Vehicle Surface Temperature Sensing for Selective Cabin Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle climate control systems lack the ability to adjust settings based on measured surface temperatures of objects within the vehicle, which can cause potentially dangerous surface temperatures of the vehicle, which can cause potentially dangerous surface temperatures of the vehicle, which can cause potentially dangerous surface temperatures of objects within the vehicle, such as seats, armrests, and child car seats, that can pose a risk to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with temperature sensors and a control module that measures surface temperatures, identifies zones with dangerous temperatures, and adjusts airflow and climate control to mitigate these temperatures, while also alerting occupants and emergency services if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle climate control system uses standard temperature sensors to measure air temperature, then the system can control cabin air temperature, but the system cannot detect surface temperatures of objects which may be potentially dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature monitoring function into multiple temperature sensors positioned at different locations within the vehicle cabin. Each sensor monitors specific zones (seats, armrests, center console, steering wheel) independently, allowing the system to detect surface temperatures across multiple critical surfaces simultaneously without requiring a single complex sensing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module serves as an intermediary that receives temperature data from multiple sensors, processes the information, and coordinates the climate control system's response. This intermediary component integrates the sensing data and manages the selective cooling airflow distribution without requiring direct complex interaction between sensors and climate control actuators.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the climate control system cools the entire cabin to reduce object surface temperatures, then dangerous surface temperatures are reduced, but energy consumption increases and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies cooling selectively to specific zones within the cabin based on real-time temperature sensor data. When an object's surface temperature exceeds a threshold, the control module directs cooled airflow specifically to that object's location rather than cooling the entire cabin, thereby reducing energy consumption while still preventing dangerous surface temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively detects when object surface temperatures are approaching dangerous levels and initiates targeted cooling before the temperatures become hazardous. This preliminary action prevents the need for more intensive cooling later, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors all surface temperatures and provides alerts, then occupant safety is enhanced, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors temperature continuously but only triggers alerts and cooling actions when temperature thresholds are exceeded. This partial action approach maintains continuous monitoring capability for safety while avoiding the complexity of processing and responding to all temperature data points, focusing resources only on hazardous conditions.
4Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are deployed throughout the vehicle, then surface temperature detection accuracy improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places multiple temperature sensors at specific critical locations within the cabin (seats, armrests, center console, steering wheel) rather than using a single comprehensive sensor. This segmentation approach achieves accurate surface temperature measurement across multiple objects using simple, distributed sensors that are easier to implement than a single complex sensing system.
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
The system effectively reduces the risk of burns by actively cooling dangerous surfaces and notifying occupants and emergency services, enhancing occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of temperature sensors includes at least one infrared temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
selectively control a climate control module to cool the zone in the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes temperature sensors positioned in the vehicle and a control module in communication with the temperature sensors. The temperature sensors are configured to measure surface temperatures of objects in the vehicle. The control module is configured to receive the measured surface temperatures from the temperature sensors, determine whether any of the measured surface temperatures is greater than a defined threshold, and in response to any of the measured surface temperatures being greater than the defined threshold, transmit an alert signal to a user communication device indicative of the objects in the vehicle having the measured surface temperatures greater than the defined threshold.