Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Field Analysis for ECU Noise

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of electronic control units (ECUs) due to functional integration leads to higher noise levels, making detailed electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) analysis resource-intensive and time-consuming, necessitating more efficient analysis methods.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus performs multi-stage electromagnetic field analysis by selecting analysis targets and determining regions based on parameters like signal frequency, power consumption, distance, and self-resonant frequency of structures within the ECU, allowing for focused analysis with varying mesh conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detailed electromagnetic field analysis is performed on the entire analysis space, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and analysis time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMC analysis accuracyVSAvoidcalculation resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis space is divided into multiple regions with different mesh densities. Fine mesh is applied only to regions containing wave sources and small structures where detailed analysis is necessary, while coarse mesh is used for the remaining space. This segmentation allows accurate EMC analysis of critical components without the computational cost of fine-meshing the entire analysis space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different mesh qualities are assigned to different spatial regions based on their electromagnetic importance. Regions with wave sources and small structures receive fine mesh for high measurement precision, while other regions use coarse mesh. This local quality approach maintains accuracy where needed while reducing overall computational resources and analysis time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If detailed electromagnetic field analysis is performed on the entire analysis space, then measurement precision is improved, but analysis time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMC analysis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis space is divided into multiple regions with different mesh densities. Fine mesh is applied only to regions containing wave sources and small structures where detailed analysis is necessary, while coarse mesh is used for the remaining space. This segmentation allows accurate EMC analysis of critical components without the computational cost of fine-meshing the entire analysis space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different mesh qualities are assigned to different spatial regions based on their electromagnetic importance. Regions with wave sources and small structures receive fine mesh for high measurement precision, while other regions use coarse mesh. This local quality approach maintains accuracy where needed while reducing overall computational resources and analysis time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If functional integration of ECUs progresses, then device complexity increases, but noise generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis space is divided into multiple regions with different mesh densities. Fine mesh is applied only to regions containing wave sources and small structures where detailed analysis is necessary, while coarse mesh is used for the remaining space. This segmentation allows accurate EMC analysis of critical components without the computational cost of fine-meshing the entire analysis space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical measurement methods with electromagnetic field simulation analysis. By using computational electromagnetics to predict noise behavior before product fabrication, the system can identify and mitigate EMC issues in the design phase without requiring physical prototypes or measurements, thus handling the increased complexity and noise from functional integration more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230359787A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus performs electromagnetic field analysis over a plurality of stages. The information processing apparatus includes a hardware processor connected to a memory. The hardware processor sequentially selects an analysis target and determines one or more analysis regions in the analysis target. The one or more analysis regions are determined on the basis of a parameter relative to mutual influence between structures included in the analysis target. The hardware processor performs electromagnetic field analysis on the one or more analysis regions. The structures include a first structure and a second structure. At least one of the one or more analysis regions includes an entirety of the first structure and part of the second structure.