Rental Vehicle Cabin Odor Detection Using VOC and Particle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack effective methods for measuring and managing odors introduced into rental vehicles, which can decrease their value and require costly remediation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes VOC and particulate matter sensors, a triggering module, an odor database, and an odor determination module to measure and identify odors within the passenger cabin, with features such as targeted advertisements, payment charging, window actuation, and HVAC control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no odor measurement system is installed, then the vehicle system remains simple and low-cost, but odors introduced into rental vehicles cannot be detected or managed, decreasing vehicle value and requiring costly remediation
Solution Approach 1:
The odor measurement function is segmented into separate sensor components (VOC sensor and particulate matter sensor) that can independently detect different odor sources. This allows the system to measure specific odor parameters without requiring a complete complex system, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An odor database acts as an intermediary between raw sensor measurements and odor identification. The database maps measured VOC and particulate matter amounts to specific odor types, enabling accurate odor detection without requiring complex real-time analysis algorithms, thus maintaining system simplicity while achieving precise measurement.
2Reliability
If comprehensive odor measurement and management systems are implemented, then vehicle value is maintained and remediation costs are reduced, but the system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary odor measurement and identification before significant contamination occurs. By detecting odors early through VOC and particulate matter sensors, the system enables timely intervention (such as notifying users to remove odor sources) that prevents costly remediation, thereby maintaining vehicle value without requiring overly complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about detected odors through the user interface module. This feedback loop allows users to take corrective actions (remove odor sources, ventilate the vehicle) that prevent further contamination and maintain vehicle value, reducing the need for complex automated remediation systems.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and processing modules are added to detect and manage odors, then odor identification accuracy improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal sensor types (VOC sensors and particulate matter sensors) that can detect multiple different odor sources through a single measurement platform. These sensors can identify various odors (food, pets, chemicals, smoke) without requiring specialized sensors for each odor type, improving identification accuracy while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex specialized sensors for each odor type, the system creates a simplified model by measuring fundamental parameters (VOC concentrations and particulate matter) that characterize all odors. The odor database stores pre-analyzed odor profiles based on these measurements, allowing accurate odor identification through simple, easily manufactured sensor components.
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 effectively determines and manages odors within rental vehicles, allowing for targeted advertisements, charging users for excessive odors, and automatically taking actions to mitigate odor issues, thereby maintaining vehicle value and reducing remediation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of a VOC within a passenger cabin of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate matter within the passenger cabin of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes: a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of a VOC within a passenger cabin of a vehicle; a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate matter within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; a triggering module configured to, during a use of the vehicle, selectively trigger the VOC and particulate matter sensors to measure the amount of the VOC and the amount of particulate matter; an odor database including a mapping of amounts of VOCs and amounts of particulate matter to odors; and an odor determination module configured to, using the odor database, determine an odor introduced into the passenger cabin of the vehicle during the use of the vehicle based on the measured amounts of VOCs and particulate matter.