Systems and methods for performing intelligent seat heater control

Abstract

A system and method for performing intelligent seat heater control, the intelligent automotive seat comprising: a heating component; a temperature sensor; and an electronic control unit, wherein a memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor, are configured to cause the processor to: read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; calculate a cumulative area of exposure AEA, wherein: AEA is a cumulative area below a temperature time curve and above a critical temperature threshold CTTV, and CTTV is a predetermined temperature value representing little to no risk of thermal injury; determine whether AEA is greater than a target temperature exposure area limit TEAL, wherein TEAL is a predetermined exposure area limit for a current heat level of the heating component; and when AEA is greater than TEAL, reduce the current heat level of the heating component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for performing smart seat heater operation based on the cumulative exposed area as a function of time and temperature exceeding a critical temperature threshold. Background Technology

[0002] Many vehicles include seat heaters configured to heat one or more seats in the vehicle. The temperature of the seat heaters can be controlled based on the ambient interior conditions, but the seats will not reach high contact temperatures.

[0003] Heated seats complement existing HVAC systems, providing thermal comfort to passengers. Heated seats have a larger contact area with the body and heat up faster than the interior environment of vehicles using HVAC systems, thus providing faster thermal comfort. However, contact with heated seat surfaces increases the risk of thermal injury. The target temperature, duration of contact, and accumulated heat energy before the target all affect the risk of thermal injury.

[0004] The automatic downshift function can be used to reduce heat after a set time limit (e.g., from high to medium temperature after 30 minutes), regardless of the actual seat temperature. This time limit is fixed, whether increasing exposure on warm days or reducing exposure on cold days. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one object of the present invention, a smart car seat is provided. The smart car seat may include: a heating element; a temperature sensor configured to measure one or more temperature inputs; and an electronic control unit including a processor and a memory. The memory may be configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to: read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; calculate a cumulative exposed area (AEA) based on the one or more temperature inputs and the one or more time inputs, wherein the AEA is the cumulative area below a temperature-time curve and above a critical temperature threshold (CTTV), and the CTTV is a predetermined temperature value representing almost no risk of thermal damage. When executed by the processor, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: determine whether the AEA is greater than a target temperature exposed area limit (TEAL), and when the AEA is greater than the TEAL, reduce the current heat level of the heating element. The TEAL is a predetermined exposed area limit for the current heat level of the heating element.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can also be configured to cause the processor to calculate the current AEA.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment, calculating the current AEA may include: calculating the current seat heater sensor temperature (HST); determining whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; when the HST is greater than the CTTV, calculating the sensor time interval (STI) by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading; calculating the critical sensor temperature (CST) by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and calculating the sensor exposed area (SEA) by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment, the current AEA is equal to the sum of SEA and the previous AEA.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can also be configured to enable the processor to determine whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can also be configured to cause the processor to determine whether the heating element should be turned off after reducing the current heat level of the heating element.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit includes the vehicle's computing device.

[0012] According to one object of the present invention, a system for performing operation of a smart seat heater is provided. The system may include a vehicle having one or more smart car seats. Each smart car seat may include: a heating element; a temperature sensor configured to measure one or more temperature inputs; and an electronic control unit including a processor and a memory. The memory may be configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to: read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; and calculate the cumulative exposed area (AEA) based on the one or more temperature inputs and the one or more time inputs. The AEA is the cumulative area below a temperature-time curve and above a critical temperature threshold (CTTV), and the CTTV is a predetermined temperature value representing almost no risk of thermal damage. When executed by the processor, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: determine whether the AEA is greater than a target temperature exposed area limit (TEAL), and when the AEA is greater than the TEAL, reduce the current heat level of the heating element. The TEAL is a predetermined exposed area limit for the current heat level of the heating element.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can also be configured to cause the processor to calculate the current AEA.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, calculating the current AEA may include: calculating the current seat heater sensor temperature (HST); determining whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; when the HST is greater than the CTTV, calculating the sensor time interval (STI) by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading; calculating the critical sensor temperature (CST) by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and calculating the sensor exposed area (SEA) by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, the current AEA is equal to the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can be configured to enable the processor to determine whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, when executed by a processor, the instruction can be configured to cause the processor to determine whether the heating element should be turned off after reducing the current heat level of the heating element.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit may include the vehicle's computing device.

