Vehicle Sensor Arrangement for Accurate Inside Temperature Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor arrangements for determining inside vehicle temperature are limited by direct insolation, air circulation, and peripheral device heat, leading to inaccurate temperature control, and are often restricted to specific geometric and design-related positions within climate control systems.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement with a front wall integrated into a vehicle panel, allowing flexible placement and reduced component complexity, utilizing a heat-insulating material between temperature sensors to independently measure inside and rear heat radiation, and incorporating an environment sensor for energy balance calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sensor arrangement is integrated into the climate control device, then the temperature measurement is affected by direct insolation and peripheral device heat, but the device structure becomes more compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclimate control device structureVSAvoidinside temperature measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement is segmented from the climate control device into a separate modular unit that can be independently positioned. This allows the sensor to be placed in optimal locations for temperature measurement while the climate control device maintains its own structure, resolving the conflict between compact integration and measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary sensor arrangement unit with its own housing and insulation that mediates between the climate control device and the temperature measurement function. This intermediary structure protects the temperature sensors from harmful thermal influences while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the sensor arrangement is attached to the climate control device, then installation position is limited by geometric and design constraints, but the integration is simplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration into climate control deviceVSAvoidinstallation position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement is designed as a universal module that can function independently at various installation positions throughout the vehicle interior. The standardized housing and mounting interface allow it to be attached to different surfaces (dashboard, door panels, etc.) without requiring custom integration for each location, achieving both ease of manufacture and installation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If heat-insulating material is added to the sensor arrangement, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensor accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-walled housing structures and sheet-based heat-insulating materials that provide effective thermal isolation without adding significant bulk or complexity. The streamlined housing design integrates the insulation function into the basic structure rather than adding separate complex insulation systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 optimal temperature measurement by positioning sensors away from direct insolation and reduces production costs and design constraints, allowing for more flexible installation and improved temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-insulating material inserted between the sensors, into the inside of the housing of the sensor arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a first sensor attached behind a thermally conductive front wall detects the temperature of the inside of the motor vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8651735B2Sensor arrangement for determining an inside temperature in a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 PREH GMBH

AI summary

A sensor arrangement for determining an inside temperature in a motor vehicle having a climate control device and at least a panel is at least a part of a control part of the climate control device, where the sensor arrangement includes a housing with at least a front wall and a rear wall, the housing is filled with a heat-insulating material, a first temperature sensor attached to a rear of the front wall and a second temperature sensor attached to an inner side of the rear wall, said inner side facing a rear of the front wall, and where the front wall is a part of the panel of the motor vehicle.