Vehicle Program Writing Relay Device Battery Voltage Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted control device update processes are inconvenient and unstable, often requiring the vehicle to be brought to a shop, and can be interrupted by battery capacity shortages, especially when updates are performed outside of a professional mechanic's presence or during battery charging.
Innovation Solution
A program writing device with a relay device that checks battery voltage in both no-load and load-connected states before writing update programs, ensuring sufficient battery capacity and preventing updates when voltage is below reference levels, and includes display units for notifying drivers of battery conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission of update programs from external base station is used, then updating can be performed outside shop, but writing time becomes too long and battery capacity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device receives and stores update program data from the external base station in advance before the actual writing to the control device. This preliminary storage action separates the data reception phase from the writing phase, allowing the writing to be performed quickly from the pre-stored data without requiring long wireless transmission time during the critical writing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device acts as an intermediary between the external base station and the control device. It temporarily holds the update program data, enabling the control device to be updated from the relay device's storage rather than receiving data directly during the writing process, thus reducing the required writing time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If update writing is performed during battery charging, then power availability increases, but writing interruption may still occur due to insufficient battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system checks the battery voltage at two different states (no-load and load-connected) before initiating the writing process. This preliminary verification ensures that the battery has sufficient capacity to complete the writing operation, preventing interruptions during the critical writing period even when the engine is running and alternator charging is occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring battery voltage at multiple stages (no-load state and load-connected state) and using this information to determine whether to proceed with or abort the writing operation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable detection of insufficient battery capacity and prevents writing interruptions.
3Device complexity
If battery voltage check in only no-load state is performed, then checking process is simple, but accurate battery capacity assessment cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs voltage checks at two different operational states (no-load and load-connected) to assess battery capacity from multiple perspectives. The no-load check assesses open-circuit voltage while the load-connected check assesses voltage under actual operating conditions, providing a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of battery health and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs more voltage checks than the minimum single check by conducting checks in both no-load and load-connected states. This excessive action (performing additional checks) ensures accurate battery capacity assessment by examining voltage characteristics under different conditions, preventing false positives about battery sufficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a program writing device that reliably performs an updating process of data by means of a control program or the like in a safe manner and without inconveniencing the owner of a vehicle or a driver using the vehicle. The program writing device is provided with a plurality of vehicle-mounted control devices, which control the operation of apparatuses mounted in the vehicle by means of control programs, and a relay device that receives updated program data including an updated program, updated data, or the like for the vehicle-mounted devices and transmitted from an external center, and stores the result in memory, the vehicle-mounted control devices and relay device being connected via a vehicle-mounted network, wherein the relay device is provided with a battery voltage checking circuit, an unloaded and a load-connected battery voltage check are performed by the battery voltage check circuit before writing the updated program or updated data to the vehicle-mounted control devices, and writing is executed when the battery voltage when unloaded is at least a first reference voltage or when connected to a load is at least a second reference voltage, and in other cases writing is not executed.