IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,873,022
Granted Patent B2
US 11,873,022 · App. 17/621,244 · Granted Jan 16, 2024

In-vehicle network system

Inventors: Sadahisa Yamada (Hiroshima, JP); Yoshimasa Kurokawa (Hiroshima, JP); Tetsuhiro Yamashita (Hiroshima, JP); Masaaki Shimizu (Hiroshima, JP)
Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
B62D15/02B60W50/10B60W2510/20
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,873,022
App. No.
17/621,244
Granted
Jan 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A network hub device used for building a simple network configuration in an in-vehicle network system is provided. A network hub device ( 22 ) is provided in a vehicle body and is coupled to a trunk network through which a digital control signal is transmitted. A sub hub device ( 241, 242 ) performs input/output of a signal to/from an in-vehicle device provided in a partial body assembled to the vehicle body via a movable portion. The sub hub device ( 241, 242 ) is provided in the partial body and the digital control signal is transmitted/received between the sub hub device ( 241, 242 ) and the network hub device ( 22 ) via a wire harness passing through the movable portion.

Claims (28)

1. An in-vehicle network system comprising:

a central processing: unit coupled to a trunk network;

a network hub device provided in a vehicle body and coupled to the trunk network through which a digital control signal of a first protocol is transmitted from the central processing unit to the network hub device; and

a sub hub device configured to perform input/output of a signal to/from at least one in-vehicle device provided in a partial body assembled to the vehicle body via a movable portion, wherein

the sub hub device is provided in the partial body and is configured to transmit/receive a digital control signal of a second protocol to/from the network hub device via a wire harness passing through the movable portion,

the network hub device is configured to convert the digital control signal of the first protocol received through the trunk network to the digital control signal of the second protocol and to transmit the digital control signal of the second protocol to the sub hub device, and

the network hub device is further configured to convert the digital control signal of the second protocol received from the sub hub device to the digital control signal of the first protocol and to transmit the digital control signal of the first protocol to the trunk network.

2. The in-vehicle network system of claim 1 , wherein

the partial body is a steering wheel, and

the movable portion is a clock spring.

3. The in-vehicle network system of claim 2 , wherein

the sub hub device is a steering wheel electronic control unit (ECU), and

the steering wheel ECU is configured to

receive an output of the in-vehicle device provided in the steering wheel,

convert the output to the digital control signal of the second protocol,

transmit the digital control signal of the second protocol to the network hub device,

extract control data from the digital control signal of the second protocol transmitted from the network hub device,

convert the control data to an analog control signal, and

transmit the analog control signal to the in vehicle device provided in the steering wheel.

4. The in-vehicle network system of claim 2 , wherein

the sub hub device is a tilt telescopic electronic control unit (ECU), and

the tilt telescopic ECU is configured to

receive an output of the in-vehicle device provided in the steering wheel,

convert the output to the digital control signal of the second protocol,

transmit the digital control signal of the second protocol to the network hub device,

extract control data from the digital control signal of the second protocol transmitted from the network huh device,

convert the control data to an analog control signal, and

transmit the analog control signal to the in vehicle device provided in the steering wheel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2021
From: YAMADA, SADAHISA; KUROKAWA, YOSHIMASA; YAMASHITA, TETSUHIRO; SHIMIZU, MASAAKI
To: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058442/0355 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-132545 · Jul 18, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220355861A1 · Nov 10, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,250,274