Vehicle Cabin Heating Control for Pathogen Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face challenges in efficiently heating passenger cabins to reduce pathogens like bacteria and viruses, as different components heat at varying rates, making it difficult for the computer to determine which components to actuate for comprehensive cabin heating.
Innovation Solution
A system where a computer in the vehicle uses data from multiple sources, including sensors and environmental data, to selectively actuate heating components, leveraging external heat sources like sunlight and ambient air to achieve efficient and thorough cabin sanitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heating components are actuated to heat the entire passenger cabin, then pathogen reduction effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal sensors to detect temperature variations in different zones of the passenger cabin and selectively actuates heating components only in areas that require heating. This localized approach ensures pathogen reduction in critical areas while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption in already warm zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system predicts future cabin temperature based on current thermal conditions, outdoor temperature, and environmental factors (such as sunlight exposure) to determine the optimal time to initiate heating. By starting heating in advance based on predictions, the system ensures the cabin reaches pathogen-reducing temperatures by the time the vehicle is used, while minimizing total energy consumption.
2Reliability
If heating components are actuated earlier to ensure thorough cabin heating, then pathogen reduction effectiveness is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal assessments and predicts future temperature trends to determine the optimal initiation time for heating. Instead of always heating early or always waiting, the system calculates the precise moment when heating should start based on predicted environmental conditions and cabin thermal characteristics, achieving pathogen reduction by the needed time without unnecessary early heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating schedule based on real-time sensor data and changing environmental conditions. Rather than following a fixed timing schedule, the system continuously monitors thermal sensors and modifies heating activation timing to match actual cabin heating rates and external conditions, optimizing the balance between pathogen reduction effectiveness and time efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the computer uses simple heating rules without considering multiple data sources, then device complexity is reduced, but heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the passenger cabin into multiple thermal zones with individual temperature sensors monitoring each zone. The computer receives data from all zones and independently controls heating components for each zone, ensuring uniform heating across the entire cabin while maintaining manageable control logic through modular zone-based management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature in multiple cabin zones using thermal sensors and feeds this data back to the computer. Based on this feedback, the computer adjusts heating component actuation in real-time to maintain uniform temperature distribution throughout the cabin, achieving heating uniformity through closed-loop control without excessive complexity.
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
This approach effectively reduces pathogens in the vehicle by ensuring uniform and energy-efficient heating of the cabin, enhancing passenger safety and reducing the risk of transmission.
Implementation Method 1
actuate a propulsion subsystem to increase a temperature of engine coolant
Implementation Method 2
actuate a climate control component to heat the passenger cabin based on the temperature of the engine coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, suppress a climate control limiter that prevents an air blower of a climate control component from operating when an engine coolant temperature exceeds a temperature threshold, and actuate a motor on an air pump to introduce air external to the vehicle to the passenger cabin.