Vehicle component, vehicle and method for detecting degradation of a vehicle component

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle component (100), the vehicle component (100) having a housing portion (10) with at least a first housing interior (11) and a second housing interior (21). Furthermore, the vehicle component (100) comprises a first receiving portion (12), the first receiving portion (12) being located with a first electrical component (13) in the first housing interior (11), and a second receiving portion (22), the second receiving portion (22) being located with a second electrical component (23) in the second housing interior (21), and the second electrical component (23) forming part of a first overcurrent protection device (81) of a first current path (29). Furthermore, the vehicle component (100) comprises at least one thermal separating element (50), the at least one thermal separating element (51) being configured and arranged spatially between the first electrical component (13) and the second component (23) for the at least partial formation of the second housing interior (21), in such a way that at least a heat flow or a heat flow and heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the second housing interior (21) is prevented.

Description

[0001] Vehicle component, vehicle and method for detecting degradation of a vehicle component

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle component, a vehicle having at least one such vehicle component and a method for detecting degradation of such a vehicle component.

[0003] A vehicle's power distribution box or fuse box may contain fuses, such as safety fuses and / or electronic fuses (eFuses), as well as (other) electronic components. During vehicle operation, the fuses and / or electronic components may each release thermal energy in the form of heat to a fluid, such as air and / or a liquid such as oil, and thus exert a thermal influence on each other, which may adversely impair or affect the respective function or functionality.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle component, in particular a power distributor for a vehicle, in which an electrical component, for example an electronic semiconductor component of an electronic fuse and / or a fuse, of an overcurrent protection device of an electrical current path for supplying an electrical unit of the vehicle can operate particularly independently of other electrical components of the vehicle component.Furthermore, it is a particular object of the invention to provide a method by means of which a degradation of a vehicle component, in particular a degradation of an electrical component of an overcurrent protection device of an electrical current path for supplying an electrical unit of the vehicle, can be detected particularly easily.

[0005] The above object is achieved by a vehicle component having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of claim 10, as well as a method having the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the vehicle component according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the vehicle according to the invention and / or the method, 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.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle component for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle component has at least one housing section, wherein the housing section forms at least a first housing interior and a second housing interior. Furthermore, the vehicle component comprises a first receiving section, wherein the first receiving section is located in the first housing interior, wherein at least one first electrical component is arranged, in particular fastened, to the first receiving section.Furthermore, the vehicle component comprises a second receiving section, wherein the second receiving section is located in the second housing interior, wherein at least one second electrical component, in particular a discrete electrical component as a second electrical component, is arranged, in particular fastened, to the second receiving section, and wherein the second electrical component forms at least part of a first overcurrent protection device of a first current path of the vehicle component for supplying a first electrical unit of the vehicle with electrical energy.Furthermore, the vehicle component comprises at least one heat separating body, wherein the at least one heat separating body is at least designed and spatially arranged between the first electrical component and the second component for at least partially forming, in particular delimiting, the second housing interior such that at least one heat flow or one heat flow and heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least reduced, in particular prevented or substantially prevented, wherein in particular the heat flow and / or the heat radiation is or is caused by the first electrical component and / or the second electrical component.

[0007] The vehicle component can be a separately manageable component of the vehicle, e.g., a vehicle's power distribution box or a vehicle's control unit. The vehicle's power distribution box can also be understood as the vehicle's fuse box.

[0008] In particular, the housing section of the vehicle component further comprises at least several or a plurality of housing walls in order to form a housing, in particular in order to form a housing with at least the first housing interior and / or the second housing interior and / or the third housing interior and / or further housing interiors.

