KR20160125156A

KR20160125156A - HVAC Auto Cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR20160125156A
Application number: KR1020150055979A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이권; 도승선; 김영창
Original assignee: 이래오토모티브시스템 주식회사
Priority date: 2015-04-21
Filing date: 2015-04-21
Publication date: 2016-10-31

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) automatic cleaning apparatus to clean an evaporator using high temperature steam. The HVAC automatic cleaning apparatus comprises: a cleaning unit to spray a cleaning liquid to clean a surface of an evaporator; a passage blocking unit to block at least one among a first exhaust gas flow passage extended from a flow path of the evaporator to be connected the inside of a vehicle and a second exhaust gas flow passage connected to the outside of the vehicle; and a control unit to block the first exhaust gas flow passage by operating the passage blocking unit when the cleaning unit is operated. Furthermore, a HVAC automatic cleaning method comprises: a cleaning step of cleaning the evaporator by spraying the cleaning liquid; a blocking step of blocking the first exhaust gas flow passage connected to the inside of the vehicle by being extended from the flow path of the evaporator, to block inflow of the steam created in the cleaning step into the inside of the vehicle; a drying step of drying the evaporator using wind generated by driving a blower unit when the cleaning step has terminated; and an opening step of opening the first exhaust gas flow passage to introduce the air into the vehicle when the drying step has terminated.

Description

HVAC Auto Cleaning Apparatus [0001]

The present invention relates to an HVAC automatic cleaner for cleaning an evaporator using high temperature steam.

A heating ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle generally functions as a cooling and heating system, and functions to maintain a comfortable indoor environment by controlling the temperature, humidity, and airflow of the room. The HVAC device includes a blower for blowing air, an evaporator for cooling the air, and a heater for heating the air. The blower blows air from the outside or the inside through an evaporator or a heater, Supply.

However, such a conventional HVAC apparatus has a drawback that the surface of the evaporator is easily contaminated by condensed water. Particularly, when micro dust and mold are generated, the bacteria propagate and thus the exhaust passage is blocked or odor is generated.

In order to solve these problems, Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0108884 (published Apr. 15, 2014) discloses an evaporator cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of an evaporator and a cleaning liquid input unit And the cleaning liquid injected into the cleaning liquid inlet pipe is discharged to the surface of the evaporator to clean the surface of the evaporator.

However, not only the evaporator cleaning unit is exposed inside the vehicle, but also the aesthetic appearance is deteriorated, the evaporator cleaning unit must be attached separately, and the user must input the cleaning liquid directly.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0108884

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner which automatically rinses a contaminated evaporator with high temperature steam, And the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic HVAC automatic cleaning device which does not inconvenience the vehicle aesthetic appearance because the convenience of the user is maximized and the cleaning device is incorporated in the HVAC module.

To this end, the automatic HVAC cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the evaporator by spraying a cleaning liquid, a first exhaust passage extending through the flow path of the evaporator and leading to the interior of the vehicle, and a second exhaust passage And a control unit for driving the passage blocking unit to block the first exhaust passage by the passage blocking unit when the cleaning unit is operated.

Further, the present invention may further include an air blower for blowing air through the fan to dry the cleaning liquid adhering to the surface of the evaporator, wherein the controller drives the air blower to perform a drying operation by the blow- do.

In addition, when the drying operation by the blow-in unit is completed, the control unit drives the passage blocking unit so that the second exhaust passage is blocked by the passage blocking unit.

In addition, the control unit drives the passage blocking unit when the operation of the cleaning unit is completed, so that the second exhaust passage is blocked by the passage blocking unit.

The HVAC automatic washing method according to the present invention includes a washing step of washing the evaporator by spraying the washing liquid from the washing unit, a washing step of washing the evaporator with the washing liquid, A drying step of drying the evaporator using the wind generated by the driving of the blowing unit when the washing step is finished; and a drying step of drying the evaporator when the drying step is completed, And opening the first exhaust passage for the first exhaust passage.

According to the HVAC automatic cleaner of the present invention, the contaminated evaporator can be automatically cleaned and dried with high-temperature steam to improve the cleaning efficiency, and the high-temperature steam can be prevented from flowing into the interior of the vehicle, .

In addition, since the cleaning device is built in the HVAC module, the beauty of the inside of the vehicle is not hurt, no cleaning device is attached, and the cleaning liquid can be automatically supplied, thereby improving the user's convenience

1 is a view illustrating an internal structure of an automatic HVAC cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic HVAC cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the present invention and the operation and effect thereof will be clearly understood through the following detailed description.

