MODULAR SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular system has at least a first module (A, B) and a second module (D, E, H). The modules are configured such that a first apparatus having the first and second modules (A, B, D, E, H) is configured as a first control unit (1) for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle. The first module (A, B) is configured for first functions of the first control unit (1) and the second module (D, E, H) is configured for second functions of the first control unit (1). The first module (A, B) also is configured such that a second apparatus having the first module (A, B) without the second module (D, E, H) is configured as the second control unit (2, 3) for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle, with the second functions being absent from the second control unit (2, 3).

Claims

1. A modular system, comprising at least a first module (A, B) and a second module (D, E, H), the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) being configured such that a first apparatus having the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) is configured as a first control unit (1) for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle, the first module (A, B) being configured for first functions of the first control unit (1) and the second module (D, E, H) being configured for second functions of the first control unit (1), and the first module (A, B) is configured such that a second apparatus having the first module (A, B) and without the second module (D, E, H) is configured as the second control unit (2, 3) for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle, wherein the second functions are absent from the second control unit (2, 3).

2. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the first module (A, B) is configured to determine a state of charge from cell voltages of several battery cells of the first or second traction battery, control a discharge of the battery cells, exchange data with other components of the motor vehicle, and/or establish and interrupt an electrical connection between the respective traction battery and components of the respective motor vehicle.

3. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the second module (D, E, H) is configured to switch off a charging unit of the first motor vehicle for charging the first traction battery, and/or the second module (D, E, H) comprises a pre-charging circuit, and/or that the second module (D, E, H) comprises a DC converter.

4. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the modular system comprises a carrier module (C) for electrical fuses, the carrier module (C) being configured to carry first electrical fuses when used in the first apparatus and to connect the first electrical fuses electrically to first electrical components of the first traction battery, and the carrier module (C) being configured to carry second electrical fuses when used in the second apparatus and to connect the second electrical fuses electrically to second electrical components of the second traction battery.

5. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the modular system comprises plural first modules (A, B) and plural second modules (D, E, H).

6. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising plural interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) and plural housings (G.1, G.2, G.3), the interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) are configured to be connected with the first module (A, B) and/or with the second module (D, E, H) and to relay data to the respective module (A, B, D, E, H) and from the respective module (A, B, D, E, H), the housings (G.1, G.2, G.3) are configured to accommodate the first module (A, B) and/or the second module (D, E, H), the interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) and the housings (G.1, G.2, G.3) are individually adapted to the first motor vehicle or to the second motor vehicle.

7. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the first module (A, B) further comprises a digital data memory and a digital data processing unit, instructions being stored in the digital data memory, the data processing unit being configured to read out and execute the instructions, the instructions being configured for use in the first apparatus and for use in the second apparatus.

8. A system comprising a first control unit (1) for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle having the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) of the modular system of claim 1, and a second control unit (2, 3) having the first module (A, B) and without the second module (D, E, H) for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle.

9. A motor vehicle comprising one of the control units (1, 2, 3) of the system of claim 1 and the first traction battery or the second traction battery.

10. A method for producing one of the control units (1, 2, 3) of the system of claim 8, wherein the instructions stored in the data memory of the first control unit (1) and the second control unit (2, 3) are respectively replaced by different, vehicle-specific instructions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a modular system according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first control unit having a first and a second module of the modular system of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second control unit with the first module and without the second module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The modular system of FIG. 1 comprises modules A to E and H. The module A or the module B are first modules. The modules A and B are configured for first functions of the control unit. The first functions are basic functions that are to be given for all control units that are to be produced with the modular system. For example, the module A can provide the functions of a battery junction box, and the module B can provide the functions of a battery management system or a battery management control unit.

[0025] The module C is configured as a carrier module for electrical fuses and also is installed in all control units to be produced with the modular system.

[0026] The modules D, E and H are second modules and are configured for second functions of the control unit. For example, the module D can be configured to switch off a charging unit of the motor vehicle, the module E can comprise a pre-charging circuit and the module H can comprise a DC converter.

[0027] The modular system also comprises various interfaces F and housings G.

[0028] As can be seen in FIG. 1, a first control unit 1 comprises all modules A to E and H, an interface F.2, and a housing G.2. Thus, the first control unit 1 can provide all functions that can be implemented with the modular system. In addition, the interface F.2 and the housing G.2 are for use in a specific first motor vehicle model. The first control unit in the assembled state is shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] A second control unit 2 comprises the modules A to C, an interface F.1, and a housing G.1. The second control unit 2 is thus free of the modules D, E, and H. Accordingly, the second control unit comprises no function for switching off the charging unit of the motor vehicle, no pre-charging circuit, and no DC converter, unlike the first control unit. By using the interface F.1 and the housing G.1, the second control unit is adapted for use in a specific second motor vehicle model. The second control unit in the assembled state is shown in FIG. 3.

[0030] A third control unit 3 comprises the modules A to C and E and an interface F.3 and a housing G.3. The third control unit is thus free of the modules D and H. Accordingly, the third control unit does not comprise a function for switching off the charging unit of the motor vehicle and no DC converter, by contrast to the first control unit. By using the F.3 interface and the G.3 housing, the third control unit is adapted for use in a specific third motor vehicle model.