Vehicle Computer Power Management After Engine Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle power supply management after engine stoppage leads to unnecessary energy consumption, particularly when maintaining computer functions like fuel tank monitoring, which drains the battery without recharging, affecting vehicle starting and operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where autonomous computers declare their absence to the master computer via a data network, allowing selective power supply maintenance beyond the initial duration, ensuring only necessary systems remain active, reducing overall energy consumption without altering existing vehicle architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power supply is maintained to all computers after engine stoppage, then monitoring functions can continue, but energy consumption increases and battery is drained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring function continuityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the computer system into autonomous computers and non-autonomous computers. Autonomous computers that need to continue monitoring functions maintain power supply independently, while non-autonomous computers have their power supply interrupted. This segmentation allows selective power maintenance based on functional requirements, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Autonomous computers are designed to self-manage their power supply status after engine stoppage. They independently declare their autonomy status to the master computer and self-determine whether to maintain power supply based on their monitoring tasks. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for all computers to remain powered, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring critical functions continue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If the power supply is maintained for a longer period, then tasks like fuel tank monitoring can be completed, but battery charge is depleted affecting vehicle starting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply maintenance durationVSAvoidbattery charge
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power supply management where the power supply status of each computer is adjusted dynamically based on its autonomy declaration and task requirements. Autonomous computers receive extended power supply dynamically during the first duration after engine stoppage, while non-autonomous computers have power interrupted. This dynamic adjustment allows critical long-duration tasks to complete while preventing unnecessary energy depletion that would affect vehicle starting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all computers remain active after shutdown, then system coordination is maintained, but energy waste occurs without productive output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts autonomous computers from the general computer group that requires master computer coordination. By identifying and separating autonomous computers based on their autonomy declaration, the system allows these extracted computers to maintain power supply independently without requiring continuous master computer coordination. This extraction eliminates energy waste from keeping non-essential computers active while maintaining system reliability for critical autonomous functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2720908B1Control method and system for controlling electric power of a vehicle after shut down
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 RENAULT SA
  • EP2720908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2720908B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling the electric power supply of a motor vehicle comprising a power unit and an electric power supply battery, the vehicle being provided with at least one autonomous computer (2), at least one master computer (4) and at least one slave computer (4), the computers (2, 3, 4) being connected by a data network (1), the autonomous computers (2) each being able to carry out at least one task after the power unit has stopped, and the power supply to the above-mentioned computers (2, 3, 4) being maintained for a first period of time. The control method comprises the following successive steps: - the absence of the autonomous computer (2) is reported to the master computer (3), - the power supply of each slave computer (4) is interrupted, - the power supply of the master computer (3) is interrupted, - the power supply of the autonomous computer (2) is maintained beyond the first period of time, - the power supply of each autonomous computer (2) is interrupted once it has finished its task.