Autonomous Vehicle Interior Moisture Detection and Drying Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles lack the ability to detect and respond to moisture conditions within their interiors, such as excessive humidity or wet surfaces, which can lead to passenger discomfort and potential safety hazards, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous vehicle fleet management system that utilizes sensor data from humidity sensors and cameras to detect moisture conditions and implements drying procedures, including activating the HVAC system, ventilated seats, and opening windows, to maintain a comfortable and safe environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If autonomous vehicles operate during adverse weather conditions, then productivity is improved, but moisture conditions accumulate inside the vehicle causing passenger discomfort and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle operation continuityVSAvoidmoisture condition

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of moisture conditions using humidity sensors and camera sensors before the moisture level becomes harmful. The fleet management device receives sensor data and determines moisture conditions in advance, allowing the system to activate drying procedures proactively to prevent passenger discomfort and safety hazards while maintaining continuous operation during adverse weather

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where humidity sensors and camera sensors continuously monitor the interior environment, transmit data to the fleet management device, which then determines moisture conditions and activates appropriate drying procedures (HVAC system, ventilated seats, window adjustments). This feedback loop ensures continuous monitoring and automatic response to maintain a safe and comfortable environment while the vehicle operates during adverse weather conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If drying procedures are activated to remove moisture, then passenger comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates drying procedures partially or selectively based on the detected moisture condition severity. The fleet management device determines the appropriate level of intervention by analyzing sensor data and activating only the necessary drying procedures (HVAC system, ventilated seats, or window adjustments) to achieve acceptable comfort levels, avoiding full activation of all drying systems and thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while still improving passenger comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the parameters of drying procedures based on real-time moisture condition detection. The fleet management device modifies HVAC system settings, ventilated seat activation levels, and window adjustment degrees according to the detected humidity levels and moisture presence, optimizing energy consumption by applying only the necessary degree of drying action required to maintain passenger comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively detects and responds to moisture conditions, ensuring passenger comfort and safety by reducing humidity levels and drying wet surfaces, thereby preventing potential hazards and improving the overall experience.

Implementation Method 1

activating the HVAC system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning):

Implementation Method 2

ventilated seats

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240066949A1Detecting and responding to a moisture condition of an autonomous vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for detecting and responding to a moisture condition of an autonomous vehicle (AV). In some examples, an AV fleet management device may detect a moisture condition within AV based on sensor data received from the AV. In some aspects, in response to detecting the moisture condition, the AV fleet management device may determine, based on the sensor data, that a humidity level within the autonomous vehicle exceeds a threshold humidity level or a wet surface within the autonomous vehicle is present. In some cases, a drying procedure may be determined or selected for reducing the humidity level or drying the wet surface within the autonomous vehicle.