On-Vehicle Electronic Control Device Arousal Timer Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-vehicle electronic control devices face issues with inadvertent timer starts in unmanned states, leading to over-discharge of vehicle batteries and potential safety hazards due to unprotected circuit arrangements against prolonged power feeds.
Innovation Solution
An on-vehicle electronic control device with a main control circuit and a timer circuit section, featuring a microprocessor, memory for time period measurement, and reset mechanisms to prevent unnecessary power feeds, ensuring safe operation and battery protection by using a timing counter and reset timers to manage circuit-closing drive outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power supply relay remains switched on due to malfunction of the soak timer, then the on-vehicle electronic control device is fed with electric power over a long time period, but this induces over-discharge of the on-vehicle battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power supply relay as an intermediary component between the battery and the electronic control device. The relay acts as a mediator that can disconnect power supply when the timer malfunctions, preventing direct battery discharge. The relay is controlled by the timer circuit, creating a layered control structure where the relay serves as a safety intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the timer circuit continuously monitors its own operation state and provides feedback signals to control the power supply relay. When the timer detects abnormal operation (failure to reset within predetermined time), it generates a feedback signal to open the relay,切断 power supply. This closed-loop feedback ensures automatic correction of timer malfunctions.
2Ease of operation
If the circuit arrangement is unprotected against unmanned power feed, then the electronic control device can operate freely, but there is a high risk of current consumers being improperly fed with electric power to induce burning accident
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by equipping the circuit with protective mechanisms before harmful events can occur. The power supply relay and timer circuit are pre-configured to detect abnormal conditions (unmanned power feed) and automatically initiate corrective action (open relay to cut power). This preventive approach counteracts potential burning accidents before they can happen.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply relay serves as a protective intermediary between the power source and current consumers. When unmanned operation is detected, the relay acts as an intermediary barrier that disconnects power, preventing direct harmful effects on current consumers. This intermediary layer provides safety without restricting normal operation.
3Measurement precision
If the timer circuit section continuously measures time period, then accurate time measurement is achieved, but the device complexity increases with multiple reset mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple reset functions into a unified timer circuit design. The first reset means (main CPU control) and second reset means (independent timer) are integrated into a single timer circuit section that handles both reset operations. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate timing and resetting circuits, while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer circuit section provides self-service through its dual reset capability. The independent second reset means allows the timer to automatically reset itself without external intervention, ensuring continuous accurate measurement. This self-resetting feature maintains precision while simplifying external control requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An on-vehicle electronic control device improves safety so as to prevent an unnecessary start by means of an arousal timer circuit section. An on-vehicle electronic control device includes a main control circuit section and an arousal timer circuit section. A switching element is held in a closed-circuit operation with an output permitting signal that a watchdog timer circuit generates when a pulse cycle of a watchdog clear signal that a main CPU generates is normal, and thereafter an arousal output is reset in response to a forced OFF command from the main CPU. In the event that an arousal output is not reset, the arousal timer circuit section self-resets an arousal output after a predetermined time period has passed.