Vehicle Compartment Hazard Detection and Management System

Abstract

A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system includes an engine status sensor, a driver presence sensor, a cabin occupant sensor, a latch sensor for each passenger door, a vehicle motion sensor, a cabin temperature sensor, an alarm device, a wireless messaging system, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the sensors, assesses whether a cabin occupant is about to encounter a hazardous condition, and activates an alarm and / or takes other measures to address the hazard.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting hazardous environmental conditions for occupants of a vehicle cabin and for correcting and / or alerting the hazard. More specifically, the systems and methods are designed to detect cabin temperatures that could cause overheating or hypothermia for occupants in an unattended vehicle. Background Art

[0002] CN110549976A discloses a high temperature protection system and method for a vehicle, and the high temperature protection system for a vehicle is mainly composed of a vehicle state detection system, a vehicle personnel detection system, a high temperature protection controller, an independent power supply, a high temperature alarm system, and a high temperature emergency protection system. The vehicle state detection system is used to detect parameters related to the vehicle environment, the vehicle personnel detection system is used to detect whether there are people in the vehicle, an independent power supply is used to provide energy supply that is not controlled by the vehicle power switch, the high temperature protection controller performs logical operations on the detection results, the high temperature alarm system is used to alarm the identified crisis, and the high temperature emergency protection system is used to provide emergency protection for the people in the vehicle. In this way, the accuracy of sensor detection is improved, and the potential danger of people being stranded in the vehicle can be reliably warned and eliminated. When people being stranded in the vehicle do occur, the life safety of the people in the vehicle can be effectively protected, while ensuring the safety of property in the vehicle.

[0003] Given the dangers that vehicle occupants face when exposed to inappropriate cabin temperatures, it is desirable to have devices in vehicles that monitor vehicle interior conditions, predict temperature extremes that could jeopardize occupant safety, and alert others of occupant danger. Summary of the invention

[0004] The disclosed cabin hazard detection and management system uses the following combination: an ignition switch status sensor, a driver presence sensor, a cabin occupant sensor, a door latch sensor, a vehicle motion sensor, a temperature sensor, an alarm signal sending device, a wireless messaging system and a controller to analyze potentially dangerous temperature conditions for the driver or occupants in the vehicle cabin and take appropriate corrective measures, including enabling an alarm device and / or a messaging system (e.g., a cellular phone) to send a distress call or text message to emergency responders.

[0005] The controller can be configured to enable the alarm device within a relatively short period of time (e.g., 15 to 30 seconds) after the driver turns off the vehicle and exits the cabin while at least one occupant is detected, regardless of temperature readings detected in the vehicle cabin, so that the driver is alerted to the presence of an unattended occupant while the driver remains in close proximity to the vehicle.

[0006] The controller can be configured to assess whether a dangerous temperature condition in the vehicle is about to occur based on a combination of an external temperature reading (i.e., the temperature of the ambient air outside the cabin) and a cabin reading. For example, the controller can be configured to alert the vehicle of an impending danger when the external temperature sensor is below a low temperature threshold or above a high temperature threshold, regardless of the cabin temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle equipped with a cabin hazard detection and hazard management system according to the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the initialization of the system.

[0009] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for preventing hazardous occupancy cabin temperature conditions when the vehicle has been shut down.

[0010] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for checking and alerting others when dangerous temperature conditions are about to occur in a closed occupied vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] like Figure 1 As shown, the system may rely on a combination of equipment that is standard equipment in many vehicles, such as temperature sensors (for both exterior 9 and interior 8 temperature monitoring), light sensors 10, oxygen sensors 11, lock / unlock release switches 12 to monitor the opening and closing of doors (or any other entry point into the vehicle), seat pressure sensors 4, horns 13, alarm systems, and any type of communication system such as OnStar or the like 14. These subsystems will provide input and output to one or more presence and intrusion sensor units 15 inside the vehicle, which monitor stationary or active occupants in the cabin through a high performance radar system and via an integrated circuit.

[0012] Initialization of the system can be prompted in several ways. Some of the triggers for the system are: monitoring entry and exit points 2 of the vehicle 1, detecting the state of the ignition switch 3, sensing weight on seats 4, sensing sound and motion within the vehicle cabin 5, monitoring proximity sensors 6 around the vehicle, sampling video data and analyzing heat maps 7 (if the vehicle is equipped), routine (time-based) inspections, and random sampling.

