KR20220079155A - Sterilization apparatus for vehichle - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Sterilization apparatus for vehicle

The present invention relates to a sterilization device for a vehicle.

The vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system as one of the convenient functions of the vehicle for the comfortable use of the vehicle by the driver and the passenger. On the other hand, the 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 riding in a predetermined position receives the heated or cooled air to feel comfortable.

On the other hand, 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, there is a need for self-sterilization to be performed in at least some components of the air conditioning system.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1877373 (2018.07.05)

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the inside of an evaporator assembly in which a humid 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 following description.

An apparatus for sterilizing a vehicle according to the present invention includes an evaporator assembly for supplying low-temperature air to the interior of a vehicle by evaporating a fluid, a sterilization light supply assembly for supplying sterilization light for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly, and an operation of the sterilization light supply assembly Includes a control module to control.

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

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

The sterilizing light supply assembly further includes a guide part having one end connected to the sterilization unit and the other end connected to the evaporator assembly to supply the sterilizing light generated by the sterilization unit to the evaporator assembly, , The guide part is connected to the LED light sources and a light transmitting unit for condensing the light generated from the LED light sources, and a collection for supplying the light collected from the light transmitting unit to the inside of the evaporator assembly through one optical path includes miners.

In addition, the sterilization unit includes a first connecting portion for connecting the LED light sources and the light transmission unit, each of the LED light sources is formed to extend to one side, a hollow type having a first inner diameter and a first thickness It includes an LED light source step portion, wherein the first connecting portion is formed to extend to one side and is formed in combination with a hollow first connecting step portion having a second inner diameter and a second thickness, and the first connecting step portion, and a second connecting step having a third inner diameter and a third thickness to correspond to the step 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 peripheral surface of the first connecting step portion and the inner peripheral surface of the LED light source step portion are in contact .

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 dispersion unit formed in an inner direction of the evaporator assembly so that the sterilization light is transmitted by the dispersion unit dispersed into the evaporator assembly.

In addition, the evaporator assembly vaporizes the fluid flowing in from one side, the evaporator unit having a plurality of fins on the surface, and the evaporator unit is accommodated, the fluid inlet formed open so that the fluid flows in, and the fluid flows out and a casing including a fluid outlet formed to face the fluid inlet and open, and the dispersion 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 a center.

In addition, the dispersing unit includes a first dispersing unit formed between the fluid inlet and the evaporator unit, and a second dispersing unit formed between the fluid outlet and the evaporator unit, wherein the first dispersing unit is at the fluid inlet side is formed close to, and the second dispersing unit is formed away from the fluid outlet side.

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

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 preset normal operation time elapses.

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

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

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

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

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be embodied in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention may be partially or wholly combined or combined with each other, and as those skilled in the art will fully understand, technically various interlocking and driving are possible, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of each other, It may be possible to implement together in a related 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 provided to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is provided to more completely explain the present invention, and the details shown in the drawings may be exaggerated compared to the actual implementation of the present invention, and the detailed description of the configuration determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention is omitted or abbreviated.

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 a 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 at a required temperature to the interior space of the vehicle by flowing the air outside the vehicle to the outside and adjusting the temperature of the air.

The vehicle air conditioning system 900 includes an air conditioning system air intake unit 910 , a filter unit 920 , a vehicle sterilizer 10 , a flow path control door 940 , a heating unit 950 , and a mode selection unit. It includes a door 960 and air conditioning system air discharge units 970 and 980 .

As the external air introduced into the vehicle air conditioning system 900 through the air conditioning system air inlet 910 passes through the vehicle filter unit 920 , foreign substances and bacteria included in the external air may be physically filtered.

The air that has passed through the filter unit 920 flows by the vehicle sterilization device 10, passes through the vehicle sterilization device 10, and then selectively passes through the heating unit 950 by the flow path control door 940 or directly selects a mode. It flows through the door 960 to the air conditioning system air discharge units 970 and 980 at a preset position.

On the other hand, moisture in the air flowing in the vehicle sterilizer 10 is rapidly evaporated, and since the vehicle sterilizer 10 has high humidity, bacteria or microorganisms proliferate to generate a bad odor. In addition, there is a problem 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 apparatus 10 according to the 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 apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

2 is a view showing a vehicle sterilization apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view with some components of FIG. 2 removed, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG.

2 to 4 , the sterilization apparatus 10 for a vehicle 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 apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

The sterilization apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an evaporator assembly 100 . The evaporator assembly evaporates the fluid flowing in 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 decreases the temperature of the evaporator unit 130 through a series of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes. The 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. The evaporator unit 130 may form a plurality of fins 131 on the surface to increase the contact surface area with the air flowing therebetween. The fins 131 may be of any shape to increase the contact surface area with the flowing air.

