CN113498386B - Particle concentration detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A particle concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle is provided with: a housing member (21) that forms an air passage (24) through which air outside the vehicle cabin flows; a concentration detection unit (51) that detects the concentration of particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage; and a sensor housing (52) that houses the concentration detection unit. The sensor housing has: a sensor inlet (521) that introduces air outside the vehicle cabin from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet (522) that causes air inside the sensor housing to flow out from inside the sensor housing to the air passage. The sensor inflow port and the sensor outflow port are open to the air passage of the housing member, respectively.

Description

Particle concentration detection device

Cross-reference to related applications

The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2019-34424, filed on 27/2/2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a particle concentration detection apparatus for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air.

Background

Conventionally, there is an apparatus described in patent document 1. The device is provided with: a housing having an outer circulation air outlet and an inner circulation air outlet; and an air quality sensor for detecting the air quality, wherein the air quality sensor is arranged at the external air circulation air outlet of the shell.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: chinese utility model bulletin No. 207328048 specification

Disclosure of Invention

The device disclosed in patent document 1 does not clearly describe a specific method for detecting the air quality, and according to the study of the inventors of the present utility model, when the pressure of air outside the vehicle due to the vehicle running wind fluctuates, the detection accuracy of the sensor may fluctuate. The purpose of the present utility model is to suppress variations in the detection accuracy of a sensor due to variations in the pressure of air outside a vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present utility model, a particulate matter concentration detection device for detecting a concentration of particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle includes: a housing member forming an air passage through which air outside the vehicle flows; a concentration detection unit that detects a concentration of particulate matter contained in air outside the vehicle that flows through the air passage; and a sensor housing that houses the concentration detection section, the sensor housing having: a sensor inlet port that introduces air outside the vehicle from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet port that causes air in the sensor housing to flow out from the interior of the sensor housing to the air passage, the sensor inlet port and the sensor outlet port opening toward the air passage of the housing member, respectively.

According to the above configuration, since the sensor inlet and the sensor outlet are opened to the air passage of the housing member, respectively, the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor inlet and the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor outlet cancel each other, and thus, variations in detection accuracy due to pressure fluctuation of the air outside the vehicle cabin can be suppressed.

Further, reference numerals with brackets for the respective components and the like denote examples of correspondence between the components and the like and specific components and the like described in the embodiments described below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external view of a blower unit of a vehicle air conditioner provided with a particle concentration detection device according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner for a vehicle provided with the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an external view of an inside-outside air switching door of a vehicle air conditioner provided with the particle concentration detecting device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the particle concentration detection apparatus of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a V-direction view in fig. 4, and is a view showing a state in which the sensor housing is inclined toward the front side.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the particle concentration detection apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the particle concentration detection apparatus of the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a particle concentration detection apparatus of a third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a particle concentration detection apparatus of a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a particle concentration detection apparatus of a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a particle concentration detection apparatus of a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a particle concentration detection apparatus of a seventh embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(first embodiment)

The particle concentration detection apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. As shown in fig. 1, the particulate matter concentration detection device has a PM sensor 50 and is disposed in a blower unit of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 that performs air conditioning of a vehicle. The particle concentration detection device of the present embodiment detects the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle room that is introduced into the air conditioning case 21 of the vehicle air conditioning device 1 by the operation of the blower 23, that is, detects the dust concentration. The air conditioning case 21 corresponds to a case member.

As shown in fig. 2, the vehicle air conditioner 1 includes an air conditioner unit 2 and an air conditioner control device 40. The air conditioning unit 2 is a vehicle air conditioning unit that is installed in a vehicle interior and that performs air conditioning in the vehicle interior. For example, the air conditioning unit 2 is provided in an instrument panel disposed in the vehicle interior on the vehicle front side.

The air conditioning unit 2 includes: the air conditioning case 21, the inside-outside air switching door 22, the blower 23, the evaporator 26, the heater core 27, the air mix door 28, the air filter 30, the blow-out opening sections 254, 255, 256, and the like.

The air conditioning case 21 is formed of a resin having a certain degree of elasticity and also excellent in strength. As the resin forming the air conditioning case 21, polypropylene, for example, can be cited. The air conditioning case 21 constitutes a casing of the air conditioning unit 2, and an air passage 24 through which air blown into the vehicle interior flows is formed inside the air conditioning case 21. The air conditioning case 21 further includes, on the upstream side in the air flow direction of the air passage 24: an internal air inlet 241 for introducing internal air from a predetermined portion in the vehicle interior to the air passage 24; and an outside air inlet 242 for introducing outside air from outside the vehicle to the air passage 24. Here, the inside air refers to air inside the vehicle cabin, and the outside air refers to air outside the vehicle cabin.

