Apparatus and method for diagnosing air conditioning of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for diagnosing an air conditioner of a vehicle. The apparatus may include an outside air temperature value receiving module configured to receive an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from an outside air temperature sensor; a refrigerant pressure value receiving module configured to receive a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from the refrigerant pressure sensor; a refrigerant amount diagnosis module configured to diagnose an amount of refrigerant in the vehicle by using the outside air temperature value and the refrigerant pressure value; and a notification display module configured to display a notification to a user according to a diagnosis result of the refrigerant amount.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0150980 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner. Background Art

[0004] In the process of manufacturing a vehicle, a cooling performance check is usually performed based on a deviation related to a change in vacuum degree and a change in refrigerant pressure value. For example, in the process of assembling a vehicle, a vacuum is formed in the vehicle by a vacuum pump before injecting refrigerant. Then, the amount of change in vacuum degree can be measured in a state where the vacuum pump is not running, and a defect can be determined based on the amount of change in vacuum degree within a specific time. Alternatively, in the process of inspecting a vehicle, it can be determined whether the refrigerant is defective based on a determination standard that is found through inspections performed multiple times based on the refrigerant pressure.

[0005] However, the inspection reliability of the above method is not high due to deviations caused by various variables in the manufacturing process, inspection time restrictions, etc. For example, during the assembly of a vehicle, the vacuum degree may deviate due to time restrictions on the operation process, changes in temperature and humidity during the operation process, and air conditioning line routes that vary depending on the type of vehicle. During the inspection of a vehicle, the refrigerant pressure value may deviate due to the amount of remaining refrigerant or the amount of injected refrigerant, whether the engine is turned on or off, the temperature in the engine compartment, the temperature and humidity during the operation, etc. In particular, since the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant vary according to the conditions of the external environment, it is difficult to consistently compare the refrigerant pressure with a reference pressure corresponding to the temperature. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, which can detect a defect at an early stage by setting a minimum refrigerant pressure (which can be applied to various variables). The apparatus and method can also generate an in-vehicle check code when the refrigerant pressure is equal to or less than a set reference value to improve the reliability of checks related to the diagnosis of the vehicle air conditioner.

[0007] The present invention is also directed to providing an apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, which can determine the shortage of refrigerant based on the temperature change of an evaporator core temperature sensor by forcibly operating the air conditioner during the inspection of the vehicle.

[0008] According to the implementation scheme, the device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may include: an external air temperature value receiving module, a refrigerant pressure value receiving module, a refrigerant quantity diagnosis module and a notification display module, wherein the external air temperature value receiving module is configured to receive an external air temperature value of the vehicle from an external air temperature sensor; the refrigerant pressure value receiving module is configured to receive a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from a refrigerant pressure sensor; the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module is configured to diagnose the refrigerant quantity in the vehicle by using the external air temperature value and the refrigerant pressure value; and the notification display module is configured to display a notification to a user according to the diagnosis result of the refrigerant quantity.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the outside air temperature value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module may diagnose the refrigerant amount by using the refrigerant pressure value.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the outside air temperature value is less than the first reference value, the refrigerant amount diagnosis module may not perform the refrigerant amount diagnosis. The notification display module may display a notification to the user indicating that the refrigerant amount cannot be diagnosed.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant pressure continues to be a predetermined second reference value or less for a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module may determine that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal. The notification display module may display a refrigerant quantity check request notification to the user.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant pressure does not continuously maintain a second reference value or less within a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module may determine that the refrigerant quantity is normal. The notification display module may display a refrigerant quantity normal notification to the user.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the outside air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is determined to be abnormal, the refrigerant amount diagnosis module may not diagnose the refrigerant amount. The notification display module may display an outside air temperature sensor check request notification or a refrigerant pressure sensor check request notification to the user.

[0014] In some embodiments, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module may diagnose the refrigerant amount while the vehicle is driving. The notification display module may display a notification while the vehicle is driving.

[0015] In some embodiments, the apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may further include a defect cause inference module configured to infer a defect cause based on refrigerant injection history data in a factory when an abnormal refrigerant amount is determined.

[0016] According to another embodiment, an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may include: an evaporator core temperature value receiving module, an air conditioner forced operation module, an air conditioner performance diagnosis module and a notification display module, wherein the evaporator core temperature value receiving module is configured to receive an evaporator core temperature value from an evaporator core temperature sensor of the vehicle; the air conditioner forced operation module is configured to force the vehicle's air conditioner to operate for a predetermined time; the air conditioner performance diagnosis module is configured to diagnose the vehicle's air conditioning performance by using the evaporator core temperature value according to the forced operation; and the notification display module is configured to display a notification to a user based on the diagnosis result of the air conditioning performance.

