Slashdot Mirror
Ford Patents a Way To Remove 'New Car Smell' (freep.com)
Ford has filed a patent for a method of eliminating the new car smell after a vehicle has been purchased. In the U.S., "new car smell" is beloved, but in China, customers find the odor disgusting. From a report: While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hasn't issued a ruling on the "vehicle odor remediation" patent application, and Ford hasn't committed to moving forward with the project, the paperwork explains what creates the odor so many Americans like: That new car smell is caused by volatile organic compounds given off by leather, plastic and vinyl. Chemicals used to attach and seal car parts may also contribute to the odor. People notice odors when compounds are released, which occurs when a car sits in high temperatures.
Ford scientists describe baking the car until the odor disappears, which happens after compounds are released. The process described in the patent involves parking the car in the sun, opening the windows slightly, and optionally turning the engine, heater and fan on.The system includes special software and various air quality sensors, and works only when fitted to a driverless or semi-autonomous vehicle. A lot of technology is involved in the patent application. The car would determine whether conditions are right to expel compounds, and the car would drive itself to a place in the sun and bake away the offensive odor.
Ford scientists describe baking the car until the odor disappears, which happens after compounds are released. The process described in the patent involves parking the car in the sun, opening the windows slightly, and optionally turning the engine, heater and fan on.The system includes special software and various air quality sensors, and works only when fitted to a driverless or semi-autonomous vehicle. A lot of technology is involved in the patent application. The car would determine whether conditions are right to expel compounds, and the car would drive itself to a place in the sun and bake away the offensive odor.
.... that don't require volatile organics in their manufacture. Perhaps this current fashion for glueing everything could be reverted back to rivets and bolts for a start. And there are plenty of plastics that don't release volatile compounds for months after they're purchased - eg you wouldn't be too happy if your food smelt like a chemical plant after you took it out the packaging.
People like the associations the smell invokes - an exciting new addition/change in your life that you're going to enjoy - not the odor itself. Same as enjoying the mixture of paint thinner + cleaning detergents + plaster + wood shavings + wet cardboard ... it all combines into "new house smell".
"...The process described in the patent involves parking the car in the sun, opening the windows slightly, and optionally turning the engine, heater and fan on...A lot of technology is involved in the patent application."
You parked the car in the sun, cracked the windows, and turned on the fan. This is now considered "science" when removing a smell from a car interior? A generation ago we called this common sense.
I guess I'm getting too old for such patented stupidity.
And no, putting this "technology" into an autonomous car doesn't make you a genius. That just makes you greedy because you're going to charge the customer another $2000 for some bullshit feature they never asked for. Also known as 21st Century product design.