Vehicle Cockpit Interface Upgrade via Replaceable Memory Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle electronics often become outdated quickly due to technological advancements, leaving consumers with outdated systems in their vehicles that are not easily upgradable, leading to a disconnect between the latest technology and the technology available in their vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An upgradeable vehicle cockpit interface system that includes an electronic control unit with non-volatile memory and a downloadable interface to update components such as displays and sensory controls, allowing for the transition from older to newer versions, including heads-up displays and sensory devices, by modifying the microcontroller to operate with new instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vehicle electronics are designed and manufactured in advance of vehicle production, then manufacturing efficiency and cost are improved, but the electronics become outdated quickly and cannot be easily upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electronic control unit into separable components: a reusable ECU housing with processor and a replaceable memory module. This segmentation allows the memory module to be upgraded independently while retaining the existing ECU structure, thus maintaining manufacturing efficiency while enabling future upgrades by simply replacing the memory module rather than the entire unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic upgradability through a memory module that can be replaced or updated after the ECU is manufactured. The ECU is designed with a memory module receptacle that accepts different versions of memory modules, allowing the system to adapt to new technologies over time without redesigning the entire ECU.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire ECU is replaced to upgrade technology, then the latest technology is achieved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ECU into a permanent housing and a replaceable memory module, the system allows upgrades to be performed by simply replacing the memory module rather than the entire ECU. This reduces upgrade complexity and cost while still enabling access to the latest technology through memory module replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU housing and processor are designed to be universal and compatible with multiple versions of memory modules. This universality allows a single ECU unit to support both older and newer technology versions by simply changing the memory module, reducing the need for multiple ECU designs and simplifying the upgrade process.
3Reliability
If the ECU is designed with fixed instructions, then reliability and stability are improved, but the ability to adapt to new components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic adaptability by designing the ECU with a replaceable memory module that can be updated to include new instructions for different components. The processor remains stable and reliable, while the memory module can be changed to accommodate new sensors, displays, or control units, thus maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU is preliminarily designed with a memory module receptacle and basic processor functionality that can accommodate future memory module versions. This preliminary preparation allows the system to maintain stability while being pre-configured to accept future upgrades without requiring redesign of the entire ECU architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable vehicle cockpit interface and in particular, to a single or multi-phase upgradable hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit interface. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface may include one or more hardware and firmware components that may be designed to interface with or connect to one or more corresponding hardware and firmware blocks located within the vehicle cockpit. The hardware and firmware components may be detachable from the hardware and firmware blocks and may be backwards compatible with the vehicle's hardware and firmware blocks. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface enables an individual to experience the same vehicle over a time period and have the ability to upgrade the vehicle components (i.e. electronics) to ease the vehicle aging process.