WO2017104927A1

WO2017104927A1 - System for preventing generation of odor in vehicle and removing generated odor from vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2017104927A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/008284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seongho Hong; Juhye CHOI; Hyungbum KIM; Jongseok Park; Hyounjeong SHIN
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-07-28
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-18
Also published as: KR101730425B1; CN108698487A; CN108698487B

Abstract

Disclosed is an odor generation prevention and removal system of a vehicle. The disclosed system includes odor generation prevention for preventing generation of odor in a passenger compartment, odor determination for determining a kind and cause of odor generated in the passenger compartment despite execution of the odor generation prevention, and odor removal for removing odor in accordance with the kind and cause of odor determined in the odor determination. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides an advantage of enhancement in user convenience by preventing generation of odor, and rapidly removes odor in different manners in accordance with different kinds and causes of generated odor.

Description

SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING GENERATION OF ODOR IN VEHICLE AND REMOVING GENERATED ODOR FROM VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a system for preventing generation of odor in a vehicle and removing generated odor from the vehicle, and more particularly to a system for preventing generation of odor in a vehicle and removing generated odor from the vehicle, which is capable of preventing generation of odor in the vehicle, removing odor generated in the vehicle in an appropriate manner determined in accordance with the kind of the generated odor and the cause of the generated odor, and providing, to the user, information as to the generated odor and information as to an odor removal procedure, or providing, to the user, a solution method for odor removal.

Generally, a vehicle is equipped with a module for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) (hereinafter, referred to as an “HVAC module”). Such an HVAC module may include an evaporator for circulating refrigerant through a thermodynamic cycle, and discharging, into a passenger compartment, air having exchanged heat with the circulating refrigerant.

Meanwhile, various interior materials for covering seats, in which occupants will be seated, a roof panel, pillars and so on are installed in the passenger compartment.

The evaporator absorbs heat from air sucked from the passenger compartment into the HVAC module (hereinafter, referred to as “indoor air”), and the air cooled in accordance with the heat absorption cools the passenger compartment.

During the above-mentioned procedure, water is condensed on the evaporator. When the vehicle is not driven, there may be possibility that mold may be formed due to water and dust accumulated on the evaporator. Such mold may cause introduction of odor into the passenger compartment when the evaporator operates again.

Smell generated from the interior materials or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) harmful to the human body and smell generated due to mixture of the smell of the interior materials or VOCs with smell of sweat coming out from occupants may be another cause of odor.

Removal of odor generated in the passenger compartment is typically achieved by a replaceable deodorizing filter equipped in a vehicle air conditioner or a separate vehicle air cleaner in order to remove odor. In this case, however, only removal of already-generated odor is possible. This cannot be an effective odor removal solution.

Furthermore, although odor is removed by the deodorizing filter, it is difficult to determine a cause of odor. In addition, there may be a problem in that it is impossible to determine an appropriate replacement time of the deodorizing filter, despite the deodorizing filter having been for a long period of time.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for preventing generation of odor in different functional parts of a vehicle having possibility of odor generation in different manners, respectively, and enabling effective odor removal through determination of the cause and kind of odor while providing a user experience (UX) for perfect odor removal to users including the driver.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an odor generation prevention and removal system of a vehicle including odor generation prevention for preventing generation of odor in a passenger compartment, odor determination for determining a kind and cause of odor generated in the passenger compartment despite execution of the odor generation prevention, and odor removal for removing odor in accordance with the kind and cause of odor determined in the odor determination.

The odor generation prevention may be an operation of previously sorting functional parts having possibility of odor generation from a plurality of functional parts installed in the vehicle, and drying the functional parts having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time.

The functional parts having possibility of odor generation may be previously sorted in the odor generation prevention, to include a heat exchanger of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module for air-conditioning the passenger compartment, interior materials installed in the passenger compartment, and an air duct for communication of the HVAC module with the passenger compartment.

The odor generation prevention may determine whether or not the functional parts having possibility of odor generation should be dried, in accordance with whether or not a driver is present in the passenger compartment.

Whether or not the driver is present in the passenger compartment may be determined by a driver state monitoring (DSM) part.

The odor generation prevention may be an operation of drying the functional parts having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time before arrival of the vehicle at a destination after driving of the vehicle.

The time when the vehicle arrives at the destination after driving thereof may be calculated through a navigation system linked to a global positioning system (GPS) of the vehicle.

The time when the vehicle arrives at the destination after driving thereof may be calculated from a learning model which learns a driving pattern of the driver under a condition that the vehicle has been driven at least two times, and stores the learned driving pattern.

The HVAC module may further include an enthalpy exchanger when the heat exchanger is included in the functional parts having possibility of odor generation. The enthalpy exchanger may supply a predetermined amount of heat to the heat exchanger. The enthalpy exchanger may operate for a predetermined time.

The odor generation prevention and removal system may further include an air quality sensor for sensing a quality of air in the HVAC module. The predetermined time may have an end time set to a time when a temperature outside the heat exchanger is equal to or higher than a dew point temperature, taking into consideration an internal temperature of the HVAC module and a humidity of the HVAC module, which are sensed by the air quality sensor, and an amount of heat transferred through the enthalpy exchanger.

The enthalpy exchanger may be controlled such that an amount of heat transferred to the heat exchanger corresponds to a predetermined temperature for sterilization of the heat exchanger before the predetermined time elapses.

The HVAC module may be controlled such that an internal temperature of the passenger compartment is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature before the predetermine time elapses.

The HVAC module may be controlled such that a compressor motor thereof operates at a predetermined RPM or below before the predetermined time elapses.

The odor generation prevention and removal system may further include a plurality of air quality sensors for sensing air qualities of the plurality of functional parts, respectively. The odor determination may be an operation of determining which one of causes is associated with the odor, based on sensed values from the air quality sensors. The causes may include a first cause associated with the HVAC module, and a second cause associated with the passenger compartment.

