Electrical resistance unit for a vehicle and corresponding electrical resistance system, vehicle and method for configuring the electrical resistance unit

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical resistance unit (100, 100') for a vehicle, comprising: at least two electrical resistors (1, 2, 3) which are each formed from at least one resistor element (10, 10', 10'', 20, 20', 20'', 30, 30', 30', n, n', n''), and at least two connecting sections (10A, 10'A, 10''A, 20B, 20'B, 20''B, 30C, 30'C, 30''C, nN, n'N, n''N), wherein at least one phase (A, B, C,..., N) can be optionally connected to at least one of the electrical resistors (1, 2, 3) via the at least two connecting sections (10A, 10'A, 10''A, 20B, 20'B, 20''B, 30C, 30'C, 30''C, nN, n'N, n''N).

Description

[0001] 2024PF00250 September 2, 2024

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Electrical resistance unit for a vehicle and corresponding electrical resistance system, vehicle and method for configuring the electrical resistance unit

[0005] The present invention relates to an electrical resistance unit for a vehicle, an electrical resistance system with such an electrical resistance unit, a vehicle with at least one such electrical resistance unit and / or such an electrical resistance system, and a method for configuring the electrical resistance unit.

[0006] A single-phase electrical resistor typically has one positive and one negative terminal. Multi-phase systems therefore require multiple resistors. Furthermore, three-phase systems, for example, may utilize different circuit configurations, such as delta or star connections, which in turn necessitate specific designs for the multiple resistors being combined. This increases the variety of possible configurations and, consequently, the associated complexity.

[0007] Furthermore, even within a specific application, i.e., a concrete use in a functional system, there may be operating conditions where the effective electrical resistance should be adjustable. This applies, for example, to an electrical braking resistor that should provide high dissipation power for heat dissipation, although the associated power loss and / or the amount of heat absorbed by the electrical braking resistor is not desirable in every operating condition.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a means of supplying different total resistances. 2024PF00250

[0009] 2

[0010] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0011] Advantageous further training is the subject of the sub-claims.

[0012] According to the invention, an electrical resistance unit for a vehicle comprises at least two electrical resistors, each formed from at least one resistive element, and at least two connecting sections. At least one phase can be selectively connected to at least one of the electrical resistors via the at least two connecting sections.

[0013] The electrical resistance unit thus offers the possibility of connecting at least one phase to at least one or both electrical resistors.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, at least one further phase can be connected to one or both electrical resistors. Accordingly, the total resistance for the respective phase can be adjusted via the connection to one or more electrical resistors and / or the connection configuration. The connection configuration refers to a connection topography, such as a parallel or series connection, and / or connection structure in the case of multiple phases.

[0015] The connectivity via the connection sections can be permanently configured to suit a specific application. However, to accommodate changing requirements within an application, the connection sections are configured to allow repeated opening and closing, for example, to enable switching. The electrical resistance unit can also feature permanent connections as well as openable and closable connection sections. This might involve, for example, a connection always required within an application via permanent connections and optional connections via openable and closable connections.

[0016] In one embodiment, at least one of the at least two electrical resistors is formed from at least two resistive elements. 2024PF00250

[0017] 3

[0018] Thus, a phase can be connected, for example, via individual connection sections to both of the at least two resistive elements, in order to adjust the total resistance across the single electrical resistor accordingly. Consequently, the total resistance for a phase can be adjusted not only via the connection to the electrical resistors, but also via the number of resistive elements of an electrical resistor connected to that phase. The electrical resistance, whether as a single resistive element or as a group of several resistive elements, can also be adjusted with regard to the geometry of the individual or multiple resistive elements. This applies to the conductor cross-section of the resistive element in its width and / or height, as well as, alternatively or additionally, the length of the resistive element. Likewise, the material used for each resistive element can be varied, either alternatively or additionally.

[0019] An electrical resistance element is, for example, plate-shaped, with the electrical resistance then being composed of at least two stacked resistance elements, between which insulation is arranged. The electrical connection of the resistance elements can then be made via the phase and / or a further connecting section.

