EV Preliminary Air Conditioning via Door Lock Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preliminary air conditioning systems for motor vehicles, which rely on timers to initiate cooling or heating before a passenger enters, may fail to function appropriately if the vehicle is not used according to schedule, leading to inconsistent cabin temperature adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a communication device to interact with the vehicle's air conditioner and battery charger, a detector for door locking or preparation, and a controller to activate the air conditioner based on detected user activities or scheduled settings, ensuring reliable preliminary air conditioning regardless of the vehicle's usage schedule, with automatic switching between heating and cooling modes based on ambient temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a timer-based system is used to initiate preliminary air conditioning, then the system can operate automatically according to a preset schedule, but the preliminary air conditioning cannot be carried out appropriately if the motor vehicle is not used on schedule
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a door locking detector to sense when the building door is locked, providing feedback about the user's actual departure time. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to adjust the preliminary air conditioning timing dynamically, ensuring it operates reliably regardless of schedule changes while maintaining automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static timer-based approach to a dynamic approach where the preliminary air conditioning timing is adjusted in real-time based on detected door locking events. This dynamic adaptation ensures the system remains reliable even when vehicle usage schedules change unexpectedly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioner is activated based on detected door locking, then the system adapts to actual usage patterns, but the system complexity increases with additional detectors and communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking detector serves multiple functions: it detects when the user is leaving the building to trigger preliminary air conditioning, and it also provides timing information for optimizing battery charging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors and minimizes overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing building infrastructure (door locking mechanism) for detection purposes rather than requiring completely new sensing systems. By leveraging already-present components, the system achieves adaptability with minimal added complexity.
3Reliability
If battery charging is performed simultaneously with preliminary air conditioning, then the battery is charged before departure, but the power consumption from the building increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs battery charging in advance during periods when building power consumption is lower or electricity rates are more favorable, rather than charging at the last moment. This preliminary charging action ensures the battery is ready for departure while managing the building's power consumption profile more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging cycles rather than continuous charging, adjusting the charging schedule based on predicted departure times and building power availability. This periodic approach balances battery charge readiness with optimized power consumption from the building.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging start time and preliminary air conditioning time are calculated based on the departure time that is set with a control/operation device (S108), and the charging time and preliminary air conditioning time are set (S 110). Then, a control is executed to start charging when at the charging start time (SI 12 to 116) and preliminary air conditioning may be started when the amount of charge is sufficient for preliminary air conditioning and a preliminary air conditioning starting trigger is detected, that is locking or preparation for leaving house is detected, for example (S118 to 128).