Method for monitoring filter device of motor vehicle and for separating particles from air guided through filter device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a filter device of a motor vehicle and for separating particles from air guided through the filter device. According to the method, a total operating time and a total load of a filter element (2) of a filter device (1) in a motor vehicle (10) are recorded and / or stored in a memory unit (3) of the filter device (1). Furthermore, when a service state dependent on the total operating time and the total load of the filter device (1) is reached, a service signal is generated by an evaluation / control unit (4) of the filter device (1), which interacts with the memory unit (3), for evaluating the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load of the filter element (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a filter device of a motor vehicle and for separating particles, in particular dust particles, from air guided through the filter device. The invention also relates to a filter device which is set up / programmed to carry out the method. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a filter device. Background Art

[0002] Conventional filter devices for filtering particles from the air are used to remove particles, in particular dust particles, from the air to be introduced from the external environment of a motor vehicle into the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle. This significantly increases the driving comfort of the vehicle occupants.

[0003] Such an air filter is described, for example, in DE 10 2019 203 107 A1.

[0004] In order to ensure a continuously high quality of air filtration, it is necessary to replace the filter element of the filter device when its filter performance is depleted due to the particle load that occurs during operation. In practice, premature depletion of filter performance is particularly common in counterfeit products that differ from the original filter, especially when these counterfeit products use inferior filter materials. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to clarify new approaches in the development of a method for monitoring a filter device. In particular, the aim is to create an improved embodiment of such a monitoring method, by means of which it can be detected that a filter element of a filter device must be replaced due to wear and which, in order to be carried out, requires in particular the use of an original filter.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to record the current total operating time of the filter element and the current total load of particles filtered from the air by the filter element, i.e. to store their current values ​​in a continuously updated manner. In this way, it can be detected that the filter element has reached a certain service state that differs from the nominal operating state, which service state indicates that maintenance of the filter element is required, in particular replacement of the filter element with a spare part, i.e. replacement of the filter element, and to generate a service signal if such a service state occurs.

[0008] Therefore, in the method according to the present invention proposed here, the occurrence of this service state depends on the total operating time reached and stored in the filter device, and depends on the load state of this filter element reached and also stored in the filter device."Total operating time" should be understood as the time period that this filter element has been operated since the first operation, that is, actively flowed through by the air to be filtered. It should be understood that this time period can actually be composed of multiple individual time periods. It should also be understood that the time period when this filter device stops running cannot have an impact on this total duration. "Total load" should especially be understood as the particle load since the first operation.

[0009] Preferably, if both the running time and the load state reach or exceed the corresponding specified running time threshold or load threshold, or if at least one of the two thresholds is reached or exceeded, it can be considered that the service state has occurred.

[0010] The method according to the present invention is used to monitor the filter device of a motor vehicle and to separate particles, especially dust particles, from the air guided through the filter device. According to the method, the total operating time and the total load of the filter element of the filter device in the motor vehicle are recorded and therefore also stored in the storage unit of the filter device. Therefore, the current value of the total operating time and the total load of the particles is always stored in the storage unit. According to the present invention, when a certain service state that is preferably complementary to the nominal operating state of the filter device and depends on the total operating time and the total load of the filter device occurs, a service signal is generated by an evaluation / control unit of the filter device that works together with the storage unit and is set up to evaluate the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load of the filter element. The service signal can be an electrical signal that can be further processed. However, the service signal can also be an optical signal, an acoustic signal or a tactile signal, which can be generated by a corresponding output unit of the filter device according to the present invention or an external output device that does not belong to the filter device according to the present invention.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the service state is considered to have occurred if the total operating time has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the service state is considered to have occurred if the total load has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold. Thus, these two thresholds, alone or in combination, can be used to signal the filter device to transition from a nominal state in which the filter device is operating normally to the service state in which the filter device is replaced with a replacement part or at least provided for inspection or maintenance.

[0012] Particularly expediently, the total operating time can be detected by means of a counter, in particular an operating time counter, provided in the filter device. This measure allows the current total operating time of the filter device to be easily recorded.

