FR2867424A1 - Air odorizing control method for e.g. tourist vehicle, involves controlling air odorizing by fragrance diffusion using display and control unit that has operating mode for defining condition of diffusion of odorized air flow - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves controlling air odorizing by fragrance diffusion using a display and control unit (100). The unit has an operating mode to define condition of diffusion of odorized air flow, and to display and regulate a selection between two fragrances and a level of the chosen fragrance. The unit has a setting mode to display and adjust parameters related to duration of diffusion and quantity of fragrance to be diffused.

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AIR DIFFUSION AIR ODORISATION

  FRAGRANCE FOR VEHICLE ODORIZATION DEVICE

AUTOMOBILE

  The invention relates to a fragrance diffusion air odorization control method for a motor vehicle odorization device.

  There is currently an important need for the diffusion of fragrance in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. Indeed, whether to hide a stench more or less unpleasant such as tobacco, exhaust, glues or plastics of the cabin, or to create a scented atmosphere, this diffusion of fragrance is more and more appreciated by users, whatever the range of the vehicle, even in industrial vehicles such as vans carrying equipment.

  Moreover, the choice of a vehicle could be guided by the fragrance generated by its interior, mainly with regard to new vehicles. It is notably known that the smell of a certain well-known leather is particularly appreciated in high-end vehicles, this smell reflecting a high level of quality.

  To diffuse a fragrance inside a vehicle during use or at a standstill, there are thus various means ranging from the simplest device, such as the diffuser attached to the rearview mirror, to the complex device integrated in the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning apparatus, through the diffusers which are placed in front of static type aerators or having their own air propulsion system.

  The diffusion means hung on the inside rear-view mirror (or glued on the dashboard or against a door) have the main disadvantage of the sudden variation of the perfume, which is too strong at the beginning and then very quickly deteriorates in time or fluctuates according to internal parameters, including temperature. It is therefore necessary to change them often because their life is extremely shortened. They are also sometimes unsightly and can hinder driving if they are arranged in front of the windshield, in the driver's field of vision.

  The diffusion means placed in front of an aerator, such as those described in patent document FR 2 764 806, have the main disadvantage of being placed in front of a single aerator and thus of diffusing the fragrance in a very localized manner. Moreover, it is inefficient when the air is not expelled by the thermal device. Finally, it should also change often, its cost is higher. In addition, such an implantation makes the adjustment of aerators difficult. Thus, these diffusion means prevent the modification of the orientation of the nozzles and the direction of the air flows to meet the desired comfort.

  With regard to the diffusers integrated into a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning apparatus, such as those described in the documents FR 2 833 887 or FR 2 825 949, it appears that they do not make it possible to precisely control the flow of heat. fragrant air, especially in terms of the intensity of the fumes felt in the passenger compartment. The proposed settings of the operating parameters are indeed not sufficiently extensive and thin, so that the diffusion of fragrance is not optimized and is not exploited satisfactorily for optimum comfort of the passengers of the vehicle.

  To solve these problems, the invention proposes to control the broadcasting device according to at least two complementary modes, one relating to the practical operation by the user and the other relating to the adjustment, so as to allow adjustments to be made. simple or advanced fragrance diffusion.

  More specifically, the subject of the invention is a fragrance diffusion air odorization control method for a motor vehicle odorization device, using a control and display member, said method comprising at least one mode of use for the definition of the conditions of diffusion of a flow of odorized air, namely an operating mode for displaying and adjusting the selection between at least two fragrances and the level of the selected fragrance, said mode of functioning being accessible directly by a user.

  Advantageously, the method also comprises a parameterization mode for displaying and adjusting parameters related to the diffusion duration and the quantity of fragrance to be diffused, said setting mode being activated during an adjustment of the apparatus and made technically inaccessible. to the user.

