Interface Expansion Device for Automotive Network Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety-relevant networks in applications like automotive vehicles face challenges in providing sufficient digital interfaces while maintaining safety mechanisms, as commercially available interface modules are not compatible with the required safety standards, and adding additional network devices exceeds budget and complicates cable harness optimization.
Innovation Solution
An interface expansion device is introduced, which connects a supply voltage input of an interface expansion module to a digital data output of a network device, ensuring failsafe disconnection of all expansion interfaces in case of a fault, and implements load diagnosis to identify faults in individual expansion interfaces, maintaining safety and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional network devices are added to provide more digital interfaces, then the number of available interfaces increases, but the cost exceeds the budget and cable harness optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple interface modules into a single network device, integrating their functions into one unified unit. This merging approach provides multiple digital interfaces without requiring separate network devices, thereby reducing cable harness complexity and avoiding additional costs while maintaining the required number of interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The network device is designed with multi-functional capability, incorporating various types of digital interfaces (inputs and outputs) within a single device. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple interface functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture
2Quantity of substance
If commercially available interface modules are used for interface expansion, then the number of interfaces increases, but safety mechanisms are compromised as these modules are not compatible with safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The interface modules within the network device are designed with localized safety features tailored to specific interface types and positions. Each interface module incorporates safety mechanisms appropriate to its function, allowing the system to maintain high reliability while providing diverse interface capabilities. This localized approach to safety design enables compatibility with safety standards while expanding interface functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The network device employs a composite architecture combining multiple interface modules with different safety certification levels and functional capabilities. By integrating modules with varying safety properties into a unified system with overarching safety control, the device achieves both interface expansion and maintained safety compliance, leveraging the strengths of different module types while ensuring overall system reliability
3Length of stationary object
If interface modules are distributed throughout the vehicle to optimize cable harness, then cable connections are shortened, but adding additional network devices exceeds budget
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is segmented into multiple functional interface modules that can be distributed throughout the vehicle architecture. Each module handles specific interface functions locally, reducing cable lengths to connected units. This segmentation allows the system to achieve cable harness optimization while consolidating all modules within a single network device, avoiding the need for multiple separate devices and associated costs
Data Source
AI summary
The claimed interface extension device is based on a network device (DCC) having at least one previously unoccupied digital data output (OUT), to which an interface extension module (IOE) having at least one supply voltage input (S) and having a plurality of digital interfaces is coupled in the claimed manner. In this way, the supply voltage input (S) of the interface extension module (IOE) is interconnected with the digital data output (OUT) of the network device (DCC), so that in event of an error, the interface extension module (IOE) and all the digital interfaces thereof can be switched off. In addition, by measuring the sum current flowing through the outputs of the interface extension module, the load diagnosis capacity of the network configuration can be extended to the interface extension device. The claimed interconnection of the supply voltage input (S) of the interface extension module with the digital data output (OUT) of the network configuration has the advantage of also implementing a fail-safe behavior for conventional interface extension modules.