Vehicle Pre-Acclimatization Control for Deep Sleep Battery Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle pre-acclimatization systems often waste energy by remaining awake when not in use and fail to activate heating or cooling due to low battery levels, especially in cold climates, leading to inefficient battery drainage and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

An algorithm that collects travel data to put the vehicle in deep sleep and schedules pre-acclimatization based on arrival times, waking the system at intervals to update timers and activate heating or cooling systems only when needed, using ambient conditions to conserve battery power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle system remains awake to allow user activation of pre-acclimatization, then the user can activate heating or cooling, but the system wastes energy by staying awake when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser ability to activate pre-acclimatizationVSAvoidbattery drainage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an algorithm to predict user departure time based on calendar data, GPS location, and travel information before the user actually requests pre-acclimatization. This preliminary prediction allows the system to automatically activate heating or cooling at the optimal time without requiring the user to wake the system or send a request, thus avoiding energy waste from keeping the system awake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the vehicle system goes into deep sleep to conserve battery, then energy is saved, but the system cannot respond to user requests for pre-acclimatization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery drainageVSAvoidsystem responsiveness to user requests
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs an algorithm that automatically monitors calendar applications, GPS data, and travel information to predict when the user will return to the vehicle. Based on these predictions and ambient temperature data, the system autonomously decides when to wake from deep sleep, when to activate pre-acclimatization, and when to return to sleep, eliminating the need for user intervention while optimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the heater or cooler is activated early to reach desired temperature, then comfort is ensured at departure, but battery power is consumed unnecessarily if departure is delayed or cancelled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger compartment comfortVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors multiple data sources including calendar updates, GPS location changes, ambient temperature variations, and predicted arrival time. The algorithm processes this feedback information dynamically to adjust the pre-acclimatization timing, ensuring the vehicle is comfortable when the user actually arrives while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption if plans change or departure is delayed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If the system wakes at frequent intervals to check for activation requests, then user requests can be responded to promptly, but energy is wasted on unnecessary wake-ups

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidbattery drainage from wake-ups
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of frequent wake-ups, the system uses an algorithm to calculate optimal wake-up intervals based on predicted departure time, ambient temperature, and thermal mass of the vehicle. The system wakes only at strategically determined moments when pre-acclimatization needs to begin or when user arrival is imminent, minimizing wake-up frequency while ensuring timely response to user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This method reduces battery drainage and ensures the vehicle compartment is pre-acclimatized upon arrival, saving energy and maintaining comfort without relying on user reminders, even when plans change or the vehicle is idle for extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

the heater or cooler is programmed to start working sufficiently early enough to reach the desired temperature at the time of departure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heater or cooler is programmed to start working sufficiently early enough to reach the desired temperature at the time of departure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

in cold climates, some car owners install battery warmers, which are small electric heating pads that keep the car battery warm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3611043B1Pre acclimatization system
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP3611043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for activating a pre acclimatization system of the passenger compartment of a vehicle (20) comprises monitoring an operational state of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is on when said operational state corresponds to a first state, wherein the vehicle is off when said operational state corresponds to a second state. The method further comprises monitoring a plurality of conditions (e.g. temperatures 30,40), wherein said plurality of conditions are selected from the group comprising current time and date (60), a driver appointment schedule, a historical database, wherein said monitoring step is performed by a system controller incorporated into the vehicle. The method further comprises determining the most probable time of departure (50) of the vehicle from a present location based on said plurality of conditions monitored by said system controller, suggesting time of departure (50) to driver, monitoring reply from driver, setting timer for activating said pre acclimatization (HVAC) according to reply from driver, and activating deep sleep for the vehicle system.