[0017] In some embodiments, when a first condition is satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module may determine that the air conditioning performance is normal, wherein the first condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time. The notification display module may display a normal air conditioning performance notification to the user.

[0018] In some embodiments, when the first condition is not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal. The notification display module may display an air conditioning inspection request notification to the user.

[0019] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module can determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when a second condition is satisfied, wherein the second condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value by a predetermined fourth reference value or greater within a predetermined inspection time. The notification display module can display a notification that the air conditioning performance is normal to the user.

[0020] In some embodiments, when the second condition is not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal. The notification display module may display an air conditioning inspection request notification to the user.

[0021] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module can determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when either a first condition or a second condition is satisfied, the first condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time, and the second condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value to a predetermined fourth reference value or greater within a predetermined inspection time. The notification display module can display a notification that the air conditioning performance is normal to the user.

[0022] In some embodiments, when both the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal. The notification display module may display an air conditioning inspection request notification to the user.

[0023] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the evaporator core temperature sensor is abnormal, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module may not diagnose the air conditioning performance. The notification display module may display an evaporator core temperature sensor check request notification to the user.

[0024] In some embodiments, the device for diagnosing vehicle air conditioning may further include an air conditioning supply air parameter providing module, which is configured to provide air conditioning supply air parameters to the air conditioning performance diagnosis module, wherein the air conditioning supply air parameters are used to specify the ventilation type and blower gear of the air conditioning.

[0025] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module may change the conditions for diagnosing the air conditioning performance according to the air conditioning air supply parameters.

[0026] According to another embodiment, a method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may include: receiving an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from an outside air temperature sensor; receiving a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from a refrigerant pressure sensor; diagnosing an amount of refrigerant in the vehicle by using the outside air temperature value and the refrigerant pressure value; and displaying a notification to a user based on a diagnosis result of the refrigerant amount.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving an evaporator core temperature value from an evaporator core temperature sensor of the vehicle; forcing the vehicle's air conditioner to run for a predetermined time; diagnosing the vehicle's air conditioning performance by using the evaporator core temperature value based on the forced operation; and displaying a notification to a user based on the diagnosis result of the air conditioning performance.

[0028] According to the embodiment, an in-vehicle inspection code may be generated or a notification may be displayed to the user, depending on whether the refrigerant pressure is a reference value or a smaller value. The process of inspecting the vehicle may be performed by forcibly operating the air conditioner and determining the shortage of refrigerant based on the temperature change of the evaporator core temperature sensor. Therefore, defects in the vehicle air conditioner can be detected at an early stage, and the inspection reliability can be improved. In particular, compared with the method of inspecting the cooling performance of the vehicle in the related art, the inspection performance can be significantly improved. In the related art, the reliability is not high, and after identifying whether the minimum amount of refrigerant has been injected through the inspection code, the cooling performance is diagnosed by forcibly operating the air conditioner, and thus, in the case of an inspection based on temperature, it is impossible to distinguish whether the situation is caused by abnormal refrigerant pressure or other reasons. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3is a flowchart of a method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of air conditioning air supply parameters according to the implementation scheme.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a computing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can implement the embodiments and technical concepts of the present invention. However, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various different ways and are not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present invention, components that are not related to the description are omitted in the accompanying drawings. In addition, throughout the specification, similar constituent elements are represented by similar reference numerals.

[0039] Throughout the specification and claims, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the words "include", "contain" or "comprise" and variations such as "include", "comprising", "have" or "having", "include" or "comprising" should be understood to imply the inclusion of the described constituent elements rather than the exclusion of any other constituent elements. Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various constituent elements, but these constituent elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element.

[0040] The terms "unit", "component", "module", etc. described in this specification may represent a unit capable of performing at least one function or operation described in this specification, and the "unit", "component", etc. may be implemented by hardware, circuit, software, or a combination of hardware, circuit, and software. When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be considered herein to be "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a system for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0042] refer to Figure 1 , a system 1 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment is described. The system 1 may include: an apparatus 10 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, an outside air temperature sensor 20, a refrigerant pressure sensor 22, an evaporator core temperature sensor 24, an evaporator core 30, a condenser 32, a compressor 34, a blower 36 and / or other sensors 38.