The vehicle may be equipped with an air cleaner including a deodorizing filter to remove odor and an ion generator having a sterilization function. The odor removal may include adjusting an amount of air blown from the air cleaner when the cause of the odor corresponds to the first cause, to remove the odor through the deodorizing filter, and adjusting an amount of ions generated from the air cleaner when the cause of the odor corresponds to the second cause, to perform sterilization and deodorization through the ion generator.

The causes in the odor determination may further include a third cause associated with an outside of the vehicle. The odor removal may control the HVAC module to be switched to an indoor air mode when the cause of the odor corresponds to the third cause.

The odor generation prevention and removal system may further include information alert for displaying the kind and cause of odor determined by the odor determination through a display installed in the vehicle, to inform a user of displayed results.

The information alert may include first alert to display the kind and cause of odor, second alert to display a level of the odor displayed upon the first alert, third alert to display a degree of odor removal according to execution of the odor removal, and fourth alert to provide a user solution in accordance with the cause of odor when the cause of odor cannot be removed through the odor removal after the third alert.

The fourth alert may provide, to a user, information as to a sterilization period of the indoor heat exchanger when the kind and cause of odor is associated with mold generated on an evaporator in an HVAC module. The fourth alert may provide, to the user, information as to replacement of a deodorizing filter in an air cleaner or in the HVAC module when the kind and cause of odor is associated with the interior materials of the passenger compartment.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention various effects may be achieved as follows.

First, it may be possible to avoid unpleasantness of the user by determining whether or not odor has been generated and an odor generation position, using a plurality of air quality sensors disposed at a plurality of areas in a passenger compartment, and controlling flow of air in accordance with the odor generation position, to achieve rapid removal of odor.

Second, functional parts having possibility of odor generation are sorted from a plurality of functional parts included in the vehicle, or positions having possibility of odor generation are sorted, to execute appropriate odor generation prevention in accordance with characteristics of each functional part or position having possibility of odor generation, for prevention of odor generation. When odor has been generated, odor removal is executed to remove odor in different manners in accordance with different kinds and causes of sensed odor. Thus, effective odor removal may be possible.

Third, when removal of odor is impossible even though odor removal is executed, the user is informed of a sterilization time of each functional part and a replacement time of the deodorizing filter and, as such, user convenience is enhanced.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects. Other effects not yet described may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the accompanying claims.

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart briefly illustrating an odor generation prevention and removal system in a vehicle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view briefly illustrating functional parts or positions where odor will be generated in the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an air quality sensor included in the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, to sense odor;

FIG. 4 is a concept diagram explaining odor generation prevention included in a configuration of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a cooling cycle and a dehumidifying cycle in a heat exchanger of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module in summer, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a psychometric chart for execution of odor generation prevention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of the HVAC module included in the configuration of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are sectional views illustrating air conditioning channels of the HVAC module established in a cooling mode in accordance with another embodiment of the odor generation prevention in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views illustrating air conditioning channels of the HVAC module established in a cooling mode in accordance with another embodiment of the odor generation prevention in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the odor removal included in procedures according to the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments associated with a system for preventing generation of odor in a vehicle and removing generated odor from the vehicle, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart briefly illustrating an odor generation prevention and removal system in a vehicle according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view briefly illustrating functional parts or positions where odor will be generated in the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an air quality sensor included in the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, to sense odor. FIG. 4 is a concept diagram explaining odor generation prevention included in a configuration of FIG. 1.

Generally, odor generated in a vehicle is generated in a small sealed space and, as such, is instantaneously spread throughout the interior of the vehicle, thereby causing the driver or occupants (in the following description, the driver or occupants being also referred to as passengers or users, as necessary) discomfort. In severe cases, such odor may function as a factor obstructing safe driving.

Odor generation stages may include an external odor generation stage in which odor is generated at the outside of a passenger compartment 20 and an internal odor generation stage in which odor is directly generated in the passenger compartment 20.

Generally, odor generated in the internal odor generation stage, that is, odor directly generated in the passenger compartment 20, has the following two cause patterns.

Odor according to the first cause pattern is odor generated at a heat exchanger of a module 10 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) (hereinafter, referred to as an “HVAC module 10”). Odor according to the second cause pattern is odor generated from interior materials 40 for finishing or configuring the interior of the vehicle. The interior materials 40 may include passenger seats.

Odor generated at the heat exchanger of the HVAC module 10 is odor generated as an indoor heat exchanger 17 installed in the passenger compartment 20 functions as an evaporator in summer or in a change of season and, as such, a condensate (water) is produced on the indoor heat exchanger 17, and mold is formed due to mixture of the water with dust.

In addition, when the HVAC module 10 operates in a cooling mode or in a heating mode in summer or winter, hot air or cold air stored in an air conditioning chamber of the HVAC module 10 may be directly discharged into the passenger compartment 20 in an unconditioned state and, as such, cannot instantaneously satisfy user demand for cooling or heating. This air is also an unpleasant factor no less than the odor.

There may be a problem in that such odor and unpleasant air are introduced into the passenger compartment 20 in a mixed state whenever the HVAC module 10 operates.

Smell generated from the interior materials 40 is harmful to the human body because the interior materials 40 are made of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Furthermore, there may be a problem in that the smell may go bad due to mixture thereof with a smell of sweat from the driver or occupant.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention includes odor generation prevention S10 for preventing generation of odor in the passenger compartment 20, odor determination S20 for determining the kind and cause of odor generated in the passenger compartment 20 despite execution of odor generation prevention S10, and odor removal S30 for removing odor in accordance with the kind and cause of odor determined in odor determination S20.

Odor generation prevention S10 is an operation of previously sorting functional parts having possibility of odor generation from a plurality of functional parts installed in the vehicle, and drying the functional parts having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time.

The functional parts having possibility of odor generation are limited to the internal odor generation stage, except for the external odor generation stage. Representative examples of these functional parts may include the HVAC module 10, the passenger compartment 20 (cabin), a duct 30, and the internal materials 40.