  According to preferred embodiments of the present invention: the transition from the operating mode to the parameterization mode is carried out using a masked switching means either physically or electronically, in particular by encoding; the intensity of the fragrance is adjustable according to at least two levels of flow of odorized air flow, and preferably five levels; a diffusion zone is chosen between front and back and / or right and left; the parameters of the parameterization mode are, for each selected fragrance: the duration of the diffusion cycle, the cyclic ratio of diffusion intermittence with respect to the complete duration of a cycle, and the intensity of the diffused fragrance. Advantageously, the duration of the diffusion cycle is variable between 0 and 300 seconds, the diffusion duty cycle is between 0 and 100% and the diffusion intensity of each fragrance is selected from five intensity levels defined by five angles. 'Diffusion opening different.

  Preferably, in the operating mode, the method comprises the following steps: a) choice of the fragrance by pulse on a control selector along a first axis, and b) choice of the intensity of the chosen fragrance by pulse on the selector control according to a second axis; According to preferred embodiments of the present invention: the method comprises an additional step c) of choosing the pulse distribution zone on dedicated contactors.

  step c) takes place before step a) or after step a) or step b); when a fragrance is chosen in step a), a pulse on the control selector in the direction opposite to that corresponding to said fragrance places the odorizing device in OFF mode; - once the engine of the vehicle is off and after a delay of a certain duration, the odorizing device is placed in OFF mode; Preferably, in the parameterization mode, the method comprises the following steps: d) displaying parameters and their state, e) selecting a parameter by pulse on a control selector according to a first axis, f) adjusting the value of the parameter selected by pushing the control selector along a second axis, and g) repeating steps d) and f) as many times as there are parameters to be adjusted; the method further comprises a validation step e ') or f') after step e) and / or step f).

  Advantageously, the method comprises a third mode of parameterization, called customization mode, to display and adjust the customization of the parameters according to the wishes of the user.

  According to preferred embodiments of the present invention: the display of each fragrance is modifiable by the user in customization mode.

  - The display of each fragrance is modifiable by selecting between several fragrances of a predefined table, then validation, to match a new fragrance introduced into the device.

  Preferably, in the personalization mode, the method comprises the following steps: h) displaying the name of the fragrance in use, il) selecting a new predefined name from a scrolling list by pulse on a control selector along an axis , and j) store and store the new selected name. Advantageously, step 11) is followed by the following steps: 12) scrolling characters by pulse on the control selector along a first axis, 13) confirming the character chosen by pulse on the control selector along a second axis, 14) repeat steps i2) and i3) to display the full name of the fragrance.

  In an alternative embodiment, step 11 can be omitted.

  Preferably, the method further comprises a step k) storing the new name of the fragrance in the control member so that it is used in each mode.

  Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of example and which respectively represent: FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of an odorizing device controllable by the process according to the present invention; - FIG. 2, a schematic view of a control member of the fragrance diffusion device; - FIGS. 3 and 4, detailed views of the 10 in a first operating mode called operating mode, - Figure 5, a second detail view of the control member of Figure 2 in a second mode of use called mode 6, a detail view of the driver of Figure 2 in a third mode of use called personalization mode.

  FIG. 1 represents an odorization device 10 belonging more generally to a ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle. This device 10 comprises a plate 20 provided with at least two cylindrical bosses 22 for fixing an actuator 24 constituted here by a micromotor having a spline shaft 26 drive. The actuator has at least two bosses 28 that may be traversed by at least two screws 30 that also engage in the bosses 22 of the plate 20 to ensure that the actuator 24 is fastened to the plate 20.

  The plate 20 is provided with a seat 32 of annular shape which is directed on the opposite side to the actuator 24. In the seat 32, opens an inlet window 34 for a flow of air to be odorized, and a window of outlet 36 for the flow of odorised air. These two windows end in diametrically opposite regions and each have the shape of an opening in an arc. The windows 34 and 36 communicate respectively with an inlet pipe 38 and an outlet pipe 40. The inlet pipe 38 is connected to a source of air to be odorized, while the outlet pipe is connected to a pipe opening in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. For this, the flow of air to be odorized enters the tubing 38, as illustrated by the arrow F1, while the flow of odorized air escapes through the outlet pipe 40, as illustrated by the arrow F2.

