Microcomputer Power Supply Circuit for Vehicle ECU Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic control units for vehicles face reliability issues and increased costs due to semiconductor circuit failures, which can cause improper interruption of power supply to microcomputers, leading to operational failures and wastage of circuit resources when handling power-supply control functions alongside communication control.

Innovation Solution

A computer circuit design that includes a microcomputer, an activate circuit, and a power supply circuit, where the microcomputer outputs a suspend signal to directly control the power supply circuit to interrupt and restart the power supply voltage, and uses external activate request signals to ensure reliable operation and reduce the need for multiple semiconductor circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If power-supply control functions are collectively installed in the semiconductor circuit for communication control, then circuit integration is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to semiconductor circuit failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit integrationVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power-supply control function into a separate power supply circuit from the communication control semiconductor circuit. The microcomputer outputs a suspend signal that directly controls the power supply circuit to interrupt power supply, separating the control function from the communication circuit to eliminate the reliability issue of integrated circuits while maintaining functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power-supply control function is extracted from the communication control semiconductor circuit and implemented as a separate power supply circuit. This extraction removes the problematic integration while preserving the ability to control power supply based on communication status, solving the reliability problem without sacrificing functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple semiconductor circuits are used for communication control with power-supply control functions, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication control functionalityVSAvoidnumber of semiconductor circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separate power supply circuit is designed to work with multiple communication control semiconductor circuits. The microcomputer's suspend signal directly controls the power supply circuit, which can serve multiple communication circuits without requiring each to have integrated power control, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single signal line is used for both interruption and activate signals, then signal line usage is optimized, but reliability deteriorates due to signal confusion from semiconductor circuit failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal line configurationVSAvoidsignal control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the interruption signal path and activate signal path into distinct signal lines. The suspend signal from the microcomputer directly controls power supply interruption, while external activate signals control power supply restoration. This segmentation eliminates signal confusion and improves reliability while maintaining efficient signal line usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If the semiconductor circuit controls power supply interruption, then power management is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to semiconductor circuit failures causing improper interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply control function is extracted from the communication semiconductor circuit and implemented as a separate power supply circuit controlled directly by the microcomputer's suspend signal. This extraction maintains efficient power management while eliminating the reliability issues caused by semiconductor circuit failures in the integrated approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7574288B2Computer circuit

Publication Date: 2009.08.11 DENSO CORP

AI summary

In a computer circuit, a power supply circuit, a power supply circuit supplies a power supply voltage to a microcomputer. The power supply circuit interrupts supply of the power supply voltage to the microcomputer when receiving a suspend signal output from the microcomputer. The power supply circuit restarts the supply of the power supply voltage to the microcomputer when at least one of the first and second activate request signals is turned to a corresponding active state during interruption of the supply of the power supply voltage.