Method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an air mixture in an interior (2) of a battery-electric vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) is operated in recirculation mode and the air mixture in the vehicle interior (2) is circulated, wherein carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) are continuously detected and analyzed, wherein the detected odor molecules are evaluated as positive and good fragrance combinations or as harmful and / or unpleasant odors, wherein at least one personal fragrance used by occupants is determined from the positive and good fragrance combinations or at least one preferred fragrance stored by occupants is retrieved, wherein fragrances are added to the air mixture in the vehicle interior (2) which replicate the determined or stored fragrance.wherein a carbon dioxide concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) is determined from the detected carbon dioxide and compared with a first threshold value, wherein a harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) is determined from the detected harmful odors and compared with a second threshold value, wherein fresh air from outside is supplied to the vehicle interior (2) if the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the first threshold value and / or the harmful odor concentration exceeds the second threshold value.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to an air control arrangement for the interior of a battery-electric vehicle, which is configured to perform such a method.

[0002] Methods for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery electric vehicle, as well as corresponding air control arrangements for the interior of a battery electric vehicle, are known in numerous variations.

[0003] Battery-electric vehicles with recirculation and fresh air functions are known from current technology. These functions control the supply of fresh air to the vehicle. A recirculation button interrupts the fresh air supply and circulates the existing air mixture in the vehicle's interior. This prevents odors from entering the vehicle and reduces energy consumption for air conditioning, as no cold or hot outside air is drawn in.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2010 064 134 A1 discloses an air conditioning device for a vehicle and a method for controlling the climate in a vehicle's passenger compartment. The method serves to control the conditioning of a gas mixture in the interior of an electric vehicle, thus reducing the amount of fresh air required and preventing a reduction in the vehicle's range. When a critical carbon dioxide level in the gas mixture is reached, the system switches from recirculation mode to fresh air mode, in which fresh air is supplied.

[0005] From DE 10 2014 115 710 A1, a vehicle ventilation method is known which serves to detect the carbon dioxide level inside an electrically powered vehicle. In this method, an outside air switch is forced when the carbon dioxide level exceeds a limit value and the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined target vehicle speed.

[0006] From DE 10 2013 019 305 A1, a method and a device for determining at least one control signal for controlling an air conditioning system for the interior of a vehicle is known, depending on measured state variables of the interior climate. Here, an interior climate value describing the interior climate is calculated from measured values ​​of the interior temperature and the interior humidity by a signal processing function. In addition, an air quality value describing the air quality is calculated from measured values ​​of the proportion of volatile organic compounds in the interior atmosphere by a signal processing function. Furthermore, a control signal for an air conditioning system is calculated from the interior climate value and the air quality value by at least one signal processing function.The method is used to calculate the carbon dioxide concentration in the vehicle's interior air, depending on the number of people inside and the detected level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. If a carbon dioxide concentration exceeds a certain threshold, fresh air is supplied by the air conditioning system.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle and a corresponding air control arrangement for the interior of a battery-electric vehicle for carrying out such a method, which reduces energy consumption and enables personalization of the fragrance of the vehicle's interior.

[0008] This problem is solved by a method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by an air control arrangement for the interior of a battery-electric vehicle with the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] To provide a method for controlling the air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle, thereby reducing energy consumption and enabling personalized interior fragrance, the vehicle is operated in recirculation mode, circulating the air mixture within the vehicle interior. During this process, carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the interior air mixture are continuously detected and analyzed. The detected odor molecules are evaluated as either positive and pleasant odors or harmful and / or unpleasant odors. From the positive and pleasant odors, at least one personal fragrance used by an occupant is identified, or at least one preferred fragrance stored by an occupant is retrieved. Fragrances that replicate the identified or stored fragrance are then added to the interior air mixture.The carbon dioxide measured is used to determine the carbon dioxide concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior and compare it to a first threshold value. Similarly, the concentration of harmful odors measured is used to determine this concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior and compare it to a second threshold value. Fresh air is drawn into the vehicle interior from outside if the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the first threshold value and / or the harmful odor concentration exceeds the second threshold value.

[0010] Furthermore, an air control arrangement for the interior of a battery-electric vehicle is proposed, comprising an evaluation and control unit, at least one sensor unit, an air mixing and distribution device, a recirculation system, a fragrance diffuser, and a fresh air supply, and designed to implement a method for controlling an air mixture in an interior space. The evaluation and control unit is designed to receive information from the at least one sensor unit and analyze it using artificial intelligence-based algorithms, and to control the air mixing and distribution device and / or the recirculation system and / or the fragrance diffuser and / or the fresh air supply based on this analysis.

