MODULAR VEHICLE SYSTEM WITH AN INCREASED LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular vehicle system comprising an electric vehicle (2) and a module (16) which can be connected to the electric vehicle (2) by means of a plug connection, wherein the electric vehicle (2) at least has an on-board power supply system (3) for supplying power to an electric drive unit (6) of the electric vehicle (2), a control device (9) for communicating with the module (16), and an interface (15), which is connected to the on-board power supply system (3) and the control device (9), for connection to the module (16), which interface (15) forms a first element of the plug connection, wherein the module (16) at least has an electrical arrangement, a module controller (23) for communicating with the control device (9) of the electric vehicle (2), and a connection element (17) which is connected to the electrical arrangement and the module controller (23) and which forms a second element of the plug connection, wherein the interface (15) of the electric vehicle (2) is connected in a detachable manner to the connection element (17) of the module (16) in order to connect the electrical arrangement of the module (16) to the on-board power supply system (3) of the electric vehicle (2), and wherein the interface (15) has a first NFC device (43) and the connection element (17) has a second NFC device (104), which NFC devices are designed for near-field communication with one another, in order to connect the control device (9) of the electric vehicle (2) to the module controller (23). The invention further relates to an electric vehicle and to a module for a modular system of this kind, and also to a method for connecting said electric vehicle and module.

Claims

1. Modular vehicle system, with an electric vehicle and with a module connectable with the electric vehicle via a plug-connection, wherein the electric vehicle at least comprises: an on-board power supply system for energy supply of an electric drive unit of the electric vehicle, a control device for communication with the module, and an interface connected to the on-board power supply system and with the control device for connection of the module, which interface provides a first element of the plug-connection, wherein the module at least comprises: an electric arrangement, a module control for communication with the control device of the electric vehicle, and a connecting element connected to the electric arrangement and the module control, which connecting element provides a second element of the plug-connection, wherein the interface of the electric vehicle is separably connectable to the connecting element of the module for connecting the electric arrangement of the module with the on-board power supply system of the electric vehicle, and wherein the interface comprises a first NFC-unit and the connecting element comprises a second NFC-unit, which are configured for near-field communication with each other, to connect the control device of the electric vehicle with the module control.

2. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the NFC-units additionally are configured to transfer energy, in particular for electric energy supply of the control device of the electric vehicle and/or of the module control.

3. Modular vehicle system according to claim 2, wherein the electric vehicle further comprises an auxiliary on-board power supply system, the module comprises an auxiliary module net and the NFC-units are configured to transfer energy between the auxiliary on-board power supply system and the auxiliary module net.

4. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the first NFC-unit and the second NFC-unit each comprise an NFC-coil, the coil-axes of which are orthogonal to the plug-direction and parallel to each other when the interface and the connecting element are connected as intended.

5. Modular vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the first NFC-unit and the second NFC-unit are configured such that its coil-axes essentially completely overlap when the plug-connection is connected as intended.

6. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein a first locking element is arranged at the interface and wherein a second locking element configured for engagement with the first interlocking element is arranged at the connecting element.

7. Modular vehicle system according to claim 6, wherein an electrically operable locking drive is arranged at the first locking element and/or at the second locking element, which is configured to move at least one of locking elements between an unlocked position and a locked position.

8. Modular vehicle system according to claim 6, wherein the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device during connection of the connecting element with the interface, and wherein the control device is configured to receive the identification signal, to compare it with at least one comparability parameter and to send an activating signal to at least one switching unit in case of conformity, for connecting the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system and to send an activating signal to the at least one locking drive, to interlock the connecting element with the interface.

9. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the interface and the connecting element are configured to galvanically connect the electric arrangement of the module with the on-board power supply system of the electric vehicle at several voltage levels.

10. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the first NFC-unit and/or the second NFC-unit comprise a NFC-control, which is configured to communicate with the control device and the module control, respectively.

11. Modular vehicle system according to claim 10, wherein the NFC-control is logically addressable.

12. Modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein a flexible connection means is arranged between the interface and the electric vehicle and/or between the connecting element and the module.

13. Electric vehicle connectable with a module, wherein the electric vehicle at least comprises: an on-board power supply system for power supply of an electric drive unit of the electric vehicle, a control device for communication with the module, and an interface connected to the on-board power supply system for separable connection of the module, wherein the interface comprises an NFC-unit configured for near-field communication with a further NFC-unit of the module.