[0020] The connection via the respective connection sections can also be optionally configured, in particular openable and closedable, for example, switchable. Alternatively, only one connection section can be provided for at least two resistance elements, which is then designed as a changeover switch, in particular as a changeover switch with a neutral position in which there is no connection to either resistance element.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least two resistance elements differ in their electrical resistance.

[0022] With regard to the aforementioned changeover switch, the electrical resistance for the phase to be connected can thus be easily adjusted. 2024PF00250

[0023] 4

[0024] In one embodiment, at least one phase can be connected in parallel to at least two electrical resistors via the at least two connecting sections.

[0025] The total resistance for each phase can be adjusted accordingly via the parallel connection or connectivity.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least two phases can be connected to at least one of the at least two electrical resistors.

[0027] The electrical resistance unit can therefore be flexibly adapted to single-phase or multi-phase applications. In particular, the flexible connection options, with a corresponding number of resistors, result in a wide variety of connection configurations.

[0028] In one embodiment, the electrical resistance unit has at least three electrical resistors which can be optionally connected in one of at least two resistor arrangements, in particular to a triangular resistor arrangement or a star-shaped resistor arrangement.

[0029] For example, in a star or delta connection, three phases can be connected to the three electrical resistors via respective connection sections. Accordingly, for a delta connection, the first phase is connected to the first and second electrical resistors, the second phase to the first and third electrical resistors, and the third phase to the second and third electrical resistors. The star connection, in turn, results from connecting the first phase to the first electrical resistor, the second phase to the second electrical resistor, and the third phase to the third electrical resistor.With a suitably switchable connection, the delta connection can be transformed into a star connection by disconnecting the first phase from the second resistor, the second phase from the third resistor, and the third phase from the second resistor. A reverse 2024PF00250.

[0030] 5

[0031] Transformation, i.e., from a star connection to a delta connection, results from the respective connection of the first phase with the second electrical resistance, the second phase with the third electrical resistance, and the third phase with the second electrical resistance.

[0032] In one embodiment, the electrical resistance unit has a neutral conductor or a connecting section for a neutral conductor.

[0033] In a star connection, for example, the first, second, and third electrical resistors are connected to the neutral conductor. This can be done by connecting the first, second, and third electrical resistors to a neutral point.

[0034] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an electrical resistance system for a vehicle. The electrical resistance system comprises at least one previously described electrical resistance unit and at least one circuit device, which has at least one switching element by means of which at least one phase, which is connected to at least one electrical resistor, can be switched.

[0035] The switching device allows a resistance configuration of the phase connected to at least one electrical resistor or respective resistance elements to be switched via the at least one switching element. The switchability of the resistance configuration can also refer to a single or a group of resistance elements of an electrical resistor, provided that the electrical resistor can be formed from several resistance elements.

[0036] The switching capability can also refer to the connection via the connecting sections. Alternatively or additionally, switching of the phases can be provided. 2024PF00250

[0037] 6

[0038] In one embodiment, the at least one circuit device for the at least one phase has at least one high-side switch and one low-side switch.

[0039] The respective high-side switch is positioned between the electrical power source of the respective phase and the electrical resistance unit acting as the load, while the low-side switch is located downstream of the load. By opening and closing the respective high-side and low-side switches of a phase, i.e., depending on the switch position, the electrical resistances connected to that phase can be activated or deactivated.

[0040] In one embodiment, the electrical resistance system has at least two phases and at least two electrical resistors, wherein the total resistance of the electrical resistance system is adjustable via the circuitry of the respective high-side switches and low-side switches.

[0041] For example, if the electrical resistance unit has three resistors connected via respective connecting sections to three phases in a delta circuit, the total resistance can be flexibly adjusted via a high-side switch and a low-side switch for each phase.Assuming that the first phase is connected via respective connection sections to the first and second electrical resistances, the second phase via respective connection sections to the first and third electrical resistances, and the third phase via respective connection sections to the second and third electrical resistances, closing the high-side switch for the first phase and closing the low-side switch for the second phase, while all other high-side and low-side switches are closed, results in a total resistance equal to the sum of the second and third electrical resistances. Conversely, if only the high-side switch for the first phase and the low-side switch for the third phase are closed, the total resistance equals the second electrical resistance. 2024PF00250.