Although the above-described four functional parts are illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, as functional parts having possibility of odor generation, the present invention is not limited thereto. The above-described four functional parts are only illustrated for ease of understanding of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes odor generation prevention S10, which operates to prevent generation of odor in accordance with characteristics of the pre-sorted functional parts.

In particular, for more precise execution of odor generation prevention S10, an air quality sensor 100 may be provided at each functional part. The reason why the air quality sensor 100 is provided at each functional part is because odor is intimately associated with the air quality of the functional part such as temperature, humidity and dust.

The air quality sensor 100 may include a composite sensor module 100 having a combination of a plurality of sensors 150 in order to sense different properties possessed by air present around the associated functional part through a single operation, respectively.

In more detail, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the composite sensor module 100 includes a sensor case 110 defined with an air channel, through which introduction and discharge of air in one direction is carried out, a fan 120 disposed in the sensor case 110, to forcibly flow air, and the plurality of sensors 150 arranged in series in an air flow direction in the sensor case 110, to sense different properties possessed by air, respectively.

Here, air introduced into and discharged from the sensor case 110 is air present in or around the associated functional part. This air has characteristics of sample air measured by the plurality of sensors 150. It should be noted that there is no substantial purification of the sample air carried out by the plurality of sensors 150.

A sample air inlet 130 is provided at one side of the sensor case 110, for introduction of air. A sample air outlet 140 is provided at the other side of the sensor case 110, for discharge of air measured by the plurality of sensors 150. The sample air inlet 130 and sample air outlet 140 may be arranged to be aligned with each other in an installation direction of the plurality of sensors 150. In this case, it may be possible to reduce positional deviation of the plurality of sensors 150 for measurement of a contamination degree of sample air.

The plurality of sensors 150 may include a temperature/humidity sensor for sensing the temperature and humidity of air, a fine dust sensor for sensing the concentration of fine dust in air, a carbon dioxide sensor for sensing the amount of carbon dioxide in air, and a smoke sensor for sensing nitric oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx) and VOCs in air.

As the composite sensor module 100 having the above-described configuration is arranged at each functional part, odor generation prevention S10 meeting characteristics of the functional part, which will be described later, may be executed.

For example, when an engine of the vehicle is driven, the composite sensor module 100 senses the quality of air present in or around the associated functional part, and supplies values of the sensed results to a vehicle controller (not shown) (hereinafter, referred to as a “controller”). Then, the controller may execute odor generation prevention S10, using the HVAC module 10.

That is, the HVAC module 10 operates to dry the functional parts sorted as having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time, in order to prevent generation of odor at the heat exchanger installed in the HVAC module 10.

However, in accordance with the function of the HVAC module 10, the indoor heat exchanger 17 operates as an evaporator in the case in which the driver or occupant is present in the passenger compartment 20, in order to provide direct air conditioning effects to users. Meanwhile, for drying of the functional parts having possibility of odor generation, the indoor heat exchanger 17 should operate as a condenser. In this case, the intrinsic air conditioning function is degraded. Furthermore, there may be a problem in that the cooling function provided for users should be temporarily stopped.

In order to minimize such problems, the HVAC module 10 may be controlled to minimize a stop time of a cooling operation provided for users including the driver when no user (in particular, the driver) is present in the passenger compartment 20 or even when the driver is seated in the passenger compartment 20.

Whether or not the driver is present may be determined by a driver state monitoring (DSM) part. The DSM part may be diverse and may include at least one of a passenger sensor provided at each seat, an infrared sensor provided to sense the driver or occupant, and a camera module provided to photograph the driver or occupant.

When the driver is present, odor generation prevention S10 may be executed through an operation of drying the functional parts only for a predetermined time before the vehicle arrives at a destination after being driven, in order to minimize a stop time of a cooling operation of the HVAC module 10 in summer.

The time at which the vehicle arrives at a destination after being driven may be calculated through a navigation system provided at the vehicle to be linked to a global positioning system (GPS).

In the case of a vehicle equipped with no navigation system, the arrival time may be calculated by a learning model which learns a driving pattern of the driver under the condition that the vehicle has been driven at least two times, and stores the learned driving pattern. For example, in the learning model, an engine operation time from a start point of an engine operation to an end point of the engine operation is learned from the driving pattern of the driver learned at least two times, and the learned engine operation time is then stored. In this case, odor generation prevention S10 may be executed for a predetermined time before a predetermined engine stop time based on the stored learned engine operation time.

Referring to FIG. 4, the time at which the vehicle arrives at a destination after being driven may be T1 calculated through the navigation system or the learning model, and the predetermined time before arrival may be between a start time set to T1-T2, and an end time set to T1.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a cooling cycle and a dehumidifying cycle in the heat exchanger of the HVAC module 10 in summer, respectively. FIG. 6 is a psychometric chart for execution of odor generation prevention S10.

When the functional part having possibility of odor generation is the indoor heat exchanger 17 of the HVAC module 10, odor generation prevention S10 may be executed in the following manner.

In season change (in spring or autumn) requiring substantially small load, it may be possible to avoid conditions that mold, ticks or the like may be grown by controlling the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 functioning as an evaporator such that the temperature is higher than a dew point temperature at which moisture is formed, to suppress formation of moisture, during control of the temperature of the passenger compartment 20.

In this case, the air quality sensor 100 constituted by the composite sensor module 100 may be disposed at each of areas at which temperatures of outdoor air and indoor air are sensible.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the dehumidifying procedure of the indoor heat exchanger 17 in a general cooling mode is carried out by mixing outdoor air with indoor air before completion of a cooling operation, that is, through procedures 1→2→2’→3→4 in the psychometric chart of FIG. 6.

In season change, however, odor generation prevention S10 is carried out through a sensible heat control operation because substantially small load is required. In this case, accordingly, only the procedure 1→2 in the psychometric chart of FIG. 6 may be carried out.

