Vehicle Motor Control Unit for Fast Torque Response Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of control inputs for electric drive motors in vehicles leads to elevated response times in motor control units (MCUs), affecting user experience and potentially violating stringent vehicle functional safety requirements.
Innovation Solution
A motor control unit comprising three processors, where the third processor calculates torque and validates control outputs, utilizing dedicated and general communication buses to manage actuation demands and control inputs, and executes safety functions in case of processor faults, reducing latency and enhancing fault diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of control inputs for electric drive motors is increased to meet evolving vehicle technology requirements, then the comprehensiveness of motor control is improved, but the response time of the motor control unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control unit is segmented into multiple specialized processors: a first processor for receiving control inputs and determining control outputs, a second processor for validating control outputs, and a third processor for monitoring processor health. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different control functions, reducing overall response time while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of control outputs by the second processor before execution, and continuously monitors processor health status in advance. This preliminary action prevents costly reprocessing and ensures rapid response to critical events without compromising control comprehensiveness.
2Speed
If multiple processors are added to reduce response time, then the processing speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each processor in the multi-processor system is designed with multi-functionality: the first processor handles control input processing and output determination, the second processor performs both validation and can execute control outputs in fault scenarios, and the third processor monitors health and can take over control functions. This universality reduces overall system complexity compared to having dedicated single-function processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor monitoring system is self-service in nature, where the third processor automatically detects faults in other processors and autonomously executes appropriate safety functions or takes over control without external intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the overall control architecture by eliminating the need for complex external fault management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor control unit for a vehicle comprising an electric drive motor, the motor control unit comprising a first processor, a second processor and a third processor, in which: the third processor is configured to: receive an actuation demand for the vehicle; calculate a torque for the motor in dependence on the actuation demand; and provide the calculated torque to the first processor; the first processor is configured to: receive the calculated torque and a control input of the vehicle; and determine a first control output for the electric drive motor in dependence on the calculated torque and the control input; and the second processor is configured to: receive the first control output from the first processor and the control input of the vehicle; calculate a second control output for the motor in dependence on the control input; and validate the first control output by comparison to the second control output.