Slave ECU Assembly Verification via Activation ID Messages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in ensuring that slave ECUs, whose power supply is controlled by a master ECU, are properly assembled during the assembly process, as there is a risk of mistaken identity and improper connection to power and communication networks.
Innovation Solution
An assembly diagnosis system and method where the master ECU supplies power to slave ECUs, which transmit activation notification messages including their identifiers, allowing a diagnosis unit to verify the proper assembly based on these messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the master ECU controls power supply to slave ECUs to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to verify proper assembly of slave ECUs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs assembly verification before the slave ECUs are fully activated or before normal operation begins. The master ECU supplies power temporarily just long enough for slave ECUs to transmit their identifiers, then cuts power. This preliminary verification ensures proper assembly is confirmed before committing to full power supply, resolving the contradiction between power saving and verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using activation notification messages that contain slave ECU identifiers. These messages serve as a mediator between the power supply control and the assembly verification process, allowing the master ECU to confirm proper assembly through the transmitted identifiers without maintaining continuous power supply to slave ECUs.
2Measurement precision
If slave ECUs transmit activation notification messages continuously to enable diagnosis, then assembly verification is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic or triggered transmission of activation notification messages. Slave ECUs transmit their identifiers at specific moments (when powered on, when activated, or in response to master ECU requests), allowing the master ECU to perform assembly diagnosis at discrete intervals while slave ECUs remain in low-power states between transmissions, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining diagnosis accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system verifies identifiers of slave ECUs to ensure proper assembly, then assembly accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Slave ECUs automatically transmit their own identifiers when activated, enabling self-verification without requiring external identification devices or complex verification protocols. The master ECU simply receives and checks these self-transmitted identifiers against expected values, achieving accurate assembly verification through a simple comparison process rather than complex active verification mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power is supplied to a slave ECU by a master ECU turning on a switch provided in a power supply line of the slave ECU. An activation notification message including an identifier of the slave ECU is transmitted to a communication network to which the master ECU and the slave ECU are connected when the slave ECU receives electric power supply and is activated. It is diagnosed whether the at least one slave ECU has been properly assembled based on the activation notification message transmitted to the communication network.