KR100749608B1 - The hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner is provided to mount a filter assembly inside for preventing emission of hydrocarbon gas in evaporation gas of an engine to the outside but recovering the hydrocarbon gas into the engine for complete combustion, thereby preventing air pollution and reducing fuel consumption. A hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner includes a filter assembly having first to fourth filter layers(42,44,46,48) in the porous foam shape and a wire mesh(41) receiving the first to fourth filter layers in close contact. The first filter layer is mounted to a cover coupled at an upper part of a main body. The second filter layer is coupled with an upper part of the first filter layer in close contact, wherein active carbon is adsorbed therein so that the second filter layer is thicker than the first filter layer. The third and fourth filter layers are coupled at an upper part of the second filter layer in close contact. The first to fourth filter layers and the wire mesh are fixed together in close contact by thermal or ultrasonic compression carried out at outer edges.

Description

HYDROCARBON TRAP OF AN AIR CLEANER

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional air cleaner filter.

2 is a schematic view showing an air cleaner of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the air cleaner equipped with a filter assembly of the air cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a filter assembly of the air cleaner according to the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of the air cleaner taken along the line AA 'of FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: air cleaner main body 20: air cleaner cover

22: projection 30: air cleaner filter

40: filter assembly 41: wire mesh

42: first filter layer 44: second filter layer

46: third filter layer 48: fourth filter layer

49: coupling hole

The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner, and more particularly, to prevent hydrocarbon gas contained in the boil-off gas generated from the engine from being discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the air cleaner, and to recover the hydrocarbon gas trapped in the hydrocarbon trap. The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner that can improve the operating efficiency of the engine by recovering and burning it back to the engine.

In general, the air cleaner filter installed in the air cleaner serves to filter foreign substances such as dust contained in the air supplied into the vehicle.

However, since there is no separate filter capable of collecting hydrocarbon gas in such an air cleaner filter, there is a problem in that only the air cleaner filter cannot capture the hydrocarbon gas contained in the boil-off gas generated in the engine.

Recently, in developed countries such as the United States, the law on automobile exhaust gas has been strengthened, and the necessity of supplying vehicles satisfying the exhaust gas regulation is increasing.

In particular, a vehicle equipped with a hydrocarbon gas trapping device has been tightened due to the restriction on hydrocarbon (HC) gas, which is a fuel evaporation gas which is evaporated from residual fuel and stays in the engine or intake system and is released into the atmosphere through the intake system. The number of mandatory sales is increasing.

Therefore, in order to export vehicles to developed countries, it is necessary to equip the intake system with an efficient hydrocarbon gas collection device.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional air cleaner filter, and an air cleaner filter 300 that is a filtration member made of a nonwoven fabric or paper is used inside the air cleaner 110.

However, such a conventional air cleaner filter alone is difficult to capture the hydrocarbon gas contained in the boil-off gas generated from the remaining fuel, such as engine, there is a problem that the hydrocarbon gas is discharged as it is to the atmosphere.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the evaporation gas, including hydrocarbon gas generated from the residual fuel when the engine is turned off to the outside of the vehicle through the air cleaner, and to recover the hydrocarbon gas trapped in the hydrocarbon trap back to the engine It is to provide a hydrocarbon filter of an air cleaner that can improve the operation efficiency of the engine by burning.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is mounted on the air cleaner cover coupled to the upper portion of the air cleaner body is equipped with an air cleaner filter, the first filter layer having a form of porous foam, in close contact with the upper portion of the first filter layer A second filter layer which is combined but formed thicker than the first filter layer in the form of a porous foam in which activated carbon is adsorbed, a third and fourth filter layer which is tightly coupled to an upper portion of the second filter layer but is formed in the form of a porous foam, and And a filter assembly positioned to receive the first to fourth filter layers therein, the filter assembly including a wire mesh to be tightly coupled to the first to fourth filter layers, and an outer edge of the first to fourth filter layers and the wire mesh. Provides a hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner, which is fixed to be in close contact with each other by thermal or ultrasonic compression.
The second filter layer has a thickness of 9 to 11 mm, a density of 9 to 11 ppi, a thickness of the first, third, and fourth filter layers of 3 to 5 mm, and a density of 90 to 95 ppi.
The material of the first filter layer 42 and the third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48 may be polyurethane foam.
A plurality of protrusions protruding downward are formed at an inner end portion of the seating surface on which the air cleaner cover is coupled to the air cleaner main body, and coupling holes are formed in the first to fourth filter layers and the wire mesh corresponding to the positions of the protrusions. It is characterized by being formed.

