Vehicle Interior Temperature Sensor Arrangement Behind Wall Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior temperature sensors require direct contact with the interior, limiting design flexibility and complicating the compensation for solar radiation interference.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement with two temperature sensors and a radiation sensor, all positioned behind a closed wall element, allowing for accurate interior temperature measurement without direct contact, using spatial and thermal separation to account for solar radiation and heat influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are arranged directly in the vehicle interior to measure temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but design flexibility is reduced and solar radiation interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A wall element is introduced as an intermediary between the sensors and the vehicle interior. The wall element has a front side facing the interior and a rear side where sensors are arranged, allowing indirect temperature measurement while maintaining design flexibility and enabling solar radiation compensation through dedicated sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are placed behind a wall element to improve design flexibility, then design freedom is improved, but direct temperature measurement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedomVSAvoiddirect temperature measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wall element is divided into functionally distinct regions: a front side for aesthetic and structural purposes, and a rear side with sensor arrangements for measurement. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function while working together as a unified system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall element acts as an intermediary structure that enables indirect temperature measurement through multiple sensors (first temperature sensor for wall temperature, second temperature sensor for ambient temperature) and radiation sensors, compensating for the lack of direct contact while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are arranged behind the wall element to compensate for solar radiation, then compensation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors (first temperature sensor, second temperature sensor, and radiation sensor) are integrated into a unified sensor arrangement behind the wall element, sharing common mounting structures and evaluation logic to reduce overall system complexity while maintaining high compensation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides accurate interior temperature measurement without direct contact, offering design flexibility and effective compensation for solar radiation and thermal interference, enhancing the reliability of climate control systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature sensor arranged behind the wall element for detecting the temperature of the wall element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

detecting the temperature influence on the first temperature sensor and/or the wall element by heat-emitting components arranged adjacent to the wall element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a radiation sensor also arranged behind the wall element for detecting at least a partial area of the Spectrum of solar radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar radiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2199125B1Device for detecting temperature in the passenger compartment of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2011.10.26 BEHRN-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
  • EP2199125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The device has temperature sensors (16, 22) arranged behind a wall element (14). A radiation sensor (20) e.g. photo diode, detects a partial region of spectrum of solar radiation and is arranged behind the wall element. The wall element is penetrated in a partial region for a part of the partial region of the spectrum of the solar radiation. An evaluation unit (24) is connected with the temperature sensors and the radiation sensor. The evaluation unit outputs a value for temperature of a passenger compartment (18) based on measurement values of the sensors.