Vehicle Extreme Temperature Safety Systems

• US 20170028811A1
• Filed: 02/29/2016
• Published: 02/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Inc.
• Original Assignee: Braeburn Inc.
• Inventors: Jayasundera, Gihan, Jayasundera, Nayana
• Granted Patent: US 10,457,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/12 Healthy persons not otherwise provided for, e.g. subjects of a marketing survey
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00778 the input being a stationary vehicle position, e.g. parking or stopping
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00821 the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices

Abstract

Safety systems to prevent or mitigate thermal stress conditions in a vehicle. Systems include sensors to detect conditions in and around a vehicle, particularly the temperature inside the vehicle and the condition of occupants. System controllers receive the sensor information, determine the thermal stress status of occupants, and activate appropriate actuators configured to reduce thermal stress in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for preventing excessive thermal stress exposure to occupants of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an occupancy sensor;

an occupant body temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an occupant in the vehicle temperature;

an actuator; and

,

a controller configured to receive signals from the occupancy sensor, and body temperature sensor,

wherein the controller is configured to determine an occupant temperature from the body temperature sensor when the controller receives an occupant present signal from the occupancy sensor; and

,

wherein the controller is configured to activate the actuator when the determined occupant body temperature falls outside a preset temperature range.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle interior temperature sensor, and wherein the actuator is not activated unless an interior temperature detected by the interior temperature sensor falls outside a preset range.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the occupancy sensor comprises a microphone or seat pressure sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the occupant body temperature sensor comprises an infrared light sensor configured to measure a temperature of a body surface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to receive the body temperature signal and determine a body temperature ranging from 25°

C. to 45°

C.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller activates the actuator when the occupant body temperature exceeds 39°

C. or falls below 35°

C.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of:

a cell phone, a motorized window, a heater, a vent fan, and a siren.

8. A method of preventing excessive thermalstress exposure to an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a system comprising;

an occupancy sensor;

an occupant body temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the occupant;

an actuator; and

,

a controller configured to receive signals from the occupancy sensor, and body temperature sensor;

receiving an occupant present signal from the occupancy sensor;

determining an occupant body temperature from the body temperature sensor; and

activating the actuator when the determined occupant body temperature falls outside a preset temperature range.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said receiving an occupant present signal comprises the controller receiving a signal selected from the group consisting of:

an infrared light sensor, a pressure sensor, and ultrasonic microphone, and an audio microphone.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining the occupant body temperature comprises determining an infrared light spectrum emitted from a surface of the occupant.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said activating the actuator is selected from the group consisting of:

energizing an electric window motor, a heater, energizing a fan motor, dialing a phone number, and energizing an audio speaker.