FR3062598A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE WEAR OF A PARTICLE FILTER PLACED ON AN AIR CIRCUIT OF AN AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION FOR A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the clogging of at least one particulate filter (13) fitted to an air conditioning installation (1) of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a monitoring device (14) adapted to implement the method of the invention. The method of the invention comprises at least one calculation step (E2) identifying a clogging state (22) of the particulate filter (13) from at least two parameters (17a, 17b). A first parameter (17a) relates to the flow rate of at least one air flow (F3) generated by a motor-fan unit (6) of the air conditioning installation (1) and passing through the particulate filter. (13). A second parameter (17b) relates to the concentration of particles contained in the airflow (F3).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,062,598 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17 50908

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 60 H 1/00 (2017.01), B 60 H 3/06, B 01 D 35/14, 46/42

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 03.02.17. © Applicant (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS (© Priority: Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): LADRECH FREDERIC, MARTINELL AMANDA and GOUR JOSSELIN. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 10.08.18 Bulletin 18/32. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE WEAR OF A PARTICLE FILTER PLACED ON AN AIR CIRCUIT OF AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE.

FR 3,062,598 - A1 (3d) The invention relates to a method for monitoring the clogging of at least one particulate filter (13) fitted to an air conditioning installation (1) of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a monitoring device (14) capable of implementing the method of the invention. The method of the invention comprises at least one calculation step (E2) identifying a clogging state (22) of the particle filter (13) from at least two parameters (17a, 17b). A first parameter (17a) relates to the flow rate of at least one air flow (F3) generated by a motor-fan unit (6) of the air conditioning installation (1) and passing through the particle filter (13). A second parameter (17b) relates to the concentration of particles contained in the air flow (F3).

The field of the present invention is that of air conditioning installations fitted to vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. The invention relates to methods of purifying an air flow circulating inside such an air conditioning installation. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and / or devices making it possible to monitor the wear of a particulate filter through which the air flow passes.

The air conditioning installations for a vehicle are organized to treat the air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Such an installation in particular provides ventilation of the passenger compartment and / or heat treatment of at least one air flow supplied to the passenger compartment. From the heating and / or cooling of the air flow, the ambient air in the passenger compartment can be brought to a set temperature to improve passenger comfort.

The installation generally comprises at least one motor-fan group generating an air flow circulating through various ducts of the installation. The air flowing through the conduits is in particular outside air coming from outside the vehicle and / or recycled air, that is to say coming from the passenger compartment. One or more flaps then make it possible to regulate the respective amounts of outside air and / or recycled air from which the flow of air flowing through the ducts of the installation to the passenger compartment comes.

The air flow contains suspended particles and / or conveys undesirable odors coming from the air taken from the outside environment of the vehicle and / or from the recycled air taken from the passenger compartment which is also more or less stale . It is therefore common to equip air conditioning installations with air cleaning devices allowing the best possible removal of particles and / or odors from the air in the passenger compartment and / or from the air. outside. Such depuration devices include in particular one or more particulate filters placed on the path of the air flow.

However, the particulate filters clog up in use with the effect of losing their efficiency and obstructing the circulation of air through them, which induces significant pressure drops in the installation. To overcome this drawback, a common solution is to regularly replace the particle filters according to an estimated period of predefined service life. However, such a solution has the disadvantage of having to replace a particle filter whose state of wear resulting from its clogging is not proven, or of replacing the particle filter too late after it has been clogged.

To avoid replacing a particulate filter in working condition, it is known to estimate its clogging by a visual wear indicator integrated into the filter or by evaluation of its fouling. It has also been proposed, for example by document EP1238838 (PARAGON), to evaluate the gaseous pollution supported by a particle filter to deduce its state of clogging.

It is useful to seek solutions to improve the precision and reliability of the clogging monitoring of one or more particulate filters equipping an air conditioning installation of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

The subject of the invention is a method for monitoring the clogging of a particulate filter fitted to an air conditioning installation for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The subject of the invention is also a device for monitoring the clogging of a particle filter organized to implement the method of the invention, as well as an air conditioning installation equipped with such a monitoring device.

