Patent Publication Number: US-7594825-B2

Title: Device for connecting an electric drive to at least one supply network, and method for the production of such a connecting device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to a device for connecting an electric drive to at least one supply network, and to a plurality of methods for manufacturing such a device. 
   A plugging or plug system for connecting an (electric) drive of an electric fan to an electrical system of the motor vehicle is known in the prior art. Examples include a cooling system for cooling the engine of a motor vehicle or an air-conditioning system for cooling the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. 
     FIG. 7  shows such a plug system  780  or  781  from the prior art for a double-fan system  700  of a motor vehicle cooling module. 
   In this double-fan system  700 , two electric drive units or motors  710 ,  711  are connected to an electrical system  770  of a motor vehicle. The connection is made using the prior art plug system  780 ,  781  which is a four-pole plug connection that can be contacted at one side. 
   Plug system  780 ,  781  comprises two plug parts, each of which is contactable at one side or pluggable into one another. A three-pole or a four-pole electrical system plug connector  730  or  731 , that is contactable at one side is also included. Additionally, an appurtenant three-pole or, as shown as an example, a four-pole mating connector  720  or  721 , is also contactable at one side. 
   Electrical system plug connector  730  or  731  is connected to the electrical system  770  via a cable  740  or  741 . Mating connector  720  or  721  is integrated into an electric drive motor  710  or  711 , whereby the electric drive motor  710  or  711  is connected to the mating connector  720  or  721  corresponding to the cable  740  or  741  or a connection of this sort. 
   In the case shown, the cable  740  or  741  bundles four lines or wires, two lines being used for the main power supply which, in this case, are (+/−) lines from a battery power supply. The remaining two lines are the control and bus lines of a vehicle electronics system. For the driving of each respective drive, the corresponding holds for the integrated connection are between the mating connector  720  or  721  and the respective drive motor  710  or  711 . 
   Given a contacted plugging system  780  or  781 , or plug parts  730  or  731  and  720  or  721  that are plugged into one another, the connection between the vehicle electrical system and the (respective) drive  710  or  711  is created via four pole contacts  750  to  753  or  760  to  763 , and the drive  710  or  711  is supplied via this connection with energy, as well as with control and communication signals. 
   Each respective drive shaft  790  or  791  is set into rotation and energy is transferred to a fan or blower. 
   This double fan system  700 , having two drive units  710  and  711  connected to the vehicle electrical system  770  via respective one-sided contactable plug connections  780  or  781 , has the disadvantage that each drive unit  710  or  711  separately contacts the electrical system  770 . This requires an increased cabling expense and/or assembly expense. 
   Many fan drives are controlled by expensive interfaces and require a higher number of connection lines. In particular, control lines and/or bus systems, are required for each fan drive. Therefore, the associated cabling expense for the fan system as a whole is correspondingly increased. 
   In addition, in more expensive fan drives having additional control lines and increased cabling expense, further measures are required to decouple the individual fan drives or fan systems with respect to communication and being able to control them individually. There are also further disadvantages with regard to diagnostic capability. 
   Disadvantages are found in simple fan systems, and to a greater degree, in more expensive multiple fan systems in which a multiplicity of fans or fan drives must each be contacted separately to a vehicle electrical system by means of the plug connection that is contactable at one side. 
   The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a plug system, and more specifically, to a connecting or terminal device for connecting an electric drive or an actuator to a supply network or to a cabling system where the connecting device is configured for a simple and economical cabling. 
   In addition, a modular construction, made up of a plurality of fan systems and actuators, is to be enabled. 
   Moreover, the present invention is intended to make it possible to avoid the above further disadvantages in more expensive fan systems, in particular in multiple-fan systems. 
   SUMMARY 
   The device according to the present invention for connecting an electric drive to at least one supply network has a first contact/terminal unit to which at least one first line of the at least one supply network is connected. 
   In the following, a contact or terminal unit is understood to be a functional element of a contacting, for example, a plug contact element having one or more contact point, such as a plug contact side of a one-sided contactable plug having pole contacts at this side. 
   Furthermore, in the following disclosure, a line is understood to be any type of signal and/or data line, and a supply network is understood to be a contiguous higher-order unit of such lines. 
   Additionally, a connecting is understood to refer to (functional) contacting. 
   The device according to the present invention also has a second contact/terminal unit to which the electric drive can be connected. 
   It is preferable to integrate the second contact/terminal unit into the electric drive, for example an electric motor. 
