EP4077005A1

EP4077005A1 - Comfort management system, in particular for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4077005A1
Application number: EP20841981.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alcina Tanghe; Georges De Pelsemaeker; Mateo LOPEZ; Laurence Cornu; Olivia DA SILVA
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2019-12-18
Filing date: 2020-12-07
Publication date: 2022-10-26
Also published as: US20230014833A1; FR3105103B1; FR3105103A1; WO2021123546A1; CN114981107A

Abstract

The invention relates to a comfort management system (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, said system being designed to diffuse, into a passenger compartment, a volatile substance designed to neutralize or attenuate an existing olfactory perception that a person could have in this passenger compartment.

Description

COMFORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

[1] The present invention relates to a comfort management system, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[2] Patent application WO2018 / 133933 describes a predictive scent control system and an associated method, intended to disperse a scent in a passenger compartment of an automobile on the basis of a feedback system equipped with a control unit. decision and a set of predefined user settings. The dispersion of perfume or scent in the passenger compartment can be based on a prediction user behavioral profile.

[3] In general, with the emergence of new uses of the automobile with, for example, self-driving cars, carpooling, shared cars, it is important not to leave unpleasant odors passing through the automobile. from one driver to another. These bad odors are for example a smell of cigarettes, animals, vomit or others.

[4] Patent application WO2013035070 describes olfactory formulations.

[5] The invention aims to improve this type of situation.

[6] The invention thus relates to a comfort management system, in particular for a motor vehicle, this system being arranged to diffuse in a passenger compartment, a volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when 'she enters this cockpit.

[7] It can be seen that the invention is different from an automatic system to increase conventional sensory comfort. In these classic systems, you add one or more odors to the odor you want to mask, and it may turn out that the mixture of odors is even more unpleasant than the odors you want to mask.

[8] The invention aims in particular to add an odor neutralization step before diffusing the new odor desired or expected by the passenger or passengers.

[9] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the volatile substance is a white odor chosen to give the person in the passenger compartment a feeling of absence of odor. In particular, this volatile substance comprises a plurality of compounds that are selected to act on human cells linked to the sense of smell to produce that odorless sensation. In particular, the white odor mixes with the odor that we want to erase / replace.

[10] The use of a white odor, in particular instead of masking unpleasant odors as is currently proposed, with the need to identify the unpleasant odor and allow the counter-odor to diffuse, makes it possible to block the perception of the odor to be masked, in particular by saturating the olfactory receptors. It is thus unnecessary to identify the unpleasant odor in order to correct it. This procedure is particularly effective for all odors, unpleasant or not.

[11] According to one aspect of the invention, the volatile substance is a resetting odor that the person perceives and triggers a mental image related to the odor in the person.

[12] According to one aspect of the invention, this reset odor is chosen to generate a mental image intense enough to alleviate or overwhelm the person's perception of existing odors in the passenger compartment.

[13] According to one aspect of the invention, this reset scent is chosen to generate a mental image intense enough to replace the olfactory perception with another olfactory perception.

[14] According to one aspect of the invention, this reset smell is a smell of coffee beans or a smell of ginger. Other smells may be suggested.

[15] In perfumeries, when testing a lot of perfumes, the salesperson gives a jar of coffee beans that gives off a universal odor well known to all. So, when you smell the coffee beans, the brain associates a neutral image and in a way crushes the images that you had with the previous scents.

[16] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the system is arranged to diffuse by anticipation the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, before the person enters the passenger compartment. This person when entering the cabin discovers the environment olfactory, and it is important that it does not have an unpleasant feeling, which can happen in shared car situations.

[17] The invention thus makes it possible to prepare the olfactory environment before the passenger gets into the vehicle.

[18] The invention also makes it possible to be able to change the olfactory atmosphere during use of the vehicle during a journey, if the passenger or passengers so wish.

[19] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the system is arranged for in a first step to diffuse the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, and in a second step after the first, to diffuse in the passenger compartment a volatile pleasure substance, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma.

[20] According to one aspect of the invention, the system is arranged to recognize the person (s) in the passenger compartment and to diffuse the volatile amenity substance according to this person (s).

[21] This recognition is achieved in particular by information exchanged between the vehicle and the person. As a variant, this recognition is obtained by means of a sensor placed in the passenger compartment and arranged to acquire data on the person in the passenger compartment, this sensor being in particular a camera.

[22] As a variant, the system includes a Human-Machine interface arranged to allow the person to enter a choice of volatile substance for approval.

[23] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the volatile substance designed to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when entering this passenger compartment is chosen independently of potential unwanted residual odors in the passenger compartment. . Thus the choice of this volatile substance, arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when entering this cabin, does not need to be made in a complex manner, as a choice depending on undesirable odors.

