Vehicle Diagnostic Control Unit Parameter Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing motor vehicle systems, particularly drive systems, are inflexible and require software updates tied to development cycles, limiting adaptive diagnostic capabilities and resource efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a data connection between a diagnostic device and a motor vehicle system's control unit to transmit parameter sets that define desired operating states, allowing flexible configuration of diagnostics without updating executable code, enabling the control unit to set and evaluate these states for comprehensive analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software updates are used to expand diagnostic functionality of the control unit, then diagnostic capabilities are improved, but development cycles and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates diagnostic functionality into two distinct components: a control program stored in non-volatile memory for permanent control functions, and additional software loaded into volatile memory for flexible diagnostic operations. This segmentation allows diagnostic capabilities to be updated independently without modifying the core control program, thereby avoiding lengthy development cycles while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic loading of additional software into volatile memory based on diagnostic requirements. The control unit can load, execute, and unload diagnostic software modules as needed, allowing the system to adapt its diagnostic capabilities dynamically without permanent software modifications. This dynamic approach enables rapid deployment of new diagnostic functions without going through complete development cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional software is loaded into volatile memory for diagnosis, then diagnostic functionality is expanded, but memory resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic functionalityVSAvoidmemory resource
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes volatile memory's dynamic nature by loading additional diagnostic software only when needed and unloading it after use. This on-demand loading strategy ensures that memory resources are allocated dynamically based on diagnostic requirements rather than being permanently occupied, optimizing the balance between diagnostic functionality and memory resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent loads only the specific additional software modules required for particular diagnostic tasks into volatile memory, rather than loading all possible diagnostic functions simultaneously. This partial loading approach minimizes memory consumption while still providing the necessary diagnostic capabilities for the current task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3132322B1Method for diagnosing a motor vehicle system, diagnostic device for a motor vehicle system, control device for a motor vehicle system, and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3132322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A diagnostic method is disclosed for a motor vehicle system (30), as well as a corresponding diagnostic device (1) and a corresponding control device (2) for the motor vehicle system (30). At least one set (3) of parameters for a control program in the control device (2) is transmitted from the diagnostic device (1) to the control device (2). The set (3) of parameters defines at least one operating state of the motor vehicle system (30), which is correspondingly adjusted by the control device (2). In at least one of the adjusted operating states, at least one characteristic value (4) of the motor vehicle system (30) is determined using the control program and is transmitted to the diagnostic device (1). There, the at least one transmitted characteristic value (4) is evaluated regarding a functional capability of the motor vehicle system (30). The motor vehicle system (30) can be, in particular, a drive system of a motor vehicle.