Vehicle Cabin Solar-Blocking Control for Unmanned Pre-Conditioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning control systems for electric cars reduce electricity and fuel efficiency when pre-conditioning a self-driving vehicle for unmanned travel, as they continue to condition the cabin during battery charging, leading to increased power consumption and decreased travel distance due to solar radiation effects.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning control device for self-driving vehicles that includes a passenger determination unit, a travel determination unit, and a light blocking control unit to adjust solar radiation into the vehicle cabin using a light blocking device, reducing power consumption and improving comfort by optimizing temperature settings during unmanned travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air conditioner continues to condition the cabin during battery charging for pre-conditioning, then the temperature comfort is improved, but the electricity consumption increases and fuel efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabin temperatureVSAvoidelectricity consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by blocking solar radiation before the cabin temperature rises excessively during unmanned travel. The light blocking device is activated in advance to prevent heat buildup, so that when the passenger enters, the cabin is already at a comfortable temperature, eliminating the need for continuous air conditioning operation and reducing electricity consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of solar radiation into a beneficial control mechanism. By actively blocking solar radiation during unmanned travel, the system prevents the cabin from overheating, thereby reducing the subsequent cooling load and electricity consumption required to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Temperature

If the air conditioner operates continuously to maintain comfortable temperature, then the temperature comfort is improved, but the travel distance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabin temperatureVSAvoidtravel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking device performs preliminary action by preventing solar heat gain during unmanned travel phases. This proactive approach maintains acceptable cabin temperatures without requiring continuous air conditioner operation, thereby conserving battery energy and extending the vehicle's travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If solar radiation is blocked during unmanned travel, then the electricity consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidlight blocking device

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the solar radiation blocking function as a separate, dedicated light blocking device. This modular approach allows the air conditioning system to operate independently from the solar control mechanism, enabling selective activation of the light blocking device only during unmanned travel to reduce electricity consumption without requiring complex integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution effectively reduces power consumption and improves fuel efficiency by adjusting solar radiation, allowing the air conditioning to start at a comfortable temperature when a passenger enters the vehicle, thereby enhancing the overall comfort and efficiency of self-driving vehicle operations.

Implementation Method 1

a light blocking control unit that executes a light blocking air conditioning control for a vehicle cabin by operating a light blocking device to adjust solar radiation into the vehicle cabin from a window of the self-driving vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11524550B2Air conditioning control device

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An air conditioning control device includes: a passenger determination unit that determines whether a passenger is in a self-driving vehicle; a travel determination unit that determines a traveling state of the self-driving vehicle; and a light blocking control unit that executes a light blocking air conditioning control for a vehicle cabin by operating a light blocking device to adjust solar radiation into the vehicle cabin from a window of the self-driving vehicle when the passenger determination unit and the travel determination unit determine that the self-driving vehicle is in an unmanned traveling condition.