Anthropomorphic CO2 Breathing Simulator for Vehicle Sensor Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor systems for detecting unattended children in vehicles are inadequate, as they rely on weight, pressure, video, radar, or ultrasound, which do not accurately simulate human presence, leading to potential heat-related fatalities.
Innovation Solution
A breathing simulation apparatus that mimics human respiration by simulating exhale and inhale cycles using a lung enclosure with positive pressure and CO2 injection, replicating the CO2 levels produced by a human or animal, to test and improve CO2 detection systems in vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight or pressure sensors are used to detect unattended children, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of detection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) with simulated human respiratory systems that copy actual human breathing patterns and CO2 generation. These test dummies replicate human metabolism by consuming oxygen and producing CO2 at rates matching human physiology, providing accurate simulation without requiring complex real-human testing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ATDs with adjustable metabolic parameters that can be changed to simulate different human conditions. The respiratory rate, tidal volume, and CO2 production rate are configurable parameters that can be adjusted to match various human subjects (infants, children, adults) and states (resting, active, sleeping), enabling comprehensive sensor evaluation across multiple scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If video, radar, or ultrasound sensors are used, then the detection range is improved, but the measurement precision for simulating actual human presence is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ATDs copy human respiratory physiology by incorporating artificial lungs and metabolic systems that replicate oxygen consumption and CO2 production. This creates a physical copy of human breath characteristics that sensors can detect and evaluate, providing ground-truth data for validating video, radar, and ultrasound detection algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CO2 as an intermediary substance to bridge the gap between physical presence and detectable signal. The ATDs generate CO2 through simulated metabolism, creating a measurable chemical intermediary that validates whether sensors can accurately detect human presence through indirect means like CO2 concentration changes in the vehicle cabin.
3Reliability
If CO2 detection systems are developed, then the reliability of unattended child detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ATDs create accurate copies of human CO2 generation patterns through controlled metabolic simulation. By replicating the exact CO2 production rates and temporal patterns of real human breathing, the system provides reliable test data for validating CO2 detection algorithms without the complexity of using actual human subjects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration and validation of ATD metabolic systems before actual sensor testing. The respiratory and CO2 generation systems are pre-configured and verified to match human physiology, ensuring that when sensors are tested, the reliability of detection can be accurately assessed without needing to account for variability in human subjects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively simulates human breathing to enhance the development and evaluation of CO2 detection systems, reducing the risk of vehicular hyperthermia by accurately mimicking the presence of occupants, thereby improving safety in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
fluid flow through a trachea input creates a positive pressure inside the lung enclosure that acts against simulated lungs therein. This positive pressure, during an exhale cycle, simulates an exhale.
Implementation Method 2
A carbon dioxide source adds carbon dioxide to the exhalation to simulate the conversion of breathable air into carbon dioxide in the lungs.
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing simulation apparatus includes a lung enclosure in fluid communication with a positive pressure valve where the lung enclosure is sealed such that fluid flow through a trachea input creates a positive pressure inside the lung enclosure that acts against simulated lungs therein. This positive pressure, during an exhale cycle, simulates an exhale. During an inhale cycle, the positive pressure is released, and the simulated lungs fill with fluid to simulate an inhale. A carbon dioxide source adds carbon dioxide to the exhalation to simulate the conversion of breathable air into carbon dioxide in the lungs.