PROGRAMMABLE PLUG

Abstract

A gateway device for controlling an air-conditioning device of a vehicle, a vehicle having such a gateway device and a method for starting up an air-conditioning device in a vehicle. The gateway device includes at least one plug-in contact for connecting the gateway device to an air-conditioning device and/or to a vehicle component, a reception unit for receiving configuration data for selecting a plug configuration of the gateway device, a configuration circuit associated with the plug-in contact, that is designed to take configuration data as a basis for changing between at least one first switching state of the plug-in contact, in which the plug-in contact is designed to perform a first function, and at least one second switching state of the plug-in contact, in which the plug-in contact is designed to perform a second function.

Claims

1. Gateway device for controlling an, in particular retrofitted, air-conditioning device of a vehicle, comprising: at least one plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) for connecting the gateway device (30) to an air-conditioning device and/or to a vehicle component; a reception unit (4) for receiving configuration data for selecting a plug configuration of the gateway device (30); a configuration circuit (3a to 3f), associated with the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12), that is designed to take configuration data as a basis for changing over between at least one first switching state of the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12), in which the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is designed to perform a first function, and at least one second switching state of the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12), in which the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is designed to perform a second function.

2. Gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is in the form of an output contact in a first switching state and in the form of an input contact in a second switching state.

3. Gateway device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is in the form of an analogue connection in a first switching state and in the form of a digital connection in a second switching state.

4. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is able to have a first voltage value applied to it or tapped off from it in a first switching state and a second voltage value applied to it or tapped off from it in a second switching state, wherein the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is in particular in the form of a data bus connection for bidirectional data communication, preferably in the form of a CAN bus connection.

5. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is in the form of a data bus connection for bidirectional data communication, in particular in the form of a LIN bus connection, in a first switching state and designed to transmit a PWM signal or in the form of a proprietary bus connection in a second switching state.

6. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is connected up to a first bus terminating resistor in a first switching state and to a second bus terminating resistor in a second switching state.

7. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reception unit (4) is designed to receive configuration data wirelessly, in particular by means of Bluetooth.

8. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway device (30) comprises at least one temperature sensor (7a to 7e) for recording a component temperature, for example of a bus transceiver.

9. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) is connected to a self-resetting fuse (14, 18) that preferably has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor, in particular in the form of a conductive polymer.

10. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) in the form of an output contact has an associated checking circuit designed to tap off the output voltage present on the plug-in contact and in particular to compare it with a stipulated admissible output voltage.

11. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway device (30) has at least one multipole connector (1, 2) that has the at least one plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12) associated with it.

12. Gateway device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway device (30) comprising at least one first, preferably 16-pole, connector (1) and a second, preferably 12-pole, connector (2).

13. Vehicle (50) comprising a gateway device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for starting up an air-conditioning device, in particular an independent vehicle heater, in a vehicle, comprising the following steps: fitting a gateway device (30), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, for controlling the air-conditioning device (40) in the vehicle (50); transmitting, preferably wirelessly, air-conditioning-device-specific and/or vehicle-specific configuration data to a reception unit (4) of the gateway device (30); executing at least one control command, which is produced on the basis of the configuration data, for selecting a plug configuration of the gateway device (30), in particular by means of a configuration circuit (3a to 3f) associated with a plug-in contact (1.1 to 1.16, 2.1 to 2.12).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized by connecting the gateway device (30) to the air-conditioning device (40) and/or to a vehicle component, preferably by plugging connecting lines into a connector (1, 2) of the gateway device (30), which connector is configured in a manner specific to the air-conditioning device and/or to the vehicle.

Description

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are described in more detail below on the basis of the drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a gateway device according to the disclosure in a perspective view;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a gateway device according to the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the disclosure with a gateway device according to the disclosure.

