Ionization device and air guiding device for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ionization device (10) for a vehicle, which comprises at least one emission unit (11) and at least one high-voltage unit (18), the high-voltage unit providing high voltage for the at least one emission unit. The present invention also relates to an air-guiding device (1) for a vehicle having such an ionization device and a method for operating such an ionization device. The at least one emission unit comprises a base body (12), which is designed to be inserted into a wall opening (3.1) of an air channel. At least one electrode (14) is arranged on the side of the base body facing the air channel. When high voltage occurs, the at least one electrode emits negatively or positively charged ions. A balancing element (13) is arranged at the base body and can move between a closed position and an open position. The evaluation and control unit (16) is designed to control the balancing element to open, so that a leakage existing in the open position of the balancing element in the base body causes a circulating current of the at least one electrode.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an ionization device for a vehicle and an air guiding device for a vehicle having such an ionization device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating such an ionization device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Air guiding devices or ventilation devices for vehicles having ionization devices are already known in a variety of embodiments. The air guiding device has at least one air channel having at least one air outlet. An air flow can reach the interior space to be ventilated through the at least one air outlet. Before the air flow flows from the at least one air channel into the interior space through the air outlet, the air flow can be temperature-controlled and dehumidified by an air conditioning device. Furthermore, the air flow can be purified by a filtering device. Furthermore, the air flow can be charged with negatively charged ions or positively charged ions by an ionization device. Usually, the air outlet includes a closing device by which the effective flow cross-section for the corresponding air flow in the at least one air channel can be adjusted and the air channel can also be completely closed so that the air flow can no longer flow into the interior space through the air outlet.

[0003] Ionization devices are also known in a variety of embodiments and can have at least one high-voltage unit and a plurality of emission units. The high-voltage unit can supply high voltage to a first emission unit and a second emission unit, respectively. The first emission unit can emit negatively charged ions, and the second emission unit can emit positively charged ions. In order to generate negatively charged ions or positively charged ions, the emission units each include at least one electrode.

[0004] An air guiding device for a motor vehicle is known from patent document DE 20 2015 106 952 U1, which includes an air guiding channel and at least one device for ionizing the air guided in the air guiding channel. The device has at least one ion generator protruding from the device, and the ion generator extends into the air guiding channel through an opening in the channel wall.

[0005] An ionization device having a high-voltage unit and at least one emission unit is known from patent document DE 10 2016 000 319 A1. The ionization device is arranged in an air channel of a ventilation device and has a substrate having at least two electrodes for outputting ions. Here, a temperature sensor is integrated into at least one emission unit.

[0006] A device for generating negative ions for a vehicle is known from patent document JP 2008-56 196 A. The device can be arranged in a small space within a vehicle air-conditioning device. The generating device includes a needle-shaped electrode and a cooperating electrode having an approximately annular electrode surface and a hollow portion surrounded by the electrode surface, and negative ions are generated by applying a voltage between the two electrodes for generating a corona discharge.

[0007] An ionizer for a ventilation device of a motor vehicle is known from patent document DE 10 2009 059 125 A1. In order to ionize air, the ionizer can be energized with electrical energy. The ionizer has at least one electromagnet that can be energized with electrical energy and a steel cover, wherein the position of the steel cover can be changed by means of the electromagnet. If the electromagnet swings the steel cover into the open position, air can flow through the ionizer and ionize the oxygen in the air.

[0008] A method and a device for operating an air-conditioning device of a motor vehicle are known from patent document DE 10 2014 005 955 A1, in which at least one air flow leaving at a nozzle of an air passage is adjusted by means of an adjusting element that can be manually moved between a closed position and at least one open position and is loaded by an ionizer. The temperature of the air flow determined by means of a temperature sensor arranged in the air passage is compared with a theoretical temperature and the ionizer is controlled accordingly.