[0013] It is also particularly suitable that the filter device can include a sensor device for detecting the total load of the filter element in terms of particles. Such a sensor device can be used in particular to indirectly determine the total load by measuring at least one sensor parameter, which is different from the load state to be sought and has a functional relationship with the load state.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the sensor means may include a differential pressure sensor means for determining the difference between the air pressure of the air upstream of the filter element and the air pressure of the air downstream of the filter element. In this case, the sensor parameter mentioned is the difference between the air pressure of the air upstream of the filter element and the air pressure of the air downstream of the filter element. Since the filter element also causes an increased pressure loss when the filter element is flowed through as the total particle load in the air increases, that is, the total load has a functional relationship with the mentioned pressure difference, the instantaneous total load of the filter element can be determined from the measured pressure difference by means of the sensor means or the differential pressure sensor means when the functional relationship is known. The mentioned functional relationship of the total load and the pressure difference can preferably be known in advance, that is, known before the method according to the present invention is performed, and stored in a storage unit of the filter device, for example in the form of a comprehensive characteristic curve or a so-called "lookup table".

[0015] The present invention also relates to a filter device for separating particles from air for motor vehicles. The filter device comprises a filter element made of filter material through which air can flow along a flow direction, which is used to separate particles, especially dust particles, from air. The filter device also comprises a storage unit, which is used to record or store the current total operating time of the filter element of the filter device and the current total load of the particles filtered out of the air by the filter element of the filter device. Preferably, the storage unit can be designed as a memory card, especially as a readable and writable memory card. The filter device also comprises an evaluation / control unit, which is used to evaluate the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load and to generate a service signal depending on the evaluation performed. According to the present invention, the filter device, especially the evaluation / control unit and / or storage unit of the filter device, is set up / programmed to perform the method according to the present invention proposed above. Thus, the advantages of the method according to the present invention set forth above are transferred to the filter device according to the present invention.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the filter device can have an output unit which is at least data-transmittingly connected to the evaluation / control unit and is used to output the service signal. The service signal can be, in particular, an optical signal, an acoustic signal and / or a tactile signal.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter device can include a counter, in particular an operating time counter, for detecting the total operating time of the filter element.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter device can include at least one sensor device for detecting the particle loading state of the filter element.

[0019] Preferably, at least one sensor device can have a differential pressure sensor device for determining the difference between the air pressure of the air upstream of the filter element and the air pressure of the air downstream of the filter element. Particularly preferably, the differential pressure sensor device can further include: a first pressure sensor arranged upstream of the filter element in the air path, which is used to determine the air pressure of the air upstream of the filter element; and a second pressure sensor arranged downstream of the filter element in the air path, which is used to determine the air pressure of the air downstream of the filter element.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the storage unit can be connected to the filter element in a non-detachable manner. This ensures that information relevant to the determination of the service state, ie, in particular the operating time and the load state, is always available at the filter device. In addition, counterfeit products without a storage unit can be more easily identified.

[0021] Optionally, at least one of the following information may be stored or stored in the storage unit:

[0022] - date of manufacture of the filter device or filter element;

[0023] - delivery date of the filter device or filter element;

[0024] - date of installation of the filter device or filter element;

[0025] - Manufacturer identification number;

[0026] - Product identification code;

[0027] - Serial identification code;

[0028] - Manufacturer and / or product inductance;

[0029] - filter name and / or filter logo;

[0030] - Nominal maximum total operating time.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle according to the present invention has an air path through which air can flow along a flow direction. The filter device according to the present invention proposed above is arranged in the air path. Therefore, the advantages of the method according to the present invention explained above are also transferred to the motor vehicle according to the present invention. The air path with the filter device can especially be part of the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle according to the present invention includes a control device for controlling at least one vehicle component of the motor vehicle. The control device communicates with the evaluation / control unit and / or the storage unit of the filter device, especially via a field bus, preferably via a CAN bus. Therefore, in this way, the total operating time stored in the storage unit and also the total load stored in the storage unit can be transmitted to the control device and further processed there.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the motor vehicle comprises a communication unit which is connected to the control device in a data transmission manner, in particular via a fieldbus or CAN bus. By means of the communication unit, the operating time transmitted from the storage unit of the filter device to the control device and / or the total particle load transmitted from the storage unit to the control device are further transmitted to an external server and (alternatively or additionally) to an external data cloud. Thus, the filter device can be monitored, for example, by a third party and, in the event of an impending or already occurring service state, measures can be taken to replace the filter device.

