Vehicle Pre-Air Conditioning Control With Drive-Disabling Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems that start the internal combustion engine for pre-air conditioning upon receiving a remote control signal for unlocking the doors do not adequately balance user convenience and security, as they either leave the engine running unnecessarily or risk unauthorized operation.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that sets a drive-disabling mode upon starting pre-air conditioning, allowing cancellation only when both the remote controller is present and a specific mode-cancelling operation is detected, ensuring the engine remains operational for authorized users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal combustion engine is stopped simultaneously with unlocking the doors during pre-air conditioning, then security against unauthorized operation is improved, but user convenience deteriorates because the engine must be restarted by authorized users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mode system that transitions between drive-disabling mode and normal operation mode based on detected conditions. The control mode is not fixed but changes dynamically: when pre-air conditioning is active, the system enters drive-disabling mode to prevent unauthorized operation, and when the authorized user performs specific operations (door opening, ignition switch operation), the system dynamically switches to normal operation mode, allowing the engine to continue running without restart
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from a binary state (engine on/off) to a multi-state system (drive-disabling mode with engine running, normal operation mode). By introducing the drive-disabling mode as an intermediate state where the engine remains operational but vehicle driving is prevented, the system resolves the contradiction between security and convenience
2Ease of operation
If the internal combustion engine is left running during pre-air conditioning, then user convenience is improved by allowing easy restart, but security deteriorates due to risk of unauthorized vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle control system into two independent control functions: engine control and driving control. The engine can operate independently in drive-disabling mode to provide pre-air conditioning and allow easy restart, while driving operations are separately restricted through control mode limitations. This segmentation allows the engine to run for convenience while security is maintained through operational restrictions
3Reliability
If the engine is stopped upon receiving unlock signal, then security is improved, but energy waste occurs due to unnecessary engine restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation based on the control mode. In drive-disabling mode, the engine continues running to avoid energy waste from restarts, while security is maintained through driving restrictions. The system only stops the engine when transitioning to normal operation mode with authorized user presence, thereby eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining security
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a vehicle disclosed herein is applied to a vehicle configured to perform pre-air conditioning of the interior of the vehicle by starting an internal combustion engine according to a remote control signal sent from a remote controller. When starting pre-air conditioning according to the remote control signal, the control apparatus sets the control mode of the vehicle to a drive-disabling mode, which is a control mode that disables an operation for driving the vehicle. If a specific mode-cancelling operation is detected in a situation in which the remote controller is present in the interior of the vehicle while the control mode of the vehicle is being set to the drive-disabling mode, the control apparatus cancels the drive-disabling mode while leaving the internal combustion engine operating.