MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

An air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle comprises a channel system configured to allow air to flow therethrough during operation and at least one heat exchanger positioned within the main channel and configured to air-condition air supplied to a motor vehicle interior of the motor vehicle. The channel system comprises a main channel. The system further comprises a sensor device configured to measure an air characteristic of air to be analysed. The sensor device comprises an analysis channel which the air to be analysed can flow through, a generation device configured to generate electromagnetic waves penetrating the analysis channel, a sensor temperature-control space separated from the analysis channel, and a temperature-control channel configured to apply air-conditioned air to the generation device to control a temperature of the generation device. The generation device is at least partially arranged in the sensor temperature-control space.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle comprising: a channel system configured to allow air to flow therethrough during operation, the channel system comprising a main channel; at least one heat exchanger positioned within the main channel and configured to air-condition air supplied to a motor vehicle interior of the motor vehicle; a sensor device configured to measure an air characteristic of air to be analysed and comprising: an analysis channel which the air to be analysed can flow through; a generation device configured to generate electromagnetic waves penetrating the analysis channel; a sensor temperature-control space separated from the analysis channel, in which the generation device is at least partially arranged; and a temperature-control channel configured to apply air-conditioned air to the generation device to control a temperature of the generation device.

2. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a system filter device configured to filter the air being supplied to the motor vehicle interior and arranged within the main channel, wherein the temperature-control channel branches off from the main channel downstream from the system filter device.

3. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor temperature-control device configured to filter the air applied to the generation device and arranged within the temperature-control channel.

4. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the generation device is an optical generation device comprising a laser.

5. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor-valve device configured to optionally carry one of outside air, air-conditioned air, and air from the motor vehicle interior through the analysis channel.

6. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-control channel branches of from the main channel downstream from the at least one heat exchanger.

7. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-control channel is connected to the motor vehicle interior to supply air to the generation device from the motor vehicle interior as air-conditioned air.

8. The air-conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the air to be analysed can flow through the temperature-control channel, and wherein the sensor temperature-control device is arranged upstream of the generation device in the temperature-control channel.

9. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the generation device comprises: a source configured to generate the electromagnetic waves; and a controller to control the source.

10. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the generation device is at least partially received within a fluid-tight sheath arranged in the sensor temperature-control space.

11. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a fine-dust particle sensor.

12. The air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor temperature-control space extends across at least a part of the sensor device.

13. A vehicle with a vehicle interior, the vehicle comprising: a main air channel fluidly connected to the vehicle interior; a heat exchanger positioned within the main air channel and configured to air-condition air supplied to the vehicle interior; a sensor supply channel fluidly connected to the main air channel; a sensor device comprising: an analysis channel fluidly connected to the sensor supply channel and configured to allow a flow of air to pass therethrough; a sensor temperature-control space fluidly separated from the analysis channel; an electromagnetic wave generator positioned within the sensor temperature-control space and configured to direct electromagnetic waves through the analysis channel; a temperature-control channel configured to supply air-conditioned air to the sensor temperature-control space to reduce a temperature of the electromagnetic wave generator.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the temperature-control channel branches of from the main air channel downstream from the heat exchanger.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a system filter device positioned within the main air channel upstream from the heat exchanger and configured to filter the air being supplied to the heat exchanger.

16. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor temperature-control device positioned within the temperature-control channel and configured to filter the air applied to the generation device and arranged within the temperature-control channel.

17. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising: an outside-air supply channel configured to pass unfiltered air therethrough; a system supply channel fluidly connected with the main air channel and configured to pass air-conditioned air therethrough, the air-conditioned air supplied from the main air channel downstream of the heat exchanger; an inside-air supply channel configured to pass air from the vehicle interior therethrough; and a sensor-valve device fluidly connected with the outside-air supply channel, the system supply channel, and the inside-air supply channel, wherein the sensor-valve device is configured to selectively supply air to the sensor supply channel from one of the outside-air supply channel, the system supply channel, and the inside-air supply channel.

18. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor device including: the electromagnetic wave generator; and an electromagnetic wave detector configured to detect the electromagnetic waves directed through the analysis channel.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the sensor device comprises a fine-dust particle sensor.

20. An air-conditioning system comprising: a channel system configured to allow air to flow therethrough during operation, the channel system comprising a main channel; a heat exchanger positioned within the main channel and configured to air-condition air supplied to a motor vehicle interior of a motor vehicle; a sensor device configured to measure an air characteristic of air to be analysed and comprising: an analysis channel which the air to be analysed can flow through; a sensor temperature-control space fluidly separated from the analysis channel; an optical generation device positioned within the sensor temperature-control space and configured to generate electromagnetic waves penetrating the analysis channel, wherein the optical generation device comprises a laser; and a temperature-control channel configured to supply air-conditioned air from the heat exchanger to the optical generation device to control a temperature of the optical generation device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] On a schematic level respectively, the figures show:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a strongly simplified, schematic-like representation of a motor vehicle with an air-conditioning system and a sensor device,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a strongly simplified schematic-like representation of the air-conditioning system in the area of the sensor device in the case of another exemplary embodiment,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a strongly simplified schematic-like representation of the sensor device in the case of another exemplary embodiment,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a representation from FIG. 3 in the case of another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] A motor vehicle 1, as can be seen in FIG. 1, comprises an interior 2, hereinafter also referred to in the following as motor vehicle interior 2, for passengers (not shown), which is air-conditioned with the aid of an air-conditioning system 3. For this purpose, the air-conditioning system 3 comprises at least one heat exchanger 4, with which air is air conditioned, wherein at least on such heat exchanger 4 controls the temperature of the air/or changes the humidity in the air before it is supplied to the motor vehicle interior 2. During outside-air mode of the air-conditioning system 3, the outside air is led from an ambient environment 5 of the motor vehicle 1 through the heat exchanger 4 and to the vehicle interior 2. In order to let the outside air into the air-conditioning system 3, an outside-air channel 36 of a channel system 35 of the air-conditioning system 3 is provided, wherein, in the example shown, the outside-air channel 36 extends from the ambient environment 5 to the vehicle interior 3 and is also referred to hereinafter in the following as a main channel 34. Thereby, the heat exchanger 4 is arranged in the main conduit 34. Upstream from the heat exchanger 4, a bill the device 6, hereinafter also referred to as a system filter device 6, is arranged within the main channel 34 to filter the air being supplied to the motor vehicle interior 2. Upstream from the at least one heat exchanger 4, in the example shown, additionally upstream from the system filter device 6, a conveying device 7, hereinafter also referred to as a system conveying device 7, is arranged within the main channel 34 to convey the air being supplied to the interior 2. With the system conveying device 7, in outside-air mode, outside air from the ambient environment 5 is led through the system filter device 6 and the at least one heat exchanger 4 so that filtered as well as air-conditioned air enters into the vehicle interior 2. The air-conditioning system 3 can also be operated in circulating-air mode. For this purpose, a circulating-air channel 8 is provided, which runs from the vehicle interior 2 up to the main channel 34 upstream from the system conveying device 7 so that the air conveyed from the system conveying device 7 at least partially flows within the circuit, thereby being able to be recirculated. During operation of the air-conditioning system 3, it is desirable to know at least one characteristic of the air-conditioned air and/or of the air within the motor vehicle interior 2 and/or of the outside air in the ambient environment 5 of the motor vehicle 1 in order to control the air-conditioning system 3 according to the at least one characteristic. This characteristic can be the quality of the air or correlate with the quality. In order to determine such a characteristic, the air-conditioning system 3 comprises a sensor device 9. The sensor device 9 can be designed as a fine-dust particle sensor 10 or comprise such a fine-dust particle sensor 10. Due to the determination of the fine-dust load within the motor vehicle interior 2, in the ambient environment 5 as well as in the air-conditioned air, in particular, the air flowing through the main channel 6, in particular, it is possible to change between the outside-air mode and the circulating-air mode or a mixed mode. This control or adjustment of the air-conditioning system 3 preferably takes place in such a way that the interior 2 is provided with air of the highest level of quality possible. For this purpose, the air-conditioning system 3 comprises a control device 55, which, for example, with the aid of a communication connection 56, is connected to the sensor device 9 in such a way that it can query and/or the sensor device 9. Additionally, in the example shown, a circulating-air shutoff valve 53 is arranged in the circulating-air channel 8 and the outside-air shutoff valve 52 is provided within the outside-air channel 36. The respective shutoff valve 52, 53 blocks the respective channel 8, 36 in a closed position and releases in an open position, wherein positions of the respective shutoff valve are also possible between the closed position and the open position. The control device 55 is also connected to the respective shutoff valve 52, 53, for example, with the aid of such a communication connection 56 in such a way that it can query and/or control the respective shutoff valve. Thereby, the control device 55 in the air-conditioning system can be operated in outside-air mode, in circulating-air mode, and in the mixed mode. In the example shown, the control device 55 is also connected to the system conveying device 7 in such a way, for example, with the aid of such a communication connection 56, that it can query and/or control the system conveying device 7.

