DE102009038012A1 - Motor vehicle air conditioning system is provided with housing, air channel for passage of air, and refrigerant evaporator for cooling air - Google Patents

Abstract

The motor vehicle air conditioning system (7) is provided with a housing (9), air channel (18) for passage of air, and a refrigerant evaporator (14) for cooling the air. A spraying device (1) is provided for cleaning the refrigerant evaporator with a cleaning fluid, particularly a cleaning liquid, so that the cleaning fluid is sprayed on the refrigerant evaporator. The cleaning fluid is sprayed directly on the refrigerant evaporator by the spraying device. An independent claim is also included for a method for cleaning a refrigerant evaporator.

Description

The The invention relates to an automotive air conditioning system according to The preamble of claim 1 and a method for cleaning a Refrigerant evaporator of an automotive air conditioning system according to the Preamble of claim 10.

Motor vehicle air conditioners serve to the supplied to the interior of a motor vehicle air to heat and / or cool. An automotive air conditioning system includes a refrigerant evaporator, a condenser and a compressor. The refrigerant evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are by means of lines to a refrigerant circuit connected. The refrigerant evaporator is in a housing arranged the motor vehicle air conditioning and serves to the the To cool the interior of the vehicle to be supplied air.

At the Refrigerant evaporator of the automotive air conditioning system continued due to the cooling of the air at the refrigerant evaporator generally condensation water. The condensation water or on the refrigerant evaporator existing moisture forms a good breeding ground for Bacteria, fungi and microorganisms. This is what happens on the surface of the Refrigerant evaporator for the formation of microorganisms. The microorganisms lead to an odor nuisance, because the substances released by them when passing through the air through the refrigerant evaporator into the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it can cause a health Impairment due to the microorganisms released Substances for the occupants of a motor vehicle.

The DE 10 2007 057 167 A1 shows a ventilation system, in particular a vehicle air conditioner, comprising at least one blower, which serves to generate the air flow, at least one air duct, in which the air flow generated by the blower can flow and a disinfection module, in which a disinfectant is contained and / or generated, wherein the disinfectant is supplied to the air duct. The disinfectant is provided in a liquid phase or dissolved in a liquid and sprayed in the air duct by means of a nozzle. An effective and thorough cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator is therefore not possible. It is merely introduced disinfectant in the flow direction of the air in the air duct in front of the refrigerant evaporator. The disinfectant thus passes indirectly through the carrier medium air to the refrigerant evaporator.

The DE 43 03 444 C2 shows an evaporator of an air conditioner, especially for vehicles with a device for applying additives to the evaporator blades. The device has a reservoir mountable on or near the evaporator which contains a sufficient amount of additives for several months. The reservoir is rod-shaped, comb-shaped or disc-shaped and formed in sections protruding into the space between individual vaporizer fins.

A Thorough and effective cleaning of the evaporator is thus not possible.

The Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a motor vehicle air conditioning and a method for cleaning a refrigerant evaporator to provide an automotive air conditioning system, in the effective and thorough cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator, d. H. the removal of impurities on the refrigerant evaporator, easy and reliable is possible.

These Task is solved with an automotive air conditioning system, comprising a housing, at least one air duct for passing of air, a refrigerant evaporator for cooling the passed through the refrigerant evaporator air, wherein the motor vehicle air conditioning with a spraying device for Cleaning the refrigerant evaporator with a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, is provided so that the cleaning fluid on the refrigerant evaporator is sprayable.

The Spraying device allows the cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid or even for example Water vapor, which can also be mixed with a cleaning agent, Sprayed directly onto the refrigerant evaporator can be. This allows large amounts of cleaning fluid applied to the refrigerant evaporator in a relatively short time become. The cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator can thus both mechanically and chemically. A mechanical cleaning is possible because of large amounts of cleaning fluid In a short time sprayed on the refrigerant evaporator can be, so that due to the flow resistance of the refrigerant evaporator, z. B. of flat tubes or from fins, a cleaning occurs. The cleaning fluid is also preferably mixed with a cleaning agent, thereby thereby in addition a dry cleaning, z. B. by means of hydrogen peroxide occurs.

