Vehicle Radiant Panel Integrating Heating and Biosensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle passenger compartment systems lack integration of multiple functionalities into a single radiant panel, limiting user interaction and energy efficiency in managing thermal comfort and other comfort-related aspects.

Innovation Solution

A radiant panel with a dissipative region generating heat by Joule effect, incorporating additional functional components such as light sources, odor diffusers, and biosensors, where electrodes with dissipative branches serve both heating and functional purposes, allowing for integrated control and user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a radiant panel integrates multiple functional components (light sources, odor diffusers, biosensors) in addition to heating, then the versatility and user experience are improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidpanel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiant panel integrates multiple functional components (heating, lighting, odor diffusion, biosensing) into a single unified device. The panel surface serves simultaneously as a heating element, mounting surface for functional components, and user interaction interface, allowing one device to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines previously separate systems (heating panel, lighting, aroma diffusion, sensor arrays) into a single integrated radiant panel assembly. The control unit merges multiple control functions, and the power supply integrates multiple power delivery functions, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a radiant panel integrates multiple functional components, then the ease of operation is improved through unified interface, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface integrationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit integrates control functions for heating, lighting, odor diffusion, and biosensing into a single controller. The touchscreen interface consolidates multiple control interfaces into one unified interaction surface, allowing users to manage all functions through a single point of contact rather than multiple separate controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs sensors that periodically detect user presence and panel contact, activating functional components only when needed. The biosensors continuously monitor user physiological states and adjust panel functions dynamically, enabling energy-efficient operation by activating heating, lighting, or odor diffusion only when users are present or require specific comfort functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If sensors detect user contact with the heating surface, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsensor integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-sensitive and capacitive sensors serve dual purposes: detecting user contact with the panel surface and triggering temperature control adjustments. The same sensor system that monitors physical interaction also provides the data needed for automated thermal regulation, eliminating the need for separate control sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient management of thermal comfort and additional comfort-related functions within the vehicle passenger compartment, enhancing user experience through a unified interface that reduces energy waste and simplifies interaction with various vehicle systems.

Implementation Method 1

a dissipative region arranged to generate heat by Joule effect, at least one functional component arranged to perform at least one function other than generating heat by Joule effect in the dissipative region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule effect: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3814158B1Radiant panel for installation inside a vehicle passenger compartment
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP3814158B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3814158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a radiant panel (3) for installation inside a passenger compartment (1) of a vehicle (2), for example a motor vehicle, said radiant panel (3) comprising: a dissipative region (10) arranged to generate heat by the Joule effect, and at least one functional component (17) arranged to perform at least one function other than generating heat by the Joule effect in said dissipative region (10).