Switching module for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching module comprising a communication unit (150), wherein the communication unit (150) is designed to communicate with a computing unit (20). The switching module (100) also comprises an interface (110) for driving a first load (41), wherein the interface comprises a fuse (140) and a switching unit (130). The communication unit (150) is designed to receive standardized open-loop and / or closed-loop control commands from the computing unit (20). The fuse (140) is designed to couple or decouple the switching module (100) to or from the load (41) in accordance with a predefined condition. The switching unit (130) is designed as a hardware circuit, free from function-specific software, and is configured to drive the load (41) in accordance with the open-loop and / or closed-loop control commands and to implement hardware-based open-loop and / or closed-loop control mechanisms.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Switching module for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a switching module for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

[0004] Modern electronic systems, especially those using multiple semiconductor devices in a single power supply path, present significant technical and economic challenges. Integrating multiple semiconductors into one power supply path leads to a level of complexity that not only increases costs but also places specific demands on the selectivity and robustness of the semiconductors used.

[0005] Selectivity, the system's ability to respond to disturbances or anomalies without affecting its overall function, is made more difficult by connecting multiple semiconductors in parallel. Each semiconductor must be able to tolerate all operating states, especially transient states during switching on and off. This often necessitates over-engineering the semiconductors to ensure the required robustness. This over-engineering results in semiconductors that are larger and more expensive than would be necessary for their actual function.

[0006] One task to be solved is to specify a switching module for a motor vehicle that controls multiple consumers particularly efficiently and reliably.

[0007] This task is solved by the switching module of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments, implementations, and further developments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a switching module.

[0009] According to at least one embodiment, the switching module comprises a

[0010] Communication unit, wherein the communication unit is configured to communicate with a processing unit. Furthermore, the switching module includes an interface for controlling a load, wherein the interface comprises a fuse and a switching unit.

[0011] In particular, the switching module for a motor vehicle and the fuse are designed as an electronic fuse.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive standardized control commands and / or regulation commands from the processing unit. For example, these standardized control commands and / or regulation commands are simple commands that do not require any function-specific software for the switching module to execute. The standardized control commands and / or regulation commands relate, for example, to the control and / or regulation of the first load.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment, the interface protection of the switching module is configured to couple or decouple the switching module from the load depending on a predefined condition. For example, the predefined conditions relate to current or load fluctuations, where, for instance, a threshold value is defined for the current flowing through a load. For example, the switching module is decoupled from the load when the current exceeds a predefined threshold value. These conditions are defined, for example, by the processing unit to prevent overloads and potential damage.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, the switching unit of the interface is designed as a hardware circuit free of function-specific software and is configured to control the consumer depending on the control commands and / or regulation commands and to execute hardware-based control and / or regulation mechanisms.

[0015] For example, in the switching module, control and regulation tasks are performed by standardized commands from the processing unit, which are specifically designed to be implemented with basic, non-specific software. These commands are so simple in structure that they do not require extensive algorithmic processes or special software modifications tailored to the application.

[0016] For example, each of these standardized control commands and / or regulation commands defines a precise, predetermined action or reaction of the switching module, without requiring complicated programming solutions for execution.

[0017] Because the switching module receives standardized control commands and / or regulation commands from the processing unit and does not execute any function-specific software, it can replace a traditional control unit and thus save hardware resources. For example, it eliminates the need for electronic fuses. The switching module makes it possible, for instance, to implement a single electronic fuse along the entire path from the processing unit to the consumer. This resolves selectivity issues that arise from cascaded electronic fuses.

[0018] In this advantageous way, the switching module can be operated particularly efficiently and reliably by responding to and implementing the standardized control commands and / or regulation commands from the computing unit without requiring additional, complex software logic or programming.

[0019] According to at least one embodiment, the switching module includes a second interface for controlling a second consumer, wherein the second interface also includes a fuse and a switching unit.

[0020] In particular, the switching module includes additional interfaces for further consumers, with each interface having a fuse and a switching unit to control one further consumer.

[0021] According to at least one embodiment of the switching module, the switching units are designed as modular hardware circuits. For example, the modular hardware circuit is developed from a modular semiconductor system. The modular design of the hardware circuit allows the switching unit to be individually adapted to the specific performance requirements and environmental conditions of the vehicle, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Furthermore, the modular design increases the scalability of the switching unit.

[0022] Because the switching module is developed from a modular semiconductor system, it can control electrical consumers with different requirements; for example, the switching module in a motor vehicle can control a window regulator motor and / or a seat adjustment motor.

[0023] Because the switching module can be used independently of a consumer's requirements, installation and operation can be carried out more efficiently and cost-effectively.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the switching module, the control commands and / or regulation commands include parameters of a control chain and / or a control loop of a consumer.

[0025] The parameters include, for example, speed, position, torque, or other physical properties of the consumer, which must be precisely controlled and / or regulated to ensure optimal performance and / or efficiency of the consumer.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the switching module, the control commands and / or regulation commands include sensor data.

[0027] For example, parameters are determined via sensors and transmitted to the processing unit. These sensors are, for instance, part of the control loop. This advantageously shifts the complexity and / or the required computing power of the necessary control mechanisms from the switching module to the processing unit.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the switching module, the control commands and / or regulation commands are predefined commands.

[0029] The predefined commands reduce the complexity or computing power required for the switching module when executing the control and / or regulation commands.

[0030] Furthermore, the predefined commands ensure a high degree of consistency and repeatability of the control and regulation processes.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment, the control commands and / or regulation commands include predefined conditions.

