DE102017125346A1 - Measuring device for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a corresponding measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

Measuring device (1) for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle (7), comprising: a) a measuring device (2) for measuring at least one pollutant parameter representative of pollutant loading with a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle (7) b) a movement data receiver (3) for receiving movement data of the motor vehicle (7), c) a calculation module (4) which is configured to process the at least one pollutant parameter and / or the movement data, andd) a transmission module (5 ) for sending at least one of the following parameters to a receiving unit (6) located outside the motor vehicle (7): - the at least one pollutant parameter, and - a parameter calculated by the computational module (4) taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data.

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle, by means of which, for example, a concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and / or particulate matter, in particular fine dust the particle sizes PM10 and PM2.5 according to the particle classification of the Federal Motor Transport Authority can be determined. By PM10 is meant particles with a maximum diameter of 10 micrometers (μm). By PM2.5 is meant ultrafine particles with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometer (μm). In addition, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle with a corresponding measuring device.

Motor vehicles regularly have an internal combustion engine in whose combustion chambers an ignitable mixture of fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, and air is burned. This creates combustion exhaust gases that are passed through an exhaust system from the engine to an environment. The combustion gases regularly have pollutants, which may be particularly harmful to humans, animals, plants and / or other organisms. For the protection of humans and the environment, therefore, limit values for emissions of pollutants in combustion exhaust gases exist in many countries. In order to comply with the limit values, exhaust systems of motor vehicles may have devices for reducing or limiting pollutants in the combustion exhaust gases. These may be, for example, SCR systems for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) or particulate filters for reducing a concentration of fines in the combustion exhaust gases.

However, the effectiveness of these devices, for example due to defects, malfunctions or aging processes, may be limited so that the concentrations of pollutants in the combustion exhaust gases are actually higher than permitted. A limited effectiveness of the devices for reducing or limiting the pollutants in the combustion exhaust gases can indeed be signaled to a driver of the vehicle by a corresponding signal generator, but this is for third parties, such as traffic control authorities or registration bodies of the motor vehicle, not recognizable. As a result, motor vehicles that emit pollutants to an unduly high extent, unrecognized example in areas with very strict limits for the emitted pollutants, such as environmental zones drive.

The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a measuring device for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle, with the exceeding of limits of a concentration of a pollutant in the Combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle is recognizable by third parties. In addition, a motor vehicle with a measuring device is to be indicated by the exceeding of limit values of the concentration of a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle by a third party is recognizable.

These objects are achieved with a measuring device and a motor vehicle according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent formulated claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent formulated claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

1. a) eine Messeinrichtung zum Messen mindestens eines Schadstoffparameters, der für die Schadstoffbeladung mit einem Schadstoff in dem Verbrennungsabgas des Kraftfahrzeugs repräsentativ ist,
2. b) einen Bewegungsdatenempfänger zum Empfang von Bewegungsdaten des Kraftfahrzeugs,
3. c) ein Rechenmodul, das dazu eingerichtet ist, den mindestens einen Schadstoffparameter und/oder die Bewegungsdaten zu verarbeiten, und
4. d) ein Sendemodul zum Versenden mindestens eines der folgenden Parameter an eine außerhalb des Kraftfahrzeugs befindliche Empfangseinheit:
   • - den mindestens einen Schadstoffparameter und
   • - einen von dem Rechenmodul unter Berücksichtigung des mindestens einen Schadstoffparameters und der Bewegungsdaten berechneten Parameter.

The measuring device according to the invention for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle has at least the following components:

1. a) a measuring device for measuring at least one pollutant parameter that is representative of the pollutant loading with a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle,
2. b) a movement data receiver for receiving movement data of the motor vehicle,
3. c) a computing module that is configured to process the at least one pollutant parameter and / or the movement data, and
4. d) a transmission module for sending at least one of the following parameters to a receiving unit located outside the motor vehicle:
   • the at least one pollutant parameter and
   • a parameter calculated by the calculation module taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data.