In particular, the cleaning fluid from the spraying device can be sprayed directly onto the refrigerant evaporator. An immediate application of the cleaning liquid, for example, the cleaning liquid is not swirled in the air and then applied, for example in the form of mist on the refrigerant evaporator, allows large amounts of cleaning fluid in be sprayed on the refrigerant evaporator a short time and thus a mechanical cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator by means of the cleaning fluid to a significant extent is possible.

In a further embodiment is the spray device, in particular directly, on the refrigerant evaporator attached. The spraying device is preferably immediate attached to the refrigerant evaporator so that the sprayer Partial part of the refrigerant evaporator is. The distance the spraying device to the refrigerant evaporator is low and is, for example, in the range of less than 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm or 20 cm.

In a supplementary embodiment is the spray device at an air outlet side of the refrigerant evaporator arranged. At an air outlet side of the refrigerant evaporator generally the largest amount of impurities occur with bacteria, fungi or microorganisms as well as dirt particles on. In a refrigerant evaporator generally forms the condensation on the air outlet side to a greater extent as at the air inlet side. As a result, the larger ones occur Amounts of impurities on the air outlet side of the refrigerant evaporator on. A particularly effective cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator is possible if the spraying device at the Air outlet side of the refrigerant evaporator arranged is, so that in the area of the largest pollution of the Refrigerant evaporator, the cleaning fluid to the refrigerant evaporator can be applied.

Preferably the spraying device comprises at least one spray tube, preferably several spray tubes, with nozzles. Instead of a spray tube as a spraying device can, for example also a spray grid can be used. Preferably the at least one spray tube aligned horizontally and several spray tubes are vertically aligned Spray pipe connection lines to the sprayer connected. The nozzles of the spray tube are included preferably substantially, e.g. B. with a deviation of less as 20 ° or 10 °, in one flow direction aligned to the air. The nozzles can thus the cleaning fluid in one direction in the refrigerant evaporator bring in that the cleaning fluid against the flow direction the air flows through the refrigerant evaporator. For example, a vertically oriented refrigerant evaporator the nozzles are vertically aligned.

The at least one spray tube consists in this case preferably a plastic material and is preferably by a clip or Locking connection on the evaporator, in particular attached to the flat tubes. Alternatively, however, the at least one spray tube can also be made of a metal and with the evaporator, in particular with the flat tubes, soldered or glued.

In In one variant, the spraying device is extensive at an air outlet and / or air inlet side of the refrigerant evaporator trained so that at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70% or 90% of the area of the air outlet and / or air inlet side of the refrigerant evaporator can be acted upon by the cleaning fluid is. For a large-area alignment of the sprayer Thus, the refrigerant evaporator substantially completely be cleaned of the cleaning fluid. It is preferred the refrigerant evaporator also preferably over a large area flows through the cleaning fluid.

expedient the motor vehicle air conditioning system comprises a connection line and the connecting line is connected to the spraying device for supplying cleaning fluid to the spraying device, preferably from outside the automotive air conditioning system, and preferably the connection line terminates outside of the housing, z. B. in an engine compartment or vehicle interior a motor vehicle. The connecting line provides a fluid-conducting Connection from the spraying device to the outside the automotive air conditioning ago. The connection line ends, for example in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle. This can be used for cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator during a standstill the motor vehicle in the engine compartment simply a hose to the connecting line connected and through the hose the cleaning fluid in the Introduced connecting line and thus the spray device be supplied. This can be a big amount on cleaning fluid to the refrigerant evaporator through the Sprayer be fed, because at a stationary cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator, For example, at a gas station, a car wash for Motor vehicles or in the private sector of the owner of the motor vehicle, large quantities of cleaning fluid available in a short time can be made. This is only for example to connect a water pipe by means of a hose to the connecting line.

In a further embodiment, at the end of the connecting line, a connection device, for example a coupling or a screw cap, for connecting the connecting line to an external cleaning line, for. B. a water hose is formed. By means of the connection device, the water hose can be connected to the connecting line in a simple manner, so that thereby large amounts of Reini supply fluid can be supplied to the spray. The connection device thus allows easy connection. To the connection device can thus be connected to the (water) hose, which supplies hot or cold water from a water supply system of a house the sprayer.

