Device and Method for Cleaning Air

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for cleaning air, which may include: an air conditioning device; an input unit that receives an air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device; and a controller that performs air cleaning control according to the air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device, regardless of the on / off state of the air conditioning device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for cleaning air, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for cleaning air that can clean the air in a vehicle even when an air conditioning device is in a closed state. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] To ventilate the interior of a vehicle, a driver directly opens a window, a door, etc. However, it is difficult to open a window, a door, etc. on a rainy day, and the outside air is contaminated with particulate matter and various pollutants. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a ventilation effect due to the inflow of particulate matter and pollutants into the vehicle interior.

[0004] On the other hand, a vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning device for maintaining comfort in the vehicle interior, and the interior of the vehicle is ventilated by using the air conditioning device. However, the ventilation of the vehicle interior using the air conditioning device is performed by the operation of a driver or a passenger. Therefore, the ventilation of the vehicle interior is not performed until a driver or a passenger recognizes the contamination of the vehicle interior, and thus there is a problem in that it is difficult to actively cope with an increase in the air pollution concentration in the vehicle interior.

[0005] To solve such a problem, a technology for automatically controlling an air conditioning device using a sensor has been disclosed. However, in this case, there is a problem in that the ventilation of the vehicle interior using the air conditioning device can be performed only when the air conditioning device is in an open state.

[0006] In addition, since only the air conditioning device is used, there is a problem in that when a window, a sunroof, etc. are opened, external pollutants may flow into the vehicle interior.

[0007] In addition, it is necessary to sequentially perform vehicle interior and exterior air control, blower control, and air conditioning control, which causes a problem of deteriorated fuel efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure is proposed to solve the problems pointed out in the background art, and an object thereof is to provide an apparatus and method for cleaning air that can clean the air in a vehicle even when an air conditioning device is in a closed state.

[0009] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus and method for cleaning air that can clean the air in a vehicle by linking an apparatus for cleaning air with a window, a sunroof, etc.

[0010] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus and method for cleaning air, which can improve fuel efficiency by selectively performing indoor and outdoor air control, blower control, air conditioning control, etc. according to the pollutant concentration of the air inside the vehicle.

[0011] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for cleaning air capable of cleaning the air in a vehicle even in a state where an air conditioning device is turned off.

[0012] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for cleaning air, the apparatus comprising: an air conditioning device; an input unit receiving an air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device; and a controller performing air cleaning control according to the air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device regardless of opening / closing the air conditioning device.

[0013] The controller may release the air cleaning control by being linked to whether the opening and closing device is opened / closed.

[0014] When the air cleaning command is input, the opening and closing device may be closed, and if the opening and closing device is not closed, the air cleaning control may be released after a preset waiting time has passed.

[0015] The apparatus for cleaning air may further include: a sensor to measure the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle.

[0016] In-vehicle and out-vehicle air control and blower control may be performed, and the in-vehicle and out-vehicle air control and blower control may perform an outside air mode for flowing in and circulating the air outside the vehicle or an inside air mode for circulating only the air inside the vehicle according to the pollutant concentration by using an air conditioning device.

[0017] When the pollutant concentration reaches a preset reference value, air-conditioning on control may be performed, which turns on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device.

[0018] If the sensor detects moisture on the window surface of the vehicle, air-conditioner-on control may be performed, which turns on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device.

[0019] Pollutant concentrations can be converted into levels.

[0020] Pollutant concentrations can be converted into concentration levels.

[0021] The apparatus for cleaning air may further include: an output unit to output the pollutant concentration.

[0022] In certain forms of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning air includes: receiving, via an input unit, an air cleaning command for operating an air conditioning device; and performing, via a controller, air cleaning control according to the air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device, regardless of the on / off state of the air conditioning device.

[0023] The method for cleaning air may further include: measuring, via a sensor, the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle.

[0024] In certain forms of the present disclosure, the air cleaning function may be performed by user selection even when the air conditioning device is off.

[0025] Additionally, in certain forms of the present disclosure, a device for cleaning air is linked to the open / closed state of the vehicle windows and sunroof to perform the air cleaning function, thereby enabling effective air cleaning.

[0026] Furthermore, in certain forms of the present disclosure, vehicle interior and exterior air control, blower control, and air conditioning control are performed stepwise and selectively according to the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle, thereby improving fuel efficiency.