[0019] According to one object of the present invention, a method for performing operation of a smart seat heater is provided. The method may include the steps of: measuring one or more temperature inputs using a temperature sensor of the smart car seat. Each smart car seat includes: a heating element; a temperature sensor; and an electronic control unit, including a processor and a memory. The method may include: reading one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and storing them in the memory; reading one or more time inputs and storing them in the memory; and calculating the cumulative exposed area (AEA) based on the one or more temperature inputs and the one or more time inputs. The AEA is the cumulative area below a temperature-time curve and above a critical temperature threshold (CTTV), which is a predetermined temperature value representing almost no risk of thermal damage. The method may include: using the electronic control unit, determining whether the AEA is greater than a target temperature exposed area limit (TEAL), and when the AEA is greater than the TEAL, reducing the current heat level of the heating element. The TEAL is a predetermined exposed area limit for the current heat level of the heating element.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes calculating the current AEA.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment, the step of calculating the current AEA may include: calculating the current seat heater sensor temperature (HST); determining whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; calculating the sensor time interval (STI) by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading; calculating the critical sensor temperature (CST) by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and calculating the sensor exposed area (SEA) by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, the current AEA is equal to the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the method may include the step of determining whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the step of determining whether to turn off the heating element after reducing the current heat level of the heating element. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, incorporated into and forming part of the detailed description, illustrate various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject matter and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the subject matter discussed below. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings mentioned in this description should be understood as not drawn to scale, and unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts in the various drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 A vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is configured to perform intelligent seat heater operation based on the cumulative exposed area defined as a function of time and temperature exceeding a critical temperature threshold.

[0027] Figure 2 An intelligent car seat is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 A diagram illustrating the cumulative exposure area according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figures 4A to 4B A flowchart illustrating a method for performing intelligent seat heater operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A diagram illustrating the cumulative exposure area (AEA) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 An exemplary architecture of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 7 Example elements of a computing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific implementations described below are provided as examples only and not as limitations. Furthermore, they are not intended to be construed as being bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the background section above or the detailed description below.

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While various embodiments are discussed herein, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit these embodiments. Rather, the presented embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter. However, embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the described embodiments.

[0035] Some parts described in detail below are presented using symbols representing programs, logic blocks, processes, and other operations on data within electrical equipment. These descriptions and representations are means used by those skilled in the art of data processing to most effectively communicate the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In this application, programs, logic blocks, processes, etc., are contemplated as one or more self-consistent programs or instructions that lead to a desired result. The program is one that requires the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although not essential, these quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in electronic systems, equipment, and / or components.

[0036] However, it should be remembered that these and similar terms will be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless otherwise stated, as will be apparent from the following discussion, it should be understood that throughout the description of the embodiments, discussions using terms such as “determine,” “communicate,” “take,” “compare,” “monitor,” “calibrate,” “estimate,” “start,” “provide,” “receive,” “control,” “send,” “isolate,” “generate,” “align,” “synchronize,” “identify,” “hold,” “display,” “switch,” etc., refer to the actions and processes of electronic devices such as processors, sensor processing units (SPUs), processors of sensor processing units, application processors of electronic devices / systems, or combinations thereof. The device manipulates data represented as physical (electronic and / or magnetic) quantities in registers and memories and converts them into other data represented similarly as physical quantities in memory or registers or other such information storage, transmission, processing, or display components.

[0037] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "of a vehicle" or other similar terms as used herein include ordinary motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, ships including various boats and vessels, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As described herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a gasoline-powered and an electric-powered vehicle. In various respects, a vehicle may include an internal combustion engine system as disclosed herein.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and these terms do not limit the nature, sequence, or order of the constituent components. It should also be understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed devices. Throughout the specification, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the word “comprising” and words such as “including” or “containing” should be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements, but do not exclude any other elements. Furthermore, the terms “unit,” “device,” “section,” and “module” described in the specification mean a unit for performing at least one function and operation, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0039] Although the exemplary embodiments are described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary process, it should be understood that the exemplary process can also be performed by one or more modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term "controller / control unit" refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor and is specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is used to store modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute the modules to perform one or more processes further described below.

