Air conditioning system, method, device, apparatus and medium with in-vehicle humidification function

Abstract

This disclosure provides an air conditioning system, method, apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium with in-vehicle humidification function, including a vehicle body controller, an air conditioning main unit, an air conditioning controller, a humidification device, and a humidification device controller. The humidification device includes a water supply component and an evaporative humidification component. The water supply component is used to supply water to the evaporative humidification component to wet it. The vehicle body controller is used to send instructions to the air conditioning controller and the humidification device controller respectively according to the in-vehicle humidity. The air conditioning controller is used to control whether air is discharged from the air outlet of the air conditioning main unit, at least according to the instructions. The humidification device controller is used to control whether the evaporative humidification component is activated, at least according to the instructions. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air conditioning outlet will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air and diffusing it into the vehicle interior. Accordingly, this disclosure achieves clean humidification and avoids the accumulation of humidified air in the layout, preventing localized overhumidification and achieving uniform humidification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of in-vehicle humidification technology, and more particularly to an air conditioning system, method, apparatus, electronic device and storage medium with in-vehicle humidification function. Background Technology

[0002] Existing in-vehicle humidification solutions commonly employ ultrasonic atomization technology. This technology uses a high-frequency oscillator placed at the bottom of the water tank to break liquid water directly into micron-sized droplets through high-frequency vibration. These droplets are then sprayed into the passenger compartment as a "white mist" by a fan, thereby increasing local humidity. Due to its simple structure, low cost, and ease of integration, ultrasonic humidification has become the mainstream choice for current in-vehicle humidification products.

[0003] However, this technology has significant drawbacks: on the one hand, it does not produce water vapor, but rather liquid particles suspended in the air, which can easily carry minerals, bacteria, viruses and other impurities from the water source. After spreading inside the car, these particles may be inhaled by the occupants, posing potential health risks. On the other hand, ultrasonic humidification is not uniform enough, often resulting in localized over-humidification, causing condensation near the air vents or on the surface of the car windows, as well as dampness in the interior, affecting driving comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, in order to solve the problem of uneven humidification and potential health risks in related technologies, in a first aspect, this disclosure provides an air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function, including a vehicle body controller, an air conditioning host, an air conditioning controller, a humidification device and a humidification device controller, wherein the humidification device includes a water supply component and an evaporative humidification component; The water supply component is used to supply water to the evaporative humidification component so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water; The vehicle body controller is used to send instructions to the air conditioning controller and the humidification device controller respectively according to the humidity inside the vehicle. The air conditioner controller is used to control whether air is emitted from the air outlet of the air conditioner unit, at least according to the instruction. The humidification device controller is used to control whether the evaporative humidification component is activated, at least according to the instruction. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air conditioning vent will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air that diffuses into the vehicle interior.

[0005] Optionally, the air conditioner controller is also connected to a humidity sensor, and the water supply component includes a water storage device and a water circulation component; The air conditioning controller is also used to compare the in-vehicle humidity information collected by the humidity sensor with the suitable in-vehicle humidity, determine the running time of the water circulation component based on the comparison result, and then send an instruction to the humidification device controller based on the running time. The humidification device controller is also used to control the operating time of the water circulation component according to the instruction; The water circulation component is used to operate according to the operating time, and during operation, it transports the water in the water storage device to the evaporation humidification component.

[0006] Optionally, the humidification device controller is also connected to a temperature sensor, which is located inside the water storage device, and a resistance heating element is attached to the inner wall of the water storage device. The humidification device controller is also used to acquire the water temperature collected by the temperature sensor and send the water temperature to the vehicle body controller; The vehicle body controller is also used to compare the water temperature with a preset water temperature, determine whether the water in the water storage device needs to be heated based on the comparison result, and if heating is required, send a heating instruction to the humidification device controller. The humidification device controller is also used to energize the resistance heating element after receiving the heating instruction, so that the resistance heating element generates heat.

[0007] Optionally, the water circulation component is a water pump and a water supply pipe. The water pump is located inside the water storage device and supplies water to the evaporative humidification component through the water supply pipe. The water storage device also includes an ultraviolet sterilization lamp and a water filter. The water pump draws water through the water filter. The ultraviolet sterilization lamp is used to sterilize the water in the water storage device; The water pump is used to operate according to the running time, and during the operation, it draws water from the water storage device and transports the drawn water to the evaporative humidification component through the water delivery pipe. The water filter is used to filter particulate impurities in the water flowing through it during the water pump's suction process.

[0008] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a method for regulating in-vehicle humidity, the method being applied to a body controller in the system described in the first aspect, the method further comprising: Obtain in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity level in the vehicle. If the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the water supply component is controlled to supply water to the evaporative humidification component so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. Control the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning vents and activate the evaporative humidification component. Once activated, the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning vents will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air that diffuses into the vehicle.

[0009] Optionally, the control of the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component includes: Obtain the current temperature inside the vehicle, and determine the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the current temperature based on the current temperature; Obtain the humidity level of the vehicle interior space to be regulated and the water delivery volume of the water delivery component per unit time; The operating time of the water delivery component is calculated based on the difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the saturated water vapor pressure, the vehicle interior space value, and the water delivery volume per unit time of the water delivery component. The water supply component is controlled to supply water to the evaporative humidification component according to the running time.

