DYNAMIC CURRENT SENSE ADJUSTMENT FOR RING-LIKE POWER DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for use in ring-like power distribution architectures as well as to ring-like power distribution architectures comprising such ECUs. It also relates to vehicles comprising such ring-like power distribution architectures. In an aspect, an ECU comprises a first ECU terminal for receiving power from a first power source (PS) terminal of a first power source, means for determining whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal, and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a first ECU fuse associated with the first ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

Claims

1. Electronic control unit, ECU, for use in a ring-like power distribution architecture, comprising: a first ECU terminal for receiving power from a first power source, PS, terminal of a first power source; means for determining whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal; and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a first ECU fuse associated with the first ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

2. ECU according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting is configured to set the sensitivity of the first ECU fuse to a first value if current is flowing into the first ECU terminal and/or to a second value if current is flowing out of the first ECU terminal, wherein the first value is smaller than the second value.

3. ECU according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing a first signal to the first power source, wherein the first signal is configured to indicate the first power source to adjust a sensitivity of a first PS fuse associated with the first PS terminal of the first power source based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

4. ECU according to claim 3, wherein the first signal is configured to indicate the first power source to set the sensitivity of the first PS fuse to a first value if current is flowing into the first ECU terminal and/or to a second value if current is flowing out of the first ECU terminal, wherein the first value is smaller than the second value.

5. ECU according to claim 3, wherein the first signal indicates whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal.

6. ECU according to claim 3, wherein the first signal is a digital and/or binary signal.

7. ECU according to claim 3, wherein the means for providing the first signal to the first power source is a separate wire.

8. ECU according to claim 7, wherein the separate wire is provided with an electrical termination on at least one end, preferably at both ends.

9. ECU according to claim 1, wherein the first ECU fuse comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, MOSFET, preferably configured to deactivate upon detection of an overcurrent.

10. ECU according to claim 1, further comprising: a second ECU terminal for receiving power from a second power source, PS, terminal of a second power source; means for determining whether current is flowing into the second ECU terminal or out of the second ECU terminal; and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a second ECU fuse associated with the second ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the second ECU terminal or out of the second ECU terminal.

11. ECU according to claim 10, further comprising means for providing a second signal to the second power source, wherein the second signal is configured to indicate the second power source to adjust a sensitivity of a second PS fuse associated with the second PS terminal of the second power source based on whether current is flowing into the second ECU terminal or out of the second ECU terminal.

12. Electronic control unit, ECU, for use in a ring-like power distribution architecture, comprising: an ECU terminal for providing power to a power drain, PD, terminal of a power drain; means for receiving a signal from the power drain, wherein the signal is configured to indicate the ECU to adjust a sensitivity of an ECU fuse associated with the ECU terminal; and means for adjusting the sensitivity of the ECU fuse associated with the ECU terminal based on the signal.

13. Ring-like power distribution architecture, comprising: a first ECU comprising: a first ECU terminal for receiving power from a first power source, PS, terminal of a first power source; means for determining whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal; and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a first ECU fuse associated with the first ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the first ECU terminal or out of the first ECU terminal; and a second ECU comprising: a second ECU terminal for providing power to a power drain, PD, terminal of a power drain; means for receiving a signal from the power drain, wherein the signal is configured to indicate the second ECU to adjust a sensitivity of an ECU fuse associated with the second ECU terminal; and means for adjusting the sensitivity of the ECU fuse associated with the second ECU terminal based on the signal; wherein the second ECU functions as the first power source and the first ECU functions as the power drain.

14. Ring-like power distribution architecture according to claim 13, wherein the first ECU further comprises: another ECU terminal for receiving power from a second power source, PS, terminal of a second power source; means for determining whether current is flowing into the another ECU terminal or out of the another ECU terminal; and means for adjusting a sensitivity of a second ECU fuse associated with the another ECU terminal based on whether current is flowing into the another ECU terminal or out of the another ECU terminal; wherein the architecture further comprising a third ECU functioning as the second power source.

15. Vehicle comprising a ring-like power distribution architecture according to claim 13.

16. Ring-like power distribution architecture according to claim 14, wherein the third ECU comprises: a third ECU terminal for providing power to a power drain, PD, terminal of a power drain; means for receiving a signal from the power drain, wherein the signal is configured to indicate the third ECU to adjust a sensitivity of an ECU fuse associated with the third ECU terminal; and means for adjusting the sensitivity of the ECU fuse associated with the third ECU terminal based on the signal.

