Shift Range Motor Control with Controller Mismatch Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

When multiple controllers are used to control a motor, inconsistencies in control information can lead to motor lock or unintended operation due to mismatched commands, causing the driving to be locked or resulting in unintended operation.

Innovation Solution

A shift range control device with multiple controllers that communicate and share control information, where one controller is designated as the continuation controller and another as the stop controller to prevent control mismatches by ensuring consistent drive control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple controllers are used to control a motor, then reliability and redundancy are improved, but control mismatches and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller redundancyVSAvoidcontrol information consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where controllers continuously monitor and compare control information. When a controller detects inconsistency in control information from other controllers, it generates feedback signals to synchronize the control data, ensuring all controllers operate with consistent information while maintaining redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism that mediates between multiple controllers. This intermediary system facilitates the exchange and alignment of control information, allowing controllers to coordinate their actions without direct conflict, thus resolving the complexity of managing multiple control sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controllers independently control a motor, then system versatility is improved, but motor lock and unintended operation occur due to mismatched commands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller flexibilityVSAvoidmotor lock and unintended operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary synchronization of control information before executing motor control commands. Controllers proactively align their control data and generate synchronization signals in advance, ensuring that all controllers have consistent information before acting, thereby preventing motor lock and unintended operation while preserving controller flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by detecting potential control mismatches before they cause harmful effects. When a controller anticipates a conflict in control commands, it takes preemptive action to synchronize or inhibit conflicting commands, preventing motor lock and unintended operation before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11512775B2Shift range control device

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A shift range control device includes: multiple controllers that communicate with each other and control driving of a motor. The multiple controllers share control information, and include a first controller and a second controller. When the control information of the first controller is different from the control information of the second controller, one of the first controller and the second controller is set as a continuation controller, and a different one of the first controller and the second controller is set as a stop controller. The stop controller stops the drive control. The continuation controller performs the drive control of the motor.