Vehicle Electronic Control via Battery Voltage State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling electronic devices in vehicles, such as volatile emitting devices, often result in unwanted battery drain and premature volatile depletion due to inability to accurately determine the vehicle's operational state, with vibration sensors being costly and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A method using a battery sensor to detect and analyze vehicle battery voltage, applying thresholds and load tests to determine the vehicle's operational state, allowing for controlled operation of electronic devices based on whether the vehicle is on or off.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration sensors are used to determine vehicle operational state, then device control capability is improved, but device cost and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle state detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical vibration sensors with an electrical system that measures battery voltage and current to determine vehicle operational state. The controller monitors electrical parameters from the battery to infer whether the vehicle is on or off, substituting mechanical sensing with electrical measurement and logical analysis of power flow patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If electronic devices continue to draw power after vehicle shutdown, then device operation is maintained, but battery drain and vehicle incapacitation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation durationVSAvoidbattery drain

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery voltage and current to detect vehicle operational state changes. When the controller determines the vehicle has shut down based on electrical parameter analysis, it automatically adjusts device power consumption accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents energy loss while maintaining operation during valid use periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making device power consumption adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time detection of vehicle state through electrical parameter monitoring, transitioning between active operation and power-saving modes to optimize energy utilization and prevent battery drain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3720513B1Electronic devices for use in a vehicle and methods of operating the same

Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SC JOHNSON & SON INC

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AI summary

An electronic device for use in a vehicle and method for controlling the same are provided. The device includes a battery sensor configured to detect a battery voltage when connected to a vehicle's battery, and a processor in communication with the battery sensor. The processor is configured to monitor the battery voltage of a vehicle's battery using the battery sensor and identify at least one transition in the battery voltage. The processor is also configured to determine an operational state of the vehicle based on the transition and the battery voltage, and control the electronic device in accordance with the operational state of the vehicle.