WO2008152250A2

WO2008152250A2 - Air conditioning system comprising a device for the diffusion of a liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2008152250A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/000669
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Moy
Original assignee: Brume De Rêve
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-14
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: WO2008152250A3; FR2916260A1; FR2916260B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioning system comprising a device for the diffusion of a liquid comprising: at least one removable cartridge (6) incorporating a substrate soaked in the said liquid and means for storing information (16); means (8, 9) for vaporizing the liquid; electronic and/or computerized control means (11) capable of causing a parameter of operation of the vaporization means to vary. The storage means of the cartridge contain at least one series of data, called the compensation law, supplying operating parameter values according to a historic parameter representative of the prior use of the cartridge. The diffusion device comprises means for evaluating and recording the instantaneous value of the historic parameter. The control means are suitable for reading the storage means and imposing the stored value of the operating parameter that corresponds to the recorded value of the historic parameter.

Description

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR DIFFUSION OF A LIQUID

The invention relates to an air conditioning system (ventilation system, optionally incorporating means for heating and / or cooling the generated air streams) comprising means for diffusing a liquid such as a perfume ( synthetic or natural perfume, essential oils ...), a neutralizing odor solution, a bactericidal solution, disinfectant ... The invention is equally applicable to air conditioning systems of buildings (individual or collective housing , business building, factory, establishment receiving public such as a hospital, a railway station, an airport, a large distribution area ...) than for air conditioning systems of motor vehicles (car, airplane , train ...). It is particularly suitable for small air conditioning systems such as air conditioning units, for example of the "split" type or heat pumps, used in residential housing or business buildings and ventilation and / or air-conditioning systems for cars.

EP 1 323 556 discloses a diffusion device of a motor vehicle air conditioning system, comprising perfume cartridges in which the aromatic agents are present in the absorbed state in granules. Each cartridge has, on the same face, an entry and an exit. The diffusion device comprises a plate pierced with an inlet window of an air stream to be perfumed and an outlet window of the perfumed air stream, a casing receiving the perfume cartridges, and a dispensing member. adjustment interposed between the plate and the cartridges. Said adjustment member is rotatably mounted and can be placed in a closed position, in which the input window of the platen communicates with no cartridge inlet, and in a diffusion position, in which the input and output windows output from the turntable communicate with the input and output of a selected cartridge. The delivered perfume rate can be adjusted by adjusting the angular position of the regulator so as to adjust the flow of air passing through the selected cartridge. Those skilled in the art are aware that for a constant flow rate of air to be perfumed, the amount of liquid released by the granules or other substrate used in this type of cartridge decreases over time. In other words, the cartridge "ages". EP 1 323 556 does not provide any automatic compensation for this aging.

Various solutions have been proposed to solve the problem of the drop in time of the odor power of a substrate soaked in perfume.

EP 1 439 083 proposes to abandon the perfume-soaked media cartridges for injection cartridges similar to those used in ink jet printers. The perfume is now stored in a liquid state in a tank. The diffusion is obtained by spraying, and not by spraying; it is controlled, by controlling the amount of perfume injected and the cyclic injection time, so as to be constant over time for each preprogrammed diffusion level.

The solution proposed by EP 1 439 083 has the following drawbacks. When placed permanently in the air conditioning system, the injection nozzles used to spray the liquid perfume tend to clog, especially when used intermittently. When they are integrated into the removable cartridges, these injection nozzles considerably increase the cost price of said cartridges, the selling price of which, much higher than that of the impregnated substrate cartridges, is often dissuasive.

JP 5215357 discloses a perfume dispensing device of an air conditioning system of a building room, comprising a fan generating a flow of air to be perfumed, a liquid perfume tank, ultrasonic vibration means allowing to release the perfume in the aforementioned airflow, and an odor sensor arranged in front of the air conditioning system so as to evaluate the amount of perfume present in the room. The diffusion of the perfume is regulated according to the measurements recorded by the odor sensor. The use of such a sensor could make it possible, while maintaining a constant diffusion over time, to compensate for the aging of the cartridges. Substrate soaked with perfume. But this use involves providing a control electronics and components (including odor sensor) complex and expensive.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing an air conditioning system comprising a device for dispensing a liquid that is inexpensive, both in manufacture and use, which uses cartridges with soaked substrate liquid (appreciated for their low cost) and that can offset the aging of these cartridges.

To do this, the invention relates to an air conditioning system comprising a device for diffusing a liquid in an air flow, called the main air flow, of the air conditioning system, which diffusion device includes:

at least one cartridge removably mounted in the air conditioning system, which cartridge incorporates a substrate impregnated with the liquid to be diffused and comprises means for storing information,

means for vaporizing the liquid carried by the substrate; note that, unusually, the term "vaporization" refers, according to the embodiments, to a diffusion of the liquid in the form of microdroplets (that is, in the liquid state) and / or in the form of vapors (ie in the gaseous state),

electronic control means and / or computer, adapted to make the active vaporization means (continuously or intermittently) when the diffusion device is activated and to act on the vaporization means so as to be able to vary a parameter operation of said vaporizing means influencing the flow of diffused liquid.

