Climate control, safety, and communications system

• US 9,809,085 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2016
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black Box Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: Black Box Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Pierce, Darrell, Orsi, III, John Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewandroski, Sara
• Application Number:
  US15/281,035
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• 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 1/00792 Arrangement of detectors B60H1/00742, B60H1/0075, B60H1/00785 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00892 Devices specially adapted for avoiding uncomfortable feeling, e.g. sudden temperature changes B60H1/00885 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00971 Control systems or circuits characterised by including features for locking or memorising of control modes
• 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: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

An improved climate control, safety, and communications system and method for a vehicle having a detecting means for detecting and transmitting the climate conditions inside a vehicle'"'"'s passenger cabin as temperature data, and for detecting and transmitting the presence of an occupant inside the vehicle as occupancy data; a data collecting means for monitoring and evaluating the temperature data against a temperature threshold and the occupancy data against an occupant threshold, for notifying an operator of the temperature data and the occupancy data, and for sending a command to a controlling means to adjust the climate conditions, a controlling means for selectively activating a cooling mechanism or a heating mechanism to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle; and a charging means for charging the system when the vehicle engine is running and for powering the system when the engine is off. The system further includes a means for warming the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An improved climate control, safety, and communications system for a vehicle having an interior passenger cabin, said system comprising:

a. a detecting means comprising at least one temperature sensing mechanism for detecting the climate conditions for a vehicle as temperature data, and at least one occupant sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of at least one occupant inside the vehicle cabin as occupancy data, wherein said detecting means continuously transmits said temperature data and said occupancy data to a data collecting means;

b. said data collecting means for monitoring and evaluating said temperature data for exceeding a temperature threshold and said occupancy data for exceeding an occupant threshold, and for implementing an action parameter to independently send a command to a controlling means, with said data collecting means comprising a CPU, a control connector, and a communication means for notifying an operator of the status of said temperature data and said occupancy data, with said communication means also for sending a notification to the operator,

c. said controlling means for selectively controlling and adjusting the climate conditions inside the vehicle cabin, said controlling means comprising a plurality of relays, a cooling mechanism, and a heating mechanism, with one of the plurality of relays being a backup relay; and

d. a charging means comprising at least two power sources for charging said system and for powering said system when the vehicle engine is turned off, with at least one of said power sources comprising a primary battery with an alternator, a secondary battery coupled to both said primary battery and said temperature sensing mechanism, and a backup battery coupled to said primary battery.

2. The system of claim 1, said system operates in one of a monitoring mode, a controlling mode, and a charging mode, with said monitoring mode for detecting, monitoring, and evaluating the climate conditions and presence of at least one occupant inside the vehicle, said controlling mode for selectively controlling and adjusting the climate conditions inside the cabin, and said charging mode for charging said system and for updating information to said system for implementation during said monitoring mode and said controlling mode;

wherein said detecting means and said data collecting means each being operable in said monitoring mode, wherein said controlling means being operable in said controlling mode, and wherein said charging means being operable in said charging mode for charging and powering said system;

wherein when the vehicle engine is turned off, said system converting to said monitoring mode while the climate conditions remains at the temperature threshold, with said system then converting to said controlling mode when the climate conditions exceeds the temperature threshold, and with said system converting back to said monitoring mode when the climate conditions returns to the temperature threshold until the vehicle engine is turned back on, with said system converting to said charging mode at least while the vehicle engine is on.

3. The system of claim 1, said occupant sensing mechanism being selected from the group consisting of one or more magnetometers, infrared devices, motion sensors and detectors including a recording means, body heat sensors, BTU sensors, and combinations thereof.

4. The system of claim 3, said occupant sensing mechanism comprising at least two magnetometers for detecting the displacement of an operator or an occupant inside the vehicle, and for transferring said occupancy data to said data collecting means.

5. The system of claim 1, said control connector being coupled to each of said temperature sensing mechanism and said occupant sensing mechanism for transferring said temperature data and said occupancy data to said data collecting means, and said temperature sensing mechanism and said occupant sensing mechanism each also being wireless to transfer said temperature data and said occupancy data to said data collecting means over a network.

6. The system of claim 1, said CPU for monitoring and evaluating each of said temperature data, said temperature threshold, said occupancy data, and said occupancy threshold, for sending the command to said communication means to notify the operator, and for directing the action parameter to said controlling means to selectively adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin;

said control connector having a wired harness coupling each of said temperature sensing mechanism and said occupant sensing mechanism to said CPU;

at least one data storage means.

7. The system of claim 6, said data collecting means further comprising a fingerprint scanner coupled to said CPU, and a display having a wired harness coupled to said CPU for customizing said system'"'"'s temperature threshold, occupant threshold, and system control settings;

said CPU being further capable of obtaining updated information about upcoming climate conditions from an external data source through said communication means.

8. The system of claim 6, said data storage means further comprising at least one data storage member having a capacity to retain information over an extended period of time, and an offsite external server for long term data storage, said data storage member coupled to said CPU at a connection port on said CPU;

said communication means further comprising a transmitter, a network, and at least one receiving member, wherein said transmitter being coupled to said data storage member, wherein said receiving member being selected from the group consisting of mobile or handheld devices, desktop computers, offsite external servers, a display screen, and combinations thereof, each of which is capable of receiving notification alerts from said CPU and of sending a return response command back to said CPU.

