Sunroof Actuation Switch Data Access via Diverter Circuitry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating or accessing sunroof control units in vehicles are costly, time-consuming, and introduce security risks due to the need for complex hardware and disassembly, which is not economically viable for small, non-mission critical ECUs and exposes unnecessary bandwidth consumption and liability.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows serial data communication through a sunroof actuation switch, reducing disassembly work by using a simple diverter circuitry like a SPDT switch, enabling data transmission via existing switch contacts without the need for complex wireless technologies, thereby minimizing costs and security risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disassembly of headliners and trim panels is performed to access sunroof control unit, then data access is achieved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary access path through the sunroof actuation switch and its switch contacts. Instead of directly accessing the control unit through disassembly, the system uses the existing switch contacts as an intermediary communication interface. This allows diagnostic and programming tools to communicate with the control unit through the switch circuitry, significantly reducing access time while maintaining reliable data access for updates and diagnostics
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex wireless technology (CAN, WiFi, Bluetooth) is implemented for data communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing components (sunroof actuation switch and its contacts) to serve dual purposes: both sunroof control and data communication. The switch contacts, already present in the system, are repurposed as communication interfaces through diverter circuitry. This eliminates the need for separate wireless communication hardware, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining data transmission capability for diagnostics and programming
Solution Approach 2:
The sunroof actuation switch and its contacts are designed to perform multiple functions: controlling sunroof operations and serving as a data communication interface. The diverter circuitry enables the same physical contacts to handle both motor control signals and diagnostic/programming data transmission, making the system multi-functional without adding separate communication hardware
3Adaptability or versatility
If sunroof control unit is connected to vehicle network, then data access is enabled, but bandwidth consumption and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication paths by providing a separate access interface through the switch contacts that is independent from the main vehicle network. This segmented approach allows diagnostic and programming tools to communicate with the control unit without requiring connection to the vehicle's CAN bus or other network infrastructure, thereby eliminating security risks associated with network access while maintaining full data communication capability
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for gaining access to a sunroof of a vehicle, in particular a car, including a sunroof control unit (19) and a sunroof actuation switch (27), in particular, for actuation of opening and/or closing and/or tilting of a sunroof. The sunroof actuation switch has one switch contact (28) or a plurality of switch contacts, wherein the sunroof control unit (19) and the sunroof actuation switch (27) are re-configured to communicate data, such as programming and/or reprogramming data and/or parameter setting data and/or diagnostic data, from and/or to the sunroof control unit (19) through the one switch contact (28) or at least one of the plurality of switch contacts.