Vehicle Shading Detection via Temperature Differential

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers lack real-time information about the degree of shading at parking positions, especially in unfamiliar environments, which can affect vehicle interior temperature and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with sensors to determine outside and inside temperatures, an evaluation unit to assess the degree of shading based on temperature differences, and a transmission system to provide this information to external devices, allowing for the identification of shaded or sunny parking spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If drivers rely on own knowledge or auxiliary ventilation to manage parking temperature, then vehicle interior temperature control is attempted, but real-time information about parking position shading is lost and response time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about parking position shadingVSAvoidtime before interior temperature reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of shading conditions at potential parking positions before the vehicle actually parks there. The sensor device measures temperature during test drives or approach phases, and the evaluation device predicts whether the position will be shaded during the actual parking duration, allowing drivers to make informed decisions in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission device provides real-time feedback to the driver's device about the determined shading level at the parking position. This feedback loop allows the driver to immediately understand the thermal conditions without relying on auxiliary ventilation trial-and-error, directly reducing information loss and decision time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If drivers use auxiliary ventilation to lower interior temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle interior temperatureVSAvoidauxiliary ventilation system
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device utilizes existing vehicle sensors (temperature sensors, navigation systems) to determine shading conditions without requiring complex additional hardware. The system serves the temperature control function by providing information that allows passive thermal management through informed parking position selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation device acts as an intermediary between raw temperature data from sensors and actionable shading information for the driver. It processes temperature measurements, compares them against thresholds, and translates them into intuitive shading level indicators, simplifying the interface between the vehicle system and driver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If drivers activate auxiliary ventilation before journey, then interior temperature is reduced, but ease of operation is reduced and time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle interior temperatureVSAvoidoperation of auxiliary ventilation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of shading conditions at potential parking positions before the vehicle actually parks there. The sensor device measures temperature during test drives or approach phases, and the evaluation device predicts whether the position will be shaded during the actual parking duration, allowing drivers to make informed decisions in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission device provides real-time feedback to the driver's device about the determined shading level at the parking position. This feedback loop allows the driver to immediately understand the thermal conditions without relying on auxiliary ventilation trial-and-error, directly reducing information loss and decision time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 drivers to find shaded or sunny parking positions conveniently, even in unfamiliar areas, by utilizing existing vehicle sensors and communication systems, ensuring consistent and updated information about parking spot conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor device (101), the sensor device being set up to determine an outside temperature and an inside temperature of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3130893B1Device and method for determining a shading level of a parking position for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3130893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3130893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3130893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device (109) for determining the degree of shading of a parking position for a vehicle, comprising: a sensor device (101), wherein the sensor device (101) is configured to determine an outside temperature and an inside temperature of the vehicle, characterized in that the device (109) further comprises: an evaluation device (102), wherein the evaluation device (102) is configured to determine, based on the outside temperature and the inside temperature, whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny parking position, and a transmitting device (104), wherein the transmitting device (104) is configured to send information about the degree of shading of the parking position of the vehicle to a processing device (110).