An automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automobile air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method. The automobile air conditioner includes a heating channel that communicates the inside and outside of the automobile. Along the air flow direction, a blower assembly, a heating device, and an air conditioner filter element are connected to the heating channel. It further includes an auxiliary channel, and both ends of the auxiliary channel are respectively connected to the heating channels upstream and downstream of the air conditioner filter element. When a signal for starting in-vehicle disinfection is obtained, the heating device is turned on to heat the air flowing through the heating channel and perform high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioner filter element. At the same time, the auxiliary channel is opened to input air at a target temperature into the vehicle interior. The automobile air conditioner with a disinfection function according to the present invention, by providing an auxiliary channel, on the one hand, heats the air by the heating device to perform high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioner filter element in different modes, and on the other hand, continuously provides comfortable air for the vehicle interior through the auxiliary channel. The disinfected hot air is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe, effectively preventing the disinfected hot air from entering the vehicle interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle air conditioners, and particularly to an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method. Background Art

[0002] An automotive air conditioning system is a device for cooling, heating, ventilating, and purifying the air inside the vehicle compartment. The air circulation passing through the automotive air conditioner can be divided into the internal circulation inside the vehicle and the gas exchange between the inside and outside of the vehicle.

[0003] During the use of a vehicle, the air filter of the vehicle air conditioner plays a role in filtering dust and bacteria in the air. After long-term use, a large amount of dust accumulates on the filter element, which is prone to breeding bacteria and is likely to cause respiratory infections during long-term use. Usually, after a period of use, the air filter needs to be replaced, resulting in increased costs. In order to be able to disinfect the air filter in a timely manner, a vehicle-mounted disinfection air conditioning system capable of autonomous disinfection is designed to improve the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method to solve the technical problem of the limitation of the existing air conditioner filter.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the specific technical solutions of an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] An automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function includes a heating channel that communicates the inside and outside of the vehicle. Along the air flow direction, a blower assembly, a heating device, and an air filter are connected to the heating channel. It further includes an auxiliary channel, and both ends of the auxiliary channel are respectively connected to the heating channel upstream and downstream of the air filter. When a signal to start vehicle-mounted disinfection is obtained, the heating device is turned on to heat the air flowing through the heating channel and perform high-temperature disinfection on the air filter. At the same time, the auxiliary channel is opened to input air at a target temperature into the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, it further includes a switching valve for controlling the opening of the auxiliary channel. When a signal to turn on the disinfection function is obtained, the switching valve opens the auxiliary channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the switching valve is a flow regulating valve, and the flow regulating valve is arranged at the air inlet end of the auxiliary channel to adjust the air flow rates entering the heating channel and the auxiliary channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the air inlet end and the air outlet end of the auxiliary channel are respectively connected to the heating channel through an electric three-way valve, and the electric three-way valve is electrically connected to the controller.

[0010] Further, an intake pipe is connected to the auxiliary passage, and the end of the intake pipe is connected to the outside of the vehicle, so that the cold air outside the vehicle is mixed with the hot air in the auxiliary passage to achieve the target temperature of the air output by the air conditioner.

[0011] Further, after the disinfection function is turned on, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device is between 65 - 75 °C, and the disinfection time is between 20 - 30 min.

[0012] Further, an exhaust pipe is connected to the heating passage downstream of the air conditioner filter element, and the other end of the exhaust pipe is connected to the outside of the vehicle. An electromagnetic valve is provided on the exhaust pipe, and the electromagnetic valve is electrically connected to the controller.

[0013] Further, the heating device is a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the engine through a heat exchange pipeline, and the heat generated by the engine disinfects the air conditioner filter element.

[0014] Further, it also includes a refrigeration passage and an auxiliary refrigeration passage. One end of the refrigeration passage is connected to the heating passage between the fan assembly and the heating device, and the other end of the refrigeration passage is connected to the heating passage between the heating device and the air conditioner filter element. A refrigeration device is provided in the refrigeration passage. One end of the auxiliary refrigeration passage is connected to the refrigeration passage downstream of the refrigeration device, and the other end of the auxiliary refrigeration passage is connected to the auxiliary passage.

