FR3082809A1 - INTELLIGENT AIR TREATMENT OF A CONNECTED VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of treating the air contained in the passenger compartment of a first vehicle (V1), as a function of operating data of a powertrain of a second vehicle (V2), the method comprising the stages of: - reception of the operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle, said data having been obtained from at least one element (C_GMP) included in the powertrain; generation of an instruction for the first vehicle from said operating data, the instruction being configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle.

Description

Intelligent air treatment of a connected vehicle

The present invention belongs to the field of connected vehicle. It relates in particular to a method for processing the operating data of the powertrain of a vehicle, called the second vehicle, for the treatment of the air included in the passenger compartment of another vehicle, called the first vehicle.

It is particularly advantageous for reducing the effects on a passenger of the first vehicle of pollution generated by a faulty powertrain of the second vehicle.

"Vehicle" means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle, a moped, a motorcycle, a wheelbarrow, a rail vehicle, etc. “Connected vehicle” means any type of vehicle capable of exchanging data, for example via a radio frequency link with any other type of connected entity, such as a base station of an extended communication network, another vehicle , road infrastructure, etc.

The term “powertrain” means any member configured to generate, directly or indirectly, a movement in a vehicle. Examples of powertrains or powertrain components are an internal combustion engine and its power train, a catalyst, an electric alternator, a battery configured to power an electric motor.

The pollution generated by vehicle powertrains is numerous. They are particularly harmful when one or more parts of the powertrains experience malfunctions. For example, a damaged particulate filter may not work properly and thus generate strong pollution with harmful particles for the health of people who breathe the fumes.

Vehicles in the vicinity of a vehicle emitting such pollution are the first to be affected. In particular, pollution can notably affect passengers or an organ, such as a powertrain air filter, of the nearby vehicle. A nearby vehicle is, for example, a first vehicle following a second vehicle causing pollution.

To reduce the effects of this pollution, it has been possible to propose pollution detection systems by a vehicle near the pollution. Technically, such systems are based on the analysis of data acquired by sensors. The sensors concerned are typically sensors configured to acquire data on the quality of the air received or other sensors present on the vehicle. Among the other sensors present on the vehicle, sensors relating to assisted or autonomous driving are typically used. These are for example cameras, radar or lidar.

Two drawbacks emerge from the use of such sensors. The first relates to their cost, which is not negligible, in particular in the low-end segments.

In addition, the data acquired by such sensors is not always relevant or reliable. If these are sensors specifically dedicated to acquiring data relating to the composition of the air received by the vehicle, the number of pollutions likely to be detected is limited to the performance of the sensor. Such dedicated sensors are also the most expensive. If these are sensors not specifically dedicated to acquiring data relating to the composition of the air received by the vehicle, the data acquired is largely noisy. For example, at present, image processing applied to images captured by a camera will be very difficult to detect a cloud of smoke, let alone distinguish the chemical composition of this cloud. In the vast majority of cases, the only sensors available are those sensors that are not specifically dedicated and perform poorly.

There is therefore no system which makes possible a treatment which is precisely adapted to the air contained in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

The present invention improves the situation.

To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle, as a function of operating data of a powertrain of a second vehicle, the method comprising the stages of:

- reception of the powertrain operating data of the second vehicle, said data having been obtained from at least one element included in the powertrain;

- generation of an instruction for the first vehicle from said operating data, the instruction being configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle.

The powertrain operating data of the second vehicle thus made available is data which can be qualified as native. Indeed, they come directly from the powertrain and are directly processed so that the instruction is generated.

The two drawbacks mentioned above are well resolved. First, it is no longer necessary to provide dedicated components, such as air composition sensors. Indeed, the operating data of a powertrain is already available, for other applications, on almost all vehicles.

Then, the data available being native, the noise introduced by non-dedicated sensors such as cameras or lidar is simply nonexistent.

In addition, the diversity of powertrain operating data is immense. By way of illustration, more than 1,560 error messages for a petrol engine and more than 1,200 error messages for a diesel engine are available. The precision and relevance of these data make possible a very fine and largely specific treatment by the vehicle undergoing pollution. In the field of air pollution treatment, it is particularly relevant to have a detailed knowledge of pollutants to improve the relevance of pollution control.

