JP4120385B2 - Vehicle air conditioner with ion generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator that blows air containing ions into a passenger compartment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an ion generator having both a relaxation effect, a sterilization effect, and a deodorization effect is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ion generator switches the operation mode to a refresh mode that generates negative ions when a relaxation effect is desired, and to a clean mode that simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions when a sanitization effect is desired.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-216933 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When such an ion generating device is applied to a vehicle air conditioner, if a vehicle door, sunroof, window, or the like is opened, germs flow into the vehicle from outside the vehicle, and the number of germs in the vehicle interior increases. The apparatus described in the above publication does not take into account the increase in the number of germs associated with the opening and closing operations of such doors and windows, and therefore cannot properly disinfect the passenger compartment.
[0005]
The present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator that can efficiently disinfect a vehicle interior.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the present invention includes an air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air, a ventilation path that guides the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior, and at least ions for obtaining a sterilization effect (hereinafter referred to as an sterilization effect) , Disinfecting ions) in the ventilation path, opening / closing means for opening or closing the interior of the vehicle, opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing state of the interior of the vehicle by the opening / closing means, and open state in the vehicle by the opening / closing detection means Is detected, the ion control means for controlling the ion generator so as to generate sterilization ions for a predetermined time from the detection of the open state and the start of detection of the occlusion state , the ion control means of the air conditioning unit The ion generator is controlled so as to generate sterilized ions over a predetermined initial time at the start of operation, and before the initial time elapses, When released state is detected, and controlling the ion generator so as to generate the sterilization ions over a long period of a predetermined time than the time remaining before detection and during the initial time of the open state has passed . The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the present invention includes an air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air, a ventilation path that guides the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior, and at least ions for obtaining a sterilization effect. (Hereinafter referred to as “sterilization ions”) in the air flow path, an opening / closing means for opening or closing the interior of the vehicle, an opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing state in the vehicle by the opening / closing means, and the opening / closing detection means When an open state is detected, an ion control means for controlling the ion generator so as to generate sterilized ions during a predetermined time from the detection of the open state and the start of detection of the closed state, and a vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed The predetermined time is longer as the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is higher .
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the ion generator is controlled so as to generate sterilization ions over a predetermined initial time at the start of operation of the air conditioning unit, and the open state is detected when the open state in the vehicle is detected before the initial time elapses. Since the ion generator is controlled to generate sterilized ions for a predetermined time longer than the remaining time until the initial time elapses during detection of the state, the vehicle interior can be sterilized efficiently. Can do. In addition, during the detection of the open state and the detection of the obstructed state, ions for obtaining a sterilization effect are generated over a predetermined time, and the predetermined time is longer as the detected vehicle speed is faster. The vehicle interior can be sterilized without excess or deficiency .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. At the entrance of the duct 3 of the air conditioning unit 100, a blower fan 4 that rotates by driving of the blower motor 5 is disposed. When the blower fan 4 rotates, the inside air or the outside air is sucked into the duct 3 and is cooled through the evaporator 1. This cooling air passes through the heater core 2 according to the opening degree of the air mix door 7 and is heated, or bypasses the heater core 2 with the cooling air remaining. The air that has passed through and bypassed the heater core 2 is mixed in the air mix chamber 8 downstream of the heater core 2 to obtain conditioned air at a predetermined temperature. The conditioned air is supplied from a center vent outlet provided at the center of the instrument panel, side vent outlets provided at the left and right ends, a foot outlet provided at the lower portion, and a defrost outlet provided near the front window. It is blown into the passenger compartment from the exit.
[0009]
An ion generator 10 is disposed in the middle of the air duct 12 that connects the air mix chamber 8 and the side vent outlet 11b on the driver's seat side. The ion generator 10 is a so-called plasma ion generator that generates ions in the air by discharge between electrodes. The mode mainly refreshes the passenger (refresh mode) and the mode that mainly disinfects and deodorizes the passenger compartment. The operation mode can be switched between (clean mode and deodorization mode). For example, negative ions (referred to as relaxation ions) are generated in the refresh mode, and negative ions and positive ions (referred to as sterilization ions) are generated simultaneously in the clean mode. Such a configuration is known in the field of household air purifiers, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Since ions have a characteristic that they tend to disappear when they collide with a wall such as a duct, the ion generator 10 is preferably arranged as close to the outlet 11b as possible in order to efficiently blow out the ions into the passenger compartment. The operation of the ion generator 10 is controlled by a signal from the ion control circuit 30 as described later.