Especially is in the connecting line means for feeding of cleaning agents, eg. As hydrogen peroxide, incorporated, so that the introduced at the end of the connecting line cleaning fluid is displaceable with detergent. The device for feeding of cleaning agent is in the vehicle or in the Automobile air conditioner installed. Will the refrigerant evaporator cleaned at a standstill of the motor vehicle, for example, needs to the connection device only a hose for hot water can be connected. Through the hose thus hot water flows into the connecting line and in the connecting line is added by the device Detergent, for. As hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizing Detergent, for. As dissolved ozone or hydroxyl radicals be supplied. This can be a particularly effective and thorough cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator respectively. This is a simple way of cleaning the refrigerant evaporator, the removal of contaminants from the surface of the Refrigerant evaporator, both mechanically and chemically effectively and thoroughly in a very short time possible. The user of the motor vehicle thus needs no separate Provide facilities for the supply of detergent. In a simple way, only needs to the connection device in the engine compartment, a hose connected with warm or cold water and the cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator takes place in a short time thoroughly both mechanically and chemically.

inventive Method for cleaning a refrigerant evaporator Automotive air conditioning system, in particular one in this patent application described automotive air conditioning system, with the steps: application a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid, on the refrigerant evaporator, cleaning the refrigerant evaporator with the cleaning fluid, leaving impurities on the refrigerant evaporator at least partially removed, diverting the cleaning fluid and preferably removing impurities from the automotive air conditioning system, wherein the cleaning fluid, preferably first, at an air outlet side of the refrigerant evaporator applied to the refrigerant evaporator becomes. The application of the cleaning fluid at the air outlet side has the advantage that at the air outlet side the largest Impurities occur and thus a particularly effective cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator by the cleaning fluid possible is.

In In another embodiment, the cleaning fluid through the Refrigerant evaporator against the flow direction passed through the air.

In a complementary variant, the cleaning fluid is at least partially, in particular completely, through the refrigerant evaporator passed through, so that the cleaning fluid at an air inlet side of the refrigerant evaporator from the refrigerant evaporator flows.

In Another variant is the cleaning fluid from outside the motor vehicle air conditioner by a in the automotive air conditioning permanently installed connection line to the refrigerant evaporator directed.

In Another embodiment is during the passage of the cleaning fluid through the connection line to the cleaning fluid a cleaning agent added. When cleaning the refrigerant evaporator Thus, a cleaning fluid, d. H. for example, warm or cold water, be provided and this Cleaning fluid then becomes the cleaning agent added.

Especially is in the connecting line from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle introduced from cleaning fluid, since the connecting line in the Engine room ends.

expedient the motor vehicle air conditioning system comprises a refrigerant condenser, a compressor and lines for a refrigerant circuit.

In An additional embodiment comprises the motor vehicle air conditioning system a blower and / or a control unit and / or a Filter and / or one, for example electrical, heating device.

One Motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an in this patent application described motor vehicle air conditioning and / or of the motor vehicle is a in this patent application described or claimed method executable.

in the Below are embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings described. It shows:

1 a simplified section of an automotive air conditioning system with a refrigerant evaporator,

2 a side view of the refrigerant evaporator according to 1 and

3 a plan view of the refrigerant evaporator according to 1 ,

4 a perspective view of a refrigerant evaporator according to the invention.

1 shows an automotive air conditioning system 7 , In a housing 9 with a bottom wall 10 and an exit opening 12 is a fan 8th , a filter 13 , a refrigerant evaporator 14 and an electric heater 15 arranged. The housing 9 thus forms an air channel 18 for passing the air. walls 11 of the housing 9 have a surface on the inside 19 on which the air duct 18 limit. The air for the interior of a motor vehicle is by means of the blower 8th through the filter 13 , the refrigerant evaporator 14 and the electric heater 15 directed.

The refrigerant evaporator 14 the automobile air conditioner 7 includes tubes, not shown, in particular flat tubes, between which fins or corrugated fins are arranged. Through these flat tubes refrigerant is passed through and the refrigerant is by means of two refrigerant pipes 21 the refrigerant evaporator 14 fed and also derived again. The air flows in one direction 4 through the refrigerant evaporator 14 , At an air inlet side 2 the air flows in and on an air outlet side 3 the air flows out of the refrigerant evaporator 14 out again ( 1 to 4 ).

