Abstract:
A spray nozzle or other dispensing opening is configured to deliver an aroma enhancement fluid onto an evaporator core of the HVAC system of an automobile. A fluid reservoir is configured to house the aroma enhancement fluid. Tubing can provide a flow path from the fluid reservoir to the spray nozzle. A pump unit can be located along the flow path to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the spray nozzle. A controller intermittently actuates the pump unit, thereby spraying the aroma enhancement fluid onto the evaporator core through the spray nozzles. In an associated method the user can select from one of a plurality of available aroma enhancing fluids. The aroma enhancement fluid can include an antibacterial component, an anti-fungal component, a deodorizer component, a fragrance component, and combinations thereof.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to HVAC systems for automobiles, and more particularly, to malodors that may become associated with such systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    A pleasant aroma in an automobile cabin is highly desirable. People often refer quite favorably to that new car smell. Over time, that new car smell fades. In addition, malodors, including cigarette smoke, sweat and exhaust fumes, can be introduced into the cabin. Over time, such malodors can accumulate in the HVAC system of an automobile; and specifically on the heat evaporator core. In addition, mold bacteria or other growths can occur on at least the evaporator core, due to the moisture associated therewith. 
         [0004]    Resin coatings can be applied to the evaporator core of an automobile HVAC system to minimize the collection of these malodors. The coating can provide a surface that resists the collection of odors. Alternatively, a deodorization filter can be installed upstream of the evaporator core to limit malodorous particles from contacting the surfaces of these components. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An automobile cabin aroma enhancement system including an evaporator core is disclosed. A dispensing opening is configured to deliver an aroma enhancement fluid onto the evaporator core. A fluid reservoir is configured to house the aroma enhancement fluid. Tubing is configured to provide a flow path from the fluid reservoir to the dispensing opening. A dispensing system is associated with the flow path and configured to deliver the aroma enhancement fluid to the delivery opening, upon actuation thereof. A controller is configured to actuate the dispensing system, thereby delivering the aroma enhancement fluid onto the evaporator core through the dispensing opening. 
         [0006]    An automobile cabin aroma enhancement system including an evaporator core is disclosed. A spray nozzle is configured to spray an aroma enhancement fluid onto the evaporator core. A fluid reservoir is configured to house the aroma enhancement fluid. Tubing is configured to provide a flow path from the fluid reservoir to the spray nozzle. A pump unit is located along the flow path and configured to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the spray nozzle, upon actuation thereof. A controller is configured to intermittently actuate the pump unit, thereby spraying the aroma enhancement fluid onto the evaporator core through the spray nozzles. 
         [0007]    A method of enhancing the aroma of an automobile cabin is also disclosed. The method includes intermittently spraying an aroma enhancement fluid at an evaporator core. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view with a partial cross-section showing the evaporator core of an exemplary embodiment of an evaporator core spray system; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an HVAC module incorporating the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
         [0013]    A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module  10  can be provided within the interior of an automobile, which is adjacent the vehicle dash  12  and structure  13 . The interior of the automobile also includes the passenger cabin area. The HVAC module  10  can include a module housing  14  supporting an evaporator core  16  therein. The HVAC module  10  can be a typical automobile HVAC module such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,954,578 6,311,768, 6,382,305, and 7,137,455, all of which are commonly assigned to Denso, and are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0014]    The evaporator core  16  can include a serpentine coolant flow path  18  along which a large number of extending fins  20  are located, as illustrated. Alternatively, a plate and fin evaporator core can be utilized. In either case, the fins  20  can help provide a large surface area for heat exchange between the coolant and air passing through the evaporator core  16 . Thus, the evaporator core  16  can include an air flow path along which the air passes through the evaporator core  16 . An air flow face area is defined, as used herein, as a cross-sectional area of the air flow path at an entry face of the evaporator core  16 . This air flow path is represented by the line referenced as  22  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0015]    The module housing  14  also supports one or more spray nozzles  24 , each including at least one dispensing opening  26 . For example, the spray nozzles  24  can be located in a wall  28  of the module housing  14  or otherwise coupled to the housing wall  28 . The spray nozzles  24  can be located adjacent the evaporator core  16  and configured to spray an aroma enhancement fluid on the evaporator core  16 . In some embodiments, the spray nozzles  24  can be configured to spray the aroma enhancement fluid over substantially the entire air flow area  22 . 
         [0016]    Metal, rubber, plastic, or other suitable tubing  30  connects the nozzles  24  to a reservoir  32  configured to provide a fluid flow path from the reservoir  32  to each of the nozzles  24 . The reservoir  32  is configured to house the aroma enhancement fluid. A dispensing system  34  which when activated delivers the aroma enhancement fluid to the nozzles  24  is associated with the fluid flow path  30 . As illustrated, the dispensing system is a pump unit  34  which is provided along the fluid flow path  30  and configured to pump the aroma enhancement fluid to the spray nozzles  24  to spray the aroma enhancement fluid therefrom. The pump unit  34  can include an electric motor and a fluid pump. As an alternative, the aroma enhancement fluid can be provided in a replaceable pressurized fluid reservoir. Thus, a valve actuator can be used to open a valve of the pressurized fluid reservoir, or a valve can be located along the flow path to deliver the aroma enhancement fluid to the spray nozzles  24 . In either of these valve alternatives, the valve is the dispensing system and is associated with the fluid flow path. 
