Vehicle Component Activation Timing Based on Peer Time Durations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in determining when to activate vehicle components or systems to achieve a desired operational state, such as starting a vehicle in cold climates, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage, due to the lack of real-time feedback on necessary actions.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures the time duration between specific activities in one vehicle and uses this data to activate corresponding components in another vehicle within the same geographical area before a predetermined time, optimizing energy use and reducing start-up times by leveraging vehicle-to-vehicle communication and environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vehicle components or systems are activated frequently or continuously to ensure operational readiness, then the reliability of achieving desired operational state is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery may be drained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of achieving desired operational stateVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by measuring time durations from other vehicles and activating components in advance based on predicted needs. For example, heating connectors or windows is initiated before the vehicle actually needs them, based on time duration measurements from similar vehicles in the same geographical area, thus ensuring readiness without continuous activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops by measuring time durations between activities in multiple vehicles and using this data to adjust activation timing. The control unit receives time duration measurements from other vehicles, processes this feedback information, and optimizes component activation timing to achieve desired operational states with minimal energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If vehicle components are activated in advance to reduce start-up time, then productivity is improved, but energy waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart-up timeVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by activating components based on predicted timing needs rather than continuous activation. Time duration measurements from other vehicles inform when components should be activated in advance, reducing start-up time without unnecessary energy waste from premature or continuous activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts activation timing parameters based on measured time durations from other vehicles and environmental conditions. By changing the timing parameter adaptively rather than using fixed schedules, the system optimizes the balance between reducing start-up time and minimizing energy waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If users manually monitor and activate vehicle components based on weather observations, then energy consumption is reduced, but the complexity of operation increases and response time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically measuring time durations from other vehicles, processing this information, and activating components without user intervention. The control unit autonomously determines when components need activation based on time duration measurements and environmental data, eliminating the need for users to manually monitor weather conditions and operate controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops that automatically process time duration measurements from other vehicles and environmental conditions to determine component activation timing. This automated feedback mechanism replaces manual user monitoring while maintaining energy efficiency, as the system learns from actual vehicle data rather than user observations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If forced removal of charging connector is performed to resolve freezing issues, then the operational state is achieved, but harmful effects occur due to damaged parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational readinessVSAvoiddamage to connector parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating actions based on time duration measurements from other vehicles before the connector becomes frozen. By activating heating elements in advance based on predicted timing needs, the system prevents freezing conditions that would lead to forced removal and potential damage, thus achieving operational readiness without harmful effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by heating the connector in advance to prevent freezing. This counteracts the freezing process before it can cause damage, eliminating the need for forced removal. The heating action is timed based on time duration measurements from other vehicles to provide just enough advance prevention without excessive energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3909804A1A method for achieving a desired operational state in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP3909804A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3909804A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3909804A1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The disclosure concerns a method for achieving a desired operational state in a vehicle. The method involves measuring a first time duration between a first activity of a first vehicle and a second activity of the first vehicle, or measuring an average first time duration of a plurality of first vehicles between a first activity and a second activity of each first vehicle. Each first vehicle is associated with a geographical area, and the first time duration is indicative of a time duration for achieving a desired operational state of a second vehicle associated with the geographical area. A component or system of the second vehicle associated with the desired operational state is activated before an estimated point in time when the desired operational state of the second vehicle should be achieved if the first time duration is greater than a pre-determined time duration value. The component or system is activated during an activation time duration.