, on a supply line for an electrical load, in particular of a vehicle, comprising the method steps:

[0010] Determining (in particular calculating) a line temperature, wherein an electrical current flowing through the supply line and / or an ambient temperature and / or an ageing state of the supply line are / is taken into account when determining the line temperature,

[0011] Adjusting the determined line temperature by a factor, in particular a cooperative or batch-spanning factor, wherein the factor takes into account, in particular, fused sensor data that characterise a triggering behaviour of the overload protection, and

[0012] Operation of the overload protection depending on the adjusted line temperature.

[0013] In the context of the present disclosure, an overload protector can be understood as an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch. In other words, an overload protector can be understood as a special device that has the functionality of an electronic fuse.

[0014] The overload protection can be placed between a source of electrical energy and an electrical load.

[0015] The method provides a data-based approach to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of line protection electronic fuses.

[0016] The line temperature can be calculated based at least on the current continuously measured by the electronic fuse. The calculation can also take into account assumptions and / or measurements for the ambient temperature and / or the aging of the supply line, etc. The calculated line temperature can advantageously be adjusted using a factor. The factor can be determined, for example, using the temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop at the time of tripping.

[0017] A calculation rule for determining the factor K can, for example, be derived empirically (e.g. at the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0018] For simplicity, the value 1 can initially be assumed for the factor.

[0019] A pre-calibration of the calculation rule for the factor K by the vehicle manufacturer is also conceivable.

[0020] The factor calculation rule, calibrated using field data, can be sent to all (requesting or active) vehicles in the fleet via an air interface.

[0021] Varying production batches or aging conditions of the wiring harness in the respective vehicles can be explicitly taken into account using the factor.

[0022] In this way, cooperative sensor data fusion can be enabled to increase the robustness of the triggering behavior of electronic fuses.

[0023] Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data considered by the factor, in particular a cooperative one, includes an electrical current measured by the overload protection device. In this way, the current continuously measured by the electronic fuse can be taken into account when determining the line temperature. For simplicity, the electrical current flowing through the supply line can be substituted for the electrical current measured by the overload protection device. However, it is also conceivable in principle that the electrical current measured by the overload protection device can be incorporated into the calculation rule for the factor.

[0024] Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data taken into account by the factor, in particular a cooperative factor, includes a temperature measured by the overload protection. Furthermore, the method can provide that the sensor data taken into account by the factor, in particular a cooperative factor, includes a voltage drop measured by the overload protection. In this way, an adaptive factor can be provided that can be calculated as a function of the temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop at the time of the tripping process. A calculation rule for the factor can thus incorporate, in particular, fused sensor data for a temperature measured by the semiconductor switch and a voltage drop at the time of the tripping process, which can be derived, for example, empirically (e.g. by the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0025] Advantageously, a calculation rule for the factor can take into account the characteristics and / or aging states of the production batches from which the overload protection, the supply line, and / or the electrical load originated. In this way, the factor can be used to explicitly account for varying production batches or aging states of the wiring harness in the same or different vehicles.

[0026] Preferably, a calculation rule for the factor can take into account sensor data from one or more vehicles. In other words, a calculation rule for the factor can be derived from empirical sensor data (e.g., from the vehicle manufacturer) from different vehicles (e.g., a fleet of vehicles controlled by a customer service department to record the sensor data).

[0027] Preferably, a calculation rule for the factor can be obtained via an air interface. This allows even existing vehicles to be equipped with the improved overload protection. It also ensures that the vehicle has an up-to-date calculation rule for the factor.