The air conditioning system according to the invention is characterized in that:

the control means comprise means for reading the means for storing the cartridge, the storage means of the cartridge contain at least one set of information, called the compensation law, corresponding to a predetermined diffusion level and supplying values of the operating parameter as a function of a parameter, called the history parameter, representative of the prior use of the cartridge; note that the term "diffusion level" refers to a mean (predetermined) flow rate of liquid diffused into the main airflow; when the liquid to be diffused is a perfume, each diffusion level thus defines a mean olfactory intensity,

the broadcasting device comprises means for evaluation and periodic recording of an instantaneous value of the historical parameter,

when the diffusion device is activated, the control means are adapted to act on the vaporization means so as to impose the value of the operating parameter stored in the storage means of the cartridge, which corresponds to the instantaneous value recorded. the history parameter.

The air conditioning system according to the invention therefore includes both hardware elements (devices) and registered automations and / or programs executed by the system. In other words, a system according to the invention is a device adapted and programmed to perform the functions and process steps mentioned above and hereinafter.

The invention extends to an air conditioning method implemented in the system according to the invention. In particular, the invention relates to an air conditioning method, in which an air conditioning system is used comprising a device for diffusing a liquid in a main air flow of said system, which diffusion device comprises at least one cartridge, vaporization means and control means as previously defined. The method according to the invention is characterized in that:

the control means used comprise means for reading the means for storing the cartridge, in the storage means of the cartridge, at least one series of information, called the compensation law, corresponding to a predetermined diffusion level and supplying values of the operating parameter as a function of a parameter, history, representative of the previous use of the cartridge,

when it is activated, the broadcasting device periodically evaluates and records an instantaneous value of the history parameter, and the control means consult the compensation law stored in the memory means of the cartridge and act on the vaporization means so as to impose the value of the operation parameter which corresponds to the recorded instantaneous value of the history parameter.

It should be noted that the vaporization means are possibly "active", that is to say in operation so as to cause a vaporization of the liquid carried by the substrate of the cartridge, that when the diffusion device is said " On ". When the broadcasting device is deactivated (if this possibility is offered), the vaporization means are in any case inactive. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning system comprises a user interface allowing a user to activate and deactivate the broadcasting device, and possibly to program the activation and deactivation of the broadcasting device. broadcast according to cycles that he can define. In a variant, the diffusion device is activated and cyclically deactivated according to cycles preprogrammed at the factory, the user not being able to modify these cycles. Alternatively, the broadcasting device is constantly activated, the possibility not being offered to the user to disable it. Each compensation law is determined empirically and then stored in the storage means before any use of the cartridge, for example by the manufacturer of the latter. This compensation law depends inter alia on the level of diffusion provided, the nature of the substrate of the cartridge, the nature of the liquid to be diffused, certain characteristics of said liquid (for example its volatility, its viscosity, its vaporization temperature, its concentration of aromatic compounds and its fragrance if it is a perfume, its concentration of active ingredients if it is a bactericidal solution ...), the destination of the cartridge and in particular the structure of the packaging system of air in which the cartridge is intended to be mounted, the flow rate of the main air flow of this system, the volume of air in which this main air flow is released, means of vaporization (as it s' acts, as defined below, means for generating an additional air flow, means for heating the substrate, etc.), the operating characteristics of said vaporization means, etc. The empirical determination of the compensation law. is for example made from tests implementing sensory analysis means.

In a first version of the invention, the history parameter is the time, said effective broadcast time, elapsed since the first commissioning of the cartridge and during which the broadcasting device is activated.

In this first version, the broadcast device is adapted to evaluate and periodically record the elapsed time during each of its activation periods, and from the first commissioning of the cartridge. The control means use the recorded instantaneous value of this effective diffusion time to deduce, from the compensation law stored in the storage means of the cartridge, the value of the operating parameter that they must impose on the vaporization means.

In a second version of the invention, the history parameter is the time, called real diffusion time, elapsed since the first commissioning of the cartridge and during which the vaporization means are active. In this second version, the diffusion device is adapted to evaluate and periodically record the time elapsed during each period of activity of the vaporization means, and from the first commissioning of the cartridge. Like the first version, the control means use the instantaneous value recorded of this real diffusion time to deduce, from the compensation law stored in the storage means of the cartridge, the value of the operating parameter that they must impose on the means of vaporization. In order to evaluate the effective or real diffusion time, the broadcasting device advantageously comprises a time counter or a clock, which can be integrated in the cartridge or in the control means. The effective and real diffusion times differ in the case where the vaporization means are active only intermittently when the diffusion device is activated (as explained below). In the case where the vaporization means are permanently active when the diffusion device is activated, the actual and effective diffusion times are equal and the first two versions of the invention form only one. It should be noted that these first two versions do not make it possible to predict several levels of diffusion.

