12V Battery Charging Control via LIN Without CAN Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrified vehicle control systems inefficiently monitor and charge 12V batteries, leading to excessive power drain and potential battery health issues due to frequent waking up of the controller area network (CAN) and associated electronic control units (ECUs), and alternative solutions like Li-ion batteries with separate controllers increase costs and weight.

Innovation Solution

Implementing intelligent battery sensors (IBS) connected to a supervisory controller via a preexisting LIN bus, allowing periodic measurement of 12V battery parameters without waking up the CAN and ECUs, thereby controlling charging efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional CAN-based monitoring is used to monitor 12V battery system, then monitoring coverage is comprehensive, but power drain is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidpower drain

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring function by separating the 12V battery monitoring task from the main CAN network. A dedicated LIN bus is created specifically for battery sensor communication, isolating this low-power monitoring function from the higher-power CAN network. This allows the supervisory controller to monitor battery parameters through the low-power LIN bus without requiring full CAN network activation, thereby reducing power drain while maintaining monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If ECUs are frequently woken up to monitor 12V battery, then monitoring responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a LIN bus as an intermediary communication channel between the battery sensors and the supervisory controller. This LIN bus allows the supervisory controller to query battery status without activating the full CAN network and associated ECUs. The LIN bus acts as a low-power intermediary that maintains monitoring responsiveness while avoiding the high power consumption of frequent ECU wake-ups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If separate controller is added to 12V battery system, then battery control precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the supervisory controller multi-functional by enabling it to perform both CAN network management and LIN bus-based battery monitoring functions. Instead of adding a dedicated battery controller, the existing supervisory controller is enhanced with LIN bus communication capabilities, allowing it to handle multiple functions including powertrain control, CAN network supervision, and 12V battery monitoring. This reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If Li-ion batteries with separate controllers are used, then battery performance is improved, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cost-effective and lightweight LIN bus communication infrastructure instead of expensive Li-ion battery systems with complex controllers. The LIN bus protocol and associated communication hardware are significantly cheaper and lighter than Li-ion battery management systems, while still providing adequate performance for 12V battery monitoring and control applications in electrified vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS20250269762A1Optimized design for low voltage charging for electrified vehicles

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A low voltage battery charging control system for an electrified vehicle includes a supervisory controller configured to control a powertrain of the electrified vehicle and connected to a plurality of other electronic control units (ECUs) of the electrified vehicle via a controller area network (CAN), a first intelligent battery sensor (IBS) configured to generate a first set of measurements indicative of a first set of parameters, respectively, of a first low voltage battery system of the electrified vehicle, and a local interconnect network (LIN) bus connecting the supervisory controller and the first IBS, wherein the supervisory controller is configured to receive the first set of measurements from the first IBS via the LIN bus and control charging of the first low voltage battery system without waking up the CAN and the plurality of ECUs connected thereto and thereby avoiding any electrical power drain associated therewith.