Modular Coolant Circuit Control Using Universal Function Library
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of refrigerant circuits for motor vehicles is time-consuming and costly due to the need for varying functions based on the refrigerant used, components, their arrangement, and system configurations, necessitating separate development for each variation.
Innovation Solution
A control unit selects and activates function blocks from a universal function library based on the actual components and connections of the refrigerant circuit, deactivating those not present, allowing flexible adaptation to changes and use of different refrigerants without requiring separate software development for each configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate software modules are developed for each refrigerant circuit configuration, then the system can be precisely adapted to specific refrigerant types and component arrangements, but the development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal function library containing software modules that can be configured to work with different refrigerant types (R134a, R1234yf, CO2), component arrangements, and system configurations through parameter settings rather than separate development. The control unit selects and configures appropriate functions from this library based on the actual refrigerant circuit setup, enabling one library to serve multiple configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter-based configuration where the same software functions can be adapted to different refrigerant circuits by changing parameters such as refrigerant type, component locations, and system specifications. This allows the control unit to adjust the behavior of software modules through parameter settings rather than requiring separate code for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate software modules are developed for each refrigerant circuit configuration, then the system can be precisely adapted to specific refrigerant types and component arrangements, but the development cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal function library containing software modules that can be configured to work with different refrigerant types (R134a, R1234yf, CO2), component arrangements, and system configurations through parameter settings rather than separate development. The control unit selects and configures appropriate functions from this library based on the actual refrigerant circuit setup, enabling one library to serve multiple configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter-based configuration where the same software functions can be adapted to different refrigerant circuits by changing parameters such as refrigerant type, component locations, and system specifications. This allows the control unit to adjust the behavior of software modules through parameter settings rather than requiring separate code for each configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a comprehensive function library is created to cover all possible refrigerant circuit configurations, then the system becomes highly adaptable, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software architecture into a centralized function library containing modular software functions, each handling specific refrigerant circuit operations. The control unit acts as a selector that activates only the functions relevant to the current configuration, dividing the system into manageable modules rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic function selection where the control unit activates or deactivates specific software functions from the library based on the actual refrigerant circuit configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to present a simple interface for each specific configuration while maintaining comprehensive coverage in the library.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a coolant circuit (10) for a motor vehicle (12), in which a control device (54) selects functional modules (58), which are associated with respective components of the coolant circuit (10), from a functional library (56) containing a plurality of functional modules (58). For the purpose of operating the coolant circuit (10), the control device (54) activates only those functional modules (58) contained in the functional library (56), which are assigned in the coolant circuit (10) to be operated to actually available components and/or to actually provided connection possibilities of the coolant circuit (10). In contrast, the control device (54) deactivates those functional modules (58) contained in the functional library (56), which are assigned to components that can optionally be used but are not available in the coolant circuit (10) to be operated and/or to connections of the coolant circuit (10), which are not provided during operation of the coolant circuit (10). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (12) having a coolant circuit (10) and a control device (54).