Vehicle HVAC Pre-conditioning Using Passenger Thermal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interior climate of vehicles often becomes too hot or too cold for passengers during transportation, causing discomfort, as existing systems fail to effectively adjust the climate based on passenger-specific thermal comfort needs before they enter the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes data from electronic devices and vehicle sensors to analyze thermal comfort using a thermal comfort model, controlling systems like heaters, air conditioners, and air blowers to adjust the climate before the passenger enters, ensuring a comfortable temperature by estimating metabolic heat production and heat loss through various data inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle interior climate is adjusted based on passenger-specific thermal comfort needs before they enter, then passenger comfort is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary climate adjustment by receiving passenger data (clothing, activity level, destination) before the passenger enters the vehicle, calculates thermal comfort requirements using a thermal comfort model, and pre-adjusts the climate control systems (HVAC, seat heaters/coolers) to the appropriate settings, ensuring comfort from the moment the passenger enters
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes passenger data through a thermal comfort model to determine optimal climate settings. This intermediary layer translates passenger characteristics and environmental conditions into specific climate control commands, bridging the gap between passenger needs and vehicle climate systems
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle interior climate is adjusted based on passenger-specific thermal comfort needs before they enter, then passenger comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary climate adjustment only when necessary by evaluating passenger data against thermal comfort criteria before activating climate control systems. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption by adjusting the climate only when the predicted thermal comfort would be inadequate, rather than continuously or preemptively
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts climate control parameters (temperature, airflow, seat heating/cooling intensity) based on calculated thermal comfort requirements derived from passenger data. By optimizing these parameters to match actual passenger needs rather than using fixed or extreme settings, the system achieves comfort while minimizing energy consumption
3Ease of operation
If multiple zones with different climates are provided for multiple passengers, then individual thermal comfort is improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vehicle interior into multiple independent climate zones, each with its own climate control capabilities. Each zone can be independently adjusted based on the thermal comfort requirements of passengers assigned to that zone, allowing simultaneous customization of climate conditions for multiple passengers without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different climate conditions to different spatial zones within the vehicle based on local passenger requirements. Each zone receives customized temperature, airflow, and heating/cooling settings tailored to the specific thermal comfort needs of passengers in that location, rather than applying a uniform climate throughout the entire vehicle
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 approach ensures a comfortable interior climate for passengers by balancing their metabolic heat production with heat loss, preventing discomfort due to extreme temperatures, thereby enhancing passenger comfort and satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing both the data from the electronic device and the vehicle pursuant to a thermal comfort model to determine whether the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger
Implementation Method 2
the thermal comfort model estimates heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing by estimating at least heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing through evaporation during breathing, through convection during breathing, through convection and radiation at the body surface
Implementation Method 3
the thermal comfort model estimates heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing by estimating at least heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing through evaporation during breathing, through convection during breathing, through convection and radiation at the body surface
Implementation Method 4
the thermal comfort model estimates heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing by estimating at least heat that the anticipated passenger would be losing through evaporation during breathing, through convection during breathing, through convection and radiation at the body surface
Implementation Method 5
The one or more systems of the vehicle to be controlled to change the climate until the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger pursuant to the thermal comfort model include a heater
Implementation Method 6
The one or more systems of the vehicle to be controlled to change the climate until the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger pursuant to the thermal comfort model include an air conditioner to change the temperature of the air of the interior
Implementation Method 7
The one or more systems of the vehicle to be controlled to change the climate until the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger pursuant to the thermal comfort model include an air blower to alter the velocity of the air in the interior
Implementation Method 8
The one or more systems of the vehicle to be controlled to change the climate until the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger pursuant to the thermal comfort model include a temperature control device to change the temperature of a seat of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method of changing the climate of the interior of a vehicle comprises: accepting data from an electronic device of an anticipated passenger of a vehicle, the vehicle having an interior with a climate, and data from the vehicle; analyzing both the data from the electronic device and the vehicle pursuant to a thermal comfort model to determine whether the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger; if the climate would not be comfortable, then controlling one or more systems of the vehicle to change the climate until the climate would be comfortable to the anticipated passenger pursuant to the thermal comfort model before the anticipated passenger enters the interior of the vehicle; and picking up the anticipated passenger. Analyzing the data from the electronic device includes estimating the amount of chemical energy that the anticipated passenger is transforming into heat.