Odor Absorbent Regeneration via Heater Plenum Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle HVAC systems fail to effectively regenerate odor absorbent materials, leading to the re-emission of trapped odors into the passenger cabin when the vehicle is unoccupied, as existing systems do not provide a mechanism to actively push these odors outside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a regeneration blower assembly connected between the heater plenum and fresh air inlet duct, controlled by a microprocessor, to draw warmed air through odor absorbent material and discharge the odors outside the vehicle after the ignition is switched off, ensuring odors are not re-introduced into the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If odor absorbent material is used to trap odors in the HVAC system, then odors are prevented from permeating the passenger cabin, but trapped odors may outgas into the passenger cabin through the ducts under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the odor absorbent material by directing heated air from the heater plenum through the odor absorbent. This thermal parameter change regenerates the odor absorbent material, preventing odor re-emission into the passenger cabin by altering the physical state of the trapped odors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts trapped odors from the odor absorbent material by passing heated air through it. The heated air entrains the released odors and carries them away from the HVAC system through the fresh air inlet duct, effectively removing the harmful substances from the cabin environment.
2Reliability
If a regeneration system is added to push odors outside the vehicle, then odor absorbent can be effectively regenerated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration system uses existing HVAC components (heater plenum, blower fan, ducts) for multiple purposes. The heater plenum serves both normal heating functions and odor absorbent regeneration. The blower fan operates both for cabin ventilation and for forcing regenerated air through the odor absorbent. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining regeneration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the regeneration function with the existing HVAC airflow path. The regeneration process combines heating, air movement, and odor removal into a single integrated flow path through the heater plenum and fresh air inlet duct, eliminating the need for separate regeneration equipment.
3Reliability
If heated air is directed through odor absorbent to regenerate it, then trapped odors are released, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic regeneration cycles rather than continuous heating. The controller activates the heater and blower fan only when regeneration is needed, using timed cycles to heat the odor absorbent material. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating while maintaining effective odor removal when required.
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 regenerates odor absorbent materials by releasing trapped odors into the ambient environment, preventing their re-entry into the vehicle cabin and maintaining a fresher interior.
Implementation Method 1
air from the passenger cabin of the motor vehicle is drawn by the blower fan through the heater plenum where that air is warmed
Implementation Method 2
the fan draws the warmed air through the first duct so that it passes the blower fan and is then forced by the blower fan through the second duct and the odor absorbent
Implementation Method 3
The warmed air regenerates the odor absorbent which releases the odors, entraining them into the air stream
Implementation Method 4
The warmed air regenerates the odor absorbent which releases the odors, entraining them into the air stream
Implementation Method 5
The air stream containing the entrained odors is then discharged from the fresh air inlet to the ambient environment outside of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for regenerating an odor absorbent in a motor vehicle HVAC system. That method includes the step of heating and regenerating the odor absorbent using heat from a heater core of the HVAC system.