[0044] The sensor device 9 comprises an analysis channel 11 which air to be analysed can flow through and a generation device 12. Using the generation device 12, electromagnetic waves 13, in particular, light, are generated, which pass through the analysis channel 11 in an interaction section 79, in particular penetrating it. Thereby, it results in an interaction of the electromagnetic waves 13 with the air to be analysed, which makes the measurement of at least one characteristic of the air to be analysed possible. For this purpose, the sensor device 9 comprises a detector 15, which detects the electromagnetic waves 13 after passing through the analysis channel 11 or the interaction section 79 and the interaction with the air. Thereby, in the case of the sensor device 9 designed as a fine-dust particle sensor 10, the concentration of the find dust in the air to be analysed is measured and determined. Thereby, the generation device 12 comprises a source 16 to generate the electromagnetic waves 13 and a controller 17 to control the source 16. In the example shown, the source 16 is designed as a laser 18, which is controlled by means of the controller 17.

[0045] A space 19 separated from the analysis channel 11, hereinafter also referred to as a sensor temperature control 19, is provided within the sensor device 9, in which the generation device 12, in particular the source 16 and/or the controller 17 is/are arranged, wherein, in the example shown, both the source 16 as well as the controller 17 are arranged within the sensor temperature-control space 19.

[0046] A sensor supply channel 33 is provided to supply the air to be analysed to the analysis channel 11, wherein a sensor-valve device 20 is arranged upstream from the sensor supply channel 33. A sensor outside-air supply channel 21 leads unfiltered outside air originating upstream from the system filter device 7 from the ambient environment 5 of the motor vehicle 1 to the sensor-valve device 20. A sensor-inside-air-supply channel 22 guides air from the motor vehicle interior 2 to the sensor-valve device 20. A sensor system supply channel 23 branching off from the main channel 34 downstream from the at least one heat exchanger 4 and upstream to the motor vehicle interior 2, air that has been air-conditioned by the at least one heat exchanger 4 leads to the sensor-valve device 20. The air can also branch off between the at least one heat exchanger 4 and the system filter device 6 or before entering into the motor vehicle interior 2. The sensor-valve device 20 is designed in such a way that it optionally supplies the analysis channel 11 with outside air supplied to the sensor outside-air supply channel 21, with air supplied to the sensor-inside-air-supply channel 22 from the motor vehicle interior 2 or with air that has been air-conditioned by the heat exchanger 4 supplied to the sensor system supply channel 23 as air to be analysed. Thereby, with the same sensor device 9 at least one characteristic of outside air, air from the motor vehicle interior 2 or air that has been air-conditioned by at least one heat exchanger 4 can be determined upstream from the motor vehicle interior 2. In the example shown, using the same fine-dust particle sensor 10, the fine-dust load in the outside air, in the motor vehicle interior 2 or downstream from the at least one heat exchanger and upstream to the motor vehicle interior 2 can be measured and, in particular, be taken into account when switching between the outside-air mode and the circulating-air mode. Thereby, the sensor-valve device 20, for example, with the aid of such a communication connection 56, can be connected to the control device 55 in such a way that the control device 55 can query it and/or control it. For the temperature control of the generation device 12, in particular, of the source 16 and/or the controller 17, a temperature-control channel 24 is provided that is different from the main channel 6 or the at least one supply channel 21, 22, 23 leading to the analysis channel 11, which supplies air-conditioned air to the sensor temperature-control