Redundant CAN Bus Architecture for Tiered Machine Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy work machines, such as earth-moving vehicles, face challenges in power distribution and management due to the need for efficient power delivery in harsh environments like underground mining, where diesel engines pose pollution and logistical issues.
Innovation Solution
A controller area network (CAN) is implemented to distribute network loads effectively, featuring a cab internal controller, primary controller, and steering controller connected through machine data buses and inverter buses, allowing for redundant communication paths to ensure reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a controller area network is implemented to distribute network loads, then reliability is improved through redundant communication paths, but device complexity increases due to multiple controllers and communication buses
Solution Approach 1:
The controller area network is segmented into multiple controllers (cab internal controller, primary controller, steering controller) that communicate over separate machine data buses and inverter buses. This segmentation allows redundant communication paths while distributing the control functions across multiple independent units, improving reliability without requiring a complete redundant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by establishing redundant communication paths through multiple controllers and buses before any failure occurs. The cab internal controller can communicate with the primary controller and steering controller through alternative routes, ensuring that communication reliability is maintained even if one path fails.
2Reliability
If multiple controllers communicate over separate data buses, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cab internal controller serves multiple functions by communicating with both the primary controller and steering controller over the machine data buses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated single-purpose controllers, maintaining redundant communication paths while limiting the overall number of components in the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine using a distributed controller network that provides for redundant data buses is described herein. The work machine uses a controller area network that provides for redundant data buses for tier 1 controllers, or controllers that are determined to have a higher degree of importance when compared to other controllers. The controller area network uses redundancy to decrease the probability of a communication failure between tier 1 controllers and tier 2 controllers. The tier 1 controllers have communication access to two data buses between other tier 1 controllers and tier 2 controllers. Thus, if a data bus used by a tier 1 controller cannot be used by the controller, the tier 1 controller can use the other, redundant data bus to maintain communication.