WO2004062700A1

WO2004062700A1 - Arrangement for conditioning air

Info

Publication number: WO2004062700A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/008692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinz Reinhardt; Richard Borris; Christopher Klatt; Jürgen GÜNTHER
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg Kg
Priority date: 2003-01-15
Filing date: 2003-08-06
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Also published as: CN1729023A; DE10301214B3; CN1330383C; KR20050099973A; KR100678816B1; AU2003255381A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for conditioning air which is to be introduced into a space, especially the interior space of a motor vehicle, said arrangement comprising devices (4, 4a, 4b) for purifying the air to be conditioned in an optionally multi-stage purification process, and devices (7, 8) for producing and/or supplying the neutral air thus obtained with substances having an olfactive action. According to the invention, the arrangement is provided with an air speed sensor (6) for determining the respective actual air volume flow rate, and means for controlling the quantity of olfactive substances to be dosed, according to the output signal of the air speed sensor (6).

Description

Arrangement for the treatment of air

description

Technical field

The invention relates to an arrangement for processing the air to be supplied to a room, in particular the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, which includes devices for cleaning the raw air to be processed in a possibly multi-stage cleaning process, as well as devices for generating and / or loading the neutral air thus obtained with olfactory substances ,

State of the art

DE 100 27 428 A1 discloses an arrangement for scenting rooms, such as sales, hotel, clinic or lounge rooms, but also interiors of motor vehicles, which in particular is a suitable means for the targeted and precise, pulse-wise metering of predetermined amounts of fragrance concerns. The metering should be microprocessor-controlled, the time and intensity of the fragrance should be freely programmable. DE 100 27 428 A1 also proposes to neutralize the air to be scented by means of a suitable, possibly multi-stage, cleaning process before the scenting, since the scenting of odor-contaminated air should lead to unsatisfactory results. Such a multi-stage cleaning process can measured the steps of the document: removal of the raw air to be cleaned from particles, ozonization, passing the air thus pre-cleaned over a sorption catalyst to remove odor-causing gases and vapors, but also bacteria and germs, and destruction of excess ozone.

A disadvantage of the known arrangement is that the fragrances are added in high-precision doses, the total concentration being able to be varied over a wide range by the pulsed addition, but on the other hand the microprocessor-controlled fragrance process is preprogrammed and thus actual changes in the Pressure conditions in the air duct system or in the passenger compartment, which can affect the concentration of the metered substances, are not taken into account.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to develop an arrangement of the type described at the outset in such a way that the control of the metering in of olfactory substances reacts quickly and flexibly to current changes in the conditions in the room to be scented or in the air duct system and is thus adapted to the current load situation.

This object is achieved with an arrangement with all the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention, in the case of an arrangement for processing the air to be supplied to a room, in particular the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, there are devices for cleaning the raw air to be processed in a possibly multi-stage cleaning process, as well as devices for generating and / or applying the olfactory substances to the neutral air thus obtained, it is provided that the current air volume flow is detected by means of an air speed sensor and the amount of olfactory substances to be metered in as a function of the output signal of this air speed sensor to control.

It has been shown that the air volume flow supplied to a room, for example the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, is subject to considerable fluctuations even when conveyed by means of a fan and even at constant fan speed. These fluctuations are obviously due to changes in the air resistance in the air lines of the air duct system which connect the above devices or the corresponding air inlet and air outlet openings. These changes in air resistance can be caused, for example, by changes in the fan flap positions or, in the case of motor vehicles, by changing the driving speed, switching from fresh air mode to recirculating air mode and the like, in particular also by opening windows and / or sunroofs. Such fluctuations in the air volume flow, if they are not taken into account when measuring fragrances, lead to an incorrect dosage.

The present invention overcomes these problems in a simple manner by adapting the amount to be metered in to the current air volume flow.

The air speed sensor can be arranged anywhere in the air guidance system, as long as it is ensured that the output signal is in a reproducible relationship with the air volume flowing past. The air speed sensor, for example the way, as will be described further below, can comprise a measuring wire arrangement, used downstream of the particle filter which is usually present in systems for indoor air conditioning. Such particle filters are usually part of the air inlet filter system in addition to an activated carbon filter, through which particles, dust, gases and vapors are filtered out of the untreated air flowing in through the air inlet opening. The arrangement of the air speed sensor downstream of the particle filter enables the degree of clogging of the filter to be monitored in a simple manner, for example by comparing the current output signal of the air speed sensor with the reference air speed of an unloaded filter. The resulting signal can be sent to a service computer and displayed accordingly. If a limit value is exceeded, the necessary filter change can be displayed. The filter monitoring ensures that the filter clogging is noticed in good time. As a result, the particle filter can have a smaller size, and reserves that are still customary when designing the filter are no longer required.