[0010] Optionally, the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a suitable humidity range inside the vehicle, and the method further includes: If the humidity data is higher than the upper limit of the suitable humidity range in the vehicle, the evaporative humidification component will be deactivated. After the evaporative humidification component is deactivated, the airflow from the air conditioning vents in the vehicle will not pass through the evaporative humidification component and will no longer form humid air. The vehicle's air conditioning system is controlled to activate the dehumidification mode, and during the operation of the dehumidification mode, the humidity inside the vehicle is continuously monitored until the humidity inside the vehicle falls into the suitable humidity range.

[0011] Thirdly, this disclosure also provides an in-vehicle humidity regulating device, the device comprising: The acquisition unit is used to acquire in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity level in the vehicle. A water supply unit is used to control the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component if the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. The control unit is used to control the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system and to activate the evaporative humidification component. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning system will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air and spreading it into the vehicle.

[0012] Fourthly, this disclosure also provides an electronic device, including a communication interface, a processor, a memory, and a bus, wherein the communication interface, the processor, and the memory are interconnected via the bus; The memory stores machine-readable instructions, and the processor executes the method described in the third aspect above by invoking the machine-readable instructions.

[0013] Fifthly, this disclosure also provides a machine-readable storage medium storing machine-readable instructions that, when invoked and executed by a processor, implement the method described in the third aspect above.

[0014] Therefore, this disclosure constructs an air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function. The body controller sends instructions to the air conditioning controller and the humidification device controller respectively according to the in-vehicle humidity to achieve active regulation of the in-vehicle humidity. The air conditioning controller controls whether the air outlet of the air conditioning unit is emitting air according to the instructions, and the humidification device controller controls whether the evaporative humidification component is activated according to the instructions. The evaporative humidification component is wetted by water supply through the water supply component. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air conditioning outlet will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humid air and diffusing it into the vehicle.

[0015] Through the above methods, the technical solution disclosed herein has the following advantages: First, by generating humid water vapor through natural evaporation, unlike liquid droplets, it will not diffuse non-volatile impurities (such as minerals, bacteria, and viruses) in the liquid water into the passenger compartment in the form of aerosols, thereby achieving clean humidification and reducing health risks; Second, humidification is controlled by the vehicle body controller and only occurs when the air conditioning is venting and the evaporative humidification component is activated, avoiding resource waste caused by excessive humidification; Finally, the humid air diffuses within the vehicle with the air conditioning venting, avoiding the accumulation of humid air in the layout and causing localized over-humidification, thus achieving uniform humidification. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission structure of an angle-switching motor, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a modular structure of an in-vehicle humidification system, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 This is an exemplary embodiment illustrating the operating logic of a resistance heating element; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a control and water storage unit as an exemplary embodiment; Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the control architecture of an in-vehicle humidity control system, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for regulating in-vehicle humidity; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a closed-loop control process for in-vehicle humidity regulation, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 This is an exemplary embodiment illustrating the hardware structure of an electronic device; Figure 10 This is a block diagram illustrating an in-vehicle humidity control device, as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this disclosure, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0019] It should be noted that the steps of the corresponding methods are not necessarily performed in the order shown and described in this disclosure in other embodiments. In some other embodiments, the methods may include more or fewer steps than those described in this disclosure. Furthermore, a single step described in this disclosure may be broken down into multiple steps in other embodiments; and multiple steps described in this disclosure may be combined into a single step in other embodiments.

[0020] The present disclosure will now be described through specific embodiments and in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

[0021] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides an air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function, including a body controller, an air conditioning main unit, an air conditioning controller, a humidification device, and a humidification device controller.

[0022] The air conditioning unit is typically installed inside the vehicle's dashboard. It has air inlets, air outlets, and internal air ducts. It contains a built-in blower and damper actuator to regulate the direction and volume of airflow. The air conditioning unit is electrically connected to the air conditioning controller to receive control commands from the controller and drive the blower to start or stop, or adjust the damper opening.

[0023] The humidification device includes a water supply component and an evaporative humidification component. The water supply component can be a water pump, a water pipe, a spray structure, etc., and the evaporative humidification component can be a wet curtain, a water-absorbing fabric, etc.

[0024] The initial position of the evaporative humidifier is located to the side of the air outlet of the air conditioning unit, or parallel to the airflow path of the air conditioning unit, so that the airflow does not pass through the evaporative humidifier when the air conditioning unit is discharging air. The humidifier is electrically connected to the humidifier controller to receive control commands from the humidifier controller and control whether the evaporative humidifier is activated. When the humidifier controller activates the evaporative humidifier, its position will be on the airflow path of the air conditioning unit.

[0025] Taking a water pump as an example, the water pump is usually installed at the bottom of the water storage tank, and its outlet is connected to the water distribution tank above the evaporative humidification unit via a hose. The water pump can also be electrically connected to the humidification device controller to receive start and stop control commands, thereby determining whether to supply water to the evaporative humidification unit.

