Air quality measurement and treatment system in a vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for measuring and treating air quality in a vehicle, comprising: - an air treatment module including a coarse filter and a fine filter, this treatment module being intended to be placed in a vehicle ventilation unit so as to filter the air entering the vehicle, - a portable unit intended to be placed in the vehicle and to measure the concentration of pollutants in the air; this portable unit being equipped with a treatment 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 unit 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 treating air quality in a vehicle. technical field

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

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

[0003] According to the UN, UN Member States recognize the need to significantly reduce, by 2030, the number of deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals, as well as by air, water, and soil pollution and contamination, and to reduce the negative environmental impact of cities per capita, particularly by paying special attention to air quality. September 7 has been proclaimed International Clean Air Day for Blue Skies. Information on air quality and management strategies to improve it are becoming crucial issues. State of the art

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

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

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

[0007] The present invention aims at a new system for measuring and treating air quality.

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

[0009] At least one of the objections is met with an air quality measurement and treatment system in a vehicle, comprising:

[0010] - an air treatment module comprising a coarse filter and a fine filter, this a treatment module designed to be placed on a vehicle's ventilation unit in order to filter the air entering the vehicle.

[0011] - a portable unit intended to be placed in the vehicle and to measure a concentration of pollutants in the air; this portable unit 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 unit 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 on concentration levels exceeding the thresholds recognized as dangerous for humans and finally to treat locally in the immediate environment of the user, the air breathed by this user to bring these pollutant concentrations back to values ​​below these critical thresholds.

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

[0017] The portable unit has the advantage of being able to be placed anywhere in the vehicle. It can remain permanently in the vehicle or be assigned to a specific 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 another. The processing module is advantageously located on the ventilation or HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) unit. This processing module can be continuously operational, i.e., consist of inactive filters that mechanically filter the air passing through the ventilation unit. This processing module can also include active filters that only operate in response to a setpoint. 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] As an example, the alarm signal may be an invitation to the user to close the vehicle windows and activate the ventilation system, which automatically triggers the filtering by the processing module.

[0019] A function can be provided in the analysis application or in the portable unit capable of communicating with the vehicle's ventilation system and enabling the ventilation to be activated automatically at each alarm signal or when the user has not switched on the ventilation after a predetermined time following an alarm signal.

[0020] The processing module can be a permanently operational device. It is the activation of the ventilation system that forces outside air through the processing module. Thus, activating the vehicle's ventilation system implies the filtering of the air entering the passenger compartment by the processing module.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the portable unit may include an integrated fan to direct outside air towards said at least one sensor. Thus, the measurement of a pollutant concentration is carried out on the ambient air inside the vehicle and not on air that would be enclosed within the unit. Ideally, a silent, bladeless fan is used.

[0022]

[0023] Advantageously, said at least one pollutant sensor may include 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 developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and even lung cancer.

[0025] According to the invention, said at least one pollutant sensor may include 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 include a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one pollutant sensor may also include 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 for a set of sensors capable of exhaustively detecting a set of components enabling the determination of an overall and significant level of pollution.

[0030] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the portable unit may include a visual indicator for signaling an overall pollution level. Such an indicator, located on the portable unit, allows for immediate visualization of the air quality level and the evolution of this pollution.

[0032] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the portable unit may include a reset button allowing an initial concentration level to be determined for each pollutant measured.

[0033] Furthermore, said analysis application may include a reset command allowing the next measured concentration level for each pollutant to be considered as an initial concentration level.

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

[0035] The reset can, for example, be triggered when getting into the vehicle or at the start of a new journey. An initial measurement can thus be taken 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, while driving, if the processing module is activated, the measurements taken allow verification of the filtering efficiency of the processing module.

[0036] The use of an external pollutant sensor can be considered. This could be a sensor located in the ventilation unit to measure pollutants upstream of the treatment module, i.e., measuring pollutants in the outside air entering the passenger compartment before it passes through the treatment module. It could 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, particularly via Bluetooth, with the mobile phone's analysis application. This external pollutant sensor can thus transmit external pollution data that can be used for mapping or to measure the effectiveness of the treatment module's filtration compared to the pollution level inside the passenger compartment.

[0037] The external pollutant sensor may include 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 include a pressure sensor to measure the pressure at least downstream of the treatment module (an additional upstream measurement is possible). Such a measurement makes it possible to monitor the pressure drop of the air exiting the treatment module and thus estimate, using a parametric curve for example, the level of fouling of the treatment module and deduce 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 verify whether the pollution level is worsening or improving.

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

[0042] Concentration levels can therefore be transmitted from the portable unit to the mobile phone continuously or discreetly.

