Vehicle Preconditioning Control for Enclosed Parking Conditions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-sharing fleet managers face challenges in preconditioning vehicles efficiently, particularly when they are located in enclosed structures, as it may be undesirable to control interior setpoint temperature or other features before the session due to environmental considerations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remotely activating vehicle systems using control signals generated based on session parameters, preconditioning parameters, and sensor data from vehicles and client devices, allowing selective control of vehicle systems such as defrost, climate control, and ignition, while considering the vehicle's location and environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle preconditioning system controls the interior setpoint temperature in advance of the vehicle-sharing session, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases when the vehicle is located in an enclosed structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions (preconditioning) only when necessary by detecting whether the vehicle is in an enclosed structure using sensor data and location information. When not in an enclosed structure, the system activates climate control before the session to improve user comfort. When detected in an enclosed structure, the system skips preliminary climate control actions to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the climate control system based on the detected environment. When the vehicle is in an enclosed structure, the system modifies the preconditioning parameters to disable or reduce climate control activation, thereby adapting energy consumption to the specific environmental conditions while still allowing other non-energy-intensive preconditioning functions to operate.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle preconditioning system activates multiple vehicle systems in advance, then user convenience is improved, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs in enclosed environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different preconditioning qualities to different vehicle systems based on the local environment. When in an enclosed structure, the system selectively disables climate control preconditioning while potentially maintaining other non-energy-intensive preconditioning functions. This localized application of preconditioning ensures user convenience for essential functions while avoiding energy waste in enclosed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level and type of preconditioning based on real-time detection of enclosed structures. The preconditioning strategy transitions from full activation (when outdoors) to selective or reduced activation (when in enclosed structures), allowing the system to optimize between user convenience and energy conservation based on changing environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of remotely activating a vehicle system of a vehicle, the vehicle being part of a vehicle-share enterprise, the method including generating a control signal based on session parameters associated with a vehicle-sharing session, preconditioning parameters associated with the vehicle-sharing session, and sensor data associated with the vehicle-sharing session, where the sensor data includes vehicle sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle associated with the vehicle-sharing session, client device sensor data from one or more sensors of a client device, or a combination thereof. The method includes, prior to initiating the vehicle-sharing session, broadcasting the control signal to the vehicle, where the control signal is configured to selectively control the vehicle system.