In the area of the air outlet side 3 In general, the larger amounts of condensation or moisture, so that it comes to a greater extent to the formation of bacteria, fungi or microorganisms. At a short distance to the air outlet side 3 of the refrigerant evaporator 14 is a spraying device 1 on the refrigerant evaporator 14 attached. The sprayer 1 consists of several superposed spray pipes 5 ( 1 and 2 ). The spray pipes 5 are at two lateral ends of the refrigerant evaporator 14 by means of two parallel to the plane of 1 and 2 aligned spray tube connection lines (not shown) interconnected. The spray pipes 5 are perpendicular to the plane of 1 and 2 aligned and have not shown nozzles. The nozzles as openings in the spray tube 5 are aligned horizontally or in a direction parallel to the plane of 1 and 2 such that cleaning fluid exiting the nozzles in a direction opposite to the direction 4 the flow of air through the refrigerant evaporator 14 is passed through. Due to the large number of superimposed spray pipes 5 will be at the air outlet side 3 large area cleaning fluid through the refrigerant evaporator 14 passed through. This can advantageously the refrigerant evaporator 14 completely or substantially completely cleaned. That at the air outlet side 3 initiated cleaning fluid occurs partially at the air inlet side 2 again from the refrigerant evaporator 14 out. The motor vehicle air conditioner 1 has a discharge device, not shown, for. B. corresponding openings in the bottom wall 10 , which is for draining condensed water from the refrigerant evaporator 14 serve. This device for draining the condensed water is also used to remove the cleaning fluid from the housing 9 the automobile air conditioner 7 to divert again. In this case, larger amounts of cleaning fluid, eg. B. hot water added with a detergent used as a cleaning fluid, so that per unit of time, larger amounts of cleaning fluid through the spray 1 the refrigerant evaporator 14 fed. To even such larger amounts of cleaning fluid per unit time from the housing 9 To deduce the derivative of the condensation is designed accordingly, for example, openings of the derivative are slightly larger in the housing 9 incorporated.

The cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 by means of the spraying device 1 takes place during a standstill of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle air conditioner 7 for the motor vehicle is thus out of service. For effective and thorough cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 it is necessary that larger amounts of cleaning fluid per unit time on the refrigerant evaporator 14 be applied. To be able to provide such larger quantities in a simple manner during the stoppage of the motor vehicle, the spray is 1 with a connection line 6 connected. The connection line 6 ends up in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle (not shown). At the end of the connecting line 6 is a connection device 16 arranged. To the connection device 16 with a coupling closure 17 can be easily connected to a water hose. Through the water hose, for example, from a water supply system of a house cold or preferably hot or hot water of the connecting line 6 and thus the sprayer 1 be supplied. This is due to the stationary cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 and connecting the connection line 6 to a water supply system of a house larger amounts of water available. As a result, the refrigerant evaporator can also be mechanically activated in an effective manner 14 getting cleaned.

At the connection line 6 is also in near the connection device 16 An institution 20 arranged to supply detergent. In the facility 20 is a cleaning agent, eg. As hydrogen peroxide or other strong oxidizing detergent, stored or stored in a storage container. When passing water as cleaning fluid is in the device 20 the cleaning agent is added to the water, so that in addition to the mechanical cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 in a simple way, a chemical, ie oxidizing, cleaning the refrigerant evaporator 14 is possible. For cleaning the refrigerant evaporator 14 Thus, the user of a motor vehicle advantageously only needs a corresponding water hose for connection to the connection device 16 hold. The required cleaning agent for the effective chemical or oxidizing cleaning is thereby of the device 20 automatically and automatically added. This makes it possible for the user of a motor vehicle to use the refrigerant evaporator 14 occasionally self-cleaning in a simple way. Only the cleaning agent needs the device 20 occasionally added.

This can in a simple manner, for example in the form of a powder, granules, as tablets or in liquid form.

Overall, are considered with the automotive air conditioning system according to the invention 7 significant benefits. The refrigerant evaporator 14 becomes stationary outside the operation of the automobile air conditioner 7 cleaned. This allows larger amounts of cleaning fluid to the refrigerant evaporator 14 be applied because in stationary use slightly larger amounts of cleaning fluid, eg. As water, are present. It also ensures that during cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 an impairment of the operation of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle air conditioning system 7 does not occur because the cleaning of the refrigerant evaporator 14 outside the operation of the automotive air conditioning system 7 , ie during the standstill of the motor vehicle, is performed.

