System for measuring and treating air quality in a vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for measuring and processing air quality in a vehicle, comprising: - an air processing module comprising a coarse filter and a fine filter, this processing module being intended to be placed in a ventilation unit of the vehicle so as to filter the air entering the vehicle, - a portable box intended to be placed in the vehicle and to measure a concentration of pollutants in the air; this portable box being equipped with a processing unit, a rechargeable battery, at least one pollutant sensor, and a wireless communication module, - a mobile phone containing an analysis application capable of communicating with said wireless communication module and receiving measurements from the portable box and emitting an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: System for measuring and processing air quality in a vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for measuring and processing air quality in a vehicle.

[0002] Generally speaking, the WHO regularly warns about the dangers of air pollution by conducting public awareness campaigns on the health risks.

[0003] According to the UN, the Member States of the United Nations recognize the need to significantly reduce, by 2030, the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and from air, water and soil pollution and contamination, and to reduce the negative environmental impact of cities per capita, including by paying special attention to air quality. September 7 has been proclaimed as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. Information on air quality and management to improve air quality are becoming crucial topics. State of the art

[0004] In air quality management, document US7323146B2 is known describing an air purification device equipped with a removable filter.

[0005] Home air treatment systems are known, such as Dyson® brand purifiers. Document US 11022146 describes a fan capable of purifying the air. Such a system is bulky and is intended to be placed in the home.

[0006] The KS-AP320 product is known, which is a photocatalytic air purifier from the JVC® brand. This purifier is suitable for transport in a vehicle.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a new system for measuring and processing air quality.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide relevant information to the user. Presentation of the invention

[0009] At least one of the objections is addressed with a system for measuring and processing air quality in a vehicle, comprising:

[0010] - an air treatment module comprising a coarse filter and a fine filter, this treatment module intended to be placed on a ventilation unit of the vehicle so as to filter the air entering the vehicle,

[0011] - a portable box intended to be placed in the vehicle and to measure a concentration of pollutants in the air; this portable box being equipped with a processing unit, a rechargeable battery, at least one pollutant sensor, and a wireless communication module,

[0012] - a mobile phone containing an analysis application capable of communicating with said wireless communication module and receive measurements from the portable box and emit an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached.

[0013]

[0014] With the system according to the invention, the air quality in the vehicle is monitored in real time with feedback to the user via their mobile phone or smartphone.

[0015] The system makes it possible to detect concentrations of pollutants harmful to health, to alert the user to concentration levels above the thresholds recognized as dangerous for humans and finally to treat locally in the direct environment of the user, the air breathed by this user to bring these pollutant concentrations to values ​​below these critical thresholds.

[0016] These thresholds depend on the type of pollutant and local legislation.

[0017] The portable box has the advantage of being able to be placed anywhere in the vehicle. It can remain in the vehicle at all times or associated with a given user who keeps it with them outside the vehicle. Ideally, the analysis application is designed in different versions, each compatible with a specific software platform such as Android® or Apple®, or other. The processing module is advantageously arranged on the ventilation unit or HVAC (for "heating, ventilation and air-conditioning" in English). This processing module can be permanently operational, that is to say, it can be made up of non-active filters mechanically filtering the air passing through the ventilation unit. This processing module can also include active filters which only operate in response to an instruction. For example, the activation of the active filters can be linked to the start-up of the ventilation unit.Thus, in the event of pollution, a command to start the ventilation, with or without air conditioning or heating, simultaneously activates the operation of the treatment module.

[0018] For example, the alarm signal may be an invitation to the user to close the vehicle windows and activate the ventilation system, which automatically triggers filtering by the processing module.

[0019] A function may be provided in the analysis application or in the portable box capable of communicating with the vehicle's ventilation system and making it possible to automatically activate the ventilation at each alarm signal or when the user has not activated the ventilation after a predetermined duration. following an alarm signal.

[0020] The processing module may be a device that is always operational. It is the start-up of the ventilation system that causes the outside air to pass through the processing module. Thus, starting the vehicle's ventilation involves filtering the air entering the passenger compartment by the processing module.

[0021] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the portable housing may comprise an integrated fan for directing the air outside the housing towards said at least one sensor. Thus, the measurement of a concentration of pollutants is carried out on the ambient air in the vehicle and not on air which would be enclosed in the housing. Ideally, a fan without silent blades is used.

[0022]

[0023] Advantageously, said at least one pollutant sensor may comprise a particle sensor intended to trap particles of a size between 1 and 10 microns.

