Vehicle Control Timing Synchronization Across Zone ECUs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of arithmetic processing and control functions into a central processing unit for vehicle automation results in unsynchronized actuator operations due to varying signal paths, leading to timing deviations in actuators like turn lights and sound devices.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with zone ECUs connected via a trunk network and time synchronization, where the central processing unit transmits timing signals and adjusts actuator timings using drive timing information to ensure synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a central processing unit integrates arithmetic processing and control functions for vehicle automation, then the control capability is improved, but actuator operation synchronization deteriorates due to varying signal paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into a trunk network connecting the central processing unit to zone ECUs, and branch networks connecting zone ECUs to actuators. This segmentation allows different network types (time-synchronized Ethernet for trunk, conventional CAN for branches) to be used in different segments, resolving the contradiction between centralized control and synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
Zone ECUs act as intermediary devices between the central processing unit and distributed actuators. They receive control signals via the time-synchronized trunk network and relay them through asynchronous branch networks, mediating the synchronization requirement from the central unit to the actuators despite different network characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If zone ECUs are connected to the central processing unit via a trunk network and to actuators via branch networks, then the network flexibility is improved, but the timing synchronization deteriorates due to mixed time synchronization and asynchronous networks
Solution Approach 1:
Different network segments have different quality characteristics: the trunk network uses time-synchronized Ethernet for high precision timing, while branch networks can use conventional asynchronous CAN for flexibility. This local quality differentiation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system synchronization.
3Speed
If high-speed Ethernet interface is used in the trunk network, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to mixed network interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into a high-speed Ethernet trunk for data-intensive communications and lower-speed CAN branch networks for simple actuator control. This segmentation allows high-speed interfaces to be used only where necessary, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high data transmission speed where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a plurality of zone ECUs and a central processing unit. The central processing unit transmits a blinking timing signal of a blinker to each zone ECU, each zone ECU transmits blinking timing information of the blinker based on a blinking timing signal to the central processing unit, and the central processing unit transmits an adjustment signal in which a timing has been adjusted in accordance with blinking timing information of the blinker received from each zone ECU to each zone ECU.