Vehicle Secondary Control Unit for Redundant Payload Takeover

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional redundancy solutions in vehicle control systems are costly and complex due to the duplication of devices and data transmission paths, posing challenges in spatial restrictions and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A secondary control unit is introduced that provides substitute payloads under the primary control unit's sender identifier, allowing for cost-effective redundancy by utilizing a separate data transmission path, enabling the secondary control unit to take over in case of primary control unit failure without requiring integration or additional communication means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional redundancy solutions duplicate control units and data transmission paths, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the redundancy function into the existing data transmission path by having the secondary control unit send substitute payloads with the primary control unit's sender identifier. This combines the backup function with the existing communication infrastructure, avoiding the need for separate redundant transmission paths and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides its own second payloads with its sender identifier and simultaneously provides substitute payloads with the primary control unit's sender identifier when needed. This multi-functionality allows a single unit to serve both as an independent controller and as a backup, reducing the need for separate dedicated backup systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional redundancy solutions duplicate control units and data transmission paths, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the redundancy function into the existing data transmission path by having the secondary control unit send substitute payloads with the primary control unit's sender identifier. This combines the backup function with the existing communication infrastructure, avoiding the need for separate redundant transmission paths and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary control unit creates a functional copy of the primary control unit's communication behavior by sending substitute payloads with the same sender identifier. This copying approach allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while using the same hardware infrastructure, avoiding the need for complete duplicate hardware systems and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If conventional redundancy solutions duplicate control units, then reliability is improved, but spatial restrictions are exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the redundancy function into the existing data transmission path by having the secondary control unit send substitute payloads with the primary control unit's sender identifier. This combines the backup function with the existing communication infrastructure, avoiding the need for separate redundant transmission paths and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides its own second payloads with its sender identifier and simultaneously provides substitute payloads with the primary control unit's sender identifier when needed. This multi-functionality allows a single unit to serve both as an independent controller and as a backup, reducing the need for separate dedicated backup systems and saving installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250016025A1A secondary control unit for a vehicle with a primary control unit and a data transmission path

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

AI summary

A secondary control unit for a vehicle with a primary control unit and a data transmission path, in which the primary control unit is configured to provide first payloads via the data transmission path under a first sender identifier uniquely referring to the primary control unit. The secondary control unit is configured to provide second payloads under a second sender identifier uniquely referring to the secondary control unit via the data transmission path. Furthermore, the secondary control unit is configured to verify a condition and, if the condition is present, to provide substitute payloads under the first sender identifier via the data transmission path, wherein the substitute payloads are the first payloads or payloads related thereto.