KR102092564B1 - Air conditioner for vehicle with photocatalyst module - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an air conditioning system for a vehicle equipped with a photocatalyst module that solves noise problems by purifying the air entering the air conditioning case, sterilizing and deodorizing the evaporator, and optimizing the installation position of the photocatalyst module to minimize the resistance of the flowing air. do. An air conditioning device for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module includes an air conditioning case in which an air inlet is formed at an inlet side, an air outlet is formed at an outlet side, and an air passage is formed therein, and an evaporator installed on the air passage of the air conditioning case, the It includes a blower for blowing air into the interior of the air conditioning case, and generates a photocatalytic reaction by the light irradiated to generate a peroxygen radical and is arranged to supply the generated peroxygen radical to the air flow path inside the air conditioning case It includes a catalyst unit and at least one light source unit that irradiates ultraviolet (UV) light toward the catalyst unit, and the catalyst unit and the light source unit are disposed in opposite directions to the inlet and outside inlets of the blower in the flow direction of air. . Therefore, it is possible to solve the noise problem by optimizing the installation position of the photocatalyst module to maximize the sterilization and deodorization performance by increasing the air volume of the air passing through the catalyst unit, and minimizing the resistance of the flowing air.

Description

Air conditioning system for vehicles equipped with photocatalytic modules {AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLE WITH PHOTOCATALYST MODULE}

The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module, and more particularly, to an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module that purifies air flowing into the air conditioning case and sterilizes and deodorizes an evaporator.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a vehicle air conditioner is a device that heats or cools a vehicle interior by introducing outside air into a room or circulating the room air to heat or cool it. That is, the air conditioner for the vehicle, air is introduced into the vehicle interior by a blower, and the introduced air passes through an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows, and then selectively passes through a heater core according to the opening and closing of the temp door, It is configured to be selectively blown by the door to each part of the vehicle interior.

According to the independent structure of the blower unit, the evaporator unit, and the heater core unit, such an air conditioning device is a three-piece type in which three units are independently provided, and an evaporator unit and a heater core unit are built in an air conditioning case, and the blower unit is separate. It is divided into a semi-center type provided as a unit of the unit, and a center mounting type in which all three units are built in an air conditioning case.

Japanese Patent Registration No. 2549032 (1997.05.30), which was previously filed, discloses a cooling device with a deodorizer for automobiles. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional air conditioner with a deodorizer for automobiles.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional cooling device with a deodorizer for a vehicle is provided with an outside air intake port 21 and an inside air intake port 22 in the case 20, and the outside air intake port 21 and the inside air intake port 22 are provided. An intake door 23 that is selectively opened and closed is provided to be rotatable. The actuator 30 is connected to the rotation axis of the intake door 23 and is controlled by the control means 31.

On the downstream side of the intake door 23, a blower 25 for blowing air introduced from the inside and outside air intakes 21 and 22 to the downstream side is installed, and the blower 25 includes a fan 32 and the fan 32 It is composed of a motor 33 to rotate). On the downstream side of the blower 25, an evaporator 26 is built in to cool the air by exchanging heat with the air passing through it. In the air passage 28 downstream of the evaporator 26, a photocatalyst filter 27 for generating active oxygen by irradiation of long wavelength light is provided.

The photocatalyst filter 27 generates free radicals by irradiation of an ultraviolet lamp 29, and oxidatively decomposes the substances that the free radicals cause odor to extremely low concentrations of oxidized compounds. The ultraviolet lamp 29 is disposed between the evaporator 26 and the photocatalyst filter 27. On the downstream side of the photocatalyst filter 27, a metal catalyst filter 34 for removing ozone contained in the flowing air is provided. Reference numeral 35 is a temperature sensor, 36 is a sensor for sensing the odor level, 37 is a fan switch, 24 is an air outlet.

However, in the conventional cooling device with a deodorizer for automobiles, the ultraviolet lamp 29 used as a light source of a photocatalyst contains mercury inside, and mercury is harmful to the human body and cannot be applied to vehicles due to various environmental requirements. There was a problem. In addition, as the photocatalyst filter 27 is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator 26 and adsorbs and deodorizes the odor generated in the evaporator 26, there is a problem in that the filter must be replaced due to a decrease in the air volume when the amount of dust is excessive.

In addition, conventional deodorizers for automobiles have a problem in that noise increases and sterilization and deodorization performance and air-conditioning performance deteriorate by acting as a resistor of flowing air depending on the installed position.

