Vehicle Climate Personalization Using Occupant Physiological Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle HVAC systems struggle to accommodate the diverse thermal comfort needs of occupants with different body types and activity levels, leading to suboptimal climate control.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that determines the physiological status of occupants, such as heart rate or recent activity, to personalize climate control responses, including airflow rate, temperature, and heating/cooling settings for various vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-zone climate control system is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the thermal comfort needs of occupants with different body types and activity levels cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle cabin into multiple climate zones (e.g., driver zone, front passenger zone, rear passenger zones) with independent climate control capabilities. Each zone has its own temperature control, airflow management, and heating/cooling elements, allowing different thermal environments for different occupants simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements localized climate control by providing independent temperature and airflow adjustment for each seating position. Sensors detect physiological status (heart rate, body temperature, activity level) of individual occupants and adjust climate parameters locally for each person rather than uniformly for the entire cabin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physiological sensors and personalized control algorithms are added, then thermal comfort personalization is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional control architecture that handles both traditional temperature control and physiological-based personalized control through integrated algorithms. The same climate control hardware serves multiple functions: basic HVAC control, physiological response adjustment, and adaptive learning, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The climate system automatically adjusts to occupant needs by detecting physiological status and autonomously modifying climate parameters without requiring manual input from occupants. The system self-regulates temperature, airflow, and heating/cooling based on real-time physiological data, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual adjustments.
3Measurement precision
If continuous physiological monitoring is implemented, then climate control accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling of physiological parameters rather than continuous monitoring. Sensors take measurements at predetermined time intervals or when specific conditions are met (e.g., when occupant enters the vehicle, when temperature changes are detected), reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate measurement precision for effective climate control.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a method of personalizing climate conditions in a vehicle includes determining, by a vehicle control system, a physiological status of an occupant of the vehicle. The method also includes determining, by the vehicle control system, a climate control response based on the physiological status of the occupant. The method also includes controlling at least one climate control device in relation to an interior of the vehicle based on the climate control response.