Vehicle HVAC Recirculation Control Using Traffic Camera Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive HVAC systems face challenges in maintaining cabin air quality due to high CO2 levels when in recirculation mode, which can cause sleepiness and safety concerns, especially since air quality sensing systems are costly and unreliable, and manual valve positioning is often incorrect.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-less method using cameras to assess traffic conditions and CO2 levels in the vehicle cabin to control the inlet air valve, automatically switching between recirculation and outside air intake based on determined pollution levels and CO2 concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air quality sensors are used to automatically control the inlet air valve, then cabin air quality is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses camera images as a copy or surrogate representation of traffic conditions instead of direct air quality sensing. The camera captures visual information about traffic density and vehicle proximity, which serves as an indirect indicator of pollution levels, thereby avoiding the need for expensive air quality sensors while still enabling automated control of the inlet air valve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces camera-based traffic condition detection as an intermediary between the external environment and the HVAC control system. Instead of directly measuring air quality parameters, the system uses traffic condition images as an intermediate indicator to infer pollution levels and automatically adjust the inlet air valve position
2Object-affected harmful factors
If recirculation mode is maintained for extended periods to improve air quality, then polluted air intrusion is reduced, but CO2 levels in cabin space increase causing sleepiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors traffic condition images and adjusts the inlet air valve position dynamically. When traffic conditions indicate high pollution risk, the system increases recirculation; when conditions improve or CO2 levels rise, the system opens the valve to introduce fresh air, creating a closed-loop control system that balances air quality and CO2 management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the inlet air valve control dynamic by continuously adjusting its position based on real-time traffic condition analysis. Rather than maintaining a fixed recirculation mode, the system adapts the valve position according to changing external conditions, allowing it to respond to both pollution risks and CO2 accumulation needs
3Device complexity
If manual positioning of the inlet air valve is used, then system complexity is reduced, but air quality control reliability decreases due to driver inattention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the HVAC system to self-regulate by automatically controlling the inlet air valve based on camera-based traffic condition detection. The system performs its own monitoring and adjustment without requiring driver intervention, eliminating the unreliability of manual operation while keeping the overall system relatively simple by using visual sensors rather than complex air quality measurement equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Automotive Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system includes a recirculation mode to control movement of cabin air in vehicle. Air is recirculated within the vehicle cabin space when the vehicle recirculation mode is on. Air is drawn from outside when the recirculation mode is turned off. Because of the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) inside the vehicle, the vehicle needs regular ventilation to maintain low CO2 levels in the vehicle cabin space. A method is described for determining and communicating recirculation mode in a vehicle for improving cabin air quality. The method comprises of capturing an image or video of the traffic ahead of the vehicle using a dashboard or windshield mounted smartphone camera or a vehicle camera, followed by analyzing the image or video of traffic to determine traffic condition as the weighted sum of the sizes of vehicles detected in traffic. The method further comprises of acquiring the number of vehicle occupants and vehicle speed, determining outside air acceptability state based on the traffic condition and the vehicle speed, determining carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the vehicle cabin space based on the number of vehicle occupants present, determining the final recirculation mode based on the outside air acceptability state and the CO2 levels in the vehicle cabin space, and communicating the final recirculation mode to the vehicle controller or vehicle occupant.