Sensor device for measuring concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant in the vehicle, vehicle with sensor device, and method for determining the fitness of a vehicle occupant to drive

Abstract

A sensor device (30) for measuring concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant has a control unit (38), a measuring chamber (36), and a sensor (68) configured to measure substances in the measuring chamber (36). Gas from the vehicle interior (18) and exhaled air of the vehicle occupant can be captured via a first gas supply opening (31), while gas from the vehicle interior can be captured via a second gas supply opening (32). A valve (46) is provided for varying the quantity of gas flowing via the gas supply openings (31, 32, 33) to the measuring chamber (36) and for selectively preventing the respective gas supply. Furthermore, a vehicle with such a sensor device (30) and a method for determining the driving ability of a vehicle occupant are presented.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor device for measuring the concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant, comprising a control unit, a measuring chamber, and at least one sensor configured to measure substances in the measuring chamber. The invention further relates to a vehicle with such a sensor device and a method for determining the fitness to drive of a vehicle occupant.

[0002] Such sensor devices are known.

[0003] They are designed to determine the concentration of substances, particularly alcohol, in the exhaled breath of a vehicle occupant. If a defined limit is exceeded, various safety measures can be triggered, such as preventing the vehicle from starting or limiting its maximum speed. These sensor devices are typically located near the driver, for example, in the steering wheel, so that the occupant's exhaled breath is directed to the measuring chamber at the highest possible concentration.

[0004] With regard to functionality, reliability, safety, ergonomics and appearance, this results in partially conflicting requirements for the sensor device.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a sensor device by means of which concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant can be determined with particular reliability. A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with such a sensor device. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for determining the fitness to drive of a vehicle occupant.

[0006] The problem is solved by a sensor device for measuring the concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant inside the vehicle, comprising a control unit, a measuring chamber, and at least one sensor configured to measure substances within the measuring chamber. The device includes at least one first gas inlet opening located in the vehicle interior, which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber and through which gas from the vehicle interior and the exhaled air of the vehicle occupant can be captured, and at least one second gas inlet opening located in the vehicle interior, which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber and through which gas from the vehicle interior can be captured. Furthermore, at least one valve is provided to vary the amount of gas flowing to the measuring chamber via the gas inlet openings and, optionally, to shut off the respective gas supply.

[0007] According to the invention, it has been recognized that gas or air can be fed separately into the measuring chamber at two different locations in the vehicle interior via the two gas supply openings and one or more valves, and analyzed there independently of each other. Thus, the measured concentration of substances is not limited to one area in the vehicle interior, as in the prior art, but rather the concentration can be measured, monitored, and compared in at least two different areas of the vehicle interior. This allows for a particularly reliable determination of substance concentrations in the exhaled air of a vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the redundant design increases the reliability of the sensor device, so that concentrations in the vehicle interior can still be measured even if one of the two gas supply openings fails.

[0008] Substances in exhaled breath can include substances that indicate the presence of alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, methadone, ammonia, acetone, or a combination thereof. These substances represent biomarkers that can indicate normal biological or pathological processes in the body. For example, the smell of ammonia suggests kidney disease, while the smell of acetone suggests diabetes. One advantage of measuring these substances in exhaled breath is that it eliminates the need for chemical methods, such as those used to determine alcohol content in breath, which are uncomfortable and rely on a blowpipe, as well as surface contact methods like adsorption techniques, or invasive procedures. Exhaled breath is a continuous process. These substances include volatile organic compounds (VOCs).Examples of VOCs include acetone, ethanol, isoprene, nonanal, decanal, α-pinene, ethyl butyrate and butanal, ethanal, propanal, and n-propyl acetate. VOCs are produced in living organisms during protein, cell, or metabolic changes triggered by disease. VOCs excreted via respiration can be characteristic of a disease and thus serve as biomarkers.

[0009] The detection of these substances according to the invention allows for the determination of the condition of a vehicle occupant, in particular a driver, with regard to illnesses and impairments of driving ability. If these substances are detected above a respective predetermined threshold value, especially at the start of a journey, an immobilizer, such as an alcohol interlock or alcohol ignition lock, can be activated, which blocks the vehicle from starting from a certain breath alcohol content of the driver.

