Method for analyzing the cabin air filter of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for analyzing the cabin air filter of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of determining, following the detection of the installation of a new cabin air filter (E1), at least one operating point of this cabin air filter (100), of comparing the operating point(s) associated with said filter to the characteristic curves in the new condition of all approved cabin air filter references (200), and of associating, when said operating point(s) correspond to one of said characteristic curves in the new condition, said filter with the filter reference corresponding to this characteristic curve in the new condition (300); said method also comprising an alert generation step (600) implemented when said operating point(s) do not correspond to any of said characteristic curves in the new condition of all approved cabin air filter references.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for analyzing the cabin air filter of a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of air filters equipping the air treatment systems of the passenger compartment of motor vehicles.

[0002] It relates in particular to a method for analyzing such a cabin air filter for a motor vehicle. Prior art

[0003] As is known, every motor vehicle is equipped with an air treatment system within the vehicle's passenger compartment to ensure passenger comfort.

[0004] Generally referred to by the acronym HVAC (for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning in English and translated into French as chauffage, ventilation et climatisation) and classically installed under the dashboard of the vehicle, such an air treatment system also ensures the purification and depollution of the air in the passenger compartment.

[0005] For this purpose, it classically includes a filter commonly referred to as the "cabin air filter" and designed to retain certain polluting particles suspended in the outside air or in the recirculated air (for example, due to the opening of a window).

[0006] Herein, "polluting particles" means dust (of large size), fine particles (for example of type PM10, PM2.5 or PMI), an odorless gas (for example nitrogen oxide (or NOx) or carbon monoxide (or CO)), an odorous gas (for example a carbonaceous gas of type CxHy), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (or VOCs), or an external allergen produced by plants (such as pollen).

[0007] As the cabin air filter gradually becomes clogged and therefore less efficient, it is generally recommended that the driver replace it periodically (for example, every year) or after a certain number of kilometers driven (for example, every 20,000 km).

[0008] We also know from document KR 102173899 B1 a monitoring device responsible for estimating the clogging rate of such a passenger compartment air filter as a function of the electrical power absorbed by the motor-fan unit of the air treatment system.

[0009] Indeed, the more the cabin air filter is clogged, the greater the pressure losses and therefore the greater the electrical power absorbed. By Consequently, when this absorbed electrical power becomes greater than a threshold, the vehicle driver is notified that the cabin air filter must be replaced.

[0010] The implementation of this type of device has made it possible to highlight manufacturing deviations concerning certain references of these cabin air filters from various after-sales suppliers and whose pressure losses for a given air flow increase much more rapidly in relation to the requirements set by the specifications of the car manufacturers.

[0011] Such manufacturing deviations lead to a significant shortening of the lifespan of these filters, resulting in: - or, when the vehicle is equipped with such a monitoring device, the appearance after only a few months of use of the cabin air filter of a warning message requesting its change; - or, when the vehicle lacks such a monitoring device, a significant degradation of the effectiveness of the cabin air filter leading, for example, to difficulties in demisting and / or the appearance of unpleasant odors in the passenger compartment.

[0012] In both of these scenarios, these manufacturing deviations negatively impact the perceived quality level of the vehicle for users. Description of the invention

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a method for analyzing the passenger compartment air filter of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - determination, following the detection of the installation of a new cabin air filter and using the operating curve of the motor-fan unit of said vehicle, of at least one operating point of this cabin air filter reflecting the pressure drop it generates for a given air flow; - comparison of the operating point(s) associated with said cabin air filter to the characteristic curves in new condition of all cabin air filter references approved for this vehicle model; and - association, when the said operating point(s) correspond to one of the said characteristic curves in the new condition, of said cabin air filter to the filter reference corresponding to this characteristic curve in the new condition; said process also includes an alert generation step implemented when the said operating point(s) do not correspond to any of the said characteristic curves in the new condition of all approved cabin air filter references.

[0015] The invention makes it possible to identify the exact reference of the cabin air filter equipping the vehicle's HVAC air treatment system so as to allow the latter to be It provides precise information on its characteristics. Furthermore, it allows for alerts in case of discrepancies, indicating a possible manufacturing defect in the installed filter or improper installation of that filter.

[0016] According to preferred features of said process according to the invention: - this includes, following the said association step, carrying out every N kilometers traveled by the said vehicle since the installation of the said cabin air filter a test phase to verify that the clogging rate of this filter at a certain given mileage is consistent with the characteristic curve of the said filter reference at that same mileage; - N is between 2500 and 7500; - each said test phase includes a first step consisting of measuring the electrical power absorbed by said motor-fan group for at least a given air flow rate, and a second step of comparing the said measured electrical power(s) absorbed to the theoretical electrical power(s) absorbed given for these same air flow rates by the characteristic curve of said filter reference at this same mileage; - said alert generation step is also implemented when the measured electrical power consumption exceeds by a predetermined tolerance threshold the theoretical electrical power consumption given for the same air flow rate by the characteristic curve of said filter reference at the same mileage; - said tolerance threshold is between 115 and 125%; - each test phase is only carried out after a predetermined waiting period of at least 10 minutes following the start of the vehicle; - said alert generation step includes the declaration of the anomaly found concerning said cabin air filter in the fault log of said vehicle; - said alert generation step includes sending an alert message describing the detected anomaly concerning said cabin air filter to a remote server of the manufacturer of said vehicle; and / or - Said alert generation step includes sending an appropriate text message to the driver of said vehicle on one of the vehicle's screens. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig. 1] represents a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with a motor vehicle air treatment HVAC system featuring a cabin air filter; and - [Fig.2] is a flowchart of the process according to the invention for analyzing the passenger compartment air filter of a motor vehicle implemented by the HVAC air treatment system of [Fig.1]. Description of the embodiments

