Vehicle Data Network Reset Control for Unresponsive ECUs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle networks face issues with electronic control units failing to shut down properly, leading to battery drain, and there is a desire to reduce reliance on relay switches to simplify data communications networks and reduce complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device connected to the vehicle data communications network transmits messages to identify unresponsive devices and resets their operative state, using a software-based solution that includes a processor and memory to manage control signals and operative states, ensuring correct operation and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay switches are used to control power delivery to electronic control units, then power management reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay switches with a software-based monitoring and control system. The electronic device uses software to monitor operative states of electronic control units and send control signals to reset or shut down devices, eliminating the need for physical relay hardware while maintaining power management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables electronic control units to monitor their own operative states and receive automated reset commands when anomalies are detected. The software-based system provides self-diagnosis and self-correction capabilities, where the monitored device and control device work together to maintain system reliability without external intervention.
2Device complexity
If relay switches are eliminated to simplify the network, then device complexity is reduced, but power management reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electronic device continuously monitors the operative state of electronic control units through status messages. When a device fails to respond or reports an abnormal state, the monitoring system detects this feedback and automatically sends reset or shutdown commands to maintain power management reliability without mechanical relays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical relay switches with a software-based monitoring and control system. The electronic device uses software to monitor operative states of electronic control units and send control signals to reset or shut down devices, eliminating the need for physical relay hardware while maintaining power management functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If software-based solutions replace relay systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to software malfunction risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electronic device continuously monitors the operative state of electronic control units through status messages. When a device fails to respond or reports an abnormal state, the monitoring system detects this feedback and automatically sends reset or shutdown commands to maintain power management reliability without mechanical relays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables electronic control units to monitor their own operative states and receive automated reset commands when anomalies are detected. The software-based system provides self-diagnosis and self-correction capabilities, where the monitored device and control device work together to maintain system reliability without external intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a method of communication between a first electronic device operatively connected to a data communications network within a vehicle, and a second electronic device operatively connected to the data communications network, the method comprising: sending a first message between the first and second electronic devices, outputting a first control signal to cause the operative state of the first or second electronic device to be reset, in dependence on a response message not having been received within a time period equal to a predetermined time period threshold.