UNEXPECTED THERMAL EVENT ASSIST

• US 20170106874A1
• Filed: 12/23/2016
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: NEUBECKER, Cynthia M., HAZEBROUCK, Laura Viviana, IGNACZAK, Brad Alan, BENNIE, Brian, VAN WIEMEERSCH, John Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,809,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/60 using satellite communication
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/26 Dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event. A method may include activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a thermal sensor; and

a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to

receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle,

responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and

operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to transmit media of the thermal event to a predetermined recipient.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to transmit the media in response to being located at a moved location away from the thermal event.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to activate an alarm function responsive to the detection of the thermal event.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the alarm function includes activation of a vehicle perimeter alarm.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to provide illumination of the thermal event using one or more lights of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to allow the vehicle to provide shelter to exited occupants of the structure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to allow the vehicle to become available as a means of transportation for exited occupants of the structure.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configured to open a door to a structure in which the vehicle is located.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a processor configured to

receive an indication from a vehicle thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle and within a structure in which the vehicle is located,

responsive to the detection, perform assistance features including to autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and

transmit media responsive to being located at a moved location away from the thermal event.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to confirm the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle before performing the assistance features.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to activate a vehicle perimeter alarm responsive to the detection of the thermal event.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to provide illumination of the thermal event using one or more lights of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to open a door to a structure in which the vehicle is located.

16. A method comprising:

activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor;

confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and

responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting media responsive to being located at a moved location away from the thermal event.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising operating as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating a vehicle perimeter alarm responsive to the detection of the thermal event.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing illumination of the thermal event using one or more lights of the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising opening a door to a structure in which the vehicle is located.