[0018] Fig. 1 represents a motor vehicle 1 equipped with an HVAC air treatment system 10 within the passenger compartment 2 of this vehicle 1.

[0019] Such an HVAC air treatment system 10 classically includes a motor-fan unit 11 supplied with outside air and / or recirculated (or recycled) air, this motor-fan unit 11 being capable of generating an airflow returned to the passenger compartment 2 via ventilation nozzles after possible heating or cooling thermal treatment.

[0020] In order to depollute the air before it is returned to the passenger compartment 2, the HVAC air treatment system 10 also includes a passenger compartment air filter 12 advantageously installed upstream of the inlet of the motor-fan unit 11.

[0021] The passenger compartment air filter 12 makes it possible to filter at least some polluting particles present in the air supplying the motor-fan unit 11 so that the air entering the passenger compartment 2 is healthy for the passengers of the vehicle 1.

[0022] This cabin air filter 12 can be a simple pollen filter, an activated carbon filter allowing to filter the finest particles and neutralize odors, or a Polyphenol filter ensuring more effective filtration of allergens.

[0023] The HVAC air handling system 10 further includes a control unit 13 capable of autonomously managing the operation of the motor-fan unit 11 in order to adapt the flow rate of the blown air exiting the latter.

[0024] Preferably consisting of the vehicle's SI (for "Intelligent Service Box") also called VSM (for "Vehicle Supervisor Module" in English) in common terminology, the control unit 13 includes a computer 13A with one or more interconnected microprocessors, as well as a memory module 13B comprising non-volatile and non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0025] All the information contained in this non-volatile memory can be updated by means of communication or means of reading a data medium.

[0026] The control unit 13 is also connected, via the vehicle's on-board electronic network 1, to a communication module 14 allowing real-time information exchange with a remote server via a wireless telecommunication protocol.

[0027] According to the invention, the non-volatile memory of this control unit 13 stores a process according to the invention for analyzing the passenger compartment air filter 12.

[0028] We will now describe in detail and with support from the flowchart in [Fig.2], the different stages of this process.

[0029] This is initiated when this control unit 13 detects the installation of a new cabin air filter 12 of the HVAC air treatment system 10 (event El).

[0030] This installation of a new cabin air filter 12 can for example be detected by the control unit 13 following the observation of a decrease beyond a predefined percentage (for example 20%) and for a given air flow, of the electrical power absorbed by the motor-fan unit 11.

[0031] Following this detection, the process will determine, using the operating curve of the motor-fan group 11 advantageously stored in a non-volatile memory of the memory module 13B, at least one operating point of this newly installed passenger compartment air filter 12 reflecting the pressure drop it generates for a given air flow (step 100).

[0032] Preferably, the process will determine several operating points of this cabin air filter 12 corresponding to different air flow rates advantageously between 0 and 500 kg / h (for example, chosen at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 kg / h).

[0033] These different operating points will for example be recorded in a reference file associated with this cabin air filter 12 and stored in the memory module 13B.

[0034] The process will then compare the operating point(s) of this cabin air filter 12 to the characteristic curves in new condition (0 km) of all the references of cabin air filters approved by the vehicle manufacturer 1 for this vehicle model and contained in a catalogue stored in a non-volatile memory of the memory module 13B (step 200).

[0035] This catalogue can advantageously be downloaded or updated on a remote server using the communication module 14 and via a wireless telecommunication protocol.

[0036] Alternatively or in addition, its download or update can also be carried out via means of reading a data medium such as a USB key, an SD card or an optical disc.

[0037] When the control unit 13 determines that the operating point(s) associated with the cabin air filter 12 do not correspond to any of the characteristic curves in the new condition of the filter references contained in this catalogue, it will consider that this cabin air filter 12 does not meet the manufacturer's requirements and will generate an alert (step 600).

[0038] This alert may simply consist of declaring this anomaly concerning the passenger compartment air filter 12 in the vehicle fault log 1, so that this anomaly is detected by one of the manufacturer's dealers during the next vehicle service 1 and a possible manufacturing deviation at the supplier level of this filter reference can be confirmed or not (for example, in the case of a simple inadequate assembly of the filter).

