Air filter, automobile air conditioner and filter purification method

Abstract

The invention discloses an air filter, an automobile air conditioner and a filter purification method, and relates to the technical field of air filtration, the air filter comprises an air filter main body, a detection unit is arranged on one air passing side of the air filter main body, and the detection unit comprises a wind speed sensor or is composed of the wind speed sensor; the detection unit at least generates a detection signal representing the filtering effect of the air filter; the air filter is designed to enable the automobile air conditioner to determine the filtering effect of the air filter according to the flow speed of air passing through the air filter, and when the filtering effect of the air filter is poor, the air filter can be purified through the purification unit. And the use time period before the air filter is replaced next time is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of air filtration, and in particular to an air filter, an automobile air conditioner and a filter purification method. Background Art

[0002] Since the air filter is usually installed next to the storage box of the co-pilot, it is in a relatively hidden location. Due to the difficulty of operation and technical requirements, it is difficult for users to remove the air filter by themselves to check its usage status. After using it for a period of time, users usually judge the filtering effect of the air filter by whether the air outlet of the air conditioner has a peculiar smell and whether the air volume is normal, so as to determine whether to go to the maintenance point to replace the air filter, or whether it can be used until the next car maintenance cycle.

[0003] However, when the air conditioning pipes of the car are relatively clean and there is no obvious odor in the outside air, even if the filtering effect of the air filter is already very low, it is still difficult for users to judge whether the filtering effect of the air filter has been reduced by smell; in addition, since most mid-to-high-end vehicles have multiple air outlets in the car, this also leads to instability in the air volume allocated to each air outlet, especially when the rear air outlet is opened and closed, the air volume of the front air outlet will change accordingly, and most of the time, users can only rely on their skin to feel the air volume of the air outlet in the car to feel whether the air volume has decreased. The results of the feeling can mostly only be estimated, which is prone to large judgment errors. It is also difficult to judge the reduction ratio, and it is impossible to accurately judge the filtering effect of the air filter affected by residual debris, dust and other debris. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention aims to provide an air filter, which is designed to enable the automobile air conditioner to determine the filtering effect of the air filter according to the air flow rate after passing through the air filter, and when the filtering effect of the air filter is not good, the air filter can be purified to pass the usage period before the next replacement of the air filter.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an air filter, comprising an air filter body, a detection unit being arranged on one of the windward sides of the air filter body, the detection unit comprising a wind speed sensor or being composed of a wind speed sensor; the detection unit at least generates a detection signal representing the filtering effect of the air filter.

[0006] As a further solution of the present invention: the wind speed sensor is arranged on the air outlet side of the air filter body.

[0007] As a further solution of the present invention: the air filter body includes a pre-filter layer, an activated carbon layer, a support layer and a skirt bracket; the air flow direction of the air filter body is constructed to pass through the pre-filter layer, the activated carbon layer and the support layer in sequence.

[0008] As a further solution of the present invention: the wind speed sensor is arranged on the skirt bracket and corresponds to the side with the support layer.

[0009] The present invention also provides the following technical solution: an automobile air conditioner, comprising the above-mentioned air filter, wherein the detection unit is electrically connected to a control unit arranged outside the air filter, the control unit determines the detection signal of the wind speed sensor or the detection unit including the wind speed sensor, and determines the filtering effect of the air filter with the help of the intensity of the determined detection signal.

[0010] As a further solution of the present invention: a feedback module is provided or the control unit is electrically connected to a feedback module, and the control unit is further configured to provide information feedback of the determined filtering effect of the air filter to the user through the feedback module.

[0011] As a further solution of the present invention: the control unit is further configured to alert the user through the feedback module when it is determined that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold.

[0012] As a further solution of the present invention: a purification unit for purifying the air filter is also provided, and the control unit is configured to control the purification unit in the automobile air conditioner to purify the air filter.