[0039] In the description of the disclosure that follows, the same reference signs are used for elements that are the same and have the same effect.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a gateway device 30 according to the disclosure in a housing 20, said gateway device having a first connector 1 and a second connector 2. The first connector 1 is in 16-pole form, that is to say has 16 plug-in contacts 1.1 to 1.16. The second connector 2 is in 12-pole form, that is to say has 12 plug-in contacts 2.1 to 2.12. The plug-in contacts are embodied as contact pins in this case. Some of the plug-in contacts 1.1 to 1.16 and 2.1 to 2.12 are variably configurable, in particular programmable, so that they can perform a specific function. The other plug-in contacts are not configurable and perform an invariable function prescribed by their interconnection. The configurable plug-in contacts have an associated configuration circuit that connects up the plug-in contact depending on the switching state such that it can perform a function corresponding to the interconnection. In this respect, a configurable plug-in contact can perform a multiple function, in particular dual function. A desired plug configuration is selectable by means of configuration data transmitted to the gateway device 30.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a depiction of an embodiment of a gateway device 30 according to the disclosure in a block diagram. The gateway device 30 comprises a microcontroller 10, which in particular comprises a computing unit and a memory unit, and a power management integrated circuit, PMIC, 11. Additionally, the gateway device comprises an internal temperature sensor 15 and an internal pressure sensor 16 in order to record an ambient temperature or pressure of the gateway device, in particular an interior vehicle temperature or pressure, in order to take this as a basis for producing control commands for an air-conditioning device. The gateway device 30 comprises a Bluetooth reception unit 4 for wirelessly receiving configuration data transmitted to the gateway device 30, for example in a garage, in order to select a plug configuration for those configurable plug-in contacts from all the plug-in contacts 1.1 to 1.16 and 2.1 to 2.12. Configurable plug-in contacts 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.11, and also 2.8 and 2.9 and 2.10 and 2.11, are depicted that are variably interconnectable by means of configuration circuits 3a to 3f. Using the plug-in contact 1.8, the gateway device 30 is connectable to a supply voltage, in particular to the positive pole of a vehicle battery 54, e.g. at 12 V, 24 V, 32 V or 48 V. A DC-DC voltage converter 17 converts the incoming supply voltage, in particular to a suitable supply voltage, e.g. 12 V, for other subassemblies of the gateway device, such as e.g. different circuits, to which the PMIC 11 is also connected. The PMIC 11 supplies power to the microcontroller 10 and is communicatively connected thereto. The self-resetting fuse 18, which in particular has a PTC resistor, ensures that the gateway device 30 is not damaged by an operator control element 42 connectable to the contact 1.13, for example a switch for manually controlling the air-conditioning device 40, in the event of a short.

[0042] The configuration circuits 3a and 3b are associated with the plug-in contacts 2.8 and 2.9, and 2.10 and 2.11, respectively, which are each in the form of a two-wire data bus connection, e.g. in the form of a CAN bus connection, to which e.g. a fan 52 and/or a ventilator flap 53 is connectable. Using bus termination circuits 6a and 6b, the plug-in contacts can be connected up to a suitable terminating resistor, e.g. of 120. The bus transceivers 5a and 5b are protected against overheating by means of temperature sensors 7a and 7b, respectively. The relay 13 switchable by the microcontroller 10 comprises a conductor track fuse (not depicted) that protects the plug-in contacts 2.8, 2.9 and 2.10, 2.11, in particular in an unconfigured state, against a short, for example in the event of incorrect wiring of the gateway device 30. A conductor track fuse has the advantage that the bus communication, in particular of a sensitive CAN bus system, is not disturbed thereby.

[0043] The configuration circuits 3c and 3d are associated with the plug-in contacts 1.3 and 1.4, respectively. The plug-in contact 1.3 is configurable either as a LIN bus connection or as a PWM input in a first or second switching state, respectively. The plug-in contact 1.4 is configurable either as a LIN bus connection or as a PWM output in a first or second switching state, respectively. Using bus termination circuits 5a and 5b, the plug-in contacts 1.3 and 1.4 can be connected up to suitable terminating resistors: the plug-in contact 1.3 to 30 k, for example, and the plug-in contact 1.4 to either 1 k or 30 k, for example. The bus transceivers 5a and 5b are protected against overheating by means of temperature sensors 7a and 7b, respectively. The relay 12 switchable by the microcontroller 10 comprises a self-resetting fuse 14 that in particular comprises a PTC resistor that protects the plug-in contacts 1.3 and 1.4, in particular in an unconfigured state, against a short. The configuration circuit 3c comprises a PWM output circuit 8, in particular in order to amplify a PWM signal. As a result of the configuration circuit 3d, the duty factor of the output PWM signal is freely selectable and/or the amplitude voltage can be regulated up to the level of the supply voltage of the gateway device 30, e.g. up to 12 V, 24 V, 32 V or 48 V. The plug-in contact 1.3 is able to have for example a fan 52 or a ventilator flap 53 connected to it, the motors of which are controllable by a PWM signal, for example in respect of the speed or a flap opening angle. The configuration circuit 3d comprises a PWM input circuit 9 in order to read a PWM signal that is input via the plug-in contact 1.3 of the gateway device 30.