The air conditioning case 21 has a plurality of blow-out openings 251, 252, 253 on the downstream side in the air flow direction of the air passage 24 for blowing air from the air passage 24 to the front seat area in the vehicle interior. The plurality of air outlet openings 251, 252, 253 include a face air outlet opening 251, a foot air outlet opening 252, and a defroster air outlet opening 253.

The face blowout opening 251 blows out the conditioned air toward the upper body of the occupant seated in the front seat. The foot blowout opening 252 blows the air-conditioned air toward the feet of the occupant. The defroster air outlet 253 blows out the conditioned air toward the front window of the vehicle.

Inside the air conditioning case 21, there are provided: an inside-outside air switching door 22, a blower 23, an evaporator 26, a heater core 27, an air mixing door 28, and the like.

The inside-outside air switching door 22 continuously adjusts the opening area of the inside air introduction port 241 and the opening area of the outside air introduction port 242. As shown in fig. 3, the inside-outside air switching door 22 is constituted by a revolving door including a door portion 221 for opening and closing the inside air introduction port 241 or the outside air introduction port 242, a rotation shaft 222, and a support portion 223 for connecting the door portion 221 and the rotation shaft 222. The inside-outside air switching valve 22 corresponds to a door member.

The inside-outside air switching door 22 is driven by an actuator such as a servo motor, not shown. The inside/outside air switching door 22 rotates so as to close one of the inside air introduction port 241 and the outside air introduction port 242 as the other is opened. Thereby, the inside-outside air switching door 22 can adjust the ratio of the amount of the inside air to the amount of the outside air introduced into the air passage 24.

As the air intake mode for taking in air into the air passage 24, there are an inside air mode for introducing inside air into the interior of the vehicle and an outside air mode for introducing outside air outside the vehicle. For example, in the inside air mode in which only the inside air is introduced into the air passage 24, the inside-outside air switching door 22 is positioned at an operating position in which the inside air introduction port 241 is opened and the outside air introduction port 242 is closed. Conversely, in the outside air mode in which outside air is introduced only into the air passage 24, the inside-outside air switching door 22 is positioned in an operating position in which the inside air introduction port 241 is closed and the outside air introduction port 242 is opened.

The blower 23 is a centrifugal blower that blows air, and includes: a centrifugal fan 231 disposed in the air passage 24; and a motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the centrifugal fan 231. When the centrifugal fan 231 of the blower 23 is rotationally driven, an air flow is formed in the air passage 24. Thereby, the air introduced into the air passage 24 from the inside air introduction port 241 or the outside air introduction port 242 flows through the air passage 24, and is blown out from at least one of the face blowout opening 251, the foot blowout opening 252, and the defroster blowout opening 253. Further, air flows in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar substantially on the downstream side of the centrifugal fan 231 in the air passage 24 in the air flow direction.

The face blowout opening section 254 is provided in the face blowout opening 251, and adjusts the opening area of the face blowout opening 251. The foot air outlet opening 255 is provided in the foot air outlet opening 252, and the opening area of the foot air outlet opening 252 is adjusted. The defroster air outlet portion 256 is provided in the defroster air outlet portion 253, and an opening area of the defroster air outlet portion 253 is adjusted.

The evaporator 26 is a heat exchanger for cooling the air flowing through the air passage 24. The evaporator 26 exchanges heat with the refrigerant by the air passing through the evaporator 26, thereby cooling the air and evaporating the refrigerant.

The heater core 27 is a heat exchanger for heating the air flowing through the air passage 24. The heater core 27 exchanges heat, for example, of engine cooling water with air passing through the heater core 27, thereby heating the air with heat of the engine cooling water. The heater core 27 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 26 in the air flow direction.

An air mix door 28 is provided between the evaporator 26 and the heater core 27 of the air conditioning unit 2. The air mix door 28 adjusts the ratio of the amount of air flowing through the evaporator 26 and bypassing the heater core 27 to the amount of air flowing through the heater core 27 after passing through the evaporator 26.

The air filter 30 is disposed on the upstream side of the blower 23 with respect to the air flow of the air flowing through the air passage 24. The air filter 30 captures dust and the like contained in the air passing through the air filter 30 to some extent. Therefore, the air from which dust and the like are removed by the air filter 30 is sucked into the blower 30. That is, air from which dust and the like are removed by the air filter 30 is blown from the blower 30.

The PM sensor 50 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the air conditioning case 21 on the air flow upstream side of the air filter 30 with respect to the air flowing through the air passage 24. The PM sensor 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the outside air introduction port 242.