[0026] The body controller communicates with the air conditioning controller and the humidifier controller via the vehicle bus. The body controller acquires the humidity inside the vehicle (either input by the user or collected by a humidity sensor) and compares it with a preset target humidity range (e.g., 40%–60%). If the current humidity is lower than the lower limit of the target humidity range, the body controller generates a humidification coordination command and simultaneously sends a "turn on air supply" command to the air conditioning controller and a "start water pump" command to the humidifier controller.

[0027] When the air conditioner controller receives the instruction, it controls the blower of the air conditioner unit to start, so that airflow is blown out from the air outlet.

[0028] When the humidification device controller receives the instruction, it drives the water pump to deliver water from the water storage tank to the water distribution trough and evenly spray it onto the surface of the evaporative humidification component, so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. When the airflow from the air outlet flows through the wetted evaporative humidification component, the water naturally evaporates into water vapor, forming humid air, which is then diffused throughout the passenger compartment of the vehicle by the air conditioning.

[0029] During the humidification process, if the vehicle controller detects that the humidity inside the vehicle has fallen into the target humidity range, it will send a stop humidification coordination command, and the air conditioning unit and water pump will stop working, thus ending the humidification process.

[0030] In this embodiment, the body controller is the central control unit in the vehicle's electronic and electrical architecture, integrated into the body control domain. It receives analog or digital signals from the humidity sensor and executes preset humidity closed-loop control logic. The water supply pipe can be made of silicone tubing or polymer flexible tubing, and the water distribution trough structure can be a porous flow equalization plate or capillary water guide strip, used to evenly distribute the water flow to the full height cross-section of the evaporative humidification component. This disclosure does not limit the specific form of the water pump model, pipeline routing, and water distribution structure, as long as the water supply per unit time is sufficient to maintain a continuous water film on the surface of the evaporative humidification component.

[0031] In one optional embodiment, the evaporative humidification component is parallel to the airflow direction of the air outlet of the air conditioner unit when it is not in use, and perpendicular to the airflow direction of the air outlet of the air conditioner unit when it is in use, so as to maximize the airflow contact area.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function, as shown in an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the humidifier controller (not shown in the figure) can output a PWM signal to drive the angle switching motor. The angle switching motor drives the transmission mechanism to switch the plane of the evaporative humidification component (such as a wet curtain) at the air outlet of the air conditioner to a position perpendicular to the air conditioner's airflow direction, so as to maximize the airflow contact area.

[0034] It should be noted that when the evaporative humidification component is in use, an acute angle between it and the airflow direction at the air outlet of the air conditioning unit is sufficient to achieve humidification. This disclosure does not limit the actual angle of use.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission structure of an angle-switching motor, as shown in an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the humidifier controller (not shown in the figure) can output a PWM signal to drive the output shaft of the angle switching motor to rotate the first bevel gear. The first bevel gear meshes with the second bevel gear fixed to the drive rod of the evaporative humidification component (such as the wet curtain), thus driving the wet curtain drive rod to rotate. The humidifier controller further detects the position of the wet curtain after rotation. If the plane of the wet curtain is perpendicular to the airflow direction in the air conditioning duct, it stops driving the output shaft of the angle switching motor to rotate the first bevel gear.

[0037] Once the humidification device controller confirms that the evaporative humidification component has been fully saturated and the angle has been switched to the correct position, it sends a ready signal to the body controller. Simultaneously, the body controller sends an air outlet command to the air conditioning controller, which then controls the air conditioning unit to start the fan and blow air out of the air conditioning vents. The airflow passes through the evaporative humidification component, and water molecules are removed from the surface of the wet curtain under the action of the airflow, forming humid air with increased moisture content. This humid air is then sent out through the central air outlet in front of the vehicle seats and naturally diffuses to the second row of seats and the side areas, achieving a uniform increase in humidity inside the vehicle.

[0038] In one alternative embodiment, an appropriate air conditioning outlet speed can be set based on the computational fluid dynamics simulation results of the air duct of the actual vehicle model, so as to balance the passenger's physical comfort and humidification efficiency.

[0039] In one alternative embodiment, the air conditioning system further includes a humidity sensor mounted on the headliner or near the center console of the vehicle interior to collect humidity signals of the air inside the vehicle in real time. The air conditioning controller is also connected to the humidity sensor to receive the humidity data collected by the humidity sensor.

[0040] During operation, the air conditioning controller compares the received in-vehicle humidity level with a preset suitable humidity level or suitable temperature range. If the current humidity is lower than the lower limit of the suitable temperature range, the air conditioning controller calculates the required operating time for the water circulation components based on the humidity difference, the volume of the in-vehicle space, and the current temperature. Subsequently, the air conditioning controller sends a humidification command containing this operating time to the humidification device controller via the vehicle bus.

[0041] After receiving a humidification command, the humidifier controller activates the water circulation component to operate for a specified duration. The water circulation component is a miniature water pump housed within a water storage unit. Its inlet is located at the bottom of the storage unit, and its outlet is connected via a water pipe to a distribution tank above the evaporative humidifier component. During operation, the pump continuously draws water from the storage unit and delivers it to the evaporative humidifier component, ensuring its surface remains fully wetted. Once the set operating time is reached, the pump automatically stops, ending the water supply.

