KR20090112343A - Apparatus for washing evaporator using condensate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for washing an evaporator of a vehicle air-conditioner is provided to sterilize the evaporator surface by jetting condensate containing a sterilization component to the evaporator. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for washing an evaporator of a vehicle air-conditioner includes an evaporator, a drain tank, a spray unit, and a controller. The evaporator(20) is mounted on an air inlet(12) of an air conditioner case(10). The drain tank(60) stores condensate water generated in the evaporator and guided through a discharge line(16). The spray unit ejects the condensate water stored in the drain tank toward the evaporator. The controller(90) controls the spray unit to selectively eject the condensate, and includes a water pump and an injector. The water pump(64) is installed on a water supply pipe(62). The injector(70) is installed on the leading end of the water supply pipe and embedded with a sterilization filter(68) so that condensate absorbs a sterilization component while passing through the sterilization filter.

Description

Apparatus for washing evaporator using condensate}

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly, to an evaporator cleaning device for a vehicle air conditioner to clean the evaporator by spraying through the injection means in a state containing a sterilization component in the condensate discharged to the drain of the air conditioning case.

In general, a vehicle air conditioner compresses a refrigerant by a compressor driven by a power of an engine and sends the refrigerant to a condenser, condenses the refrigerant by forced air of a cooling fan in the condenser, and then transfers the refrigerant to an expansion valve and an evaporator. In the process of returning to the compressor again in order to pass through, in order to replace the air blown by the blower unit installed in the air conditioning case inlet and the refrigerant passing through the evaporator, the cooling device is cooled by discharging the cooled air into the cabin have. In the process of returning the cooling water of the engine to the engine through the heater core, the heating device is heated by exchanging the air blown by the blower fan of the blower unit and the cooling water passing through the heater core to discharge the heated air into the cabin. Equipped.

As shown in FIG. 1, a general vehicle air conditioner includes an air conditioner case 100, an evaporator 110 mounted at an air inlet 102, a heater core 120 disposed behind the evaporator 110, and The temperature control door 130 disposed between the evaporator 110 and the heater core 120 to selectively pass the air flow to the cooling passage (C) and the heating passage (H), defrost vent (DV), face vent (FV) and floor vent (FLV) is composed of mode control doors (140, 142, 144) for selectively passing cold or warm air. The air conditioning case 100 has a discharge port 104 formed in the lower portion is to discharge the condensed water formed on the surface of the evaporator (110).

On the other hand, since the evaporator 110 has moisture on the surface, microorganisms such as mold and bacteria are multiplying, and fungi are introduced into the room during cooling operation, which may cause odor and harm the health of passengers.

Therefore, there was a need to install a sterilization washing mechanism for sterilizing and washing the evaporator in a general vehicle air conditioner.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1993-147437 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a sterilization mechanism as a sterilization mechanism, a drain tank having a copper fiber member for storing condensate and sterilizing the condensate, a spray nozzle provided opposite to the evaporator, and A water supply pump for pumping the condensed water in the drain tank to the injection nozzle. In Patent Document 1, the condensed water sterilized by the copper fiber member of the drain tank is pumped by the water supply pump and sprayed through the injection nozzle to sterilize and wash the evaporator.

In Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 1993-074921 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2), an ozone generator disposed in front of an evaporator as a sterilization device to generate ozone, and disposed between an evaporator and an ozone generator to spray water fine particles Particle spraying means and an ozone decomposition catalyst disposed behind the evaporator to decompose residual ozone. The water fine atomizing means includes an ultrasonic humidifier, an ultrasonic vibrator, a blower, and the like to atomize the condensate. In Patent Document 2, the evaporator is sterilized and washed through the ozone generator and the water fine particle spraying means.

However, in Patent Document 1, since the copper fiber member embedded in the drain tank occupies a large volume, the size of the drain tank storing the condensed water is increased so that the overall size of the sterilization mechanism for sterilizing the evaporator is increased. There was a problem that cannot be set compactly.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the water fine particle spraying means for spraying physical particles in the evaporator is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier, a ultrasonic vibrator, a blower, and a drain pan, so that the spraying means for atomizing condensate is complicated, There was a problem in that it is difficult to set a sterilization apparatus simply and compactly because there is a separate AM generator.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an evaporator cleaning device for an air conditioner for a vehicle, which simplifies the washing means for washing the evaporator and at the same time reduces the size to set the entire air conditioner compactly.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, the evaporator mounted on the air inlet of the air conditioning case, a drain tank in which the condensate generated in the evaporator is guided through the discharge pipe and stored, and the condensate stored in the drain tank to the evaporator In the evaporator cleaning apparatus for a vehicle air conditioner comprising a spraying means for spraying toward the side and a control unit for selectively spraying the condensate from the spraying means, the spraying means is a water supply pump installed in the water pipe and the front end of the water pipe The injector is mounted to the built-in sterilization filter, characterized in that the condensed water is sprayed to the evaporator while containing the sterilization component while passing through the sterilization filter.

