Universal Control Device Input Circuit Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle control units require different hardware variants to accommodate various sensor types and configurations, leading to increased complexity, costs, and logistical challenges in production and spare parts management due to the need for multiple control unit types to handle different sensor combinations.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an input circuit that can be adapted using pure control commands to connect either a pull-up or pull-down switch, allowing the same control unit to handle both analog and PWM sensors without hardware changes, enabling end-of-line programming to match sensor types, thus simplifying production and reducing spare parts inventory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different hardware variants of control units are used to accommodate various sensor types, then the control unit can be precisely adapted to specific sensor configurations, but the device complexity and the number of different control unit types increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal input circuit design that can handle multiple sensor types (analog, PWM, frequency) through a single hardware architecture. The input circuit includes configurable components such as switchable pull-up/pull-down resistors, adjustable sampling frequencies, and multiple evaluation modes that allow the same control unit to adapt to different sensor configurations without requiring hardware variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based adaptation where the control unit's behavior is modified through configurable parameters rather than hardware changes. These parameters include sampling frequency, input impedance, pull-up/pull-down resistor values, and evaluation mode selection. By changing these parameters programmatically, the control unit can switch between different sensor types and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple hardware variants.
2Reliability
If multiple control unit types are produced to handle different sensor combinations, then each control unit can be optimized for its specific application, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal control unit design that integrates multiple sensor evaluation capabilities into a single platform. The input circuit is designed to accept various sensor types through configurable parameters including switchable impedance levels, adjustable sampling frequencies, and multiple signal evaluation modes. This universality allows manufacturers to produce a single control unit type that can serve multiple applications, thereby simplifying production while maintaining reliable sensor signal evaluation across different sensor configurations.
3Ease of operation
If different control unit types are stocked for different vehicle variants, then the correct control unit can be supplied to each vehicle, but the logistical complexity and spare parts inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent presents a universal control unit that can be configured through software parameters to match different sensor configurations and vehicle variants. This eliminates the need to maintain multiple control unit types in inventory. The control unit includes configurable input circuits with adjustable impedance, sampling frequency, and evaluation modes that can be programmed to match the specific sensor requirements of any vehicle variant, thereby simplifying logistics and reducing spare parts inventory to a single universal type.
4Manufacturing precision
If the input circuit is fixed for a specific sensor type, then the input circuit can be optimized for that sensor type, but the adaptability to different sensor configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic input circuit design where the circuit characteristics can be changed programmatically to match different sensor types. This includes switchable pull-up and pull-down resistors with adjustable resistance values, configurable sampling frequencies, and selectable evaluation modes. The input circuit transitions from a static, fixed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable design that can be optimized for each sensor type through software control, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The controlling device (42) has an inlet with an input terminal (12), two input channels (20,38) and an input circuit (43). The input circuit has a pull-up-switch (44) that is operated from the controlling device. The pull-up-switch controls connection of the input terminal at high potential. Another pull-up-switch (46) controls the connection of the input terminal at deep potential. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting a controlling device.