Device for grading eco affinity indoor air quality of vehicle and method thereof

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading device comprises at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor detects the concentration of each of a plurality of preset pollutants inside a vehicle, calculates an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of preset pollutants, and determines the indoor air quality eco-friendliness grade of the vehicle based on the calculated exposure index.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an automobile interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device and an automobile interior air quality eco-friendliness grading method. Background Technology

[0002] As modern people spend more than 80% of their day in indoor environments, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is classified as one of the important public health factors in terms of the health risks to occupants. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 3.8 million people die each year due to indoor air pollution.

[0003] According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Statistics Nuri and Big Data Platform, the number of registered automobiles in Korea has steadily increased by 2–3% annually since 2013, and the total number of registered vehicles was reported to be 25,461,361 as of November 2022. This indicates that there are 0.49 vehicles per person relative to the total domestic population (51,450,829). As automobiles have established themselves as a primary means of transportation for modern people, social interest regarding indoor air quality is extending to the interior environment of vehicles, which are used as an important means of mobility in our daily lives.

[0004] Indoor air pollution in automobiles can be broadly classified into factors caused by various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the interior materials of newly manufactured vehicles, various pollution caused by vehicle users, automobile exhaust gases, and the infiltration of surrounding air pollutants due to the atmospheric environment and traffic conditions around the road during operation. Prior art literature

[0005] Republic of Korea Published Patent Application No. 10-2024-0070375 (Published May 21, 2024) The problem to be solved

[0006] According to one embodiment, an environmental friendliness grading device for an automobile interior air quality and a method for grading an automobile interior air quality can be provided, which can calculate an exposure index based on the concentration of each of a plurality of detected preset pollutants.

[0007] In addition, according to another embodiment, an automobile indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading device and an automobile indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading method can be provided, which can determine the grade of automobile indoor air quality eco-friendliness based on an exposure index. means of solving the problem

[0008] According to one embodiment, an indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading device comprises at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor detects the concentration of each of a plurality of preset pollutants inside a vehicle, calculates an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of preset pollutants, and determines the indoor air quality eco-friendliness grade of the vehicle based on the calculated exposure index.

[0009] In addition, the above-mentioned preset pollutants may be toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, ultrafine dust (PM2.5), or nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

[0010] In addition, the at least one processor can calculate a reference value for each of the preset plurality of pollutants and calculate the exposure index based on the calculated reference value and the concentration for each of the preset plurality of pollutants.

[0011] In addition, the above at least one processor can classify the calculated exposure index based on a preset exposure index range and determine the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality based on the classified exposure index.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the method includes the steps of: detecting the concentration of each of a plurality of preset pollutants inside a vehicle; calculating an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of preset pollutants; and determining the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality based on the calculated exposure index.

[0013] In addition, the above-mentioned preset pollutants may be toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, ultrafine dust (PM2.5), or nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

[0014] Additionally, the step of calculating the exposure index may include: a step of calculating a reference value for each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants; and a step of calculating the exposure index based on the calculated reference value and the concentration for each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants.

[0015] Additionally, the step of determining the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality may include: a step of classifying the calculated exposure index based on a preset exposure index range; and a step of determining the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality based on the classified exposure index. Effects of the invention

[0016] According to one embodiment, there is an effect of being able to calculate an exposure index based on the concentration of each of a plurality of detected preset contaminants.

[0017] In addition, it has the effect of determining the grade of environmental friendliness of the vehicle's indoor air quality based on the exposure index. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an environmental friendliness grading device for indoor air quality of an automobile according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for grading the environmental friendliness of indoor air quality in a vehicle according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments disclosed herein are provided merely for the purpose of explaining the embodiments, and the embodiments may be implemented in various forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0020] Since embodiments may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments to specific disclosed forms, and includes all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

[0021] Terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. For the sole purpose of distinguishing one component from another, for example, without departing from the scope of rights according to the embodiments, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0022] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0023] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should not be understood as precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0026] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0027] In the following description, identical identifiers denote identical configurations, and unnecessary redundant explanations and descriptions of known technologies will be omitted.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an environmental friendliness grading device for indoor air quality of an automobile according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, an automotive indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading device (100) according to one embodiment includes a processor (110), an input / output interface module (120), and a memory (130).

