DE102012203625A1 - Filter system for reduction of pollution impact in inner space of motor car, has branches and common channel that are locked by channel flaps which are controlled based on measured properties of air flowing into filter - Google Patents

Abstract

The filter system (20) has branches (13,14) that are respectively arranged in air flow direction in front of a filter (2) and behind the filter and are brought together in a common channel (17) opened into an inlet opening (19). Two measuring units (3,4) measure the properties of air flowing into the filter through the respective branches. The branches (13) are locked by a channel flap (8), and the common channel is locked by a channel flap (9). The control of the channel flaps is carried out based on the properties of the flowing air, measured using the measuring units. An independent claim is included for method for controlling filter system.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a filter system, in particular for reducing the pollution in the interior of motor vehicles, having an air duct with an inflow opening and with a filter, wherein the filter system has a first branch in the air flow direction before the filter and a second branch in the air flow direction after the filter are merged into a common channel, which opens into the inflow opening, wherein a first measuring point for measuring at least one property of the air flowing through a filter and a second measuring point for measuring at least one properties of the air flowing through a filter are arranged.

State of the art

When ventilating a closed room, it is common that the air to be supplied to the closed space, which is sucked in from the environment, is first processed in a variety of ways. For example, the air is heated before being released into the interior, cooled, moistened and in particular also cleaned. When cleaning the air, for example, pollen, dirt particles or noxious gases and the like are removed by filter devices.

An example of such interiors are automotive interiors. In particular, in motor vehicles, it proves to be advantageous to free the air of dirt particles and harmful gases to minimize the burden on the vehicle occupants.

Since in motor vehicles, the intake for the fresh air to be supplied to the interior can not be chosen so that as little pollutants are sucked from the outset as motor vehicles are usually moved on roads, it is inevitable that exhaust gases, especially soot particles, others Dirt particles and noxious gases, which originate from other motor vehicles, are sucked in by their own motor vehicle with the air for the supply of the interior. Without prior filtering the sucked dirt particles or noxious gases would be discharged into the vehicle interior.

Especially in the automotive sector, it is further required that the filters used to clean the air are as compact, lightweight, effective and moreover as cost-effective as possible. In particular, for filtering the indoor air, it is therefore expedient to use activated carbon filter to keep the pollution in the vehicle interior as low as possible, since they have a high filter potential.

The sucked into the Innenluftansaugtrakt noxious gases occur while driving usually situational, that is dependent on the surrounding traffic. Influencing factors here are, in particular, the distribution of gasoline-to-diesel-powered vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle and the operational situation of the vehicle, for example driving through a tunnel, driving in the city or waiting at a traffic light. Frequently the pollution of pollutants is characterized by short and high peak values.

It is particularly difficult for low-boiling noxious gases such as NO _x , SO _X , CO _{X to} keep them permanently out of the vehicle interior. Although they are imitated in the short term by filters, such as an activated carbon filter, so filtered, but the filter can not bind them permanently and as a result, the noxious gases emitted at a later date by the filter so released.

If this release takes place in a situation of a low external pollutant load, it may be that the recirculation flap in the internal air intake tract of the motor vehicle is not closed. As a result, the noxious gas emitted by the filter can penetrate directly into the interior, where it can lead to impairment of the occupants.

According to the prior art, such Innenluftansaugstrecken are constructed as follows. The internal air intake has two feeders. First, a supply for the circulating air and the other one for the fresh air. Via an adjustable flap either one or the other feeder can be completely released or a mixing ratio between fresh air and recirculated air can be established.

Downstream following a fan is arranged, which accelerates the air flow in the Innenluftansaugtrakt. Further downstream, a filter element is arranged. In each case in front of and behind the filter element measuring points are provided, on which one or more properties of the air are measured. This can be done for example via two individual gas sensors, or else via branches, which branches off part of the air at the respective measuring point to a gas sensor. One or more properties of the air before and after the filter are determined by this measurement technique. By comparing the two measured values conclusions can be drawn, for example, on the loading condition of the filter element.

Further downstream in the Innenluftansaugtrakt follow an evaporator element and a radiator. The air flows around the evaporator element and the radiator and is thereby conditioned according to the specifications by the heating and air conditioning unit and blown through several channels in the interior.

A disadvantage of the prior art is in particular that the abovementioned noxious gases are not permanently bound by the filters. By loosening the previously filtered harmful gas from the filter, it may happen that the harmful gas pollution in the Innenluftansaugtrakt the vehicle after the filter is significantly higher than before the filter. Which in turn can lead to significantly increased harmful gas pollution in the interior and thus to an impairment of the vehicle occupants.