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

[0044]

[0045] The treatment module is designed to filter gases entering the passenger compartment, particularly via the ventilation system's air intake. The pre-filter complies with standard G3 in the EN779:2012 regulation. The high-performance filter can be of type EPML_80%, capable of removing up to 80% of particles 1 micrometer and smaller, or comply with standard F9 in the EN779:2012 regulation.

[0046]

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

[0048]

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

[0050] By way of example, the vehicle may or may not be pre-equipped with the processing module. The portable unit may be associated with the vehicle, i.e., always contained within the vehicle, or it may be independent.

[0051] The mobile phone can advantageously be the user's mobile phone on which the analysis application was downloaded.

[0052]

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

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

[0055] - measurement of the concentration level of ambient air pollutants in the vehicle using a portable unit 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 emits an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached.

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

[0059] Such a device makes it possible, in particular, to retrieve numerous concentration levels from several vehicles over a given period. These concentration levels make it possible to create a map displaying, for each road or each area, 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 vehicle's location. This is made possible by the fact that this remote server can create a map of the outdoor pollution level from data measured by a network of communication devices such as parking meters or any other community capable of holding data on the outdoor pollution level. The analysis application on the mobile phone can compare the outdoor air pollution level to the current pollution level inside the vehicle and, if necessary, prompt the user to activate their ventilation system. Brief description of the drawings

[0061] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of implementations and embodiments, which are by no means limiting, and the following attached drawings.

[0062] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic overall 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 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 pollutant concentration 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 described below are in no way limiting. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient for to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural detail, or with only some of the structural details if that part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0068] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 defining an enclosed space inside it. The system according to the invention comprises a treatment module 2 located inside the vehicle and intended to filter the air coming from outside and entering the vehicle. Ideally, this treatment module is located on the vehicle's main air intake, for example on the ventilation unit or more generally on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

[0069] The portable unit 3 is a mobile device for measuring ambient air pollution inside the vehicle. In [Fig. 1], it is positioned on the rear shelf of the vehicle, opposite the treatment module. Placing the portable unit at a distance allows verification of the treatment module's ability to filter air to locations far from the air intake. Of course, the portable unit 3 can be placed anywhere inside the passenger compartment. Ideally, the portable unit is cylindrical in shape, typically with dimensions identical, at least in circumference, to a beverage can. Indeed, vehicles are generally equipped with storage compartments for one or more cans. These compartments can be located at the front or rear of the vehicle.

[0070] The portable unit 3 is suitable for continuously or discretely measuring, at predetermined time intervals, the concentration level of at least one pollutant. To provide meaningful information on air quality, it is intended to accurately measure the following pollutants: particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is also intended to measure meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity.

[0071] The measurements taken by the portable unit 3 are transmitted to a mobile phone 4 or smartphone for analysis. This allows the user to be informed in real time of the pollution level inside their vehicle. They can then decide to act on the treatment module according to the situation.

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

[0074] In [Fig.2], a ventilation unit 20 or HVAC unit of the vehicle 1 is shown, designed to introduce outside air 23 into the passenger compartment. This air can be introduced into the passenger compartment with or without temperature control (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 includes a coarse 50% type pre-filter 21 (G3 in the EN779 2012 regulation), and a high-performance EPMl_80% type filter 22, a fine filter allowing the removal of up to 80% of particles of 1 micrometer and less (or F9 in the EN779 2012 regulation).

[0077] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the portable device 3 according to the invention, capable of measuring, at a frequency adjustable by calibration, the concentrations of pollutants present in the immediate environment where the portable device is located. It can be a portable device the size of a 50cl beverage can.

[0078] This portable unit 3 incorporates a rechargeable battery 31 via a USB-C connector. This battery powers all the electronic components within the portable unit 3.

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

[0080] A fan 33 integrated into the portable housing 3 circulates the air present in the immediate vicinity of the portable housing into the housing itself, so that the airflow passes near the sensors and then is expelled. The measurements taken therefore relate to the ambient air in direct contact with the portable housing, and not simply to stagnant air within a measurement cell of each sensor.

[0081] Such a portable enclosure is suitable for enclosed volumes, for example less than 3 m3, such as mobile or stationary vehicle cabins, such as for construction equipment, a crane, a motor vehicle, a truck, an enclosed observation post, a cabin-type meeting room, inside the house...

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

[0083]

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

[0085] The processing unit 36 ​​is configured to construct a local pollution indicator (LPI), a combination of the different measured channels. For example, this local pollution indicator is a value calculated in real time from a The formula involves a NOx value, a VOC value, a particulate matter 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 unit 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 below a predetermined threshold S2, the visual indicator 37 turns green, indicating that the air quality is satisfactory according to the measured levels. Between SI and S2, an intermediate pollution level is indicated by an orange light. Thus, the user can instantly see the pollution level in their vehicle and how it changes over time.

