A vehicle-mounted air filter and self-cleaning method

Abstract

This specification provides an embodiment of a vehicle air filter and a self-cleaning method, comprising: a housing, on which a first air inlet pipe, a first air outlet pipe, a second air inlet pipe, and a second air outlet pipe are disposed; a guide groove is formed on the inner wall of the housing to allow clean air to flow along the guide groove; a filter material disposed inside the housing; and a collecting pipe, the first end of which is connected to the second air inlet pipe, and the second end of which is in the same direction as the vehicle's travel. By adding a second air inlet pipe and a second air outlet pipe to the housing, and simultaneously forming a guide groove inside the housing to allow clean air to flow along the guide groove, a low static pressure zone is formed outside the filter material. By controlling the first air outlet pipe to be connected to the atmosphere, a high static pressure zone is formed at the first air outlet pipe. Driven by the pressure gradient, air in the first air outlet pipe is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second air outlet pipe, carrying away dust adhering to the filter material, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the filter material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of filtration technology for on-board hydrogen fuel cell systems, specifically to an on-board air filter and its self-cleaning method. Background Technology

[0002] The air filter in an onboard hydrogen fuel cell system needs to filter out dust from the air. When too much dust accumulates in the filter, it can obstruct airflow and, in severe cases, damage the filter material. Current solutions involve periodically removing the filter material and tapping it for self-cleaning. Some have attempted backflushing with an air compressor, but the results have been less than ideal, and the air subsystem within the fuel cell system requires significant structural changes, leading to high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the embodiments of this specification provide a vehicle air filter and a self-cleaning method. By adding a second air inlet pipe and a second air outlet pipe to the housing, and opening a guide groove inside the housing, clean air can flow along the guide groove, forming a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material. The first air outlet pipe is connected to the atmosphere by a gas intake mechanism, forming a high static pressure zone at the first air outlet pipe. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first air outlet pipe is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second air outlet pipe, carrying away the dust attached to the filter material.

[0004] This specification provides the following technical solution through its embodiments: a vehicle air filter, comprising:

[0005] The housing has a first air inlet pipe, a first air outlet pipe, a second air inlet pipe, and a second air outlet pipe. The first air inlet pipe is used for vehicle operation air intake, and the first air outlet pipe is located on the side of the housing closest to the vehicle and is used for vehicle operation air exhaust. The second air inlet pipe is used for filter cleaning air intake, and the second air outlet pipe is used for filter cleaning air exhaust. The inner wall of the housing has a guide groove so that the cleaning air intake flows along the guide groove.

[0006] A filter material is disposed inside the housing, and the filter material filters the working intake air;

[0007] An air collection duct, the first end of which is connected to the second air intake duct, and the second end of which is in the same direction as the vehicle's travel;

[0008] A gas intake mechanism is provided at the first gas outlet pipe. The gas intake mechanism is used to control the flow rate of the gas at the first gas outlet pipe and whether the first gas outlet pipe is connected to the atmosphere.

[0009] Preferably, the air collecting pipe is an L-shaped pipe, and the inner diameter of the air collecting pipe gradually decreases from the second end to the first end.

[0010] Preferably, the first end of the air collection pipe is connected to the second air intake pipe by welding or sealing adhesive bonding.

[0011] Preferably, the first air intake pipe is located on the non-windward side of the vehicle, and the axis of the first air intake pipe is perpendicular to the centerline of the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the distance between the connection point of the second air outlet pipe and the housing and the first air outlet pipe is less than the distance between the connection point of the first air inlet pipe and the housing and the first air outlet pipe.

[0013] Preferably, the second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are arranged parallel to each other, and the second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are respectively connected to opposite sides of the housing. The center lines of the second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are perpendicular to the center line of the housing.

[0014] Preferably, the guide groove includes a spiral groove.

