HK1141494B - Electrostatically atomizing kit for use in a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Electrostatic atomization kit for use in a vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrostatically atomizing kit for use in a vehicle, and more particularly, to such a kit: a system for providing discharge of a mist of charged fine water particles into a passenger space of a vehicle in a manner to be carried on conditioned air for efficiently concentrating the mist on a specific object in the passenger space.

Background

WO2008/016180a1 discloses an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle designed to supply a mist of charged fine water particles into a passenger space in such a manner as to be carried on conditioned air generated by an air conditioning system of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises: an atomizing unit having an emitter electrode that is cooled to condense water from ambient air; and a high voltage source applying a high voltage to the emitter electrode for electrostatically atomizing the water into charged minute water particles in the form of mist. The atomizing unit is provided to carry mist on the conditioned air flowing into the passenger space through a blow port provided in, for example, an instrument panel of the vehicle. Such mists are known to contain a large number of groups which remain over a long period of time when diffused and react effectively with odours, for deodorising a passenger space and/or for deactivating allergens introduced into said space. In particular, it is desirable that the mist can deodorize specific objects such as shoes and clothes of a rider and inactivate allergens attached to the objects. However, the blow port located in the instrument panel is generally designed to direct the conditioned air toward the face or body of the occupant, and is insufficient to concentrate the mist-carrying conditioned air on shoes, clothes, or umbrellas with water droplets, which are taken off by the occupant with an unpleasant taste. Therefore, there is a need to concentrate the mist-laden conditioned air on a specific type of object in an efficient manner, depending on the type of object.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention has been accomplished to provide an electrostatically atomizing kit for use in a vehicle, which is capable of efficiently concentrating mist-carrying conditioned air in an efficient manner depending on the type of an object to deodorize the object and/or to inactivate allergens adhering to the object. The electrostatically atomizing kit in accordance with the present invention is adapted to a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning system having a ventilation duct configured to blow conditioned air into a passenger space through a blow port. The kit includes an atomizing unit having an emitter electrode, a water supply for supplying water to the emitter electrode, a high pressure source, and a discharge port. The high voltage source is provided to apply a high voltage to the water on the emitter electrode so as to electrostatically atomize the water into charged fine water particles in the form of mist, which is discharged through the discharge port. A mist supply duct extends from the discharge port and is coupled to the ventilation duct upstream of the blow port to carry the mist on the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation duct to produce the mist-carrying conditioned air blown out through the blow port. The kit includes a plurality of deflection conduits selectively removably attached to the blow ports. The plurality of deflection conduits are configured in different shapes from one another to deflect the mist-laden conditioned air in different directions. By this arrangement, it is possible to concentrate the mist-carrying conditioned air to a desired local location for deodorizing and/or inactivating the allergens attached to the object in an effective manner depending on the location of the object.

Preferably, the kit comprises: a controller that provides different modes of blowing the conditioned air into the seating space at different parameter values; and a selector configured to select one of the different modes. The parameter is selected from at least one of a blowing rate, a temperature, and a humidity of the conditioned air. Therefore, the mist-carrying conditioned air can be conditioned in an optimum state for effectively deodorizing and/or deactivating allergens.

Further, each of the deflection ducts may be provided at a downstream end thereof with a louver for changing a direction of the mist-laden conditioned air directed to the seating space. By providing the louver, precise adjustment can be made for deflecting the mist-laden conditioned air to a target.

These and other objects and advantageous features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an electrostatically atomizing kit for use in a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an atomizing unit added to an air conditioning system for supplying a mist of charged fine water particles;

fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a water mist supply duct for supplying water mist to a ventilation duct of an air conditioning system;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizing unit used in the above-described kit for generating water mist;

fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a deflector duct employed in the above-described kit to be attached to a blow port in a vehicle instrument panel;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the use of another deflection conduit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a deflection conduit employed in the example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the use of yet another deflection conduit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a deflection conduit employed in the example of FIG. 8;

fig. 10 is a front view of the blowing port; and

fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connection of the deflection duct to the blow port.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, an electrostatically atomizing kit for use in a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The kit is suitable for a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning system 100, wherein the air conditioning system 110 has: a ventilation duct 100; a blower 112 for sucking external fresh air or indoor air into the ventilation duct 100; and a combination of the heat exchanger 144 and the heater 166, which is provided downstream of the blower fan 112 to generate conditioned air to be blown into the passenger space through the ventilation duct 100 via the plurality of blowing ports 102 located in the passenger space.

