Patent Application
20220242416
The present invention relates to a breath analyzing system and method. In particular the invention relates to a breath analyzing system combined with a heat, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC-system) of the vehicle, wherein the settings of the HVAC system are controlled to optimize the performance of the breath analyzing system.
Breath analyzing equipment for analyzing occurrences and concentration of intoxicating substances in a person's breath is becoming increasingly common, not at least in vehicles as a measure to detect and prevent driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. The main focus is ethanol (ethyl alcohol/drinking alcohol) detection, but also other substances are of interest. The breath analyzing equipment mounted in vehicles typically gives a measured value of the content of a substance or substances in the driver's breath, which in turn, to a high accuracy, relates to the concentration in the blood of the user. The breath analyzing equipment may be part of a system also including equipment for identifying the driver and/or immobilizing the vehicle, so called “alcolocks”. Such breath analyzing equipment is typically permanently mounted in the vehicle and may be an integral part of the dashboard, for example, and connected to the control system of the vehicle. Up to date, such systems have been found primarily in commercial vehicles like buses, taxis and trains. However, it appears that these systems will also be common in private vehicles in a near future, and possibly also mandatory in at least some countries and regions.
The most common approach for vehicle mounted breath testing equipment is to use a mouthpiece to which, after a deep breath, the user should empty his or hers airways. This approach is referred to as active detection. To ensure a correct determination the user should deliver a forced expiration at almost full vital capacity. This requires substantial time and effort, especially for persons with limited capacity. In addition the mouthpiece, or part of the mouthpiece, is often a disposable plastic item for hygienic reasons. This results in cumbersome handling and the use of vast amounts of disposable plastic items, which would be the case if alcolocks become mandatory, is questionable from an environmental viewpoint.
An alternative approach is so called passive detection wherein the intoxicating substance is determined from a breath sample taken during the expiration at normal breathing. Disposable mouthpieces are typically not used. However the user may be instructed to breath towards an air inlet or the like. The challenge with passive detection is the low concentration of the substances to be detected and analyzed. An established method is to utilize tracer gases, typically carbon dioxide or water vapor, which are always present in the breath in highly predictable amounts, to both trigger the analysis of the target substance and to facilitate the determination of the target substance concentration value. A further problem, not at least in vehicles, is the uncontrolled environment in the vehicle compartment that includes forced ventilation, the use of AC etc. A still further problem is, if more than the driver is present, to determine if the detected intoxicating substance comes from the driver or from a passenger.
WO2017164953 discloses a method and a system for passive breath alcohol concentration measurement using tracer gas detection to facilitate the determination of the target substance concentration value and introduces a method and system to switch from a passive detection to an active detection if required. This also includes instructing a driver to take certain actions.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,903 discloses a method and a system for passive breath alcohol concentration measurement and discusses the influence of the settings of the HVAC to the ability to perform accurate BrAC measurements.
The object of the invention is to provide a breath analyzing system and method of operation that overcomes the drawbacks of prior art methods and systems.
This is achieved by the combined HVAC and breath analyzing system as defined in claim 1, and the method as defined in claim 14.
The vehicle mounted combined HVAC and breath analyzing system according to the invention acts on a compartment of the vehicle and the system comprises:
According to one aspect of the invention the breath analysis mode comprises the HVAC system arranging to rapidly shift to an open position and wherein at least during the transition from the closed to the open position the central control unit arranges the breath analyzer to analyze air from the compartment.
According to one aspect of the invention the combined HVAC and breath analyzing system comprises detections means for detecting the presence of a driver within the compartment and wherein the central control unit is arranged to place the HVAC system in a dedicated breath analysis mode based on the input from the driver presence detection means. The central control unit may be arranged to change valve position and/or activate the breath analyzer based on the input from the driver presence detection means.