14. Module for connection to an electric vehicle, wherein the module comprises: an electric arrangement, a module control for communication with a control device of the electric vehicle, and a connecting element connected to the electric arrangement for separably connecting with an interface of the electric vehicle, wherein the connecting element comprises an NFC-unit configured for near-field communication with a further NFC-unit of the electric vehicle.

15. Method for connecting an electric vehicle to a module, wherein the electric vehicle comprises an on-board power supply system for energy supply of an electric drive unit of the electric vehicle, an interface connected to the on-board power supply system for connecting with a module, and a control unit for communication with the module, and wherein the module comprises an electric arrangement for connection with the on-board power supply system of the electric vehicle, a connecting element separably connectable to the interface of the electric vehicle, and a module control for communication with a control device of the electric vehicle, wherein the interface and the connecting element are configured for near-field communication with each other, such that after connecting of the interface and the connecting element the module control and the control device of the electric vehicle wireless communicate with each other via the interface and the connecting element.

Description

[0129] The invention is described in the following based on embodiments. It is shown in:

[0130] FIG. 1 an embodiment of an electric system of an electric vehicle in a schematic view;

[0131] FIG. 2 an embodiment of a module in a schematic view;

[0132] FIG. 3 a detailed view of a connecting element of the module according to FIG. 2;

[0133] FIG. 4 the embodiment of the electric system according to FIG. 1 with a connected module according to FIG. 2,

[0134] FIG. 5 an embodiment of the communication upon connection of a module with an electric vehicle in a schematic flowchart,

[0135] FIG. 6 an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element and an interface in a perspective view with a schematic circuit diagram,

[0136] FIG. 7 an exemplary embodiment of the interface of FIG. 6 in a fragmentary perspective view with a schematic circuit diagram, and

[0137] FIG. 8 the connecting element of FIG. 6 in a perspective exploded view.

[0138] FIG. 1 shows an electric system 1 of a vehicle 2 according to the invention with three on-board network systems in total, namely an on-board power supply system 3, a CAN bus system 4 and an auxiliary on-board supply system 5. The on-board power supply system 3 is being primarily used for electrical energy supply of an electric drive unit 6 of the vehicle 2. The on-board power supply system 3 is designed as a direct current system with several voltage levels, namely +60 V DC and 120 V DC peak voltage and +48 V DC and respectively 96 V DC nominal voltage for a current of approx. 20 A-100 A. It is being supplied with electrical energy by an internal rechargeable vehicle battery 7. In the following the single voltage levels of the on-board power supply system 3 are designated with reference to the aforementioned peak voltages, even though the nominal voltage deviates therefrom.

[0139] The auxiliary on-board supply system 5 is designed for an operating voltage of 12 V direct current and is being used for electrical energy supply of other vehicle components, such as for example an operating unit 8 and a control device 9. In this context, the auxiliary on-board supply system 5 is being supplied with electrical energy by the battery 7 and an intermediate 60V/12V converter 10.

[0140] The CAN bus system 4 is being used for the control and the communication of the vehicle components, as described in the following. The CAN bus system 4 is formed with electrical signal lines in the present case; the communications protocol corresponds to the CAN-open protocol according to specification CiA 454 (LEV).

[0141] According to the present embodiment, the on-board power supply system 3 comprises three conductors, namely +60V DC, 120V DC and ground. The auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 comprises altogether two conductors, namely +12V DC and ground, while the CAN bus system 4 comprises CAN-high and CAN-low conductors. For better clarity, the single conductors of the aforementioned networks are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0142] The electric drive unit 6 comprises an electric motor 11, which is connected to the on-board power supply system 3 by a motor control 12. The motor control 12 is further connected to the CAN bus 4 for reception of control commands and modulates the voltage supplied to the motor from the on-board power supply system 3 by means of pulse width modulation (PWM) to allow a control of the drive power.

[0143] For control of the electric vehicle, the already mentioned central control device 9 is provided which is accordingly connected to the CAN bus 4 and for voltage supply further to the auxiliary on-board supply system 5. The control device 9 is a microprocessor control, which is being controlled by a program stored in a connected and variable memory unit 13. In this context, the control unit 9 is being used for instance for controlling the motor control 12 for driving operation according to a control command of the vehicle user entered via the operating unit 8.