   In addition, the device according to the present invention has a third contact/terminal unit for connecting at least one second line of the at least one supply network. 
   Thus, at least one second line can preferably be connected to another electric drive, for example, in the context of a double-drive system such as a double fan. 
   In the device according to the present invention, the first contact/terminal unit is connected to the second contact/terminal unit in such a way that a line or wire connection is able to be created between the at least one supply network and the electric drive. 
   Therefore, the electric drive is connected to the at least one supply network via the first and the second contact/terminal unit. 
   The third contact/terminal unit is connected to the first contact/terminal unit or to the second contact/terminal unit in such a way that a direct or an indirect line connection is created between the at least one second line and the at least one supply network. 
   Further, the connection of the third contact/terminal unit to the first contact/terminal unit realizes a direct connection between the at least one second line and the at least one first line or the at least one supply network. 
   In the case of the connection of the third contact/terminal unit to the second contact/terminal unit, an indirect connection is realized between the at least one second line and the at least one first line or the at least one supply network. In this case, a direct connection is created between the at least one first line or the at least one supply network and the electric drive. A direct connection is also created between the at least one second line and the electric drive. 
   If the at least one second line (at the other side) is connected to another drive, such as in a double-drive system, the drives are connected in parallel to the at least one supply network (directly in the first case above or indirectly in the second case above). 
   Additionally, the device according to the present invention realizes a two-sided contactable plug (double plug) having a first, main plug connection to a supply network such as a vehicle electrical system, and a second, additional plug connection to which the at least one second line (as well as possible subsystems connected thereto) is (are) connected. 
   In addition, this two-sided contactable (double) plug is connected to the drive via a third contacting that is integrated in the electric drive. 
   Via the third, integrated contacting in connection with the first main plug connection, the electric drive can be connected to the supply network. 
   Via the second additional connecting plug or the at least one second line, additional subsystems, such as additional electric drive systems or actuators can be connected in direct or indirect connection to or via the main plug connection. 
   In this way, multiple-fan systems can be realized in which a multiplicity of fans are each connected to the at least one supply network in parallel, indirectly or directly, by the two-sided contactable plug, or by the double plug according to the present invention. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, a plurality of first lines are connected to the first contact/terminal unit and/or a plurality of second lines are connected to the second contact/terminal unit. 
   Given the connection of a plurality of lines and multiple-pole, in particular two-pole, three-pole, or four-pole contact systems or plug systems/plug connections can be realized. 
   Current or voltage supply lines, data or communication lines, control/control signal lines, and/or lines of bus systems can also be provided. 
   In the corresponding cases of lines, the at least one supply network is a power supply network and/or a communication network, and in particular a bus system and/or a control network. 
   The respective lines or supply networks can be components of a vehicle electrical system, in particular a motor vehicle electrical system, or a vehicle electronics system. 
   In addition, the first, second, or third contact/terminal unit can be fashioned as a plug contact unit having at least one plug contact. 
   Such a plug contact unit, or the first, second, or third contact/terminal unit, can be set up in order to receive a contact plug. 
   In a preferred embodiment, it is provided to install the device in a cooling system for engine cooling and/or in an air-conditioning system for cooling the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. 
   In this case as well as in cases of the connection of a multiplicity of drives or actuators in the double-drive systems, the electric drive can be an electric motor of an electric fan. Additionally, the actuator can for example be an expanding-material element. 
   In the method according to the present invention for manufacturing the present electric drive, a metallic flat conductor is divided along a predeterminable dividing line in a predeterminable area at a first end of the metallic flat conductor. 
   Preferably, this dividing can take place through mechanical processing of the flat conductor, for example through a slitting or cutting of the metallic flat conductor in this area. 
   In addition, the metallic flat conductor can preferably be divided along its longitudinal direction in the predeterminable area, i.e., the predeterminable dividing line is the longitudinal direction of the metallic flat conductor. 
   According to the present invention, the dividing forms a first longitudinal segment of the metallic flat conductor having a first free end and a second longitudinal segment of the metallic flat conductor having a second free end. 
   Preferably, at least one of the two longitudinal segments is bent around an angle of approximately 90°. Accordingly, a more economical and simpler angled plug connector can be realized. 
   In a particularly preferred specific embodiment, both longitudinal segments are bent in opposite directions, each by an angle of approximately 90°. In this case, the two longitudinal segments form an angle of approximately 180° to one another, i.e., the two longitudinal segments are situated at least approximately in one plane. 
   In addition, according to the present invention, the first contact/terminal unit is set up at the first free end, and the second contact/terminal unit is set up at the second free end. 