According to one aspect of the invention the central control unit is arranged to set or maintain the valve in the first position drawing air from the exterior inlet a first time period after a detection of a driver, setting the valve to the second position drawing air from the interior air inlet a subsequent second time period causing re-circulation of air in the compartment, and returning the valve to the first position after the second time period drawing air from the external inlet and causing purging of air in the compartment; and activating the breath analyzer at least during the second time period. The central control unit may be arranged to activate the breath analyzer at least also during the first time period, wherein the breath analyzer is arranged to measure a baseline.
According to one aspect of the invention the central control unit is arranged to activate the breath analyzer during the first time period, wherein the breath analyzer is arranged to measure a baseline, and the central control unit is arranged to activate the breath analyzer during the second time period, wherein the breath analyzer is arranged to determine the concentration of the target substance in the compartment during the re-circulation, and wherein the breath analyzer is arranged to determine the concentration of the target substance in the compartment during the air purge.
According to one aspect of the invention the breath analyzer is integrated in the HVAC system so that the internal inlet is an inlet to both the HVAC system and the breath analyzer. The breath analyzer may be arranged downstream of the fan and valve of the HVAC system, and according to one aspect the breath analyzer is provided close to an interior air outlet in the vehicle compartment.
According to one aspect of the invention the HVAC system may be placed in a special mode of operation, arranged to draw air backwards from the compartment via the interior air outlet and pass the air to the breath analyzer, thereby facilitating an active detection.
The method of determining a target substance according to the invention using a vehicle mounted combined HVAC and breath analyzing system acting on a compartment of the vehicle, comprises the step of
According to one aspect of the invention the method comprises the further steps of:
According to one aspect of the invention the method comprises at least one time period in which the HVAC system is in a closed position and thereby causing a build-up of target substance concentration and tracer gas concentration in the compartment and at least during that time period the central control unit arranges the breath analyzer to analyze air from the compartment.
According to one aspect of the invention the method comprises that the breath analyzer is active and determine the target substance concentration during a shift of the HVAC system from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position. The dedicated breath analysis mode may comprises changing valve position and/or activate the breath analyzer.
According to one aspect of the invention the method comprises the steps of:
The breath analyzer may be activated during the first time period, to establish a baseline of the target substance and one or more tracer gases. The breath analyzer may further be active during the air purging step to determine the target substance concentration.
Thanks to the invention the accuracy and the reliability of passive detection in a vehicle is greatly improved. This is of highest importance in getting passive detection to be a realistic alternative to active detection in vehicles.
One advantage of the invention is that disposable mouthpieces are not needed.
One advantage of the invention is that no active exhalation technique is required by the driver.
One further advantage is that the breath analyzing system and the HVAC system may share components like fans, ducts and valves, which lower the cost, complexity and the total size of the combined system compared to having separate and parallel systems. It is also easier to incorporate the breath analyzing system into the interior of the vehicle in an aesthetically pleasing manner. This is of importance in getting breath detection technology to become widely accepted also in private cars.
One further advantage is that the breath analysis system may easily switch from a passive mode to an active or semi-active mode, wherein the driver is instructed to take certain actions, for example direct his or hers breath towards, or actively blowing into a specific vent, acting as an intake of a breath sample.
One further advantage is that the breath analysis system may identify that the driver is about to start the car before the actual starting procedure, for example already then the driver opens the door and prepares for the for the determination by placing the system in a dedicated breath analysis mode beforehand. This shortens the time needed for the determination of the target substance concentration. To keep the analysis time short is of high importance since also a small delay of starting procedure is perceived as very annoying by many drivers.
In the following, the invention will be described in more detail, by way of example only, with regard to non-limiting embodiments thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.
Terms such as “top”, “bottom”, upper“, lower”, “below”, “above” etc. are used merely with reference to the geometry of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and/or during normal operation of the described device and system and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner.
The vehicle mounted combined heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) and breath analyzing system 10 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in
Passive detection is a term used in the trade to categorize that the breath analysis is performed without the driver blowing into a dedicated mouthpiece or the like. Rather, passive detection aims to perform the breath analysis without the driver taking any specific actions, although some general instructions or conditions, for example requiring the driver to be seated facing forward, close the doors of the vehicle and breathing normally may be needed.
