Controller Power Management via Abnormality Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and detecting abnormalities in sub-control units during energy-saving modes, leading to incomplete system recovery and data loss when watchdog timers timeout.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a first and second control unit, and a power supply controller, where the second control unit includes a communication interface and abnormality detector, allowing for power activation of the first control unit upon detecting abnormalities, enabling communication and system recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the first control unit is powered off in the second operation mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the system cannot detect or respond to abnormalities in the second control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third control unit as an intermediary that remains operational during the second operation mode. This third control unit can detect abnormalities in the second control unit and communicate with it, enabling abnormality detection without requiring the first control unit to remain powered on. The third control unit acts as a mediator between the powered-off first control unit and the second control unit, maintaining system reliability while preserving power savings.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the communication interface stops operating in the second operation mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but system recovery is delayed when abnormalities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the third control unit continuously monitor the second control unit even during the second operation mode. When an abnormality is detected, the third control unit can immediately initiate recovery procedures by activating the first control unit and restoring communication interface operations, thereby reducing system recovery time while maintaining power savings during normal low-activity periods.
3Reliability
If the first control unit remains powered on continuously to ensure immediate system recovery, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by dividing the control units into three separate entities with different operational roles. The first control unit can be powered off during the second operation mode, the second control unit handles specific control functions, and the third control unit remains operational for monitoring and abnormality detection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain essential monitoring capabilities while reducing overall power consumption by powering down non-essential control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a first control unit, including a first controller, to operate in a first operation mode and be powered off in a second operation mode in which a power consumption is lower than in the first operation mode; a second control unit, including a second controller, to operate in the first operation mode and the second operation mode; and a power supply controller to control power supply to the first control unit and the second control unit. The second control unit includes a communication interface to perform communication with the first control unit and stop operating in the second operation mode, an abnormality detector to detect an abnormality of the second controller, and a system controller to cause the communication interface to start an operation and the power supply controller to activate the first control unit, based on detection of the abnormality in the second operation mode.