Vehicle Charging Illumination Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous illumination during vehicle charging with an external power supply can lead to an undesirable increase in electric power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a power storage device, a power receiving unit, an illumination unit controlled by a controller, and a lid switch, where the illumination unit emits light only when the lid is open and the power supply is not connected, and turns off when the power supply is connected or the lid is closed, reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If continuous illumination is performed at the time of charging with external power supply, then workability is improved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller turns on the illumination when the lid is opened and turns it off when the lid is closed or when power supply connection is detected, creating intermittent illumination that maintains workability when needed while reducing overall power consumption during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system transitions from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic controlled operation mode. The controller dynamically adjusts the illumination state based on real-time detection of lid position and power supply connection status, optimizing the balance between workability and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If illumination is turned off during charging, then power consumption is reduced, but workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects power supply connection status in advance and proactively controls the illumination accordingly. When power supply connection is detected, the controller turns off the illumination before power consumption becomes an issue, while still maintaining the capability to illuminate when the lid is opened for operational tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle includes a power storage device, a power receiving unit for receiving power for charging the power storage device from an external power supply, an illumination unit for emitting light to the power receiving unit in response to a transistor attaining an on-state, and stopping the emission of light in response to the transistor attaining an off-state, and a microcomputer for controlling the transistor such that the transistor is turned off in response to connection between the external power supply and the power receiving unit, and the transistor is turned on in response to release of the connection between the external power supply and the power receiving unit.