[0027] Based on the description provided herein, other application areas will become apparent. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] To fully understand the present disclosure, various forms of the present disclosure given by way of example will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 is a configuration block diagram of a device for cleaning air in one form of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a detailed configuration block diagram of the controller shown.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram for describing the decontamination logic according to the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle in one form of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process of controlling air cleaning in one form of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 5 is showing Figure 4 a flowchart of the process of controlling the opening / closing of the vehicle windows and sunroof shown.

[0034] Figure 6 is showing Figure 4The flowchart of the process for controlling an air conditioner as shown.

[0035] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a flowchart showing Figure 4 the process for controlling a blower and an air conditioner as shown.

[0036] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the present disclosure are within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations will not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0037] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals represent the same or corresponding components and features.

[0038] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same components. The terms "first", "second", etc. used in the specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be construed as being limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0039] For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the "first" component may be named the "second" component, and the "second" component may also be similarly named the "first" component. The term "and / or" includes combinations of multiple items or any one of the multiple items.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, it will be understood that all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used in the specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0041] It must be understood that terms commonly used and defined in a dictionary have the same meaning as in the context of the relevant art and should not be ideally or overly formally defined unless the context in the specification clearly dictates otherwise.

[0042] Next, an apparatus and method for cleaning air in one form of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of an apparatus 100 for cleaning air in certain forms of the present disclosure. Refer to Figure 1, the apparatus 100 for cleaning air may be configured to include: a controller 110 that performs air cleaning control; an input unit 120 that receives an air cleaning command for performing air cleaning control; an output unit 140 that provides information to a user; an air conditioning device 150 that operates according to the air cleaning control; and so on. Additionally, the apparatus 100 for cleaning air may be configured to include a sensor 130 for measuring the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle and an opening / closing device 160 for the entry / exit and ventilation of the user.

[0044] The controller 110 is connected to components constituting the vehicle to perform control and send and receive data and signals. In particular, when the controller 110 receives, through the input unit 120, an air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device 150, the controller 110 performs air cleaning control to operate the air conditioning device 150 regardless of the on / off state of the air conditioning device 150.

[0045] The input unit 120 is used to receive user commands. At this time, the commands may be operation, voice, touch, etc. Therefore, the input unit 120 may be an operation button key, a touch screen, a microphone, and combinations thereof.

[0046] The sensor 130 performs the function of measuring the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle. Therefore, the sensor 130 may be a particulate matter sensor that can measure the concentration of particulate matter inside the vehicle, a carbon dioxide sensor that detects the carbon dioxide concentration, a humidity sensor that detects the humidity, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature, an automatic defogging sensor (ADS) that detects moisture on the window surface, etc. Alternatively, the sensor 130 may be configured as a combination of the above sensors.

[0047] The output unit 140 provides the level of pollutants inside the vehicle, a user information screen, a menu screen, etc. To provide such information, the output unit 140 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a touch screen, a flexible display, a head-up display (HUD), a speaker, etc., and combinations thereof. Therefore, information may be provided through voice, graphics, and combinations thereof.

[0048] The air conditioning device 150 is provided with an intake door 151 that is used to select external air and internal air flowing into a duct (not shown). By opening / closing, through the intake door 151, the inlets (not shown) of the duct for outside air and inside air, the outside air mode and the inside air mode can be selectively switched, and in the outside air mode, the air outside the vehicle flows into the vehicle interior through a blower 152 and circulates. On the other hand, in the inside air mode, the inflow of outside air is blocked, and only the air inside the vehicle is circulated through the blower 152.

[0049] In addition, the air conditioning device 150 is provided with an air filter 153, which is used to remove foreign matters in the air inside the pipe for air inflow. The air filter 153 filters foreign matters such as particulate matters in the air flowing through or flowing into the pipe when the blower 152 is operated and allows them to pass through.

[0050] The opening and closing device 160 includes a sunroof 161, a window 162 of a vehicle door, etc. Generally, the sunroof (not shown) is connected to a motor through a cable (not shown). Therefore, through the forward rotation or reverse rotation of the motor, the sunroof linearly moves along a track (not shown). This linear movement makes the sunroof in a "closed" or "open" state. The window 162 also has a structure similar to that of the sunroof 161.

[0051] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 The detailed configuration block diagram of the controller 110 shown. Refer to Figure 2 As shown, the controller 110 is configured to include: an acquisition module 210 that acquires and processes an air cleaning command, pollutant concentration information, etc.; a judgment module 220 that evaluates the air quality level based on the pollutant concentration information and judges whether to operate the air conditioning device according to the evaluated level; a control module 230 that executes air cleaning control according to the judgment result; and so on.

