Vehicle Cabin Occupant Detection for Automatic Temperature Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems require driver intervention to mitigate harmful environmental conditions, which can lead to serious injury or death if the driver fails to respond promptly, especially when children or pets are left unattended in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that automatically detects occupants and hazardous conditions, using sensors to control window position and air conditioning to regulate temperature without requiring user action, including a detection sensor, environmental sensor, and a controller to manage window motors and air conditioners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a notification system is implemented to alert drivers when children or pets are left in vehicles, then awareness of the problem is improved, but the system requires driver intervention which may not occur in time to prevent injury or death
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors interior conditions and activates mitigation measures without requiring driver intervention. The controller continuously receives signals from detection sensors and environmental sensors, and autonomously activates window motors or air conditioning systems when hazardous conditions are detected, making the system self-acting and eliminating reliance on driver response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection of hazardous conditions before they become life-threatening. By continuously monitoring environmental parameters and occupant presence, the system can activate mitigation measures in advance, creating a safety buffer that prevents injury or death rather than merely notifying after the fact.
2Reliability
If automatic mitigation systems are implemented to regulate temperature without driver action, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single controller that coordinates detection sensors, environmental sensors, window motors, and air conditioning systems. The controller serves as a universal management unit that handles occupant detection, environmental monitoring, and activation of various mitigation measures, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple components involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines detection sensor functionality, environmental sensor monitoring, and mitigation actuation control into an integrated automated safety system. By merging these functions under a single controller that manages both window motors and air conditioning systems, the patent reduces the operational complexity that would arise from separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If detection sensors and environmental sensors are continuously monitored, then hazard detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors sensor inputs but only activates mitigation systems when hazardous conditions are detected. The continuous monitoring is maintained at low power levels, with full system activation occurring periodically only when necessary based on sensor readings, thereby balancing detection accuracy with energy conservation during normal operating conditions.
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
Automatically mitigates extreme temperatures and harmful gases within vehicles, ensuring occupant safety by regulating interior conditions without driver intervention, thereby preventing injuries and deaths.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioner configured to control the air temperature within the interior space of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a window motor configured to move the window between an open position and a closed position
Implementation Method 3
a detection sensor configured to detect an individual occupying the interior space of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
an environmental sensor configured to detect at least one environmental condition within the interior space of the vehicle
Implementation Method 5
The controller is configured to initiate operation of the air conditioner to regulate the air temperature within the interior space of the vehicle
Implementation Method 6
initiate operation of the window motor to move the window between the closed position and the open position when an individual is detected within the interior of the vehicle and the air temperature is outside of a threshold limit
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for detecting humans or pets located within the interior of a vehicle and mitigating harmful environmental conditions within the interior to protect humans or pets that may have been inadvertently left inside the vehicle and are incapable of voluntarily exiting the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle having an interior space for occupants and an air conditioner for regulating the air temperature within the interior space. The system also includes a detection sensor for detecting whether a person or pet is inside the vehicle and an environmental sensor for detecting the air temperature inside the vehicle. If the system determines that a person or pet is occupying the vehicle and the inside air temperature is above or below a safe level, the system is designed to automatically take corrective actions to regulate the air temperature to prevent serious injury or death to vehicle occupants.