LIN Preconditioning Module for Vehicle Battery Strain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle pre-conditioning systems lack flexibility and are not easily adaptable for use in non-electric vehicles, as they often require programming in advance and can strain vehicle batteries due to extensive CAN network communication, making it difficult to offer preheating functions in after-sales services.
Innovation Solution
A pre-conditioning system utilizing a LIN network architecture, where an electronic control module in the passenger compartment can receive wireless instructions and control components within the LIN network, allowing for flexible operation and reducing battery strain by only activating necessary components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telematics unit establishes CAN communication with the vehicle's CAN network to enable remote pre-conditioning control, then the user can launch pre-conditioning remotely regardless of location, but this causes awakening of all CAN-connected components leading to high current draw that strongly impacts the vehicle battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the vehicle's communication network into two distinct parts: a LIN sub-network for pre-conditioning functions and the main CAN network for other vehicle functions. The telematics unit establishes LIN communication specifically with pre-conditioning components (heating, air conditioning, mirrors, seats) rather than connecting to the entire CAN network. This segmentation allows remote pre-conditioning control to be achieved while avoiding awakening of unnecessary CAN-connected components, thereby reducing battery current draw.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telematics unit establishes CAN communication with the vehicle's CAN network to enable remote pre-conditioning control, then pre-conditioning functionality can be offered on production vehicles, but it requires intervention on numerous CAN network components making after-sales service difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a separate LIN communication bus dedicated to pre-conditioning functions, independent from the main CAN network. This allows the pre-conditioning system to be added as a standalone module without modifying existing CAN network components. The LIN bus connects only to relevant pre-conditioning components (climate control, mirrors, seats), making the system easy to install in after-sales service without requiring intervention on numerous CAN network components.
Solution Approach 2:
The LIN bus architecture provides a universal communication interface that can connect to various pre-conditioning components across different vehicle models and manufacturers. The system can interface with heating, air conditioning, mirror adjustment, and seat heating components through the standardized LIN protocol, making the pre-conditioning functionality broadly adaptable without requiring model-specific CAN network modifications.
3Reliability
If an on-board timer is used for pre-heating control, then the system can automatically defrost and demist windows before user entry, but it lacks flexibility as it requires programming in advance without considering delays or climatic condition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the telematics unit receives real-time information about vehicle location, external temperature, and user schedule from mobile communication networks. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts pre-conditioning timing and duration. For example, if the vehicle is located in a garage versus outdoors, or if the external temperature is extremely low, the system modifies the pre-heating parameters accordingly, providing both reliability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-conditioning system transitions from static timer-based control to dynamic control that adapts to changing conditions. The system continuously monitors external temperature, vehicle location, and predicted user arrival time, then dynamically adjusts the pre-heating schedule. This allows the system to respond to delays in user arrival or changes in climatic conditions while maintaining automatic operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for preconditioning a motor vehicle fitted with a LIN network architecture (1) in which an electronic control module in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, comprising a master node (2) of the LIN network architecture (1), is able to control, via the LIN bus (7), a plurality of components (3, 41...4n, 5, 6) forming slave nodes of the LIN network architecture (1). In accordance with the invention, the preconditioning system comprises an electronic preconditioning module (8) integrated in said LIN network architecture (1), said electronic preconditioning module (8) being capable of receiving, via a wireless link, at least one preconditioning instruction sent by a control device (9) external to the vehicle and as a result being capable of controlling at least one component of said plurality of components (3, 41...4n, 5, 6) in place of the master node (2).