Parked Vehicle Rescue Control With Third-Party Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle leaving coping systems struggle to ensure timely rescue of occupants left in parked or stopped vehicles, as they often rely on warnings that may not be noticed by nearby individuals or authorities who are not present, leading to delayed rescue efforts.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle leaving coping system that includes a first sensor to detect an occupant, a main controller to execute rescue control, an outside output device to emit sounds, and an outside detection device to locate a third party, allowing for rescue request and guidance sounds to be outputted and the locking apparatus to be unlocked when a third party is detected, facilitating early rescue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a warning system is used to alert occupants left in vehicles, then the system can detect and notify about the situation, but the warning may not be noticed by nearby individuals or authorities leading to delayed rescue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue effectivenessVSAvoidrescue response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the occupant left in the vehicle and initiating the rescue sequence before external help arrives. The main controller detects the situation through the first sensor, determines rescue necessity, and automatically executes the rescue control sequence including sound output and locking apparatus control, thereby initiating rescue actions before the administrator or third party can manually respond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's own systems are used to perform the rescue function. The main controller utilizes the vehicle's existing sensors, sound output devices, and locking apparatus to detect the occupant left situation and execute the rescue sequence, eliminating the need for external manual intervention to initiate the rescue process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the locking apparatus remains locked to ensure vehicle security, then theft prevention is maintained, but the administrator cannot quickly access the vehicle for rescue purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidaccess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking apparatus transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic state that can automatically unlock based on detected conditions. When the main controller determines that an occupant is left in the vehicle and rescue is necessary, it automatically controls the locking apparatus to unlock, allowing rapid access while maintaining security during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the first sensor detecting the occupant left situation to trigger the automatic unlocking sequence. The main controller continuously monitors the situation and responds by controlling the locking apparatus to unlock when rescue is determined necessary, creating a closed-loop system that balances security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4386704B1Vehicle leaving coping system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SUBARU CORP
  • EP4386704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4386704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4386704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle leaving coping system (1) configured to cope with leaving of an occupant left in a parked or stopped vehicle (2) includes the vehicle (2). The vehicle (2) includes a first sensor (42, 43), a main controller (60), an outside output device (51), and an outside detection device (50). A main CPU in the main controller (60) determines whether the occupant is to be rescued, based on a detection by the first sensor (42, 43). When the occupant is to be rescued, the main CPU causes a rescue request sound to be outputted. When the third party is detected in the region around the vehicle (2) after outputting of the rescue request sound, the main CPU causes a rescue guidance sound to be outputted. After the rescue request sound is outputted and outputting of the rescue guidance sound is started, the main CPU executes a process to unlock a locking apparatus (44) to allow the third party to rescue the occupant.