4 shows a refrigerant evaporator according to the invention 14 in a perspective view. The refrigerant evaporator has a spraying device on its air outlet side 1 consisting of several horizontally arranged spray pipes 5 insists on. The cleaning fluid passes in this embodiment via the connecting line 6 , the spray pipe connection pipe 23 and the spray pipes 5 to the nozzles, not shown, from where it is sprayed onto the refrigerant evaporator. In addition, the spraying device comprises a plurality of vertically arranged stabilizers 22 that provide stability to the sprayer. The stabilizers can also be flowed through with the cleaning fluid, but need not. The spray pipes 5 and stabilizers 22 For example, consist of a plastic material and are by clips or snap connections on the refrigerant evaporator 14 attached.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

spraying

2

Air inlet side

3

Air outlet side

4

direction the air flow

5

lance

6

connecting line

7

Automotive air conditioning system

8th

fan

9

casing

10

bottom wall

11

wall

12

outlet opening

13

filter

14

Refrigerant evaporator

15

electrical heater

16

connecting device

17

coupling lock

18

air duct

19

surface

20

Facility for supplying detergent

21

Refrigerant line

22

stabilizer

23

Sprührohrverbindungsleitung

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102007057167 A1 [0004]
• - DE 4303444 C2 [0005]

Claims (15)

Automotive air conditioning system ( 7 ), comprising - a housing ( 9 ), - at least one air duct ( 18 ) for passing air, - a refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) for cooling by the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) guided air, characterized in that the motor vehicle air conditioning ( 7 ) with a spraying device ( 1 ) for cleaning the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is provided with a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, so that the cleaning fluid on the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is aufsprühbar. Automotive air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning fluid from the spray ( 1 ) directly on the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is aufsprühbar Motor vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray device ( 1 ), in particular directly, on the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is attached. Automotive air conditioning system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spraying device ( 1 ) at an air outlet side ( 3 ) of the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is arranged. Automotive air conditioning system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spraying device ( 1 ) at least one spray tube ( 5 ), preferably several spray tubes ( 5 ), with nozzles included. Automotive air conditioning system according to claim 5, characterized in that the spraying device ( 1 ) over a large area at an air outlet and / or air inlet side ( 2 . 3 ) of the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ), so that at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70% or 90% of the area of the air outlet and / or air inlet side ( 2 . 3 ) of the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is acted upon by the cleaning fluid. Automotive air conditioning system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle air conditioning system ( 7 ) a connection line ( 6 ) and the connecting line ( 6 ) to the spraying device ( 1 ) is connected to supply cleaning fluid to the spray device ( 1 ), preferably from outside the motor vehicle air conditioning system ( 7 ), and preferably the connecting line ( 6 ) outside the housing ( 9 ), z. B. in an engine compartment or vehicle interior of a motor vehicle ends. Motor vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that at the end of the connecting line ( 6 ) a connection device ( 16 ), for example a coupling or a screw cap ( 17 ), for connecting the connecting line ( 6 ) to an external cleaning line, z. B. a water hose is formed. Motor vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the connecting line ( 6 ) An institution ( 20 ) for supplying detergent, for. As hydrogen peroxide, is installed, so that at the end of the connecting line ( 6 ) introduced cleaning fluid with cleaning agent is displaceable. Method for cleaning a refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) an automotive air conditioning system ( 7 ), in particular an automotive air conditioning system ( 7 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: applying a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid, to the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ), - cleaning the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) with the cleaning fluid, so that impurities on the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) are at least partially removed, - deriving the cleaning fluid from the Kraftfahrzeugklimaanla ^ge ( 7 ), characterized in that the cleaning fluid, preferably first, at an air outlet side ( 3 ) of the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) to the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is applied. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the cleaning fluid through the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is passed through against the flow direction of the air. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the cleaning fluid at least partially, in particular completely, by the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) is passed so that the cleaning fluid at an air inlet side ( 2 ) of the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) from the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ) flows out. Method according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the cleaning fluid from outside the motor vehicle air conditioning system ( 7 ) by a in the motor vehicle air conditioning ( 7 ) permanently installed connection line ( 6 ) to the refrigerant evaporator ( 14 ). A method according to claim 13, characterized in that during the passage of the cleaning fluid through the connecting line ( 6 ) a cleaning agent is added to the cleaning fluid. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the connecting line ( 6 ) is introduced from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle from cleaning fluid, since the connecting line ( 6 ) ends in the engine compartment.

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