Dual-Controller Vehicle Component Permission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Safety controllers used in vehicles to manage critical components are expensive and add complexity, necessitating a cost-effective and simpler solution for safe operation of components like hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromagnetic systems.

Innovation Solution

A dual-controller system where a first controller processes user inputs to generate control instructions, and a second controller, based on measured parameters, determines whether to permit operation, enabling or disabling the control instructions to ensure safe operation without a dedicated safety controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated safety controller is used to ensure safe operation of vehicle components, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the safety monitoring function into the existing dual-controller system. The second controller monitors measured parameters and determines whether to permit operation, merging safety functionality with the existing control architecture rather than adding a separate dedicated safety controller. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety reliability while avoiding the increased complexity and cost of additional dedicated safety hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second controller serves multiple functions: it receives measured parameters, determines operational permission based on safety criteria, and enables or disables control instructions. This multi-functional approach allows the existing controller to handle both control and safety monitoring tasks, eliminating the need for a dedicated single-function safety controller and thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a dedicated safety controller is used to ensure safe operation of vehicle components, then safety reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety reliabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges safety monitoring functionality into the existing dual-controller architecture. The second controller's safety determination and permission-granting functions are integrated into the control system already in place, eliminating the need to manufacture and install a separate dedicated safety controller. This reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the required safety reliability through the same safety monitoring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a dual-controller system is used to distribute safety functionality, then device complexity is reduced, but safety reliability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsafety reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function into two separate controllers: the first controller receives user inputs and generates control instructions, while the second controller monitors measured parameters and determines operational permission. This segmentation distributes safety functionality across existing controllers, reducing the need for a complex dedicated safety controller while maintaining reliability through clear functional separation and defined safety determination processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second controller acts as an intermediary between the first controller and the component. It receives measured parameters, determines whether operation is permitted based on safety criteria, and enables or disables control instructions accordingly. This intermediary role ensures safety reliability is maintained through a structured permission-granting process while keeping the overall system complexity manageable by utilizing existing controller resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4428634A1Vehicle component control system
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HYVA HLDG BV
  • EP4428634A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4428634A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4428634A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

There is disclosed a component control system for a vehicle comprising a first controller configured to receive a first input and output a control instruction to control a component of the vehicle based on the first input. The component control system further comprises a second controller configured to receive a second input, determine, based on the second input, whether to permit operation the component and when the second controller determines operation of the component is permitted, enable the control instruction from the first controller to control the component.