BUS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

Abstract

A bus system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of electrical and/or electronic components coupled to one another in terms of signalling via at least one bus line, said components including at least one master component and at least two slave components. At least one of the slave components functions as a master for one or a plurality of the further slave components for at least one operating parameter. There is additionally disclosed a method for controlling such a bus system comprising a plurality of electrical or electronic components coupled to one another in terms of signalling via at least one bus line, wherein at least one of the slave components operates as a master for one or a plurality of the further slave components for at least one operating parameter.

Claims

1. A bus system comprising: a plurality of electrical and/or electronic components coupled to one another in terms of signaling via at least one bus line, the plurality of electrical and/or electronic components including: at least one master component and at least two slave components, wherein at least one of the at least two slave components functions as a master for one or a plurality of the slave components for at least one operating parameter, under at least certain conditions.

2. The bus system according to claim 1; wherein the roll of the command issuer is assumed in reference to at least one operating parameter and/or in reference to a certain operating mode.

3. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the slave components determines at least one set point operating parameter of another of the at least two slave component and transmits the at least one set point operating parameter to the slave component that functions as a master and/or to the master component.

4. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein a central control function for a system to be controlled is associated with a first slave component of the at least two slave components, which function is transferred to other components or to an entire system to be controlled.

5. The bus system according to claim 4; wherein the first slave component recognizes a status of the first slave component as a component of the system to be controlled, via bus signals and/or bus messages which are transmitted to the first slave component and are evaluated.

6. The bus system according to claim 1, which system is equipped with a LIN bus line and/or a CAN bus line.

7. A climate control device having a bus system according to claim 1, comprised of at least one heating device, as a first slave component, and at least one ventilation means, as a second slave component, wherein the heating device calculates at least one set point operating parameter of the ventilation means, and sends said parameter to said ventilation means as a control signal, via the bus line.

8. A method for controlling a bus system, wherein the bus system is comprised of a plurality of electrical and/or electronic components coupled to one another in terms of signaling via at least one bus line, wherein the plurality electrical and/or electronic components include at least one master component and at least two slave components, and wherein at least one of the slave components functions as a master for one or a plurality of the further slave components for at least one operating parameter.

9. The method according to claim 8; wherein at least one slave component calculates at least one set point operating parameter of another slave component and transmits said parameter to the latter and/or to the master component.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein a central control function for a system to be controlled is associated with the first slave component, which function is transmitted to other components or to the entire system to be controlled.

11. The method according to claim 10; wherein the first slave component recognizes a status of the first slave component as a component of the system to be controlled, via bus signals and/or bus messages which are transmitted to the first slave component and are evaluated.

12. The method according to claim 10; wherein the first slave component transmits appropriate signals to the at least one second slave component associated with said first slave component, only after a request via the master component.

13. The method according to claim 12; wherein the first slave component further processes the signals from the master component in conjunction with additional information which is available.

14. (canceled)

15. The bus system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the slave components determines at least one set point operating parameter of another of the at least two slave component, and transmits the at least one set point operating parameter to the slave component that functions as a master and/or to the master component.

16. The bus system according to claim 3, wherein a central control function for a system to be controlled is associated with a first slave component of the at least two slave components, which function is transferred to other components or to an entire system to be controlled.

17. The bus system according to claim 5, which system is equipped with a LIN bus line and/or a CAN bus line.

18. A climate control device having a bus system according to claim 17, comprised of at least one heating device, as a first slave component, and at least one ventilation means, as a second slave component, wherein the heating device calculates at least one set point operating parameter of the ventilation means, and sends said parameter to said ventilation means as a control signal, via the bus line.

Description

[0024] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The size relationships of the individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual relationships, given that some of the representations have been simplified, and others have been enlarged in relation to other elements, for the sake of better illustration.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram to illustrate a variant embodiment of an inventive bus system;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows another schematic block diagram, illustrating a useful control arrangement within the inventive bus system;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another control arrangement within the inventive bus system;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an inventive bus system, in the example of a climate-controlled seat of a motor vehicle;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows another schematic representation of the control arrangement in an inventive bus system, for a climate-controlled seat of a motor vehicle;

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the control sequence in an inventive bus system; and

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates another control sequence in an inventive bus system.