Also known are so-called combination filters, which essentially consist of a particle filter combined with an activated carbon filter. This can be done, for example, by an activated carbon layer on a conventional particle filter made of a filter material, e.g. B. nonwoven fabric can be realized. It is obvious that the air speed sensor is also arranged downstream of the filter with such a combination filter.

Filter monitoring by means of an air speed sensor is known per se, for example from EP 0 847 787 A1. However, the simultaneous control of the addition of olfactory substances on the basis of the output signal of the air speed sensor is not known. The olfactory substances can be brought into a carrier volume flow, for example by spraying, vaporization, evaporation or the like. The addition via a partial volume flow is also conceivable. Such methods and corresponding facilities are known. According to the invention, the quantities to be added are controlled, for example the length or number of the spray pulses or the temperature in the case of vaporization, depending on the output signal of an air speed sensor arranged in the air guidance system. In recirculation mode, it may be appropriate in individual cases to reduce the amount of fragrance to be metered in, determined by the air speed sensor, by a correction amount in order to prevent a continuous accumulation of fragrances in the room to be scented. Such an individual case can e.g. B. are present when no filtering takes place in air recirculation mode.

Air speed sensors are known and described in the literature. Their mode of operation is usually based on the change in the electrical resistance of a measuring wire or a group of measuring wires due to the air flowing past. The present invention places no restrictions on the selection of a suitable air speed sensor.

In the presence of a fan for conveying the air, the output signal of the air speed sensor can additionally be used to compensate to a certain extent for the decrease in the air volume flow associated with increasing clogging of the particle filter by regulating the fan voltage. In the same way, the signal can be used to also compensate for changes in the total flow resistance, for example caused by changes in the flaps of the outflows or the dynamic pressure flap. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the olfactory substances comprise ions and / or ozone. It is known that ions or ozone added in small quantities create the impression of fresh air. An arrangement according to the invention can therefore also have corresponding ionization or ozonization devices, the amount of ions and / or ozone to be added being controlled according to the invention via the air speed sensor. In the literature, the air-cleaning effect of ozone or ions due to the oxidation of pollutants is often described. However, this effect is controversial. However, the present invention does not rule out the additional use of corresponding ionization or ozonization devices.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an air quality sensor is provided for determining the pollutant concentration in the raw air supplied from the outside. Such an air quality sensor has the advantage that the intensity of the pollutant removal can be adapted to the amount of pollutant actually present. This also has a positive effect on the subsequent air treatment by adding substances with an olfactory effect, since fragrance is preferably heard from neutral air. The addition of fragrances to air still contaminated with other odors is generally perceived as unpleasant.

Air quality sensors are known. Their mode of action is generally also based essentially on the change in a measuring resistor when oxidizable or reducible air pollutants strike. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of any particular type of air quality sensor.

The air quality sensor can also be used to the extent that recirculation mode is provided, as is the case, for example, in motor vehicles is to switch over to the recirculation mode by controlling the air recirculation flap in order to protect the vehicle occupants in the event of high pollutant pollution from the outside air supplied. Switching to air recirculation mode has the further advantage in terms of filter technology that the loading of the air inlet filter, which is often arranged behind the air recirculation flap, is also reduced. This allows the amount of adsorbent material, e.g. B. the activated carbon, be kept lower in the adsorption filter, resulting in a lower flow resistance. Overall, the component size can be reduced. When using filters of conventional size and with usual amounts of activated carbon, their service life is extended accordingly.

It can also be advantageous to provide an air quality sensor for the interior to be scented, since the interior air can also be heavily contaminated, for example by cigarette smoke or by new vehicle emissions. For example, the output signal of the indoor air quality sensor can be used to control the fan voltage in such a way that when the indoor air is loaded with pollutants, the fan voltage and thus the fan speed increase and the air exchange is accelerated. As with the outdoor air quality sensor, the higher intensity of air purification also has a positive effect on the fragrance in this case.

If there is an inside and outside air quality sensor, the recirculation flap position can be controlled, for example, by comparing the output signals of the inside and outside air quality sensor. This can be done in such a way that the fresh air is switched to recirculation mode when there is a higher level of pollutants in the fresh air. On the other hand, if the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle increases, for example due to cigarette smoke, to such an extent that the outside air pollution is less than the inside air pollution, the system switches back to fresh air. Depending on the application, it can be advantageous to design the arrangement according to the invention as a module, which can be used in a simple manner in an already existing air conditioning and heating system, e.g. B. can be inserted.

