EV ECU OTA Update Scheduling Across Driving and Charging States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Updating control programs of multiple controllers in an electrically powered vehicle simultaneously leads to increased power consumption and potential insufficient power supply, especially when a long time is required, which can hinder the update process and affect the vehicle's operation.
Innovation Solution
Update the control programs of different controllers during different vehicle states, such as traveling or charging, to ensure a dedicated period for each update and minimize power consumption by staggering the updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If control programs of multiple controllers are updated in parallel, then update efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and auxiliary battery power may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process by controller type and operational state. Controllers are divided into groups (first controllers for traveling state, second controllers for charging state, third controllers for standstill state), and updates are performed sequentially rather than in parallel. This segmentation reduces simultaneous power consumption while maintaining comprehensive update coverage across all controllers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control programs are updated during vehicle operation, then update timing flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases and may affect vehicle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching update operations to specific vehicle operational states. First controllers are updated during traveling state, second controllers during charging state, and third controllers during standstill state. This localized approach ensures updates occur when power availability and vehicle stability conditions are appropriate, maintaining reliability while achieving timing flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If update period is extended to ensure complete updates, then update thoroughness is improved, but power consumption increases and update window may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling updates according to recurring vehicle operational cycles. Updates are performed periodically when the vehicle enters appropriate states (traveling, charging, or standstill), rather than attempting single extended update sessions. This approach ensures complete updates are achieved while utilizing naturally occurring operational windows.
4Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary battery power is conserved by limiting updates, then power sufficiency is improved, but update coverage may be incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by continuously monitoring vehicle operational states and accumulating update opportunities across multiple cycles. Rather than attempting all updates in single sessions, the system continuously performs updates whenever appropriate conditions are met, ensuring complete coverage over time while conserving battery power through distributed execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
An update ECU performs processing including obtaining an OTA-target ECU (S102) when an OTA request has been issued (YES in S 100), requesting a target ECU to perform update processing (S108) when the target ECU falls under an ECU that operates during traveling (YES in S104) and when an electrically powered vehicle is being externally charged (YES in S 106), and requesting a target ECU to perform update processing (S114) when the target ECU falls under an ECU that operates during external charging (NO in S104 and YES in S110) and when the electrically powered vehicle is traveling (YES in S112).