In a third version of the invention:

the storage means of the cartridge contain a plurality of compensation laws corresponding to distinct predetermined diffusion levels; preferably the air conditioning system comprises a user interface allowing a user to select a broadcast level, the selected broadcast level being transmitted to the control means and preferably stored in a memory of said control means, - the device broadcast includes a clock or a timer,

the historical parameter is the quantity, the so-called quantity of liquid diffused, of liquid diffused since the first putting into service of the cartridge, the storage means containing, for each diffusion level, a series of information, called consumption, providing values of the amount of liquid diffused as a function of time for said level of diffusion.

Each consumption law is determined empirically and then stored in the storage means, for example by the manufacturer of the cartridge, before any use of the latter. Each consumption law depends, among other things, on the corresponding level of diffusion, nature of the substrate, of the nature and of certain characteristics of the liquid to be diffused, of the air conditioning system and in particular of its means of vaporization ...

In this third version, the diffusion device is adapted to evaluate and periodically record the amount of liquid released since the first commissioning of the cartridge. The control means deduce, from the instantaneous value recorded of the quantity of diffused liquid, the value of the operating parameter to be imposed on the vaporization means, by consulting the compensation law stored in the storage means of the cartridge and corresponding to the level currently requested (preprogrammed or user selected).

Whether it is the effective or real diffusion time or the quantity of liquid diffused, the instantaneous value of the history parameter is advantageously recorded in the memory means of the cartridge. For this purpose, the latter preferably comprise at least one non-volatile memory accessible for reading and writing (EEPROM memory for example). This memory may be that used for storing the compensation law (s) and any consumption laws and modulation cyclic law (s) defined later; alternatively, the storage means may comprise at least one other non-volatile memory, accessible at least in reading, for the storage of said laws.

In a variant, the means for storing the cartridge comprise information, referred to as the identification reference of the cartridge, making it possible to identify the cartridge individually. The control means comprise at least one nonvolatile memory, accessible for reading and writing, for recording the instantaneous value of the history parameter in association with the identification reference of the cartridge (read in the memory means of the latter).

Advantageously and according to the invention:

the vaporization means comprise means for generating an air flow called said additional air flow, said generating means being selected from a turbine, a fan, compressor, air pump ...; depending on the dimensions of the air conditioning system, the flow rate of the main air flow and thus the flow rates of the liquid to be diffused, it may be more specifically a micro-turbine, a microventilator, a micro-compressor or a micro-pump, "a circulation duct of this additional air flow, having on the one hand an upstream portion entering the cartridge and on the other hand a downstream portion coming out of the cartridge and opening in the main air flow of the air conditioning system, said cartridge being adapted so that the additional air flow is charged by microdroplets and / or vapors of liquid to be diffused by passing through it; note that the downstream portion the circulation duct may have one or more orifices (or nozzles) outlet of the additional air flow in the main air flow;

the operating parameter is chosen from the mean flow rate of the additional air flow, the average pressure of the additional air flow, the average speed of rotation of the fan or turbine, the average pressure delivered by the compressor or the pump; , the average power supply of the fan or turbine or compressor or pump, the average section of the additional airflow ...

In a variant: the vaporization means comprise means for heating the substrate of the cartridge; in this case, the liquid is diffused in the form of vapors; the cartridge is preferably directly placed in a flow duct of the main air flow; alternatively, it is associated with a supply duct (by natural convection) of said vapors in the main air flow; preferably, the heating means comprise a Peltier module;

- The operating parameter is chosen from the average temperature of the substrate, the average power supply of the heating means ...

Advantageously and according to the invention: the storage means of the cartridge comprise a series of information, called cyclic modulation law, corresponding to a level of predetermined diffusion and providing at least one activity period value of the vaporization means and a period of inactivity value of the vaporization means,

when the diffusion device is activated, the control means are adapted to make, cyclically, the active and then inactive means of vaporization, respectively, for each cycle, during the activity period and the inactivity period stored in the storage means of the cartridge.

Each modulation cyclic law is determined empirically and then stored in the storage means, for example by the manufacturer of the cartridge, before any use of the latter. The operating parameters mentioned above correspond respectively to flow rate, pressure and additional air flow section, rotational speed, power supply, temperature, etc., which are termed "means", that is to say corresponding at an average over one operating cycle of the vaporization means. The empirical determination of the compensation and consumption laws is made taking into account the previously determined values of the periods of activity and inactivity of the vaporization means.

In known manner, the air conditioning system comprises air conditioning equipment such as filter (s), fan (s) and / or turbine (s), heat exchanger, ionizer, evaporator ... Advantageously and according to the invention, the diffusion device is arranged to distribute the liquid in the main air flow downstream or in parallel with the air conditioning equipment, to avoid any possible disruption of their operation.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the air conditioning system has one or more of the following additional characteristics:

the diffusion device comprises means for detecting the presence of a cartridge; the storage means of the cartridge also contain information relating to characteristics of the liquid contained in the cartridge, such as its nature, its homologation, its expiry date, etc .;

the substrate of the cartridge is in the form of a compact or divided solid, or in the form of a gel such as a liposoluble gel which may contain a copolymer and an encapsulating agent promoting the persistence of the liquid in the gel and slowing the release of the volatile compounds contained in the liquid to be diffused,

- The diffusion device comprises a connection interface between the cartridge and the control means, fixedly mounted in the air conditioning system and adapted to be easily coupled, mechanically and electronically, to said cartridge.

