DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure relates to system and method for controlling power supply to one or more components of a vehicle, particularly relates to system and method for controlling power supply to one or more electrical or electronic components or electronic control units (ECUs) of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Vehicles are equipped with auxiliary electronic accessories such as an audio system, window control system and the like, for enhancing user experience and/or to cater to various user requirements. Accordingly, multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs) are disposed in the vehicle for controlling actuation of the auxiliary electronic accessories. The ECUs typically draw power from a vehicle battery for its operation, even when the vehicle powertrain is not energized (also known as ‘parking state’).
[003] A conventional system 100 employed in vehicles is depicted in Figure 1. The system 100 includes ECUs 102a-102n, each connected to at least one of the auxiliary accessories of the vehicle, for controlling their intended function. The ECUs 102a-102n are connected to a battery source 104. The battery source 104 is further connected to a powertrain (not shown) of the vehicle, wherein the powertrain charges the battery source 104 during a vehicle ignition ON and powertrain running condition. The battery source 104 is configured to supply electric power to each of the ECUs 102a-102n.
[004] However, in the system 100, the battery source 104 is intended to supply electric power to all the ECUs 102a-102n, irrespective of operating condition of a particular accessory, i.e. even in parking condition of the vehicle. As an example, when a user turns ON the audio system during parked condition of the vehicle, the battery source 104 supplies electric power not only to the ECU (say ECU 102a) that controls operation of the audio system, but also to all other ECUs in the system 100. Thus, power of the battery source 104 is drained by powering the ECUs whose accessories are not intended for use.
[005] To overcome the aforesaid limitations, the system 100 can be configured to maintain a stand-by condition of the ECUs 102a-102n by powering OFF the corresponding accessories which are not in use, to reduce the energy consumption of the battery source 104. However, even though the ECUs 102a-102n are in stand-by condition, the ECUs 102a-102n still consume dark current from the battery source 104, thereby draining the battery source 104, which is undesirable.
[006] In view of the above, there is a need a system and a method for controlling power supply to one or more components of the vehicle for overcoming one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, a system for controlling power supply to components of a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a battery module a first set of components connected with the battery module, the first set of components includes components of the vehicle that are required to be in ON condition during an OFF condition or a parked condition of the vehicle. A second set of components are connected with the battery module, the second set of components include components of the vehicle that are required to be in OFF condition during the OFF condition or the parked condition of the vehicle. A relay is connected between the battery module and the second set of components to selectively supply power or cut-off power supply from the battery module to the second set of components. A control unit is connected with the battery module and the relay. The control unit is configured to monitor operating condition of the vehicle to determine the OFF condition or the parked condition of the vehicle and operate the relay if the vehicle is in the OFF condition to cut-off power supply from the battery module to the second set of components while power is supplied from the battery module to the first set of components.
[008] In an embodiment, each of the first set of components and the second set of components has an electronic control unit which is connected with the battery module for controlling actuation of the respective component upon receiving power from the battery module.
[009] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to monitor the first set of components and the second set of components to determine operating condition of the components; and generate an audio or visual alert in case one of the components is not in a desired operating condition.
[010] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine OFF condition of the vehicle by at least one of an ignition OFF condition of the vehicle and an idle operating condition of a powertrain of the vehicle.
[011] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the ignition OFF condition of the vehicle based on an input received from an ignition module of the vehicle.
[012] In another aspect, a method for controlling power supply to one or more components of the vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring operating condition of the vehicle by the control unit to determine an OFF condition of the vehicle. The control unit then determines the first set of components that are required to be in ON condition and the second set of components that are required to be in OFF condition during the OFF condition of the vehicle. The control unit thereafter operates the relay to cut-off power supply from the battery module to the second set of components while power is supplied from a battery module to the first set of components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system for controlling power supply to one or more components of a vehicle disclosed in the prior art.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system for controlling power supply to one or more components of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling power supply to the one or more components of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] The present invention provides a system and a method for controlling power supply to one or more components of a vehicle. The system is configured to prevent unintended battery drain in the vehicle.
[015] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a system 200 for controlling power supply to one or more components of a vehicle (not shown in Figures), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[016] The system comprises a battery module 202, a relay 208, and a control unit 206. The relay 208 is a power saver relay, and the control unit 206 is a body function controller. In an embodiment of the invention, the components are classified into at least a first set of components 210A(1-N) and a second set of components 210B(1-N). Each component has an electronic control unit (ECU) 20 which is coupled with the battery module 202. Each ECU 20 is dedicated for the respective component and is configured for controlling actuation of the respective component upon receiving power from the battery module 202.
[017] As shown, the battery module 202 is electrically coupled to the first set of components 210A(1-N). The first set of components 210A(1-N) are those components which require power supply even when vehicle is in an OFF condition or in parked condition. For example, the first set of components 210A(1-N) can be electrical or electronic components such as a body function controller, a passive keyless entry (PKE) controller, an immobilizer, network management (e.g. CAN, LIN) controllers, a seat controller, an instrument cluster (memory), start-stop switches, an exterior lighting, an interior lighting, power windows, a sunroof, a handle controller etc.
