DEVICE FOR DETECTING A PARTICULATE FILTER

This invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter which is widely used in the automotive sector and in particular in the sector relating to monitoring the level of pollution produced by means of transport such as automobiles, lorries and the like.

As is known, all the new generation of diesel powered motor vehicles are equipped with a filter mounted in the vehicle exhaust for reducing pollutants of fine dusts, in particular (but not necessarily) the PM10. emissions. This filter acts by collecting the combustible gases in the exhaust manifold and then conveys them towards the catalytic silencer passing through the actual filter.

As is known, such anti-particulate filters often become clogged, producing side effects in the motor vehicle such as, for example, frequent changes of oil, continuous ignitions of warning lights and the like. In this situation, it is therefore necessary to replace the filter. In this case, the levels of pollution and toxic substances released by the vehicle in the air increase, touching levels not permitted by the law.

In light of the above, it is therefore necessary to check the presence and the state of the anti-particulate filter. There are currently devices which, in addition to other functions, also perform the purpose of determining the level of pollution of the diesel engine mounted on the vehicle analysed.

Disadvantageous^, the prior art devices are expensive and do not allow the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter on the vehicle to be detected in real time.

Using the prior art devices, it is not possible, for example, during a control by the relative personnel, to know in real time whether or not the stationary vehicle comprises an anti-particulate filter.

In addition, even the vehicle repair centres are not able to detect the presence or not of the anti-particulate filter in real time unless the silencer of the vehicle is removed. The prior art devices are therefore slow to use and are therefore not very suitable for the above-mentioned control functions where a certain level of speed is required.

Another drawback derives from the fact that these devices are large and not very practical.

Another drawback derives from the fact that these devices are very expensive and therefore not very accessible.

A further drawback derives from the fact that the prior art devices are designed to perform different functions with respect to the detection of the anti-particulate filter. This means that the prior art devices are not very reliable in detecting the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter.

The technical purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a device for detecting the presence of anti-particulate filter which is able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter which allows detection in real time.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter which is inexpensive and easy to use.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter which avoids removal of the silencer during control of the vehicle.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a detection device with limited dimensions in such a way as to facilitate its use and make it portable and therefore useable in contexts such as, for example, controls performed by the relative personnel.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non limiting description which follows of a non-exclusive embodiment of device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter. The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are provided solely for purposes of illustration without restricting the scope of the invention and in which:

- Figure 1 is a front view of a diagram of a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter;

- Figure 2 is a cross section of a diagram of a device for detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter of Figure 1.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a detection device configured to detect the presence of an anti-particulate filter on a vehicle. The device 1 comprises a guard 2. The guard 2 has small dimensions which make the latter portable and easy to use.

Preferably, the guard 2 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and comprises a first gripping portion 2a and a second gripping portion 2b.

As shown in Figure 1, the first and second gripping portions 2a, 2b are opposite each other relative to an axis of symmetry "X" of the device 1 and are also equipped with an anti- slip pattern configured to facilitate a grip of the device 1 by an operator. According to a preferred embodiment, the guard 2 is made entirely of a plastic material in such a way as to be light and at the same time resistant to use. Advantageously, the above-mentioned features make the device 1 easy to use even if an operator wears the gloves.

The device 1 also comprises an inlet duct 3 extending away from the guard sing 2 and configured to allow the entrance of exhaust fumes of the vehicle into the device 1.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the inlet duct 3 extends on a lateral portion of the guard 2.

Alternatively, the inlet duct 3 could extend about the axis of symmetry "X" in such a way as to occupy a central position relative to the guard 2.

According to a further possible embodiment, the inlet duct 3 could occupy any offset relative to the axis "X".

Preferably, the inlet duct 3 comprises at least one portion made of metal which is inserted deep in the silencer of the vehicle and a portion made of rubberised fabric proximal to the guard 2.

The device 1 also comprises a particulate sensor 4 designed to measure a concentration of particulate in the exhaust fumes entering the device 1, in particular a concentration of PM 10 and/or PM2.5, and generating a value representing the concentration.

Preferably, the particulate sensor 4 uses the laser scattering principle on the particles so as to perform a precise measurement of the concentration of PM 10 and/or PM2.5.

The value representing the concentration of particulate in the fumes is sent to a processing and control unit 5 configured to receive the representative value and derive, based on the latter, a condition of presence or absence of the anti particulate filter.

Preferably, the detection device 1 may also comprise a memory module 7 on which a plurality of threshold values are recorded relating to particulate concentrations. The memory module 7 is configured to interface with the processing and control unit 5 in such a way as to recognise the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter by comparing the representative value with the threshold values.

In other words, once the particulate sensor 4 has derived a concentration value (usually measured in mg/m ³ ), the processing and control unit 5 compares this value with the threshold values present in the memory module 7. If, for example, the representative value is greater than one or more of the threshold values, it is possible to derive a condition of absence of the anti-particulate filter in the vehicle.