Condensate control means further comprises a water level sensor for detecting the level of condensate in the drain tank and a shutoff valve for selectively blocking the drain pipe passage of the drain tank, wherein the water level sensor and the shutoff valve by the control unit It is preferably configured to be controlled selectively.

It is preferable to further include an ozone generator built in the drain tank for supplying ozone to the condensate.

The control unit is preferably configured to operate the ozone generator, water pump, and injector in a state where the starting is off and the battery power is applied.

According to the evaporator washing apparatus of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, the condensate is included in the sterilization filter by the sterilizing filter is injected into the evaporator by the injector to sterilize the surface of the evaporator. This prevents the growth of microorganisms such as mold and bacteria on the surface of the evaporator to prevent odors, and the evaporator can be easily maintained and repaired.

On the other hand, the injection means for sterilizing and spraying the condensate can be simplified to reduce the volume of the entire air conditioning apparatus including the washing device.

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

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an evaporator washing apparatus of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an enlarged main view of the injector of the evaporator washing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes an air conditioner case 10, an evaporator 20 mounted at an air inlet 12, and a heater core 30 disposed behind the evaporator 20. And a temperature control door 40 disposed between the evaporator 20 and the heater core 30 to selectively pass the air volume to the cooling passage C and the heating passage H, and the defrost vent DV. It is composed of mode control doors (50, 52, 54) for selectively passing cold or warm air with a face vent (FV), a floor vent (FLV). The air conditioning case 10 has a discharge port 14 formed in the lower portion is to discharge the condensed water formed on the surface of the evaporator 20.

And, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 as the evaporator cleaning apparatus for a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, the evaporator 20 mounted on the air inlet 12 of the air conditioning case 10, and the evaporator 20 Condensate generated in the drain tank 60 is guided through the discharge pipe 16 and stored, the injection means for injecting the condensate stored in the drain tank 60 toward the evaporator 20, and in the injection means A control unit 90 for controlling to spray the condensate selectively.

In addition, the evaporator washing apparatus further includes a condensate control means for adjusting the level of the condensate in the drain tank (60).

As shown in FIG. 2, the injection means includes a water supply pump 64 installed in the water supply pipe 62, and an injector 70 mounted on the front end of the water supply pipe 62 and in which a sterilization filter 68 is embedded. have. Therefore, the injection means is to spray the condensed water to the evaporator 20 in the state containing the sterilization component while passing through the sterilization filter (68).

As shown in FIG. 3, the injector 70 has a plunger 72 elastically supported by a spring 72a therein, a solenoid coil 74 formed around the plunger 72, and the plunger ( 72 is mounted to the lower portion of the needle valve 76 for injecting the refrigerant.

When the electric signal is applied from the control unit 90, an electromagnetic force is generated in the solenoid coil 74, thereby raising the plunger 72 and the needle valve 76. At this time, as the needle valve 76 blocking the passage of the injection hole 70a of the injector 70 rises, the sterilized condensed water in the injector 70 is evaporated in the air-conditioning case 10. 20). On the other hand, when no electric signal is applied from the control unit 90, the plunger 72 and the needle valve 76 is lowered by the restoring force of the spring (72a) of the injection port 70a of the injector 70 Blocking the passages causes the injection to stop.

As a result, the injector 70 is sprayed or released by the condensate containing the sterilization component in accordance with the presence or absence of the electrical signal is applied to the solenoid coil 54 from the control unit 90.

On the other hand, the injection means may be composed of a nozzle and a diffuser so that condensed water is injected by the pressure difference in the expansion and contraction portion when air is introduced through the air pump separately from the injector type.

The evaporator washing apparatus may further include an ozone generator 66 embedded in the drain tank 60 to supply ozone to the condensate.

Here, the ozone generator 66 may contain ozone in the condensed water of the drain tank 60 to increase the sterilization component in the condensed water.

As shown in FIG. 2, the condensate control means selectively selects a level sensor 80 for detecting the level of condensate in the drain tank 60 and a passage of the drain pipe 61 of the drain tank 60. It is comprised by the shutoff valve 82 which cuts off.

