Centralized Vehicle Control for Predictive ECU Parameter Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modern vehicle control systems, with numerous electronic control units (ECUs) managing intricate tasks like power split and emissions control, poses challenges in integrating updated information and optimizing vehicle performance, especially with the addition of external data sources like traffic and terrain data.
Innovation Solution
A centralized optimization unit, equipped with data processors and libraries for advanced mathematical and optimization operations, receives prediction data to modify control parameters in real-time, optimizing subsystem operations across the vehicle, including power split decisions between internal combustion engines and electric motors, and performing predictive control and health monitoring tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a distributed set of ECUs is used to control various vehicle subsystems, then each ECU can independently manage its specific control tasks, but the overall system complexity increases and integrating updated information becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized optimization unit as an intermediary between external data sources and the distributed ECUs. This unit receives prediction data from external sources, processes it through advanced control algorithms, and generates optimized control parameters that are then distributed to relevant ECUs. This mediator approach allows ECUs to maintain their independent control capabilities while simplifying the integration of external information through a single centralized processing point.
2Reliability
If advanced control algorithms like Model Predictive Control are implemented in each ECU, then control performance is improved, but the computational demands on ECU hardware increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive advanced control algorithms from the individual ECUs and relocates them to a centralized optimization unit. This extraction allows the ECUs to maintain high control performance by receiving pre-optimized control parameters, while the heavy computational burden of running complex algorithms like Model Predictive Control is borne by the centralized unit with greater processing capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ECUs are integrated from different suppliers, then system functionality is enhanced, but coordination and optimization across subsystems becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized optimization unit serves as a universal coordination platform that can handle control optimization across multiple different subsystems from various suppliers. It provides a common interface and standardized methodology for integrating external prediction data and generating optimized control parameters that can be applied uniformly across diverse ECUs, thereby simplifying coordination while preserving the benefits of multi-supplier system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Advanced vehicle control systems are disclosed. Within a vehicle system having several subsystem controllers dedicated to separate tasks in the vehicle, the subsystem controllers may use supplied control parameters. In this context, a centralized optimization unit is configured to receive prediction data, determine, within a prediction horizon, a modification to at least one supplied control parameter using the prediction data; and communicate the modification to the at least one supplied control parameter to at least one subsystem control unit.