KR102519460B1 - Sterilization apparatus for vehichle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle sterilization device, and the vehicle sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator assembly for evaporating a fluid and supplying low-temperature air to the inside of a vehicle, a sterilization light supply assembly for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly, and and a control module controlling an operation of the sterilizing light supply assembly.

Description

Sterilization apparatus for vehicles {Sterilization apparatus for vehichle}

The present invention relates to a vehicle sterilization device.

Vehicles are provided with an air conditioning system as one of the convenience functions of vehicles for the comfortable use of vehicles by drivers and passengers. On the other hand, an air conditioning system for a vehicle heats or cools air to flow the air in a desired direction inside the vehicle so that a person sitting in a predetermined position receives the heated or cooled air so that they can feel comfortable.

Meanwhile, since the air conditioning system may be exposed to a humid environment and is highly likely to be contaminated by foreign substances inside and outside the vehicle, a need for self-sterilization in at least some components of the air conditioning system has emerged.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1877373 (2018.07.05)

The present invention is to provide a vehicle sterilization device for sterilizing the inside of an evaporator assembly in which a wet environment is formed using a UV-A light source and a UV-C light source.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A vehicle sterilization device according to the present invention includes an evaporator assembly that evaporates fluid and supplies low-temperature air to the inside of the vehicle, a sterilizing light supply assembly that supplies sterilizing light for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly, and an operation of the sterilizing light supply assembly. It includes a control module that controls

In addition, the sterilization light supply assembly includes a sterilization unit generating the sterilization light supplied to the inside of the evaporator assembly, the sterilization unit includes a plurality of LED light sources, and at least some of the plurality of LED light sources It is a UV-A light source generating light in the UV-A wavelength range, and the remaining part of the plurality of LED light sources is a UV-C light source generating light in the UV-C wavelength range.

Also, the number of UV-C light sources may be greater than the number of UV-A light sources.

In addition, the sterilizing light supply assembly further includes a guide having one end connected to the sterilization unit and the other end connected to the evaporator assembly to supply the sterilization light generated in the sterilization unit to the evaporator assembly, , The guide unit is connected to the LED light sources and a light transmission unit for condensing the light generated from the LED light sources, and a house for supplying the light collected from the light transmission unit to the inside of the evaporator assembly through one optical path. contains miners;

In addition, the sterilization unit includes a first connecting part for connecting the LED light sources and the light transmission part, and each of the LED light sources is formed to extend to one side and has a hollow shape having a first inner diameter and a first thickness. It includes a stepped LED light source, wherein the first connecting part extends to one side and is coupled to a hollow first connecting step having a second inner diameter and a second thickness, and the first connecting step, wherein the A second connecting step portion having a third inner diameter and a third thickness corresponding to the step portion of the LED light source.

In addition, the first inner diameter and the third inner diameter are formed to be the same, and the first thickness and the third thickness are formed to be the same, so that the outer circumferential surface of the first connecting stepped portion contacts the inner circumferential surface of the LED light source stepped portion. .

In addition, the sterilization unit includes a second connecting part for connecting the evaporator assembly and the light collecting part, and the second connecting part is connected to a dispersing unit formed in an inward direction of the evaporator assembly so that the sterilizing light is emitted by the dispersing unit. distributed inside the evaporator assembly.

In addition, the evaporator assembly evaporates the fluid introduced from one side, an evaporator unit having a plurality of pins on a surface, and a fluid inlet accommodating the evaporator unit and opened to allow the fluid to flow in, and the fluid to flow out. and a casing including an open fluid outlet facing the fluid inlet as much as possible, and the dispersing unit is formed on one surface of the casing in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the fluid.

In addition, the dispersion unit is formed in plurality, and is formed to face the evaporator unit as the center.

In addition, the dispersion unit includes a first dispersion unit formed between the fluid inlet and the evaporator unit, and a second dispersion unit formed between the fluid outlet and the evaporator unit, the first dispersion unit being at the side of the fluid inlet. is formed close to, and the second dispersion unit is formed far from the fluid outlet side.

In addition, the casing includes a first bent part formed on a side surface on which the distribution unit is formed, and a second bent part formed on a side surface opposite to the first bent part, in order to guide the flow of the fluid.