[018] In an embodiment, the battery module 202 is electrically coupled to the second set of components 210B(1-N) through the control unit 206 and the relay 208. The second set of components 210B(1-N) are those components which do not require power supply when vehicle is in OFF condition or parked condition. For example, the second set of components 210B(1-N) can be electrical or electronic components such as, switches, an audio system controller, a power train, an automatic transmission, an all-wheel drive controller, ADAS controllers, a camera system and other sensors (for e.g. rain and light sensors) etc.
[019] In an embodiment, the relay 208 is adapted to selectively allow power supply or cut-off power supply from the battery module 202 to the second set of components 210B(1-N), based on operating condition of the vehicle. In this regard, vehicle ignition is monitored by the control unit 206. As shown, the control unit 206 is electrically coupled to the battery module 202 and to the relay 208. In an embodiment, the control unit 206 is configured to determine the ignition OFF condition of the vehicle, via an input received from an ignition module (not shown) of the vehicle and operate the relay 208. When the ignition is turned OFF, the control unit 206 operates the relay 208 to cutoff power supply from the battery module 202 to the second set of components 210B(1-N). Accordingly, the power supply to each ECU 20 of the second set of components 210B(1-N) will be cut-off, while the battery module 202 will supply power to each ECU 20 of the first set of components 210A(1-N). Such a configuration of the system 200 ensures that the ECUs 20 or the components that are intended to be switched OFF are completely switched OFF. Thus, dark current consumed by the ECUs 20 of each of the components is reduced, thereby reducing battery drain.
[020] In an embodiment, the relay 208 is an electrically operated switch. In another embodiment, the relay 208 is selected from one of a mechanical relay or a electromechanical relay as per design feasibility and requirement.
[021] In an embodiment, the control unit 206 is a processing device such as a microprocessor or other control and processing logic circuitry. Further, the control unit 206 as mentioned hereinbefore is a body function controller. Accordingly, operations pertaining to the vehicle are monitored. In other words, the control unit 206 is adapted to also monitor operations of the components provided in the vehicle. The control unit 206 is also capable of determining the one or more components, that is intended to be powered ON by the battery module 202, based on requirement of a user of the vehicle. As such, the control unit 206 determines the one or more components 204 that are required to be in ON condition and the remaining components that are required to be in OFF condition. In an embodiment, the control unit 206 determines the ECUs 20 of the first set of components or the first set of components to be in ON condition, while the ECUs 20 of the second set of components or the second set of components are determined to be in OFF condition, and in case any of the ECUs or components is not in the desired operating condition, the control unit generate an audio or visual alert. In this scenario, the system 200 goes into a mode wherein the ECUs of the first set of components 210A(1-N) and the vehicle ignition will be turned ON as a limp home strategy or as a limp home mode, whereby the PKE controller as a redundancy enables the limp home mode.
[022] Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method 300 for controlling power supply to the one or more components 204 of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[023] At step 302, the control unit 206 monitors operating condition of the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is in an OFF condition. The OFF condition of the vehicle is determined via an input received from an ignition module of the vehicle or by detecting the condition of the powertrain.
[024] At step 304, upon determining ignition OFF condition of the vehicle, the control unit 206 determines the components that are required to be in ON condition and OFF condition. In this regard, the control unit 206 determines the ECUs 20 that are required to be in ON condition and OFF condition. The control unit 206 determines the ECUs 20 of the first set of components (210A(1-N)) to be in ON condition, while the ECUs 20 of the second set of components (210B(1-N)) are determined to be in OFF condition.
[025] In an embodiment, in the event the control unit 206 determines at least one component of the first set of components (210A(1-N)) to be in OFF condition even after determining to be in ON condition, a fault is detected and an alert is raised for indicating the fault to the user. In an embodiment, the alert/fault is indicated to the user via one of a visual mode, an audible mode or a tactile mode through one or more devices provided in the vehicle.
[026] At step 306, the relay 208 is operated to cut-off the power supply to the components that are to be in OFF condition while the battery maintains power supply from the battery module 202 to the components that are to be in ON condition. Thus, the power supply is cut-off to those components determined to be cut-off, thereby preventing unintended supply to the components. The power supply is cut-off to the components 204 until the vehicle is turned ON.
[027] Advantageously, the present invention provides the system and the method for controlling power supply to the components, thereby alleviating unintended battery drain situation in the vehicle. Additionally, due to the system, the energy consumption of the vehicle in the stand-by mode is also reduced.
[028] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (200) for controlling power supply to components of a vehicle, the system (200) comprising:
a battery module (202);
a first set of components (210A(1-N)) connected with the battery module (202), the first set of components (210A(1-N)) includes components of the vehicle that are required to be in ON condition during an OFF condition or a parked condition of the vehicle;
a second set of components (210B(1-N)) connected with the battery module (202), the second set of components (210B(1-N)) including components of the vehicle that are required to be in OFF condition during the OFF condition or the parked condition of the vehicle;
a relay (208) connected between the battery module (202) and the second set of components (210B(1-N)) to selectively supply power or cut-off power supply from the battery module (202) to the second set of components (210B(1-N)); and
a control unit (206) connected with the battery module (202) and the relay (208), the control unit (206) configured to:
monitor operating condition of the vehicle to determine the OFF condition or the parked condition of the vehicle; and
operate the relay (208) if the vehicle is in the OFF condition to cut-off power supply from the battery module (202) to the second set of components (210B(1-N)) while power is supplied from the battery module (202) to the first set of components (210A(1-N)).