[24] According to one aspect of the invention, the system has one or more diffusers to diffuse the volatile substance (s).

[25] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the system comprises one or more sensors arranged to allow the recognition of passengers installed in passenger compartment and act on the basis of data related to these passengers for the management of comfort according to the invention.

[26] According to one aspect of the invention, the system includes a Human-Machine interface to allow the passenger to choose the olfactory environment in the passenger compartment.

[27] The system comprises a processing unit designed to, from data acquired on the passenger, produce with the diffusion of volatile substances, a personalized olfactory environment adapted to this passenger.

[28] The subject of the invention is also a method for managing comfort, in particular for a motor vehicle, this method comprising the step of diffusing into a passenger compartment, a volatile substance designed to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person can. have when she enters this cabin.

[29] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the method comprises a first step of diffusing the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, and a second step after the first, of diffusing into the person. passenger compartment a volatile pleasure substance, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma

[30] According to one of the aspects of the invention, at least the first step is implemented in the time interval between the departure of a passenger from the motor vehicle and the arrival of a new passenger in this vehicle, in particular the first and second steps are implemented in this time interval.

[31] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first and second steps are implemented during a journey in the motor vehicle, in particular when the passenger or passengers want a change in the olfactory atmosphere.

[32] The invention makes it possible to pre-condition the comfort of the vehicle on the olfactory level, in particular by neutralizing the olfactory perception of the occupant and by preparing the passenger compartment according to the olfactory demand of the occupant. [33] According to one aspect of the invention, it is recommended to precondition the vehicle on the olfactory level by using a white olfactory substance to deceive the olfactory perception of the passenger.

[34] In this case, for the passenger, the environment is perceived to be odorless.

[35] The invention provides, as a variant, in particular to precondition the vehicle in a perfumed manner by implementing an odor reset step before diffusing a perfume or aroma expected and / or required by the passenger.

[36] For example the reset odor can be achieved by using coffee beans as the universal odor. This induces a cerebral association between a neutral odor and its representative image, which has the function of cleaning all other odors.

[37] This reset can, if desired, be carried out as many times as necessary, for example for preconditioning, for example in the case of two different passengers one after the other in the vehicle, between two different journeys , when the odors come from outside.

[38] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to avoid having to recognize an unpleasant odor and having to diffuse a counter-odor, for each different spectrum.

[39] Again thanks to the invention, it is possible to avoid having unpleasant mixed odors since the invention first provides to neutralize in one way or another the existing odors and then only to diffuse the new smell, scent or fragrance.

[40] In particular, preconditioning needs a learning phase to define the right smell in a personalized way.

[41] According to one aspect of the invention, the attenuation or erasure of existing odors in the passenger compartment is carried out by said volatile substance to neutralize or attenuate the existing olfactory perception, and not by an aspiration or a discharge of air in the passenger compartment, for example with a ventilator or by opening the windows.

[42] The invention makes it possible in particular to act on the olfactory atmosphere without having to know the odors present in the vehicle. [43] As a variant, an odor recognition system is provided which makes it possible to diffuse a neutralizing odor or a white odor when certain conditions are met, for example by a command from the passenger.

[44] If desired, the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or mitigate an existing scent perception is emitted and then a signature scent is released to provide a predetermined scent ambience, which can be personalized according to the passenger's identity.

[45] It is understood that all of the above characteristics and configurations are in no way limiting. Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not limitation with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[46] Figure 1 [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[47] Figure 2 [Fig. 2] illustrates different steps of a process according to an example of the invention.

[48] Figure 1 shows a comfort management system 1 for a motor vehicle, this system being arranged to diffuse in a passenger compartment 2, a volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when entering. in this cabin.

[49] System 1 compotes a reservoir 10 of volatile substance.

[50] Volatile substance is a white odor chosen to make the person in the passenger compartment feel odorless. In particular, this volatile substance comprises a plurality of compounds which are selected to act on human cells linked to the sense of smell to produce this sensation of absence of odor. In particular, the white odor mixes with the odor that we want to erase / replace.

[51] The use of a white odor, in particular instead of masking unpleasant odors as is currently proposed, with in this case the need to identify the unpleasant odor and allow a counter-odor to diffuse, makes it possible to block the perception of the unpleasant odor to be masked, in particular by saturating the olfactory receptors. It is thus unnecessary to identify the unpleasant odor in order to correct it. This procedure is particularly effective for all odors, unpleasant or not.

