Provided is an air-conditioning system including: an air pollution level detector configured to detect each of a pollution level of outside air, which is air outside a vehicle, and a pollution level of inside air, which is air inside the vehicle; and an air-conditioning control device configured to control air conditioning by switching an air-conditioning mode of the vehicle between an inside-air circulation mode and an outside-air introduction mode. The air-conditioning control device switches the air-conditioning mode from the outside-air introduction mode to the inside-air circulation mode based on the pollution level of the outside air acquired from the air pollution level detector, and switches the air-conditioning mode from the inside-air circulation mode to the outside-air introduction mode based on the pollution level of the inside air acquired from the air pollution level detector.

Described herein is a system and method for detecting malodor within a cabin of an autonomous vehicle, wherein initiation of a remediation system and/or dispatch of the autonomous vehicle to a service hub for mitigating the malodor is based upon sensor signals that monitor the cabin of the autonomous vehicle. The remediation system can include devices such as an HVAC system or a window, which are operated to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds an air quality threshold. A dispatch protocol may be initiated to dispatch the autonomous vehicle to a service hub when the malodor is associated with certain predefined incidents or when remediation fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules below the air quality threshold.

Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.

The present invention relates to a photocatalytic module for an automobile air conditioner and an automobile air conditioner having the same and, more particularly, to a photocatalytic module capable of eliminating various germs resulting from dew formed on an evaporator installed in an automobile air conditioner and corresponding bad smell, and an air conditioner having the same.

The photocatalytic module includes a duct fixation frame 54 adjacent to an inner wall of the duct 10; a filter fixation frame 55 having one end connected to the duct fixation frame, the filter fixation frame 55 fixing the photocatalytic filter 52; a photocatalytic filter 52 fixed by the fixation frame 55, being formed by applying a photocatalytic material onto a supporter having a shape of a plurality of cells neighboring each other and provided with a plurality of airflow paths; and a substrate 58 fixed to the duct fixation frame 54 and equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) 59 for radiating ultraviolet light toward the photocatalytic filter 52.

The present provides an air conditioner having the photocatalytic module installed therein and an LED disposed upstream of the photocatalytic filter on the flow path of the duct.

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, suppress a climate control limiter that prevents an air blower of a climate control component from operating when an engine coolant temperature exceeds a temperature threshold, and actuate a motor on an air pump to introduce air external to the vehicle to the passenger cabin.

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive first input to sanitize a vehicle passenger cabin via a passenger cabin heater, output one or more candidate initiation times at which to begin actuation of the heater, and, then, actuate the heater to a temperature above a specified sanitization threshold according to the initiation time identified in a second input.

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, actuate a thermal sensor to collect temperature data in the passenger cabin, identify a surface in the passenger cabin that has a temperature below a temperature threshold, and actuate one or more components to sanitize the identified surface.

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle and to actuate a vehicle security subsystem to prevent entry into the vehicle upon initiation of a cabin sanitizing operation, wherein the sanitizing operation includes actuating a heater to heat the passenger cabin above a temperature threshold.

A vehicle system includes: an olfaction sensor comprising: a blower configured to draw air from a passenger cabin through an inlet; a sensor located downstream of the inlet and including one or more proteins configured to measure an amount of a chemical in the air passing the sensor; and a purge source configured to selectively flows a purge gas into the sensor; and a control module configured to selectively take one or more remedial actions based on the amount of the chemical in the air.

A vehicle system includes: an olfaction sensor comprising: a blower configured to draw air through an inlet; a filter configured to filter particulate from the air; and a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor disposed downstream of the filter and configured to measure an amount of VOCs in air after the air flows through the filter; and a control module configured to selectively take one or more remedial actions based on the amount of VOCs.