Vehicle Heating Device Selection for Low-Battery Remote Air Conditioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle air conditioning systems cannot selectively operate heating devices based on the remaining battery amount, leading to uniform control restrictions on remote air conditioning, which limits convenience and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that acquires air conditioning requests from user terminals and selectively operates heating devices based on the vehicle's remaining battery amount, using stored power consumption data to determine the most efficient combination of devices to maintain power within a predetermined threshold, while prioritizing essential functions like defrosting and minimizing power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all heating devices are operated as requested by the user, then the air conditioning comfort is improved, but the battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair conditioning comfortVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the heating devices into different categories (essential vs. non-essential) and applies different control strategies to each segment based on battery status. Essential heating devices (e.g., defroster) are prioritized and operated when needed, while non-essential devices are operated only when battery power is sufficient, thus resolving the contradiction between user comfort and power conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy dynamically adjusts the operation of heating devices based on real-time battery status. When battery power is high, more heating devices can be operated to provide better comfort. When battery power drops below thresholds, the system automatically reduces the number of operated heating devices, creating a dynamic balance between comfort and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If remote air conditioning is restricted when battery level is low, then power management is improved, but user convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management efficiencyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality levels of service based on local battery conditions. Instead of uniformly restricting all air conditioning functions, the system provides differentiated service: essential functions (defrosting, basic heating) maintain full availability or priority operation, while non-essential functions are restricted or delayed. This local quality approach preserves user convenience for critical needs while managing power efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery status and provides feedback to both the control logic and the user. When battery power drops below certain thresholds, the system notifies users of the power situation and the resulting restrictions on air conditioning functions. This transparent feedback mechanism helps users understand the trade-offs and plan their usage, maintaining convenience through informed decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If heating devices are selected based on power consumption data, then power efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing power consumption data for each heating device and pre-establishing threshold values for battery status. When air conditioning control is needed, the system quickly references this pre-prepared information rather than calculating power requirements in real-time. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the computational complexity during actual control operations while maintaining efficient power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system simplifies control complexity by changing the parameter representation from continuous power consumption values to discrete threshold levels. Battery status is divided into distinct ranges (high, medium, low power), and heating device selection is based on comparing discrete parameters rather than continuous calculations. This parameter discretization makes the control logic more manageable while achieving effective power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12187100B2Information processing device, information processing method, program, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An information processing device that controls a vehicle including a plurality of heating devices. The information processing device executes acquiring an air conditioning request transmitted from a user terminal, and selecting a heating device to be operated, among the heating devices in which an operation is specified by the air conditioning request, based on a remaining battery amount of the vehicle.