[0024] Such a sensor makes it possible to measure the concentration of fine particles that have a long-term impact on the user's cardiovascular health. Regular exposure to this type of particle increases the risk of contracting cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and even lung cancer.

[0025] According to the invention, said at least one pollutant sensor may comprise a nitrogen oxide (Nox) sensor.

[0026] Such a sensor makes it possible to measure the concentration of Nox which can in particular cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

[0027] Said at least one pollutant sensor may further comprise a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one pollutant sensor may also comprise a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor. The temperature and / or humidity measurements may in particular be used to weight the pollutant concentration measurements.

[0029] The system according to the invention thus provides a set of sensors capable of exhaustively detecting a set of components making it possible to determine an overall and significant level of pollution.

[0030] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the portable box may comprise a visual indicator to signal an overall pollution level. Such an indicator arranged on the portable box makes it possible to immediately visualize the level of air quality as well as the evolution of this pollution.

[0031]

[0032] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the portable box can comprise a reset button making it possible to determine for each pollutant measured an initial concentration level.

[0033] Furthermore, said analysis application may comprise a reset command making it possible to consider the next concentration level measured for each pollutant as an initial concentration level.

[0034] It is thus possible to reset the measurements either directly on the portable box or on the mobile phone.

[0035] The reset can for example be triggered when getting into the vehicle or when starting a new journey. It is thus possible to envisage an initial measurement when the processing module is inactive. In this case, it can be assumed that the ambient air is identical to the air outside the vehicle. Then, during the journey, if the processing module is activated, the measurements taken make it possible to verify the effectiveness of the filtering by the processing module.

[0036] It is possible to envisage the use of an external pollutant sensor. This may be a sensor placed in the ventilation unit to measure the pollutants upstream of the treatment module, i.e. measuring the pollutants in the outside air entering the passenger compartment, before passing through the treatment module. It may also be a pre-existing sensor installed elsewhere on the vehicle, for example on the bodywork or on the roof panel of a taxi. The external pollutant sensor is capable of communicating, wired or wirelessly, in particular via Bluetooth, with the analysis application of the mobile phone. This external pollutant sensor can thus transmit external pollution data which can be used for mapping or for measuring the effectiveness of the filtering of the treatment module in comparison with the pollution level in the passenger compartment.

[0037] The external pollutant sensor may comprise all or part of the components of the portable housing. Preferably, it is not portable but integrated, it is powered by a power cable and a fan is not required.

[0038] Advantageously, the external pollutant sensor may also comprise a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure at least downstream of the treatment module (a measurement further upstream is possible). Such a measurement makes it possible to monitor the pressure drop of the air leaving the treatment module and thus estimate, by a parametric curve for example, the level of fouling of the treatment module and deduce from this when to replace the filters of the treatment module.

[0039] For a given pollutant, the initial level serves as a reference level in relation to successive measurements. This makes it possible to check whether the pollution level is deteriorating or improving.

[0040]

[0041] Advantageously, the processing unit of the portable box can be configured to transmit continuously or at regular time intervals levels of concentration of pollutants to the analysis application contained in the mobile phone.

[0042] The concentration levels can therefore be transmitted from the portable box to the mobile phone continuously or discreetly.

[0043] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the coarse filter may be a 50% “iso coarse” type pre-filter and the fine filter may be a high-performance filter intended to filter at least 80% of particles of 1 micron and less.

[0044]

[0045] The purpose of the treatment module is to filter the gases entering the passenger compartment, in particular via the air intake of the ventilation system. The pre-filter meets in particular the G3 standard in the EN779 regulation of 2012. The high-performance filter can be of the EPMl_80% type, making it possible to eliminate up to 80% of particles of 1 micrometer and less or meeting the F9 standard in the EN779 regulation of 2012.

[0046]

[0047] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said analysis application can be configured to display current concentration levels of each pollutant as well as deviations between the current levels and the initial levels.

[0048]

[0049] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle equipped with an air quality measurement and processing system as described above.

[0050] For example, the vehicle may or may not be pre-equipped with the processing module. The portable box may be associated with the vehicle, i.e. always contained in the vehicle, or may be independent.

[0051] The mobile phone may advantageously be the user's mobile phone into which the analysis application has been downloaded.

