JPH079846A - Air conditioning deodorizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove objectionable smell in air conditioning air, interlocking with intermittent operation of a refrigerant compressor, by opening a communication passage with a switching means while the refrigerant compressor is being connected for a certain period for OFF or ON to supply deodorant or aromatic to the inside of an air conditioning duct. CONSTITUTION:This air conditioning deodorizing device 40 is provided with a cassette 41 which stores volatile deodorant (or aromatic), and one end of an air introduction pipe 42 is connected to the upstream of the cassette 41 and the other end is open just behind an air blower 3 in an air conditioning duct 2. One end of a deodorant feed pipe 43 is connected to the downstream of the cassette 41 and the other end is open inside a three-way branch duct 12. Solenoid valves 44, 45 open, so that air passage which is communicated with the inside of the air conditioning duct 2 through the deodorant feed pipe 43, the casette 41, and the air introduction pipe 42 is formed. A solenoid valve control circuit 46 open the solenoid valves 44, 45 when a refrigerant compressor 17 turns ON or OFF continuously for a certain period in addition to starting of an air conditioner 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air-conditioning deodorizing device for preventing an offensive odor of air-conditioned air, and is suitable mainly for use in vehicles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle or the like, the body odor of an occupant, the odor of cigarettes, etc. adhere to the refrigerant evaporator or duct wall arranged in the air conditioning duct, thereby reducing the conditioned air. May give off a strange odor. Therefore, in order to prevent the unpleasant odor of the conditioned air, a deodorizing device that supplies a deodorant into the air conditioning duct has been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-7015).

[0003]

It is empirically known that an offensive odor generated from a vehicle air conditioner generally occurs when the refrigerant evaporator begins to get wet and when it begins to dry. The inventors of the present invention have clarified the generation mechanism of this offensive odor by various experiments and found that the organic matter dissolved in the condensed water of the refrigerant evaporator evaporates with the evaporation of the condensed water to generate an offensive odor. Found out.

The offensive odor is generated when the air conditioner switch (operation switch of the refrigerant compressor) is manually turned on / off. Not only when the refrigerant evaporator begins to get wet and when it begins to dry, the refrigerant compressor operates to prevent the refrigerant evaporator from frosting (frost) even while the air conditioner switch is ON. Since it is automatically interrupted according to the outlet air temperature of the refrigerant evaporator, etc.), an offensive odor is generated even when the operation of the refrigerant compressor is interrupted. The offensive odor is generated by the mechanism described above, and an offensive odor is generated when the operating state of the refrigerant compressor lasts for a predetermined time or when the stopped state of the refrigerant compressor continues for a predetermined time. The reason for this is that when the refrigerant compressor remains in the stopped state for a predetermined time, the vapor pressure of the condensed water rises as the temperature of the refrigerant evaporator rises, and the condensed water touches the high-temperature introduced air, and A part of the dissolved organic matter is evaporated to generate an offensive odor.

Further, when the working state of the refrigerant compressor is maintained for a predetermined time, particularly when the refrigerant evaporator is dry due to the conditions such as low humidity of the outside air, part of the newly generated condensed water evaporates. Odor is generated by doing so. However, the conventional deodorizing device merely supplies the deodorant uniformly according to a specific supply pattern set in advance, and supplies the deodorant at a time when an offensive odor is likely to occur. Was not considered. The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and provides an air conditioning deodorant device capable of effectively deodorizing the offensive odor of air conditioning airflow in conjunction with the intermittent operation of the refrigerant compressor. To aim.

[0006]

In the air conditioning deodorizing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant evaporator arranged in the air conditioning duct is changed based on the on / off operation of the refrigerant compressor. An air conditioning deodorizer applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising a container for storing a deodorant or an fragrance, a communication path for connecting the inside of the container with the inside of the air conditioning duct, and opening / closing this communication path. Deodorant supply means for supplying the deodorant or the fragrance contained in the container to the inside of the air conditioning duct through the communication path by opening and closing the communication path. And a compressor operation stop time measuring means for measuring an operation stop time from when the refrigerant compressor is turned off to when it is turned on, and an operation stop time measured by the compressor operation stop time measuring means reaches a predetermined time. When I did
The technical means includes an opening / closing control means for controlling the operation of the opening / closing means so as to open the communication path for a predetermined time.