9. The system of claim 1, said controlling means further comprising one of said plurality of relays being a 12V relay controller and an AC/Heat relay, wherein said 12V relay controller activating said AC/Heat relay to selectively initiate said cooling mechanism or said heating mechanism to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to said temperature threshold.

10. An improved climate control, safety, and communications system for a vehicle having an interior passenger cabin, said system comprising:

a. a detecting means comprising at least one temperature sensing mechanism for detecting the air temperature inside the cabin as temperature data, and at least one occupant sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of at least one occupant inside the vehicle cabin as occupancy data, wherein said detecting means continuously transmits said temperature data and said occupancy data to a data collecting means;

b. said data collecting means for monitoring and evaluating said temperature data for exceeding a temperature threshold and said occupancy data for exceeding an occupant threshold, for communicating the status of said temperature data and said occupancy data as a notification to an operator, and for sending a command to a controlling means, with said data collecting means comprising a CPU, at least one data storage means, a control connector, and a communication means for notifying the operator of the status of said temperature data and occupancy data;

c. said controlling means for selectively controlling and adjusting the climate conditions inside the vehicle cabin upon command from said data collecting means, wherein said controlling means comprising a plurality of relays, a cooling mechanism, and a heating mechanism; and

d. a charging means comprising at least two power sources for charging said system and for powering said system when the vehicle engine is turned off;

with at least one of said power sources comprising a primary battery with an alternator, a secondary battery coupled to said primary battery and said temperature sensing mechanism, a third battery, and a backup battery coupled to said primary battery.

11. The system of claim 10, said heating mechanism comprising a heating element having a radiator and a fan, said heating mechanism for imparting warmer air through the cabin air vents.

12. The system of claim 10, said system operates in one of a monitoring mode, a controlling mode, and a charging mode, with said monitoring mode for detecting, monitoring, and evaluating the climate conditions and presence of at least one occupant inside the vehicle, said controlling mode for selectively controlling and adjusting the climate conditions inside the cabin, and said charging mode for charging said system and for updating information to said system for implementation during said monitoring mode and said controlling mode;

wherein said detecting means and said data collecting means each being operable in said monitoring mode, wherein said controlling means being operable in said controlling mode, and wherein said charging means being operable in said charging mode for charging and powering said system;

wherein when the vehicle engine is turned off, said system converting to said monitoring mode while the climate conditions remains at the temperature threshold, with said system then converting to said controlling mode when the climate conditions exceeds the temperature threshold, and with said system converting back to said monitoring mode when the climate conditions returns to the temperature threshold until the engine is turned back on, with said system converting to said charging mode at least while the vehicle engine is on.

13. The system of claim 10, said temperature sensing mechanism further comprising an ambient air temperature sensor for detecting the air temperature outside the vehicle as part of the temperature data.

14. The system of claim 10, said occupant sensing mechanism comprising at least two magnetometers for detecting the displacement of the operator or an occupant inside the vehicle, and for transferring said occupancy data to said data collecting means.

15. The system of claim 10, each of said temperature sensing mechanism and said occupant sensing mechanism further being wired to and in wireless communication with said CPU through said control connector.

16. The system of claim 10, said data collecting means further comprising a fingerprint scanner coupled to said CPU, and a display having a wired harness coupled to said CPU for customizing said system'"'"'s temperature threshold, occupant threshold, and system control settings;

said CPU further capable of obtaining updated information about upcoming climate conditions from an external data source through said communication means.

17. The system of claim 10, said data storage means further comprising at least one data storage member having a capacity to retain information over an extended period of time, and an offsite external server for long term data storage, said data storage member coupled to said CPU at a connection port on said CPU;

said communication means further comprising a transmitter, a network, and at least one receiving member, wherein said transmitter being coupled to said data storage member, wherein said receiving member being selected from the group consisting of mobile or handheld devices, desktop computers, offsite external servers, a display screen, and combinations thereof, each of which is capable of receiving notification alerts from said CPU and of sending a return respond command back to said CPU.

18. The system of claim 10, said controlling means further comprising one of said plurality of relays being a 12V relay controller and an AC/Heat relay, wherein said 12V relay controller for activating said AC/Heat relay to selectively initiate said cooling mechanism or said heating mechanism to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to said temperature threshold.

19. The system of claim 10, said cooling mechanism comprising tubing, a compressor battery, and an electric compressor or an electronic commutated compressor for imparting cooler air through the cabin air vents, wherein said electronic commutated compressor or said electric compressor being dual wired and coupled to said compressor battery and to the first stage AC/Heat relay, wherein said AC/Heat relay being one of the plurality of relays.