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The protrusion is preferably fixed to the wire mesh by heat or ultrasonic welding in a state in which the filter assembly is coupled.

Hereinafter, a hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a schematic view showing an air cleaner of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an air cleaner equipped with a filter assembly of the air cleaner according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the air cleaner 1 of the vehicle according to the present invention has an air cleaner main body 10 equipped with an air cleaner filter 30 for filtering foreign substances therein, and an upper part of the air cleaner main body 10. The air cleaner cover 20 is coupled to cover the components, and the filter assembly 40 is coupled to the lower side of the air cleaner cover 20 to collect the boil-off gas containing hydrocarbon gas.

Since the air cleaner main body 10 and the air cleaner filter 30 are components commonly used in a vehicle, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A stepped portion is formed on a seating surface on which the air cleaner cover 20 is coupled to the air cleaner main body 10, and the filter assembly 40 is coupled to the air cleaner cover 20, and a plurality of protrusions 22 for fixing the filter assembly 40 on the stepped portion. Is formed to protrude downward. The protrusion 22 is made of a material such as plastic and is fused with the filter assembly 40.

4 is a plan view showing the filter assembly of the air cleaner according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of the air cleaner along the line AA 'of FIG.

As shown in the figure, the filter assembly 40 is made of a polygon corresponding to the shape of the air cleaner cover 20, seated on the upper portion of the air cleaner body 30 in a state coupled to the air cleaner cover 20 do.

The filter assembly 40 has the air cleaner cover 20 in a multi-layered form in which the wire mesh 41 is positioned to receive the wire mesh 41 while the first to fourth filter layers 42, 44, 46, and 48 are tightly coupled to each other. ) (See FIGS. 3 and 5).

On the other hand, the filter assembly 40 can be changed according to the shape of the air cleaner cover 20 without limiting its shape.

The wire mesh 41 is a kind of wire mesh having a predetermined rigidity for supporting and protecting the filter assembly 40. The wire mesh 41 is a tight wire such as # 18 to prevent foreign substances such as dust from entering the filter layer inside the filter assembly 40. It is preferable to use the mesh 41.

The first filter layer 42 is a polyurethane foam obtained by foaming polyurethane resistant to gasoline fuel. The first filter layer 42 has a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and a density of 90 to 95 ppi (number of holes per inch).

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a polyurethane foam having a thickness of 4 mm and a density of 93 ppi, which is optimized for thickness and density that can prevent the outflow of hydrocarbon gas while being least affected by the flow of gas and air in the intake system. To provide.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the second filter layer 44 is a carbon adsorption foam made of porous foam material in which activated carbon is adsorbed, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the evaporated gas evaporated from the fuel is air cleaner 1. ) Directly captures hydrocarbon gas so that it cannot be released to the outside of the vehicle.

The second filter layer 44 has a thickness of 9 to 11 mm and a density of 8 to 12 ppi. Preferably, a porous carbon adsorption foam having a thickness of 10 mm and a density of 10 ppi is used.

The third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48 may be provided in two sheets of polyurethane foam, similar to the first filter layer 42, and may be made of different materials having different thicknesses and densities, or the same materials having different thicknesses and densities. It may be provided as.

The third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48 are stacked to be in close contact with the upper portion of the second filter layer 44, and activated carbon powder adsorbed on the carbon adsorption foam together with the first filter layer 42 flows into the engine or the intake machine. It prevents it from becoming.

In addition, the third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48, together with the first filter layer 42, are introduced from the outside of the vehicle through an intake machine, and once again filter the air passing through the air cleaner filter 30 to be cleaned by the engine. Helps to supply air.

In order to cover the engine side once more, it is preferable that the third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48 are provided on the second filter layer 44 so that two layers of filter layers are provided on the upper side of the air cleaner main body 10. .

