Air cleaning device and air cleaning method

Abstract

To provide an air cleaning device and an air cleaning method which improve a technique of cleaning of offensive odor detected in a cabin.SOLUTION: An air cleaning device 20 includes a control unit 25 comprising the steps of: measuring, when seat position is separated into a plurality of seat blocks in a cabin, odor intensity of each seat block by an odor sensor 22A arranged at each seat block; and turning, when detecting a first seat block where the measured odor intensity exceeds the threshold value, respective directions of a plurality of air outlets of an air conditioner 23A into the direction of the first seat block to blow air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purification device and an air purification method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies related to cleaning odors detected in a vehicle cabin. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which an odor sensor detects odors in the vehicle cabin, determines the type of odor detected, and determines an appropriate response depending on the determined type of odor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-096670 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The appropriate measures in Patent Document 1 are either (i) operating the vehicle's power windows to deodorize the odor inside the vehicle, or (ii) operating the vehicle's driving actuator to drive the vehicle to an external cleaning center. However, (i) in the case of vehicles with large interior spaces, such as buses, opening and closing the windows cannot adequately ventilate the interior, and (ii) cleaning the odor at a cleaning center increases the financial burden. Therefore, there is room for improvement in technology related to cleaning odors detected inside a vehicle.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for cleaning odors detected inside a vehicle cabin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air purifying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an air purifying device having an air conditioner installed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle and a control unit that uses the air conditioner to blow air, wherein the seat positions in the passenger compartment are divided into multiple seat blocks, and the control unit measures the odor intensity of each of the seat blocks using odor sensors located in each seat block, and when a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold value, the control unit directs each of the air conditioner's multiple air outlets toward the first seat block to blow air.

[0007] An air purification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an air purification device that measures the odor intensity of each seat block using odor sensors disposed in each seat block in a vehicle interior where the seat positions are divided into multiple seat blocks, and when a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold, directs each of multiple air outlets of an air conditioner toward the first seat block to blow air. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, technology is improved for cleaning odors detected within a vehicle cabin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the air purifying device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a seat block in a vehicle interior. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for cleaning air in a vehicle interior. [Figure 5] 1 is a table showing an example of criteria for determining odor intensity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a vehicle 10, an air purifying device 20 mounted on the vehicle 10, and a server 30. The vehicle 10, the air purifying device 20, and the server 30 are communicably connected to a network 2 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0012] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited to this and may be any vehicle. The automobile may be, but is not limited to, a gasoline-powered vehicle, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). In the present disclosure, the vehicle 10 is assumed to be a public bus (on-demand bus) that operates on a predetermined route, but is not limited to this. The number of vehicles 10 included in the system 1 may be determined arbitrarily. The vehicle 10 is capable of communicating with the air purifying device 20 and the server 30 via the network 2. The vehicle 10 may also be capable of communicating with the air purifying device 20 via a wired connection.

[0013] The air purifying device 20 is a computer provided in the vehicle 10. The air purifying device 20 purifies odors detected in the vehicle cabin. The air purifying device 20 is communicably connected to the vehicle 10 and the server 30 via the network 2. The air purifying device 20 may also be able to communicate with the vehicle 10 via a wired connection.

[0014] The server 30 is, for example, a computer owned by a business operator that operates the vehicle 10. The server 30 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 10 and the air purification device 20 via the network 2.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. In a vehicle interior where the seat positions are divided into multiple seat blocks, air purifying device 20 measures the odor intensity of each seat block using odor sensors 22A arranged in each seat block, and when a first seat block is detected where the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold, air purifying device 20 directs each of multiple air outlets of air conditioner 23A toward the first seat block to blow air.

[0016] As described above, according to this embodiment, when odor sensor 22A installed in the vehicle cabin measures an odor intensity exceeding the threshold value in a seat block in the vehicle cabin, air conditioner 23A blows air in the direction of that seat block. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate or alleviate strong odors in the vehicle cabin by adjusting the air direction of air conditioner 23A. This improves the technology for cleaning odors detected in the vehicle cabin, increasing the likelihood of reducing the cost of having vehicle 10 cleaned at a cleaning center.

[0017] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] (Vehicle configuration) 1, the vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The vehicle 10 further includes an air purifying device 20. Details of the air purifying device 20 will be described later.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes both a communication interface for wireless connection to the network 2 and a communication interface for wired connection to a CAN (Controller Area Network). The communication interface for connection to the network 2 corresponds to a mobile communication standard such as, but not limited to, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation).

[0020] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs, application programs including car navigation applications, embedded software, operation information, map information, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 12 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 2 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0021] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the vehicle 10.

[0022] (Configuration of air purifier) As shown in FIG. 1, the air purifying device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0023] The communication unit 21 includes both a communication interface for wireless connection to the network 2 and a communication interface for wired connection to the CAN. The communication interface for connection to the network 2 corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, but is not limited to this and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0024] The input unit 22 is configured to include an input interface that enables measurement of the environment inside the vehicle 10. The input interface is, for example, an odor sensor 22A that measures the odor intensity inside the vehicle cabin. However, the input interface is not limited to this.