The term “said data having been obtained from at least one element included in the powertrain” means that the operating data of the powertrain is not obtained by an element, such as a sensor, external to the second vehicle. An element included in the powertrain is for example a pressure gauge included on an engine duct, a thermometer located on an exhaust, a lambda probe, etc. An element connected to the powertrain in that it is capable of acquiring operating data of the powertrain and included in the second vehicle is here considered to be included in the powertrain.

By "modifying at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle" is meant any treatment of the air included in the passenger compartment or admitted into the passenger compartment. Of course, the instruction can consist in making sure not to modify parameters of the air included in the cockpit. For example, the air intake from the outside can be shut off by closing at least one door and passing through a closed ventilation circuit.

In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of implementing the instruction by the first vehicle.

In one embodiment, the operating data is received by the first vehicle and in which the generation step is implemented by the first vehicle.

In another embodiment, the operating data is received by the first vehicle and in which the generation step is implemented by the first vehicle. As a variant, the operating data are received by a remote server and / or in which the generation step is implemented by the remote server. The opportunity to embark on the contrary or disembark the implementation of the reception and generation stages is typically a function of the resources, in particular in calculation, available at the level of the first vehicle.

In one embodiment, the operating data are at least one of the following:

- data relating to a malfunction of at least one element of the powertrain of the second vehicle. The precise knowledge of the malfunction makes it possible to determine a specific pollution that it is relevant to deal with in a certain way on the first vehicle;

- Data relating to a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain of the second vehicle. Indeed, certain operating modes considered to be normal are at the origin of known pollution;

data relating to an absence of operation of at least one element for cleaning up the powertrain of the second vehicle.

In another embodiment, the instruction is at least one of:

- an instruction to modify a parameter of an air filter of the first vehicle. Thus, the quality of the air in the passenger compartment and / or serving to power a powertrain of the first vehicle is improved, specifically with respect to the pollutants generated by the powertrain of the second vehicle;

- an instruction to change the state of an opening of the first vehicle. Thus, it is possible to drastically reduce pollution, for example in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, typically by closing a window;

- an instruction to change the state of a ventilation circuit of the first vehicle;

- an instruction for the diffusion of a compound configured to modify the chemical composition of the air in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. Odor nuisances are thus reduced for passengers;

- an instruction to modify an operating parameter of a powertrain of the first vehicle. For example, the composition of the mixture admitted into the engine cylinders can thus be adapted and optimized to maximize the performance of this engine;

- an automated driving instruction for the first vehicle. A braking or lane change action can be implemented to move away from the second vehicle causing pollution;

- an instruction to distribute a driving recommendation to a driver of the first vehicle. A braking or lane change recommendation can be implemented to deviate from the second vehicle causing pollution.

In one embodiment, the instruction is also generated from at least one of the following elements:

position data of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle. It is thus possible to anticipate a desirable displacement of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle to reduce the pollution received by the first vehicle;

air quality data received from a third vehicle;

air quality data received from an infrastructure;

data relating to the road on which the first and / or second vehicle is located. Knowledge of the limited speed authorized to come may, for example, make it possible to anticipate an increase and / or a reduction in the pollution generated by the second vehicle.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a device for treating the air contained in the passenger compartment of a first vehicle, as a function of operating data of a powertrain of a second vehicle, the device comprising at least a memory and at least one processor configured to perform the operations of:

- reception of the powertrain operating data of the second vehicle, said data having been obtained from at least one element included in the powertrain;

- generation of an instruction for the first vehicle from said operating data, the instruction being configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle capable of treating the air that it receives, the vehicle comprising the device according to the third aspect of the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a context of application of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for treating the air included in the passenger compartment of a first vehicle, according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a device for the treatment of air, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The invention is described below in its non-limiting application, in the case of a first and a second motor vehicle traveling on a road. The invention is not limited to such an illustrative application and can, for example, be implemented by a stroller connected in a public garden and located near a lawn mower comprising a powertrain.

Figure 1 illustrates the context of implementation of the invention.

