Universal Electrical Unit for Vehicle Component Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical units designed as special parts for specific electrical components are costly and complex to manage due to varying vehicle configurations, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electrical unit with a versatile design that relays between an electrical component and an electronic control unit, receiving instructions for operation, eliminating the need for self-determination and incorporating a communication port, power supply port, ground port, and electrical component ports, with optional switch and sensor ports, and integrated resin molding for simplified structure and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electrical units are designed as special parts for each electrical component to enable self-determination of operating amounts, then the electrical unit can operate independently without depending on master ECU instructions, but the management complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to varying vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized electrical unit with uniform connection terminals and communication interfaces that can be used across multiple vehicle types and electrical components. The unit maintains automation capability through its ability to receive target operating amounts via communication protocols and execute operations independently, while the standardized design eliminates the need for custom configurations for each vehicle grade or component type, thereby reducing management complexity
2Extent of automation
If electrical units are designed as special parts for each electrical component to enable self-determination of operating amounts, then the electrical unit can operate independently without depending on master ECU instructions, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized electrical unit with uniform connection terminals and communication interfaces that can be used across multiple vehicle types and electrical components. The unit maintains automation capability through its ability to receive target operating amounts via communication protocols and execute operations independently, while the standardized design eliminates the need for custom configurations for each vehicle grade or component type, thereby reducing management complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common electrical unit is used to operate various electrical components based on ECU instructions, then the versatility and ease of manufacture improve, but the electrical unit loses the ability to determine operating amounts independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a communication protocol as the mediator between the master ECU and the electrical unit. The unit receives target operating amounts through this communication interface, enabling it to function as a versatile common unit across different vehicle configurations while maintaining the capability to independently execute operations based on received instructions, thus preserving a form of operational autonomy without requiring complex self-determination logic
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical unit relaying between an electrical component and an electronic control unit which determines a target operating amount of the electrical component, includes a communication port connectable with a communication wire connected to the electronic control unit, a power supply port connectable with a power supply wire connected to an external power supply, a ground port connectable with a ground wire, and one or more electrical component ports capable of supplying electric power to the electrical component. The electrical unit receives a signal relating to the target operating amount from the electronic control unit through the communication port. Electric power for operation according to the target operating amount is supplied to the electrical unit through the power supply port. The electrical unit supplies the electric power for operation to the electrical component through the electrical component ports.