[0042] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a modular structure of an in-vehicle humidification system, as shown in an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the system includes a control and water storage unit, and a humidification actuation unit, which are connected by water pipes and wiring harnesses to form a complete humidification circuit. The control and water storage unit integrates a water storage device, a humidification device controller, a micro water pump (not shown in the figure), and a power interface. The humidification actuation unit is located in the air duct downstream of the air outlet section of the air conditioning unit. Its main body is an evaporative humidification component (such as a wet curtain), and it is connected to the water supply pipe from the control and water storage unit via a water distribution tank to receive water and achieve water evaporation. The water pipes transport water from the water storage device to the top of the humidification actuation unit. The wiring harness connects the humidification device controller to the water pump drive circuit in the control and water storage unit, realizing the transmission of electrical control signals for starting and stopping the water pump.

[0044] The water circulation component is not limited to a water pump; a peristaltic pump or a pressure-driven liquid supply module can also be used. The installation location of the humidity sensor can be set according to actual conditions, such as placing it in the middle of the dashboard or near the air vents in the roof to reflect the representative humidity of the central area of ​​the passenger compartment. The suitable humidity range inside the vehicle can be configured according to the climate characteristics of the region where the vehicle is located or user preferences; this disclosure does not limit the above methods.

[0045] Through this mechanism, the system achieves on-demand quantitative water supply based on actual humidity requirements, avoiding over-humidification or insufficient water supply, and improving humidification efficiency and energy efficiency.

[0046] In one alternative embodiment, the humidifier controller is also connected to a temperature sensor installed inside the water storage device to monitor the temperature of the water in the water storage device in real time; at the same time, a resistance heating element is attached to the inner wall of the water storage device, and its power supply terminal is connected to the output drive circuit of the humidifier controller.

[0047] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is an exemplary embodiment illustrating the operating logic of a resistance heating element.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, after the vehicle starts, the body controller sends a temperature detection signal to the humidification device controller. The humidification device controller periodically reads the water temperature data collected by the temperature sensor and uploads this data to the body controller via the vehicle bus. The body controller has a preset water temperature threshold (e.g., 5°C) stored inside to determine if the current water temperature is too low. When the received water temperature is lower than this threshold, the body controller determines that the water in the reservoir needs to be heated (to prevent the water from continuing to cool down to a freezing state) and calculates the heating time using an algorithm. Then, a heating instruction is sent to the humidifier controller. Upon receiving the heating instruction, the humidifier controller activates its internal power switching device, energizing the resistance heating element to generate heat, thereby increasing the water storage temperature, and records the heating time. When the heating duration achieve When the heating is activated, the vehicle body controller stops sending heating instructions, the resistance heating element is de-energized, and the heating process ends.

[0049] The temperature sensor is installed in the middle or near the bottom of the water storage device to accurately reflect the water temperature. The resistance heating element is a flexible silicone heating film or metal foil heating element, tightly adhered to the inner wall of the water storage device with thermally conductive adhesive to ensure efficient heat transfer to the water. The preset water temperature can be dynamically configured according to environmental climate conditions or user preferences; this disclosure does not limit this. In this embodiment, the heating time... The calculation algorithm is as follows: In the formula, t 1 represents the total heating time required by the resistance heating element, in seconds, indicating the time required from the start of heating until the water temperature reaches the target temperature; Δ t The system response delay time, in seconds, is used to compensate for delays caused by controller command issuance, circuit conduction, and heat conduction lag. It can be calibrated based on actual testing. Δ TThe target difference for water temperature increase, in degrees Celsius (°C), is defined as the temperature difference between the preset target water temperature and the current measured water temperature. S The cross-sectional area of ​​the bottom surface of the water storage device is expressed in square meters (m²). 2 This reflects the cross-sectional dimensions of the water storage container; L The current water level is in meters and is obtained in real time by a water level sensor. It is used to calculate the actual water volume. ρ The density of water is taken as 1000 kg / m³. 3 ; c The specific heat capacity of water is taken as 4.187 kJ / (kg·K); P This is the rated power of the resistance heating element, measured in watts, and is determined by the specifications of the heating element.

[0050] Through this mechanism, the system can actively maintain the water storage temperature in low-temperature environments, avoid water pump blockage or pipeline failure due to freezing, and improve the all-weather adaptability and operational reliability of the humidification function.

[0051] In one optional embodiment, the water circulation component includes a water pump and a water delivery pipe. The water pump is installed at the bottom inside the water storage device, with its inlet located downstream of the water filter, and its outlet connected to a water distribution trough above the evaporative humidification component via the water delivery pipe. The water storage device also integrates an ultraviolet sterilization lamp and a water filter: the ultraviolet sterilization lamp is fixed to the inner wall or top of the water storage device for continuous or intermittent ultraviolet irradiation of the stored water; the water filter is located in front of the water pump's suction port and consists of a porous filter element. During operation, the water pump starts according to the runtime command issued by the humidification device controller. During operation, it draws water from the water storage device. The water first passes through the water filter to remove particulate impurities, and is then pumped into the water delivery pipe and delivered to the evaporative humidification component, forming a uniform water film on its surface. Simultaneously, the ultraviolet sterilization lamp is periodically activated to sterilize the water in the water storage device and inhibit microbial growth.