[0015] Further, an air conditioner control panel is provided in the vehicle. A refrigeration control button, a heating control button, and a disinfection control button are respectively arranged on the air conditioner control panel, and each control button is electrically connected to the controller.

[0016] A disinfection method for an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function mainly includes the following steps:

[0017] Obtain a signal to start in-vehicle disinfection;

[0018] When a signal to start in-vehicle disinfection is obtained, turn on the heating device to disinfect the air conditioner filter element, and at the same time, open the auxiliary passage to input air at different temperatures into the vehicle.

[0019] Further, after the disinfection function is turned on, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device is between 65 - 75 °C, and the disinfection time is between 20 - 30 min.

[0020] The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and the disinfection method of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0021] The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to the present invention, by setting an auxiliary passage, in different modes, on the one hand, heats air by the heating device to perform high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioner filter element, and on the other hand, continuously provides heat energy to the vehicle interior through the auxiliary passage. The disinfected hot air is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe, effectively preventing the disinfected hot air from entering the vehicle interior and affecting human health, thereby improving the user experience. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the automotive air conditioner of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the automotive air conditioner of the present invention when the disinfection function is turned on in the heating mode;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of the disinfection method of the automotive air conditioner of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings: 1, heating channel; 2, fan assembly; 3, heating device; 4, air conditioning filter element; 5, exhaust pipe; 6, auxiliary channel; 7, flow regulating valve; 8, refrigeration channel; 81, auxiliary refrigeration channel; 9, refrigeration device. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] In order to better understand the purpose, structure and function of the present invention, the following further describes in detail an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function and a disinfection method of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, the automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function of the present invention includes a heating channel 1 communicating inside and outside the vehicle. Along the air flow direction, a fan assembly 2, a heating device 3, and an air conditioning filter element 4 are connected to the heating channel 1. It also includes an auxiliary channel 6. Both ends of the auxiliary channel 6 are respectively connected to the heating channel 1 upstream and downstream of the air conditioning filter element 4. It further includes a switching valve for controlling the opening of the heating channel 1 or the auxiliary channel 6. When a signal for turning on the disinfection function is obtained, the switching valve opens the auxiliary channel 6. By providing the auxiliary channel 6, when the automotive air conditioner is in the heating mode, on the one hand, it performs high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioning filter element 4, and on the other hand, it continuously provides heat energy to the vehicle interior.

[0028] A flow regulating valve 7 is provided at the air inlet end of the auxiliary channel 6 to regulate the air flow rate entering the heating channel 1 and the auxiliary channel 6. In the heating mode, when a signal for starting in-vehicle disinfection is detected, the flow regulating valve 7 is adjusted to regulate the air ratio entering the heating channel 1 and the auxiliary channel 6. The high-temperature air enters the heating channel 1 to perform high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioning filter element 4. At the same time, the high-temperature air enters the vehicle interior through the auxiliary channel 6 to continuously provide heat source to the vehicle interior.

[0029] When the disinfection function is turned on in the heating mode, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device 3 is between 65 - 75 °C. This temperature cannot be directly delivered to the vehicle interior. Therefore, an intake pipe is connected to the auxiliary channel 6, and the end of the intake pipe is connected to the outside of the vehicle, so that the cold air outside the vehicle is mixed with the hot air in the auxiliary channel 6 to reach the target temperature of the air output by the air conditioner.

[0030] After the air conditioner filter element 4 is disinfected at high temperature, in order to prevent the hot air for disinfection from being discharged into the vehicle and affecting human health, an exhaust pipe 5 is connected to the heating channel 1 downstream of the air conditioner filter element 4. The other end of the exhaust pipe 5 is connected to the outside of the vehicle. An electromagnetic valve is provided on the exhaust pipe 5, and the electromagnetic valve is electrically connected to the controller, so as to discharge the hot air for disinfection outside the vehicle.

