FR3105105A1 - Air quality measurement and information device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for measuring and informing the quality of the air (1), in particular of a motor vehicle interior, comprising: At least one sensor for detecting particulate matter (5a), the sensor being configured to measure a value of the level of particulate matter, At least one carbon dioxide detection sensor (5b), the sensor being configured to measure a value of the level of carbon dioxide, At least one quality indicating device air (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one energy storage element (6).

Description

Air quality measurement and information device

The invention relates to a device for measuring and informing the quality of the air, in particular of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Air quality is an essential parameter to ensure a good quality of life. Knowledge of the health effects of ambient air pollution by a large number of pollutants has been well established for many years. It has been shown that, in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the air can be up to four times more polluted compared to atmospheric air.

To purify the air in a passenger compartment, it is known to install therein a device for purifying the air in this passenger compartment comprising, for example, a filter. The air purification device is likely to be integrated into a ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation. Such an air purifying device may, however, not be sufficient. In fact, users of motor vehicles are not always aware of the need to regularly change the filter of such an air purification device, thus causing it to clog and reduce its efficiency.

It is also known to integrate into the passenger compartment of the vehicle an autonomous air purification device, capable of being installed anywhere in the passenger compartment. However, its user does not always know when it is necessary to activate it because he is not aware of the air quality in his cabin. Thus, the triggering may be late, the air purification device is then triggered when the air in the passenger compartment is already very polluted, or may be too early, which increases the wear of the air purification device. 'air.

In this context, the invention aims to propose a device for measuring and informing air quality in real time which is self-sufficient in compact energy and easily installable in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

• Au moins un capteur de détection de matière particulaire, ledit capteur étant configuré pour mesurer une valeur du taux de matière particulaire,
• Au moins un capteur de détection de dioxyde de carbone, ledit capteur étant configuré pour mesurer une valeur du taux de dioxyde de carbone,
• Au moins un dispositif d’indication de la qualité de l’air, et
• Au moins un élément de stockage d’énergie.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for measuring and informing the quality of the air, in particular of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• At least one particulate matter detection sensor, said sensor being configured to measure a value of the particulate matter rate,
• At least one carbon dioxide detection sensor, said sensor being configured to measure a value of the carbon dioxide level,
• At least one air quality indicating device, and
• At least one energy storage element.

Thus, the device according to the invention is autonomous in energy and it is not necessary to connect it continuously to a source of energy for it to operate. In addition, it can be placed anywhere during operation since it does not need to be continuously connected to a power source, for example, via a cable.

In a particular aspect according to the invention, the air quality indication device is a luminous indication device.

In another aspect according to the invention, the air quality measurement and information device comprises a gas detection sensor based on metal oxide (MOX sensor), said sensor being configured to measure a value of a gas level.

In the remainder of the description, the molecules and/or particles capable of being detected by the sensors will be referred to either by their name (for example “particulate matter”, or “carbon dioxide” or “gas”) or by the term “pollutants”.

In another aspect according to the invention, said device comprises at least one wireless transceiver module configured to send air quality measurement information to a remote server.

• au moins un module d’analyse configuré pour comparer au moins une valeur mesurée par au moins l’un des capteurs de détection susmentionnés, à une valeur seuil,
• au moins un module de traitement configuré pour :
  • élaborer et transmettre au moins une instruction de commande au dispositif d’indication de la qualité de l’air en fonction de la valeur mesurée, et
  • élaborer et transmettre au moins une instruction de commande au serveur distant via le module d’émission-réception sans fil en fonction de la valeur mesurée.

In another aspect according to the invention, said device comprises a processor comprising:

• at least one analysis module configured to compare at least one value measured by at least one of the aforementioned detection sensors, with a threshold value,
• at least one processing module configured for:
  • developing and transmitting at least one control instruction to the air quality indicating device based on the measured value, and
  • developing and transmitting at least one control instruction to the remote server via the wireless transceiver module according to the measured value.

According to one aspect of the invention, the air quality measurement and information device comprises at least one means for charging the energy storage element.

In another aspect according to the invention, said device comprises a solar collector.

In another aspect according to the invention, said device comprises a fixing system.