It is likewise advantageous if the pollutant is nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and / or fine dust, for example particulate matter of the classes PM10 and / or PM2.5 described above , acts. Other possible pollutants that may be involved here are nitrous oxide (N2O, nitrous oxide), ammonia (NH3) or gas (CNG = compressed natural gas or LPG = liquefied petroleum gas). Gas or CNG / LPG may leak out of vehicles / CNG or LPG tank in particular. Yet another problematic pollutant is methane (CH4). Methane sometimes exits as so-called methane slip from exhaust systems.

The measuring device has a measuring device by means of which at least one pollutant parameter, which is representative of the existence of a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle, can be measured. For this purpose, the measuring device can be arranged at least partially in or on an exhaust system, in particular in an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system, by means of which the combustion exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle can be conducted to an environment of the motor vehicle. The measuring device may in particular be arranged downstream of at least one device for reducing the concentration of the pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas in a flow direction of the combustion exhaust gases. Such a device may in particular be an SCR system for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the combustion exhaust gas or a particulate filter for the reduction of fine dusts in the combustion exhaust gas. By means of the measuring device thus the proper functioning of the devices and / or compliance with limit values for the concentration of pollutants can be monitored.

• - eine Konzentration mindestens eines Schadstoffes in dem Abgas,
• - eine Menge an mindestens einem Schadstoff in dem Abgas, und
• - eine auf eine weitere Größe bezogene Menge oder Konzentration des mindestens einen Schadstoffes in dem Abgas.

The parameter representative of the pollutant load with a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas shall be taken into account, in particular, for one of the following quantities:

• a concentration of at least one pollutant in the exhaust gas,
• an amount of at least one pollutant in the exhaust gas, and
• a quantity or concentration of the at least one pollutant in the exhaust gas relative to a further quantity.

A concentration of the pollutant indicates how much pollutant is in a certain volume or mass of the exhaust gas. An amount of at least one pollutant indicates how large an amount of the pollutant is in total, or has been over a predetermined period of time or a predetermined (operating) distance of the motor vehicle. In particular, an amount or a concentration related to another size is an amount / concentration per unit mass or an amount / concentration per unit volume or an amount / concentration per distance traveled or amount / concentration per generated power, etc.

The measuring device can be a measuring device for any measuring principle for measuring a pollutant parameter in the exhaust gas. For example, the measuring device may be a NOx sensor, a particle sensor, a CO2 sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor or a particle sensor. The measuring device is preferably configured to generate an electrical signal or a (digital) data signal which is representative of the pollutant parameter. This can be achieved, for example, in that the measuring device uses a chemical measuring principle to convert a pollutant concentration into an electrical signal and, if appropriate, subsequently an analog-to-digital converter is used to convert an electrical signal into a (digital) data signal. If necessary, the measuring device can also use an optical measuring principle. This is possible, for example, in the measurement of soot or particles. Soot or particulates may be optically detected by counting them or by detecting soot or particulate loading from a light transmittance of the exhaust gases.

Furthermore, the measuring device has a movement data receiver for receiving movement data of the motor vehicle. By means of the movement data receiver, in particular a position, a speed and / or an acceleration of the motor vehicle can be determined. For this purpose, the movement data receiver may be, for example, a module for satellite-assisted navigation (a GPS module), a speed sensor and / or an acceleration sensor. Optionally, the transactional data receiver may also be configured to receive transactional data from an external source. For this purpose, a plug or a contactless interface can be provided on the measuring device, via which movement data can be fed into the measuring device. An external source for movement data may be, for example, a control unit in the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, the measuring device has a computing module which is set up to process the at least one pollutant parameter and / or the movement data. For this purpose, the computing module can have a microprocessor and / or be connected to the measuring device and / or the motion data receiver in a data-conducting manner. The computing module preferably comprises electronic Memory (memory module) and a processor. The computing module is preferably implemented on a circuit board.

