Vehicle Heating Power Feedback for Driver Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle heating systems in electrified vehicles have low heating efficiency for drivers and lack guidance for using the auto mode, leading to decreased energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for providing heating power information to drivers, which includes executing a heating mode, collecting and transmitting power consumption-related information, and generating energy efficiency information to guide the driver in using the auto mode for improved energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a water heater is used for indoor heating in electrified vehicles, then heating function is provided, but energy efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor temperatureVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the driver about power consumption and heating efficiency through a display unit. The control unit calculates and displays power consumption information, enabling the driver to adjust heating operations to improve energy efficiency while maintaining required indoor temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the heating system and the driver. It collects power consumption data from the water heater, processes this information, and presents it to the driver in a comprehensible format, enabling informed decision-making about heating operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual mode is used for heating system operation, then driver control is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases due to lack of guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver controlVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback about power consumption and efficiency to the driver when operating in manual mode. This feedback enables the driver to make informed adjustments to maintain both control and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces purely mechanical/manual control with an intelligent control system that provides electronic feedback and guidance. The control unit processes operational data and provides real-time information to the driver, supplementing manual control with electronic assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If heating system operates without power consumption information, then system simplicity is maintained, but driver awareness of energy efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpower consumption information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that collects raw power consumption data from the heating system, processes this information, and presents it to the driver in a meaningful format. This intermediary function adds minimal complexity while significantly improving information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the absence of information with an electronic information provision system. The control unit electronically processes and displays power consumption data, substituting the information gap with a minimal-complexity electronic solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system enables drivers to efficiently manage heating system energy efficiency and encourages the use of the auto mode, thereby increasing the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

executing, by a control unit of the vehicle, a heating mode to operate a water heater for indoor heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heat pump mounted on a roof of the vehicle as an auxiliary heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pump: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS20250187400A1Method of providing heating power information to driver of vehicle and system adopting the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method of providing heating power information to a driver includes executing, by a control unit of the vehicle, a heating mode according to a driver's input command, collecting, by the control unit, power consumption-related information according to the heating mode, transmitting, by the control unit, the power consumption-related information to a management server, and generating, by the management server, energy efficiency information indicating maximum savable power consumption using the power consumption-related information and feedbacking the energy efficiency information to the control unit of the vehicle.