Gateway Module ECU Energy Consumption Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles face challenges in identifying the source of battery drain when in a key-off state due to unmonitored electronic control unit activity, leading to potential engine starting issues.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a controller area network (CAN) with gateway modules and electronic control units (ECUs) that collect and store time-stamped energy activation data and battery consumption measurements, correlating this data to identify which ECU is draining the battery, and alerts the user when excessive energy consumption is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If ECUs remain in sleep mode during off state to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect battery drain sources is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy consumptionVSAvoidbattery drain detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments ECU monitoring into two modes: wake-up mode where individual ECUs can be activated individually to detect specific battery drain sources, and sleep mode where all ECUs remain inactive to conserve battery energy. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both energy conservation and reliable detection capability at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively detecting and identifying battery drain sources while the vehicle is still in off state, before significant energy loss occurs. The gateway module is pre-configured to receive and process ECU activation data, enabling early detection and alerting the user before the battery is fully depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If ECUs are activated to monitor battery consumption, then battery drain detection is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery drain detection accuracyVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic action by activating ECUs only when needed for detection purposes. The gateway module can selectively wake up specific ECUs based on detection requirements, and ECUs remain in sleep mode otherwise. This periodic activation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the gateway module remains active to collect data, then detection capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system availabilityVSAvoidgateway module energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway module dynamically adjusts its operational state based on system requirements. It can transition between active and sleep modes, and selectively activate communication with specific ECUs only when detection is needed. This dynamic behavior allows the gateway to maintain detection capability when required while minimizing energy consumption during normal off-state periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11396246B2Energy-consumption detection of vehicles in an off state

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Method and apparatus are disclosed for energy-consumption detection of vehicles in an off state. An example vehicle includes a controller area network (CAN) including CAN buses, a gateway module, and electronic control units (ECUs) that are each connected to one of the CAN buses. Upon activating while the vehicle is in an off state, a first of the ECUs sends a message via a corresponding one of the CAN buses to activate the gateway module. The message includes activation data and the gateway module stores the activation data.