In addition, the control module adjusts the amount of power supplied to the LED light sources according to the state of the evaporator assembly.

In addition, the control module controls to decrease the amount of power supplied to the UV-A light source and increase the amount of power supplied to the UV-C light source for a predetermined time when a predetermined normal operating time has elapsed.

In addition, the control module controls to increase the number of UV-C light sources operating for a predetermined period of time when a predetermined normal operation time has elapsed.

According to the proposed embodiment, air flowing inside the vehicle air conditioning system is sterilized by irradiation of sterilizing light, and hygiene can be maintained for a long period of time without disassembling the vehicle air conditioning system.

In addition, when the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly increases, the sterilization power can be adjusted in response to the degree of contamination by irradiating the UV-C light source with relatively high sterilization more strongly than the UV-A light source.

1 is a view showing an air conditioning system for a vehicle in which a vehicle sterilization device according to the present invention is installed.
2 is a view showing the vehicle sterilization device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view in which some components of FIG. 2 are removed.
Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3;
5 is a view for explaining sterilization light irradiation of the dispersing unit.
6 is a view showing a sterilization unit.
7 is a view showing a guide part.
8 is a view showing a detailed configuration of a sterilization unit.
9 is a view showing a detailed configuration of a first connecting unit.
10 is a view showing a combined shape of a sterilization unit and a first connecting part.
11 is a diagram for explaining the sterilization operation of the control unit.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various forms different from each other, only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, of course, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or entirely combined or combined with each other, and as those skilled in the art can fully understand, various interlocking and driving operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other. It may be possible to implement together in an association relationship.

On the other hand, the potential effects that can be expected by the technical features of the present invention that are not specifically mentioned in the specification of the present invention are treated as described in the present specification, and this embodiment is intended for those with average knowledge in the art. It is provided to more completely explain the present invention, the contents shown in the drawings may be exaggerated compared to the actual implementation of the invention, and the detailed description of the configuration that is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention omitted or briefly described.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing an air conditioning system 900 for a vehicle in which the vehicle sterilization device 10 of the present invention is installed.

The air conditioning system 900 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention can supply air of a required temperature to the interior space of the vehicle by circulating the air outside the vehicle to the inside and adjusting the temperature of the air.

The vehicle air conditioning system 900 includes a conditioning system air inlet 910, a filter unit 920, a vehicle sterilization device 10, a passage control door 940, a heating unit 950, and a mode selection It includes a door 960 and air conditioning system air discharge units 970 and 980.

Outside air introduced into the vehicle air conditioning system 900 through the air conditioning system air intake unit 910 passes through the vehicle filter unit 920, so that foreign substances, bacteria, etc. contained in the outside air can be physically filtered.

The air that has passed through the filter unit 920 is flowed by the vehicle sterilization device 10, passes through the vehicle sterilization device 10, and then selectively passes through the heating unit 950 by the passage control door 940 or directly selects the mode. Flows through the door 960 to the air conditioning system air discharge units 970 and 980 at preset positions.

On the other hand, moisture in the air flowing in the vehicle sterilization device 10 evaporates rapidly, and since the vehicle sterilization device 10 has high humidity, bacteria or microorganisms proliferate to generate odor. In addition, a problem occurs in that the quality of the air introduced into the vehicle is deteriorated by affecting the sanitary condition of the entire vehicle air conditioning system 900 .

Accordingly, the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention effectively removes foreign substances, bacteria, or organic compounds contained in the air introduced from the outside, thereby improving the air quality of the air introduced into the vehicle.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a vehicle sterilization device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing parts of FIG. 2 removed, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3 .

2 to 4, the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator assembly 100, a sterilizing light supply assembly 200, a dispersion unit 300, and a control module 400. include

Hereinafter, detailed components of the vehicle sterilization device 10 will be described in detail.