[0042] 7

[0043] The switching device, with its respective high-side and low-side switches for each phase, can be implemented via a so-called brake chopper. The electrical resistance unit can form an electrical braking resistor, through which excess electrical energy generated during braking in an electric or hybrid vehicle during recuperation can be converted into heat and dissipated. Depending on the required or available heat dissipation capacity, the electrical resistance unit can be controlled via the brake chopper.

[0044] In principle, a wide variety of resistance configurations and switching positions can be set here. For example, three phases can be connected in parallel with three electrical resistors, with each high-side switch closed and each low-side switch open. In the closed state, each switch is conductive, while the open state indicates a non-conductive, current-free state. In one variation, a first phase is connected to a first electrical resistor and a second phase to a second electrical resistor, with a connection to a third phase at the output of the first and second electrical resistors. In this case, for example, the high-side switches of the first and second phases and the low-side switch of the third phase are closed, while the remaining high-side and low-side switches are open.Comparably flexible circuit options are available for delta and star connections.

[0045] In one embodiment, the electrical resistance system includes at least one control device configured to issue a circuit command for the circuit device.

[0046] In particular, the control device can also be part of the switching device in order to control individual switching elements. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical resistance system can also have a signal interface for receiving corresponding control signals from a higher-level control device. The control device of the electrical resistance system and / or the higher-level control device can receive corresponding control signals for 2024PF00250

[0047] 8 derive the switching device, for example, from an input command, an operating state and / or sensor signals.

[0048] The characteristics described above for the electrical resistance system are equally applicable to the electrical resistance system. Likewise, characteristics described for the electrical resistance system are transferable to the electrical resistance unit, provided they have not already been described therein.

[0049] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle with at least one previously described electrical resistance unit and / or an electrical resistance system.

[0050] The vehicle is, in particular, an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with a multitude of electrical resistance units and / or electrical resistance systems. Accordingly, for each application requiring an electrical resistance unit and / or electrical resistance system, such a system can be configured application-specifically, starting from a single electrical resistance unit. Furthermore, the total resistance within an application can also be adjusted depending on the operating state or other requirements.

[0051] The vehicle-specific features described above for the electrical resistance unit and / or electrical resistance system are equally applicable to the vehicle. Likewise, features described for the vehicle relating to the electrical resistance unit and / or electrical resistance system are transferable to the electrical resistance unit and / or electrical resistance system, provided they have not already been described therein. 2024PF00250

[0052] 9

[0053] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for configuring a previously described electrical resistance unit, comprising the steps of:

[0054] Providing a previously described electrical resistance unit and connecting at least one phase to at least one resistance element via at least one connecting section.

[0055] This method enables application-specific pre-configuration of the electrical resistance unit or application-specific configuration of an electrical resistance system. Furthermore, it may also be possible to adjust the total resistance depending on an operating state or other requirements within an application.

[0056] Features described in the description of the electrical resistance unit, the electrical resistance system, and / or the vehicle are directly or indirectly applicable to the process as process features. Likewise, features described for the process are directly or indirectly transferable as structural features to the electrical resistance unit, the electrical resistance system, and / or the vehicle, provided they have not already been described for this purpose.

[0057] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] In detail, it shows

[0059] Fig. 1 shows an electrical resistance unit according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0060] Fig. 2 shows an electrical resistance unit according to a modified configuration of the electrical resistance unit of Fig. 1; 2024PF00250

[0061] 10

[0062] Fig. 3 shows an electrical resistance system according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0063] Fig. 4 shows a variant of a resistor arrangement applicable to the electrical resistance system according to Fig. 3.

[0064] Fig. 1 shows an electrical resistance unit 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The electrical resistance unit has several electrical resistors 1, 2, 3, ..., N, wherein the first electrical resistor 1 is formed from several resistive elements 10, 10', 10"; the second electrical resistor 2 is formed from several resistive elements 20, 20', 20"; the third electrical resistor 3 is formed from several resistive elements 30, 30', 30"; and the nth electrical resistor N' is formed from several resistive elements n, n', n". The number of electrical resistors 1, 2, 3, ..., N corresponds here by way of example to a maximum number of phases A, B, C, ..., N that can be provided for typical applications.