The object of the invention is to avoid the unnecessary replacement of the particulate filter whose clogging is not proven or the late replacement of a clogged particulate filter, based on a reliable and precise evaluation of its possible clogging. .

Another object of the invention is to propose such monitoring method and device which are economically viable with regard to the advantages obtained.

The method of the invention comprises at least one calculation step identifying a clogging state of the particle filter from at least two parameters. A first parameter relates to the flow rate of at least one air flow generated by a fan unit of the air conditioning installation and passing through the particle filter. A second parameter relates to the concentration of particles contained in the air flow.

The evaluation of the clogging state of the particulate filter is obtained efficient by correlation between data relating to the pollution of the air flow and data relating to the effective quantity of air circulating through the particulate filter. Such an amount of air is identified in particular from the activation modes of the motor-fan unit. Pollution of the air flow can be identified by a particle sensor, such as in particular an optical sensor, placed on the path traveled by the air flow in particular upstream of the particle filter.

Taking into account the modalities of activation of the motor-fan unit allows reliable and precise identification of the concentration of particles that the particle filter actually receives. Taking into account the concentration of particles contained upstream in the air flow also participates in this identification, and makes it possible to monitor the quantity of particles present in the air flow to be filtered, whatever the source of sampling of the air from which the air flow is generated, in particular outside air coming from outside the vehicle and / or recycled air coming from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The method can be implemented without inducing a significant additional cost of the installation or in other words without affecting its economic competitiveness with regard to the performance obtained from monitoring a possible clogging of the particulate filter.

More particularly, the calculation step identifies the clogging state of the particle filter by taking temporally into account the concentrations of particles contained in the air flow with flow rates of this air flow which passes through the particle filter.

The flow rate of a given air flow to be filtered passing through the particle filter and / or its particle concentration can vary during the time of its generation by the motor-fan unit between an activation phase and a stop phase of the fan unit. The calculation step identifies the clogging state of the particulate filter taking into account possible variations in the flow rate of the air flow and / or its particle concentration for the duration of their generation. The relevance and reliability of the identification of the clogging state of the particulate filter are reinforced.

According to one embodiment, the calculation step comprises at least one operation for calculating the number of particles retained inside the particle filter through which the air flow passes, taking into account at least one value of the second parameter and a correlation between values of the first parameter. The values of the first parameter include at least one duration of activation of the motor-fan group and a power consumed by the motor-fan group to generate the air flow.

The duration of activation of the motor-driven fan unit is for example determined by measuring a duration of supply of electrical energy to the motor-driven fan unit. The power consumed by the motor-ventilator group to generate the air flow is for example determined by a voltage and an intensity of the electric current consumed by the motor-ventilator group during the activation period.

Additionally, the values of the first parameter are at least one position of at least one flap for regulating the circulation of the air flow inside the air conditioning installation.

The measurement of the flow rate of the air flow passing through the particle filter is refined by taking into account the position of at least one component of the installation regulating the circulation of the air flow inside and / or outside. from the air conditioning system to the passenger compartment. The relevance and precision of the first parameter are reinforced, which increases the reliability of the identification of clogging of the particulate filter. In other words, the measurement of the flow rate of the air flow passing through the particle filter can be refined by taking into account the position of at least one flap which is in particular placed upstream of the particle filter according to the direction of circulation of the flow d air through the installation and / or at least one shutter regulating the admission of the air flow out of the air conditioning installation towards the passenger compartment. The flap or flaps whose position is taken into account in the values of the first parameter are for example at least one flap regulating the respective quantities of the outside air and / or of the recycled air from which the air flow comes, and / or for example also one or more flaps regulating the evacuation of the air flow from the air conditioning installation and its admission into the passenger compartment.

The position of the flap is in particular identified by at least one position sensor with which it is equipped, which makes it possible to increase the reliability of the identification of the clogging of the particle filter by avoiding inducing a significant additional cost of the installation of air conditioning. Such position sensors are, for example, integrated in a shutter operating motor, such as in particular an electric stepping operating motor, the activation of which is controlled by a control module of the air conditioning installation. .