[0144] The control device 9 further monitors the on-board power supply system 3 and is for this purpose connected to a measuring unit 14 which detects voltage and current on the on-board power supply system and provides according digital measuring values to the control device 9. The memory unit 13 comprises compatibility parameters in a database, which is specified in the following.

[0145] The electric system 1 of the electric vehicle 2 furthermore comprises two interfaces 15, which are formed as plug-in connectors for connection to corresponding modules 16 and which separably connect the on-board power supply system 3, the auxiliary on-board supply system 5 and the communications network 4 accordingly to the modules 16 connected to the interfaces 15. The electric system 1 of the electric vehicle 2 and in particular the on-board systems 3, 4 and 5 can certainly comprise or connect other assembly parts and components, as implied by the broken lines.

[0146] An embodiment of a module 16 provided for connection to an interface 15 is shown in a schematic view in FIG. 2. The module 16 comprises a connecting element 17 that is in the present case formed as a socket for engagement with one of the interfaces 15. The module 16 further comprises an electric arrangement, namely a 60V battery 18, which is connected to the connecting element 17 by a supply line 19 for the supply of electrical energy to the on-board power supply system 3. Alternatively, the module 16 can be formed in particular as charging column or charging device, i.e. with an appropriate power supply unit.

[0147] Interface 15 and connecting element 17 are provided as mechanically matching plug connectors. Particularly the connecting element 17 can comprise an electromotive driven bar (not shown in FIG. 2) that engages in a hook (not shown in FIG. 2) arranged in the interface 15 for locking.

[0148] A schematic view of the connecting element 17 is shown in FIG. 3. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the connecting element 17 comprises three contact elements 30 in total to connect the module 16 galvanically to the on-board power supply system 3 (+60V, 120V, GND).

[0149] The connecting element 17 comprises an integral first switch unit 20, with which the connection between the +60V supply line 19 and consequently the battery 18 with the on-board power supply system 3 can be controlled. A second switch unit 21 is provided to connect the 120V conductor of the auxiliary on-board supply system 3 switchable with module 16. As shown, this connection with the 60V-battery 18 is not used at the present battery module 16, however, in the case of a charging module it can be used with a suitable power supply unit for example for quick-charging of the vehicles battery 7. The ground conductor (GND) is not connected.

[0150] The switch units 20 and 21 are in the present case formed with MOSFET switches and are being controlled by a microprocessor module control 23 that is connected to the CAN bus system 4 via a wireless near-field connection. For this aim, a second NFC-unit 104 is provided on the modules site, which is in contact with a first NFC-unit 43 on the vehicles side (not shown in FIG. 3) via a near-field connection according to ISO 14443 at 13.56 MHz.

[0151] The NFC-unit 43 on the vehicle side is realized integrated with the interface 15, as explained in detail in the following. The NFC-units 43, 104 are further configured to transferring of energy, namely for connection of the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 with the module 16 and, respectively, with an auxiliary module system (not shown in FIG. 3) on the modules side and for energy supply of the module control 23 and of an electric motor 114 (also not shown in FIG. 3) with about 20 W.

[0152] The interface 15 and the connecting element 17 therefore provide for a galvanic (conductive) connection of the module 16 with the on-board power supply system 3, while the CAN-bus system 4 and the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 are galvanically separated from the module 16 and the module control 23.

[0153] A measuring sensor 27 is provided to detect the voltage on the supply line 19 and thus the voltage provided by the battery 18, and to provide an according measuring value to the module control 23.

[0154] Further a monitoring unit 28 is provided which monitors the maximum admissible current between module 16 and on-board power supply system 3 as well as the maximum admissible voltages, so that for example the battery 18 can be safely disconnected from the electric system 1 of the vehicle in case of a short circuit. For this purpose, the monitoring unit 28 transmits corresponding measuring values on a regular basis to the module control 23, which accordingly operates the switch units 20 and 21.

[0155] In the present embodiment, a current of 100 A between supply line 19 and on-board power supply system 3 should not be exceeded.

[0156] The monitoring unit 28, the switch units 20, 21 and the measuring sensor 27 are certainly connected to the module control 23 by suitable communications lines (not shown) and as the case may be are provided integrated therewith.