The arrangement according to the invention can, however, also be used as a “stand-alone” solution for cleaning and treating the air in interiors with high interior-specific pollution, for example from cigarette smoke, etc., for example in the passenger compartments of an open-air taxi. In this application, the interior air is used cleaned and treated by the module inserted in the passenger compartment in the manner of a recirculation mode.

However, the arrangement according to the invention can also be implemented in such a way that its components are not arranged as a compact module, but rather individually at predetermined points in an air conditioning and heating system. All components are expediently connected to the air conditioning electronics centrally.

The arrangement according to the invention can generally be used for cleaning and treating the air to be supplied to any interior. It is particularly suitable for use in motor vehicles.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Show it:

Figure 1: a schematic representation of the formation of an arrangement according to the invention as a module that can be inserted into an air conditioning system;

Figure 2: a schematic representation of an air conditioning system with inserted module according to FIG. 1; Figure 3: a schematic representation of the formation of an arrangement according to the invention as a "stand-alone"module;

Figure 4: an arrangement according to the invention, which is integrated in an air conditioning system;

Figure 5: a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention, which is integrated in an air conditioning system;

An arrangement according to the invention, which is designed as module 1, can be seen in FIG. The module 1 comprises a housing 2, which can be designed, for example, as an injection molding receiving frame, with an air inlet opening 2a and an air outlet opening 2b. An air quality sensor 3 and an air inlet filter system 4 with a combination filter are arranged in the housing 2 in the direction of flow. The air inlet filter system 4 is sealed off from the wall of the housing 2 by means of a sealing element 5. According to the invention, an air speed sensor 6 is arranged immediately downstream of the air inlet filter device 4. The air speed sensor 6 is used to determine the current air volume flow and thereby not only enables a largely precise determination of the amount of substances to be metered in, but also also provides information regarding the filter loading or depletion. Furthermore, an ionization and / or ozonization device 7 and a scenting device 8 are arranged downstream of the air inlet filter system 4. There is a central electronic interface with connector 9 on the outer wall of the housing 2.

The air entering the module 1 through the air inlet opening 2a passes the air quality sensor 3. The output signal of the air quality sensor 3 is sent via the central interface 9 of the climate electronics not shown in this figure supplied and processed there and converted into control signals, for example for the control of the air flap, also not shown.

However, air quality sensors are also known which comprise a unit for processing and converting the input signal into a control signal. Such air quality sensors directly deliver a control signal as an output signal.

The air flow continues to pass through the air inlet filter system 4. In the air inlet filter system 4, particles and gaseous pollutants and odors are filtered out of the untreated air. On the outflow side of the air inlet filter system 4, the cleaned air flow passes the air speed sensor 6. The signal from the air speed sensor 6 is also fed to the air conditioning electronics, which generate the signal for generating or metering in an amount of ions and / or ozone adapted to the current air volume flow or for scenting outputs to the ionization and / or ozonization device 7 or the scenting device 8.

The air conditioning electronics continue to determine the filter assignment from the signal of the air speed sensor 6. For example, this occurs regularly every time the engine is started, referencing a value that was recorded directly after the filter change. Depending on the extent of the filter occupancy, an indication for a necessary filter change or, if the occupancy is still low, the fan voltage can be increased to maintain a predetermined air volume flow.

The air conditioned as described above finally exits the module 1 through the air outlet opening 2b.

In the following figures, the reference numbers for the same components have been retained. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the module 1 from FIG. 1 in an air conditioning system 10, for example a motor vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment shown, module 1 is in the air conditioning system without restricting generality

10 insertable. A fan can be seen on the inflow side of module 1

11 for conveying the air in the air conditioning system 10. The evaporator 12 of the air conditioning system is located on the downstream side of the module 1. The amount of ions and / or ozone emerging from the module 1 can be such that, in addition to the scenting, it is also sufficient to free the evaporator 12 from germs and fungi. The connection of module 1 to air conditioning electronics 14 takes place via the central electronic interface with connector 9. In the air conditioning electronics 14, the sensor data are received, evaluated and, if necessary, processed. In the climate electronics 14, for example, the current air volume flow is determined from the sensor signals and the resulting generation and metering rates for the ions, the ozone or possibly used fragrances are determined. Likewise, the air conditioning electronics 14 control the air recirculation flap position on the basis of the signals from the air quality sensor 3 and a possible filter change display, etc. In addition, the air conditioning electronics 14 are also responsible for the control and regulation of all other processes that normally take place in an air conditioning system 10.

