ADAS ECU Waste-Heat Cabin Heating for Electric Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and vehicle vision systems generate significant heat due to increased processing demands, which can lead to higher energy consumption and reduced efficiency in heating vehicle cabins, especially in low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular climate control system that utilizes heat generated by electronic control units (ECUs) to partially or fully heat the cabin airflow, integrating heat dissipating features in the ECU module and HVAC system to conserve energy and reduce the need for additional heating sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heat generating electronic components are operated to process sensor data for ADAS, then data processing capability is improved, but heat generation increases and energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the ECU during data processing into a beneficial resource for cabin heating. The HVAC system captures and utilizes this waste heat to warm the cabin during cold conditions, transforming an energy loss into a useful heating source that improves overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers waste heat that would otherwise be discarded from the ECU. By integrating heat dissipation features into the HVAC system, the patent captures and reuses the thermal energy generated during ADAS operations, preventing energy waste and improving fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Temperature

If additional heating sources are used to heat the cabin in low temperatures, then cabin heating capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabin heating capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ECU serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data for ADAS operations and simultaneously acts as a heat source for cabin heating. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating elements in cold conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate cabin heating capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ECU's own waste heat is utilized to serve the heating requirement of the cabin. Instead of relying entirely on dedicated heating systems, the ECU effectively heats the cabin itself during operations, reducing the energy burden on the vehicle's primary heating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If ECU heat dissipation is increased, then thermal management is improved, but additional energy consumption for cooling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal managementVSAvoidcooling energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the need for active cooling into a beneficial heating opportunity. Instead of actively removing heat through energy-consuming cooling systems, the waste heat from the ECU is captured and used for cabin heating, improving thermal management while eliminating or reducing cooling energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces energy consumption by leveraging ECU-generated heat for cabin heating, particularly in cold conditions, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and extending battery life in electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

Heat is generated during operation of the electronic control units and data processors that process data captured by cameras or sensors of the sensing systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

heat generated at the ECU module is dissipated from the ECU module and heats the heating airflow provided to the cabin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20240116332A1Vehicular in-cabin heating system using ADAS ecu

Publication Date: 2024.04.11 MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A vehicular climate control system includes an airflow source operable to provide airflow within an interior cabin of a vehicle. An electronic control unit module (ECU module) is disposed at the vehicle and includes a heat-generating electronic component that, when the ECU module is electrically operated, generates heat at the ECU module. When the ECU module is electrically operated and the heat-generating electronic component of the ECU module generates heat at the ECU module and when the vehicular climate control system operates the airflow source to provide the airflow within the interior cabin of the vehicle, heat generated at the ECU module is dissipated from the ECU module and heats the airflow provided within the interior cabin of the vehicle.