Controller in a vehicle

• US 20060163946A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Henne, Achim, Henne, Ralf
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01095 optical
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves

Abstract

A control unit in a vehicle is provided in which power is supplied via a converter that provides an electrical isolation. For the data exchange with external components and other components in the control unit that are not electrically isolated, the component isolated by this electrical isolation is additionally connected to a coupling element that likewise provides an electrical isolation.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A control unit in a vehicle, comprising:

a converter having an electrical isolation for supplying power to at least one component;

at least one coupling element having an electrical isolation and connectable to the at least one component, the coupling element being used for data transmission; and

a ground connection assigned to the at least one component.

10. The control unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the converter includes a transformer for electrical isolation, a DC/AC voltage converter being provided on a primary side, and a rectifier being provided on a secondary side.

11. The control unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the DC/AC voltage converter includes an oscillator.

12. The control unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the DC/AC voltage converter includes a chopper.

13. The control unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one coupling element is an optocoupler.

14. The control unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the converter is connected to at least one energy store which runs the converter in case a power supply is disconnected.

15. The control unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one component is an ignition circuit control for a restraint device.

16. The control unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one component is electronics of the control unit.