Vehicle Battery Plug Light Control for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with battery-powered systems, the existing lighting solutions for plug receiving portions consume excessive battery power when the vehicle is in motion, as the light remains on even when there is a low likelihood of plug insertion, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an electronic switch that turns off the light when the vehicle enters a running mode, and using a series connection of a lid switch and transistor switch to control the light's on/off state, ensuring the light is only on when necessary, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light is kept on when the lid is opened during vehicle running, then the plug receiving portion is illuminated for visibility, but the battery power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight illuminationVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system dynamically adjusts its operation based on vehicle running state. When the vehicle is in running mode, the light is automatically turned off even if the lid is open, as indicated by the fifth aspect of the invention. This dynamic control prevents unnecessary power consumption during vehicle operation while maintaining illumination when the vehicle is stationary and plug insertion is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of the light (on/off state) based on the vehicle's running state parameter. The control unit monitors whether the vehicle is in running mode and accordingly adjusts the light's illumination state, transitioning from a static lighting control approach to a parameter-based dynamic control approach that optimizes power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the light is turned on when the lid is opened, then the plug receiving portion becomes visible, but the power consumption cannot be minimized when running mode is active

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of plug receiving portionVSAvoidbattery power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system implements dynamic control by integrating vehicle running state detection. The control unit receives signals about the vehicle's running mode and automatically adjusts the light's operation accordingly. This creates a adaptive lighting system that balances visibility needs with energy conservation based on real-time vehicle operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from the vehicle's running state detection to control the lighting. The control unit continuously monitors whether the vehicle is in running mode and uses this feedback information to determine whether to activate the light, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power usage based on actual operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly decreases battery power consumption by turning off the light during vehicle operation, minimizing unnecessary lighting and alerting users when the lid is open during running mode.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic switch is a transistor switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransistor switching:

Data Source

PatentEP2796311B1Vehicle equipped with battery
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2796311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2796311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2796311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention relates to a vehicle comprising a battery (14), a plug receiving portion (15) for receiving a plug (30) for supply an electric power to be charged in the battery or a plug for receiving an electric power discharged from the battery, a lid (16) for closing the plug receiving portion and a light (17) for illuminating the plug receiving portion. In this invention, when the state of the vehicle becomes a running mode indicating a state that the running of the vehicle is permitted, the light is turned off.