Vehicle ECU Pin Virtualization for Multi-Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted ECUs do not efficiently manage signal pins when multiple actuators are connected, leading to inefficiencies in controlling the flow of signals.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted apparatus with a control unit and an output processing unit connected via fewer internal pins than signal pins, utilizing a virtualized operating system to manage and switch connections efficiently, allowing multiple actuators to be controlled effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle-mounted ECU connects to multiple actuators with one signal pin per actuator, then each actuator can be controlled independently, but the number of signal pins increases, leading to increased device complexity and inefficient pin management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtualization layer that allows a single physical signal pin to serve multiple actuators through time-multiplexed control. The control unit generates control signals for multiple actuators and outputs them via a shared signal pin, with each actuator receiving its designated signal at different time intervals. This multi-functional approach enables one pin to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated pins, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to control multiple actuators independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic time-multiplexed switching where the connection between the control unit and actuators changes over time. The control unit dynamically allocates time slots to different actuators, switching which actuator receives the control signal from the shared pin at any given moment. This dynamic allocation allows flexible adaptation to different actuator requirements while using a fixed number of physical pins, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programs are executed in the vehicle-mounted ECU to control different actuators, then functional versatility is improved, but conflicts may occur between programs accessing the same signal pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtualization management mechanism that provides feedback control over signal pin allocation. The system monitors which actuators are currently active and dynamically adjusts the time-multiplexed scheduling to prevent conflicts. When multiple programs attempt to access the same signal pin, the virtualization layer receives feedback about these access requests and coordinates their execution timing to ensure no two programs drive the same pin simultaneously, thus maintaining reliability while supporting program versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between multiple control programs and the physical signal pins. This intermediary manages all access requests from different programs to the shared pins, arbitrating conflicts by scheduling access in a conflict-free manner. The intermediary translates multiple program requests into coordinated physical pin operations, allowing versatile multi-program execution while preventing signal pin conflicts that would compromise reliability.
3Device complexity
If fewer internal pins are used to connect the control unit and output processing unit, then device complexity is reduced, but efficient management of multiple actuator signals becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-multiplexed signaling where control signals for different actuators are transmitted in periodic cycles through the shared internal pin. Each cycle contains time slots allocated to different actuators, creating a rhythmic pattern of signal transmission. This periodic structure enables the control unit to efficiently manage multiple actuator signals through a single pin by systematically rotating which actuator receives attention in each period, maintaining high signal control efficiency while using minimal pins.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-mounted apparatus is mounted in a vehicle and is connected to a plurality of actuators. The vehicle-mounted apparatus includes: a control unit for generating control signals for controlling the actuators; an output processing unit for outputting the control signals, which have been generated by the control unit, via signal pins to which the plurality of actuators are connected, and at least one internal pin that connects the control unit and the output processing unit and transmits the control signals, wherein the internal pins are fewer in number than the signal pins.