Before describing the invention in detail, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals even if they are shown in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted when it is judged that the gist of the present invention may be blurred to a known configuration .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the structure of a waste compression apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view illustrating an internal structure of an automatic HVAC cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the HVAC automatic washing apparatus according to the present invention includes a washing unit 100 for washing the surface of an evaporator 400 by spraying a washing liquid, (600) for blocking the first exhaust passage (500) leading to the outside of the vehicle and the second exhaust passage (510) leading to the outside of the vehicle when the washing unit (100) The control unit 700 drives the first exhaust passage 500 to shut off the first exhaust passage 500 by the passage blocking unit 600. The control unit 700 controls the blowing unit (200).

1, the cleaning unit 100 includes a cleaning liquid tank 110 for storing a cleaning liquid, a heater 120 for heating the cleaning liquid with a high temperature steam, a temperature sensing unit 120 for sensing a temperature of the heater 120, A sensor 170 connected to the cleaning liquid tank 110 and connected to the connection tube 140 for moving the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 110, a pump 170 for transferring the cleaning liquid to the connection tube 140, A pressure sensor 150 formed in the connection tube 140 for sensing the pressure in the tube and an injection nozzle 160 for spraying the washing liquid transported through the pump 170.

Since the cleaning unit 100 cleans the evaporator 400 by using the built-in heater 120 to make the cleaning liquid into hot steam, the evaporator 400 can be effectively cleaned, The temperature of the cleaning liquid 120 is sensed and adjusted, so that the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a constant temperature.

The cleaning unit 100 transports the heated cleaning liquid through the connection tube 140 in a high temperature steam state and injects the cleaning liquid into the injection nozzle 160 through the pressure action of the pump 170.

Further, the washing unit 100 senses the pressure of the connection tube 140 by the pressure sensor 150 and adjusts the pressure of the pump 170, so that the evaporator 400 can be cleaned at a constant pressure.

The outlet 300 formed below the evaporator 400 serves to discharge the cleaning liquid flowing after the cleaning to the outside of the HVAC module.

The cleaning unit 100 further includes an ultrasonic wave generator 180. The ultrasonic wave generator 180 generates ultrasonic waves having a high frequency in the cleaning fluid to remove fine dust by vibration of water molecules, The cleaning time of the apparatus is shortened and the cleaning efficiency is improved.

The ultrasonic wave generator 180 may include a conventional ultrasonic wave oscillator, and may include a vibrator for generating ultrasonic waves, a high frequency oscillator for vibrator driving, and the like.

Note that the configuration of the ultrasonic wave generator 180 is not essential in the HVAC automatic cleaning apparatus of the present invention and is additionally formed to enhance the cleaning efficiency of the present invention.

Since the cleaning unit 100 is built in the HVAC module of the vehicle, it is possible to automatically clean the evaporator 400. The evaporator 400 is not exposed to the inside of the vehicle, .

The passage blocking unit 600 is configured to block one of the first exhaust passage 500 and the second exhaust passage 510 according to the drive control of the controller 700.

The first exhaust passage 500 communicates with the inside of the vehicle, and the second exhaust passage 510 communicates with the outside of the vehicle.

Therefore, when the passage blocking portion 600 blocks the first exhaust passage 500, the flow path to the inside of the vehicle is blocked, and the flow of the gas is allowed to flow outside the vehicle.

On the other hand, when the passage blocking portion 600 blocks the second exhaust passage 510, the flow path to the outside of the vehicle is blocked, and the flow of the gas is allowed to pass through the inside of the vehicle.

The blowing unit 200 blows air through the fan to dry the cleaning liquid adhering to the surface of the evaporator 400 and generates a flow of gas through the flow path formed in the HVAC module.

Here, the blower is constructed using a fan (ventilator) or a blower, but it is only an example of a case where the blower can be used. .

The control unit 700 is an electronic control unit of an automobile, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the state of the automobile by a computer is used.

The control unit 700 normally keeps the first exhaust passage 500 in the opened state and drives the passage blocking unit 600 to recognize the operation of the cleaning unit 100 to start the first exhaust passage 500, So that the passage blocking portion 600 can be opened.

When the washing operation of the washing unit 100 is completed, the controller 700 drives the blowing unit 200 to dry the evaporator 400 according to the drying operation by the blowing unit 200, The first exhaust passage 500 is kept blocked by the passage blocking part 600 during the drying operation by the blowing part 200.

When the drying operation of the blowing unit 200 is completed, the controller 700 drives the passage blocking unit 600 to block the second exhaust passage 510 from being blocked by the passage blocking unit 600.

By the control operation of the controller 700, the high temperature steam generated in the washing unit 100 is prevented from flowing into the interior of the vehicle, so that the interior comfort of the vehicle can be maintained.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic HVAC cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the HVAC automatic washing method according to the present invention includes a washing step (S10) of washing the evaporator by spraying the washing liquid from the washing unit (100), a washing step (S20) for blocking the first exhaust passage (500) extending into the flow path of the evaporator (400) to prevent internal inflow to the inside of the vehicle; (S30) for drying the evaporator (400) using wind generated in accordance with the driving of the evaporator (400); an opening step (S40) for opening the first exhaust passage (500) .