   In this configuration, a double contact can be realized, for example, a first contact for a main connecting plug and a second contact for an additional connecting plug. 
   At the other end, a second end of the metallic flat conductor, the second contact/terminal unit, for example, the connection for the electric drive, is set up. 
   In another preferred construction, the metallic flat conductor is made of a copper based metal. 
   In order to protect the metallic flat conductor, the conductor can be extrusion-coated, and jacketed or sheathed with plastic, at least in the area of its formed ends, i.e. at the first and/or at the second free end of the longitudinal segments and/or at the second end of the metallic flat conductor. 
   A sheath or extrusion-coating applied to the metallic flat conductor in part or in its entirety may also be provided. 
   In these ways, simple and economical plastic plug connections can be manufactured, including a bent-off shape in the case of only one bent-off longitudinal segment or a straight shape in the case of two, i.e. both, longitudinal segments bent off in opposite directions. 
   In another specific embodiment, it is provided to fashion a contact/terminal unit as a contact jack or sleeve, female contact. This can be realized in such a way that a contact jack is attached to the respective end of the metallic flat conductor, for example, by welding. 
   If such contact jacks are attached at all ends of the metallic flat conductor, a multi-contact plug unit can be realized in this way. 
   In another, particularly preferred, specific embodiment, the metallic flat conductor is integrated into a distribution apparatus of air guides, and a plug unit is molded on. 
   With the device according to the present invention, as well as developments thereof, including a plug system having two integrated and multipolar plugs (double plug), the following can be realized, possibly simultaneously depending on the construction: 
   A main connecting plug to an electrical system of a vehicle having corresponding main power supply lines and control or bus lines. 
   A second, additional connecting plug, to additional drive units or subsystems, such as actuators, can be realized having corresponding main power lines, control lines, and bus lines. 
   Internal connections of the two plugs named above, i.e. the main connecting plug and the second connecting plug, as well as of the drive with regard to main power supply lines, for example (+/−) terminals of a battery voltage supply, can be realized. 
   A supplying or, depending on the design, a connecting of the two above plugs, as well as of the drive, to corresponding control and bus lines of a vehicle electronics system can be realized. 
   The main connecting plug can be used as a main control input for the first electric drive and for additional drives, or drive units or actuators. The second connecting plug can be used as an additional bus system for controlling and communicating with the additional drive units or actuators. In this case, a master-slave operation of the drives can be realized. 
   The plug connections of control lines and bus lines can be designed as bidirectional inputs and/or outputs. These can then be used as sensor inputs or as bus or control lines for external components such as a louver or an expanding-material element. 
   The control or bus lines can be used for coding for the respective drive (e.g., right/left drive). An intelligent integration into a fail-safe design for the fan system (louver) can also be realized. 
   Further, a connection of additional drives to a multi-wire additional line can be realized. 
   In addition to the advantages described above, the device according to the present invention, as well as its developments, also has the following further advantages: 
   A plug for connecting drive systems to a vehicle electrical system that supplies the drive systems with battery voltage and with control lines can be economically realized. 
   In a minimal case example, two drives can be operated using only one control line. 
   All standard bus systems of various manufacturers or customers can be implemented by a plug system according to the device of the present invention. Such examples include a PWM interface both with and without terminal 15/87 controlling, a CAN bus, or a LIN bus system. 
   Further, two PWM input signals, two drives, for example for two fans, can be controlled separately with only one plug having at least four poles according to the device of the present invention. 
   In particular, the device according to the present invention, as well as its developments, makes it possible to reduce cabling expense, for example in a vehicle electronics system. 
   The manufacturing method according to the present invention, as well as its developments, also enables an economical manufacture of the device according to the present invention, and in particular, a plug system according to the present invention. 
   Given corresponding design and software modification, the present invention enables drive systems to communicate directly with one another or with the on-board system (vehicle electronics system). 
   A second plug connector according to the present invention, for example a connector to a second drive unit, can, as needed, also be used only in one-sided fashion (for connecting to the first plug connector according to the present invention, which is used in double-sided fashion to connect to the first drive unit). Here, the second plug side can be sealed with plastic or covered with a dummy plug. 
   In addition, thermal management of a module and of a fan system can be taken over by means of the present invention through integration of a software unit into the drives. 
   Contacts of the input or main plug connector, in comparison with contacts of the output or additional plug connector, can be placed at different drive inputs or drive outputs, so that these can be controlled or read independently of one another. 
