EV Drive Activation Control Using Dual Vehicle Category Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle control systems can be easily circumvented by replacing hardware components to modify vehicle categories without authorization, leading to illegal or unwanted tuning.

Innovation Solution

A control system with two separate modules, each containing a memory and a processor, that compare parameters indicating vehicle category, ensuring activation commands are only generated when parameters match, preventing unauthorized modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control unit is used to limit maximum speed and torque, then the control system is simple, but it can be easily circumvented by replacing the control unit with a modified version

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system structureVSAvoidprotection against unauthorized modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into two separate modules: a first module (e.g., immobilizer) containing a first parameter indicating vehicle category, and a second module (e.g., control unit) containing a second parameter indicating vehicle category. This segmentation prevents unauthorized modification because both modules must agree on the vehicle category for the electric drive to activate, making it impossible to simply replace one module to change vehicle categor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If hardware components are replaced to modify vehicle category, then vehicle performance can be improved, but unauthorized tuning and illegal driving occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle category conversionVSAvoidillegal tuning and unauthorized modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements a feedback mechanism where the first module reads the second parameter from the second module and compares it with the first parameter. The electric drive activation depends on this comparison - if the parameters match, activation is permitted; if they differ, activation is blocked. This feedback loop prevents unauthorized tuning because any hardware replacement that changes the vehicle category parameter will be detected and prevent drive activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing vehicle category parameters before allowing electric drive activation. This preliminary anti-action prevents unauthorized modification from taking effect, as the system proactively checks parameter consistency and blocks activation if mismatch is detected, thereby preventing illegal tuning before it can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4272989B1Method and control system for controlling an electric drive of an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4272989B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4272989B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling an electric drive (5) of an electric vehicle (1) comprises: reading a first parameter (15) stored in a first memory (13) of a first module (9) of a control system (3) for controlling the electric drive (5) and a second parameter (21) stored in a second memory (19) of a second module (11) of the control system (3), wherein each of the first parameter (15) and the second parameter (21) indicates a vehicle category associated with the electric vehicle (1); comparing the first parameter (15) and the second parameter (21); when the first parameter (15) and the second parameter (21) are identical: generating an activation command (33) for activating the electric drive (5).