[0052]

[0053] Also provided is a method for measuring and processing the air quality in a vehicle, comprising the following steps:

[0054] - filtering of the incoming air via a vehicle ventilation unit,

[0055] - measurement of a level of concentration of ambient air pollutants in the vehicle by means of a portable box equipped with a processing unit, a rechargeable battery, at least one pollutant sensor, and a wireless communication module,

[0056] - transmission of the concentration level of each pollutant to a telephone portable,

[0057] - display on the mobile phone of the concentration level of each pollutant and issue an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached.

[0058] According to the invention, the method may further comprise a transmission of the levels of concentration of each pollutant to a remote server and development within this remote server of a pollution map.

[0059] Such an embodiment makes it possible in particular to recover numerous concentration levels from several vehicles in a given period. These concentration levels make it possible to produce a map displaying for each road or each zone an instantaneous or pre-recorded pollution level.

[0060] When communication with a remote server is possible, the mobile phone can receive data relating to outdoor air pollution levels at the location where the vehicle is located. This is made possible by the fact that this remote server can develop a map of the outdoor pollution level from data measured by a network of communication devices such as parking terminals or any other community capable of holding data on the outdoor pollution level. The analysis application in the mobile phone can compare the outdoor air pollution level to the current pollution level in the passenger compartment and, if necessary, prompt the user to activate their ventilation system if necessary. Brief description of the drawings

[0061] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings.

[0062] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is an overall schematic view of a system according to the invention,

[0063] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a processing module arranged on a ventilation unit according to the invention,

[0064] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of some of the constituent components of a portable case according to the invention,

[0065] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a smartphone displaying levels of concentration of pollutants according to the invention, and

[0066] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a general schematic view illustrating a centralized server and several vehicles each equipped with a system according to the invention. Detailed description of the figures

[0067] It is understood that the embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural detail, or with only part of the details structural if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

[0068] Of course, in [Fig.l] a vehicle 1 can be seen defining a closed space inside it. The system according to the invention comprises a treatment module 2 arranged inside the vehicle and intended to filter the air coming from outside and entering the vehicle. Ideally, this treatment module is arranged on the main air inlet of the vehicle, for example on the ventilation unit or more generally on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system or HVAC (for "heating, ventilation and air-conditioning" in English).

[0069] The portable box 3 is a portable device for measuring ambient air pollution within the vehicle. In [Fig.l], it is placed on the rear shelf of the vehicle, opposite the treatment module. Placing the portable box at a distance makes it possible to check the capacity of the treatment module to filter the air up to locations far from the air intake. Obviously, the portable box 3 can be placed anywhere inside the passenger compartment. Ideally, a cylindrical-shaped portable box is provided, typically with dimensions identical, at least in circumference, to a can, a beverage container. Indeed, vehicles are generally equipped with a location to receive one or more cans. This location can be at the front of the vehicle or at the rear.

[0070] The portable housing 3 is adapted to measure continuously or discreetly according to predetermined time intervals, the concentration level of at least one pollutant. To allow meaningful information on air quality, it is planned to accurately measure the following pollutants: fine particles, nitrogen oxides NOx and volatile organic compounds VOCs. It is also planned to measure meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity.

[0071] The measurements taken by the portable box 3 are transmitted to a mobile phone 4 or smartphone for analysis. Thus, the user is informed in real time of the pollution level in the passenger compartment of his vehicle. He can then decide to act on the processing module depending on the situation.

[0072] The mobile phone 4 is advantageously equipped with an analysis application capable of restoring detailed measurements of each pollutant continuously or at a configurable frequency. The analysis application is configured to alert the user of any possible exceedance of alert thresholds.

[0073]

[0074] In [Fig.2], we can see a ventilation unit 20 or HVAC of the vehicle 1 intended to introduce outside air 23 into the passenger compartment. This air can be introduced into the passenger compartment with or without temperature regulation (heating / air conditioning).

[0075] According to the invention, the treatment module 2 is placed at the outlet of the HVAC 20 so that the outside air 23 is filtered through the treatment module 2 and enters the passenger compartment in the form of filtered air 24.

[0076] The treatment module 2 comprises a pre-filter 21 of the coarse 50% type (G3 in the EN779 regulation of 2012), and a high-performance filter 22 of the EPMl_80% type, a fine filter capable of eliminating up to 80% of particles of 1 micrometer and less (or F9 in the EN779 regulation of 2012).

[0077] [Fig. 3] illustrates very schematically the portable box 3 according to the invention capable of measuring, at a frequency that can be modified by calibration, the concentrations of pollutants present in the direct environment where the portable box is located. It may be a portable box in the format of a 50cl beverage can.

