Vehicle Data Recorder Option Card Interface for Protocol Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics face difficulties in diagnosing intermittent vehicle problems, such as faulty spark plugs, as these issues often do not recur at service stations, leading to frustration for owners and potential safety risks, and existing Vehicle Data Recorders (VDRs) require costly upgrades for new communication protocols and features.
Innovation Solution
A Vehicle Data Recorder system with an option card that allows for the addition of new hardware and software components, including communication protocol controllers, processors, and memory, enabling the VDR to support additional communication protocols, increase processing capability, and enhance data communication without the need for a new VDR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanic purchases a new VDR with new communication protocols and features, then the VDR can support newer vehicles and protocols, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The VDR system is divided into a base unit and separate protocol-specific option cards. Each option card handles a specific communication protocol (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, etc.), allowing the system to be configured incrementally based on needs rather than purchasing a completely new expensive unit for each protocol requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The VDR base unit is designed with universal capability to support multiple communication protocols through interchangeable option cards. The standardized connector and control register interface allow a single base unit to perform multiple protocol functions by simply changing the inserted option card, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated devices.
2Reliability
If a mechanic uses a basic VDR without option cards, then the device remains simple and affordable, but it cannot diagnose vehicles with newer communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with the capability to add protocol support through option cards. The base VDR unit is designed in advance with standardized interfaces and control mechanisms that anticipate future protocol needs, allowing mechanics to start with a basic unit and add specific protocol support as diagnostic needs arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The option card acts as an intermediary component between the base VDR unit and specific communication protocols. Each option card contains the necessary hardware and software to translate and handle protocol-specific signals, mediating between the universal base unit and protocol-specific requirements without requiring changes to the base unit itself.
3Productivity
If the VDR includes all possible communication protocols and features built-in, then it can service any vehicle immediately, but the initial cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The VDR system transitions from a static all-in-one design to a dynamic configurable architecture. The base unit remains relatively simple, but can dynamically adapt its protocol support capabilities by inserting different option cards based on the specific diagnostic situation, allowing the system to be as complex as needed without always being maximally complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The option cards are nested within the base VDR unit through a standardized connector. The compact option card design allows it to be housed within the existing VDR form factor, with the card inserting into and integrating with the base unit's processor and memory resources, effectively nesting additional functionality within the existing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided that allow a user to increase the functionality of a vehicle data recorder. An option card can be connected to the option card connector on the vehicle data recorder. The option card includes at least one component thereon, such as a software, a processor, a FPGA, a memory, a power supply, a data port, a communication protocol controller, pins, a multiplexer, a hardware and a combination thereof. The components can allow the vehicle data recorder to communicate with new communication protocols that are developed, with current ones that may not have been included in the vehicle data recorder or additional functions required by the user.