Vehicle Seat UV Sanitizing Control for Unoccupied Seat Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats are rarely sanitized, and manual sanitizing processes are burdensome for owners, posing risks for bacterial and viral contamination.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous seat sanitizing system that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to sanitize unoccupied vehicle seats before and after use, employing sensors to detect approaching individuals and control UV light application based on seat occupancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual sanitizing is performed, then sanitization can be achieved, but it is burdensome for vehicle owners
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle seats to sanitize themselves automatically through UV-C lights activated by the control module, eliminating the need for manual intervention by vehicle owners while ensuring consistent sanitization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs sanitization in advance before the vehicle is used by detecting when a person approaches and activating UV-C lights on unoccupied seats, ensuring seats are sanitized before occupancy without requiring post-use manual cleaning
2Reliability
If seats are sanitized frequently, then hygiene is improved, but time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sanitization timing based on real-time detection of seat occupancy and person proximity, activating UV-C lights only when seats are unoccupied and persons are approaching, optimizing hygiene without wasting time on already-sanitized or occupied seats
Solution Approach 2:
The control module continuously monitors seat occupancy sensors and person detection data to determine when sanitization should be activated, using feedback from these sensors to automate the timing and duration of UV-C light application
3Reliability
If UV light is applied continuously, then sanitization coverage is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation of UV-C lights based on detected events (person approach, door opening, occupancy changes) rather than continuous operation, maintaining sanitization coverage while significantly reducing energy consumption by activating lights only when needed
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 ensures continuous sanitization of unoccupied vehicle seats, enhancing hygiene by automatically applying UV light when seats are empty, thereby reducing the burden on owners and improving sanitation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sanitizing ultraviolet (UV) light is directed onto the at least one unoccupied vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous seat sanitizing system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat sanitizing system control module configured to detect a person approaching a vehicle. Responsive to a person approaching the vehicle, a distance of the person from the vehicle is determined. The distance of the person from the vehicle is compared to a predetermined threshold distance. If the distance of the person from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance, the control module determines if at least one seat in the vehicle occupant compartment is unoccupied. If at least one seat is unoccupied, the module controls operation of the vehicle to direct a sanitizing ultraviolet (UV) light onto the unoccupied seat until a vehicle door is opened from an exterior of the vehicle, or until the distance of the person from the vehicle is no longer less than the predetermined threshold distance.