A vehicle sterilization device according to the present invention includes an evaporator assembly 100. The evaporator assembly evaporates fluid introduced from one side and includes an evaporator unit 130 having a plurality of fins 131 on the surface. A refrigerant may flow inside the evaporator unit 130, and the refrigerant lowers the temperature of the evaporator unit 130 while passing through a series of processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. Air introduced through the fluid inlet 111 passes through the evaporator unit 130 by a blowing unit (not shown), and the temperature of the air decreases. Evaporator unit 130 may form a plurality of fins 131 on the surface to increase the contact surface area with air flowing therebetween. The pin 131 may be applied in any shape to increase the contact surface area with the flowing air.

On the other hand, when the air conditioning function of the vehicle is performed, the temperature of the evaporator unit 130 is always lower than the ambient temperature and lower than the condensation temperature of moisture, so that water vapor is liquefied and formed on the surface of the evaporator unit 130. . The liquefied water vapor creates a moist environment and promotes the growth of bacteria or microorganisms.

The evaporator assembly 100 includes a casing 110 accommodating an evaporator unit 130 . The casing 110 includes a fluid inlet 111 open to allow fluid such as air to flow in, and a fluid outlet 112 to face the fluid inlet 111 and open to allow fluid to flow out. The fluid that has passed through the aforementioned filter unit 920 is introduced into the evaporator assembly 100 through the fluid inlet 111 . Also, the fluid that has passed through the evaporator unit 130 flows out of the evaporator assembly 100 through the fluid outlet 112 . Meanwhile, the fluid inlet 111 and the fluid outlet 112 may be formed parallel to each other but spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Illustratively, the fluid inlet 111 and the fluid outlet 112 are formed not to be disposed on the same line in the casing 110, so that the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet 111 sufficiently stays inside the evaporator assembly 100 and It allows the fluid to flow out through the outlet 112. Therefore, the introduced fluid can be cooled for a sufficient period of time, and sterilization can be performed for a sufficient period of time by means of sterilizing light, which will be described later.

Meanwhile, the casing 110 includes a first bent part 119 and a second bent part 120 to guide the flow of fluid. Illustratively, the first bent portion 119 is formed on the side of the second space 114 formed between the evaporator unit 130 and the fluid outlet 112, and the second bent portion 120 is formed on the side of the evaporator unit 130 It is formed on the side of the first space 113 formed between and the fluid inlet 111. The first bent part 119 and the second bent part 120 guide the fluid toward the fluid outlet 112 when the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet 111 moves along the wall surface of the casing 110. play a role

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the sterilizing light supply assembly 200 will be described in detail.

5 is a view for explaining sterilization light irradiation of a dispersion unit, FIG. 6 is a view showing a sterilization unit, FIG. 7 is a view showing a guide unit, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a detailed configuration of the sterilization unit.

2 to 8 , the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to the present invention includes a sterilizing light supply assembly 200 that supplies sterilizing light for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly 100. The sterilizing light supply assembly 200 includes a sterilizing unit 210 . At this time, the sterilization unit 210 includes a first LED light source 211, a second LED light source 212, a third LED light source 213, a fourth LED light source 214, a fifth light source 215, a sixth A light source 216, a seventh light source 217, and an eighth light source 218, wherein the first to eighth LED light sources 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, and 218 are sterilized, respectively. generate light At this time, the sterilization light may have any configuration capable of removing bacteria, microorganisms, or organic compounds that may flow together with the fluid. According to the accompanying drawings of the present invention, the sterilization unit 210 is represented as having eight LED light sources 220, but the number of LED light sources 220 is not limited by the drawings. That is, the LED light source 220 may be provided as many as necessary when constituting the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to the present invention. At this time, the LED light source 220 represents an arbitrary light source constituting the sterilization unit 210 of the present invention, and the above-described first to eighth LED light sources 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, and 216 , 217, 218) is for explaining what is shown in the drawing as an example of the LED light source 220.

On the other hand, at least one of the plurality of LED light sources 220 is formed as a UV-A light source generating UV-A light in a 320-400 nm wavelength band, and some of the LED light sources 220 have a 260-280 nm wavelength band. of UV-C light. The UV-A light is irradiated into the evaporator assembly 100 to decompose organic compounds harmful to the human body, and the UV-C light sterilizes microorganisms or bacteria. Through an optional combination of a UV-A light source and a UV-C light source, sterilization can be performed according to the required use.