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

The evaporator assembly 100 includes a casing 110 that houses the evaporator unit 130 . The casing 110 includes a fluid inlet 111 that is opened to allow a fluid such as air to flow in, and a fluid outlet 112 that is open to allow a fluid to flow out and is formed to face the fluid inlet 111 . The fluid that has passed through the filter unit 920 is introduced into the evaporator assembly 100 through the fluid inlet 111 . In addition, 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 and 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 To be able to flow out to the fluid outlet (112). Accordingly, the introduced fluid can be cooled for a sufficient time, and sterilization can be performed for a sufficient time by the sterilizing light to be described later.

Meanwhile, the casing 110 includes a first bent part 119 and a second bent part 120 to guide the flow of the fluid. Exemplarily, the first bent part 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 part 120 is the evaporator unit 130 . and the first space 113 formed between the fluid inlet 111 and the side. The first bent part 119 and the second bent part 120 are configured to guide the fluid in the fluid outlet 112 direction when the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet 111 moves along the wall surface of the casing 110 . play a role

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

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

2 to 8 , the sterilizing apparatus 10 for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a sterilizing light supply assembly 200 for supplying 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 , and a sixth Light source 216 , seventh light source 217 , and 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 sterilizing light may be any configuration capable of removing bacteria, microorganisms, or organic compounds that can flow 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 the 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 configuring the vehicle sterilization apparatus 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, 216 , 217 and 218 are for explaining what is shown in the figure 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 wavelength band of 320 to 400 nm, and the remaining part of the LED light sources 220 is in a wavelength band of 260 to 280 nm. It is formed with a UV-C light source to generate 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 the selective combination of UV-A light source and UV-C light source, it is possible to perform sterilization 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 such that the number of UV-C light sources is greater than the number of UV-A light sources.

Optional LED light source 220 includes a housing 221 , an LED lamp 222 , and a hollow LED light source step 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 step 223 may be formed to protrude and extend from one side of the housing 221 , and the sterilizing light generated from the LED lamp 222 may be irradiated in one direction. In addition, the LED light source 220 may be coupled to the guide unit 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 part 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 by the sterilization unit 210 to the evaporator assembly 100 . More specifically, the guide unit 230 is connected to the sterilization unit 210 through the first connecting unit 240 , and is connected to the evaporator assembly 100 and the second connecting unit 250 . Accordingly, the guide part 230 serves as an optical path through which the sterilization light moves between the sterilization unit 210 and the evaporator assembly 100 .

The guide unit 230 includes a plurality of light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 . The light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 include the first light transmitting unit 231 , the second light transmitting unit 232 , the third light transmitting unit 233 , and the fourth light transmitting unit 234 . Including, each light transmitting unit is connected to a corresponding LED light source. Exemplarily, one end of the first light transmitting unit 231 is connected to the first LED light source 211 , and one end of the second light transmitting unit 232 is connected to the second LED light source 212 , and the third One end of the light transmitting unit 233 is connected to the third LED light source 213 , and one end of the fourth light transmitting unit 234 is connected to the fourth LED light source 214 . Alternatively, one end of the first light transmitting unit 231 is connected to the fifth LED light source 215 , and one end of the second light transmitting unit 232 is connected to the sixth LED light source 216 , and the third light transmitting unit is connected to the second light transmitting unit 232 . One end of the unit 233 is connected to the seventh LED light source 217 , and one end of the fourth light transmitting unit 234 is connected to the eighth LED light source 218 . Each of the light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 receives and transmits the sterilizing light generated by the connected LED light sources 211 , 212 , 213 and 214 therein. In the drawings referenced together with the present invention, two guide units 230 are formed, and the first to fourth light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 and 234 of one guide unit each have a first LED light source. to the fourth LED light sources 211 , 212 , 213 , and 214 , and the first to fourth light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 of the other guide unit include the fifth LED light sources, respectively. Although illustrated as being connected to the to eighth LED light sources 215 , 216 , 217 and 218 , it is not necessarily limited to such a coupling relationship.

Meanwhile, each end of the light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 is gathered to form a light collecting unit 235 having one optical path. The light collecting unit 235 receives the light transmitted from the light transmitting 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 transmitting unit 231, 232, 233, 234 through the light collecting unit 235, the sterilizing light generated by the plurality of LED light sources 211, 212, 213, 214 is mixed, A high intensity sterilizing light may be provided inside the evaporator assembly 100 .

