Vehicle Add-On Interface Signal Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle manufacturers face challenges in interacting with unknown add-on systems installed after production, as the internal systems are not equipped to interpret signals from these systems, leading to potential operational issues and requiring costly software updates.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring an add-on interface in vehicles, using internal and external communication units to receive information about add-on systems, define signaling, and adapt the interface without compiling programming code, allowing final users or customers to update the interface to match the add-on systems' signaling formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle internal systems are equipped to interpret signals from add-on systems, then the interaction with add-on systems is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an add-on interface as an intermediary component that translates signals between add-on systems and vehicle internal systems. This mediator handles the complexity of signal interpretation, allowing the vehicle's core systems to remain simple while still achieving full compatibility with diverse add-on systems through standardized translation protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on interface is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple types of add-on systems through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same interface hardware to work with various add-on systems by dynamically configuring signal translation based on the connected add-on system's requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If software updates are performed to support new add-on systems, then the adaptability is improved, but the time and cost for updates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The add-on interface is pre-configured with a library of signal translation profiles for common add-on systems. When a new add-on system is connected, the interface automatically detects it and selects or generates the appropriate translation profile without requiring time-consuming software updates, thus preparing the system in advance for various add-on scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on interface employs dynamic configuration capabilities that allow it to adapt its signal translation behavior in real-time based on the connected add-on system's requirements. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for static software updates, as the interface can reconfigure itself on-the-fly to support new add-on systems
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle is delivered with complete functionality, then the ease of operation for final customers is improved, but the adaptability to specific customer requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is delivered in a modular fashion with core functionality integrated and add-on capabilities provided as separate, configurable modules. This segmentation allows the base vehicle to be simple and ready for immediate operation, while customers can selectively add or configure specific add-on systems to meet their unique requirements without overwhelming complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and control unit for configuring an add-on interface of a vehicle are presented. The vehicle includes at least one vehicle internal system, at least one add-on system arranged in the vehicle after manufacture, and at least one internal communication unit. The method includes receiving information related to at least one node of the at least one add-on system. The method also includes creating, based on the received information, a definition of at least one signaling used by the at least one node, and also configuring, by using the definition of the at least one signaling used by the at least one node, an add-on interface. The add-on interface is arranged in the vehicle as an interface between the at least one vehicle internal system and the at least one add-on system.