Vehicle CCU Power Allocation by Demand Class Under Limited Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle computing systems, particularly those using decentralized Electronic Control Units (ECUs), face challenges in scalability, flexibility, and efficient power management, leading to potential temporary power insufficiencies that can adversely affect vehicle functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A central computing unit (CCU) with a distributed computing system, communication switch, and power supply system, which assigns demand classes and power classes to hardware entities and software processes, dynamically distributing power based on priority levels and current operational modes, enabling flexible and efficient power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central computing unit (CCU) consolidates multiple ECUs to improve scalability and flexibility, then system adaptability is improved, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CCU into multiple hardware entities (computing modules, communication modules, power supply modules) and assigns demand classes to each segment. This segmentation allows independent power management of each hardware entity, reducing overall power management complexity while maintaining system adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces demand classes and power classes as parameters to dynamically characterize hardware entities and software processes. By changing these parameters based on operational modes, the system can adapt power distribution without increasing management complexity, as the parameter-based approach provides a standardized method for power allocation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is dynamically distributed among hardware entities and software processes, then power efficiency is improved, but system reliability may worsen due to potential power insufficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes demand classes and power classes in advance for all hardware entities and software processes. This preliminary classification allows the system to proactively allocate power according to predefined priorities before power insufficiencies occur, ensuring critical functions always have adequate power while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual power consumption and operational status of hardware entities are continuously monitored. This feedback allows dynamic adjustment of power distribution to match actual needs, improving power efficiency while preventing power insufficiencies that could compromise reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing distribution of power among different hardware entities of a central computing unit for a vehicle, and/or different software processes running on the CCU, the method comprising: assigning to each element of a set of different hardware entities of the CCU and/or different software processes running on the CCU a respective demand class defining a priority level for powering this respective hardware entity or software process; determining an amount of power being available to be supplied to the CCU; defining a power distribution scheme for distributing the available power, at least in parts, among different elements of the set as a function of the determined amount of available power and the assigned demand classes of these elements of the set; and controlling the distribution of the available amount of power, or parts thereof, among the different elements of the set according to the power distribution scheme.