[0044] The configuration circuit 3e is associated with the plug-in contact 1.5, which is configurable as a LIN bus connection in a first switching state and as a proprietary bus connection, in this case as a W bus connection, in particular for connecting an air-conditioning device 40 via an air-conditioning bus line 41, in particular for transmitting control commands to a heater 43, in a second switching state. The bus transceiver 5e is protected against overheating by means of a temperature sensor 7e. Using a bus termination circuit 6e, the plug-in contact 5.1 is able to be selectively connected up to a terminating resistor of 1 k, 10 k or 30 k.

[0045] The configuration circuit 3f is associated with the plug-in contact 1.11, which is in the form of a general purpose input/output plug-in contact in a first switching state and in the form of an analogue measurement input, in particular for connecting an external temperature sensor 51, in a second switching state. An external temperature sensor is embodied e.g. as an NTC or PTC temperature sensor.

[0046] The embodiment of the gateway device 30 according to the disclosure that is depicted in FIG. 2 represents configurable plug-in connections in exemplary fashion. There can be provision for additional or differently embodied configuration circuits or fewer configuration circuits, in particular subcombinations of the depicted configuration circuits 3a to 3f. A gateway device 30 according to the disclosure has the advantage that the contacts are configurable such that the gateway device can be used for a multiplicity of different vehicles 50 and/or air-conditioning devices 40 without altering the hardware of the gateway device 30 for that purpose. Loading a suitable plug configuration by transmitting configuration data renders the gateway device 30 usable in flexible fashion.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a vehicle 50 in which a gateway device 30 according to the disclosure is fitted that has a first connector 1 and a second connector 2, the second connector 2 being unused in this case. The gateway device 30 is connected to an earth connection 55, a vehicle battery 54, to a heater 43 via an air-conditioning bus line 41 (W bus) of a retrofitted air-conditioning device 40, to an operator control element 42, an external temperature sensor 51, a fan 52 and a ventilator flap 53. The plug configuration of the plug-in contacts 1.1 to 1.16 of the gateway device 30 is selected such that the cited preinstalled vehicle components and retrofitted components of the air-conditioning device 40 are connected as appropriate by means of the suitably configured connector 1 via a vehicle-specific and/or air-conditioning-device-specific wiring harness. The retrofitting and startup of an air-conditioning device 40 in a vehicle 50 having such a gateway device 30 is performable easily, quickly and reliably.

[0048] At this junction, it should be pointed out that all parts described above, considered on their own and in any combination, in particular the details depicted in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the disclosure. Modifications thereto are familiar to a person skilled in the art. In particular, a person skilled in the art is familiar with combining the individual exemplary embodiments in any form.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0049] 1 Connector [0050] 1.1 to 1.16 Plug-in contacts [0051] 2 Connector [0052] 2.1 to 2.12 Plug-in contacts [0053] 3a to 3f Configuration circuit [0054] 4 Bluetooth reception unit [0055] 5a to 5e Bus transceiver [0056] 6a to 6e Bus termination circuit [0057] 7a to 7e Temperature sensor [0058] 8 PWM output circuit [0059] 9 PWM input circuit [0060] 10 Microcontroller [0061] 11 PMIC [0062] 12 Relay [0063] 13 Relay [0064] 14 Self-resetting fuse [0065] 15 Internal temperature sensor [0066] 16 Internal pressure sensor [0067] 17 DC-DC voltage converter [0068] 18 Self-resetting fuse [0069] 20 Housing [0070] 30 Gateway device [0071] 40 Air-conditioning device [0072] 41 Air-conditioning bus line [0073] 42 Operator control element [0074] 43 Heater [0075] 50 Vehicle [0076] 51 External temperature sensor [0077] 52 Fan [0078] 53 Ventilator flap [0079] 54 Vehicle battery [0080] 55 Earth connection