[0031] The intake end and the outlet end of the auxiliary channel 6 are respectively connected to the heating channel 1 through an electric three-way valve, and the electric three-way valve is electrically connected to the controller.

[0032] The heating device 3 is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger exchanges heat with the engine through a heat exchange pipeline. The heat generated by the engine is used for high-temperature disinfection of the air conditioner filter element 4, realizing the recovery and utilization of the engine heat.

[0033] In addition, the automotive air conditioner further includes a refrigeration channel 8. One end of the refrigeration channel 8 is connected to the heating channel 1 between the blower assembly 2 and the heating device 3, and the other end of the refrigeration channel 8 is connected to the heating channel 1 between the heating device 3 and the air conditioner filter element 4. A refrigeration device 9 is provided in the refrigeration channel 8. The refrigeration channel 8 further includes an auxiliary refrigeration channel 81. One end of the auxiliary refrigeration channel 81 is connected to the refrigeration channel 8 downstream of the refrigeration device 9, and the other end of the auxiliary refrigeration channel 81 is connected to the auxiliary channel 6 through an electric three-way valve.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown, after the vehicle is started, the auxiliary channel 6 is closed and the exhaust pipe 5 is closed. At this time, the flow regulating valve 7 is placed at the A end;

[0035] In the external circulation mode, the outside air enters the vehicle through the heating channel 1, the refrigeration channel 8, and the air conditioner filter element 4. At this time, the refrigeration device 9 is not turned on; when a signal to turn on the disinfection function is obtained, the flow regulating valve 7 is switched from the A end to the B end, the heating device 3 and the exhaust pipe 5 are turned on, and the outside air passes through the heating channel 1, the heating device 3, the air conditioner filter element 4, and is discharged outside the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 5; at the same time, the intake pipe is turned on, and the outside air enters the vehicle through the auxiliary channel 6;

[0036] In the heating mode, the heating device 3 is turned on, and the outside air enters the vehicle through the heating channel 1 and the air conditioner filter element 4; when a signal to turn on the disinfection function is obtained, the flow regulating valve 7 is adjusted to adjust the ratio of the hot air entering the heating channel 1 and the auxiliary channel 6, the exhaust pipe 5 is turned on, and the outside air passes through the heating channel 1, the heating device 3, the air conditioner filter element 4, and is discharged outside the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 5; at the same time, the intake pipe is turned on, and the outside air enters the vehicle through the auxiliary channel 6;

[0037] In the refrigeration mode, the refrigeration device 9 is turned on, and the external air enters the vehicle through the refrigeration channel 8, the air conditioning filter element 4, and the heating channel 1; when a signal to turn on the disinfection function is obtained, the flow regulating valve 7 is switched from end A to end B, the auxiliary channel 6 is turned on, and the auxiliary refrigeration channel 81 is turned on. The cold air enters the vehicle through the auxiliary refrigeration channel 81 and the auxiliary channel 6; at the same time, the heating device 3 and the exhaust pipe 5 are turned on, and the external air passes through the heating channel 1, the heating device 3, the air conditioning filter element 4, and is discharged out of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 5.

[0038] To facilitate high-temperature disinfection of the vehicle air filter, an air conditioning control panel is provided in the vehicle. A refrigeration control button, a heating control button, and a disinfection control button are respectively arranged on the air conditioning control panel. Each control button is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller controls the disinfection process according to the states of the control buttons.

[0039] As Figure 3 shown, the present application also provides a disinfection method for an automotive air conditioner, which mainly includes the following steps:

[0040] Obtain a signal to start in-vehicle disinfection;

[0041] When a signal to start in-vehicle disinfection is obtained, turn on the heating device 3 to disinfect the air conditioning filter element 4. At the same time, open the auxiliary channel 6 to input air of different temperatures into the vehicle.

[0042] After the disinfection function is turned on, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device 3 is between 65 - 75 °C, and the disinfection time is between 20 - 30 min.

