Electric Vehicle Charging Management Computer Sleep Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric and hybrid vehicles face challenges in efficiently putting their computers to sleep when the charging process is incomplete or malfunctioning, leading to potential battery discharge due to ongoing consumer usage, which can prevent the vehicle from entering a low-power state necessary for battery conservation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that monitor voltage or current values on the charging device, determine the end of charge by predetermined thresholds, and deactivate the management computer if no 'falling asleep' message is detected, using a switch to disconnect power and allow the vehicle to enter a low-power state without user interference, ensuring the service battery is conserved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the vehicle enters sleep mode to conserve service battery, then energy conservation is improved, but the system cannot detect charging completion or malfunctions properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice battery dischargeVSAvoidcharging process monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of charging parameters (voltage, current) before entering sleep mode. The management computer tracks charging state in advance and determines charging completion based on predetermined thresholds, ensuring reliable detection before transitioning to low-power state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management computer acts as an intermediary between the charging device and the main vehicle computer. It monitors charging parameters independently and can determine charging completion or malfunctions, then communicates this information to the main computer, enabling the vehicle to enter sleep mode with confidence that charging status has been properly assessed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the management computer remains active to monitor charging, then charging completion detection is improved, but service battery energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging completion detectionVSAvoidservice battery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The management computer performs periodic monitoring of charging parameters at specific intervals during the charging process. It checks voltage and current values against predetermined thresholds at defined moments, rather than continuous monitoring, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining accurate charging completion detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The management computer performs preliminary assessments of charging status using predetermined thresholds for voltage and current. By evaluating charging completion criteria in advance based on these thresholds, the system can determine when monitoring can be stopped and the vehicle can safely enter sleep mode, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the vehicle falls asleep during charging, then energy conservation is improved, but charging completion or malfunctions may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice battery conservationVSAvoidcharging malfunction undetected
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The management computer serves as an intermediary that independently monitors charging parameters and determines charging completion or malfunctions. It communicates this determination to the main vehicle computer, which then decides whether to enter sleep mode. This ensures that charging status is properly assessed before transitioning to low-power state, preventing missed detection of charging completion or malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the management computer continuously monitors charging parameters and provides feedback on charging status. Based on this feedback regarding voltage, current, and charging state, the system determines whether charging is complete or if a malfunction has occurred, and only then transitions to sleep mode, ensuring no harmful charging states are missed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3079939B1Method and system for placing into a sleep state an at least partially electric propelled vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 RENAULT SA
  • EP3079939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3079939B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for placing an electric or hybrid vehicle fitted with a device for charging a traction battery in sleep mode, following an activation (E1) of the charging device, said method comprising receiving (E2) a measurement of a voltage or current value made on said charging device, and further comprising: monitoring (E3) messages passing through a communication bus of said vehicle, determining (E4) an end-of-charge when said value is lower than a predefined threshold for a predefined period, and deactivating (E5) a computer managing the charging device following the determination of an end-of-charge when no sleep message has been detected coming from a main computer of the vehicle.