The kit includes an atomizing unit 10, a water mist supply conduit 70, and a plurality of deflecting conduits 60A, 60B, and 60C. As shown in fig. 3, the atomizing unit 10 is configured to take water from ambient air by condensation and then electrostatically atomize the water into charged minute water particles to generate a particle mist, which is discharged out of the atomizing unit 10 and fed into the ventilation duct 100 via the mist feed duct 70, whereby the conditioned air carrying the mist is blown out into the passenger space via one of the blow ports 102. As will be discussed later, the deflecting ducts 60A, 60B, and 60C are provided so as to be detachable to the one blow port 102 so as to deflect the mist-carrying conditioned air in a predetermined direction.

As shown in fig. 4, the atomizing unit 10 includes a cylindrical barrel 12, the cylindrical barrel 12 carrying an emitter electrode 20 projecting through the bottom of the barrel 12; and a counter electrode 24 disposed opposite to the emitter electrode 20. The opposed electrode 24 is formed of a conductive substrate with a circular opening 26, and the inner periphery of the circular opening 26 is spaced a predetermined distance from the discharge end 22 at the tip of the emitter electrode 20 to define a discharge port for discharging the mist. The atomizing unit 10 includes a cooling device 30 and a high-pressure source 50. The cooling device 30 is coupled to cool the emitter electrode 20 so as to condense moisture carried in the ambient air on the emitter electrode 20, thereby supplying water to the emitter electrode. The high voltage source 50 is provided to apply a high voltage between the emitter electrode 20 and the opposed electrode 24 so as to charge the water on the emitter electrode 20 and atomize the water into charged fine water particles to be discharged in the form of water mist through the discharge opening 26. The cooling device 30 is realized by a peltier module having a cooling side coupled to the emitter electrode 20 at an end of the emitter electrode 20 remote from the discharge end 24 and a thermoelectric element peltier module that cools the emitter electrode to a temperature below the dew point of water when a predetermined voltage is applied. Peltier module the peltier module has a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged in parallel to each other between the heat conductors 31 and 32 so as to cool the emitter electrode 20 at a cooling rate determined by the variable voltage given by the cooling power supply circuit 40. One thermal conductor 31 defining the cooling side is coupled to the emitter electrode 20, while the other thermal conductor 32 defining the heat dissipation side is provided with a heat sink 36. The peltier module is fixed between the bottom of the barrel 12 and the heat sink 36 while the conductor 31 of its cooling side is in heat-transferring contact with the root of the emitter electrode 20. The high voltage source 50 includes a high voltage generating circuit that applies a predetermined high voltage between the emitter electrode 20 and the grounded opposed electrode 20 to make the emitter electrode 20 have a negative voltage or a positive voltage (for example, -4.6 kv), thereby generating the charged nano-sized fine water particle mist. The generated mist includes groups effective to remove odors from the object and/or to inactivate allergens attached to the object. The atomizing unit 10 is installed behind the instrument panel 120, and the opening 14 of the atomizing unit 10 on the side wall of the cylinder is connected to take room air for condensing water contained in the air on the emitter electrode 20.

The mist supply duct 70 extends from the discharge port 26 of the atomizing unit 10 behind the dash panel 120 and has a coupling end 72, the coupling end 72 being configured to be coupled to the ventilation duct 100 located immediately upstream of one of the blow ports 102, so as to supply the mist to the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation duct 100, so that the mist is discharged into the passenger space through the blow ports 102 in a manner entrained on the flow of the conditioned air. The mist supply duct 70 is shaped such that its coupling end is bent along the ventilation duct 100 for guiding the mist along the conditioning air flow. Preferably, the duct 70 is made flexible for easy connection to the ventilation duct 100. As shown in fig. 3, the atomizing unit 10 includes a fan 18, and the fan 18 generates a forced air flow that supplies indoor air to the emitter electrode 20 for condensation therein, and supplies water mist into the ventilation duct 100 via a water mist supply duct 70 into the ventilation duct 100. In this connection, a controller 80 is included in the kit for adjusting the fan 18 so as to vary the flow rate of the mist flowing into the ventilation duct in accordance with the flow rate of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation duct 100. To this end, the controller 60 is connected to receive a signal from a speed monitor (not shown) that monitors the rotational speed of a blower 112, the blower 112 being included in the air conditioning system 110 to flow the conditioned air through the ventilation duct 100, and the controller 60 being configured to drive the fan 18 for causing the mist to flow out through the mist supply duct 70 at a flow rate that matches the flow rate of the conditioned air, thereby facilitating carrying of the mist over the conditioned air for successful dispersal of the mist into the passenger space.

The deflecting ducts 60A, 60B, and 60C are each configured to be detachable to the blow port 102, for example, at the left end portion of the instrument panel 120 in the immediate vicinity of the driver seat, and are shaped or bent differently to deflect the mist-carrying conditioned air in directions different from each other. Fig. 5 shows one particular type of deflection duct 60A that is U-shaped to deflect mist-laden conditioned air (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as "mist-laden air") toward a floor below the instrument panel 120. Although not shown in fig. 5, a pair of hooks are formed at one end of the deflecting duct 60A, and the pair of hooks are detachably engaged with a pair of corresponding notches around the blow port. By selectively using the deflection duct 60A, the air carrying the mist is directed in a concentrated manner toward the occupant's shoes or the like located on the floor below the instrument panel 120 to deodorize the object and/or inactivate allergens attached to the object.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate the use of another deflection conduit 60B, which conduit 60B is shaped to deflect water mist carrying air toward the head of the occupant for facilitating the deodorizing and moisturizing of hair.

Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate the use of yet another deflection duct 60C, which duct 60C is shaped to deflect water mist-laden air laterally upwardly towards the side window on the side of the driver's seat for deodorizing and/or deactivating allergens attached to clothing such as jackets hanging from the interior roof along the side window.

The deflection duct is not limited to the above shape, but may also include other deflection ducts having different shapes or configurations, for example, a deflection duct shaped to deflect mist-laden air downward and laterally for deodorizing wet umbrellas placed on the floor adjacent to the vehicle door. Further, a deflection conduit in the form of a flexible bellows may be included, which is capable of changing the direction of deflection of the mist-laden air.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, each of the deflecting ducts 60A, 60B and 60C is formed at one longitudinal end thereof with a pair of hooks 62, the pair of hooks 62 being for detachably engaging into a pair of corresponding notches 122 located on opposite sides of the blow port 102. Therefore, the deflector duct can be easily attached to and detached from the portion of the instrument panel around the blow port 102. Further, the deflection duct is provided with louvers 64 at its distal end in the length direction, the louvers 64 being configured similarly to the louvers 104 provided in the opening of the blow port 102, i.e., being constituted by an array of vertical bars 65 and horizontal bars 66.

The controller 80 is adapted in use to be electrically connected to the electric circuit of the air conditioning system 110 for controlling the blower 112, the heat exchanger and the heater 116 to provide different modes of blowing the mist carrying air into the passenger space with different parameters, including blowing rate, temperature and humidity. These modes include a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode associated with the use of the deflection conduits 60A, 60B, and 60C, respectively, and are configured to blow mist-carrying air in optimal conditions for deodorizing and/or deactivating allergens. Mode selection is made at a selector 90, which selector 90 is disposed on an instrument panel 120 to be accessible to an occupant.

Although the above-described embodiment shows that the water mist generated in the atomizing unit 10 flows out through only one of the blowing ports 102, the present invention should not be limited to this specific embodiment, but may incorporate such a modification: the water mist is supplied to the ventilation duct 100 at a plurality of positions respectively located immediately behind the respective blow ports 120 by means of a water mist supply duct having manifold couplings for connection with the plurality of positions of the ventilation duct.

Further, in the above embodiment, the atomizing unit 10 is configured to include the opposed electrode 24 in front of the emitter electrode 20. It should be noted that the opposed electrode 24 is preferred only for controlling the flow direction of the mist, and is not an essential element for generating the mist. For example, in the case where a part of the mist supply duct 70, the indoor air intake 80, the ventilation duct 100, the stationary casing 18, or any other object around is grounded, alternatively, a high voltage may be applied to the emitter electrode 20.

In addition, the atomizing unit 10 may be configured to include a water supply tank for supplying water to the emitter electrode 20 by a capillary effect, not the cooling device 30.

Claims (3)

1. An electrostatic atomization kit for use in a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning system (110), the air conditioning system (110) having a ventilation duct (100) that blows conditioned air into a passenger space through a blow port (102), the kit comprising:

an atomizing unit (10) having an emitter electrode (20), a water supply device (30) for supplying water to the emitter electrode, a high voltage source (50) which applies a high voltage to the emitter electrode so as to electrostatically atomize the water on the emitter electrode into charged fine water particles in the form of mist, and a discharge port (26) through which the mist is discharged;

a mist supply duct (70), the mist supply duct (70) extending from the discharge port of the unit and being coupled to the ventilation duct upstream of the blow port so as to carry the mist on the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation duct, thereby generating mist-carrying conditioned air to be blown through the blow port; and

a plurality of deflecting ducts (60A, 60B, 60C), the plurality of deflecting ducts (60A, 60B, 60C) being selectively detachably attached to the blow port, the plurality of deflecting ducts being configured in different shapes from each other to deflect the mist-laden conditioned air in different directions.

2. The electrostatically atomizing kit as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a controller (80), the controller (80) being configured to provide different modes of blowing the mist-laden conditioned air into the passenger space with different parameter values, the parameter being selected from at least one of a blowing rate, a temperature and a humidity of the conditioned air; and

a selector (90), the selector (90) configured to select one of the different modes.

3. The electrostatically atomizing kit as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein,

each of the deflection ducts is provided at its downstream end with a louver (64) for changing the direction of the mist-laden conditioned air directed to the passenger space.