space 19 and thereby applies air-conditioned air to the generation device 12 for the purpose of temperature control of the generation device 12. Thereby, the air-conditioned air can originate from the motor vehicle interior 2 of the vehicle 1. For this purpose, such a temperature-control channel 24, hereinafter also referred to in the following as a first temperature-control channel 24, leads air from the vehicle interior 2 to the sensor temperature-control space 19. Thereby, it results in a heat exchange between the generation device 12 and the air-conditioned air supplied to the sensor temperature-control space 19 so that it results in a temperature control of the generation device 12. In the example shown, the source 16 and the controller 17 are accommodated within a fluid-tight sheath 25, which, in particular, can be made of metal or a metal alloy. The heat exchange with the source 16 and/or the controller 17 takes place via the sheath 25. In addition or as an alternative, air-conditioned air originating from the main channel 34 can be supplied to the sensor temperature-control space 19 downstream from the at least one heat exchanger 4 and upstream to the vehicle interior 2 and, thereby, it is applied to the generation device 12. For this purpose, such a temperature-control channel 24 is provided, which is hereinafter referred to in the following as a second temperature-control channel 24. The second temperature-control channel 24 branches off from the main channel 34 downstream from a heat exchanger 4 and upstream to the vehicle interior 2, in particular, from a mixing space (not shown) of the air-conditioning system 3 and flows into the sensor temperature-control space 19. It is also conceivable, downstream from the sensor-valve device 20, for example, to branch off air that is conditioned by the sensor supply channel 33 or by the analysis channel 11 and to supply it to the sensor temperature-control space 19, by means of such a temperature-control channel 24, hereinafter also referred to as a third temperature-control channel 24. In the example shown, the third temperature-control channel 24 branches off from the sensor supply channel 33. The air-conditioned air supplied to the sensor temperature-control space 19 of the purpose of controlling the temperature of the generation device 12 flows through the sensor temperature-control space 19 and exits the sensor temperature-control space 19 via a sensor outlet 46 and a sensor temperature-control outlet channel 28.

[0047] It is preferred if the air serving to control the temperature of the generation device 12 and supplied to the sensor temperature-control space 19 is cleaned or filtered before applying it to the generation device 12, in particular, in order to avoid or reduce a dirtying of the source 16 or a wave outlet area (not shown) of the source 16. For this purpose, the system filter device 6 can be used. It is also conceivable, in particular, in the second temperature-control channel 24 and/or in the third temperature-control channel 24 to provide a filter device 26, also hereinafter referred to in the following as a sensor temperature-control filter device 26, that is separated from the system filter device 6 in order to filter the air before it enters into the sensor temperature-control space 19. The respective sensor temperature-control filter device 26 can comprise a fine-particle filter 27 or be designed as such. In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the respective temperature-control channel 24 upstream from the sensor temperature-control space 19, such a sensor temperature-control filter device 26 is provided, wherein this can be omitted in the second temperature-control channel 24.

[0048] The invention makes it possible to determine the characteristic to be measured of the air to be analysed with an increased level of precision, in particular the fine-dust content of the air to be analysed. In addition, due to the temperature control of the generation device 12, the service life of the generation device 12 and consequently the sensor device 9 is prolonged.

