Vehicle Communication Device Reference Wire Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication devices with a single communication wire in motor vehicles are sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances, leading to interference and potential breakdowns in communication between electronic control units.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating two reference wires connected to the electrical terminals of electronic control units and guiding them close to the communication wire between units, reducing common mode effects and enhancing electromagnetic immunity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single communication wire is used for LIN type communication between electronic control units, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but electromagnetic immunity deteriorates and communication reliability worsens in disturbed environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication device structureVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage connection is segmented into two separate reference wires instead of using a single common reference. This segmentation allows each reference wire to be routed close to the communication wire, creating balanced current loops that reduce electromagnetic interference susceptibility while maintaining the simplicity of the overall single-bus communication architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention maintains equipotentiality by providing two reference wires that both connect to the same reference voltage potential (either supply voltage or ground voltage). This ensures that both ends of the communication wire share a common reference potential, reducing ground loops and electromagnetic interference while maintaining signal integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If reference wires are routed close to the communication wire, then electromagnetic immunity is improved by reducing common mode effects, but device complexity increases due to routing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference susceptibilityVSAvoidwiring harness complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the reference wires with the communication wire by routing them together in the same cable harness or conduit. This combining approach ensures close proximity for electromagnetic immunity while consolidating the wiring into a single organized bundle, preventing the reference wires from becoming separate complex routing paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3028425B1Apparatus for communication and vehicle comprising such an apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 RENAULT SA
  • EP3028425B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3028425B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication device (10) comprising two electronic control units (100, 200) that each comprise a first electric terminal (101, 201), a second electric terminal (102, 202), and a communication terminal (103, 203) connected to the communication terminal of the other electronic control unit by a communication wire (13), and in which the first electronic control unit (100) has reference voltages (VSUPP, VGND) on its first and second electric terminals and comprises development means (111) suitable for emitting a voltage signal (SLIN) referenced to said reference voltages on its communication terminal, and the second electronic control unit (200) comprises means (211) for processing said voltage signal received on its communication terminal via said communication wire. According to the invention, the communication device comprises two reference wires (11, 12) connecting said first electric terminals to each other, and which also forces said reference wires to travel, with said communication wire, between said two electronic control units.