According to one embodiment, a value of the second parameter is measured upstream of the particle filter according to the direction of circulation of the air flow through it. For example, at least one particle sensor can be placed upstream close to the particle filter and / or inside a duct of the air conditioning installation conveying the air flow towards the particle filter .

According to one embodiment, the calculation operation more specifically comprises an addition of the number of particles retained inside the particle filter traversed by the air flow with a number of particles retained inside the particle filter identified by at least one previous calculation operation.

The calculation step is thus carried out for each of several air flows successively generated by the motor-fan unit. The clogging state of the particle filter is identified at the end of the calculation step by adding the numbers of particles retained in the particle filter which are successively calculated for each of the air flows.

H is thus successively taken into account the characteristics specific to each of the air flows successively passing through the particle filter to identify the clogging state of the particle filter. Particular account is taken of the flow rate and / or the concentration of specific particles of each of the air flows successively passing through the particle filter.

The relevance and reliability of identifying the clogging state of the particulate filter are improved.

According to one embodiment, the calculation step comprises, at the end of the calculation operation, an operation of identifying the clogging state of the particle filter. The clogging state of the particulate filter is in particular deduced by the calculation unit by comparison between a clogging datum taking into account the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particulate filter and a predefined clogging threshold. of the particulate filter identifying a threshold for use of the particulate filter.

The clogging state of the particulate filter can take into account the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particulate filter and / or, individually or in combination, a clogging rate of the particulate filter deduced by the calculation unit based on the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particle filter. In other words, the clogging data relates to the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particle filter and / or relates to the clogging rate of the particle filter.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the clogging state of the particle filter is identified by comparison between the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particle filter and a predefined reference number identifying the clogging threshold of the filter. with particles.

Thus still alone or in combination with the preceding arrangements, the clogging state of the particulate filter is identified by comparison between a clogging rate of the particulate filter deduced from the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particulate filter. and a predefined reference rate identifying the clogging threshold of the particle filter.

The clogging rate of the particulate filter is identified by the proportion of the number of particles retained overall on or inside the particulate filter compared to the reference number, to identify the clogging state of the particulate filter. The clogging rate can then be compared with the reference rate identifying the clogging threshold of the particulate filter to assess the need for its replacement.

In the case where a saturation of the particulate filter is identified in accordance with the clogging threshold of the particulate filter, an alert signal is then generated for example to indicate by a communication vector perceptible by humans that it is necessary to replace the particle filter.

In other words according to one embodiment, the method comprises, at the end of the calculation step, an operation for generating an alert signal in the event that the clogging state of the particulate filter is greater than or equal to the clogging threshold of the particulate filter.

The generation of the warning signal reveals wear and tear on the particulate filter requiring replacement. The alert signal is for example transmitted to an indicator which can be placed on the vehicle dashboard and / or integrated into a screen fitted to the vehicle dashboard. The alert signal can for example also be a radio frequency signal capable of being picked up by at least one radio frequency receiver previously listed, such as a cell phone for example.

More specifically, the method comprises at least for each successive and distinct phase of putting the air flow into circulation, a cycle of operations comprising at least the following steps:

- A first step of detecting an activation of the motor-fan unit by a monitoring module that includes the air conditioning installation. The monitoring module can be integrated or be formed by a fan unit control module. The first step also includes an acquisition by the monitoring module of the values of the parameters for identifying the clogging state of the particle filter, in particular the values of the first parameter and the values of the second parameter.

a second step of calculation by a calculation unit which includes the monitoring module, of the clogging state of the particle filter from the values acquired during the first step.

The first step comprises in particular an acquisition by the monitoring module of at least a first value relating to the voltage of the electric current consumed by the motor-driven fan unit during the cycle of operations and a second value relating to the concentration particles contained in the air flow.

Preferably, the first step further comprises an acquisition by the monitoring module of at least a third value relating to a position of at least one shutter for regulating the circulation of the air flow inside the air conditioning system.