The air conditioning deodorizing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 2 is a vehicle air conditioner in which the cooling capacity of the refrigerant evaporator arranged in the air conditioning duct is changed based on the on / off operation of the refrigerant compressor. An air conditioning deodorizing device applied to a device, comprising a container for storing a deodorant or an fragrance, a communication path for connecting the inside of the container with the inside of the air conditioning duct, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing this communication path. The opening / closing means opens the communication path, and the deodorant supply means for supplying the deodorant or the fragrance contained in the container into the air conditioning duct via the communication path, and the refrigerant. Compressor operating time measuring means for measuring the operating time from turning on the compressor to turning off the compressor, and when the operating time measured by the compressor operating time measuring means reaches a predetermined time, the communication path is predetermined. The opening and closing means to open for a time The technical means that a close control means for controlling the operation.

[0008]

In the air conditioning deodorizing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1, the opening / closing means opens the communication path for a predetermined time when the operation stop time from when the refrigerant compressor is turned off to when the refrigerant compressor is turned on reaches a predetermined time. As a result, the deodorant or the fragrance contained in the container is supplied into the air conditioning duct through the communication path. As a result,
The deodorant or the fragrance can be supplied into the air conditioning duct at the time when the refrigerant compressor is turned off for a predetermined time and the refrigerant evaporator starts to dry.

Further, in the air conditioning deodorizing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 2, the opening / closing means opens the communication path for a predetermined time when the operation time from turning on the refrigerant compressor to turning it off reaches a predetermined time. As a result, the deodorant or the fragrance contained in the container is supplied into the air conditioning duct via the communication path. As a result, the deodorant or the fragrance can be supplied into the air conditioning duct at the time when the refrigerant compressor is turned on for a predetermined time and the refrigerant evaporator begins to get wet.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment in which the air-conditioning deodorizing device of the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a vehicle air conditioner including an air conditioning deodorizer. A vehicle air conditioner 1 (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner 1) includes an air conditioning duct 2 that guides air into a vehicle interior,
The air-conditioning duct 2 is provided with a blower 3 for sending air into the passenger compartment, a refrigeration cycle 4 for forming a cooling unit, a heater core 5 for forming a heating unit, an air-conditioning controller 6, and the like.

The blower 3 comprises a blower case 3a, a centrifugal fan 3b, and a blower motor 3c. The rotation speed of the blower motor 3c is determined according to the voltage (blower voltage) applied to the blower motor 3c. The blower voltage is controlled via the motor drive circuit 7 based on a control signal from the air conditioner controller 6. The blower case 3a is formed with an inside air introduction port 8 for introducing the vehicle interior air (inside air) and an outside air introduction port 9 for introducing the vehicle outside air (outside air), and the inside air introduction port according to the inside / outside air mode. 8 and outside air inlet 9
An inside / outside air switching door 10 that selectively opens and closes is provided.

A defroster duct 11, a three-way branch duct 12, and a foot duct 13 are connected to the downstream end of the air conditioning duct 2. The defroster duct 11 is connected to a defroster outlet 14 that blows air toward the window glass of the vehicle. And the foot duct 13 is connected to a foot outlet (not shown) that blows air toward the feet of the occupant.

At the upstream side openings of the ducts 11 to 13,
Air outlet doors 11a, 12a, 13a are provided for opening and closing the ducts 11 to 13 according to the selected air outlet mode. The center face outlet 15 and the side face outlet 16 are provided with a center face door 15a and a side face door 16a that open and close the respective outlets 15, 16. In the present embodiment, when the foot mode is selected, the outlet door 12a is the three-way branch duct 1
When 2 is opened, the side face door 16a is controlled to open the side face outlet 16 (naturally, the center face door 15a closes the center face outlet 15). Therefore, even in the foot mode, the blown air is blown out from the side face outlet 16.

The refrigeration cycle 4 includes a refrigerant compressor 17, a refrigerant condenser 18, a receiver 19, an expansion valve 20, and a refrigerant evaporator 2.
1 has a well-known structure including each functional component and is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant when the air sent from the blower 3 passes through the refrigerant evaporator 21 arranged in the air conditioning duct 2. . It should be noted that the refrigerant compressor 17 is one to which rotational power of a vehicle traveling engine (not shown) is transmitted via the electromagnetic clutch 22, and the electromagnetic clutch 22 is transmitted from the air conditioner control device 6 via the clutch drive circuit 23. ON / OFF based on the output control signal (ON / OFF signal)
Controlled.

The heater core 5 heats the air passing by using engine cooling water as a heat source, is located in the air conditioning duct 2 downstream (downwind) of the refrigerant evaporator 21, and bypasses the heater core 5 in the air conditioning duct 2. The bypass passage 24 is formed so as to be formed. The ratio of the amount of air passing through the heater core 5 to the amount of air bypassing the heater core 5 (passing through the bypass passage 24) is adjusted according to the opening degree of the air mix door 25 arranged in the air conditioning duct 2.

