Vehicle Control Surface Breakpoints for Safety Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle control systems require manual identification of breakpoints for multi-dimensional surfaces, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive, limiting the efficiency of secondary safety verifications.

Innovation Solution

A calibration system and method that utilize a computer system to identify breakpoints for multi-dimensional surfaces based on maximum allowable breakpoints, instantaneous data point slopes, and minimum/maximum spacing constraints, generating a calibrated look-up table for functional safety verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual identification of breakpoints is performed by experienced human calibrators, then the accuracy and reliability of functional safety verification is maintained, but the time consumption and resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional safety verification accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of breakpoint identification by human calibrators with an automated computer-based system. The system uses algorithms to automatically identify breakpoints in multi-dimensional surfaces by analyzing operation data, calculating slopes, and detecting significant changes. This substitution eliminates the need for human intervention while maintaining verification accuracy through systematic computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system performs self-service by automatically identifying breakpoints without requiring external human expertise. The system autonomously processes operation data, applies calibration criteria, identifies breakpoints based on slope analysis and spacing constraints, and generates calibrated look-up tables. This self-service capability significantly reduces calibration time while maintaining reliability through consistent algorithmic application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the number of breakpoints is increased to improve verification accuracy, then the precision of functional safety verification improves, but the storage requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification precisionVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number and distribution of breakpoints based on the specific characteristics of the multi-dimensional surface being calibrated. The system analyzes operation data to identify regions with significant variations and concentrates breakpoints in those areas, while using fewer breakpoints in regions with gradual changes. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes verification precision while minimizing storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system applies local quality by varying the density of breakpoints across different regions of the multi-dimensional surface. Instead of uniform distribution, the system places breakpoints locally where they are most needed - in regions with high curvature, significant slope changes, or critical safety boundaries. This localized approach ensures high verification precision in critical areas while reducing overall storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If automated algorithms are used to identify breakpoints, then the productivity and efficiency of calibration process improves, but the complexity of the calibration system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration efficiencyVSAvoidcalibration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the complex breakpoint identification process into distinct modular stages: data loading and preprocessing, slope calculation at each data point, breakpoint detection based on slope thresholds, spacing validation against minimum/maximum constraints, and look-up table generation. Each stage is implemented as a separate computational module, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement despite the automated nature of the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250136123A1Techniques for calculating surface breakpoints for secondary safety verifications in vehicle controls systems

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A calibration technique for a multi-dimensional surface for functional safety verification of a control system of a vehicle involves accessing a memory configured to store operation data relative to the control system of the vehicle, the operation data representing a multi-dimensional surface comprising a plurality of data points, identifying a plurality of breakpoints for representing the multi-dimensional surface based on a maximum allowable number of breakpoints, instantaneous data point slopes, and minimum/maximum breakpoint spacing constraints, and generating a calibrated look-up table for the control system, the calibrated look-up table including the plurality of breakpoints, wherein the calibrated look-up table is configured to be utilized for functional safety verification of an output of the control system.