[0028] On the one hand, it is conceivable that a calculation rule for the factor is received from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles. In this way, car-to-X communication can be used to transmit the calculation rule for the factor.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding computer program product for performing a corresponding method. Using the computer program product, the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention can be achieved. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding control unit for carrying out a corresponding method. Using the control unit, the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention can be achieved. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding overload protection device, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line connecting an electrical energy source to an electrical load, in particular in a vehicle, which is specifically designed to carry out a corresponding method. For this purpose, the overload protection device can have a specially configured control unit (ECU) and / or a specially configured electrical circuit for carrying out a corresponding method. In other words, the overload protection device can have specially configured software and / or hardware components that serve to carry out the method. With the aid of the overload protection device, the same advantages can be achieved that were described above in connection with the method according to the invention. These advantages are fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention provides a corresponding vehicle having corresponding overload protection for a supply line connecting an electrical energy source to an electrical load. Using the vehicle, the same advantages described above in connection with the method according to the invention can be achieved. These advantages are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which several embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The figure shows:

[0034] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a sequence of a method in the sense of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 1 serves to explain a method according to the invention, which was developed for providing an overload protection S, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, on a supply line L for an electrical load V. The method can preferably be used for electrical supply lines to consumers in an on-board electrical system of a vehicle F.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the process comprises the following steps / actions:

[0037] Determining a line temperature T, wherein when determining the line temperature T an electric current I flowing through the supply line L and / or an ambient temperature Tu and / or an ageing state n of the supply line L are / is taken into account: e.g. using a calculation T » f1 (I, Tu, n, ...),

[0038] Adjusting the determined line temperature T by a factor K, in particular a cooperative or batch-spanning factor, whereby the factor K takes into account, in particular, fused sensor data D, which characterise a tripping behaviour of the overload protection S: e.g. by means of a calculation T = K * f1 (I, Tu, n, ...), and

[0039] Operation of the overload protection S depending on the adjusted line temperature T.

[0040] As Fig. 1 suggests, the overload protection S can be arranged between a source E of electrical energy, e.g. a battery, and an electrical load V.

[0041] The method advantageously uses a sensor data-based approach to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of the overload protection S.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 1, the method allows to take into account a continuously measured current IsFuse* flowing through the electronic fuse or the overload protection S when calculating the line temperature T: for example, by calculating T » f1 (IsFuse*, Tu, n, ...).

[0043] From the formula shown, it can be seen that when calculating the line temperature T, assumptions and / or measurements for the ambient temperature Tu and / or the ageing state n (e.g. in the form of a time indication since commissioning, a percentage indication of a new condition, e.g. similar to an SOH factor, a number of disconnections, etc.) of the supply line L, etc. can also be taken into account.

[0044] The method proposes to advantageously adjust the calculated line temperature T using a factor K: K = f2 (UeFuse*(t), TeFuse(t)).

[0045] The factor K can be determined, for example, using the temperature TeFuse* measured by the semiconductor switch and the voltage drop UeFuse* at the time of the tripping process.

[0046] A calculation rule f2 for determining the factor K can, for example, be derived empirically (e.g. at the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0047] For the sake of simplicity, the value 1 can initially be assumed for the factor K, e.g. when commissioning a vehicle F.

[0048] A calibration of the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can still be carried out, for example, by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0049] The calculation rule f2 can, for example, be calibrated using field data.

[0050] The calibrated calculation rule f2 of the factor K can be sent to all (requesting or active) vehicles via an air interface.

[0051] Varying production batches or aging conditions of the wiring harness in the respective vehicles can be explicitly taken into account using the factor K.

[0052] The adjusted line temperature T can then be calculated as follows:

[0053] T = K * f1 (IsFuse*, Tu, n, ...) = f2 (UeFuse*(t), TeFuse(t)) * f1 (IsFuse*, Tu, n, ...).

[0054] In this way, cooperative sensor data D can be taken into account to increase the robustness of the tripping behavior of electronic fuses.

[0055] In detail, the sensor data D, which the factor K, in particular a cooperative one, takes into account, may include an electrical current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0056] As already indicated above, for the sake of simplicity, when calculating the line temperature T, the electric current I flowing through the supply line L can be substituted by the electric current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S (T « f1 (IsFuse*, Tu, n, ...)).

[0057] In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the electrical current leFuse* measured by the overload protection S can be included for the factor K via the calculation rule f2.