[0009] An ionization device and a ventilation device for a vehicle are known from patent document DE 10 2016 008 900 A1. The ionization device includes at least one high-voltage unit that supplies high voltage to a first emission unit and a second emission unit respectively, wherein the first emission unit emits negatively charged ions and the second emission unit emits positively charged ions. For this purpose, the emission units each include at least one electrode that can emit positive or negative ions. Here, a first high voltage in the range of 2.5 kV to 6.5 kV is applied at the first emission unit, and a second high voltage in the range of 0.4 kV to 1.5 kV is applied at the second emission unit. The ventilation device includes at least one air passage having at least one outlet opening and such an ionization device, wherein the first emission unit and / or the second emission unit is arranged in the region of the at least one outlet opening in the at least one air passage.

[0010] In order to optimally implement the ionization function, a certain minimum circulation of at least one electrode of at least one emitter of the ionization device is required. However, a closing locking device at the air outlet may cause an air blockage to occur on at least one electrode, so that the desired minimum circulation of at least one electrode of at least one emitter of the ionization device is no longer achieved. This can lead to undesired functions, such as the accidental generation of ozone in the region of at least one electrode. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide an ionization device for a vehicle having at least one electrode, and an air guiding device for a vehicle having such an ionization device, which ensures a minimum circulation of at least one electrode during operation.

[0012] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to implement a method for operating such an ionization device, which ensures a minimum circulation of at least one electrode during operation.

[0013] This object is achieved by an ionization device for a vehicle having the features of claim 1, an air guiding device for a vehicle having the features of claim 7, and a method for operating an ionization device having the features of claim 9. Advantageous designs with suitable improvements of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0014] In order to provide an ionization device for a vehicle having at least one electrode that ensures a minimum circulation of at least one electrode during operation, a balancing element is arranged at the base of the emission unit, and the balancing element can move between a closed position and an open position. Here, the evaluation and control unit is designed to control the balancing element to open, so that the leakage existing in the base in the open position of the balancing element causes a circulation of at least one electrode.

[0015] Hereinafter, the ionization device is understood to be a device having at least one emission unit and at least one high-voltage unit, and at least one high-voltage unit provides high voltage for at least one emission unit. At least one emission unit includes a base, and the base is designed to be inserted into a wall opening of an air passage. Wherein, at least one electrode is arranged on the side of the base facing the air passage, and when high voltage appears, the at least one electrode emits negatively charged ions or positively charged ions. In addition, a balancing element is arranged at the base, and the balancing element can move between a closed position and an open position.

[0016] Furthermore, an air guiding device for a vehicle is proposed, which includes at least one air passage and the ionization device, and the air passage has a shut-off gate and at least one air outlet

[0017] Even when an air blockage occurs at at least one electrode due to the closure of the shut-off gate, the function of the ionization device can be ensured by the balancing element. Thus, by means of the minimum circulation caused by the balancing element, functional failures of the ionization device can be prevented and the undesired generation of ozone can also be prevented.

[0018] A method for operating such an ionization device for a vehicle, which provides a minimum circulating current for at least one electrode during operation, continuously measures the current in the high-voltage unit. Here, when the acquired current value is higher than a preset threshold, the high voltage applied by the high-voltage unit to at least one electrode is reduced over a preset time period and then increased again, where after increasing the high voltage, the acquired current value is compared again with the presettable threshold, and when the acquired current value is higher than the presettable threshold again, the process is repeated. When the acquired current value is higher than the preset threshold in multiple comparisons within a presettable time period, the balancing element is adjusted from its closed position to its open position, in which a leak in the base body causes a circulating current in at least one electrode. After the end of a presettable holding time period, the balancing element is adjusted again from its open position to its closed position, in which the base body is sealed against leakage.

[0019] The core idea is that the ionization device is equipped with means for generating a desired leak at the emitter. Here, the balancing element is controlled to open when certain criteria occur.

[0020] In an advantageous design of the ionization device, the evaluation and control unit can be designed to determine an air blockage in the region of at least one electrode and to control the balancing element to open when such an air blockage occurs. Thus, the evaluation and control unit can be further designed to measure the current in at least one high-voltage unit, where when the measured current value exceeds the preset threshold multiple times within a preset time period, the evaluation and control unit can identify an air blockage in the region of at least one electrode. Thus, for example, when the measured current value exceeds the presettable threshold four times within a time period of 3 minutes, an air blockage can be identified and the balancing element can be moved to its open position. Obviously, other time periods and other numbers of repetitions can also be preset. For example, the time period can be preset in the time range from 1 minute to 5 minutes. For example, the number of repetitions can be preset in the range from 2 to 5 repetitions.