After the first filter layer, the second filter layer, and the third and fourth filter layers 48 are closely bonded to each other in order on the wire mesh 41, the wire mesh 41 is again placed on the fourth filter layer 48. Combined to be in close contact.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wire mesh 41 and the filter layers 42, 44, 46, and 48 are sequentially stacked to closely adhere to each other, and then the air cleaner cover 20 may be seated on the air cleaner cover 20. Cut to size and shape.

Since the edge of the cut filter assembly 40 has a sharp end, the sharp part is cleaned through the polishing process.

The edges of the polished filter assembly 40 are fixed to each other by heat or ultrasonic waves, and the projections 22 provided in the air cleaner cover 20 described above can be inserted into the crimped fixed four-way end regions. It is preferable that a plurality of coupling holes 49 are formed (see FIG. 4).

However, the coupling hole 49 may be formed on the hydrocarbon trap 40 within a range in which hydrocarbon gas does not flow out.

When the protrusion 22 of the air cleaner cover 20 passes through the coupling hole 49 of the filter assembly 40 and the filter assembly 40 is seated on the air cleaner cover 20, the protrusion 22 made of plastic is attached to the protrusion 22. By applying heat, a portion of the protrusion 22 is melted and stalked to the hydrocarbon trap 40. By fusion of the protrusions 22, the filter assembly 40 is firmly mounted to the air cleaner cover 20. The protrusion 22 may be fused by ultrasonic waves.

As a result, the hydrocarbon gas contained in the boil-off gas generated from the remaining fuel such as the engine can be efficiently collected in the filter assembly 40 and prevented from being discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the air cleaner.

In the hydrocarbon trap of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above, the process of capturing the hydrocarbon is as follows.

After the engine is stopped, boil-off gas is generated from fuel remaining around the fuel injector or fuel such as the combustion chamber and fuel storage tank of the engine, and the boil-off gas contains hydrocarbon gas. Hydrocarbon gas exits the outside of the vehicle through the intake system in which the air cleaner 1 is installed and acts as a factor to increase air pollution.

The boil-off gas including the hydrocarbon gas to escape to the outside of the vehicle passes through the air cleaner 1 mounted on the intake machine. Since the air cleaner 1 is equipped with the filter assembly 40, the boil-off gas is provided with the filter assembly ( Pass 40).

However, the evaporated gas containing hydrocarbon gas passes through the wire mesh 41, the fourth filter layer 48, and the third filter layer 46 to reach the second filter layer 44 on which activated carbon is adsorbed. It is collected in the filter layer 44.

After passing through the second filter layer 44, the boil-off gas discharged through the first filter layer 42 and the wire mesh 41 to the outside of the vehicle includes only a small amount of hydrocarbon gas within the exhaust gas regulation range of the developed country. Efficiently respond to enhanced emissions reduction legislation.

After the engine is restarted, the hydrocarbon gas collected in the second filter layer 44 is recovered back to the engine by the negative pressure and reburned in the engine, thereby reducing the consumption of fuel and improving the operating efficiency of the engine.

With the filter assembly of the air cleaner according to the present invention configured as described above was tested for the adsorption and purification rate, and the ventilation resistance. The attached [Table 1] shows the results of this experiment, and the experimental results are explained by comparing the automobile emission standard of developed countries.

Experiment name Acceptance threshold Experiment result Butane + Nitrogen Mixed Gas Adsorption  1.1g or more per minute 2.4g 2.55g 2.6 g 2.55g 2.65 g 2.35 g 2.3g 2.55g Purge Rate  80% or more per 60 minutes 85% 83% 88% 86% 83% 85% 85% 86% Airflow resistance 100 Pa 145 Pa 95 Pa 110 Pa 134 Pa 87 Pa 100 Pa 103 Pa

In the first experiment, a mixture of butane and nitrogen, similar to those of the evaporated gas evaporated from gasoline, was mixed at a volume ratio of 1: 1, and the mixture gas was adsorbed until it overflowed to the outside of the air cleaner 1. This is an experiment. Butane and nitrogen were supplied by mixing 40cc per minute, respectively, and the allowable standard value was more than 1.1g per minute.

