AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An air-conditioning system for a vehicle includes at least one sensor unit which senses an air-quality-relevant variable of the air of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, an evaluation and control unit which evaluates the air-quality-relevant variable and an air-purification device which purifies the air of the passenger compartment in a circulation mode or in a fresh air mode or in a mixed air mode. The evaluation and control unit activates the air-purification device if the air quality of the passenger compartment satisfies at least one predefined criterion. A starting signal in the state of rest of the vehicle activates the air-conditioning system which then determines the current air quality in the passenger compartment and activates the air-purification device as a function of the current air quality in the passenger compartment. The air-purification device purifies the air of the passenger compartment before a time of departure.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one sensor unit, which measures at least one air-quality-relevant variable in a vehicle passenger compartment, an evaluation and control unit, which evaluates the at least one measured air quality relevant variable, and an air purification device, which purifies the air of the vehicle passenger compartment in one of a recirculation mode, a fresh air mode and a mixed air mode, wherein the evaluation and control unit is activated by a start signal in an idle state of the vehicle and determines via the at least one sensor unit a current air quality in the passenger compartment, with the evaluation and control unit then activating the air purification device when the current air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment determined from the at least one measured air-quality-relevant variable meets at least one predetermined first criterion, and wherein the air purification device purifies the air of the passenger compartment before a time of departure of the vehicle.

20. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the air purification device comprises at least one purification unit.

21. The air-conditioning system of claim 20, wherein a first purification unit is implemented as a filter device having at least one filter element.

22. The air-conditioning system of claim 20, wherein a second purification unit is implemented as a plasma air purifier having at least one electrostatic filter.

23. The air-conditioning system of claim 20, wherein a third purification unit is implemented as an ozone purifier.

24. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, further comprising a programmable wake-up unit or a remote control unit, or both, generating the start signal (S) and transmitting the start signal to the evaluation and control unit.

25. The air-conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the remote control unit transmits the start signal to the vehicle via a wireless communication link when the vehicle is in an idle state.

26. The air-conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the wake-up unit is programmable via the remote control unit and/or via an onboard control unit in the vehicle.

27. The air-conditioning system of claim 26, wherein a time interval until the time of departure or the time of departure are programmable.

28. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the at least one sensor unit measures at least one second air-quality-relevant variable of a vehicle environment and outputs the at least one second air-quality-relevant variable to the evaluation and control unit, which evaluates the at least one second air quality-relevant variable.

29. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the at least one sensor unit measures a temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment and outputs the measured temperature to the evaluation and control unit, which evaluates the measured temperature and compares the measured temperature with at least one predetermined temperature threshold value.

30. The air-conditioning system of claim 28, wherein the evaluation and control unit, in dependence on at least one of second the air-quality-relevant variable of the vehicle environment, the air-quality-relevant variable of the vehicle passenger compartment, and a temperature measured in the vehicle passenger compartment, switches the air purification device from the fresh air mode or the mixed air mode into the recirculation mode, or switches the air purification device from the recirculation mode into the fresh air mode or the mixed air mode.

31. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the evaluation and control unit determines at least one of an activation time, a deactivation time, a purification interval and a purification performance of the air purification device in dependence on at least one of an air quality to be achieved in the passenger compartment, the current air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment and a current air quality in the vehicle environment.

32. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the evaluation and control unit deactivates the air purification device when the current air quality in the passenger compartment meets at least one predetermined second criterion.

33. The air-conditioning system of claim 29, wherein the evaluation and control unit activates a heating device, which increases the temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment, when the passenger compartment temperature is below a predetermined first temperature threshold value, or activates a cooling device, which lowers the temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment, when the passenger compartment temperature is above a predetermined second temperature threshold value.

34. The air-conditioning system of claim 19, wherein the evaluation and control unit receives status information of a vehicle locking system and at least partially deactivates the air purification device when the status information of the vehicle locking system indicates that at least one vehicle door has changed from a locked state to an unlocked state.

35. The air-conditioning system of claim 34, wherein the evaluation and control unit emits via a visual warning device or via an audible warning device a warning message when the air purification device is activated at a time of the change to the unlocked state.

36. The air-conditioning system of claim 35, wherein the evaluation and control unit outputs the warning message for a predetermined period of time or displays via the warning message a time at which the vehicle can be entered.

Description

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, like reference numerals designate components that perform the same or analog functions. In the following:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle with an air-conditioning system according to the invention.

[0027] As can be seen from FIG. 1, an air-conditioning system 10 for a vehicle 1 includes an evaluation and control unit 12, at least one sensor unit 14 and an air purification device 20. The at least one sensor unit 14 detects an air-quality-relevant variable LG1 in the vehicle passenger compartment 3. The evaluation and control unit 12 evaluates the at least one air-quality-relevant variable LG1. The air purification device 20 purifies the air inside the vehicle 1 in a recirculation mode or in a fresh air mode or in a mixed-air mode, wherein the evaluation and control unit 12 activates the air purification device 20 when the air quality determined from the at least one air quality-relevant variable LG1 in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 meets at least one predetermined first criterion.

