Telematic Control Unit Activation for Key-Off Route Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles in a key-off state face challenges as electronic control units continue to draw energy from the battery, potentially draining it, and there is a need to activate control modules to determine driving routes and detect damage without causing battery discharge.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a communication module to receive activation signals, a telematic control unit to determine and present routes, and a remote processor to identify events and end times, allowing for selective activation of control modules based on location and charge level to prevent battery discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control modules are activated to determine driving routes and detect damage, then functionality and safety are improved, but battery energy is consumed leading to potential discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle safety and functionalityVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining driving routes and detecting damage while the vehicle is still parked and the key is off, before the driver actually needs this information. This allows the control modules to be activated in advance, completing their functions while the vehicle is stationary, thereby preventing energy consumption during active driving when it would be more critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle system serves itself by automatically activating control modules based on detected events (such as unusual vibrations or impacts) without requiring driver intervention. The system self-determines when route calculation or damage detection is needed, activating modules only when specific conditions are met, thus optimizing energy usage while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If control modules operate in key-off state, then convenience and automated functionality are improved, but battery discharge risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated route determinationVSAvoidbattery discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control modules operate periodically rather than continuously - they are activated only when specific events occur (such as vehicle impact detection or scheduled route determination) and remain inactive otherwise. This periodic activation pattern provides automated convenience when needed while minimizing energy consumption during the key-off state by keeping modules dormant during normal parked conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10378919B2Control module activation of vehicles in a key-off state to determine driving routes

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Method and apparatus are disclosed for control module activation of vehicles in a key-off state to determine driving routes. An example system includes a vehicle at a location in a key-off state. The vehicle includes a communication module to receive an activation signal and a telematic control unit. The telematic control unit is to activate upon receipt of the activation signal and determine and present a route from the location. The example system also includes a remote processor to determine the location, identify an event and an end time based upon the location, and send an activation signal based upon the end time.