Next, the air conditioning control device 40 will be described. The air conditioning control device 40 shown in fig. 2 is a control device that controls the air conditioning unit 2. Specifically, the air conditioning control device 40 is an electronic control device including a processor and a storage unit configured by a non-transitory physical storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. The air conditioning control device 40 executes a computer program stored in the storage unit. By executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is executed. That is, the air conditioner control device 40 executes various control processes according to the computer program.

The air conditioning control device 40 outputs control signals to the actuators included in the air conditioning unit 2 to control the operation of the actuators. Briefly, the air conditioning control device 40 performs various air conditioning controls in the air conditioning unit 2. For example, the blower 23, the inside-outside air switching door 22, the air mix door 28, the face blowout opening section 254, the foot blowout opening section 255, and the defroster blowout opening section 256 are drive-controlled by the air conditioner control device 40.

As shown in fig. 2, the air conditioning control device 40 is electrically connected to an operation device 44 and a display device 46 in addition to sensors such as a PM sensor 50 and actuators such as a door. The air conditioner control device 40 also performs the following processing: the display device 46 is caused to display the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air detected by the PM sensor 50 in accordance with the operation of the operation device 44 by the occupant.

An inside-outside air switching door 22 is disposed in the air conditioning case 21 on the upstream side of the air flow of the air flowing through the air passage 24 compared to the air filter 30. A case outlet 211 and a case inlet 212 connected to the PM sensor 50 are formed in the air conditioning case 21 so as to face the support portion 223 of the inside-outside air switching door 22.

When the door 221 of the inside-outside air switching door 22 is in a state of opening the inside air introduction port 241 and closing the outside air introduction port 242, the support portion 223 of the inside-outside air switching door 22 shown in fig. 3 is disposed at a position facing the housing outlet 211 and the housing inlet 212.

When the door 221 of the inside/outside air switching door 22 is in a state of closing the inside air inlet 241 and opening the outside air inlet 242, the support portion 223 of the inside/outside air switching door 22 is disposed so as to avoid a position facing the housing outlet 211 and the housing inlet 212.

Next, a particle concentration detection apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4. The particulate concentration detection apparatus includes an air conditioning case 21 forming an air passage 24 through which air flows, and a PM sensor 50.

The PM sensor 50 of the present embodiment detects the concentration of particulate matter contained in the air that is introduced outside the vehicle room of the air conditioning case 21 through the outside air introduction port 242. The PM sensor 50 is disposed on the upstream side of the air flow from the air filter 30 in the air passage 24 through which the air blown into the interior of the vehicle flows. Therefore, the PM sensor 50 detects the concentration of dust contained in the air before passing through the air filter 30. That is, the PM sensor 50 detects the concentration of dust contained in the air containing dust and raindrops outside the vehicle.

The PM sensor 50 is an optical dust sensor configured to detect dust concentration by a light scattering method. The PM sensor 50 includes: a concentration detection unit 51 for detecting the concentration of particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle flowing through the air passage 24, a sensor housing 52 for housing the concentration detection unit 51, and a blower fan 53.

The density detection unit 51 includes: a light emitting part for emitting light and a light receiving part for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting part, and the dust concentration in the air is detected by receiving scattered light scattered by the light receiving part after the light irradiated from the light emitting part hits the granular material.

The sensor case 52 is a case accommodating the concentration detection section 51, and is formed of resin or the like. A part of the air flowing through the air passage 24 formed in the air conditioning case 21 flows inside the sensor case 52 of the PM sensor 50.

The sensor housing 52 has: a sensor inlet 521, the sensor inlet 521 introducing air outside the vehicle from the air passage 24 into the sensor housing 52; and a sensor outlet 522, wherein the sensor outlet 522 allows air in the sensor housing 52 to flow out from the inside of the sensor housing 52 to the air passage 24.

Fig. 5 is a V-direction view in fig. 4, showing a state in which the sensor housing 52 is tilted toward the front side. As shown in fig. 5, the sensor inlet 521 and the sensor outlet 522 are disposed at positions offset in the up-down direction and at positions offset in the left-right direction.

The blower fan 53 generates an air flow inside the sensor housing 52. The blower fan 53 introduces air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage 24 from the sensor inlet 521 into the sensor housing 52, and discharges air inside the sensor housing 52 from the sensor outlet 522 into the air passage 24.

The air conditioning case 21 has: a housing outlet 211, the housing outlet 211 guiding air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage 24 to the sensor inlet 521; and a housing inflow port 212, the housing inflow port 212 guiding air flowing out from the sensor outflow port 522 to the air passage 24.

The housing outflow port 211 and the housing inflow port 212 are open to the air passage of the air conditioning housing 21, respectively. The case outlet 211 is disposed downstream of the case inlet 212 in the main flow direction, which is the air flow direction of the air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage 24.

