Method for managing a filtration system for an air supply circuit in a motor vehicle passenger compartment, filtration system for implementing said method, and motor vehicle comprising such a filtration system

Abstract

Method for managing a filtration system for an air supply circuit of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, filtration system for implementing said method and motor vehicle comprising such a filtration system. The invention relates to a method for managing a filtration system (1) for an air supply circuit (3), comprising: - a first (11) and second (15) filtration elements, - an air circulation duct (17), - a third filtration element (27), between said filtration elements, - an airflow deflection element (29).According to the invention, the said deflection element is controlled according to the operating phases of the said circuit between a position opening the said conduit between the said first and second filtration elements and closing the said conduit between the said first and third filtration elements, and a position closing the said conduit between the said first and second filtration elements and opening the said conduit between the said first and third filtration elements. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a filtration system for an air supply circuit in a motor vehicle passenger compartment, filtration system for implementing said method, and motor vehicle comprising such a filtration system technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of managing a passenger compartment air filtration system of a motor vehicle.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a method for managing a filtration system of an air supply circuit of a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0003] The invention also relates to a filtration system for implementing said process and a motor vehicle comprising such a filtration system. Previous technique

[0004] Generally speaking, air management inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is important in order to provide optimal comfort to the passengers in the passenger compartment.

[0005] Such air management involves, in particular, controlling the temperature, ventilation level and air quality within the passenger compartment.

[0006] The air quality of the passenger compartment can be deteriorated by different types of pollutants: particulate pollutants, such as dust, particles of various sizes (fine to ultrafine), gaseous pollutants, such as harmful gases, volatile organic compounds and biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or allergens such as pollen.

[0007] To improve the air quality of the passenger compartment, it is known to use, in particular, mechanical filtration systems, comprising one or more filters, the purpose of which is to filter the air entering the vehicle before introduction into the passenger compartment.

[0008] A mechanical filtration system typically includes a pre-filter, or coarse filter, which is primarily effective on larger particles. It helps to extend the lifespan of the other filter(s) in the filtration system by preventing them from becoming clogged too quickly.

[0009] The filtration system also includes a heating and ventilation device, frequently referred to by the acronym "HVAC" (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), mounted in the vehicle so as to inject air into the passenger compartment. As is known, the HVAC is equipped with a "high-efficiency" filter that filters certain types of particles.

[0010] However, the most dangerous particles are not treated by high-efficiency filters.

[0011] In response to this problem, car manufacturers are increasingly equipping filtration systems with a so-called "HEPA" filter (English acronym for "High Efficiency Particles Air", designating a "high efficiency airborne particle" filter), located downstream of the pre-filter and upstream of the HVAC high efficiency filter.

[0012] However, it has been observed that the use of the HEPA filter causes significant pressure losses, resulting in substantial energy consumption.

[0013] In order to compensate for these pressure losses, some car manufacturers use HEPA filters of very large dimensions, the large surface area of ​​the filter making it possible to limit the pressure losses.

[0014] However, the installation of a large-sized HEPA filter in the environment of a motor vehicle is relatively complex, and sometimes even incompatible with the architecture of the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a method for managing a filtration system for an air supply circuit of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, said filtration system comprising: - a first filtration element, at the inlet of said filtration system, - a second filtration element, at the outlet of said filtration system, - an air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element, - a third filtration element, mounted in said air circulation duct downstream of said first filtration element and upstream of said second filtration element, - an airflow deflection element, arranged in said duct so as to, in an open position, open said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element and close said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said third filtration element, and, in a closed position, close said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element and open said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said third filtration element, remarkable in that it includes at least one step aimed at controlling said deflection element alternately between said closed position and said open position according to predetermined phases of use of said circuit food.

[0016] Thus, thanks to the process according to the invention, certain phases of use of the supply circuit make it possible to avoid the airflow having to pass through the third filtration element, of the HEPA filter type, before being injected into the passenger compartment.

[0017] Thus, by bypassing the HEPA filter when introducing air into the filtration system, pressure losses are limited, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the HEPA filter.

[0018] In this way, the installation of the filtration system in a motor vehicle is simplified compared to prior art devices.

[0019] Furthermore, the longevity of the filtration system is also increased and the energy consumption it induces is limited.

[0020] According to optional features of the process according to the invention: - the process includes a step aimed at controlling said deflection element in said open position when a phase of cooling the temperature of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle is commanded; - said deflection element occupies said open position for a predetermined duration dependent on a setpoint temperature and an initial temperature in the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle; - the process includes a step aimed at controlling said deflection element in said closed position when a phase of air purification of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle is commanded; - the second filtration assembly of said filtration system includes a movable air inlet flap alternately between an open position allowing the airflow through said air circulation duct and a closed position blocking said airflow, and the process includes, at the end of said cooling phase, a step aimed at driving said deflection element and said air inlet flap into their closed position when a phase of air recirculation of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle is commanded; - the process includes a step aimed at piloting said deflection element into an intermediate position between said closed position and said open position, when a steady-state phase is commanded; - said established regime phase is consecutive to said refreshment phase or to said purification phase or to said recycling phase.