Japanese Registered Patent Publication No. 2549032 (May 30, 1997)

In order to solve this conventional problem, the present invention purifies the air flowing into the air-conditioning case, sterilizes and deodorizes the evaporator, optimizes the installation position of the photocatalyst module, and minimizes the resistance of the flowing air to reduce noise. It provides a vehicle air conditioning apparatus having a photocatalyst module to solve the.

An air conditioning device for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module according to the present invention is provided with an air inlet on an inlet side, an air outlet on an outlet side, and an air passage in which an air passage is formed, and installed on the air passage in the air conditioning case An evaporator, and a blower for blowing air into the air conditioning case, generates a photocatalytic reaction by irradiated light, generates peroxygen radicals, and generates the generated peroxygen radicals into the air flow path inside the air conditioning case. And a catalyst portion disposed to supply, and at least one light source portion irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light toward the catalyst portion, wherein the catalyst portion and the light source portion are opposite to the inside and outside inlets of the blower in the flow direction of air. Is placed in the direction.

In the above, the catalyst unit and the light source unit are arranged downstream in the flow direction of air rather than the cutoff which is the boundary between the scroll start and outlet of the blower.

In the above, the catalyst unit and the light source unit are modularized to constitute a photocatalyst module.

In the above, the catalyst unit and the light source unit is made of a structure in which the light source unit and the catalyst unit are sequentially arranged in the module case, the module case is fastened in parallel to the arrangement direction of the light source unit and the catalyst unit in the air conditioning case, and the fastening direction of the module case is It is configured parallel to the axial direction of the blower fan of the blower.

In the above, the catalyst unit and the light source unit is made of a structure in which the light source unit and the catalyst unit are sequentially arranged in the module case, the module case is fastened in parallel to the arrangement direction of the light source unit and the catalyst unit in the air conditioning case, and the fastening direction of the module case is It can be configured parallel to the radial direction of the blower fan of the blower.

In the above, the catalyst unit and the light source unit are disposed in opposite directions in the flow direction of air with respect to the resistor controlling the power supplied to the blower.

The vehicle air conditioner equipped with the photocatalyst module according to the present invention optimizes the installation position of the photocatalyst module to increase the amount of air passing through the catalyst, thereby maximizing sterilization and deodorization performance, and minimizing the resistance of flowing air to solve noise problems. It has the effect.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional cooling device with a deodorizer for automobiles,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioning apparatus having a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a view showing a scroll portion from the top for showing the cut-off of the blower according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a perspective view showing a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a front view showing the arrangement of the photocatalytic module in the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
7 is a side view showing the arrangement state of the photocatalytic module in the air conditioning apparatus of the center mounting type according to an embodiment of the present invention,
8 is a front view showing the arrangement state of the photocatalyst module in the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus according to the modification of FIG. 6,
9 is a view showing an arrangement state of a photocatalyst module in a rear air conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the technical configuration of the air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module according to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioning apparatus having a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a scroll unit for showing the cut-off of the blower according to an embodiment of the present invention 4 is a perspective view showing a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description, the direction from the right to the left in FIG. 2 is “air flow direction”, and the specific installation position of the photocatalyst module shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. .

2 to 5, the air conditioning apparatus 100 for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioning case 140, an evaporator 141 and a heater core 142, It includes a blower 110, a temperature control door 145, a plurality of mode doors 146 and a photocatalytic module 200.

The air conditioning case 140 is formed with an air inlet 143 on the inlet side, a plurality of air outlets 144 on the outlet side, and an air passage formed therein. The evaporator 141 and the heater core 142 are sequentially installed at regular intervals on the internal air passage of the air conditioning case 140. The evaporator 141 functions to cool the air by exchanging heat with the air flowing through the air passage, and the heater core 142 functions to heat the air by exchanging heat with the air flowing through the air passage.

Blower 110 is to blow the air inside the air conditioning case 140, a bet inlet 121, and the outside air inlet 122 is formed on one side, the bet inlet 121 and the outside air inlet (122) ) To selectively open and close the interior and exterior air conversion door 123 is installed. In addition, the blower device 110 includes a blower fan 135 for forcibly blowing air inside or outside the air inlet 143 of the air conditioning case 140.