The computing module may also be configured to further process the pollutant parameters determined by the measuring device. For example, the computing module may be configured to determine more usable pollutant parameters from raw data (eg, electronic parameters that are proportional to the concentration of a pollutant in the exhaust). For example, a quantity of pollutant of a certain pollutant in the exhaust gas per kilometer traveled can be determined by the calculation module with the aid of movement data and / or engine operating parameters.

In addition, the measuring device has a transmission module, by means of which the at least one pollutant parameter and / or a parameter calculated by the computational module, taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data, can be transmitted to a receiving unit located outside the motor vehicle. The transmission module can be, for example, a WLAN module, Bluetooth module or a mobile radio module (for example according to the GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or LTE standard) for the transmission of (digital) data. The (digital) data sent by the transmitting module can be received by the receiving unit. The receiving unit is located outside the motor vehicle, for example at a distance of up to 20 km, and / or may be designed in the manner of a (mobile) radio receiver. The received data can be collected for example in a database to which the traffic control authorities or registration offices of the motor vehicle have access. As a result, they can detect when the motor vehicle enters areas whose limit values for pollutant emissions are not adhered to by the motor vehicle, as a result of which the motor vehicle can optionally be stopped.

In addition, it is advantageous if the transmission module uses a near-field transmission method.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, by means of the transmission module, the at least one parameter can be transmitted to the receiving unit located outside the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle passes by.

In preferred embodiments, the transmission module is thus arranged such that it can only send data over a relatively short distance to a (external) receiving unit located outside the motor vehicle, for example over a distance of less than 200 m, in particular less than 100 m. For such short distances, the transmission module is preferably designed as a WLAN module or as a Bluetooth module. Preferably, receiving units located outside the motor vehicle are positioned at entry roads in environmental zones or at positions on roads with a particularly high pollutant load. Then at least one of said parameters can be transmitted to the transmission module on such entry roads or at such positions.

Parameters calculated by the computational module for use with the transmit module may not be calculated based solely on pollutant parameters and motion data. Particularly preferred, further parameters are considered here.

Particularly preferably, the transmission module is designed so that it can receive an (external) request regarding the pollutant emissions of the motor vehicle and is adapted to transmit to such a request parameters regarding the pollutant emissions to the receiving unit.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the measuring device has a power supply module, by means of which electrical energy can be provided by utilizing an exhaust system of the motor vehicle as a heat source. The energy supply module can in particular be a thermoelectric generator (TEG), by means of which the measuring device can be supplied with electrical energy.

The measuring device can be provided for the arrangement directly on an exhaust pipe of the motor vehicle. An arranged on the meter thermoelectric module is arranged so that it can directly receive waste heat from the exhaust pipe to convert this waste heat into electrical energy.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the at least one parameter can be collected on a memory module by means of the computer module and the at least one parameter collected on the memory module can be transmitted by the transmitter module as a data packet to the receiver unit located outside the motor vehicle. In other words, this means that the at least one pollutant parameter and / or the parameter calculated by the computational module, taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data, do not have to be transmitted continuously, but can be temporarily stored in the memory module until, for example, a reliable radio link between the Transmitter module and the receiving unit consists.

Preferably, the computing module is set up so that a current profile is always stored on a memory module, which represents a pollutant emissions of the motor vehicle in a past operating interval. Such a profile consists of parameters which were calculated by the calculation module taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and further parameters. Thus, the transmission module can transmit this profile at any arbitrary time to a receiving unit located outside the motor vehicle in order to prove whether the motor vehicle fulfills valid exhaust gas standards or not.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the measuring device comprises a probe which extends into the exhaust system through a bore in an exhaust system of the motor vehicle. The bore is sealed in particular by means of a seal, so that no combustion gases can escape through the bore into the environment.