[0031] The processor (110), input / output interface module (120), and memory (130) constituting the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device (100) are interconnected and can transmit data to each other.

[0032] The processor (110) can execute programs or instructions stored in memory (130). At this time, an operation program (e.g., OS) for operating the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device (100) may be stored in memory (130).

[0033] The processor (110) can run a program to manage information about the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating device (100).

[0034] The processor (110) can execute a program to manage the operation of the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating device (100).

[0035] The processor (110) can execute a program to manage the operation of the input / output interface module (120).

[0036] The processor (110) can obtain the concentration of each of the multiple pre-set pollutants detected by a sensor installed inside the vehicle through the input / output interface module (120). Here, the multiple pre-set pollutants may be a plurality of pollutants generated inside the vehicle, such as toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile or dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, or a plurality of pollutants introduced from outside the vehicle, such as ultrafine dust (PM2.5) or nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but the multiple pre-set pollutants are not limited to these.

[0037] The processor (110) can calculate an exposure index based on the concentration of each of the detected preset contaminants.

[0038] The processor (110) can calculate a reference value for each of the preset multiple contaminants using the following [Equation 1].

[0039]

[0040] Here, T represents the reference value (mg / m3) considering exposure and risk to automobile users, RfD represents the reference value for inhalation toxicity of the pollutant (mg / kg / day), BW represents body weight (kg), AT represents the average exposure period (day), IR represents the respiration rate (m3 / day), EF represents the exposure frequency (day / year), ED represents the exposure period (year), and ET represents the exposure time (day).

[0041] The reference value calculated by the processor (110) using [Mathematical Formula 1] is as shown in the following [Table 1].

[0042]

[0043] The processor (110) can calculate an exposure index based on a determined reference value and the concentration of each of the preset contaminants obtained through the input / output interface module (120).

[0044] The processor (110) can calculate an exposure index based on a reference value determined using the following [Equation 2] and the concentration of each of the multiple pre-set pollutants.

[0045]

[0046] Here, is the exposure index, C is the measured concentration of the pollutant (mg / m3), and T is the standard value of the pollutant (mg / m3) presented in [Table 1].

[0047] The processor (110) can classify the exposure index calculated based on a preset exposure index range. Here, the preset exposure index range may be less than 0.2, 0.2 - 0.5, 0.5 - 1.0, 1.0 - 1.5, or 1.5 or greater, but the preset exposure index range is not limited to these.

[0048] The processor (110) can compare the calculated exposure index with a preset exposure index range and determine the exposure index range corresponding to the exposure index.

[0049] The processor (110) can classify the exposure index into one of the preset exposure index ranges based on the determined exposure index range.

[0050] The processor (110) can determine the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality based on the classified exposure index. Here, the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality may be Very Good (less than 0.2), Good (0.2 - 0.5), Moderate (0.5 - 1.0), Bad (1.0 - 1.5), or Very Bad (1.5 or more), but the environmental friendliness grade of the vehicle's indoor air quality is not limited to these.

[0051] The processor (110) can output the environmental friendliness rating of the vehicle's indoor air quality determined through the input / output interface module (120).

[0052] The input / output interface module (120) can be communicated to an external device (e.g., a pollutant concentration data storage server) through a network.

[0053] The input / output interface module (120) can transmit data to an external device (e.g., a pollutant concentration data storage server, etc.) through a network.

[0054] The input / output interface module (120) can receive data transmitted by an external device (e.g., a pollutant concentration data storage server, USB, HDD, SSD, etc.) through a network.

[0055] The input / output interface module (120) can output a reference value calculated by the processor (110).

[0056] The input / output interface module (120) can output the exposure index calculated by the processor (110).

[0057] The input / output interface module (120) can output the car interior air quality eco-friendliness rating determined by the processor (110).

[0058] The input / output interface module (120) can obtain user input.

[0059] The input / output interface module (120) can be provided as an integral part of the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating device (100).

[0060] The input / output interface module (120) can be provided separately from the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device (100).

[0061] The input / output interface module (120) may be a separate device that is communicationally connected to the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device (100).

[0062] The input / output interface module (120) may include a port (e.g., a USB port) for connecting to an external device.