[0025] The output unit 23 includes an air conditioner 23A having a plurality of air outlets in the vehicle cabin, and an aroma diffuser 23B that is installed in each seat block (to be described later) in the vehicle cabin and that diffuses air with a predetermined scent.

[0026] The storage unit 24 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 24 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information used in the operation of the air purifying device 20. For example, the storage unit 24 may store a system program, an application program, etc. The storage unit 45 may register user information of the user 3. The information stored in the storage unit 24 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 2 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0027] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the air purification device 20.

[0028] (Server configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0029] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interfaces may correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the server 30 communicates with the vehicle 10 and the air purifying device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 2.

[0030] The storage unit 32 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 32 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores any information used in the operation of the server 30. For example, the storage unit 32 may store a system program, a database, an application program, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 32 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 2 via the communication unit 31, for example.

[0031] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the server 30.

[0032] (Air purifier operation flow) Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the air purifying device 20. The operation of the air purifying device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This operation relates to the purification of odors detected inside the vehicle cabin.

[0033] S101: When the vehicle 10 starts traveling along the travel route, the control unit 25 starts information processing, which will be described later.

[0034] In the present disclosure, the vehicle 10 is assumed to be an on-demand bus (public bus), but is not limited to this.

[0035] When purchasing a boarding ticket online, a user 3 who will board a vehicle 10 inputs user information on a website published by the server 30. The control unit 33 of the server 30 accepts the user information entered by the user 3 and registers the accepted user information in the storage unit 32. The control unit 33 transmits the registered user information of the user 3 to the air purifying device 20 provided in the vehicle 10 for which the user 3 reserves a ride. The control unit 25 registers the received user information of the user 3 in the storage unit 24 as the user information of the person who made the boarding reservation.

[0036] The user information includes basic information such as the address, name, and contact information (telephone number, email address) of the user 3. The user information may also include a scent (such as an aroma) preferred by the user 3 who will be riding in the vehicle 10.

[0037] S102: In a vehicle interior where the seat positions are divided into a plurality of seat blocks, the control unit 25 measures the odor intensity of each seat block using the odor sensor 22A arranged in each seat block.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of seat blocks in a vehicle cabin. As shown in FIG. 3, in the example of the present disclosure, 48 seats in the vehicle cabin, seat numbers 1a to 12d, are divided into eight seat blocks Sbi (i = 1 to 8) based on their seat positions in the vehicle cabin. However, the method of dividing the seat blocks Sbi is not limited to this, and they may be divided in any manner. As shown in FIG. 3, an odor sensor 22Ai (i = 1 to 8) is installed in each of the eight seat blocks. The odor sensor 22Ai is installed, for example, under the seat, but is not limited to this and may be installed in any location, such as the ceiling.

[0039] The odor sensor 22A is a sensor that measures odor intensity and quantifies the measured odor intensity. Odor sensors 22A include those that use metal oxide semiconductors, quartz crystal oscillators, or lipid membranes, but the odor sensor 22A is not limited to these. Semiconductor-type odor sensors utilize the change in the resistance value of the semiconductor due to the adsorption of odor molecules on the semiconductor surface and the surface reaction. Quartz crystal oscillator-type odor sensors utilize the fact that when odor molecules are adsorbed on the sensitive membrane, the mass of the sensitive membrane increases and the resonant frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator decreases.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for cleaning the air inside a vehicle cabin. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the 12 air outlets (Vd1 to Vd12) are installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, but are not limited to this.

[0041] S103: The control unit 25 determines whether the measured odor intensity is within the threshold value α. If the odor intensity is within the threshold value α, the process proceeds to S108. If there is a seat block where the odor intensity exceeds the threshold value α, the process proceeds to S104.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of odor intensity criteria. Odor intensity is expressed in 0.5 intervals. The "Regulatory Standards at Property Boundaries (No. 1 Standards)" of the Offensive Odor Prevention Act stipulates that the specific standard values ​​(numerical values) are within the range of "2.5 to 3.5" on a six-level odor intensity scale shown in FIG. 5. For example, in this disclosure, the odor intensity threshold value α is set to 3 based on this criteria. However, the odor intensity criteria and threshold value α are not limited to these, and any criteria may be used.

[0043] S104: When a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds threshold value α, control unit 25 directs each of the multiple air outlets of air conditioner 23A toward the first seat block.

[0044] In the present disclosure, the vehicle 10 is assumed to be equipped with one air conditioner 23A and twelve air outlets Vdi. However, the number of air conditioners 23A is not limited to one, and multiple air conditioners 23A may be installed. The control unit 25 is assumed to be capable of independently controlling the direction and air speed of each of the multiple air outlets Vdi of the air conditioner 23A.

[0045] S105: The control unit 25 uses the air conditioner 23A installed in the vehicle interior to blow air.

[0046] As shown in the example of Figure 4, seat block Sb4 is the first seat block where the measured odor intensity exceeds threshold value α. In this case, control unit 25 controls the direction of each air outlet of air conditioner 23A to blow air toward seat block Sb4 (first seat block). Control unit 25 may adjust the air speed from each air outlet to a predetermined speed that does not cause discomfort to users of vehicle 10.

