Relay Connector Unit for ECU Standardization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic device control systems face challenges in standardizing connectors with built-in electronic components, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as the need for larger electronic control units (ECUs) to manage multiple electronic devices, which complicates wiring and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A relay connector unit with a first connecting unit connected to the ECU, a second connecting unit connected to multiple electronic devices, and a transferring unit that transmits information based on circuit identifying data, allowing for standardized communication between the ECU and electronic devices without upsizing the ECU, using a single wire harness for the ECU and multiple wire harnesses for the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connectors with built-in electronic components are used to connect ECUs and electronic devices, then data communication between devices is enabled, but connector structure complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to the need for female-type connectors with different shapes for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the relay connector unit with built-in electronic components serve as a universal male-type connector that can connect to multiple different female-type connectors on various electronic devices. This single standardized male connector replaces the need for multiple specialized connectors, thereby reducing connector structure complexity while maintaining adaptability to different devices
Solution Approach 2:
The relay connector unit acts as an intermediary device between the ECU and multiple electronic devices. It receives data from the ECU through a single standardized connection and distributes it to various electronic devices with different connector types, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining device-specific connectivity requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wire harnesses are directly connected to the ECU to control multiple electronic devices, then individual device control is achieved, but the ECU size increases due to the increased number of connection terminals required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the connection functions from the ECU. The relay connector unit is segmented as a separate component that handles multiple device connections, while the ECU only needs a single connection to the relay connector. This divides the system into functional segments, allowing the ECU to remain compact while still controlling multiple devices through the distributed relay connector
3Productivity
If the number of electronic devices controlled by a single ECU increases, then system integration is improved, but the ECU must be upsized or additional ECUs must be mounted, resulting in increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating multiple device connection functions into a single relay connector unit. This allows multiple electronic devices to be controlled through one unified interface point at the ECU, effectively merging multiple connection paths into a single physical connection while maintaining the ability to individually address and control each device
Data Source
AI summary
A relay connector unit for communicating an electronic control unit with a plurality of electronic devices includes: a first connecting unit connected to the electronic control unit; a second connecting unit having a plurality of circuits connected to the electronic devices respectively; and a transferring unit connected to the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit. The transferring unit transmits first information received by the first connecting unit from the electronic control unit to at least one of the electronic devices through a corresponding circuit, on the basis of circuit identifying data included in first information, the circuit identifying data indicating the corresponding circuit to be transferred to or from. The transferring unit appends the circuit identifying data to second information received from one of the electronic devices through the corresponding circuit to transmit the second information to the electronic control unit through the first connecting unit.