Passenger environmental protection

• US 7,472,554 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Vosburgh, Keith A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman; Marc E
• Application Number:
  US11/058,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20060179853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/449, 340/573.1, 340/584, 701/45, 621/26, 622/44, 236/94
• US Class Current: 62/126
• 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 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00828 Ventilators, e.g. speed control B60H1/00864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0085 Smell or pollution preventing arrangements B60H3/0007, B60H3/0071, B60H3/02, B60H3/06 take precedence

Abstract

The system includes a carbon dioxide sensor, a temperature sensor and a controller. The carbon dioxide sensor is in electrical communication with the controller and generates a carbon dioxide signal indicative of the carbon dioxide level contained in the air within the vehicle cabin. The temperature sensor is also in electrical communication with the controller and generates a temperature signal indicative of the temperature within the vehicle cabin. The controller is configured to initiate a safety precaution based on the carbon dioxide signal and the temperature signal.

Claims

1. A passenger cabin environmental protection system for a vehicle, the passenger protection system comprising:

a carbon dioxide sensor for generating a carbon dioxide signal;

a cabin temperature sensor for generating a temperature signal; and

a controller in electrical communication with the carbon dioxide sensor and the temperature sensor, the controller being configured to initiate a safety precaution based on the carbon dioxide signal and the temperature signal;

a motion sensor for generating a motion signal;

wherein the controller is configured to determine a person is located in the vehicle based on the carbon dioxide signal and the motion signal;

wherein the controller is configured to initiate a plurality of safely precautions, each safety precaution being initiated based on one of a plurality of predetermined temperature thresholds.

2. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to initiate the safety precaution when the temperature signal exceeds a predefined threshold.

3. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a window actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the window actuator.

4. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a door lock actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the door lock actuator.

5. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a horn actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the horn actuator.

6. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a key communication device and the safety precaution includes controlling the key communication device.

7. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a mobile communication system and the safety precaution include controlling the mobile communication system.

8. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 1, further comprising an external temperature sensor, the external temperature sensor being in electrical communication with the controller to verify a dangerous environmental condition exists.

9. A passenger cabin environmental protection system for a vehicle having a vehicle cabin, the passenger protection system comprising:

a first sensor to generate a first signal indicative of a person being present in the vehicle;

a second sensor to generate a second signal indicative of a dangerous environmental condition; and

a controller in electrical communication with the first and second sensor, the controller configured to initiate a plurality of safety precautions, each safety precaution being initiated based on one of a plurality of predetermined temperature thresholds.

10. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the carbon dioxide sensor is located proximate a floor of the vehicle.

11. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a window actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the window actuator.

12. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a door lock actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the door lock actuator.

13. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a horn actuator and the safety precaution includes controlling the horn actuator.

14. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a key communication device and the safety precaution includes controlling the key communication device.

15. The passenger cabin environmental protection system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a mobile communication system and the safety precaution includes controlling the mobile communication system.