The breath analyzer 11 and HVAC 12 are in connection with a control unit 13. The control unit 13 may typically be a central control unit handling a plurality of functions in the vehicle or a dedicated control unit handling the functionality of the breath analyzer 11 and the HVAC 12. The control unit 13 may further be in connection with a driver detection mechanism 14 which is arranged to detect a driver entering and taking position to drive in the vehicle. The driver detection mechanism 14 may utilize detectors and functions commonly installed in the vehicle such as a detector registration the vehicle door handle being operated, the door opened, the driver seat occupied etc. Further, the control unit 13 may additionally be in connection with, or able to receive information from a plurality of sensors giving indications of the state of the compartment of the vehicle, such as, but not limited to sensors indicating a windows position, existence and number of passengers in the vehicle, inside and outside temperature etc.
The breath analyzer 11 may be a breath analyzer for detection of alcohol in the driver's breath according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,919,754 or 9,746,454, hereby incorporated by reference. The breath analyzer 11 may also be adapted to detect other illegal or hazardous substances. In the following the detection of alcohol will be described as a non-limiting example. Typically, the detection relies on the measurement of the target gas, e.g. alcohol vapor and a tracer gas, e.g. CO2. The present invention is not limited to a specific breath analyzer. However, it is well-known that passive detection puts high demands on the breath analyzer 11 with regards to sensitivity and speed of detection.
The HVAC system 12 comprises an exterior air inlet 15, a plurality of interior air outlets 16 and an interior air inlet 17, a fan 18 and an arrangement of valves 19 typically maneuverable in a number of different positions or modes giving different type of ventilation of the vehicle compartment. At least a portion of the interior air outlets 16 are typically in the form of vents that can be adjusted with regards to airflow and flow directions. Such vents are typically found in the center console and close to the doors in the compartment of the vehicle. Typical ventilation modes of a HVAC include but is not limited to:
In addition to the basic modes, it is possible, manually or automatically, to direct the air streams in different ways, for example downwards, upwards, towards the face etc.
As is well known the HVAC system may be fully automated so that a user only sets a desired temperature and the system itself choses an appropriate mode based on the desired temperature and inside and outside measured temperature, humidity etc.
The term “valve” should be understood in a functional way as valve means, capable of directing from which inlet the air should be drawn. The skilled person realizes that this may be realized in a number of ways; the most straightforward being a valve in an Y-shaped branched duct. Also having separate fans for the interior air inlet 17 and the exterior air inlet 15 combined with separate valves, for example pressure operated automatic valves, will provide an effective valve functionality that is controllable from the control unit 13. All such variations are apparent for the skilled person and encompassed by the term “valve”.
In a similar manner, the term “fan” should be understood in functional manner. The skilled person realizes that a plurality of fans could be used and the implementation in various vehicles could differ significantly.
For the purpose of the present patent application two distinctively different positions is recognized: a HVAC open position wherein external air is drawn from the exterior air inlet 15 to the interior air outlet 16 illustrated in
The combined HVAC and breath analyzing system 10 according to the invention provides a control unit 13 that controls both the HVAC system 12 and the breath analyzer 11 so that the settings of the HVAC system 12 is automatically selected as to speed up and/or increase the accuracy and/or reliability of the detection of alcohol or other specified substances during the time period that the breath analyzer 11 performs the BrAC measurement. This can be described as introducing one or more new modes of the HVAC system 12, referred to as dedicated breath analysis modes, to optimize the breath analysis performed by the breath analyzer 11 and that the control unit 13 is arranged to override a current mode of the HVAC system to place the HVAC system in a dedicated breath analysis mode that facilitate the determination of the target substance concentration.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the breath analysis mode comprises at least one time period in which the HVAC system 12 is in a closed position and at least during that time period the control unit 13 arranges the breath analyzer 11 to analyze air from the compartment. After the breath analysis mode, the HVAC system may return to the mode it had before the breath analysis mode. Preferably the control unit 13 initiates the breath analysis mode a time period before the breath analyzer 11 actually performs the BrAC measurement. This is to facilitate build up of concentrations of the gases to be analyzed and/or to let a stable situation of the airflow in the compartment be established before the measurement is done.
