Vehicle Control Unit Non-Volatile Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for operating multiple control devices in vehicles are costly due to the need for non-volatile memory in each control unit to store data that persists after ignition switch-off, such as settings for air conditioning, radio stations, and seat positions, which are required upon ignition restart.
Innovation Solution
Non-volatile data is shared between control units via a bus system, allowing one control unit to store the non-volatile data of another, potentially eliminating the need for non-volatile memory in some units and using EEPROM for cost-effective storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each control unit has its own non-volatile memory to store settings data, then data persistence after ignition switch-off is ensured, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the non-volatile memory resources across multiple control units by allowing one control unit (e.g., gateway or central control unit) to serve as a shared storage location for settings data. Instead of each control unit having separate non-volatile memory, the system combines storage functionality at the system level, reducing total memory requirements and manufacturing costs while maintaining data persistence through centralized storage and retrieval mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the non-volatile memory of a single control unit serve multiple functions and multiple control units simultaneously. The shared memory not only stores settings data but also serves as a communication hub and data exchange point between different control units. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated non-volatile memory in each control unit, reducing overall system cost while ensuring data availability across the vehicle network.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-volatile memory is reduced or omitted in some control units, then manufacturing costs decrease, but data storage capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage capacity of individual control units into a shared pool of non-volatile memory resources. By merging storage capabilities at the system level, the total storage capacity is concentrated in one or few control units, compensating for the reduced or omitted local storage in other units. This centralized storage pool provides sufficient capacity for all settings data while reducing the number of memory components needed across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator control unit (such as a gateway or central control unit) that acts as an intermediary for data storage and retrieval. This mediator has the non-volatile memory and handles storage operations for multiple control units, effectively providing storage capacity to units that would otherwise have reduced or no local non-volatile memory. The mediator manages data requests from other control units, ensuring storage needs are met without requiring each unit to have full storage capability.
3Loss of information
If data transmission occurs during ignition on-phase, then data is available when needed, but operational data transmission is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or phase-based data transmission where settings data transfer is scheduled to occur during the ignition off-phase, while operational data transmission occurs during the ignition on-phase. This periodic separation of data transmission tasks ensures that critical operational communications are not disturbed by settings data transfers, while still maintaining data availability by completing transfers during appropriate time windows when the vehicle is not in active operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs settings data transmission in advance during the ignition off-phase, before the vehicle ignition is activated. By completing data transfers preliminarily during the off-phase, the system ensures that all settings data is available and synchronized before operational phases begin, preventing any disturbance to real-time operational communications. This preliminary action approach allows the system to prepare data exchanges when bandwidth is available without impacting productivity-critical operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a device for operating several control devices (1-5) in a vehicle. According to the invention, data is transmitted between the control devices (1-5), the non-volatile data is transmitted between the control devices and non-volatile data of at least one control device (2, 3, 5) is stored in a non-volatile memory (12, 15) of another control device (1, 4). The storage of the non-volatile data of one of the control devices (2, 3, 5) in the non-volatile memory (12, 15) of the other control device (1, 4) enables the non-volatile memory of the first control device (2, 3, 5) to be smaller or even deleted. As a result, costs are reduced.