Vehicle ECU Software Updating Under Non-Charging Battery Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

When an onboard battery is being charged, the high charge voltage may be applied to electronic control units (ECUs) during software updates, potentially adversely affecting the ECUs.

Innovation Solution

A software updating device that executes the software update process using electric power from the onboard battery only when the battery is not being charged, thereby preventing the high charge voltage from being applied to the ECUs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If software update is performed using electric power from the onboard battery during charging, then the update process can be executed, but high charge voltage may be applied to the ECUs causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update executionVSAvoidhigh charge voltage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller checks the charging state before initiating the software update process. By performing this preliminary check, the system prevents the update from starting during charging conditions, thereby avoiding the harmful effect of high voltage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the power supply system and the ECU software update process. It monitors the charging state and controls the power delivery, preventing direct connection of high charge voltage to the ECU during vulnerable update operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the onboard battery is charged at high voltage, then charging efficiency is improved, but the ECUs are at risk of being adversely affected during software updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidECU functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs a preliminary check of the charging state before initiating software update. This advance detection allows the system to maintain high voltage charging efficiency when safe, while preventing ECU damage by blocking updates during charging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on charging state. When charging is detected, the controller prohibits software updates; when not charging, updates are permitted. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize charging efficiency while protecting ECU reliability under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12217043B2Software updating device, software updating method, and software updating program

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A software updating device is provided executes a process for updating software that operate a vehicle-mounted equipment. The software updating device includes a controller and a chargeable onboard battery. The controller acquires the software and applies the software to control the equipment. The chargeable onboard battery supplies electric power to the controller. The controller executes the software update process using the electric power supplied from the onboard battery, when the onboard battery is not being charged. When the controller executes the software update process using the electric power supplied from the onboard battery, the controller prohibits charging of the onboard battery when the onboard battery is not being charged.