According to one embodiment, the second step implements an addition by the calculation unit of the number of particles retained inside the particle filter from the values acquired during the first step, with a number of particles which is identified beforehand during the execution of at least one previous cycle of operations and which is stored in a first memory.

The values acquired by the monitoring module during the first step are notably supplied by the motor-fan unit and / or by a control module of the air conditioning installation and / or by a particle sensor and / or by a shutter position sensor, this acquisition of values being effected during a period of activation of the motor-fan unit generating the air flow. For each of the motor fan unit activation periods, the power consumed by the motor fan unit and the particle concentration measured in the air flow are taken into account.

More particularly, the first value is in particular provided by the fan unit and / or by a control module for its operation which includes the air conditioning installation and which regulates at least the use of the fan unit.

The second value is in particular provided by the particle sensor which is for example installed inside a duct of the air conditioning installation housing the particle filter.

The third value is for example provided by a shutter operating motorization and / or by the control module which also regulates the opening position of at least one shutter of the air conditioning installation.

The particle sensor is preferably placed upstream of the particle filter according to the direction of circulation of the air flow through it. The particle sensor is for example placed inside a duct of the installation housing the particle filter. The particle sensor can be placed at various locations inside or outside the air conditioning installation, such as for example on a grille or a headlight of the vehicle to assess the pollution of particles in the outside air. surrounding the vehicle from which an external air flow generated by the motor-fan unit and circulating inside the air conditioning installation originates.

The operating cycle alternatively comprises a third step comprising an identification operation by the unit for calculating the clogging rate by comparison between the number of particles retained inside the particle filter and the reference number. Then, the third step comprises an operation of comparison by the calculation unit between the clogging rate and the reference rate, the reference number and the reference rate being stored in a second memory of the monitoring module.

According to one example, the method comprises, at the end of the operation cycle, a fourth step comprising an operation for generating an alert signal in the event that the clogging state of the particle filter is greater than or equal a clogging threshold identifying a threshold for using the particulate filter. The alert signal is notably generated by an alert unit that includes the monitoring module.

According to one embodiment, the fourth step comprises an operation of displaying an indicator and / or an operation of transmitting the alert signal remotely.

The indicator is generated in particular by a display member which includes the alert unit and which is activated following the generation of the alert signal. The remote transmission of the alert signal is in particular carried out by a radiofrequency signal transmitter which includes the alert unit. The indicator or in other words the display unit and / or the transmitter are in particular activities by the calculation unit in the case where the clogging state of the particle filter is greater than or equal to the threshold clogging.

The invention also relates to a device for monitoring a clogging state of a particulate filter fitted to an air conditioning installation of a vehicle. The device is organized for the implementation of a method according to the invention.

The device notably comprises at least the motor-fan unit and a monitoring module comprising at least one unit for calculating the clogging state of the particle filter. The calculation unit identifies the clogging state of the particulate filter from values supplied at least by the motor-fan unit and by a particle sensor capable of measuring a concentration of particles contained in the air flow.

Preferably, the monitoring module also comprises at least one position sensor configured to detect the position of at least one component of the air conditioning installation. Said at least one flap is in particular a flap intended to be disposed on the path traveled by the air flow upstream of the particle filter.

Preferably, the particle sensor is an optical sensor capable of measuring in absolute value the concentration of particles contained in the air flow. Such an optical sensor is in particular capable of identifying a concentration of particles in an air flow, including fine particles which may be of a dimension less than or equal to 2.5 μm.

More specifically, the monitoring module comprises the calculation unit, a data storage unit comprising the first memory and the second memory, and the alert unit.

Preferably, the alert unit comprises a generator of the alert signal, the indicator and / or a transmitter of radio frequency signals to a receiver of radio frequency signals able to cooperate with the transmitter. The radio frequency signal receiver is for example a cell phone assigned to the owner of the vehicle and / or a radio frequency signal receiver available to a vehicle maintenance agent.