Description

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Possible embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail in the following detailed description with reference to the following Figures:

[0037] FIG. 1: Example of a ring-like power distribution architecture and associated problems;

[0038] FIG. 2: Example of a ring-like power distribution architecture realizing aspects of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 3: Example of circuitry suitable to generate, or provide, a signal in the sense of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 4 Example of circuitry suitable to process, or react to, a signal in the sense of the present invention.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS

[0041] For the sake of brevity, only a few embodiments will be described below. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the features described with reference to these specific embodiments may be modified and combined in different ways and that individual features may also be omitted. The general explanations in the sections above also apply to the more detailed explanations below.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a ring-like power distribution architecture according to an aspect of the present invention. In particular, the shown ring-like power distribution architecture comprises a first ECU 3 according to the first aspect of the present invention and a second and a third ECU, i.e., ECU 1 and ECU 2, according to the second aspect of the 35 present invention.

[0043] The ring-like power distribution architecture shown in FIG. 2 is in large parts identical to that shown in FIG. 1, such that many of the explanations regarding the latter as given above apply here, too, and will hence not be repeated (in this context, it is noted that, as compared to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 comprises a further, non-angled arrow IF illustrating that ECU 3 receives power from ECU 2). Differences stem from ECU 1 and ECU 2 being ECUs according to the second aspect of the present invention and ECU 3 being an ECU according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0044] In particular, ECU 3 comprises means for determining whether current is flowing into or out of the terminals associated with fuses Q5 and Q6, respectively, which are—like all fuses shown in FIG. 2—implemented as MOSFETs. This is illustrated for fuse Q5 (only) by the arrow I.sub.MOSFET. Furthermore, ECU 3 comprises means for providing a first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction to a first power source that is ECU 1. Likewise, ECU 3 comprises means for providing a second signal I.sub.FET Q6 direction to a second power source that is ECU 2.

[0045] Assume a defect, e.g., a short circuit, in ring segment RS 2 (illustrated in FIG. 2 in that ring segment RS 2 is shown as a broken line, connected to ground). While this leaves operation at the terminal associated with fuse Q5 normal in the sense that current continues to flow into that terminal, operation at the terminal associated with fuse Q6 is not normal (anymore) in that current is flowing out of that terminal rather than into it. As a result, ECU 3 adjusts the sensitivity of fuse Q5 such that it blows less easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a low, or relatively lower, first value). Meanwhile, ECU 3 adjusts the sensitivity of fuse Q6 such it blows more easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a high, or relatively higher, second value). At the same time, ECU 3 provides a first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction to ECU 1 that is configured to indicate ECU 1 to adjust the sensitivity of fuse Q1 such that it blows less easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a low, or relatively lower, first value). ECU 1 processes, e.g., reacts to, this first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction and adjusts the sensitivity of fuse Q1 accordingly. Meanwhile, ECU 3 also provides a second signal I.sub.FET Q6 direction to ECU 2 that is configured to indicate ECU 2 to adjust the sensitivity of fuse Q4 such that it blows more easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a high, or relatively higher, second value). ECU 2 processes, e.g., reacts to, this second signal I.sub.FET Q6 direction and adjusts the sensitivity of fuse Q4 accordingly. Signals I.sub.FET Q5 direction and I.sub.FET Q6 direction indicate the direction of current at the terminals associated with fuses Q5 and Q6, respectively, i.e., signals I.sub.FET Q5 direction and I.sub.FET Q6 direction indicate whether current is flowing into or out of the terminals associated with fuses Q5 and Q6, respectively. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, signals I.sub.FET Q5 direction and I.sub.FET Q6 direction are provided via respective separate wires, each provided with an electrical termination at both ends. Moreover, signals I.sub.FET Q5 direction and I.sub.FET Q6 direction are digital and/or binary signals. More specifically, signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction may comprise a voltage of 2.5V to indicate that current is flowing into the terminal associated with fuse Q5, whereas signal I.sub.FET Q6 direction may comprise a voltage of 5V to indicate that current is flowing out of the terminal associated with fuse Q6.

[0046] Given these adjustments of fuses Q1, Q4, Q5 and Q6, the overcurrent due to the defect in ring segment RS 2 will cause fuses Q4 and Q6 to blow as they have been adjusted to blow more easily, while fuses Q1 and Q5 have been adjusted to blow less easily. As a result, ring segment RS 2 is deactivated in full, e.g., cut off at both ends, without affecting any of the nodes and/or any of the remaining ring segments RS 1 and/or RS 2.