[0028] According to the invention, a start signal S activates the evaluation and control unit 12 in the idle state of the vehicle 1 and determines the current air quality in the passenger compartment 3 via the at least one sensor unit 14 and activates, in dependence on the current air quality in the passenger compartment 3, the air purification device 20, which purifies the air of the passenger compartment before a time of departure.

[0029] As further evident from FIG. 1, the air purification device 20 includes several purification units 22. A first purification unit 22 is designed as a filter device 22A having at least one filter element 24, a second purification unit 22 is designed as a plasma air purifier 22B having at least one electrostatic filter 26, and a third purification unit 22 is designed as an ozone purifier 22C. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, other purification units 22 or another combination of purification units 22 may be used.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the filter element 24 of the filter device 22A has a carbon layer, which aids in the deposition of dust particles. Dust, particulate matter, dirt particles and/or pollen are collected by the electrostatic filters 26 via the plasma air purifier 22B. The ozone purifier 22C reduces reducing gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and/or organic compounds. Unpleasant odors, such as odors from tobacco, waste water and/or burning odors, can be neutralized. Both the ozone purifier 22C and the plasma air purifier 22B are very effective against mold spores, bacteria and/or viruses.

[0031] As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the air purification device 20 is activated in the idle state of the vehicle via a remote control unit 30 designed as a remote radio controller. Alternatively or additionally, the air purification device 20 can also be activated via a remote control unit 30 designed as a mobile phone. The mobile phone may have a corresponding application for this purpose. Furthermore, the air purification device 20 may be activated via a programmable wake-up unit 19.1, 32. The wake-up unit 19.1, 32 can be implemented, for example, as part of an onboard control unit 19 of the air-conditioning system 10 and/or as part of the remote control unit 30. This means that the start signal S, which activates the evaluation and control unit 12 in the idle state of the vehicle 1, is generated by the wake-up unit 19.1, 32 and/or by the remote control unit 30.

[0032] As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the remote control unit 30 is connected to a communication unit 9 of the vehicle 1 via a wireless communication link 34. The communication link 34 can be implemented, for example, as a mobile radio connection and/or as an Internet connection. Via the communication link 34, the remote control unit 30 can transmit operating signals and/or the start signal S via the communication unit 9 to the evaluation and control unit 12. In addition, the evaluation and control unit 12 sends via the communication unit 9 at least one unspecified status signal to the remote control unit 30. Thus, the remote control unit 30 can receive, for example, information about the current air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 or an assessment of the current air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 or the current temperature in vehicle passenger compartment 3 or a current operating state of the air purification device 20 or of the air-conditioning system 10 according to the invention and output the same to the user. The operating state of the air purification device 20 may indicate which purification unit 22 is currently activated. Furthermore, the user can control with the remote control unit 30 other unillustrated remote functions, such as the indoor temperature or a seat adjustment.

[0033] As is further apparent from FIG. 1, the sensor unit 14 detects the at least one air-quality-relevant variable LG1 in the vehicle passenger compartment 3. For this purpose, the sensor unit 14 includes a first air quality sensor (not shown), which measures as the air quality-relevant variable LG1 a particle concentration in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 3. In addition, the at least one sensor unit 14 has a second air quality sensor, which is not shown in detail, which detects as air-quality-relevant variables LG1 organic compounds, such as ammonia or reducing gases, such as hydrogen sulphide, or a combination of the listed compounds. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 1 may include additional sensors and components which detect additional air-quality-relevant variables LG1 in the vehicle passenger compartment 3. Alternatively, only the particle concentration or organic compounds or reducing gases may be detected. Limit values for the individual air-quality-relevant variables LG 1 in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 are stored in an unillustrated memory unit.

[0034] As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the sensor unit 14 detects at least one air-quality-relevant variable LG2 of a vehicle environment 5 and outputs the same to the evaluation and control unit 12. As is further apparent from FIG. 1, the sensor unit 14 additionally detects a temperature T in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 and outputs the same to the evaluation and control unit 12, which evaluates the passenger compartment temperature T and compares it with at least one predetermined temperature threshold value.

[0035] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the evaluation and control unit 12 evaluates the at least one air-quality-relevant variable LG2 of the vehicle environment 5 and/or the at least one air-quality-relevant variable LG 1 of the vehicle passenger compartment 3 and/or the passenger compartment temperature T and switches, depending on the evaluation, from the fresh air mode or mixed air mode of the air purification device 20 into the recirculation mode, or switches from the recirculation mode of the air purification device 20 into the fresh air mode or in the mixed air mode. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the evaluation and control unit 12 switches the air purification device 20 into the recirculation mode when the quality of the ambient air is worse than the quality of the air in the vehicle passenger compartment 3. In addition, the evaluation and control unit 2 switches the air purification device 20 into the fresh air mode or mixed air mode when the quality of the ambient air is better than the quality of the air in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 to accelerate the purification process.

