Vehicle Window Ventilation Control for Occupant Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle ventilation systems struggle to adjust window opening degrees appropriately for optimal comfort, especially when multiple occupants have varying preferences or when traveling, leading to discomfort due to varying wind strengths and temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle ventilation system that includes a power window mechanism controlled by a central ECU, which acquires environmental information to automatically select and adjust ventilation modes based on occupant presence, vehicle speed, and external conditions, thereby optimizing window openings for comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the window opening degree is adjusted manually by a predetermined button, then the opening degree can be changed to fully open or fully closed position, but it is difficult to adjust the opening degree to an appropriate level for comfortable ventilation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual window adjustment operationVSAvoidwindow opening degree precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic window opening degree adjustment without requiring manual operation. The control unit automatically determines the appropriate opening degree based on vehicle speed and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for occupant intervention while achieving precise control that manual buttons cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-based control system with an electronic automatic control system. The control unit uses sensors and algorithms to automatically adjust the window opening degree, substituting mechanical operation with electronic control to achieve both ease of use and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the window opening degree is adjusted for one occupant's comfort, then that occupant feels comfortable, but other occupants in different seat positions may feel uncomfortable due to varying wind strengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation adjustment for individual comfortVSAvoidmanual adjustment for each occupant

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal solution that simultaneously addresses the comfort needs of all occupants. By using multiple sensors to detect environmental conditions and implementing comprehensive control algorithms, the system achieves appropriate ventilation for all seat positions through a single automatic control action, eliminating the need for individual manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through multiple sensors that detect environmental conditions and wind patterns. The control unit continuously monitors these feedback signals and automatically adjusts the window opening degree to optimize comfort for all occupants, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If the window is opened for ventilation while the vehicle is traveling, then air replacement and cooling are achieved, but the wind strength varies greatly according to vehicle speed and opening degree, causing occupant discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-vehicle temperature controlVSAvoidexcessive wind strength

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the window opening degree based on real-time vehicle speed and environmental conditions. Rather than using fixed opening positions, the control unit continuously modifies the opening degree to maintain optimal ventilation while preventing excessive wind strength, adapting the system behavior to changing driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from discrete button-based positions to continuous opening degree control. The control unit adjusts the window opening degree as a continuous variable based on vehicle speed and environmental parameters, enabling precise control over wind strength while maintaining effective ventilation and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12352093B2In-vehicle ventilation system

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

An in-vehicle ventilation system includes a power window mechanism configured to open and close a window of a vehicle and a control unit configured to control the power window mechanism. The control unit is further configured to acquire a first environmental information representing an environment inside the vehicle and a second environmental information representing an environment outside the vehicle, automatically select, based on the first environmental information and the second environmental information, a specific ventilation adjustment mode suitable for at least one occupant of the vehicle out of a plurality of ventilation adjustment modes and control the power window mechanism according to the selected ventilation adjustment mode.