Vehicle Program Update Device Charging Time Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large program updates in vehicles can be interrupted due to the start of driving, as they require significant time and cannot determine when the vehicle will be driven again, especially when the vehicle is charging.
Innovation Solution
A program update device that acquires both the charging time and the total rewrite time, compares these to determine which programs can be updated within the charging time, and locks the charging connector to prevent interruption, allowing updates to be completed while the vehicle is charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the program update is performed when the vehicle is stopped for charging, then the update can be completed without interruption, but the charging time may be insufficient for large program updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the program update process into multiple parts corresponding to different ECUs. When the charging time is insufficient for all updates, the system selectively updates only certain ECUs whose update size fits within the available charging time, ensuring reliable completion while utilizing the limited charging window effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the subset of program updates that can be completed within the available charging time. The comparison unit determines which ECUs can be updated based on the charging time versus total update time, and only those updates are executed, ensuring the update process completes reliably without being interrupted by charging termination.
2Productivity
If the program update is performed without knowing when the user will start driving, then the update process may be interrupted by the start of driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by acquiring the charging time in advance before starting the update process. The comparison unit uses this pre-acquired charging time information to determine which program updates can be safely performed, ensuring that updates are only initiated when the charging duration is sufficient for reliable completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the charging time acquisition to control the update process. By continuously monitoring the charging time and comparing it with the required update time, the system adjusts which ECUs are selected for updates, ensuring that the update process completes reliably before charging ends.
3Ease of operation
If the charging connector is left unlocked during update, then the user can remove the connector, but the update process will be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by locking the charging connector before the update process begins and maintaining it locked throughout the update. This preventive measure ensures that the connector cannot be accidentally removed during the update, eliminating the risk of interruption while still allowing user access before and after the update completes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A program update device 1 that is provided in a vehicle in which a battery can be charged from the outside and updates a software program used in the vehicle includes a charging time acquiring unit 14 that acquires the charging time of the battery, an update time acquiring unit 15 that acquires the time required to update the program, a comparison unit 16 that compares the charging time acquired by the charging time acquiring unit 14 and the program update time acquired by the update time acquiring unit 15, and an update unit 20 that updates the program on the basis of the comparison result of the comparison unit 16. According to this structure, it is possible to appropriately determine a program which can be updated within the battery charging time and reliably update the program while the vehicle is being charged.