Apparatus and methods for disinfecting components of an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle

#The present invention relates generally to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a device for disinfecting components of an air conditioning system, including an evaporator.

#A known device for cleaning breathing air in a motor vehicle is disclosed in connection with the system described in the DE 196 51 403 A1. This system focuses predominantly on cleaning the breathing air in the passenger compartment while the motor vehicle is running.

#A problem with the aforementioned device is metering the correct amount of ions. If the amount of ions is too small, the effect of the device is inadequate. If the amount of ions is too large, it may have a disturbing effect on the passengers. Such conventional devices are thus deficient in their ability to assure, on the one hand, reliable disinfection and, on the other hand, not to impair the well-being of the passengers.

#FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus for disinfecting components of a vehicle air conditioning system, consistent with the present invention.

#The following description refers to the accompanying drawing. The implementations set forth in the following description do not represent all implementations consistent with the claimed invention. Instead, they are merely some examples of implementations consistent with the invention. Other implementations may be used and structural and procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of present invention.

#FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting an exemplary apparatus 110 for disinfecting components, such as an evaporator (not shown), of an air conditioning system of a vehicle, consistent with the present invention. The illustrated elements and their configurations are exemplary only. Other variations in the number and arrangement of components are possible, consistent with the present invention. Further, depending on the implementation, certain illustrated elements may be absent and/or additional components not illustrated may be present. In addition, some or all of the functionality of the illustrated components may overlap and/or exist in a fewer or greater number of components than what is illustrated.

#As illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus 110 may include an ionizer 112, which may be arranged in a vehicle air conditioning system (not shown). Ionizer 112 may be actuated by an electronic control unit 114. Electronic control unit 114 may be configured in such a manner that ionizer 112 may be switched on or activated to produce a pre-determined amount of ions (desired value of the amount of ions).