The air conditioning case 21 further includes a sensor flow path 213, and the sensor flow path 213 connects a space including the case flow outlet 211 and a space including the case flow inlet 212, and connects a space including the sensor flow inlet 521 and a space including the sensor flow outlet 522.

The sensor flow path 213 is provided with a partition plate 214, and the partition plate 214 partitions the internal space of the sensor flow path 213 into a space from the housing outlet 211 to the sensor inlet 521 and a space from the sensor outlet 522 to the housing inlet 212.

The sensor housing 52 has a first protrusion 531, and the first protrusion 531 protrudes toward the sensor flow path 213 and guides the air from the outside of the vehicle cabin of the sensor flow outlet 522 to the inside of the sensor housing 52. Further, the sensor housing 52 has a second protruding portion 532, and the second protruding portion 532 protrudes toward the sensor flow path 213 and guides the air inside the sensor housing 52 to the sensor flow outlet 522. The sensor flow outlet 522 is formed on the upper and lower surface of the first protrusion 531, and the sensor flow inlet 521 is formed on the upper and lower surface of the second protrusion 532.

Here, as shown in fig. 6, a structure in which a rectangular parallelepiped sensor housing 52 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the air conditioning housing 21 forming the air passage 24 is considered. The sensor inlet 521 is disposed in the sensor housing 52 at a position on the air passage 24 side, and the sensor outlet 522 is disposed on a surface of the sensor housing 52 facing the sensor inlet 521.

In such a configuration, a large difference is generated between the pressure of the air applied to the sensor flow inlet 521 and the pressure of the air applied to the sensor flow outlet 522. Therefore, in particular, the influence of the fluctuation in the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin on the detection accuracy becomes large.

In contrast, in the particle concentration detection apparatus of the present embodiment, the air conditioning case 21 includes: a housing outlet 211, the housing outlet 211 guiding air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage 24 to the sensor inlet 521; and a housing inflow port 212, the housing inflow port 212 directing air from the sensor outflow port 522 to the air passage 24. The housing outlet 211 and the housing inlet 212 are open to the air passage 24 of the air conditioning housing 21.

Therefore, the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor inlet 521 and the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor outlet 522 cancel each other, and the variation in detection accuracy due to the variation in the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin is suppressed.

As described above, the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the present embodiment is a particle concentration detection apparatus that detects the concentration of particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle, and includes the air conditioning case 21, and the air conditioning case 21 forms the air passage 24 through which air outside the vehicle flows.

The present invention further includes: a concentration detection unit 51 that detects the concentration of particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle that flows through the air passage 24, the concentration detection unit 51; and a sensor housing 52, the sensor housing 52 housing the concentration detection section 51. In addition, the sensor housing 52 has: a sensor inlet 521, the sensor inlet 521 introducing air outside the vehicle from the air passage into the sensor housing 52; and a sensor outlet 522, the sensor outlet 522 allowing air inside the sensor housing 52 to flow out from inside the sensor housing 52.

The housing outlet 211 and the housing inlet 212 are open to the air passage 24 of the air conditioning housing 21.

According to the above-described configuration, the sensor inflow port 521 and the sensor outflow port 522 are opened to the air passage 24 of the air conditioning case 21, respectively. Therefore, the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor inlet 521 and the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin applied to the sensor outlet 522 cancel each other, and the variation in detection accuracy due to the variation in the pressure of the air outside the vehicle cabin can be suppressed.

In addition, the sensor housing 52 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the air conditioning housing 21. Therefore, the sensor case 52 and the air conditioning case 21 can be integrated and mounted on the vehicle.

In addition, the air conditioning case 21 has: a housing outlet 211, the housing outlet 211 guiding air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage 24 to the sensor inlet 521; and a housing inflow port 212, the housing inflow port 212 directing air from the sensor outflow port 522 to the air passage 24.

The case outlet 211 is disposed downstream of the case inlet 212 in the air flow of the air outside the vehicle that flows through the air passage 24. In this way, the case inlet 212 can be disposed on the downstream side of the case outlet 211 in the air flow of the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage 24.

The air conditioning case 21 further includes a sensor flow path 213, and the sensor flow path 213 connects a space including the case flow outlet 211 and a space including the case flow inlet 212, and connects a space including the sensor flow inlet 521 and a space including the sensor flow outlet 522. Therefore, the influence of the fluctuation of the air flow outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air conditioning case 21 can be further reduced.

In addition, a partition plate 214 is formed in the sensor flow path 213, and the partition plate 214 partitions the internal space of the sensor flow path 213 into a space from the housing outlet 211 to the sensor inlet 521 and a space from the sensor outlet 522 to the housing inlet 212. Therefore, air can be prevented from circulating between the housing outflow port 211 and the housing inflow port 212.

