Vehicle Control Apparatus Power State Switching During Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the automotive field, existing online update technologies for control programs in vehicles often switch the power state of devices unintentionally, leading to devices being put into unintended operating states during the update process, which can result in unexpected device startups.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that communicate with on-vehicle control devices through an in-vehicle communication line, switching the power supply states of first and second power supplies to manage the operating states of ECUs, ensuring devices are appropriately powered and maintained in their intended states during updates by determining the operating state based on acquired operation information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power state of on-vehicle devices is switched during online update, then the update process can be executed, but devices may be put into unintended operating states causing unexpected startups
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus determines the operating state of each ECU before switching the power supply state. This preliminary determination of operation information (whether each ECU is in operating or non-operating state) allows the system to prepare appropriate control actions in advance, preventing unintended device startups after power restoration
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus acquires operation information from each ECU regarding its current operating state, uses this feedback information to determine appropriate control actions, and then executes power supply state switching. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that power state changes result in intended operating states rather than unexpected behaviors
2Device complexity
If power supply state switching is performed without considering ECU operating states, then power management is simplified, but devices may not function properly after update
Solution Approach 1:
Before switching power supply states, the control apparatus determines the operating state of each ECU that will be affected by the power transition. This preliminary assessment allows the system to plan the power state switching sequence and control actions needed to ensure devices function properly after the update, rather than using a simplified but unreliable approach
3Reliability
If operation information is acquired for each ECU before power switching, then unintended startups are prevented, but the control process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus divides the vehicle's control system into individual ECU units, determining the operating state of each ECU separately before power supply state switching. This segmentation allows precise control of each device's startup behavior based on its specific operation information, preventing unintended startups while maintaining a manageable control process through modular assessment
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes a switching unit configured to switch a state of a first and a second on-vehicle power supply to a power or a non-power supplying state, an acquisition unit configured to acquire operation information indicating whether the control device is in an operating or non-operating state, and a control unit configured to execute, in a case where a combination of the first and the second power supply is changed from a first to a second pattern, start-up control to determine a state in the second pattern, of an on-vehicle control device suppliable with power from the first power supply, based on the operation information in the first pattern. The first pattern is the first power supply in the power supplying state and the second power supply in the non-power supplying state. The second pattern in the first and second power supplies are in the power supplying state.