[0021] In another advantageous design of the ionization device, the evaluation and control unit can be further designed to control the balancing element to close after the end of a presettable holding time period, so that in the closed position of the balancing element, the base body is sealed against leakage. If frequent higher measured currents occur again after the holding time period, the process can be repeated.

[0022] In another advantageous design of the ionization device, the balancing element can be designed as a shutter, where the adjusting element can adjust the balancing element from the closed position to the open position and from the open position to the closed position. This can implement the balancing element particularly simply and cost-effectively.

[0023] In another advantageous design of the ionization device, the adjusting element can be designed as a bimetal drive. This enables the adjusting element to be implemented particularly simply and cost-effectively.

[0024] In another advantageous design of the ionization device, a first electrode that emits negatively charged ions and a second electrode that emits positively charged ions can be arranged on the substrate. The negatively charged ions can reach the interior of the vehicle through at least one air outlet and advantageously act on the interior environment felt by the occupants here. By emitting positively charged ions, the negative electrostatic loading of at least one air duct and / or at least one air outlet can be neutralized. Thereby, the negatively charged ions can be distributed in the interior of the vehicle in a more controlled manner in an advantageous way. Here, in an advantageous way, the number of emitted negatively charged ions is higher than the number of positively charged ions.

[0025] In an advantageous design of the air guiding device, the substrate of at least one emitting unit can be inserted into the wall opening of at least one air duct in such a way that at least one electrode of at least one emitting unit extends into the at least one air duct.

[0026] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the ionization device according to the invention also apply to the air guiding device according to the invention and the method for operating the ionization device according to the invention.

[0027] The features and feature combinations described above in the description and the features and feature combinations described below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the drawings can be applied not only in the correspondingly given combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, as long as the scope of the invention is not departed from. Thus, embodiments that are not shown or described in detail in the drawings but are obtained and produced by the individual feature combinations in the described embodiments are also considered to be included in the invention and are disclosed. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and described in detail below. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote parts or elements that perform the same or similar functions. The figures show:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic partial view of an air guiding device for a vehicle, and at the same time an embodiment of an ionization device for a vehicle according to the invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the ionization device for a vehicle according to the invention in ; and

[0031] Figure 3Schematic flowchart showing a method for operating an ionization device according to the present invention.

[0032] List of reference numerals:

[0033] 1 Air guiding device

[0034] 3 Air passage

[0035] 3.1 Wall opening

[0036] 4 Shut-off gate

[0037] 5 Manual first operating element

[0038] 6 Air outlet

[0039] 7 Vane grille

[0040] 8 Manual second operating element

[0041] 10 Ionization device

[0042] 11 Emission unit

[0043] 12 Substrate

[0044] 13 Balancing element

[0045] 13A Gate

[0046] 13.1 Adjusting element

[0047] 14 Electrode

[0048] 15 Electronic unit

[0049] 16 Evaluation and control unit

[0050] 17 Control line

[0051] 18 High-voltage unit

[0052] 19 High-voltage line

[0053] 100 Method for operating an ionization device

[0054] S100 to S170 Method steps Detailed description

[0055] As can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment of the air guiding device 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention includes at least one air passage 3 and an ionization device 10 according to the present invention, the air passage having a shut-off gate 4 and at least one air outlet 6.

[0056] As can also be seen from Figure 1As can also be seen, in the illustrated embodiment of the air guiding device 1, the shut-off flap 4 can be adjusted by a manual first operating element 5 between the closed position shown in solid lines and the open position shown in dashed lines, so that the effective flow cross-section for the corresponding air flow in the air channel 3 can be adjusted. The illustrated air outlet 6 includes a vane grille 7 having swingable horizontal vanes and swingable vertical vanes, and in order to preset the outflow direction of the corresponding air flow emerging from the air outlet 6, the vanes can be adjusted by a manual second operating element 8.

