Vehicle Climate Control for Individual Solar Load Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle climate control systems do not effectively adjust to individual occupants' thermal loads caused by sunlight exposure, leading to discomfort and potential driver distraction, which can impact safety.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using processors to detect individuals in a vehicle, calculate sunlight intensity metrics, and adjust climate control based on a three-dimensional model of each occupant's sunlit surface area, considering time of day, exposure duration, and clothing thermal properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional vehicle climate control systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the thermal comfort of occupants is insufficient due to inability to adjust for individual solar load
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is segmented into multiple independent zones, each with its own temperature control capabilities. The vehicle interior is divided into driver zone and passenger zones, with further segmentation into sun-exposed and shaded areas within each zone. This allows independent climate adjustment for each segment based on its specific thermal conditions, resolving the contradiction by providing personalized thermal comfort without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by detecting solar load on individual occupants and adjusting climate parameters specifically for those affected by sunlight. Sensors identify which zones receive direct sunlight, and the climate control system applies targeted cooling or shading adjustments to those specific local areas rather than uniformly adjusting the entire vehicle interior, thereby improving thermal comfort where needed while minimizing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If real-time solar load detection and individualized climate control are implemented, then occupant comfort is improved, but the computational requirements and processing power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of solar load based on vehicle orientation, time of day, season, and geographic location before actual sunlight exposure occurs. By pre-computing expected solar angles and intensity patterns, the system prepares climate adjustment strategies in advance, reducing the need for intensive real-time computation during actual sunlight exposure and thereby lowering computational energy requirements while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The climate control system operates autonomously by automatically detecting solar load conditions and adjusting climate parameters without requiring continuous manual input or complex real-time processing. The system uses pre-programmed solar algorithms and sensor data to self-regulate temperature and shading, minimizing the need for high-power computational operations while maintaining responsive and comfortable operation.
3Reliability
If the climate control system adjusts for individual thermal loads, then driver distraction is reduced, but the measurement and detection requirements become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that simultaneously perform multiple detection tasks. For example, existing cameras and sensors used for driver monitoring and vehicle operation are also utilized to detect solar load conditions, occupant presence, and thermal patterns. This universal approach allows the system to gather necessary measurement data without adding specialized complex detection equipment, thereby improving safety through reduced driver distraction while managing measurement complexity through existing infrastructure.
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
This solution dynamically adjusts climate control to compensate for individual thermal loads, enhancing occupant comfort and reducing driver distraction, thereby improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
sensors to sense sunlight contact on the at least one individual
Implementation Method 2
Determine a thermal load on the at least one individual. The thermal load may result from the sunlight contact
Implementation Method 3
A sunlight intensity metric may be calculated based on the sensing. A shade intensity metric may also be calculated
Implementation Method 4
The climate control may be adjusted to compensate for the determined thermal load
Implementation Method 5
Climate control within the vehicle is adjusted to compensate for the determined thermal load
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments provide techniques for solar load usage in a vehicular environment. One or more processors are used to detect at least one individual in a vehicle. Sunlight contact is detected on each individual in the vehicle. A three-dimensional model of each individual in the vehicle is dynamically developed to estimate the total sunlit surface of the individual. A sunlight intensity metric is calculated based on detected sunlight. A shade intensity metric is also calculated and compared to the sunlight intensity metric. The thermal load for each individual in the vehicle is determined based on the sunlight intensity metric. The thermal load determination takes the time of day, length of exposure, and the location of sunlight into account. Climate control within the vehicle is adjusted to compensate for the determined thermal load. Climate control can be adjusted for each individual based on the thermal load determined for the individual.