[0009] In particular, the first receiving section of the vehicle component can be formed at least in sections by at least one electrical circuit board, wherein the at least one first electrical component is arranged, in particular arranged electrotechnically, on the electrical circuit board, and / or the second receiving section of the vehicle component can be formed at least in sections by an electrical circuit board, wherein the at least one second electrical component is arranged, in particular arranged electrotechnically, on the electrical circuit board, and / or the third receiving section of the vehicle component can be formed at least in sections by an electrical circuit board, wherein the at least one third electrical component is arranged, in particular arranged electrotechnically, on the electrical circuit board,and / or further receiving sections of the vehicle component can be formed, at least in sections, by an electrical circuit board. In particular, at least the first receiving section of the vehicle component and the second receiving section of the vehicle component and / or further receiving sections can be formed by a common electrical circuit board. Thus, the vehicle component can be designed particularly simply. At least (in each case) a part of the first current path and / or the second current path and / or further current paths of the vehicle component can be formed by the (respective) electrical circuit board(s).

[0010] In particular, the vehicle component can have at least one electrical input connection element, for example an electrical plug, for arranging an electrical mating connection element, for example an electrical socket, and furthermore the vehicle component can have at least one (first) electrical output connection element, for example an electrical socket, for arranging an electrical mating connection element, for example an electrical plug, wherein the first current path of the vehicle component is formed by an electrically conductive connection of the vehicle component, for example by means of an electrical circuit board, between the electrical input connection element of the vehicle component and the (first) electrical output connection element of the vehicle component.In addition, the vehicle component can have further electrical input connection elements for the respective arrangement of a respective electrical counter-connection element and / or further electrical output connection elements for the respective arrangement of a respective electrical counter-connection element, wherein further current paths, e.g. a second current path, of the vehicle component are formed by a respective electrically conductive connection, e.g. with the aid of an electrical circuit board, between a respective electrical input connection element of the vehicle component and a respective electrical output connection element of the vehicle component. Furthermore, the vehicle component can be designed such that when an electrical (first) output connection element, e.g. an electrical socket, and a correspondingly designed electrical counter-connection element, e.g.an electrical connector of an electrical cable, are arranged adjacent to one another, an associated housing interior, e.g., the second housing interior or the third housing interior, of the vehicle component is fluidically sealed or substantially fluidically sealed, preferably hermetically sealed. Thus, the vehicle component can be particularly advantageously protected from external influences.

[0011] An electrical component can be understood as a discrete electrical component, for example a transistor or a fuse. Furthermore, the vehicle component can also additionally have mechanical components, for example mechanical switches. Furthermore, an electrical component can also be understood as a complex electrical component, for example an integrated circuit. Preferably, the second electrical component arranged on the second receiving section is a discrete electrical component, in particular a fuse or a controllable electronic semiconductor component such as a transistor, in particular a field effect transistor, and / or furthermore preferably the first electrical component arranged on the first receiving section is a complex electrical component, for example an integrated circuit of a control device of the vehicle component.

[0012] Because the at least one heat separating body is at least designed and spatially arranged between the first electrical component and the second component in such a way that a heat flow or a heat flow and a heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least reduced, in particular prevented, the second electrical component, for example an electronic semiconductor component (an electronic fuse) or a fuse, as part of the first overcurrent protection device of the first electrical current path can be particularly free from influence by other electrical components (for example the first and / or second electrical component) of the vehicle component ora heat flow or heat flow and heat radiation (co-)caused thereby can operate and / or be monitored and / or at least one physical state variable such as a temperature of the second electrical component can be monitored in a particularly non-influencing manner to detect degradation of the vehicle component. The heat flow can also be understood as heat convection. Furthermore, the heat convection can be understood as natural and / or forced convection. Furthermore, the first housing interior and the second housing interior can each be filled at least in sections with a fluid, e.g. (ambient) air, wherein in particular the heat flow is a heat flow of the fluid.