[0157] In addition, an electric motor 114 (not shown in FIG. 3) is provided that drives the previously described bar (also not shown). The electric motor 114 is being activated by the module control 23 and is being supplied with electrical energy by the NFC-device 104, as already mentioned.

[0158] An embodiment of the electric system 1 of the modular vehicle 2 with connected module 16 is shown in FIG. 4. The connection of an additional battery 18 can for instance then be necessary when the internal vehicle battery 7 is depleted or the range of the vehicle is to be increased. For this purpose, the user connects the module 16 to the interface 15, whereupon control device 9 and module control 23 communicate with each other in a compatibility mode via the CAN bus 4 and via the two NFC-devices 43, 104, to on the one hand to check the authorization for the connection of the module 16 and on the other hand to check the compatibility of the module 16 and more specific of the battery 18 of the module 16 before connecting and a locking of the battery with the on-board power supply system 3.

[0159] The method of connecting the module 16 to the interface 15 is explained in the following with reference to the embodiment according to FIG. 5, which illustrates the individual steps by means of a flowchart.

[0160] According to step 50, the connecting element 17 of the module 16 is at first being connected to one of the interfaces 15 by a user. The switch units 20 and 21 are in this state at first open, so that the battery 18 is not connected to the on-board power supply system 3. However, the connecting element 17 provides a connection of the monitoring unit 28 to the on-board power supply system 3.

[0161] As soon as the monitoring unit 28 detects a voltage on the on-board power supply system 3, the unit provides a signal to the module control 23 which in step 51 queries the measuring sensor 27 with regard to the current battery voltage on the supply line 19. Further, the module control 23 simultaneously determines multiple identification parameters from an internal memory, which characterize the module 16 with regard to model and manufacturer. In step 52, the module control 23 sends an identification signal to the control device 9 via the two NFC-devices 43, 104 and accordingly via the CAN bus system 4. The identification signal comprises the following information in the present embodiment: [0162] Manufacturer ID: 005 [0163] Model ID: 125 [0164] Battery voltage: 49.5 V

[0165] In this context, the manufacturer ID corresponds to a particular manufacturer of the module, assigned accordingly to the ID. The model ID corresponds to the functionality source of energybattery.

[0166] The control device 9 receives the identification signal in step 53 and queries the compatibility parameters of the vehicle from the database stored in the memory unit 13. In the present embodiment, the database comprises the following parameters: [0167] Allowed manufacturers: 002-008, 057, 062, 118-255 [0168] Allowed module models: 014-042, 48, 87, 125, 144 [0169] Maximum voltage on-board power supply system (lowermost voltage level): 60.0 V [0170] Minimum voltage on-board power supply system (lowermost voltage level):: 30.0 V

[0171] The control device 9 compares in step 54 at first the parameters comprised in the identification signal with the compatibility parameters received from the database. As follows from the preceding tables, the module 16 is generally compatible with the vehicle and eligible for connection. The control device 9 sends according to step 55 an activation signal to the module control 23, which activates the electric motor 114 of the locking bar in step 56 and locks the module 16 to the vehicle. Accordingly, the control device 9 in step 57 queries the measuring device 14 with regard to the present voltage of the on-board power supply system 3.

[0172] The query of the measuring device 14 in step 57 is necessary, as the vehicle comprises also an internal vehicle battery 7 and the voltage of the battery 18 thus should only deviate marginally from the voltage of the battery 7. In the present embodiment, the voltage on the on-board power supply system 3 is 49.5 V.

[0173] The control device 9 compares this value to the battery voltage from the identification signal in step 58 and checks if the battery voltage of the module 16 does not deviate by more than 0.05 V from the voltage of the on-board power supply system 3.

[0174] As this is the case in the present embodiment, the control device 9 sends in step 59 a second activation signal to the switch units 20 and 21, connected to the module control 23, whereupon the supply line 19 and thus the battery 18 is connected to the on-board power supply system 3. The compatibility check and the compatibility mode, respectively, end in step 60.

[0175] The successful connection is indicated to the user by a green indicator lamp (see FIG. 8), such as for example a LED, which is arranged in the connecting element 17. Otherwise, a red indicator lamp (see FIG. 8) indicates in the connecting element 17 that a connection of the module 16 to the vehicle is not possible due to lack of compatibility. In this case, the electric motor 114 of the locking bar (both not shown) is being activated again to unlock module 16 from the interface 15.