In more detail, the blower device 110 is an inlet duct having an inlet air outlet 121 and an outside air inlet 122 formed therein, and an inside and outside air conversion door 123 installed, coupled to a lower portion of the inlet duct, and a blower fan 135 ). 3 is a view showing the scroll case viewed from the top by separating the inlet duct from the scroll case. As shown in FIG. 3, a scroll unit 111 in which the blower fan 135 is rotatably disposed is provided, and an outlet unit 112 extending in the exit direction of the scroll unit 111 while communicating with the scroll unit 111 ) Is formed. Due to this, a cutoff 115 is formed at the boundary between the scroll start portion and the exit portion 112 of the scroll portion 111.

The temperature control door 145 is installed between the evaporator 141 and the heater core 142 to adjust the opening degree of the hot air passage passing through the heater core 142 and the cold air passage bypassing the heater core 142. Adjust the discharge temperature. A plurality of mode doors 146 are installed in each air outlet 144 to selectively open and close each air outlet 144 according to various air conditioning modes.

The photocatalyst module 200 includes a catalyst unit 210, a light source unit 220, a module case 260, and a heat dissipation unit 230. In the photocatalyst module 200, the catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are provided in the module case 260, and configured as a single module. Therefore, it is easy to install the photocatalyst module 200 in the air conditioning case 140, and it is easy to attach and detach, which is advantageous in maintenance.

The catalytic unit 210 causes a photocatalytic reaction by irradiated light to generate a peroxygen radical. The catalyst unit 210 is arranged to supply the generated peroxygen radicals to the air passage inside the air conditioning case 140. The catalyst unit 210 causes a photocatalytic reaction by light irradiated from the light source unit 220, which will be described later, and contaminants introduced into the air conditioning case 140 through oxidation of peroxygen radicals generated in the photocatalytic reaction And removes fungi, various contaminants and odors in the evaporator 141.

The light source unit 220 is composed of one or a plurality, and serves to irradiate ultraviolet (UV) light toward the catalyst unit 210. When the photocatalyst carrier constituting the catalyst unit 210 absorbs light by the light source unit 220, electrons in a valence band (VB) filled with electrons absorb this light energy and the electrons are empty. Conduction Band: CB). Holes, which are empty electron spots in the valence band, oxidize water molecules on the surface, so that they are in their original state, and the oxidized water molecules form OH radicals. In addition, electrons called excited electrons excited with conduction bands react with oxygen to generate a strong oxidative peroxygen radical.

As described above, the structure in which the photocatalytic module 200 is composed of the catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 to generate peroxygen radicals by photocatalytic reaction is compared with the structure of adsorbing and deodorizing contaminated air containing odor. Thus, there is no need to replace the filter separately, and the photocatalyst module 200 can be used almost semi-permanently through selection of the type of carrier or proper on / off control of the light source unit. That is, the photocatalytic module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention has excellent life.

The light source unit 220 is composed of a light emitting diode (LED: 221) that irradiates UVA (Ultra Violet-A) light or UVC (Ultra Violet-C) light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less. As the light source unit 220 is composed of the LED 221, it is possible to solve the problem of mercury use, which was a problem in the conventional mercury lamp, and to efficiently irradiate light with small power. In this case, UVA is relatively inexpensive, which is advantageous in terms of cost and effectively activates the photocatalytic reaction of the photocatalyst carrier. In addition, UVC is relatively expensive, but also functions to activate a photocatalytic reaction and simultaneously performs a sterilization function to improve sterilization efficiency.

The heat dissipation unit 230 is provided on one side of the light source unit 220 to function to dissipate heat generated by the light source unit 220. The heat dissipation unit 230 prevents overheating of the light source unit 220 formed of the LEDs 221 to prevent the performance of the photocatalytic module 200 from deteriorating. If, when the temperature of the photocatalyst module 200 rises, the amount of light in the light source unit 220 decreases, thereby reducing the amount of peroxygen radicals generated. Therefore, the heat dissipation unit 230 suppresses the temperature of the photocatalytic module 200 from rising, thereby maintaining a constant amount of peroxygen radicals.

The light source unit 220 includes an LED 221 and an LED panel 222 for fixing the LED 221. In this case, the heat dissipation unit 230 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 231. The heat dissipation fin 231 is contact-coupled to the opposite surface of the LED panel 222 on which the LED 221 is formed. The heat dissipation fins 231 are in contact with the LED panel 222, a plurality of protrusions are formed on the opposite side, thereby increasing the heat exchange area with external air, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect. In addition, the heat dissipation unit 230 may directly contact the LED panel 222 to radiate heat generated from the LED 221 more effectively.