[0043] The device 10 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may include a fully automatic temperature controller (FATC). FATC can automatically adjust the temperature in the vehicle. When the user sets the desired temperature, FATC can automatically control the functions of the air conditioner or heater based on data received from various sensors to maintain the internal temperature of the vehicle. However, the device 10 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner can be implemented not only by FATC. Depending on the implementation purpose and implementation environment, the device 10 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner can be implemented as another controller of the vehicle.

[0044] The outside air temperature sensor 20 can measure the actual ambient temperature outside the vehicle. The measured temperature information can be sent to the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner (which includes FATC), and then the measured temperature information is used to set the temperature of the air conditioner or heater of the vehicle or manage the temperature of other components (such as the engine). For example, the outside air temperature sensor 20 can be mainly located on the front surface of the vehicle (such as the front bumper or grille portion of the vehicle) to accurately measure the temperature of the external environment.

[0045] The refrigerant pressure sensor 22 may be provided in the air conditioning system of the vehicle and may measure the pressure of the refrigerant. When the pressure of the refrigerant in the air conditioning system is too high or too low, the air conditioning system cannot operate smoothly and may fail. In order to avoid the above problems and maintain proper cooling performance, the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 may monitor the pressure of the refrigerant and send the monitoring result to the apparatus 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning including the FATC. The apparatus 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning may determine the operating state of the air conditioning system based on the monitoring result.

[0046] The evaporator core temperature sensor 24 can measure the temperature inside the evaporator (e.g., the evaporator core 30) in the air conditioning system of the vehicle, and can send the measured information to the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning including the FATC. Therefore, when the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning determines that the temperature of the evaporator core 30 is too low, the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning can reduce or stop the flow of the refrigerant to prevent the evaporator from freezing. Alternatively, when the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning determines that the temperature of the evaporator core 30 is too high, the device 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioning provides a larger amount of refrigerant to the evaporator so that the air conditioning system can produce a larger amount of cold air.

[0047] The condenser 32 is disposed at the front side of the vehicle and may be located directly behind the radiator. The condenser 32 may dissipate heat by cooling the refrigerant compressed in the air conditioning system of the vehicle. The compressor 34 may apply energy by compressing the refrigerant and enable the refrigerant to move through the refrigerant circulation system. The blower 36 may supply air to the vehicle and may send air cooled in the evaporator of the air conditioning system into the vehicle.

[0048] The other sensors 38 are sensors other than the above-mentioned sensors. The other sensors 38 may collect various types of information about the vehicle and transmit the information to the apparatus 10 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner.

[0049] Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0050] refer to Figure 2 , the device 11 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be Figure 1 The apparatus 11 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may receive an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from the outside air temperature sensor 20, and may receive a refrigerant pressure value from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22. When the corresponding values ​​meet a predetermined standard, the apparatus 11 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may display a check code.

[0051] Specifically, the device 11 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may include: an outside air temperature value receiving module 110 , a refrigerant pressure value receiving module 112 , a refrigerant quantity diagnosis module 114 and a notification display module 116 .

[0052] The outside air temperature value receiving module 110 may receive the outside air temperature value of the vehicle from the outside air temperature sensor 20. In other words, the outside air temperature value receiving module 110 may measure the temperature of the actual environment outside the vehicle, and may send information about the temperature to the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114. On the other hand, the refrigerant pressure value receiving module 112 may receive the refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22, and send the refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle to the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114.

[0053] The refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 can diagnose the amount of refrigerant in the vehicle by using the outside air temperature value received from the outside air temperature sensor 20 by the outside air temperature value receiving module 110 and the refrigerant pressure value received from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 by the refrigerant pressure value receiving module 112. It is difficult to consistently diagnose the accurate amount of refrigerant in the vehicle due to various external variables. Therefore, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 can diagnose whether the amount of refrigerant in the vehicle is a predetermined minimum amount or more.

[0054] The notification display module 116 may display a notification related to the result of the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module 114 diagnosing the refrigerant quantity to the user. For example, the notification display module 116 may display the diagnosis result of the refrigerant quantity as an inspection code. Of course, the method of displaying the notification to the user is not limited to the method of displaying the inspection code, and various methods may also be used.

