Vehicle ECU Update Power Control During Low-Voltage Battery Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing program update systems in vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, face interruptions and prolonged wait times when the battery is removed during updates, necessitating re-consent and causing delays in vehicle usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a step-down converter to supply power from a high-voltage power system to a low-voltage power system, allowing program updates to continue even when the battery is removed, using a high-voltage battery to maintain power during updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If program update is performed using low-voltage battery power only, then the update system is simple, but the update process is interrupted when the battery is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the high-voltage power system and low-voltage power system into a unified power supply architecture. The step-down converter bridges these two systems, allowing the high-voltage battery to supplement power to the low-voltage system during program updates, ensuring continuity even when the low-voltage battery is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The step-down converter acts as an intermediary device between the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage power system. It converts high-voltage electricity to low-voltage electricity, enabling the high-voltage battery to power the program update process without direct connection to the low-voltage ECU.
2Ease of operation
If the battery is removed during program update, then vehicle maintenance is enabled, but the update process is interrupted and wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares alternative power supply arrangements before the battery removal occurs. By having the step-down converter and high-voltage battery ready as a backup power source, the system ensures that program updates can continue uninterrupted even when the low-voltage battery is removed for maintenance.
3Reliability
If program update requires battery presence, then power supply is stable, but vehicle usage is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage battery system serves multiple functions: it powers the vehicle's propulsion system and simultaneously serves as a backup power source for the low-voltage power system during program updates. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain update capability without requiring the low-voltage battery to remain installed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous program updates without interruption, reducing wait times and ensuring vehicle readiness upon battery reinstallation.
Implementation Method 1
a step-down converter configured to step-down convert the power of the high-voltage battery to the power of the low-voltage power system
Data Source
AI summary
A program update control apparatus acquires new program from an external apparatus via a network and rewrites a program of an electronic control unit equipped with a mobile object during drive of the mobile object is disabled. The mobile object includes a low-voltage power system comprising a low-voltage battery configured to supply electrical power to a rewriting control unit and the electronic control unit, a high-voltage power system comprising a high-voltage battery configured to store electric energy to move the mobile object, and a step-down converter configured to step-down convert the power of the high-voltage battery to the power of the low-voltage power system. When the rewriting is performed, the step-down converter is activated to supply power from the high-voltage power system to the low-voltage power system.