Vehicle Actuator Control with Reliability-Weighted Majority Voting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vehicle control system faces challenges in maintaining high reliability for fail operational functions due to variations in reliability among multiple control systems, making it difficult to enhance the overall reliability of actuator control.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with three or more computation units, a determination unit, and an output unit, where the determination unit assigns votes based on the reliability of control signals, and the output unit generates a second control signal through a majority vote, ensuring high reliability and considering varying reliability degrees depending on the vehicle scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple control systems are used to achieve fail operational function, then control continuity is improved, but reliability is worsened due to variations in reliability among the control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent computation units (first, second, and third computation units), each capable of independently generating control signals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain control continuity even when one unit fails, while the determination unit can selectively rely on more reliable units based on real-time reliability assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit dynamically adjusts the selection of control signals based on real-time reliability assessments of each computation unit. The system transitions from a static selection approach to a dynamic one where the weight or preference given to each computation unit's output changes based on its current reliability state, ensuring optimal control reliability while maintaining continuity.
2Device complexity
If simple selection among control systems is used, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability enhancement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the multiple computation units and the actuator. It receives control signals from all computation units, assesses their reliability, and intelligently selects or combines the most reliable signals before sending the final control command to the actuator. This intermediary layer adds minimal complexity while significantly enhancing reliability through intelligent signal selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the determination unit continuously monitors the reliability of each computation unit and adjusts its signal selection strategy accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing reliability conditions in real-time, enhancing fail operational reliability without requiring complex reconfiguration of the overall system architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Each of three or more computation units (30) supplies a first control signal showing a target output of an actuator (100) to an output unit (50). A determination unit (40) assigns the target output shown by the first control signal supplied from each of the computation units (30) with a weight based on the degree of reliability of the first control signal, and performs a majority vote of the target outputs. The output unit (50) outputs a second control signal for controlling the actuator (100) based on first control signals supplied from the computation units (30) and a result of the majority vote of the target outputs by the determination unit (40).