Vehicle Software Update Control With Battery Temperature Margins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software update processes for electronic control units in vehicles using lead batteries are prone to power failures due to temperature dependence, leading to incomplete updates and potential vehicle startability issues when battery temperature is low.
Innovation Solution
A control device that monitors both the power storage amount and temperature of the auxiliary battery, ensuring the software update process is executed only after the battery's storage amount is sufficient and its temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, set based on expected temperature variation during the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the update process is started based only on power storage amount determination when battery temperature is low, then the update process can be executed, but power supply interruption may occur during the update process leading to incomplete updates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary temperature assessment before permitting the update process. When the battery temperature is below the second temperature threshold, the system predicts the temperature at update completion using temperature variation data, and only permits updates if the predicted temperature will remain above the first temperature threshold. This preliminary action prevents power supply interruptions by ensuring adequate power availability throughout the entire update process.
2Productivity
If the update process is executed when battery temperature is low, then the update can be performed, but there may be insufficient power remaining to start the vehicle after update completion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature and power assessment before initiating updates. By predicting the battery temperature at update completion and comparing it against the first temperature threshold, the system ensures that sufficient power will remain after the update to guarantee vehicle startability, preventing operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors battery temperature during the update process and uses temperature variation data to predict the temperature at update completion. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about whether to permit or cancel the update process, ensuring that vehicle startability is maintained while still enabling updates when conditions are favorable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature threshold for update permission is set low, then more update opportunities are available, but the risk of power failure and incomplete updates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a two-threshold temperature assessment mechanism that performs preliminary safety verification before permitting updates. The first temperature threshold (higher) ensures safe operating conditions during the update, while the second temperature threshold (lower) expands update opportunities. By predicting temperature evolution and verifying that the predicted completion temperature exceeds the first threshold, the system maintains high update availability while ensuring completion reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes: a monitoring unit that monitors a storage amount and a temperature of a battery that supplies electric power for executing a software update process; a determination unit that determines whether or not the storage amount of the battery is equal to or greater than the first storage amount and whether or not the temperature of the battery is equal to or greater than the first temperature; and a control unit that, when the temperature of the battery at the time of starting the vehicle is less than the second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, performs control for executing the update process when the determination unit determines that the storage amount of the battery is equal to or greater than the first storage amount and the temperature of the battery is equal to or greater than the first temperature after the vehicle finishes traveling.