Method and device for implementing measures for averting danger for living beings in motor vehicles

• US 20050038582A1
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniela Winkler, Gerd Lorenz, Michael Arndt
• Original Assignee: Daniela Winkler, Gerd Lorenz, Michael Arndt
• Inventors: Winkler, Daniela, Arndt, Michael, Lorenz, Gerd
• Application Number:
  US10/894,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00849 for selectively commanding the induction of outside or inside air B60H1/00842 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0085 Smell or pollution preventing arrangements B60H3/0007, B60H3/0071, B60H3/02, B60H3/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A method for implementing measures to avert danger for living beings in a compartment in a motor vehicle, in which a carbon dioxide variable describing the carbon dioxide content or the rate of increase of the carbon dioxide content of the air in this space is detected; and in which a temperature variable representing the room temperature in this space is determined. The temperature variable is compared to a temperature-threshold value, and in the event that the temperature variable exceeds a temperature threshold value, the danger-averting measures in response to the temperature threshold value being exceeded are implemented only if the carbon dioxide variable has exceeded a carbon dioxide threshold value.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a measure to avert danger for living beings in a compartment in a motor vehicle, comprising:

determining a temperature variable representing a room temperature in the compartment;

detecting a carbon dioxide variable describing one of a carbon dioxide content and a rate of increase in the carbon dioxide content of air in the compartment;

comparing the temperature variable to a temperature threshold value; and

if the temperature variable exceeds the temperature threshold value, implementing a danger-averting measure in response to the exceeding of the temperature threshold value only if the carbon dioxide variable has exceeded a carbon dioxide threshold value.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide variable is ascertained only if the temperature variable is greater than the temperature threshold value.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the carbon dioxide content of the air is determined by a carbon dioxide sensor; and

the rate of increase in the carbon dioxide content of the air is determined as a function thereof, as the carbon dioxide variable.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the danger-averting measure includes at least one of:

a warning signal,

a forced ventilation of the compartment,

a lowering of a carbon dioxide concentration in the compartment,

a lowering of the room temperature, and

an unlocking of a door.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the danger-averting measure is implemented only when an engine of the motor vehicle is shut off.

6. A device for activating and implementing a measure to avert danger for living beings in a space in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a carbon dioxide sensor for ascertaining a carbon dioxide variable describing one of a carbon dioxide content and a rate of increase of the carbon dioxide content of air in the space;

a temperature sensor for ascertaining a temperature variable representing a room temperature in the space;

an evaluation arrangement by which the temperature variable is compared with a temperature threshold value; and

a danger-averting arrangement by which, if the temperature variable exceeds the temperature threshold value, the danger-averting measure in response to the exceeding of the temperature threshold value are implemented only if the carbon dioxide variable has exceeded a carbon dioxide threshold value.

7. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor is integrated in the carbon dioxide sensor.

8. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein the carbon dioxide sensor includes a micromechanical carbon dioxide sensor based on an optical principle.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the carbon dioxide sensor is used for leakage monitoring of a carbon dioxide-based air conditioning system.