KR101896553B1 - Predictor of odor occurrence in air conditioning system for automotive vehicles and predicting method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for predicting odor generation time in a vehicle air conditioner and a method for predicting odor generation time using the same, and it is an object of the present invention to accurately predict a mold odor and a malodor occurrence time in an evaporator.
In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes an evaporator installed in an internal passage of an air conditioner case. The evaporator is operated when the air conditioner is ON, The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first air conditioner comprises a first air conditioner for detecting air temperature at two downstream sides of the evaporator, And second temperature sensing means; And a control unit for predicting the generation time of the odor in the evaporator according to the temperature deviation of the two downstream sides of the evaporator inputted from the first and second temperature sensing means when the air conditioner is turned off.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for predicting the generation time of an odor in a vehicle air conditioner,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for predicting odor generation time in a vehicle air conditioner and a method for predicting an odor generation time using the same, and more particularly, And a method for predicting the generation time of an odor using the same.

In most vehicles, when the air conditioner is activated, a mold odor and odor are generated. This is because the surface of the evaporator is inhabited by bacteria and fungi, which are the cause of odor generation.

Recently, various methods for removing odor from an evaporator have been proposed. As an example, there is a technology for discharging negative and positive ions to the surface of an evaporator to sterilize and remove bacteria and fungi on the surface of the evaporator.

On the other hand, in order to effectively remove the odor from the evaporator, it is important to accurately predict the "odor occurrence time" in the evaporator. Thus, the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator can be improved in accordance with the "odor generation timing", and the generation of mold odor and odor in the evaporator can be suppressed as much as possible.

As a method for predicting the "odor generation period" of the evaporator, there is a method using a humidity sensor.

This method uses the property of increasing the mold odor and odor when the surface humidity of the evaporator is raised. After the humidity sensor detects the surface humidity of the evaporator, the detected humidity of the evaporator is set to a predetermined "reference humidity Quot; abnormality, and as a result of the determination, it is predicted that the odor in the evaporator increases when the humidity is equal to or higher than the "reference humidity ".

However, this conventional technique has a disadvantage in that the prediction accuracy of the "odor occurrence timing" is lowered because it is a structure that predicts the occurrence of mold odor and odor only with the local surface humidity data of the evaporator.

The disadvantage is that the efficiency of disinfection and deodorization of the evaporator is low due to such disadvantages, and it is pointed out that such problems can not effectively cope with the generation of mold odor and odor in the evaporator.

In addition, the conventional technology has a disadvantage in that a high-priced humidity sensor is required to detect the surface humidity of the evaporator, and it is pointed out that the manufacturing cost is increased due to such a disadvantage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner capable of accurately predicting a "generation time of an odor" in an evaporator, Method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an evaporator which is capable of accurately predicting the "odor generation period" in the evaporator, thereby increasing the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator in accordance with the "odor generation period & And a method for predicting the generation time of an odor using the same.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner capable of accurately predicting an "odor occurrence time" in an evaporator without using an expensive humidity sensor and a method for predicting an odor occurrence time using the same.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner that can expect an effect of cost reduction by accurately predicting an "odor occurrence period" in an evaporator without using an expensive humidity sensor, And to provide a method of predicting the time of occurrence.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes an evaporator installed in an inner passage of an air conditioner case. The evaporator is operated when the air conditioner is turned on, An apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner for cooling air blown into a room, the apparatus comprising: an evaporator for detecting an odor generation time of the evaporator; First and second temperature sensing means installed in the housing; And a control unit for predicting the generation time of the odor in the evaporator according to a temperature deviation at two downstream sides of the evaporator inputted from the first and second temperature sensing means when the air conditioner is turned off .

Preferably, when the air conditioner is turned off, the control unit controls the temperature of the two downstream portions of the evaporator, which are input from the first and second temperature sensing means, A time point at which a temperature deviation occurs between them is detected to output an odor generation time point signal and then a time point at which a temperature difference between two downstream sides of the evaporator inputted from the first and second temperature sensing means disappears And an odor occurrence end point signal is output.

The first temperature sensing means is disposed at a rear side portion of the evaporator and senses an air temperature immediately after passing through the evaporator, and the second temperature sensing means senses the temperature of the air in the downstream of the driver's seat And the temperature of the air discharged to the face portion of the passenger is detected.

The method for predicting the odor generation time of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes an evaporator installed in an internal passage of the air conditioner case. The evaporator operates when the air conditioner is ON, A method for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner for cooling a vehicle, comprising the steps of: a) sensing air temperatures at two downstream sides of the evaporator; b) when the air conditioner is turned off, the temperature of the two downstream sides of the evaporator are maintained at the same temperature without any variation, and a point of time when a temperature deviation occurs is detected to output an odor generation time signal ; and c) detecting a time point at which a temperature deviation between two downstream sides of the evaporator disappears, and outputting an odor end point signal.