The inside of the light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 and the light collecting unit 235 is made of silica (silica) to prevent the sterilizing light generated from the LED light sources 211 , 212 , 213 and 214 from being lost and transmitted. ) can be formed of optical fibers. Through the configuration of the guide part 230 made of silica optical fiber, the sterilizing light passing through the inside of the guide part 230 is totally reflected, and the loss is minimized without leaking out of the guide part 230 to the inside of the evaporator assembly 100 . can be investigated with

Hereinafter, it will be described that the LED light source 220 and the guide part 230 are connected through the first connecting part 240 .

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 is formed to extend to one side of the housing 221 and is a hollow LED light source step 223 having a first inner diameter d1 and a first thickness t1 . ) is included. Meanwhile, the first connecting unit 240 includes a light transmitting unit connecting unit 241 connected to at least one of the light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 , and an LED light source connecting unit connected to the LED light source step 223 . (242). In addition, the LED light source connection part 242 is a hollow first connecting step portion 243 having a second inner diameter (d2) and a second thickness (t2), and the first connecting step portion 243 is coupled and formed. , and a second connecting step 244 having a third inner diameter d3 and a third thickness to correspond to the LED light source step 223 . In this case, the length of the first connecting step portion 243 may be formed longer than the length of the second connecting step portion 244 . That is, the LED light source connecting unit 242 of the first connecting unit 240 is connected to the LED light source step 223 of the LED light source 220 , and the light transmitting unit connecting unit 241 of the first connecting unit 240 is connected to the It is connected to the light transmitting units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 of the guide unit 230 to transmit the sterilizing light to the guide unit 230 .

On the other hand, 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 portion 240 are identically formed to form the first connecting portion The outer peripheral surface of the stepped portion 243 and the inner peripheral surface of the LED light source stepped portion 223 may contact each other. Meanwhile, the first thickness t1 of the LED light source step 223 and the third thickness t3 of the second connecting step 244 may 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 part 240 and the LED light source 220 may be coupled without a gap. Since the first connecting unit 240 and the LED light source 220 are coupled without a gap, the sterilizing light generated from the LED light source 220 does not flow out through the connection portion between the first connecting unit 240 and the LED light source 220 . It can be transferred to the guide part 230 while minimizing the loss without it, and there is an advantage of maximizing the sterilization efficiency.

In addition, the light transmitting part connection part 241 has a fourth inner diameter d4, and the fourth inner diameter d4 is formed to correspond to the diameters of the light transmitting parts 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 . The fourth inner diameter d4 is formed to correspond to the diameters of the light transmission units 231 , 232 , 233 , and 234 , so that between the first connecting unit 240 and the light transmission unit 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 . There is an advantage in that the leakage of the sterilization light is minimized and the sterilization efficiency is maximized.

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

The guide part 230 supplies the 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 in one surface 115 of the casing 110 to connect the second connecting part 250 to each other. In this case, 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. . Also, the second connecting part 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 necessary area inside the evaporator assembly 100 .

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

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

Also, illustratively, the first dispersing unit 301 is formed close to the fluid inlet 111 side in the first space 113 , and the second dispersing unit 302 is formed at the fluid outlet ( 112) is formed on the far side. Since the first dispersion unit 301 is formed near 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 , it is possible to sterilize the fluid remaining in the second space 114 before flowing out through the fluid inlet 112 in a wide range. There is this.

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

The sterilization apparatus 10 for a vehicle 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 sterilizing light supply assembly 200 , and by supplying power to the LED light sources 220 of the sterilizing light supply assembly 200 , the LED light sources 220 are sterilized 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 . For example, when it is sensed 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 sterilizing light of relatively strong intensity is generated by 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 the UV-C light. The amount of power supplied is increased. As such, by increasing the amount of power supplied to the UV-C LED light sources as the degree of contamination increases, sterilizing light with a stronger intensity than when the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 is low is irradiated to the inside of the evaporator assembly 100. . Accordingly, it is possible to quickly reduce the degree of pollution inside the evaporator assembly 100 and improve the air quality inside the vehicle.

11 is a view for explaining a 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 the step S120 of determining whether the degree of contamination in the evaporator assembly 100 has increased. For example, whether the degree of pollution in the evaporator assembly 100 has increased is determined based on whether a preset normal operation time has elapsed. When it is determined that the degree of contamination in the evaporator assembly 100 has increased based on the preset normal operating time, an enhanced sterilization operation ( S130 ) is performed. In the enhanced sterilization operation (S130), the control module 400 controls the sterilizing 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. As such, by controlling to increase the sterilization power when it is determined that the degree of contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 is increased, contamination inside the evaporator assembly 100 can be quickly improved, and there is an advantage of preventing unnecessary power wastage. . In addition, there is an advantage of being able to maintain hygiene for a long time without disassembling the vehicle air conditioning system through regular reinforced sterilization operation.