Advantageously, the device 1 is fast in the data processing, allowing the presence of the anti-particulate filter to be detected substantially immediately.

According to a preferred embodiment, the processing and control unit 5 is also configured to derive a condition of damage and/or a condition of tampering of the anti-particulate filter. By comparing the representative value with the threshold values of the memory module 7 it is possible to understand if the anti-particulate filter is present in the vehicle, and in that case, whether it is intact or damaged/tampered with.

In order to communicate to the operator whether the anti-particulate filter is present in the vehicle and whether it is damaged, the device 1 also comprises a user interface 6 connected to the processing and control unit 5.

According to a preferred embodiment, the user interface 6 comprises a display unit 6a designed to display at least one between: a message indicating the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter; the representative value; the threshold values.

Preferably, the display unit 6a is of the touchscreen type in such a way as to make the device 1 practical, intuitive and easy to use.

In other words, once the processing and control unit 5 has performed the comparison between the value representing the concentration of particulate in the fumes with the threshold values contained in the memory module 7, it sends a signal to the user interface 6 in such a way that the display unit 6a displays information for the operator.

In some cases, as in the case of the annual overhaul of the vehicles, it is also useful to record the data relating to the representative values obtained by means of the device 1. In this regard, the device 1 may also comprise a data receiving and transmission module 9 configured to allow an exchange of data between the processing and control unit 5 and a data collection terminal, preferably a proprietary server for collecting and comparing data. In this way it is possible to keep track of all the measurements performed over time quickly and easily without occupying the memory module 7 of the detection device 1.

Preferably, the data receiving and transmitting module 9 can be selected between: a Wi-Fi module, a module of the GSM/GPRS type.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device 1 may also comprise a further sensor 10 configured for recording data relating to a percentage of humidity and/or data relative to a temperature of the exhaust fumes and for sending the data to the processing and control unit 5.

Advantageously, the possibility of measuring data relative to the percentage of humidity and the temperature of the exhaust fumes makes the analysis of the presence of the anti-particulate filter more reliable and precise.

Advantageously, the possibility of measuring data relative to the percentage of humidity and the temperature of the exhaust fumes makes it possible to understand the state of wear of the anti-particulate filter and, if this is the case, the presence of tampering, making the device 1 particularly useful also for the checks performed by the relative personnel.

Preferably, the device 1 also comprises a battery 8 configured to power the processing and control unit 5. Preferably, the battery 8 is a lithium battery. Advantageously, the presence of the battery 8 allows the device 1 to be completely autonomous since it does not require an external power supply. Advantageously, the presence of the battery 8 allows the device 1 to be portable and therefore be used wherever necessary in an easy and fast manner.

The patent also relates to a method of detecting the presence of an anti-particulate filter in a vehicle.

The method comprises the steps of preparing a device 1 as described above and inserting the inlet duct 3 in a silencer of a vehicle for allowing an entrance of the exhaust fumes into the device 1. In this way, the exhaust fumes pass through the inlet duct 3 and are analysed by the particulate sensor 4 which measures a concentration of particulate in the exhaust fumes. The method also comprises the step of generating a value representing this concentration. This step is carried out by the processing and control unit 5 which derives the representative value which is then compared with the threshold values contained in the memory module 7. The method also comprises the step of deriving a condition of presence or absence of said anti-particulate filter.

Preferably, the method for deriving the condition of presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter is carried out by comparing the representative value with a plurality of threshold values. In other words, the condition of presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter is derived by comparing the representative value processed by the processing and control unit 5 with the threshold values contained in the memory module 7 in such a way that it is possible to understand whether or not the anti-particulate filter is present in the vehicle. At the end of the comparison operations, the method comprises the step of informing an operator (or other user) of the presence or absence of the anti particulate filter. In particular, the processing and control unit 5 sends a signal indicating the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter to the user interface 6 which makes it possible to display on the display unit 6a at least one between: a message indicating the presence or absence of the anti-particulate filter and, if necessary, the representative value. In this way, the operator is able to understand whether the filter is present and, if it is actually present, the state of wear and whether or not it has been tampered with.

The present invention achieves the preset aims eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the invention provides a device 1 which is able to detect in real time the presence or the absence of an anti-particulate filter on a vehicle.

The device 1 makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of an anti particulate filter without the need to dismantle the vehicle since it comprises the particulate sensor 4 which provides the processing and control unit 5 with data relating to the concentration which is immediately compared with the threshold values of the memory module 7.

A further advantage derives from the fact that the device 1 is portable, therefore easy to use also in the workshops and/or in the places designed for performing the controls.

It is also advantageous that the device 1 is electronically simple and therefore easy to use, very reliable and inexpensive.