Vehicle Air Conditioning Humidity Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems struggle to precisely control moisture levels in the air intake, leading to potential water ingress into the passenger compartment, especially during heavy rain or car wash conditions, which can result in reduced air quality and increased risk of corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning system with a humidity sensor integrated directly onto the air filter, positioned upstream of the blower, measures moisture content and controls air intake volume to prevent water ingress, allowing for efficient and reliable detection and regulation of moisture levels, reducing the need for additional holders and minimizing acoustic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a humidity sensor is arranged on a receptacle of the filter element to measure humidity, then moisture detection capability is provided, but the device complexity increases and acoustic effects may occur due to sensor positioning in the air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity sensor is integrated directly onto the filter element housing, merging the sensing function with the existing filter structure. This eliminates the need for separate sensor holders and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining humidity detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element housing serves as an intermediary structure that houses the humidity sensor, positioning it optimally in the air flow path without requiring additional mounting components. The housing acts as both a structural element and a sensor mounting platform.
2Measurement precision
If the humidity sensor is positioned in the air flow to measure moisture content, then real-time humidity measurement is achieved, but acoustic effects are generated due to the sensor being in the air stream
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity sensor is positioned in a specific location on the filter element housing where it can detect air flow humidity without being directly in the high-velocity air stream. This local positioning optimizes measurement capability while minimizing exposure to air flow-induced acoustic effects.
3Ease of operation
If additional holders are used to mount the humidity sensor, then proper sensor positioning is achieved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element housing is designed to integrate the humidity sensor mounting function directly into its structure. The housing includes built-in features such as recesses, channels, or mounting surfaces that accommodate the sensor without requiring separate holders, brackets, or additional mounting components.
4Reliability
If the air intake volume is reduced to prevent water ingress during heavy rain, then water protection is improved, but the air conditioning system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system incorporates a controllable air intake opening that can dynamically adjust its size based on real-time humidity sensor readings. During heavy rain conditions, the opening is reduced to prevent water ingress, while during normal conditions, it is opened wider to maintain air conditioning efficiency. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both protection and performance based on actual environmental conditions.
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 solution effectively detects and manages moisture levels, preventing water ingress and maintaining air quality, while ensuring low flow resistance and improved efficiency by adjusting air intake based on real-time humidity readings, potentially eliminating the need for a condensation sensor and ensuring proper filter type recognition for optimal system operation.
Implementation Method 1
a humidity sensor, the humidity sensor, in contrast to DE 10 2007 056 356.8, being arranged on or on an air filter
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning system comprising an air filter (1), a humidity sensor (6) that is disposed on or in the air filter, an electronic system provided to control or regulate the vehicle air-conditioning system. A signal supplied by the humidity sensor is transmitted to the electronic system. Said humidity sensor (6) is arranged upstream in relation to the air filter (1).