Warning device for filter-changing time

• US 6,239,694 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ninomiya, Hitoshi, Imai, Hirokazu, Honda, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/553,806
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/457.4, 340/439, 340/438
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0683 the quality of the filter or the air being checked
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0608 Filter arrangements in the air stream

Abstract

A warning device for warning change time of a filter for cleaning air includes an indication lamp which indicates a warning of the change time of the filter, and a control unit for controlling operation of the indication lamp. The control unit sets a next timer setting value for the next filter change to a filter-using time until a change of the filter, and operates the indication lamp when the filter-using time passes the next timer setting value after the change of the filter. Thus, the warning of the change time of the filter is performed at a suitable moment reflecting a variation of a clogging degree of the filter. As a result, the warning device accurately performs the warning of the change time of the filer without using a sensor for detecting the clogging degree of the filter.

Claims

1. A warning device for warning a change time of a filter for cleaning air, the warning device comprising:

a warning indication unit which indicates a warning of the change time of the filter; and

a control unit for controlling operation of the warning indication unit, wherein;

the control unit includes

timer means which adds filter-using time for which air passes through the filter,

setting means for setting an end setting value of the timer means,

resetting means for outputting a resetting signal for resetting the timer means when the filter is changed, and

changing means for changing the end setting value of the timer means to a first revised value based on the filter-using time until a change of the filter;

the changing means resets the timer means when the resetting signal is output from the resetting means; and

the control unit operates the warning indication unit when the filter-using time passes the end setting value.

2. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the resetting means is a manual operation switch which is manually operated when the filter is changed.

3. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the changing means changes the end setting value to a second revised value based on the filter-using time until a next change of the filter.

4. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the changing means changes the end setting value to a correction value of the filter-using time until the change of the filter, corrected by a predetermined time.

5. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning indicating unit is an indication lamp.

6. A warning device for warning a change time of a filter for cleaning air, the warning device comprising:

a warning indication unit which indicates a warning of the change time of the filter; and

a control unit for controlling operation of the warning indication unit, wherein;

the control unit includes

a timer which adds filter-using time for which air passes through the filter,

setting means for setting a timer end setting value of the timer,

resetting means for resetting the timer when the filter is changed, and

changing means for changing the timer end setting value of the setting means based on the filter-using time until a change of the filter; and

the control unit operates the warning indication unit when the filter-using time passes the timer end setting value.

7. The warning device according to claim 6, wherein the resetting means is a manual operation switch which is manually operated when the filter is changed.

8. The warning device according to claim 6, wherein the changing means changes the timer end setting value for the next change of the filter to the filter-using time until the change of the filter.

9. The warning device according to claim 6, wherein the changing means changes the timer end setting value for the next change of the filter to a correction value of the filter-using time until the change of the filter, corrected by a predetermined time.

10. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising:

a case having an air suction port for introducing air;

a blower for blowing air introduced from the air suction port;

a filter for cleaning air introduced from the air suction port;

a heat exchanger for controlling temperature of air to be blown into a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a warning device for warning a change time of the filter; and

a control unit for controlling operation of the warning device, wherein;

the warning device includes a warning indication unit which indicates a warning of the change time of the filter; and

the control unit includes

a timer which adds filter-using time for which air passes through the filter,

setting means for setting a timer end setting value of the timer,

resetting means for resetting the timer when the filter is changed, and

changing means for changing the timer end setting value of the setting means based on the filter-using time until a change of the filter; and

the control unit operates the warning indication unit when the filter-using time passes the timer end setting value.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the filter-using time is calculated by a blower operation time for which the blower operates.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the filter-using time is calculated by an engine operation time for which an engine of the vehicle operates.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the resetting means is a manual operation switch which is manually operated when the filter is changed.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the changing means changes the timer end setting value for the next change of the filter to the filter-using time until the change of the filter.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the changing means changes the timer end setting value for the next change of the filter to a correction value of the filter-using time until the change of the filter, corrected by a predetermined time.