Brake ECU Task Sharing for Fail-Safe Wheel Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braking control devices face significant processing load increases when one ECU fails, requiring high-performance ECUs, which is costly and inefficient, especially when the backup unit needs to take over the functions of a failed main instruction unit.
Innovation Solution
A braking control device with a first and second main instruction unit, and a backup instruction unit, where the second main instruction unit takes over the first unit's tasks and the backup unit shares the load, reducing the processing burden on the remaining units during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one ECU fails and the other ECU takes over all processing, then braking control continuity is maintained, but the processing load of the remaining ECU increases drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the braking control processing into two separate segments: main instruction units handle primary braking control for their respective wheels, while backup instruction units handle takeover processing. This segmentation prevents the remaining main instruction unit from bearing the full processing load during failure, as the backup instruction unit shares the burden of maintaining braking control continuity.
2Reliability
If the backup instruction unit takes over the function of the failed main instruction unit, then braking control is maintained, but the backup unit requires high processing power equivalent to the main unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the main instruction unit's function in the backup instruction unit. Rather than requiring the backup unit to have full main unit capabilities, it implements a dedicated takeover mechanism that replicates only the essential braking control functions needed during failure scenarios, reducing the complexity and processing power requirements of the backup unit.
3Reliability
If high-performance ECUs are used to handle increased processing load during failure, then braking control continuity is ensured, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the backup instruction unit is activated only during failure conditions. During normal operation, the main instruction units handle all processing independently, and the backup units remain in standby mode with minimal processing activity. This dynamic activation allows the use of lower-performance (and thus lower-cost) backup ECUs while still ensuring reliable braking control continuity when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
During a normal condition of a braking control device, a first instruction unit gives instructions of braking force to be applied to a first wheel and a third wheel, and a second instruction unit gives instructions of braking force to be applied to a second wheel and a fourth wheel. When a failure occurs in the first instruction unit and the first instruction unit can no longer give the instructions of the braking force to be applied to the first wheel and the third wheel, the second instruction unit takes over the task of giving the instruction of braking force to be applied to the first wheel, and a third instruction unit takes over the task of giving the instruction of braking force to be applied to the third wheel.