Synchronous Control Units Emulating Inputs via Data Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of operational sequences in modern vehicles requires more inputs for control units, but developing new units with more terminals is costly and not feasible with conventional standard control units, which have fewer terminals than needed.
Innovation Solution
A computer system where multiple control units execute the same computer program synchronously with a settable time lag, sharing sensor data via a data transmission medium to emulate additional inputs, ensuring data consistency and allowing standard control units to handle complex sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If new control units with more terminals are developed to handle complex operational sequences, then the number of inputs is improved, but development costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control unit functionality into multiple independent standard control units (CU1, CU2, etc.), each with limited inputs. These segmented units work together through a computer system to achieve the functionality of a single complex control unit with many inputs, thereby avoiding the need to develop new high-complexity control units.
Solution Approach 2:
Standard control units with fixed input configurations are made universal by enabling them to execute different computer programs and access sensor data from multiple sources through the data transmission medium. This allows the same hardware to serve multiple functions and handle complex operational sequences without requiring new specialized control units.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard control units with fewer inputs are used, then costs are reduced, but the ability to handle complex operational sequences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating new physical control units with more inputs, the system creates virtual copies of sensor data through the data transmission medium. Multiple control units access the same sensor data simultaneously, effectively copying the data stream to each unit. This allows standard control units to handle complex sequences by processing copied data from multiple sensors without requiring additional physical inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
A data transmission medium acts as an intermediary between sensors and multiple control units. This intermediary enables standard control units with fewer direct sensor connections to access sensor data indirectly, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness while expanding the system's ability to handle complex operational sequences that require access to multiple sensor inputs.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple control units share sensor data, then the number of available inputs is improved, but data consistency and synchronization become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic time slices during which sensor data is exchanged and synchronized among control units. This periodic action ensures that all control units operate with consistent data sets at regular intervals, maintaining data reliability while enabling multiple units to access comprehensive sensor information. The synchronous execution of computer programs during these time slices further ensures data consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a computer system for operating at least two interconnected control units. The control units access sensor data and each execute at least one computer program for controlling operational sequences, in particular in a vehicle. The control units exchange synchronization information with one another. In order to design and refine a computer system in a way that will enable even especially complex operational sequences, as required in a modern motor vehicle, for example, to be controlled and/or regulated simply and cost-effectively with the aid of the computer system, using conventional control units, the control units execute the same computer program time-synchronously using a settable time lag.