[0033] Further important features and advantages of the invention are revealed in the dependent claims, in the drawings and in the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0034] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is Figure 1 and explained in more detail in the subsequent description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 By way of example and in a schematic diagram, the structure of a motor vehicle 10 according to the invention is shown, which has a filter device 1 according to the invention for filtering particles from air L. The motor vehicle 10 has an air path 11 through which the air L can flow in a flow direction DR. Via the air path 11, the air L can be introduced from an external environment 16 of the motor vehicle 10 into a vehicle interior 15 of the motor vehicle 10, which is not shown in greater detail.

[0037] The filter device 1 comprises a filter element 2 made of a filter material through which air L can flow in a flow direction DR, and is used to separate particles, in particular dust particles, from the air L. At least the filter element 2 of the filter device 1 is arranged in an air path 11 in order to separate particles, in particular dust particles, contained in the air L before the air L enters a vehicle interior 15.

[0038] The filter device 1 further comprises a storage unit 3 for recording or storing the total operating time and the total load of the filter element 2 of the filter device 1 in terms of particles filtered out of the air L. In this exemplary scenario, the storage unit 3 is connected to the filter element 2 in a non-detachable manner.

[0039] The filter device 1 also includes an evaluation / control unit 4, which is used to evaluate the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load and to generate a service signal depending on the evaluation achieved. The evaluation / control unit 4 can be connected to the filter element 2 in a non-detachable manner. The service signal can be an electrical signal that can be further processed. However, the service signal can also be an optical signal, an acoustic signal or a tactile signal, which can be generated by a corresponding output unit of the filter device 1 according to the present invention or an external output device that does not belong to the filter device 1 according to the present invention. In the first case, the filter device 1 can have an output unit 5 for outputting a service signal that is connected to at least the evaluation / control unit 4 in a data transmission manner. In addition, the filter device can include a counter 6 for detecting the total operating time of the filter element 2, in particular an operating time counter.

[0040] As in Figure 1 As schematically outlined in the example of , the filter device 1 may also include a sensor mechanism 7 for detecting the load state of the filter element 2 in terms of particles separated from the air L. To this end, the sensor mechanism 7 may have a pressure difference sensor mechanism 8 for determining the difference between the air pressure of the air L upstream of the filter element 2 and the air pressure of the air L downstream of the filter element 2. The pressure difference sensor mechanism 8 may in turn include: a first pressure sensor 9a arranged upstream of the filter element 2 in the air path 11, which is used to determine the air pressure of the air L upstream of the filter element 2; and a second pressure sensor 9b arranged downstream of the filter element in the air path 11, which is used to determine the air pressure of the air L downstream of the filter element 2.

[0041] according to Figure 1According to the invention, the motor vehicle 10 comprises a control device 12 for controlling at least one, two or more vehicle components (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10. The control device 12 communicates with the evaluation / control unit 4 of the filter device 1, in particular via a field bus 13, for example via a CAN bus 13a. In this way, the total operating time stored in the memory unit 3 and also the total load stored in the memory unit 3 can be transmitted to the control device 12 via the evaluation / control unit 4.

[0042] like Figure 1 As explained in , the motor vehicle 10 can have a communication unit 14 which is connected to the control device 12 via a field bus 13 or a CAN bus 13a in a data transmission manner. By means of the communication unit 14, the operating time of the filter element 2 transmitted from the storage unit 3 of the filter device 1 to the control device 12 and / or the total particle load of the filter element 2 transmitted from the storage unit 3 of the filter device 1 to the control device 12 are transmitted to the external server 20 and (alternatively or additionally) to the external data cloud 21.

[0043] Optionally, at least one of the following information may be stored in the storage unit:

[0044] - date of manufacture of the filter device or filter element;

[0045] - delivery date of the filter device or filter element;

[0046] - date of installation of the filter device or filter element;

[0047] - manufacturer identification number;

[0048] - Product identification code;

[0049] - Series inductors;

[0050] - Manufacturer and / or product inductance;

[0051] - filter name and / or filter logo;

[0052] - Nominal maximum total operating time.