The module case 260 is provided with a light source unit 220 and a catalyst unit 210 inside, an opening 261, a stepped portion 262, an inclined portion 263, and a catalyst portion receiving groove 264 It can be composed of. The opening 261 is formed on one side of the module case 260, and the heat dissipation unit 230 is inserted and coupled to the opening 261. The stepped portion 262 is formed to protrude stepwise from the opening 261 to the inside, and supports the LED panel 222. The catalyst unit receiving groove 264 is formed on the other side of the module case 260 to accommodate the catalyst unit 210. The inclined portion 263 increases the amount of catalytic reaction by directing and focusing the light irradiated from the light source unit 220 toward the catalyst unit 210. The module case 260 includes a bracket 267 having a fastening hole 266 for fastening to the wall surface of the air conditioning case 140.

On the other hand, Figure 6 is a front view showing the arrangement of the photocatalytic module in the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a photocatalyst in the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a side view showing the arrangement state of a module.

In the following description, the left and right directions in FIG. 6 are "axial direction of the blower fan" and "width direction of the air conditioner", and the vertical direction is "radial direction of the blower fan". In addition, the left direction of FIG. 7 is “front”, and the right direction is “rear”. In addition, the part shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a horizontal extension line of the cutoff.

6 and 7, the photocatalyst module 200 is disposed in a direction opposite to the inside and outside air inlets 121 and 122 of the blower 110 in the flow direction of air. That is, the photocatalyst module 200 is located in opposite directions to the inlet and outside air inlets 121 and 122 in the width direction of the air conditioner. 6, the air introduced through the inside and outside air inlets 121 and 122 flows in a horizontal direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the blower fan 135, and then rotates the blower fan 135 By the flow in the vertical direction, that is, in the radial direction of the blower fan 135 is flowed into the air conditioning case 140.

In this case, the photocatalyst module 200 faces the opposite direction with respect to the inner and outer inlets 121 and 122, so that the air flowing through the inner and outer inlets 121 and 122 induces the photocatalyst module 200. The amount of air passing through becomes relatively large. Due to this, the flow amount of air passing through the catalyst unit 210 increases, and the sterilization and deodorization performance of the photocatalyst module 200 can be improved.

In addition, the photocatalyst module 200 is disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of air than the cutoff 115 which is the boundary between the scroll start and the exit of the blower 110. That is, the photocatalyst module 200 is positioned below the extension line of the cutoff 115 in the vertical direction of the air conditioning apparatus, and is located at a portion where air passes through the cutoff 115. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the resistance applied to the cutoff 115 and solve the noise problem. When the photocatalyst module 200 is disposed on the upstream side of the cutoff 115 in the air flow direction, a problem occurs in which the noise applied to the cutoff 115 is increased by the photocatalyst module 200 to increase noise, and the photocatalyst module 200 ) To solve the noise problem by optimizing the placement.

The air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a center mounting type in which an evaporator 141, a heater core 142, and a blower 110 are integrated in an air conditioning case 140. In the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus, there is a problem in that the resistance is rapidly increased in the cutoff 115 portion and noise is increased due to this, and the position of the photocatalytic module 200 is disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of air than the cutoff 115. To solve the noise problem.

In addition, as described above, the photocatalyst module 200 is provided with a catalyst unit 210 and a light source unit 220 in a single module case 260, the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210 are sequentially arranged. Structure. In this case, the module case 260 is fastened to the air conditioning case 140 in parallel with the arrangement direction of the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210. The photocatalyst module 200 may be fastened to the air conditioning case 140 by screwing a bolt or the like to the fastening hole 266 of the bracket 267 provided in the module case 260.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fastening direction of the module case 260 is configured in parallel with the axial direction of the blower fan 135 of the blower 110. The air introduced through the inner and outer inlets 121 and 122 flows in the radial direction by the rotation of the blower fan 135 and passes through the cutoff 115 to pass through the catalyst part 210 of the photocatalytic module 200. However, the fastening direction of the catalyst unit 210 becomes a direction parallel to the axial direction of the blower fan 135, so that the air volume of the air passing through the catalyst unit 210 can be relatively increased.