In the cleaning step S10, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 110 is first heated through the heater 120, and the temperature sensor 130 is operated to clean the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 110, To adjust the heating temperature.

The heated cleaning liquid moves through the connection tube 140 and is injected through the injection nozzle 160 under a pressure action by the pump 170.

The sprayed cleaning liquid cleans the evaporator 400, and the cleaning liquid flowing after the cleaning is discharged to the outside of the HVAC module through the discharge port 300.

The blocking step S20 is a step in which the passage blocking part 600 is operated. In the blocking step S20, the first exhaust passage 500 is normally opened and the cleaning step S10 is started The passage blocking unit 600 is driven to block the first exhaust passage 600. At the same time, the second exhaust passage 510 is maintained in the opened state, so that the steam generated in the cleaning step S10 is allowed to escape to the outside, thereby preventing the inflow of steam into the vehicle.

The drying step S30 is a step in which the blowing unit 200 is operated. In the drying step S30, the evaporator 400 washed through the washing step S10 is blown through the wind generated by the blowing unit 200 And dried.

As the blocking step S20 is continued until the drying step S30, the wind generated in the drying step S30 is passed through the second exhaust passage 510 to the outside.

Since the evaporator 400 is completely dried in the drying step S30, the cleaning effect can be further enhanced compared with the conventional invention in which the evaporator 400 is not naturally dried or dried.

The opening step S40 is a step in which the passage blocking part 600 is operated after the drying step S30 is finished and the first exhaust passage 500 is opened by driving the passage blocking part 600. [ At the same time, the second exhaust passage 510 is maintained in a closed state to allow air generated in the HVAC module to flow into the interior of the vehicle.

According to the HVAC automatic cleaning method of the present invention, since the driving of the cleaning part 100 and the supply of the cleaning liquid are all performed automatically in the cleaning step S10, the user can enjoy the convenience.

Also, the steam generated in the cleaning step S10 and the wind generated in the drying step (S30) do not flow into the interior of the vehicle, thereby maintaining a pleasant interior of the vehicle.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the present invention, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be construed by the appended claims, and all the technical scope of the present invention should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: Cleaning section 110: Cleaning liquid tank
120: heater 130: temperature sensor
140: connection tube 150: pressure sensor
160: injection nozzle 170: pump
180: Ultrasonic wave generator
200:
300: outlet
400: evaporator
500: first exhaust passage 510: second exhaust passage
600:
700:

Claims

A cleaning unit for spraying a cleaning liquid to clean the surface of the evaporator,
A passage blocking portion for blocking any one of a first exhaust passage extending to the passage of the evaporator and leading to the inside of the vehicle and a second exhaust passage leading to the outside of the vehicle,
And a control unit that drives the passage blocking unit to block the first exhaust passage by the passage blocking unit when the cleaning unit operates.

The method according to claim 1,
And an air blowing unit for blowing air through the fan to dry the cleaning liquid adhered to the surface of the evaporator,
Wherein the control unit drives the blowing port to perform a drying operation by the blowing unit when the washing operation of the washing unit is completed.

3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit drives the passage blocking unit so that the second exhaust passage is blocked by the passage blocking unit upon completion of the drying operation of the blowing unit.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit drives the passage blocking unit when the cleaning operation of the cleaning unit is completed, so that the second exhaust passage is blocked by the passage blocking unit.

The method according to claim 1,
The cleaning unit includes a cleaning liquid tank for storing a cleaning liquid,
A heater for heating the cleaning liquid with hot steam,
A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater,
A connecting tube connected to the washing liquid tank to move the washing liquid,
A pump formed in the connection tube for transporting the cleaning liquid by using a pressure action,
A pressure sensor formed on the connection tube for sensing a pressure in the tube,
And an injection nozzle for spraying the cleaning liquid transported through the pump.

A washing step of washing the evaporator by spraying the washing liquid from the washing section,
A blocking step of blocking a first exhaust passage extending into a flow path of the evaporator and leading to the inside of the vehicle to prevent the vapor generated in the cleaning step from flowing into the vehicle;
And opening the first exhaust passage when the cleaning step is completed.

A washing step of washing the evaporator by spraying the washing liquid from the washing section,
A blocking step of blocking a first exhaust passage extending into a flow path of the evaporator and leading to the inside of the vehicle to prevent the vapor generated in the cleaning step from flowing into the vehicle;
A drying step of drying the evaporator using wind generated by driving the blowing unit when the washing step is finished,
And an opening step of opening the first exhaust passage for introducing air into the vehicle when the drying step is completed.