[0078] This portable box 3 integrates a battery 31 rechargeable via a USB-C connector. This battery makes it possible to power all of the electronic components within the portable box 3.

[0079] It also includes a sensor for measuring particles of 1, 2.5, 4 & 10 microns, for example a sensor of the SENSIRION® brand type SEN55. A second sensor 32 measures the NOx and VOC concentrations. For example, a sensor of the SENSIRION® brand type SG41 can be used.

[0080] A fan 33 integrated into the portable housing 3 makes it possible to circulate the air present at the direct periphery of the portable housing inside the latter, so that the air flow circulates near the sensors, then is evacuated. The measurements carried out therefore relate to the ambient air in direct contact with the portable housing, and not simply stagnant air within a measuring cell of each sensor.

[0081] Such a portable box is suitable for closed volumes, for example less than 3 m3, of the mobile machine cabin type or not such as for a construction machine, a crane, a motor vehicle, a truck, an enclosed observation post, a cabin-type meeting room, inside the house, etc.

[0082] A temperature sensor 34 and a humidity sensor 35 are also provided.

[0083]

[0084] The portable housing 3 also comprises a processing unit 36 ​​in the form of an electronic card integrating a microprocessor or a microcontroller making it possible to control the various electronic components.

[0085] The processing unit 36 ​​is configured to construct a local pollution indicator (LPI), combining the different measured channels. For example, this local pollution indicator is a value calculated in real time from a formula involving a Nox value, a VOC value, a particle quantity value, a temperature value and a humidity value. The formula may be based on a linear function or not and may be derived from an environmental standard of the country in which the vehicle is driven.

[0086] This ILP is accessible to the user via a visual indicator 37 which is an LED located in the upper part of the portable box 3. Air is defined as polluted if the ILP exceeds a predetermined threshold SI, and the visual indicator 37 then displays a red light to indicate that this threshold SI has been exceeded. Similarly, if the ILP is lower than a predetermined threshold S2, the visual indicator 37 turns green, indicating that the air is of satisfactory quality according to the measured levels. Between SI and S2, an intermediate state of pollution is materialized by an orange light. Thus, the user instantly sees the level of pollution in his vehicle as well as its evolution.

[0087] When several types of particles are measured, each type of particle has a minimum pollution threshold and a maximum pollution threshold; these thresholds may differ depending on the type of particles. In this case, the thresholds SI and S2 may advantageously be in the form of conditions. For example, SI may be the condition stipulating that each type of particle measured exceeds its maximum pollution threshold. S2 may be the condition stipulating that each type of particle measured is below its minimum pollution threshold. When neither SI nor S2 is respected, then the indicator is orange. This may be the case when, for example, particles 1, 2.5 and 4 have exceeded their respective maximum thresholds, but particles 10 have remained below their maximum pollution threshold.

[0088] A Bluetooth communication module 38 is also provided for exchanging data with the analysis application contained in the smartphone.

[0089] A button 39 is also provided for resetting the measurements. Typically, when the user takes possession of his vehicle, he opens the doors and gets into the passenger compartment. The air inside the vehicle is then identical to the outside air. Pressing the reset button makes it possible to measure the different concentration levels of the pollutants and possibly meteorological parameters. The successive measurements can be compared to the initial measurements to determine whether the overall pollution is increasing or decreasing and to estimate the effectiveness of the treatment module.

[0090] Quantitatively measuring the concentrations of pollutants makes it possible to estimate the level of fouling of the coarse pre-filter and / or the fine filter. To do this, simultaneous operation between the portable housing and the treatment module is provided. This mode of operation can provide an indication of preventive change of the filters and pre-filters.

[0091] In [Fig.4] is shown a smartphone equipped with an analysis application according to the invention. This application is capable of communicating via Bluetooth with the portable box.

[0092] The information received from the portable box is the various measurements of the pollutants and meteorological parameters.

[0093] The analysis application is able to display the concentration level for each pollutant as can be seen in [Fig.4]. For each type of particle size, i.e. 10, 4, 2.5 and 1 micron, the value in pg / m3 is displayed and a cursor 41 allows one to position oneself between a minimum value and a maximum value.

[0094] For example, for 10 micron particles, a range of values ​​from 0 to 80 pg / m3 is provided, with a threshold at 45.

[0095] For example, for particles of 4, 2.5 and 1 micron, a range of values ​​from 0 to 50 pg / m3 is provided for each type of size, with a threshold at 15.