[0013] The present invention also provides the following technical solution: a filter purification method, comprising the above-mentioned automobile air conditioner, a control unit determines the detection signal of the wind speed sensor or the detection unit including the wind speed sensor, and determines the filtering effect of the air filter with the help of the intensity of the determined detection signal; when it is determined that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold, the purification unit in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

[0014] As a further solution of the present invention: the control unit also obtains the working information of the fan of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner; after determining that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than the specified threshold and the fan of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner is in a state of stopping air supply, the purification unit in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air filter of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automobile air conditioner of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a circuit block diagram of the automobile air conditioner of the present invention.

[0018] The corresponding reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are described as follows: Air filter body-1, air outlet side-1a, air inlet side-1b, pre-filter layer-101, activated carbon layer-102, support layer-103, skirt bracket-104, Detection unit-2, Control Unit-3, Positioning structure-4a, 4b, Feedback module-5, Purification Unit-6, Air inlet duct-7, air outlet-701, air inlet-702, cleaning port-703, arc-shaped channels-704a, 704b, Fan-8, Air outlet switching unit-9, rotating shaft-901, switch switching plate-902, Filter Mounting Housing-10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] See also Figure 1-3An air filter includes an air filter body 1, and a detection unit 2 is arranged on one of the wind passing sides of the air filter body 1, and the detection unit 2 includes a wind speed sensor or is composed of a wind speed sensor. The detection unit 2 at least generates a detection signal indicating the filtering effect of the air filter. The detection signal is related to the wind speed signal obtained by the wind speed sensor. When the detection unit 2 only has a wind speed sensor, the detection signal is the wind speed signal obtained by the wind speed sensor; when the detection unit 2 also has a signal processing device such as a signal amplifier, the detection signal is a conversion signal associated with the wind speed signal obtained by the wind speed sensor.

[0021] When the air filter produces a filtering effect, the filtered dust, particulate matter and other debris will remain in the air filter, and these retained debris will cause the gas permeability of the air filter to be further reduced, that is, the air filter will be blocked. As the filtered debris increases, the gas permeability shows a downward trend, and accordingly, the filtering effect of the air filter continues to decline.

[0022] The greater the detected wind speed, the higher the gas permeability of the air filter, that is, the less likely the air filter is to be clogged with dust, particles and other debris, and accordingly, the better the filtering effect of the air filter is at this time; the smaller the detected wind speed, the lower the gas permeability of the air filter, that is, the more seriously the air filter is clogged with dust, particles and other debris, and accordingly, the worse the filtering effect of the air filter is at this time.

[0023] In some embodiments, the wind speed sensor comprises a hot wire wind speed sensor, wherein the resistance of the hot wire of the wind speed sensor is related to the flow rate of the gas flowing around or passing through the wind speed sensor.

[0024] The working principle of the hot wire wind speed sensor is based on the heat transfer phenomenon and the principle of thermal balance. The wind speed is calculated by measuring the change in the resistance of the hot wire. The hot wire wind speed sensor is mainly composed of a heating element and a measuring circuit. The heating element is generally a thin metal wire, such as a platinum wire, which is placed in the measured area. The measuring circuit is used to measure the change in the resistance of the hot wire and convert it into an electrical signal corresponding to the wind speed.

[0025] In some embodiments, a hot wire wind speed sensor is used based on the advantages of fast response, small size, and low cost.

[0026] In some embodiments, the wind speed sensor includes a pressure differential wind speed sensor or a propeller wind speed sensor, etc., which are used to measure wind speed and are less affected by gas temperature.

[0027] In some embodiments, the wind speed sensor is disposed on the air outlet side 1a of the air filter body 1. As an air filter used in automobile air conditioners, the air speed sensor can more accurately detect the gas flow rate after passing through the air filter.

[0028] In some embodiments, the air filter body 1 includes a pre-filter layer 101, an activated carbon layer 102, a support layer 103 and a skirt support 104. The air flow direction of the air filter body 1 is configured to pass through the pre-filter layer 101, the activated carbon layer 102 and the support layer 103 in sequence.

[0029] Preferably, the wind speed sensor is disposed on the skirt bracket 104 and corresponds to the side having the support layer 103 .

[0030] In some embodiments, the activated carbon layer 102 includes a composite activated carbon layer prepared by combining at least coconut shell activated carbon and a powdered purifier or a granular purifier.

