Vehicle Environment Detection Data Retention via Dual Control Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side protection systems lose detected object data when the vehicle ignition is switched off, leading to potential collisions upon restarting as the system forgets the last measured object positions due to immediate de-energization of the control unit and limited write cycles in flash memory.
Innovation Solution
A method where object data detected by a first control unit is transmitted to a second control unit in predetermined cycles, stored non-volatilely, and sent back when the ignition is switched on, allowing the first control unit to evaluate and warn the driver about previously detected objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the first control unit is de-energized immediately after ignition is switched off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the detected object data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second control unit as an intermediary that remains powered on after ignition is switched off. This second control unit receives and stores object data from the first control unit before it is de-energized, acting as a mediator that preserves the data without requiring the first control unit to remain powered. When ignition is switched on again, the second control unit transmits the stored data back to the first control unit.
2Reliability
If object data is continuously written to flash memory to preserve it, then data retention is improved, but the limited write cycles of flash memory are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a volatile memory in the second control unit that can be easily reset, effectively treating the memory as a temporary storage that is disposed of and reset with each ignition cycle. This avoids the wear problem of flash memory by using a different type of memory that does not have limited write cycle constraints, and the data is transferred back to the first control unit at appropriate intervals.
3Loss of information
If the first control unit remains powered on to retain object data, then data availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality into two separate control units: the first control unit that processes sensor data and can be de-energized, and the second control unit that is responsible for temporary data storage and remains powered on. This segmentation allows the system to achieve data retention without requiring the entire system to remain powered, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining data availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for detecting the environment of a vehicle (10) is provided, in which the object data of the objects detected by means of an environment sensor (50, 51) are recorded in a first control unit (60) and the recorded object data are transmitted to a second control unit (110) in predetermined cycles. The last recorded object data are stored non-volatilely in the second control unit (110) at least when the first control unit (60) is switched off, transmitted back to the first control unit (60) when the vehicle ignition (10) is switched on, and evaluated by the first control unit (60) to detect the vehicle environment present after the ignition has been switched on. Furthermore, a suitable device for carrying out the method is provided.