[0055] In the case where the outside air temperature value is small, the refrigerant pressure is sometimes low even if the refrigerant amount is large. In this case, the refrigerant amount is sufficient, so the refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 can diagnose the refrigerant amount only when the outside air temperature value is at a predetermined level or higher. Specifically, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 can diagnose the refrigerant amount by using the refrigerant pressure value received from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 only when the outside air temperature value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value. When the outside air temperature value is less than the first reference value, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 may not diagnose the refrigerant amount. In some embodiments, the first reference value may be set to 10°C to 13°C. In particular, the first reference value may be set to 10°C. As described above, the refrigerant amount diagnostic module 114 can be prevented from diagnosing the refrigerant amount when the refrigerant pressure is not accurately measured, thereby reducing the diagnostic accuracy. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent a notification that unnecessarily requires the user to check from being displayed to the user even if the refrigerant amount is sufficient. In some embodiments, when the outside air temperature value is less than the first reference value, the notification display module 116 can display a notification to the user indicating that the refrigerant amount cannot be diagnosed.

[0056] In the process of diagnosing the refrigerant quantity, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may check the refrigerant pressure multiple times. When the inspection result indicating that the refrigerant quantity is at a predetermined level or lower level continues to appear, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may determine that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal. Specifically, when the refrigerant pressure received from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 continues to remain at a predetermined second reference value or less for a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may determine that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal. Alternatively, when the refrigerant pressure does not continue to remain at a second reference value or less for a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may determine that the refrigerant quantity is normal. In some embodiments, when the refrigerant pressure is continuously 32psi or less for 10 seconds, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may determine that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal. In this case, normal refrigerant quantity or no abnormality in refrigerant quantity may indicate that the refrigerant quantity is equal to or greater than the minimum amount. Abnormal refrigerant quantity may indicate that the refrigerant quantity is less than the minimum amount.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant pressure received from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 continues to be a predetermined second reference value or less for a predetermined time, the notification display module 116 may display a refrigerant quantity check request notification to the user. Since the check result indicates that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal, the notification may request the user to check the refrigerant quantity. Alternatively, in some embodiments, when the refrigerant pressure does not continue to be a second reference value or less for a predetermined time, the notification display module 116 may display a refrigerant quantity normal notification to the user. The notification may indicate that the refrigerant quantity is normal (i.e., normal) according to the check result.

[0058] In the case where it is determined that the external air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is abnormal, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 114 may not perform the diagnosis of the refrigerant quantity. Whether the external air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is abnormal may be determined by various well-known methods, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to any specific method. In the case where it is determined that the external air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is abnormal, the notification display module 116 may display an external air temperature sensor check request notification (which requests the user to check the external air temperature sensor) or a refrigerant pressure sensor check request notification (which requests the user to check the refrigerant pressure sensor) to the user.

[0059] According to the present embodiment, since an in-vehicle inspection code is generated or a notification is displayed to a user according to whether the refrigerant pressure is a reference value or less, a defect of the vehicle air conditioner can be detected at an early stage and inspection reliability is improved.

[0060] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining a method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0061] refer to Figure 3 , the method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may include receiving an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from an outside air temperature sensor (step S301). The method may also include: receiving a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from a refrigerant pressure sensor (step S302), and diagnosing the amount of refrigerant in the vehicle by using the outside air temperature value and the refrigerant pressure value (step S303). The method may further include displaying a notification to a user according to the diagnosis result of the refrigerant amount (step S304).

[0062] Since more specific details of the method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may be described or applied with reference to the description of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, a repeated description is omitted.

[0063] Figure 4 is a block diagram for explaining an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0064] refer to Figure 4 , the device 12 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be Figure 1 The apparatus 12 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may receive an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from the outside air temperature sensor 20, and may receive a refrigerant pressure value from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22. When the corresponding values ​​meet a predetermined standard, the apparatus 12 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may display a check code. The apparatus 12 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may infer a defect cause when it is determined that the amount of refrigerant is abnormal (i.e., the amount of refrigerant is less than the minimum amount of refrigerant).

[0065] Specifically, the device 12 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner may include: an outside air temperature value receiving module 120, a refrigerant pressure value receiving module 122, a refrigerant quantity diagnosis module 124, a notification display module 126, and a defect cause inference module 128. For the contents that are not inconsistent with the contents described in this embodiment, the above reference can be used for reference or application. Figure 2 The description of the outside air temperature value receiving module 110, the refrigerant pressure value receiving module 112, the refrigerant amount diagnosis module 114, and the notification display module 116 is used to describe the outside air temperature value receiving module 120, the refrigerant pressure value receiving module 122, the refrigerant amount diagnosis module 124, and the notification display module 126. Therefore, the description here focuses on the differences.