[0010] In one embodiment, a first gas supply line leading from the first gas supply opening to the measuring chamber and a second gas supply line leading from the second gas supply opening to the measuring chamber are provided. In this way, the two gas supply lines are designed to be at least partially separate, so that the gas flowing in through the first gas supply opening is guided to the measuring chamber separately from the gas flowing in through the second gas supply opening, at least over a section, in particular over a section extending from the respective gas supply opening to an associated valve.

[0011] This can be achieved with a single valve which, in a first position, keeps the first gas supply line to the measuring chamber open and closes the second gas supply line to the measuring chamber. In a second position, the first gas supply line to the measuring chamber is closed and the second gas supply line to the measuring chamber is kept open. This ensures that gas is only fed into the measuring chamber via one of the gas supply openings and thus from a specific area within the vehicle interior.

[0012] Furthermore, depending on the valve, intermediate positions may also be possible, which allow the ratio of the supplied gas quantities to be adjusted.

[0013] Furthermore, the measuring chamber may be connected to the vehicle interior via a third gas supply line, which opens into the vehicle interior through a third gas supply port. The valve has at least one of the following positions: a single-open position in which one of the gas supply ports is fluidically connected to the measuring chamber and the other two gas supply ports are not; a double-open position in which one of the gas supply ports is not fluidly connected to the measuring chamber and the other two gas supply ports are. This ensures that at least one of the gas supply ports is always fluidly disconnected from the measuring chamber, while at least one of the other gas supply ports is fluidly connected to the measuring chamber.This allows the concentration from at least two areas in the vehicle interior to be determined independently of each other.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor device can have at least one liquid drain line through which liquid can be routed upstream of the measuring chamber from one or more of the gas supply lines. This reliably prevents liquid entering the measuring chamber via the gas supply openings from interfering with the measurement or damaging at least one sensor. This makes the sensor device particularly reliable. The liquid drain line is an optional, independent feature that can be implemented separately from the multiple gas supply openings and the at least one valve, as it prevents liquids from reaching the measuring chamber.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the sensor device has a liquid separator, which is arranged, in particular, downstream of the valve and / or upstream of the measuring chamber to prevent liquid from entering the measuring chamber via the gas supply lines. The arrangement downstream of the valve and / or upstream of the measuring chamber has the advantage that the liquid separator is located in a common section of the gas supply lines, and thus the measuring chamber is effectively protected by a single liquid separator.

[0016] In this case, the liquid separator can include a siphon-like section of a gas supply line.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the liquid separator can be connected to a liquid drain line via a liquid outlet, so that separated liquid is effectively drained from the liquid separator via the liquid drain line.

[0018] Furthermore, the system may be provided with a drain valve that has an open position, allowing liquid to flow from the liquid separator via the drain line, and a closed position, preventing liquid from flowing from the liquid separator via the drain line. This is particularly relevant when a moisture sensor is located in a liquid collection section of the liquid separator. In this way, liquid can be discharged from the liquid separator via the drain line at specific times, especially when a liquid quantity, determined by the moisture sensor in the liquid collection section, exceeds a threshold. Thus, liquid does not flow continuously from the liquid separator but is discharged as needed, thereby flushing the drain line intermittently.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the at least one valve has a closed position in which the measuring chamber is not fluidly connected to any gas supply opening. In other words, in the closed position, the measuring chamber is fluidly separated from all gas supply openings and thus protected, in particular from any liquid entering through one or more gas supply openings.

[0020] Furthermore, the sensor device can have a fan, which is arranged, in particular, downstream of the at least one valve. The fan is designed to draw air from the vehicle interior via the gas supply lines and direct it into the measuring chamber. Positioning it downstream of a common valve in a common section of the gas supply lines has the advantage that gas can be drawn in at all gas supply openings by means of a single fan, as these openings are flow-wise connected to the common section of the line and thus to the measuring chamber, according to the valve position.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the gas supply openings are arranged on a steering wheel, in particular on a steering wheel rim or a steering wheel spoke, on a steering column and / or on a dashboard of the vehicle and are thus located in close proximity to the vehicle occupant who is steering the vehicle and whose exhaled air is therefore preferably controlled or monitored.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the distance between the first and second gas supply openings can be at least 10 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the orientation of the first gas supply opening can differ from that of the second gas supply opening by an angle between 45° and 180°. In accordance with the invention, this orientation corresponds to a vector perpendicular to the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas supply opening or to the direction in which the gas supply line extends adjacent to the gas supply opening. This ensures that the two gas supply openings are assigned to different areas within the vehicle interior and that gas from the respective area flows in primarily through the adjacent gas supply opening.