[0013] The expression "[that at least one heat separator] at least one heat flow or one heat flow and one heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least reduced" is intended to express that a heat flow or one heat flow and one heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is lower or dampened with the at least one heat separator than without the at least one heat separator. For example, the heat flow can be lower orbe damped in that the at least one heat separating body forms at least a part of a housing wall (of the housing section) for at least partially forming the second housing interior and is spatially arranged between the first electrical component and at least the second component, so that heat flow between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least partially impeded or blocked. Alternatively or in addition to forming at least a part of a housing wall for the second housing interior, the at least one heat separating body can have, at least in sections, an absorption material, preferably made of plastic, for absorbing thermal radiation and / or, at least in sections, a reflection material, preferably made of plastic or metal, for reflecting thermal radiation, so that thermal radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least reduced orcan be dampened. In particular, the at least one heat-separating body can comprise a heat-insulating plastic body, wherein a reflective layer, preferably a reflective layer made of plastic or metal, for reflecting thermal radiation is arranged at least in sections on the heat-insulating plastic body, in particular on at least one outer circumferential surface of the heat-insulating plastic body. In other words, the heat-separating body can comprise at least one thermal radiation reflective layer, preferably a thermal radiation reflective layer made of plastic or metal, and a thermal insulation layer.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the thermal insulation layer of the at least one heat separating body is arranged between two heat radiation reflection layers, preferably made of plastic or metal, of the at least one heat separating body, wherein, in particular, at least the thermal insulation layer is plate-shaped, or the at least one heat separating body with the thermal insulation layer and the two heat radiation reflection layers is plate-shaped. Thus, thermal radiation can be reflected from multiple sides.

[0014] In a vehicle component according to the invention, it can be advantageous for the at least one heat separator to be formed at least free of electrical components. In other words, the heat separator is not an electrical component or does not have an electrical component. In particular, the heat separator is spatially arranged between the first electrical component and the second electrical component in order to specifically at least reduce, in particular prevent, preferably completely prevent, heat flow or heat flow and heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior. For example, the heat separator free of electrical components can form at least part of a housing wall for at least partially forming the second housing interior.

[0015] It can be advantageous in a vehicle component according to the invention for the at least one heat separating body to be formed integrally with the housing section. The vehicle component can therefore be particularly simple and / or cost-effective. For example, the housing section can be made at least in sections from a plastic, with the at least one heat separating body also being made from plastic. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the at least one heat separating body to be a separate component, with the heat separating body being arranged on the housing section at least in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner. For example, the housing section can have at least one guide element or a plurality of guide elements, and the heat separating body can have a counter-guide element or a counter-guide element formed corresponding to the at least one guide element.have a plurality of counter-guide elements designed to correspond to the plurality of guide elements in order to form the at least non-positive and positive connection. In addition, the at least one heat separating body can be designed in the shape of a plate. The heat separating body can therefore be manufactured particularly easily. In a vehicle component according to the invention, it can be advantageous that the first housing interior with the first receiving section forms a base body, in particular a plate-shaped base body, with an edge surrounding the base body, wherein at least the second housing interior with the second receiving section extends like a finger away from the edge of the base body. The second electrical component, e.g.an electronic semiconductor component (an electronic fuse) or a fuse, as part of the first overcurrent protection device of the first electrical current path, can operate and / or be monitored particularly free from the influence of other electrical components of the vehicle component or of a heat flow (co-)caused thereby or of a heat flow and heat radiation, due to a geometric (thermal) decoupling, and / or at least one physical state variable, such as a temperature of the second electrical component, can be monitored particularly free from influence to detect degradation of the vehicle component. In particular, a (first) electrical output connection element, for example an electrical socket, can be arranged at a (free) finger end for arranging an electrical mating connection element, for example an electrical plug, in order to, for example,to supply the first electrical unit of the vehicle with electrical energy by means of an electrical line connected to the finger end. In particular, the at least one heat separating body can be arranged on the edge or substantially on the edge of the base body. In other words, the at least one heat separating body can be arranged or formed at a transition from the base body to the second housing interior, which extends away like a finger and has the second receiving section. Furthermore, a third housing interior with a third receiving section and / or further housing interiors with a respective receiving section can each extend away from the base body in a finger-like manner (to form a (further) finger), wherein in particular at a respective (free) finger end a respective electrical output connection element, e.g.An electrical socket is provided for arranging a respective electrical mating connection element, e.g., an electrical plug, to supply, for example, a respective electrical unit of the vehicle with electrical energy via a respective current path by means of a respective electrical line connected to the respective finger end. Thus, the vehicle component can, for example, form a power distributor. In particular, several fingers, e.g., at least two fingers or a plurality of fingers, can be arranged next to one another, preferably parallel to one another.In a vehicle component according to the invention, it can be advantageous that the at least one first electrical component arranged on the first receiving section is a control device, wherein the control device forms at least a further part of the first overcurrent protection device, and wherein the control device is at least designed to transfer the second electrical component from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow of the first current path (in the second housing interior). Thus, the overcurrent protection device can advantageously be provided by the vehicle component. The control device can have a complex electrical component, for example an integrated circuit. In particular, the control device can form an electronic fuse together with the second electrical component.Furthermore, the control device can form at least one further part of a second and / or a further part of a further overcurrent protection device, and wherein the control device is at least further designed to, for example, transfer a third electrical component arranged on a third receiving section from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow in a second current path. In other words, the vehicle component can, for example, form or have a plurality or a multiplicity of current paths for supplying a respective electrical unit of the vehicle with electrical energy, wherein in each current path of the plurality or multiplicity of current paths at least one electrical component, for example a controllable, electronic semiconductor component, is arranged at least as part of a respective overcurrent protection device of a respective current path of the plurality orA plurality of current paths is arranged and wherein, in particular, the control device is designed to transfer a respective electrical component in a respective current path from a closed state to an open state upon detection of a violation of a triggering criterion in order to interrupt an electrical current flow of a respective current path of the plurality or the plurality of current paths.

