System to prevent harm to children, pets or others left in unattended vehicles in hot weather

Abstract

A system is presented to prevent harm to occupants of unattended vehicles in warm weather due to the greenhouse effect by circulating ambient air through the vehicle using the blower from the vehicle's air conditioning system powered by a solar cell array and rechargeable batteries, with a thermometer controller to engage and shut off the system at preset high and low temperatures, situated in a recessed area on the roof to minimize drag when the vehicle is moving and avoid detracting from the appearance of the vehicle.

Claims

1) A system to prevent harm to occupants of unattended vehicles in warm weather due to the greenhouse effect by circulating ambient air through the vehicle using the blower of the vehicle's air conditioning system powered by a solar cell and rechargeable battery array situated on the roof;

2) That the system of claim 1 is recessed into the roof of the vehicle to minimize drag and not detract from the appearance of the vehicle;

3) That the system of claims 1 and 2 further includes lights to indicate the status of the system and a thermometer controller to engage and shut off the system at high and low temperatures and display the temperature inside the vehicle to alert occupants and passersby as to the conditions within the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1. Sketch of a vehicle showing the location of the solar cell and rechargeable battery arrays recessed into the vehicle's roof.

[0010] FIG. 2. Expanded view of the solar cell and rechargeable battery arrays of FIG. 1 revealing the configuration of the arrays, gasket to seal the arrays from moisture and dust within the recessed area, electrical connections, and slots to allow cooling of the arrays.

[0011] FIG. 3. Electrical circuitry for the system: solar cell-battery arrays located on the vehicle's roof; switches, thermometer controller and indicator light located on the vehicle's dash, and modification to the vehicle's air conditioner system to facilitate using the blower of the air conditioner to circulate air through the vehicle, powered by the solar cell and battery arrays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 is a sketch of an automobile (1) showing the location of the solar-battery array (2) on the roof. The battery unit is beneath the solar array and is not visible in this view. The assembly is situated in a recessed area of sufficient depth to have the surface of the assembly be flush with the surface of the roof in order to minimize drag when the vehicle is moving and to minimize adverse impact on the appearance of the vehicle.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the components. The solar cell panel (3) is positioned above the smaller battery pact (4). Corner supports (5) separate the solar cell array from the battery pact, which is securely fixed to the floor of the cavity. The two units are connected electrically and alug plug (6) connects the assembly to the vehicle's electrical system through receptacle (7). A gasket (8) seals the assembly from moisture and dirt. The recessed area (9) includes vents (10) at the front and rear to allow air flow from the occupants' area to be circulated between the solar cell and battery units for cooling.

[0014] The color of the solar cell array may be selected to complement the color of the vehicle. The units are fixed securely through brackets affixed to vehicle's roof (not shown).

[0015] The electrical circuit, FIG. 3, has three major units. Unit 1 is located on the roof. It includes the solar cell array (3), the rechargeable, battery (4), and a diode (11) to prevent the battery from discharging through the solar array, while allowing the solar array to charge the battery. The battery provides power when insufficient solar energy is available from the sun due to clouds, shade, dust or other cause. An electrical plug suitable for low voltage outdoor use (6) engages the receptable (7) in the wall of the recessed area.

[0016] Unit 2 is located on the dashboard of the vehicle. Light (12) indicates that the system is energized, after selection by switch (13), which may connect contact S (solar), N (neutral), or A (air conditioning). A digital thermometer controller (14), in view on the dash, alerts occupants and passersby as to the status of the system (on/off) and the temperature inside the vehicle, and also turns the system on when the temperature inside the vehicle reaches a predetermined high value and turns it off at a low value. The thermometer controller operates only when the solar system is selected by switch 15. This controller is not in the air conditioning circuit. B is the blower (15) of the air conditioner C (16), which is not operable when the solar system is in operation. Diode (17) blocks current from the vehicle's battery (18) from entering the solar circuit while the blower is being used for the solar system.