According to the apparatus for predicting the generation time of an odor of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention and the method for predicting the time of generation of odor using the same, it is possible to predict the "odor generation time" in the evaporator by detecting the air temperature deviation on the downstream side of the evaporator Structure, it is possible to accurately predict the " odor occurrence time "in the evaporator as compared with the conventional technique of predicting the" odor occurrence timing "with only the local surface humidity data of the evaporator.

Further, since the structure can accurately predict the "odor occurrence timing" in the evaporator, the output voltage of the ion generator can be controlled in accordance with the "odor occurrence timing". Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator can be improved.

In addition, since the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator can be enhanced, it is possible to effectively cope with the generation of mold odor and odor in the evaporator.

Furthermore, since the structure is capable of accurately predicting the "odor occurrence time" in the evaporator using a low-cost temperature sensor, an expensive humidity sensor is not required. Therefore, there is an advantage that the cost reduction effect can be expected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an odor occurrence timing with respect to a temperature deviation at two points in the downstream portion of the evaporator when the air conditioner is turned off;
3 is a flow chart showing a method of predicting an odor generation time using an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an apparatus for predicting odor generation time in a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention and a method for predicting odor generation time using the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an apparatus for predicting odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

The vehicle air conditioner includes an air conditioner case 10 and a blower 20, an evaporator 30 and an ion generator 40 are installed in the inner passage 12 of the air conditioner case 10.

The blower 20 sucks the outside air or the inside air, and then blows the sucked inside / outside air into the inside air passage 12 of the air conditioner case 10. [

The evaporator 30 has a plurality of tubes (not shown) through which the refrigerant can flow, thereby cooling the air passing through the internal passage 12. [ Thus, the cooled air can be introduced into the passenger compartment. Thus, the interior of the vehicle is cooled.

The ion generator 40 is provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 30 and radiates high voltage pulses directly into the air in the inner passage 12 to generate anions and positive ions, respectively. Thus, the generated negative ions and cation particles can be introduced into the evaporator 30. Thus, the bacteria, fungi and odors living on the surface of the evaporator 30 are sterilized and deodorized.

The air ventilation case 10 is provided with a plurality of air discharge vents 14,15,16 and these air discharge vents 14,15,16 are connected to a face vent 14, A defrost vent 15, and a floor vent 16. As shown in Fig.

Particularly, the face vent 14 is connected to the center discharge port 14a at the central portion on the front side of the driver's seat and the side discharge port 14b at both the front portions of the driver's seat, and the face vent 14 connected thereto is connected to the evaporator 30, To the face portion of the passenger.

Next, an apparatus for predicting odor generation time of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

1, the apparatus for predicting an odor generation time according to the present invention comprises a first temperature sensing means 50 and a second temperature sensing means 52 which are sequentially disposed on the downstream side of an evaporator 30 .

The first temperature sensing means (50) is constituted by a temperature sensor and is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator (30). In particular, on the rear side 32 of the evaporator 30. [

The first temperature sensing means (50) is configured to sense the temperature of the air that has passed through the evaporator (30). In particular, it is configured to sense the temperature of the air immediately after passing through the evaporator 30.

The second temperature sensing means 52 is constituted by a temperature sensor and is installed on the downstream side portion of the evaporator 30. In particular, it is installed at a portion further downstream than the first temperature sensing means (50).

The second temperature sensing means 52 is configured to sense the temperature of the air that has passed through the evaporator 30. Particularly, after passing through the evaporator 30, the air is primarily sensed by the first temperature sensing means 50 and secondarily sensed again at a time difference.

Preferably, the second temperature sensing means 52 is installed as far as possible from the first temperature sensing means 50. For example, at the discharge port side portion of the interior of the vehicle, which is the rear end side position of the "air flow path" on the downstream side of the evaporator 30. [ Particularly, it is preferable to be provided at the center discharge port 14a of the center portion on the driver's seat front side among the discharge port side portion of the vehicle cabin.

The reason for this construction is that the first temperature sensing means 50 and the second temperature sensing means 52 are arranged as far as possible apart from each other so that air passing through the evaporator 30 when the air conditioner is turned off So as to be able to detect the temperature change until introduction. Particularly, it is possible to detect the temperature difference between the air immediately after passing through the evaporator 30 and the temperature just before being discharged into the car.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the apparatus for predicting the time of occurrence of an odor according to the present invention includes an air conditioner off-state sensing means 60 for sensing an off state of an air conditioner.