[0023] According to the invention, a vehicle with a sensor device according to the invention, offering the aforementioned advantages, is also provided to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the invention, a method for determining the fitness to drive of a vehicle occupant is provided to solve the above-mentioned problem, comprising the following steps: • Exhaled air from the vehicle occupant is captured directly via at least one first gas supply opening assigned to the vehicle occupant, which is in flow communication with a measuring chamber, • Through at least one second gas supply opening not assigned to the vehicle occupant, which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber, ambient gas in the vehicle interior is captured away from the directly exhaled air of the vehicle occupant, and • By means of a sensor and a control unit connected to the sensor, components of exhaled air are determined by comparing the analyzed, captured gases.

[0025] It was recognized according to the invention that concentrations of substances in the exhaled air of the vehicle occupant can be determined particularly effectively in this way.

[0026] According to one embodiment, a valve varies the amount and duration of the exhaled air and ambient air supplied to the sensor, thereby compensating for fluctuations and preventing extreme values. This allows the concentrations of substances present in the exhaled air and ambient gas to be determined in a way that reflects the actual conditions in the vehicle interior or the relevant areas with exceptional accuracy.

[0027] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. These show: - Fig. 1 in a schematic representation a vehicle according to the invention with a steering wheel and a sensor device according to the invention, - Fig. 2 in a schematic front view another embodiment of the steering wheel made of Fig. 1, and - Fig. 3 in a schematic representation the sensor device Fig. 1.

[0028] The detailed description below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which identical numbers refer to identical elements, is intended to describe various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not meant to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure serves only as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferable or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0029] All features disclosed below with reference to the exemplary embodiments and / or the accompanying figures can be combined alone or in any subcombination with features of the aspects of the present disclosure, including features of preferred embodiments, provided that the resulting combination of features is meaningful to a person skilled in the art.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a vehicle 10, showing a windshield 12, a dashboard 14 and a steering wheel 16 of the vehicle 10.

[0031] Among other things, the windshield 12 and the dashboard 14 define a vehicle interior 18 in which a vehicle occupant 20 sits behind the steering wheel 16.

[0032] Vehicle 10 has a sensor device 30 ( Fig. 3) with several gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, through which gas or air from the vehicle interior 18 and exhaled air 22 of the vehicle occupant 20 can be captured

[0033] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a first gas supply opening 31 is arranged centrally on the steering wheel 16, for example adjacent to or integrated into a cover of a horn and / or a front gas bag module.

[0034] The first gas supply opening 31 is oriented directly towards the vehicle occupant 20. The orientations of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are in Fig. 1 represented by vector arrows.

[0035] A second gas supply opening 32 is arranged on a steering column 24, which connects the steering wheel 16 to the dashboard 14.

[0036] The second gas supply opening 32 has an orientation that points vertically upwards in the direction of the windshield 12 or a vehicle roof (not shown).

[0037] In this context, the steering column 24 includes, for example, one or more steering column switches (not shown), such as levers for a direction indicator, a headlight flasher, a windscreen wiper and / or a cruise control.

[0038] A third gas supply opening 33 is arranged on a steering wheel rim 26 of the steering wheel 16 and has an orientation that points directly towards the vehicle occupant 20.

[0039] The orientation of the first gas supply opening 31 differs here by an angle of 90° from the orientation of the second gas supply opening 32, while the first gas supply opening 31 and the third gas supply opening 33 are aligned in the same or parallel orientation.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment (see Fig. 2) The sensor device 30 additionally has two fourth gas supply openings 34, each arranged on a steering wheel spoke 28 of the steering wheel 16 and directed towards the vehicle occupants 20.

[0041] There is a distance A of at least 12 cm between the first gas supply opening 31 and the fourth gas supply openings 34.

[0042] In another embodiment, at least one of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 is arranged on the dashboard 14.

[0043] In principle, the sensor device 30 can have any number of gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34, but at least a first gas supply opening 31 and a second gas supply opening 32.

[0044] Furthermore, the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 can each be arranged at any point in the vehicle interior 18 and oriented in any direction. In particular, however, at least one of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 is arranged near the head of the vehicle occupant 20 and directed towards the vehicle occupant 20 or his head in order to capture exhaled air 22 of the vehicle occupant 20 as directly as possible.

[0045] Preferably, the orientations of at least two of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 differ by an angle between 45° and 180° in order to capture gas from different areas of the vehicle interior 18.