3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the arrangement according to the invention is designed as a “stand-alone” module, which is preferably used for air purification in an interior with an interior-specific pollutant load, for example in the passenger compartment of a large-capacity taxi. Indoor air contaminated with pollutants, for example cigarette smoke, passes through the air quality sensor 3, the particle filter 4a and the activated carbon filter 4b and is there there from particles, dusts, and odor-carrying gases and steaming adjusted. The air speed sensor 6 arranged downstream of the air inlet filter system 4 generates a signal which is dependent on the air volume flow flowing past and is fed to a control unit (not shown in the figure). The scenting device 8 and the ionization device 7 are controlled from there. The air charged with ions and fragrances in olfactory effective quantities finally exits the module through the air outlet opening 2b. A fan 11 ensures air delivery in the module. The fan 11 is controlled in accordance with the output signal of the indoor air quality sensor. If a high level of pollutants is detected, the air circulation through the air cleaning and treatment module and thus the intensity of the air cleaning is increased via the fan voltage. Scenting expediently only takes place when the output signal of the air quality sensor and thus the pollutant load has fallen below a predetermined threshold value. The latter generally applies to all arrangements according to the invention with an inside and / or outside air quality sensor.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of preferred embodiments for arrangements according to the invention integrated in an air conditioner 10. The air flowing in through an air inlet opening 10a of the air conditioning device 10 passes through an air quality sensor 3a, which controls the position of the air flap, not shown. In the air inlet filter 4 with the particle filter 4a and the activated carbon filter 4b, the air is cleaned of dust, particles and gaseous, possibly odorous air constituents. The neutral air cleaned in this way passes the evaporator 12 of the air conditioning system and finally arrives at a scenting and ionizing device. Depending on the output signal of an air velocity sensor 6 arranged downstream of the air inlet filter 4, measured quantities of fragrances and ions are metered in there. The air cleaned and treated in this way finally reaches the passenger compartment 20 through the air outlet opening 10b. Air which is not shown in the figure can be used to convey air Fan be provided. Without restricting the generality, a further air quality sensor 3b is provided, specifically in the passenger compartment 20. This has the task of detecting the air quality in the passenger compartment 20 and comparing it, for example in recirculation mode, with the pollution of the fresh air from the outside. If the internal load is greater than the outside air load, the recirculation damper is switched to outside air.

The arrangement in FIG. 5 differs from that in FIG. 4 essentially in that an ozonization device 7 for evaporator disinfection is provided on the inflow side of the evaporator 12 in a manner known per se. In order to remove any excess ozone that may be present, the activated carbon filter 4b is also located downstream of the evaporator 12.

As an alternative to the fully automatic control of the addition of olfactory substances, it is also possible to provide for manual actuation of the metering, but the quantity unit added per triggering of an actuating device can be set as a function of the output signal of the air speed sensor. This has the advantage that there is a pre-setting of the concentration dependent on the air volume, but on the other hand it can be added individually.

The embodiments shown above show possible exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, the present invention is by no means limited to these examples. A large variety is possible, in particular with regard to the combination and arrangement of the devices for cleaning and treating the air. Other components for air treatment and air purification not mentioned here can also be added. It is easy to find the optimal solution for your needs.

Claims

claims

1. Arrangement for processing the air to be supplied to a room, in particular the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, comprising devices for cleaning the untreated air to be processed in a possibly multi-stage cleaning process, as well as devices for generating and / or loading the neutral air thus obtained with olfactory substances, characterized that an air speed sensor (6) for determining the current air volume flow and means for controlling the amount of olfactory substances to be metered in depending on the output signal of the air speed sensor (6) are provided.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a particle filter (4a) and that the air speed sensor (6) is designed and arranged such that its output signal can also be used to determine the degree of occupancy of the particle filter (4a).

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the air speed sensor (6) downstream of the particle filter (4a) arranged measuring wires made of electrical resistance material.

4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a fan (11) and that the output signal of the air speed sensor (6) can be used to control the fan voltage.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an activated carbon filter (4b) and / or the particle filter is designed as a combination filter (4).

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the devices for generating and / or loading the neutral air with olfactory substances include devices (7) for generating ions and / or ozone.

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the devices for generating and / or loading the neutral air with olfactory substances include devices (8) for producing and / or metering in fragrances and / or fragrance-carrying substances.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an air quality sensor (3a) is provided for determining the pollutant concentration of the raw air supplied from the outside.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an air quality sensor (3b) is provided for determining the pollutant concentration in the interior.

10. The arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a recirculation flap is provided and that the recirculation flap position can be controlled by means of the output signal of the outside (3a) and / or inside air quality sensor (3b).

11. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises an ozonization and / or ionization device for evaporative disinfection.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that an ozone filter is connected downstream of the ozonization and / or ionization device for evaporator disinfection.

13. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is designed as a module (1) which can be inserted into the air conditioning unit (10).

14. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is integrated in an air conditioning system (10).