Wireless Vehicle Network Architecture for Flexible Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wired networking architectures in vehicles are rigid and inflexible, limiting the variety of functional controls that can be provided, especially for high-end cars with complex functionalities, and lack reliability and accessibility in areas with mechanical movement.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network architecture that allows isolated wired structures to be networked together wirelessly, using a central Electronic Control Unit with a radio interface and microcontrollers as gateways for protocol translation, enabling reconfigurable steering wheel pushbuttons and communication between various sensors and actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired network architecture is used in vehicles, then reliability and structural stability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability of functional controls deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired network architecture with a wireless network architecture. The wireless communication system eliminates physical wire connections between steering wheel pushbuttons and control units, allowing flexible reconfiguration of functional controls without being constrained by fixed wiring paths. This substitution maintains reliability through robust wireless protocols while dramatically improving adaptability and versatility of control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability in the network architecture, allowing control functions to be changed and assigned in real-time through software configuration rather than being fixed by hardware wiring. The wireless network enables dynamic assignment of pushbutton functions to different control units and parameters, making the system adaptable to various driving conditions and user preferences.
2Manufacturing precision
If wired network architecture is used in vehicles, then manufacturing precision and installation stability are improved, but ease of deployment and modification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex wire routing and physical connections by implementing a wireless communication system. This removes the demanding manufacturing precision requirements for wire placement, connector alignment, and shielding that characterize wired automotive networks. The wireless approach allows for much easier deployment and modification of network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the physical wiring infrastructure from the network architecture. By taking out the wires, connectors, and associated installation complexity, the system achieves dramatically improved ease of manufacture and deployment while maintaining network functionality through wireless communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless network architecture is used in vehicles, then flexibility and ease of deployment are improved, but reliability and accessibility in mechanical movement areas deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the steering wheel pushbuttons and control units, eliminating the need for physical wire connections to moving parts. This intermediary wireless link provides flexibility and ease of deployment while maintaining reliability by using robust communication protocols that can handle the dynamic environment of vehicle operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network arrangement for a vehicle includes an electronic controller disposed within the vehicle. A plurality of wireless electronic components are disposed within the vehicle and are wirelessly communicatively coupled to the electronic controller. The components are networked together wirelessly such that members of any subgroup of the components can wirelessly communicate with each other.