EV Control Unit Updates Aligned With Battery Charging Schedules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software update methods for electronic control units in electric vehicles may inconvenience users due to the time required for battery charging, as the update process is often initiated without user consent, potentially disrupting vehicle usage.

Innovation Solution

A data update system that allows users to set a charge schedule for their electric vehicle's battery, ensuring the update is performed only after obtaining user consent and aligning with the battery charging time, thereby reducing inconvenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the update process is initiated without user consent, then the update can be performed immediately, but the user convenience deteriorates due to potential disruption of vehicle usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the user in advance of the update and obtaining consent before execution. The charge schedule is set beforehand to ensure updates occur during charging periods when vehicle usage is already interrupted, thus preparing conditions to minimize user inconvenience while maintaining update productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the update is performed during battery charging, then the update can be conducted without additional power concerns, but the update time increases due to charging duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the update execution timing based on the charge schedule. Instead of using a fixed update time, the system flexibly schedules updates to occur during charging periods, optimizing the balance between power availability and update timing to reduce overall time loss while ensuring reliable power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the update schedule is fixed without user input, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveschedule management complexityVSAvoiduser preference adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to self-configure their charge schedules according to their own preferences and usage patterns. This allows the system to adapt to individual user needs without requiring complex centralized schedule management, as each user independently defines when charging (and thus updating) should occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12454193B2Data update system for electronic control devices

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A data update device for electronic control devices includes: a charge schedule setting unit for setting a charge schedule of a battery of an electric vehicle; a charge control unit for charging the battery according to the charge schedule; and a data update control unit for updating data of one electronic control device by acquiring update data from a center device on a condition that an acknowledgement of the user is obtained when receiving a notification of the update data from the center device together with information about time required for the updating, and determining that the updating is possible even if the charge control unit charges the battery according to the charge schedule.