The necessary bore for the placement of the measuring device on the exhaust system of a motor vehicle is preferably small and has particularly preferably a cross section of less than 5 mm permeable inner diameter. Usually, a hole with a cross section of a little more than 10 mm or even exactly 10 mm is provided. At such a hole a Schraubflansch is welded, which has an internal thread. Such a screw is ultimately a welded on the exhaust pipe nut. A sensor can be screwed into the internal thread of the screw flange. Such a small bore is not critical to the operation of the exhaust system, especially if this hole is closed by the measuring device described here. Preferably, there is a seal on the measuring device, with which the bore is closed. A sensor, for example, be gas-tight screwed in a screw.

It is also advantageous if position data can be received by the movement data receiver via near-field communication from the motor vehicle or from a mobile telephone. This means in particular that by means of the movement data receiver by the motor vehicle or by the mobile phone of an occupant of the motor vehicle certain position data can be received.

The measuring device preferably has a housing which protects the components of the measuring device against external influences. Preferably, the meter is splash-proof and particularly preferably suitable for installation in the underbody area of a motor vehicle.

In addition, the measuring device is preferably protected against manipulation. Particularly preferably, the measuring device has a housing which prevents manipulation. For example, the meter may be sealed. Alternatively or additionally, the meter is designed so that it can not be modified without being destroyed. In addition, the measuring device is preferably set up so that a transmission module sends information if a manipulation of the measuring device took place.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system and a measuring device according to the invention for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle is also proposed. For details, refer to the description of the meter.

1. a) Identifizieren eines Kraftfahrzeugs,
2. b) Abfrage mindestens eines Schadstoffparameters oder eines unter Berücksichtigung mindestens eines Schadstoffparameters berechneten Parameters von dem Messgerät des Kraftfahrzeugs,
3. c) Überprüfen des mindestens einen empfangenen Parameters.

Also to be described here is a method for monitoring the pollutant emissions of a motor vehicle with a described measuring device comprising the following steps:

1. a) identifying a motor vehicle,
2. b) polling at least one pollutant parameter or a parameter calculated taking into account at least one pollutant parameter from the meter of the motor vehicle,
3. c) checking the at least one received parameter.

Step a) can take place, for example, when passing a motor vehicle at a monitoring station, which is provided, for example, on an access road into an environmental zone or at any other position. Such monitoring stations may be provided, for example, at positions at which emission limit values are exceeded particularly frequently. But such monitoring stations can also be already existing monitoring stations - for example, monitoring stations of a toll system on a highway. The identification may include a license plate identifier.

The polling of pollutant parameters in step b) can be active or passive. For a passive query, the meter is set up to permanently send the pollutant parameters in question. For an active query, the measuring device and the monitoring station are preferably set up so that the monitoring station sends a query regarding the pollutant parameters to the measuring device-for example, if a motor vehicle was identified in step a). The meter is then preferably arranged to send the parameter in question in response to the request.

In step c), the at least one received parameter is checked. As a result of the check, an entry authorization or a passage authorization is determined in step d). Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that in step d) a data record is generated which forwards the parameter or an entry as to whether the motor vehicle fulfills a pollutant standard to a central location.

Also to be described here is a monitoring station which is set up to carry out the described method.

• 1: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Messgerät, und
• 2: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer alternativen Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Messgeräts.

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to the figure. It should be noted that the figure shows a particularly preferred variant of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. They show by way of example and schematically:

• 1 : a motor vehicle with a measuring device according to the invention, and
• 2 : A motor vehicle with an alternative variant of a measuring device according to the invention.

