Standard Vehicle Controller Architecture for Flexible I/O Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face inefficiencies due to optimized circuits requiring significant development time and cost for large numbers of inputs and outputs, limited flexibility for component additions or changes, and increased wiring harness length and weight due to separate controller designs and non-shared signals.
Innovation Solution
A standard controller system with a three-layer structure comprising standard controllers, a gateway controller, and a central computer, allowing for flexible component updates and function changes through software updates, reducing wiring harness length and weight by standardizing input/output signals and enabling inter-component communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If optimized circuits are designed for each controller with specific input/output specifications, then material cost is reduced when the number of inputs and outputs is small, but development time and cost increase significantly when the number of inputs and outputs is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized controller architecture with fixed input/output circuit configurations that can be reused across multiple controllers. The standard controller includes predetermined input circuits (e.g., pull-up resistors, filtering circuits) and output circuits (e.g., driver circuits, protection diodes) that serve multiple functions across different vehicle systems, eliminating the need to redesign optimized circuits for each controller and reducing development time while maintaining material cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the controller into standardized functional blocks with predefined input/output circuits. Each controller is divided into modular sections (input signal processing, control logic, output signal driving) that can be independently designed and reused. This segmentation allows the same standardized circuits to be applied across multiple controllers, reducing both material cost and development time through template-based design.
2Loss of substance
If circuits are optimized for specific controllers, then material cost is reduced, but flexibility to add or change components is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics through a standardized controller architecture where the hardware configuration remains fixed but the functional adaptability is achieved through software programming. The standardized input/output circuits can dynamically adapt to different components and functions by changing control parameters and logic in the control unit, allowing flexibility to add or change components without requiring circuit modifications while maintaining material cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized circuits are designed to be universally applicable across different vehicle systems and components. The same input circuit topology and output circuit structure can handle various signal types and drive different actuators through software configuration, providing both material cost reduction and flexibility for component additions or changes.
3Reliability
If each controller is designed with separate structure for different functions, then specific function control is achieved, but wiring harness length and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate controller designs into a unified standardized controller architecture. By consolidating common input/output circuit patterns, communication interfaces, and control logic into a single standardized platform, the system reduces the number of separate controllers needed, thereby reducing wiring harness length and weight while maintaining reliable function control through the standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized controller serves multiple functions across different vehicle systems through a universal architecture. The same controller design can control various components (sensors, actuators, displays) through standardized communication protocols and signal interfaces, reducing the need for separate dedicated controllers and their associated wiring, thus reducing overall wiring harness weight.
4Reliability
If controllers are designed with separate structure, then specific function control is achieved, but development cost increases for circuit modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the controller design into standardized reusable modules, allowing development teams to work with fixed templates rather than designing unique circuits for each function. This segmentation reduces development cost by enabling template-based design and reuse of proven circuit configurations while maintaining reliable function control through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal standardized controller design reduces development cost by eliminating the need for separate development cycles for each controller. The same standardized circuits and architecture can be applied across multiple functions and systems, reducing overall development cost while maintaining reliable function control through software configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a control system of device having mobility, the control system including standard controllers, each configured to be installed in one of a plurality of areas of the device, detect an input for a function related to a component connected thereto, generate or transmit an input control signal related to the detected input, detect an output control signal related to an output for the function related to the component connected thereto, and perform a control related to the output control signal, a central computer configured to define the function and determine linkage between the input and the output to generate the output control signal related to the input control signal for the function, and a gateway controller configured to transmit the input control signal and the output control signal between each of the standard controllers and the central computer.