On the other hand, in summer requiring great load, an operation of the HVAC module 10 for lowering the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 to a dew point temperature or below is necessary.

In more detail, in the general cooling mode, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, refrigerant compressed by a compressor 14 is condensed in an outdoor heat exchanger 14’ functioning as a condenser after passing through a four-way valve 13. Subsequently, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air or outdoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 17 functioning as an evaporator after passing through an expansion device 16, and is then introduced into the compressor 14 via an accumulator 12. Air cooled in accordance with heat exchange thereof with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 17 is discharged into the passenger compartment 20 by a fan 19. Meanwhile, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater 18 promoting an initial heating operation may be provided at the HVAC module 10.

However, when odor generation prevention S10 is executed in summer, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 14 is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 17 via the four-way valve 13, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, and, as such, the indoor heat exchanger 17 temporarily functions as a condenser. In this case, it may be possible to remove water condensed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 17 by controlling the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 to be higher than the dew point temperature.

The main point of odor generation prevention S10 executed in summer is that the indoor heat exchanger 17, which is controlled to function as an evaporator in a cooling mode, is controlled to temporarily function as a condenser. Of course, odor generation prevention S10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the above-described method.

For example, although not shown, the HVAC module 10 may further include an enthalpy exchanger, into which refrigerant of high temperature discharged from the compressor 14 is introduced in a branched manner, to exchange heat with original refrigerant, namely, refrigerant of low temperature. In this case, it may be possible to remove condensed water by operating the enthalpy exchanger for a predetermined time, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17, using high-temperature refrigerant introduced into the enthalpy exchanger.

When odor generation prevention S10 is executed for the indoor heat exchanger 17 of the HVAC module 10, an opening/closing door provided to open or close a port of the HVAC module 10 connected to the duct 30 may be controlled to be closed. In this case, it may be possible to prevent hot air heated by heat generated in accordance with refrigerant condensation in the indoor heat exchanger 17 or heat exchange of the enthalpy exchanger from being introduced into the passenger compartment 20.

Increasing the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 to be higher than the dew point temperature serves to simply prevent generation of condensed water on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 17. However, although no condensed water is generated, there may be possibility that bacteria such as mold may propagate for various reasons. To this end, the amount of heat transferred to the indoor heat exchanger 17 is controlled such that the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 is increased to a predetermined temperature at which bacteria propagated or propagable on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 17 are killed.

Meanwhile, when the functional part having possibility of odor generation is the passenger compartment (cabin), odor generation prevention S10 may be executed in the following manner.

The HVAC module 10 is controlled to operate for a predetermined time before arrival of the vehicle at a destination after driving of the vehicle such that the temperature of the passenger compartment 20 reaches a predetermined temperature or above, as described above. In accordance with this control, moisture of the interior materials 40 including seats and so on may be removed.

In this case, a plurality of dampers 51 to 53, which functions to open or close ports of the HVAC module 10 connected to the duct 30, may be controlled to be opened. The dampers 51 to 53 will be described later. In addition, the HVAC module 10 may be controlled such that a motor of the compressor 14 included in the HVAC module 10 operates at a predetermined RPM or below.

Of course, when the driver and/or an occupant is present in the passenger compartment 20, the above-described operation of the HVAC module 10 may cause the users discomfort due to unexpected hot air during cooling. To this end, odor removal S30 may substitute for odor generation prevention S10, which is executed when no user is present in the vehicle, taking into consideration cooling load required by the user. This will be described later.

Factors causing discomfort to the driver and occupants present in the passenger compartment 20 are not limited to odor simply stimulating the sense of smell of persons.

For example, dust having been accumulated in the HVAC module 10 before operation of the HVAC module 10 may be instantaneously introduced into the interior of the vehicle when the HVAC module 10 operates and, as such, may cause the driver and occupants discomfort.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of the HVAC module included in the configuration of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention. FIGS. 8A to 8C are sectional views illustrating air conditioning channels of the HVAC module established in a cooling mode in accordance with another embodiment of the odor generation prevention in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views illustrating air conditioning channels of the HVAC module established in a cooling mode in accordance with another embodiment of the odor generation prevention in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the HVAC module 10 may include a case 11, the indoor heat exchanger 17, which is disposed in the case 11, to condition indoor air and outdoor air, the PTC heater 18, which is disposed in the case 11, to heat indoor air and outdoor air, and the fan 19, which is disposed in the case 11, to generate a force to cause air to flow in the case 11.

As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 17 functions as an evaporator or a condenser in accordance with the season in which the HVAC module 10 operates.

The case 11 of the HVAC module 10 may be formed, at one side thereof, with an outdoor air inlet 71 and an outdoor air outlet 72, which communicate with the outside of the vehicle while being formed, at the other side thereof, with a plurality of air outlets 73a to 73c for discharging conditioned air into the interior of the vehicle and an indoor inlet 74 for introduction of indoor air.

The plurality of air outlets 73a to 73c may be provided to correspond in number to ducts installed to communicate with the interior of the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, however, the plurality of air outlets 73a to 73c may include a first outlet 73a to form a channel connected to a first duct (not shown) communicating with a first position of the passenger compartment 20, a second outlet 73b to form a channel connected to a second duct (not shown) communicating with a second position of the passenger compartment 20, and a third outlet 73c to form a channel connected to a third duct (not shown) communicating with a third position of the passenger compartment 20.

In addition, the case 11 of the HVAC module 10 may include a first damper 51, a second damper 52 and a third damper 53, which open or close the first, second and

third outlets

73a, 73b and 73c, respectively, a fourth damper 54 for opening or closing the outdoor air inlet 71, a fifth damper 55 for opening or closing the outdoor air outlet 72, a sixth damper 56 for allowing or preventing introduction of indoor air through the indoor air inlet 74 and allowing or preventing communication of the indoor air inlet 74 with an air conditioning chamber of the case 11, and a seventh damper 57 for allowing or preventing introduction of indoor air, introduced through the indoor inlet 74, into the air conditioning chamber.

