Intake system for a ventilation device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an intake system (10) for a ventilation device, comprising a filter (12) and a blower (16) within a housing (14) of an air duct, wherein the intake system (10) has a drainage device (15) for the controlled discharge of accumulating water (W), characterized in that the water (W) can be discharged downstream behind the blower (16) by means of the drainage device (15). The invention further relates to a method for operating an intake system (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an intake system for a ventilation device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method.

[0002] The filtration of blower air in intake systems for ventilation devices is becoming increasingly important, with the use of ever thinner and more compact filters. However, these filters have the disadvantage that they occasionally allow small amounts of water to pass through when exposed to heavy rain or snow. In a suction-side filter arrangement, this water can penetrate as far as the blower and cause damage or even blower failure. Currently, water drain valves are not provided on the filter in the passenger compartment. However, by selectively diverting the water accumulating in the filter area, it can be directed to less sensitive areas, thus preventing the blower from being affected or damaged. This can be achieved using a special water separator design that effectively separates and drains the water from the intake airflow.

[0003] German patent application DE 11 2011 100 387 B4 discloses a water separator assembly designed to separate liquid water from an intake air stream before the air enters an air filter assembly for the combustion air of an engine. This water separator assembly is particularly relevant for protecting the engine from damage that could be caused by water in the intake air stream. The assembly comprises an inlet assembly containing an inlet housing with an airflow inlet and outlet, and defining an interior of the housing through which the airflow is guided. Additionally, the assembly includes a water drain assembly with a drain outlet positioned to allow water to drain from a location within the housing and outside the inner guide vane assembly.

[0004] KR 10 2006 0 031 083 A shows an air conditioning system for vehicles with a first unit containing a blower and a second unit with a heat exchanger. A connecting element, which includes a flap, connects the first unit to a water drain of the second unit. The flap opens due to the weight of the accumulated water to allow it to drain. It closes to prevent backflow of air or water when the blower is operating and creates a pressure differential that forces the flap into the closed position.

[0005] DE 10 2014 226 508 A1 describes an air conditioning system, particularly for a motor vehicle. In air conditioning systems, a filter is used to separate water from the intake air. A fan, located downstream of the filter but upstream of the evaporator, creates a pressure differential. The pressure in the filter housing is lower than in the downstream evaporator housing. This pressure differential hinders the drainage of the water collected in the filter housing. The water can only drain if it reaches a certain height to build up hydrostatic pressure that overcomes the pressure differential. This poses the risk of water accumulating in the filter area and damaging components. To solve this problem, it is proposed that the water drain channel (8), coming from the filter housing (6), be routed at least partially within the evaporator housing (11).

[0006] KR 100412243 B1 discloses an intake system for a vehicle designed to drain water and foreign matter from the engine's air intake system. This is achieved using a drainage hose that connects an outlet valve on the air intake duct to the exhaust tailpipe. Drainage occurs due to the pressure differential that develops between the intake and exhaust during vehicle operation.

[0007] The object of the invention is to create an improved intake system that essentially avoids water residues in an air duct of the intake system.

[0008] The invention, as defined in the claims, provides an advanced intake system for a ventilation device, for example in a motor vehicle, and a corresponding operating method. The main advantages of this solution lie in its particularly effective and reliable water management.

[0009] Prevention of water backflow: The core of the invention lies in directing the water collected in a water collection chamber downstream of the blower. In conjunction with a ball valve, this achieves the crucial advantage of effectively preventing water from flowing back towards the filter and the air intake area.

[0010] Preferably, the system utilizes the pressure difference before (p1) and after (p2) the blower (p1 < p2). The ball valve acts as a check valve and prevents the negative pressure before the blower from drawing the collected water back in. This ensures high operational reliability and protects the blower and downstream components from water ingress.

[0011] To protect the passenger compartment, water is drained away outside of it. This is a significant advantage for the comfort and safety of the occupants, as it reliably prevents water from entering the vehicle interior and the associated problems such as dampness, mold growth, or damage to electronics.

[0012] Compact and integrated design: The lateral integration of the ball valve on the filter allows for a particularly space-saving and compact arrangement of the entire system. This is a significant advantage, especially in modern vehicles with limited installation space.

[0013] A dedicated drainage channel is provided for safe and leak-proof water drainage, sealed against the air duct by means of a gasket. This ensures that the drained water is directed into the clean airflow of the ventilation system without leaks, thus maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the ventilation.

[0014] In summary, the solution according to the invention offers a robust, space-optimized and operationally reliable suction system that solves the problem of water ingress and its unwanted return through an intelligent arrangement of the drainage and the use of the system's inherent pressure conditions.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0016] This shows: Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11: Respective cross-sections for possible designs of an intake system for a ventilation device.

[0017] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of an intake system 10 of a ventilation device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car. A filter 12, a housing 14 of an air duct, and a blower 16 arranged in the housing 14 are shown, all of which are arranged along the air duct. Air is drawn in by the blower 16 in the direction of flow S, whereby water or water droplets W are also drawn in with the air. A filter 12 is shown, which is designed to retain these water droplets W. Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 1 shows three spaces: a first space A with low pressure, a second space B with a transition zone, and a third space C with high pressure. Accordingly, the pressure P1 in the first space A is lower than the pressure P2 in the third space C. The pressure conditions in such an intake system 10 arise from the movement of air through the blower 16. A low pressure P1 prevails before the blower 16, as air is being drawn in, while a higher pressure P2 arises after the blower, as the air is being forced into the air duct. This pressure difference P1 < P2 could cause the water droplets W, which have accumulated in the intake system 10, to flow back. In configurations according to... Fig. However, the water cannot flow back, as this diagram does not show a bypass / drainage. Furthermore, the water droplets would damage the blower, since they can only reach room C via the blower.