[0010]
Driving of the blower motor 5, the inside / outside air switching door 6, the air mix door 7, etc. is controlled by the air conditioning controller 20. For example, when a fan-on signal is input by operating the passenger's air conditioning panel 21, a control signal is output to the blower motor 5 to drive the blower motor 5, and when a fan-off signal is input, driving of the blower motor 5 is stopped. The air conditioning controller 20 receives not only the air conditioning panel 21 but also signals from various sensors (such as a vehicle interior temperature sensor and an outside air temperature sensor) that detect the vehicle state. Based on these information, the air conditioning controller 20 determines the blower motor 5. , Controls the drive of the inside / outside air switching door 6, the air mix door 7, and the like.
[0011]
The ion control circuit 30 includes an air-conditioning controller 20, an odor sensor 31 for detecting the odor level in the passenger compartment, a vehicle speed sensor 32 for detecting the vehicle speed, a front door on the driver seat side and the passenger seat side facing the passenger compartment. A door switch 33 for detecting opening / closing of the rear door and an opening / closing control circuit 34 for controlling opening / closing of a window or sunroof facing the vehicle interior are connected. The open / close control circuit 34 controls opening / closing of windows and sunroofs, and the ion control circuit 30 detects opening / closing of windows and sunroofs based on signals from the open / close control circuits. A sensor for detecting opening / closing of windows and sunroofs may be provided separately, and this sensor may be connected to the ion control circuit 30 instead of the opening / closing control circuit 34. The ion control circuit 30 executes the following processing based on these signals and outputs a control signal to the ion generator 10.
[0012]
2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the ion control circuit 30. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, first, at step S1, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch is turned on and a fan-on signal is input, that is, whether or not the fan 4 is started immediately after the passenger gets on. If step S1 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S2, and an initial clean mode operation time T is set. Here, the operation time T is set to a time required to sterilize a certain number of germs in the passenger compartment (for example, N0-N1 in FIG. 4). In step S3, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10, and the ion generator 10 is started to operate in the clean mode. Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not any one of the door, the window, and the sunroof is open, that is, whether or not there is an inflow of germs from the outside of the vehicle into the vehicle based on signals from the door switch 33 and the open / close control circuit 34. If step S4 is negative, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0013]
In step S5, the timer is counted and the remaining clean mode operation time t is updated. That is, the remaining clean mode operation time t is decreased by the counted time. In step S6, it is determined whether the remaining clean mode operation time t updated in step S5 is 0 or less. If step S6 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S7, where a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to operate the ion generator 10 in the clean mode. If step S6 is negative, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined from the signal from the odor sensor 31 whether or not the odor level α in the passenger compartment is equal to or greater than a predetermined value α1. Here, the predetermined value α1 is set to a value that a general person feels in the passenger compartment to smell. If step S8 is positive, the process proceeds to step S7, and if negative, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to operate the ion generator 10 in the refresh mode.
[0014]
If it is determined in step S1 that it is not immediately after the fan-on signal is input, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not a fan-off signal is input. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S11, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to stop the operation of the ion generator 10.
[0015]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that any one of the door, the window, and the sunroof is opened, that is, if there is an inflow of germs into the vehicle interior, the process proceeds to step S41 in FIG. In step S41, the open / close timer is activated, and in the next step S42, the current remaining clean mode operation time t1 is stored in the memory. Next, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the ion generator 10 is operating in the clean mode. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S45, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10, and the ion generator 10 is operated in a clean mode. In step S45, it is determined whether or not all doors, windows, and sunroofs are closed, that is, whether or not there is any inflow of germs in the passenger compartment. If step S45 is negative, the process returns to step S44 and the same processing is repeated.
[0016]
If step S45 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S46, and the open / close timer is stopped. Then, a time from the start of the opening / closing timer operation (step S41) to the present time, that is, a door or window opening time T0 is calculated. Next, in step S47, the product obtained by multiplying the opening time T0 by the coefficient a and the product obtained by multiplying the vehicle speed Vs detected by the vehicle speed sensor 32 by the coefficient b (t2 = a.T0 + b.Vs) are added. Time t2 is calculated. In the next step S48, the remaining operation time t1 obtained in step S42 and the additional operation t2 obtained in step S47 are added to newly calculate the remaining clean mode operation time t (t = t1 + t2), and step S5 in FIG. Return to.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
When the ignition switch is turned on by a passenger and a fan-on signal is input (time ta in FIG. 4), the inside air or outside air is sucked into the air conditioning unit 100, and the ion generator 10 starts operating in the clean mode. (Step S3). As a result, sterilization ions are generated in the air duct 12, and are blown out into the passenger compartment together with the conditioned air. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the number of germs in the passenger compartment gradually decreases from the value N0 before boarding.