[0032] Identical reference numerals have been used for the same elements, or elements having the same effects, according to the invention. For the sake of clarity of representation, in a given figure only those reference numerals have been employed which are necessary for the description of that figure. The embodiments which are illustrated are only examples of possible realizations of the inventive system and/or method, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0033] In FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of a possible variant embodiment of an inventive bus system 2 is presented. The bus system 2 shown comprises a master component 4 and a plurality of slave components (6, 8), in particular a first slave component 6 and a plurality of second slave components (represented by 8, 8′, and 8.sup.n). The first slave component 6 and the second slave components (8, 8′, 8.sup.n) are components of a system 12, which may be comprised of a vehicle seat or the like which may be provided with climate control means, wherewith the slave components are associated with electrical components.

[0034] The slave components (6; 8, 8, 8.sup.n are interconnected by a single bus line 10 for transmission of electrical data signals, which bus line not only couples the slave components (6; 8, 8′, 8.sup.n) together but connects them to the master component 4, beyond the boundaries of the system 12, in terms of signaling. The messages transmitted via signals in the bus line 10 reduce the master component 4 to merely a functional stage within the system 12, with the first slave component 6 assuming the central control function within the system 12. Thus, the first slave component 6, within the system 12, can at least preferentially and/or regarding specific functions function as similarly to a master, as an issuer of commands for the second slave components (8, 8′, 8.sup.n) or for at least one of the second slave components (8, 8′, 8.sup.n). The central control function can also be completely taken over by the command issuer. Alternatively, the control function may be exercised also by, e.g., a “body control module”, a climate control apparatus, or a “seat control module”.

[0035] The block diagram of FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a possible useful control arrangement in the inventive bus system 2. The master component 4 receives a control command from an operating or actuating unit 24 (not shown here—see FIG. 5) for operating the system 12, which command is represented by the arrow 14.

[0036] Based on the functional status (“functional stage”) of the master component 4 within the system 12, the master component 4 passes the control command to the first slave component 6, via the bus line 10. The transmission of the control command is symbolized by the arrow 16. Since the function transmitted with the control command 16 is within the functional range of the first slave component 6, the control command 16 is also executed by the first slave component 6. Initially, the second slave component 8 shown in FIG. 2 and coupled with the master component 4 and the first slave component 6 via the bus line 10 does not receive any control command, and does not carry out any action.

[0037] Another possible control arrangement in the inventive bus system 2 is illustrated, as an example, in the block diagram of FIG. 3. The master component 4 receives a control command for operating the system 12 from an operating or actuating unit 24 (not shown in FIG. 3 but shown in FIG. 5), which control command is symbolized by the arrow 18. Based on the functional status (“functional stage”) of the master component 4, which has been reduced within the system, the master component 4 passes the control command to the first slave component 6, via the bus line 10. This control command is symbolized by the arrow 20. The contents (information contents) of the control command 20 are evaluated by a central control means (here component 6), in conjunction with other parameters available to the component 6, whereby a control command 22 is generated. The contents of the control command 20 fall within the functional domain of the second slave component 8. Since the first slave component 6 is exercising a central control function, following a request from (via) the master component 4 and via the bus line 10 the first slave component 6 can transmit the command to the second slave component 8. The transmission of this control command is symbolized by the arrow 22. Then the second slave component 8 can exercise the control command (20, 22).

[0038] The schematic representation according to FIG. 4 represents the inventive bus system 2 as applied to the example of a climate-controlled device of a climate-controlled seat, which seat may be in particular a vehicle seat which is subject to climate control means. Once again the bus system 2 is comprised of the master component 4. For optimal functioning of the climate-controlled device, a first slave component 6 in the form of a seat heating component 7 is provided in the climate-controlled seat system 13. Also, the climate-controlled seat system 13 has two second slave components (8, 8′) in the form of seat ventilation components (9, 9′). The seat heating and seat ventilation components (7; 9, 9′) are connected to the master component beyond the climate-controlled seat system 13 via the bus line 12. The data signals sent by the master component and transmitted by the bus line 10 reduce the master component 4, e.g., to merely a functional stage. Here the seat heating component 7, as the first slave component 6, assumes the central control function of the system (12, 13). Based on its central control function, the seat heating component 7 recognizes from the signals which are transmitted whether these signals contain signal components which are intended for a climate control device of the climate-controlled seat system 13. If this is the case, the signals are employed for control of functions; otherwise, the signals are not so employed.