According to one embodiment of the invention the breath analysis mode of the HVAC system 12 comprises the HVAC system 12 being in a HVAC closed position not allowing exterior air to enter into the compartment during the breath analyzer 11 performing the BrAC measurement. The HVAC closed position may incorporate the fan of the HVAC system being on for circulating the air of the compartment. The time period, which represents the build-up phase, may be a predetermined time period. The length of the time period may be determined taken into account physical considerations—in order for a build up to be meaningful the person should be able to take a few breaths. Typically and preferably the time period for the build-up phase is in the order of 10 s to 1 min. Alternatively, according to another embodiment the time period of the build-up phase is dynamic and determined from measurements done by the breath analyzer 11. The measurements may be continuous, periodic or pointwise during the build-up phase and may include, but is not limited to:
According to one embodiment of the invention the breath analysis mode of the HVAC system comprises initiating a change in the air composition of the compartment during a BrAc measurement period. This is achieved by that the control unit 13 arranges to change the arrangement of valves 19 to one of the first and second positions and thereby initiate a change of the air composition of the compartment, and in relation to the change in valve position activate the breath analyzer to analyze air from the compartment. Due to differences in response to such a change of alcohol and the tracer gas information may be extracted from measurement data giving an improved detection of alcohol.
According to one embodiment the HVAC system is arranged to be in a closed position and thereby causing a build-up of target substance concentration and tracer gas concentration in the compartment. Subsequently the HVAC system is arranged to rapidly shift to an open position and wherein at least during the transition from the closed to the open position the control unit 13 arranges the breath analyzer to analyze air from the compartment.
According to one embodiment the combined HVAC and breath analyzing system according to comprises detections means for detecting the presence of a driver within the compartment and wherein the control unit 13 arranges to change valve position and/or activate the breath analyzer based on the input from the driver presence detection means. Also other detectors and indications could be taken into account, for example sensors or switches determining that doors are closed, windows closed etc. If the compartment determined as a closed compartment the driver might be instructed to close doors and windows, for example, before the measurement process is initiated.
According to one embodiment the combined HVAC and breath analyzing system 10 the control unit 13 arranges to set, or maintain, the HVAC system 12 in the open position drawing air from the exterior inlet a first time period after a person has occupied the driver seat of the vehicle, setting the HVAC system 12 in the closed position drawing air from the interior air inlet a subsequent second time period causing re-circulation of air in the compartment, and returning to the HVAC open position after the second time period drawing air from the external inlet and causing purging of air in the compartment; and activating the breath analyzer at least during the second time period. During the first time period the breath analyzer may be arranged to measure a baseline. The intake of fresh air via the exterior inlet ensures that the baseline values for alcohol and tracer gas are relatively stable and predictable values. The first time period is typically 5-30 s and the second time period is in the order of 1-3 minutes.
According to one embodiment, after the first time period the control unit 13 controls the HVAC system 12 to shift to a closed mode, i.e. change position of the valve 19 so that air is drawn from interior inlet 17, thereby creating a recirculation of air in the vehicle compartment. This represents a concentration build-up phase of the measurement cycle.
During the build-up phase the concentration of the tracer gas and the target substance, if at all present in the breath of the driver and/or passenger(s), will increase continuously due to the repeated and periodic exhalations from the person(s) in the vehicle compartment. A reasonable assumption is that the increase in concentrations is linear for both the target substance and the tracer gas. Since the concentration, especially for the target substance, may be very low the increase in concentration may not be observable for a first time interval during the build-up phase, due to the concentration being below a detection limit. For a second time interval only, a continuous increase is observable, referred to as the continuously increasing target substance concentration interval. The determination of a continuously increasing target substance concentration may be used as an indication of a reliable determination.
