Passive Alcohol Sensor for Vehicle Cabin Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drunk driving prevention systems, such as breathalyzer devices, can be circumvented and do not effectively prevent first-time offenders from operating vehicles while intoxicated, as they require a blow tube and are typically installed only in vehicles of repeat offenders.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that uses sensors to detect blood alcohol content in the air within a vehicle zone, disabling vehicle operations or activating warning systems without the need for a blow tube, and can be installed in all vehicles, including planes and boats, using sensors like fuel cell, oxide semiconductor, or infrared sensors to prevent intoxicated drivers from starting or continuing to operate vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If breathalyzer devices with blow tubes are used to detect intoxicated drivers, then alcohol detection capability is achieved, but the system can be easily circumvented by sober friends or pressurized air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidcircumvention vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the blow tube component from the detection system entirely. Instead of requiring the driver to actively blow into a tube, the system uses sensors to passively detect alcohol content in the air within the vehicle cabin, eliminating the vulnerability to circumvention through third-party blowing or pressurized air injection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air quality sensors as an intermediary between the driver and the detection system. These sensors detect alcohol content in the ambient air of the vehicle cabin, serving as a mediator that indirectly measures the driver's BAC without requiring direct interaction with the driver through a blow tube

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If breathalyzer devices are installed only in vehicles of repeat offenders, then cost is reduced, but first-time offenders are not prevented from drunk driving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidprevention coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter from active driver participation (blowing into a tube) to passive environmental sensing (detecting alcohol in cabin air). This parameter change enables universal installation in all vehicles without increasing complexity, as the sensor-based system is simpler and more integrated than traditional blow tube devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If sensors continuously monitor alcohol content in vehicle air, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBAC measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic sampling of alcohol content in the vehicle cabin air rather than continuous monitoring. The control module is configured to detect BAC at specific intervals or under specific conditions (e.g., when the vehicle is started), reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for safety purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Effectively prevents vehicle operation by intoxicated drivers without reliance on blow tubes, addressing the limitations of existing systems by providing a more comprehensive and proactive solution that can be installed in all vehicles, enhancing safety by preventing drunk driving incidents.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor may comprise a fuel cell alcohol sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell sensor detection: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

an oxide semiconductor alcohol sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxide semiconductor detection:

Implementation Method 3

or an infrared alcohol sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9758039B2Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence of an intoxicated driver and controlling the operation of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 DRIVING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A system is disclosed to control operation of a vehicle based on a blood alcohol content of a driver. A detector includes a sensor configured to measure an alcohol content of air in a predetermined three-dimensional zone within a vehicle. The three-dimensional zone is proximal to a driver seat side of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to measure the alcohol content of the air independent of interaction of a driver with the detector. The sensor is configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver. A controller is electrically coupled to the detector. The controller is configured to determine a tamper event. Optionally, the controller is configured to detect a presence of the driver within the vehicle. A method for preventing operation of a vehicle by an intoxicated person also is disclosed.