Vehicle Controller Update Selection for Reliability and Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle controllers require updates to correct errors, improve performance, and add new functions, but updating while the vehicle is not in use can lead to power discharge and inconvenience for users, necessitating an optimal update method that minimizes downtime and ensures safety.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for updating vehicle controllers that selects an update method based on the importance and time requirements of the controller, using full, partial, compressed, or difference update methods to generate a transmission file, optimizing the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle controller is updated using a full update method to ensure safety and reliability, then the update reliability is improved, but the update time increases causing vehicle downtime and user inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process into multiple methods (full update, partial update, difference update) based on controller importance. Critical safety controllers receive full updates for maximum reliability, while non-critical controllers use partial or difference updates to minimize update time and vehicle downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different update qualities to different controllers based on their importance levels. Safety-critical controllers (engine, transmission, braking) receive comprehensive full updates, while non-critical controllers (infotainment, climate control) receive optimized partial updates, ensuring each controller gets the appropriate update level for its function.
2Reliability
If the vehicle controller update time is prolonged to ensure complete updating, then the update completeness is improved, but the vehicle power is discharged causing update failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting appropriate update methods based on controller importance. For non-critical controllers, partial updates (difference updates) are performed that update only necessary portions rather than complete files, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient update completeness for non-safety-critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the update parameter (update method type) based on controller characteristics and available power. The system evaluates power availability and controller importance to dynamically select between full, partial, and difference update methods, optimizing the balance between update completeness and power consumption.
3Productivity
If the update method is optimized to reduce update time for non-critical controllers, then the productivity is improved, but the update reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments controllers into critical and non-critical categories, applying different update strategies to each segment. Critical controllers (safety-related) receive full updates with maximum reliability, while non-critical controllers (infotainment, convenience features) receive optimized partial or difference updates that prioritize speed and productivity without compromising overall system safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for optimally updating a vehicle controller may update a first version file of the vehicle controller to a second version file. The apparatus may include an update determination module and an update performance module. The update determination module may be configured to select an update method of the vehicle controller based on an importance of the vehicle controller and an update time of the second version file. The update method may include a full update method, a partial update method, a compressed update method, and a difference update method. The update determination module may also be configured to generate a transmission file for the second version file according to the selected update method. The update performance module may be configured to transmit the transmission file to the vehicle controller to update the first version file of the vehicle controller to the second version file.