System and method for isolating motor vehicle interior from poor outdoor air quality

This disclosure relates to a system and method for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from poor outdoor air quality. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify conditions associated with poor outdoor air quality and to respond to those conditions by isolating the interior of the motor vehicle from the outdoor environment. An example system includes a selector configured to permit a user to select a drive mode of the motor vehicle, a location system configured to detect a location of the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to issue one or more commands to isolate an interior of the motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a system and method for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from poor outdoor air quality.

BACKGROUND

Off-roading is the activity or sport of driving a motor vehicle over relatively rough terrain, including unsurfaced roads or tracks, such as those made of materials such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and/or other natural terrain. A number of different types of motor vehicles are suitable for off-road use, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks, and other such vehicles having relatively high ground clearances, robust tires, and a relatively powerful drive-train. Some vehicle manufacturers offer vehicles specifically designed for off-road use.

SUMMARY

A system for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a selector configured to permit a user to select a drive mode of the motor vehicle, a location system configured to detect a location of the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to issue a command to isolate an interior of the motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing system, the controller is configured to issue a command to isolate the interior of the motor vehicle based on either a user selecting a drive mode corresponding to off-roading or the detected location corresponding to an off-roading area.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a climate control system of the motor vehicle selectively operable in a recirculation mode, and the controller is configured to issue a command to cause the climate control system to operate in the recirculation mode based on either the selected drive mode or the detected location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a power window configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and the controller is configured to issue a command to cause the power window to move to the closed position based on either the selected drive mode or the detected location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the power window is either a window of a side door of the motor vehicle or a moonroof.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the power window is one of a plurality of power windows each associated with an individual side door of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle further includes a moonroof configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and the controller is configured to issue a command to cause each of the power windows and the moonroof to move to the closed position based on either the selected drive mode or the detected location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a camera, and the controller is configured to issue a command to isolate the interior of the motor vehicle based on an image from the camera indicating a poor air quality condition.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to send information corresponding to the poor air quality condition.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the controller is configured to issue a command to isolate the interior of the motor vehicle when the detected location includes a designated off-roading area.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the location system is configured to detect that the motor vehicle has entered a geofence corresponding to the off-roading area.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the controller is configured to issue a command to isolate the interior of the motor vehicle when the detected location exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold distance from a mapped roadway.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a neural network configured to monitor operation of the motor vehicle over time to learn conditions associated with poor air quality, and the neural network is configured to train the controller to selectively isolate interior of the motor vehicle based on the learned conditions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing systems, the system includes a transceiver configured to receive environmental data, and the controller is configured to identify a poor air quality condition based on the received environmental data and to issue a command to isolate the interior of the motor vehicle based on the identified poor air quality condition.

A system for a motor vehicle according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of power windows, each of the power windows associated with an individual side door of the motor vehicle and moveable between an open position and a closed position. The system further includes a moonroof moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a climate control system selectively operable in a recirculation mode. A controller of the system is configured such that, in response to a condition indicative of poor air quality in an environment outside the motor vehicle, the controller isolates an interior of the motor vehicle from the environment by commanding each of the power windows to move to the closed position, commanding the moonroof to move to the closed position, and commanding the climate control system to operate in the recirculation mode.

A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the isolating step occurs when either the selected drive mode is a drive mode corresponding to off-roading or the detected location is an off-roading area.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the isolating step includes either commanding a climate control system of the motor vehicle to operate in a recirculation mode or commanding a power window of the motor vehicle to close.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the isolating step includes both of commanding a climate control system of the motor vehicle to operate in a recirculation mode and commanding all power windows of the motor vehicle to close.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes using a neural network to monitor operation of the motor vehicle to learn conditions associated with poor air quality, and using the neural network to train a controller to automatically isolate the interior of the motor vehicle based on the learned conditions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the isolating step is performed based on received environmental data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to a system and method for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from poor outdoor air quality. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify conditions associated with poor outdoor air quality and to respond to those conditions by isolating the interior of the motor vehicle from the outdoor environment. An example system includes a selector configured to permit a user to select a drive mode of the motor vehicle, a location system configured to detect a location of the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to issue one or more commands to isolate an interior of the motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location. Among other benefits, this disclosure provides for improved air quality inside the motor vehicle. This disclosure is particularly useful when the vehicle is being used for off-roading, which is an activity known to kick up excess dust near the vehicle, as this disclosure prevents ingress of such dust into the vehicle interior. This disclosure has applications outside of off-roading, however. These and other benefits will be appreciated from the following description.

