METHOD FOR MANAGING AIR INTAKE INTO A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the air intake into the passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising at least one step of detecting a defined level of air pollution and a step of managing the opening / closing position of the air intake flap in the passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a) recording (1) at least the position of the air intake flap and the flow of air entering the passenger compartment according to a detected pollution level, b) detecting (2) emergency braking or the imminence of emergency braking by at least one detection member on board said vehicle, c) acting (7, 10) on the position of the air intake flap after step b) and taking into account the data recorded in step a), d) recording (11) the new position of the flap at the end of step c). The invention also relates to a vehicle in which the management of the incoming air is carried out according to such a method. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR MANAGING THE INTAKE OF AIR INTO A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to a method for managing air intake into a vehicle.

[0002] Here the term vehicle designates a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a public works or agricultural machine, regardless of the type of engine, thermal, hybrid or electric.

[0003] Air enters a vehicle, more precisely the passenger compartment, through a cowl grille located at the foot of the windshield and placed at the end of an air intake duct connected to the passenger compartment air distribution and / or air conditioning system. An air intake flap makes it possible to close this duct and therefore to use the air from the passenger compartment in a closed circuit. Such air recycling takes place in particular in the event of external pollution, for example in the presence of smoke, exhaust gases or an air pollution alert. It is known that fine particles present in the air, namely particles with a size of less than 10 micrometers, are harmful to health. The smallest, with a size of less than 2.5 micrometers, can penetrate as far as the pulmonary alveoli and the blood vessels.It turns out that vehicle braking systems emit very fine particles with a size of around 0.2 micrometers, therefore particularly harmful particles. These particles come partly from the brake discs and partly from the friction of the tires on the road. On an electric vehicle, the tires are wider than on a thermal vehicle, due to the extra weight of the batteries. As a result, the braking systems of electric vehicles are put under greater strain. As a result, vehicles, and in particular electric vehicles, are significant emitters of fine particles that are harmful to health, especially in the event of emergency braking. These fine particles affect both local residents and vehicle users.Concerning the latter, devices are known for managing the intake of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle taking into account atmospheric pollution in order to preserve as much as possible the health of the vehicle users. EP-A-2 315 189 discloses a vehicle comprising means for detecting traffic conditions and means for transmitting this information to other vehicles. Thus the user of a vehicle can be informed of the level of pollution that he will encounter and adapt the entry and circulation of air in the passenger compartment accordingly. FR-A-2 887 632 describes a vehicle provided with means for controlling the quality of the air connected to a pollution sensor in an air flow arriving in the passenger compartment. A prediction module and a database on the pollution observed make it possible to . modify the amount of air entering the passenger compartment according to the pollution level, by operating the air intake flap. It is thus known to manage the air entering the passenger compartment of a vehicle by acting on the air intake flap according to the pollution observed. However, current solutions do not take into account pollution by fine particles emitted during braking, particularly during emergency braking of the vehicle.

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a solution for managing the air entering the passenger compartment of a vehicle, thermal or electric, during emergency braking in order to protect the health of the vehicle's occupants.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing the entry of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising at least one step of detecting a defined level of pollution of the air entering the passenger compartment and a step of managing the opening / closing position of the air intake flap in the passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - a) record at least the opening / closing position of the air intake flap and the air flow entering the passenger compartment of said vehicle according to a detected pollution level, - b) detect emergency braking or the imminence of emergency braking of said vehicle by at least one detection device on board said vehicle, - c) acting on the opening / closing position of the air intake flap after detection in step b) of emergency braking or the imminence of emergency braking and taking into account the data recorded in step a), - d) record at least the new opening / closing position of the air intake flap entering the passenger compartment at the end of step c).

[0006] Thus, thanks to the invention, an episode of pollution by fine particles in the air of the vehicle's passenger compartment is anticipated. Indeed, emergency braking is hard braking over a short distance with possible locking of the tires, which generates a high concentration of fine particles in a given area and for a given period. It is thus possible to adjust the position of the air intake flap and therefore, if necessary, to close it completely and use only recycled air.

[0007] According to advantageous, but not obligatory, aspects of the invention, such an air intake management method may comprise one or more of the following steps:

[0008] During step b) the detection member is chosen at least from a decelerometer, a camera or a radar.

[0009] After step b), during a new step e), the percentage of relative humidity of the air entering the passenger compartment is analyzed.

[0010] After step e) and before step c), we compare, during a step f), the percentage relative humidity of the incoming air to the percentage of relative humidity of the air in the passenger compartment and the windshield temperature is compared to the dew point.

