Engine Control Device Conditional Microcomputer Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine control devices that reset the microcomputer upon detecting an abnormality often fail to maintain vehicle operation, particularly in autonomous vehicles where continuous travel is essential.
Innovation Solution
An engine control device comprising a microcomputer, a reset execution unit, and an abnormality detection unit, which determines whether a continuation condition is met before resetting the microcomputer, allowing the vehicle to continue traveling by restarting engine control when the engine speed is above a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microcomputer is reset when an abnormality is detected, then the abnormality is addressed, but the vehicle cannot continue traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reset execution conditional rather than fixed. The reset execution unit dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time engine speed monitoring. When engine speed exceeds the threshold, the system transitions from a static reset policy to a dynamic conditional reset policy, allowing the vehicle to continue traveling while still addressing abnormalities through selective resetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reset execution from always-executing to conditionally-executing based on engine speed parameter. By introducing the engine speed threshold as a conditional parameter, the system modifies its operational state based on real-time parameter values, enabling continuous vehicle operation while maintaining abnormality detection and selective reset capabilities.
2Reliability
If the microcomputer is always reset when abnormality occurs, then system safety is ensured, but vehicle operation cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective resetting rather than complete resetting. Instead of always resetting the microcomputer when an abnormality occurs, the system performs partial resetting only when engine speed exceeds the threshold. This partial action approach maintains system safety for critical abnormalities while preserving vehicle operation continuity for non-critical scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static safety protocol to a dynamic safety protocol that adapts based on engine speed conditions. The reset execution unit dynamically evaluates the current engine speed against the threshold and adjusts its resetting behavior accordingly, enabling the system to maintain safety while allowing continuous operation when conditions permit.
3Reliability
If the microcomputer is reset immediately upon abnormality detection, then the abnormality is cleared, but engine control cannot be restarted while vehicle is running
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by monitoring engine speed before executing the reset. The system performs a preliminary check of the engine speed parameter against the threshold value before committing to the reset action. This preliminary evaluation ensures that resetting will not prevent engine control from being restarted while the vehicle is running, thereby maintaining both abnormality clearance and control availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring engine speed and using this information to determine whether to execute the reset. The feedback loop evaluates real-time engine speed data and adjusts the reset execution decision accordingly, ensuring that abnormalities are cleared while preserving the ability to restart engine control during vehicle operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine control device for controlling an engine of a vehicle includes a microcomputer for executing an engine control process, and an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormality of the microcomputer. A reset execution unit executes a process of causing an external monitor IC to reset the microcomputer on condition that the abnormality of the microcomputer is detected and an engine rotation speed is higher than a threshold engine speed value. The microcomputer may alternatively be reset on condition that a vehicle speed is higher than a threshold vehicle speed value, or that all or a part of torque output from the engine is able to be supplemented by another vehicle drive power source.