The invention also relates to an air conditioning system (for example for a building or a vehicle) characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above and hereinafter.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description which refers to the appended figures representing preferred embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of non-limiting examples.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exchange unit of an air conditioning system according to the invention, a part of which is torn to let the glare device.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a diffusion device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graphic representing in particular a compensation law according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graphic representing in particular a cyclic modulation law according to the invention. Figure 5 is a graphic representing a plurality of consumption laws according to the invention. FIG. 6 is a graphic representing a plurality of compensation laws according to the invention.

The air conditioning system described by way of example is an air conditioning system (heating and cooling ambient air) of forced convection building type "split", comprising on the one hand an evaporation module ( not shown), located outside the building and integrating an evaporator, and secondly, for each room to be air-conditioned, at least one exchange unit 1 such as that illustrated in Figure 1, located inside building and incorporating a heat exchanger. The exchange unit 1 usually presents a frame 22 in which are formed:

a central opening 2 for entering the air to be conditioned,

an upper outlet 3 for conditioned air outlet, which mouth is provided with a pivoting louvre flap for orienting and modulating the outgoing air flow,

- A lower outlet 4 outlet air conditioning.

The frame 22 contains means for generating (forced convection) a first air flow, called the main air flow, between the inlet opening 2 and the upper outlet mouth 3 and a second flow of air. air between the inlet opening 2 and the lower outlet mouth 4.

According to the invention, the exchange unit 1 also comprises a device for diffusing a liquid as illustrated in FIG. 2, able to diffuse microdroplets and / or vapors of liquid into the main air flow. leaving the upper mouth 3. This diffusion device comprises: - a cartridge 6 removably mounted in the exchange unit, said cartridge containing a substrate soaked with liquid to be diffused. The substrate is for example a gel containing a polymeric material. The cartridge 6 comprises an electronic chip 16, rigidly fixed on a face 27, called connection face, of the cartridge housing. The chip 16 incorporates storage means such as a non-volatile memory type EEPROM (accessible in reading and writing). The chip 16 has at least six contacts, two of which are used for its power supply, two for data transfers and two for the detection of the presence of the cartridge (the latter two contacts constitute a "strap" which makes it possible to generate a signal, they realize means for detecting the presence of a cartridge) . The cartridge 6 further has an inlet opening 17 and an outlet opening 18 formed in its connecting face 27;

- A connection interface 7, facilitating the mounting of the cartridge within the diffusion device, which interface is fixedly mounted inside the frame 22 of the exchange unit. The frame has, on one of its facades (in the example, its front face) a valve 5 to access the connection interface 7. The cartridge 6 is inserted into a housing 41 of the interface 7 and is held in an operating position, pressed against a posterior stop of the interface and retained for example by elastic means (not shown). The interface 7 has a connection amount 28, pierced with a light 23 and a light 24 and through which a port 26 of electronic connection. This port 26 is permanently connected to a serial bus 15 connected to the control means of the broadcasting device. When the cartridge 6 is mounted in the interface 7, its connection face 27 cooperates with the connecting post 28 of the interface: the inlet opening 17 of the cartridge communicates with the light 23 of the interface; the outlet opening 18 of the cartridge communicates with the light 24 of the interface; the contacts of the chip 16 of the cartridge are in electrical contact with those of the port 26 of the interface. Note that the lights 23 and 24 of the interface are provided with O-rings to obtain a gas-tight connection between said lights and the inlet and outlet openings of the cartridge; an axial micro-turbine 8, capable of generating an air flow, referred to as an additional air flow, through the cartridge 6, as well as a circulation duct of said air flow comprising, on the one hand, a portion upstream 9 connecting the micro-turbine to the slot 23 of the interface 7 for the supply of the additional air flow at the inlet of the cartridge, and further by a downstream portion 10 connecting the light 24 of the interface 7 at least one nozzle 25 for evacuating the additional air flow into the main air flow. The downstream portion may optionally have a plurality of nozzles evacuating the additional air flow, for distributing the diffusion of the liquid over all or a major part of the length of the upper outlet mouth 3 of the exchange unit;

a consumption and malfunction indicator 20, comprising three respectively green, orange and red light emitting diodes; alternatively, the consumption and malfunction indicator is made from a single tricolor light-emitting diode;

an infrared sensor 21 for receiving signals emitted by a remote control (not shown), said sensor 21 and said remote control belonging to a user interface of the air conditioning system. The user interface allows a user to control the activation and deactivation of the broadcast device. Usually, one (or possibly two) button on the remote control is provided for this purpose; an activation or deactivation signal is transmitted to the infrared sensor 21 and then to the microprocessor (defined later) of the control means when this button is pressed;

control means 11 comprising an electronic microcontroller 12. This microcontroller notably comprises a microprocessor, a random access memory preferably of the EEPROM or NVRAM type, a ROM type ROM, a serial bus port for the transfer of data between the microprocessor and the chip 16 of the cartridge via the bus 15 (which bus belongs to the control means according to the invention), a power port for the control of the micro-turbine 8 via a feed wire 19 (which wire belongs to the control means according to the invention), a port for the transfer of data between the microprocessor and the infrared sensor 21, a port for the transfer of data between the microprocessor and the indicator 20, the various elements constituting the microcontroller being connected to each other in a known manner by a backplane bus including in particular a power supply bus connected to the sector via a cable 13 and a stub power abilizer 14 (such as PWM chopper power modulator - "Pulse Width Modulation" -).