[0021] The invention also relates to a filtration system for the air supply circuit of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, comprising: - a first filtration element, at the inlet of said filtration system, - a second filtration element, at the outlet of said filtration system, - an air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element, - a third filtration element, mounted in said air circulation duct downstream of said first filtration element and upstream of said second filtration element, - an airflow deflection element, arranged in said air circulation duct so as to, in an open position, open said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element and close said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said third filtration element, and, in a closed position, close said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said second filtration element and open said air circulation duct between said first filtration element and said third filtration element, - a software means, remarkable in that said software means is programmed to implement the management process according to the invention.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and an air supply circuit for said passenger compartment, capable of being supplied with air from outside said motor vehicle and comprising a filtration system for said supply circuit, remarkable in that said filtration system is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] illustrates an air supply circuit for a vehicle passenger compartment. tomobile, comprising a filtration system according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.2] shows a phase of cooling the temperature of the passenger compartment.

[0026] [Fig.3] shows a phase of recycling the air present in the passenger compartment.

[0027] [Fig.4] shows an air purification phase.

[0028] [Fig.5] shows a phase of established regime. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0030] Reference is made to [Fig.1] in which an integrated filtration system 1 in an air supply circuit 3 is illustrated and designed to implement a management process according to the invention.

[0031] The filtration system 1 is integrated into the air supply circuit 3 of a habitable 5 of motor vehicle.

[0032] The filtration system 1 is designed to allow the transformation of an incoming airflow 7 into the filtration system 1 into a filtered airflow 9 injected into the passenger compartment 5 of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The system 1 according to the invention comprises a plurality of sensors, not illustrated, in particular air pollution sensors for the passenger compartment 5 and for the air outside the passenger compartment 5.

[0034] The filtration system 1 includes a first filtration element 11, at the inlet of the filtration system 1.

[0035] The first filtration element 11 is, for example, a pre-filter, also called a coarse filter, which is primarily effective at filtering large particles, particularly dust. The presence of the pre-filter helps to improve the lifespan of the other filter(s) in the filtration system 1 by preventing them from becoming clogged too quickly.

[0036] The filtration system 1 also includes a heating and ventilation device 13, referred to in the rest of the description by the acronym "HVAC" (English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning"), allowing the filtered airflow 9 to be injected into the passenger compartment 5 of the motor vehicle after passing through the HVAC 13.

[0037] The filtration system 1 includes a second filtration element 15, integrated into the HVAC 13. The second filtration element 15 is, for example, a “high efficiency” filter.

[0038] The filtration system 1 also includes an air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the second filtration element 15, arranged to carry the incoming airflow 7 from the first filtration element 11 at the inlet of the filtration system 1 to the second filtration element 15 at the outlet of the filtration system.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the first filtration element 11 is mounted under the hood of the motor vehicle, upstream of a canopy 19, while the second filtration element 15 is mounted in the passenger compartment 5, downstream of the canopy 19.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the first filtration element 11 is mounted upstream of a partition 23 (frequently called "firewall" or "bulkhead" in English terminology) designating the part of the body of the motor vehicle which separates the engine compartment under the hood from the passenger compartment 5. The second filtration element 15 is, according to this configuration example, mounted upstream of the partition 23.

[0041] The HVAC 13 also includes an air inlet flap 25, movable alternately between an open position allowing the airflow to pass through the duct 17 air circulation and a closed position blocking the airflow flowing into the air circulation duct 17.

[0042] The air inlet flap 25 is controlled by an actuation means (not shown) which can, for example, be controlled by a software means, according to parameters representative of the temperature, the percentage of relative humidity reflecting the risk of fogging the motor vehicle, the risk of pollution of the passenger compartment 5, thanks to the air pollution sensors.

[0043] The filtration system 1 includes a third filtration element 27 mounted in the air circulation duct 17, downstream of the first filtration element 11 and upstream of the second filtration element 15.

[0044] The third filtration element 27 is, for example, a high-performance filter of the "HEPA" type (English acronym for "High Efficiency Particles Air", designating a "high-efficiency airborne particle" filter), designed to remove airborne particles with a size of 0.3pm.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the third filter element 27 is mounted substantially opposite the canopy 19. However, according to a configuration not illustrated, the third filter element 27 can be mounted further upstream of the canopy 19, under the hood of the motor vehicle, or downstream of the canopy 19.

[0046] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the third filtration element 27 is mounted upstream of the partition 23. However, according to a configuration not illustrated, the third filtration element 27 can be mounted downstream of the partition 23, in the cabin 5.