   In addition, the present invention makes it possible to integrate protective systems, such as a blocking protection, a fail-safe mode, and/or a diagnostic system, into the drive. 
   Additional advantages, features, and possible uses of the present invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in connection with the Figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a drawing of a double-fan system having straight plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a drawing of a double-fan system having bent-off plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a drawing of a sample switching diagram in a multiple-fan system having plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows a drawing of a sample switching diagram in a multiple-fan system having plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows a drawing having manufacturing steps of a manufacturing method according to the present invention for manufacturing a straight plug, contactable at two sides, for a plug connector in the double-fan system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows a drawing having manufacturing steps of a manufacturing method according to the present invention for manufacturing a bent-off plug, contactable at two sides, for a plug connector in the double-fan system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows a drawing of a double-fan system having plug connections contactable at one side according to the prior art; 
       FIG. 8  shows a drawing of a sample switching diagram in a double-fan system having a connected actuator, having plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  shows a drawing of a sample switching diagram in a double-fan system having a connected actuator, having plug connections contactable at two sides, according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A first embodiment of the present invention, having a straight plug connector contactable at two sides, is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
     FIG. 1  shows a drawing of a double-fan system  100  for use in a motor vehicle cooling module having a straight plug connector  180  that is contactable at two sides. 
     FIG. 5  shows a drawing having manufacturing steps  501  to  503 , illustrated by drawings  510  to  560 , of a manufacturing method  500  according to the present invention for manufacturing a straight plug  181  contactable at two sides for a plug connection  180  in double-fan system  100  according to  FIG. 1 . 
   In the double fan system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , two electric drive units or motors and a plurality of electric drives including a first electric drive  110  and a second drive or an additional electric drive  111  are connected to an electrical system or a supply network  170  of a motor vehicle. The connection is made using the two-sided contactable straight four-pole plugs or plug connections  180  for the first drive  110  and a one-sided contactable four-pole plug or plug connection  192  for the second drive  111 . 
   The two-sided contactable straight four-pole plug or plug connection  180  comprises, as a central element, a two-sided contactable multipolar plug or a second contact unit  181  (double plug) that is integrated into the first drive  110 . 
   In addition, the two-sided contactable plug connection  180  comprises a four-pole one-sided contactable electrical system plug or a first contact unit  182  that is connected at one side to the electrical system  170  via a cable  140 . 
   The cable  140  bundles four lines, two of which are used for the main power supply, in this case (+/−) lines of a battery power supply. The remaining two lines are control and bus lines of a vehicle electronics system. 
   At the other side, electrical system plug  182  can be plugged to a first contact side  160  of the two-sided contactable four-pole plug  181 . 
   The connection between the vehicle electrical system and the two-sided contactable plug  181  is created by a plugged contact between the electrical system plug  182  and the two-sided contactable straight plug  181  via four pole contacts  150  to  153 . 
   Because this plug  181  is also connected to the first drive  110  via the integrated connection, the first drive  110  is thereby connected to the electrical system  170 , and is supplied via this connection with energy and with communication and control signals. 
   Accordingly, the drive shaft  190  is set into rotation and energy is transferred to a fan or blower. 
   In addition, the two-sided contactable straight plug connection  180  has a first one-sided contactable four-pole connecting plug or a third contact unit  183  that is connected to a connecting cable or at least one second line  185  at the one end  162  thereof. 
   The connecting cable  185  is constructed in a manner corresponding to (electrical system) a cable or the at least one first line  140 , and likewise, bundles the four lines. 
   At the other end  163  of the connecting cable  185 , a second one-sided contactable four-pole plug connector  184  is situated. 
   The first plug connector  183  is preferably plugged at a second contact side  161  of the two-sided contactable plug  181 . 
   Because the first contact side  160  and the second contact side  161  of the two-sided contactable straight plug  181  are situated on opposite sides of the plug  181 , what is known as a “straight” plug  181  results. 
   The one-sided contactable, four-pole plug or plug connection  192  is formed so that the second one-sided contactable plug  184  stands in plugged contact with another one-sided contactable plug  185  that is integrated into a second drive  111 . 
   Alternatively, in addition to the one-sided contactable plug  185 , a second two-sided contactable straight plug  181  may be used. 
   Via this one-sided contactable plug connection  192 , connecting cable  185 , and additionally via two-sided contactable plug connection  180 , second drive  111  is also connected to electrical system  170 , and is supplied via this connection with energy and with control and communication signals. 