[0013] When one or more of the above conditions are met, the system will then be in the guard state. The system will then monitor the interior of the cabin and check against the state of the vehicle to identify if a potentially unsafe condition may occur. The internal cabin temperature prediction and the possible presence of the responsible party will prompt an initial response and (depending on the situation) a longer-term response, as outlined in the workflow below. If the system believes that the responsible party has just left the vehicle or is in close proximity to the vehicle, a response can be initiated immediately, such as honking the horn 13 or flashing the headlights 16.

[0014] If the severity of the situation requires so, a longer-term response can be executed, such as making an emergency call through an available communication system, activating HVAC, or lowering the windows. The following flowchart defines the circumstances under which an immediate response or a longer-term response is initiated.

[0015] In certain preferred aspects of the present disclosure, the system cannot be disabled and the system is integrated into the vehicle equipment. The system does not rely solely on weight sensing or motion monitoring or temperature thresholds / ranges to enable. The system includes internal cabin temperature prediction to initiate a response. The system does not require direct sight of the monitored occupant. The system can be interrogated upon user request as a way to remotely confirm whether presence is detected inside the vehicle.

[0016] As used herein, the term "unattended" refers to a vehicle in which the driver's seat of the vehicle is unoccupied. "Occupants" include humans or other mammals located anywhere in the cabin, and optionally the trunk or other luggage / storage compartment or space that can be detected by an occupant sensor. Thus, occupants may include drivers, passengers, and pets.

[0017] An "engine state sensor" refers to a sensor that detects the position of the ignition switch in a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle, or the "power on" state in the case of an electric engine vehicle. It may also refer to other sensors that detect when the engine is running and / or the vehicle is moving or has recently moved. Such sensors may include speedometers, accelerometers, and / or motion sensors.

[0018] The driver presence sensor and other cabin and / or trunk occupant sensors may include at least one camera, microphone, infrared sensor, oxygen sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, motion detector, mass or pressure sensor of the seat cushion and / or seat back, and / or mass or pressure sensor of the floor. A microprocessor or other computing device running an occupant detection algorithm may be used in conjunction with the driver / occupant detection sensor(s) to reduce or eliminate driver / occupant detection errors.

[0019] The vehicle motion sensing system may be an accelerometer, speedometer, tachometer, or other electromechanical device capable of sending a signal to the vehicle cabin hazard detection system controller that the vehicle is moving or at least has recently moved.

[0020] The cabin temperature sensor may be a thermistor, thermocouple, thermostat, or other temperature sensing device that measures the cabin temperature and transmits the cabin temperature to the controller.

[0021] Alert signaling devices can range from dashboard warning lights (e.g., when the hazard is not imminent and the driver is seated in the vehicle) to wireless communications (e.g., cell phone text messages and / or recorded audio messages) to emergency responders (e.g., local police or fire departments, etc.). Other alerts include flashing the vehicle's headlights and taillights, and / or honking the vehicle's horn or other audible alarms.

[0022] In some cases, when a hazardous cabin condition is detected, corrective electromechanical measures can be taken, such as lowering the windows, turning on the air conditioning or ventilation, etc.

[0023] Figure 2 A process for determining vehicle status is shown. When the vehicle is moving or has recently moved (e.g., within 90 seconds), the system will remain in standby mode, meaning no Figure 3 and Figure 4 The steps shown. The vehicle status can be determined periodically (e.g., every five minutes) or when a triggering event occurs (e.g., the ignition or power switch is turned off). In the event that the ignition switch or vehicle power switch is turned off, or the vehicle has not moved while the ignition power switch is in the "on" position, the system will check for the presence of an occupant. If no occupant is present, the system will return to the system standby mode. Otherwise, the interior and / or exterior temperatures will be checked periodically to detect whether a hazardous condition is imminent for an occupant in the enclosed vehicle. When an imminent hazard is detected, an alarm is enabled (e.g., a cell phone call is placed to an emergency responder) and / or the vehicle engine and HVAC are turned on.