[0015] Preferably, the gas intake mechanism includes an air compressor, a throttle valve, and a bypass valve. The air compressor is used to control the gas flow in the first outlet pipe, and the throttle valve and the bypass valve are used to control the gas flow rate in the first outlet pipe.

[0016] Preferably, the vehicle air filter further includes a temperature and pressure integrated sensor, which is installed on the air compressor. The temperature and pressure integrated sensor determines the working status of the air compressor, thereby further determining the dust storage status of the filter material.

[0017] A self-cleaning method applied to an in-vehicle air filter as described in any of the preceding claims, comprising:

[0018] When the vehicle’s fuel cell system stops working and the gas intake mechanism does not work, the vehicle travels at the first speed. There is no air flow at the first intake pipe and the first exhaust pipe. External gas enters the housing through the air collection pipe and the second intake pipe to form clean intake air. It flows along the guide grooves on the inner wall of the housing and forms a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material.

[0019] The gas intake mechanism controls the first exhaust pipe to connect with the atmosphere, forming a high static pressure zone at the first exhaust pipe. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first exhaust pipe is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second exhaust pipe, carrying away the dust attached to the filter material and completing the cleaning.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects that at least one technical solution adopted in the embodiments of this specification can achieve include at least:

[0021] By adding a second air inlet pipe and a second air outlet pipe to the housing, the second air inlet pipe is used for cleaning air intake of the filter when the filter material needs to be cleaned. The second air inlet pipe is connected to an air collection pipe to facilitate the entry of external air into the housing. At the same time, a guide groove is opened inside the housing so that the cleaning air can flow along the guide groove, forming a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material. The first air outlet pipe is connected to the atmosphere by the gas suction mechanism, forming a high static pressure zone at the first air outlet pipe. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first air outlet pipe is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second air outlet pipe, carrying away the dust attached to the filter material. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the vehicle air filter provided in this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the housing of the vehicle air filter provided in this application.

[0025] In the diagram, 1 is the housing; 2 is the first air inlet pipe; 3 is the first air outlet pipe; 4 is the second air inlet pipe; 5 is the second air outlet pipe; 6 is the air collection pipe; 7 is the filter material; and 8 is the guide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] It should be noted that various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this application, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number and aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0029] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this application. The drawings only show the components related to this application and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0030] Furthermore, specific details are provided in the following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the described aspects can be practiced without these specific details.

[0031] The air filter in an onboard hydrogen fuel cell system needs to filter out dust from the air. When too much dust accumulates in the filter, it can obstruct airflow and, in severe cases, damage the filter material. Currently, the main methods for cleaning the filter material are as follows:

[0032] 1. It can be self-cleaned by periodically removing the filter material and tapping it, but the operation is relatively troublesome.

[0033] 2. Backflushing with an air compressor is an option, but the cleaning effect is not ideal, and the air subsystem in the fuel cell system requires significant structural changes, resulting in high costs.

[0034] The inventors conducted extensive and in-depth experiments and designed a vehicle air filter and a self-cleaning method.

[0035] The technical solutions provided by the various embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] like Figures 1-2 As shown, an on-board air filter, applied to an on-board combustion battery system, includes:

[0037] The housing 1 is provided with a first air inlet pipe 2, a first air outlet pipe 3, a second air inlet pipe 4, and a second air outlet pipe 5. The first air inlet pipe 2 is used for vehicle operation air intake, the first air outlet pipe 3 is located on the side of the housing 1 close to the vehicle and is used for vehicle operation air exhaust, the second air inlet pipe 4 is used for filter cleaning air intake, and the second air outlet pipe 5 is used for filter cleaning air exhaust. The inner wall of the housing 1 is provided with a guide groove 8 so that the cleaning air intake flows along the guide groove 8.

[0038] Filter material 7 is disposed inside the housing 1 and filters the working air intake;

[0039] The air collection pipe 6 has a first end connected to the second air intake pipe 4 and a second end aligned with the vehicle's direction of travel. The air collection pipe 6 captures air with a relatively fast airflow speed relative to the vehicle while it is in motion.

