In-Vehicle Controller Redundant Detection for Steering Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle device controllers face challenges in preserving the actuator function during abnormalities in operating condition detection units or signals, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller with redundant operating condition detection units that switches to alternative signals upon detecting abnormalities, ensuring continuous actuator function through redundant monitoring and switching mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant operating condition detection units are implemented to preserve actuator function during abnormalities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating condition detection function is segmented into multiple independent detection units (first and second detection units). Each unit independently detects operating conditions and generates detection signals, allowing the system to preserve actuator function by switching to backup detection units when abnormalities occur, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete system redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is configured with preliminary switching capability that automatically activates backup detection signals when abnormalities are detected in primary detection signals. This preliminary action mechanism ensures continuous actuator operation by pre-establishing alternative signal paths and switching logic, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and complexity increase through automated failover
2Reliability
If redundant detection units and switching mechanisms are added to ensure continuous actuator function, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to serve both normal operation and abnormality handling using the same hardware infrastructure. The controller performs dual roles: processing primary detection signals during normal conditions and automatically switching to backup detection signals during abnormalities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated backup hardware and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing fully redundant independent backup detection systems, the patent uses a simplified copying approach where backup detection units provide alternative signals that are processed by the same controller logic. This copying mechanism achieves reliability improvement through signal redundancy rather than complete system duplication, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle device controller has at least two redundant operating condition detection units. Under normal circumstances, the controller performs actuator drive control based on an operating condition detection signal of one of the operating condition detection units. Upon detection of an abnormality in the signal transmission state, data state or operating status of one of the at least two operating condition detection units, the controller performs actuator drive control based on an operating condition detection signal of another one of the at least two operating condition detection units in which no abnormality is present. By this control, the actuator function is preserved even in the event of the abnormality in the operating condition detection unit or operating condition detection signal.