Virtual Switch Failover for Zonal Vehicle Actuator Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle control systems face instability due to hardware device failures, such as sensor or switch malfunctions, leading to inadequate service execution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus with a first and second signal processing device, each equipped with processors and memories, capable of executing virtual switch or sensor services to manage actuator control via processors that can execute replacement services and store data from external sources, ensuring stable operation even in hardware failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hardware switches and sensors are used for vehicle control, then the control system can operate with simple architecture, but the system reliability deteriorates when hardware devices fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of hardware switches and sensors as software services. When a hardware device fails, the corresponding virtual service continues to function, providing backup control capability. The virtual switch service replicates the functionality of physical switches, allowing the system to maintain operation without hardware dependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes virtual service backups before hardware failures occur. The virtual switch and sensor services are ready to take over immediately when hardware devices fail, providing advance protection against control instability. This proactive approach ensures continuous vehicle control without interruption.
2Reliability
If virtual switch services are executed to replace hardware switches, then the system reliability improves during hardware failures, but the device complexity increases due to additional software layers
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing device performs multiple functions: it processes signals from hardware switches when available, executes virtual switch services when hardware fails, and manages actuator control. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single versatile platform, reducing overall system complexity despite adding software layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects hardware failures and switches to virtual service execution without external intervention. The processor autonomously manages the transition between hardware and software-based control, eliminating the need for manual system reconfiguration or complex control logic for failover scenarios.
3Loss of time
If rapid replacement service execution is implemented, then the response time to hardware failures decreases, but the processing load on the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes virtual switch services selectively based on hardware failure detection. Rather than continuously running all virtual services, the processor activates virtual service execution only when and where needed (i.e., when hardware failures occur), reducing unnecessary processing load and energy consumption while maintaining rapid response capability for actual failures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first signal processing device including a first processor and a first memory; a second signal processing device electrically connected to the first signal processing device and including a second processor and a second memory; and a control device electrically connected to the second signal processing device and configured to receive a signal from a hardware switch or a sensor or to control at least one actuator, wherein the first or second processor is configured to: in response to a failure of the hardware switch, execute a virtual switch service and output a virtual switch object corresponding to the virtual switch service to a display which is electrically connected; and in response to the virtual switch object being selected, control a controller to output a turn-on signal, a turn-off signal, or an operation control signal to the actuator. Accordingly, a replacement service can be rapidly executed in response to the failure of the hardware device connected to the controller.