[0040] A gas intake mechanism is provided at the first gas outlet pipe 3. The gas intake mechanism is used to control the flow speed of the gas at the first gas outlet pipe 3 and whether the first gas outlet pipe 3 is connected to the atmosphere.

[0041] By adding a second air inlet pipe 4 and a second air outlet pipe 5 to the housing 1, when the filter material 7 needs to be cleaned, the second air inlet pipe 4 is used for the cleaning air intake of the filter. The second air inlet pipe 4 is connected to the air collection pipe 6, and the second end of the air collection pipe 6 is in the same direction as the vehicle's travel, so that the outside air can enter the housing 1 through the air collection pipe 6 when the vehicle is traveling. At the same time, a guide groove 8 is opened inside the housing 1. The guide groove 8 is arranged around the filter material 7 so that the cleaning air intake flows along the guide groove 8, forming a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material 7. The first air outlet pipe 3 is connected to the atmosphere by the gas intake mechanism, forming a high static pressure zone at the first air outlet pipe 3. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first air outlet pipe 3 is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material 7 and flows out from the second air outlet pipe 5, carrying the dust attached to the filter material 7 out, thus realizing the cleaning operation of the filter material 7.

[0042] It should be noted that when the air filter and fuel cell system are working normally, the gas intake mechanism controls the formation of a low static pressure zone at the first outlet pipe 3. The static pressure of the air at the first intake pipe 2, the second intake pipe 4, and the second outlet pipe 5 is close to the ambient atmospheric pressure, and the air will be drawn into the housing 1. When the fuel cell system is not working, the vehicle is driving, but the air filter does not need to be cleaned, the gas intake mechanism controls the first outlet pipe 3 to be disconnected from the atmosphere, thus preventing air in the first outlet pipe 3 from flowing to the second outlet pipe 5.

[0043] It should also be noted that the shell 1 has a cylindrical structure, and the extension line of the axis of the first vent pipe 3 coincides with the axis of the shell 1.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the air collecting pipe 6 is an L-shaped pipe. From the second end to the first end of the air collecting pipe 6, the inner diameter of the air collecting pipe 6 gradually decreases. By setting the air collecting pipe 6 into an L-shape, after the first end of the air collecting pipe 6 is connected to the second air intake pipe 4, the second end of the air collecting pipe 6 can follow the direction of vehicle travel, so that external air can enter the housing 1 through the air collecting pipe 6 when the vehicle is traveling. At the same time, the inner diameter of the air collecting pipe 6 gradually decreases from the second end to the first end, which can further increase the air flow rate and ensure the air flow speed in the guide groove 8.

[0045] like Figures 1-2 As shown, in some embodiments, the first end of the air collecting pipe 6 is connected to the second air intake pipe 4 by welding or sealing adhesive bonding, and the air collecting pipe 6 and the second air intake pipe 4 are connected by welding or sealing adhesive bonding to ensure the sealing between the air collecting pipe 6 and the second air intake pipe 4, and at the same time, the stability of the connection between the air collecting pipe 6 and the second air intake pipe 4 is good.

[0046] like Figures 1-2 As shown, in some embodiments, the first air intake pipe 2 is located on the non-windward side of the vehicle, and the axis of the first air intake pipe 2 is perpendicular to the center line of the housing 1. By placing the first air intake pipe 2 on the non-windward side of the vehicle, there is essentially no airflow inside the first air intake pipe 2 when the vehicle is moving, thus preventing air from directly entering the housing 1 through the first air intake pipe 2.

[0047] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first air intake pipe 2 is set vertically upward. In other embodiments, the first air intake pipe 2 can also be set in other directions, which can be set according to the actual situation.