[0040] Furthermore, the control logic of the present invention can be embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions that are executed by a processor, controller, etc. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, optical disc (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed in a network-coupled computer system, such that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example by a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0041] Unless otherwise specified or obvious from the context, as used herein, the term “about” should be understood as falling within the normal tolerance range in the field, such as within two standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. All numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term “about” unless clearly understood from the context.

[0042] The embodiments described herein can be discussed in the general context of processor-executable instructions residing on some form of non-transitory processor-readable medium (such as a program module) that are executed by one or more computers or other devices. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program module can be combined or distributed as needed.

[0043] In the accompanying drawings, a single block may be described as performing one or more functions; however, in practice, the one or more functions performed by that block may be performed in a single component or across multiple components, and / or may be performed using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, logic, circuits, and steps are generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the system as a whole. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the example device vibration sensing system and / or electronic equipment described herein may include components other than those shown, including well-known components.

[0044] Unless specifically described as implemented in a particular manner, the various techniques described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Any feature described as a module or component may also be implemented collectively in an integrated logic device or separately as a discrete but interoperable logic device. If implemented in software, the technique may be implemented at least in part by a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods described herein. The non-transitory processor-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may contain encapsulation material.

[0045] Non-transitory processor-readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and other known storage media. Additionally or optionally, this technology may be implemented at least in part by a processor-readable communication medium that carries or transmits code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer or other processor.

[0046] The various implementations described herein can be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more motion processing units (MPUs), sensor processing units (SPUs), host processors or their cores, digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific instruction set processors (ASIPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein, or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. As used herein, the term "processor" can refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other structure suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. As used in this specification, the term "processor" can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device, including but not limited to: single-core processors; single-processors with software multithreading capabilities; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreading capabilities; multi-core processors with hardware multithreading technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Furthermore, processors can utilize nanoscale architectures, such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum dot-based transistors, switches, and gates, to optimize space utilization or enhance the performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing units.

[0047] Furthermore, in some aspects, the functionality described herein can be provided within dedicated software or hardware modules configured as described herein. Moreover, the technology can be fully implemented within one or more circuit or logic elements. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of an SPU / MPU and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with an SPU core, an MPU core, or any other such configuration. One or more components of the SPU or electronic device described herein can be implemented in the form of one or more “chips,” “packages,” or integrated circuits (ICs).

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment, a system and method are provided for performing smart seat heater operation based on the cumulative exposure area, which is defined as a function of time and temperature exceeding a critical temperature threshold.

[0049] Now for reference Figures 1 to 2 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle 100 is illustratively shown. Figure 1 ) and Smart Car Seat 102 ( Figure 2The vehicle 100 is configured to perform intelligent seat heater operation based on the cumulative exposed area, defined as a function of time and temperature exceeding a critical temperature threshold. According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 may include an electric vehicle and / or other suitable vehicles.

[0050] Typically, when the seat heater is activated, the seat temperature is monitored until it reaches a critical temperature threshold (CTTV). CTTV is a predetermined temperature value that indicates virtually no risk of thermal injury (e.g., typical body temperature). Seat temperatures exceeding the CTTV are incorporated into the cumulative exposed area (AEA) and compared to the target temperature exposed area limit (TEAL).

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, AEA is the cumulative area below the temperature-time curve but above the critical temperature threshold. TEAL is the predetermined exposure area limit for the selected seat heater setting. The downshift (SD) limit refers to the downshift time determined when AEA equals TEAL.

[0052] When AEA equals TEAL, the seat heater setting can be reduced. Area-based exposure limits take into account heat accumulation and changes in thermal performance over time, such as differences in heating rates, heat outside the target threshold, and fluctuations within the target threshold.

