Engine Control System Ring Network Reduces ECU Calculation Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and increased labor and cost of designing communication networks to prevent communication delay between engine control units (ECUs) lead to higher calculation loads, destabilizing engine control systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a ring network with reflective memory units connected via optical fiber, allowing memory information to flow in a constant direction, reducing the need for communication processing and simplifying algorithms, thereby reducing calculation loads and stabilizing communication between ECUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a communication network is constructed to prevent communication delay between ECUs, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and design cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ECU system into master ECUs and sub ECUs with distinct functional roles. Sub ECUs perform local calculations and data processing independently, segmenting the computational workload from the master ECUs. This segmentation reduces the need for complex inter-ECU communication networks while maintaining system reliability, as each ECU operates more autonomously with reduced dependency on network communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts communication-intensive calculation tasks from the master ECU and relocates them to sub ECUs. By taking out these computational functions and embedding them locally in sub ECUs, the system reduces communication frequency and data exchange requirements, thereby simplifying the communication network architecture while preserving communication reliability for critical functions.
2Device complexity
If communication network is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but communication delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having sub ECUs perform local calculations and prepare data locally before master ECUs need it. Sub ECUs pre-process sensor data, perform local diagnostics, and prepare control commands independently, so that when communication occurs, the data is already processed and ready for use. This eliminates the need for complex real-time communication protocols while minimizing communication delay.
Solution Approach 2:
Sub ECUs are designed to be self-sufficient, performing their own calculations, data processing, and local control functions without requiring constant communication with master ECUs. Each ECU serves itself by maintaining local buffers, performing autonomous diagnostics, and making local decisions, thereby reducing communication requirements and delays while simplifying the overall network architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Each of a plurality of control devices (10, 11, 12) of an engine control system (1) is provided with a drive control unit (100, 110, 120) which controls the drive of an engine unit to be controlled according to memory information stored in a memory of the control device, a memory information output unit which outputs the memory information stored in the memory of the control device to other control devices, and a memory information update unit which writes memory information received from the memory information output units of other control devices into the memory of the control device.