Vehicle Cabin Temperature Control Based on Occupant Clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems cannot adjust the interior temperature based on the difference in clothing worn by the occupant, leading to discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning system that includes a temperature sensor, a detection device (such as a camera), a storage unit, and a controller. The system calculates the occupant's clothing level, compares it with stored data, and adjusts the air conditioner settings accordingly to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioner unit controls the vehicle interior temperature based only on outside air temperature and generic settings, then the control logic remains simple, but the occupant comfort and personalization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the occupant's clothing level before controlling the air conditioner, and by pre-storing characteristic data mapping clothing levels to optimal setting temperatures. This allows the control system to automatically select appropriate temperature settings based on detected clothing levels without requiring complex real-time calculations or occupant input, thereby achieving personalization while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
2Measurement precision
If the system stores detailed characteristic data for multiple clothing levels and outside air temperatures, then the temperature control accuracy and comfort are improved, but the data storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies parameter changes by categorizing continuous variables (clothing types, temperatures) into discrete levels (five clothing levels from thin to thick, temperature ranges). This discretization reduces the complexity of data storage while maintaining sufficient precision for effective temperature control. The characteristic data stores setting temperatures corresponding to specific combinations of discrete clothing levels and outside air temperature ranges, achieving a balance between accuracy and storage efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the detection device calculates clothing level by analyzing images of the occupant, then the system achieves automatic and non-contact detection, but the detection accuracy and reliability may be affected by lighting and image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the detected clothing level to automatically adjust air conditioner settings, and by storing the relationship between clothing levels and optimal temperatures in characteristic data. This closed-loop approach allows the system to continuously adapt to the occupant's needs based on detected clothing levels, improving reliability through automated adjustment rather than relying solely on initial detection accuracy. The feedback mechanism compensates for potential detection errors by allowing real-time adjustments based on actual occupant response.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system includes an air conditioner unit, a temperature sensor, a detection device, a storage, and a controller. The temperature sensor detects a current outside air temperature of a vehicle. The detection device detects an occupant of the vehicle. The storage stores characteristic data that is generated for the occupant and that includes clothing level data and a setting temperature of the air conditioner unit corresponding to outside air temperature data. The controller calculates a clothing level of the occupant, compares the calculated clothing level with the clothing level data that is referred to and that corresponds to the outside air temperature data including the outside air temperature which is input from the temperature sensor, and controls driving of the air conditioner unit by referring to, from the characteristic data, the setting temperature corresponding to the clothing level data including the clothing level.