Vehicle Charging Controller With Communication Fallback Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle controllers face challenges in selecting the appropriate communication method for energy supply between vehicles equipped with both first and second communication devices and energy supply devices, particularly when the energy supply device has only the second communication device, leading to inefficiencies in energy transfer.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle controller prioritizes energy supply using the first communication device over the second, attempting communication with the energy supply device using the first device initially and switching to the second device if no response is received, with periodic checks to revert to the first device if the energy supply device recovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle controller prioritizes communication attempts using the first communication device, then communication reliability is improved, but communication time increases when the energy supply device only supports the second communication device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle controller performs a preliminary action by attempting communication with the energy supply device using the first communication device before using the second communication device. This preliminary attempt prioritizes more reliable bidirectional communication, and only if that fails does the system proceed to alternative communication methods, thus ensuring reliability while managing time efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle controller uses bidirectional communication (first communication device), then communication appropriateness is improved, but device complexity increases due to supporting multiple communication devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication appropriatenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle controller dynamically selects which communication device to use based on the capabilities of the energy supply device. Rather than statically configuring a single communication method or always using all available devices, the system adapts its communication approach in real-time, choosing the most appropriate device for each specific situation, thus improving adaptability without permanently increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle controller attempts communication with multiple communication devices, then adaptability to different energy supply devices is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to energy supply devicesVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle controller implements a staged communication approach where it first attempts communication using the first communication device (preferred bidirectional method). Only when this preliminary attempt fails does the controller proceed to try the second communication device. This preliminary action structure provides adaptability to different energy supply devices while keeping control logic relatively simple through a clear hierarchical decision process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4311717A1Vehicle controller
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4311717A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311717A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4311717A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The vehicle controller (40) is programmed to make a communication attempt from the first communication device 42) to an energy supply device when the energy supply device supplies energy to the energy storage device (22) from an external energy supply device; supply energy with communication between the first communication device (42) and the energy supply device when a response is received from the energy supply device to the communication attempt; and supply energy with communication between the second communication device (44) and the energy supply device when no response is received from the energy supply device to the communication attempt.