Vehicle Interior Object Detection for Heat-Triggered Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles are susceptible to high interior temperatures when exposed to sunlight, posing risks to objects, people, or animals left inside, especially when they are not emitting sounds or vibrations, and existing detection systems are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a temperature sensor, object detection sensor (e.g., LIDAR), temperature control system, and control system that determines the presence of objects and activates temperature control when a threshold is met, using movable windows and HVAC to regulate interior temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If object detection systems rely on sound or vibration emissions, then detection of active objects is improved, but detection of stationary or silent objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple detection modalities (acoustic sensors for sound/vibration detection, thermal cameras for heat signature detection, and motion sensors for movement detection) within a single object detection system. This multi-functional approach enables the system to detect both active objects emitting sounds or vibrations and stationary objects without such emissions, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection precision for active objects and detection coverage for all object types.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature control is activated continuously to prevent dangerous temperatures, then object safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects within the vehicle interior using acoustic, thermal, and motion sensors. Only when objects are detected does the system activate the temperature control system to prevent dangerous temperature rise. This preliminary action approach ensures object safety by proactively identifying at-risk objects before temperature becomes critical, while avoiding continuous temperature control activation, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the interior temperature and object presence status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust temperature control activation. When objects are detected and temperature approaches dangerous levels, the system activates cooling; when no objects are present or temperature is safe, the system deactivates cooling. This feedback-based control resolves the contradiction by activating temperature control only when necessary, protecting objects from heat damage while minimizing energy consumption.
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
Effectively prevents interior temperatures from becoming dangerous by detecting and responding to the presence of objects, including perishables, and adjusting the vehicle's temperature to safe levels.
Implementation Method 1
an object detection sensor adapted to detect objects within the vehicle interior, the object detection sensor having a laser from which laser light is emitted and a receiver at which is received laser light that is reflected back to the object detection sensor
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor adapted to provide an indication of a temperature within a vehicle interior
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling temperature within a vehicle includes a temperature sensor, an object detection sensor adapted to detect objects within the vehicle interior and having a laser and a receiver at which is received laser light that is reflected back to the sensor, a temperature control system adapted to alter the temperature within the vehicle interior, and a control system. The control system is coupled to the temperature sensor and to the object detection sensor and to the temperature control system, and is operable to determine a temperature from the temperature sensor and to determine if an object above a threshold size is present within the vehicle interior and to actuate the temperature control system when the temperature meets a temperature threshold and an object above a threshold size is determined to be present within the vehicle interior.