Presentation of the invention, object, solution, advantages

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for cost-effective and reliable reduction of the harmful gas pollution in the interior of a motor vehicle.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a collector container having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the present invention are defined in the subclaims.

Advantageously, a filter system, in particular for reducing the pollution in the interior of motor vehicles, having an air duct with an inflow and a filter, wherein the filter system has a first branch in the air flow direction in front of the filter and a second branch in the air flow direction after the filter, in a first channel for measuring at least one characteristic of the air flowing through is arranged in front of a filter and a second measuring point for measuring at least one characteristic of the air flowing through is arranged downstream of a filter Branch through a first flap and the common channel can be closed by a second flap, wherein the control of the flaps takes place depending on the results of the measured properties of the air flowing through at the first and the second measuring point.

It is also advantageous if the inflow opening can be connected to a fresh air inlet and / or to a recirculation inlet and if the fresh air inlet and / or the recirculation air inlet can be closed or released by means of at least one flap. Thus, specifically fresh air can be introduced into the filter system and any mixing ratios between fresh and recirculated air are produced. In a further advantageous embodiment, viewed between the at least one flap and the filter in the air flow direction, a fan is arranged.

Furthermore, it is preferable if the filter and the second branch at least one heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator and / or radiator, downstream of the air flow.

It is also advantageous if two filter systems are operated in parallel, wherein a filter system for filtering is operable, while the other filter system is operable to clean the filter.

It is also preferable to control a filter system having an air passage having an inflow port and a filter, the filter system having a first branch in the air flow direction in front of the filter and a second branch in the air flow direction downstream of the filter which merge into a common channel are, which opens into the inflow opening, wherein a first measuring point for measuring properties of the air before a filter and a second measuring point for measuring properties of the air are arranged after a filter, the first branch through a first flap and the common channel through a second flap are closable and at least one property of the air at the first and the second measuring point is measured, and a control of the flaps takes place depending on the results of the measured properties of the air at the first and the second measuring point.

It is also advantageous if at a higher pollutant concentration at the second measuring point in comparison to the first measuring point, the first branch is opened and the common channel is closed by the second flap, so that the air over the filter over the first and the second branch directly flows into the interior.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first and the second flap are closed in a normal operation, so that air flows along the first measuring point, through the filter along the second measuring point into the interior.

Moreover, it is advantageous if a first flap is closed for cleaning the filter and the second flap is opened, so that air flows through the filter via the second branch along the common channel to the inflow opening of the filter system, the flap mechanism with the flaps so is switched that the air flowing out of the common channel from the Filter system out to the environment is passed, the method is operable until largely identical properties of the air before and after the filter can be measured.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cleaning of the filter at low pollutant loads, compared to a predetermined limit, the outside air is carried out to avoid further loading of the filter with noxious gases.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing show:

1 shows a section through a schematic representation of a filter system for filtering air to supply the vehicle interior in the normal operating state,

2 shows a section through a schematic representation of a filter system for the filtration of air to supply the vehicle interior in the operating state "backwash the filter", and

3 shows a section through a schematic representation of a filter system for filtering air to supply the vehicle interior in the operating state "bypass open".

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The 1 shows a schematic view of a section through a filter system 20 , The filter system 20 consists of an inflow opening 19 about the fresh air 11 and circulating air 12 can flow in. Following this is a flap mechanism downstream 16 arranged, which the flaps 21 . 22 includes, over which the inflow of fresh air 11 and the circulating air 12 in the filter system 20 can be regulated. About the flap mechanism 16 can either the inflow of fresh air 11 or the circulating air 12 be released, as well as a mixing ratio between the fresh air 11 and the circulating air 12 getting produced.

Downstream follows this flap mechanism 16 a fan 10 which is the air inside the filter system 20 accelerated. Downstream of the fan 10 is a measuring point 3 arranged. This is followed by an activated carbon filter 2 which cleans the air passing through the filter system 20 flows, is used. Directly behind the activated carbon filter 2 is a second measuring point 4 arranged.

The measuring point 3 and the measuring point 4 be used to determine one or more properties of the air, which is inside the filter system 20 flows, used. In the 1 not shown is the measuring electronics, which with the measuring points 3 . 4 connected is. Within this measurement technique, one or more properties of the air at the measuring point 3 and 4 determined and compared with each other. From the comparison of these two values can draw conclusions, in particular on the loading of the activated carbon filter 2 , to be pulled.