[0063] The input / output interface module (120) may include a monitor, touchscreen, mouse, electronic pen, microphone, keyboard, speaker, earphones, headphones, or touchpad.

[0064] The memory (130) can store data received by the input / output interface module (120).

[0065] The memory (130) can store user input obtained by the input / output interface module (120).

[0066] The memory (130) can store data transmitted by the input / output interface module (120).

[0067] The memory (130) can store a reference value calculated by the processor (110).

[0068] The memory (130) can store the exposure index calculated by the processor (110).

[0069] The memory (130) can store the car interior air quality eco-friendliness rating determined by the processor (110).

[0070] It is obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that the term 'device or module' used herein refers to a logical constituent unit and is not necessarily a physically distinct component.

[0071] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for grading the environmental friendliness of indoor air quality in a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, a method for grading the environmental friendliness of an indoor air quality of a vehicle according to one embodiment includes the steps of: a vehicle indoor air quality grading device detecting the concentration of each of a plurality of pre-set pollutants inside the vehicle (S200); a vehicle indoor air quality grading device calculating an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants (S210); and a vehicle indoor air quality grading device determining the environmental friendliness grade of the indoor air quality of the vehicle based on the calculated exposure index (S220).

[0073] In step S200, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can obtain the concentration for each of a plurality of preset pollutants detected by a sensor installed inside the vehicle. Here, the plurality of preset pollutants may be a plurality of pollutants generated inside the vehicle, such as toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile or dichloromethane, and tetrachloroethylene, or pollutants introduced from outside the vehicle, such as ultrafine dust (PM2.5) or nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but the plurality of preset pollutants are not limited to these.

[0074] In step S200, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can calculate an exposure index based on the concentration of each of the detected preset pollutants.

[0075] In step S200, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can calculate a reference value for each of a plurality of preset pollutants using the following [Equation 3].

[0076]

[0077] Here, T represents the reference value (mg / m3) considering exposure and risk to automobile users, RfD represents the reference value for inhalation toxicity of the pollutant (mg / kg / day), BW represents body weight (kg), AT represents the average exposure period (day), IR represents the respiration rate (m3 / day), EF represents the exposure frequency (day / year), ED represents the exposure period (year), and ET represents the exposure time (day).

[0078] In step S210, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can calculate an exposure index based on a determined standard value and the concentration for each of a plurality of preset pollutants.

[0079] In step S210, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can calculate an exposure index based on a reference value determined using the following [Equation 4] and the concentration of each of the preset pollutants.

[0080]

[0081] Here, is the exposure index, C is the measured concentration of the pollutant (mg / m3), and T is the standard value of the pollutant (mg / m3) presented in [Table 1].

[0082] In step S220, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can classify an exposure index calculated based on a preset exposure index range. Here, the preset exposure index range may be less than 0.2, 0.2 - 0.5, 0.5 - 1.0, 1.0 - 1.5, or 1.5 or greater, but the preset exposure index range is not limited to these.

[0083] In step S220, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device compares the calculated exposure index with a preset exposure index range and can determine the exposure index range to which the exposure index corresponds.

[0084] In step S220, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device can classify the exposure index into one of the preset exposure index ranges based on the determined exposure index range.

[0085] In step S220, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating device can determine the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating based on the classified exposure index. Here, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating may be Very Good (less than 0.2), Good (0.2 - 0.5), Moderate (0.5 - 1.0), Bad (1.0 - 1.5), or Very Bad (1.5 or higher), but the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating is not limited to these.

[0086] In step S220, the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating device can output the determined vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness rating.

[0087] In the foregoing, although it has been described that all components constituting the embodiments are combined or operate as a single unit, this does not necessarily mean that the embodiments are limited to this. That is, within the scope of the purposes of these embodiments, all components may be selectively combined and operate as at least one unit.

[0088] In addition, while all such components may each be implemented as a single independent piece of hardware, some or all of the components may be optionally combined to be implemented as a computer program having a program module that performs some or all of the combined functions on one or more pieces of hardware. The codes and code segments constituting the computer program will be readily deducible by those skilled in the art of the present invention.

[0089] An embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by storing such a computer program on a computer-readable storage medium and reading and executing it by a computer. The storage medium for the computer program may include a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc.

