Vehicle ECU Power-State Control for Battery-Safe Reactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle components continue to draw power from the battery when the vehicle is deactivated, potentially depleting the battery charge below the minimum required for reactivation, as some components do not enter a low-power mode and drain energy quickly, such as interior lights.
Innovation Solution
A computer system within the vehicle monitors power consumption levels of electronic control units and vehicle components, identifies those exceeding a threshold, and requests user input to deactivate them via a user device, ensuring the battery charge remains above the reactivation threshold by transitioning components to a low-power mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle components remain activated when the vehicle is deactivated, then components can respond quickly when the vehicle is reactivated, but the battery charge is depleted below the minimum required for reactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of electronic control units based on real-time battery charge levels and predicted vehicle reactivation timing. When battery charge falls below a threshold, the system transitions ECUs from active to low-power mode, creating a dynamic adaptation to changing energy conditions while maintaining reactivation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of electronic control units from full-power mode to low-power mode based on battery charge parameters. This parameter change allows ECUs to maintain functionality while consuming reduced power, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reactivation capability and preventing battery depletion.
2Use of energy by moving object
If components enter low-power mode when the vehicle is deactivated, then battery charge is preserved, but components may not respond quickly when the vehicle is reactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying ECUs of upcoming vehicle reactivation before it occurs. This allows ECUs to prepare for quick response by exiting low-power mode in advance, thus maintaining both battery conservation and fast response time when the vehicle is reactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of battery charge levels and periodic communication with ECUs about power state transitions. This periodic action ensures that ECUs are appropriately managed between active and low-power states, balancing energy conservation with response readiness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system monitors and manages power consumption of multiple electronic control units, then battery charge is preserved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is integrated into the existing vehicle network infrastructure, using the same communication protocols and control mechanisms already present in the vehicle. This universal approach allows the system to manage multiple ECUs without adding significant complexity, as it leverages existing multi-functional vehicle electronics architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a message sent by a first electronic control unit of a deactivated vehicle via a vehicle network of the deactivated vehicle, the message including a power consumption level indicating a rate of power consumption currently used by the first electronic control unit, send a second message to a user device when the power consumption level of the first electronic control unit exceeds a threshold, the second message including a request to deactivate the first electronic control unit, and deactivate the first electronic control unit upon receiving, in response to the request, user input to deactivate the first electronic control unit.