Here, the water level sensor 80 and the shutoff valve 82 are selectively controlled by the control unit 90. In addition, the shutoff valve 82 is a valve mounted on the drain pipe 61 to selectively block the passage, and may be configured as an solenoid valve or a solenoid valve controlled by the control unit 90.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2 the condensate generated in the evaporator 20, the discharge pipe 16 for guiding the drain tank 60 is equipped with a filter 18 for filtering foreign matter.

On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, the non-aqueous film may be installed so that the condensate containing the sterilization component injected by the injector 70 in the rear of the evaporator 20 does not flow into the temperature control door 40.

Meanwhile, the controller 90 is configured to sequentially operate the ozone generator 66, the water pump 64, and the injector 70 while the starter is turned off and the battery power is applied. Here, the controller 90 is logic to operate the evaporator cleaning device in the state that the battery power is applied and the air conditioner off or on.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, it will be described the operation of the evaporator washing apparatus as follows.

The method of operating the evaporator cleaning device may be performed even when the vehicle is not driven or after the vehicle is driven.

When the blower button is pressed while the air conditioner is turned off, the water pump 64 is operated by the controller 90. As the water pump 64 is operated, the condensed water in the drain tank 60 is pumped to the injector 70 while passing through the sterilization filter 68 along the water pipe 62. Here, the condensed water is supplied to the injector 70 in a state in which the sterilization component is contained by the sterilization filter 68 before being supplied to the injector 70. The injector 70 receives the electrical signal of the solenoid coil 74 through the control unit 90 and ascends the plunger 72 and the needle valve 76 to spray the condensed water containing sterilization components toward the evaporator 20. Will be.

On the other hand, when the amount of condensate inside the drain tank 60 is greater than the set amount, the controller 90 detects the level of condensate from the water level sensor 80 and controls the shutoff valve 82 to control the drain pipe 61. When the passage is opened to be discharged to the outside, and the condensate is discharged and maintained at the set water level, the shutoff valve 82 is controlled to close the passage of the drain pipe 61.

On the other hand, the control unit 90 may further operate the ozone generator 66 to increase the sterilization component of the condensate.

To temporarily deactivate the evaporator cleaner, simply press and release the blower button. Of course, a method of completely releasing the operation of the evaporator cleaning device may be such that the battery power is not applied by turning the key.

According to the evaporator cleaning apparatus of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, the condensate is transferred along the water supply pipe 62 as the water supply pump 64 is operated by the control unit 90 while the sterilization filter 68 is immediately before the injector 70. By spraying to the evaporator 20 by the injector 70 in a state containing a sterilization component by) it is possible to prevent the growth of microorganisms such as mold, bacteria by washing the surface of the evaporator 20.

As described above, although described based on the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, can be changed within the scope described in the claims by those of ordinary skill in the art have.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a general vehicle air conditioner,

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an evaporator washing apparatus of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is an enlarged main view of the injector of the evaporator cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: air conditioning case 12: air inlet

14 discharge port 16 discharge pipe

18 filter 20 evaporator

30: heater core 40: temperature control door

50, 52, 54: mode control door 60: drain tank

61: drain pipe 62: water pipe

64: water pump 66: ozone generator

68: sterilization filter 70: injector

72: plunger 74: solenoid coil

76: needle valve 80: water level sensor

82: shutoff valve 90: control unit

Claims (4)

An evaporator 20 mounted at an air inlet 12 of the air conditioning case 10, a drain tank 60 in which condensate generated in the evaporator 20 is guided and stored through a discharge pipe 16, and the drain tank In the evaporator cleaning apparatus for a vehicle air conditioner comprising a spraying means for injecting the condensate stored in the 60 toward the evaporator 20, and a control unit 90 for controlling the spraying means to selectively spray the condensate , The injection means is composed of a water inlet pump (64) installed in the water pipe (62), and an injector (70) mounted to the tip of the water pipe (62) and built-in sterilization filter (68), wherein the condensed water is the sterilization filter ( 68. The evaporator cleaning device for a vehicle air conditioner, characterized in that to be sprayed to the evaporator 20 in a state containing a sterilization component. The method of claim 1, Condensate control means consisting of a water level sensor (80) for detecting the level of condensate in the drain tank (60) and a shutoff valve (82) for selectively blocking the passage of the drain pipe (61) of the drain tank (60) Including more, The water level sensor 80 and the shutoff valve 82 is selectively controlled by the control unit 90, the evaporator cleaning device for a vehicle air conditioner. The method of claim 1, Evaporator cleaning apparatus for a vehicle air conditioner further comprises an ozone generator (66) built in the drain tank (60) for supplying ozone to the condensate. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit 90 operates the ozone generator 66, the water pump 64, and the injector 70 in a state where the starting is turned off and the battery power is applied. Device.

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