Vehicle Cabin Smoking Detection Through Comfort Feature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face issues with the presence of harmful chemicals in the passenger cabin, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, which can be odorless and colorless, posing risks to occupants and affecting user experience due to lingering smoke odors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with sensors to measure chemical concentrations and cameras to detect smoking, adjusting luxury and comfort features like HVAC, seat heating/cooling, and WiFi connectivity to discourage smoking by making the environment less comfortable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors and cameras are installed to detect smoking and chemicals in the passenger cabin, then the ability to detect harmful chemicals and smoking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data from VOC sensors, CO sensors, and smoke detectors; it controls HVAC system operation; it manages climate control settings; and it coordinates with the user interface. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a single integrated unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection and control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (VOC sensing, CO sensing, smoke detection) and multiple control functions (HVAC control, climate control, user interface management) into a single integrated system. The sensor array and control module work as unified components, merging detection and control operations that could have been separate systems, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If luxury and comfort features are adjusted or disabled in response to detected smoking, then the effectiveness of discouraging smoking is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively disabling comfort features before the smoking situation can fully develop or before harmful chemicals accumulate to dangerous levels. When smoking is detected, the system immediately restricts HVAC operation and adjusts climate controls to prevent further contamination, thereby discouraging smoking behavior through immediate environmental feedback while maintaining user safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring cabin air quality through sensors and immediately responding to detected smoking by adjusting comfort features. This closed-loop control provides real-time feedback to occupants about the consequences of smoking, creating a deterrent effect. The feedback mechanism automatically reverses when smoking stops, restoring normal operation and maintaining ease of use when conditions are acceptable.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the HVAC system operation is disabled or adjusted in response to smoking detection, then the safety and air quality are improved, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively controlling HVAC operation rather than completely disabling it. When smoking is detected, the system adjusts HVAC operation to specific zones or reduces airflow rather than shutting down the entire system, thereby maintaining some climate control function while preventing smoke distribution. This partial operation reduces energy consumption compared to full HVAC operation while still protecting occupants from harmful chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by continuously monitoring air quality and dynamically adjusting HVAC operation based on real-time conditions. When smoking is detected, HVAC operation is modified temporarily; when air quality returns to acceptable levels, normal operation resumes. This periodic adjustment pattern allows the system to minimize energy consumption during smoking events while maintaining safety, and recover normal energy-efficient operation when conditions permit.
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 discourages smoking by discomforting occupants through feature adjustments, ensuring a safer and more pleasant cabin environment by reducing chemical exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The smoke sensor is a photoelectric smoke sensor
Implementation Method 2
The smoke sensor is an ionization smoke sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes: at least one of: a sensor configured to measure an amount of a chemical in air within a passenger cabin of a vehicle; and a camera configured to capture images within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a control module configured to: detect smoking within the passenger cabin based on the at least one of the amount of the chemical and at least one of the images; and in response to smoking being detected within the passenger cabin, adjust operation of at least one of a luxury feature of the vehicle and a comfort feature of the vehicle.