Vehicle Seat Temperature Control via Sensor Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle air conditioning systems rely on manual control and fail to provide individualized temperature settings tailored to each occupant, often resulting in inefficient temperature regulation, especially for the seating area where the occupant is seated.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that collect information on the vehicle environment, seat, and occupant using sensors and an identification unit, prioritize this information based on accuracy and effect, and control an air conditioning device to set a target temperature tailored for each occupant, integrating both indoor and seat air conditioning for efficient temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual control is used for air conditioning, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot provide individualized temperature settings for each occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air conditioning control into individual occupant-specific zones, with each seat having its own temperature control capabilities. The system divides the vehicle interior into multiple controllable regions (seats and general cabin space) that can be independently regulated based on occupant preferences and sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service temperature control by automatically sensing occupant presence, seat temperature, and environmental conditions, then autonomously adjusting heating or cooling without requiring manual intervention. The air conditioning device and seat heating/cooling elements work automatically based on collected sensor information.
2Temperature
If indoor air conditioning is used, then the overall cabin temperature is regulated, but the seated area where the occupant contacts the seat does not receive adequate temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated temperature control for the seat area versus the general cabin space. Heating wires and cooling elements are embedded specifically in the seats to address the local thermal needs of the occupant's contact area, while the air conditioning system handles the broader cabin environment independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If seat air conditioning is added to complement indoor air conditioning, then temperature coverage is improved, but the system cannot provide tailored temperature for each occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service temperature control by automatically sensing occupant presence, seat temperature, and environmental conditions, then autonomously adjusting heating or cooling without requiring manual intervention. The air conditioning device and seat heating/cooling elements work automatically based on collected sensor information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor seat temperature, occupant presence, and environmental conditions. This feedback loop allows the control unit to automatically adjust heating and cooling outputs to maintain optimal temperature settings for each occupant based on real-time data.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a seat temperature control system and a control method thereof comprising a sensor unit collecting integrated information including vehicle information on vehicle environment, seat information on a state of a seat, and occupant information on a state of an occupant; an air conditioning device regulating airflow volume and temperature of an indoor space or a seat of the vehicle; and a control unit having a prioritizing criterion on the priority among a plurality of pieces of integrated information, prioritizing the plurality of pieces of integrated information according to the prioritizing criterion, setting target temperature of the output from the seat or the air conditioning device according to the plurality of prioritized pieces of integrated information, and controlling the air conditioning device in order for the temperature of the output from the seat or the air conditioning device to reach the target temperature.