[0053] By controlling the seat heater based on the actual seat temperature above the critical temperature, embodiments of the present invention reduce the risk of injury from contact burns, reduce total energy consumption in warmer conditions, and provide a consistent user experience regardless of environmental conditions.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment, vehicle 100 may include computing device 104. Computing device 104 may include processor 106, memory 108, and / or user interface 110 (e.g., graphical user interface). Computing device 104 may be configured to send and / or receive commands / data / inputs, etc., via one or more external systems through wired and / or wireless connections (e.g., via cloud 112).

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment, vehicle 100 may include one or more smart car seats 102. According to an exemplary embodiment, the one or more smart car seats 102 may electronically communicate with one or more computing devices 104. The one or more computing devices 104 may be detached from the one or more smart car seats 102 and / or may be incorporated into the one or more smart car seats 102.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment, the intelligent vehicle seat 102 may include one or more temperature sensors 114, heating elements 116, and / or electronic control units (ECUs) 118. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more ECUs 118 may include a processor and / or memory.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more heating elements 116 may include one or more wire elements and / or other materials and / or systems for providing heat to the smart car seat 102. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more temperature sensors 114 may be configured to measure and / or check the current temperature of the smart car seat 102. According to an exemplary embodiment, an ECU 118 may be configured to read and / or store one or more temperature inputs from one or more temperature sensors 114, read and / or store one or more time inputs, calculate one or more mathematical functions based on one or more temperature inputs and one or more time inputs, compare one or more calculation results with one or more current limits, and / or adjust the power of the heating elements 116. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more computing devices 104 may include one or more ECUs 118, and / or may be coupled to one or more ECUs 118.

[0058] The memory 108 can be configured to store program instructions that, when executed by the processor 106, can be configured to cause the processor 106 to perform one or more tasks, such as activating one or more smart car seats; activating one or more heating elements 116; setting one or more preset limits; calculating AEA; calculating the state of values ​​of one or more smart car seats 102; reducing the current heat level of the smart car seat 102; determining whether one or more heating elements 116 are turned on and / or off; and / or performing one or more other suitable tasks.

[0059] Now for reference Figures 4A-4B According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a flowchart of a method 200 for performing intelligent seat heater operation is illustrated.

[0060] At point 205, the heating element of the smart car seat can be activated or reset (e.g., activated). The heating element can be activated by the user and / or manually and / or automatically after a system event.

[0061] At 210, after the heating element is activated, one or more preset exposure limits / targets can be set. These preset exposure limits / targets may include a maximum time limit, TEAL, and / or other suitable exposure limits / targets. At 215, the maximum time limit can be set based on the selected heating element level. At 220, TEAL can be set based on the selected heating element level.

[0062] At position 225, the current AEA can be calculated (e.g., at...). Figure 4B (As shown in more detail below). The AEA can be calculated as the sum of discrete exposed areas based on the intervals between temperature measurements, for example, as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment, calculating the current AEA may include: at 260, checking the current seat heater sensor temperature (HST). Checking the current seat HST may include: recording the current thermal sensor temperature and / or recording the time of the temperature sensor reading. The HST may be compared with the CTTV to determine at 265 whether the HST is greater than the CTTV.

[0064] If HST is not greater than CTTV, then at 260, check the current HST and time. If HST is greater than CTTV, then at 270, calculate the sensor time interval (STI) by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading.

[0065] At 275, the critical sensor temperature (CST) can be calculated by determining the temperature difference between HST and CTTV (i.e., CST = HST - CTTV).

[0066] At 280, the sensor exposure area (SEA) can be calculated by determining the product of CST and STI (i.e., SEA = CST * STI).

[0067] At point 285, the current AEA can be calculated by determining the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA (i.e., (current AEA) = (previous AEA) + SEA).

[0068] At point 230, the system status can be checked for changes in the selected heating level, and it can be checked whether the limits have been exceeded.

[0069] At point 235, it can be determined whether the user has changed the selected heating level. If the user has changed the selected heating level, at point 255, it is determined whether the heating element of the smart car seat is turned off. If the heating element of the smart car seat is turned off, at point 205, the heating element of the smart car seat is activated or reset. If the heating element of the smart car seat is not turned off, at point 210, one or more preset exposure limits / targets are set.

