Wearable Sensor for Vehicle Thermal Comfort Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting a thermal comfort level in vehicles are inefficient in accurately and quickly adapting to the user's physiological state, as they rely on sensors located within the vehicle, which may not accurately detect the user's thermal comfort needs, especially when the user is not in close proximity.

Innovation Solution

A method and device where a portable detection device worn by the user records skin temperature and moisture levels, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of climate parameters in the vehicle to minimize the deviation from the user's target thermal comfort state, using a device that can communicate with the vehicle's systems to adjust temperature and air supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are located within the vehicle to detect user thermal comfort needs, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the user is not in close proximity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of user thermal comfort stateVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable detection device (smartwatch) worn by the user as an intermediary between the user's body and the vehicle's climate control system. This wearable device contains sensors that directly contact the user's skin to measure physiological parameters such as skin temperature and moisture, providing accurate thermal comfort data regardless of the user's position relative to the vehicle's fixed sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If fixed sensors are used in the vehicle, then the device complexity is low, but the speed of adapting to user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of adapting thermal comfortVSAvoiddetection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable detection device continuously monitors the user's physiological state before the user enters the vehicle. By pre-measuring skin temperature and moisture levels, the system can anticipate the user's thermal comfort needs and begin adjusting the climate control system in advance, significantly reducing the adaptation time once the user enters the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a continuous feedback loop where the portable device monitors user physiological parameters in real-time, transmits this data to the vehicle's control system, and the climate control system adjusts accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic adaptation to changing user needs, whether the user is approaching, inside, or has just exited the vehicle.

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

This approach allows for more reliable and rapid detection of the user's thermal comfort state, enabling the vehicle's climate control systems to adapt more effectively, improving user comfort by anticipating and responding to the user's needs before they enter the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a portable detection device worn by the user records skin temperature and moisture levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3197696B1Method and apparatus for setting a thermal comfort state
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3197696B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3197696B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3197696B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for setting a thermal comfort state (KZ) of at least one user of a vehicle (3), wherein, at a starting time (t0), at least one actual state variable of the user is detected by at least one device (4) for detecting the at least one state variable and a starting comfort state of the user is determined depending on the at least one actual state variable, wherein a target comfort state is determined, wherein at least one target state variable is determined depending on the target comfort state, wherein at least one vehicle-end device for changing the state variable is controlled in such a way that a deviation in the actual state variable from the target state variable is minimized when the target comfort state deviates from the starting comfort state, wherein the at least one state variable is detected by a device (4), which is carried by the user, for detecting the at least one state variable.