[0032] The predefined conditions include, for example, termination conditions for a parameter monitored in the control loop. For instance, a termination condition defines a limit value for a maximum current.

[0033] This advantageously protects the controlled consumer from overload or damage.

[0034] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the switching module according to the first aspect.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0036] They show:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a switching module; Figure one shows a first embodiment of a switching module.

[0038] Figure one shows a first embodiment of a switching module. The switching module according to this embodiment comprises two interfaces, each with a load. In particular, the switching module can also be configured with only one interface and one load, or with more than two interfaces, each with one load.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a switching module 100 in a motor vehicle, in combination with other components of the motor vehicle.

[0040] The switching module 100 is supplied with energy, for example, by an energy source 30 of the motor vehicle.

[0041] The switching module 100 comprises a communication unit 150, a first interface 110 and a second interface 120, wherein the first interface 110 and the second interface 120 each comprise a switching unit 130 and an electronic fuse 140.

[0042] The first interface 110 and the second interface 120 are, for example, designed to control a first and a second consumer. The first and second consumers are, for example, a first actuator 41 and a second actuator 42.

[0043] The communication unit 150 is configured to communicate with a processing unit 20. The processing unit 20 can, for example, be configured as an external processing unit for the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the processing unit 20 can be configured as a component within the vehicle. For example, the communication unit 150 can also be configured to communicate with a second processing unit. The communication unit 150 is, for example, configured to receive standardized control commands from the processing unit 20 regarding the first actuator 41 and the second actuator 42. The processing unit 20 determines, for example, the necessary control commands for the first actuator 41 and / or the second actuator 42 based on sensor data from a sensor 10.For example, the standardized control commands are simple commands for which the switching module 100 does not require any function-specific software to execute the commands. The standardized control commands relate, for example, to the control of the first and / or second actuator 41, 42 of the motor vehicle.

[0044] The respective electronic fuse 140 of the first or second interface 110, 120 is, for example, configured to couple or decouple the switching module 100 with the respective actuator of the motor vehicle depending on a predefined condition. The predefined condition is defined, for example, by the processing unit 20 and transmitted to the communication unit 150 together with the control commands. The conditions serve, for example, to protect the components of the motor vehicle from damage, such as from increased current.

[0045] The respective switching unit 130 of the first or second interface 110, 120, for example, is designed as a hardware circuit free of function-specific software. The respective switching unit 130 is designed, for example, to control the respective actuator depending on the control commands of the processing unit 20 and to execute hardware-based control mechanisms.

[0046] The switching module 100 allows the computing power required for the control of the first and / or second actuator 41 , 42 to be provided by the computing unit 20, whereby the computing unit 20 can directly control the respective actuator via the respective interface and the switching unit 130.

[0047] Advantageously, by using the switching module 100 as a connecting element on the path between the computing unit 20 and the first and second actuators 41, 42, a control unit and / or a microcontroller can be dispensed with, thereby reducing the system complexity and the number of semiconductor components used, such as in electronic fuses.

[0048] Reference symbol list

[0049] 10 Sensor

[0050] 20 computing units

[0051] 30 Energy source

[0052] 41 first actuator

[0053] 42 second actuator

[0054] 100 switching modules

[0055] 110 first interface

[0056] 120 second interface

[0057] 130 switching unit

[0058] 140 electronic fuse

[0059] 150 communication units

Claims

Patent claims 1. Switching module (100), comprising - a communication unit (150), wherein the communication unit (150) is configured to communicate with a computing unit (20); - an interface (110) for controlling a consumer (41), wherein the The interface comprises a fuse (140) and a switching unit (130); wherein - the communication unit (150) is designed to receive standardized control commands and / or rule commands from the computing unit (20), - the fuse (140) is designed to operate depending on a predefined Condition to couple or decouple the switching module (100) with the consumer, - the switching unit (130) is designed as a hardware circuit free of function-specific software and is configured to control the consumer depending on the control and / or regulation commands and to execute hardware-based control and / or regulation mechanisms.

2. Switching module according to claim 1, wherein the switching module (100) has a second interface (120) for controlling a second consumer (42), wherein the second interface (120) includes a fuse (140) and a switching unit (130).

3. Switching module (100) according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the switching unit (130) is designed as a modular hardware circuit.

4. Switching module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Control commands and / or control commands include parameters of a control chain and / or control loop of a consumer (41 ).

5. Switching module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Control commands and / or regulation commands include sensor data.

6. Switching module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control commands and / or regulation commands are predefined control commands.

7. Switching module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Control commands and / or rule commands include predefined conditions.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a switching module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Switching module (100), comprising - a communication unit (150) wherein the communication unit (150) is configured to communicate with a computing unit (20) wherein the computing unit is configured to generate standardized control commands and / or regulation commands for a first actuator (41) and / or a second actuator (42) based on sensor data from at least one sensor (10); - a first interface (110) for controlling the first actuator (41) and a second interface (120) for controlling the second actuator (42), wherein the interfaces each comprise a fuse (140) and a switching unit (130); wherein - the communication unit (150) is designed to receive the standardized control commands and / or rule commands from the computing unit (20), - the fuse (140) is designed to couple or decouple the switching module (100) with the respective actuator (41 , 42) depending on a predefined condition, - the switching unit (130) is designed as a hardware circuit free of function-specific software and is configured to directly control the respective actuator (41 , 42) depending on the control and / or regulation commands and to execute hardware-based control and / or regulation mechanisms.

10. Switching module (100) according to claim 9, wherein the path between computing unit (20) and the first and / or second actuator (41 , 42) is free of a control unit and / or a microcontroller.

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