[0052] Figure 2 The term "module" shown in [reference] refers to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware can be implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a microprocessor, other electronic units, or a combination thereof, all of which are designed to execute the above functions. The software can be implemented as a module that executes the above functions. The software can be stored in a storage unit and executed by a processor. The memory unit or the processor can adopt various units known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] Figure 3 It is a diagram of the decontamination logic according to the pollutant concentration inside the vehicle for describing a form of the present disclosure. Refer to Figure 3, the decontamination logic includes vehicle interior and exterior air control 310 and blower control 320. The vehicle interior and exterior air control 310 switches between the outside air mode (FRE: outside air recirculation (FREeze)) and the inside air mode (REC: inside air recirculation (RECirculation)) according to the pollutant concentration. The outside air mode (FRE) is the previous state, and the air outside the vehicle flows into the vehicle interior through the blower 152 and circulates. In the inside air mode (REC), the inflow of outside air is blocked, and only the air inside the vehicle is circulated through the blower 152.

[0054] In other words, the inside air is switched according to the pollutant concentration inside the vehicle, and the voltage of the blower 152 increases.

[0055] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process of controlling air cleaning in one form of the present disclosure. Refer to Figure 4 , when the power of the vehicle is turned on, the controller 110 ( Figure 1 ) is in the on state, and the sensor is in the off state (step S410). Thereafter, the user inputs an air cleaning command to operate the air conditioning device 150 ( Figure 1 ) (step S420).

[0056] When the air cleaning command is input, the controller 110 determines whether the air conditioning device 150 is in the on state (step S430).

[0057] According to the determination result in step S430, when the air conditioning device is in the on state, the output unit 140 outputs that the concentration display and the air cleaning indicator are on (step S440). Similarly, even when the air conditioning device is in the off state, the output unit 140 also outputs that the concentration display and the air cleaning indicator are on (step S450). In other words, this means that air cleaning control is performed regardless of whether the air conditioning device is on / off.

[0058] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing Figure 4 the process of controlling the opening / closing of the windows and sunroof shown in Figure 5 , when the air cleaning command is input, the controller 110 closes the windows 162 and the sunroof 161 (steps S510 and S520) to prevent pollutants from flowing in from outside the vehicle and perform the air cleaning function.

[0059] If the windows 162 and / or the sunroof 161 are not closed during the execution of the air cleaning function, the air cleaning control is released after waiting for 10 minutes and the sensor 130 is also turned off (steps S530, S550, and S560).

[0060] On the other hand, when the window / sunroof is opened after being closed, the air cleaning control is released and the sensor is also turned off (Steps S530, S540, and S560). In other words, this is the case where the user opens the window to smoke.

[0061] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing Figure 4 the process of controlling the air conditioner as shown. Refer to Figure 6 , the air quality is measured using Sensor 130 ( Figure 1 ), and when the air inside the vehicle has been cleaned (i.e., "good"), the air cleaning control is not operated (Steps S610, S620, and S621). The pollutant concentration can be graded. This can be expressed as follows.

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] Classification Good Normal Poor Very Poor <![CDATA[Concentration (μm / m 2 )]]> Below 15 Below 35 Below 75 76 and Above

[0064] Of course, if window moisture is expected by using the automatic defogging sensor (ADS) in the sensor, the air conditioner (A / C) is turned on to reduce the humidity inside the vehicle to prevent window moisture (Steps S620, S622, S630, S631, and S633).

[0065] Even if window moisture occurs and the pollutant concentration is "good", and if a command to turn off the air cleaning control is input while the air cleaning control is on, Sensor 130 is turned off (Steps S630, S640, S650, and S660).

[0066] Therefore, when the air cleaning logic operates, the in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle air control and the blower control are performed according to the pollutant concentration inside the vehicle. If necessary, the A / C is turned on to improve fuel efficiency.

[0067] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a flowchart showing Figure 4 the process of controlling the blower and the air conditioner as shown. Refer to 7A and Figure 7B , the air quality is measured using Sensor 130 ( Figure 1 ), and when the air inside the vehicle has been cleaned (i.e., "normal" or "good") and no window moisture is expected by using the automatic defogging sensor (ADS), the air cleaning control is not performed (Steps S710, S720, and S730). Of course, if window moisture is expected by using the automatic defogging sensor (ADS) in the sensor, the blower is turned on for 5 minutes, if window moisture is expected, the A / C is turned on, and if no window moisture is expected, the process proceeds to Step S710 (S721, S723, S725, and S727).

