EV Front Trunk Camera Monitoring for Delivery and Anti-Entrapment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles face challenges in preventing human entrapment in the front trunk and providing flexible delivery solutions for packages, with a need for enhanced security and convenience in using the frunk for delivery services.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a camera into the front trunk to monitor and communicate images, along with a vehicle controller to manage access and communication with remote systems, enabling secure delivery and anti-entrapment features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front trunk is used as a delivery locker for package delivery service, then delivery flexibility and convenience are improved, but the risk of human entrapment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery flexibilityVSAvoidhuman entrapment risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the front trunk interior before delivery and continuously monitoring during the delivery process. The camera system is pre-positioned to capture the entire frunk space, and the controller is pre-programmed to compare incoming images with the baseline image to detect any changes that might indicate human presence, thereby preventing entrapment before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously capturing images with the camera, comparing them against the baseline image stored in memory, and generating alerts when discrepancies are detected. The controller receives real-time feedback from the camera system and communicates with the remote device to notify the delivery service provider of any potential entrapment situations, enabling immediate corrective action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a camera system is installed in the front trunk for monitoring, then human entrapment prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehuman entrapment preventionVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is designed with multi-functionality to justify its inclusion. The same camera that captures images for entrapment prevention can also verify package delivery, monitor frunk usage patterns, and provide visual evidence for security incidents. The controller performs multiple functions including image capture coordination, baseline image storage, real-time image comparison, and communication with remote devices, making the system versatile rather than specialized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically capturing baseline images, continuously monitoring the frunk interior, comparing images against the baseline, and generating alerts without requiring constant human intervention. The controller autonomously manages the camera operations, stores images in memory, and communicates findings to the remote device, reducing the operational complexity despite the added hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12403857B2Accessible delivery storage and anti-entrapment feature for an electric vehicle front trunk
Publication Date: 2025.09.02 FCA US LLC
  • US12403857B2 patent drawing
  • US12403857B2 patent drawing
  • US12403857B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method include a first device and a vehicle in communication with the first device. The vehicle includes a front trunk, a camera disposed within the front trunk; and a vehicle controller controlling the camera to capture an image for the front trunk and communicating the image in an image signal to the first device.