In order to perform a more powerful sterilization operation when the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 increases, the LED light sources 220 may be configured to have more UV-C light sources than UV-A light sources.

An arbitrary LED light source 220 includes a housing 221, an LED lamp 222, and a hollow LED light source stepped portion 223 extending to one side. The housing 221 is formed to surround the LED lamp 222 and protects the LED lamp 222 from the external environment. The LED lamp 222 may generate at least one of the UV-A light and the UV-C light. The LED light source stepped portion 223 may be formed to protrude and extend from one side of the housing 221, and allow the sterilizing light generated from the LED lamp 222 to be irradiated in one direction. In addition, the LED light source 220 may be coupled to the guide part 230 through the LED light source step 223, which will be described later.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the guide unit 230 will be described.

The guide unit 230 has one end connected to the sterilization unit 210 and the other end connected to the evaporator assembly 100 to supply sterilization light generated in the sterilization unit 210 to the evaporator assembly 100 . More specifically, the guide part 230 is connected to the sterilization unit 210 through the first connecting part 240 and connected to the evaporator assembly 100 through the second connecting part 250 . Accordingly, the guide part 230 serves as an optical path through which the sterilizing light moves between the sterilization unit 210 and the evaporator assembly 100 .

The guide part 230 has a plurality of light transmission parts 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 . The light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234 include the first light transmission part 231, the second light transmission part 232, the third light transmission part 233, and the fourth light transmission part 234. Including, each light delivery unit is connected to the corresponding LED light source. Illustratively, one end of the first light transmission part 231 is connected to the first LED light source 211, one end of the second light transmission part 232 is connected to the second LED light source 212, and a third One end of the light transmission part 233 is connected to the third LED light source 213, and one end of the fourth light transmission part 234 is connected to the fourth LED light source 214. Alternatively, one end of the first light transmission part 231 is connected to the fifth LED light source 215, one end of the second light transmission part 232 is connected to the sixth LED light source 216, and the third light transmission One end of the unit 233 is connected to the seventh LED light source 217, and one end of the fourth light transmission unit 234 is connected to the eighth LED light source 218. Each of the light delivery units 231, 232, 233, and 234 receives and transmits the sterilizing light generated from the connected LED light sources 211, 212, 213, and 214 therein. In the drawings referenced together in the present invention, two guide parts 230 are formed, and the first to fourth light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234 of one guide part have a first LED light source, respectively. to the fourth LED light sources 211, 212, 213, 214, and the first to fourth light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, 234 connected to the other guide part have a fifth LED light source, respectively. Although shown as being connected to the eighth LED light source (215,216, 217, 218), it is not necessarily limited to this coupling relationship.

Meanwhile, ends of the light transmitting parts 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 are gathered together to form the light concentrating part 235 having one optical path. The concentrator 235 receives the light transmitted from the light transmission units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 as one optical path, and the mixed light is irradiated into the evaporator assembly 100 . By mixing the light of the light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234 through the light collecting part 235, the sterilizing light generated by the plurality of LED light sources 211, 212, 213, and 214 is mixed, Sterilization light with high intensity may be provided inside the evaporator assembly 100 .

The insides of the light transmission units 231, 232, 233, and 234 and the light collecting unit 235 are made of silica to prevent sterilization light generated from the LED light sources 211, 212, 213, and 214 from being lost and transmitted. ) can be formed into an optical fiber. Through the configuration of the guide part 230 composed of silica optical fibers, the sterilizing light passing through the inside of the guide part 230 is totally reflected and does not leak out of the guide part 230, and the loss is minimized, so that the inside of the evaporator assembly 100 can be investigated with

Hereinafter, connection between the LED light source 220 and the guide part 230 through the first connecting part 240 will be described.

9 is a view showing a detailed configuration of the first connecting unit 240, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a combined shape of the LED light source 220 and the first connecting unit 240 in the sterilization unit 210.

