Gateway ECU In-Vehicle Program Update via Load State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle program update systems do not efficiently update programs while the vehicle is in use, leading to increased costs and safety concerns due to the need for vehicle stops and unnecessary communication traffic.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle program update apparatus that uses a storage portion with an update condition table to determine if the vehicle load state is lightly or heavily loaded, allowing program updates only when the vehicle is lightly loaded, and performing environment improvement controls to reduce the load state when necessary, enabling updates without stopping the vehicle and reducing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If program updates are performed while the vehicle is in use, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the ECU based on vehicle load conditions. When the vehicle is lightly loaded, the ECU switches to update mode to receive and execute program updates. When heavily loaded, it operates normally, thus adapting parameters to resolve the contradiction between update efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic update condition judgment mechanism that continuously monitors vehicle load state and dynamically adjusts whether program updates can proceed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to seize update opportunities during light load periods while ensuring safety during critical operations, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Reliability
If the vehicle stops to update programs, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs program updates periodically during light load periods rather than requiring dedicated stop time. The update condition judgment section identifies periodic opportunities when vehicle load is light, allowing updates to occur during normal operation cycles, thus eliminating the need for separate stop periods and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares update conditions in advance by monitoring vehicle load state and readying the update mechanism. When light load conditions are detected, the update can immediately proceed without requiring vehicle stoppage, as all necessary conditions have been preliminarily verified and prepared.
3Reliability
If monitoring information is transmitted continuously, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring information transmission is performed periodically rather than continuously. The system transmits video and vehicle state data at scheduled intervals, which maintains adequate surveillance for theft prevention while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system intelligently determines when transmission is necessary based on detected events or scheduled intervals, rather than relying on continuous external commands. This self-regulating transmission approach maintains security while minimizing energy usage by transmitting only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway electronic control unit (ECU) includes an update condition table that indicates a vehicle load state that updates an ECU program corresponding to each of several ECUs. The gateway ECU wirelessly communicates with an external center apparatus to receive an update file. The gateway ECU uses the update condition table to determine whether the current vehicle load state equals a lightly loaded state capable of updating an ECU program or a heavily loaded state incapable of updating an ECU program. If the current vehicle load state is determined to equal the lightly loaded state, the gateway ECU updates an ECU program using the update file received from the center apparatus. If the current vehicle load state is determined to equal the heavily loaded state, the gateway ECU performs environment improvement control based on the update condition table to change the current vehicle load state to the lightly loaded state.