[0036] The evaluation and control unit 12 activates a heating device 16, which increases the temperature T in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 when the passenger compartment temperature T is below a predetermined first temperature threshold value. Alternatively, the evaluation and control unit 12 activates a cooling device 18, which lowers the temperature T in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 when the passenger compartment temperature T is above a predetermined second temperature threshold value.

[0037] As further evident from FIG. 1, a user may input via the portable remote control unit 30 and/or the onboard control unit 19 a time interval until the time of departure or the time of departure or both. The onboard control unit 19 or the remote control unit 30 transmit the inputted data to the evaluation and control unit 12. The evaluation and control unit 14 determines from the current time and the time of departure the time interval to the time of departure. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation and control unit 14 determines the time of departure from the current time and the entered time interval. Alternatively, an additional evaluation and control unit, not shown, of the remote control unit 30 can determine the time interval until the time of departure from the current time and the time of departure, or can determine the time of departure from the current time and the entered time interval, wherein the data are transmitted to the evaluation and control unit 14 as control signals via the wireless communication link 34 and the communication unit 9. In addition, the user can enter a desired target air quality, which the evaluation and control unit 14 stores as an air quality threshold value, with which the currently determined air quality of the vehicle passenger compartment 3 is compared.

[0038] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the evaluation and control unit 12 determines an activation time and/or a deactivation time and/or a purification interval and/or a purification performance of the air purification device 20 depending on the air quality to be achieved in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 at the time of departure and in dependence on the current air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 and/or the current air quality in the vehicle environment 5. This means that the air in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 is purified and fresh at the time of departure. Harmful ozone generated during the purification of the air in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 with the ozone purifier 22C and/or the plasma air purifier 22B is reduced at the time of departure. In this case, the specified air quality may correspond to the air quality set by the user or the stored air quality. The activation time and/or the deactivation time of the respective purification unit 22 is dependent on the current air-quality-relevant variables LG 1 in the passenger compartment 3 as well as on the entered time interval until the time of departure or on the time of departure and the stored target air quality in the passenger compartment 3. Furthermore, the ozone-generating or ozone-emitting purification units 22 are deactivated before the time of departure, wherein the time interval between the deactivation time and the time of departure is selected so that the ozone is reduced until the start of the trip. The purification performance of the filter device 22A is adjusted by the fan which determines the amount of air flowing through the filter device 22A. The air the passenger compartment 3 can be purified before the start of the trip depending on the air quality of the vehicle environment 5 in the recirculation mode or in the fresh air mode or in the mixed mode.

[0039] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the purification of the air in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 and air-conditioning of the vehicle passenger compartment 3 starts by outputting the start signal S to the evaluation and control unit 12. Furthermore, the purification performance of the individual purification units 22 and the duration or the deactivation time is set automatically by the evaluation and control unit 12. The evaluation and control unit 12 deactivates the air purification device 20 when a predetermined time interval has expired and/or a predetermined deactivation time has been reached and/or a predetermined air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment 3 has been achieved.

[0040] As also shown in FIG. 1, the evaluation and control unit 12 receives status information of a vehicle locking system 7 and at least partially deactivates the air purification unit 20 when the status information of the vehicle locking system 7 indicates that at least one vehicle door has changed from the locked state to the unlocked state. By unlocking one of the vehicle doors, the evaluation and control unit 12 detects an early time of departure and, in particular, deactivates the ozone purifier 22C and the plasma air purifier 22B. In addition, an unillustrated output unit can output an optical and/or audible warning message, indicating the wait time, after which the vehicle can be entered, or the time at which the vehicle can be entered.

[0041] The pure recirculation mode is implemented by extracting with the fan an air flow from the vehicle passenger compartment 3, supplying the extracted air flow to the air purification device 20 and the heater 16 or the cooling device 18, and thereafter feeding the purified and temperature-controlled air flow back to the vehicle passenger compartment 3. The pure fresh air mode is implemented by extracting an air flow from the vehicle environment 5, supplying the same to the air purification device 20 and to the heater 16 or the cooling device 18, and thereafter feeding the purified and temperature-controlled air flow to the vehicle passenger compartment 3. At the same time, air is discharged from the vehicle passenger compartment 3 into the vehicle environment 5. Aside from pure fresh air mode and the pure recirculation mode a mixed mode with numerous variants can be implemented, which have different proportions of fresh air and air from the vehicle passenger compartment 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0042] 1 vehicle [0043] 3 vehicle passenger compartment [0044] 5 vehicle environment [0045] 7 vehicle locking system [0046] 9 communication unit [0047] 10 air-conditioning system [0048] 12 evaluation and control unit [0049] 14 sensor unit [0050] 16 heating device [0051] 18 cooling device [0052] 19 control unit [0053] 19.1 wake-up unit [0054] 20 air purification device [0055] 22 purification unit [0056] 22A filter device [0057] 22B plasma air purifier [0058] 22C ozone purifier [0059] 24 filter element [0060] 26 electrostatic filter [0061] 30 remote control unit [0062] 32 wake-up unit [0063] 34 communication link [0064] S start signal [0065] LG1 air quality in the vehicle passenger compartment [0066] LG2 air quality in the vehicle environment [0067] T temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment