Smart Bus Shelter Control System for User-Based Environment Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart bus platforms face challenges in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment due to the presence of abnormal users and inefficient management of temperature, air quality, and passenger information dissemination, leading to issues like shelter misuse and increased labor costs.

Innovation Solution

An automatic control system that uses electronic devices and a control unit to manage the shelter environment based on the number of users and their stay time, including cameras for user identification, air purifiers, and display units for real-time passenger information, ensuring only normal users enter and maintaining a clean environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a closed shelter is provided to protect users from environmental conditions, then user comfort is improved, but abnormal users can easily enter and misuse the shelter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental conditionsVSAvoidshelter misuse by abnormal users

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the shelter environment using sensors (temperature, humidity, air quality) and camera-based user identification. When abnormal conditions or unauthorized users are detected, the system provides feedback to the control unit which adjusts electronic devices or alerts authorities, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains shelter integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The shelter system automatically manages its own environment through automated control of HVAC systems, lighting, and air purifiers based on sensor data. The user identification system automatically prevents abnormal users from entering without requiring manual intervention, enabling the shelter to self-regulate and reduce dependency on continuous human monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If control personnel stay in the shelter to monitor and arrest abnormal users, then user safety is improved, but labor costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safety and abnormal user controlVSAvoidoperational complexity and labor costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring by control personnel with an automated electronic monitoring system. Camera-based user identification, sensor networks, and automated control units substitute for human observers, eliminating the need for continuous human presence while maintaining monitoring capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces electronic intermediaries (sensors, cameras, control units) between the users and the monitoring authority. These intermediaries automatically detect, analyze, and respond to situations, acting as mediators that reduce direct human involvement while maintaining effective oversight and response capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If electronic devices are operated according to fixed set values, then system simplicity is maintained, but air comfort deteriorates when user number or staying time changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidair quality and temperature comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed-set-value operation to dynamic adaptive control. Sensors continuously monitor environmental parameters and user presence, and the control unit dynamically adjusts electronic device operations (HVAC, lighting, air purifiers) in real-time based on current conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing user numbers and staying times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (temperature setpoints, humidity levels, air flow rates, lighting intensity) based on detected user presence and environmental conditions. The control unit modifies these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed values, optimizing comfort while responding to varying occupancy levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If heaters or air conditioners are provided in open shelters, then user comfort is improved, but power consumption increases severely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from cold and heatVSAvoidpower consumption of HVAC devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-heating or pre-cooling the shelter space before users arrive or when user presence is detected. The control unit activates HVAC systems in advance based on predicted occupancy, allowing the shelter to reach comfortable temperatures with less energy input rather than continuously operating at high capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11682301B2Automatic control system of smart bus platform considering the number of users and staying time

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 EP KOREA CO LTD

AI summary

The automatic control system of the smart bus platform includes a plurality of electronic devices provided in the shelter and a control unit. The control unit controls at least one of the plurality of electronic devices based on at least one of the number of users and a prospective staying time of the users in the shelter.