The air conditioner control device 6 includes an engine ignition switch 26 (hereinafter abbreviated as IG switch 26).
Is turned on, power is supplied from the battery B mounted on the vehicle. The air conditioner control device 6 includes operation signals output from an air conditioner operation panel 27 (see FIG. 2) and respective sensors (inside air sensor 28, outside air sensor 29,
The air conditioner 1 is automatically controlled based on the detection signals of the solar radiation sensor 30, the evaporator outlet air temperature sensor 31 and the like.

On the air conditioner operation panel 27, as shown in FIG. 2, a temperature setting switch 32 for setting the temperature inside the passenger compartment to a desired temperature, and a set temperature display for digitally displaying the temperature set by the temperature setting switch 32. Section 33, an auto switch 34 for instructing automatic control of the air conditioner 1, an off switch 35 for instructing operation stop of the air conditioner 1, an inside / outside air changeover switch 36 for manually switching the inside / outside air mode,
An air conditioner switch 37 that manually switches between operating (ON) and stopping (OFF) the refrigerant compressor 17, an air volume setting switch 38 that manually switches the air volume level of the blower 3 stepwise, and an air outlet switching switch that manually switches the air outlet mode. 39 is provided.

The air-conditioning deodorizing device 40 includes a cassette 41 for accommodating a volatile deodorant (or fragrance), and this cassette 4
1 and the air-conditioning duct 2 that connect the air introduction pipe 42 and the deodorant supply pipe 43, the solenoid valves 44 and 45 provided in the air introduction pipe 42 and the deodorant supply pipe 43, and the solenoid valve control circuit 46, etc. It is composed of One end of the air introduction pipe 42 is connected to the upstream side of the cassette 41 and is opened inside the cassette 41, and the other end is opened immediately after the blower 3 inside the air conditioning duct 2 (upstream of the refrigerant evaporator 21). One end of the deodorant supply pipe 43 is connected to the downstream side of the cassette 41 and opens inside the cassette 41, and the other end opens inside the three-way branch duct 12 (downstream from the outlet door 12a).

The electromagnetic valves 44 and 45 open and close the air introducing pipe 42 and the deodorant supply pipe 43, respectively. When the electromagnetic valves 44 and 45 open, the air introducing pipe 42, the cassette 41, and the cassette 41, respectively. The deodorant supply pipe 43 forms a ventilation path communicating with the inside of the air conditioning duct 2. The deodorant supply means of the present invention comprises an air introduction pipe 42, a deodorant supply pipe 43, and electromagnetic valves 44 and 45.

The solenoid valve control circuit 46 is operated by turning on the auto switch 34 for starting the air conditioner 1 or the air conditioner switch 37 when the power is supplied from the battery B, and the ON signal of the auto switch 34 and the air conditioner. Energization of the solenoid valves 44 and 45 is controlled based on the ON / OFF signal of the refrigerant compressor 17 output from the control device 6 to the clutch drive circuit 23. The ON signal of the auto switch 34 for starting the air conditioner 1 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the branch connector 48 can be provided between the air conditioner operation panel 27 and the connector 47 connected to the air conditioner control device 6, and can be taken out from the branch connector 48. Alternatively, in addition to the branch connector 48,
You may use the electric current detection means which detects the electric current of the blower motor 3c of the blower 3. As the current detecting means, an electric tap that directly makes electrical contact with a lead wire of the motor power supply circuit of the blower 3 to take out a current, or an electromagnetic induction of a hall element or a coil is used to detect the current flow of the motor power supply circuit. A current sensor that detects a contactless type can be used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. First, after the auto switch 34 is turned on, the refrigerant compressor 17 is turned on / off.
Control flag F for judging the OFF state and each solenoid valve 4
The timer Tv for measuring the ON / OFF times of 4 and 45 is initialized (step S1). Then, the solenoid valve control circuit 46 outputs a valve opening signal to the solenoid valves 44 and 45 to open the solenoid valves 44 and 45 (step S2).

Subsequently, the elapsed time t1 (valve opening time of each solenoid valve 44, 45 measured by the timer Tv) since the valve opening signal is output to each solenoid valve 44, 45 is determined (step S3). When the elapsed time t1 reaches 20 seconds (YES in step S3), a valve closing signal is output to each solenoid valve 44, 45 to close each solenoid valve 44, 45 (step S4). As described above, the air flows through the ventilation path including the air introduction pipe 42, the cassette 41, and the deodorant supply pipe 43 by the operation of the blower 3 only for 20 seconds when the solenoid valves 44 and 45 are opened, so that the cassette The deodorant in 41 is supplied to the three-way branch duct 12, and is supplied into the vehicle compartment from the center face outlet 15 and the side face outlet 16.

