MICOM Input Port Multiplexing for Vehicle Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of functions in vehicle microcomputer (MICOM) controllers leads to insufficient pins, necessitating larger packages and higher manufacturing costs due to the limited number of input ports required for various vehicle lamps.
Innovation Solution
An input lighting signal optimization device and method that utilizes a multiplex circuit to select and output LED lamp lighting signals through one input port, allowing the MICOM to operate in a power saving mode and switch to activation mode upon detecting a wake-up signal, thereby reducing the number of input ports needed and maintaining active state for wake-up signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of functions in MICOM controller is increased to support various vehicle lamps, then the lamp control capability is improved, but the number of input ports becomes insufficient requiring larger package and higher manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single input port to handle multiple lighting signal functions through voltage level differentiation. The MICOM controller detects different voltage levels (e.g., 5V for low-beam, 12V for high-beam) on the same input port to determine different lamp control functions, eliminating the need for separate input ports for each lamp type and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the lighting signals to encode different lamp control functions. By assigning specific voltage levels to different lamp functions (e.g., 5V for low-beam, 12V for high-beam, 0V for position lamp), the system can distinguish between multiple functions using a single input port, thereby reducing the number of required input ports and avoiding larger package sizes.
2Measurement precision
If separate input ports are allocated for each lamp lighting signal, then the signal detection accuracy is improved, but the number of input ports increases requiring larger package
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single input port universal by enabling it to detect and differentiate multiple lamp control signals through voltage level recognition. The MICOM controller is configured to interpret different voltage levels on the same input port as different lamp functions, allowing one input port to perform the signal detection function that would otherwise require multiple separate ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses voltage level parameter changes to encode different lamp control signals. By assigning distinct voltage levels to different lamp functions, the system enables accurate signal detection on a single input port, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the need for multiple input ports and reducing controller package size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more input ports are provided to handle all lighting signals, then the lamp function coverage is improved, but the pin utilization rate increases leading to pin insufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by configuring the MICOM controller to handle multiple lamp functions through a single input port. The controller uses voltage level detection to identify different lamp control signals (low-beam, high-beam, position lamp) on the same input port, thereby providing comprehensive lamp function coverage without increasing the number of input ports or pin utilization rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in voltage levels to represent different lamp functions. By detecting voltage levels (5V, 12V, 0V) on a single input port, the system achieves full lamp function coverage without requiring additional input ports, thus avoiding increased device complexity and pin insufficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An input lighting signal optimization device includes a multiplex circuit configured to select and output a first LED lamp lighting signal or a second LED lamp lighting signal, and a MICOM configured to output a driving signal for driving a first LED lamp or a second LED lamp after receiving an output signal of the multiplex circuit through one input port and detecting a wake-up signal included in the output signal of the multiplex circuit to switch to an activation mode.