[0066] In some embodiments, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 124 can diagnose the refrigerant quantity while the vehicle is running. That is, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module 124 can diagnose the refrigerant quantity in the vehicle while the vehicle is running by using the outside air temperature value received from the outside air temperature sensor 20 by the outside air temperature value receiving module 120 while the vehicle is running and by using the refrigerant pressure value received from the refrigerant pressure sensor 22 by the refrigerant pressure value receiving module 122 while the vehicle is running. Figure 2 The description is used to perform the diagnosis of the refrigerant amount. The notification display module 126 can display a notification related to the diagnosis result of the refrigerant amount to the user while the vehicle is driving. In particular, in the case of an abnormal refrigerant amount, the notification display module 126 can display a refrigerant amount check request notification requesting an inspection on the vehicle's combined instrument panel while the vehicle is driving. Alternatively, in the case where it is determined that the outside air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is abnormal, the notification display module 116 can display an outside air temperature sensor check request notification (which requests the user to check the outside air temperature sensor) or a refrigerant pressure sensor check request notification (which requests the user to check the refrigerant pressure sensor) on the vehicle's combined instrument panel while the vehicle is driving.

[0067] On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the amount of refrigerant is abnormal, the defect cause inference module 128 can infer the cause of the defect based on the refrigerant injection history data in the factory. In the case where the refrigerant is injected into the vehicle in the factory, the historical data can be stored in a database and managed. The historical data may include: the injection amount set when injecting the refrigerant, the vehicle state during the injection process, the order of the operation process and / or the environment (for example, the temperature or humidity during the operation process). The defect cause inference module 128 can simply display the inspection results in the form of an inspection code or notification. However, by providing the user with the injection amount during the injection of the refrigerant, the vehicle state during the injection process, the order of the operation process, and the environment (for example, the temperature or humidity during the operation process), or by providing the user with historical data that deviates from the normal range, the defect cause inference module 128 can also enable the user to easily identify the cause of the defect.

[0068] Figure 5 is a block diagram for explaining an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0069] refer to Figure 5 , the device 13 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be Figure 1 The apparatus 13 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner can check the air conditioner performance when the air conditioner is operated by forcibly operating the compressor 34 and the blower 36.

[0070] Specifically, the device 13 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner may include: an evaporator core temperature value receiving module 130 , an air conditioner forced operation module 132 , an air conditioner performance diagnosis module 134 , and a notification display module 136 .

[0071] The evaporator core temperature value receiving module 130 may receive the evaporator core temperature value from the evaporator core temperature sensor 24 of the vehicle. The evaporator core temperature value receiving module 130 may continuously receive the evaporator core temperature value after the engine of the vehicle is operated.

[0072] The air conditioning forced operation module 132 can force the air conditioning of the vehicle to operate for a predetermined time. During the forced operation, various combinations of flow rate settings, internal air or external air settings, flow direction settings, etc. can be performed.

[0073] The air conditioning performance diagnosis module 134 can diagnose the air conditioning performance of the vehicle by using the evaporator core temperature value according to the forced operation. In other words, by detecting a change in the evaporator core temperature value when the forced operation is performed under the conditions of the flow rate setting, the inside air or outside air setting, and the flow direction setting determined by the air conditioning forced operation module 132, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module 134 can diagnose the air conditioning performance of the vehicle.

[0074] The notification display module 136 can display a notification to the user according to the diagnosis result of the air conditioner performance. For example, the notification display module 136 can display the diagnosis result of the air conditioner performance as an inspection code. Of course, the method of displaying the notification to the user is not limited to the method of displaying the inspection code, but various methods can be used.

[0075] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when the first condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time is satisfied. For example, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when the condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches 8°C within 40 seconds after the start of forced operation is satisfied. In this case, the notification display module 136 may display to the user an air conditioning performance normal notification indicating that the air conditioning performance is normal. Alternatively, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal when the first condition is not satisfied. For example, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal when the condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches 8°C within 40 seconds after the start of forced operation is not satisfied. In this case, the notification display module 136 may display to the user an air conditioning inspection request notification requesting inspection when the air conditioning performance is determined to be abnormal.

[0076] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when the second condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value is reduced by a predetermined fourth reference value or greater from the initial value within a predetermined inspection time is satisfied. For example, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when the condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value is reduced by 10°C or more from the initial value within 40 seconds after the start of forced operation is satisfied. In this case, the notification display module 136 may display to the user an air conditioning performance normal notification indicating that the air conditioning performance is normal. Alternatively, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal when the second condition is not satisfied. For example, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal when the condition for determining whether the evaporator core temperature value is reduced by 10°C or more from the initial value within 40 seconds after the start of forced operation is not satisfied. In this case, the notification display module 136 may display to the user an air conditioning inspection request notification requesting inspection when the air conditioning performance is determined to be abnormal.

