Vehicle electronic control apparatus

US5670845A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited · GB

Inventors

• Philip J. Grant · Marshall, US
• Michael Becker · Knittlingen, DE
• David Brassington · Crewe, US
• Philip Samuel Butler · Crewe, US
• Steven Graham Hutson · Grafton, GB
• Nicholas Jonathan Fullalove · Grafton, GB
• Leslie Douglas Preston · Crewe, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 3, 1995
• Grant date: Sep 23, 1997
• Expiry date: Aug 3, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2016/0322
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling the electrical functions in a plurality of different locations of a vehicle comprises a plurality of electrical control units connected to a data bus (23) and distributed throughout the vehicle. All control units are identical and all are programmed to carry out all the electrical functions of the vehicle. Each unit incorporates means to detect the resistance at the point at which it is connected into the circuitry and to compare that resistance with the stored table of resistance and to select on the basis of that comparison the program for operation appropriate to the particular location in which the unit is disposed. In this way only one unit needs to be certified and units may be switched from location to location to provide a "get you home" service should one of the units fail in a particularly critical location.