FIG.1illustrates an example system10for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle12(“vehicle12”) from an outside environment. In addition to the vehicle12, the example system10includes a number of other components, which will be discussed below, and which are used to identify conditions associated with poor air quality and which are configured to respond to those conditions in order to isolate the interior of the vehicle12in order to preserve the air quality within the vehicle12.

The vehicle12is shown from a front-perspective view, and specifically illustrates a side referred to as a passenger side in regions such as the United States of America. The vehicle12is especially suited for off-roading. In particular, the vehicle12is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and, inFIG.1, is actively off-roading. More specifically, the vehicle12is being driven on a sand surface and is kicking up dust. While an SUV is shown, the vehicle12could be another type of vehicle suited for use off-road, such as a pickup truck. This disclosure applies to vehicles that are not especially suited for off-roading, such as sedans, cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, etc.

The vehicle12includes a plurality of power windows associated with the doors of the vehicle12. InFIG.1, a first power window14is associated with a front passenger door16of the vehicle12, and a second power window18is associated with a rear passenger door20. While only the passenger-side power windows and doors are visible inFIG.1, the driver side of the vehicle12includes a similar arrangement of doors and power windows. Specifically, the vehicle12includes a total of four side doors configured for use by occupants entering and exiting the vehicle12, and each side door includes a power window. The vehicle12also includes a rear door or liftgate, which does not include a vertically moveable power window in this example. This disclosure extends to vehicles having one or more doors and power windows.

The first and second doors16,20are configured to open and close to selectively provide access and restrict access, respectively, to an interior22of the vehicle12. Here, the interior22of the vehicle includes the passenger compartment or cabin, where the occupants (i.e., the passengers and driver) of the vehicle12sit. In some SUVs with cargo areas in the same compartment as the passenger cabin, the interior22also includes those cargo areas. The term interior22does not refer to trunks, for example, or the cargo beds of pickup trucks, which are separated from the passenger compartments of those vehicles.

The first and second power windows14,18are vertically moveable by a corresponding drive assembly between an open position and a closed position. In an open position, the first and second power windows14,18are at least partially lowered and at least partially arranged within a panel of a respective door16,20to provide an opening, or gap, between the interior22and an outside environment24. The outside environment24, in this disclosure, refers to the area immediately outside the vehicle12. As such, the conditions of the outside environment24are the prevailing conditions of the outside environment24, including air quality conditions, experienced by the vehicle12. When the first and second power windows14,18are in the closed position, the first and second power windows14,18are fully raised vertically and provide a barrier, specifically a fluid barrier, between the interior22of the vehicle12and the outside environment24.

The first and second power windows14,18are moveable between the open and closed positions in response to commands from a controller26. The controller26includes electronics, software, or both, to perform the necessary control functions for operating the vehicle12and executing various functions of the system10. In one non-limiting embodiment, the controller26is a combination vehicle system controller and powertrain control module (VSC/PCM). Although it is shown as a single hardware device, the controller26may include multiple controllers in the form of multiple hardware devices, or multiple software controllers within one or more hardware devices.

The controller26is part of an overall computing system28of the system10. In addition to the controller26, the computing system28includes an artificial neural network30(“neural network30”). The neural network30may be incorporated in or interfaced with the vehicle12. Alternatively or in addition, the neural network30may be embodied in whole or in part on a cloud based service.

The neural network30is configured to receive and process a plurality of different types of data D1-DN, where “N” represents any number. The neural network30may be a deep generative neural network, which is alternatively referred to as a flow model neural network. The neural network30provides a framework for machine learning. Specifically, the neural network30is trained to predict how various data inputs (i.e., from the data D1-DN) relate to poor air quality conditions in which the interior22of the vehicle12may need to be fluidly isolated from the outside environment24. A neural network30is not required in all examples.