The housing outlet 211 is connected continuously to the bottom surface of the sensor flow path 213 at the lower end of the housing outlet 211. Therefore, water can be prevented from accumulating between the lower end of the housing outflow port 211 and the bottom surface of the sensor flow path 213, and drainage can be improved.

The sensor case 52 has a first protrusion 531, and the first protrusion 531 protrudes toward the sensor flow path 213 and guides the air from the outside of the vehicle cabin of the sensor inlet 521 to the inside of the sensor case 52. The sensor housing 52 further includes a second protruding portion 532, and the second protruding portion 532 protrudes toward the sensor flow path 213 and guides air from the inside of the sensor housing 52 to the sensor flow outlet 522. The sensor inlet 521 is formed on the upper and lower surface of the first protrusion 531, and the sensor outlet 522 is formed on the upper and lower surface of the second protrusion 532.

Therefore, the intrusion of foreign matter into the sensor housing 52 from the sensor inflow port 521 and the sensor outflow port 522 can be prevented.

The sensor inlet 521 is disposed above the housing outlet 211 in the vertical direction, and the sensor outlet 522 is disposed above the housing inlet 212 in the vertical direction. Therefore, intrusion of water or the like into the sensor housing 52 can be prevented.

The particle concentration detecting apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a blower fan 53, and the blower fan 53 introduces air outside the vehicle into the sensor housing 52 from the sensor inlet 521 and blows air inside the sensor housing 52 from the sensor outlet 522.

Therefore, it is possible to introduce a predetermined amount of air outside the vehicle into the sensor case while suppressing the influence of the variation in the pressure of the air outside the vehicle.

(second embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7. The particle concentration detection apparatus of the present embodiment has a sensor flow path 213. The bottom surface of the sensor flow path 213 is inclined downward in the vertical direction as it approaches the air conditioning case 21.

Therefore, water flowing into the sensor case from the sensor flow path can be discharged to the case member side.

(third embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 8. The particle concentration detecting apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a partition plate 214 in the sensor flow path 213, and the partition plate 214 partitions the internal space of the sensor flow path 213 into a space from the housing outlet 211 to the sensor inlet 521 and a space from the sensor outlet 522 to the housing inlet 212.

The partition plate 214 has a communication portion 214a formed therein, and the communication portion 214a communicates between a space from the housing outlet 211 to the sensor inlet 521 and a space from the sensor outlet 522 to the housing inlet 212. The communication portion 214a of the present embodiment is constituted by a communication hole.

The communication portion 214a is formed in the partition plate 214 at a position closer to the sensor housing 52 than the center of the air conditioning housing 21 and the sensor housing 52.

Therefore, when the sensor housing 52 is displaced downward in the up-down direction with respect to the air conditioning housing 21, the water in the sensor flow path 213 can be discharged through the communication portion 214a.

In the present embodiment, the communication portion 214a is formed in the partition plate 214 at a position closer to the sensor housing 52 than the center of the air conditioning housing 21 and the sensor housing 52. In contrast, the communication portion 214a may be formed in the partition plate 214 at a position closer to the air conditioning case 21 than the center of the air conditioning case 21 and the sensor case 52.

This can drain the water flowing from the sensor flow path 213 into the sensor case 52 toward the air conditioning case 21. Even when different pressure is applied to the housing outlet 211 and the housing inlet 212 due to the drift, air flows from the higher pressure side to the lower pressure side through the communication portion 214a, and the pressure is averaged, so that the influence on the detection accuracy can be reduced.

The communication portion 214a of the present embodiment is constituted by a communication hole, but the communication portion 214a may be constituted by a gap.

(fourth embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 9. In the particle concentration detection apparatus of the present embodiment, louver-shaped ventilation windows 215 are arranged in the case inlet 212 and the case outlet 211. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the sensor housing 52 can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, louver-like ventilation windows 215 are arranged in the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212. In contrast, a louver-like louver 215 may be disposed in at least one of the housing outlet 211, the housing inlet 212, the sensor inlet 521, and the sensor outlet 522.

(fifth embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 10. The interior of the sensor flow path 213 of the particle concentration detection device according to the present embodiment has a labyrinth structure in which the interior space of the sensor flow path 213 is formed in a labyrinth shape. Specifically, protrusions 521a and 522a that form a labyrinth shape in the internal space of the sensor flow path 213 are provided in the sensor flow path 213.

As described above, the interior of the sensor flow path 213 of the particle concentration detection apparatus has a labyrinth structure in which the interior space of the sensor flow path 213 is formed in a labyrinth shape. Therefore, a large foreign matter which is not a detection object can be prevented from entering the sensor housing 52.

The air conditioning case 21 is provided with a rib 216, the rib 216 blocking the flow of air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage 24, and the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212 are disposed on the upstream side of the rib 216 of the flow of air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage 24.

