Vehicle Control Partition Switching for OTA Updates During Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle software updates using over-the-air technology inconvenience users due to the vehicle being unavailable for use during the update process.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that partitions the vehicle control system into an active main system partition and an inactive backup system partition, allowing software updates to be performed on the backup partition while the vehicle is in use, with switching to the active state when parked, utilizing breakpoint information for seamless transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If software update is performed on the vehicle control system using over-the-air technology, then the system software can be updated remotely, but the vehicle becomes inconvenient to use during the update process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware update capabilityVSAvoidvehicle usability during update
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle control system is divided into multiple partitions (first partition and second partition). While one partition is being updated with new software, the other partition remains active and operational. This segmentation allows the update process to proceed without affecting vehicle usability, as the system can switch between partitions seamlessly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If the vehicle control system is flashed during travel, then the update can be performed without parking the vehicle, but system stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate timeVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and preparing update files in advance during vehicle operation. The breakpoint information is recorded and processed beforehand, allowing the actual flashing operation to be completed quickly and safely when the vehicle is parked, thus maintaining both time efficiency and system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains a backup partition with the current stable software version as a safety cushion. If the update process encounters issues or fails, the system can revert to the backup partition, ensuring system reliability is not compromised during the update process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the entire system partition is updated at once, then the update is simple to implement, but the vehicle must be unavailable for the entire duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate process complexityVSAvoidvehicle availability during update
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system partitions the vehicle control software into multiple independent sections (first partition and second partition). Updates are applied to one partition at a time while the other remains operational. This segmentation reduces the complexity of coordinating a complete system shutdown and allows incremental updates without fully taking the vehicle offline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of updating the entire system partition at once, the system performs partial updates on individual partitions. This allows the update process to be completed in stages, with each stage taking less time and requiring less vehicle unavailability, thereby improving overall ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4703871A1Flashing method and apparatus for vehicle system, and electronic device, vehicle and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ZHEJIANG ZEEKR INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
  • EP4703871A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703871A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703871A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present application provides a flashing method and apparatus for a vehicle system, an electronic device, a vehicle, and a storage medium. The method includes: when a vehicle is in a traveling state, reading partition information of a vehicle control unit; determining a main system partition and a backup system partition of the vehicle control unit according to the partition information; accessing the backup system partition to obtain breakpoint information, where the breakpoint information represents a breakpoint position of the backup system partition during travel flashing, and file information used for the travel flashing; performing a travel flashing processing on the backup system partition according to the breakpoint position and the file information to obtain a target backup system partition; when the vehicle is in a parking state, switching the state of the main system partition to an inactive state, and switching the state of the target backup system partition to an active state. The method of the present application improves the convenience of use of the vehicle during system updating and upgrading.