The 1 shows purely schematically a motor vehicle 7 with an internal combustion engine 14 in which combustion exhaust gases are produced by combustion of a fuel-air mixture. These combustion gases are via an exhaust system 9 , which is shown here as an exhaust pipe, from the internal combustion engine 14 to an environment 15 outside the motor vehicle 7 be conducted. The car 7 has a meter 1 for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle 7 on. This includes the meter 1 a measuring device 2 with a probe 11 passing through a hole 12 in the exhaust system 9 in the exhaust system 9 extends. Furthermore, the meter includes 1 a transaction data receiver 3 , the here in the manner of a GPS module for determining a position of the motor vehicle 7 is trained. By means of the transaction data receiver 3 are also position data of one in the motor vehicle 7 entrained mobile phones 13 receivable. The measuring device 2 and the transactional data receiver 3 are data leading with a calculation module 4 of the meter 1 connected, so by means of the computing module 4 at least one pollutant parameter and movement data of the transactional data receiver 3 are processable. This is the calculation module 4 with one at the exhaust system 9 arranged power supply module 8th supplied with electrical energy. The at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data are through the computing module 4 in a memory module 10 storable and via a transmitter module 5 to an outside of the motor vehicle 7 located receiving unit 6 transmittable.

The 2 shows a motor vehicle 7 with an alternative variant of the measuring device according to the invention 1 , With regard to almost all features this variant agrees with the in 1 illustrated variant of the measuring device 1 match. The only difference is that this variant is another power supply module 8th which is the exhaust system 9 works detached. This power supply module 8th For example, it may be a battery or an accumulator. However, it can also be any other, in particular external (ie outside the meter 1 ) energy source act.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

gauge

2

measuring device

3

Motion data receiver

4

calculation module

5

transmitter module

6

receiver unit

7

motor vehicle

8th

Power supply module

9

exhaust system

10

memory module

11

probe

12

drilling

13

mobile phone

14

internal combustion engine

15

Surroundings

Claims (13)

Measuring device (1) for measuring a concentration of a pollutant in a combustion exhaust gas of a motor vehicle (7), comprising: a) a measuring device (2) for measuring at least one pollutant parameter representative of pollutant loading with a pollutant in the combustion exhaust gas of the motor vehicle (7) b) a movement data receiver (3) for receiving movement data of the motor vehicle (7), c) a calculation module (4) which is set up to process the at least one pollutant parameter and / or the movement data, and d) a transmission module ( 5) for sending at least one of the following parameters to a receiving unit (6) located outside the motor vehicle (7): - the at least one pollutant parameter, and one of the calculation module (4) taking into account the at least one pollutant parameter and the movement data calculated parameters. Measuring device (1) after Claim 1 where the pollutant is nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and / or particulate matter PM10, PM2.5. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a power supply module (8), by means of which electrical energy can be provided by utilizing an exhaust system (9) of the motor vehicle (7) as a heat source. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one parameter can be collected by the computer module (4) on a memory module (10) and the at least one parameter collected on the memory module (10) by the transmitter module (5) as a data packet the outside of the motor vehicle (7) located receiving unit (6) is sendable. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission module (5) is set up to use a near-field transmission method. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by means of the transmission module (5) the at least one parameter in a passing of the motor vehicle (7) to the outside of the motor vehicle located receiving unit (6) can be transmitted. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device (2) comprises a probe (11) extending through a bore (12) in an exhaust system (9) of the motor vehicle (7) into the exhaust system (9) can. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement data receiver (3) comprises a module for satellite-based navigation. Measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by the movement data receiver (3) position data on near-field communication from the motor vehicle (7) or from a mobile phone (13) are receivable. Motor vehicle (7) comprising an internal combustion engine (14), an exhaust system (9) and a measuring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. A method for monitoring the pollutant emissions of a motor vehicle (7) with a measuring device (1) according to Claim 10 comprising the following steps: a) identifying a motor vehicle (7), b) polling a pollutant parameter or a parameter calculated taking into account at least one pollutant parameter from the measuring device (1) of the motor vehicle (7), c) checking the received parameter. Method according to Claim 11 , wherein following step c), the following step is performed: d) determining a Eintrittsberechtigung and / or a passage authorization for the motor vehicle (7) in dependence of the received parameter. Monitoring station set up to carry out a method according to one of Claims 11 or 12 ,

Images