Occupant Image-Based Thermal Effector Control for Vehicle Microclimates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle HVAC systems fail to automatically account for the specific characteristics of occupants, such as clothing and anthropology, leading to inefficient thermal comfort adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A microclimate control system that uses an image capture unit to analyze occupant parameters, estimating clothing insulation and anthropometric characteristics to regulate thermal effectors like seats, steering wheels, and vents for personalized thermal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If microclimate systems use occupant-selected discrete settings, then the system is simple to operate, but the system cannot automatically adapt to specific occupant characteristics such as clothing and anthropology
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and analyzes occupant characteristics without requiring manual input. The image capture unit captures images of the occupant, and the controller automatically extracts personal parameters, predicts clothing insulation values, and adjusts thermal effectors based on this analysis, enabling the system to serve itself in adapting to occupant needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual adjustment mechanisms with an automated vision-based system. Instead of requiring occupants to physically adjust discrete settings, the system uses image capture units and algorithms to automatically detect occupant characteristics and control thermal effectors, substituting mechanical adjustment with optical detection and computational analysis
2Measurement precision
If microclimate systems estimate occupant characteristics based on season and sex, then the system requires minimal data input, but the estimation accuracy is insufficient for personalized thermal comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image capture unit as an intermediary to obtain occupant characteristics. Instead of directly measuring complex physical or physiological parameters, the system captures images and uses image analysis as an intermediate step to extract personal parameters, clothing characteristics, and anthropometric information with high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the occupant through image capture and analysis. By analyzing the image data, the controller can predict clothing insulation values and anthropometric characteristics without physically measuring the occupant, using the image as a surrogate for direct measurement
3Reliability
If thermal effectors are controlled without considering clothing insulation, then the control system is simpler, but the thermal comfort effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of occupant characteristics, including clothing insulation prediction, before controlling the thermal effectors. The controller predicts the clothing insulation value based on image analysis and uses this prediction in advance to determine appropriate thermal effector settings, ensuring effective thermal comfort control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from simple discrete settings to complex multi-parameter control including predicted clothing insulation values and anthropometric characteristics. By incorporating these additional parameters into the control logic, the system achieves more reliable and personalized thermal comfort control
Data Source
AI summary
A microclimate control system for an occupant includes a component that has a thermal effector that is configured to provide thermal conditioning to an occupant. An image capture unit is configured to receive an image of the occupant. A controller is in communication with the image capture unit, the controller includes an extractor algorithm that is configured to extract occupant personal parameters based upon the image. The controller includes a first estimator that is configured to predict an occupant clothing insulation value based upon the occupant personal parameters, and a second estimator is configured to predict occupant anthromorphic characteristics based upon the occupant personal parameters. The controller is configured to regulate the thermal effector based upon the occupant clothing insulation value and the occupant anthromorphic characteristics.