[0046] Furthermore, the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 can be arranged at any distance A from each other. Preferably, the distance A between at least two of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33, 34 is at least 10 cm.

[0047] The sensor device 30 can be arranged at least partially in the dashboard 14, the steering wheel 16 and / or the steering column 24.

[0048] Based on the Fig. Section 3 below explains the structure of the sensor device 30 in more detail.

[0049] The sensor device 30 has a measuring chamber 36 and a control unit 38.

[0050] The gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36 via gas supply lines 41, 42, 43.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, a first gas supply line 41 opens into the first gas supply opening 31, a second gas supply line 42 opens into the second gas supply opening 32, and a third gas supply line 43 opens into the third gas supply opening 33. In other words, each gas supply opening 31, 32, 33 is assigned its own gas supply line 41, 42, 43.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, each gas supply line 41, 42, 43 can open into any number of gas supply openings 31, 32, 33. Preferably, however, at least two gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are provided, each with its own gas supply line 41, 42, 43.

[0053] Naturally, the sensor device 30 can have more than two or three gas supply lines 41, 42, 43. For example, the sensor device can have a fourth gas supply line that branches off and leads into the two fourth gas supply openings 34 of the Fig. 2. This results in the embodiment shown.

[0054] In this context, one or more of the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 may have a blowpipe projecting into the vehicle interior 18, in particular with an interchangeable mouthpiece, on which the corresponding gas supply opening 31, 32, 33 is arranged.

[0055] The gas supply lines 41, 42, and 43 are designed to offer low flow resistance and prevent or reduce turbulence. This makes the gas line particularly efficient and quiet.

[0056] Furthermore, the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are equipped with grilles or louvers to prevent the ingress of foreign bodies into the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43.

[0057] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 are flow-connected via a common valve 46 to a common line section 48, through which the gas from the vehicle interior 18 or the exhaled air 22 is directed to the measuring chamber 36.

[0058] The valve 46 has a first position in which the first gas supply opening 31 is flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36, while the second and third gas supply openings 32, 33 are flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0059] Furthermore, the valve 46 has a second position in which the second gas supply opening 32 is flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36, while the first and third gas supply openings 31, 33 are flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0060] Furthermore, the valve 46 has a third position in which the third gas supply opening 33 is flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36, while the first and second gas supply openings 31, 32 are flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0061] The valve 46 further has three double-opened positions, in each of which two of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36, while the other gas supply opening 31, 32, 33 is flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0062] In one embodiment, the valve 46 does not have a position in which all gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are simultaneously flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36, i.e., in every position of the valve 46, at least one of the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 is flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0063] The valve 46 also has a closed position in which all gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 are flow-separated from the measuring chamber 36.

[0064] Furthermore, the valve 46 can be configured to throttle the volume flow that flows into the measuring chamber 36 via the valve 46.

[0065] Valve 46, for example, is a directional control valve.

[0066] In an alternative embodiment, the sensor device 30 can comprise several valves instead of the singular valve 46, which provide the positions of the singular valve 46 described above or their connections.

[0067] For example, one or more of the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 can each have an individual valve, particularly in embodiments where the corresponding gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 are not connected as in Fig. 3 after the valve 46 via a common line section 48, but are directly connected to the measuring chamber 36 in terms of flow.

[0068] In order to draw in the gas from the vehicle interior 18 or the exhaled air 22 via the gas supply openings 31, 32, 33 and to flow through the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 into the measuring chamber 36, a fan 50 is arranged in the common line section 48.

[0069] The sensor device 30 also has a liquid separator 52, which is arranged between the valve 46 and the fan 50.

[0070] The liquid separator 52 has a siphon-like section 54 with a liquid collection section 56 and a liquid outlet 58, via which the liquid separator 52 is connected to a first liquid discharge line 60.

[0071] The siphon-like section 54 forms part of the common conduit section 48.

[0072] A moisture sensor 62 is arranged in the liquid collection section 56, which is designed to detect moisture and / or a quantity of liquid in the liquid collection section 56.

[0073] The first liquid discharge line 60 optionally has a drain valve 64 with an open and a closed position. In the open position, the first liquid discharge line 60 is enabled, allowing liquid to flow from the liquid separator 52 via the first liquid discharge line 60, while in the closed position, the first liquid discharge line 60 is blocked, preventing liquid from flowing from the liquid separator 52 via the first liquid discharge line 60, and thus causing the liquid to collect in the liquid collection section 56.