[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 particle. In this case, the thresholds SI and S2 can advantageously be in the form of conditions. For example, SI could be the condition stipulating that each measured type of particle exceeds its maximum pollution threshold. S2 could be the condition stipulating that each measured type of particle is below its minimum pollution threshold. When neither SI nor S2 is met, the indicator light is orange. This could be the case, for example, when 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 planned to allow data exchange 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 their vehicle, they open the doors and get inside. The air inside the vehicle is then identical to the outside air. Pressing the reset button allows the various concentration levels of pollutants and possibly meteorological parameters to be measured. 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 pollutant concentrations allows for estimating the level of fouling in the coarse pre-filter and / or the fine filter. This is achieved by operating the portable unit and the treatment module simultaneously. This operating mode can provide an indication for the preventive replacement of filters and pre-filters.

[0091] Figure 4 shows a smartphone equipped with an analysis application according to the invention. This application is capable of communicating via Bluetooth with the portable device.

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

[0093] The analysis application is capable of displaying the concentration level for each pollutant as can be seen in [Fig. 4]. For each particle size type, i.e. 10, 4, 2.5 and 1 micro, the value is displayed in pg / m3 and a slider 41 allows the user to position themselves between a minimum and a maximum value.

[0094] As an example, for 10-micron particles, a range of values ​​of 0 to 80 pg / m3 is planned, with a threshold at 45.

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

[0096] Similarly, for each pollutant Nox or VOC, 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 visualization by 4L slider. 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 each pollutant concentration value a color code, which may be the same as that used for positioning relative to the SI and S2 thresholds, 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 by 43 at the top of the smartphone display screen. This color code 43 may represent the local pollution indicator (LPI).

[0099]

[0100] A "RESET" button 44 allows the measurements to be reset. This "RESET" function can also be implemented directly from the handheld unit.

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

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

[0103] The analysis application is a smartphone application that allows the display of detailed measurements for each pollutant. This display allows the user to visualize, for each pollutant, the current value, the initial measured value which is stored at the beginning of the acquisition, as well as the limit values, in order to determine whether the current level is acceptable or not.

[0105] Figure 5 shows several vehicles 6, 7, 8, equipped with the system according to the invention, namely a processing module, a portable unit, and a mobile phone. The mobile phone according to the invention comprises the analysis application configured to transmit data continuously, regularly, or on demand to a central server 5 via the Internet.

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

[0107] The central server is also capable of generating useful information to be sent to the user's mobile phone.

[0108]

[0109] The system according to the invention is a complete technical solution dealing with air quality, enabling the detection of concentrations of pollutants harmful to health, alerting the user to concentration levels exceeding the thresholds recognized as dangerous for humans, and finally treating locally in the user's immediate environment the air breathed by this user to bring these pollutant concentrations back to values ​​below these critical thresholds.

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

Claims

Demands

1. Air quality measurement and treatment system in a vehicle (1), comprising: - a portable unit (3) intended to be placed in the vehicle (1) and to measure a concentration of pollutants in the air;this portable unit (3) being equipped with a processing unit (36), a rechargeable battery (31), at least one pollutant sensor (32), and a wireless communication module (38), - a mobile phone (4) containing an analysis application capable of communicating with said wireless communication module (38) and receiving measurements from the portable unit (3) and emitting an alarm signal when a pollutant concentration threshold is reached, characterized in that it further comprises an air treatment module (2) including a coarse filter (21) and a fine filter (22), this treatment module being intended to be placed on a ventilation block (20) of the vehicle so as to filter the air entering the vehicle, and in that said analysis application includes a reset command allowing the next measured concentration level for each pollutant to be considered as an initial concentration level.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the portable housing (3) includes an integrated fan (33) for directing outside air to the housing towards said at least one sensor (32).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor (32) 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 (32) comprises a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one pollutant sensor includes a temperature sensor (34) and / or a humidity sensor (35).

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable housing (3) includes a visual indicator (37) for signaling an overall pollution level.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable unit (3) includes a reset button (44) allowing an initial concentration level to be determined for each pollutant measured.

9. 9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit (36) of the portable case (3) is configured to transmit continuously or at regular time intervals pollutant concentration levels to the analysis application contained in the mobile phone (4).

10. 10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coarse filter (21) is a 50% "iso coarse" type pre-filter and the fine filter (22) is a high-performance filter intended to filter at least 80% of particles of 1 micron and less.

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

12. 12. Vehicle (1) equipped with an air quality measurement and treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images