The invention also relates to an air conditioning installation for a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, equipped with a device according to the invention.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below by way of indication and for example in connection with the drawings of the attached plates, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an air conditioning installation of a vehicle equipped with a monitoring device according to the invention, for monitoring the clogging state of a particulate filter.

- Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to the invention, implemented by the monitoring device shown in Figure 1.

The figures and their description show the invention in detail and according to specific methods of its implementation. They can of course be used to better define the invention.

In FIG. 1, an air conditioning installation 1 is organized to equip a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The air conditioning installation 1 comprises a box 2 provided with at least one inlet 3 for the admission of an outside air flow F1 whose air comes from the environment outside the passenger compartment 5 of the vehicle. The housing 2 is also provided with at least one outlet mouth 4 for the evacuation from the housing 2 of an air flow F4 to be distributed towards the passenger compartment 5 of the vehicle to improve its comfort. The box 2 houses a motor-fan unit 6 to generate the air flow F4 to be distributed to the passenger compartment 5 from the external air flow F1 and / or from a recycled air flow F2, this is i.e. the air from the passenger compartment 5.

Activation of the motor-fan unit 6 by a control module 7 generates the outside air flow F1 for the admission of outside air inside the air conditioning installation 1 and / or the flow d recirculated air F2 then circulates through the air conditioning installation 1. The outside air flow F1 circulates through a first duct 8a and the recycled air stream F2 circulates through a second duct 8b. A flap 9 makes it possible to regulate the respective amounts of outside air and recycled air from which the air flow comes

F4 to be distributed to the passenger compartment 5.

In the example illustrated, the first conduit 8a and the second conduit 8b converge towards a mixing chamber 10 which, for example, houses the motor-fan unit 6. The flap 9 is placed at the point of convergence between the first conduit 8a and the second conduit 8b. Maneuvering the flap 9 makes it possible to regulate the admission into the mixing chamber 10 of the outside air flow F1 and of the recycled air flow F2, individually or in combination in respective amounts of air.

The mixing chamber 10 opens onto a third duct 8c for discharging an air flow F3 out of the mixing chamber 10 to an apparatus 11 for heat treatment of the air flow F3 from which the air flow originates F4 to distribute. The heat treatment apparatus 11 comprises in particular an evaporator 11a and / or a heat exchanger 11b. The heat exchanger 11b comprises a radiator 12a with circulation of fluid and / or an electric radiator 12b of cells with a positive temperature coefficient. A shutter 12c makes it possible to regulate the quantity of air circulating through the heat exchanger 11b for its heating or bypassing.

One or more particle filters 13 are arranged inside at least one of the conduits 8a, 8b, 8c through which the air from which the air flow F4 to be distributed circulates. In the example illustrated, a first particle filter 13 is placed in the third conduit 8c to filter the flow of air F3 discharged from the mixing chamber prior to its distribution to the apparatus 11 for heat treatment. Other particle filters 13a, 13b can also be placed inside the first duct 8a to filter the outside air flow F1 and / or inside the second duct 8b to filter the recycled air stream F2 prior to their admission into the mixing chamber 10.

The example described of the architecture of the air conditioning installation 1 is given by way of illustration and is not restrictive as to the scope of the invention.

There is the problem of monitoring the clogging of at least one of the particle filters 13 fitted to the air conditioning installation 1, such as for example monitoring the particle filter 13 placed in the third conduit 8c. which will be described.

For this purpose in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the air conditioning installation 1 is equipped with a monitoring device 14 organized to monitor the clogging state 22 of the particulate filter 13 and, if necessary, warn of its particle saturation for its replacement. The clogging state 22 of the particle filter 13 is notably identified by taking into account temporally the concentrations of particles contained in the air flow L3 passing through the particle filter 13 with flow rates of this air flow L3.

The monitoring device 1 comprises a monitoring module 15 provided with a calculation unit 16 identifying the clogging state 22 of the particle filter 13 by calculating the number of particles retained inside the particle filter 13 for each of the activation phases of the fan-motor unit 6. The number of N3 particles retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 is calculated by adding 23 to the number of N1 particles calculated during an activation phase of the group motor-fan 6 with the number of particles N2 retained inside the particle filter 13 calculated during a previous calculation operation 21, 23.

