Vehicle Cabin Temperature Estimation via Dynamic Range Narrowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-condition remote control systems for vehicles do not accurately inform users of the cabin temperature during pre-air-conditioning, leading to discomfort when the actual temperature at the seating position differs from the detected cabin temperature, and temperature information is not provided in a timely manner.

Innovation Solution

An air-condition remote control system that transmits a remote operation instruction from a mobile terminal to an onboard communication apparatus via a server, including a temperature state estimation section to estimate the cabin temperature and a display control section to show the estimated temperature on the mobile terminal with associated estimation accuracy, which adjusts as the air conditioning progresses, reducing the gap between displayed and actual temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the cabin temperature detected by the cabin temperature sensor is displayed on the mobile terminal, then temperature information can be provided to the user, but the displayed temperature significantly differs from the actual temperature at the seating position, causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature informationVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation process that uses multiple temperature sensors (cabin temperature sensor, outdoor temperature sensor) and elapsed time as mediators to estimate the actual seating position temperature. Instead of directly displaying the raw cabin temperature sensor data, the system computes an estimated temperature that accounts for thermal gradients and environmental factors, thereby resolving the discrepancy between displayed and actual temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary temperature estimation calculations before the user enters the vehicle. By pre-calculating the estimated seating position temperature based on initial cabin temperature, outdoor temperature, and elapsed time, the system ensures accurate temperature information is ready for display when the user needs it, avoiding the delay of waiting for temperature equilibrium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the display of cabin temperature is delayed until the detected temperature approaches the actual temperature, then temperature accuracy improves, but temperature information cannot be provided timely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidtemperature information provision time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature estimation calculations before the user enters the vehicle. By pre-calculating the estimated seating position temperature based on initial cabin temperature, outdoor temperature, and elapsed time, the system ensures accurate temperature information is ready for display when the user needs it, avoiding the delay of waiting for temperature equilibrium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors elapsed time and updates the temperature estimation in real-time. By incorporating time-based feedback into the temperature calculation, the system dynamically adjusts the estimated temperature as the cabin temperature evolves, providing timely and progressively accurate temperature information throughout the pre-air conditioning period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the cabin temperature sensor is used to detect temperature, then temperature detection is simple, but the detected temperature significantly differs from the actual temperature at the seating position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection systemVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temperature detection function by using multiple temperature sensors positioned at different locations (cabin temperature sensor, outdoor temperature sensor) rather than relying on a single sensor. This segmentation allows the system to capture different thermal zones and combine them through calculation to estimate the seating position temperature, maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation process that uses multiple temperature sensors (cabin temperature sensor, outdoor temperature sensor) and elapsed time as mediators to estimate the actual seating position temperature. Instead of directly displaying the raw cabin temperature sensor data, the system computes an estimated temperature that accounts for thermal gradients and environmental factors, thereby resolving the discrepancy between displayed and actual temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2711215B1Air-condition remote control system for vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2711215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2711215B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2711215B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An estimated temperature range At is calculated by adding a plus-side temperature width x to the temperature D detected by a temperature sensor within the cabin of a vehicle and subtracting a minus-side temperature width y therefrom, and is displayed on the display of a mobile terminal as a temperature state of the cabin. When cooling is performed, the plus-side temperature width x is made grater than the minus-side temperature width y. Also, the plus-side temperature width x is narrowed with elapse of time from the start of pre-air-conditioning. With this operation, the temperature state of the vehicle cabin from the start of the pre-air-conditioning can be properly communicated to a vehicle user.