[0049] Another exemplary embodiment of the air-conditioning system 3 and of the motor vehicle 1 is shown in FIG. 2. This exemplary embodiment differs from the one shown in FIG. 1, in particular, due to the fact that the temperature-control channels 24 flow into a sensor temperature-control valve device 29, in particular, into a multi-port valve 29, the respective outlet of which is fluidically connected to the sensor temperature-control space 19 via a sensor-temperature-control supply channel 30. With the sensor-temperature-control valve device 29, it is possible to optionally supply air from the vehicle interior 2 via the first temperature-control channel 24, air from the main channel 34 via the second temperature-control channel 24 or air to be analysed via the third temperature-control channel 24 to the sensor temperature-control space 19, thereby applying air-conditioned air to the generation device 12 for the purpose of controlling the temperature with air. Naturally, it is also possible to makes the air originating from at least two of the temperature-control channels 24 and supply them to the sensor temperature-control space 19. In the example shown, additionally, such a sensor temperature-control filter device 26, in particular such a fine-dust particle filter 27 is arranged within the sensor-temperature-control supply channel 30. Thereby, separate sensor temperature-control filter devices 26 within the respective temperature-control channels 24 can be respectively done without.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the air-conditioning system 3 and of the motor vehicle 1, wherein the sensor device 9 can be viewed. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiments shown, in particular, due to the fact that the sensor device 9 comprises two such analysis channels 11. Thereby the outside air flows through one of the analysis channels 11 as air to be analysed. This analysis channel 11, hereinafter referred to in the following is the first analysis channel 11, is fluidically connected to the sensor outside-air supply channel 21. The other analysis channel 11, hereinafter referred to in the following as a second analysis channel 11, where air from the motor vehicle interior 2 flows through as air to be analysed. The second analysis channel 11 is fluidically connected to the sensor-inner-air-supply channel 22, The electromagnetic waves 13 generated by the generation device 12 thereby penetrate both analysis channels 11 in the interaction section 79 of the respective analysis channel 11, interact in the interaction section 79 with the air flowing through the analysis channel 11 and are detected there by the detector 15. Thereby, using the same sensor device 9, at least one characteristic of the outside air and one characteristic of the air within the motor vehicle interior 2 of the vehicle 1 can be measured. In particular, using the same sensor device 9, the fine-dust particle content within the outside air and the air within the motor vehicle interior 2 can be measured. Thereby, the respective interaction section 79 is formed by a break 80 of a channel sheath 98 limiting the flow of air within the related analysis channel 11. By means of this, and interaction of the electromagnetic waves 13 with the channel sheath 98 are avoided or at least reduced, thereby improving precision of the measured characteristic of the air.

[0051] In the example shown, both analysis channels 11 downstream from the respective related interaction section 79 flow into a sensor discharge channel 31, which leads the analogized air out of the sensor device 9. Thereby, in the example shown, within the sensor discharge channel 31 downstream from the respective interaction section 79, a sensor conveying device 32 is provided, which conveys the air to be respectively analysed through the analysis channels 11 and the sensor device 9.

[0052] In other exemplary embodiment of the air-conditioning system 3 as well as of the sensor device 9 is shown in FIG. 4. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in particular, due to the fact that the sensor temperature-control space 19, in which the generation device 12 is at least partially arranged, extends at least partially along the circumference of the sensor device 9, where I the sensor to control space 19 runs circumferentially along the circumference of the sensor device 9 in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In the case of this embodiment, the air-conditioned air for the temperature control of the generation device 12 does not only serve to be applied to the generation device 12 for the purpose of controlling the temperature of the generation device 12, but also flows through the channel like sensor temperature-control space 19 along the circumference of the sensor device 9 and also control the temperature of further components of the sensor device 9. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor temperature-control channel 24 and the sensor temperature-control outlet channel 28 are fluidically connected to the sensor-temperature-control space 19 on the opposite sides of the generation device 12 so that the air-conditioned air flows around the sensor device 9 within the sensor-temperature-control space 19 and flows out via the sensor-temperature-control outlet channel 28. Thereby, the temperature of the generation device 12 as well as other components of the sensor device 9, in particular, at least one analysis channel 11 is controlled by means of the air-conditioned air. By means of this, in particular a formation condensation within the sensor device 9 is countered.