Vehicle ECU Update Control During Refueling Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in managing ECU updates, leading to unintended downtime and power wastage, particularly when vehicles are refueled at fuel stands, as updates are initiated without user instruction or proper fuel status verification.
Innovation Solution
A control system that communicates with external devices to receive and implement ECU updates via OTA, using a TCU, ECUs, MID, and IVI to notify users and delay updates until the vehicle is not refueled, ensuring updates only commence when the ignition is off and the vehicle is not at a fuel stand, thereby preventing unnecessary downtime and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ECU updates are automatically initiated without fuel status verification, then update implementation speed is improved, but unintended downtime and power wastage occur when vehicles are refueled
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary verification of fuel status before initiating ECU updates. By checking whether the vehicle is at a fuel stand and monitoring fuel quantity changes in advance, the system prevents updates from being initiated during refueling operations, thereby avoiding unintended downtime and ensuring updates only occur when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fuel quantity changes and provides feedback to the update control logic. When fuel quantity increases (indicating refueling), the system receives feedback to postpone the update. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of update timing based on real-time fuel status, preventing updates during refueling while maintaining efficient update implementation when conditions are suitable
2Extent of automation
If ECU updates are initiated without checking fuel status, then automation extent is improved, but power wastage increases during refueling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of fuel status and vehicle location at fuel stands before automatically initiating updates. This preliminary verification maintains high automation by using sensor data and communication systems to automatically determine update appropriateness, while preventing power wastage by avoiding updates during refueling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from fuel quantity sensors and location systems to automatically adjust update initiation decisions. When feedback indicates refueling is occurring (fuel quantity increase), the system automatically postpones updates, maintaining automation while conserving power by avoiding unnecessary update operations during refueling
3Loss of energy
If ECU updates are delayed until fuel status verification, then power wastage is reduced, but update implementation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fuel status verification continuously or periodically, so that when update conditions are met, the verification is already complete and updates can be initiated immediately. This approach minimizes both power wastage (by verifying before updates) and implementation time (by having verification results ready)
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous feedback mechanism monitors fuel status in real-time, allowing the system to immediately execute updates when refueling is not occurring. This eliminates delays because the system is already aware of fuel status conditions and can act instantly when update conditions are satisfied, balancing energy conservation with timely updates
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes a moving body control unit configured to control a moving body, an update control unit configured to control reception of an update program of the moving body control unit from an external device and control update of the moving body control unit by the update program, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the moving body is refueled during a time until a predetermined time elapses before the update of the moving body control unit by the update program is started. When the determination unit determines that the moving body is refueled, the update control unit stops starting of the update of the moving body control unit by the update program.