Vehicle HVAC Sanitizing System with Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems in motor vehicles lack integrated sanitizing capabilities to effectively neutralize pathogens within the vehicle interior, failing to provide controlled humidity and sanitizing agent distribution to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle HVAC system that includes a controller to manage temperature and humidity levels, introduce a sanitizing agent, and utilize a user interface for scheduling sanitizing cycles, featuring a heater core, reservoir for sanitizing agents, and a mister for air distribution, which can increase humidity and introduce chemical sanitizing agents into the air before it is circulated within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sanitizing cycle is implemented with increased temperature and humidity control, then pathogen neutralization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the heater core before introducing sanitizing agent liquid, ensuring the core is at optimal temperature for effective pathogen neutralization before the sanitizing cycle begins. This preliminary action ensures maximum effectiveness from the start of the sanitizing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous circulation of air through the HVAC system during the sanitizing cycle, with the fan operating continuously to ensure constant exposure of air to the sanitizing agent and heated conditions, maximizing pathogen neutralization throughout the entire cycle duration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a chemical sanitizing agent is introduced into the HVAC system, then sanitizing capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system's existing heater core is utilized for dual purposes: normal heating operations and sanitizing agent vaporization. By introducing liquid sanitizing agent through the heater core's existing structure, the system gains sanitizing capability without adding dedicated complex sanitizing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater core serves itself by vaporizing the introduced liquid sanitizing agent through its existing heating function, eliminating the need for separate vaporization equipment. The system uses its own thermal resources to accomplish the sanitizing function.
3Reliability
If the heater core is used to vaporize sanitizing agent, then sanitizing effectiveness is improved, but risk of overheating or fire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the operational parameters of the heater core by controlling the temperature range and duration of heating during sanitizing cycles. The controller adjusts these parameters to ensure sufficient heat for vaporization while maintaining safety margins to prevent overheating or fire hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors and adjusts the operation of the heater core and fan based on system conditions during the sanitizing cycle, providing feedback control to maintain safe operating temperatures and prevent overheating while ensuring effective sanitization.
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
The system effectively neutralizes pathogens by controlling temperature and humidity levels and introducing sanitizing agents, providing a safer and healthier interior environment through targeted sanitizing cycles that can be scheduled and tailored to user preferences.
Implementation Method 1
actuating the heater core to heat air flowing through the HVAC system
Implementation Method 2
Liquid from the reservoir exiting the liquid outlet may be heated to facilitate evaporation
Implementation Method 3
causing the HVAC system to increase humidity of air flowing through the HVAC system
Implementation Method 4
a fluid conduit connecting the reservoir to a mister positioned in the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes a passenger space and a HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a heater, an air conditioner, and ducts configured to heat and/or cool air to the passenger space. The HVAC system is configured to increase humidity of air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system, and to introduce a sanitizing agent into air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system. A controller is configured to actuate the HVAC system to circulate humidified air containing the sanitizing agent through the passenger space to neutralize pathogens that may be present in the passenger space.