Cabin Temperature Control for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles capable of automatic driving, passengers cannot effectively adjust the cabin temperature during automatic driving modes, especially when they are sleeping or unable to intervene, leading to discomfort due to temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjusting apparatus with an automatic driving determination unit, a cabin temperature acquiring unit, and a cabin temperature adjusting unit that controls the air conditioning system, window actuator, and seat warming apparatus to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature, even when passengers are unable to do so, by utilizing environmental and energy data to optimize temperature adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic driving control is operating, then the vehicle can drive autonomously without driver intervention, but passengers cannot adjust the cabin temperature leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring cabin temperature and autonomously controlling the air conditioning system without requiring passenger intervention. The automatic driving determination unit detects when automatic driving is active, and the cabin temperature adjusting unit responds autonomously to maintain comfort, making the system serve itself during automated operation.
2Ease of operation
If the air conditioning system operates continuously to maintain cabin temperature, then passenger comfort is improved, but fuel and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by operating the air conditioning system only when necessary - specifically when automatic driving is detected and cabin temperature exceeds predetermined ranges. The control unit periodically monitors temperature conditions and activates cooling or heating only during periods when automatic driving is active and temperature thresholds are breached, rather than running continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by adjusting cabin temperature setpoints and control parameters based on detected automatic driving states. When automatic driving is detected, the system modifies temperature control parameters to maintain comfort within predetermined ranges, and adjusts air conditioning operation parameters to optimize energy consumption during different driving modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature adjusting apparatus is provided in a vehicle capable of performing an automatic driving. The temperature adjusting apparatus includes: an automatic driving determination unit that determines whether or not an automatic driving control is operating in the vehicle; a cabin temperature acquiring unit that acquires a cabin temperature in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle; and a cabin temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the cabin temperature. The cabin temperature adjusting unit is configured to control, when the automatic driving determination unit determines that the automatic driving control is operating in the vehicle and the cabin temperature acquired by the cabin temperature acquiring unit exceeds a predetermined range, temperature adjusting means provided in the vehicle, thereby executing a temperature adjusting control to adjust the cabin temperature.