In a particular embodiment, the air quality measurement and information device comprises a geolocation system.

• Un boitier à l’intérieur duquel sont logés les capteurs de détection, ledit boitier comprenant au moins une paroi latérale et une paroi de fond contiguë à ladite paroi latérale,
• Au moins un passage d’air situé sur la paroi latérale dudit boitier, ledit passage d’air étant configuré pour mettre en communication aéraulique le flux d’air entrant ou sortant du boitier avec lesdits capteurs de détection susmentionnés.

In one aspect according to the invention, said device comprises:

• A box inside which the detection sensors are housed, said box comprising at least one side wall and a bottom wall contiguous to said side wall,
• At least one air passage located on the side wall of said box, said air passage being configured to place the flow of air entering or leaving the box in air communication with said aforementioned detection sensors.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

There FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an air quality measurement and information device according to the invention.

There Figure 2 is a top view of an air quality measurement and information device, in particular an air quality indication device according to a particular embodiment (A) – Low Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide, (B) – Medium Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide, (C) – High Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide.

There FIG. 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of an air quality measurement and information device, according to a particular embodiment in which the device comprises a recess capable of receiving a part complementary to this recess.

There FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the front passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular of the front window of a vehicle, equipped with a device for measuring and informing the quality of the air.

In these figures, substantially identical elements bear the same references.

• un capteur de matières particulaires 5a, configuré pour mesurer une valeur du taux de matières particulaires contenu dans un flux d’air traversant le dispositif de mesure et d’information de la qualité de l’air 1
• un capteur de dioxyde de carbone 5b, configuré pour mesurer une valeur du taux de dioxyde de carbone contenu dans un flux d’air traversant le dispositif de mesure et d’information de la qualité de l’air 1
• un dispositif d’indication de la qualité de l’air 3,
• un élément de stockage d’énergie, ici une batterie 6.

FIG. 1 represents a device for measuring and informing the air quality 1 of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising:

• a particulate matter sensor 5a, configured to measure a value of the rate of particulate matter contained in an air flow passing through the air quality measurement and information device 1
• a carbon dioxide sensor 5b, configured to measure a value of the level of carbon dioxide contained in an air flow passing through the air quality measurement and information device 1
• an air quality indicator device 3,
• an energy storage element, here a battery 6.

The flow of air passing through the air quality measurement and information device 1 is preferably a flow of air coming from or taken from a motor vehicle interior in which the air quality measurement and information device air quality 1 is disposed.

The particulate matter sensor 5a is here chosen from among a particulate matter detection sensor having a diameter less than 10 μm, a diameter less than 2.5 μm and/or a diameter less than 1 μm.

Such an air quality measurement and information device 1 can comprise other sensors, in particular a gas detection sensor based on metal oxide (MOX sensor), the sensor being configured to measure a value a gas level (not shown here). Such a sensor measures at least one gas selected from sodium monoxide, sodium dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide.

Such a device can also comprise a sensor for detecting a volatile organic compound (VOC), said sensor being configured to measure a value of a VOC level (not shown here).

The measuring and information device 1 can generally also comprise a device for measuring the hygrometry rate and/or a temperature measuring device (not shown here).

The air quality indicating device 3 is here a light indicating device, configured to indicate a state of air pollution to the user. More particularly, the indication device 3 comprises a light device configured to emit a light beam, the configuration of which changes according to a change in the quality of the air in the passenger compartment. Such an air quality indication device 3 makes it possible to inform the user in real time in a simple and rapid visual manner by a light signal, intuitive and aesthetic, to warn him of a deterioration in the quality of ambient air or reassure him about the good quality of the air he breathes.

The measurement and information device 1 comprises a means for charging the battery 6. The means for charging the battery 6 is, here, a solar collector 7. Thus, in this embodiment, the device for measurement and air quality information 1 operates completely independently.

In a particular embodiment, the solar sensor 7 can also have the function of measuring the rate of sunshine. Indeed, the rate of sunshine has an influence on the release of volatile organic compounds. Thus, the rate of sunshine provides additional information on air quality. Finally, measuring the level of sunshine also makes it possible to detect whether the vehicle is in a closed place, such as a car park or a tunnel, which are particularly polluted places.