The air conditioner off detecting means 60 is constituted by an air conditioner on / off switch (not shown).

When the user turns off the air conditioner using the air conditioner on / off switch, it outputs an "air conditioner OFF signal" to detect the off condition of the air conditioner.

In the case of the air conditioner of the automatic control system, the air conditioner off detection means 60 may be constituted by an automatic control unit (not shown).

The automatic control unit automatically turns on and off the air conditioner according to the temperature inside and outside the vehicle, thereby outputting an "air conditioner off signal"

Referring again to FIG. 1, the apparatus for predicting odor generation time according to the present invention comprises a control unit 70.

The control unit 70 is provided with a microprocessor. When the "air conditioner off signal" is inputted from the air conditioner off detecting means 60, And compares the temperature data at two locations on the downstream side of the evaporator 30 with each other.

Particularly, after the air conditioning off point, the temperature data of two points remain the same without any temperature deviation. In this state, a comparative analysis is made as to whether a temperature deviation occurs between the two temperature data.

As a result of the comparative analysis, it is judged that the generation of the mold odor and the odor starts from the point in time when the temperature deviation occurs when the temperature deviation starts to occur between the two temperature data. do. Therefore, the "odor generation time" in the evaporator 30 is predicted.

Thereafter, the control unit 70 continuously analyzes the two temperature data inputted from the first temperature sensing unit 50 and the second temperature sensing unit 52 in the state of outputting the "odor occurrence time signal" do.

As a result of the comparative analysis, it is judged that when the temperature deviation between the two temperature data gradually decreases and the temperature deviation between them disappears, the generation of mold odor and odor is reduced from the point when the temperature deviation disappears, An odor occurrence end point signal " Therefore, it is predicted that the "odor generation period" in the evaporator 30 has ended.

The reason why the controller 70 predicts the "odor occurrence time" in the evaporator 30 in accordance with the temperature deviation of the two downstream sides of the evaporator 30 can be seen from the test results of FIG.

2, since the temperature of the evaporator 30 is raised after the air conditioner is turned off, the temperature of the air on the evaporator 30 and the temperature of the air on the discharge side of the car do not vary. Therefore, the temperature difference between the two downstream sides of the evaporator 30 is eliminated.

However, when a predetermined time elapses after the air conditioner is turned off, condensed water starts to be generated on the surface of the evaporator 30, and the condensed water generated at this time temporarily blocks the heat from the evaporator 30 and the surrounding, (30) is temporarily restricted.

Therefore, a deviation occurs between the air temperature on the evaporator 30 side and the air temperature on the discharge side of the car. As a result, a temperature deviation occurs between two points on the downstream side of the evaporator 30, and the surface humidity of the evaporator 30 is rapidly increased at this point, so that the mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30 are rapidly increased. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately predict the "starting point of odor generation in the evaporator 30 ".

When a predetermined time elapses after a temperature deviation occurs between two points on the downstream side of the evaporator 30, the surface condensate of the evaporator 30 starts to be dried. At this time, the surface condensate of the evaporator 30 is completely When the air is dried, there is no deviation between the air temperature on the evaporator 30 side and the air temperature on the discharge side of the car.

Accordingly, there is no temperature deviation between the two downstream sides of the evaporator 30. At this time, the mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30 are rapidly reduced and disappear. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately predict the "odor generation end point" in the evaporator 30. [

1, the control unit 70 outputs an " odor occurrence time signal "to the ion generator 40 when a temperature deviation between two temperature data on the downstream side of the evaporator 30 starts to occur, .

In particular, the output voltage of the ion generator 40 is much higher than the output point of the "odor generation time signal" Therefore, the amount of the negative and positive ions emitted from the ion generator 40 is greatly increased. As a result, a large amount of negative ions can be supplied to the evaporator 30.

As a result, the effect of sterilizing and deodorizing the evaporator 30 can be maximized. As a result, the mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30 can be effectively removed.

When there is no temperature deviation between the two temperature data on the downstream side of the evaporator 30, the control unit 70 outputs the "odor occurrence end point signal" to control the ion generator 40 to the original mode state. Thus, the ion generator 40 can be operated in its original state.

Next, a description will be given of a method for predicting an odor generation time using an apparatus for predicting an odor generation time having such a configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, first, it is determined whether the air conditioner is off (S101).

As a result of the determination, when the air conditioner is off, the temperature data at the two downstream points of the evaporator 30 are maintained at the same temperature without deviation.

When the occurrence of the temperature deviation is detected, the controller 70 determines that a malodorous odor is generated in the evaporator 30 and outputs an "odor occurrence time signal" (S105). Therefore, the "odor start point of time" in the evaporator 30 is accurately predicted.