[0047] The filtration system 1 also includes an airflow deflection element 29, for example an air inlet flap, mounted in the air circulation duct 17.

[0048] The airflow deflection element 29 is arranged in the air circulation duct 17 so as to: - in an open position, open the air circulation duct 17 between the first filter element 11 and the second filter element 15 and close the air circulation duct 17 between the first filter element 11 and the third filter element 27, and, - in a closed position, close the air circulation duct 17 between the first filter element 11 and the second filter element 15 and open the air circulation duct 17 between the first filter element 11 and the third filter element 27.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the airflow deflection element 29 is mounted at an upper end 27a of the third filter element 27. However, the location of the deflection element 29 may differ from that illustrated in the figures since it allows the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the second filtration element 15 to be opened, respectively closed, and the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the third filtration element 27 to be closed, respectively opened.

[0050] The airflow deflection element 29 is controlled by an actuation means (not shown) which can, for example, be controlled by the software means which controls the actuation means of the air inlet flap 25 of the HVAC 13, so as to allow an interaction between the control of the deflection element 29 and the air inlet flap 25, so as to optimize the airflow according to the different phases of use of the motor vehicle.

[0051] The software means is programmed to implement the management process according to the invention.

[0052] According to the invention, the method for managing the filtration system 1 of the air supply circuit 3 of the passenger compartment 5 of the motor vehicle includes at least one step aimed at controlling the deflection element 29 alternately between the closed position and the open position, according to predetermined phases of use of the supply circuit 3.

[0053] Reference is made to figures 2 to 5, which show examples of usage phases of the power supply circuit 3.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows a thermal convergence phase with a high initial temperature in the cabin 5, also called the cabin 5 temperature cooling phase.

[0055] In this phase of use, the aim is to rapidly cool the initial temperature in the passenger compartment 5.

[0056] To do this, air from outside the motor vehicle is introduced into the passenger compartment 5, this outside air being generally cooler than the air present in the passenger compartment (at least for the first few minutes).

[0057] Outside air, which is cooler than inside air, is preferably introduced with a high air flow rate, for example an air flow rate of between approximately 400 m3 / h and approximately 500 m3 / h.

[0058] For reasons of thermal and acoustic comfort, pressure losses must be minimal.

[0059] Thus, in order to limit pressure losses, the method of the invention provides for piloting the deflection element 29 in its open position so as to open the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the second filtration element 15 and to close the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the third filtration element 27.

[0060] As shown in [Fig.2], the deflection element 29 is here 100% open in order to have optimum airflow and to lower the temperature in the passenger compartment 5 quickly.

[0061] When the deflection element 29 is in its open position, the incoming airflow 7 passes through the first filter element 11 at the inlet of the filtration system 1 and flows into the air circulation duct 17 between the first filter element 11 and the second filter element 15, without passing through the third filter element 27. This limits the pressure losses induced by the use of the third filter element 27. Filtration is ensured only by the first filter assembly 11 and the second filter assembly 15. Thus, in this phase of use, the filtration of the incoming air 7 by the third filter assembly 27 is bypassed, which allows for high airflow rates while avoiding excessive pressure losses that would result in significant energy consumption.

[0062] The deflection element 29 is maintained in its open position for a predetermined time dependent on the setpoint temperature and the temperature initially present in the cabin 5.

[0063] For the entire predetermined duration, the air inlet flap 25 of the HVAC 13 also occupies its open position.

[0064] In one embodiment, at the end of the cooling phase which has just been described, the process may provide for controlling the deflection element 29 and the air inlet flap 25 of the HVAC 13 both in their closed position, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0065] The phase illustrated in [Fig.3] is a recycling phase, for example following the cooling phase just described, or implemented to execute a thermal convergence phase with a low temperature, also called the cabin temperature warming phase 5.

[0066] The phase illustrated in [Fig.3] can for example be implemented by the management process in order to demist the windows of the motor vehicle.

[0067] As shown in [Fig.3], the air inlet flap 25 of the HVAC 13 and the deflection element 29 are in their closed position.

[0068] Fresh air from outside does not enter the passenger compartment 5 and the third filtration element 27 is not used.

[0069] The air inlet flap 25 can also occupy its closed position when the air pollution sensors detect pollution outside the motor vehicle.

[0070] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing an air purification phase, a phase which can for example occur when a so-called pre-conditioning mode of the motor vehicle is initiated.

[0071] The pre-conditioning mode is initiated before the user of the motor vehicle is in the passenger compartment, in order to allow optimal comfort for the user in terms of air quality within the passenger compartment.

[0072] In this phase, the air flow rate can be high, for example between approximately 400 m3 / h and approximately 500 m3 / h, because there is no need here to ensure thermal or acoustic comfort.

[0073] The method of the invention here provides for piloting the deflection element 29 in its closed position, so as to close the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the second filtration element 15 and open the air circulation duct 17 between the first filtration element 11 and the third filtration element 27.