[0039] In the schematic representation, according to FIG. 5, another example is provided of a control arrangement within the inventive bus system 2 for a climate control device. It is seen that operating elements 26 and 28 are provided; the operating element 26 serves for adjusting the seat heating component 7, and the operating element 28 serves for adjusting the seat ventilation component (9 or 9′). The operating elements (26, 28) are coupled to an operating unit 24 for operating and adjusting the climate-controlled seat system 13. The operating unit (or actuating unit) 24 is linked to the master component 4, in signaling terms. Data signals, or data commands, symbolized by the arrow 30, are transmitted from the operating unit 24 to the master component 4. The master component 4 transmits the command which it receives to the seat heating component 7, via the bus line 10, which component 7 has the central control function. The transmission of the data command is symbolized by the arrow 32. If the command constitutes an adjusting command for the seat heating component 7, the command is processed by the seat heating component 7. If the adjusting command is a command for adjusting one of the seat ventilation components (9, 9′), in response to a request via the master component 4 the seat heating component 7 transmits appropriate messages to the seat ventilation components (9, 9′), as symbolized by the arrow 34.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a first control sequence within an inventive bus system 2. In step S1, the master component 4 receives a command to adjust the seat heating component 7 to “heating stage 1”. In the next step, S2, the master component 4 transmits the command “heating stage 1” to the seat heating component 7, via the bus line 10 (see step S3). In step S4, the command “heating stage 1” is received by the seat heating component 7. Given that the command “heating stage 1” relates to the seat heating component 7, in step S5 the seat heating component is set to “heating stage 1”.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a second control sequence within an inventive bus system 2. In step S1′, the master component 4 receives a command to adjust the seat ventilation component to “air conditioning stage 2”. In the second step S2; the master component 4 transmits the command “air conditioning stage 2” to the seat heating component 7, via the bus line 10 (see step S3′). In step S4′, the command “air conditioning stage 2” is received by the seat heating component 7. Since the command “air conditioning stage 2” does not relate to the seat heating component 7, in step S5′, following a request via the master component 4, the command is transmitted from the seat heating component 7 to the seat ventilation component 9, via the bus line 10. Following the receipt of the command “air conditioning stage 2” by the seat ventilation component 9 in step S6′, adjustment of the seat ventilation component 9 to “air conditioning stage 2” can be carried out (see step S7′).

[0042] It may also be provided that the seat heating component not only copies and forwards the command but first process or converts it. Thus, e.g., not only is the content “air conditioning stage 2” transmitted to the ventilation means, but also the content “rotational speed 80%”.

[0043] The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications and refinements of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the claims set forth hereinbelow.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0044] 2 Bus system. [0045] 4 Master component. [0046] 6 First slave component. [0047] 7 Seat heating component. [0048] 8 Second slave component. [0049] 8′ Second slave component. [0050] 8.sup.n Second slave component. [0051] 9 Seat ventilation device. [0052] 9′ Seat ventilation device. [0053] 10 Bus line. [0054] 12 System [0055] 13 Climate-controlled seat system [0056] 14 Transmission of the command (control command). [0057] 16 Transmission of the command (control command). [0058] 18 Transmission of the command (control command). [0059] 20 Transmission of the command (control command). [0060] 22 Transmission of the command (transmitted control command). [0061] 24 Operating unit (or actuating unit). [0062] 26 Operating unit of seat heating component. [0063] 28 Operating unit of seat ventilation element. [0064] 30 Transmission of the command. [0065] 32 Transmission of the command. [0066] 34 Transmission of the command. [0067] S1 Step 1 of the first control sequence. [0068] S2 Step 2 of the first control sequence. [0069] S3 Step 3 of the first control sequence. [0070] S4 Step 4 of the first control sequence. [0071] S5 Step 5 of the first control sequence. [0072] S1′ Step 1 of the second control sequence. [0073] S2′ Step 2 of the second control sequence. [0074] S3′ Step 3 of the second control sequence. [0075] S4′ Step 4 of the second control sequence. [0076] S5′ Step 5 of the second control sequence. [0077] S6′ Step 6 of the second control sequence. [0078] S7′ Step 7 of the second control sequence.