Vehicle ECU State Recovery to Prevent Battery Drain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicles lack a solution to correct the working state of a faulty ECU node using other ECUs, leading to instability in vehicle functions and potential battery drainage due to abnormal ECU behavior.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing ECUs on a vehicle involves monitoring the working state of ECUs and sending control instructions to abnormal ECUs to execute restore actions, such as restart, shutdown, or firmware updates, to stabilize their operation and prevent battery drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an abnormal ECU continues to operate without correction, then the ECU maintains its current state, but battery drainage occurs due to failure to enter sleep mode in key-off state

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveECU working stateVSAvoidbattery drainage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing monitoring and detection mechanisms that identify abnormal ECU states before they cause significant energy loss. When an ECU fails to enter sleep mode appropriately, the system detects this abnormal state and sends control instructions to correct it proactively, preventing battery drainage rather than reacting after the problem occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service through automated monitoring and control systems. The ECU management system automatically detects abnormal states, determines appropriate corrections, and sends control instructions without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures timely correction of energy-wasting conditions while reducing the burden on vehicle operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If users drive to a 4S shop for inspection and maintenance of abnormal ECUs, then the ECU can be professionally serviced, but user convenience deteriorates due to the troublesome process

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveECU maintenance qualityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling automated monitoring, detection, and correction of ECU abnormalities through the vehicle's own network system. The system can identify problematic ECUs and send control instructions to restore normal operation without requiring the vehicle to be transported to a service center. This dramatically improves user convenience while maintaining effective ECU maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the vehicle's network communication system as an intermediary to facilitate remote diagnostics and control. Instead of requiring physical presence at a service center, the network intermediary enables transmission of diagnostic information and control instructions between ECUs and potentially between the vehicle and external service systems, making maintenance processes more convenient for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12277024B2Method for managing ECU on vehicle, and ECU and readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 ZTE CORP

AI summary

A method for managing an ECU on a vehicle, and an ECU and a computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The method may include: monitoring a working state of at least one ECU on a vehicle (S201); and in response to detecting an abnormal ECU in an abnormal working state, sending a control instruction to the abnormal ECU, where the control instruction is configured to trigger the abnormal ECU to execute a corresponding restore action (S202).