Vehicle Cabin Smoke Sensing for Source and Exposure Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack effective systems to differentiate between first-hand and second-hand smoke within the passenger cabin, which can lead to user exposure and discomfort, and existing technologies do not adequately address the distinction between smoke originating from inside or outside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with smoke sensors at multiple locations within the cabin, a smoking module that determines the source of cigarette smoke based on measured amounts, and additional sensors for carbon dioxide, humidity, pressure, and ignition, to differentiate between first-hand and second-hand smoke, and smoke originating from inside or outside the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If smoke sensors are installed at multiple locations within the passenger cabin, then the ability to differentiate between first-hand and second-hand smoke is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger cabin is divided into multiple monitoring zones with smoke sensors strategically positioned at different locations. Each sensor monitors its specific zone, and the smoking module compares readings across zones to determine the origin of smoke. This segmentation enables precise identification of whether smoke originates from inside or outside the vehicle without requiring an overly complex single-sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoking module serves as an intermediary that processes and analyzes data from multiple smoke sensors. It compares smoke measurements across different locations and times to determine the source of smoke, acting as a mediator that transforms raw sensor data into actionable identification of first-hand versus second-hand smoke without requiring direct complex interaction between sensors themselves.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors for carbon dioxide, humidity, pressure, and ignition are added to determine smoke source, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The smoke sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting smoke presence, determining smoke origin (inside vs. outside vehicle), and identifying first-hand versus second-hand smoke. By making the sensor system universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for entirely separate detection systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while improving measurement precision through the existing sensor network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple physical parameters (smoke concentration, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, pressure, ignition temperature) and analyzes changes in these parameters over time and across locations to determine smoke origin. By detecting parameter changes rather than requiring direct measurement of smoke source location, the system achieves high identification accuracy using the existing multi-sensor infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the system monitors smoke at multiple locations and times to differentiate first-hand from second-hand smoke, then the reliability of smoke source identification is improved, but the loss of time for data collection increases
Solution Approach 1:
Smoke sensors are continuously monitoring the passenger cabin environment before a smoking event occurs, establishing baseline smoke levels at each location. When smoke is detected, the system can immediately compare against pre-collected baseline data from multiple locations, enabling rapid and reliable identification of smoke origin without requiring extended data collection periods after the smoking event begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoking module continuously receives feedback from multiple smoke sensors and dynamically updates its assessment of smoke origin. As new sensor data comes in from different locations, the system refines its determination of whether smoke originates from inside or outside the vehicle, achieving high reliability through iterative feedback processing rather than requiring all data to be collected beforehand.
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 system effectively identifies the source of smoke, allowing for targeted remedial actions such as opening windows, alerting occupants, or activating the HVAC system, thereby improving user experience and safety by distinguishing between first-hand and second-hand smoke and external smoke sources.
Implementation Method 1
optical smoke sensors
Implementation Method 2
piezo electric smoke sensors
Implementation Method 3
carbon dioxide sensor
Implementation Method 4
humidity sensor
Implementation Method 5
pressure sensor
Implementation Method 6
infrared sensor configured to measure temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes: smoke sensors located at different locations within a passenger cabin of a vehicle and configured to measure amounts of cigarette smoke at the locations, respectively, within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a smoking module configured to, based on the measured amounts of cigarette smoke, determine that: a smoking event occurred at a first location within the passenger cabin; and the smoking event did not occur at a second location that is different than the first location within the passenger cabin of the vehicle.