Adaptive Power State Control for Vehicle Computers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial vehicles like forklifts face a tradeoff between power savings and startup time due to the need for vehicle-mounted computers and peripherals to be powered off or put in a low power state when the vehicle is switched off, which can lead to battery drainage and prolonged boot-up times when restarted.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted computer system that dynamically adapts power states based on usage data and run-time patterns, using an adaptive power configuration component to anticipate future usage and adjust power configurations accordingly, ensuring efficient power management and reduced startup times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vehicle-mounted computer and peripherals are powered off when the vehicle is switched off, then power savings are achieved, but startup time increases due to system reinitialization
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the vehicle-mounted computer and peripherals based on the duration of vehicle shutdown. For short shutdown periods, the system maintains a low-power state to enable quick startup, while for long shutdown periods, the system fully powers down to conserve battery energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the power management strategy flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power state parameter (from fully on to low-power or fully off) based on the ignition signal and predicted shutdown duration. By adjusting this critical parameter according to operational context, the system optimizes both power consumption and startup time, resolving the tradeoff between these two opposing requirements.
2Loss of time
If the vehicle-mounted computer maintains full power state, then startup time is reduced, but battery drainage increases when vehicle is switched off
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the ignition signal pattern to predict whether the upcoming shutdown will be short or long duration. Based on this prediction, it proactively selects the appropriate power management strategy before the shutdown begins, ensuring optimal balance between startup time and battery conservation without requiring real-time decision-making during the actual shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system transitions from a static fixed power state to a dynamic adaptive power state that changes based on predicted shutdown duration. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain full power when quick restart is needed while conserving battery when extended shutdown is anticipated, resolving the contradiction between startup speed and power consumption.
3Loss of energy
If peripherals are put in low power state, then power consumption is reduced, but system registration and reinitialization time increases upon restart
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the power state parameter of peripherals based on the predicted shutdown duration. For short shutdowns, peripherals remain in low-power state with minimal reinitialization needed, while for long shutdowns, peripherals are fully powered down. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching the power management strategy to the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the ignition pattern to determine the appropriate power management approach before shutdown occurs. This advance preparation ensures that peripherals are placed in the optimal power state (low-power or fully off) based on expected shutdown duration, minimizing both power consumption during shutdown and reinitialization time upon restart.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a communication unit for obtaining usage data and/or run-time data associated with the computer, at least one component communicatively coupled to the computer, and/or a vehicle on which the computer is mounted and from which the computer is configured to receive power. The computer further includes a processor configured to: extrapolate out of the usage data and run-time data patterns associated with activities implemented by the computer and/or the at least one component and power states of the vehicle and create and store a profile of patterns; receive an indication that the vehicle has been toggled to one of an ON power state and an OFF power state; identify a pattern associated with the power state of the vehicle; and adapt a power state of the computer and/or the at least one component responsive to the indication and the pattern.