[0043] By setting the auxiliary channel 6, the automotive air conditioner, on the one hand, heats the air by the heating device 3 to perform high-temperature disinfection on the air conditioning filter element 4 in different modes, and on the other hand, continuously provides heat energy to the vehicle through the auxiliary channel 6. The disinfected hot air is discharged out of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 5, effectively preventing the disinfected hot air from entering the vehicle and affecting human health, thereby improving the user experience.

[0044] It can be understood that the present invention is described through some embodiments. Those skilled in the art know that without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, various changes or equivalent replacements can be made to these features and embodiments. In addition, under the teaching of the present invention, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific situations and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of the present application belong to the scope protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. An automobile air conditioner with a disinfection function, comprising a heating channel (1) communicating inside and outside the automobile. Along the air flow direction, a blower assembly (2), a heating device (3), and an air conditioner filter element (4) are communicated on the heating channel (1). It is characterized in that, It further includes an auxiliary passage (6) whose two ends are respectively connected to the heating passage (1) upstream and downstream of the air-conditioning filter element (4). After receiving the signal to start in-vehicle disinfection, the heating device (3) is turned on to heat the air flowing through the heating passage (1) and perform high-temperature disinfection on the air-conditioning filter element (4). Meanwhile, the auxiliary passage (6) is opened to input air at the target temperature into the vehicle interior.

2. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a switch valve for controlling the opening of the auxiliary passage (6). When receiving the signal to turn on the disinfection function, the switch valve opens the auxiliary passage (6).

3. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 2, wherein, The switch valve is a flow regulating valve (7), and the flow regulating valve (7) is arranged at the air inlet end of the auxiliary passage (6) to regulate the air flow into the heating passage (1) and the auxiliary passage (6).

4. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air inlet end and the air outlet end of the auxiliary passage (6) are respectively connected to the heating passage (1) through an electric three-way valve, and the electric three-way valve is electrically connected to the controller.

5. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 4, wherein An air inlet pipe is connected to the auxiliary passage (6), and the end of the air inlet pipe is connected to the outside of the vehicle, so that the cold air outside the vehicle is mixed with the hot air in the auxiliary passage (6) to reach the target temperature of the air output by the air conditioner.

6. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the disinfection function is turned on, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device (3) is between 65°C and 75°C, and the disinfection time is between 20 minutes and 30 minutes.

7. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, An exhaust pipe (5) is connected to the heating passage (1) downstream of the air-conditioning filter element (4), and the other end of the exhaust pipe (5) is connected to the outside of the vehicle. An electromagnetic valve is arranged on the exhaust pipe (5), and the electromagnetic valve is electrically connected to the controller.

8. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating device (3) is a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the engine through a heat exchange pipeline, and the heat generated by the engine disinfects the air-conditioning filter element (4).

9. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, It further includes a refrigeration passage (8) and an auxiliary refrigeration passage (81). One end of the refrigeration passage (8) is connected to the heating passage (1) between the blower assembly (2) and the heating device (3), and the other end of the refrigeration passage (8) is connected to the heating passage (1) between the heating device (3) and the air-conditioning filter element (4). A refrigeration device (9) is arranged in the refrigeration passage (8). One end of the auxiliary refrigeration passage (81) is connected to the refrigeration passage (8) downstream of the refrigeration device (9), and the other end of the auxiliary refrigeration passage (81) is connected to the auxiliary passage (6).

10. The automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function according to claim 9, characterized in that, An air-conditioning control panel is provided in the vehicle interior. A refrigeration control button, a heating control button, and a disinfection control button are respectively arranged on the air-conditioning control panel, and each control button is electrically connected to the controller.

11. A disinfection method for an automotive air conditioner with a disinfection function as described in any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, It mainly includes the following steps: After receiving the signal to start in-vehicle disinfection, the heating device (3) is turned on to heat the air flowing through the heating passage (1) and perform high-temperature disinfection on the air-conditioning filter element (4). Meanwhile, the auxiliary passage (6) is opened to input air at the target temperature into the vehicle interior.

12. The disinfection method according to claim 11, wherein After the disinfection function is turned on, the temperature of the air heated by the heating device (3) is between 65°C and 75°C, and the disinfection time is between 20 minutes and 30 minutes.

Images