Method for controlling interior vehicle temperature to protect occupants from extreme heat

• US 9,513,173 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2014
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandra Quaranta-Guido
• Original Assignee: Sandra Quaranta-Guido
• Inventors: Quaranta-Guido, Sandra
• Primary Examiner(s): MUSTAFA, IMRAN K
• Application Number:
  US14/487,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20160075210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00778 the input being a stationary vehicle position, e.g. parking or stopping
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00792 Arrangement of detectors B60H1/00742, B60H1/0075, B60H1/00785 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00821 the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/026 arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2205/00 Application of thermometers in motors, e.g. of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/005 Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature fire detection G08B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 for CO, CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A method for protecting occupants of in passenger compartment of a parked motor vehicle from exposure to dangerously elevated temperatures is based on control of vehicle systems by a central microprocessor in communication with CO₂ and temperature sensors and a wireless communication module. The method implements a graduated, progressive series of warnings and responses as the cabin temperature reaches certain designated setpoints, so that security-compromising steps, such as opening windows, can be deferred until less extreme measures have been exhausted.

Claims

1. A method for protecting occupants of a passenger compartment of a parked motor vehicle, comprising:

(a) equipping the vehicle with a central microprocessor, which monitors the status of and controls the operation of multiple vehicle systems, including an engine, a power train, one or more batteries, a climate control system, multiple windows, multiple doors, one or more sound-producing devices, and one or more emergency lights;

(b) equipping the vehicle with one or more carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors, which are controlled by the central microprocessor and which monitor the concentration of CO₂ in the passenger compartment and generate CO₂ concentration data;

(c) equipping the vehicle with one or more temperature sensors, which are controlled by the central microprocessor and which monitor the temperature in the passenger compartment and generate temperature data;

(d) equipping the vehicle with a wireless communication module, which is controlled by the central microprocessor and which sends and receives wireless messages;

(e) providing one or more interfaces between the central microprocessor and the CO₂ sensors, the temperature sensors and the wireless communication module, wherein the interfaces transmit the CO₂ concentration data, the temperature data and wireless messages to the central microprocessor and enable the central microprocessor to direct the wireless communications module to send wireless messages;

(f) establishing and storing in the central microprocessor an activation CO₂ concentration level, which is indicative of the presence of one or more occupants in the passenger compartment;

(g) establishing and storing in the central microprocessor a progressive series of emergency response temperature setpoints, comprising a first temperature setpoint, a maximum temperature setpoint, and one or more intermediate temperature setpoints between the first temperature setpoint and the maximum temperature set point;

(h) formulating and storing in the central microprocessor a graduated, progressive sequence of emergency warning messages and emergency response actions, comprising one or more warning messages and one or more response actions, corresponding to each of the emergency response temperature setpoints, so as to comprise one or more initial warning messages and one or more initial response actions, corresponding to the first temperature setpoint, one more final warning messages and one or more final response actions, corresponding to the maximum temperature setpoint, and one or more interim warning messages and one or more interim response actions, corresponding to each of the intermediate temperature setpoints;

(i) activating the CO₂ sensors when the central microprocessor determines, based on the status of one or more monitored vehicle systems by the microprocessor'"'"'s monitoring the engine, the power train, and the climate control system, that the vehicle is parked and that the climate control system is not operating regardless of the presence of an occupant;

(j) using the central microprocessor to compare the CO₂ concentration data with the activation CO₂ concentration level to determine if at least an occupant is present based on a comparison of a CO₂ concentration level indicative to a presence of at least an occupant in the vehicle which is stored in the central microprocessor to a CO₂ level measured by the CO₂ sensors only after the central microprocessor determines that the vehicle is parked and the climate control system is not operating;

(k) when the CO₂ concentration data equals or exceeds the activation CO₂ concentration level, determining an occupant is present in the passenger compartment and causing the central microprocessor to activate the temperature sensors;

(l) using the central microprocessor to compare the temperature data generated by the temperature sensors with the emergency response temperature setpoints;

(m) when the central microprocessor determines that the temperature data equals or exceeds the first temperature setpoint, causing the central microprocessor to transmit, through the wireless communication module, the initial warning messages to one or more designated initial contacts, and causing the central microprocessor to implement the initial response actions;

(n) when the central microprocessor determines that the temperature data equals or exceeds one of the intermediate temperature setpoints, causing the central microprocessor to transmit, through the wireless communication module, the corresponding interim warning messages to one or more designated interim contacts, and causing the central microprocessor to implement the corresponding interim response actions; and

(o) when the central microprocessor determines that the temperature data equals or exceeds the maximum temperature setpoint, causing the central microprocessor to transmit, through the wireless telecommunication module, the final warning messages to one or more designated final contacts, and causing the central microprocessor to implement the final response actions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein emergency response actions having the effect of compromising the security of the motor vehicle and/or the security of the occupants, including opening the windows and unlocking the doors, are deferred to the final response actions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the climate control system includes one or more fans, which circulate ambient air through the passenger compartment, and wherein the initial response actions include activation of one or more of the fans.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the climate control system includes one or more air-conditioning units, which control the temperature in the passenger compartment, and wherein the interim response actions include activation of one or more of the air-conditioning units.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the additional steps of equipping the vehicle with a GPS module, which receives satellite GPS coordinates of the location of the vehicle and has an interface with the central microprocessor, and causing the central microprocessor to transmit the GPS coordinates of the vehicle'"'"'s location through the wireless communication module to one or more police and emergency contacts as part of the interim warning messages and the final warning messages.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the final response actions include activating one or more of the vehicle'"'"'s emergency lights and one or more of the vehicle'"'"'s sound-producing devices.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the additional step of causing the central microprocessor to start the engine when the batteries are discharged below a designated level.