In a particular embodiment, the function of the solar sensor 7 is to adjust the intensity of the light beam emitted by the air quality indicator device 3 as a function of the exterior luminosity, so as to limit the electricity consumption and to avoid visual discomfort for the user, and in particular the driver.

In another embodiment, the air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises a USB type connector (for "Universal Serial Bus" or even "Universal Serial Bus" in French) to ensure a connection physical to an external device as a charging medium (not shown here). Thus, when the battery 6 is discharged, it can be recharged by connecting, via the USB type connector, said air quality measurement and information device 1 to a peripheral such as, for example, a lighter socket motor vehicle cigar.

This connector can also be used to connect the air quality measurement and information device 1 to a mobile computing device such as a telephone, an electronic tablet, or even a "smart telephone" (known by its English name "Smartphone" in everyday language), for example so that measured data is transmitted to the computing device.

In a variant of the invention, the air quality measurement and information air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises means for indicating the charge level of the battery of said device. This charge level indicating means is for example a light beam, of a color and/or of a shape different from that of the light beams emitted by the air quality indicator device, which flashes when the battery charge level is low. The user is thus informed in a simple manner when he must charge the battery of the air quality measurement and information device 1 for it to operate.

In a particular embodiment, the air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises an activation means. In one embodiment, the activation means is a manual activation means. This manual activation means can be a physical control button located on an external wall of said device 1, or a software application executed on a mobile computing device as described above.

In another embodiment, said activation means is an automatic activation means. This automatic activation means is activated by means of a processor included in an electronic circuit 4, itself included in said air purification device 1.

The air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises an electronic circuit 4 comprising a wireless transceiver module configured to send air quality measurement information to a remote server, in particular to a mobile computing device such as a telephone, an electronic tablet, or even a mobile telephone equipped with advanced functionalities which are similar to those of a computer called a "smart telephone" (known by its English name "Smartphone" in the current), or to an air purification device also comprising a wireless transceiver module configured to receive air quality measurement information.

This module is here a radio wave transmission-reception module, in particular of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi type.

• un module d’analyse configuré pour comparer la valeur du taux de matières particulaires mesurée par le capteur 5a et la valeur du taux de dioxyde de carbone mesurée par le capteur 5b avec respectivement une valeur seuil du taux de matières particulaires et une valeur seuil du taux de dioxyde de carbone,
• au moins un module de traitement configuré pour :
  • élaborer et transmettre au moins une instruction de commande au dispositif d’indication de la qualité de l’air 3 en fonction des valeurs mesurées, et
  • élaborer et transmettre au moins une instruction de commande au serveur distant via le module d’émission-réception sans fil en fonction des valeurs mesurées.

The electronic circuit 4 also comprises a processor comprising:

• an analysis module configured to compare the value of the particulate matter rate measured by the sensor 5a and the value of the carbon dioxide rate measured by the sensor 5b with respectively a threshold value of the particulate matter rate and a threshold value of the rate carbon dioxide,
• at least one processing module configured for:
  • generating and transmitting at least one control instruction to the air quality indicating device 3 as a function of the measured values, and
  • developing and transmitting at least one control instruction to the remote server via the wireless transceiver module according to the measured values.

The threshold values here correspond to the values of the atmospheric particulate matter and carbon dioxide levels, for example measured by particulate matter and carbon dioxide detection sensors located outside the vehicle. The quality of the air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is therefore compared to the quality of the atmospheric air, the user can thus adapt his behavior according to the indications he receives (for example, open a window when he to the indication that the air in the passenger compartment is more polluted than the atmospheric air).

In another embodiment, the threshold values can be predetermined.

These threshold values can be entered automatically or manually in the air quality measurement and information device 1.

In a particular embodiment, the threshold values are entered automatically according to the location data recorded via a geolocation system, in particular a "Global Positioning System", called in English "Global Positioning System" (commonly called GPS.