[0074] In this context, the sensor device 30 has a second liquid discharge line 66, which is connected to the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 via the valve 46.

[0075] Preferably, the valve 46 is designed such that the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43, which are not fluidly connected to the measuring chamber 36 in certain positions of the valve 46, are fluidly connected to the second liquid discharge line 66, so that liquid penetrating into the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 can flow out via the second liquid discharge line 66.

[0076] Alternatively, the liquid discharge line 66 can always be open to all gas supply lines 41, 42, 43.

[0077] For example, in the closed position of the valve 46, all gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 are flow-connected to the second liquid discharge line 66, so that any liquid entering from each of the gas supply lines 41, 42, 43 can flow out via the second liquid discharge line 66.

[0078] The sensor device 30 further comprises a sensor 68 which is arranged in the measuring chamber 36 and is configured to measure concentrations of substances in the measuring chamber 36.

[0079] Sensor 68 is an alcohol sensor and is therefore designed to detect alcohols, especially ethanol and / or methanol.

[0080] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 68 can be configured to detect cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol, morphine, methadone, ammonia, acetone and / or a combination of these substances.

[0081] In principle, the sensor device 30 can also have several sensors 68, for example different sensors 68 which are set up to detect different substances.

[0082] The measuring chamber 36 has a gas outlet 70, through which the gas flowing into the measuring chamber 36 is discharged from the measuring chamber 36.

[0083] The control unit 38 is connected here to the valve 46, the fan 50, the drain valve 64, the humidity sensor 62 and the sensor 68 via signal transmission and is set up to control them and to evaluate or further process the data recorded by the sensor 68.

[0084] The following explains the function of the sensor device 30 during operation.

[0085] In a first step, the valve 46 is adjusted to a position in which a gas supply opening 31,33 directly associated with the vehicle occupant 20 is in flow communication with the measuring chamber 36, so that directly exhaled exhaled air 22 of the vehicle occupant 20 is captured and directed into the measuring chamber 36.

[0086] The position of the valve 46 is, for example, the first position in which the first gas supply opening 31 is flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36 alone, or the double-opened position in which the first gas supply opening 31 and the third gas supply opening 33 are flow-connected to the measuring chamber 36.

[0087] Due to the orientation and proximity of the first and third gas supply openings 31, 33 to the vehicle occupant 20 (see Fig. 1) The gas mixture captured in this way has a high proportion of directly exhaled exhaled air 22 of the vehicle occupant 20.

[0088] The concentration of the substances in this gas mixture is determined in the measuring chamber 36 by means of the sensor 68 and subsequently discharged from the measuring chamber 36 via the gas outlet 70.

[0089] In a second step, the valve 46 is adjusted to the second position, in which the second gas supply opening 32 is solely connected to the measuring chamber 36 in terms of flow.

[0090] In this way, ambient gas is captured in an area in the vehicle interior 18 that is away from the vehicle occupant 20 and directed into the measuring chamber 36.

[0091] Due to the greater distance of the second gas supply opening 32 to the vehicle occupant 20, the proportion of exhaled air 22 in the ambient gas captured in this way is lower than in the first step, in which the gas mixture was captured in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle occupant 20.

[0092] The concentration of the substances in the ambient gas is determined in the measuring chamber 36 by means of the sensor 68 and subsequently flows out of the measuring chamber 36 via the gas outlet 70.

[0093] In a subsequent step, the determined concentrations from the two analyses are compared and exhaled air components are identified.

[0094] In the first and second steps, the gas mixture or ambient gas introduced into the measuring chamber 36 can be varied in terms of time and quantity in order to increase the measurement accuracy.

[0095] If certain concentrations exceed specified limits, the control unit 38 can initiate appropriate measures.

[0096] In this way, a sensor device 30, a vehicle 10 with a sensor device 30 and a method are provided by which concentrations of substances in the exhaled air 22 of a vehicle occupant 20 in the vehicle 10 can be reliably determined.

[0097] By determining the concentrations in the gas from two different areas in the vehicle interior 18, one near the vehicle occupant 20 and one further away from him, the measurement is particularly effective and the result is correspondingly meaningful.