   Correspondingly, a drive shaft  191  is set into rotation, and energy is transferred to the blower or the fan. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the manufacture  500  of the two-sided contactable straight plug  181  for the plug connection  180  in the double-fan system  100  takes place according to the following steps  501  to  503 : 
   In a first step  501 , illustrated by drawings  510  to  530 , a flat conductor piece  511  is cut to length and is correspondingly fashioned into a contact shape. 
   This results in two additional flat conductors or a first longitudinal segment  512  and a second longitudinal segment  513 , which, in a second step  502  illustrated by  540  and  550 , are bent off in opposite directions at right angles. 
   If one contact side is to be formed as a contact jack, this is to be realized through the additional attachment of a contact jack, e.g. by welding. 
   This is to be carried out in the same manner for all contacts, so that a complete multi-contact plug unit results. 
   In a third step  503 , illustrated by  560 , the processed flat conductor piece is formed as a contact unit, and is extrusion-coated with plastic to form a plug housing. 
   Alternatively, the flat conductors can be integrated as supply lines to the drives, into the distributor apparatus of the air guides, and to mold on the plug unit. 
   A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a two-sided contactable bent-off plug connection  280  is now described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a drawing of a double-fan system  200  capable of being used in a motor vehicle cooling module, and includes a two-sided contactable bent-off plug connector  280  according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6  shows a drawing having manufacturing steps  601  to  603 , illustrated by drawings  610  to  660 , of a manufacturing method  600  according to the present invention for manufacturing a two-sided contactable, bent-off plug or a second contact unit  281  for plug connection  280  in a double-fan system  200  according to  FIG. 2 . 
   In the double-fan system  200  in  FIG. 2 , two electric drive units or motors, as well as a first drive  210  and a second drive or an additional electric drive  211 , are connected to an electrical system or at least one supply network  270  of a motor vehicle. The connections are made using two-sided contactable bent-off four-pole plugs or plug connections  280  for the first drive  210  and a one-sided contactable four-pole plug or plug connection  292  for the second drive  211 . 
   Two-sided contactable, bent-off, four-pole plug or plug connection  280  comprises, as a central element, a two-sided contactable multipolar plug or the second contact unit  281  (double plug) that is integrated into the first drive  210 . 
   In addition, the two-sided contactable plug connection  280  comprises a four-pole one-sided contactable electrical system plug or a first contact unit  282  that is connected to the electrical system  270  at one side via a cable or at least one first line  240 . 
   The cable  240  bundles four lines, two lines of which are used for the main power supply. In this embodiment, the two lines are (+/−) lines of a battery power supply. The remaining two lines are control and bus lines of a vehicle electronics system. 
   At the other side, the electrical system plug  282  can be plugged to a first contact side  260  of the two-sided contactable four-pole plug  281 . 
   The plugged contact between the electrical system plug  282  and the two-sided contactable bent-off plug  281  is created via the four pole contacts  250  to  253  and the connection between the electrical system and the two-sided contactable plug  281 . 
   Because the plug  281  is additionally connected to the first drive  210  via the integrated connection, the first drive  210  is thereby connected to the electrical system  270  and is supplied with energy and with control and communication signals. 
   Correspondingly, a drive shaft  290  is set into rotation and energy is transferred to a blower or a fan. 
   In addition, the two-sided contactable bent-off plug connection  280  comprises a first one-sided contactable four-pole plug connector or a third contact unit  283  that is connected to a connecting cable or at least one second line  285  at one end  262  thereof. 
   Connecting cable  285  is constructed in the manner of (electrical system) the cable  240 , and likewise bundles the four lines. 
   At the other end  263  of the connecting cable  285 , there is a second one-sided contactable four-pole plug connector  284 . 
   The first plug connector  283  is capable of being plugged to a second contact side  261  of the two-sided contactable plug  281 . 
   Because the first contact side  260  and second contact side  261  of the two-sided contactable bent-off plug  281  are situated at sides of the plug  281  that are situated in normal fashion to one another, a “bent-off” plug  281  is formed. 
   The one-sided contactable four-pole plug or plug connection  292  is formed in the second one-sided contactable plug  284  that is in plugged contact with another one-sided contactable plug  285  that is integrated into the second drive  211 . 
   Alternatively, the additional one-sided contactable plug  285 , such as a second two-sided contactable bent-off (or also straight) plug  281 , can be used. 
   Via the one-sided contactable plug connection  292 , the connecting cable  285 , in addition to the two-sided contactable plug connection  280 , the second drive  211  is also connected to the vehicle electrical system  270 , and is supplied via this connection with energy and with control and communication signals. 