[0052] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control and water storage unit, as shown in an exemplary embodiment.

[0053] like Figure 5As shown, the control and water storage unit is an integrated module, which can be cylindrical or cuboid in shape. Its interior includes a water storage device, a water pump, a water filter, an ultraviolet sterilization lamp, a resistance heating element, and a humidification device controller. The water storage unit serves as the main container for storing humidification water. A water pump is installed at the center of the bottom of the water storage unit, with its inlet located downstream of the water filter. The outlet is connected to an external evaporative humidification component via a water supply pipe. The water filter, composed of a porous filter element, is positioned along the water pump's suction path to intercept particulate impurities in the water. An ultraviolet (UV) sterilization lamp is integrated into the water storage unit's cover, providing continuous or intermittent UV irradiation for sterilization and bacteriostasis. A resistance heating element is attached to the bottom of the inner wall of the water storage unit to heat the water in low-temperature environments. The humidification unit controller is integrated into the water storage unit's cover and is connected via wiring harnesses to the water pump, UV sterilization lamp, resistance heating element, temperature sensor, and water level sensor. It receives commands from the vehicle's control unit and controls the start, stop, and operating time of each actuator accordingly, while also collecting water temperature information and uploading it to the vehicle's control unit. The entire unit is connected to the humidification actuation unit via a water supply pipe and to the vehicle's network via a communication harness, enabling integrated and coordinated management of water supply, filtration, sterilization, and temperature control.

[0054] The water filter can be an activated carbon composite filter or a stainless steel filter, used to intercept insoluble particles such as silt, fibers, and scale. The installation position of the ultraviolet sterilization lamp ensures that the irradiation covers the main water storage area, and its start and stop can be controlled by the humidification device controller according to a preset cycle (such as irradiating for 30 seconds before each humidification), or it can work continuously.

[0055] Through this mechanism, the water pump, ultraviolet sterilization lamp and water filter together form a water quality protection subsystem, which effectively prevents impurities from clogging the water distribution tank, contaminating the evaporative humidification components or breeding bacteria, thereby improving the cleanliness of the humidification process and the long-term reliability of the system.

[0056] To better illustrate the control architecture of the in-vehicle humidity control system, the following will combine... Figure 6 Please provide a description. See also... Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control architecture of an in-vehicle humidity control system, as shown in an exemplary embodiment.

[0057] like Figure 6As shown, this embodiment illustrates the electronic and electrical architecture of an in-vehicle humidity control system. The body controller in this system serves as the central control unit for the entire vehicle within the body control domain. It communicates with the humidity sensor, humidification device controller, air conditioning unit controller, and central control screen controller via digital signals to collect environmental parameters, receive user commands, and coordinate the control of various execution units. The system comprises several components: a humidity sensor that collects real-time humidity data from the passenger compartment and sends digital signals to the vehicle body controller; a humidification unit controller that receives humidification commands from the body controller and drives the water pump and motor via electrical signals to activate the water supply and evaporative humidification components; an air conditioning unit controller that, based on the airflow commands from the body controller, controls the operation of the fan and the actuators such as the external circulation damper and defrost / defogging damper via electrical signals to ensure airflow passes through the evaporative humidification components before entering the vehicle and dehumidifies when humidity is too high; and a central control screen controller that receives humidity settings or system status queries input by the user via the touchscreen and sends these commands to the body controller as digital signals. It also receives data from the body controller, including current humidity, humidification status, and water temperature, displaying this information visually for human-machine interaction. This architecture enables coordinated operation between the humidification function and the air conditioning system, ensuring efficient and stable humidity regulation.

[0058] Secondly, this disclosure provides a method for regulating in-vehicle humidity, the method being applied to a body controller in the system described in the first aspect.

[0059] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for regulating humidity inside a vehicle. The method may perform the following steps: Step 702: Obtain in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity level in the vehicle.

[0060] For example, the body controller receives a digital signal from a humidity sensor via the vehicle bus. This signal represents the current relative humidity value of the passenger compartment (e.g., 38% RH), and compares the current relative humidity value of the passenger compartment (e.g., 38% RH) with the lower limit of a preset suitable humidity range for the passenger compartment (e.g., 40% RH).

[0061] The suitable humidity inside the vehicle can include a single humidity value or a humidity range, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations on this. A humidity sensor is used to collect ambient humidity in real time, and its output signal is transmitted via the air conditioning unit controller or directly to the body controller. The communication method is digital signal transmission, ensuring data accuracy and anti-interference capability. The suitable humidity can be stored in the parameter table inside the body controller and can also be set by the user through the central control screen controller.

[0062] Step 704: If the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, control the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water.

[0063] For example, when the body control determines that the relative humidity in the passenger compartment (e.g., 38% RH) is lower than the preset lower limit of the suitable humidity range (e.g., 40% RH), and humidification needs to be activated, the body control sends a digital command containing the water pump's operating time to the humidification device controller. Upon receiving the command, the humidification device controller drives the water pump to start via an electrical signal, drawing water from the water storage device and delivering it to the water distribution trough above the evaporative humidification component, thus forming a uniform water film on the surface of the wet curtain.