According to one embodiment the first time period is a predetermined time period. Alternatively the length of first time period is determined based on the baseline measurement, in that the initial phase may end upon an indication from the breath analyzer that a stable measurement of the baseline has been acquired.
Due to the recirculation of the air in the vehicle the concentration of exhaled gases increases in the vehicle compartment; both target gas and tracer gas will build up, facilitating the detection of the target substance. The breath analyzer 11 measures the target substance and the tracer gas during the concentration build up phase. The measurement may be continuous or pointwise during the phase. After a second time period the control unit 13 controls the HVAC system 12 to switch the valve 19 from the second position to the first position, i.e. open to the exterior air inlet 15 so that fresh air will enter the compartment.
According to one embodiment the second time period is a predetermined time period. Alternatively the length of second time period is determined based on the measurement of the tracer gas, the target substance or the tracer gas and target substance. The ending of the second time period (ending of the build-up phase) may be based on that a continuously increasing target substance concentration has been determined, indicative of that the build-up concentration is above a detection level and that the concentration determination is a reliable determination. According to one embodiment the target substance concentration that is presented to the driver, or used for the “alcolock” function, for example, is based at least partly on the continuously increasing target substance concentration interval.
Typically the breath analyzer 11 is controlled to make measurement also during and immediately after, the shift from re-circulation to open ventilation as the difference in decline of target gas and tracer gas concentrations may be used in establishing the target gas concentration in the driver's breath.
According to one embodiment of the invention the breath analyzer 11 is an integral part of the HVAC system 12 so that the breath analyzer 11 is directly exposed to the airflow created in the HVAC system 12.
According to one embodiment, schematically illustrated in
According to one embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in
According to one embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in
According to one embodiment of the invention if the breath analysis during a dedicated breath analysis mode, which is a passive detection. indicates either that the that the breath analysis could not be performed correctly the driver is instructed to direct his or hers breath towards a specific vent of the HVAC system 12 or towards a dedicated breath analysis inlet. Indications of uncorrected determination may include, but is not limited to: very low concentrations of tracer gas—indicating a possible tampering attempt, very high target substance concentration indicating more persons present in the vehicle compartment being intoxicated, or a fluctuating target substance concentration, for example, The combined breath analyzing and HVAC system 12 then enters into an active breath analysis mode actively drawing air comprising the breath sample into the specific vent or dedicated breath analysis inlet and passes it to the breath analyzer within the HVAC system 12. Alternatively the driver is instructed to actively blow into the specific vent/inlet. A dedicated replace mouthpiece, connectable to the dedicated inlet, could be utilized, but is according to one embodiment not required.
Referring to the ventilation modes of a HVAC listed above the combined breath analysis and HVAC system 12 and method have one or more of the following operational modes, referred to as dedicated breath analysis modes:
Illustrated in
The method of determining a target substance according to the invention uses the vehicle mounted combined HVAC and breath analyzing system described above. According to the method a current mode of the HVAC system 12 is overridden to place the HVAC system 12 in a dedicated breath analysis mode, the breath analysis mode comprising controlling at least one of the HVAC system 12 parts to be in a position that facilitates the breath analyzer to perform a target substance determination.
Embodiments of the method correspond to the embodiments of the combined HVAC and breath analyzing system and the dedicated breath analysis modes described above.
One embodiment of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the flowchart of
According to one embodiment the method comprises the further steps of:
The method and system have above been described primarily in a scenario wherein the driver enters and is about to start the vehicle. The system and method can equally well be used during operation/driving with the omission of certain steps, which should be obvious to the skilled person, for example detecting the presence of the driver. Such test during operation/driving may be of importance to control that the driver is not using alcohol while driving after the initial test (and possible passing the initial test), for example.
The embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative examples of the system and method of the present invention. It will be understood that those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made to the embodiments. In particular, different part solutions in the different embodiments can be combined in other configurations, where technically possible.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950840-7 | Jul 2019 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2020/050690 | 7/1/2020 | WO | 00 |
