Vehicle Controller Module Interface Segregation for EMC and Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle controllers face challenges in simplifying the assembly and dismounting of components, maintenance, and inspection due to randomly wired signal and power lines, which complicates electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and prolongs repair times.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle controller is designed with functional modules having separate interface regions for signal and power lines, arranged in a specific configuration to simplify wiring and facilitate efficient assembly, dismounting, maintenance, and inspection, with each module having a switch circuit, charging and discharging circuit, inverter, and contactor, allowing for effective EMC measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If signal lines and power lines are randomly wired to connect components, then wiring flexibility is improved, but mounting and dismounting components becomes difficult and maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring flexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is divided into multiple independent functional modules (converter module, inverter module, charger module, control module), each with its own dedicated signal lines and power lines. This segmentation allows individual modules to be mounted, dismounted, maintained, or replaced independently without affecting other modules, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining wiring flexibility through modular connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If signal lines and power lines are randomly wired, then wiring simplicity is improved, but electromagnetic noise paths become complex and EMC compliance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring simplicityVSAvoidelectromagnetic noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Signal lines and power lines are segregated into separate harnesses that connect to dedicated terminals on each functional module. This segmentation creates distinct electromagnetic pathways, preventing noise coupling between signal and power lines while maintaining wiring simplicity through standardized terminal connections and organized harness routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If power lines and signal lines are arranged at opposite sides of the controller, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but mounting and dismounting efficiency decreases due to low working space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidmounting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller employs a multi-dimensional layout where power lines and signal lines are separated not only horizontally (arranged at opposite sides) but also vertically ( routed through different layers or levels of the controller structure). This dimensional separation maintains electromagnetic isolation while creating adequate working space around component mounting areas, allowing efficient assembly and dismounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2020332B1Control device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2020332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2020332B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2020332B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a vehicle controller that is mounted in a box-shaped manner beneath the floor or on the roof of a vehicle so as to supply electric power to vehicle apparatuses. The vehicle controller is configured with a plurality of functional modules (4); each of the functional modules (4) has at one side thereof an interface side (22) in which a first interface region (5) where signal-line terminals are arranged and a second interface region (6) where power-line terminals are arranged are separated; in each of the interface sides (22), the first interface region (5) is disposed at one and the same end and the second interface region (6) is disposed at the other and the same end.