Subsequently, the timer Tv and the refrigerant compressor 17
The timer Tc (compressor operation stop time measuring means and compressor operation time measuring means of the present invention) for measuring the ON / OFF time of is cleared (returned to 0) (step S5). Then, it is determined whether the measured time t1 of the timer Tv has reached 120 seconds (step S6). This judgment result is YES
When (t1 = 120 seconds), after clearing the timer Tv (step S7), a valve opening signal is output to each solenoid valve 44, 45 to open each solenoid valve 44, 45 for 5 seconds (step S7). S8 to step S10). Then, it returns to step S5 again. As a result, after the auto switch 34 of the air conditioner 1 is turned on and the deodorant is first supplied for 20 seconds, the deodorant is supplied at least every 120 seconds (5 seconds).
Will be done.

When the result of the determination in step S6 is NO (t1 <120 seconds), it is determined whether or not the refrigerant compressor 17 is turned on (step S11). When this determination result is YES (refrigerant compressor 17: ON), the control flag F
Is turned on (step S12), and when the determination result is NO (refrigerant compressor 17: OFF), the control flag F is turned off (step S13). Then, the control flag F set in steps S12 and S13 is stored (step S14).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the control flag F stored in step S14 has been changed (comparison with the previously stored control flag F) (step S15). When the determination result is YES (change) (Yes) clears the timer Tc (step S16). After executing step S16 or when the determination result in step S15 is NO (no change), it is determined whether or not the measurement time t2 of the timer Tc reaches 30 seconds (predetermined time of the present invention) (step S
17). The process of step S17 is performed by the refrigerant compressor 17
Is determined for 30 seconds continuously to determine whether the refrigerant evaporator 21 is wet or dry.

When the result of the determination in step S17 is NO (t2 <30 seconds), the process returns to step S6 and the result of determination is Y.
At the time of ES (t2 = 30 seconds), after the timer Tc is cleared (step S18), a valve opening signal is output to each solenoid valve 44, 45 and each solenoid valve 44 is kept for 10 seconds (predetermined time of the present invention). , 45 are opened (steps S19 to S21). Then, it returns to step S5 again.

As a result, when the refrigerant compressor 17 is continuously turned on or off for 30 seconds, the electromagnetic valves 44 and 45 are opened (10 seconds) each time, and the deodorant is automatically added to the passenger compartment. Will be supplied to. When the refrigerant compressor 17 repeats the ON / OFF operation within 30 seconds,
Each solenoid valve 44, 45 is never opened, therefore
No deodorant is supplied to the passenger compartment. However, even when the refrigerant compressor 17 repeats the ON / OFF operation within 30 seconds, the deodorant is supplied for 5 seconds every 120 seconds as described above.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the supply of the deodorant at the time of starting the air conditioner and the regular supply of the deodorant every 120 seconds, the refrigerant compressor 17 is continuously turned on for 30 seconds.
Alternatively, when it is turned off, the solenoid valves 44 and 45 can be opened to automatically supply the deodorant into the air conditioning duct 2. As a result, the deodorant is supplied into the air conditioning duct 2 in good timing at the time of starting the air conditioner 1 where an offensive odor is likely to occur and when the refrigerant evaporator 21 begins to get wet or begins to dry, thereby eliminating the offensive odor of the air conditioning air. Can be deodorized.

[Modification] In the present embodiment, each solenoid valve 44, 45 is based on the ON / OFF signal of the refrigerant compressor 17 output from the air conditioner control device 6 to the clutch drive circuit 23.
However, the ON / OFF signal of the refrigerant compressor 17 input to the EFI control device may be taken out to control the energization of the solenoid valves 44 and 45. Alternatively, the refrigerant compressor 17 is turned on depending on the opening / closing degree of the expansion valve 20.
Since it is possible to judge the ON / OFF operation, the expansion valve 20
Of each solenoid valve 44, 45 according to the signal that detects the valve opening / closing degree of
It is also possible to control the energization of.

