CAN Bus Model Vehicle Remote Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control systems for model vehicles face complexities due to the Wrong Model Syndrome (WMS) and increased servo counts, leading to wiring and communication challenges, where selecting the wrong model can result in crashes and increased management complexity.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system utilizing a Controller Area Network (CAN) enabled by microcontrollers and devices that communicate without a host computer, where a transmitter receives and transmits vehicle control signals in a CAN message format, allowing modules to selectively respond, and each module can self-configure and supplement power through a distributed scheme.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If model-specific data is stored in both transmitter and receiver, then control signal translation can be performed at both ends, but mismatch between transmitter and receiver model data can lead to crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts model-specific data storage from the transmitter and places it exclusively in the receiver module. This eliminates the mismatch problem by ensuring only the receiver has the authoritative model data, while the transmitter sends generic control commands that the receiver translates using its stored model information.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver acts as an intermediary that receives generic control signals from the transmitter and translates them into model-specific commands using its stored model data. This intermediary role centralizes the intelligence needed for model-specific control, eliminating the need for the transmitter to store or manage model-specific information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of servos increases to 50 or more, then vehicle functionality and complexity increase, but wiring and communication schemes become extremely complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital communication bus (CAN bus) that all modules connect to. Instead of requiring separate wiring for each servo, all 50+ servos and modules share a common communication infrastructure. The digital addressing capability allows any module to communicate with any servo through this single bus, dramatically reducing wiring complexity while supporting high numbers of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring schemes with digital communication protocols. Instead of dedicated physical connections for each control signal, the system uses a digital bus with software-based addressing and communication protocols to route commands to specific servos, reducing physical complexity while maintaining control capability.
3Quantity of substance
If complex wiring schemes are used to accommodate 50 or more servos, then all servos can be controlled, but wiring time and material costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The universal CAN bus infrastructure allows a single wiring harness to support 50+ servos simultaneously. Each servo is addressed digitally rather than requiring dedicated wiring, so the same physical infrastructure scales to accommodate any number of servos without proportionally increasing wiring time or material costs.
4Ease of operation
If traditional receiver architecture is used where all control signals go through a host computer, then centralized control is achieved, but system response time and communication efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiver into multiple independent modules (power module, control module, servo modules) that can autonomously process commands. Instead of all signals funneled through a central host computer, each module has its own microcontroller and can independently interpret and execute control commands received via the CAN bus, significantly reducing processing latency and improving system response time.
Solution Approach 2:
Each receiver module is self-sufficient with its own microcontroller and processing capability. Modules can independently handle control signals without requiring centralized processing, enabling parallel processing of multiple control functions simultaneously and reducing overall system response time while maintaining coordinated control.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for remotely piloting a vehicle. In one aspect, a system includes a transmitter capable to receive vehicle control signals and transmit the vehicle control signals to a vehicle including at least one receiver; one or more modules; and at least one power supply; wherein the at least one receiver receives the transmitted vehicle control signals and transmits the vehicle control signals in a CAN message format to all of the one or more modules; and each of the one or more modules selectively chooses which of the vehicle control signals in a CAN message format the module will respond to.