In a first version of the invention, the EEPROM memory of the chip 16 of the cartridge contains a series of information defining a compensation law 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3. This law, represented in the form of a curve, provides values of the average flow rate of additional air (operating parameter, referenced Pf) as a function of the effective diffusion time (history parameter, referenced t _of ), for a predetermined diffusion level that is that is, for a predetermined constant average flow rate of liquid diffused into the main airflow. Note that this law is preferably stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge in the form of a table providing the values of the average flow rate of additional air flow corresponding to a limited number (for example 36, corresponding to 35 quarts d hour of use ie 140 hours of use of the cartridge) values of the effective broadcast time. Curve 30 represents the average flow rate of liquid diffused into the main air flow for this diffusion level in the absence of compensation: this average flow rate gradually decreases with time along an increasing slope, reflecting an "aging" of the substrate. the cartridge. Curve 31 represents the average flow rate of liquid diffused into the main air flow for this diffusion level when the compensation law 32 is applied: this average flow rate remains substantially constant until the liquid is exhausted.

In order for this compensation law to be implemented, the broadcasting device is adapted to evaluate and periodically record the effective diffusion time. In particular: the storage means of the cartridge 6, and for example the EEPROM memory of the chip 16, contain a series of information representing a number of initial use units, and a series of information, called a counter units of use, representing a number of use units remaining before the liquid to be released. Each utilization unit corresponds for example to a broadcast time, that is to say to a time of activation of the broadcast device. As explained below, at each past broadcast time, the usage unit counter is decremented by the control means. The number of initial usage units defines the life of the cartridge. This number is determined and programmed by the manufacturer of the cartridge, depending on the initial amount of liquid present in the substrate and the expected average flow rate of the diffused liquid (the latter also depending on the concentration of aromatic compounds in the liquid if the latter is a perfume, as well as the destination of the cartridge and in particular the average flow rate of main airflow of the air conditioning system). Before the first use of the cartridge, the value of the usage unit counter is equal to the number of initial use units. The EEPROM memory of the chip 16 (or another memory of the means for storing the cartridge) also contains a series of information, called utilization rate of the current unit, representing the number of minutes elapsed since the last updating the usage unit counter; this number is equal to zero before the first putting into service of the cartridge;

the microcontroller 12 of the control means comprises a timer capable of incrementing every minute when the broadcasting device is activated, until the value 60 is reached.

In the illustrated example, the EEPROM memory of the cartridge 6 (or another memory of the storage means) also contains a series of information, called the alert threshold, defining a value of the effective diffusion time from which the The user must be informed of the next depletion of the liquid to be released. The alert threshold corresponds for example to 90% of the autonomy of the cartridge. When the broadcasting device is activated by the user or in a preprogrammed manner, upon receipt of the activation signal (transmitted by the infrared sensor 21 if the activation is controlled by the user), the microcontroller 12 checks the presence of a cartridge 6 in the interface 7 and reads the number of initial use units, the value of the usage unit counter and the utilization rate of the current unit, stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge. In the absence of a cartridge, the microcontroller keeps the micro-turbine 8 out of power and activates the red light-emitting diode of the indicator 20 to inform the user of a malfunction.

If the value of the utilization unit counter is equal to zero, the microcontroller activates the red light-emitting diode of the indicator 20. It nevertheless activates the power supply of the micro-turbine, according to a predetermined power supply. but does not increment any counter. The liquid can thus be diffused until total exhaustion if the user does not change the cartridge. But the level of diffusion is no longer guaranteed. In all other cases, the microcontroller 12 calculates the effective diffusion time in minutes at the activation time (operating time of the broadcasting device, elapsed since the first commissioning of the cartridge until said activation time of the broadcast device), which is given by formula I: [60 x (number of initial use units - value of usage unit counter) + utilization rate of the current unit]

The microcontroller then compares the calculated effective diffusion time and the alert threshold (stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge). If the calculated effective diffusion time is less than the warning threshold, the microcontroller activates the green light emitting diode of the indicator 20. If the calculated effective diffusion time is greater than the alert threshold, the microcontroller activates the orange light-emitting diode. indicator 20 to alert the user to the imminent depletion of the cartridge.