[0018]
At this time, if all the doors and windows are closed, the process of FIG. 3 is not performed and the remaining operation time t is not extended. When the initial time T has elapsed from the start of operation of the fan 4 (time tb), the number of germs in the passenger compartment decreases to the target value N1, and the remaining operation time t becomes zero. Thereby, the operation mode of the ion generator 10 is switched from the clean mode to the refresh mode (step S9). As a result, relaxation ions are blown out into the passenger compartment, and the passenger can be relaxed. When the odor level α exceeds the predetermined value α1 while the ion generator 10 is operating in the refresh mode, the ion generator 10 is switched to the clean mode (step S8 → step S7). Thereby, disinfecting ions are blown out into the passenger compartment, and the passenger compartment can be deodorized.
[0019]
On the other hand, when the ion generator 10 is operating in the clean mode and the remaining operation time is t1 (time tc in FIG. 4 (b)), for example, if the window is opened for a certain time T0, then germs are present in the passenger compartment only during the opening time T0. As a result, the number N of bacteria in the passenger compartment increases (time tc to time td). While the window is open, the ion generator 10 operates in the clean mode with the current remaining operation time t1 being stopped (step S44). Then, after the opening time T0 has elapsed (time td), a time (t1 + t2) obtained by adding the operation additional time t2 to the remaining operation time t1 is newly set as the remaining operation time t (step S48), and this remaining operation time (t1 + t2) Only the ion generator 10 is operated in the clean mode (time td to time te). As a result, it is possible to efficiently sterilize bacteria that have increased due to the opening of the window during the clean mode operation. In this case, the slope of the characteristics from time Tc to time td depends on the vehicle speed, the opening area, etc., and the slope becomes steeper as the vehicle speed and the opening area increase, and the number of germs increases due to the slope of this characteristic and the magnitude of the opening time T0. The amount is determined. In the present embodiment, as the vehicle speed Vs and the opening time T0 are increased, the additional time T2 is lengthened (step S47), so that the operation of the ion generator 10 better corresponds to the increased amount of germs.
[0020]
When the ion generator 10 is operating in the refresh mode, that is, when the remaining operation time t1 is 0, when the window is opened (time tf in FIG. 4), the ion generator 10 is switched to the clean mode (step S44). During the opening of the window (opening time T0), the clean mode operation is continued, and the clean mode operation is performed until the additional operation time t2 elapses after the window is closed at time tg (step S7). This makes it possible to efficiently sterilize bacteria that have increased due to the opening of the window during the refresh mode operation. When the additional operation time t2 has elapsed (time th), the ion generator 10 is switched to the refresh mode (step S9).
[0021]
According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When the open state of the window, door, or sunroof is detected while the ion generator 10 is operating in the clean mode, a predetermined time from the detection, that is, the opening time T0, the remaining operation time t1, and the additional operation time t2 Since the clean mode operation is performed only for the time (T0 + t1 + t2) obtained by adding, germs that have entered the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle during the clean mode operation can be sterilized efficiently.
(2) When the open state of the window, door, or sunroof is detected while the ion generator 10 is operating in the refresh mode, a predetermined time from the detection, that is, the time obtained by adding the opening time T0 and the additional operation time t2 ( Since the clean mode operation is performed only for T0 + t2), germs that have entered the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle during the refresh mode operation can be sterilized efficiently.
(3) The longer the opening time T0 and the faster the vehicle speed Vs, the longer the additional operation time t2, so that the clean mode operating time t when the windows and doors are opened flows into the passenger compartment. Responds well to the number of bacteria and can disinfect the passenger compartment without excess or deficiency.
(4) It is possible to sterilize germs that have entered from outside the vehicle without detecting the germ state in the vehicle with a sensor or the like, and the configuration is easy.
(5) When the engine key switch is turned on and a fan-on signal is input when the occupant is on board, the ion generator 10 starts to operate in the clean mode. The time to do this is shortened, and the influence of various bacteria on the occupant can be reduced.