In addition to the power windows associated with the doors, the vehicle12also includes a moonroof32. The moonroof32is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In a closed position, the moonroof32provides a fluid barrier between a top of the vehicle12and the outside environment24. The moonroof32is moveable, and in particular slidable forward and backwards, via a drive assembly which is responsive to commands from the controller26. A moonroof32is not required in all examples. Further, alternatively, the moonroof32could be a sunroof in some examples. The moonroof32is representative of any moveable panel adjacent a top of the vehicle12.

The vehicle12further includes a camera34. In this example, the camera34is mounted adjacent a front of the vehicle12and is configured to capture images, such as still images and/or video, of an area adjacent a front of the vehicle12. The camera34could be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle12, however, and could capture images of areas adjacent other sides of the vehicle12. Further, the vehicle12could include more than one camera. Alternatively, this disclosure extends to vehicles that do not include a camera. The camera could be part of an existing system of the vehicle, such as rear backup camera, a self-driving system (SDS) of the vehicle12, a front camera, a 360° camera, etc. The camera34could be provided by a sensor of the SDS, such as a laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LIDAR) sensor. The camera34is electrically connected to the controller26, such that the controller26has access to images captured by the camera34.

The vehicle12further includes a climate control system36. The climate control system36may be referred to as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The climate control system36is configured to provide the interior22, and in particular the passenger compartment, with a desired temperature and humidity. The climate control system36includes a blower, or ventilation fan, which is powered by an electric motor, and is configured to force air through ducting into the interior22. The air supplied to the interior33may be either ambient air from the outside environment24or air that is recirculated from the interior22. When the climate control system36supplies recirculated air to the interior22, the climate control system36is operating in a recirculation mode. Vehicle occupants may select between a fresh air mode and a recirculation mode using a manual switch or button. The climate control system36is responsive to commands from the controller26. In particular, the controller26is configured to selectively command the climate control system36to operate in recirculation mode.

The vehicle12also includes a transceiver38. The transceiver38is configured to send and receive communications relative to the vehicle12. The transceiver38is responsive to commands from the controller26and is configured to relay received information to the controller26. The transceiver38may also be electrically connected to the neural network30and one or more other remote servers.

The vehicle12also includes a powertrain, which includes the main components, such as the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, etc., that generate power and deliver power to the road surface, or in the case of off-roading, the ground surface. The powertrain may include an internal combustion engine and/or one or more electric machines. In this regard, the vehicle12may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or may be powered only by an internal combustion engine.

The vehicle12is operable in more than one drive mode, in this example. The various drive modes of the vehicle12may be selected by a user, such as the driver of the vehicle12, via a selector40. An example selector40is illustrated in the call-out ofFIG.1. In particular,FIG.1illustrates a portion of a human-machine interface (HMI)42, which in this example is a portion of a dashboard. The HMI42could be part of an infotainment system or other system of the vehicle12. A user can use the selector40, which may be displayed to the user via the HMI42, to select a drive mode. The selector40displays a plurality of drive modes44to the user. The user may use an input mechanism, such as a button on a touch screen, a button of the infotainment system, and/or a button on the steering wheel of the vehicle12, to select a particular one of the drive modes44. Reference to the selector40herein includes the portion of the HMI42and/or the input mechanism used by the user to make the drive mode selection. In this example, there are six available drive modes44. This disclosure extends to vehicles having one or more drive modes.

The controller26is responsive to the various drive modes44to alter the manner in which the powertrain of the vehicle12operates. For instance, the drive modes44are essentially presets for different systems and components of the vehicle12, including driver assist and stability control systems, steering feel, throttle and transmission mapping, braking modes, the locking differential, etc. The drive modes44, in particular, can alter the sensitivity of the throttle pedal, the amount of fuel supplied to the engine, the amount of computer traction available, and the suspension settings. These variations may be altered together or separately to change how the vehicle12drives and feels. Common drive modes44include a sport mode, eco mode, comfort mode, snow mode, etc.

