Vehicle Control Unit Interface Circuit for Multi-Protocol I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted control units often face pressure due to insufficient interfaces of one type while having excess interfaces of another type, leading to inefficient resource utilization and increased costs in designing dedicated solutions for various vehicle-mounted electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A configurable multi-functional interface circuit for vehicle-mounted control units, incorporating an H-bridge circuit, input branch, and pull-up network with switch components controlled by a controller to dynamically configure interfaces such as H-bridge output, digital signal, LIN bus, and SENT bus interfaces, allowing for flexible adaptation to different electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated interfaces are provided for each vehicle-mounted electronic device, then connection requirements are met, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional interface circuit that can operate in multiple modes (H-bridge output mode, digital signal input/output mode, LIN bus mode, SENT bus mode) through a single unified circuit design. The controller dynamically configures the interface circuit's functionality based on the connected device type, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated interfaces and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining universal compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit employs dynamic reconfiguration capability where the controller can switch between different operational modes based on real-time detection of connected devices. The circuit transitions from a static dedicated-interface design to a dynamic multi-functional design, allowing the same physical interface to adapt its electrical characteristics and communication protocols according to the connected device requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated interfaces are provided, then all vehicle-mounted electronic devices can be connected, but resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The unified interface circuit serves multiple functions that would otherwise require separate dedicated interfaces. By detecting the connected device type and dynamically switching operational modes, a single interface circuit replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized interfaces, significantly improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining comprehensive device compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple previously separate interface circuits (H-bridge interface, digital signal interface, LIN bus interface, SENT bus interface) into a single unified interface circuit. This consolidation allows all interface functions to share common hardware resources, eliminating redundancy and improving overall resource utilization while maintaining the ability to connect to diverse vehicle-mounted electronic devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If diversified interfaces are provided for different electronic devices, then connection requirements are satisfied, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-functional interface circuit design allows a single circuit implementation to replace multiple dedicated interface circuits. This reduction in the number of required interface circuits directly lowers component count, simplifies manufacturing processes, and reduces overall production costs while maintaining the ability to connect to all required vehicle-mounted electronic devices through dynamic mode switching
4Productivity
If a configurable multi-functional interface circuit is implemented, then resource utilization is enhanced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements dynamic mode switching logic that automatically detects the connected device type and configures the interface circuit accordingly. This dynamic control approach, while adding some control complexity, enables efficient resource utilization by ensuring the interface circuit operates in the optimal mode for each connected device, maximizing the utility of available hardware resources
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides an interface circuit of a vehicle-mounted control unit comprising an H-bridge circuit, an input branch, and a pull-up network. An input end of the H-bridge circuit is connected to a controller 240, and an output end of the H-bridge circuit is connected to an interface port IO of the interface circuit. A first end of the input branch is connected to the interface port IO, and a second end of the input branch is connected to the controller.