Moreover, the microcontroller consults the compensation law stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge to deduce the average flow rate of additional air that should theoretically deliver the micro-turbine (average flow corresponding to the calculated effective diffusion time). It calculates the average power supply power to be imposed on the microturbine to obtain the desired theoretical average flow rate, and activates the supply of the micro-turbine according to the calculated average power. At the same time, it records in its time counter the utilization rate of the current unit, as the starting value of the incrementation of said counter, and triggers this incrementation. The timer is incremented every minute, as long as the broadcast device is on. When the counter reaches 60 minutes, the microcontroller controls the decrementation of the counter of use units of the cartridge, resets its timer to zero and restarts the incrementation of the latter.

As long as the broadcasting device is activated, the microcontroller 12 periodically records the number of initial use units and the value of the utilization unit counter (stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge). This statement can for example be made every quarter of an hour, and triggered by the time counter when it has the value 0, 15, 30 or 45. The microcontroller then calculates the effective diffusion time, now given by the formula II: [60 x (number of initial use units - value of usage unit counter) + time counter value]

The microcontroller then compares the calculated effective diffusion time and the alert threshold. As previously explained, if the calculated effective diffusion time is greater than the warning threshold and the value of the utilization unit counter is non-zero, it activates the orange light-emitting diode of the indicator 20.

In parallel, the microcontroller consults the compensation law stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge to deduce the average flow rate of additional air that should theoretically deliver the micro-turbine (average flow corresponding to the calculated effective diffusion time). It calculates the average power supply power to be imposed on the microturbine to obtain the desired theoretical average flow rate, compares the calculated value with the average power supply currently imposed and consequently modifies the power supply of the micro-turbine. When the value of the usage unit counter becomes zero, the microcontroller stops incrementing the timer. It activates the red indicator diode 20 of the indicator 20, and maintains the supply of the micro-turbine according to a predetermined average power supply.

When the broadcasting device is deactivated by the user or in a preprogrammed manner, upon reception of the deactivation signal (transmitted by the infrared sensor 21 if the deactivation is controlled by the user), the microcontroller 12 reads the value of its counter. time and controls the recording of this value in the EEPROM of the cartridge as the utilization rate of the current unit.

Thus, in case of deactivation, the effective diffusion time can be entirely deduced from information stored in the storage means of the cartridge (the effective diffusion time in minutes at the moment of the next activation of the broadcasting device, given by the formula I above). This data therefore remains physically attached to the cartridge, which offers the possibility to the user to change the cartridge if he wishes (including when the current cartridge is not exhausted), for example to change the fragrance in the case where the liquid to be diffused is a perfume. Of course, all cartridges compatible with the air conditioning system according to the invention have the characteristics of the cartridge claimed and described.

It should be noted that the diffusion of a perfume at a constant rate causes a phenomenon of habituation: people exposed to perfume for a certain period of time no longer manage to perceive it. To overcome this problem, the perfume must be diffused intermittently. When the liquid to be diffused is a perfume, the storage means of the cartridge 6, and for example the EEPROM memory of the chip 16, advantageously contain a series of information making it possible to define a cyclic modulation law 33 as illustrated. In practice, this cyclic modulation law is preferably stored in the form of two values: a value Tl of the activity period of the micro-turbine, and a value T2 of the idle period of the microphone. -turbine. Curve 34 illustrates the instantaneous olfactory intensity perceived by a person exposed to the perfume diffused according to the cyclic law of modulation 33. When the broadcasting device is activated, upon reception of the activation signal and after verifying the presence of a cartridge 6 in the interface 7, the microcontroller 12 consults the cyclic modulation law stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge and reads the T1 and T2 values. Therefore, as long as the conditions are met to activate and maintain the diffusion, the microcontroller controls the power supply of the micro-turbine by alternately imposing periods Tl of activity of the micro-turbine (during which the latter is electrically powered) and T2 periods of inactivity of the micro-turbine (during which its power supply is inhibited). The average power supply of the micro-turbine, calculated by the microcontroller to obtain the average flow rate of additional air supplied by the compensation law, takes into account these periods of activity and inactivity of the microphone. -turbine.

In a third version of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the EEPROM memory of the chip 16 of the cartridge contains a series of information defining a first compensation law 35 corresponding to a first diffusion level, a series information defining a second compensation law 36 corresponding to a second broadcast level, and a set of information defining a third compensation law 37 corresponding to a third broadcast level. Each of these laws, represented in the form of a curve, provides values of the average flow rate of additional air (operating parameter, referenced Pf) as a function of the quantity of liquid diffused since the first commissioning of the cartridge (history parameter, referenced Q), for a given broadcast level. As previously explained, each of these laws is preferably stored in the EEPROM of the cartridge in the form of a table providing the values of the average flow rate of additional air corresponding to a limited number of values of the quantity of liquid. broadcast.