(6) Immediately after the operation of the ion generator 10 is started, the operation is performed in the clean mode, and the operation mode is changed from the clean mode to the refresh mode after the predetermined time T has elapsed. Since it generates relaxation ions, it can exert a relaxation effect on the occupant in a state in which the vehicle interior is sterilized.
(7) Since the ion generator 10 is activated and stopped with the operation and stop of the blower fan 4, the ion generator 10 can be operated efficiently.
[0022]
In the above embodiment, the ion generator 10 having the clean mode and the refresh mode is used. However, the refresh mode may not be provided as long as at least the clean mode is provided. The ion generator 10 is operated for a certain time T at the start of the operation of the fan 4, but the number of bacteria in the passenger compartment is detected by a sensor or the like, and ions are generated when the detected value is a predetermined value (for example, N0) or more. The apparatus 10 may be operated T for a certain time. Also in this case, when the opening of the window or the door is detected during the clean mode operation, the clean mode operation remaining time t may be extended as described above. Moreover, you may operate the ion generator 10 by manual operation.
[0023]
The operation addition time t2 is determined in accordance with the vehicle speed Vs and the opening time T0. However, the operation addition time t2 may be determined in consideration of the difference in the opening shape of the window or door. In this case, for example, the coefficients a and b may be changed according to the opening shape. If all the germs that flowed in when the window or door is opened can be sterilized by the ion generator 10 each time, that is, if the slope of the characteristics from time tc to time td in FIG. The time t2 may be 0.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the ion generating device 10 is arranged in the air duct 12, but the ion generating device may be arranged in another air blowing path. Opening / closing means other than doors, windows, and sunroofs may be provided. Although opening / closing of a door or window is detected by signals from the door switch 33 and the opening / closing control circuit 34, other opening / closing detection means may be used. As long as the ion generator 10 is switched to the clean mode at least when the open state of the window or door is detected, the ion control circuit 30 as an ion control means may control the ion generator 10 in any way. That is, as long as the features and functions of the present invention can be realized, the present invention is not limited to the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the embodiment.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of processing related to operation control of the ion generator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of processing related to operation control of the ion generator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation characteristics of the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ion generator 11b Side vent outlet 12 Air guide duct 30 Ion control circuit 32 Vehicle speed sensor 33 Door switch 34 Open / close control circuit 100 Air-conditioning unit

Claims (5)

An air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air; and
A ventilation path for guiding the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior;
An ion generator that generates at least ions for obtaining a sterilization effect (hereinafter referred to as sterilization ions) in the air flow path;
Opening and closing means for opening or closing the interior of the vehicle;
Opening / closing detection means for detecting an opening / closing state in the vehicle by the opening / closing means;
An ion control means for controlling the ion generating device so as to generate the sterilization ions during a predetermined time from the detection of the open state and the start of detection of the closed state when the open state of the vehicle is detected by the open / close detection unit; equipped with a,
The ion control means controls the ion generator so as to generate the sterilization ions over a predetermined initial time at the start of operation of the air conditioning unit, and before the initial time elapses, the opening / closing detection means When the open state is detected, the ion generator is controlled so as to generate the sterilization ions over the predetermined time longer than the remaining time until the initial time elapses during detection of the open state. A vehicle air conditioner equipped with an ion generator. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to claim 1,
The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator is characterized in that the predetermined time is longer as the opening time detected by the open / close detection means is longer . In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to claim 1 or 2,
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed,
The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator is characterized in that the predetermined time becomes longer as the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is faster . An air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air; and
A ventilation path for guiding the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior;
An ion generator that generates at least ions for obtaining a sterilization effect (hereinafter referred to as sterilization ions) in the air flow path;
Opening and closing means for opening or closing the interior of the vehicle;
Opening / closing detection means for detecting an opening / closing state in the vehicle by the opening / closing means;
An ion control means for controlling the ion generating device so as to generate the sterilization ions for a predetermined time during the detection of the open state and the start of the detection of the closed state when the open state is detected by the open / close detection means; ,
Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed,
The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator is characterized in that the predetermined time becomes longer as the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is faster. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ion generator is capable of separately generating the sterilization ions and ions for obtaining a relaxation effect (hereinafter referred to as relaxation ions), and the ion control means is configured such that the ion generator generates the sterilization ions. A vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator, wherein the ion generator is controlled to generate the relaxation ions when not generated.

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