Vehicle Sensor Control with State-Dependent Master Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems cannot dynamically switch the control device that manages a sensor according to the vehicle's state, limiting adaptability and efficiency in controlling sensors mounted on vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system comprising a sensor and two controllers connected via signal lines, where one controller serves as a master and the other as a slave, allowing the master to be switched based on the vehicle's state, enabling the sensor to operate under different control signals depending on the vehicle's state, such as when the ignition is on or off, or in different operational modes like automatic parking or driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one controller always serves as master and the other as slave, then the control structure is simple and stable, but the system cannot adapt to different vehicle states and loses operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic master-slave switching between controllers based on vehicle states. The first controller serves as master when the vehicle is stationary, while the second controller becomes master when the vehicle is moving. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions without requiring a completely complex control architecture, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both controllers can control the sensor simultaneously, then the system is highly flexible, but signal conflicts occur and control reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where controllers monitor vehicle state information and adjust their control roles accordingly. The controllers exchange status information and coordinate their master-slave assignments based on real-time vehicle conditions, preventing simultaneous control attempts and signal conflicts while maintaining system flexibility through state-dependent role assignment.
3Productivity
If the master controller switches based on vehicle state, then operational efficiency improves, but the communication protocol and control logic become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes predetermined switching criteria and protocols for master-controller selection based on vehicle states. The control logic is pre-configured to automatically transition between controllers according to defined conditions (stationary vs. moving states), eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making algorithms and simplifying the overall control logic while maintaining high operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes: a sensor; a first controller configured to output a first control signal for controlling the sensor via the first signal line; and a second controller configured to output a second control signal for controlling the sensor via the first signal line and the second signal line, wherein the sensor is configured to operate according to the first control signal output from the first controller via the first signal line when a vehicle state that indicates a state of a vehicle is a first state, and operate according to the second control signal output from the second controller via the first signal line and the second signal line when the vehicle state is a second state.