Vehicle Controller Mode Switching for Y-Connected Brake Peripherals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles with higher levels of automation, existing diagnostic and redundant activation systems for braking systems require additional space, increase integration and maintenance costs, and suffer from signal interference and coordination issues between controllers, necessitating different controllers for varying cabling configurations.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a switch-over unit that selects operating modes based on whether peripheral devices are connected via y-connection or direct cabling, allowing flexible operation and eliminating the need for multiple controllers by enabling or disabling operating units as needed, thus suppressing signal interference and simplifying access management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors and controllers are installed to improve diagnostic options and redundancy in highly automated vehicles, then the reliability and diagnostic capability are improved, but the installation space requirements, integration work, and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different operating modes. The same controller hardware can operate in normal mode with full functionality or in fail-operational mode with reduced functionality, eliminating the need for separate redundant controller hardware and reducing installation space requirements
2Reliability
If a second secondary controller is added to maintain auxiliary braking operation during faults, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically switches between operating modes based on system status. The controller can transition from normal operating mode to fail-operational mode when faults are detected, providing backup functionality without requiring permanent dual-controller complexity. The switch-over unit enables dynamic reconfiguration of the controller's operational state
3Adaptability or versatility
If y-connection cabling is used to enable redundant access to sensors and actuators, then the adaptability is improved, but signal interference and access coordination issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The switch-over unit acts as an intermediary that manages access to peripheral devices. It coordinates between the primary controller and secondary controller, enabling redundant access through y-connection while preventing signal interference by controlling which controller can access which peripheral device at any given time
4Adaptability or versatility
If different controllers are used for different cabling configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal device that can adapt to different cabling configurations through software-based operating mode switching. The same physical controller can be configured for normal operation, fail-operational mode, or different cabling arrangements, eliminating the need to maintain multiple different controller types in inventory
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is for a vehicle system. The controller includes: at least one terminal for exchanging signals with a peripheral device that is connected to the terminal; a processing unit that is connected or connectable to the at least one terminal and that is configured to process signals that can be transmitted via the terminal; and, at least one operating unit for operating the at least one terminal. The controller has a switch-over unit that is configured to switch over between at least two operating modes for the at least one terminal. The switch-over unit is configured to select the operating mode in dependence upon whether the peripheral device connected to the respective terminal is also simultaneously connected to a further controller via a y-connection, or being directly cabled is connected only to the respective terminal of the controller.