[0176] During operation, the monitoring unit 28 remains active. If the predetermined maximum values for current or voltage are being exceeded, the monitoring unit 28 sends a signal to the module control 23, so that the switch unit 20 disconnects the connection between battery 18 and electric system 1 of the vehicle to avoid damages.

[0177] Certainly, the present invention is not limited to applications in which a module 16 is being connected to the vehicle 2. Also the connection of a first module, for example a charging station or charging unit, and of a second module, for example a rechargeable module with rechargeable battery, is conceivable.

[0178] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle-side interface 15 together with a corresponding module-side connecting element 17. In the present embodiment module 16 is a charging module with a grid connection (not shown). The charging module comprises a power supply (also not shown), which provides multiple voltages, namely 120V DC, +60V DC on one hand for connection with the on-board power supply system 3, and +12V DC for wireless connection with the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5. The module-side 12V DC lines are in the following also referred to as auxiliary module net (module auxiliary power supply).

[0179] As shown, the connecting element 17 comprises three contact pins 101, 102, 103 for connection between module 16 and on-board power supply system 3, which are provided in a socket housing 100, provided as an isolator. The already in the preceding discussed NFC-unit 104 is provided hidden in the lower part of the socket housing 100, as is discussed in detail in the following with reference to FIG. 8.

[0180] As is shown in the schematic circuit diagram in the lower part of FIG. 6, contact pins 101, 102, 103 connect the module 16 with the on-board power supply system 3 of the vehicle 1 over corresponding plug-in contacts 46, 47, 48 of the vehicle-side interface 15, if plug 15 and socket 17 are connected with each other. This connection between interface 15 and connecting element 17 is electrically conductive, thus galvanic. As discussed in the preceding with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the 120V DC connection is optional corresponding to the respective application. The connection of CAN bus system 4 and auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 is on the other hand wireless and thus galvanically separated from module 16. Thus, in particular contact problems are avoided with the small currents of these networks.

[0181] Corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the connecting element 17 further comprises the module control 23, the second NFC-unit 104, and the electric motor 114 of the interlock (not shown), which form an electronics unit 105. The NFC-unit 104 is controlled for communication by the module control 23. The measuring sensor 27, discussed in the preceding with reference to FIG. 3, the monitoring unit 28, as well as the switch units 20 and 21 are not shown in the FIGS. 6-8 for increased clarity, however, they could form part of the electronic unit 105. Alternatively, these components could be provided exterior of the connecting element 17 in the module 16. While the shown 120V DC, +60V DC, and +12V DC lines on the module side are connected with the power supply (not shown), discussed in the preceding, the module side CAN-low 106 and CAN-high 107 lines serve for connection of the vehicle 2 with a central data acquisition device (not shown), for billing of the charging process or for gathering diagnosis or usage information, respectively. The CAN-bus lines 106, 107 however are optional.

[0182] A partly sectional perspective view of the interface 15 with a schematic circuit diagram is shown in FIG. 7. For increased clarity, the electrical plug-in contacts 46, 47, 48 of the interface 15 are not shown in FIG. 7.

[0183] The interface 15 shown in FIG. 7 is formed as a lockable plug. It comprises a housing 33, which is shown transparent in the figure for improved clarity, in which a flexible connection means 34, for example in the form of a preferably 5 mm thick steel cable, ends. The flexible connection means 34 is affixed at a locking element 35. The locking element 35 is formed as a closed circumferential steel lug and partially protrudes from the housing 33 on a side of the interface 15, which is opposite of the side of the connection means 34, so that exterior of the housing 33, a substantially c-shaped closed lug 30 is formed, which exhibits a through opening 36 that is perpendicular to the plug direction.

[0184] Parallel to the connection means 34, the lines of the CAN bus system 4 and the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 (conductor cross-section AWG 24, cable total 12 mm) are run. These are within the housing 33 connected with a further electronics unit 41 over a connector 46, the electronics unit 41 comprising the first NFC-unit 43 with NFC-coil 45 and a microprocessor 42 (both not shown in the lower part of FIG. 7). The microprocessor 42 herein controls the NFC-unit 43 and further eventual measuring units provided in the interface.