In front of the activated carbon filter 2 is a first turnoff 13 arranged. Directly behind the activated carbon filter 2 is a second turnoff 14 arranged. The first turnoff 13 and the second turn 14 lead into a common channel 17 , which in turn again over the opening 15 in the area of fresh air and Umluftzströmströmung opens. The first turnoff 13 is via a sewer flap 8th closable. The common channel 17 which results from the merger of the first branch 13 and the second branch 14 can result through the duct flap 9 be closed. Over the two sewer flaps 8th and 9 is such a control of the air flow through the branches 13 . 14 as well as through the common channel 17 possible.

Downstream to the measuring point 4 Following is an evaporator 5 arranged, followed by a radiator 6 , The evaporator 5 as well as the radiator 6 are used around the inside of the filter system 20 conditioning air in accordance with the specifications of the heating and air conditioning control unit. Downstream in connection to the radiator 6 the now conditioned air will pass through the channels 7a . 7b and 7c directed into the interior.

In particular, the first measuring point and the second measuring point can also be designed differently from the design described here in alternative embodiments. Thus, it is conceivable that in each case a separate gas sensor is mounted in the measuring points, which independently determines one or more properties of the air flowing through the filter system. However, to save gas sensors, it is also conceivable that only one branch is attached to the measuring points, which leads to a central gas sensor.

Likewise, in alternative embodiments, the mixture between fresh air and circulating air can also take place in other ways. In the 1 illustrated control of the mixture between fresh air and circulating air through the flap mechanism is exemplary here.

In the 1 shown position of the channel flaps 8th and 9 and the resulting closure of the first branch 13 , and the common channel 17 represents the so-called normal operation. Here, the fresh air and recirculated air is mixed in a given ratio and by the fan 10 , past the measuring points 3 and 4 , through the activated carbon filter 2 over the evaporator 5 and the radiator 6 promoted in the interior.

The 2 shows a filter system 20 analogous to the one in 1 described filter system 20 , The reference numerals correspond to those of 1 match. Notwithstanding the in 1 shown state is in 2 now another operating state of the filter system 20 shown.

In 2 is now the sewer flap 9 opened and the sewer flap 8th locked. Accordingly, the first turn is 13 in front of the activated carbon filter 2 closed and the common channel 17 open. This is the second turn 14 over the opened sewer flap 9 directly to the common channel 17 connected. Furthermore, the flap mechanism 16 switched so that the recirculation air supply 12 is closed.

In the operating state, which in 2 is shown, so only fresh air in the filter system 20 flow. The in the filter system 20 incoming fresh air 11 is about the blower 10 accelerated and along the measuring point 3 through the activated carbon filter 2 blown. Through the opened channel flap 9 Now flows most of the injected air over the second branch 14 , along the common canal 17 , in the mouth opening 15 , which in the inflow opening 19 of the filter system 20 empties. The flap mechanism 16 is here switched so that through the common channel 17 and the mouth opening 15 flowing air does not return to the filter system 20 can flow in, but flows outwards.

The in 2 illustrated state of the filter system 20 describes the so-called backwashing of the filter, which is activated after the end of the journey. The aim of this backwashing process is the activated carbon filter 2 Largely from pollutants that were stored during operation in this, free.

For this purpose, the pollutant load at the measuring point 3 in front of the activated carbon filter 2 and at the measuring point 4 behind the activated carbon filter 2 measured and compared both values. Only when both at the measuring point 3 as well as at the measuring point 4 If the measured properties of the air to be measured are largely identical, the backwashing process is ended.

The backwashing process, as in 2 is shown is activated only if a low pollutant concentration of the outside air can be measured by a further loading of the activated carbon filter 2 to avoid.

The exact operation of the flap mechanism 16 that the flaps 21 . 22 includes and for mixing fresh air 12 and circulating air 11 used is not essential to the invention at this point and is therefore not described in detail.

3 also describes how 1 and 2 the filter system 20 , the reference numerals in 3 therefore also agree with those in the 1 and 2 match.

The now in 3 shown state corresponds to that of an open bypass system. Here is the channel flap 9 closed and sewer flap 8th open. This allows the air, which is inside the filter system 20 flows through the first branch 13 directly over the second branch 14 stream. In this way, the activated carbon filter 2 beyond the branch off 13 and the turnoff 14 devoted bypass 18 bypassed.

In this operating state, the air flows inside the filter system 20 for the most part by the bypass 18 due to the lower flow resistance. Furthermore, one or more properties of the air at the measuring point 3 in front of the activated carbon filter 2 and the measuring point 4 directly behind the activated carbon filter 2 measured.

The air that has flowed through the bypass also passes through the evaporator 5 and the radiator 5 conditioned according to the specifications by the heating and air conditioning unit and then through the channels 7a . 7b and 7c blown into the interior.

