Divisible Vehicle Trunk With Object-Based Thermal Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with enclosed trunks face inefficiencies in temperature control, as existing technologies cool or heat the entire trunk for temperature-sensitive items, wasting energy and potentially damaging non-sensitive items nearby.
Innovation Solution
A divisible trunk system equipped with a camera for object recognition, a processor to execute a machine-vision module, and an actuator to divide the trunk into compartments, allowing for precise temperature control of each item based on its type, using a thermal controller to set specific setpoint temperatures for each compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire trunk is cooled or heated, then temperature-sensitive items are protected, but energy is wasted and non-sensitive items may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The trunk is divided into multiple independent compartments using a movable divider that can be positioned to create separate storage spaces. Each compartment can be independently temperature-controlled, allowing only the compartments containing temperature-sensitive items to be cooled or heated, thereby protecting sensitive items while avoiding energy waste on non-sensitive items.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the trunk (compartments) are provided with different temperature conditions based on the specific needs of stored items. The thermal controller adjusts temperatures locally in each compartment rather than uniformly across the entire trunk, ensuring that each item is exposed to the appropriate thermal environment while minimizing overall energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the trunk is divided into compartments, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable divider serves multiple functions: it physically separates compartments for temperature control, acts as a thermal barrier to maintain temperature differences between compartments, and can be automatically positioned by an actuator based on object recognition. The camera system and machine vision module also serve dual purposes of identifying objects and determining their temperature requirements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the camera and machine vision module to automatically identify objects and determine their temperature requirements without human intervention. The processor automatically determines the appropriate thermal conditions and controls the thermal controller accordingly. The actuator automatically positions the divider based on the identified objects, creating a self-regulating system that reduces complexity by eliminating manual control mechanisms.
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 and safe transportation of temperature-sensitive and non-sensitive items by isolating and maintaining optimal temperatures for each, reducing energy waste and preventing damage to items that do not require cooling or heating.
Implementation Method 1
a camera to capture first and second images of the first and second objects prior to being placed into the divisible trunk and a processor to execute a machine-vision module to process first and second image data to identify the first and second objects
Implementation Method 2
a thermal controller to control first and second temperatures of the first and second trunk compartments by setting first and second setpoint temperatures
Implementation Method 3
an actuator to displace the trunk divider from an inoperative position to an operative position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a trunk defining an enclosure for storing an object, a camera to capture an image of the object prior to being placed into the trunk and a processor to execute a machine-vision module to process image data to identify the object. The processor outputs a thermal control signal to a thermal controller to control a temperature of the trunk compartment by setting a setpoint temperature.