[0016] In a vehicle component according to the invention, it can be advantageous that at least one further electrical component is arranged on the second receiving section and is electrically connected in series with the second electrical component, and wherein the at least two electrical components arranged on the second receiving section form at least part of the first overcurrent protection device of the first current path. Furthermore, in a vehicle component according to the invention, it can be advantageous that the at least two electrical components electrically connected in series are two controllable, electronic semiconductor components, e.g.two transistors, and wherein the vehicle component further comprises at least one first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a first electronic semiconductor component of the two electronic semiconductor components and / or a second temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a second electronic semiconductor component of the two electronic semiconductor components. Additionally, it is conceivable for a respective current sensor to detect a respective electrical current through the first electronic semiconductor component and / or through the second electronic semiconductor component.

[0017] In particular, the two controllable electronic semiconductor components can each (co-)form an electronic fuse for the first current path, wherein, in particular, the control device of the vehicle component is further configured to transfer the two controllable electronic semiconductor components, in particular independently of one another, from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow in the first current path (in the second housing interior). Advantageously, the two temperature sensors can detect abnormal temperatures (e.g., due to contact degradation) via a temperature behavior between the two electronic fuses.Because heat flow or heat flow and heat radiation between the first housing interior and the second housing interior is at least reduced, in particular prevented, by the at least one heat separator, a defined thermal coupling can be established between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. Thus, abnormal temperature influences can be derived by comparing the characteristic temperature increases of the two temperature sensors, for example, based on a gradient and / or an integral and / or a derivative, and thus contact degradation can be detected, for example, by a control device of the vehicle component configured for this purpose.

[0018] It is also conceivable that at least three electrical components are arranged on the second receiving section and are electrically connected in series, and wherein the at least three electrical components arranged on the second receiving section form at least part of the first overcurrent protection device of the first current path, wherein the at least three electrical components connected in series are three controllable, electronic semiconductor components, for example.three transistors, and wherein the vehicle component further comprises at least one first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a first electronic semiconductor component of the three electronic semiconductor components and / or a second temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a second electronic semiconductor component of the three electronic semiconductor components and / or a third temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a third electronic semiconductor component of the three electronic semiconductor components. In particular, the three controllable electronic semiconductor components can each (co-)form an electronic fuse of the first current path, wherein in particular the three controllable electronic semiconductor components are controlled by the control device of the vehicle component.Thus, based on the three detected temperatures, contact degradation can be detected by a control device of the vehicle component. For example, in a first step, the detected (actual) temperature of the first electronic semiconductor component and the detected (actual) temperature of the second electronic semiconductor component can be compared, and a substitute temperature can be determined based on the detected (actual) temperature of the first electronic semiconductor component and the detected (actual) temperature of the second electronic semiconductor component. In a further step, a target temperature of the third electronic semiconductor component can be determined based on the determined substitute temperature using a temperature model, which is stored, for example, on a control device of the vehicle component.In a further step, a temperature delta can be determined based on the determined target temperature of the third electronic semiconductor component and the detected (actual) temperature of the third electronic semiconductor component. Based on the determined temperature delta, a degradation state of the contact system is determined and / or a thermal reserve on an electrical path to the first electrical unit of the vehicle, e.g., a consumer of the vehicle, is determined or calculated. Furthermore, in a further step, a signal can be output, e.g., to a (main) control unit of the vehicle, in response to the detection of the degradation of the vehicle component and / or the determined thermal reserve.

[0019] It can be advantageous in a vehicle component according to the invention that the housing section forms at least a third housing interior, wherein a third receiving section is located in the third housing interior, wherein at least one third electrical component is arranged on the third receiving section, and wherein the third electrical component forms at least part of a second overcurrent protection device of a second current path for supplying a second electrical unit of the vehicle with electrical energy, wherein the at least one heat separating body is additionally designed at least in such a way and spatially arranged between the first electrical component and the third component for at least partially forming the third housing interior, that a heat flow or a heat flow and a heat radiation between the first housing interior and the third housing interior is at least reduced,This prevents the third electrical component, e.g. an electronic,

[0020] Semiconductor component (an electronic fuse) or a fuse, as part of the second overcurrent protection device of the first electrical current path, can operate and / or be monitored particularly free from influence by other electrical components of the vehicle component or a heat flow or heat flow and heat radiation caused thereby and / or at least one physical state variable such as a temperature of the third electrical component can be monitored particularly free from influence to detect degradation of the vehicle component.

[0021] It may be advantageous in a vehicle component according to the invention that the vehicle component is a power distributor for distributing electrical energy to a plurality of electrical units via a respective electrical current path of the vehicle component.

[0022] According to a second aspect, the present invention shows a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one vehicle component designed or configured according to the invention.

[0023] The vehicle is in particular a motor vehicle, preferably a passenger car, a truck or a motorcycle, for example a motorbike.

[0024] The vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention thus has the same advantages as those already described for the vehicle component according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0025] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting degradation of a vehicle component designed according to the invention, wherein at least two electrical components are electrically connected in series on the second receiving section of the vehicle component, and wherein the at least two electrical components arranged on the second receiving section form at least a portion of the first overcurrent protection device of the first current path. The method comprises, as one step, a respective monitoring of at least one physical state variable, in particular at least one respective temperature, of the two components electrically connected in series.Furthermore, the method comprises, as a step, detecting the degradation of the vehicle component, in particular the degradation of at least one electrical component of the two components connected in series electrically, based on the respective monitored at least one physical state variable of the two components connected in series electrically, wherein, in particular in response to the detection of the degradation of the vehicle component, a signal is output, for example to a (main) control unit of the vehicle.

[0026] The process steps described above and below can, where technically feasible, be carried out individually, together, simply, multiple times, in parallel and / or consecutively in any order.

[0027] The method according to the third aspect of the invention thus has the same advantages as have already been described for the vehicle component according to the first aspect of the invention or the vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0028] Further measures improving the invention will become apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. It should be noted that the figures are merely descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0029] They show schematically:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows part of a vehicle component,

[0031] Fig. 2 a vehicle, and

[0032] Fig. 3 a method.

[0033] In the following figures, identical reference numerals are used for the same technical features, even in different embodiments.

[0034] Fig. 1 discloses, in a plan view, a schematic section of a part of a vehicle component (100), for example a power distributor for distributing electrical energy to a plurality of electrical units (201, 202) via a respective electrical current path (29, 39), for a vehicle (200), as described, for example, in relation to Fig. 2. The vehicle component (100) has at least one housing section (10), wherein the housing section (10) forms at least a first housing interior (11) and a second housing interior (21). Furthermore, the vehicle component (100) comprises a first receiving section (12), wherein the first receiving section (12) is located in the first housing interior (11), and wherein at least one first electrical component (13) is arranged on the first receiving section (12).Furthermore, the vehicle component (100) comprises a second receiving section (22), wherein the second receiving section (22) is located in the second housing interior (21), wherein at least one second electrical component (23), for example a transistor, is arranged on the second receiving section (22), and wherein the second electrical component (23) forms at least part of a first overcurrent protection device (81) of a first current path (29) of the vehicle component (100) for supplying a first electrical unit (201) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy.Furthermore, the vehicle component (100) comprises at least one heat separating body (50), wherein the at least one heat separating body (51) is at least designed and spatially arranged between the first electrical component (13) and at least the second component (23) for at least partially forming the second housing interior (21) in such a way that at least one heat flow or one heat flow and one heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the second housing interior (21) is at least reduced, in particular prevented.

[0035] By way of example, in Fig. 1 the at least one heat separating body (51) is plate-shaped or wall-like and is formed free of electrical components. It is further conceivable for the at least one heat separating body (51) to be manufactured or formed in one piece with the housing section (10), for example by means of a plastic injection molding process. In particular, the heat separating body (51) is spatially arranged between the first electrical component (13) and the second electrical component (23) to at least partially form the second housing interior (21) in order to specifically at least reduce, in particular prevent, the heat flow or the heat flow and the heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the second housing interior (21). Furthermore, by way of example the first housing interior (11) and the second housing interior (21) are separated ordecoupled. Furthermore, the vehicle component (100), in particular the housing section (10) and / or an electrical (first) output connection element of the vehicle component (100), and a mating connection element of an electrical line (211) can be designed such that when an electrical (first) output connection element of the vehicle component (100), for example an electrical socket, and a correspondingly designed electrical mating connection element, for example an electrical plug of an electrical line (211), are arranged next to one another, the second housing interior (21) of the vehicle component (100) is fluidically sealed or substantially fluidically sealed, preferably hermetically sealed.

[0036] It may further be advantageous in the vehicle component (100) shown in Fig. 1 for the first housing interior (11) with the first receiving section (12) to form a base body with an edge surrounding the base body, wherein at least the second housing interior (22) with the second receiving section (23) extends finger-like away from the edge of the base body, in particular extending in a straight line or essentially a straight line. Thus, electrical contacting of the first electrical current path (29) at a (free) finger end can be carried out particularly easily by means of an electrical line (211) connected to the finger end for supplying the first electrical unit (201) of the vehicle (200).

[0037] It may further be advantageous in the vehicle component (100) shown in Fig. 1 that the at least one first electrical component (13) arranged on the first receiving section (12) is a control device (8), wherein the control device (8) forms at least a further part of the first overcurrent protection device (81), and wherein the control device (8) is at least designed to transfer the second electrical component (23) from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow in the first current path (29).

[0038] It may further be advantageous in the vehicle component (100) shown in Fig. 1 that the second electrical component (23) and at least two further electrical components (24, 25) are arranged on the second receiving section (22) and are electrically connected in series, and wherein the at least three electrical components (23, 24, 25) arranged on the second receiving section (22) form at least part of the first overcurrent protection device (81) of the first current path (29), and wherein the at least three electrical components (23, 24, 25) electrically connected in series are three controllable electronic semiconductor components, and wherein the vehicle component (100) further comprises at least three temperature sensors (26, 27, 28) for respectively detecting a respective temperature of the three electronic semiconductor components (23, 24, 25).In particular, a respective temperature sensor (26, 27, 28) of the three temperature sensors (26, 27, 28) is arranged, for example, on a respective electronic semiconductor component (23, 24, 25) of the three electronic semiconductor components (23, 24, 25).