At least one mode of the vehicle12may directly or indirectly relate to off-roading. One such mode offered on some Ford Motor Company vehicles, such as a pickup truck known as the F-150 Raptor, is known as Baja mode. In Baja mode, the controller26controls the vehicle12such that it is especially suited for high-speed driving on a sandy surface, with a throttle map and traction control settings designed to give more power and increased engine response, as well as quicker shifts and a transmission that will hold gears longer into their high RPM ranges. Another example off-roading mode, also offered on some Ford Motor Company vehicles, is Rock Crawl. In Rock Crawl mode, the vehicle12engages the electronic locking differential, and sets the traction control system to its least restrictive settings. Further, the throttle and transmission settings are mapped for the greatest control, and the camera (i.e., the camera34) located adjacent the front of the vehicle12can be kept on at speeds of up to 15 mph so the user (i.e., the driver) can see the terrain immediately in front of the vehicle12. The Baja and Rock Crawl modes are examples of drive modes44that are directly or indirectly associated with off-roading, as a user typically selects those modes when using the vehicle12for off-roading. InFIG.1, the user has selected Baja mode and is driving the vehicle12on a sand surface.

The vehicle12further includes a location system46configured to detect a location of the vehicle12. The location system46may be a global positioning system (GPS), a wireless communication system (such as a radio-frequency identification system), or a camera-based, shape detection system. The location system46may also be configured to make the vehicle12a location-aware device, such that the location system46can determine whether the vehicle12has entered or exited a geofence, which is a virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area. The location system46is electrically connected to the controller26and is configured to relay information pertaining to the location of the vehicle12to the controller26. The location system46may also receive and/or send location information via the transceiver38.

A controller area network (CAN)50allows the controller26to communicate with the various component of the system10, including the components of the vehicle12. Various connections of the CAN50are represented using lines inFIG.1.

The system10is configured to identify or predict conditions where the air quality of the outside environment24is relatively poor. In those conditions, which are referred to herein as poor air quality conditions, the system10is configured to take one or more actions to fluidly isolate the interior22of the vehicle12from the outside environment24. Example actions that fluidly isolate the interior22include moving the power windows14,18to the closed position, moving the moonroof32to the closed position, and/or operating the climate control system36in the recirculation mode. The system10may perform each of the aforementioned actions simultaneously in response to an identified or predicted poor air quality condition. The system10may perform additional actions that fluidly isolate the interior22in addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned actions.

In this disclosure, a poor air quality condition is a condition indicative of air being degraded by one or more impurities, contaminants, and/or pollutants such as smoke (either from a fire or tire burnout, as examples), dust, smog, particulate matter, ragweed, pollen, etc. A poor air quality condition may include excess dust kicked up by the vehicle12as the vehicle12is off-roading on a sand trail. A poor air quality condition may also be indicated by a standardized scale, such as an Air Quality Health Index ranking, which is typically a numerical value between 1-10, with higher numbers associated with lower air quality. In addition to a potential health concern, in which some portions of the population may experience symptoms such as coughing and/or throat irritation, a poor air quality condition may dirty the vehicle12, including the interior22of the vehicle12, such that excess cleaning of the vehicle12is required.

Example poor air quality conditions are discussed below, and may be programmed into the controller26and/or learned over time. The system10may use, together or separately, a number of techniques to identify conditions indicative of poor air quality in the outside environment24. These conditions are either directly indicative of current poor air quality of the outside environment24or are used to predict that there will be poor air quality at a future time and/or location. While a number of example techniques are described below, the system10may use other techniques.

FIG.2illustrates a map52. The map52may be stored on or accessed by the location system46and/or the controller26. The location system46is configured to determine a location of the vehicle12relative to the map52. The map52includes a plurality of roads. A first road54is a paved road. Another road,56, is an unpaved road provided by a dirt and/or gravel surface.

An aspect of this disclosure relates to identifying when the vehicle12has departed a paved road. In response, the controller26determines that the air quality of the outside environment24will deteriorate as the vehicle12kicks up dust associated with an unpaved road. In a particular example, the vehicle12is at location58on the unpaved road56. In another example, the vehicle12is at a location60, which is not on any identified road. The location60is at a predetermined distance, such as 20 feet, from an identified road. In response to either of these example scenarios, the controller26will issue one or more commands to isolate the interior22.