Therefore, air outside the vehicle cabin that hits the rib 216 can be prevented from being pushed into the case flow outlet 211 and the case flow inlet 212.

In the present embodiment, the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212 are disposed on the air flow upstream side of the rib 216 of the air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage 24. In contrast, the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212 may be disposed on the downstream side of the rib 216 in the air flow of the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage 24. That is, steps are provided between the housing outflow port 211 and the rib 216 and between the housing inflow port 212 and the rib 216. By providing steps between the case outlet 211 and the rib 216 and between the case inlet 212 and the rib 216, air outside the vehicle interior that hits the rib 216 can be prevented from being pushed into the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212.

The rib 216 may be configured as a sealing member that seals a gap between the door member 22 and the outside air introduction port 242, and the door member 22 opens and closes the outside air introduction port 242 that introduces air outside the vehicle to the air passage 24. The rib 216 prevents air from leaking from the gap between the door 22 and the outside air inlet 242.

(sixth embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 11. The particulate concentration detection apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a filter 61 at a housing outlet 211 and a filter 62 at a housing inlet 212. The filter 63 is disposed in the sensor inlet 521, and the filter 64 is disposed in the sensor outlet 522. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the sensor housing can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the filters 61 and 62 are disposed in the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212, but the filters may be disposed in at least one of the case outlet 211 and the case inlet 212.

In the present embodiment, the filters 63 and 64 are disposed in the sensor inlet 521 and the sensor outlet 522, but the filters may be disposed in at least one of the sensor inlet 521 and the sensor outlet 522.

(seventh embodiment)

The structure of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 12. The case inlet 212 of the particle concentration detection apparatus according to the present embodiment is disposed on the downstream side of the case outlet 211 in the air flow of the air outside the vehicle that flows through the air passage 24. By providing such a configuration, air flowing into the sensor housing 52 from the housing outlet 211 and returning to the air passage 24 from the housing inlet 212 can be prevented from flowing into the sensor housing 52 again from the housing outlet 211.

(other embodiments)

(1) In the above embodiments, an example in which the PM sensor 50 is provided in an air conditioning unit that introduces at least one of the inside air and the outside air into the air conditioning case has been shown. In contrast, the PM sensor 50 may be provided in an air conditioning unit having an inside/outside air double-layer structure in which the window of a windshield disposed above the vehicle is cleaned using outside air and the feet of the occupant are heated using inside air.

(2) In the above embodiments, the sensor flow path 213 is provided in the air-conditioning case 21, and the air-conditioning case 21 and the sensor case 52 are connected via the sensor flow path 213, but the air-conditioning case 21 and the sensor case 52 may be directly connected without providing the sensor flow path 213.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified. The above embodiments are not independent of each other, and can be appropriately combined except for the case where they are obviously not combined. In the above embodiments, it is obvious that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily required, except for the case where they are specifically and clearly indicated as being necessary in principle, and the like. In the above embodiments, when reference is made to the number, value, amount, range, and other numerical values of the constituent elements of the embodiments, the number is not limited to a specific number except when it is specifically and explicitly required, and when it is in principle explicitly limited to a specific number. In the above embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, and the like of the constituent elements and the like, the material, shape, positional relationship, and the like are not limited to those described above, except for the case where they are specifically shown and the case where they are limited to specific materials, shapes, positional relationships, and the like in principle.

(summary)

According to a first aspect of some or all of the above embodiments, a particulate matter concentration detection device for detecting a concentration of particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle includes a housing member that forms an air passage through which air outside the vehicle flows. The present invention further includes: a concentration detection unit that detects a concentration of particulate matter contained in air outside the vehicle that flows through the air passage; and a sensor housing that houses the concentration detection section. In addition, the sensor housing has: a sensor inlet port that introduces air outside the vehicle from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet port that causes air inside the sensor housing to flow out from inside the sensor housing to the air passage. The sensor inlet and the sensor outlet are open to the air passage of the housing member.

In addition, according to a second aspect, the sensor housing is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the housing member. Therefore, the sensor housing and the housing member can be integrated and mounted on the vehicle.

In addition, according to a third aspect, the housing member has: a housing outlet port that guides air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage to the sensor inlet port; and a housing inflow port that guides air from outside the vehicle cabin of the sensor outflow port to the air passage.

The case inlet is disposed on the downstream side of the case outlet with respect to the air flow of the air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage. In this way, the housing inlet port can be disposed on the air flow upstream side of the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage, compared to the housing outlet port.

In addition, according to a fourth aspect, the housing member is provided with a sensor flow path that connects between the space including the housing flow outlet and the space including the housing flow inlet, and connects between the space including the sensor flow inlet and the space including the sensor flow outlet. Therefore, the influence of the fluctuation of the air flow outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the housing member can be further reduced.