[0047] S106: Control unit 25 determines whether the odor intensity in the first seat block has decreased to a value equal to or less than threshold value α as a result of using air conditioner 23A to blow air in the direction of the first seat block. If the odor intensity has decreased to a value equal to or less than threshold value α, proceed to S108; if the odor intensity exceeds threshold value α, proceed to S107.

[0048] S107: The control unit 25 causes the aroma diffuser 23B4 installed in the first seat block to diffuse air with a predetermined scent.

[0049] Aromas (essential oils) are 100% natural fragrance components extracted from plant leaves, flowers, peels, resins, roots, etc. Some aroma components have deodorizing, antibacterial, germicidal, and insect-repellent properties. Aroma diffuser 23B is a device that diffuses aromas into a space. There are various methods for diffusing aromas, including ultrasonic, heating, vaporization, and spraying. As shown in FIG. 4, aroma diffuser 23Bi is provided in each of multiple seat blocks. The aroma diffuser 23Bi may be installed on the ceiling, but is not limited to this location. As shown in FIG. 4, if seat block Sb4 is the first seat block exhibiting a measured odor intensity value exceeding threshold α, control unit 25 diffuses air with a predetermined scent from aroma diffuser 23B4 installed in seat block Sb4.

[0050] As described above, the user information of the user 3 riding in the vehicle 10 includes a preferred aroma. Typical aromas include floral (e.g., lavender, geranium, chamomile, neroli, rose), citrus (e.g., sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, lemongrass, melissa), and herbal (e.g., tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, clary sage, sweet marjoram). The predetermined aroma is a aroma that is preferred by a predetermined percentage of the users 3 riding in the vehicle 10 and is selected from the user information of the users 3 riding in the vehicle 10 (e.g., may be selected for each aroma type, such as floral, citrus, or herbal). The predetermined aroma may also be a common aroma (e.g., floral, citrus, or herbal) registered in the user information of the users 3 who have reserved seats in seat block Sb4 (first seat block).

[0051] By diffusing air with a specific scent from the aroma diffuser 23Bi, it is expected that the discomfort felt by the user 3 due to a strong odor generated in the vehicle cabin will be alleviated.

[0052] S108: The control unit 25 determines whether the vehicle 10 has arrived at the destination. If the vehicle 10 has arrived at the destination, the information processing ends, and if the vehicle 10 has not arrived, the process returns to S102 and the information processing continues.

[0053] As described above, the air purifying device 20 of this embodiment measures the odor intensity of each seat block using odor sensors 22A arranged in each seat block in a vehicle interior where the seat positions are divided into multiple seat blocks, and when a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold value, the air purifying device 20 directs each of the multiple air outlets of the air conditioner 23A toward the first seat block to blow air.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, when odor sensor 22A installed in the vehicle cabin measures an odor intensity exceeding threshold value α in a seat block in the vehicle cabin, air conditioner 23A blows air in the direction of that seat block. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate or alleviate strong odors in the vehicle cabin by adjusting the air direction of air conditioner 23A. This improves the technology for cleaning odors detected in the vehicle cabin, increasing the likelihood of reducing the cost of having vehicle 10 cleaned at a cleaning center.

[0055] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0056] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the air purifying device 20 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the air purifying device 20 are provided in the vehicle 10 may be possible. For example, an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle 10 may include some or all of the components of the air purifying device 20.

[0057] Also, an embodiment is possible in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the air purifying device 20 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the air purifying device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0058] As an example, the air purification device 20 may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service), which is a service that utilizes mobility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 System 2 Network 3 User 10 vehicles 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 20 Air Purifier 21 Communications Department 22 Input section 22A Odor Sensor 23 Output section 23A Air Conditioner 23B Aroma Diffuser 24 Memory section 25 Control Unit 30 servers 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit

Claims

1. An air conditioner installed in the vehicle's cabin; An air purifying device having a control unit that blows air using the air conditioner, The control unit measures the odor intensity of each seat block using odor sensors arranged in each seat block within the vehicle interior, where the seat positions are divided into multiple seat blocks, and when a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold value, the control unit directs each of the air conditioner's multiple air outlets toward the first seat block to blow air.

2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, The control unit independently controls the direction and air speed of each of the air outlets of the air conditioner.

3. The air purifying device according to claim 1, Each of the plurality of seat blocks further includes an aroma diffuser; The control unit is an air purifying device that, when the odor intensity in the first seat block does not decrease to a value below the threshold as a result of using the air conditioner to blow air in the direction of the first seat block, diffuses air with a predetermined scent from the aroma diffuser installed in the first seat block.

4. The air purifying device according to claim 3, The predetermined scent is a scent that is preferred by a predetermined percentage of users among a plurality of users riding in the vehicle, selected from user information of the plurality of users.

5. With the air purifier, In a vehicle interior in which seat positions are divided into a plurality of seat blocks, measuring the odor intensity of each seat block by an odor sensor disposed in each seat block; When a first seat block is detected in which the measured odor intensity exceeds a threshold value, directing each of a plurality of air outlets of the air conditioner toward the first seat block to blow air. To perform the air purification method.

6. A method for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using the assistance device according to claim 1.

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