The calculation of the number of particles retained inside the particle filter 13 takes into account a first parameter 17a relating to the flow rate of the air flows L3 successively generated by the motor-fan unit 6, The calculation of the number of particles retained at the interior of the particle filter 13 also takes into account a second parameter 17b relating to the concentration of particles contained in these air flows L3. In a first step El, values Via, Vlb, Vie of the first parameter 17a and at least one value V2 of the second parameter 17b are collected 17 by the calculation unit 16. Then in a second step E2, the calculation unit 16 determines by calculation the number of particles retained inside the particle filter 13 to identify its clogging state 22.

The values of the first parameter are at least one duration Via of activation of the motor-fan unit 6, a voltage and / or intensity Vlb of the electric current consumed by the motor-fan unit 6 during its duration Via of activation and / or a Life position of the flap 9 regulating the respective quantities of outside air and recycled air from which the air flow L3 comes.

The values Via, Vlb, Vie of the first parameter 17a can for example be supplied by the motor-fan group 6, by the control module 7 controlling the operation of the motor-fan group 6 and / or the position of the flap 9, and / or by a position sensor 18 which identifies the Life position of the flap 9 and which is integrated into a motorization 19 for operating the flap 9. The value V2 of the second parameter 17b is in particular provided by a particle sensor 20 placed on the path of the air flow F3 upstream of the particle filter 13 in its direction of flow SI through the air conditioning installation 1, as in the example illustrated inside the mixing chamber 10.

The second step E2 implements a calculation operation 21, 23 comprising a calculation 21 of the number of particles NI retained inside the particle filter 13, from the values Via, Vlb, Vie, V2 of the first parameter 17a and of the second parameter 17b acquired 17 by the calculation unit 16 during the first step El.

Then, the calculation unit 16 performs a calculation 23 determining a clogging state 22 of the particle filter 13, by adding the number of particles NI previously calculated with the number of particles N2 already retained inside the particle filter 13 The number of particles N2 already retained inside the particle filter 13 was calculated during a preceding calculation step E2 and was stored at the end of this preceding calculation step E2 in a first memory 24a d a data storage unit 24 which includes the monitoring module 15.

Such an addition makes it possible to deduce the number of particles N3 retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 and therefore its clogging state 22. A possible saturation of the particle filter 13 is then identified by comparison 25 between the number of N3 particles retained globally on or inside the particle filter 13, and a predefined NR reference number. The reference number NR is stored in a second memory 24b of the data storage unit 24 and identifies in particular a clogging threshold of the particle filter 13.

Alternatively according to the illustrated embodiment, the clogging state 22 can also be identified from a clogging rate Tl of the particle filter 13. The clogging rate Tl is deduced by the calculation unit 16 from of the number of particles N3 retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13. The calculation unit 16 then identifies in a third step E3 the clogging rate T1 of the particle filter 13 by calculating the proportion of the number N3 of particles retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 with respect to the reference number NR. Then, possible saturation of the particle filter 13 is then identified by comparison 26 between the clogging rate T1 and a reference rate TR which identifies a clogging threshold of the particle filter 13 and which is stored in the second memory 24b.

In the case where the number of particles N3 retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 is less than the reference number NR and / or in the case where the clogging rate T1 is less than the reference rate TR, a new cycle of operations for calculating the number of particles N3 retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 is executed, subject to the continued activation of the fan unit 6. For the same group activation phase motor fan 6, the cycle of operations is thus repeated, preferably at a predefined frequency. In other words, for the same activation phase of the motor-fan unit 6, the clogging state 22 of the particle filter 13 is iteratively identified.