Meanwhile, the HVAC module 10 may further include a drain duct 60 for draining water condensed on the indoor heat exchanger 17. The HVAC module 10 may also include a valve 61 for opening or closing the drain duct 60.

In this case, the air quality sensors 100 each constituted by one composite sensor module 100 may be disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 17 and the plurality of air outlets 73a to 73c, respectively. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described arrangement. For example, individual sensors capable of sensing temperature, dust amount and humidity, respectively, may be arranged.

Hereinafter, control procedures of the summer odor generation prevention in the HVAC module 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (in particular, FIGS. 8A to 8C).

When the HVAC module 10 operates in summer, a cooling preparation mode is carried out, as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the fan 19 operates when the HVAC module 10 operates. In this case, the first to third dampers 51 to 53 may be in a state of closing respective air outlets 73a to 73c. The fourth damper 54 may be in a state of opening the outdoor air inlet 71, for introduction of outdoor air. The fifth damper 55 may be in a state of opening the outdoor air outlet 72, for outward discharge of indoor air. The sixth damper 56 may be in a state of closing the indoor air inlet 74, for preventing discharge of indoor air from the passenger compartment 20, and opening a conditioned air outlet of the air conditioning chamber, for discharge of conditioned air from the air conditioning chamber into the passenger compartment 20. The seventh damper 57 may be in a state of closing an indoor air inlet of the air conditioning chamber, for prevention of introduction of indoor air into the air conditioning chamber.

In this case, the fan 19 and indoor heat exchanger 17 may operate for cooling. In this case, it will be appreciated that the indoor heat exchanger 17 is interpreted as functioning as a summer evaporator. It will also be appreciated that, in winter, in which the indoor heat exchanger 17 functions as a condenser, the PCT heater 18 may also operate, as will be described later.

As the fan 19, indoor heat exchanger 17 and PCT heater 18 operate simultaneously, it may be possible to discharge contaminated air from the air conditioning chamber of the HVAC module 10 while rapidly supplying conditioned air to the user.

When the HVAC module 10 operates in the cooling preparation mode for a predetermined time, hot air and dust present in the air conditioning chamber of the case 11 flow via the sixth damper 56, and is then discharged to the outside via the fifth damper 55. Outdoor air is introduced into the air conditioning chamber via the fourth damper 54, and is mixed with air and dust present in the interior of the air conditioning chamber including the indoor heat exchanger 17 and PTC heater 18 while passing around the indoor heat exchanger 17 and PCT heater 18 and, as such, the resultant mixture is exhausted via the fifth damper 55.

In this case, the start time of the predetermined time, for which the HVAC module 10 operates in the cooling preparation mode (including a heating preparation mode, which will be described later) may be set using a navigation system or a learning model, which is capable of calculating an arrival time of the vehicle at a destination, as described above. However, the start time of the predetermined time may be set to a time when the driver operates to start a cooling or heating operation of the HVAC module 10 before riding in the vehicle, using a smart key of the vehicle, which is being widely used.

Meanwhile, the end time of the predetermined time, for which the HVAC module 10 operates in the cooling preparation mode, may be set to a time when the concentration of dust sensed by the air quality sensor 100 is lower than a predetermined concentration, and a sensed internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber reaches a predetermined temperature.

Of course, the predetermined dust concentration and the predetermined internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber may be directly set by users including the driver such that different values may be set by different users, respectively.

Typically, the internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber may be set to 16°C or below in summer, and 21°C or above in winter.

In addition, the end time of the predetermined time is preferably set such that operation of the HVAC module 10 in a cooling mode, which will be described later, is begun when any one of the predetermined dust concentration and the internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber is satisfied. In this case, it may be possible to minimize a standby time for introduction of the cooling mode, in order to satisfy a demand of users for instantaneous cooling.

The end time of the predetermined time is more preferably set to a time when the predetermined time of the operation of the HVAC module 10 in the cooling preparation mode elapses, even though neither the predetermined dust concentration nor the internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber is satisfied. In this case, it may be possible to cope with mechanical malfunction of the air quality sensor 100.

When the HVAC module 10 operate in the cooling preparation mode, as described above, unpleasant air including hot air exceeding 16°C and dust cannot directly enter the passenger compartment 20. Accordingly, it may be possible to avoid the driver and occupant from feeling unpleasant due to odor generated in the interior of the HVEAC module 10.

Thereafter, when the cooling preparation mode of the HVAC module 10 is completed, the HVAC module 10 operates in a cooling mode, as illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C. FIG. 8B illustrates an outdoor air introduction mode included in the cooling mode, in which outdoor air is introduction. FIG. 8C illustrates an indoor air circulation mode included in the cooling mode, in which no outdoor air is introduced.

Referring to FIG. 8B, when the HVAC module 10 operates in the outdoor air introduction mode, the fan 19 and indoor heat exchanger 17 operate.

In this case, the first to third dampers 51 to 53 are in a state of opening respective air outlets 73a to 73c. The fourth damper 54 is in a state of opening the outdoor air inlet 71, for introduction of outdoor air. The fifth damper 55 is in a state of closing the outdoor air outlet 72, for prevention of outward discharge of indoor air. The sixth damper 56 is in a state of opening the indoor air inlet 74, for allowing indoor air present in the passenger compartment 20 to circulate into the air conditioning chamber, for air conditioning thereof. The seventh damper 57 is in a state of closing the indoor air inlet of the air conditioning chamber, for allowing indoor air to be introduced into the air conditioning chamber, together with outdoor air introduced into the fourth damper 54.

In this case, the first to third dampers 51 to 53 are controlled to be automatically opened when the internal temperature of the air conditioning chamber is 16°C or below. In addition, the sixth damper 56 is controlled to be switched from a state of opening the inner air inlet 74 of the air conditioning chamber to a state of closing the inner air inlet 74, for prevention of discharge of conditioned air from the air conditioning chamber.

