Multi-ECU Vehicular Diagnostic Storage System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In complex vehicular systems with multiple electronic control units (ECUs), diagnosing malfunctions is insufficient with only diagnostic information from a single ECU, as it fails to specify the cause accurately.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular system is designed with a master ECU and slave ECUs that transmit storing requests and instructions, generating and storing diagnostic information in retention storage media, even when not supplied with electric power, to associate and store vehicle local time and validity determination information, enabling accurate malfunction diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If diagnostic information is stored only in the ECU that detected the malfunction, then the storage process is simple, but the diagnostic information is insufficient to accurately specify the cause of the malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides diagnostic information storage across multiple ECUs, with each ECU storing relevant diagnostic data independently. This segmentation allows comprehensive diagnostic information to be collected from different system components without requiring a centralized complex storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
A storing request transmission device and storing instruction transmission device act as intermediaries to coordinate between ECUs. These intermediaries manage the complex communication and coordination required for multi-ECU diagnostic storage without making the ECU architecture itself more complex.
2Reliability
If diagnostic information is stored in volatile memory only, then the storage operation is fast and simple, but the information is lost when the ECU is not supplied with electric power
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges volatile memory (for fast storage operations) with retention storage medium (for power-loss protection) within each ECU. This combination allows diagnostic information to be stored quickly and retained reliably even when the ECU loses power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary storage in volatile memory during normal operation, then transfers or preserves critical information in the retention storage medium before power loss occurs. This preliminary action ensures data is secured against power loss without requiring continuous power for storage maintenance.
3Loss of information
If multiple ECUs store and transmit diagnostic information simultaneously, then comprehensive diagnostic data is collected, but the communication overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
ECUs transmit diagnostic information periodically or at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission reduces communication overhead and system complexity while still ensuring comprehensive diagnostic data is collected over time.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ECU autonomously determines what diagnostic information to store and transmit based on its own operational status and detected malfunctions. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex centralized coordination, as each ECU independently contributes relevant diagnostic data.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular system includes a master ECU, a first slave ECU, and a second slave ECU. The second slave ECU transmits a storing request to the master ECU on detection of a malfunction. The master ECU transmits a storing instruction for causing diagnostic information to be stored, on reception of the storing request. The first slave ECU generates diagnostic information on the first slave ECU, on reception of the storing instruction from the master ECU. The first slave ECU further stores the generated diagnostic information in a retention storage medium. The retention storage medium is configured to retain validity determination information in a condition where the first slave ECU is not supplied with electric power source.