In the case where the number of particles N3 retained overall on or inside the particle filter 13 is greater than the reference number NR and / or in the case where the clogging rate T1 is greater than or equal to the reference rate TR , an alert unit 27 signals in a fourth step E4 that the particle filter 13 must be replaced because of its saturation. A generator 27a transmits an alert signal 28 which is transmitted to an indicator 27b and / or to a transmitter 27c of radio frequency signals 29 capable of transmitting 29b the alert signal 28 to at least one receiver 30. The receiver 30 is potentially the indicator 27b and / or a cell phone and / or a terminal available for a maintenance person of the air conditioning installation.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives which it has set for itself and in particular to propose a monitoring method and device which make it possible to control in a relevant and reliable manner, in particular at moderate cost, a condition effective and real clogging of a particulate filter equipping a conditioning installation for a vehicle.

Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the method and to the monitoring device according to the invention, in particular with regard to the methods for calculating the clogging state of the particle filter from the first parameter. and the second parameter. The monitoring method and device which have just been described by way of nonlimiting examples and their use will be established once their main characteristics have been identified.

In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means.

Claims (26)

1. Method for monitoring the clogging of at least one particulate filter (13) fitted to an air conditioning installation (1) of a vehicle, the method comprising at least one calculation step (E2) identifying a state of clogging (22) of the particle filter (13) from at least two parameters (17a, 17b), a first parameter (17a) relating to the flow rate of at least one air flow (F3) generated by a motor-fan unit (6) of the air conditioning installation (1) and passing through the particle filter (13), and a second parameter (17b) relating to the concentration of particles contained in the air flow (F3). 2. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the calculation step (E2) identifies the clogging state (22) of the particle filter (13) by taking temporally into account the concentrations of particles contained in the air flow. (F3) with flow rates of this air flow (F3) which passes through the particle filter (13). 3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the calculating step (E2) comprises a calculation operation (21, 23) of the number of particles (N3) retained overall on or inside the filter at particles (13) traversed by the air flow (F3) taking into account at least one value (V2) of the second parameter (17b) and a correlation between values of the first parameter (17a) comprising at least one duration (Via) activation of the motor-fan group (6) and a power consumption (Vlb) by the motor-fan group (6) to generate the air flow. 4. Method according to claim 3, in which the values of the first parameter (17a) are at least one position (Life) of at least one flap (9) for regulating the circulation of the air flow (F3) at l inside the air conditioning system (1). 5. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 4, in which the value (V2) of the second parameter (17b) is measured upstream of the particle filter (13), in the direction (SI) of circulation of the flow d air (F3) through it. 6. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the calculation operation (21, 23) comprises an addition (23) of the number of particles (NI) retained inside the particle filter (13 ) crossed by the air flow (F3) with a number of particles (N2) retained inside the particle filter (13) identified by at least one previous calculation operation (21, 23). 7. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the calculation step (E2) comprises, at the end of the calculation operation (21, 23), an operation of identifying the clogging state (22) of the particulate filter (13) by comparison between a clogging datum (N3, Tl), taking into account the number of particles (N3) retained overall on or inside the particulate filter (13 ), and a predefined clogging threshold (NR, TR) of the particle filter (13) identifying a threshold for use of the particle filter (13). 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the clogging state (22) of the particle filter (13) is identified by comparison (25) between the number of particles (N3) retained overall on or inside the filter. with particles (13) and a predefined reference number (NR) identifying the clogging threshold of the particle filter (13). 9. Method according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the clogging state (22) of the particulate filter (13) is identified by comparison (26) between a clogging rate (Tl) of the particulate filter (13) deduced from the number of particles (N3) retained overall on or inside the particle filter (13) and a predefined reference rate (TR) identifying the clogging threshold of the particle filter (13). 10. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the method comprises, at the end of the calculation step (E2), an operation for generating an alert signal (28) in the case where the clogging state (22) of the particulate filter (13) is greater than or equal to the clogging threshold (NR, TR) of the particulate filter (13). 