Vehicle Developer Device for Rapid Hardware Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current vehicle hardware development process is cumbersome and expensive due to the requirement of actual test vehicles, which are costly and not always available, slowing down the development process, especially for third-party suppliers.

Innovation Solution

The development of vehicle developer devices and systems that allow for rapid software and hardware testing using scale model devices equipped with electronic control units and peripheral devices, simulating the operation of a full-scale vehicle without the need for a physical test vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If actual test vehicles are used for hardware development, then testing accuracy is improved, but development cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the actual vehicle through detailed 3D modeling and simulation environments. This virtual model replicates the physical vehicle's geometry, materials, and operational characteristics, allowing developers to conduct comprehensive hardware and software testing without requiring the actual test vehicle. The virtual copy maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with physical vehicle availability and setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a simulation environment as an intermediary between the developer and the actual vehicle hardware. This intermediary layer provides virtual testing capabilities that bridge the gap between theoretical design and physical implementation, allowing iterative development and testing without direct access to the actual vehicle. The simulation environment acts as a mediator that preserves testing accuracy while removing the time constraints of physical vehicle availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If actual test vehicles are used for hardware development, then testing accuracy is improved, but development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive physical test vehicles with virtual copies created through 3D modeling and simulation. This copying approach maintains the necessary testing accuracy by replicating the vehicle's physical and operational characteristics in the virtual environment, while dramatically reducing the quantity of physical resources required. The virtual model can be instantiated multiple times and used by multiple developers simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple physical vehicles and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs virtual testing environments that can be created, modified, and discarded at minimal cost compared to physical vehicles. These virtual testing setups are computationally generated and can be rapidly reconfigured for different testing scenarios without the substantial financial investment required for physical vehicle acquisition, maintenance, and disposal. The virtual objects serve as disposable testing platforms that reset instantly between test cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If scale model developer devices are used instead of test vehicles, then development time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical test vehicle systems with computational simulation systems. Instead of physically assembling and configuring actual vehicles or scale models with all their mechanical components, the system uses software-based virtual environments that replicate vehicle behavior through mathematical models and algorithms. This substitution of mechanical systems with computational ones accelerates development while managing complexity through software abstraction layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal virtual testing platform that can simulate multiple vehicle types, configurations, and operating conditions within a single system. This multi-functional simulation environment eliminates the need for separate physical test vehicles for each testing scenario, consolidating diverse testing capabilities into one integrated software platform. The universal nature of the simulation system reduces overall complexity by providing a single entry point for all hardware development testing needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11662985B2Vehicle developer systems, methods and devices
Publication Date: 2023.05.30 WOVEN BY TOYOTA INC
  • US11662985B2 patent drawing
  • US11662985B2 patent drawing
  • US11662985B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Vehicle developer devices, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle developer device includes a management computing device, a plurality of electronic control units, and a plurality peripheral devices, wherein one or more individual peripheral devices of the plurality of peripheral devices is a physical representation of an actual vehicle peripheral device. The vehicle developer device further includes a plurality of ports for receiving one or more of at least one additional electronic control units and at least one additional peripheral devices. The management computing device configures the plurality of electronic control units, and simulates operation of a full-scale simulated vehicle. The vehicle developer device is smaller in size than the full-scale simulated vehicle.