| 摘要 |
Disclosed are an air conditioner for a vehicle including a photocatalytic module and a control method thereof, capable of purifying air flowing into an air conditioner case, sterilizing and deodorizing an evaporator, and improving durability of a photocatalytic module by efficiently managing the operation of a light source unit. The air conditioner for the vehicle including the photocatalytic module includes: the air conditioner case having an air inflow hole on an inlet, an air discharge hole on an outlet, and an air path inside; the evaporator installed on the air path of the air conditioner case; an air blowing device blowing the air into the air conditioner case; a photocatalyst unit causing radical by having a photocatalytic reaction by radiated light and supplying the caused radical to the air path inside the air conditioner case; the multiple light source units radiating ultraviolet (UV) rays to the photocatalyst unit; and a control unit controlling the operation of the light source unit in multiple steps. Therefore, unpleasant air remaining inside the vehicle or the evaporator is completely removed, and pleasant environment can be provided for user′s convenience without additional controls. Moreover, strength of sterilization and deodorization is controlled in the multiple steps, and the light source unit is efficiently operated and controlled. Thereby, life shortening of an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) is minimized, and semipermanent use is possible. |