[0064] Specifically, when the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a single humidity value, it is necessary to determine whether the relative humidity value in the current passenger compartment is lower than that single humidity value; when the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a humidity range, it is necessary to determine whether the relative humidity value in the current passenger compartment is lower than the lower limit of that humidity range. The humidifier controller and the water pump are connected via electrical control signals to achieve precise start-stop control. The water pump is located at the bottom of the water storage device, and its operating status is managed by the humidifier controller.

[0065] Step 706: Control the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system and activate the evaporative humidification component. After the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humid air and spreading it into the vehicle.

[0066] For example, while sending a humidification command, the body controller also sends an air outlet start command to the air conditioning unit controller. After the air conditioning unit controller responds, it drives the fan motor to run and opens the air intake channel through the external circulation damper actuator, so that the airflow is blown out from the air outlet, passes through the wetted evaporative humidification component, and the moisture evaporates naturally, forming air with increased humidity, which is then sent into the passenger compartment through the front center air outlet.

[0067] The air conditioning unit controller is connected to the fan motor and damper actuator via electrical signals to achieve precise control of the air supply status. "Activating the evaporative humidification component" means that the evaporative humidification component is in a humidified state after water supply and is located in the airflow path. The entire process is uniformly scheduled by the vehicle body controller to ensure that humidification only occurs when there is airflow, preventing ineffective humidification.

[0068] In one embodiment shown, controlling the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component includes: acquiring the current temperature inside the vehicle to determine the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the current temperature; acquiring the vehicle interior space value to be humidified and the water supply volume of the water supply component per unit time; calculating the operating time of the water supply component based on the difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the saturated vapor pressure, the vehicle interior space value, and the water supply volume of the water supply component per unit time; and controlling the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component based on the operating time.

[0069] For example, the body controller receives the current interior temperature as 20°C and the relative humidity as... RH 1=30%, preset suitable humidity is RH 2=50%, passenger cabin volume V =3.5m 3 water pump flow rate Q =60mL / min; First, look up the table or use the built-in formula to obtain the saturated water vapor pressure at 20℃. p sat ( T )≈2.338kPa; According to the ideal gas law, the initial water vapor partial pressure p 1= RH 1⋅ p sat ( T ) = 0.30 × 2.338 = 0.701 kPa, target water vapor partial pressure p 2= RH 2⋅ p sat ( T =0.50 × 2.338 = 1.169 kPa, water vapor partial pressure increment Δ p = p 2- p 1 = 0.468 kPa = 468 Pa; from the ideal gas law Δ n = R ⋅ T Δ p ⋅ V Substitute into the universal gas constant R =8.314 J / (mol⋅K), the absolute temperature corresponding to 20℃ T =293.15K, therefore the amount of water vapor substance that needs to be added is... mols, then multiplied by the molar mass of water M =18.015 g / mol, therefore the required increase in water mass Δ m =Δ n ⋅ M≈12.1g; since approximately 1 g of water vapor is produced after each milliliter of water evaporates, the required water supply volume is approximately 12.1 mL; combined with the water pump flow rate... Q =60mL / min=1mL / s, calculate the pump running time Δ t =Δ m / Q =12.1s; the vehicle body controller sends this duration to the humidification device controller, which drives the water pump to run for about 12.1 seconds to complete precise water supply.

[0070] Specifically, when the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a single humidity value, the "difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle" is the difference between the humidity data and that single humidity value; when the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a humidity range, the "difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle" is the difference between the humidity data and the lower limit threshold of that humidity range, or the difference between the humidity data and the median value of that humidity range, etc., and this disclosure does not impose any limitations on this. The "saturated vapor pressure" can be obtained through table lookup, empirical formulas, or pre-stored data. The "in-vehicle space value" is the effective air volume of the passenger compartment, which can be pre-calibrated based on vehicle model parameters and stored in the body controller. The "water delivery volume per unit time of the water supply component" refers to the stable flow rate of the water pump under rated voltage, which can be calibrated at the factory and written into the controller parameters. The calculation of the running time is based on a physical model to ensure that the humidification amount matches the humidity demand and avoids over-humidification or insufficient water supply.

[0071] In one embodiment shown, the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a suitable humidity range inside the vehicle. The method further includes: if the humidity data is higher than the upper limit of the suitable humidity range inside the vehicle, the evaporative humidification component is deactivated. After the evaporative humidification component is deactivated, the airflow from the air conditioning vents inside the vehicle will not pass through the evaporative humidification component and will no longer form humid air; the air conditioning system inside the vehicle is controlled to activate the dehumidification mode, and the humidity inside the vehicle is continuously monitored during the operation of the dehumidification mode until the humidity inside the vehicle falls into the suitable humidity range inside the vehicle.

[0072] For example, taking the evaporative humidification component as a wet curtain, combined with Figure 8 This embodiment will be described below. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a closed-loop control process for in-vehicle humidity regulation, as illustrated in an exemplary embodiment.