[0048] like Figures 1-2 As shown, in some embodiments, the distance between the connection point of the second air outlet pipe 5 and the housing 1 and the first air outlet pipe 3 is less than the distance between the connection point of the first air inlet pipe 2 and the housing 1 and the first air outlet pipe 3. By setting the second air outlet pipe 5 at a position closer to the first air outlet pipe 3 than the first air inlet pipe 2, it is ensured that clean air can flow out through the second air outlet pipe 5.

[0049] like Figures 1-2As shown, in some embodiments, the second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are arranged parallel to each other. The second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are respectively connected to opposite sides of the housing 1. The axis lines of the second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are perpendicular to the center line of the housing 1. The second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the housing 1, and the distance between the second air outlet pipe 5 and the first air outlet pipe 3 is greater than the distance between the second air inlet pipe 4 and the first air outlet pipe 3, so that the air entering through the second air inlet pipe 4 can pass through the outside of the filter material 7 when it flows out through the second air outlet pipe 5. The axis lines of the second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are perpendicular to the center line of the housing 1, which facilitates the flow of air in the guide groove 8 on the inner wall of the housing 1.

[0050] In this embodiment, both the second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 are horizontally arranged. The second air inlet pipe 4 is connected to the bottom of the housing 1, and the second air outlet pipe 5 is connected to the top of the housing 1, ensuring that the air entering through the second air inlet pipe 4 can pass through the outside of the filter material 7 when it flows out through the second air outlet pipe 5. In other embodiments, the second air inlet pipe 4 and the second air outlet pipe 5 can also be arranged in other positions, depending on the actual situation.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the guide groove 8 includes a spiral groove, which guides the air. The spiral groove surrounds the filter material 7, and when the air flows along the spiral groove, a low static pressure zone is formed on the outside of the filter material 7.

[0052] In some embodiments, the gas intake mechanism includes an air compressor, a throttle valve, and a bypass valve. The air compressor is used to control the gas flow in the first outlet pipe 3, and the throttle valve and the bypass valve are used to control the gas flow rate in the first outlet pipe 3. By setting the air compressor, air is drawn in through the air compressor when the vehicle air filter is working normally. By setting the throttle valve and the bypass valve, the gas flow rate in the first outlet pipe 3 can be adjusted.

[0053] In some embodiments, the vehicle air filter further includes a temperature and pressure integrated sensor, which is installed on the air compressor. The temperature and pressure integrated sensor determines the working status of the air compressor, thereby further determining the dust storage status of the filter material 7. By setting a temperature and pressure integrated sensor at the front end of the air compressor, the temperature and pressure values ​​of the air compressor are detected by the temperature and pressure integrated sensor, thereby determining the dust storage status of the air filter.

[0054] In summary, this application achieves a non-removable, on-demand dust removal and maintenance function for the air filter of an on-board fuel cell system, significantly reducing the maintenance cycle and disassembly work required for air filter maintenance. During operation, the fuel cell system can determine the dust accumulation status of the air filter based on the air compressor's operating status or the pressure value from the integrated temperature and pressure sensor at the air compressor's front end, and send a self-cleaning request to the vehicle controller via the communication network. After considering factors such as vehicle speed, fuel cell system operating status, and lithium battery charge, the vehicle controller issues a self-cleaning command, and the fuel cell system opens the throttle valve and bypass valve to begin the air filter's self-cleaning process.

[0055] Please see Figures 1-2 Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this specification provide a self-cleaning method applied to an in-vehicle air filter as described in any of the preceding claims, comprising:

[0056] The vehicle's fuel cell system stops working, the gas intake mechanism does not work, the air compressor is shut off, and the throttle valve is closed at the same time. The vehicle travels at the first speed. There is no air flow at the first intake pipe 2 and the first exhaust pipe 3. External gas enters the housing 1 through the air collection pipe 6 and the second intake pipe 4 to form clean intake air. The inner diameter of the air collection pipe 6 gradually decreases from the second end to the first end, which can further increase the air flow rate and ensure the air flow rate in the guide groove 8. The clean intake air flows along the guide groove 8 on the inner wall of the housing 1, forming a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material 7.