[0077] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 can determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when either the first condition or the second condition is met, the first condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time, and the second condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value to a predetermined fourth reference value or a greater value within a predetermined inspection time. In this case, the notification display module 136 can display an air conditioning performance normal notification to the user indicating that the air conditioning performance is normal. Alternatively, when neither the first condition nor the second condition is met, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 can determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal. In this case, the notification display module 136 can display an air conditioning inspection request notification requesting inspection to the user when determining that the air conditioning performance is abnormal.

[0078] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 can determine that the air conditioning performance is normal when both the first condition and the second condition are met, the first condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time, and the second condition is used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value to a predetermined fourth reference value or a greater value within a predetermined inspection time. In this case, the notification display module 136 can display an air conditioning performance normal notification to the user indicating that the air conditioning performance is normal. Alternatively, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 can determine that the air conditioning performance is abnormal when either the first condition or the second condition is not met. In this case, the notification display module 136 can display an air conditioning inspection request notification requesting inspection to the user when determining that the air conditioning performance is abnormal.

[0079] In some embodiments, the air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may use only the first condition to determine whether the air conditioning performance of the first type of vehicle is normal. The module 134 may use only the second condition to determine whether the air conditioning performance of the second type of vehicle is normal. The module 134 may use the logical sum of the first condition and the second condition to determine whether the air conditioning performance of the third type of vehicle is normal. The module 134 may use the logical product of the first condition and the second condition to determine whether the air conditioning performance of the fourth type of vehicle is normal. The air conditioning performance diagnostic module 134 may make and store data about the relationship between the vehicle type and the air conditioning performance determination method, and automatically apply different air conditioning performance determination methods according to the vehicle type, without the user specifying the air conditioning performance determination method one by one according to the vehicle type.

[0080] The air conditioning performance diagnosis module 134 may not perform the air conditioning performance diagnosis if it is determined that the evaporator core temperature sensor is abnormal. Whether the evaporator core temperature sensor is abnormal may be determined by various well-known methods, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to any specific method. If it is determined that the evaporator core temperature sensor is abnormal, the notification display module 136 may display an evaporator core temperature sensor check request notification to the user requesting the user to check the evaporator core temperature sensor.

[0081] According to this embodiment, since the process of inspecting the vehicle can determine the shortage of refrigerant based on the temperature change of the evaporator core temperature sensor by forcibly operating the air conditioner, defects of the vehicle air conditioner can be detected at an early stage and the inspection reliability can be improved.

[0082] Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining a method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0083] refer to Figure 6 , the method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may include receiving an evaporator core temperature value from an evaporator core temperature sensor of the vehicle (step S601). The method may also include: forcing the air conditioner of the vehicle to operate for a predetermined time (step S602), and diagnosing the air conditioner performance of the vehicle by using the evaporator core temperature value according to the forced operation (step S603). The method may also include displaying a notification to a user according to the diagnosis result of the air conditioner performance (step S604).

[0084] Since more specific details of the method of diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner may be described or applied with reference to the description of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, a repeated description is omitted.

[0085] Figure 7 is a block diagram for explaining an apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. Figure 8is a schematic diagram for explaining air supply parameters of air conditioning according to an embodiment.

[0086] refer to Figure 7 , the device 14 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be Figure 1 The apparatus 14 for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner can check the air conditioner performance when the air conditioner is operated by forcibly operating the compressor 34 and the blower 36, thereby performing performance diagnosis under various air conditioner air supply environments.

[0087] Specifically, the device 14 for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner may include: an evaporator core temperature value receiving module 140, an air conditioner forced operation module 142, an air conditioner performance diagnosis module 144, a notification display module 146, and an air conditioner air supply parameter providing module 148. For the contents that are not inconsistent with the contents described in this embodiment, the above reference can be used for reference or application. Figure 6 The evaporator core temperature value receiving module 140, the air conditioner forced operation module 142, the air conditioner performance diagnosis module 144, and the notification display module 146 are described in detail with reference to the description of the evaporator core temperature value receiving module 130, the air conditioner forced operation module 132, the air conditioner performance diagnosis module 134, and the notification display module 136. Therefore, the description focuses on the differences.