[0053] The filter device 1 , in particular its evaluation / control unit 4 and its memory unit 3 , is set up and programmed to carry out the method according to the invention, which is explained below by way of example.

[0054] The method according to the invention is used for monitoring a filter device 1 of a motor vehicle 10 and for separating particles, in particular dust particles, from the air L guided through the filter device 1. According to the method, the current total operating time of the filter element 2 and the current total particle load of the filter element 2 are recorded and thus stored in a storage unit 3 of the filter device 1. When a certain service state is reached that depends on the total operating time and total load of the filter device 1, a service signal is generated by an evaluation / control unit 4 of the filter device 1 that cooperates with the storage unit 3 and is set up to evaluate the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load of the filter element 2. If the total operating time has reached or exceeded a predetermined (total operating time) threshold value and / or the total load has reached or exceeded a predetermined (load) threshold value, it is considered that the service state has occurred. The total operating time can be detected by means of a counter 6 or operating time counter that is arranged in or on the filter device 1 and cooperates with the evaluation / control unit 4.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a filter device (1) of a motor vehicle (10) and for separating particles, in particular dust particles, from air (L) passed through the filter device (1), according to which: - recording and / or storing the total operating time and the total load of the filter element (2) of the filter device (1) in the motor vehicle (10) in a memory unit (3) of the filter device (1); - when a certain service state is reached which depends on the total operating time and the total load of the filter device (1), a service signal is generated by an evaluation / control unit (4) of the filter device (1) which cooperates with the storage unit (3) for evaluating the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load of the filter element (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that If the total running time reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold and / or if the total load reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is considered that the service state has occurred.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The total operating time is detected by means of a counter, in particular an operating time counter, which is arranged in the filter device (1).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The filter device (1) comprises a sensor mechanism (7) for detecting the particle load state of the filter element (2).

5. A filter device (1) for a motor vehicle (10) for separating particles from air (L), - the filter device comprises a filter element (2) made of a filter material, through which air (L) can flow in a flow direction (DR), the filter element being used to separate particles, in particular dust particles, from the air (L); - the filter device comprises a storage unit (3) for recording and / or storing the total operating time of the filter element (2) and the total load of particles filtered out of the air (L) by the filter element (2); - the filter device has an evaluation / control unit (4) for evaluating the instantaneous total operating time and the instantaneous total load and for generating a service signal as a function of the evaluation performed, - in, The filter device (1), in particular the evaluation / control unit (4) and / or the memory unit (3), is set up / programmed to carry out the method according to any of the preceding claims.

6. The filtering device according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The filter device (1) comprises an output unit (5) which is connected at least to the evaluation / control unit (4) in a data transmission manner, and is used to output the service signal.

7. The filtering device according to claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The filter device comprises a counter (6), in particular an operating time counter, for detecting the total operating time of the filter element (2).

8. The filter device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, It is characterized in that The filter device (1) comprises at least one sensor device (7) for detecting the particle loading state of the filter element (2).

9. The filtering device according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The at least one sensor device (7) has a differential pressure sensor device (8) for determining a difference between an air pressure of the air (L) upstream of the filter element (2) and an air pressure of the air (L) downstream of the filter element (2).

10. The filter device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, It is characterized in that The storage unit (3) is connected to the filter element (2) in a non-detachable manner.

11. A motor vehicle (10), the motor vehicle having - an air path (11) through which air (L) can flow along a flow direction (DR), in which air path a filter device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10 is arranged; - a control device (12) for controlling at least one vehicle component of the motor vehicle (10), the control device communicating with the evaluation / control unit (4) and / or the memory unit (3) of the filter device (1), in particular via a field bus (13), preferably via a CAN bus (13a), so that the total operating time stored in the memory unit (3) and the total load stored in the memory unit (3) can be transmitted to the control device (12).

12. A motor vehicle according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The motor vehicle comprises a communication unit (14) which is connected to the control device (12) in a data transmission manner, in particular via a field bus (13) or a CAN bus (13a), by means of which the operating time and / or the total load transmitted from the filter device (1) to the control device (12) can be transmitted to an external server (20) and / or can be transmitted to an external data cloud (21).

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