In addition, according to the fifth aspect, in the sensor flow path, the bottom surface of the sensor flow path is inclined downward in the vertical direction as it approaches the housing member.

Therefore, water flowing into the sensor case from the sensor flow path can be discharged to the case member side.

In addition, according to the sixth aspect, the lower end of the housing inflow port is continuously connected to the bottom surface of the sensor flow path. Therefore, water can be prevented from accumulating between the lower end of the housing inlet and the bottom surface of the sensor flow path, and drainage can be improved.

In addition, according to a seventh aspect, a partition plate is formed in the sensor flow path, the partition plate partitioning an internal space of the sensor flow path into a space from the housing outlet to the sensor inlet and a space from the sensor outlet to the housing inlet. Therefore, air can be prevented from circulating between the housing outflow port and the housing inflow port.

In addition, according to an eighth aspect, a communication portion is formed in the partition plate, the communication portion communicating between a space from the housing outlet port to the sensor inlet port and a space from the sensor outlet port to the housing inlet port.

Therefore, water flowing into the sensor case from the sensor flow path can be discharged to the case member side. Even when different pressure is applied to the housing outlet and the housing inlet due to the bias, air flows from the higher pressure side to the lower pressure side through the communication portion, and the pressure is averaged, so that the influence on the detection accuracy can be reduced.

In addition, according to the ninth aspect, the communication portion is formed in a portion of the partition plate on the sensor housing side from the center of the air conditioning housing and the sensor housing.

Therefore, when the sensor housing is displaced downward in the vertical direction with respect to the air conditioner housing, the water in the sensor flow path can be discharged through the communication portion.

In addition, according to a tenth aspect, the sensor housing has a first protruding portion that protrudes toward the sensor flow path side and guides air in the vehicle interior from the sensor flow inlet to the inside of the sensor housing. The sensor housing has a second protruding portion that protrudes toward the sensor flow path side and guides air in the vehicle interior from the inside of the sensor housing to the sensor flow outlet. The sensor inlet is formed on a lower surface of the first protruding portion in the vertical direction, and the sensor outlet is formed on a lower surface of the second protruding portion in the vertical direction.

Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the sensor housing from the sensor inflow port and the sensor outflow port can be prevented.

In addition, according to an eleventh aspect, a rib that blocks an air flow of air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage is formed in the air-conditioning case. The case outlet and the case inlet are disposed on the upstream side or downstream side of the rib of the air flow of the air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage.

Therefore, the air outside the vehicle cabin that hits the rib can be prevented from being pushed into the case flow outlet and the case flow inlet.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect, a louver-like louver is disposed in at least one of the housing outlet and the housing inlet. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the sensor housing can be prevented.

In addition, according to the thirteenth aspect, the inside of the sensor flow path has a labyrinth structure in which the internal space of the sensor flow path is formed in a labyrinth shape.

Therefore, a large foreign matter which is not the detection object can be prevented from entering the sensor housing.

In addition, according to the fourteenth aspect, the sensor inlet is disposed above the housing outlet in the vertical direction, and the sensor outlet is disposed above the housing inlet in the vertical direction. Therefore, intrusion of water or the like into the sensor housing can be prevented.

In addition, according to a fifteenth aspect, a filter is disposed in at least one of the housing outlet and the housing inlet. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the sensor housing can be prevented.

In addition, according to a sixteenth aspect, a filter is disposed in at least one of the sensor inlet port and the sensor outlet port. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the sensor housing can be prevented.

In addition, according to a seventeenth aspect, the air blower fan is provided, and the air blower fan introduces air outside the vehicle interior from the sensor inlet port into the sensor housing, and blows air outside the vehicle exterior from the sensor outlet port into the air passage.

Therefore, it is possible to introduce a predetermined amount of air outside the vehicle into the sensor housing while suppressing the influence of the variation in the pressure of the air outside the vehicle.

Claims (18)

1. A particle concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle, comprising:

a housing member (21) that forms an air passage (24) through which air outside the vehicle cabin flows;

a concentration detection unit (51) that detects the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage; and

a sensor housing (52) which houses the concentration detection section,

the sensor housing has: a sensor inlet (521) that introduces air outside the vehicle cabin from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet (522) that causes air in the sensor housing to flow out from the sensor housing to the air passage,

The sensor inflow opening and the sensor outflow opening are open to the air passage of the housing member respectively,

the sensor housing is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the housing member.