  The plate 20 also comprises a central opening 42 of circular shape for the passage of the spline shaft 26. On the seat 32 is attached a seal 44 which has two windows 46 and 48 may respectively correspond to the windows 34 and 36 of the seat, and a central opening 50 adapted to correspond with the central opening 42 of the plate 20. The seal is held in position by two lugs formed projecting on the seat of the plate and coming engage in two holes 54 of the seal.

  The shaft 26 is adapted to drive a distribution member 56 in the form of a disc which comprises three square shaped openings 58 offset from each other. The distribution member 56 receives a seal 60 which comprises three branches 62 terminated by a pierced end 64 coming to fit opposite an opening of the distribution member.

  The distribution member 56 cooperates with a first end 66 of a casing 68 of generally cylindrical circular shape, the other end 70 opens on an anterior wall 72. The casing 68 comprises a cylindrical wall 73 provided with a partition internal diametrical 74 defining two housings 76 of general semicylindrical shape, each intended to house a cartridge 78 containing an aromatic agent for odorizing the air flow. The two cartridges each end with an end cap 80.

  In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the cartridges are arranged in the axial direction of the envelope being juxtaposed vertically, which defines an upper cartridge and a lower cartridge. The end caps 80 preferably carry identification means, for example optical and / or mechanical, intended to identify the nature of the aromatic agent they contain. The casing also has two attachment lugs 82, for example on a glove box wall (not shown).

  The actuator makes it possible to bring the distribution member 56 into a multitude of selected positions, in particular a storage position, called OFF, in which no fragrance is crossed by the flow of air to be odorized, and several positions in which the air flow passes through one or the other of the upper and lower cartridges in order to odorize the flow of air. The cartridges 78 are held in the casing by means of the lugs 86 of which each cartridge is provided and which cooperate with housings 88 arranged in the cylindrical wall 73 of the casing.

  The piloting of this example of fragrance diffusion odorization device 10 is carried out in accordance with the present invention as follows. This control is divided into three distinct modes of use of the diffusion conditions of the fragrances used, these modes being adapted to a predefined level of accessibility.

  Thus, to display and adjust these different modes of use, an electronic display member 100 and odor control, shown in Figures 2 to 6, is provided to collaborate with the fragrance diffusion device 10.

  The first mode of use is called the operating mode because it concerns the basic parameters of operation of the fragrance diffusion device, namely the choice of a fragrance A or B (in the embodiment, A is jasmine). and B vanilla), the regulation of the flow rate of the charged air flow of the chosen fragrance, and the choice of the diffusion zone of the fragrance, for example left or right. This first mode of use is directly accessible by the user, in particular by a direct access to the dashboard of the vehicle.

  The second mode of use is called the parameterization mode, since it concerns the setting of the diffusion and its intrinsic parameters, namely: the duration DC of the diffusion cycle, typically between 0 and 300 seconds in an exemplary embodiment; the ratio cyclic RC of the diffusion, expressed in percentage and representing the ratio between the effective duration of operation of the diffusion and the complete duration of the cycle, and - the intensity I of the fragrance, that is to say the content relative perfume for each fragrance and for each intensity level In the illustrated example, the parameterization mode is rendered technically inaccessible to the user and remains accessible only by authorized persons, such as the manufacturer of the vehicle or apparatus ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning, a car dealer or a garage technician.

  The third mode of use is called customization mode. It allows to modify and display the name of the fragrances more completely and according to the wishes of the user.

  The electronic display member 100 and odor control is electrically connected to the fragrance diffusion device 10, in particular the motor 24, in a manner known per se, for example via a connection interface.

  This odorization control member 100 comprises a display 102 on which the information relating to fragrance diffusion is displayed in a manner that is visible and comprehensible to the user, a set of selectors or control buttons 105a, 105b and 105c, preferably reprogrammable according to the chosen mode, a power supply 106 and a mode change button 110, which is masked according to the illustrated embodiment.

  The control member 100 is mounted on a control panel of the vehicle, for example the center console, that is to say the area of the dashboard where are located the settings of the ventilation apparatus, heating and / or air conditioning.