A first vehicle V1 comprises an antenna A2 configured to make it possible to exchange data with a second vehicle V2 and a disembarked server SERV. The V1 vehicle also includes:

- a filter F of the air received by the vehicle V1;

- an AV device, for example consisting of on-board and / or off-board sub-devices from vehicle V1, configured for the implementation of autonomous driving, driving aids and / or a generation of driving recommendations for a driver of vehicle V1;

- a device 0 for controlling the opening of the vehicle V1. The openings are for example removable windows, doors, a sunroof, a soft top, a removable roof, etc.

- A device D for implementing the method according to the invention for treating the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. The method according to the invention is described below with reference to Figure 2 and the device with reference to Figure 3.

In one embodiment, the SERV server implements at least certain steps of the method according to the invention for treating the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. To this end, it includes a device D, described below with reference to FIG. 3.

The second vehicle V2 comprises an antenna A1 configured for the transmission of data to the server SERV and the vehicle V1. It also includes a C_GMP device for recovering operating data from the powertrain of the second vehicle.

The device C_GMP is a sensor capable of recovering operating data from the powertrain of the second vehicle V2. It can be integrated into or connected to the powertrain, while remaining included in the second vehicle V2. Thus, some sensors are not strictly included in the powertrain but are in the immediate vicinity of it so as to recover the operating data. Typically, it may be an exhaust gas sensor located opposite an exhaust outlet but not strictly included in the powertrain.

In one embodiment, the device C_GMP is an organ of the powertrain whose operation is controlled, for example electronically. The organ then directly transmits the operating data. For example, the quantity of gasoline injected by an injector can be directly transmitted as operating data.

POL pollution is also shown. It came from the powertrain of the second vehicle V2.

As detailed below with reference to FIG. 2, the operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle V2 are transmitted to the server SERV and / or to the first vehicle V1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the method according to the invention, in one embodiment.

In Figure 2, the dotted lines are intended to indicate which steps are performed by the first vehicle V1 or by the second vehicle V2.

In step E1, the operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle V2 is obtained from the device C_GMP.

The powertrain operating data of the second vehicle V2 is at least one of the following:

- data relating to a malfunction of at least one element of the powertrain of the second vehicle. These include, for example, engine failure detection. Thus, excessive detection of carbon monoxide can be detected (not treated by the particle filter) when petrol or diesel is not fully catalyzed into carbon dioxide during combustion;

- Data relating to a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain of the second vehicle. Certain operating modes are known to be specifically polluting. For example, at lower temperatures, a strong gasoline odor may be generated by the powertrain while the engine is still cold. In another example, some sporty driving modes release the exhaust chains to increase engine efficiency and make more noise. These modes generate more pollution and must therefore be treated specifically by the first vehicle;

data relating to the non-functioning of at least one element for cleaning up the powertrain of the second vehicle. Apart from any malfunction, certain operating modes of the powertrain can be the cause of the deactivation of at least one pollution control element. For example, an EGR valve for "Exhaust Gas Recirculation" can be controlled at 0% due to an operating mode or even an engine malfunction.

The DGMP operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle V2 is sent in step S1 from the vehicle V2 to the vehicle V1. A radio frequency transmission is used for this data transmission. The radiofrequency transmission is based on different protocols, known to those skilled in the art, such as the protocols covered by the ITS-G5, 3GPP 5G V2X standards, etc.

Once the data has been received by the first vehicle V1 in step S2, an instruction for the first vehicle V1 is generated from said operating data. The instruction is configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle.

In particular, education is at least one of:

an instruction to modify a parameter of an air filter of the first vehicle. For example, the air intake rate of the filter can be modified or the installation of an activated carbon filter can be provided;

an instruction to change the state of a door leaf of the first vehicle. The windows can for example be closed;

an instruction to change the state of the ventilation circuit of the first vehicle. Thus, a closed circuit can be activated when pollution is detected.

an instruction for diffusing a compound configured to modify the chemical composition of the air in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. The diffusion of a deodorant specifically adapted to the pollution emitted by the powertrain of the second vehicle V2 is thus conceivable;

an instruction to modify an operating parameter of a powertrain of the first vehicle. The composition of the mixture supplied to the cylinders of an engine can typically be checked against the operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle V2;

an automated driving instruction for the first vehicle. The first vehicle can thus move away from the second vehicle if the latter is the source of pollution;

an instruction to distribute a driving recommendation to a driver of the first vehicle.

