Electronic Controller Sleep Transition for In-Vehicle Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle communication systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly when multiple control devices are switched on and off.

Innovation Solution

An electronic controller is designed to receive power via a power switch controlled by a power supply controller, which selectively switches between connected and disconnected states. The controller includes an end notification unit and a sleep transition unit to manage power consumption by transitioning to a sleep mode when certain conditions are met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic controller continuously monitors communication frames to detect malfunctions, then the reliability of power switch control is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power switch controlVSAvoidpower consumption of electronic controller

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic controller dynamically transitions between wake-up mode and sleep mode based on communication frame reception status. During normal operation, the controller monitors communication frames to detect malfunctions. When no communication frames are received within a predetermined period, the controller automatically enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption, and wakes up upon receiving a communication frame. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction by adapting the monitoring behavior to actual system needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic communication frame transmission to maintain system awareness while enabling power savings. The power supply controller periodically transmits communication frames even when the electronic controller is in sleep mode, allowing the controller to detect system status without continuous monitoring. This periodic action reduces power consumption while maintaining sufficient reliability for detecting malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic controller enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then the power usage is reduced, but the response time to detect malfunctions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of electronic controllerVSAvoidresponse time to detect malfunctions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply controller proactively transmits communication frames at predetermined intervals even when the electronic controller is in sleep mode. This preliminary action ensures that the electronic controller can detect system status changes and wake up promptly when needed, reducing the effective response time while maintaining power savings during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the power supply controller monitors whether communication frames are being received by the electronic controller. When the electronic controller fails to receive communication frames within a predetermined period, it triggers a wake-up event, creating a feedback loop that ensures timely detection of malfunctions while minimizing unnecessary wake-ups to maintain low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the electronic controller continuously operates in wake-up mode, then the response speed to system events is improved, but the overall power consumption of the communication system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed of electronic controllerVSAvoidpower consumption of communication system

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic controller dynamically adjusts its operational state between wake-up mode and sleep mode based on system conditions. During active communication periods, the controller operates in wake-up mode to ensure fast response to system events. During idle periods, the controller transitions to sleep mode to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing fast response when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply controller maintains continuous system monitoring by periodically transmitting communication frames even when the electronic controller is in sleep mode. This continuous useful action ensures that the system can quickly resume normal operation when events occur, while the electronic controller remains in low-power state during idle periods, reducing overall system power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250174993A1Electronic controller and communication system

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An electronic controller receives power from a power source through a power switch. The electronic controller includes an end notification unit and a sleep transition unit. The end notification unit transmits an end notification to a power supply controller when a predetermined disconnection condition is met. The predetermined disconnection condition indicates the power switch connected to the electronic controller is allowed to switch to a disconnected state. The sleep transition unit puts the electronic controller into a sleep mode when the sleep transition unit does not receive the communication frame from any one of communication devices connected to the electronic controller for a predetermined reception determination period after the disconnection condition was met.