2 to 10, the LED light source 220 extends to one side of the housing 221 and has a hollow LED light source step 223 having a first inner diameter d1 and a first thickness t1. ). Meanwhile, the first connecting portion 240 includes a light transmitting portion connecting portion 241 connected to at least one of the light transmitting portions 231, 232, 233, and 234, and an LED light source connecting portion connected to the LED light source stepped portion 223. (242). In addition, the LED light source connecting portion 242 is formed in combination with a hollow first connecting stepped portion 243 having a second inner diameter d2 and a second thickness t2, and the first connecting stepped portion 243, , and a second connecting step portion 244 having a third inner diameter d3 and a third thickness to correspond to the step portion 223 of the LED light source. In this case, the length of the first connecting stepped portion 243 may be longer than that of the second connecting stepped portion 244 . That is, the LED light source connecting portion 242 of the first connecting portion 240 is connected to the LED light source stepped portion 223 of the LED light source 220, and the light transmission portion connecting portion 241 of the first connecting portion 240 is It is connected to the light transmitting parts 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 of the guide part 230 and transmits the sterilizing light to the guide part 230 .

Meanwhile, the first inner diameter d1 of the LED light source step 223 and the third inner diameter d3 of the second connecting step 244 of the first connecting part 240 are formed to be the same, so that the first connecting part 240 has the same shape. An outer circumferential surface of the stepped portion 243 may contact an inner circumferential surface of the LED light source stepped portion 223 . Meanwhile, the first thickness t1 of the LED light source step 223 and the third thickness t3 of the second connecting step 244 may also be formed to be the same. Since the first inner diameter d1 and the third inner diameter d3 are formed to be the same, the first connecting portion 240 and the LED light source 220 can be coupled without a gap. Since the first connecting portion 240 and the LED light source 220 are coupled without a gap, the sterilizing light generated from the LED light source 220 does not leak through the connection portion between the first connecting portion 240 and the LED light source 220. It can be transferred to the guide part 230 while minimizing loss without damage, and there is an advantage of maximizing sterilization efficiency.

In addition, the light transmission unit connecting portion 241 has a fourth inner diameter d4, and the fourth inner diameter d4 is formed to correspond to the diameters of the light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234. Since the fourth inner diameter d4 is formed to correspond to the diameter of the light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234, there is a gap between the first connecting part 240 and the light transmission parts 231, 232, 233, and 234. There is an advantage of minimizing outflow of sterilizing light and maximizing sterilization efficiency.

Hereinafter, a coupling relationship between the sterilizing light supply assembly 200 and the evaporator assembly 100 will be described.

The guide part 230 supplies sterilizing light to the inside of the evaporator assembly 100 through the second connecting part 250 . At this time, the evaporator assembly 100 includes at least two insertion holes 117 and 118 on one surface 115 of the casing 110 to which the second connecting part 250 is connected. At this time, the first insertion hole 117 is formed in the first space 113 on the fluid inlet 111 side, and the second insertion hole 118 is formed in the second space 114 on the fluid outlet 112 side. . In addition, the second connecting portion 250 is connected to the distribution unit 300 formed in the inner direction of the evaporator assembly 100 through the insertion holes 117 and 118 . The distribution unit 300 irradiates the sterilizing light into the evaporator assembly 100, and an aspherical lens may be used to sterilize a required area inside the evaporator assembly 100.

In addition, a plurality of dispersion units 300 may be formed. Illustratively, the dispersion unit 300 includes a first dispersion unit 301 formed in the first space 113 on the side of the fluid inlet 111 so as to correspond to the insertion holes 117 and 118, and the fluid outlet 112 ) side and a second dispersion unit 302 formed in the second space 114. That is, the dispersion units 301 and 302 are formed to face each other with the evaporator unit 130 as the center. The first dispersion unit 301 flows into the fluid inlet 111 and sterilizes the fluid passing through the evaporator unit 130, and the second dispersion unit 302 passes through the evaporator unit 130 and flows out toward the fluid outlet 112. sterilizes the liquid.

Illustratively, the first dispersion unit 301 sterilizes the first surface 131 of the evaporator unit 130 in the first space 113, and the second dispersion unit 302 in the second space 114 The second side 132 of the evaporator unit 130 is sterilized. The first dispersion unit 301 and the second dispersion unit sterilize the first side 131 and the second side 132 of the evaporator unit 130, respectively, so both sides of the evaporator unit 130 can be sterilized, , it has the advantage of improving the air quality inside the vehicle.