[0011] This evaluation and control unit can preferably be equipped with a high-performance microprocessor that processes the data in real time. Artificial intelligence-based algorithms can be used for the analysis. Embodiments of the invention provide an intelligent, automated, and personalized air control system for battery-electric vehicles. This air control system utilizes at least one sensor unit designed as an "electronic nose," which continuously detects carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the interior air and transmits the corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit. The evaluation and control unit analyzes the received information in real time to determine the carbon dioxide concentration and the concentration of harmful odors in the air mixture of the vehicle interior.The air control system remains in energy-saving recirculation mode as long as a low carbon dioxide concentration and no or only a low concentration of unpleasant odors are detected. An artificial intelligence algorithm analyzes the detected odors and their components, recognizing, for example, perfumes, aftershave, and / or deodorants used by the occupants.

[0012] Embodiments of the method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle can provide a combination of carbon dioxide sensors, odor sensors, odor analysis algorithms, and personalized odor diffusers, enabling efficient and integrated control of the interior air quality. Furthermore, the analysis and simulation of individual odor preferences can personalize the interior scent and enhance user comfort. Additionally, embodiments of the method for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle can provide effective odor control, detecting and neutralizing harmful odors. This can improve the interior air quality.Intelligent control of recirculated and fresh air supply can reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency, which is particularly advantageous in battery electric vehicles.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one artificial intelligence-based algorithm can analyze the detected odor molecules and their components to recognize and evaluate the air quality and the occupants' scent preferences. Such algorithms enable real-time analysis of the sensor information.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the quantity of fresh air supplied from outside and / or the quantity of the recirculated air mixture from the interior can be adjusted. This allows the proportion of fresh air in the interior air mixture to be easily set and predetermined. The aim is to keep the proportion of fresh air in the interior as low as possible in order to reduce energy consumption.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the fresh air supplied from outside can be analyzed, and the supply of fresh air from outside can be stopped if harmful odors and / or a high proportion of carbon dioxide are detected in the supplied fresh air. Alternatively, the fresh air supply from outside can be stopped if the carbon dioxide concentration and the harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior fall below the corresponding threshold values. This allows the air control system, or the vehicle itself, to be operated in recirculation mode as often and for as long as possible.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, personalized odor molecules can be introduced into the air mixture in the vehicle interior, which are suitable for preventing human receptors from perceiving harmful odors. Certain personalized odor molecules can prevent human receptors from reacting to other, "bad" odor molecules. This means that a carefully selected range of ingredients can silence the receptors that decode harmful odors, thus preventing users from perceiving these odors.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the air control arrangement, the recirculated air supply can be configured to draw an air mixture from the interior and supply it to the air mixing and distribution device. The fragrance diffuser can be configured to supply at least one fragrance to the air mixing and distribution device. The fresh air supply can be configured to supply fresh air from outside to the air mixing and distribution device. In this case, the air mixing and distribution device can be configured, controlled by the evaluation and control unit, to mix the supplied air mixture from the interior and / or the at least one supplied fragrance and / or the supplied fresh air and release it into the interior.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air control arrangement, the at least one sensor unit can be configured to continuously detect carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior and / or in the supplied fresh air. For example, a first sensor unit can be configured as a carbon dioxide sensor, which is designed to detect carbon dioxide in the air mixture of the interior. A second sensor unit can, for example, be configured as an odor sensor or an "electronic nose," which detects odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior. The second sensor unit can, for example, comprise several metal oxide semiconductor (MOX) sensors and / or be based on mass spectrometry. A third sensor unit can, for example, comprise a carbon dioxide sensor and an odor sensor and be configured to continuously detect carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the supplied fresh air.This can prevent unpleasant odors, for example in tunnels, traffic jams, or rural areas.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air control arrangement, a user interface can be implemented to accept user input and forward it to the evaluation and control unit, and to output data received from the evaluation and control unit to the user. Preferably, the user interface can be integrated into the vehicle's infotainment system. Via this interface, users can set their fragrance preferences and, if desired, manually control the system.

[0020] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the method according to the invention also apply to the air control arrangement according to the invention.

[0021] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here, the following are shown: Fig. 1 a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle; and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a battery-electric vehicle with an embodiment of an air control arrangement according to the invention for an interior of a battery-electric vehicle for carrying out the method from Fig. 1.

