Method for Controlling Interior Vehicle Temperature to Protect Occupants from Extreme Heat

摘要

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.

主权项

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 setpoint; (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, that the vehicle is parked and that the climate control system is not operating; (j) using the central microprocessor to compare the CO2 concentration data with the activation CO2 concentration level; (k) when the CO2 concentration data equals or exceeds the activation CO2 concentration level, 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.