Vehicle Control Substrate Layout for Multi-Spec Power Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing methods for control devices in vehicles require separate zone ECUs for different vehicle specifications, leading to increased costs due to the need for customized harnesses and power supply circuits, which cannot be sufficiently reduced by making harnesses common.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method for a control device that uses a common substrate configuration, including a trunk line substrate, a base substrate, and an extension substrate, with multiple power supply circuits and connection options, allowing for selection based on vehicle specifications to achieve cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate zone ECUs are designed for each vehicle specification, then the control device can accommodate different electrical equipment configurations, but the cost increases due to customized harnesses and power supply circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standard substrate that can serve multiple vehicle specifications. The substrate includes a standard connector portion and an extension connector portion that can accommodate both standard electrical equipment and extension electrical equipment across different vehicle grades. This eliminates the need to design separate zone ECUs for each specification, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the substrate into functional portions: a standard connector portion for standard electrical equipment and an extension connector portion for extension electrical equipment. This segmentation allows the same substrate to be configured for different vehicle specifications by selectively connecting or disconnecting portions, enabling cost reduction through common substrate usage while maintaining specification-specific functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a common substrate is used across different vehicle specifications, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the power supply circuit configuration becomes more complex to accommodate different battery types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply circuit configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The substrate includes a power supply circuit with switchable connections that can be dynamically configured to match different battery types (e.g., 48V or 12V). This dynamic configurability allows a single common substrate to accommodate multiple power supply requirements without increasing overall device complexity, as the complexity is managed through flexible, reconfigurable circuitry.
3Ease of manufacture
If harnesses are made common across specifications, then cost reduction is achieved, but power supply circuit variations cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the substrate as an intermediary between the common harness and the varying power supply requirements. The substrate includes a power supply circuit that acts as a mediator, translating the standardized harness input into specification-appropriate power distribution. This intermediary approach allows harnesses to be made common across specifications while still accommodating different power supply circuit configurations through the substrate's reconfigurable power management capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control device includes a standard substrate on which a first input/output circuit and a control circuit configured to control the first input/output circuit are mounted, and a power supply substrate on which a connection portion and a power supply circuit are mounted. The first input/output circuit is at least one of an input circuit and an output circuit for a standard electrical equipment. The connection portion is configured to be connected to a power supply line for supplying electric power. The power supply circuit is configured to generate electric power for operating the standard substrate from the electric power supplied from the power supply line.