Accelerated Odor Reproduction in Vehicle Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing odor from vehicle air-conditioners are ineffective in replicating the odor reproduction process within a short time, leading to premature wear of evaporator cores and potential fuel efficiency issues, as they fail to accurately simulate the biofilm layer formation and odor generation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that include a detachable microorganism inoculation unit, nutrient supply, air supply, and temperature/humidity control to rapidly generate a biofilm layer on the evaporator core, simulating the conditions for odor reproduction, using controlled nutrients and environmental conditions to accelerate the formation of a biofilm layer similar to that found in used vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing methods use blow fans to dry the evaporator after the air conditioner stops, then moisture removal is attempted, but the fan continuously rotates causing misrecognition as malfunction and deterioration of fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary drying action by controlling the blow fan to operate for a predetermined time period after the air conditioner stops, removing moisture before the system fully shuts down. This prevents the need for continuous fan operation while effectively drying the evaporator.
Solution Approach 2:
The blow fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs for a specific duration after shutdown and then stops. This periodic operation pattern eliminates the misrecognition problem and fuel efficiency deterioration while still achieving moisture removal through controlled intermittent operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing methods continuously operate the blow fan to remove moisture, then drying effect is improved, but misrecognition as malfunction occurs and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blow fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs for a specific duration after shutdown and then stops. This periodic operation pattern eliminates the misrecognition problem and fuel efficiency deterioration while still achieving moisture removal through controlled intermittent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary drying action by controlling the blow fan to operate for a predetermined time period after the air conditioner stops, removing moisture before the system fully shuts down. This prevents the need for continuous fan operation while effectively drying the evaporator.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If existing methods use microorganisms to remove odor from the air conditioner, then odor removal is attempted, but the evaporator core wears out acceleratively within approximately 3 years
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copied version of the used evaporator core's biofilm layer on a new evaporator core. By transferring or reproducing the biofilm characteristics rather than using the actual worn evaporator, the system achieves odor removal experimentation without accelerating the degradation of the original evaporator core.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a detachable microorganism inoculation unit that can be easily replaced. Instead of subjecting the expensive evaporator core to accelerated wear for experimentation, a disposable or replaceable inoculation unit is used, which can be discarded or renewed without affecting the main evaporator core's lifespan.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If existing methods conduct odor removal experiments using microorganisms on used car level evaporators, then fundamental odor removal is attempted, but the R&D period is extended due to the time required to reach used car level degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inoculating microorganisms onto the evaporator core before the experiment begins, rather than waiting for natural biofilm formation over years. This pre-inoculation accelerates the creation of odor-generating conditions, enabling rapid experimentation without requiring the evaporator to naturally degrade to used-car levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of time by introducing microorganisms that accelerate biofilm formation. Instead of waiting for natural degradation processes that take years, the introduced microorganisms speed up biofilm creation, compressing a multi-year process into a much shorter experimental period while maintaining odor reproduction accuracy.
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
This approach allows for the rapid and accurate reproduction of air-conditioner odor, enabling more precise experimentation and extending the life of evaporator cores by simulating the odor generation process under controlled conditions, thus addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a nutrient supply unit supplying nutrients to microorganisms inoculated in the microorganism inoculation unit
Implementation Method 2
an air supply and temperature/humidity controller configured to circulate and supply air of which temperature and humidity are controlled to the microorganism inoculation unit
Implementation Method 3
a bio film layer is formed while microorganisms causing the odor are adsorbed on the surface of the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method that can accelerate reproduction of odor from an air-conditioner by segmenting microorganisms, a temperature/humidity condition and nutrients for metabolism of the microorganisms as conditions for reproducing the odor from the air-conditioner and setting the segmented microorganisms, a temperature/humidity condition and nutrients for metabolism of the microorganisms according to an accelerated condition thereof.