The analysis module of the processor compares the value of the particulate matter and carbon dioxide rate measured with the threshold values. If the measured value is higher than the threshold value, the air quality is poor, i.e. the air analyzed is too polluted. If the measured value is equal to the threshold value, the air quality is considered moderately good. If the measured value is below the threshold value, the air quality is considered good. In addition, it is possible to have intermediate thresholds representative of a gradual deterioration in air quality.

The processing module of the processor is configured to model a control instruction following a comparison made by the analysis module. Thus, the control instruction determines the characteristics of the light beam to be produced by the air quality indicating device 3, and in particular a shape and/or a light intensity and/or a particular color of the light beam in depending on the measured air quality value (for example: red for poor air quality, orange for moderately good air quality and green for good air quality) .

In a first implementation variant, the air quality indication device 3 is controlled via the processor so as to modify the color of the emitted light beam. When the air quality is good, that is to say when the level of pollutants measured in the air is below the threshold value, a first light beam of a first color, and for example of green color , is issued. When the air quality is moderately good, i.e. when the level of pollutants is equal to the threshold value, a second beam, of a second color and for example orange, is emitted. When the air quality is poor, that is to say the level of pollutants measured is greater than the threshold value, a third beam of a third color, for example red, is emitted (FIG. 2C) . The color of the light beam can thus change from red to orange then to green to indicate a high, then medium, then low level of pollutants.

According to a second implementation variant represented in FIG. 2, the air quality indication device 3 is controlled so as to modify the light intensity of the light beam. When the air quality is good, a first light beam of a first light intensity, of low intensity, is emitted (FIG. 2A), when the air quality is moderately good, a second light beam of a second light intensity, stronger than the previous one (FIG. 2B), is emitted. When the air quality is poor, a third light beam of a third light intensity stronger than the previous one (Figure 2C) is emitted.

In one embodiment, the processing module is also configured to generate and transmit at least one control instruction to a remote server via the wireless transceiver module according to the measured values. Thus, the processing module is for example able to send data concerning the quality of the air to the user's "Smartphone". The processing module may also be configured to generate and transmit at least one control instruction to a self-contained air purification device configured to receive a control instruction. For example, in the event of poor air quality, a control instruction transmitted to an air treatment module can be the start-up of said air treatment module, so as to purify the air in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The electronic circuit 4 also includes a geolocation system, for example of the GPS type. Thus, the location of the vehicle is recorded. In a particular embodiment, the geolocation system is included in a remote server to the air quality measurement and information device 1 connected to said air quality measurement and information device 1 by a radio wave transmission-reception module, in particular of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi type.

In this example, the air quality measurement and information device 1 is of circular cylindrical shape.

The air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises a box 8, said box comprising a side wall 8b which extends along a longitudinal axis X. The side wall 8b comprises a first 8a and a second 8c longitudinal ends distal from each other. The box also comprises, here, a bottom wall 8d contiguous to the side wall 8b, on which rests, in the embodiment described here, the sensors for detecting particulate matter 5a and detecting carbon dioxide 5b, the means load 6 and the electronic circuit 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the previously mentioned components are included/inserted in said box 8.

At least one air passage 9 is arranged on the side wall 8b of the box 8. This air passage 9 being configured to put the airflow in or out of the box 8 in air communication with the aforementioned detection sensors 5a and 5b. In other words, the air passage or passages 9 are arranged so that the air flow enters the box 8, comes into contact with the detection sensors 5a and 5b so that they can respectively measure the rate of particulate matter and carbon dioxide in the air, then exit the box through the air passage(s) 9.

It may be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two different air passages 9 are spaced apart at an angle of approximately 90° from each other on the side face 8b of the case 8 of the device for measuring and reporting air quality 1.

It may be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, two different air passages 9 are arranged facing each other on the side face 8b of the housing 8 of the measuring device. and air quality information 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the air passages are diametrically opposed.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the air passages 9 are made in the form of series of perforations of the side face 8b of the box 8 of the air quality measurement and information device 1.

In this example, the air quality indicator device 3 is positioned on the periphery of a cover 2 which closes the box 8 at its first longitudinal end 8a. In other words, the cover 2 forms a face of the box 8 of the air quality measurement and information device 1.

In another embodiment, the air quality indicating device can be arranged over the entire surface of the cover 2.

