Vehicle Electronic Control Using Battery Voltage State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in reliably determining the operational state of a vehicle to control electronic devices effectively, leading to unwanted battery drain and premature depletion of volatile materials, due to the limitations of vibration sensors and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a battery sensor to detect and analyze the vehicle's battery voltage, comparing it to predefined thresholds and signatures to determine the operational state, applying a load to differentiate between 'ON' and 'OFF' states, and controlling electronic device functions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration sensors are used to determine vehicle operational state, then device capabilities for determining vehicle state are improved, but device cost and design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vehicle state detection function from complex vibration sensors and implements it using simple voltage threshold comparison circuitry. The power monitoring unit separately determines ON/OFF state through voltage level detection and engine running state through voltage change rate analysis, eliminating the need for vibration sensors entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical vibration sensing with electrical voltage monitoring. Instead of using mechanical vibration sensors to detect vehicle state, the system uses electrical voltage parameters (voltage level and voltage change rate) measured from the power supply circuit to determine both ON/OFF state and engine running state, substituting mechanical detection with electrical measurement.
2Reliability
If vibration sensors are used to determine vehicle operational state, then device capabilities for determining vehicle state are improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive voltage monitoring circuitry instead of expensive vibration sensors. The power monitoring unit employs simple voltage threshold comparison and voltage change rate measurement, which can be implemented with basic electronic components, dramatically reducing device cost while maintaining reliable vehicle state detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from expensive vibration sensors and implements it using cheap voltage monitoring circuitry. By separating the detection function into independent voltage level and voltage change rate monitoring, the system achieves reliable state detection at minimal cost.
3Duration of action of moving object
If electronic devices continue to draw power after vehicle is turned off, then device operation is maintained, but battery drain and vehicle incapacitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the processor that continuously monitors voltage parameters and automatically adjusts device power consumption. When the power monitoring unit detects OFF state or engine non-running state, the processor receives this feedback and immediately reduces or stops power consumption, preventing battery drain while maintaining operation during appropriate states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes device power consumption dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts its power consumption level based on real-time vehicle state detection, transitioning between high-power operation (when vehicle is ON and engine running) and low-power or shutdown modes (when vehicle is OFF or engine not running), thereby optimizing the balance between operation duration and energy conservation.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple voltage threshold comparison is used to determine vehicle state, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to discriminate vibration-related voltage changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing multiple voltage thresholds and voltage change rate criteria before actual state determination. The system pre-defines voltage thresholds for ON/OFF state differentiation and voltage change rate thresholds for engine state detection, enabling accurate discrimination without requiring complex real-time analysis during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle state detection into two independent functions: ON/OFF state determination through voltage level comparison and engine running state determination through voltage change rate analysis. This segmentation allows each function to use optimized simple thresholds, achieving high measurement precision through divided simple comparisons rather than a single complex detection mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device for use in a vehicle includes a battery sensor to detect a battery voltage and a processor in communication with the battery sensor. The processor is configured to sample the battery voltage detected by the battery sensor and determine an operational state of the vehicle. The processor is also configured to control the electronic device in accordance with the operational state of the vehicle.