[0023] As from Fig. As can be seen in 1, the illustrated embodiment of a method 100 according to the invention for controlling an air mixture in an interior space 2 of a Fig. Figure 2 of the battery-electric vehicle 1 depicted performs a step S100 in which the vehicle 1 is operated in recirculation mode and the air mixture in the vehicle interior 2 is circulated. In step S110, carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior 2 are continuously detected and analyzed. In step S120, the detected odor molecules are evaluated as positive and pleasant odors or as harmful and / or unpleasant odors. In step S130, at least one personal fragrance used by an occupant is identified from the positive and pleasant odors, or at least one preferred fragrance stored by an occupant is retrieved. In step S140, fragrances that replicate the identified or stored fragrance are added to the air mixture in the vehicle interior 2.In step S150, a carbon dioxide concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior 2 is determined from the detected carbon dioxide, and a concentration of odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior 2 is determined from the detected aromas and fragrances. In step S160, a carbon dioxide concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior is determined from the detected carbon dioxide and compared with a first threshold value. Additionally, in step S170, a harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior is determined from the detected harmful odors and compared with a second threshold value. In step S180, fresh air from outside is supplied to the vehicle interior if the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the first threshold value and / or the harmful odor concentration exceeds the second threshold value.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of the method, at least one artificial intelligence-based algorithm is used to analyze the detected odor molecules and their components and to recognize and evaluate the air quality and the odor preferences of the occupants.

[0025] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the illustrated embodiment of an air control arrangement 20 according to the invention for an interior 2 of a battery-electric vehicle 1 comprises an evaluation and control unit 22, at least one sensor unit 24, 26, 28, an air mixing and distribution device 15, a recirculating air supply 9, a fragrance diffuser 11, and a fresh air supply 13, and is designed to carry out the method 100 according to the invention for controlling an air mixture in an interior 2. The evaluation and control unit 22 is configured to receive information from the at least one sensor unit 24, 26, 28 and to analyze it using artificial intelligence-based algorithms, and to control the air mixing and distribution device 15 and / or the recirculating air supply 11 and / or the fragrance diffuser 11 and / or the fresh air supply 13 based on the analysis.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment of the air control arrangement 20, the recirculating air supply 9 is designed to draw an air mixture from the interior 2 and supply it to the air mixing and distribution device 15. The fragrance diffuser 11 is designed to supply at least one fragrance to the air mixing and distribution device 15. The fresh air supply 13 is designed to supply fresh air from outside to the air mixing and distribution device 15. The evaluation and control unit 22 is further designed to adjust the quantity of fresh air supplied from outside and / or the quantity of recirculated air mixture from the interior 2, and thus the proportion of fresh air in the air mixture of the interior 2, by appropriately controlling the fresh air supply 13, the recirculating air supply 9, and the air mixing and distribution device 15.

[0027] The air mixing and distribution device 15 is designed, controlled by the evaluation and control unit 22, to mix the supplied air mixture from the interior space 2 and / or the at least one supplied fragrance and / or the supplied fresh air and to release it into the interior space 2. For this purpose, the air mixing and distribution device 15 can be connected to a duct system (not shown) which includes several air outlets into the interior space 2.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the air control arrangement 20 comprises a first sensor unit 24, which is designed and configured as a carbon dioxide sensor 24A to continuously detect the carbon dioxide in the air mixture of the interior. A second sensor unit 26 is designed and configured as an odor sensor 26, or "electronic nose," to continuously detect the odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior 2. The second sensor unit 26 preferably comprises several metal oxide semiconductor (MOX) sensors. A third sensor unit 28 comprises a carbon dioxide sensor and an odor sensor and is configured to continuously detect carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the supplied fresh air.The evaluation and control unit 22 is further designed to terminate the supply of fresh air from outside if, based on information from the third sensor unit 28, harmful odors or a high proportion of carbon dioxide are detected in the supplied fresh air. Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation and control unit 22 terminates the supply of fresh air from outside and returns to recirculation mode when the carbon dioxide concentration and the harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior 2 fall below the corresponding threshold values.

[0029] Furthermore, the air control arrangement 20 includes a user interface 7, which is designed to accept user inputs and forward them to the evaluation and control unit 22 and to output the outputs received from the evaluation and control unit 22 to the user.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment of the air control arrangement 20, the evaluation and control unit 22 is further designed to introduce personalized odor molecules into the air mixture in the vehicle interior 2 via the odorant diffuser 11, which are suitable to prevent human receptors from perceiving harmful odors.