When the cooling mode is executed, outdoor air is introduced into the air conditioning chamber via the fourth damper 54 by a blowing force of the fan 19, and is then conditioned while passing around the indoor heat exchanger 17, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. The conditioned air is discharged into the interior of the vehicle via the first to third dampers 51 to 53.

In this state, unpleasant air in the air conditioning chamber of the HVAC module 10 has already been discharged to the outside through execution of the cooling preparation mode for the predetermined time. Accordingly, the driver and occupants in the passenger compartment 20 may enjoy cooling without unpleasantness caused by contaminated air and unpleasantness caused by hot air.

Referring to FIG. 8C, when the HVAC module 10 operates in the indoor air circulation mode, operations of the fan 19 and indoor heat exchanger are stopped.

In this case, the first to third dampers 51 to 53 are in a state of opening respective air outlets 73a to 73c. The fourth damper 54 is in a state of closing the outdoor air inlet 71, for prevention of introduction of outdoor air, as illustrated in FIG. 8C. The fifth damper 55 is in a state of closing the outdoor air outlet 72, for prevention of outward discharge of indoor air. The sixth damper 56 is in a state of opening the indoor air inlet 74, for allowing indoor air present in the passenger compartment 20 to be again introduced into the air conditioning chamber. The seventh damper 57 is in a state of opening the indoor air inlet of the air conditioning chamber, for direct introduction of indoor air into the air conditioning chamber.

When the indoor air circulation mode is executed, indoor air is introduced into the air conditioning chamber by a blowing force of the fan 19 while being guided by the sixth damper 56 and seventh damper 57, as illustrated in FIG. 8C. The introduced air is purified while passing through a deodorizing filter not shown, and is then discharged into the interior of the vehicle via the first to third dampers 51 to 53.

Although the above description has been given in conjunction with the case in which the HVAC module 10 is equipped with the deodorizing filter, the operation in the indoor air circulation mode may not be required when a separate air cleaner is provided.

Meanwhile, when the HVAC module 10 operates in winter, a heating preparation mode is executed, as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

Referring to FIG. 9A, in the heating preparation mode, the first to seventh dampers 51 to 57 are controlled to operate in the same manner as in the cooling preparation mode described with reference to FIG. 8A, except that the indoor heat exchanger 17 functions as a condenser, and the PCT heater 18 operates.

Thereafter, when the heating preparation mode of the HVAC module 10 is completed, the HVAC module 10 operates in a heating mode, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

Referring to FIG. 9B, in the heating mode, the first to seventh dampers 51 to 57 are controlled to operate in the same manner as in the above-described cooling mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation in the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, odor determination S20 may achieve odor determination through a plurality of air quality sensors 100 provided at respective functional parts.

Odor determination S20 may be a preliminary procedure for determining the kind and cause of odor, generation of which has not been prevented in odor generation prevention S10, thereby enabling effective execution of odor removal S30.

Through odor determination S20, the kind and cause of odor may be accurately determined and, as such, it may be possible to achieve more rapid odor removal in odor removal S30, without any errors.

In odor determination S20, causes of odor may be classified into a first cause associated with the HVAC module 10, a second cause associated with the interior of the vehicle, and a third cause associated with introduction of odor introduced from the outside of the vehicle.

At least one of the plurality of air quality sensors 100 may be installed in the HVAC module 10, for determination of the first cause. At least one of the plurality of air quality sensors 100 may be installed at an optimal position in the passenger compartment 20, to sense odor, for determination of the second cause. At least one of the plurality of air quality sensors 100 may be installed at the outside of the vehicle adjacent to the outdoor air inlet, through which outdoor air is introduced into the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle, for determination of the third cause.

In particular, the third cause may be distinguished from the second cause through real-time comparison of a sensed value from the air quality sensor 100 installed at the outside of the vehicle with a sensed value from the air quality sensor 100 installed in the passenger compartment 20.

Meanwhile, when the kind and cause of odor is determined in odor determination S20, it may be possible to more rapidly remove odor in odor removal 30, using a method determined in accordance with the determined odor kind and cause, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

That is, the above-described HVAC module 10, which is provided with a deodorizing filter for removing odor, may be installed in the vehicle. Otherwise, a separate air cleaner provided with a deodorizing filter may be installed in the vehicle. If necessary, the air cleaner may include an ion generator in addition to the deodorizing filter.

For more clear understanding of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, the following description will be given in conjunction with the case in which a deodorizing filter and an ion generator are provided at an air cleaner separately installed in the vehicle, and a general filter is provided at the HVAC module 10.

In the case in which the above-described HVAC module 10 or air cleaner is installed in the passenger compartment 20, odor removal S30 may be controlled to rapidly remove odor through the deodorizing filter while adjusting an amount of air output by he air cleaner, when sensed odor is determined to be associated with the first cause. That is, in a general air purification mode executed through the air cleaner, the amount of air is controlled to correspond to a general flow rate. However, when odor is generated and is introduced into the passenger compartment 20, rapid odor removal is required. In this case, accordingly, the air cleaner may be controlled to operate in a separately-set odor removal mode, and the amount of air in the odor removal mode may be controlled to correspond to a higher flow rate than that of the general air purification mode.

When sensed odor is determined to be associated with the second cause, odor removal S30 may be controlled to remove bacteria and odor by adjusting the amount of ions generated from the ion generator of the air cleaner. That is, since it is apparent that generation of odor associated with the second cause is caused by propagation of bacteria such as mold, it is preferred that removal of bacteria through the ion generator be preferentially carried out, and, at the same time, removal of odor spread in the passenger compartment 20 be carried out. In this case, the HVAC module 10 may be controlled to operate in the outdoor air introduction mode, in order to introduce outdoor air into the passenger compartment 20, and may be controlled to operate in an indoor air exhaust mode, in order to exhaust indoor air to the outside of the vehicle. In this case, indoor air as odor is preferably exhausted after being rapidly deodorized through the deodorizing filter. More preferably, outdoor air is introduced into the passenger compartment 20 after deodorization thereof.

The exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention has an advantage in that the kind and cause of odor are determined in odor determination S20 before odor removal S30, and rapid odor removal may be achieved in odor removal S30 in accordance with the determined odor kind and cause.

Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, odor removal S30 may achieve removal of condensed water generated on the indoor heat exchanger of the HVAC module 10, in addition to removal of generated odor as described above. To this end, odor removal S30 may include a dehumidification mode for removal of condensed water.

The operations of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention are classified as follows, taking into consideration passage of time from a time when the user operates to start an engine for driving of the vehicle to a time when the user operates to stop the engine.

For more clear classification, the action to start the engine for current driving of the vehicle is referred to as a “first engine operation state”, the action to stop the engine for completion of previous vehicle driving carried out prior to the current vehicle driving is referred to as a “first engine stop state”, and the action to stop the engine for completion of the current vehicle driving is referred to as a “second engine stop state”.

Here, the odor generation prevention is a procedure for pre-sensing an area in which generation of odor is expected, through the air quality sensor 100, for a period of time from the first engine stop state to the first engine operation state, for active prevention of odor generation.

Of course, for execution of the odor generation prevention, electrical parts such as the HVAC module 10 should operate in order to prevent growth of odor and, as such, supply of drive power or electric power generated in accordance with driving of the engine is necessary. In this regard, the odor generation prevention should be understood as being executed for a period of time from the first engine operation state to the second engine stop state.

The odor determination should be understood as a procedure executed when the first engine operation state is begun, to determine odor in terms of odor kind and cause, based on sensing data previously acquired through the air quality sensor 100 for odor generation prevention, when the odor has grown to a level that may be considered bad smell, for use of the determined odor kind and cause in a subsequent procedure, that is, odor removal S30.

Finally, odor removal S30 should be understood as additionally including a sterilization mode for removing odor generated for a predetermined time from the start time of the first engine operation state and a predetermined time before the end time of the second engine stop state, or removing bacteria inhabiting the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 17 of the HVAC module 10 as a cause of the generated odor.

Here, it is noted that operation of the HVAC module 10 in the bacteria removal mode to be described may be considered odor prevention as described above, and may be included in odor removal S30.

The bacteria removal mode in odor removal S30 may be executed through operative connection of a perfume generator (not shown) installed in the passenger compartment 20 with the HVAC module 10.

In more detail, the passenger compartment 20 may be provided with a perfume generator (not shown) including a plurality of perfume capsules for spraying different perfumes in accordance with different air quality states and different driver emotional states, respectively, thereby being capable of improving a driving environment of the driver.

In particular, the perfume generator may have a function for eliminating a contaminated atmosphere containing odor by a perfume sprayed through spraying operation of at least one of the plurality of the perfume capsules or neutralizing the contaminated atmosphere through mixture of the sprayed perfume with the odor when the air quality state of the passenger compartment 20 is the contaminated atmosphere state.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating odor removal S30 included in the procedures according to the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a control operation for executing odor removal S30 using a bacteria removal mode of the HVAC module 10 and a perfume spray mode using a perfume sprayer in a combined manner will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 11. For convenience of description, the HVAC module 10 will be described as operating in a summer cooling mode.

Of course, it is noted that in the following description, the control operation executed until the HVAC module 10 substantially operates in a cooling mode may be considered the above-described odor generation prevention, and only the operation in the bacteria removal mode, which will be finally described, may be considered odor removal S30.

First, when the engine (or a drive motor) is driven for driving of the vehicle, the perfume generator operates for 30 seconds under the condition that the HVAC module 10 operates in the outdoor introduction mode, to spray a specific perfume into the passenger compartment 20, thereby preventing possibility that occupants including the driver smell odor introduced from the air conditioning chamber of the HVAC module 10 after riding in the vehicle.

When the HVAC module 10 does not operate in an outdoor air introduction mode during operation of the engine, the HVAC module 10 operates in a cooling mode through driving of the compressor and fan 19 thereof. In this case, the perfume generator operates for 30 seconds, to spray specific perfume. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent passengers including the driver from possibly taking odor introduced from the air conditioning chamber of the HVAC module 10 after riding in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, when operation of the HVAC module 10 is stopped during driving of the vehicle by operation of the driver or for various reasons, operation of the fan 19 is stopped. Subsequently, the first to third dampers 51 to 53 are controlled to be closed, as described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8c, irrespective of whether or not operation of the engine is stopped. When operation of the engine is stopped, the fan 19 operates again. In this case, refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure compressed by the compressor is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 17 through switching operation of the four-way valve, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

The bacteria removal mode to remove bacteria such as mold is executed for about 5 minutes, using the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 17. Thereafter, operation of the HVAC module 10 is stopped.

In association with removal of bacteria living on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 17, there is an advantage in that it may be possible to secure a sufficient bacteria removal temperature by the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant directly discharged from the compressor.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention, it may be possible to actively prevent generation of odor through clear determination of the kind and cause of odor and to prevent occurrence of accidents by allowing the driver to concentrate on driving of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention may further include information alert S40 for displaying the kind and cause of odor determined in odor determination S20 on a display, thereby informing the user of the displayed results.

In this case, the display may take the form of a liquid crystal panel constituting a portion of an audio, video and navigation (AVN) system. Otherwise, the display may include a plurality of LED displays constituting a center fascia.

The display may display the kind and cause of odor in the form of pre-designated names, and may display level of the currently-sensed odor in the form of a numeral or other pattern. In addition, the display may display the degree of odor removal according to execution of odor removal S30 in the form of a numeral or other pattern. When it is impossible to remove odor through odor removal S30, the display may display another solution, to inform the user of the solution.