[0039] Advantageously, and in order that the anomaly observed is reported more quickly to the manufacturer of vehicle 1, the alert generation step (600) may provide, in addition to or instead of such a declaration in the fault log of vehicle 1, for the transmission, via the communication module 14, of an alert message relating this anomaly to a remote server of this manufacturer.

[0040] Alternatively, in addition to or instead of such a declaration in the vehicle 1 fault log and in the case of a vehicle lacking, for example, a telecommunications module such as 14, the transmission to the driver of vehicle 1 of an appropriate text message on one of the vehicle's screens, encouraging, for example, the driver to go to a dealer of the manufacturer so that a check can be carried out.

[0041] Now let's return to step 200.

[0042] In the event that the control unit 13 determines that the operating point(s) of the cabin air filter 12 correspond to one of the characteristic curves in the new condition of the filter references contained in the catalogue, this control unit 13 will associate the cabin air filter 12 with the filter reference corresponding to this characteristic curve in the new condition (step 300).

[0043] Once this association has been made, the control unit 13 will, every N kilometers traveled by the vehicle 1 since the installation of the cabin air filter 12 (event E2), carry out a test phase to verify that the clogging rate of this cabin air filter 12 at a certain given mileage is consistent with the characteristic curve of this filter reference at this same mileage.

[0044] N will advantageously be between 2500 and 7500 and for example equal to 5000.

[0045] In detail, each test phase includes a first step 400 consisting of measuring the electrical power absorbed by the motor-fan group 11 for at least a given air flow rate.

[0046] Preferably, the process will measure the electrical power absorbed by the motor-fan unit 11 for several given air flow rates advantageously between 0 and 500 kg / h (for example, chosen at 200 kg / h and 500 kg / h corresponding to the operation of this motor-fan unit 11 respectively in steady state and in defogging mode).

[0047] The second step 500 of this test phase will then consist of comparing the measured absorbed electrical power(s) to the theoretical absorbed electrical power(s) given for these same air flow rates by the characteristic curve of this filter reference at the same mileage.

[0048] This characteristic curve is also contained in the aforementioned catalogue, thus including the characteristic curves in new condition and for several given mileages of all the references of cabin air filters approved for this vehicle model.

[0049] When the measured electrical power absorbed exceeds by a predetermined tolerance threshold (this threshold being advantageously between 115 and 125%) the theoretical electrical power absorbed given for the same air flow by the characteristic curve of this filter reference at the same mileage, the control unit 13 will consider that this filter 12 does not meet the manufacturer's requirements and will generate an alert (step 600).

[0050] In order to prevent the measurements of electrical power absorbed from being distorted by an excessive level of humidity at the level of the passenger compartment air filter 12, each of said test phases will preferably only be carried out after a predetermined waiting period of at least 10 minutes following the start of the vehicle 1.

[0051] Many embodiments are of course conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all the embodiments within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter (12) of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - determination, following the detection of the installation of a new cabin air filter (12) (El) and using the operating curve of the motor-fan unit (11) of said vehicle, of at least one operating point of this cabin air filter (12) reflecting the pressure drop that it generates for a given air flow (100); - comparison of the operating point(s) associated with said cabin air filter (12) with the characteristic curves in the new state of all the references of cabin air filters approved for this vehicle model (200); and - association, when said operating point(s) correspond to one of said characteristic curves in the new state, of said cabin air filter (12) with the filter reference corresponding to this characteristic curve in the new state (300);said method also comprising an alert generation step (600) implemented when said operating point(s) do not correspond to any of said characteristic curves in the new condition of all approved cabin air filter references;

2. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, following said association step (300), carrying out every N kilometers traveled by said vehicle since the installation of said cabin air filter (12) a test phase (400, 500) making it possible to verify that the clogging rate of this filter at a certain given mileage is consistent with the characteristic curve of said filter reference at this same mileage.

3. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that N is between 2500 and 7500.

4. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each said test phase comprises a first step (400) consisting of measuring the electrical power absorbed by said motor-fan unit (11) for at least one given air flow rate, and a second step (500) of comparing said measured absorbed electrical power(s) with the theoretical absorbed electrical power(s) given for these same air flow rates by the characteristic curve of said filter reference at this same mileage.

5. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to claim 4, characterized in that said alert generation step (600) is also implemented when the or one of said measured absorbed electrical powers exceeds by a predetermined tolerance threshold the theoretical absorbed electrical power given for the same air flow by the characteristic curve of said filter reference at this same mileage.

6. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to claim 5, characterized in that said tolerance threshold is between 115 and 125%.

7. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each said test phase is only carried out after a predetermined waiting period of at least 10 minutes following the start of the vehicle.

8. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said alert generation step (600) comprises the declaration of the anomaly observed concerning said cabin air filter (12) in the fault log of said vehicle.

9. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said alert generation step (600) comprises the transmission of an alert message relating to the anomaly observed concerning said cabin air filter (12) to a remote server of the manufacturer of said vehicle (1).

10. Method for analyzing the cabin air filter according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said alert generation step (600) comprises sending to the driver of said vehicle (1) an appropriate text message on one of the screens of this vehicle.

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