[0096] In the same way for each Nox or VOC pollutant, a value is indicated according to an index varying respectively from 1 to 100 for Nox and from 1 to 500 for VOCs with a display by cursor 41. The threshold can be set at 1 for Nox and at 100 for VOCs.

[0097] These values ​​are displayed in real time or at a rate to be configured.

[0098] It is also planned to assign to each pollutant concentration value a color code which can be the same as that used to position itself in relation to the thresholds SI and S2 or any other more detailed color code as can be seen in [Fig.4] with the icons 42. The average of all six color codes in [Fig.4] is represented at 43 at the top of the smartphone display screen. This color code 43 can be representative of the local pollution indicator ILP.

[0099]

[0100] A “RESET” button 44 allows the measurements to be reset. This “RESET” function can also be implemented directly from the portable box.

[0101] The temperature and humidity values ​​are also taken and displayed on the smartphone screen.

[0102] It is also provided to display the charge level 45 of the battery contained in the portable case.

[0103] The analysis application is a smartphone application which therefore allows the detailed measurements of each pollutant to be displayed. This restitution can allow the current value, the initial measured value which is stored at the start of acquisition and the limit values ​​to be viewed for each pollutant, so as to determine whether the current level is acceptable or not.

[0104]

[0105] In [Fig. 5] several vehicles 6, 7, 8 can be seen, equipped with the system according to the invention, i.e. a processing module, a portable box and a mobile telephone. The mobile telephone according to the invention comprises the analysis application configured to transmit, continuously, regularly or on request, data to a central server 5 via the Internet.

[0106] The data transmitted from the vehicles to the central server include the concentration levels of the pollutants, possibly the meteorological parameters, and location data of each mobile phone. The server 5 thus centralizes a set of data which can be processed to develop maps which can be used in navigation systems, in weather forecasting systems, by quality monitoring operators, by health prevention operators, etc.

[0107] The central server is also able to develop useful information to send to the user's mobile phone.

[0108]

[0109] The system according to the invention is a complete technical solution dealing with air quality, making it possible to detect concentrations of pollutants harmful to health, to alert the user to concentration levels above the thresholds recognized as dangerous for humans and finally to treat locally in the direct environment of the user, the air breathed by this user to bring these pollutant concentrations to values ​​below these critical thresholds.

[0110] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. Numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as described.

Claims

Claims

1. System for measuring and processing air quality in a vehicle, comprising: - an air processing module comprising a coarse filter and a fine filter, this processing module being intended to be placed on a ventilation unit of the vehicle so as to filter the air entering the vehicle, - a portable box intended to be placed in the vehicle and to measure a concentration of pollutants in the air; this portable box being equipped with a processing unit, a rechargeable battery, at least one pollutant sensor, and a wireless communication module, - a mobile phone containing an analysis application capable of communicating with said wireless communication module and receiving measurements from the portable box and emitting an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the portable housing comprises an integrated fan for directing air outside the housing towards said at least one sensor.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor comprises a particle sensor intended to trap particles of a size between 1 and 10 microns.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor comprises a nitrogen oxide (Nox) sensor.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor comprises a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor comprises a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the portable housing comprises a visual indicator for signaling an overall pollution level.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable box comprises a reset button making it possible to determine for each pollutant measured an initial concentration level.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said analysis application comprises a reset command making it possible to consider the next concentration level measured for each pollutant as an initial concentration level.

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit of the portable box is configured to transmit continuously or at regular time intervals pollutant concentration levels to the analysis application contained in the mobile telephone.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coarse filter is a 50% “iso coarse” type pre-filter and the fine filter is a high performance filter intended to filter at least 80% of particles of 1 micron and less.

12. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said analysis application is configured to display current levels of concentration of each pollutant as well as deviations between the current levels and initial levels.

13. Vehicle equipped with an air quality measurement and treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. Method for measuring and processing the quality of the air in a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - filtering the incoming air via a ventilation unit of the vehicle, - measuring a concentration level of pollutants in the ambient air in the vehicle by means of a portable box equipped with a processing unit, a rechargeable battery, at least one pollutant sensor, and a wireless communication module, - transmitting the concentration level of each pollutant to a mobile phone, - displaying on the mobile phone the concentration level of each pollutant and emitting an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached.

15. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission of the concentration levels of each pollutant to a remote server and a development within this remote server of a pollution map.

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