         [0017]    The aroma enhancement fluid preferably includes an anti-bacterial component. Thus, the aroma enhancement fluid can reduce odors that might potentially result from the growth of bacteria on the evaporator core  16 . Potential anti-bacterial components can include ozone, TEG, bleaching agents containing hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine or hypochlorites. The suitability of these and other potential anti-bacterial components for this application is known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the aroma enhancement fluid can preferably be non-corrosive or can preferably include an anti-corrosive component. 
         [0018]    The aroma enhancement fluid can preferably include an anti-fungal component. Thus, the aroma enhancement fluid can reduce odors that might potentially result from the growth of a fungus on the evaporator core  16 . Potential anti-fungal components can include chlorine bleach, vinegar, alcohol, and trisodium phosphate. The suitability of these and other potential anti-fungal components for this application is known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0019]    The aroma enhancement fluid can preferably include a fragrance component. Thus, the aroma enhancement fluid can impart a fragrance to air passing through the evaporator core  16 . Potential fragrance components can include essential oils and aroma compounds, such as those commonly found in air fresheners. The suitability of various potential fragrance components for this application is known to those skilled in the art. For example, the fragrance components can be selected to mimic a new car smell. Since personal preference affects the perception of fragrance a manufacturer may offer a selection of fragrances from which consumers may choose. 
         [0020]    The aroma enhancement fluid can preferably include a deodorizing component. Thus, the aroma enhancement fluid can adsorb odors that might potentially result from odors associated with the evaporator core  16 . Potential deodorizing components can include adsorbents like sodium bicarb, activated charcoal, and silica gel. The suitability of these and other potential deodorizing components for this application is known to those skilled in the art. Deodorizing components can be used in combination with fragrance components are as an alternative to fragrance components. For example, a manufacturer may offer an unscented version along with a selection of fragrances from which consumers may choose. 
         [0021]    A controller can be coupled to the dispensing system  34 , which is illustrated as a pump unit. The controller can be an electronic control unit  36 , a switch  38 , or both as illustrated. The controller can be simply a switch  38  (thus eliminating the item referenced as  36  in the drawing) that is manually actuated and permits a user to actuate the dispensing system  34  to spray the aroma enhancement fluid on the evaporator core  16  at any time a user desires. This configuration allows the user full control over the intermittent actuation of the dispensing system  34 . 
         [0022]    The controller can alternatively (as illustrated) include an electronic control unit  36  linked to both the pump unit  34  and a switch  38 . The electronic control unit  36  can provide for intermittent operation of the pump unit  34  at a predetermined periodic interval as described below. As described above, the switch  38  can be simply a manually actuated switch that permits a user to additionally actuate the dispensing system  34  to spray the aroma enhancement fluid on the evaporator core  16  at any time a user desires. The switch  38  can additionally or alternatively be a selector control switch that alters the predetermined length of the periodic interval. 
         [0023]    As indicated above, the electronic control unit  36  can be configured to periodically actuate the pump unit  34  upon the passage of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period can be associated with the absolute passage of time, with the passage of operating time of the automobile, with the passage of operating time of the evaporator core  16 , or some combination thereof. For example, the electronic control unit  36  can include circuitry that actuates the dispensing system  34  upon the passage of an absolute time period that is from about 2 weeks to about 3 weeks. As another example, the electronic control unit  36  may include circuitry that periodically actuates the dispensing system upon a relatively long passage of absolute time, or upon a shorter passage of operating time of the evaporator core, whichever occurs first. 
         [0024]    As should be apparent from the above, the controller can be independent of or linked to a main HVAC controller, for example, to monitor the passage of operating time of the evaporator core  16 . As illustrated, the controller is linked to a main HVAC controller because it is provided as an integral component of the main HVAC electronic control unit  36 . Alternatively, the controller can be provided as a separate electronic control unit  36  electronically linked to a main HVAC controller. 
         [0025]    Additionally or alternatively, the controller can be linked to a sensor (not seen). For example, a temperature sensor linked to the electronic control unit  36  can be provided on the evaporator core  16 . The electronic control unit  36  may additionally include circuitry configured to actuate the dispensing system  34  in relation to changes in temperature of the evaporator core  16 . For example, the electronic control unit  36  can actuate the dispensing system  34  upon sensing a relatively rapid change in temperature of the evaporator core  16  indicative of a heating or cooling cycle. As another example, the electronic control unit  36  can actuate the dispensing system  34  upon the lapse of a predetermined number of heating and/or cooling cycles that the evaporator core  16  undergoes. 
         [0026]    The method of enhancing the aroma of an automobile cabin should be apparent from the description of the evaporator spray system  10  provided herein. In addition, the method can include providing instructions for the filling of the fluid reservoir  32  with the aroma enhancement fluid and providing instructions for the operation of the system  10 . Such instructions can include providing indicia in association with the fluid reservoir  32 , the switch  38 , an owners manual (not seen) and any combination thereof. 
         [0027]    The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary preferred arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Further, there may be alternative preferred arrangements to those specifically described herein, and therefore, any use of “preferred” herein or the failure to mention any other specific alternative is not intended to exclude any such alternative arrangements.