[52] In a variation of the invention, the volatile substance is a resetting odor perceivable by the person, triggering in the person a mental image related to the odor. This reset odor is chosen to generate a mental image intense enough to alleviate or overwhelm the person's perception of existing odors in the cabin. For example, this reset smell is a smell of coffee beans or a smell of ginger. Other smells may be suggested.

[53] The system 1 is arranged to diffuse by anticipation the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, before the person enters the passenger compartment. This person on entering the cabin experiences the smell environment, and it is important that they do not have an unpleasant feeling, which can happen in shared car situations.

[54] The system 1 is arranged to perform, when a passenger P1 leaves the sharing vehicle (step 11 of FIG. 2), a step 12 of diffusing the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of a person, and a step 13 after the previous step 12, to diffuse in the passenger compartment 2 a volatile pleasure substance, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma, which can be personalized to a person P2 who will enter the passenger compartment. passenger compartment (step 14).

[55] The person P2 thus finds himself in an olfactory environment that suits him, thanks to the olfactory preparation steps 12 and 13.

[56] Thus steps 12 and 13 are implemented in the time interval between the departure of passenger P1 from the motor vehicle and the arrival of a new passenger P2 in this vehicle.

[57] Odor personalization step 13 can be omitted, if desired, and only odor neutralization step 12 is applied. [58] In the example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the invention also makes it possible to change the olfactory atmosphere during use of the vehicle during a journey, if the passenger or passengers so wish.

[59] In this example, the passenger (s) remain in the vehicle, for example during a journey. Thus, the system 1 is arranged to, in a step 21, diffuse a volatile substance, for example a first perfume, then in a following step 22 for controlling a change of olfactory atmosphere, then diffuse the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the passenger (s) in order to change the olfactory atmosphere in the passenger compartment, for example to change the atmosphere following a change in the mood of the passenger (s), or by choice and command of the passenger (step 23).

[60] In step 24, a volatile pleasure substance, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma, is diffused in the passenger compartment.

[61] Thus the passenger (s) can change the olfactory atmosphere during a journey.

[62] According to one aspect of the invention, the system 1 is arranged to recognize the person (s) in the passenger compartment and to diffuse the volatile approval substance according to this person (s).

[63] This recognition is achieved in particular by information exchanged between the vehicle and the person. As a variant, this recognition is obtained by means of a sensor placed in the passenger compartment and arranged to acquire data on the person in the passenger compartment, this sensor being in particular a camera.

[64] System 1 includes a Man-Machine interface designed to allow the person to enter a choice of volatile substance for approval.

[65] The system 1 comprises one or more diffusers 9 to diffuse the volatile substance (s).

[66] The system 1 may include one or more sensors 19 arranged to allow the recognition of passengers installed in the passenger compartment and to act according to data related to these passengers for the management of comfort according to the invention. [67] The system 1 comprises a processing unit designed to, from data acquired on the passenger, produce with the diffusion of volatile substances, a personalized olfactory environment adapted to this passenger.

Claims

[Claim 1] Comfort management system (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, this system being arranged to diffuse in a passenger compartment, a volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate an existing olfactory perception that a person could have when he is. in this cabin.

[Claim 2] A system according to the preceding claim, wherein the volatile substance is a white odor selected to impart to the person in the passenger compartment a sense of odorlessness.

[Claim 3] The system of claim 1, wherein the volatile substance is a person-perceivable reset odor triggering in the person a mental image related to the odor.

[Claim 4] A system according to the preceding claim, wherein this reset smell is a smell of coffee beans or a smell of ginger.

[Claim 5] System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the system is arranged for in a first step to diffuse the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, and in a second step after the first, to diffuse in the passenger compartment a volatile pleasure substance, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma.

[Claim 6] System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when entering this passenger compartment is chosen independently of potential unwanted residual odors in the passenger compartment. passenger compartment.

[Claim 7] A method of managing comfort, in particular for a motor vehicle, this method comprising the step of diffusing into a passenger compartment a volatile substance designed to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception that a person may have when entering this room. passenger compartment.

[Claim 8] Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a first step of diffusing the volatile substance arranged to neutralize or attenuate the olfactory perception of the person, and a second step after the first, of diffusing into the passenger compartment a volatile substance of amenity, in particular a fragrance, a perfume, an aroma.

[Claim 9] The method of claim 8, wherein at least the first step is implemented in the time interval between the departure of a passenger from the motor vehicle and the arrival of a new passenger in this vehicle, in particular the first and second steps are implemented in this time interval.

[Claim 10] The method of claim 8, in which the first and second steps are implemented during a journey in the motor vehicle, in particular when the passenger or passengers wish a change in the olfactory atmosphere.