[0065] Phase A is connected here via a connection section 10A to resistor 10, via a connection section 10'A to resistor 10', and via a connection section 10"A to resistor 10". Strictly speaking, the respective resistors 10, 20, and 30 are connected via a connection section to a positive side A+ of phase A and a negative side A- of phase A, respectively. For clarity, the positive and negative connection sections are grouped together here as a single connection section 10A, 10'A, etc. This also applies to the connection sections for the other phases.Similarly, phase B is connected via a connection section 20B, which, like the other connection sections, represents a connection to a positive side B+ of phase B and a connection to a negative side B- of phase B, to the resistor 20, to a connection section 20'B to the resistor 20', and to a connection section 20"B to the resistor 20". Likewise, phase C is connected via a connection section 30C to the resistor 30, to a connection section 30'C to the resistor 30', and to a 2024PF00250.

[0066] 11

[0067] The connecting section 30"C is connected to the resistive element 30". This is equally applicable to further phases up to phase N, which is connected to the resistive element n via a connecting section n'N, to a resistive element n' via a connecting section n'N, and to a resistive element n" via a connecting section n"N".

[0068] The connection sections 10a, 10'A, 10"A, 20B, 20'B, 20"B, 30C, 30'C, 30"C are solder joints used to establish a corresponding connection. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the connection sections can be switchable and / or pluggable. The permanent connection via solder joints then corresponds to a preconfiguration that can be flexibly adapted to a specific application due to the various connection options.

[0069] Fig. 2 shows an electrical resistance unit 100' according to a modified configuration of the electrical resistance unit of Fig. 1. Phase A is connected only to resistance elements 10, 10', phase B to resistance elements 20, 20', and phase C to resistance elements 30, 30'. Phase N is not connected at all. The connection sections for unconnected resistance elements are no longer shown. Fig. 2 illustrates the possibilities for adapting the electrical resistance unit 100 to an electrical resistance unit 100' starting from a common basic design.

[0070] Fig. 3 shows an electrical resistance system according to an exemplary embodiment. The electrical resistance system comprises an electrical resistance unit, which is represented here by a resistance arrangement 50, representing a corresponding connection configuration of the electrical resistance unit 100. The resistance arrangement 50 corresponds to a delta connection in which phase A is connected to the first electrical resistance 1 and the second electrical resistance 2. Phase B is connected to the first electrical resistance 1 and the third electrical resistance 3. Phase C is connected to the second electrical resistance 2 and the third electrical resistance 2024PF00250

[0071] 12

[0072] Resistor 3 is connected. In the context of a three-phase AC device, phase A can also be understood as phase U, phase B as phase V, and phase C as phase W.

[0073] Furthermore, the electrical resistance system comprises a switching device 40 and a control device 60 that controls the switching device 40. The switching device includes one high-side switch 41, 42, 43 and one low-side switch 44, 45, 46 for each phase A, B, C.

[0074] If, for an application or an operating state of an application, the total resistance is intended to correspond to the sum of the resistances of electrical resistance 2 and electrical resistance 3, the control device 60 controls the switching device 40 such that the high-side switch 41 for phase A and the low-side switch 45 for phase C are closed, while the remaining high-side switches 42, 43 and low-side switches 44, 46 remain or become open. This switching state corresponds to the illustration in Fig. 3, where a black-filled switching element corresponds to a closed state.

[0075] Fig. 4 shows a variant of a resistor arrangement 50' applicable to the electrical resistance system according to Fig. 3. The resistor arrangement 50' here corresponds to a star connection, which can be implemented starting from the resistor arrangement 50 by connecting the respective phases A, B, and C to the respective electrical resistors 1, 2, and 3 via the connecting sections 1A, 2B, and 3C. Specifically, phase A is connected to the first electrical resistor 1 via connecting section 1A, phase B to the second electrical resistor 2 via connecting section 2B, and phase C to the third electrical resistor 3 via connecting section 3C. Furthermore, the first resistor 1, the second resistor 2, and the third resistor 3 are connected to each other at a neutral point. The total resistance can be adjusted by appropriately controlling the switching device 40 via the control device 60. 2024PF00250

[0076] 13

[0077] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. In particular, features described in relation to the embodiments, other described configurations and further developments of the invention can be combined with one another, provided they are not mutually exclusive.