[0039] It may further be advantageous in the vehicle component (100) shown in Fig. 1 that the housing section (10) forms at least one third housing interior (31), wherein a third receiving section (32) is located in the third housing interior (31), wherein at least one third electrical component (33) is arranged on the third receiving section (32), and wherein the third electrical component (33) forms at least part of a second overcurrent protection device (82) of a second current path (39) for supplying a second electrical unit (202) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy, wherein the at least one heat separating body (51) is additionally designed at least in such a way and is spatially arranged between the first electrical component (13) and at least the third component (33) for at least partially forming the third housing interior (31),that a heat flow or a heat flow and a heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the third housing interior (31) is at least reduced, in particular prevented. Thus, the vehicle component (100) can, for example, form or have a plurality of current paths (29, 39) for supplying a respective electrical unit (201, 202) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy, wherein in each current path (29, 39) of the plurality of current paths (29, 39) at least one electrical component (23, 33), for example a controllable, electronic semiconductor component, is arranged at least as part of a respective overcurrent protection device (81, 82) of a respective current path (29, 39) of the plurality of current paths (29, 39), and wherein in particular the control device (8) is designed to, upon detection of a violation of a triggering criterion, a respective electrical component (23, 33) in a respective current path (29,39) from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow of a respective current path (29, 39) of the current paths.,

[0040] Fig. 2 schematically shows a vehicle (200) with at least one vehicle component (100), as described, for example, in relation to Fig. 1. For example, the vehicle component (100) is a power distributor or a fuse box for transmitting electrical energy between an electrical energy source (1), for example a traction battery, of the vehicle (200) and a plurality of electrical units (201, 202) of the vehicle (200), for example electrical energy consumers and / or electrical energy generators. Fig. 3 schematically shows a method for detecting degradation of a vehicle component (100) designed according to the invention, as described, for example, in Fig. 1 and / or Fig.2, wherein at least two electrical components (23, 24) are electrically connected in series on the second receiving section (22) of the vehicle component (100), and wherein the at least two electrical components (23, 24) arranged on the second receiving section (22) form at least one part of the first overcurrent protection device (81) of the first current path (29). The method comprises, as a step, a respective monitoring (321, 322) of at least one physical state variable, in particular at least one respective temperature and / or a respective current intensity, of the two components (23, 24) electrically connected in series.Furthermore, the method comprises, as a step, detecting (340) the degradation of the vehicle component (100), in particular the degradation of at least one electrical component (23, 24) of the two components (23, 24) connected in series electrically, based on the respective monitored at least one physical state variable, in particular a respective monitored temperature and / or current intensity, of the two components (23, 24) connected in series electrically.

[0041] List of reference symbols

[0042] 8 Control device

[0043] 10 Housing section

[0044] 11 first housing interior

[0045] 12 first recording section

[0046] 13 first electrical component

[0047] 21 second housing interior

[0048] 22 second recording section

[0049] 23 second electrical component

[0050] 24 additional electrical components

[0051] 25 additional electrical components

[0052] 29 first current path

[0053] 31 third housing interior

[0054] 32 third recording section

[0055] 33 third electrical component

[0056] 34 additional electrical component

[0057] 35 additional electrical components

[0058] 39 second current path

[0059] 51 heat separators

[0060] 52 additional heat separators

[0061] 81 first overcurrent protection device

[0062] 82 second overcurrent protection device

[0063] 100 vehicle components

[0064] 200 vehicles

[0065] 201 first electric unit

[0066] 202 second electrical unit

[0067] 211 first electrical line

[0068] 212 second electrical line

[0069] 321 , 322 respective monitoring of at least one state variable of the two electrically connected components in series

