Vehicle Climate Control Using Geolocation and Passenger Load Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current climate control systems in transport vehicles lack autonomous optimization capabilities, failing to efficiently adjust to real-time ambient conditions and passenger/load data, leading to suboptimal environmental control within the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a controller to receive geolocation-specific data, climate control data, and passenger/load data to generate adjustment instructions for the climate control system, determining the optimal operating mode based on projected internal space humidity and ambient temperature, thereby adjusting the system's operation to maintain a comfortable environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If climate control systems operate without autonomous optimization, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency and adaptability to real-time conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The climate control system autonomously monitors ambient conditions, internal space parameters, and passenger load data to automatically adjust its operation without manual intervention or complex external control systems, enabling the system to self-optimize energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring ambient temperature, humidity, internal space conditions, and passenger count/duration, using this feedback to dynamically adjust climate control operations for optimal energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If climate control systems lack real-time data integration, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing environmental and passenger conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to real-time conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The climate control system integrates multiple data sources (ambient conditions, internal sensors, passenger load information) into a single control framework that adapts to various operating scenarios, making the system universally applicable to different environmental and operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts climate control parameters based on real-time changes in ambient conditions, internal space environment, and passenger load characteristics, enabling continuous adaptation to varying operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If climate control systems do not project future humidity levels, then computational requirements are reduced, but passenger comfort optimization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger comfort reliabilityVSAvoidcomputational power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations to project future internal space humidity levels based on current conditions and expected passenger load, allowing proactive adjustment of climate control parameters before comfort degradation occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables autonomous optimization of climate control systems in transport vehicles, improving passenger comfort and energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting to real-time conditions and passenger loads, ensuring optimal environmental conditions within the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, an exterior heat exchanger, and an interior heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3628519B1Methods and systems for autonomous climate control optimization of a transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 THERMO KING CORP
  • EP3628519B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3628519B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3628519B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for autonomous climate control optimization of a transport vehicle having a climate control system is provided. The method includes a controller receiving geolocation specific data providing location information of the transport vehicle. The method also includes the controller receiving climate control data providing operational status information of the climate control system. The method also includes the controller receiving passenger/load data providing passenger/load information travelling in the transport vehicle. Also, the method includes the controller generating adjustment instructions of the climate control system based on the geolocation specific data, the climate control data, and the passenger/load data. Further, the method includes adjusting operation of the climate control system based on the adjustment instructions.