Daisy-Chain Vehicle Control Units for Position-Based Function Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control units with different vehicle functions are prone to incorrect installation, leading to errors when exchanging control units, as they lack a clear method to determine their correct installation position within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DAISY-CHAIN connection among control units, where each control unit determines its position within the chain using a processor connection, allowing it to select and activate the appropriate vehicle function based on its installation position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control units with unique identifiers (part numbers) are used, then each control unit can be uniquely identified, but incorrect installation occurs when control units are swapped between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines its own installation position by detecting the daisy-chain connection sequence and configures itself accordingly. The processor circuit identifies the position indication from the connection order and autonomously selects the appropriate vehicle function without requiring external sorting or manual configuration, making the installation process self-service oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of position identification from static (pre-assigned unique identifiers) to dynamic (determined by connection sequence). The control unit's functional configuration changes based on its detected position in the daisy-chain, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different installation positions through parameter changes rather than physical reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If control units are sorted and assigned to specific positions before installation, then correct installation is ensured, but additional time and complexity are required during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines its own installation position by detecting the daisy-chain connection sequence and configures itself accordingly. The processor circuit identifies the position indication from the connection order and autonomously selects the appropriate vehicle function without requiring external sorting or manual configuration, making the installation process self-service oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the position determination and function selection actions automatically during the installation process itself, rather than requiring preliminary sorting actions before installation. The control unit determines its position and configures its function as part of the installation sequence, eliminating the need for separate pre-sorted preparation steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicle functions are implemented in each control unit, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each control unit is designed with universal multi-functionality, implementing multiple vehicle functions within a single device. The control unit can provide different vehicle functions depending on its installation position, making each unit versatile and adaptable to various roles without requiring separate specialized units for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically selects which vehicle function to activate based on its detected position in the daisy-chain connection. The functional configuration is not static but changes dynamically according to the position indication, allowing the same hardware to adapt its behavior to different installation contexts without physical reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) having a plurality of control devices (13) which are designed to provide a particular vehicle function (21) in the motor vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle functions (21) of the control devices (13) differ and wherein the control devices (13) are connected by a common bus line (15) which is led successively through a respective communications circuit (16) of the control devices (13), wiring the control devices successively into a daisy-chain circuit (14). According to the invention, each of the vehicle functions (21) is implemented in each of the control devices (13) and a processor circuit (20) is designed to determine a position specification (34) which specifies a position of the particular control device (13) within the daisy-chain circuit (14) and, according to the determined position specification (34), to select a vehicle function (21) allocated to the position from the implemented vehicle functions (21) and to provide the selected vehicle function (21) in the motor vehicle (10) for activation.