[0070] If the user does not change the selected heating level, at point 240, it is determined whether the current AEA is greater than TEAL. If the current AEA is greater than TEAL, at point 250, the currently selected heating level is reduced by one level, and at point 255, it is determined whether the heating component of the smart car seat is turned off. If the current AEA is not greater than TEAL, at point 245, it is determined whether the current time is greater than the maximum time.

[0071] If the current time is greater than the maximum time, then at point 250, the currently selected heating level is reduced by one level, and at point 255, it is determined whether the heating components of the smart car seat are turned off. If the current time is not greater than the maximum time, then at point 225, the current AEA is recalculated.

[0072] Now for reference Figure 6 An example vehicle system architecture 600 for a vehicle is provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The following discussion of the vehicle system architecture 600 is sufficient to understand one or more components of the vehicle 100.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, vehicle system architecture 600 may include an engine, an electric motor, or a propulsion system 602, and various sensors 604-618 for measuring various parameters of vehicle system architecture 600. In a gas-powered or hybrid vehicle with a fuel-powered engine, sensors 604-618 may include, for example, an engine temperature sensor 604, a battery voltage sensor 606, an engine revolutions per minute (RPM) sensor 608, and / or a throttle position sensor 610. If the vehicle is an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle may include an electric motor and thus may include sensors such as a battery monitoring system 612 (to measure the current, voltage, and / or temperature of the battery), a motor current sensor 614 and a voltage sensor 616, and motor position sensors (such as a resolver and a rotary encoder 618).

[0074] Operating parameter sensors common to both types of vehicles may include, for example, a position sensor 634, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, and / or inertial measurement unit; a speed sensor 636; and / or an odometer sensor 638. The vehicle system architecture 600 may also include a clock 642 used by the system to determine vehicle time and / or date during operation. The clock 642 may be encoded into an onboard computing device 620, and may be a separate device or multiple clocks may be available.

[0075] Vehicle system architecture 600 may include various sensors that operate to collect information about the environment in which the vehicle is traveling. These sensors may include, for example, a position sensor 644 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) device); object detection sensors, such as one or more cameras 646; a LiDAR sensor system 648; and / or a radar and / or sonar system 650. Sensors may include environmental sensors 652, such as a humidity sensor, precipitation sensor, light sensor, and / or ambient temperature sensor. The object detection sensors may be configured to enable vehicle system architecture 600 to detect objects within a given distance of the vehicle in any direction, while the environmental sensors 652 may be configured to collect data about environmental conditions within the vehicle's driving area. According to an exemplary embodiment, vehicle system architecture 600 may include one or more lights 654 (e.g., headlights, floodlights, strobes, etc.).

[0076] During operation, information can be transmitted from sensors to an onboard computing device 620 (e.g., computing device 104, ECU 118). The onboard computing device 620 can be configured to analyze data captured by sensors and / or received from data providers, and can be configured to optionally control the operation of the vehicle system architecture 600 based on the results of the analysis. For example, the onboard computing device 620 can be configured to control: braking via a brake controller 622; direction via a steering controller 624; speed and acceleration via a throttle controller 626 (in a gas-powered vehicle) or an electric motor speed controller 628 (such as a current level controller in an electric vehicle); a differential gear controller 630 (in a vehicle with a transmission); and / or other controllers. The brake controller 622 may include a pedal force sensor, and / or a simulator temperature sensor, etc., as described herein.

[0077] Geographic location information can be transmitted from location sensor 644 to onboard computing device 620, which can then access a map of the environment corresponding to the location information to determine known fixed features of the environment, such as streets, buildings, stop signs, and / or stop / drive signals. Captured images from camera 646 and / or object detection information captured from sensors such as LiDAR 648 can be transmitted from those sensors to onboard computing device 620. The object detection information and / or captured images can be processed by onboard computing device 620 to detect objects near the vehicle. Any known or to-be-known techniques for object detection based on sensor data and / or captured images may be used in the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0078] Now for reference Figure 7This illustration provides an example architecture of a computing device 700. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more functions of the present invention may be implemented by a computing device such as computing device 700 or similar to computing device 700. Computing device 700 may be a quantum computer, a classical computer, and / or have one or more components configured to perform one or more quantum and / or classical computing functions. Computing device 104, ECU 118, and / or computing device 620 may be examples of computing device 700, and / or may include one or more components of computing device 700.