[0031] As from Fig.As can be seen further in Figure 2, the user interface 7, the recirculating air supply 9, the fragrance diffuser 11, the fresh air supply 13, the air mixing and distribution device 15, and the third sensor unit 28 are, in the illustrated embodiment, part of an air conditioning unit 5 of the battery-electric vehicle 1. The first and second sensor units 24 and 26 comprise several sensor elements, which are distributed throughout the interior 3. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit 22, in the illustrated embodiment, is designed as a central control unit and receives the acquired information and data via a vehicle bus system. The evaluation and control unit 22 is equipped with a high-performance microprocessor that processes the information and data in real time. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 battery-powered vehicle 3 Interior 5 air conditioner 7 User Interface 9. Recirculation 11 fragrance diffuser 13 Fresh air supply 15 Air mixing and distribution device 20 Air control arrangement for a vehicle interior 22 Evaluation and control unit 24 first sensor unit 24A carbon dioxide sensor 26 second sensor unit 26A Fragrance Sensor 28 third sensor unit 100 methods for controlling an air mixture in the interior of a battery-electric vehicle S100 to S160 process step QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 064 134 A1

[0004] DE 10 2014 115 710 A1

[0005] DE 10 2013 019 305 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Method (100) for controlling an air mixture in an interior (2) of a battery electric vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) is operated in recirculation mode and the air mixture in the vehicle interior (2) is circulated, wherein carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) are continuously detected and analyzed, wherein the detected odor molecules are evaluated as positive and good odors or as harmful and / or bad odors, wherein at least one personal scent used by occupants is determined from the positive and good odors or at least one preferred scent stored by occupants is retrieved (S130), wherein fragrances are added to the air mixture in the vehicle interior (2) which replicate the determined or stored scent (S140),wherein a carbon dioxide concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) is determined from the detected carbon dioxide and compared with a first threshold value, wherein a harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) is determined from the detected harmful odors and compared with a second threshold value, wherein fresh air from outside is supplied to the vehicle interior (2) (160) if the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the first threshold value and / or the harmful odor concentration exceeds the second threshold value. [2] Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one artificial intelligence-based algorithm analyzes the detected odor molecules and their components in order to detect and evaluate the air quality and the odor preferences of the occupants. [3] Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the amount of fresh air supplied from outside and / or the amount of the recirculated air mixture from the interior (2) is adjustable. [4] Method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the fresh air supplied from outside is analyzed and the supply of fresh air from outside is stopped if harmful odors and / or a high proportion of carbon dioxide are detected in the supplied fresh air, or if the carbon dioxide concentration and the harmful odor concentration in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) fall below the corresponding threshold values. [5] Method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that personalized odor molecules are introduced into the air mixture in the vehicle interior (2) which are suitable to prevent human receptors from perceiving harmful odors. [6] Air control arrangement (20) for an interior (2) of a battery electric vehicle (1), comprising an evaluation and control unit (22), at least one sensor unit (24, 26, 28), an air mixing and distribution device (15), a recirculation air supply (9), an odor diffuser (11) and a fresh air supply (13) and is configured to perform a method (100) for controlling an air mixture in an interior (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the evaluation and control unit (22) is configured to receive information from the at least one sensor unit (24, 26, 28) and to analyze it using artificial intelligence-based algorithms and to control the air mixing and distribution device (15) and / or the recirculation air supply (11) and / or the odor diffuser (11) and / or the fresh air supply (13) based on the analysis. [7] Air control arrangement (20) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the recirculating air supply (9) is designed to extract an air mixture from the interior (2) and supply it to the air mixing and distribution device (15), wherein the fragrance diffuser (11) is designed to supply at least one fragrance to the air mixing and distribution device (15), and wherein the fresh air supply (13) is designed to supply fresh air from outside to the air mixing and distribution device (15). [8] Air control arrangement (20) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the air mixing and distribution device (15) is designed, controlled by the evaluation and control unit (22), to mix the supplied air mixture from the interior (2) and / or the at least one supplied fragrance and / or the supplied fresh air and to release it into the interior (2). [9] Air control arrangement (20) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by, that the at least one sensor unit (24, 26, 28) is designed to continuously detect carbon dioxide and odor molecules in the air mixture of the vehicle interior (2) and / or in the supplied fresh air. [10] Air control arrangement (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by , that a user interface (7) is executed to accept user input and forward it to the evaluation and control unit (22) and to output the output received from the evaluation and control unit (22) to the user.

Images