Modular Interface Concept For An Electric Drive

Abstract

A modular control unit (100) is adaptable, in terms of interface functions, for an electric motor selected from a predetermined number i of electric motors, in particular electric motors of the same power class. The control unit (100) has at least two printed circuit boards (L1, L2), selected from a set of N different printed circuit boards (L1, L2, . . . , LN). Interface functions, electrical components, electronic components or control units for the operation of the electric motor are located on the printed circuit boards.

Claims

1. A modular control unit is specifically adaptable in terms of interface functions for an electric motor selected from a predetermined set of electric motors, in particular of electric motors of the same power class, the control unit comprising: at least two printed circuit boards (L1, L2), selected from a set of N different printed circuit boards (L1, L2, . . . , LN) where interface functions, electrical components, electronic components or control units for the operation of the electric motor are located; the printed circuit board (L1) is a basic printed circuit board equipped with power electronics (LE) for the electric motors and is accommodated in a first housing of the control unit; further interface functions, in particular of the power electronics (LE), are provided separately from the power electronics (LE) of the electric motors on the other printed circuit board (L2) and the second printed circuit board (L2) includes a housing separate from the first housing and the first housing has a housing wall enclosing the first circuit board, on which the second housing is mounted outside the first housing.

2. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein the second housing is a terminal box and the second printed circuit board (L2) is surrounded by a peripherally closed wall.

3. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein the second housing rests on a housing portion at an external and stepped recess of the first housing and thereby complements the shape of the first housing.

4. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein the second housing has integral cable entries with cable glands and/or the second housing has an integral plug-in connection/connector.

5. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein both housings are designed as standalone housings formed separately from each other, each having its own sealing level.

6. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein the shape of both housings is formed in each case as a sub-segment of a substantially cylindrical body and complement each other to essentially form a cylinder body in the assembled state.

7. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein a plurality of interface functions are combined into interface function groups and such interface functional groups are integrated on at least two or more of the printed circuit boards (L1, L2, . . . , LN).

8. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards (L2, L3, . . . , LN) (supplementary printed circuit board) is provided with further functional components to supplement the function of the printed circuit board having the basic functional components.

9. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board having the basic functions for operating the electric motor has at least one interface for customer-specific functions.

10. The modular control unit of claim 1, wherein there is an interface on the basic printed circuit board (L1) for connection to the supplementary printed circuit board (L2, L3, . . . , LN) and in particular an interface for the power supply of the supplementary printed circuit board (L2, L3, . . . , LN).

11. A method for assembling a control unit of claim 1 for a motor of a specific power class, wherein, depending on the functions to be implemented, at least the basic printed circuit board (L1) has the power electronics and at least one or more of the further printed circuit boards (L2, L3, . . . , LN) are selected and these are electrically connected to one another via their interfaces, with at least one printed circuit board (L2, L3, . . . , LN) being selected, where interface functions of the power electronics are arranged separate from the printed circuit board (L1) with the power electronics and this printed circuit board is preferably installed in a terminal box of the control unit (100).

Description

DRAWINGS

[0037] Other advantageous developments of the disclosure are illustrated in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure with reference to the figures.

[0038] FIG. 1 is perspective views of two exemplary representations of a modular control unit;

[0039] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a representation of the separated control unit in its individual assemblies and

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example combination of a basic printed circuit board and a supplementary printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The disclosure is explained in more detail below using a purely exemplary embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The same reference symbols in the figure denote structurally and/or functionally identical or similar parts.

[0042] FIGS. 1 and 2 show two exemplary representations of a modular control unit 100.

[0043] The modular control unit 100 has a first basic housing 1 and a separate housing 2. In the first housing 1 of the control unit 100, the power electronics L1 is housed, while in the terminal box 2, the other printed circuit boards L2 is provided separately from the power electronics L1. The terminal box 2 sits on the housing wall 3 enclosing the first printed circuit board 1 and is mounted on the housing 1 and in particular outside of the first housing 1.

[0044] The second printed circuit board L2 is surrounded, in the terminal box, by its peripherally closed wall 4, with a detachable cover 4a forming part of the wall 4. The basic housing 1 has a pot-like cover 7 and a basic plate 8. The second housing 2 rests on a housing portion at an external and stepped recess of the first housing 1 and thereby complements the shape of the first housing 1.

[0045] The terminal box 2 has the cable entries 5 with cable glands 6.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a first functional embodiment, which is merely an example, namely a set of two printed circuit boards, namely a first printed circuit board L1 and a supplementary printed circuit board L2, each with interface functions SF.

[0047] Locked on the printed circuit board L1 next to the motor control 10 are a DC/DC converter 20, a power supply 30, a PWM module 40, as well as various other unspecified interfaces and interface functions SF, and interface functions of the customer interface.

[0048] The MOD bus, the controller and connections 50 for power supply from the first printed circuit board L1, and other interface functions SF are located on the printed circuit board L2.

[0049] Thus, FIG. 1 shows part of a set of at least two printed circuit boards L1, L2 where interface functions, electrical components, electronic components or control units for the operation of an electric motor are located, selected from a predetermined number i of electric motors, especially electric motors of the same power class. This combination of the two selected printed circuit boards represents basic controls with different functions for controlling the respective electric motor, for example, wherein, for example, the printed circuit board L2 can be replaced by an extended, different printed circuit board in order to provide additional functions for the same motor or a motor of the same power class. The printed circuit board L1 includes power electronics LE for the electric motors that can be equipped with it, with some of the interface functions of the power electronics LE however installed separately from the power electronics LE on the second printed circuit board L2.

[0050] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.