The remote control of the user interface also makes it possible to select a broadcast level. The requested broadcast level is communicated to the microcontroller 12 via the infrared sensor 21. In order that the compensation laws shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented, the diffusion device is adapted to evaluate and periodically record the quantity of liquid diffused. In particular :

the microcontroller 12 of the control means comprises a timer capable of incrementing every minute,

the EEPROM memory of the chip 16 of the cartridge also contains a series of information defining a first consumption law 38 corresponding to the first diffusion level, a series of information defining a second consumption law 39 corresponding to the second broadcast level , and a set of information defining a third consumption law 40 corresponding to the third broadcast level. Each of these laws, represented as a curve, provides values of the amount of liquid diffused as a function of time. The value Q _max indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6 corresponds to the maximum quantity of diffused liquid, that is to say substantially to the quantity of liquid initially present in the cartridge. As previously explained, each of these laws is preferably stored in the EEPROM of the cartridge in the form of an array providing only a discrete number of values. Due to the compensation performed according to the invention, each consumption law is approximately linear (in particular if the control means are programmed to carry out periodic compensation at a high frequency, for example every minute). As a first approximation (and even if the compensation is performed at a lower frequency), it is therefore possible to define, as a consumption law, a single value corresponding to the average quantity of fluid diffused per unit of time for the level of corresponding diffusion (average slope of the curve representing the law of consumption),

a part of the EEPROM memory of the chip 16 is reserved for storing the instantaneous value of the quantity of liquid diffused.

The time counter of the microcontroller is used to evaluate the elapsed time from the instant of activation of the broadcasting device. At this moment of activation, the microcontroller 12 raises the value Qt ₁ currently recorded the quantity of liquid diffused: this value is equal to zero if it is the first commissioning of the cartridge; otherwise, it corresponds to the last value evaluated and stored in the EEPROM memory of the cartridge during the previous activation period of the broadcasting device. The microcontroller also raises the level of broadcast currently requested.

If the value Qt ₁ of the quantity of liquid diffused exceeds a predetermined value V 2 expressing the depletion of the cartridge, the microcontroller activates the red light emitting diode of the indicator 20 as well as the power supply of the micro-turbine (according to a power predetermined feed average); it does not increment any counter.

If this value Qt ₁ lies between a predetermined value Vl defining an alert threshold and the aforementioned value V2 (Vl being less than V2), the microcontroller activates the orange diode of the indicator 20.

If this value Qti is lower than the value Vl, the microcontroller activates the green diode of the indicator 20.

In the last two cases, the microcontroller consults the compensation law corresponding to the requested level of diffusion (in the example curve 36), and deduces therefrom the value of the average flow rate of additional air that the micro-turbine must deliver. (average flow rate corresponding to the measured value of the quantity of liquid diffused). As previously explained, it controls the supply of the micro-turbine accordingly.

At the same time, the microcontroller zeros its time counter and triggers its incrementation.

As long as the diffusion device is activated, the microcontroller periodically consult the consumption law corresponding to the requested level of diffusion (in this example the curve 39): it raises the instantaneous value Qt ₂ of the amount of circulated liquid corresponding to the time t ₂ given by the following formula: t ₂ = ti + 1 where t! is the time (provided by the consumption law 39) corresponding to the value Qt ₁ of the quantity of liquid diffused at the instant of activation of the diffusion device, and t is the time indicated by the time counter (time elapsed since this moment of activation).

The microcontroller controls the recording of the instantaneous value Qt ₂ of the quantity of liquid diffused into the EEPROM memory of the cartridge. He then consults the compensation law (36) corresponding to the requested level of diffusion, to deduce from it the average flow rate of additional airflow that the micro-turbine should theoretically deliver (average flow corresponding to the value Qt ₂ of the quantity of liquid broadcast). It calculates the average power supply power to impose on the micro-turbine to obtain the desired theoretical average flow rate, and consequently adjusts the power supply of the micro-turbine.

In case of modification of the broadcast level during an activation period of the broadcasting device, the microcontroller raises (as previously explained) the instantaneous value of the quantity of liquid diffused at the instant of the modification, a value of which it controls the recording. The microcontroller resets its time counter to zero and restarts its incrementation (the counter is henceforth used to evaluate the elapsed time since the moment of the modification of the diffusion level). As previously explained, periodically, the microcontroller deduces the instantaneous value of the quantity of liquid diffused, from the time elapsed since the moment of the modification of the diffusion level (value of the time counter) and the quantity of diffused liquid detected. at this moment of modification, by consulting the law of consumption (for example 40) corresponding to the level of diffusion currently requested. It controls the recording of this instantaneous value of the quantity of liquid diffused then consults the compensation law (37) corresponding to the level of diffusion currently requested, in order to correct if necessary the supply of the micro-turbine.

It goes without saying that the invention can be the subject of many variations with respect to the embodiments described and illustrated.

Claims

1/ Air conditioning system comprising a device for diffusing a liquid in an air flow, called the main air flow, of the air conditioning system, which diffusion device comprises:

- at least one cartridge (6) removably mounted in the air conditioning system, which cartridge integrates a substrate soaked in the liquid to be diffused and comprises means (16) for storing information,

- means (8, 9) for vaporizing the liquid carried by the substrate,

- electronic and/or computer control means (11, 12, 15, 19), adapted to be able to make the vaporization means active when the diffusion device is activated and to act on the vaporization means so as to be able to vary an operating parameter of said vaporization means influencing the flow rate of liquid diffused, characterized in that:

- the control means (11) comprise means for reading the storage means of the cartridge, - the storage means (16) of the cartridge contain at least one series of information (32; 35-37), called law compensation, corresponding to a predetermined diffusion level and providing values of the operating parameter (Pf) as a function of a parameter (t _of ; Q), called history parameter, representative of the previous use of the cartridge,

- the broadcasting device comprises means for evaluating and periodically recording an instantaneous value of the history parameter,

- when the diffusion device is activated, the control means (11) are adapted to act on the vaporization means (8) so as to impose the value of the operating parameter, stored in the means of cartridge memory, which corresponds to the recorded instantaneous value of the history parameter.