On the other hand, the control unit 70 significantly increases the output voltage of the ion generator 40 while outputting the "odor occurrence time signal" (S107).

Then, the amount of negative and positive ions emitted from the ion generator 40 is greatly increased, and the increased negative and positive ions are supplied to the evaporator 30 to sterilize and deodorize the evaporator 30. As a result, the mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30 are effectively removed.

On the other hand, in a state in which the output voltage of the ion generator 40 is raised, the control unit 70 again detects the point at which the temperature deviation between two points on the downstream side of the evaporator 30 disappears (S109).

The control unit 70 determines that the generation of mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30 is reduced when the temperature difference between two points on the downstream side of the evaporator 30 disappears, Quot; (S111). Therefore, the "odor generation end timing" in the evaporator 30 is accurately predicted.

On the other hand, the control unit 70 returns the output voltage of the ion generator 40 to the original state while outputting the "odor occurrence end point signal " (S113).

According to the present invention having such a configuration, since it is a structure for detecting the "odor generation time" in the evaporator 30 by detecting the air temperature deviation on the downstream side of the evaporator 30, The "odor occurrence timing" in the evaporator 30 can be accurately predicted as compared with the conventional technique of predicting the "odor occurrence timing" with only the surface humidity data.

Further, since the structure for accurately predicting the "odor generation period" in the evaporator 30 can be achieved, the output voltage of the ion generator 40 can be controlled in accordance with the "odor generation period ". Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator 30 can be increased.

Further, since the sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator 30 can be enhanced, it is possible to effectively cope with the generation of mold odor and odor in the evaporator 30.

Further, since the structure can accurately predict the "odor generation time" in the evaporator 30 using a low-cost temperature sensor, an expensive humidity sensor is not required. Therefore, the cost reduction effect can be expected.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

10: air conditioning case 12: internal passage
14: Face Vent 14a: Center outlet
14b: side discharge port 15: defrost vent
16: Floor Vent 20: Blower
30: evaporator 32: rear side of the evaporator
40: ion generator 50: first temperature sensing means
52: second temperature sensing means 60: air conditioning off detection means
70:

Claims (6)

And an evaporator 30 installed in the inner passage 12 of the air conditioning case 10. The evaporator 30 is operated when the air conditioner is turned on, An apparatus for predicting an odor generation time of an apparatus,
First and second temperature sensing means (50, 50) arranged sequentially at a predetermined distance on the downstream air passage of the evaporator (30) so as to sense the temperature of air at two downstream sides of the evaporator (30) 52);
The control unit controls the temperature of the evaporator 30 in accordance with a temperature deviation of two downstream sides of the evaporator 30 inputted from the first and second temperature sensing means 50 and 52 when the air conditioner is turned off. And a controller (70) for predicting the generation time of the odor. The method according to claim 1,
The control unit (70)
When the air conditioner is turned off, the temperatures of the two downstream sides of the evaporator 30 inputted from the first and second temperature sensing means 50 and 52 are maintained in the same state without any deviation A temperature difference between two downstream sides of the evaporator 30 input from the first and second temperature sensing means 50 and 52 is detected by detecting a time point at which a temperature deviation occurs between the first and second temperature sensing means 50 and 52, And outputs an odor occurrence end point signal when it is determined that the odor is generated. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first temperature sensing means (50)
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air immediately after passing through the evaporator 30 installed on the rear side 32 of the evaporator 30,
The second temperature sensing means (52)
And detects the temperature of the air discharged to the face portion of the passenger by being installed at the central discharge port (14a) of the central portion on the driver's seat front side in the downstream air passage of the evaporator (30) Prediction device. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Further comprising an ion generator (40) for emitting negative ions (Ion) to the evaporator (30) side;
The control unit (70)
The output voltage of the ion generator 40 is increased more than before the output time point of the odor generation time point signal to increase the emission amount of negative ions,
And returning the output voltage of the ion generator (40) to the original state and returning the emission amount of the negative and positive ions to the original state when the odor generation end point signal is outputted. Prediction device. And an evaporator 30 installed in the inner passage 12 of the air conditioning case 10. The evaporator 30 is operated when the air conditioner is turned on, A method for predicting an odor generation time of a device,
a) sensing air temperatures at two downstream sides of the evaporator (30);
b) When the air conditioner is turned off, the temperature of the two downstream sides of the evaporator (30) is kept at the same temperature without any deviation, ;
(c) detecting a time point at which a temperature difference between two downstream sides of the evaporator (30) disappears, and outputting an odor end point signal. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the step a)
Wherein the air temperature of the rear portion (32) of the evaporator (30) and the air outlet temperature of the central outlet portion (14a) of the driver's seat front portion are respectively sensed.

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