On the other hand, Figure 8 is a front view showing the arrangement of the photocatalyst module in the center mounting type air conditioning apparatus according to the modification of Figure 6; Referring to FIG. 8, the fastening direction of the module case 260 may be configured in parallel with the radial direction of the blower fan 135 of the blower 110. The air introduced through the inside and outside inlets 121 and 122 flows in the radial direction by rotation of the blower fan 135 and passes through the cutoff 115 to pass through the catalyst part 210 of the photocatalytic module 200. However, the fastening direction of the catalyst unit 210 becomes a direction parallel to the radial direction of the blower fan 135, so that the resistance of air passing through the catalyst unit 210 can be relatively reduced.

In addition, the photocatalyst module 200 is disposed in a direction opposite to the resistor 119 in the flow direction of air. That is, the photocatalytic module 200 is located in opposite directions to the resistor 199 in the width direction of the air conditioning apparatus. The register 119 is installed to control the power supplied to the blower 110 side, performs a function such as controlling the rotational speed of the blower motor, and the inside of the discharge port side of the scroll case of the blower 110 Is installed. When the photocatalytic module 200 and the resistor 119 are located on the same side, a resistance on one side increases, resulting in an increase in noise and deterioration in performance. Optimization of the arrangement of the photocatalyst module 200 optimizes the noise problem and This can solve the performance degradation problem.

On the other hand, Figure 9 shows the arrangement of the photocatalyst module in the rear air conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement of the photocatalyst module 200 of the above-described embodiment can be equally applied to the rear air conditioning apparatus. That is, the structure in which the photocatalyst module is disposed on the opposite side of the inlet and the outside air inlet, the structure disposed in the portion that has passed through the cutoff, and the structure disposed in the opposite direction of the resistor can be applied to both the center mounting type and the semi-center type. The same can be applied to the rear air conditioning system.

So far, the air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle equipped with a photocatalyst module according to the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but this is merely exemplary, and anyone skilled in the art can perform various modifications and equivalent other embodiments therefrom. Will understand Therefore, the true technical protection scope should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

100: vehicle air conditioning unit 110: blower
121: inside air inlet 122: outside air inlet
123: Internal / external air conversion door 135: Blower fan
140: air conditioning case 141: evaporator
142: heater core 143: air inlet
144: Air outlet 145: Temperature control door
146: Mod door 200: Photocatalyst module
210: catalyst unit 220: light source unit
230: heat dissipation unit 260: module case
115: cutoff 119: register

Claims (7)

An air inlet case 143 is formed on the inlet side, an air outlet port 144 is formed on the outlet side, and an air conditioner case 140 in which an air passage is formed inside, and an evaporator installed on the air passage in the air conditioner case 140 In the air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle including a (141) and a blower 110 for blowing air into the air conditioning case 140,
A catalytic unit 210 which generates a photocatalytic reaction by irradiated light to generate a peroxygen radical, and is arranged to supply the generated peroxygen radical to the air flow path inside the air conditioning case 140; And at least one light source unit 220 irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light toward the catalyst unit 210,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are disposed in opposite directions based on the air conditioning case 140 with respect to the inside and outside air inlets 121 and 122 of the blower 110 in the flow direction of air,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of air than the cutoff 115 of the blower 110,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are disposed in opposite directions based on the air conditioning case 140 in the flow direction of air with respect to the resistor 119 that controls the power supplied to the blower 110 side. A vehicle air conditioner having a photocatalytic module characterized in that. delete According to claim 1,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 is modular air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module, characterized in that to configure the photocatalyst module (200). According to claim 1,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are made of a structure in which the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210 are sequentially arranged in the module case 260, and the module case 260 is the air conditioning case 140 In the fastening in parallel with the arrangement direction of the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210,
The fastening direction of the module case 260 is a vehicle air conditioning apparatus having a photocatalyst module, characterized in that it is configured in parallel with the axial direction of the blower fan 135 of the blower 110. According to claim 1,
The catalyst unit 210 and the light source unit 220 are made of a structure in which the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210 are sequentially arranged in the module case 260, and the module case 260 is the air conditioning case 140 In the fastening in parallel with the arrangement direction of the light source unit 220 and the catalyst unit 210,
The fastening direction of the module case 260 is a vehicle air conditioning apparatus having a photocatalyst module, characterized in that it is configured parallel to the radial direction of the blower fan 135 of the blower 110. delete According to claim 1,
Air conditioning device for a vehicle having a photocatalyst module, characterized in that the evaporator (141), the heater core (142) and the blower (110) in the air-conditioning case (140) are integrally mounted.

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