In one embodiment, the instruction is also generated from at least one of the following elements:

- position data of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle. This position data is for example the distance between the vehicles, the speed of each of the vehicles, the position of each of the vehicles, an anticipation of the evolution of the distance between the vehicles, etc. ;

- air quality data received from a third vehicle;

- air quality data received from an infrastructure. The infrastructure is for example a factory located on the route of the first vehicle, a service station, etc. ;

- data relating to the route on which the first and / or second vehicle is located. This data corresponds for example to the road regulations, and therefore to the maximum admissible speed for the first and / or second vehicle, to the road condition, etc.

The instruction generated in step S3 is then implemented by one or more organs of the first vehicle, concerned by the instruction (air filter, doors, etc.).

An embodiment has been described above with reference to FIG. 2 in which the operating data are received by the first vehicle and in which the generation step is implemented by the first vehicle. However, the invention is not limited to the implementation of these steps by the first vehicle. In particular, the operating data can be received by a remote server and / or the generation step can be implemented by the remote server.

FIG. 3 represents an example of device D of the vehicle V1 or of the server SERV. This device D can be used as a centralized device in charge of at least certain steps of the method carried out by the vehicle V1 or by the server SERV, according to the invention.

This device D can take the form of a box comprising printed circuits, of any type of computer or even of a smartphone.

The device D comprises a random access memory 1 for storing instructions for the implementation by a processor 2 of at least one step of the method as described above. The device also includes a mass memory 3 for storing data intended to be kept after the implementation of the method. The random access memory 1 and / or the mass memory 3 store, for example, the history of passenger authentication.

The device D may further include a digital signal processor (DSP) 4. This DSP 4 receives the data from the sensors to format, demodulate and amplify, in a manner known per se, this data.

The device also includes an input interface 5 for receiving the data implemented by the method according to the invention, such as the operating data of the powertrain of the second vehicle V2 and an output interface 6 for the transmission of the data put implemented by the method, such as the instruction for the first vehicle V1.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples; it extends to other variants.

Thus, an example has been described above in which the first vehicle V1 followed the second vehicle V2. The invention is not limited to such an example and vehicles can of course cross paths, be close by on a highway, etc.

Claims (10)

1. A method of treating the air included in the passenger compartment of a first vehicle (V1), as a function of operating data of a powertrain of a second vehicle (V2), the method comprising the steps of: - reception (S2) of the powertrain operating data of the second vehicle, said data having been obtained from at least one element (C_GMP) included in the powertrain; - generation (S3) of an instruction for the first vehicle from said operating data, the instruction being configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. 2. Treatment method according to claim 1, further comprising the step (S4) of implementation of the instruction by the first vehicle. 3. The filtering method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the operating data are received by the first vehicle (V1) and in which the generation step is implemented by the first vehicle (V1). 4. The filtering method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the operating data are received by a remote server (SERV) and / or in which the generation step is implemented by the remote server (SERV). 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the operating data are at least one of: - data relating to a malfunction of at least one element of the powertrain of the second vehicle; - data relating to a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain of the second vehicle; data relating to an absence of operation of at least one element for cleaning up the powertrain of the second vehicle. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the instruction is at least one of: - an instruction to modify a parameter of an air filter (F) of the first vehicle; - an instruction to change the state of an opening (0) of the first vehicle; - an instruction to change the state of a ventilation circuit of the first vehicle; - an instruction for the diffusion of a compound configured to modify the chemical composition of the air in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle; - an automated driving instruction for the first vehicle; - an instruction to distribute a driving recommendation to a driver of the first vehicle. 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the instruction is also generated from at least one of the following elements: - position data of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle; - air quality data received from a third vehicle; - air quality data received from an infrastructure; - data relating to the route on which the first and / or second vehicle is located. 8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (2). 9. Device (D) for the treatment of the air contained in the passenger compartment of a first vehicle (V1), as a function of operating data of a powertrain of a second vehicle (V2), the device comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to perform the operations of: - reception of the powertrain operating data of the second vehicle, said data having been obtained from at least one element (C_GMP) 5 included in the powertrain; - generation of an instruction for the first vehicle from said operating data, the instruction being configured to modify at least one parameter of the air included in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle. 10. Vehicle (V1; V2) capable of treating the air it receives, the vehicle comprising the device (D) according to claim 9.