[0079] Figure 7 The hardware architecture represents an example implementation of a representative computing device configured to implement at least a portion of the systems / devices (e.g., vehicle 100 and smart car seat 102) and methods / control logic (e.g., method 200) described herein.

[0080] Some or all of the components of computing device 700 may be implemented as hardware, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. Hardware may include, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. Electronic circuits may include, but are not limited to, passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and / or active components (e.g., amplifiers and / or microprocessors). Passive and / or active components may be adapted, arranged, and / or programmed to perform one or more of the methods, programs, or functions described herein.

[0081] like Figure 7 As shown, computing device 700 may include a user interface 702 (e.g., a graphical user interface), a central processing unit (“CPU”) 706, a system bus 710, a memory 712 connected to and accessible by other parts of computing device 700 via the system bus 710, and a hardware entity 714 connected to the system bus 710. The user interface may include input and output devices, which may be configured to facilitate user-software interaction for controlling the operation of computing device 700. Input devices may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard and / or a touch keyboard 740. Input devices may be connected via wired or wireless connections (e.g., (Connection), connected to computing device 700. Output devices may include, but are not limited to, a speaker 742, a display 744, and / or a light-emitting diode 746.

[0082] At least some hardware entities 714 may be configured to perform actions involving accessing and using memory 712, which may be random access memory (RAM), a disk drive and / or optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and other suitable memory types. Hardware entity 714 may include a disk drive unit 716, which includes a computer-readable storage medium 718 on which a set of one or more instructions 720 configured to implement one or more methods, programs, or functions described herein (e.g., program instructions such as, but not limited to, software code) may be stored. Instructions 720 may also reside wholly or at least partially within memory 712 and / or CPU 706 during execution by computing device 700.

[0083] The memory 712 and CPU 706 may also constitute a machine-readable medium. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to a single or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) that store a set of one or more instructions 720. The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein also refers to any medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions 720 for execution by the computing device 700 and enabling the computing device 700 to perform any one or more methods of the present invention. According to various embodiments, one or more computer application programs 724 may be stored on the memory 712.

[0084] The foregoing description includes examples of the subject matter of the invention. Of course, it is impossible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methods in order to describe the subject matter, but it should be understood that many other combinations and arrangements of the invention are also possible. Therefore, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover all such changes, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0085] Specifically, for the various functions performed by the aforementioned components, devices, systems, etc., unless otherwise stated, the terms used to describe these components (including references to “devices”) are intended to correspond to any part (e.g., a functionally equivalent part) that performs a particular function of the component, even if it is not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure that performs that function in the exemplary aspects of the claimed subject matter shown herein.

[0086] The systems and components described above are based on the interactions between several components. It is understood that these systems and components may include those components or specific sub-components, parts of specific components or sub-components, and / or additional components, and there are various arrangements and combinations of the aforementioned components. Sub-components may also be implemented as components communicatively coupled to other components, rather than being contained within a higher-level component (hierarchical structure). Furthermore, it should be noted that one or more components may be combined into a single component providing integrated functionality, or divided into several independent sub-components. Any component described herein may also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein.

[0087] Furthermore, while a particular feature of this inventive subject matter may be disclosed only for one of several embodiments, for any given or particular application, that feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, if desired and advantageous. Moreover, with regard to the use of the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” and variations thereof, and other similar terms in the detailed description or claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the opening transitional term “comprising,” without excluding any additional or other elements.

[0088] Therefore, the embodiments and examples set forth herein are intended to best explain various selected embodiments of the invention and their specific applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art should recognize that the foregoing descriptions and examples are provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes only. The descriptions set forth are not intended to be exhaustive, nor are they intended to limit the embodiments of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.

Claims

1. A smart car seat, comprising: Heating components; A temperature sensor is configured to measure one or more temperature inputs; as well as Electronic control unit, including processor and memory, The memory is configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to: Read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; Read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; The cumulative exposure area (AEA) is calculated based on one or more temperature inputs and one or more time inputs. in: The AEA is below the temperature-time curve and above the critical temperature threshold. The cumulative area of ​​CTTV, and The CTTV is a predetermined temperature value that indicates almost no risk of thermal damage; Determine whether the AEA is greater than the target temperature exposure area limit TEAL. Wherein, TEAL is a predetermined exposure area limit for the current heat level of the heating element; and When AEA is greater than TEAL, the current heat level of the heating element is reduced.