[0185] The NFC-coil 45 serves for wireless communication as well as the transmission of electrical energy, in particular for connecting of the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5 with the auxiliary module net, i.e., with at least the power supply of the charging module. The NFC-coil 45 is arranged, so that its coil axis is provided perpendicular to the connection direction.

[0186] The connection to the on-board power supply system 3, not shown here, can certainly also run parallel to the connection means 34.

[0187] FIG. 8 shows details of the connecting element 17, discussed in the preceding, in an exploded view together with the interface 15, as discussed in the preceding. As already discussed, the connecting element 17 comprises a housing 100, contact pins 101, 102, 103, for example in the form of 6 mm pins, the second NFC-unit 104 as well as a locking element 105.

[0188] The NFC-unit 104 is aligned in parallel to the plug direction and thus parallel to the electronics unit 41 of the interface 15, when the interface 15 is plugged in. It comprises a NFC-coil, which is not shown in the figures, and which coil axis in the mentioned case is parallel to the coil axis of the NFC-coil 45 of the interface 15 and in an optimal case corresponds to it. LEDs, arranged at the front side of the NFC-unit 104 show the current connection status, as already discussed.

[0189] The contact pins 101, 102, 103 are received in the housing 100 and contact to the corresponding plug-in contacts 46, 47, 48, if the interface 15 is plugged in. Over the contact pins 101, 102, 103 and the associated plug-in contacts 46, 47, 48, a transfer of energy to or from the on-board power supply system 3 is conducted, for example for charging the vehicle battery 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the conductors of the on-board power supply system 3 certainly have a greater cross-section, as the conductors of the CAN bus system 4 and the auxiliary on-board power supply system 5.

[0190] The locking element 105 of the connecting element 17 comprises a locking bar element 107, which is rotationally positionable using the locking motor 114. It is provided for cooperation with the locking element 35 of the interface 15 and comprises a locking cam 108, which at a corresponding radial position, interlocks with the opening 36 of lug 30, formed in the locking element 35 and locks the interface 15, plugged into the connecting element 17.

[0191] The embodiments explained beforehand allow numerous modifications and additions. For example it is conceivable that [0192] the control unit 9 is integrally formed with the operating unit 8 and/or the motor control 12, [0193] the switch units 20, 21 is formed on the side of the vehicle or on the side of a charging unit, [0194] the switch units 20, 21 is integrally formed with the interface 15, [0195] the switching units 20, 21 are arranged in the module 16, [0196] only one or more than two interfaces 15 are arranged for connection to corresponding modules 16 in the electric system 1 of the vehicle or in a charging unit, [0197] the internal vehicle battery 7 is separably connected to one of the interfaces 15 by means of a connecting element 17, [0198] the CAN bus system 4 comprises optical signal lines in addition or as an alternative to the shown electric signal lines and/or wireless signal lines, [0199] the indicator lamps and LED's, respectively, are arranged on the side of the vehicle or in a charging unit instead of at the connecting element 17, [0200] the on-board power supply system 3 comprises only one voltage level, [0201] interface 15 and connecting element 17 are provided with more or less than the shown three contacts 101, 102, 103 and 46, 47, 48, respectively, [0202] the switch unit 20 is formed for separated switching of a feed line and a charging line, that are provided between module 16 and on-board power supply system 3, [0203] the control device 9 is configured to connect the one voltage level that corresponds to the voltage of the on-board power supply system 3 (actual voltage and/or nominal voltage) with the on-board power supply system 3, [0204] an autonomous unlocking of the locking is additionally provided, to avoid damage of the components, if a maximum safety holding force during pulling in axial direction of the plug connection is exceeded, [0205] a predetermined breaking point is provided at the interface 15 and/or at the connecting element 17, which in case of exceeding of a given safety holding force, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the plug connection, disconnects all contacts and for this reason also the vehicle 2 and the module 16 from each other, [0206] the module (16) is designed as a passive component, i.e. for example as extension or jumper cable, and comprises besides a connecting element (17) another plug-in connector or an interface (15) for connection to another module.

[0207] The use of the term comprising and comprises, respectively, in the claims and in the present description does not exclude that there may be further features. Also, the use of the definite article does not exclude the plural. The mere specification of single features in different dependent claims or different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used within the invention in a preferred embodiment. To the contrary there may be several combinations. The use of reference signs is not to be interpreted in a limiting manner.