11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least for each successive and distinct phase of circulation of the air flow (F3), a cycle of operations comprising at least the following steps: -) a first step (El) of detection of an activation of the motor-fan unit (6) by a monitoring module (15) that includes the air conditioning installation (1), and acquisition by the monitoring module (15) for the values (Via, Vlb, Vie, V2) of the parameters (17a, 17b) for identifying the clogging state (22) of the particle filter (13), -) a second step (E2) of calculation (21, 23) by a calculation unit (16) that includes the monitoring module (15), of the clogging state (22) of the particle filter (23) to starting from the values (Via, Vlb, Vie, V2) acquired during the first stage (El). 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first step (El) comprises an acquisition (17) by the monitoring module (15) at least of a first value (Via, Vlb) relating to the voltage of the electric current consumed by the fan unit (6) during the operating cycle and a second value (V2) relating to the concentration of particles contained in the air flow (F3). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first step (El) comprises an acquisition by the monitoring module (15) of at least a third value (Life) relating to a position of at least one flap ( 9) regulating the circulation of the air flow (F3) inside the air conditioning installation (1). 14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, in which the second step (E2) implements an addition (23) by the calculation unit (16) of the number of particles (NI) retained at the inside the particle filter (13) from the values acquired (Via, Vlb, Vie) during the first step (El), with a number of particles (N2) which is previously identified during the execution of at least a previous cycle of operations which is stored in a first memory (24a). 15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, in which the values (Via, Vlb, Vie, V2) acquired by the monitoring module (16) during the first step (El) are provided by the group motor-ventilator (6) and / or by a control module (7) of the air conditioning installation (1) and / or by a particle sensor (20) and / or by a position sensor (18 ) of the shutter (9), this acquisition of values being effected during a period of activation of the motor-fan unit (6) generating the air flow (F3). 16. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, in which the operation cycle comprises a third step (E3) comprising an operation of identification by the calculation unit (16) of the clogging rate (Tl) by comparison (25) between the number of particles (N3) retained inside the particle filter (13) and the reference number (NR), then a comparison operation (26) by the calculation unit (16 ) between the clogging rate (T1) and the reference rate (TR), the reference number (NR) and the reference rate (TR) being stored in a second memory (24b) of the monitoring module (16). 17. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, in which method 5 comprises, at the end of the operation cycle, a fourth step (E4) comprising an operation for generating an alert signal ( 28) in the case where the clogging state (22) of the particulate filter (13) is greater than or equal to a clogging threshold (NR, TR) identifying a usage threshold of the particulate filter (13). 18. The method as claimed in claim 17, in which the fourth step (E4) comprises an operation of displaying an indicator (27b) and / or an operation of remote transmission (29) of the alert signal (28) . 19. Device for monitoring (14) a clogging state (22) of a particulate filter (13) fitted to an air conditioning installation (1) of a vehicle, suitable for implementing a method according to any one of the preceding claims. 20. The monitoring device (14) according to claim 19, comprising at least the motor-fan unit (6), a monitoring module (15) comprising at least one unit for calculating (16) the clogging state ( 22) of the particle filter (13) from values (Via, Vlb) supplied at least by the motor-fan unit (6) and by a particle sensor (20) capable of measuring a concentration of particles contained in the flow of air 2 0 (F3). 21. Monitoring device (14) according to claim 20, in which the monitoring module (15) comprises at least one position sensor (18) configured to detect the position of at least one flap (9) of the installation. air conditioning (1). 22. Monitoring device (14) according to any one of claims 20 and 21, 25 wherein the particle sensor (20) is an optical sensor. 23. Monitoring device (14) according to claim 22, in which the particle sensor (20) is placed upstream of the particle filter (13), in the direction (SI) of circulation of the air flow (F3) through it. 24. Monitoring device (14) according to any one of claims 20 to 23, in which the monitoring module (15) comprises the calculation unit (16), a data storage unit (24) comprising the first memory (24a) and the second memory (24b), and alert funeral (27). 5 25. Monitoring device (14) according to claim 24, in which the alert device (27) comprises a generator (27a) of the alert signal (28), an indicator (27b) and / or a transmitter (27c) of radio frequency signals (29) to a receiver (30) of radio frequency signals capable of cooperating with the transmitter (27c). 26. Air conditioning installation (1) for a motor vehicle, equipped with a monitoring device (14) according to any one of claims 20 to 25. 1/2 2/2