Claims

[1] Sensor device (30) for measuring concentrations of substances in the exhaled air (22) of a vehicle occupant (20) in the vehicle (10), with a control unit (38), a measuring chamber (36) and at least one sensor (68) which is set up to measure substances in the measuring chamber (36), characterized by , that at least one first gas supply opening (31) provided in the vehicle interior (18), which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber (36) and through which gas from the vehicle interior (18) and exhaled air (22) of the vehicle occupant (20) can be captured, and at least one second gas supply opening (32) provided in the vehicle interior (18), which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber (36) and through which gas from the vehicle interior (18) can be captured, are present, wherein at least one valve (46) is provided to vary the amount of gas flowing to the measuring chamber (36) via the gas supply openings (31, 32, 33, 34) and optionally to shut off the respective gas supply. [2] Sensor device (30) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a first gas supply line (41) leading from the first gas supply opening (31) to the measuring chamber (36) and a second gas supply line (42) leading from the second gas supply opening (32) to the measuring chamber (36) are provided. [3] Sensor device (30) according to claim 2, characterized by, that a singular valve (46) is provided and in a first position keeps the first gas supply line (41) with the measuring chamber (36) open in terms of flow and closes the second gas supply line (42) to the measuring chamber (36) in terms of flow, and wherein in a second position the first gas supply line (41) to the measuring chamber (36) is closed in terms of flow and the second gas supply line (42) with the measuring chamber (36) is kept open in terms of flow. [4] Sensor device (30) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the measuring chamber (36) is connected to the vehicle interior (18) via a third gas supply line (43) which opens into the vehicle interior (18) via a third gas supply opening (33), wherein the valve (46) has at least one of the following positions: a single open position in which one of the gas supply openings (31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to the measuring chamber (36) and the other two gas supply openings (31, 32, 33) are not fluidly connected to the measuring chamber (36); and a double open position in which one of the gas supply openings (31, 32, 33) is not fluidly connected to the measuring chamber (36) and the other two gas supply openings (31, 32, 33) are fluidly connected to the measuring chamber (36). [5] Sensor device (30) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by, that the sensor device (30) has at least one liquid discharge line (60, 66) through which liquid can be discharged upstream of the measuring chamber (36) from one or more of the gas supply lines (41, 42, 43). [6] Sensor device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor device (30) has a liquid separator (52) which is arranged in particular downstream of the valve (46) and / or upstream of the measuring chamber (36). [7] Sensor device (30) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the liquid separator (52) includes a siphon-like section (54) of a gas supply line (41, 42, 43) and / or is connected to a liquid discharge line (60) via a liquid outlet (58). [8] Sensor device (30) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the liquid discharge line (60) has a drain valve (64) with an open position in which liquid can flow out of the liquid separator (52) via the liquid discharge line (60) and a closed position in which liquid cannot flow out of the liquid separator (52) via the liquid discharge line (60), in particular wherein a moisture sensor (62) is arranged in a liquid collection section (56) of the liquid separator (52). [9] Sensor device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one valve (46) has a closed position in which the measuring chamber (36) is not flow-connected to any gas supply opening (31, 32, 33, 34). [10] Sensor device (30) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor device (30) has a fan (50) which is arranged in particular downstream of the at least one valve (46). [11] Sensor device (30) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the gas supply openings (31, 32, 33, 34) are arranged on a steering wheel (16), in particular on a steering wheel rim (26) or a steering wheel spoke (28), on a steering column (24) and / or on a dashboard (14) of the vehicle (10). [12] Sensor device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the distance (A) between the first gas supply opening (31) and the second gas supply opening (32) is at least 10 cm and / or the orientation of the first gas supply opening (31) differs from the orientation of the second gas supply opening (32) by an angle between 45° and 180°. [13] Vehicle (10) with a sensor device (30) according to one of the preceding claims. [14] Methods for determining the fitness to drive of a vehicle occupant (20), characterized by the following steps: • Exhaled air (22) of the vehicle occupant (20) is captured directly via at least one first gas supply opening (31) assigned to the vehicle occupant (20), which is in flow communication with a measuring chamber (36), • via at least one second gas supply opening (32) not assigned to the vehicle occupant (20), which is in flow communication with the measuring chamber (36), ambient gas in the vehicle interior (18) is captured away from the immediately exhaled exhaled air (22) of the vehicle occupant (20), and • By means of a sensor (68) and a control unit (38) connected to the sensor (68), components of exhaled air are determined by comparing the analyzed, captured gases. [15] Method according to claim 14, characterized by , that the directly exhaled air (22) supplied to the sensor (68) and the ambient air are varied in time and quantity by means of a single or more valves (46).

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