In accordance with the same logic as the display, information alert S40 may include first alert to display the kind and cause of odor, second alert to display level of the odor displayed upon the first alert, third alert to display degree of odor removal according to execution of odor removal S30, and fourth alert to provide a user solution in accordance with the cause of odor when the cause of odor cannot be removed through odor removal S30 after the third alert.

In this case, the fourth alert may provide, to the user, information as to a sterilization period of the indoor heat exchanger 17 when the kind and cause of odor is associated with mold generated on the indoor heat exchanger 17 (evaporator) of the HVAC module 10. When the kind and cause of odor is associated with the interior materials 40 of the passenger compartment 20, the fourth alert may provide, to the user, information as to replacement of the deodorizing filter of the air cleaner or HVAC module 10.

The user operates to control operation of a sterilizer separately equipped in the HVAC module 10, using information provided by the fourth alert and, as such, it may be possible to perform active bacteria removal and to obtain a more pleasant driving environment through replacement of the deodorizing filter.

Although exemplary embodiments of the vehicle odor generation prevention and removal system according to the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

An odor generation prevention and removal system of a vehicle comprising:

odor generation prevention for preventing generation of odor in a passenger compartment;

odor determination for determining a kind and cause of odor generated in the passenger compartment despite execution of the odor generation prevention; and

odor removal for removing odor in accordance with the kind and cause of odor determined in the odor determination.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 1, wherein the odor generation prevention is an operation of previously sorting functional parts having possibility of odor generation from a plurality of functional parts installed in the vehicle, and drying the functional parts having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 2, wherein the functional parts having possibility of odor generation are previously sorted in the odor generation prevention, to include:

a heat exchanger of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module for air-conditioning the passenger compartment;

interior materials installed in the passenger compartment; and

an air duct for communication of the HVAC module with the passenger compartment.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 3, wherein the odor generation prevention determines whether or not the functional parts having possibility of odor generation should be dried, in accordance with whether or not a driver is present in the passenger compartment.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the driver is present in the passenger compartment is determined by a driver state monitoring (DSM) part.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 1, wherein the odor generation prevention is an operation of drying the functional parts having possibility of odor generation for a predetermined time before arrival of the vehicle at a destination after driving of the vehicle.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 6, wherein a time when the vehicle arrives at the destination after driving thereof is calculated through a navigation system linked to a global positioning system (GPS) of the vehicle.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 6, wherein a time when the vehicle arrives at the destination after driving thereof is calculated from a learning model which learns a driving pattern of the driver under a condition that the vehicle has been driven at least two times, and stores the learned driving pattern.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein:

the HVAC module further comprises an enthalpy exchanger when the heat exchanger is included in the functional parts having possibility of odor generation, the enthalpy exchanger supplying a predetermined amount of heat to the heat exchanger; and

the enthalpy exchanger operates for a predetermined time.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an air quality sensor for sensing a quality of air in the HVAC module,

wherein the predetermined time has an end time set to a time when a temperature outside the heat exchanger is equal to or higher than a dew point temperature, taking into consideration an internal temperature of the HVAC module and a humidity of the HVAC module, which are sensed by the air quality sensor, and an amount of heat transferred through the enthalpy exchanger.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 10, wherein the enthalpy exchanger is controlled such that an amount of heat transferred to the heat exchanger corresponds to a predetermined temperature for sterilization of the heat exchanger before the predetermined time elapses.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 10, wherein the HVAC module is controlled such that an internal temperature of the passenger compartment is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature before the predetermine time elapses.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 10, wherein the HVAC module is controlled such that a compressor motor thereof operates at a predetermined RPM or below before the predetermined time elapses.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of air quality sensors for sensing air qualities of the plurality of functional parts, respectively,

wherein the odor determination is an operation of determining which one of causes is associated with the odor, based on sensed values from the air quality sensors,

wherein the causes comprise a first cause associated with the HVAC module, and a second cause associated with the passenger compartment.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 14, wherein:

the vehicle is equipped with an air cleaner including a deodorizing filter to remove odor and an ion generator having a sterilization function; and

the odor removal comprises

adjusting an amount of air blown from the air cleaner when the cause of the odor corresponds to the first cause, to remove the odor through the deodorizing filter, and

adjusting an amount of ions generated from the air cleaner when the cause of the odor corresponds to the second cause, to perform sterilization and deodorization through the ion generator.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 14, wherein:

the causes in the odor determination further comprise a third cause associated with an outside of the vehicle; and

the odor removal controls the HVAC module to be switched to an indoor air mode when the cause of the odor corresponds to the third cause.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 1, further comprising:

information alert for displaying the kind and cause of odor determined by the odor determination through a display installed in the vehicle, to inform a user of displayed results.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 17, wherein the information alert comprises:

first alert to display the kind and cause of odor;

second alert to display a level of the odor displayed upon the first alert;

third alert to display a degree of odor removal according to execution of the odor removal; and

fourth alert to provide a user solution in accordance with the cause of odor when the cause of odor cannot be removed through the odor removal after the third alert.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 18, wherein:

the fourth alert provides, to a user, information as to a sterilization period of the indoor heat exchanger when the kind and cause of odor is associated with mold generated on an evaporator in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module; and

the fourth alert provides, to the user, information as to replacement of a deodorizing filter in an air cleaner or in the HVAC module when the kind and cause of odor is associated with the interior materials of the passenger compartment.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a perfume generator installed in the passenger compartment, to spray a perfume from at least one of a plurality of perfume capsules in accordance with an air quality state of the passenger compartment or a driver feeling state,

wherein the odor generation prevention comprises a perfume spray mode for spraying a specific perfume from the perfume generator before the HVAC module operates in a cooling mode.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 20, wherein the odor removal comprises a bacteria removal mode for removing bacteria living on a surface of the heat exchanger by introducing high-temperature refrigerant into the heat exchanger for a predetermined time after the cooling mode of the HVAC module is stopped.
The odor generation prevention and removal system according to claim 21, wherein the bacteria removal mode is executed for the predetermined time after the driver stops an engine and then exits from the vehicle.