In a total of eight experiments, the filter assembly 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention showed an average adsorption amount of 2.4 g or more, as shown in Table 1, and far exceeded the reference value.

The second experiment was to evaluate the purification rate (adsorption efficiency) by purging the air of 70ℓ / min by the intake pressure after performing the first experiment, the adsorption efficiency is divided by the input amount (g) to 100 Multiplied by, the acceptance criteria is 80% by weight per 60 minutes.

In a total of eight experiments, the filter assembly 40 of the present invention showed an average of 85% by weight or more as shown in Table 1, and showed a performance above the reference value.

The third experiment was a test of the ventilation resistance, the air of 1.41, 2.13, 2.83 ㎥ per minute to pass through the filter assembly 40 of the present invention, respectively, the reference value is 247 Pa or less.

In a total of eight experiments, the filter assembly 40 of the present invention exhibited a low pressure of an average of 109 Pa, as shown in Table 1, showing a much better ventilation resistance than the reference value.

As shown in the experimental results shown in [Table 1], the hydrocarbon trap of the present invention shows excellent adsorption capacity and purification rate, and shows excellent ventilation resistance despite using multiple layers of filter layers. The hydrocarbon gas can be adsorbed efficiently without affecting.

Although the thickness and density of each filter layer are specified in the above-described embodiment, since this value may vary depending on the displacement of the vehicle, the thickness and density of each filter layer may be changed without being limited to the disclosed values.

On the other hand, the present invention can be variously modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the invention.

As described above, the hydrocarbon trap of the air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a filter assembly inside the air cleaner so that the hydrocarbon gas contained in the boil-off gas generated from the engine is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the air cleaner. This can reduce air pollution. Therefore, when exporting vehicles to developed countries, there is an advantage to effectively cope with the enhanced emission reduction legislation of developed countries.

In addition, when the engine is started, the hydrocarbon gas trapped in the hydrocarbon trap is recovered and burned back to the engine, thereby reducing the consumption of fuel and improving the operation efficiency of the engine.

Claims (6)

A first filter layer 42 having a form of a porous foam mounted on an air cleaner cover 10 coupled to an upper portion of the air cleaner main body 10 on which the air cleaner filter 30 is mounted, and of the first filter layer 42 The second filter layer 44, which is formed to be thicker than the first filter layer 42 in the form of a porous foam in which activated carbon is adsorbed, is tightly coupled to the upper portion, and is tightly coupled to the upper portion of the second filter layer 44. The third and fourth filter layers 46 and 48 formed in a shape, and the first to fourth filter layers 42, 44, 46, and 48 are positioned to accommodate the first and fourth filter layers 42 and 44. And a filter assembly 40 having a wire mesh 41 tightly coupled to the wires 46 and 48, wherein the first to fourth filter layers 42, 44, 46, 48 and the wire mesh 41 are provided. The outer edges of the hydrocarbons of the air cleaner, characterized in that fixed to be in close contact with each other by thermal or ultrasonic pressing Lab. The method of claim 1, The second filter layer 44 has a thickness of 9 to 11 mm and a density of 9 to 11 ppi. The first and third filter layers 42, 46 and 48 have a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and a density of 90 to 95 ppi. A hydrocarbon trap of an air cleaner. The method of claim 1, The material of the first filter layer (42) and the third, fourth filter layers (46, 48) is a hydrocarbon trap of the air cleaner, characterized in that the polyurethane foam. delete The method of claim 1, A plurality of protrusions 22 protruding downward are formed at an inner end of a seating surface on which the air cleaner cover 20 is coupled to the air cleaner body 10, and the first to fourth filter layers 42 and 44. , 46, 48 and the wire mesh (41) is a hydrocarbon trap of the air cleaner, characterized in that the coupling hole (49) is formed corresponding to the position of the projection (22). The method of claim 5, The protrusion 22 is fixed to the wire mesh 41 by thermal or ultrasonic welding in a state in which the first to fourth filter layers 42, 44, 46, and 48 and the wire mesh 41 are coupled to each other. The hydrocarbon trap of the air cleaner.

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