[0088] The air conditioning air supply parameter providing module 148 may provide the air conditioning air supply parameter to the air conditioning performance diagnosis module 144, wherein the air conditioning air supply parameter is used to specify the ventilation type and blower gear of the air conditioner. In addition, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module 144 may change the conditions for diagnosing the air conditioning performance based on the air conditioning air supply parameter provided from the air conditioning air supply parameter providing module 148.

[0089] refer to Figure 8, the air conditioning air supply parameter providing module 148 can provide a first condition to the air conditioning performance diagnosis module 144, and the first condition is that the blower gear is set to 3, and the ventilation type is set to "ventilation position". Module 148 can provide a second condition to module 144, and the second condition is that the blower gear is set to 8, and the ventilation type is set to "ventilation position". Module 148 can provide a third condition to module 144, and the third condition is that the blower gear is set to 1, and the ventilation type is set to "bi-lateral air supply position (BI-LEVEL Position)". Module 148 can provide a fourth condition to module 144, and the fourth condition is that the blower gear is set to 3, and the ventilation type is set to "bi-lateral air supply position". Module 148 may further provide module 144 with a fifth condition, a sixth condition, a seventh condition, and an eighth condition, wherein the fifth condition is that the blower gear is set to 8 and the ventilation type is set to "double-sided air supply position", the sixth condition is that the blower gear is set to 1 and the ventilation type is set to "foot blowing position", the seventh condition is that the blower gear is set to 3 and the ventilation type is set to "foot blowing position", and the eighth condition is that the blower gear is set to 8 and the ventilation type is set to "foot blowing position". The air conditioning performance diagnosis module 144 may select at least one of the first to eighth conditions according to the vehicle type and the diagnosis environment, and may diagnose the air conditioning performance according to the forced operation corresponding to the selected condition.

[0090] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a computing device according to an embodiment.

[0091] refer to Fig. 9 The apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be implemented by using the computing device 50 .

[0092] The computing device 50 may include at least one processor 510, a memory 530, a user interface input device 540, a user interface output device 550, and a storage device 560 that communicate with each other via a bus 520. The computing device 50 may also include a network interface 570 electrically connected to the network 40. The network interface 570 may send a signal to another object or receive a signal from another object through the network 40.

[0093] The processor 510 may be implemented by various types such as a microcontroller unit (MCU), an application processor (AP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), a quantum processing unit (QPU), etc. The processor 510 may be any semiconductor device that executes instructions stored in the memory 530 or the storage device 560. The processor 510 may be configured to implement the above reference Figures 1 to 8 Describes the functions and methods.

[0094] The memory 530 and the storage device 560 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. Examples of the memory may include a read-only memory (ROM) 531 and a random access memory (RAM) 532. In the present embodiment, the memory 530 may be located inside or outside the processor 510. The memory 530 may be connected to the processor 510 in various known ways.

[0095] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the configuration or function of the apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be implemented as a program or software executed by the computing device 50. The program or software may be stored in a computer-readable medium. Specifically, the computer-readable medium according to the embodiment may be a medium formed by recording a program (stored in a memory 530 or a storage device 560) or a program (configured to execute the steps included in the apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment) in a computer including a processor 510 for executing instructions.

[0096] In some embodiments, the configuration or function of at least a portion of the apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment may be implemented by using hardware or circuits of the computing device 50 , or implemented as separate hardware or circuits that may be electrically connected to the computing device 50 .

[0097] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, an in-vehicle inspection code may be generated or a notification may be displayed to the user, depending on whether the refrigerant pressure is less than or equal to a reference value. The process of inspecting the vehicle may be performed by forcibly operating the air conditioner and determining the shortage of refrigerant based on the temperature change of the evaporator core temperature sensor. Therefore, defects in the vehicle air conditioner can be detected at an early stage, and the inspection reliability can be improved. In particular, compared with the method of inspecting the cooling performance of the vehicle in the related art, the inspection performance can be significantly improved. In the related art, the reliability is not high, and after identifying whether the minimum amount of refrigerant has been injected through the inspection code, the cooling performance is diagnosed by forcibly operating the air conditioner, so that when the inspection is based on the temperature, it is impossible to distinguish whether the situation is caused by abnormal refrigerant pressure or other reasons.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be understood that many changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the appended claims will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, the device comprising: an outside air temperature value receiving module configured to receive an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from an outside air temperature sensor; a refrigerant pressure value receiving module configured to receive a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from a refrigerant pressure sensor; a refrigerant amount diagnostic module configured to diagnose an amount of refrigerant in a vehicle by using an outside air temperature value and a refrigerant pressure value; as well as A notification display module is configured to display a notification to a user according to the diagnosis result of the refrigerant amount.

2. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerant amount diagnosis module diagnoses the refrigerant amount by using the refrigerant pressure value when the outside air temperature value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value.

3. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein: When the outside air temperature value is less than a predetermined first reference value, the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module does not diagnose the refrigerant quantity; The notification display module displays a notification to a user indicating that the amount of refrigerant cannot be diagnosed.

4. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein: When the refrigerant pressure continues to be less than or equal to a predetermined second reference value within a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module determines that the refrigerant quantity is abnormal; The notification display module displays a refrigerant quantity check request notification to a user.

5. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein: When the refrigerant pressure does not continuously remain less than or equal to the second reference value within a predetermined time, the refrigerant quantity diagnostic module determines that the refrigerant quantity is normal; The notification display module displays a notification indicating that the refrigerant quantity is normal to the user.

6. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: When it is determined that the outside air temperature sensor or the refrigerant pressure sensor is abnormal, the refrigerant quantity diagnosis module does not diagnose the refrigerant quantity; The notification display module displays an outside air temperature sensor check request notification or a refrigerant pressure sensor check request notification to a user.

7. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerant quantity diagnostic module diagnoses the refrigerant quantity when the vehicle is running; The notification display module displays notifications while the vehicle is traveling.

8. The apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: The defect cause inference module is configured to infer the defect cause based on the refrigerant injection history data in the plant when it is determined that the refrigerant amount is abnormal.

9. A device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, the device comprising: an evaporator core temperature value receiving module configured to receive an evaporator core temperature value from an evaporator core temperature sensor of the vehicle; An air conditioning forced operation module configured to force the vehicle's air conditioning to operate for a predetermined time; an air conditioning performance diagnostic module configured to diagnose air conditioning performance of the vehicle by using an evaporator core temperature value according to a forced operation; as well as A notification display module is configured to display a notification to a user based on the diagnosis result of the air conditioner performance.

10. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: The air conditioning performance diagnostic module determines that the air conditioning performance is normal when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time; The notification display module displays a notification indicating that the air conditioner performance is normal to the user.

11. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein: When the first condition is not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module determines that the air conditioning performance is abnormal; The notification display module displays an air conditioner inspection request notification to a user.

12. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: The air conditioning performance diagnostic module determines that the air conditioning performance is normal when a second condition is satisfied, the second condition being used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value by a predetermined fourth reference value or more within a predetermined inspection time; The notification display module displays a notification indicating that the air conditioner performance is normal to the user.

13. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein: When the second condition is not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module determines that the air conditioning performance is abnormal; The notification display module displays an air conditioner inspection request notification to a user.

14. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: The air conditioning performance diagnosis module determines that the air conditioning performance is normal when either a first condition or a second condition is satisfied, the first condition being used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value reaches a predetermined third reference value within a predetermined inspection time, and the second condition being used to determine whether the evaporator core temperature value decreases from an initial value by a predetermined fourth reference value or more within a predetermined inspection time; The notification display module displays a notification indicating that the air conditioner performance is normal to the user.

15. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein: When both the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module determines that the air conditioning performance is abnormal; The notification display module displays an air conditioner inspection request notification to a user.

16. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: When it is determined that the evaporator core temperature sensor is abnormal, the air conditioning performance diagnosis module does not diagnose the air conditioning performance; The notification display module displays an evaporator core temperature sensor check request notification to a user.

17. The apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising: The air conditioning air supply parameter providing module is configured to provide the air conditioning air supply parameters to the air conditioning performance diagnosis module, wherein the air conditioning air supply parameters are used to specify the ventilation type and blower gear of the air conditioner.

18. The device for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 17, wherein: The air conditioning performance diagnosis module changes a condition for diagnosing the air conditioning performance according to the air conditioning air supply parameter.

19. A method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner, the method comprising: receiving an outside air temperature value of the vehicle from an outside air temperature sensor; receiving a refrigerant pressure value of the vehicle from a refrigerant pressure sensor; Diagnose the amount of refrigerant in the vehicle by using the outside air temperature value and the refrigerant pressure value; A notification is displayed to the user based on the diagnosis result of the refrigerant quantity.

20. The method for diagnosing a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 19, further comprising: receiving an evaporator core temperature value from an evaporator core temperature sensor of the vehicle; Force the vehicle's air conditioning to run for a predetermined period of time; Diagnose the vehicle's air conditioning performance by using the evaporator core temperature value based on forced operation; Displays notifications to the user based on the diagnosis results of the air conditioning performance.

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