CAN Message Scanner for Winter Vehicle Speed Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the speed of winter service vehicles for accurate de-icing material spreading are limited by optical sensor obstructions and GPS drift, leading to inaccurate spreading rates and increased material costs.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a CAN bus connection between the engine control unit (ECU) and a computer to determine the vehicle's speed and adjust the spreading rate, using a CAN message scanner to retrieve the correct data field address for various engine types, facilitating efficient installation and accurate spreading rate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical speed sensors or GPS sensors are used to determine vehicle speed, then speed measurement is possible, but measurement precision deteriorates due to dirt obstruction or GPS drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary device (CAN bus communication system) to obtain speed data from the ECU rather than directly measuring it with external sensors. This intermediary approach allows the system to access accurate speed information already calculated by the engine control unit, avoiding the problems of direct optical or GPS-based measurement in harsh winter conditions.
2Measurement precision
If conventional speed sensing methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates in difficult weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing ECU's multi-functionality to obtain speed data for spreading rate control. The ECU, already responsible for engine management, also provides accurate vehicle speed information through CAN bus communication. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated speed sensing systems while improving spreading rate accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If CAN bus communication is implemented for speed determination, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the ECU's self-service capability to provide speed data through its existing CAN bus communication infrastructure. The ECU already contains the necessary processing power and data to communicate vehicle speed, eliminating the need for external speed sensing hardware and reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of CAN bus communication capability.
4Loss of substance
If spreading rate is adjusted based on accurate speed determination, then loss of substance is reduced through optimized material usage, but device complexity increases due to control system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the computer continuously receives accurate speed data from the ECU via CAN bus and automatically adjusts the spreading rate accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes de-icing material usage by matching spreading rate to actual vehicle speed, reducing material waste while the computer handles the control complexity automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a controller area network (CAN) message scanner for a winter service vehicle. The CAN message scanner generally has a housing; a controller inside said housing; and a CAN bus link having a proximal end connected to said controller and a distal end connected to a diagnostic port of an engine control unit (ECU) of said winter service vehicle; said controller performing, while said winter service vehicle has a given speed, receiving a CAN message from said ECU vehicle via said CAN bus link, said CAN message having vehicle data fields located at corresponding addresses of said CAN message; retrieving a vehicle data field having a value matching a speed value indicative of said given speed of said winter service vehicle; and generating a signal indicating an address corresponding to said retrieved vehicle data field.