Multi-Function Sensor for Mass Transit Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles for mass transportation, such as buses and trains, face challenges in providing comfortable and safe climate control for a high number of passengers, with existing systems often resulting in discomfort due to inadequate temperature regulation and increased complexity and cost of components.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device equipped with optical and temperature sensors is installed in the passenger cabin to detect multiple passengers, allowing for individualized climate control and improved functionality, while reducing the number of components needed by utilizing a single sensor device for multiple functionalities, including passenger detection, climate control, and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor device is used for multiple functionalities (passenger detection, climate control, safety), then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision for individual parameters may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single sensor device that performs multiple functions: detecting passenger presence, determining passenger position, measuring temperature, and providing safety monitoring. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall number of components while maintaining adequate measurement precision for each parameter through integrated sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate sensor systems (passenger detection sensors, temperature sensors, safety sensors) into a single integrated sensor device. This merging reduces system complexity and component count while the sensor device is designed to maintain measurement precision across all functions through unified calibration and processing.
2Ease of operation
If individualized vehicle functions are provided for each passenger based on precise detection, then passenger comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor device provides comprehensive data (presence, position, temperature) that enables individualized vehicle functions for each passenger without requiring separate sensor systems. The integrated device reduces complexity while supporting personalized climate control, safety features, and comfort adjustments for each detected passenger.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device detects and processes information for multiple passengers simultaneously by segmenting the detection space into individual zones. Each passenger's data is processed separately to enable individualized functions, while the underlying sensor hardware remains unified, balancing personalization with system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If climate control is adjusted for each passenger individually, then passenger comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device enables localized climate control adjustments for individual passengers or passenger zones based on their specific thermal needs and positions. Instead of uniform climate control for the entire vehicle, the system applies targeted adjustments only where needed, improving comfort while minimizing overall energy consumption through spatially differentiated control.
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 system provides precise and individualized vehicle functions, enhancing passenger comfort and safety by accurately detecting passenger conditions and adjusting climate control, seat heating/cooling, and safety features, while maintaining a low component count and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device may comprise at least one optical sensor unit for sensing wavelengths in the visible and/or near infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature sensor unit for sensing wavelengths in the long-wave infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 3
The long-wave infrared spectrum comprises wavelengths between 7 μm and 15 μm, particularly between 8 μm and 14 μm. Accordingly, long-wave infrared radiation may refer to a radiated heat
Data Source
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AI summary
Vehicle for mass transportation, in particular bus or train, with a passenger cabin for accommodating a plurality of vehicle passengers, and with a sensor device installed within the passenger cabin, the sensor device being configured for simultaneous and/or sequential detection of at least a plurality of vehicle passengers within the passenger cabin.