Cabin Humidity Estimation Using an Integrated Particulate Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle sensors require complex electronic resources and spatial constraints for determining air humidity and temperature, necessitating additional sensors for relative humidity measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a particulate matter sensor with integrated temperature and relative humidity sensors to determine air humidity by calculating partial pressure of water using thermodynamic formulas, eliminating the need for additional humidity sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to measure relative humidity and temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The particulate matter sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: its primary function of detecting particulate matter concentration is combined with an additional function of determining relative humidity through integrated temperature and humidity sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the particulate matter detection function with relative humidity measurement by integrating temperature and humidity sensors within the same sensor housing. This consolidation combines multiple sensing functions into a single device, reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the sensor system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to measure relative humidity and temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but spatial constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By making the particulate matter sensor multi-functional with integrated humidity and temperature sensing capabilities, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors. This reduces the total spatial footprint required for sensor installation in the vehicle, addressing the spatial constraints mentioned in the problem statement.
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidation of particulate matter detection, temperature sensing, and humidity sensing into a single integrated sensor unit reduces the overall space required for sensor installation. This merging approach directly addresses the spatial constraints by minimizing the area occupied by sensor components.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to measure relative humidity and temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but electronic resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The particulate matter sensor is enhanced with integrated temperature and humidity sensing capabilities, allowing it to perform multiple measurement functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate sensors and their associated electronic processing units, thereby decreasing overall electronic resource requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables determination of relative humidity in the vehicle compartment without additional sensors, reducing complexity and spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor integrating at least one temperature sensor and a relative humidity sensor
Implementation Method 2
said parameter is related to a partial pressure of the water in the air by means of thermodynamic laws
Implementation Method 3
a saturated vapor pressure is determined at the temperature of the air in the particulate matter sensor using a Bertrand-Dupré thermodynamic formula
Implementation Method 4
the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment is estimated from the temperature of the air in the particulate matter sensor and from a power dissipated by electronic components of an electrical circuit arranged in the particulate matter sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a relative humidity of the air in a motor vehicle passenger compartment, comprising the following steps: —determining a parameter reflecting a specific humidity of the air from a relative humidity (HR1) of the air and a temperature (T1) of the air in a sensor integrating at least one temperature sensor and one relative humidity sensor, —calculating the relative humidity (HR2) of the air in said passenger compartment of the motor vehicle from said parameter and a temperature (T2) of the air in the passenger compartment.