The turnoff 13 and the turnoff 14 form in conjunction with the open channel flap 8th and the closed channel flap 9 a bypass 18 ,

The in 3 shown operating state is used in particular when the outside air has a sufficiently low pollutant concentration, so that a further filtering of the air is not necessary.

The design of the branches 13 and 14 , as well as the channel flaps contained therein 8th and 9 , as well as from the branches 13 and 14 resulting common channel 17 may differ in alternative embodiments from the schematic sketches shown here. Decisive is an arrangement of at least one branch before and a branch behind the filter element, as well as an arrangement, or switching possibility of the channel flaps 8th and 9 in a way like that in the 1 . 2 and 3 has been described.

Claims (11)

Filter system ( 20 ), in particular for reducing the pollution in the interior of motor vehicles, with an air duct ( 1 ) with an inflow opening ( 19 ) and with a filter ( 2 ), the filter system ( 20 ) a first branch ( 13 ) in the air flow direction in front of the filter ( 2 ) and a second branch ( 14 ) in the air flow direction after the filter ( 2 ) in a common channel ( 17 ) are brought into the inflow ( 19 ), wherein a first measuring point ( 3 ) for measuring at least one property of the air flowing through in front of a filter ( 2 ) and a second measuring point ( 4 ) for measuring at least one characteristic of the air flowing through after a filter ( 2 ) are arranged, characterized in that the first branch ( 13 ) by a first flap ( 8th ) and the common channel ( 17 ) by a second flap ( 9 ) are closed, the control of the channel flaps ( 8th . 9 ) depending on the results of the measured properties of the air flowing through at the first ( 3 ) and the second measuring point ( 4 ) he follows. Filter system ( 20 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflow opening ( 19 ) with a fresh air inlet ( 11 ) and / or with a recirculation inlet ( 12 ) is connectable. Filter system ( 20 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fresh air inlet ( 11 ) and / or the recirculation inlet ( 12 ) by means of at least one flap ( 21 . 22 ) is lockable or releasable. Filter system ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the at least one flap ( 21 . 22 ) and the filter ( 2 ) viewed in the air flow direction, a blower ( 10 ) is arranged. Filter system ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter ( 2 ) and the second branch ( 14 ) at least one heat exchanger ( 5 . 6 ), in particular an evaporator ( 5 ) and / or radiators ( 6 ), downstream in the air flow. Device with two filter systems ( 20 ) of one of the preceding claims which are operated in parallel, characterized in that a filter system ( 20 ) is operable to filter while the other filter system ( 20 ) for cleaning the filter ( 2 ) is operable. Method for controlling a filter system ( 20 ) with an air duct ( 1 ) with an inflow opening ( 19 ) and with a filter ( 2 ), the filter system ( 20 ) a first branch ( 13 ) in the air flow direction in front of the filter ( 2 ) and a second branch ( 14 ) in the air flow direction after the filter ( 2 ) in a common channel ( 17 ) are brought into the inflow ( 19 ), wherein a first measuring point ( 3 ) for measuring properties of the air in front of a filter ( 2 ) and a second measuring point ( 4 ) for measuring properties of the air after a filter ( 2 ) are arranged, wherein the first branch ( 13 ) by a first flap ( 8th ) and the common channel ( 17 ) by a second flap ( 9 ) are closable, characterized in that at least one property of the air at the first and the second measuring point ( 4 ), and a control of the flaps ( 21 . 22 ) depending on the results of the measured properties of the air at the first measuring point ( 3 ) and the second measuring point ( 4 ) he follows. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that at a higher pollutant concentration at the second measuring point ( 4 ) compared to the first measuring point ( 3 ), the first branch ( 13 ) and the common channel ( 17 ) through the second channel flap ( 9 ) is closed, so that the air at the filter ( 2 ) over the first ( 13 ) and the second branch ( 14 ) flows directly into the interior. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in a normal operation, the first channel flap ( 8th ) and the second channel flap ( 9 ) are closed, so that air along the first measuring point ( 3 ), through the filter ( 2 ) along the second measuring point ( 4 ) flows into the interior. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that for cleaning the filter, the first channel flap ( 8th ) and the second channel flap ( 9 ) is opened so that air through the filter ( 2 ) over the second branch ( 14 ) along the common channel ( 17 ) to the inflow opening ( 19 ) of the filter system ( 20 ), the flap mechanism ( 16 ) with the flaps ( 21 . 22 ) is switched so that from the common channel ( 17 ) flowing air from the filter system ( 20 ) is conducted out to the environment, wherein the method is operable until largely identical properties of the air before and after the filter ( 2 ) are measurable. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the cleaning of the filter ( 2 ) at low pollutant loads, compared to a given limit, the outside air is performed by another loading of the filter ( 2 ) with harmful gases.

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