2. A particle concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle, comprising:

a housing member (21) that forms an air passage (24) through which air outside the vehicle cabin flows;

a concentration detection unit (51) that detects the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage; and

a sensor housing (52) which houses the concentration detection section,

the sensor housing has: a sensor inlet (521) that introduces air outside the vehicle cabin from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet (522) that causes air in the sensor housing to flow out from the sensor housing to the air passage,

the sensor inflow opening and the sensor outflow opening are open to the air passage of the housing member respectively,

The housing member has: a case outlet (211) that guides air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage to the sensor inlet; and a case inlet (212) that guides air outside the vehicle cabin from the sensor outlet to the air passage.

3. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the case inlet is disposed on an air flow downstream side of the case outlet with respect to the air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage.

4. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

a sensor flow path (213) is provided, which connects a space containing the sensor inlet and a space containing the sensor outlet.

5. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

the lower end of the housing inflow port is continuously connected to the bottom surface of the sensor flow path.

6. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

in the sensor flow path, the bottom surface of the sensor flow path is inclined downward in the vertical direction as it approaches the housing member.

7. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

a partition plate (214) is formed in the sensor flow path, and divides the interior space of the sensor flow path into a space from the housing outlet to the sensor inlet and a space from the sensor outlet to the housing inlet.

8. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein,

a communication part (214 a) is formed in the partition plate, and the communication part communicates between the space from the housing outlet to the sensor inlet and the space from the sensor outlet to the housing inlet.

9. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein,

the communication part is formed in the partition plate at a position closer to the sensor housing than the center of the air conditioning housing (21) and the sensor housing.

10. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

the interior of the sensor flow path has a labyrinth structure in which the interior space of the sensor flow path is formed in a labyrinth shape.

11. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein,

A louver-shaped ventilation window (215) is arranged in at least one of the housing outflow opening, the housing inflow opening, the sensor inflow opening, and the sensor outflow opening.

12. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein,

the sensor inlet is disposed above the housing outlet in the vertical direction, and the sensor outlet is disposed above the housing inlet in the vertical direction.

13. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein,

a filter (61, 62) is disposed in at least one of the housing flow outlet and the housing flow inlet.

14. The particle concentration measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein,

a filter (63, 64) is disposed in at least one of the sensor inflow port and the sensor outflow port.

15. A particle concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle, comprising:

a housing member (21) that forms an air passage (24) through which air outside the vehicle cabin flows;

A concentration detection unit (51) that detects the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage;

a sensor housing (52) that houses the concentration detection unit; and

a sensor flow path (213),

the sensor housing has: a sensor inlet (521) that introduces air outside the vehicle cabin from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet (522) that causes air in the sensor housing to flow out from the sensor housing to the air passage,

the sensor inflow opening and the sensor outflow opening are open to the air passage of the housing member respectively,

the sensor flow path connects a space containing the sensor flow inlet and a space containing the sensor flow outlet,

the sensor housing has:

a first protrusion (531) that protrudes toward the sensor flow path side and guides air in the vehicle interior from the sensor flow inlet to the inside of the sensor housing; and

A second protruding portion (532) that protrudes toward the sensor flow path side and guides air in the vehicle interior from the inside of the sensor housing to the sensor outflow port,

the sensor inlet is formed on a lower surface of the first protruding portion in the vertical direction, and the sensor outlet is formed on a lower surface of the second protruding portion in the vertical direction.

16. A particle concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of a particulate matter contained in air outside a vehicle, comprising:

a housing member (21) that forms an air passage (24) through which air outside the vehicle cabin flows;

a concentration detection unit (51) that detects the concentration of the particulate matter contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage; and

a sensor housing (52) which houses the concentration detection section,

the sensor housing has: a sensor inlet (521) that introduces air outside the vehicle cabin from the air passage into the sensor housing; and a sensor outlet (522) that causes air in the sensor housing to flow out from the sensor housing to the air passage,

The sensor inflow opening and the sensor outflow opening are open to the air passage of the housing member respectively,

the housing member has: a case outlet (211) that guides air outside the vehicle cabin flowing through the air passage to the sensor inlet; and a case inflow port (212) that guides air outside the vehicle cabin from the sensor outflow port to the air passage,

a rib (216) is formed in the housing member, the rib blocking air flow of air outside the vehicle interior flowing through the air passage,

steps are provided between the housing flow outlet and the ribs and between the housing flow inlet and the ribs.

17. The apparatus for detecting a concentration of particles according to claim 16, wherein,

comprises a door member (22) for opening and closing an outside air introduction port (242) for introducing air outside the vehicle into the air passage,

the rib is configured as a sealing member that seals a gap between the door member and the outside air introduction port.

18. The particle concentration measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein,

The vehicle is provided with a blower fan (53) that introduces air outside the vehicle from the sensor inlet port into the sensor housing, and blows air outside the vehicle from the sensor outlet port into the air passage.