[0073] like Figure 8As shown, the vehicle system collects humidity signals from humidity sensors and uploads them to the body controller. Upon receiving the humidity signal, the body controller determines whether the current humidity meets the suitable humidity range for the vehicle interior (e.g., 40%-50% RH). When the detected humidity exceeds the upper limit of the range (e.g., >50% RH), the body controller decides to execute a dehumidification operation, sending a digital signal to the air conditioning unit controller to put the air conditioning into dehumidification mode. This mode activates the external circulation damper and the defrost / defogging damper, using dry outside air or condensation to remove excess moisture from the vehicle interior. Simultaneously, the body controller sends a command to the humidification unit controller to retract the wet curtain and cut off the water supply path, ensuring that subsequent airflow no longer passes through the wet curtain and avoiding continuous humidification. The air conditioning unit controller continues to run the fan and introduces low-humidity air through external circulation, achieving active dehumidification. During this process, the body controller continuously receives feedback signals from the humidity sensor, monitoring changes in humidity within the vehicle in real time. When the humidity drops to the suitable range, the system automatically exits the dehumidification mode, closes the external circulation and defrost / defogging dampers, and restores normal ventilation or air supply, completing the humidity regulation closed loop.

[0074] The "suitable humidity range inside the vehicle" can be dynamically set according to user preferences, environmental conditions, or vehicle configuration and stored in the body controller. "Disabling evaporative humidification components" includes actions such as stopping the water pump, retracting the wet curtain, and disconnecting the motor power, all executed uniformly by the humidification device controller. The "dehumidification mode" is achieved through the air conditioning unit controller, which controls the opening of the external circulation damper, compressor operation, and blower operation. Its core principle is to reduce cabin humidity by utilizing airflow and temperature differences. This process forms a complete control loop, achieving bidirectional humidity regulation (humidification and dehumidification), improving passenger cabin comfort and system intelligence.

[0075] Corresponding to the above-described embodiments of the in-vehicle humidity regulation method, this disclosure also provides an embodiment of an in-vehicle humidity regulation device.

[0076] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is an exemplary embodiment illustrating the hardware structure of an electronic device. At the hardware level, the device includes a processor 902, an internal bus 904, a network interface 906, memory 908, and non-volatile memory 910, and may also include other necessary hardware. One or more embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in software, for example, the processor 902 reads the corresponding computer program from the non-volatile memory 910 into memory 908 and then runs it. Of course, besides software implementation, one or more embodiments of this disclosure do not exclude other implementation methods, such as logic devices or a combination of hardware and software, etc. That is to say, the execution entity of the following processing flow is not limited to individual logic units, but can also be hardware or logic devices.

[0077] Please see Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an in-vehicle humidity control device 1000. This in-vehicle humidity control device 1000 can be applied to, for example... Figure 9 The illustrated electronic device is used to implement the technical solution of this disclosure. The device includes: The acquisition unit 1002 is used to acquire in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity in the vehicle. The first control unit 1004 is used to control the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component if the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. The second control unit 1006 is used to control the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system and to activate the evaporative humidification component. After the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humid air and spreading it into the vehicle.

[0078] In some embodiments, the control of the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component includes: Obtain the current temperature inside the vehicle, and determine the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the current temperature based on the current temperature; Obtain the humidity level of the vehicle interior space to be regulated and the water delivery volume of the water delivery component per unit time; The operating time of the water delivery component is calculated based on the difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the saturated water vapor pressure, the vehicle interior space value, and the water delivery volume per unit time of the water delivery component. The water supply component is controlled to supply water to the evaporative humidification component according to the running time.

[0079] In some embodiments, the suitable humidity inside the vehicle is a suitable humidity range inside the vehicle, and the device further includes: The stop unit 1008 is used to deactivate the evaporative humidification component if the humidity data is higher than the upper limit of the suitable humidity range in the vehicle. After the evaporative humidification component is deactivated, the airflow from the air conditioning vent in the vehicle will not pass through the evaporative humidification component and will no longer continue to form humid air. The dehumidification unit 1010 is used to control the vehicle air conditioner to activate the dehumidification mode, and continuously monitor the humidity inside the vehicle during the operation of the dehumidification mode until the humidity inside the vehicle falls into the suitable humidity range inside the vehicle.

[0080] The specific implementation process of the functions and roles of each unit in the above device can be found in the implementation process of the corresponding steps in the above method, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this disclosure according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without creative effort.

[0082] The systems, devices, modules, or units described in the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer or entity, or by a product with a certain function. A typical implementation device is a computer, which can be a personal computer, laptop computer, cellular phone, camera phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, media player, navigation device, email sending and receiving device, game console, tablet computer, wearable device, or any combination of these devices.

[0083] In a typical configuration, a computer includes one or more processors (CPU), input / output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

[0084] Memory may include non-persistent storage in computer-readable media, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or flash RAM. Memory is an example of computer-readable media.