In addition, illustratively, the first dispersion unit 301 is formed close to the fluid inlet 111 side in the first space 113, and the second dispersion unit 302 is the fluid outlet in the second space 114 ( 112) Formed far to the side. Since the first dispersion unit 301 is formed close to the fluid inlet 111, there is an advantage in that the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet 111 can be more densely sterilized. In addition, since the second dispersion unit 302 is formed far from the fluid outlet 112, the fluid remaining in the second space 114 before being discharged through the fluid inlet 112 can be sterilized in a wide range. there is

Hereinafter, sterilization control by the control module 400 of the vehicle sterilization device 10 according to the present invention will be described.

The vehicle sterilization device 10 according to the present invention includes a control module 400 that controls the operation of the sterilization light supply assembly 200 .

The control module 400 serves to supply power to the sterilization light supply assembly 200, and supplies power to the LED light sources 220 of the sterilization light supply assembly 200 so that the LED light sources 220 can use the sterilization light. to be able to create As described above, the sterilizing light generated by the LED light sources 220 is UV-A light or UV-C light.

Meanwhile, the control module 400 adjusts the amount of power supplied to the LED light sources 220 according to the state of the evaporator assembly 100 . Illustratively, when it is detected that the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 is high, the control module 400 increases the amount of power supplied to the LED light sources 220 so that the sterilization light of relatively strong intensity is emitted from the evaporator assembly 100. ) is controlled so that it can be irradiated to the inside. In addition, the control module 400 reduces the amount of power supplied to the UV-A LED light sources generating UV-A light among the LED light sources 220, and reduces the amount of power supplied to the UV-C LED light sources generating UV-C light. Increase the amount of power supplied. By increasing the amount of power supplied to the UV-C LED light sources as the degree of contamination increases, sterilization light having a stronger intensity than when the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 is low is controlled to be irradiated into the evaporator assembly 100. . Accordingly, it is possible to quickly reduce the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 and improve air quality inside the vehicle.

11 is a diagram for explaining the sterilization operation of the control unit.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the control module 400 performs a normal sterilization operation ( S110 ). The control module 400 controls the LED light source 220 to generate sterilizing light with a constant intensity or a constant pattern. Thereafter, the control module 400 may perform a step of determining whether the degree of contamination has increased in the evaporator assembly 100 (S120). Illustratively, whether or not the degree of contamination has increased inside the evaporator assembly 100 is determined based on whether a predetermined normal operating time has elapsed. Based on the predetermined normal operating time, when it is determined that the contamination level inside the evaporator assembly 100 has increased, an enhanced sterilization operation (S130) is performed. In the enhanced sterilization operation (S130), the control module 400 controls the sterilization light supply assembly 200 to decrease the amount of power supplied to the UV-A light source and increase the amount of power supplied to the UV-C light source for a predetermined time. The sterilizing power of the sterilizing light irradiated into the evaporator assembly 100 is increased. When the enhanced sterilization operation (S130) is performed for a predetermined time, the control module 400 returns to the normal sterilization operation (S110) and controls the sterilization light supply assembly 200 to perform a general sterilization process. In this way, by controlling to increase the sterilizing power when it is determined that the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 has increased, contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 can be quickly improved, and there is an advantage in preventing unnecessary power waste. . In addition, there is an advantage that hygiene can be maintained for a long period of time without disassembling the vehicle air conditioning system through periodic enhanced sterilization operation.

Meanwhile, the above operation may be implemented by controlling the intensity of the sterilizing light by selectively controlling the on/off operation of the UV-A light source and the UV-C light source. For example, in the enhanced sterilization operation ( S130 ), the control module 400 may perform control to operate a relatively larger number of UV-C light sources than in the normal sterilization operation ( S110 ). Therefore, sterilization light having a wavelength range of UV-C light can be irradiated into the evaporator assembly 100 at a higher rate, and as a result, the sterilization power is improved in the enhanced sterilization operation (S130) than in the normal sterilization operation (S110). .

