Vehicle Control Daisy Chain for Position-Based Function Assignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control devices lack a reliable method to ensure correct installation at specific positions, leading to potential errors if devices are interchanged during installation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a daisy-chain circuit using a common bus line, where each control device ascertains its position within the circuit and selects the appropriate vehicle function for its installation position, allowing for generic control devices to be installed at any position without prior sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control devices are bi-uniquely identified with device-individual serial numbers during production, then each device can be uniquely identified, but errors occur during installation if devices are interchanged, as they cannot be located at the intended installation position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameter from device-individual serial numbers to position-based identification. Control devices determine their installation position by detecting their position in the daisy-chain circuit (first position, second position, etc.) and select their vehicle function based on this position parameter, eliminating installation errors while maintaining ease of installation
Solution Approach 2:
The control devices automatically determine their own installation position by detecting their position in the daisy-chain circuit during operation. Each device self-configures by selecting the appropriate vehicle function based on its detected position, eliminating the need for manual sorting or pre-configuration during installation
2Reliability
If control devices are assigned fixed vehicle functions based on device-individual identification, then each device executes its designated function, but devices cannot be flexibly installed at different positions without reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vehicle function assignment dynamic rather than static. Control devices dynamically select their vehicle function based on their detected position in the daisy-chain circuit. This allows devices to adapt to different installation positions while maintaining reliable function execution, as each device configures itself according to its actual position in the circuit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables control devices to potentially perform multiple vehicle functions depending on their installation position. Instead of being hard-coded to a single function, devices select from available vehicle functions based on their position in the daisy-chain circuit, providing both reliability in function execution and flexibility in installation
3Ease of operation
If a daisy-chain circuit is implemented with position detection, then control devices can be installed without prior sorting, but the system requires complex position detection and function selection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control devices automatically determine their own installation position by detecting their position in the daisy-chain circuit during normal operation. Each device self-configures by selecting the appropriate vehicle function based on its detected position, eliminating the need for external sorting or pre-configuration mechanisms and simplifying installation while avoiding excessive complexity through self-service automation
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a plurality of control devices which are designed to provide a particular vehicle function in the motor vehicle. The vehicle functions of the control devices differ. The control devices are connected by a common bus line which is led successively through a respective communications circuit of the control devices, wiring the control devices successively into a daisy-chain circuit. Each of the vehicle functions is implemented in each of the control devices. A processor circuit is designed to determine a position specification which specifies a position of the particular control device within the daisy-chain circuit and, according to the determined position specification, to select a vehicle function allocated to the position from the implemented vehicle functions and to provide the selected vehicle function in the motor vehicle for activation.