In-Vehicle Device Startup Control for DC-DC Converter Lifespan

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle monitoring systems do not effectively manage the lifespan of in-vehicle devices, particularly the DC-DC converter, which degrades with frequent startups, leading to accelerated wear and reduced device lifespan when monitoring requests are allowed without limits.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that controls the startup of in-vehicle devices based on the number of requests received within a predetermined period, restricting startup processes when the request number exceeds a threshold to prevent excessive degradation, and proposes contract adjustments for data acquisition and communication limits to users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the startup process of in-vehicle devices is executed for every view request, then the user can access captured data freely, but the DC-DC converter and in-vehicle devices experience accelerated degradation due to frequent startups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to captured dataVSAvoidlifespan of DC-DC converter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the startup threshold based on the accumulated startup count of the DC-DC converter. When the converter has been started up fewer times (below threshold), view requests are permitted. When the converter has been started up many times (at or above threshold), view requests are restricted. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible in balancing user access needs against device lifespan preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the DC-DC converter by monitoring its startup count and adjusting the threshold for permitting view requests. The threshold acts as a controllable parameter that determines when to allow or restrict operations. By changing this parameter based on the converter's usage history, the system optimizes both data accessibility and converter reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the startup process is restricted when request number exceeds threshold, then device lifespan is extended, but user access to captured data is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifespan of in-vehicle devicesVSAvoidaccess to captured data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the startup threshold based on the accumulated startup count of the DC-DC converter. When the converter has been started up fewer times (below threshold), view requests are permitted. When the converter has been started up many times (at or above threshold), view requests are restricted. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible in balancing user access needs against device lifespan preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a preventive measure by setting a threshold on the accumulated startup count before the converter reaches its end of life. This threshold acts as a cushion that prevents excessive wear and tear on the converter. By proactively limiting view requests when the threshold is reached, the system protects the converter from further degradation, ensuring longer device lifespan at the cost of occasional access restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the threshold is set to a smaller value, then device degradation is minimized, but user access flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoidaccess flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the startup threshold based on the accumulated startup count of the DC-DC converter. When the converter has been started up fewer times (below threshold), view requests are permitted. When the converter has been started up many times (at or above threshold), view requests are restricted. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible in balancing user access needs against device lifespan preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by setting a threshold on the accumulated startup count before the converter reaches its end of life. This threshold is established in advance to prevent excessive wear and tear. By proactively limiting view requests when the threshold is reached, the system protects the converter from further degradation, ensuring longer device lifespan at the cost of occasional access restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240300424A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and in-vehicle apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to execute a startup process of one or multiple in-vehicle devices used to send captured data when a driving system of a first vehicle is not up, a view request is received from a user, and a request number is smaller than a first threshold, and not execute the startup process of the one or multiple in-vehicle devices when the driving system of the first vehicle is not up, the view request is received from the user, and the request number is larger than or equal to the first threshold. The view request is a request to send the captured data captured by an onboard camera of the first vehicle to a predetermined apparatus. The request number is a number that the view request is received from the user in a predetermined period.