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: vehicle sterilization device
100: evaporator assembly 200: sterilization light supply assembly
300: distribution unit 400: control module

Claims (14)

An evaporator assembly supplying low-temperature air to the interior of the vehicle by evaporating the fluid;
a sterilizing light supply assembly supplying sterilizing light for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly;
a dispersion unit formed toward the inside of the evaporator assembly to disperse the sterilizing light into the evaporator assembly; and
A control module for controlling the operation of the sterilizing light supply assembly; includes,
The evaporator assembly,
An evaporator unit evaporating the fluid introduced from one side and having a plurality of pins on the surface; and
A casing accommodating the evaporator unit and including a fluid inlet formed open to allow the fluid to flow in and a fluid outlet formed open to face the fluid inlet so that the fluid flows out,
The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are staggered open,
The sterilizing light supply assembly,
a sterilization unit having a plurality of LED light sources generating the sterilization light supplied to the inside of the evaporator assembly;
A guide unit having one end connected to the sterilization unit and the other end connected to the evaporator assembly to supply the sterilization light generated in the sterilization unit to the evaporator assembly;
The guide part is formed by gathering light transmission parts connected to the LED light sources and condensing the light generated from the LED light sources, and ends of the light transmission parts to receive the light condensed from the light transmission parts into one optical path, and A light collecting unit mixing and supplying the mixture to the inside of the evaporator assembly;
The casing,
In order to guide the flow of the fluid, a first bent portion formed on the side on which the dispersing unit is formed, and a second bent portion opposite to the first bent portion and formed on a side different from the side on which the dispersing unit is formed, ,
At least some of the plurality of LED light sources are condensed into a first dispersion unit formed between the fluid inlet and the evaporator unit among the dispersion units through the light transmission unit and the light collecting unit;
The remaining part of the plurality of LED light sources is a second dispersion unit formed between the fluid outlet and the evaporator unit of the dispersion unit and formed on the same side as the first dispersion unit through the light transmission unit and the light collecting unit. The vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that the first dispersion unit is formed close to the fluid inlet side and the second dispersion unit is formed far away from the fluid outlet side.
The method of claim 1,
At least some of the plurality of LED light sources are UV-A light sources generating light in the UV-A wavelength range, and the remaining portions of the plurality of LED light sources are UV-C light sources generating light in the UV-C wavelength range. Vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that.
The method of claim 2,
Vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that the number of UV-C light sources is greater than the number of UV-A light sources.
delete The method of claim 1,
The sterilization unit includes a first connecting part for connecting the LED light sources and the light transmission part,
Each of the LED light sources,
A hollow LED light source step portion extending to one side and having a first inner diameter and a first thickness; includes,
The first connecting part,
a hollow first connecting step portion extending to one side and having a second inner diameter and a second thickness; and
A vehicle sterilization device comprising a; second connecting step portion formed coupled to the first connecting step portion and having a third inner diameter and a third thickness to correspond to the LED light source step portion.
The method of claim 5,
The first inner diameter and the third inner diameter are formed to be the same, and the first thickness and the third thickness are formed to be the same, so that the outer circumferential surface of the first connecting stepped portion and the inner circumferential surface of the LED light source stepped portion are in contact. Vehicle sterilization device to be.
The method of claim 1,
The sterilization unit includes a second connecting part for connecting the evaporator assembly and the light collecting part,
The vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that the second connecting part is connected to the dispersion unit so that the sterilizing light is dispersed into the evaporator assembly by the dispersion unit.
The method of claim 7,
The dispersion unit is a vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that formed on one surface of the casing in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the fluid.
The method of claim 8,
The vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that the dispersion unit is formed in plurality, and is formed to face the evaporator unit as the center.
delete delete The method of claim 2,
The vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that the control module adjusts the amount of power supplied to the LED light sources according to the state of the evaporator assembly.
The method of claim 12,
The control module,
When the predetermined normal operating time elapses, the amount of power supplied to the UV-A light source for a predetermined time is reduced and the amount of power supplied to the UV-C light source is controlled to increase.
The method of claim 12,
The control module,
When a predetermined normal operating time elapses, the vehicle sterilization device characterized in that the control to increase the number of the UV-C light sources operating for a predetermined time.

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