On-Board Relay Device for Vehicle ECU Interface Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, changing the communication interface specifications between the vehicle control unit and power modules requires updating all electronic control units, leading to increased development costs and limited flexibility in combining different components.
Innovation Solution
An on-board control device with a relay device that separates the communication interfaces between the vehicle control unit and power modules, allowing for data communication without relying on the same specifications, thereby eliminating the need for interface changes when the vehicle control unit specifications change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the communication interface specifications of the vehicle control unit are changed, then the vehicle control unit can be updated with new functionalities, but all electronic control units of power modules need to be changed as well, increasing development cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary component between the vehicle control unit and power modules. This relay device has a first interface that communicates with the vehicle control unit and second interfaces that communicate with power modules. When the vehicle control unit interface specifications change, only the relay device's first interface needs to be updated, while the second interfaces connecting to power modules remain unchanged. This mediator approach allows independent updates of the vehicle control unit without requiring changes to all power module electronic control units, thereby resolving the contradiction between interface adaptability and development cost.
2Reliability
If all electronic control units of power modules are updated to match new vehicle control unit specifications, then communication compatibility is maintained, but manufacturing flexibility and component reusability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication interface functionality into two distinct parts: a first interface in the relay device for communicating with the vehicle control unit, and second interfaces for communicating with power modules. This segmentation allows each interface to be independently designed and updated. The first interface can be changed to match new vehicle control unit specifications while the second interfaces remain stable, enabling different combinations of vehicle control units and power modules without requiring updates to all components. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication compatibility through the relay device while enabling component reusability and manufacturing flexibility.
3Device complexity
If direct connection between vehicle control unit and power modules is used, then communication path is simple, but any change in vehicle control unit specifications requires changes in all connected electronic control units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary that centralizes the interface adaptation functionality. Instead of having direct connections between the vehicle control unit and multiple power modules (which would require updating all connections when the vehicle control unit changes), the relay device acts as a single point of interface management. The first interface of the relay device connects to the vehicle control unit, and second interfaces connect to power modules. This adds one layer to the communication path but eliminates the need to update multiple electronic control units when the vehicle control unit specifications change, resolving the contradiction between path simplicity and update cost.
Data Source
AI summary
An on-board control device relays data communication between a vehicle module and a vehicle ECU which generates a signal for commanding a driving mode of a vehicle. The on-board control device includes a first interface via which communication with the vehicle ECU is performed, and a second interface via which communication with the vehicle modules is performed. The first interface relies on specifications for communication with the vehicle ECU, and the second interface does not rely on the specifications for communication with the vehicle ECU.