In this example, the solar panel 7 closes the box 8 at the level of the second longitudinal end 8b parallel to the bottom wall 8d of the box 8.

The air quality measurement and information device 1 comprises a fixing system 13 configured to fix the air quality measurement and information device 1 to a support, in particular to a front window of a motor vehicle (commonly referred to as a "windshield"). The front window of a vehicle is a ventilated area, which has natural convection along the glass. This allows the air to pass optimally through the air quality measurement and information device 1. As will be seen in more detail in FIG. 4, the fixing system 13 is configured to fix the device measurement and information of the quality of the air 1 to the support via, in this particular example, the solar sensor 7. Thus the beam of light emitted by the device for indicating the quality of the air 3 is directed towards the user, and the solar sensor 7 is directed towards the light coming from outside the passenger compartment which passes through the support on which the box is fixed, which allows it to function optimally.

FIG. 3 represents an exploded view of the air quality measurement and information device 1 comprising a recess 12 capable of receiving a part complementary to this recess by cowling, here a cover 10. This recess is located on the side wall 8 of the case of the air quality measurement and information device 1 and between two adjacent air passages 9. The cover 10 is inserted at the level of the first 8a or the second longitudinal end 8c of the case and is fixed there by inserting a tongue 11 complementary to the recess 12, included in the cover 10, in the recess 12. The user can thus personalize the air quality measurement and information device 1 by adding a cover 3 personalized with, for example, the name of his company.

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of part of a front passenger compartment of a vehicle, more particularly here of a front window of a motor vehicle comprising the device for measuring and informing the quality of the air 1.

The air quality measurement and information device comprises a fixing system 13. In this example, the air quality measurement and information device is fixed directly to a support 14, here the inside face of a front window of the motor vehicle, by a fixing system 13. In this example, the fixing system is an adhesive means. Said adhesive means is here a self-adhesive adhesive means arranged on the periphery of the solar collector. In a variant, the fastening system 13 is an adhesive. In a variant, the fixing system 13 is a suction cup.

In one embodiment, the air quality measurement and information device 1 is fixed to the inside face of a front window of a vehicle by means of a support arm. Said support arm is fixed by one of its ends to the support, here the inside face of a front window of a vehicle 14, and by another end, distal to the first, to the solar collector 7. Thus the light beam emitted by the air quality indicator device 3 is directed towards the user, and the solar sensor 7 is directed towards the light coming from outside the passenger compartment which passes through the support 14, here a window front of a vehicle, which allows it to operate optimally.

Claims (9)

Device for measuring and informing the quality of the air (1), in particular of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• At least one particulate matter detection sensor (5a), the sensor being configured to measure a particulate matter rate value,
• At least one carbon dioxide detection sensor (5b), the sensor being configured to measure a value of the carbon dioxide level,
• At least one air quality indicator device (3),

characterized in that it comprises at least one energy storage element (6). Air quality measuring and information device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air quality indicator device (3) is an air quality indicator device luminous. Air quality measurement and information device (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a gas detection sensor based on metal oxide, the sensor being configured to measure a value of a gas rate. Air quality measurement and information device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one wireless transceiver module configured to send quality measurement information air to a remote server. Air quality measurement and information device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a processor comprising:

• at least one analysis module configured to compare at least one value measured by at least one of the sensors (5a, 5b) according to the preceding claims, with a threshold value,
• at least one processing module configured for:
  • generating and transmitting at least one control command to the air quality indicating device (3) as a function of the measured value, and
  • developing and transmitting at least one control instruction to the remote server via the wireless transceiver module according to the measured value.

Air quality measurement and information device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one means for charging the energy storage element (6). Air quality measurement and information device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a solar collector, in particular a photovoltaic cell (7). Air quality measuring and information device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fixing system (13). Air quality measurement and information device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

• A box (8) inside which the detection sensors (5a, 5b) are housed, said box (8) comprising at least one side wall (8b) and a bottom wall (8d) contiguous to said side wall ( 8b),
• At least one air passage (9) located on the side wall (8b) of said box (8), said air passage (9) being configured to put the air flow into or out of the box ( 8) with said detection sensors (5a, 5b).