[0078] 2024PF00250

[0079] 14

[0080] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0081] 1 resistor

[0082] 2 Resistance

[0083] 3 Resistance

[0084] 10, 10', 10" Resistor element 20, 20', 20" Resistor element 30, 30', 30" Resistor element 10A, 10'A Connection section 20B, 20'B Connection section 30C, 30'C Connection section 40 Circuit device 41 High-side switch 42 High-side switch 43 High-side switch 44 Low-side switch 45 Low-side switch 46 Low-side switch 50'50' Resistor assembly 60 Control device

[0085] 100, 100' Resistance unit A Phase AB Phase BC Phase CN Phase N

[0086] N' resistor n, n', n" resistor element nN, n'N, n"N connecting section

Claims

2024PF00250 15 PATENT CLAIMS 1. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') for a vehicle, comprising: at least two electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3), each consisting of at least one resistive element (10, 10', 10", 20, 20', 20", 30, 30', 30", n, n', n") are formed, and at least two connecting sections (10A, 10'A, 10"A, 20B, 20'B, 20"B, 30C, 30'C, 30"C, n, n', n"), wherein at least one phase (A, B, C, ... , N) can be selectively connected to at least one of the electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3) via the at least two connecting sections (10A, 10'A, 10"A, 20B, 20'B, 20"B, 30C, 30'C, 30"C, nN, n'N, n"N.

2. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3) is formed from at least two resistance elements (10, 10', 10", 20, 20', 20", 30, 30', 30", n, n', n").

3. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to claim 2, wherein the at least two resistance elements (10, 10', 10", 20, 20', 20", 30, 30', 30", n, n', n") differ in their electrical resistance.

4. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one phase (A, B, C, ... , N) can be connected in parallel to the at least two electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3) via the at least two connecting sections (10A, 10'A, 10"A, 20B, 20'B, 20"B, 30C, 30'C, 30"C, nN, n'N, n"N).

5. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two phases (A, B, C, ... , N) are connectable to at least one of the at least two electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3).

6. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical resistance unit (100, 100') has at least three 2024PF00250 16 electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3) which can be optionally connected in one of at least two resistor arrangements (50, 50'), in particular to a triangular resistor arrangement (50) or a star-shaped resistor arrangement (50').

7. Electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to claim 6, wherein the electrical resistance unit (100, 100') has a neutral conductor or a connecting section for a neutral conductor.

8. Electrical resistance system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims and at least one switching device (40) comprising at least one switching element (41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) via which at least one phase (A, B, C, ... , N) connected to at least one electrical resistance (1 , 2, 3) can be switched.

9. Electrical resistance system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one circuit device (40) for the at least one phase (A, B, C, ... , N) comprises at least one high-side switch (41 , 42, 43) and one low-side switch (44, 45, 46).

10. Electrical resistance system according to claim 9, wherein the electrical resistance system has at least two phases (A, B, C, ... , N) and at least two electrical resistors (1 , 2, 3), wherein the total resistance of the electrical resistance system is adjustable via the circuit of the respective high-side switches (41 , 42, 43) and low-side switches (44, 45, 46).

11. Electrical resistance system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the electrical resistance system has at least one control device configured to issue a circuit command for the circuit device (40). 2024PF00250 17 12. Vehicle with at least one electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and / or an electrical resistance system according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

13. Method for configuring an electrical resistance unit (100, 100') comprising the steps of: Providing an electrical resistance unit (100, 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Connecting at least one phase (A, B, C, ... , N) with at least one resistive element (10, 10', 10", 20, 20', 20", 30, 30', 30", n, n', n") via at least one connecting section (10A, 10'A, 10"A, 20B, 20'B, 20"B, 30C, 30'C, 30"C, nN, n'N, n"N).

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