[0047] Concomitantly, power supplied by ECU 2 is rerouted, e.g., distributed along the opposite direction in the ring-like power distribution architecture, to eventually reach ECU 3. That is, ECU 3 still receives power from ECU 2 via ring segment RS 1 connecting the terminals associated with fuses Q3 and Q2 and ring segment RS 3 connecting the terminals associated with fuses Q1 and Q5.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows exemplary circuitry suitable to generate, or provide, first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction as it may be comprised in ECU 3. This circuitry comprises fuse Q5 (cf. FIG. 2), a line 300, a resistor, in particular a shunt resistor, 310, a comparator 320 and an amplifier 330. Assume the terminal with which fuse Q5 is associated is connected to line 300, such that, if current is flowing into said terminal, said current, after entering said terminal, first passes resistor 310 before passing fuse Q5. Conversely, if current is flowing out of said terminal, it first passes fuse Q5 and then resistor 310 before exiting through said terminal. This configuration is only exemplary, however. The relative positions of fuse Q5 and resistor 310 may generally be swapped. There may also be additional components placed along line 300.

[0049] Either way, current passing resistor 310 will yield a voltage drop across resistor 310. This voltage drop, or rather the corresponding potentials, is/are measured and fed into comparator 320. Accordingly, comparator outputs a signal that indicates a direction in which current is flowing; more specifically, it indicates whether current is flowing into or out of the corresponding terminal. As such, said signal may be used as first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction configured to indicate ECU 1 to adjust the sensitivity of fuse Q1. The function of amplifier 330 shall be explained below, after discussing FIG. 4.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows exemplary circuitry suitable to process, or react to, first signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction as it may be comprised in ECU 1. This circuitry comprises fuse Q1 (cf. FIG. 2), a line 400, a resistor, in particular a shunt resistor, 410, an amplifier 430 and a comparator 440. Assume the terminal with which fuse Q1 is associated is connected to line 400, such that, if current is flowing into said terminal, said current, after entering said terminal, first passes resistor 410 before passing fuse Q1. Conversely, if current is flowing out of said terminal, it first passes fuse Q1 and then resistor 410 before exiting through said terminal. This configuration is only exemplary, however. The relative positions of fuse Q1 and resistor 410 may generally be swapped. There may also be additional components placed along line 400. Either way, current passing resistor 410 will yield a voltage drop across resistor 410. This voltage drop, or rather the corresponding potentials, is/are measured and damped or amplified using amplifier 430, which applies a corresponding gain.

[0051] The output of amplifier 430 is then fed into comparator 440, which compares this output of amplifier 430 with an alert threshold. The output of comparator 440 is then fed to fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 (or, e.g., its gate driver), such that fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 is switched off if the output of amplifier 430 is greater than the alert threshold. Conversely, fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 is not switched off if the output of amplifier 430 is smaller than the alert threshold. That is, fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 may be, or remain, switched on if the output of amplifier 430 is smaller than the alert threshold.

[0052] Notably, the gain applied by amplifier 430 is adjusted based on signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction. As a result, via the gain applied by amplifier 430, signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction causes the sensitivity of fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 to be adjusted. For example, if signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction indicates ECU 1 to adjust the sensitivity of fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 such that it blows less easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a low, or relatively lower, first value), the amplifier applies a low(er) gain. As a result, it will require strong(er) currents to trigger fuse, i.e., MOSFET Q1 (or, e.g., its gate driver) to switch off. Conversely, if signal I.sub.FET Q5 direction indicates ECU 1 to adjust the sensitivity of fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q1 such that it blows more easily (i.e., the sensitivity of the fuse is set to a high, or relatively higher, second value), the amplifier applies a strong(er) gain. As a result, weak(er) currents will suffice to trigger fuse, i.e., MOSFET Q1 (or, e.g., its gate driver) to switch off.

[0053] Notably, this mechanism may be applied, mutatis mutandis, with respect to amplifier 330 of FIG. 3. That is, a gain applied by amplifier 330 may be adjusted based on a direction in which current is flowing, e.g., based on whether current is flowing into or out of the corresponding terminal. The output of amplifier 330 may then be fed into a(nother) comparator 340 (not shown in FIG. 3) which compares this output of amplifier 330 with an(other) alert threshold. As a result, via the gain applied by amplifier 330, the sensitivity of fuse, i.e., MOSFET, Q5 may be adjusted.

[0054] It is emphasized that the circuitries shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely exemplary. For example, the skilled person is readily aware of many other ways to determine the direction of a current, i.e., whether current is flowing into or out of a terminal, for example using a Hall effect sensor.