[0085] Computer-readable media, including both permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media, can store information using any method or technology. Information can be computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase-change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile optical disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic tape, disk storage, quantum memory, graphene-based storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transferable medium that can be used to store information accessible by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable media does not include transient computer-readable media, such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0086] The user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this disclosure are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. Furthermore, the collection, use and processing of the relevant data shall comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant regions, and corresponding operation portals shall be provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0087] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0088] The foregoing has described specific embodiments of this disclosure. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and may still achieve the desired results. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.

[0089] The terminology used in one or more embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the one or more embodiments of this disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in one or more embodiments of this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0090] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various information in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of this disclosure, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0091] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of one or more embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of one or more embodiments of this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of one or more embodiments of this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system with in-vehicle humidification function, characterized in that, It includes a body controller, an air conditioning unit, an air conditioning controller, a humidifier, and a humidifier controller, wherein the humidifier includes a water supply component and an evaporative humidification component; The water supply component is used to supply water to the evaporative humidification component so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water; The vehicle body controller is used to send instructions to the air conditioning controller and the humidification device controller respectively according to the humidity inside the vehicle. The air conditioner controller is used to control whether air is emitted from the air outlet of the air conditioner unit, at least according to the instruction. The humidification device controller is used to control whether the evaporative humidification component is activated, at least according to the instruction. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the air conditioning vent will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air that diffuses into the vehicle interior.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner controller is also connected to a humidity sensor, and the water supply component includes a water storage device and a water circulation component. The air conditioning controller is also used to compare the in-vehicle humidity information collected by the humidity sensor with the suitable in-vehicle humidity, determine the running time of the water circulation component based on the comparison result, and then send an instruction to the humidification device controller based on the running time. The humidification device controller is also used to control the operating time of the water circulation component according to the instruction; The water circulation component is used to operate according to the operating time, and during operation, it transports the water in the water storage device to the evaporative humidification component.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The humidification device controller is also connected to a temperature sensor, which is located inside the water storage device. A resistance heating element is also attached to the inner wall of the water storage device. The humidification device controller is also used to acquire the water temperature collected by the temperature sensor and send the water temperature to the vehicle body controller; The vehicle body controller is also used to compare the water temperature with a preset water temperature, determine whether the water in the water storage device needs to be heated based on the comparison result, and if heating is required, send a heating instruction to the humidification device controller. The humidification device controller is also used to energize the resistance heating element after receiving the heating instruction, so that the resistance heating element generates heat.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water circulation components are a water pump and a water supply pipe. The water pump is located inside the water storage device and supplies water to the evaporative humidification component through the water supply pipe. The water storage device also includes an ultraviolet sterilization lamp and a water filter. The water pump draws water through the water filter. The ultraviolet sterilization lamp is used to sterilize the water in the water storage device; The water pump is used to operate according to the running time, and during the operation, it draws water from the water storage device and transports the drawn water to the evaporative humidification component through the water delivery pipe. The water filter is used to filter particulate impurities in the water flowing through it during the water pump's suction process.

5. A method for regulating humidity inside a vehicle, characterized in that, The method is applied to the body controller of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising: Obtain in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity level in the vehicle. If the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the water supply component is controlled to supply water to the evaporative humidification component so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. Control the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning vents and activate the evaporative humidification component. Once activated, the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning vents will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air that diffuses into the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control water supply component supplies water to the evaporative humidification component, including: Obtain the current temperature inside the vehicle, and determine the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the current temperature based on the current temperature; Obtain the humidity level of the vehicle interior space to be regulated and the water delivery volume of the water delivery component per unit time; The operating time of the water delivery component is calculated based on the difference between the humidity data and the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, the saturated water vapor pressure, the vehicle interior space value, and the water delivery volume per unit time of the water delivery component. The water supply component is controlled to supply water to the evaporative humidification component according to the running time.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The suitable humidity inside the vehicle refers to a suitable humidity range inside the vehicle, and the method further includes: If the humidity data is higher than the upper limit of the suitable humidity range in the vehicle, the evaporative humidification component will be deactivated. After the evaporative humidification component is deactivated, the airflow from the air conditioning vents in the vehicle will not pass through the evaporative humidification component and will no longer form humid air. The vehicle's air conditioning system is controlled to activate the dehumidification mode, and during the operation of the dehumidification mode, the humidity inside the vehicle is continuously monitored until the humidity inside the vehicle falls into the suitable humidity range.

8. A vehicle interior humidity control device, characterized in that, The device includes: The acquisition unit is used to acquire in-vehicle humidity data and compare the humidity data with the suitable humidity level in the vehicle. A water supply unit is used to control the water supply component to supply water to the evaporative humidification component if the humidity data is lower than the suitable humidity inside the vehicle, so that the evaporative humidification component is wetted with water. The control unit is used to control the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system and to activate the evaporative humidification component. When the evaporative humidification component is activated, the airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning system will pass through the evaporative humidification component, forming humidified air and spreading it into the vehicle.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a communication interface, a processor, a memory, and a bus, wherein the communication interface, the processor, and the memory are interconnected via the bus; The memory stores machine-readable instructions, and the processor executes the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 by invoking the machine-readable instructions.

10. A machine-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-readable instructions that, when invoked and executed by a processor, implement the method described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

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