In another aspect of this disclosure, a geofence62is established around an off-roading park. The off-roading park may be a public or private area including trails and/or terrain that driving enthusiasts may use for off-roading. One example park is Holly Oaks ORV Park in Holly, Mich. The location system46is configured to issue signals to the controller26indicative of the vehicle12entering and exiting the geofence62. As the vehicle12enters the off-road park by breaching the perimeter of the geofence62, the controller26will issue one or more commands to isolate the interior22.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the controller26issues one or more commands to isolate the interior when a user selects a drive mode44corresponding to off-roading, such as the Baja or Rock Crawl modes discussed above.

In another aspect, the controller26is configured to identify a poor air quality condition based on an image from the camera34. Specifically, the controller26may be configured to identify various objects or events occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle12. Example objects include garbage trucks, construction vehicles, vehicles such as diesel vehicles known to produce excess exhaust, farms such as livestock operations (which may produce an unpleasant scent), plants, factories, paper mills, refineries, etc. Example events include occurrences of dust, smoke, exhaust, fog, flames, etc. The controller26is configured to analyze still and/or video images from the camera34using known techniques, such as by manipulating the color spectrum of the images, to identify certain objects and/or events corresponding with a poor air quality condition. The images can be decomposed into a simple matrix and then be manipulated using matrix operations. The images, specifically, can be transferred to the CIELAB color space, in one example. Analyzing the images in this manner leads to repeatable and reliable results and does not require undue processing power. The images can be analyzed using other known techniques in order to identify a poor air quality condition.

When the controller26identifies an object or event associated with a poor air quality condition based on an image from the camera34, in an aspect of this disclosure the controller26commands the transceiver38to report the event/object to a remote server, along with the location of the subject event/object, such that other vehicles may benefit from the identified poor air quality condition. For instance, if the controller26identifies a construction site emitting undue amounts of dust along the road54, that information may be useful to other vehicles. The remote server can save that information and selectively disseminate it to other vehicles and/or to other services, such as a weather reporting service or service providing the public with an air quality index. The transceiver38can also communicate that information to another, nearby vehicle directly using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication.

The transceiver38is also configured to receive environmental data, such as weather data and/or air quality data, corresponding to a current location or an expected location, based on a planned trip for example, of the vehicle12. The transceiver38may receive such information from a weather service, a remote server, or another vehicle (e.g., using V2V communication). The controller26is configured to issue one or more commands to isolate the interior22when the received environmental data indicates a poor air quality condition.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the neural network30is configured to monitor operation of the vehicle12over time to learn conditions associated with poor air quality. In particular, the neural network30monitors and receives a plurality of data D1-DNand attempts to learn, over time, that a user of the vehicle12, for example, typically fluidly isolates the interior22by manually rolling up the windows and/or activating a recirculation mode in particular locations or under certain conditions. For instance, if nearly every day for a month the user fluidly isolates the interior as the vehicle12passed location64on the map52, the neural network30will learn that location64is associated with poor air quality. For example, there may be a construction site at or near location64. Alternatively, there may be a factory creating an unpleasant smell at or near location64. The source of the smell, in some examples, may be difficult to detect using the camera34, as it may be hidden from view of the road or upwind of the location64. Regardless, over time, the neural network30will associate the location64with a poor air quality condition and will train the controller26to automatically isolate the interior22as the vehicle12approaches location64. Over time, the poor air quality at location64may resolve, and the neural network30may learn of the resolution of the poor air quality condition by repeated overrides by the user, for example.

In this respect, the system10may provide a notice or prompt, via the HMI42for example, to a user indicating that a poor air quality condition has been identified and that the vehicle12will automatically isolate the interior22. The prompt may include a countdown and may permit the user to override the isolation of the interior22during the countdown if the user does not desire the power windows14,18to close, moonroof32to close, and/or for the climate control system36to enter into a recirculation mode. The user may desire the windows of the vehicle12to be open while off-roading in order to increase visibility, as one example.

Directional terms such as “vertical,” “upward,” “downward,” “forward,” “rearward,” etc., are used herein for purposes of explanation and with reference to the orientation of components illustrated in the drawings. Such directional terms should not be considered limiting. Further, it should be understood that terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about” are not intended to be boundaryless terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the way one skilled in the art would interpret those terms.