Vehicle Sensor Battery Recharging for Extended Off-State Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with sensors to detect environmental features and objects face challenges in maintaining power for sensors when the vehicle is deactivated, as the main vehicle battery and propulsion are not available to provide additional power, leading to limited sensor operation duration.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the charge level of a sensor battery, calculates a recharge rate based on previous travel paths, and actuates the vehicle's propulsion or battery to recharge the sensor battery while the vehicle is in operation, ensuring sufficient power for sensors during extended deactivation periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vehicle is deactivated to conserve main battery power, then main battery power consumption is reduced, but sensor operation duration is limited due to sensor battery depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recharging of the sensor battery during vehicle operation, before the vehicle is deactivated. The controller determines a recharge rate based on previously traveled paths and uses the propulsion or vehicle battery to recharge the sensor battery in advance, ensuring sufficient power is available for extended sensor operation during subsequent deactivation periods.
2Quantity of substance
If the sensor battery is recharged at a high rate during vehicle operation, then sensor battery charge level is maintained, but vehicle propulsion performance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the recharge rate based on various factors including previously traveled paths, current charge level, and charge depletion rates. The controller optimizes the balance between recharging the sensor battery and maintaining vehicle propulsion performance by adapting the power allocation in real-time rather than using a fixed high recharge rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the recharge rate parameter based on the vehicle's operational context, such as the duration of previously traveled paths and current battery charge levels. This allows flexible adjustment of power allocation between sensor battery recharging and vehicle propulsion to optimize overall system performance.
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 solution ensures continuous sensor operation by maintaining sufficient power for sensors during vehicle deactivation, allowing for environmental monitoring and data collection over extended periods without depleting the sensor battery, thereby enhancing vehicle security and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determine a charge level of a sensor battery providing power to a sensor in a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
actuate one or both of a propulsion or a vehicle battery to recharge the sensor battery
Data Source
AI summary
A charge level of a sensor battery providing power to a sensor in a vehicle is determined. A charge depletion of the sensor battery is determined based on the charge level. A recharge rate to recharge the sensor battery is determined based on a time elapsed on a previously traveled path, a current charge level, and the charge depletion. Upon activation of the vehicle, one or both of a propulsion or a vehicle battery is actuated to recharge the sensor battery at the recharge rate.