[0011] At the end of step f), if the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is lower than a defined threshold and if the temperature of the windshield is far from the dew point, the total closing of the intake flap will be initiated during step c), the air being recycled into the passenger compartment, without risk of misting of the glazed parts of the vehicle.

[0012] At the end of step f), if the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is greater than a defined threshold and if the temperature of the windshield is close to the dew point, the total closing of the intake flap will not be initiated during step c), the outside air entering at least partially into the passenger compartment, to limit the risk of misting of the glazed parts of the vehicle.

[0013] During step c) or after step c), at least the windshield defrosting is activated.

[0014] After step b), the information relating to emergency braking is transmitted to other road users via community and social networks known per se.

[0015] During step c), in the event of closing of the air intake flap, a time delay limits the closing time.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle in which the management of the air intake into the passenger compartment of said vehicle is carried out according to a method in accordance with at least one of the preceding steps.

[0017] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawing in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] is a simplified diagram of a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] [Fig. 1] is a diagram illustrating the method which is the subject of the invention according to one embodiment. The first step, referenced 1, consists at least in recording the position, open, closed or between the two, of an air intake flap in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, this depending, among other things, on a level of pollution of the outside air detected by means known per se. Advantageously, data relating to the air flow rate are also collected. This involves in particular verifying that the air flow rate is stable, the position of the air intake flap being known and constant. These information collections are carried out using sensors present in the vehicle and known per se. Advantageously, the collected data are stored in a control module equipping the vehicle.It is recalled that the air intake flap is placed downstream of a cowl grille at the level of the opening of a duct allowing outside air to be introduced into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, whether at the level of the air conditioning system and / or the passenger compartment ventilation and aeration system. Subsequently, this air intake flap will simply be referred to by the term . flap. The flap can thus be located between a so-called open position where the passage of air in the duct is maximum, a so-called closed position in which the flap closes the opening of the air intake duct and prevents any entry of air into the passenger compartment and a plurality of intermediate positions between the open position and the closed position in which the flap allows an entry of air at a more or less significant flow rate. The operation of the flap is carried out from the passenger compartment by the user of the vehicle using a dedicated control. Alternatively, an automatic control module is able to manage the position of the flap according to different parameters, in particular according to the level of pollution, advantageously in addition to the action of the user.

[0020] The second step, referenced 2, consists of detecting emergency braking or more precisely detecting the imminence of emergency braking of the vehicle depending on the traffic conditions. It is recalled that emergency braking aims to stop the vehicle over a minimum distance and as quickly as possible from the detection of an obstacle or more generally an unforeseeable traffic obstruction. This is, for example, an obstacle on the roadway, an animal or a person crossing the roadway, a sudden stop or slowdown of the vehicle being followed, a sudden change of direction of the vehicle being followed or any other traffic obstruction. The information associated with the speed of the vehicle and the distance separating it from the preceding vehicle provides information on the imminence or not of emergency braking by the following vehicle in order to avoid any accident.The detection of imminent emergency braking or the execution of emergency braking is done by means known per se and either originally mounted on board the vehicle or specifically installed for this use. This is at least one means chosen from among others a deceleration sensor, a camera, a radar. It is understood that the deceleration sensor makes it possible to detect emergency braking of the vehicle, more precisely the start of braking while the camera and / or the radar provide information on the imminence of emergency braking by detecting the proximity of an obstacle and / or the lighting of the vehicle's brake lights followed by the actuation of its brakes. It is understood that several detection means can be combined in order to optimize the detection of emergency braking or its imminence. The information relating to emergency braking is, advantageously, stored in the control module.In another embodiment, this information is also transmitted to other road users located nearby, for example via social and / or community networks, so that other road users are informed of this emergency braking which may be associated with a traffic difficulty such as a traffic jam or an accident.

[0021] The next step, referenced 3, of the process can take place just after or almost if simultaneously with the detection of emergency braking. This step involves analyzing the relative humidity of the air entering the passenger compartment and comparing this relative humidity with that of the air present in the passenger compartment. This is done by a sensor, referenced 4 and known per se, of relative humidity, which transmits the information to a relative humidity calculation module 5 which will determine the difference between the relative humidity of the air in the passenger compartment and the outside and take into account the dew point and the temperature of the windshield.

[0022] If the percentage of relative humidity of the air in the passenger compartment is lower than a determined threshold, that is to say if overall the air entering the passenger compartment is considered dry, according to reference 6, and the temperature of the windshield is far from the dew point, there is no, or little, risk of misting of the windshield and more generally of the glazed parts of the vehicle. A control module, not illustrated, will at that moment command the closing 7 of the air intake flap. This closing is complete so that only recycled air, according to reference 8, is present and circulates in the passenger compartment. The recycling mode thus makes it possible to preserve as much as possible the health of the occupants of the vehicle as well as their safety by guaranteeing the visibility of the driver. If necessary, the defrosting function of the windshield and / or the rear window is activated.The air circulation flow in the passenger compartment remains adjustable, regardless of whether the shutter is closed, for example by modulating the speed of the fan(s) ensuring air circulation in the passenger compartment.

