Vehicle CPU Cooling Failure Detection Using Internal Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CPU cooling mechanisms for vehicle control devices require a separate temperature sensor, increasing device size, component count, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with an internal temperature sensor and memory that stores standard patterns and temperature differences to detect CPU overheating and cooling mechanism failures without additional sensors, using internal CPU temperature sensors to monitor and calculate temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate temperature sensor IC is used to detect CPU temperature, then the reliability of cooling mechanism detection is improved, but the device size and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing function into the CPU itself by utilizing the temperature sensor already provided within the CPU. This eliminates the need for a separate temperature sensor IC while maintaining the ability to detect CPU temperature and monitor cooling mechanism performance. The temperature sensor within the CPU is used to detect temperature during standard pattern execution, and the controller compares actual temperature differences against predetermined thresholds to detect cooling failures.
2Measurement precision
If a separate temperature sensor IC is disposed near the heat sink fins, then the detection accuracy of cooling mechanism failure is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature measurement function with the existing CPU structure by using the internal temperature sensor. This eliminates the need for additional temperature sensor ICs and their associated mounting, wiring, and calibration processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision through the use of the CPU's own temperature sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The CPU serves itself by using its own internal temperature sensor to monitor its temperature during operation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external temperature sensing components and their associated manufacturing processes, reducing both component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to accurately detect cooling mechanism failures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables detection of CPU overheating and cooling mechanism failures while minimizing size, component count, and cost, with the ability to limit processes to prevent further temperature rise and malfunction.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor that is provided internal of the CPU
Implementation Method 2
a cooling mechanism that cools the CPU
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a vehicle control device capable of detecting overheating of a CPU or a heat dissipation failure of the cooling mechanism, while suppressing increases in the size, the number of components, and the cost. A vehicle control device according to the present embodiment includes a memory, a CPU, a temperature sensor that is provided internal of the CPU, and a cooling mechanism that cools the CPU. The memory stores therein a standard pattern SP1, a wait time tw, a standard temperature Ts, and a normal temperature difference. The CPU then stores the load of the CPU in the memory, and monitors the load. When the load changes in accordance with the standard pattern SP1, the CPU calculates a temperature difference ΔTse between the standard temperature Ts and an evaluation temperature Te of the temperature sensor at the time point when the wait time tw elapses from the first pattern SP1 has started, and determines a failure when the temperature difference ΔTse is larger than the normal temperature difference.