In the above embodiment, the predetermined time for turning on or off the refrigerant compressor 17, which is the condition for supplying the deodorant, is shown as the same value (30 seconds), but in order to more effectively eliminate the offensive odor. In addition, the ON time and the OFF time of the refrigerant compressor 17, which are the conditions for supplying the deodorant, are set to different values (OFF
May be set to be shorter than the predetermined ON time). In addition, in order to effectively remove the offensive odor,
The supply control of the deodorant may be linked with the humidity of the outside air, for example. That is, when the outside air humidity is high, the refrigerant evaporator 2
Since the amount of condensed water to 1 increases, the amount of evaporation of the refrigerant compressor 17 at the time of turning off increases and an offensive odor is likely to occur. In the above case, t in step S20 of FIG.
2 = 10 seconds may be set longer than 10 seconds. here,
When the outside air humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, t2 = 10 seconds remains constant, and instead, the predetermined time for turning off the refrigerant compressor 17 is set shorter than t2 = 30 seconds in step S17 of FIG. Is also good. Further, when the outside air humidity is sufficiently low, the predetermined time for turning on the refrigerant compressor 17 may be set shorter than t2 = 30 seconds in step S17 of FIG.

When the proportion of air-conditioned air passing through the heater core 5 is increased, the offensive odor component is decomposed by the heat of the heater core 5, so that the odor tends to be less likely to occur. Therefore, the opening / closing degree of the air mix door 25 may be detected, and when the air volume ratio passing through the heater core 5 is high, the deodorant supply time (t2 of step S20 = 10 seconds) may be lengthened. Further, since the human sense of smell becomes sensitive as the temperature rises, when the vehicle interior temperature detected by the inside air sensor 28 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the deodorant supply time may be extended. As described above, by performing the fine control corresponding to the change of the odor due to the influence of humidity, temperature, etc., it is possible to more effectively remove the offensive odor.

Further, without using the ON / OFF signal of the refrigerant compressor 17, the air conditioner switch 37 of FIG. 2 is turned ON / OF.
The deodorant or scent may be supplied for a predetermined period of time in conjunction with the F signal. At this time, the air conditioner switch 37 is turned on,
The OFF signal, as shown in FIG.
It is good to take out by.

[0033]

The air conditioning deodorizing apparatus of the present invention is controlled so that the opening / closing means opens the communication path when the refrigerant compressor is continuously turned off for a predetermined time or turned on. With this, the deodorant or the deodorant in the air conditioning duct can be timely adjusted in accordance with the time when the refrigerant compressor is turned off for a predetermined time and the refrigerant evaporator starts to dry, or the time when the refrigerant compressor is turned on for a predetermined time and the refrigerant evaporator begins to get wet. Can supply fragrance,
It is possible to effectively (efficiently) eliminate the offensive odor of air conditioning air.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an air conditioning deodorizer and a vehicle air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when an ON signal of an auto switch is taken out.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (continuation of FIG. 3) showing the operation of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Air Conditioner for Vehicle 2 Air Conditioning Duct 17 Refrigerant Compressor 21 Refrigerant Evaporator 40 Air Conditioning Deodorizer 41 Cassette (Container) 42 Air Inlet Pipe (Communication Path) 43 Deodorant Supply Pipe (Communication Path) 44 solenoid valve (opening / closing means) 45 solenoid valve (opening / closing means) 46 solenoid valve control circuit (opening / closing control means) Tc timer (compressor operation stop time measuring means and compressor operation time measuring means of the present invention)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioning deodorizing device applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein a cooling capacity of a refrigerant evaporator arranged in an air conditioning duct is changed based on an on / off operation of a refrigerant compressor. ) A container for accommodating a deodorant or a fragrance, and b) a connecting path for connecting the inside of the container with the inside of the air conditioning duct, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing this connecting path, and this opening / closing means is the connecting path. And deodorant supply means for supplying the deodorant or fragrance contained in the container into the air-conditioning duct through the communication path, and c) turning on after turning off the refrigerant compressor. Compressor operation stop time measuring means for measuring the operation stop time until d), d) When the operation stop time measured by the compressor operation stop time measuring means reaches a predetermined time, the communication path is opened for a predetermined time. Control the opening and closing means An air-conditioning deodorizer equipped with a control means for controlling opening and closing. 2. An air conditioning deodorizing device applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein a cooling capacity of a refrigerant evaporator arranged in an air conditioning duct is changed based on an on / off operation of a refrigerant compressor. ) A container for accommodating a deodorant or a fragrance, and b) a connecting path for connecting the inside of the container with the inside of the air conditioning duct, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing this connecting path, and this opening / closing means is the connecting path A deodorant supply means for supplying the deodorant or fragrance contained in the container into the air conditioning duct through the communication path; and c) turning off the refrigerant compressor before turning off. A compressor operating time measuring means for measuring an operating time until d), and d) the opening and closing so as to open the communication path for a predetermined time when the operating time measured by the compressor operating time measuring means reaches a predetermined time. Opening / closing control hand that controls the operation of the means Air-conditioning deodorizer equipped with steps.