Circuitry for function modules which can be fitted in a motor ve

Details Circuitry for function modules which can be fitted in a motor ve Circuitry for function modules which can be fitted in a motor ve

1997-06-19

2000-08-22

Paladini, Albert W.

Electrical transmission or interconnection systems

Plural load circuit systems

Control of current or power

307 101, 307 39, 307 42, 701 36, H02M 300

Patent

active

061076961

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to circuitry, particularly for function modules which can be fitted in a motor vehicle, and can be connected to a voltage supply and/or a control circuit.


RELATED ART

It is known to fit a plurality of function modules in a motor vehicle. Examples of function modules include windshield wiper motors for the front or rear window, external vehicle lighting, internal vehicle lighting, rear-window defroster, engine-cooling fan, fan motor for heating, airbag actuation, central locking, seat-height adjustment, electric window opener, etc. This list is merely exemplary, and is intended to elucidate the plurality of possible function modules of a motor vehicle. For supplying voltage to and actuating this plurality of function modules, it is known to install a cable harness in the motor vehicle that permits the connection of the individual function modules to a voltage source, which, in a motor vehicle, is typically a motor vehicle battery. The cable harness further permits the connection to operating elements and different sensors. Due to the numerous connection paths and the different installation location of the individual function modules, the cable harness necessary for the wiring encompasses a plurality of individual connection leads. In addition to the considerable outlay involved in installing the cable harness in the motor vehicle, it is disadvantageous that an installed cable harness is not designed for retrofitting with function modules in the motor vehicle. The function modules installed later require completely new cabling, which is associated with a relatively high installation expense.
It is also disadvantageous that only a limited quantity of information about the motor vehicle, particularly about the current operating state, external conditions, etc., is available to the individual function modules. It is therefore not possible to match the action of the individual function modules to a changing operating state.


SUMMARY ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The above disadvantages of the known systems are overcome according to the present invention by an apparatus having: a plurality of function modules that are fitted in a motor vehicle, a central unit which is connected to the function modules; and the function modules are connected to one another, by a bus system; and the central unit is coupled directly to a driver-information and display module by mechanical connections.
In contrast, the circuitry according to the invention, having the as described above, has the advantage that a networked, modular system of individual function modules that can all jointly access relevant information about the operating state can be created simply. Because a central unit is provided that includes at least one conditioning circuit for all voltage and/or control signals that can be used jointly by the function modules, and the central unit can be connected to the function modules by way of a bus system, it is advantageously possible to perform an information exchange between the individual function modules and the central unit that permits the modules to react, matching one another, to specific operating states, or changing operating states, of the motor vehicle.
A particular advantage is that it is possible to design the at least one conditioning circuit present in the central unit such that it can query function modules that comprise sensors and are permanently selectable by way of the bus system in order to condition the information about the operating state of the motor vehicle to be ready for retrieval. For example, information about operating temperatures, speed, setting of the motor management, air-quality information, etc., can be kept ready. With the connection of the individual function modules by way of the bus system, each function module can access relevant information about the execution of a relevant bus protocol known per se. Furthermore, the bus system is designed such that the different function modules can exchange information directly with each oth

REFERENCES:
patent: 4825362 (1989-04-01), Minami et al.
patent: 4920532 (1990-04-01), Wroblewski
patent: 5229648 (1993-07-01), Sues et al.

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