  The button 105a is for example of the two-axis type, up / down, illustrated by the pictograms + and -, and right / left, illustrated by the pictograms <and>. It allows in particular, as explained below, to choose the fragrance, to put the odorizer device 10 in the OFF position (pictogram OFF), or to increase or decrease a chosen parameter.

  When the user keeps the button pressed (left, right, up or down), the successive positions of the parameter to be set scroll as a sequence of pulses.

  The control member 100 also comprises two buttons 105b and 105c used for example to choose to send the flow of air odor to the right or left of the passenger compartment in the standard mode, and possibly to set other factory parameters or constructor in the parameter mode.

  The standard operating mode, accessible directly by the driver or a passenger of the vehicle to adjust the basic parameters, is described below: When the vehicle is started, the system is in the OFF position.

  To select the fragrance A: - From the OFF position, a pulse on the left of the button 105a, that is to say a pulse on the pictogram <, makes it possible to broadcast the fragrance A (also called Ambiance A) to the Level 1 airflow.

  - From the fragrance B, two pulses on the left on the button 105a, a first impulse to go to the OFF mode, then a second impulse, allow to pass to the fragrance A which is then diffused at level 1 of air flow .

  To select the fragrance B: - From the OFF position, a pulse to the right of the button 105a, that is to say on the pictogram>, makes it possible to broadcast the fragrance B (also called environment B) at level 1 air flow.

  - From the fragrance A, two pulses to the right on the button 105a, a first impulse to go to the OFF mode, then a second impulse, allow to move to the fragrance B which is then diffused at level 1 of air flow .

  To select the OFF position: - From the fragrance A, just a right pulse on the button 105a.

  - From the fragrance B, just a pulse on the left button 105a.

  The change of intensity I of the fragrance once it has been chosen (A or B) is the following: - to increase the flow rate of the odorized air flow, any upward pulse (pictogram +) on the adjustment knob 105a increases the level of diffusion of this fragrance one notch until reaching the maximum extreme position, typically level 5. When the maximum level is reached, any additional upward pulse is ineffective.

  - To reduce the flow rate of the odorized air flow, any downward pulse (pictogram -) on the adjustment button 105a decreases the level of the selected fragrance by one notch until reaching the zero minimum extreme level in which none of the fragrance is not crossed by the flow of air. When the null position, or OFF, is reached, any additional downward pulse is ineffective.

  To pass the airflow diffusion to the right or left, simply manipulate one and / or other of the buttons 105b and 105c.

  Of course, each adjustment step is displayed graphically in real time on the screen 102. A validation step of the chosen fragrance and its value can also be provided if necessary.

  The initialization of the device occurs automatically, for example thirty seconds after switching off the contact (time delay for handling the unintentional power-off type cuts). If the fragrance A was selected before the engine was cut, it remains selected at the selected level. If the fragrance B was selected before the motor was cut, it remains selected at the chosen level. If the OFF position was selected at the time of power failure, the system remains at this position.

  The setting mode, used to select and adjust the advanced parameters, is described below.

  To enter this setting mode, it is first necessary to select it using the hidden switch button 110 by applying a pulse using for example a pen tip. Once the parameter mode is selected, the control buttons 105a, 105b and 105c and the display 102 are reprogrammed to correspond to the parameters specific to this second mode. A pictogram can for example be registered on the screen to report it to the authorized person.

  In this setting mode, buttons 105 provide access to the three advanced parameters which are the duration of the DC cycle in seconds (with an accuracy of approximately 2 seconds), the duty ratio RC (in percentage from 0 to 100) and the intensity which corresponds in fact to a fine adjustment of the angle that the micromotor 24 takes with respect to the rest position (OFF) and defining a passage section of the air to be odorized specific to each intensity.

  Indeed, when two or more fragrances are used, there may be one fragrance more odorous than the other so that in the basic operating mode, the level 1 setting for the air flow of the one can match level 3 of the other fragrance. It is notably known that violet and jasmine are fragrances with a stronger fragrance than rose or vanilla. To harmonize the fragrances chosen and installed in the diffuser, it can thus be useful to establish a kind of balance of fragrances by performing a finer adjustment on each of them.

