OCCUPANT DETECTION AND WARNING SYSTEM FOR OVERHEATED VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A control system for a vehicle having a battery comprising:
- a sensing system for sensing a dangerous thermal environment in a vehicle compartment of the vehicle that is potentially hazardous to a vehicle occupant;
the sensing system being configured to not draw any current from the vehicle'"'"'s battery until activated by temperature;
an occupant detection system coupled to the sensing system for detecting the presence of an occupant in the compartment and that is operably connected to the sensing system to be activated by the sensing system; and
a responsive system for responding when both the dangerous thermal environment is sensed and there is an occupant in the compartment, at least the sensing system and the occupant detection system being configured for operation when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition is in an off position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system includes a temperature sensor, an occupant detector, and a responsive circuit for activating a warning horn or to provide ventilation when an occupant is sensed in a dangerously hot passenger compartment. The circuit is passively actuated, such as by using a switch system incorporating a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire or a bimetal switch, in order to control temperatures in the passenger compartment or trunk of vehicles, such as when the vehicle is parked in the sun. The thermal switch actuates an occupant sensor using remote accessory power from the vehicle'"'"'s battery, yet without creating an unacceptable phantom current drain on the vehicle'"'"'s battery. Shape memory alloy wire contracts when temperature reaches a predetermined intolerable temperature in a vehicle, thereby closing a normally open switch contact to complete an electrical circuit.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A control system for a vehicle having a battery comprising:
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a sensing system for sensing a dangerous thermal environment in a vehicle compartment of the vehicle that is potentially hazardous to a vehicle occupant;
the sensing system being configured to not draw any current from the vehicle'"'"'s battery until activated by temperature;an occupant detection system coupled to the sensing system for detecting the presence of an occupant in the compartment and that is operably connected to the sensing system to be activated by the sensing system; and a responsive system for responding when both the dangerous thermal environment is sensed and there is an occupant in the compartment, at least the sensing system and the occupant detection system being configured for operation when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition is in an off position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A control system for a vehicle comprising:
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a temperature warning system for sensing an unacceptably high thermal environment in a compartment of a vehicle that is potentially hazardous to an occupant; and an occupant detection system coupled to the warning system for detecting the presence of an occupant in the compartment and for activating the warning system when an occupant is sensed in the compartment at a time when there is an unacceptably high temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A control system for a vehicle comprising:
a temperature sensing circuit for sensing an unacceptably high thermal environment in a compartment of a vehicle that is potentially hazardous to an occupant;
the circuit including a switch system incorporating a shape memory alloy wire for passively causing electrical power to flow in a manner adapted to actuate a response.
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22. A method comprising steps of:
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sensing a high temperature in a compartment of a vehicle, the compartment being one of a passenger compartment and a trunk compartment; detecting the presence of an occupant in the compartment; and passively activating a response system to either relieve the high temperature or warn of the high temperature.
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Specification