Hierarchical Air Intake Shutoff Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for adjusting shutoff elements in motor vehicle air intakes are complex and costly due to the need for multiple adjustment units to be directly connected to the central control unit, leading to difficulties in synchronous control and increased expenses.
Innovation Solution
A system with a primary adjustment unit connected to the central control unit and secondary adjustment units, where the secondary units are connected only to the primary unit, allowing for a simpler and cheaper design by reducing the need for direct connections to the central control unit, using a primary connection for power and data with the central unit and a secondary connection for power supply only.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple adjustment units are directly connected to the central control unit, then each adjustment unit can be controlled independently, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a hierarchical structure with one primary adjustment unit directly connected to the central control unit and multiple secondary adjustment units connected to the primary unit. This segmentation allows independent control capability to be maintained through the hierarchical communication structure while reducing overall system complexity by limiting direct connections to the central control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary adjustment unit acts as an intermediary between the central control unit and the secondary adjustment units. It receives control signals from the central control unit and distributes them to the secondary units, enabling indirect control of multiple adjustment units through a single interface, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining operational independence.
2Ease of operation
If multiple adjustment units are directly connected to the central control unit, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the cost of electronics and connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into primary and secondary levels, where only the primary adjustment unit requires expensive electronic control components for direct connection to the central control unit. The secondary adjustment units use simpler electronics and communicate through the primary unit, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary adjustment units are designed with simpler, cheaper electronics since they don't require direct expensive connections to the central control unit. They can be manufactured at lower cost while still providing full control functionality through the hierarchical communication structure established by the primary adjustment unit.
3Reliability
If each adjustment unit has direct connection to central control unit, then control reliability is high, but synchronous control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The primary adjustment unit serves as a mediator that coordinates control signals to multiple secondary adjustment units. This centralized coordination through the primary unit ensures that all adjustment units receive synchronized control commands from the central control unit, making synchronous control easier to achieve while maintaining control reliability through the established communication hierarchy.
4Measurement precision
If multiple direct connections to central control unit are provided, then control precision is maintained, but data traffic on onboard network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication architecture is segmented into hierarchical levels where the primary adjustment unit handles direct communication with the central control unit, and secondary units communicate through the primary unit. This segmentation reduces the number of direct data connections to the central control unit, thereby reducing data traffic on the onboard network while maintaining control precision through the hierarchical communication structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for adjusting at least two sets of shutoff elements of an air intake of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle. The system comprises at least two adjustment units. Each adjustment unit comprises a drive unit comprising an electric motor and a drive train for adjusting a set of shutoff elements. One adjustment unit is a primary adjustment unit and a further adjustment unit is a secondary adjustment unit. The primary adjustment unit is arranged for primary connection with a central control unit, such as an onboard computer of a motor vehicle. Also, the primary adjustment unit is arranged for secondary connection with the secondary adjustment unit. In the system the secondary adjustment unit has no direct connection with the central control unit.