[0057] As can also be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can also be seen, the illustrated embodiment of the ionization device 10 for a vehicle according to the invention includes at least one emission unit 11 and at least one high-voltage unit 18, and the high-voltage unit supplies high voltage to at least one emission unit 11, wherein at least one emission unit 11 includes a base body 12 which is inserted into a wall opening 3.1 of the air channel 3. At least one electrode 14 is arranged on the side of the base body 12 facing the air channel 3, and when high voltage occurs, the electrode emits negatively charged ions or positively charged ions. In addition, a balancing element 13 is arranged at the base body 12, and the balancing element can move between a closed position and an open position, wherein the evaluation and control unit 16 is designed to control the balancing element 13 to open, so that a leakage existing in the open position of the balancing element 13 in the base body 12 causes a circulating flow of the at least one electrode 14, as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 2 As shown.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the ionization device 10 includes only one emission unit 11 and only one high-voltage unit 18. The emission unit 11 includes a first electrode 14 and a second electrode not shown in detail. Here, the first electrode 14 emits negatively charged ions, and the second electrode emits positively charged ions. The high-voltage unit 18 supplies high voltage to the two electrodes 14 of the emission unit 11 through corresponding high-voltage lines 19.

[0059] As can also be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can also be seen, the evaluation and control unit 16 and the high-voltage unit 18 are arranged in the electronic unit 15, wherein the emission unit 11 is arranged outside the electronic unit 15 in the region of the wall of the illustrated air channel 3. Here, the base body 12 of the emission unit 11 is inserted into the corresponding wall opening 3.1 of the air channel 3 in such a way that the electrode 14 of the emission unit 11 projects into the air channel 3. In an alternative, not shown embodiment, the emission unit 11 is also arranged in the electronic unit 15, wherein in this embodiment, the electronic unit 15 is also arranged in the region of the wall of the air channel 3.

[0060] As can also be seen from Figure 2As can also be seen, the balancing element 13 is designed as a shutter 13A. The adjusting element 13.1 adjusts the balancing element 13 from the closed position shown by the solid line into the open position shown by the dashed line and vice versa. In the illustrated embodiment of the ionization device 10, the adjusting element 13.1 is designed as a bimetal drive that can be actuated by the evaluation and control unit 16 via the control line 17.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment of the ionization device 10, the evaluation and control unit 16 determines an air blockage in the region of the electrode 14 and, when such an air blockage exists, actuates the balancing element 13 to open via the control line 17. In particular, such an air blockage occurs in the region of the electrode 14 when the locking shutter 4 is in its closed position, so that the air flow cannot flow into the interior of the vehicle through the air outlet 6. To identify such an air blockage, the evaluation and control unit 16 performs a current measurement in at least one high-voltage unit 18, where the evaluation and control unit 16 identifies an air blockage in the region of the electrode 14 when the measured current value exceeds a preset threshold value several times within a preset time period. After the end of a preset holding time period, the evaluation and control unit 16 actuates the balancing element 13 to close via the control line 17, so that in the closed position of the balancing element 13, the base body 12 is sealed against leakage.

[0062] As can also be seen from Figure 3As can be seen, the illustrated embodiment of the method 100 for operating the ionization device 10 for a vehicle has a step S100, in which a current measurement is continuously carried out in the high-voltage unit 18. In step S110, the acquired current value is compared with a preset threshold value. If the query in step S120 identifies that the acquired current value is less than or equal to the preset threshold value, the counter is reset and the method is continued with step S100. If the query in step S120 identifies that the acquired current value is greater than the preset threshold value, the counter is incremented by one and the method is continued with step S130. In step S130, the high voltage applied by the high-voltage unit 18 to at least one electrode is reduced over a preset waiting period. After the preset waiting period has ended, in step S140 the high voltage of the high-voltage unit 18 is increased again. If the query in step S150 identifies that the counter has not yet reached the preset target value, the method is continued with step S100. This means that after increasing the high voltage, the acquired current value is compared again with the preset threshold value, and when the acquired current value is again above the preset threshold value, the process is repeated. If in step S150 it is identified that the counter has reached the preset target value, then in step S160 the balancing element 13 is adjusted from its closed position to its open position, in which the leakage in the base body 12 causes a circulating current in the at least one electrode 14. This means that the acquired current value is above the preset threshold value in several comparisons within a preset period of time and thus an air blockage in the region of the electrode 14 is identified. In step S170, after the preset holding period has ended, the balancing element 13 is adjusted again from its open position to its closed position, in which the base body 12 is sealed against leakage. Immediately thereafter, the method is continued with step S100. If frequently higher measured currents occur again, the process is repeated.

