Vehicle Control Unit Message Transmission via Segmented Protocol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting control decisions between control units in safety-critical systems, such as personal protection and vehicle dynamics control, lack reliability and security, particularly in scenarios where incorrect activation can occur without thorough evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the transmission of control decisions via at least two messages between control units, with a question-and-answer behavior to ensure reliable data transfer, where the first control unit sends a message and receives an acknowledgment before sending a confirmation message, thereby protecting the transmission and ensuring correct activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single message is used to transmit control decisions between control units, then the transmission speed is fast and simple, but the reliability and security of activation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of control decision transmissionVSAvoidcomplexity of message transmission protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control decision transmission is segmented into multiple distinct messages: a first message containing the control decision, a second acknowledgment message from the receiving control unit, and a third confirmation message. This segmentation ensures that each transmission step is verified independently, preventing incorrect activation while maintaining structured communication protocol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving control unit sends an acknowledgment message back to the sending control unit to confirm receipt of the control decision. This feedback mechanism allows the sending unit to verify successful transmission before proceeding, enhancing reliability through confirmed communication rather than assumed delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple messages are transmitted to ensure reliable activation, then the security and reliability improve, but the transmission time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of control decision transmissionVSAvoidtime for control decision transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving control unit is pre-programmed with evaluation criteria and activation conditions. Upon receiving the control decision message, it immediately evaluates whether activation conditions are met using pre-established rules, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis and reducing transmission delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic message exchange with defined intervals: the control decision is sent, followed by an acknowledgment, then a confirmation message. This structured periodic communication ensures reliable transmission while maintaining predictable timing, preventing unnecessary delays through standardized message intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the second control unit carries out its own evaluation, then the system has higher autonomy and adaptability, but the risk of incorrect activation increases without proper verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomy of control unit evaluationVSAvoidaccuracy of activation decision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The acknowledgment message serves as an intermediary verification step between the sending and receiving control units. It confirms that the control decision was received and evaluated, creating a trusted communication channel that allows the receiving unit to exercise autonomy while maintaining system-wide reliability through verified information exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the evaluation capability of the receiving control unit with the verification mechanism of the acknowledgment message. The receiving unit independently evaluates activation conditions using its own sensors and logic, while simultaneously receiving confirmation from the sending unit, combining autonomous decision-making with collaborative verification to ensure accurate activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2057042B1Method and device for the transmission of an actuating decision from a control device to an actuator via a vehicle data bus
Publication Date: 2010.06.02 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2057042B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2057042B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for the transmission of an actuating decision for an actuator from a first to at least one second control device, wherein the second control device controls the actuator as a function of at least two messages from the first control device.