[0090] Furthermore, terms such as "include," "constitute," or "have" as described above, unless specifically stated otherwise, imply that the relevant component may be inherent; therefore, they should be interpreted as allowing for the inclusion of additional components rather than excluding them.

[0091] All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in advance, should be interpreted as consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this invention.

[0092] The methods disclosed in the present invention include one or more operations or steps for achieving the methods described above. Method operations and / or steps may be interchangeable without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of operations or steps is specified, the order and / or use of specific operations and / or steps may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0093] As used in the present invention, the phrase referring to “at least one of the” in a list of items refers to any combination of these items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to include a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiple of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc or any other ordered combination of a, b, and c).

[0094] As used in the present invention, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of operations. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or other data structure), verifying, etc. Additionally, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (accessing data in memory), etc. Furthermore, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0095] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0096] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of this invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0097] 100... Vehicle Interior Air Quality Eco-friendliness Grading Device

Claims

Claim 1 An indoor air quality eco-friendliness grading device comprises at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor detects the concentration of each of a plurality of pre-set pollutants inside a vehicle, calculates an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants, and determines the indoor air quality eco-friendliness grade of the vehicle based on the calculated exposure index, wherein the at least one processor calculates a reference value for each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants using the following [mathematical formula], and [mathematical formula] Here, T represents the reference value considering vehicle user exposure and risk (mg / m3), RfD represents the reference value for inhalation toxicity of the pollutant (mg / kg / day), BW represents body weight (kg), AT represents the average exposure duration (day), IR represents the respiration rate (m3 / day), EF represents the exposure frequency (day / year), ED represents the exposure duration (year), and ET represents the exposure time (day). Calculating the exposure index based on the determined reference value and the concentrations for each of the multiple pre-set pollutants using the following [Mathematical Formula], [Mathematical Formula] Here, represents the exposure index, C represents the measured concentration of the pollutant (mg / m3), and T represents the standard value (mg / m3) for each of the above-preset plurality of pollutants. Vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device. Claim 2 An automotive interior air quality eco-friendliness grading device according to claim 1, wherein the preset plurality of pollutants are toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, ultrafine dust (PM2.5), or nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the at least one processor classifies the calculated exposure index based on a preset exposure index range and determines the vehicle interior air quality eco-friendliness grade based on the classified exposure index. Claim 5 A method for classifying the environmental friendliness of an automobile interior air quality, performed in an automobile interior air quality eco-friendliness classifying device comprising at least one processor, comprising: a step of detecting the concentration of each of a plurality of pre-set pollutants inside the automobile; a step of calculating an exposure index based on the detected concentration of each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants; and a step of determining the automobile interior air quality eco-friendliness class based on the calculated exposure index, wherein the at least one processor calculates a reference value for each of the plurality of pre-set pollutants using the following [mathematical formula], and [mathematical formula] Here, T represents the reference value considering vehicle user exposure and risk (mg / m3), RfD represents the reference value for inhalation toxicity of the pollutant (mg / kg / day), BW represents body weight (kg), AT represents the average exposure period (day), IR represents the respiration rate (m3 / day), EF represents the exposure frequency (day / year), ED represents the exposure period (year), and ET represents the exposure time (day). Calculating the exposure index based on the determined reference value and the concentrations for each of the multiple pre-set pollutants using the following [Mathematical Formula], [Mathematical Formula] Here, represents the exposure index, C represents the measured concentration of the pollutant (mg / m3), and T represents the standard value (mg / m3) for each of the aforementioned preset multiple pollutants. Method for grading the environmental friendliness of indoor air quality in automobiles. Claim 6 A method for classifying the environmental friendliness of indoor air quality in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the above-mentioned plurality of pre-set pollutants are toluene, acetaldehyde, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, propionaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acrylonitrile, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, ultrafine dust (PM2.5), or nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A method for classifying the environmental friendliness of an automobile's indoor air quality according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining the environmental friendliness grade of the automobile's indoor air quality comprises: a step of classifying the calculated exposure index based on a preset exposure index range; and a step of determining the environmental friendliness grade of the automobile's indoor air quality based on the classified exposure index. Claim 9 A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method of paragraph 5 is recorded.

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