[0068] When the in-vehicle air is bad ("poor", "very poor") in step S710, if window moisture is expected, the A / C remains on. Thereafter, if window moisture is expected, the blower is turned on, and if it is expected that window moisture will no longer occur after the blower is turned on, the process proceeds to step S750 (steps S740, S741, S743, S745, and S747).

[0069] In step S740, if it is expected that window moisture will not occur, in-vehicle air switching is performed, and if the air inside the vehicle is still bad ("poor", "very poor"), the blower is turned on. After the blower is turned on, if the air inside the vehicle becomes bad again, the A / C remains on, and if the air inside the vehicle becomes good again, the process proceeds to step S720 (steps S750, S760, S770, S780, S790, and S791).

[0070] In addition, the steps of the methods or algorithms described in the form of the present disclosure proposed herein can be directly implemented in the form of program commands recorded in a computer-readable medium and executable by various computer devices such as microprocessors, processors, and central processing units (CPUs). The computer-readable medium can include program (instruction) codes, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination.

[0071] The program (instruction) codes recorded in the computer-readable recording medium can be specifically designed and constructed for the present disclosure or can be known to those skilled in the field of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium can include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc., and semiconductor storage elements such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, etc. that are specifically configured to store and execute program (instruction) codes.

[0072] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the present disclosure are within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations will not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning air, comprising: an air conditioning device; an input unit that receives an air cleaning command for operating the air conditioning device; and a controller that performs air cleaning control according to the air cleaning command, regardless of whether the air conditioning device is on or off, wherein, even in a state where the air conditioning device is turned off, the controller can turn on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device as needed to improve fuel efficiency, and gradually perform air conditioner control according to the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle, the apparatus further comprises: a sensor that measures the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle, the apparatus further comprises: an output unit that outputs the pollutant concentration, even when the air conditioning device is in a closed state, the output unit outputs that the concentration display and the air cleaning indicator are turned on.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the controller releases the air cleaning control through linkage with the opening and closing of an opening and closing device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the air cleaning command is input, the controller closes the opening and closing device; and when the opening and closing device is opened, after a preset waiting time, the controller releases the air cleaning control.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the controller performs an outside air mode that circulates the air outside the vehicle by using the air conditioning device according to the pollutant concentration; or the controller performs an inside air mode that only circulates the air inside the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the pollutant concentration is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, the controller turns on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the sensor detects moisture on the vehicle window of the vehicle, the controller turns on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the pollutant concentration is converted into a grade.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the pollutant concentration is converted into a concentration level.

9. A method for cleaning air, comprising: receiving, through an input unit, an air cleaning command for operating an air conditioning device; and performing, through a controller, air cleaning control according to the air cleaning command, regardless of whether the air conditioning device is on or off, wherein, even in a state where the air conditioning device is turned off, the controller can turn on the air conditioner of the air conditioning device as needed to improve fuel efficiency, and gradually perform air conditioner control according to the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle, the method further comprises: measuring, through a sensor, the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle, the method further comprises: outputting the pollutant concentration on an output unit, even when the air conditioning device is in a closed state, the output unit outputs that the concentration display and the air cleaning indicator are turned on.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, the method comprises: The air cleaning control is released by the controller in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening and closing device.

11. The method according to claim 10, in, The method comprises: When the air cleaning command is input, closing the opening and closing device through the controller; and When the opening and closing device is opened, the air cleaning control is released by the controller after a preset waiting time.

12. The method according to claim 9, in, The method comprises: executing, by the controller, an outside air mode for circulating air outside the vehicle by using the air conditioning device according to the pollutant concentration; or The controller executes an in-vehicle air mode for circulating only the air inside the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 12, in, The method comprises: When the pollutant concentration is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, the air conditioner of the air conditioning equipment is turned on by the controller.

14. The method according to claim 9, in, The method comprises: When the sensor detects moisture on the window of the vehicle, an air-conditioner-on control is initiated by the controller, and the air-conditioner-on control turns on the air-conditioner of the air-conditioning device.

15. The method according to claim 9, in, The pollutant concentrations are converted into levels.

16. The method according to claim 9, in, The pollutant concentrations are converted to concentration levels.

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