[0074] As shown in [Fig.4], the deflection element 29 is 100% closed so that the entire incoming airflow 7 passes through the third filtration element 27, as shown by the arrows 31.

[0075] When the deflection element 29 is in its closed position, the incoming airflow 7 passes through the first filter element 11 at the inlet of the filtration system 1, then the third filter element 27, then it flows into the air circulation duct 17 between the third filter element 27 and the second filter element 15, as shown by the arrows 33, then it passes through the second filter element 15 before the filtered air 9 is injected by the HVAC 13 into the passenger compartment 5.

[0076] Reference is made to [Fig.5] showing a so-called steady-state phase.

[0077] The established regime phase may, for example, be consecutive to one of the refreshment, purification or recycling phases described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0078] This phase can therefore be triggered as soon as the required setpoint temperatures have been reached or the air purification is optimal.

[0079] The method of the invention here provides for piloting the deflection element 29 in an intermediate position between its closed position and its open position.

[0080] The incoming airflow 7 passes here through the first filter element 11 at the inlet of the filtration system 1, then is introduced partly into the third filter element 27, as represented by the arrows 35, and partly directly into the air circulation duct 17 without passing through the third filter element 27, as represented by the arrow 37.

[0081] The airflow from the third filter element 27 flows in turn into the air circulation duct 17, as represented by the arrows 39.

[0082] The airflow then passes through the second filtration element 15 before the filtered air 9 is injected by the HVAC 13 into the passenger compartment 5.

[0083] The method according to the invention may provide for adapting the percentage of opening of the deflection element 29, in order to continue to have good filtration efficiency while optimizing the electrical consumption of the filtration assembly by limiting pressure losses.

[0084] During this steady-state phase, the airflow rate may be lower than the airflow rate used in the phases described above. For example, the airflow rate is between 150 m³ / h and 200 m³ / h to ensure the comfort of the occupants in the passenger compartment 5.

[0085] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this method of managing a filtration system for an air supply circuit of a motor vehicle cabin, of this filtration system for implementing said method and of this motor vehicle comprising such a filtration system, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing a system (1) for filtering a circuit (3) for supplying air to a passenger compartment (5) of a motor vehicle, said filtration system (1) comprising: - a first filtration element (11), at the inlet of said filtration system (1), - a second filtration element (15), at the outlet of said filtration system (1), - an air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15), - a third filtration element (27), mounted in said air circulation duct (17) downstream of said first filtration element (11) and upstream of said second filtration element (15), - an air flow deflection element (29), arranged in said duct so as, in an open position,opening said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15) and closing said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said third filtration element (27), and, in a closed position, closing said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15) and opening said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said third filtration element (27), characterized in that it comprises at least one step aimed at controlling said deflection element (29) alternately between said closed position and said open position as a function of predetermined phases of use of said supply circuit (3).,

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step aimed at controlling said deflection element (29) in said open position when a phase of cooling the temperature of the passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle is commanded.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said deflection element (29) occupies said open position for a predetermined duration dependent on a set temperature and an initial temperature in the passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step aimed at controlling said deflection element (29) in said position closing when a phase of purification of the air in the passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle is ordered.

5. Method according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which the second filtration assembly of said filtration system (1) comprises an air inlet flap (25) movable alternately between an open position allowing the flow of air flowing in said air circulation duct to pass and a closed position blocking said air flow, characterized in that it comprises, at the end of said refreshing phase, a step aimed at controlling said deflection element (29) and said air inlet flap (25) in their closed position when a phase of recycling the air from the passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle is commanded.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step aimed at controlling said deflection element (29) in an intermediate position between said closed position and said open position, when a steady state phase is commanded.

7. Method according to claim 6 combined with any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said steady state phase is consecutive to said refreshment phase or to said purification phase or to said recycling phase.

8. Filtration system (1) for an air supply circuit (3) of a passenger compartment (5) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first filtration element (11), at the inlet of said filtration system (1), - a second filtration element (15), at the outlet of said filtration system (1), - an air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15), - a third filtration element (27), mounted in said air circulation duct (17) downstream of said first filtration element (11) and upstream of said second filtration element (15), - an air flow deflection element (29), arranged in said air circulation duct (17) so as, in an open position,opening said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15) and closing said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said third filtration element (27), and, in a closed position, closing said circulation duct (17), air between said first filtration element (11) and said second filtration element (15) and opening said air circulation duct (17) between said first filtration element (11) and said third filtration element (27), - software means, characterized in that said software means is programmed to implement the management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (5) and a circuit (3) for supplying air to said passenger compartment (5), capable of being supplied with air coming from outside said motor vehicle and comprising a system (1) for filtering said supply circuit (3), characterized in that said filtration system (1) is according to claim 8.