Dedicated Substitute ECU for Motor Control Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor control systems with backup measures for malfunctioning ECUs are costly and lose versatility due to the need for redundant circuits and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A motor control system featuring a dedicated substitute ECU connected to multiple motor control ECUs, which takes over control of motors when a malfunction occurs, using a network to exchange information and prioritize backup operations based on stored tables and tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each ECU has a backup circuit and function for another ECU, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated substitute ECU is designed with universal functionality to replace any of the multiple motor control ECUs. Instead of each ECU having its own dedicated backup circuit, a single substitute ECU can take over control of any motor when its controlling ECU fails, eliminating the need for redundant backup circuits in each ECU and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated substitute ECU acts as an intermediary backup unit that mediates between the multiple motor control ECUs and the motors. When a malfunction occurs in any motor control ECU, the substitute ECU receives notification and takes over control, providing a centralized backup mechanism that avoids the complexity of distributed backup circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated substitute ECU is introduced, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functionality of multiple backup ECUs is merged into a single dedicated substitute ECU. This consolidation provides versatile backup capability for all motor control ECUs while reducing the total number of components and simplifying system configuration compared to having separate backup circuits for each ECU.
Data Source
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AI summary
Configurations wherein each ECU is provided with a circuit for backing up another ECU lack versatility and increase costs. In the present invention, motor control ECUs (1-n) respectively control motors (100-n) via signal wires (L12-Ln2) that perform motor control. In addition, a dedicated substitute ECU (p) is connected to each motor (100-n) via signal wires (Lp1-Lpn) that perform motor control. A substitute control circuit part (p1) of the dedicated substitute ECU (p) runs to a network (N), is continuously receiving malfunction information and stability information via a signal wire (Lp), and detects the malfunction of the motor control ECU (1) from said information. Then the dedicated substitute ECU (p) substitutes for the motor control ECU (1) and performs a backup operation to continue control of the motor (100) via the signal wire (Lp1).