Onboard Apparatus Bus Switch for Stable USB Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Onboard apparatuses experience unstable signal levels at startup, leading to communication errors when connected to external devices via USB interfaces, causing the external devices to disable communication due to perceived errors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a bus switch that changes its conduction state based on a permission signal indicating stable output from the control block, disconnecting the data terminal until the communication availability signal confirms availability, preventing unstable signal transmission to external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the onboard apparatus starts up and outputs signals immediately, then the startup time is reduced, but the signal stability deteriorates causing communication errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestartup timeVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a permission signal that is generated in advance before the control block's output signals are stable. This permission signal is used to control the bus switch, ensuring that the data terminal remains disconnected during the unstable period. The permission signal is cleared only after the control block's output becomes stable, allowing normal communication to commence. This preliminary control mechanism prevents communication errors without significantly delaying startup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the bus switch remains in non-conduction state during startup, then communication errors are prevented, but the data transmission capability is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bus switch state dynamic rather than static. The bus switch transitions from a non-conduction state during startup to a conduction state once the permission signal is cleared, indicating that the control block's output has stabilized. This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt to different operational phases: protecting against communication errors during startup while enabling normal data transmission once stability is achieved, thus resolving the trade-off between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9971722B2Onboard apparatus, and onboard communication system
Publication Date: 2018.05.15 DENSO CORP
  • US9971722B2 patent drawing
  • US9971722B2 patent drawing
  • US9971722B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An onboard apparatus comprising a connection portion, a control block, and a bus switch is provided. The connection portion connects with an external device mounted to a vehicle, and includes at least a data terminal to input and output a communication data and a control terminal to output a communication availability signal that indicates communication is available or not. The control block performs data communication with the external device, which is connected to the connection portion. The bus switch, according to a permission signal, changes a non-conduction state to a conduction state of a transmission path from the control block to the data terminal. A signal level of the permission signal varies when an output of the control block is stabilized after the onboard apparatus starts.