[0024] In the case where the ignition / power switch has just been turned off (e.g., within a few seconds or less), first determine whether the driver has left the vehicle, such as Figure 2 If the driver has not exited the vehicle, the exterior and / or interior temperature is periodically checked to determine if a hazardous cabin condition is imminent. If an imminent hazardous cabin condition is detected while the driver is seated in the vehicle, the vehicle is "turned on" and the HVAC is enabled and set to maintain comfortable cabin conditions. However, if comfortable cabin conditions cannot be maintained, the system will continue to monitor cabin conditions and activate the alarm.

[0025] If the ignition / power switch has just been turned off (e.g., within a few seconds or less), and it is determined that the driver has left the vehicle, the system checks for the presence of occupants (other than the driver) in the cabin (or optional trunk or luggage / storage compartment). If there are no occupants in the vehicle, the system will be in standby mode. Otherwise, within a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) after the driver leaves, an alarm (e.g., honking the horn) will be activated to alert the driver that an occupant is unattended in a closed vehicle. If the driver does not respond to the hazard, a continuous audible alarm, flashing lights, and / or a cellular phone alarm may be activated.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the cabin interior and exterior temperature readings from corresponding sensors are analyzed to predict an imminent hazard to an unattended vehicle occupant. For example, when an extremely high outdoor temperature is signaled (e.g., a sensor reading exceeds 90°C), the system may enable an alarm and / or take corrective action even if the cabin temperature is still acceptable. The system may also employ an algorithm that predicts an imminent hazard based on a combination of temperature readings.

[0027] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents. Future developments that will occur in the art can be anticipated and expected, and the disclosed devices, kits and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system for a vehicle having an ignition switch, at least one passenger door, powered door locks, powered windows, and an HVAC system, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system comprises: Engine status sensor; driver presence sensor; cabin occupant sensors; a latch sensor associated with each passenger door to detect when the associated passenger door is opened; Vehicle motion sensing system; Cabin temperature sensor; Warning signal sending equipment; a wireless messaging system for communicating an impending hazardous condition to cabin occupants; and a controller for: receiving signal inputs from the engine status sensor, the driver presence sensor, the cabin occupant sensor, the door latch sensor, and the cabin temperature sensor; analyzing the inputs to assess whether a hazardous condition exists or is about to occur for a cabin occupant; and generating an output signal to enable at least one of the warning signal sending device, the wireless messaging system, the power door locks, the power windows, the ignition switch, and the HVAC system of the vehicle when a hazardous condition exists or is about to occur for a cabin occupant, wherein the controller is configured to enable the alarm device within a first predetermined time after the driver has turned off the ignition switch and left the vehicle cabin and at least one occupant has been detected, regardless of the temperature reading from the cabin temperature sensor, and wherein the vehicle motion sensing system reports a no-motion status only after the motion sensor has not detected motion within a second predetermined time period.

2. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to be interrogated upon request by a remote user to determine whether a hazardous condition exists or is about to occur for cabin occupants.

3. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to notify a remote user of intruder entry into the vehicle cabin.

4. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system further comprises a proximity detector arranged to detect when a person is in close proximity to the vehicle.

5. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 4, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to notify a remote user when a person is in close proximity to the vehicle.

6. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The driver presence sensor is a motion detector, an infrared sensor, a mass or pressure sensor of a seat cushion or seat back, a mass or pressure sensor of a floor, or a camera.

7. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The alarm signaling device is an audible alarm.

8. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 7, wherein: The sound alarm is a horn or a siren.

9. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The alarm signaling device is a visual alarm.

10. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 9, wherein: The visual warning is to flash the headlights and / or taillights.

11. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 9, wherein: The visual alert is a dashboard warning light.

12. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The cabin occupant sensor is at least one of a camera, a microphone, an infrared sensor, an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a motion detector, a mass or pressure sensor of a seat cushion or seat back, or a mass or pressure sensor of a floor.

13. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to: check for the presence of a driver when the engine status sensor is off; determine if the cabin temperature sensor provides a temperature reading indicative of an impending hazard when the driver is present in the vehicle cabin; as well as When a cabin temperature is detected that indicates an imminent danger to the driver, the ignition switch and HVAC system are turned on in an attempt to maintain a comfortable temperature within the vehicle cabin.

14. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 13, wherein: The temperature in the vehicle is periodically monitored to determine if the driver is present and if a comfortable temperature is maintained in the vehicle cabin, and when a comfortable temperature is not maintained, an impending hazardous condition is communicated to the driver via the wireless messaging system.

15. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to: check whether there is a cabin occupant when the ignition switch is on and the vehicle motion sensing system reports a no-motion state while the door latch sensor detects an open door; determine whether the cabin temperature sensor provides a temperature reading indicating an imminent danger to the occupant when the door latch sensor detects that the open door has been closed; enable an alarm signal sending device when an occupant is detected in a closed cabin with an internal temperature indicating an imminent danger to the occupant; and communicate a condition of imminent danger to the occupant via the wireless messaging system after a third predetermined time period while the occupant remains in the closed vehicle cabin with a dangerous internal temperature.

16. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system is configured to: check whether there is a cabin occupant when the ignition switch is off and the door latch sensor detects an open door; determine whether the cabin temperature sensor provides a temperature reading indicating an imminent danger to the occupant when the door latch sensor detects that the open door has been closed; enable an alarm signal sending device when an occupant is detected in a closed cabin with an internal temperature indicating an imminent danger to the occupant; and communicate a condition of imminent danger to the occupant via the wireless messaging system after a third predetermined time period while the occupant remains in the closed vehicle cabin with a dangerous internal temperature.

17. A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system for a vehicle having an ignition switch, at least one passenger door, powered door locks, powered windows, and an HVAC system, wherein: The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system comprises: Engine status sensor; driver presence sensor; cabin occupant sensors; a latch sensor associated with each passenger door to detect when the associated passenger door is opened; Vehicle motion sensing system; Cabin temperature sensor; Warning signal sending equipment; a wireless messaging system for communicating an impending hazardous condition to cabin occupants; and A controller for: receiving signal inputs from the engine status sensor, the driver presence sensor, the cabin occupant sensor, the door latch sensor, and the cabin temperature sensor; analyzing the inputs to assess whether a dangerous condition exists or is about to occur for the cabin occupants; and generating an output signal when a dangerous condition exists or is about to occur for the cabin occupants to enable at least one of the alarm signal sending device, the wireless messaging system, the power door locks, the power windows, the vehicle's ignition switch, and the HVAC system, wherein the controller is configured to enable the alarm device within a first predetermined time after the driver has turned off the ignition switch and left the vehicle cabin and at least one occupant has been detected, regardless of a temperature reading from the cabin temperature sensor, wherein the motion sensor of the engine status sensor is a speedometer, accelerometer, or ultrasonic sensor.

18. A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system for a vehicle having an ignition switch, at least one passenger door, powered door locks, powered windows, and an HVAC system, the vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system comprising: Engine status sensor; driver presence sensor; cabin occupant sensors; a latch sensor associated with each passenger door to detect when the associated passenger door is opened; Vehicle motion sensing system; Cabin temperature sensor; External temperature sensor; Warning signal sending equipment; a wireless messaging system for communicating an impending hazardous condition to cabin occupants; as well as a controller for receiving signal inputs from the engine status sensor, the driver presence sensor, the cabin occupant sensor, the door latch sensor, the cabin temperature sensor, and the exterior temperature sensor, analyzing the inputs to assess whether a hazardous condition exists or is about to occur for a cabin occupant, and generating an output signal to enable at least one of the warning signal sending device, the wireless messaging system, the power door locks, the power windows, an ignition switch, and an HVAC system of the vehicle when a hazardous condition exists or is about to occur for a cabin occupant, wherein the controller is configured to activate the alarm device within a first predetermined time after the driver has turned off the ignition switch and left the vehicle cabin and at least one occupant has been detected, regardless of a temperature reading from the cabin temperature sensor, Wherein the controller is configured to assess whether a hazardous condition is about to occur for a cabin occupant based on temperature readings from both the cabin temperature sensor and the external temperature sensor.

19. The vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system according to claim 18, wherein: When the outside temperature is below a low temperature threshold or above a high temperature threshold, a condition that is about to become dangerous to the cabin occupants is triggered regardless of the cabin temperature.

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