  The operation of the button 105a is similar to its use in the standard operating mode. Simply select the parameter, DC, RC or I represented in pictogram, then decrease or increase it by upward or downward pressure on the button 105a. The parameter being changed flashes on the display and the values change as the pulses change.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the cycle time is thus 60 seconds, the duty cycle is 50%, that is, the fragrance diffusion lasts 30 seconds for each cycle of operation. The relative intensity of the fragrance A is 10%, that is, the opening section of the air passage is at 10% of its maximum section, and the flow level of the fragrance A is 2%. / 5.

  Once the values of these parameters have been chosen one by one by successively repeating the selection and adjustment steps, and once the focusing is judged to be satisfactory, a pulse on the switching button 110 from the parameterization mode makes it possible to iron in operating mode. The function buttons 105a, 105b and 105c and the display 102 adapt accordingly by storing the advanced parameters and displaying the new parameters.

  The third personalization mode is selected: either from the masked button 110, for example by a double pulse using the tip, or by a longer pulse, or from the command selectors, for example to the using a combination of keys pressed successively or at the same time, or by pressing a key for a specified period of time longer than the pressure usually used to select or modify a parameter.

  In this third mode, it is mainly to display and modify the name of the fragrances used in the vehicle. Even if the fragrance is recognized immediately by an optical, mechanical and / or electronic system when introducing a cartridge, it is possible to change its name to meet the needs of users so that they can more easily recognize the available fragrances. or in use. Indeed, a simple title such as atmosphere A is a priori not significant, while Jasmin, Rose or Violet is directly identifiable.

  The display of each fragrance can thus be modified by selecting between several fragrances of a predefined table comprising a plurality of prerecorded names, then validation, to correspond to a new fragrance introduced into the device.

  It is also possible to assign a new name to the fragrance in use, as shown in Figure 6. For this, it is possible to display the current name on the screen 102, such as Ambience A and , using a right or left-hand pulse on the control button 105a, to choose the character to be modified. An upward or downward pulse on the button 105a then allows the letters to go up or down in the order of the alphabet. The previous steps are repeated with each character to display the new name. It is possible to provide a validation step for each character, or once the name entered in full. The character being set flashes, like the N of jasmine in Figure 6.

  Of course, once the new name determined, it is used by the device for all modes of use, for example by replacing the letters A and / or B by the names entered in the customization mode.

  The design of the display 102, that is to say the screen, allows an aesthetic integration in the control panel of the vehicle and easy reading of the parameters and mode selected. It is particularly appropriate to use a display comparable to those existing in the vehicle in terms of color and contrast and to ensure that it is visible day and night.

  In operating mode, the display comprises, for example, an eleven-position horizontal bar chart graphical display system for illustrating the central OFF position and five positions on either side of the OFF position to illustrate the five positions. different levels of flow of air flow odorized by the fragrance A and B, as shown in Figure 4. The display can, as an alternative embodiment, be in the form of a bar graph vertical five bars representing only the level of a single fragrance, as illustrated in Figure 3. A pictogram error or malfunction can also be provided. The graphic representations are preferably flashing type being set according to the selected fragrance, and are fixed once the adjustment is made.

  The advantages of such a device are the following: - Discrete integration in the vehicle style and architecture of the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning, - Control via the control panel of air conditioning with various functions, - Diffusion of perfume by the existing air vents, for a uniform or separate distribution locally of the fragrance inside the cabin, - Control of the softness of the diffusion by integrated management software, - Compatibility or adaptation possible with all new automatic air conditioning systems for passenger vehicles or utilities, including multi-zone.

  It should be understood, however, that the detailed description, given solely by way of illustration of the subject of the invention, in no way constitutes a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

  The fragrance control device can be independent or linked to normal ventilation.

  The transition from the operating mode to the parameterization mode can be done by means other than a tip, for example with a specific tool that only the authorized persons could possess, or electronically, for example with an unknown coding. driver and occupants of the vehicle.

