Vehicle Seat Occupancy-Based Air Conditioning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air-conditioning systems lack the ability to intelligently provide individual air-conditioning functions for multiple seats based on occupancy detection without requiring manual driver intervention.
Innovation Solution
A smart air-conditioning control system that utilizes sensors to detect occupancy in each vehicle seat and a controller to selectively control air-conditioners, radiant heat warmers, and ventilation functions based on user input and occupancy data, including weight, radar, and body temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual driver intervention is used to control air-conditioning for each seat, then the driver can directly control the air-conditioning function, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning system automatically detects seat occupancy using sensors and independently controls the air-conditioning function for each occupied seat without requiring manual driver intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously adjusting air-conditioning based on detected occupancy status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses occupancy detection sensors to gather real-time information about seat occupancy status and feeds this information back to the controller, which then automatically adjusts the air-conditioning function accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual control.
2Reliability
If air-conditioning is provided for all seats regardless of occupancy, then all seats receive air-conditioning service, but energy is wasted on unoccupied seats
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different air-conditioning control strategies to different seats based on their occupancy status. Occupied seats receive full air-conditioning service while unoccupied seats have air-conditioning reduced or stopped, creating localized quality differences in service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full air-conditioning to all seats continuously, the system applies partial air-conditioning action only to occupied seats. This prevents excessive energy consumption on unoccupied seats while maintaining adequate service quality where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual air-conditioning control for each seat is implemented, then each seat can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal controller that manages air-conditioning for multiple seats through a single integrated control unit. The occupancy detection sensors and control logic serve multiple functions: detecting occupancy, determining control strategy, and executing air-conditioning adjustments across different seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-conditioning control system is segmented into independent control zones for each seat, with individual occupancy detection sensors and separate air-conditioning actuators for each seat. This modular segmentation allows independent control while maintaining system manageability.
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
Enables efficient, automated control of air-conditioning and heating/ventilation functions for each seat, optimizing energy use and user comfort without manual driver manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The detector may be configured to detect whether an occupant is seated in each seat through a weight sensor disposed in each seat.
Implementation Method 2
The detector may be configured to detect whether an occupant is seated in a rear seat through a radar-based rear seat occupant detecting (ROA) sensor.
Implementation Method 3
The detector may be configured to detect whether an occupant is seated in each seat through a body temperature detecting sensor disposed in each seat.
Implementation Method 4
selectively controlling an air-conditioner designated to an occupied seat
Implementation Method 5
transmit control information for a radiant heat warmer and heating and ventilation function to the occupied seat
Data Source
AI summary
A smart air-conditioning control apparatus of a vehicle may include: a power supply unit configured to activate and deactivate a smart air-conditioning control function of the vehicle based on a user input, a detector configured to detect whether an occupant is seated in each seat through a sensor disposed in each seat in the vehicle, when the smart air-conditioning control function is activated, and a controller configured to selectively control an air-conditioner designated to an occupied seat, which is detected as being occupied by an occupant among the seats in the vehicle.