   Correspondingly, a drive shaft  291  is set into rotation to transfer energy to a blower or a fan. 
   As is shown in  FIG. 6 , the manufacture  600  of the two-sided contactable bent-off plug  281  for the plug connection  280  in the double-fan system  200  takes place according to the following steps  601  to  603 : 
   In a first step  601 , illustrated by drawings  610  to  630 , a flat conductor piece  611  is cut to length and is correspondingly formed to a contact shape. 
   Two additional flat conductors  612  and  613  result, of which one is bent off at a right angle in a second step  602 , illustrated by  640  and  650 . 
   If one contact side is to be constructed as a contact jack, this is to be realized through the additional attachment of a contact jack, for example, by welding. 
   This is to be carried out for all contacts in the same manner, so that a complete multi-contact plug unit results. 
   In a third step  603 , illustrated by  660 , the processed flat conductor piece, formed as a contact unit, is extrusion-sheathed with plastic to form a plug housing. 
   A third embodiment of the present invention, a sample switching diagram for a “direct” multiple-fan system having two-sided contactable plug connections, is now described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a drawing of the sample switching diagram in the multiple-fan system having two-sided contactable plug connections  310  and  311 , electric drives  330  and  331  of the system, each being connected directly to an electrical system  350  of a motor vehicle using two-sided contactable plug connections  310  and  311  or two-sided contactable plugs (double plugs)  320  and  321 . 
   The two-sided contactable plug  320  or  321  is wired in such a way that both the contacting  332  or  333  a drive  330  or  331 , and the contacting  340  or  341  for forwarding via a corresponding line connecting node  350  is connected directly to terminal contacting  360  or  361 . 
   A fourth embodiment of the present invention, a sample switching diagram of an “indirect” multiple-fan system having two-sided contactable plug connections, is now described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a drawing of the sample switching diagram in a multiple-fan system having two-sided contactable plug connections  410  and  411 , electric drives  430  and  431  where each is connected indirectly to an electrical system  450  of a motor vehicle using two-sided contactable plug connections  410  and  411  or two-sided contactable plugs (double plugs)  420  and  421 . 
   The two-sided contactable plug  420  or  421  is wired in such a way that the contacting  432  or  433  to the drive  430  or  431 , as well as the contacting  440  or  441  for forwarding, is connected partly directly (for energy supply) via a corresponding line connecting node  450 , and partly indirectly (for communication) to a terminal contacting  460  or  461 . 
   A fifth embodiment of the present invention, a sample switching diagram for a double-fan system with an actuator connected having two-sided contactable plug connections, is now described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a drawing of sample switching diagram  800  in the multiple-fan system with the connected actuator, having two-sided contactable plug connections  810  and  811 , electric drives  830  and  831  where each is connected indirectly to an electrical system  850  of a motor vehicle using two-sided contactable plug connections  810  and  811 , or two-sided contactable plugs (double plugs)  820  and  821 . 
   A sixth embodiment of the present invention, another sample switching diagram for a double-fan system with connected actuator having two-sided contactable plug connections, is now described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a drawing of sample switching diagram  900  for the multiple-fan system having the connected actuator, with a two-sided contactable plug connections  910  and  911 , electric drives  930  and  931  connected to an electrical system  950  of a motor vehicle using the two-sided contactable plug connections  910  and  911 , or two-sided contactable plugs (double plugs)  920  and  921 . 
   The wiring of the two drives, or fan drives,  930  and  931  corresponds to a combination of the wiring patterns of the drives in the multiple-fan system according to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . 
   In place of an additional drive, in this double-fan system with a connected actuator, an actuator  901  is connected to second drive  931  by means of double plug connector  911 , as shown. 
   Without limitation of generality, here it is to be noted that the two-sided contactable plug connections in the third to sixth exemplary embodiments can each be realized both, in the realization according to the first exemplary embodiment, as two-sided contactable straight plug connections and also, according to the second exemplary embodiment, as two-sided contactable bent-off plug connections. 
   It is also expressly noted here that the same holds corresponding to the first and the second exemplary embodiment with reference to the sample switching diagrams according to the third to sixth exemplary embodiments. 
   The two-sided contactable straight and bent-off plug connections according to the first and the second exemplary embodiments can be wired both according to the sample switching diagram according to exemplary embodiments 3 and 4 and also according to the sample switching diagram according to exemplary embodiments 5 and 6.