2/ System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a user interface (21) allowing a user to activate and deactivate the broadcasting device.

3/ System according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that:

- the history parameter is the time (t _of ), called effective diffusion time, elapsed since the cartridge was first put into service and during which the diffusion device is activated,

- the broadcasting device includes a time counter or a clock.

4/ System according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: - the history parameter is the time, called real diffusion time, elapsed since the first commissioning of the cartridge and during which the means of vaporization are active,

- the broadcasting device includes a time counter or a clock.

5/ System according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that:

- the cartridge storage means contain a plurality of compensation laws (35-37) corresponding to distinct predetermined diffusion levels, - the diffusion device comprises a clock or a time counter,

- the history parameter is the quantity (Q), called the quantity of liquid diffused, of liquid diffused since the cartridge was first put into service, the storage means containing, for each diffusion level, a series of information ( 38-40), known as the consumption law, providing values of the quantity of liquid diffused as a function of time for said diffusion level.

6/ System according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a user interface (21) allowing a user to select a broadcast level, the selected broadcast level being recorded in a memory of the control means (11). 11 System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that:

- the means of vaporization include

" means (8) for generating an air flow called additional air flow, said generation means being chosen from a turbine, a fan, a compressor, an air pump,

"a conduit for circulating this additional air flow, having on the one hand an upstream portion (9) entering the cartridge (6) and on the other hand a downstream portion (10) leaving the cartridge and opening into the main air flow of the air conditioning system, said cartridge being adapted so that the additional air flow is loaded with microdroplets and/or liquid vapors to be diffused while passing through it,

- the operating parameter (Pf) is chosen from the average flow rate of the additional air flow, the average pressure of the additional air flow, the average rotation speed of the fan or turbine, the average pressure delivered by the compressor or the pump, the average power supply of the fan or the turbine or the compressor or the pump, the average section of the additional air flow.

8/ System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: - the vaporization means comprise means for heating the substrate of the cartridge,

- the operating parameter is chosen from the average temperature of the substrate, the average power supply of the heating means. 9/ System according to claim 8, characterized in that the heating means comprise a Peltier module. 10/ System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that:

- the cartridge storage means comprise a series of information (33), called a cyclic modulation law, corresponding to a predetermined diffusion level and providing at least one activity period value of the vaporization means and a value of period of inactivity of the vaporization means,

- when the diffusion device is activated, the control means are adapted to make, cyclically, the vaporization means active then inactive, respectively, for each cycle, during the period of activity and the period of inactivity stored in the cartridge storage means.

11/ System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the storage means (16) of the cartridge comprise at least one non-volatile memory accessible at least for reading for the storage of the law(s). ) compensation and any consumption laws and cyclic modulation law(s).

12/ System according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the storage means (16) of the cartridge comprise at least one non-volatile memory accessible for reading and writing for recording the instantaneous value of the parameter of history.

13/ System according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the storage means (16) of the cartridge comprise information, called cartridge identification reference, making it possible to individually identify the cartridge, and the control means comprise at least one non-volatile memory, accessible for reading and writing, for recording the instantaneous value of the history parameter in association with the identification reference of the cartridge.

14/ System according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the diffusion device comprises means for detecting the presence of a cartridge. 15/ System according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the broadcasting device comprises a connection interface

(7) between the cartridge (6) and the control means (11), fixedly mounted in the air conditioning system and adapted to be easily coupled, mechanically and electronically, to said cartridge.

16/ Air conditioning system of a building, according to one of claims 1 to 15.

17/ Air conditioning system of a vehicle, according to one of claims 1 to 15. 18/ Air conditioning method, in which an air conditioning system is used comprising an air diffusion device. a liquid in an air flow, called the main air flow, of the air conditioning system, which diffusion device comprises:

- means (8, 9) for vaporizing the liquid carried by the substrate,

- the control means (11) used comprise means for reading the cartridge storage means,

- we store, in the storage means (16) of the cartridge, at least one series of information (32; 35-37), called the compensation law, corresponding to a predetermined diffusion level and providing values of the operating parameter (Pf) as a function of a parameter (t _of ; Q), called history parameter, representative of the previous use of the cartridge,

- when activated, the broadcast device periodically evaluates and records an instantaneous value of the history parameter, and the control means (11) consult the compensation law stored in the storage means of the cartridge and act on the vaporization means (8) so as to impose the value of the operating parameter which corresponds to the recorded instantaneous value of the history parameter.