Vehicle Air Conditioning Evaporator Drying Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems in vehicles suffer from evaporator contamination due to moisture generation, leading to unpleasant odors and increased maintenance costs, as they lack effective prevention mechanisms for moisture accumulation and subsequent contamination.

Innovation Solution

A control method that preemptively prevents evaporator contamination by selectively drying the evaporator using a controller that detects temperature differences and humidity levels, activating dehumidification modes before arrival or after vehicle stoppage, utilizing a navigation system, humidity sensors, and battery charge monitoring to manage compressor and blow motor operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air conditioning system operates in cooling mode, then the interior temperature is reduced, but moisture is generated on the evaporator surface due to temperature difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior temperatureVSAvoidmoisture generation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary drying action by operating the blower motor after vehicle shutdown to remove moisture from the evaporator surface before contamination can occur. This proactive measure prevents the harmful effect rather than addressing it after formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The drying operation is executed periodically based on operating conditions - specifically after cooling mode operation when temperature difference exists between evaporator and external environment. This periodic intervention prevents continuous moisture accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the evaporator is contaminated with moisture, then the system maintains cooling function, but unpleasant odor is generated in the vehicle interior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidunpleasant odor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful moisture on evaporator surface into beneficial drying effect by utilizing the temperature difference between the evaporator and external air. The same temperature difference that caused condensation is now used to evaporate and remove the moisture, transforming the harmful condition into a self-cleaning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If chemical agents are used to remove evaporator odor, then the odor is eliminated, but maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor removalVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-cleaning of the evaporator by utilizing its own operational characteristics - the temperature difference between evaporator and external environment is exploited to naturally evaporate and remove moisture without requiring external chemical agents or professional maintenance intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the blower motor operates continuously to dry the evaporator, then moisture is removed, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removalVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial drying action by operating the blower motor only for a limited period after vehicle shutdown, rather than continuous operation. This partial action is sufficient to remove the moisture layer formed during cooling operation without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively prevents evaporator contamination and associated odors, reducing maintenance costs and improving occupant comfort by minimizing the need for chemical cleaners and frequent filter replacements.

Implementation Method 1

moisture is generated on the surface of the evaporator due to a difference of an external temperature and the temperature of the evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

comparing an external temperature with a temperature of the evaporator... when an absolute value of a difference between the external temperature and the temperature of the evaporator is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11247656B2Air conditioning system control method for vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A control method of an air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a process A of determining whether arrival at a destination is imminent based on data detected from a data detecting unit by a controller and comparing a target temperature of an evaporator with an actual temperature of the evaporator in a state of cooling a vehicle interior while the vehicle is running. A process B includes controlling a blow motor, a compressor, and a vent discharge control unit by determining whether the evaporator is cleaned by the controller through process A, and controlling an outdoor air/indoor air mode operation unit by detecting external humidity and internal humidity. A process C includes controlling the blow motor and the outdoor air/indoor air mode operation unit by comparing an external temperature with the temperature of the evaporator.