On the other hand, the above operation may be implemented in a way of adjusting the intensity of the sterilizing light by controlling the UV-A light source and the UV-C light source to selectively turn on and off. For example, in the enhanced sterilization operation ( S130 ), the control module 400 may control to operate a relatively larger number of UV-C light sources than in the normal sterilization operation ( S110 ). Therefore, the sterilization light having the 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 illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

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

10: vehicle sterilizer
100: evaporator assembly 200: sterilizing light supply assembly
300: distributed unit 400: control module

Claims (14)

an evaporator assembly for supplying low-temperature air to the interior of the vehicle by evaporating the fluid;
a sterilizing light supply assembly for supplying sterilizing light for sterilizing the inside of the evaporator assembly; and
and a control module for controlling an operation of the sterilizing light supply assembly.
The method according to claim 1,
The sterilizing light supply assembly,
a sterilization unit for generating the sterilization light supplied to the inside of the evaporator assembly;
The sterilization unit includes a plurality of LED light sources, at least some of the plurality of LED light sources are UV-A light sources for generating light in the UV-A wavelength region, and the other part of the plurality of LED light sources is UV-A A vehicle sterilization device, characterized in that it is a UV-C light source that generates light in the C wavelength region.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The number of UV-C light sources is greater than the number of UV-A light sources.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The sterilizing light supply assembly,
a guide part having one end connected to the sterilization unit and the other end connected to the evaporator assembly to supply the sterilization light generated by the sterilization unit to the evaporator assembly;
The guide part is connected to the LED light sources and includes a light transmitting unit for condensing the light generated from the LED light sources, and a light collecting unit for supplying the light collected from the light transmitting unit to the inside of the evaporator assembly through one optical path. A vehicle sterilization device comprising a.
5. The method according to claim 4,
The sterilization unit includes a first connecting unit for connecting the LED light sources and the light transmitting unit,
Each of the LED light sources,
It includes; a hollow LED light source step portion extending to one side and having a first inner diameter and a first thickness;
The first connecting part,
a first hollow connecting step portion extending to one side and having a second inner diameter and a second thickness; and
and a second connecting step formed in combination with the first connecting step, the second connecting step having a third inner diameter and a third thickness to correspond to the step of the LED light source.
6. 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 peripheral surface of the first connecting step portion and the inner peripheral surface of the LED light source step portion are in contact A vehicle sterilization device.
5. The method according to claim 4,
The sterilization unit includes a second connecting part for connecting the evaporator assembly and the light collecting part,
The second connecting portion is connected to a dispersing unit formed in an inner direction of the evaporator assembly, and the sterilizing light is dispersed into the evaporator assembly by the dispersing unit.
8. The method of claim 7,
The evaporator assembly comprises:
Evaporating the fluid flowing in from one side, the evaporator unit having a plurality of fins on the surface; and
A casing that accommodates the evaporator unit and includes a fluid inlet that is opened to allow the fluid to flow in, and a fluid outlet that is open to face the fluid inlet so that the fluid is discharged.
The dispersing unit is a vehicle sterilization apparatus, characterized in that formed on one surface of the casing in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the fluid.
9. The method of claim 8,
The dispersing unit is formed in plurality, and is formed to face the evaporator unit as a center.
8. The method of claim 7,
the dispersing unit comprises a first dispersing unit formed between the fluid inlet and the evaporator unit, and a second dispersing unit formed between the fluid outlet and the evaporator unit;
The first dispersing unit is formed close to the fluid inlet side, and the second dispersing unit is formed farther to the fluid outlet side.
9. The method of claim 8,
The casing is
The sterilization apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a first bent portion formed on a side surface on which the dispersion unit is formed; and a second bent portion formed on a side surface opposite to the first bent portion to guide the flow of the fluid.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The control module is a vehicle sterilization apparatus, characterized in that for adjusting the amount of power supplied to the LED light sources according to the state of the evaporator assembly.
13. The method of claim 12,
The control module is
When a preset normal operation time has elapsed, the sterilization apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in that the control is controlled 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.
13. The method of claim 12,
The control module is
When a preset normal operation time elapses, the vehicle sterilization apparatus, characterized in that the control is increased to increase the number of the UV-C light source that operates for a predetermined time.

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