IP Library Granted Patent US 12663353
Granted Patent B2
US 12663353 · App. 17/757,358 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

System for measuring contamination of an air condition

Inventors: Alfons Urban (Bad Heilbrunn, DE); Sabine Riha (Gmund am Tegernsee, DE)
Assignee: TUNAP GMBH & CO. KG
G01N15/0656B60H1/008B60H3/0092G01N27/125G01N2015/0046
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663353
App. No.
17/757,358
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is described a system for analyzing an air condition. The system comprises a detection unit configured for detecting of detection signals indicative of a bacteria-related contamination of an evaporator and/or an air filter of the air condition, an analyzing unit configured for analyzing of a level of contamination of the evaporator and/or the air filter based on the detection signals, and an output unit configured for outputting the analyzed level of contamination of the evaporator and/or the air filter to a user.

Claims (38)

1 . A system for analyzing an air conditioner, the system comprising:

a detection unit configured for detecting of detection signals indicative of a bacteria-related contamination with a contaminant of an evaporator and/or the air filter of the air conditioner,

wherein the detection unit comprises a contamination sensor for measuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds in the exhausted air of the air conditioner,

wherein the concentration of volatile organic compounds is indicative of the level of the bacteria-related contaminant,

wherein the detection unit is further configured to detect operating conditions of the air conditioner,

an analyzing unit configured for analyzing of a level of bacteria-related contamination of the evaporator and/or an air filter based on the detection signals, and by conducting a comparison with the detected operating conditions and predefined operating data of the air conditioner; and

an output unit configured for outputting the analyzed level of bacteria-related contamination with the contaminant of the evaporator and/or the air filter to a user.

2 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the analyzing unit is configured to generate a decontamination signal if the analyzed level of the contaminant exceeds a predetermined level of the contaminant,

wherein the output unit is configured for outputting the decontamination signal.

3 . The system according to claim 2 , further comprising

a decontamination unit,

wherein the decontamination unit is coupleable to the evaporator for decontaminating the evaporator and/or the air filter based on the decontamination signal.

4 . The system according to claim 3 ,

wherein the decontamination unit comprises a chemical exhaust nozzle for ejecting chemical decontamination fluid to the evaporator and/or the air filter.

5 . The system according to claim 3 ,

wherein the decontamination unit comprises a heating element coupleable to the evaporator and/or the air filter for heating up the evaporator and/or the air filter in order to reduce the level of contaminant.

6 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection unit is coupleable to an exhaust air channel of the conditioner for measuring the level of contaminant.

7 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the contamination sensor is configured for measuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds of at least 8 ppb in the exhausted air.

8 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection unit comprises an air flow sensor for detecting a flow of exhaust air of the air conditioner.

9 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection unit, the analyzing unit and/or the output unit are coupled wire connected or wireless connected for transmitting data.

10 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the output unit is a handheld device.

11 . The system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the air conditioner is an air conditioner of a vehicle,

wherein the analyzing unit is a control unit of the vehicle.

12 . A method of analyzing an air condition of the system for analyzing an air conditioner of claim 1 , the method comprising:

detecting of detection signals indicative of a contamination with a contaminant of an evaporator and/or an air filter of the air conditioner,

analyzing of a level of the contamination with the contaminant of the evaporator and/or the air filter based on the detection signals, and

outputting the analyzed level of contamination with the contaminant of the evaporator and/or the air filter to a user.

13 . The method according to claim 12 ,

generating a decontamination signal if the analyzed level of the contaminant exceeds a predetermined level of the contamination,

decontaminating the evaporator and/or the air filter based on the decontamination signal,

analyzing the level of contamination with the contaminant after decontaminating the evaporator and/or the air filter if the analyzed level of the contamination with the contaminant falls below a predetermined level of the contamination with the contaminant.