[0063] The period of time for identifying an air blockage can be preset by means of a preset waiting time for reducing the high voltage and the target value of the counter. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, when the measured current value exceeds the preset threshold value four times within a period of 3 minutes, an air blockage is identified and the balancing element 13 is moved to its open position. Obviously, other periods of time and other numbers of repetitions can also be preset. For example, the period of time can be preset in the time range from 1 minute to 5 minutes. For example, the number of repetitions can be preset in the range from 2 to 5 repetitions.

Claims

1. An ionization device (10) for a vehicle, the ionization device comprising at least one emission unit (11) and at least one high-voltage unit (18), the at least one high-voltage unit providing high voltage to the at least one emission unit (11), wherein, The at least one emission unit (11) comprises a base body (12) which is designed to be inserted into a wall opening (3.1) of the air channel (3), wherein at least one electrode (14) is arranged on the side of the base body (12) facing the air channel (3), and when a high voltage occurs, the at least one electrode emits negatively charged ions or positively charged ions, wherein a balancing element (13) is arranged at the base body (12), and the balancing element can move between a closed position and an open position, wherein the evaluation and control unit (16) is designed to control the balancing element (13) to open, so that a leakage existing in the open position of the balancing element (13) in the base body (12) causes a circulating current of the at least one electrode (14).

2. The ionization device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaluation and control unit (16) is designed to determine an air blockage in the region of the at least one electrode (14) and to control the balancing element (13) to open when such an air blockage exists.

3. The ionization device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The evaluation and control unit (16) is designed to perform a current measurement in the at least one high-voltage unit (18), wherein when the measured current value exceeds a preset threshold value multiple times within a preset time period, the evaluation and control unit (16) identifies an air blockage in the region of the at least one electrode (14).

4. The ionization device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The evaluation and control unit (16) is further designed to control the balancing element (13) to close after the end of a preset holding time period, so that in the closed position of the balancing element (13), the base body (12) is sealed against leakage.

5. The ionization device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The balancing element (13) is designed as a shutter (13A), wherein an adjusting element (13.1) adjusts the balancing element (13) from the closed position to the open position and from the open position to the closed position.

6. The ionization device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A first electrode (14) for emitting negatively charged ions and a second electrode for emitting positively charged ions are arranged on the base body (12).

7. An air guiding device (1) for a vehicle, the air guiding device comprising an ionization device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and at least one air channel (3), the at least one air channel having a locking shutter (4) and at least one air outlet (6).

8. The air guiding device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The base body (12) of the at least one emission unit (11) is inserted into the wall opening (3.1) of the at least one air channel (3) such that at least one electrode (14) of the at least one emission unit (11) extends into the at least one air channel (3).

9. A method (100) for operating an ionization device (10) for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, Current measurements are continuously performed in the high-voltage unit (18), wherein when the acquired current value is higher than a presettable threshold, the high voltage applied by the high-voltage unit (18) on at least one electrode (14) is reduced over a presettable waiting period and then the high voltage is increased again, wherein after increasing the high voltage, the acquired current value is compared again with the presettable threshold, and when the acquired current value is higher than the presettable threshold again, the process is repeated, wherein when the acquired current value is higher than the presettable threshold in multiple comparisons within a presettable period, the balancing element (13) is adjusted from its closed position to its open position, in which position a leakage in the substrate (12) causes a circulating current in the at least one electrode (14), and wherein after the end of a presettable holding period, the balancing element (13) is adjusted again from its open position to its closed position, in which position the substrate (12) is sealed against leakage.

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