Mobility Fault Counter Logic for Severity-Based Safe Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fault management systems in mobility devices inefficiently assess fault severity by uniformly counting occurrences without considering the different contributions of parts, leading to inappropriate intervention and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A fault management device that uses individual counter sets based on the cause or type of faults, incrementing and initializing counters according to predefined reference values to differentiate fault severity and trigger appropriate responses, including entering a safe mode when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fault severity is assessed by uniformly counting fault occurrences, then the fault management process is simple, but the accuracy of fault severity assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single fault counter into multiple counters (first counter, second counter, third counter) that track different aspects of fault occurrences. Each counter serves a specific function: the first counter tracks total occurrences, the second counter tracks frequency within time windows, and the third counter assesses overall severity. This segmentation allows for more precise fault severity assessment while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension to fault assessment by implementing time windows and tracking fault occurrences over different time periods. Instead of merely counting total faults, the system evaluates fault frequency within specific time intervals and combines this temporal information with occurrence counts to determine severity. This multi-dimensional approach significantly improves assessment accuracy.
2Reliability
If fault management intervenes frequently based on uniform fault counting, then fault safety is improved, but device productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for fault intervention decisions from simple occurrence counts to a combination of multiple parameters including total fault count, fault frequency within time windows, and calculated severity scores. By adjusting these parameters dynamically and setting appropriate thresholds, the system achieves better safety without triggering unnecessary interventions that would disrupt device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the fault management device continuously monitors fault occurrences, updates counter values, recalculates severity assessments, and adjusts intervention decisions based on the latest data. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that interventions are triggered only when truly necessary, maintaining both safety and operational continuity.
3Device complexity
If fault severity is underestimated due to uniform counting, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful effects increase due to undetected critical faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fault assessment into multiple independent counter systems that track different dimensions of fault behavior. This segmentation ensures that no single metric dominates the assessment, allowing the system to detect both frequent minor faults and rare critical faults with equal effectiveness, thereby reducing safety risks without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic fault severity assessment where the system adapts its evaluation based on real-time fault patterns. The time-window-based counting and severity calculation adjust to the actual fault behavior, allowing the system to dynamically identify critical faults that might be missed by static uniform counting methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a fault management device including a microcontroller is provided. The method includes receiving fault information from a controller connected to the fault management device. The method also includes incrementing a first counter in response to receiving the fault information. The method additionally includes incrementing a second counter and initializing the first counter, when the first counter exceeds a first reference value. The method further includes incrementing a third counter and initializing the second counter, when the second counter exceeds a second reference value. When the fault management device does not receive the fault information for a first reference time or more, the first counter decrements.