Vehicle Power Supply External Output Switch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle power supply devices consume electrical power stored in the battery unnecessarily when the external output switch is left on for an extended period, leading to battery exhaustion, especially when the driver forgets to turn it off after stopping the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power supply device with a vehicle ECU that automatically switches the external output switch to the off state when the vehicle transitions from the ready mode to the OFF mode, ensuring the electrical power supply to external devices is stopped, and includes a notification system to alert the driver, thereby preventing continuous power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the external output switch is independently provided and left on, then the usability of charging external devices is improved, but the battery power is unnecessarily consumed and eventually used up
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle ECU monitors the vehicle's operational state (ready mode vs. OFF mode) and automatically adjusts the external output switch state based on this feedback. When the vehicle transitions to OFF mode, the ECU detects this state change and automatically turns off the external output switch, preventing unnecessary battery power consumption while maintaining usability when the vehicle is operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the action of turning off the external output switch automatically without requiring user intervention. The vehicle ECU itself executes the switching operation based on the vehicle's operational state, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual user action to prevent power waste.
2Ease of operation
If the external output switch remains on during vehicle stop, then the convenience of continuous power supply is improved, but the battery is unintentionally consumed when driver forgets to turn it off
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle ECU automatically manages the external output switch state based on the vehicle's operational mode, eliminating reliance on user memory or attention. The system self-regulates by turning off the external output when the vehicle is in OFF mode, ensuring reliable power management without requiring the driver to remember to manually switch it off.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU continuously monitors the vehicle's operational state and uses this feedback to automatically control the external output switch. This closed-loop control ensures that the external power supply is only active when the vehicle is in ready mode, preventing unintentional battery consumption while maintaining convenience during active operation.
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
Prevents unnecessary battery power consumption by ensuring the external output is turned off when the vehicle is stopped, even if the driver forgets to do so, thereby extending battery life and improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
DC electrical power outputted from the battery is converted to AC electrical power by an inverter to supply electrical power to a plug socket (external output terminal)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4
AI summary
A vehicle power supply device includes: a plug socket (22) to supply an external device with electrical power; and an external output switch (33) configured to be switched between an on state in which the electrical power is supplied from a battery (11) to the plug socket (22) and an off state in which the supply of the electrical power is stopped. In a case where the external output switch (33) is in the on state, when the vehicle transitions from a ready mode to an OFF mode, the switch control unit sets the external output switch (33) to the off state along with the transition, and when the vehicle transitions from an ACC mode or an ON mode to the OFF mode, the switch control unit maintains the on state of the external output switch (33).