[0057] The gas intake mechanism controls the opening of the fuel cell system air path throttle valve and bypass valve, and the first outlet pipe 3 is connected to the atmosphere. A high static pressure zone is formed at the first outlet pipe 3. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first outlet pipe 3 is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material 7 and flows out from the second outlet pipe 5, which carries the dust attached to the filter material 7 out, thus completing the cleaning.

[0058] It should be noted that the first speed is determined based on the windward area of ​​the air collection duct 6, and is generally above 60 km / h.

[0059] The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the method embodiments described later are relatively simple in description since they correspond to the system, and relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the system embodiments.

[0060] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle air filter, characterized in that, include: The housing has a first air inlet pipe, a first air outlet pipe, a second air inlet pipe, and a second air outlet pipe. The first air inlet pipe is used for vehicle operation air intake, and the first air outlet pipe is located on the side of the housing close to the vehicle and is used for vehicle operation air exhaust. The second air inlet pipe is used for filter cleaning air intake, and the second air outlet pipe is used for filter cleaning air exhaust. The inner wall of the housing has a guide groove. A filter material is disposed inside the housing, and the filter material filters the working intake air; An air collection duct, the first end of which is connected to the second air intake duct, and the second end of which is in the same direction as the vehicle's travel; A gas intake mechanism is provided at the first gas outlet pipe. The gas intake mechanism is used to control the flow rate of the gas at the first gas outlet pipe and whether the first gas outlet pipe is connected to the atmosphere. The guide groove is arranged around the filter material so that the clean air flows along the guide groove, forming a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material. The first air outlet is connected to the atmosphere by the gas intake mechanism, forming a high static pressure zone at the first air outlet. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first air outlet is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second air outlet, carrying away the dust attached to the filter material.

2. The vehicle air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air collection duct is an L-shaped duct, and the inner diameter of the air collection duct gradually decreases from the second end to the first end.

3. The vehicle air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first end of the air collection pipe is connected to the second air intake pipe by welding or sealing adhesive.

4. The vehicle air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first air intake pipe is located on the non-windward side of the vehicle, and the axis of the first air intake pipe is perpendicular to the centerline of the housing.

5. The vehicle air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the second air outlet pipe and the connection point of the housing and the first air outlet pipe is less than the distance between the first air inlet pipe and the connection point of the housing and the first air outlet pipe.

6. The vehicle air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are arranged parallel to each other, and the second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the housing. The center lines of the second air inlet pipe and the second air outlet pipe are perpendicular to the center line of the housing.

7. The vehicle air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide groove includes a spiral groove.

8. The vehicle air filter according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The gas intake mechanism includes an air compressor, a throttle valve, and a bypass valve. The air compressor is used to control the gas flow in the first outlet pipe, and the throttle valve and the bypass valve are used to control the gas flow rate in the first outlet pipe.

9. The vehicle air filter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The vehicle air filter also includes a temperature and pressure integrated sensor, which is installed on the air compressor. The temperature and pressure integrated sensor determines the working status of the air compressor, thereby further determining the dust storage status of the filter material.

10. A self-cleaning method, characterized in that, Applied to the vehicle air filter as described in any one of claims 1-9, comprising: When the vehicle’s fuel cell system stops working and the gas intake mechanism does not work, the vehicle travels at the first speed. There is no air flow at the first intake pipe and the first exhaust pipe. External gas enters the housing through the air collection pipe and the second intake pipe to form clean intake air. It flows along the guide grooves on the inner wall of the housing and forms a low static pressure zone on the outside of the filter material. The gas intake mechanism controls the first exhaust pipe to connect with the atmosphere, forming a high static pressure zone at the first exhaust pipe. Driven by the pressure gradient, the air in the first exhaust pipe is continuously drawn to the outside of the filter material and flows out from the second exhaust pipe, carrying away the dust attached to the filter material and completing the cleaning.

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