2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first set of components (210A(1-N)) and the second set of components (210B(1-N)) has an electronic control unit (ECU) (20) which is connected with the battery module (202) for controlling actuation of the respective component upon receiving power from the battery module (202).

3. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (206) configured to monitor the first set of components (210A(1-N)) and the second set of components (210B(1-N)) to determine operating condition of the components; and generate an audio or visual alert in case one of the components is not in a desired operating condition.

4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (206) is configured to determine OFF condition of the vehicle by at least one of:
an ignition OFF condition of the vehicle; and
an idle operating condition of a powertrain of the vehicle.

5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit (206) is configured to determine the ignition OFF condition of the vehicle based on an input received from an ignition module of the vehicle.

6. A method (300) for controlling power supply to components (204) of a vehicle, the method (300) comprising:
monitoring, by a control unit (206), an operating condition of the vehicle to determine an OFF condition of the vehicle;
determining, by the control unit (206), a first set of components (210A(1-N)) that are required to be in ON condition and a second set of components (210B(1-N)) that are required to be in OFF condition during the OFF condition of the vehicle; and
operating, by the control unit (206), the relay (208) to cut-off power supply from the battery module (202) to the second set of components (210B(1-N)) while power is supplied from a battery module (202) to the first set of components (210A(1-N)).

7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6 comprising the step of monitoring the first set of components (210A(1-N)) and the second set of components (210B(1-N)) to determine operating condition of the components; and generating an audio or visual alert in case one of the first set of components (210A(1-N)) or the second set of components (210B(1-N)) is not in a desired operating condition.

8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein step of determining parking condition of the vehicle comprises at least one of the steps of:
determining an ignition OFF condition of the vehicle; or
determining an idle operating condition of a powertrain of the vehicle.

9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8 comprising determining, by the control unit (206), the ignition OFF condition of the vehicle based on an input received from an ignition module of the vehicle.