2. The intelligent car seat according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor, the instructions are also configured to cause the processor to calculate the current AEA.

3. The intelligent car seat according to claim 2, wherein, Calculating the current AEA includes: Calculate the current seat heater sensor temperature HST; Determine whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; When the HST is greater than the CTTV, the sensor time interval STI is calculated by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading. The critical sensor temperature CST is calculated by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and The sensor exposure area (SEA) is calculated by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

4. The intelligent car seat according to claim 3, wherein, The current AEA is equal to the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA.

5. The intelligent car seat according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor, the instructions are also configured to enable the processor to determine whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

6. The intelligent car seat according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor, the instruction is also configured to cause the processor to: determine whether to turn off the heating element after reducing the current heat level of the heating element.

7. The intelligent car seat according to claim 1, wherein, The electronic control unit includes the vehicle's computing devices.

8. A system for performing intelligent seat heater operation, comprising: A vehicle having one or more smart car seats, wherein each smart car seat includes: Heating components; A temperature sensor is configured to measure one or more temperature inputs; and Electronic control unit, including processor and memory, The memory is configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to: Read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; Read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; The cumulative exposure area (AEA) is calculated based on one or more temperature inputs and one or more time inputs. in: The AEA is below the temperature-time curve and above the critical temperature threshold. The cumulative area of ​​CTTV, and The CTTV is a predetermined temperature value that indicates almost no risk of thermal damage; Determine whether the AEA is greater than the target temperature exposure area limit TEAL. Wherein, TEAL is a predetermined exposure area limit for the current heat level of the heating element; and When AEA is greater than TEAL, the current heat level of the heating element is reduced.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, When executed by the processor, the instructions are also configured to cause the processor to calculate the current AEA.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein, Calculating the current AEA includes: Calculate the current seat heater sensor temperature HST; Determine whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; When the HST is greater than the CTTV, the sensor time interval STI is calculated by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading. The critical sensor temperature CST is calculated by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and The sensor exposure area (SEA) is calculated by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The current AEA is equal to the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein, When executed by the processor, the instructions are also configured to enable the processor to determine whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein, in, When executed by the processor, the instruction is also configured to cause the processor to: determine whether to turn off the heating element after reducing the current heat level of the heating element.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The electronic control unit includes the vehicle's computing devices.

15. A method for performing operation of a smart seat heater, comprising the following steps: The smart car seat uses a temperature sensor to measure one or more temperature inputs, wherein the smart car seat includes: Heating components; Temperature sensor; and The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory, and Using the aforementioned electronic control unit: Read one or more temperature inputs from the temperature sensor and store them in the memory; Read one or more time inputs and store them in the memory; The cumulative exposure area (AEA) is calculated based on one or more temperature inputs and one or more time inputs. in: The AEA is below the temperature-time curve and above the critical temperature threshold. The cumulative area of ​​CTTV, and The CTTV is a predetermined temperature value that indicates almost no risk of thermal damage; Determine whether the AEA is greater than the target temperature exposure area limit TEAL. Wherein, TEAL is a predetermined exposure area limit for the current heat level of the heating element; and When AEA is greater than TEAL, the current heat level of the heating element is reduced.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of calculating the current AEA.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The steps to calculate the current AEA include: Calculate the current seat heater sensor temperature HST; Determine whether the HST is greater than the CTTV; When the HST is greater than the CTTV, the sensor time interval STI is calculated by determining the time interval since the last temperature sensor reading. The critical sensor temperature CST is calculated by determining the temperature difference between the HST and the CTTV; and The sensor exposure area (SEA) is calculated by determining the product of the CST and the STI.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The current AEA is equal to the sum of the SEA and the previous AEA.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of determining whether the user has changed the current heat level of the heating element.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: After reducing the current heat level of the heating element, it is determined whether the heating element should be turned off.

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