Gateway Relay Control for Off-Ignition ECU Wireless Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial machines, such as construction and agricultural equipment, often remain idle for extended periods, leading to battery exhaustion when attempting to update control unit information due to the use of low-power standby modes, preventing engine startup.
Innovation Solution
An information update system that uses a gateway to control relays, maintaining connection for updates even when the ignition is off, ensuring wireless updates without battery drain by disconnecting relays after completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the control unit operates in standby mode or sleep mode to reduce power consumption during idle periods, then energy efficiency is improved, but the battery may be exhausted over extended periods preventing engine startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply control into multiple relays (first relay and second relay) that can be independently controlled. The first relay controls power to the gateway, while the second relay controls power to the control unit. This segmentation allows selective power distribution to different components, enabling the system to maintain minimal power consumption while preventing complete battery exhaustion during extended idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by setting the relays to specific states before the ignition is turned off. The control unit sets the first relay to the on-state before ignition off, and the gateway sets the second relay to the on-state before ignition off. This preliminary action ensures that power is maintained to essential components even when the ignition is off, preventing battery exhaustion while maintaining update capability.
2Loss of energy
If the ignition is turned off to stop the engine during idle periods, then operational costs are reduced, but the control unit cannot perform information updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply control so that the first relay and second relay can be controlled independently. This allows the gateway to receive power (through the first relay being on) even when the control unit is in a low-power state (second relay off), enabling the gateway to perform wireless communication and information updates without requiring the full system to be operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the wireless communication system and the control unit. It receives update information wirelessly and transfers it to the control unit even when the ignition is off, as long as the first relay is on. This intermediary function enables updates to occur during idle periods without requiring the engine to be running or the full system to be powered on.
3Reliability
If relays are kept connected to maintain power supply for updates, then update reliability is improved, but power consumption increases causing battery exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply into two independent paths controlled by separate relays. The first relay controls power to the gateway, and the second relay controls power to the control unit. This segmentation allows the system to maintain power only to the gateway (first relay on, second relay off) during idle periods, enabling update reception while minimizing overall power consumption and preventing battery exhaustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing power only to the extent necessary for the gateway to function and receive updates, rather than powering the entire system. The first relay is turned on to provide partial power supply to the gateway for wireless communication, while the second relay remains off to prevent excessive power consumption. This partial action maintains update capability without causing battery exhaustion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information update system is provided, which can update information stored in a control unit mounted on an industrial machine by using an update file transmitted wirelessly, while battery exhaustion is suppressed. The information update system 2 includes an ignition 62, a control unit 41, a gateway 3 which performs update of information stored in the control unit 41, a first relay 51 controlled to be connected and disconnected by the control unit 41 and switches between transmission and shut-off of electricity from a battery 61, and a second relay 52 controlled to be connected and disconnected by the gateway 3and switches between transmission and shut-off of the electricity from the battery 61. The control unit 41 disconnects the first relay 51 when the ignition 62 is set to off. The gateway 3 performs the information update in a state where the second relay 52 is kept connected, when the ignition 62 is set to off, and disconnects the second relay 52 after the information update is finished.