[0019] Only from Fig. Figure 2 shows a drainage system. The pressure difference P1 < P2 causes the water droplets W, which have accumulated in the intake system 10, to flow back. This is to be prevented by the following design features.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows one to Fig. 1. Similar embodiment, wherein in particular a drainage valve 18 is arranged next to the filter 12, to which a drainage line 20 is arranged, which in turn is connected to the housing 14 of the air duct in a flow-conducting manner, the connection to the housing 14 being shown only after the blower 16. This allows the aspirated water or water droplets W to be conveyed through the drainage line 20 to the rear into the housing 14, where the water or water droplets W can be further disposed of.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows one for Fig. 2. Similar embodiment, with the difference that instead of a drainage line 20, a drainage channel 22 is shown, which is attached to the housing 14 of the air duct. Accordingly, the drainage valve 18 is arranged as the inlet to the drainage channel 22, the drainage channel 22 being, as in Fig. 2 is also connected here to the housing 14 only after the blower 16, in order to then dispose of the water or water droplets W accordingly.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which a drainage pipe 20 is also arranged; however, this drainage pipe is, in contrast to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the water or water droplets are not connected to the housing 14, but are directed away from the ventilation device and into the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle. This is intended to ensure that the water or water droplets are completely removed from the intake system 10.

[0023] Fig. Figure 5 shows one design of the 20 drainage pipes comprising the designs from Fig. 4 and Fig. 2, with a view to a seal on the drainage valve 18. This seal 24 is designed as a sealing ring and ensures that water, which would otherwise flow back into room A due to the pressure differences between room A and room D (represented here as the reference room), is prevented. Since room D has a higher pressure than room A, the water, or rather the water droplets W, would flow back along the pipe or drainage pipe 20 into room A; this is prevented by the seal 24.

[0024] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the drainage valve 18, in which a ball housing 34 with a valve ball 32 is arranged to close openings 36 and 38. In addition to the seal 24, a ball valve arrangement is intended to prevent water or water droplets from flowing back through the drainage valve 18 under varying pressures. That is, the water W would pass through the filter 12 via opening 30 into the drainage valve 18 and then be discharged into the drainage line 20 via the ball valve or along the valve ball 32. The backflow of water W caused by the pressure conditions would be stopped by the seal 24 and the valve ball 32.

[0025] Fig. 7 shows the in Fig. The idea shown in Figure 6 differs in that, instead of a ball valve with a valve ball 32 and corresponding ball housing 34, a flap device 40 is now arranged through which the water W can only flow in the direction of flow S. If backflow were attempted due to pressure conditions, the flap device 40 would close or pivot, thus preventing the water W from flowing back.

[0026] Fig. Figure 8 shows a further embodiment in which an extended area along the housing 14 is shown for the drainage valve 18. This provides a combination of the drainage channel 22 and the drainage line 20 to offer improved drainage of the water W. The flap is also larger in this embodiment, allowing for larger quantities of water droplets W to pass through and enabling all the water to be drained down to the bottom of the filter.

[0027] Fig. Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the suction system 10, wherein the channel runs horizontally, causing the water to fall downwards perpendicular to the vertical flow direction S, and is directed by a flap device 40 also shown here to a further chamber 44 of the drainage valve 18 and is subsequently discharged from the drainage valve 18 by the line or drainage line 20.

[0028] Fig. 10 shows one for Fig. 9 similar embodiment in which, instead of the flap device 40, a labyrinth valve 48 is arranged, which would strongly prevent the return of the water W due to the pressure conditions, so that here too the water W is only diverted in one direction, namely towards the drainage line 20, via the opening 46 or the outlet opening 46.

[0029] Finally, it shows Fig.Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the discharge possibilities for water or water droplets W along the filter 12, wherein a water collection chamber 50 is shown, along which the water W is collected and discharged via a ball valve 52 towards the drainage line 20. This ball valve can also close the openings 56 and 58 here, whereby, at the pressure ratio, the water that would flow back from the drainage line 22 would be prevented by the valve ball 54 and by a seal.

Claims

[1] Intake system (10) for a ventilation device, comprising: - a filter (12) and a blower (16) within a housing (14) of an air duct, - a water collection chamber (50) arranged along the filter (12) for receiving accumulating water (W), and - a drainage device (15) which has a ball valve (52) connected to the water collection chamber (50), characterized by , that the water (W) collected in the water collection chamber (50) can be discharged downstream behind the blower (16) by means of the drainage device (15). [2] Intake system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drainage device (15) drains the water (W) outside a passenger compartment. [3] Intake system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the ball valve (52) of the drainage device (15) is integrated laterally on the filter (12). [4] Intake system (10) according to claim 3, characterized by, that a drainage channel (22) is arranged and sealed to the air channel by means of a seal (24). [5] Method for operating an intake system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the method steps of: - filtering the intake air through a filter arrangement, wherein the air is directed into a blower (16); - collecting water (W) accumulating in a filter area of ​​the filter in a water collection chamber (50) arranged along the filter (12); and - draining and conveying the water (W) collected in the water collection chamber (50) downstream behind the blower (16) through a drainage device (15) connected to the water collection chamber (50), which includes a ball valve (52). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by , that a backflow of water (W) due to the different pressure conditions before and after the blower (16) (p1 < p2) is prevented by the ball valve (52) of the drainage device (15).

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