[0070] 340 Detecting degradation of vehicle components

Claims

Claims 1. Vehicle component (100) for a vehicle (200), wherein the Vehicle component (100) comprises at least: - a housing section (10), wherein the housing section (10) forms at least a first housing interior (11) and a second housing interior (21), - a first receiving section (12), wherein the first receiving section (12) is located in the first housing interior (11), wherein at least one first electrical component (13) is arranged on the first receiving section (12), - a second receiving section (22), wherein the second receiving section (22) is located in the second housing interior (21), wherein at least one second electrical component (23) is arranged on the second receiving section (22), and wherein the second electrical component (23) forms at least part of a first overcurrent protection device (81) of a first current path (29) of the vehicle component (100) for supplying a first electrical unit (201) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy, - at least one heat separating body (50), wherein the at least one heat separating body (51) is at least designed and spatially arranged between the first electrical component (13) and at least the second component (23) for at least partially forming the second housing interior (21) in such a way that at least one heat flow or one heat flow and one heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the second housing interior (21) is at least reduced.

2. Vehicle component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one heat separating body (51) is formed at least free of electrical components.

3. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the at least one heat separating body (51) is formed integrally with the housing section (10) and / or that the at least one heat separating body (51) is plate-shaped.

4. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing interior (11) with the first receiving section (12) forms a base body with an edge surrounding the base body, wherein at least the second housing interior (22) with the second receiving section (23) extends finger-like away from the edge of the base body.

5. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first electrical component (13) arranged on the first receiving section (12) is a control device (8), wherein the control device (8) forms at least a further part of the first overcurrent protection device (81), and wherein the control device (8) is at least designed to transfer the second electrical component (23) from a closed state to an open state in order to interrupt an electrical current flow of the first current path (29).

6. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further electrical component (24) is arranged on the second receiving section (22) and is electrically connected in series with the second electrical component (23), and wherein the at least two electrical components (23, 24) arranged on the second receiving section (22) form at least part of the first overcurrent protection device (81) of the first current path (29).

7. Vehicle component (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least two electrical components (23, 24) connected in series are two controllable electronic semiconductor components, and wherein the vehicle component (100) further comprises at least one first temperature sensor (26) for detecting a temperature of a first electronic semiconductor component (23) of the two electronic semiconductor components (23, 24) and a second temperature sensor (27) for detecting a temperature of a second electronic semiconductor component (24) of the two electronic semiconductor components (23, 24).

8. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing section (10) forms at least one third housing interior (31), wherein a third receiving section (32) is located in the third housing interior (31), wherein at least one third electrical component (33) is arranged on the third receiving section (32), and wherein the third electrical component (33) forms at least part of a second overcurrent protection device (82) of a second current path (39) for supplying a second electrical unit (202) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy, wherein the at least one heat separating body (51) is additionally designed at least in such a way and is spatially arranged between the first electrical component (13) and the third component (33) to at least partially form the third housing interior (31),that at least one heat flow or one heat flow and one heat radiation between the first housing interior (11) and the third housing interior (31) is at least reduced., 9. Vehicle component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle component (100) is a power distributor for distributing electrical energy to a plurality of electrical units (201, 202) via a respective electrical current path (29, 39) of the vehicle component (100).

10. Vehicle (200), wherein the vehicle (200) has at least one vehicle component (100) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

11. A method for detecting degradation of a vehicle component (100) designed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two electrical components (23, 24) are electrically connected in series on the second receiving section (22) of the vehicle component (100), and wherein the at least two electrical components (23, 24) arranged on the second receiving section (22) form at least a part of the first overcurrent protection device (81) of the first current path (29), and wherein the method comprises: - respective monitoring (321, 322) of at least one physical state variable, in particular at least one respective temperature, of the two components (23, 24) connected in series, - detecting (340) the degradation of the vehicle component (100), in particular the degradation of at least one electrical component (23, 24) of the two components (23, 24) connected in series electrically, based on the respective monitored at least one physical state variable of the two components (23, 24) connected in series electrically.

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