[0023] If, on the other hand, the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is greater than a defined threshold and there is no difference between the temperature of the windshield and the dew point, then this means, according to reference 9, the incoming air is considered humid and that there is a risk of misting of the windshield and the glazed parts of the vehicle. Such a risk is not acceptable since it affects the visibility of the driver and therefore the safety of the vehicle's passengers. In this case, the control module will continue, according to reference 10, to allow the entry of outside air into the passenger compartment, but possibly with a partial closing of the air intake flap in order to have a lower air flow. In this case, the heating and / or air conditioning are advantageously also activated, as well as, if necessary, the defrosting function of the windshield and / or the rear window.As before, the air circulation flow in the passenger compartment remains adjustable, by modulating the speed of the fan(s) ensuring air circulation in the passenger compartment.

[0024] It is possible to have an air intake or a recycling of air in the passenger compartment limited in time in relation to the duration of the incident having generated the emergency braking, the position of the flap and the humidity of the air. In other words, it is possible to have a time delay which, from the detection of the emergency braking, will authorize either the opening of the flap either at the end of a defined period or regularly in order that the air in the passenger compartment is renewed, i.e. the complete closure of the shutter for a given period in order to have a period of air recycling. Such a period of air recycling avoids any pollution of the passenger compartment, this for a sufficiently short time to avoid or at least limit the risk of misting depending on the environmental conditions. Thus, in the event of hot and dry weather, it will be possible to keep the shutter closed, the air recycling being permanent at least throughout the emergency braking time.

[0025] Whether the flap is open, closed, therefore whether one is in the configurations referenced 7 or 10, or in an intermediate position, the information relating at least to the position of the flap is stored at the end of the emergency braking. During emergency braking or the imminence of subsequent emergency braking, this information will be available, according to arrow 11, during the implementation of a next step 1 of the method. Alternatively, the information relating to the air flow and / or relative humidity and / or pollution is also stored. They may, for example, serve as a support for information intended for the user on the actions taken to preserve the quality of the air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0026] Such an invention not only improves the comfort and safety of vehicle users, but also optimizes the lifespan of the air filters in the passenger compartment since they are less subject to fine particles. It should be noted that the invention does not use any additional parts compared to the existing ones and is based on all existing means and sensors, which generates little or no additional cost for preserving the optimal health and comfort of the vehicle occupants.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to provide additional information relating to traffic conditions to road users via community networks known and used by the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing the entry of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising at least one step of detecting a defined level of pollution of the air entering the passenger compartment and a step of managing the opening / closing position of an air intake flap in the passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - a) recording (1) at least the opening / closing position of the air intake flap and the flow of air entering the passenger compartment of said vehicle according to a detected pollution level, - b) detecting (2) emergency braking or the imminence of emergency braking of said vehicle by at least one detection member on board said vehicle, - c) acting (7, 10) on the opening / closing position of the air intake flap after the detection in step b) of emergency braking or the imminence of emergency braking and taking into account the data recorded in step a),- d) recording (11) at least the new opening / closing position of the air intake flap at the end of step c).,

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during step b) the detection member is chosen at least from a decelerometer, a camera or a radar.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after step b), during a further step e), the percentage of relative humidity of the air entering the passenger compartment is analyzed (3).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that after step e) and before step c), the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is compared (4, 5), during a step f), with the percentage of relative humidity of the air in the passenger compartment and the temperature of the windshield is compared with the dew point.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that at the end of step f), if the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is lower (6) than a defined threshold and if the temperature of the windshield is far from the dew point, the total closure (7) of the intake flap will be initiated during step c), the air being recycled (8) in the passenger compartment, without risk of fogging of the glass parts of the vehicle.

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that at the end of step f), if the percentage of relative humidity of the incoming air is greater (9) than a defined threshold and if the temperature of the windshield is close to the dew point, the total closing of the intake flap will not be initiated during step c), the outside air entering at least partially (10) into the passenger compartment to limit the risk of misting of the glazed parts of the vehicle.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during step c) or after step c), defrosting at least of the windshield is activated.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after step b) the information relating to emergency braking is transmitted to other road users by community and social networks known per se.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during step c), in the event of closing (7) of the air intake flap, a time delay limits the closing time.

10. Vehicle in which the management of the air intake into the passenger compartment of said vehicle is carried out according to a method in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims.

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