Autonomous Vehicle Thermal Event Detection and Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home fire and extreme temperature detection systems, such as smoke and fire sensors, are often ineffective in detecting thermal events and providing timely warnings, leading to potential damage and harm.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with thermal sensors and a connectivity device that autonomously moves the vehicle away from thermal events and serves as an information relay, activating assistance features like alerting personnel and providing status updates through wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional smoke and fire sensors are used in homes, then some thermal events can be detected, but detection reliability is insufficient and timely warnings are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs multiple functions: it acts as a mobile detection platform using its thermal sensors to monitor structures, serves as an autonomous response vehicle that can physically move to safe locations, and functions as an information relay providing real-time status updates. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining reliable detection with immediate autonomous response and continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously detects thermal events, confirms them through multiple sensor inputs, commands vehicle systems to move the vehicle to safe locations, and provides status updates without requiring human intervention. This self-service capability ensures reliable detection and timely warnings are provided automatically, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and warning time.
2Reliability
If the vehicle remains stationary in the structure, then it can continuously monitor the thermal event, but it becomes vulnerable to damage from the thermal event
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle transitions from a static monitoring position to dynamic movement when a thermal event is detected. The system autonomously commands the vehicle to move to safe locations while maintaining monitoring capabilities through its connectivity device and sensors. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction by allowing the vehicle to preserve monitoring reliability while minimizing exposure to thermal damage through autonomous relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity device serves as an intermediary, enabling the vehicle to maintain communication and provide status updates about the thermal event even after moving to safe locations. This allows the vehicle to continue monitoring and relaying information remotely, resolving the contradiction between maintaining monitoring capability and avoiding thermal damage through physical relocation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle autonomously moves away from the thermal event, then it protects itself from damage, but it must rely on wireless communication to provide status updates
Solution Approach 1:
The connectivity device acts as an intermediary communication channel, enabling the vehicle to transmit status information about the thermal event to remote locations after moving to safe positions. This wireless communication capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the vehicle to protect itself from thermal damage through autonomous movement while maintaining information transmission through the connectivity intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback about the thermal event status through the connectivity device, maintaining information flow even when the vehicle has moved to safe locations. This feedback mechanism ensures that status information is transmitted reliably, resolving the contradiction between thermal protection through movement and information transmission through wireless communication.
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
Effectively detects thermal events, autonomously moves vehicles to safety, and provides timely warnings, mitigating damage and harm from home fires and extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event. A method may include activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.