[0058] Furthermore, the sensor data D, which the, in particular cooperative, factor K takes into account, can include a temperature TeFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0059] Furthermore, the sensor data D, which the, in particular cooperative, factor K takes into account, can include a voltage drop UeFuse* measured by the overload protection S.

[0060] The calculation rule f2 for the factor K can thus be used to incorporate, in particular, fused sensor data D for a temperature TeFuse* measured by the semiconductor switch, an electric current leFuse* and / or a voltage drop UeFuse* at the time of the tripping process.

[0061] The sensor data D, in particular the fused ones, can be derived empirically (e.g. at the vehicle manufacturer) from field data (e.g. recorded by customer service).

[0062] Furthermore, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K may take into account characteristics and / or ageing conditions of production batches from which the overload protection S, the supply line L and / or the electrical load V originated / originate.

[0063] Furthermore, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can take into account sensor data D of one or more vehicles F. Thus, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can be derived from empirical sensor data (e.g. from the vehicle manufacturer) of different vehicles F (e.g., a fleet of vehicles F that are controlled by a customer service department to record the sensor data D).

[0064] As Fig. 1 suggests, the calculation rule f2 for the factor K can be obtained via an air interface, e.g. from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles F.

[0065] A corresponding computer program product, a corresponding control unit ecu and a corresponding overload protection S, in particular in the form of an electronic fuse or a semiconductor switch, for carrying out a corresponding method, also represent aspects of the invention.

[0066] The overload protection S can comprise a specially configured control unit (ECU) and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for implementing a corresponding method. In other words, the overload protection S can comprise specially configured software and / or hardware components that serve to implement the method.

[0067] A corresponding vehicle F with at least one corresponding overload protection S also represents an aspect of the invention.

[0068] 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.

[0069] List of reference symbols

[0070] D Sensor data

[0071] K factor ecu control unit

[0072] F vehicle

[0073] E Source

[0074] L supply line

[0075] S Overload protection

[0076] V load

[0077] T Line temperature

[0078] I electric current

[0079] Tu Ambient temperature n Ageing condition leFuse* Current

[0080] TeFuse* Temperature

[0081] UeFuse* Voltage drop f1 Function for calculating the line temperature

[0082] Calculation rule for the factor

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for providing overload protection (S) on a supply line (L) for an electrical load (V), in particular of a vehicle (F), comprising: Determining a line temperature (T), wherein an electrical current (I) flowing through the supply line (L) and / or an ambient temperature (Tu) and / or an ageing state (n) of the supply line (L) are / is taken into account when determining the line temperature (T), Adjusting the determined line temperature (T) by a, in particular cooperative, factor (K), wherein the factor (K), in particular fused, takes into account sensor data (D) that characterize a triggering behavior of the overload protection (S), and Operation of the overload protection (S) depending on the adjusted line temperature (T).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the, in particular cooperative, factor (K) comprise an electrical current (leFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the, in particular cooperative, factor (K) comprise a temperature (TeFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data (D) taken into account by the, in particular cooperative, factor (K) comprise a voltage drop (UeFuse*) measured by the overload protection (S).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) takes into account characteristics and / or aging states of production batches from which the overload protection (S), the supply line (L) and / or the electrical load (V) originated, and / or wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) takes into account sensor data (D) of one or more vehicles (F).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) is obtained via an air interface, and / or wherein a calculation rule (f2) for the factor (K) is obtained from an external backend device and / or from other vehicles (F).

7. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Control unit (ECU), comprising a computing unit and a memory unit in which a code is stored which, when at least partially executed by the computing unit, carries out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Overload protection (S), in particular in the form of an electronic fuse, for a supply line (L) to an electrical load (V), in particular of a vehicle (F), which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims, and which in particular has a specially designed control unit (ecu) and / or a specially designed electrical circuit for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle (F) comprising an overload protection (S) for a supply line (L) to an electrical load (V) according to the preceding claim.

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