  The number of cartridges can be greater than two and the fragrances can be mixed together in the airflow.

  The fragrance diffusion cycle can be greater than 300 seconds, with no time limit.

  The number of possible positions representing the clean intensity of each fragrance may be greater than five.

  Furthermore, the diffusion zone can also be chosen between the front and rear portions of the equipped vehicle.

  The control member is integrated or not to a ventilation device, heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle.

Claims (24)

  1. Fragrance diffusion air odorisation control method for a motor vehicle odorization device (10), using a control and display device (100), characterized in that it comprises at least one mode of use for the definition of the conditions of diffusion of a flow of odorized air, namely an operating mode for displaying and regulating the selection between at least two fragrances and the level of the selected fragrance, said operating mode being accessible directly by a user 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a setting mode for displaying and setting parameters related to the diffusion time and the amount of fragrance to be diffused, said setting mode being activated during a setting. at the point of the apparatus (10) and made technically inaccessible to the user.   3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the transition from operating mode to the parameterization mode is performed using a masked switching means either physically (110) or electronically, in particular by encoding.   4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the parameters of the parameterization mode are, for each selected fragrance: the diffusion cycle duration (DC), the diffusion intermittence duty cycle ratio (RC) with respect to the duration complete cycle, and the intensity (I) of the fragrance diffused.   The method of claim 4, wherein the duration of the broadcast cycle (DC) is variable between 0 and 300 seconds.   6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the diffusion duty cycle (CR) is between 0 and 100%.   The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the diffusion intensity (I) of each fragrance is selected from a plurality of intensity levels defined by different diffusion opening angles.   8. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, in the parameterization mode: d) display parameters and their state, e) select a parameter by pulse on a selector f) set the value of the selected parameter by pulse on the control selector along a second axis, and g) repeat steps d) and f) as many times as there are parameters to be adjusted .   9. The method of claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a validation step e ') or f') after step e) and / or step f).   10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the level of the fragrance is adjustable in at least two levels of flow of the odorized air stream, and preferably five levels.   11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a diffusion zone is selected between forward and backward and / or right and left.   12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, in the operating mode: a) choice of the fragrance by pulse on a control selector (105a) along a first axis, and b) choosing the intensity of the fragrance selected by pulse on the control selector (105a) along a second axis.   13. Process according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises an additional step c) of choosing the pulse distribution zone on dedicated contactors (105b, 105c).   14. The method of claim 13, characterized in that step c) takes place before step a).   15. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that step c) takes place after step a) or b).   16. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, when a fragrance is selected in step a), a pulse on the control selector in the opposite direction to that corresponding to said fragrance places the device odorization (10) in OFF mode. 10   17. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, once the engine of the vehicle is switched off and after a delay of a determined duration, the odorizer (10) is placed in OFF mode.   18. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third mode of parameterization, called customization mode, to display and adjust the customization of the parameters according to the wishes of the user.   19. The method of claim 18, characterized in that the display of each fragrance is modifiable by the user in customization mode.   20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the display of each fragrance is modifiable by selecting between several fragrances of a predefined table, then validation, to correspond to a new fragrance introduced into the device (1).   21. The method of claim 18 or 19, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, in the customization mode: h) display the name of the fragrance in use, il) select a new predefined name in a list scrolling down a control selector along an axis, and j) storing and storing the new selected name.   22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that step i) is followed by the following steps: i2) scrolling characters by pulse on the control selector 25 according to a first axis, i3) validating the chosen character by pulse on the control selector along a second axis, i4) repeat steps i2) and i3) to display the full name of the fragrance.   23. The method of claim 18 or 19, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, in the customization mode: h) display the name of the fragrance in use, i2) scroll characters by pulse on the control selector according to a first axis, i3) validating the chosen character by pulse on the control selector according to a second axis, i4) repeating steps i2) and i3) to display the full name of the fragrance, j) storing and storing the new name selected.   24. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 21 to 23, characterized in that it comprises a step k) storing the new name of the fragrance in the control member (100) so that it is used in all other modes.