20. An improved climate control, safety, and communications system for a vehicle having an undercarriage, at least one wheel, and a wheelbase, said system comprising:

a. a detecting means comprising at least one undercarriage temperature sensing mechanism for detecting the climate conditions of the vehicle undercarriage as undercarriage temperature data, and for continuously transmitting said undercarriage temperature data to a data collecting means;

b. said data collecting means comprising a CPU, at least one data storage means, a control connector having a harness, and a communication means, wherein said CPU monitors and evaluates said undercarriage temperature data for exceeding an undercarriage temperature threshold, for directing said communication means to notify an operator of the status of said undercarriage temperature data, and for sending a command to a controlling means to alter the climate conditions around the undercarriage or, if the climate adjustment has already been made, to cease the adjustment;

c. said controlling means comprising a plurality of relays, a heating element, and at least one heat transfer member for transferring heat from said heating element to said undercarriage, with one of the plurality of relays being a backup relay, and wherein said controlling means initiating said heating element to warm, thaw, or de-ice the vehicle around at least the undercarriage, the wheels, and wheelbase; and

d. a charging means comprising at least two power sources for charging said system and for powering said system when the vehicle engine is turned off, wherein at least one of said power sources comprising a primary battery with an alternator, a secondary battery coupled to both said primary battery and said temperature sensing mechanism, and a backup battery coupled to said primary battery.

21. The system of claim 20, said system further comprising

a. said detecting means further comprising at least one temperature sensing mechanism for detecting the air temperature inside the cabin as temperature data, and at least one occupant sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of at least one occupant inside the vehicle cabin as occupancy data, wherein said detecting means continuously transmits said temperature data and said occupancy data to said data collecting means;

b. said data collecting means further monitoring and evaluating said temperature data for exceeding a temperature threshold and said occupancy data for exceeding an occupant threshold, for communicating the status of said temperature data and said occupancy data as a notification to an operator, for sending a notification to an operator, and for implementing an action parameter to independently send a command to said controlling means;

c. said controlling means further selectively controlling and adjusting the climate conditions inside the cabin.

22. An improved climate control, safety, and communications system for a vehicle having an interior passenger cabin, said system comprising:

a. a detecting means comprising an interior cabin air temperature sensor for detecting the interior cabin air temperature inside the vehicle as temperature data, a plurality of magnetometer occupant sensors for detecting at least one occupant inside the vehicle as occupancy data, with each of said temperature sensor and said occupant sensors continuously transmitting said temperature data and said occupancy data to a data collecting means;

b. said data collecting means comprising a CPU, at least two data storage members, a control connector having a harness, and a communication means, wherein said control connector harness connects said interior cabin air temperature sensor and the plurality of said magnetometer occupant sensors to said CPU, wherein said CPU monitors and evaluates said temperature data for exceeding a temperature threshold and said occupancy data for exceeding an occupant threshold, and for directing said communication means to notify an operator of the status of said temperature data and said occupancy data, and for sending a command to a controlling means to alter the climate conditions inside the vehicle cabin or, if the climate adjustment has already been made, to cease the adjustment;

c. said controlling means comprising a 12V switching relay, an AC/Heating relay, at least one backup relay, a cooling mechanism, and a heating mechanism, wherein said 12V switching relay closes a circuit to said AC/Heating relay, wherein said AC/Heating relay selectively closes a circuit to activate either said cooling mechanism or said heating mechanism;

d. said charging means comprising a plurality of power sources; and

e. said system further operates in one of a monitoring mode, a controlling mode, and a charging mode, wherein said detecting means and said data collecting means each being operable in said monitoring mode, wherein said controlling means being operable in said controlling mode, and wherein said charging means being operable in said charging mode for charging and powering said system;

wherein when the vehicle engine is turned off, said system converting to said monitoring mode while the climate conditions remains at the temperature threshold, with said system then converting to said controlling mode when the climate conditions exceeds the temperature threshold, and with said system converting back to said monitoring mode when the climate conditions returns to the temperature threshold until the vehicle engine is turned back on, with said system converting to said charging mode at least while the vehicle engine is on.

23. The system of claim 22, said heating mechanism comprising a heating element having a radiator and a fan for imparting warmer air through the cabin air vents.

24. The system of claim 22, at least one of said power sources comprising a primary battery having an alternator, a secondary battery coupled to said primary battery and said temperature sensing mechanism, a third battery, and a backup battery coupled to said primary battery.

25. The system of claim 22, said data collecting means further comprising a fingerprint scanner coupled to said CPU, and a display having a wired harness coupled to said CPU for customizing said system'"'"'s temperature threshold, occupant threshold, and system control settings;

said CPU further capable of obtaining updated information about upcoming climate conditions from an external data source through said communication means;

said communication means further comprising a transmitter, a network, and at least one receiving member, wherein said transmitter being coupled to said data storage member, wherein said receiving member being selected from the group consisting of mobile or handheld devices, desktop computers, offsite external s tempers, a display screen, and combinations thereof, each of which is capable of receiving notification alerts from said CPU and of sending a return respond command back to said CPU.

26. The system of claim 22, said cooling mechanism comprising tubing, a compressor battery, and an electric compressor or an electronic commutated compressor for imparting cooler air through the cabin air vents, wherein said electric compressor or electronic commutated compressor being dual wired and coupled to said compressor battery and to the first stage AC/Heat relay.