[0031] Preferably, the powdered cleaning agent or granular cleaning agent is plant polyphenol and / or polyquaternium salt.

[0032] Coconut shell activated carbon can better filter harmful gases, plant polyphenols can better resist allergies, and polyquaternary ammonium salts can better resist bacteria and viruses; and through the porous structure of coconut shell activated carbon itself, powdered or granular plant polyphenols and polyquaternary ammonium salts can be better loaded, so that the purifier can be better combined with the activated carbon layer.

[0033] In some embodiments, the pre-filter layer 101 includes a pre-filter screen and a silver ion filter screen, wherein the silver ion filter screen is located between the pre-filter screen and the activated carbon layer. The pre-filter screen is used to filter impurities in the air, such as dust, particulate matter, pet hair, etc., and the silver ion filter screen is used to remove microbial contamination such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

[0034] In some embodiments, the support layer 103 includes an M-type support layer made of at least a HEPA filter.

[0035] In this embodiment, an automobile air conditioner includes the air filter of any of the above embodiments.

[0036] The automobile air conditioner further includes a control unit 3, the detection unit 2 is electrically connected to the control unit 3 arranged outside the air filter, and the control unit 3 determines the detection signal of the wind speed sensor or the detection unit 2 including the wind speed sensor, and determines the filtering effect of the air filter by means of the intensity of the determined detection signal. That is, the air permeability of the air filter is judged by detecting the wind speed, so as to determine the filtering effect of the air filter affected by impurities such as dust and particulate matter.

[0037] In some embodiments, the air filter is designed so that the air filter can only be placed in the automobile air conditioner in the following manner: the wind speed sensor is arranged on the wind outlet side 1 a of the air filter body 1 .

[0038] For example, a filter mounting shell 10 for mounting an air filter in an automobile air conditioner is horizontally arranged, and the air filter body 1 and the filter mounting shell 10 are provided with mutually matching positioning structural members (4a, 4b), and the positioning structural members enable the air filter to be positioned and mounted on the filter mounting shell 10; relative to the air inlet and air outlet arranged above and below the filter mounting shell 10, the positioning direction is such that the side of the air filter body 1 on which the wind speed sensor is mounted corresponds to the air outlet of the filter mounting shell 10, so that the gas passing through the filter mounting shell 10 passes through the air filter from the side on which the wind speed sensor is mounted, thereby forming a situation in which the wind speed sensor is arranged on the air outlet side 1a of the air filter body 1.

[0039] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned positioning structure can also be used to enable the detection unit 2 on the air filter to be coupled and electrically connected with the control unit 3 disposed outside the air filter. For example, the connection terminal of the detection unit 2 is disposed on the positioning structure 4a of the skirt bracket 104 in the air filter, and the connection terminal of the control unit 3 is disposed on the corresponding positioning structure 4b of the filter mounting housing 10; when the air filter is positioned and mounted on the filter mounting housing 10 through the corresponding positioning structure, the connection terminal of the detection unit 2 contacts the connection terminal of the control unit 3 to achieve coupled electrical connection.

[0040] In some embodiments, the automobile air conditioner is equipped with a feedback module or the control unit 3 is electrically connected to a feedback module 5, through which the determined filtering effect of the air filter is provided to the user.

[0041] In some embodiments, the feedback module 5 is, for example, a central control display screen of a car.

[0042] In some embodiments, the control unit 3 is part of or is the automotive MCU.

[0043] In some embodiments, the control unit 3 is further configured to alert the user through the feedback module 5 when determining that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold.

[0044] For example, a pop-up alert may be displayed on the car’s central control display screen.

[0045] In some embodiments, the automobile air conditioner is further provided with a purification unit 6 capable of purifying the air filter, and the control unit 3 is configured to control the purification unit 6 in the automobile air conditioner to purify the air filter.

[0046] For example, the control unit 3 is a car MCU, and purification instructions can be input through the control buttons or touch screen of the car MCU, thereby controlling the purification unit 6 to purify the air filter.

[0047] In some embodiments, the air filter is designed so that the air inlet side 1 b of the air filter body is placed in the filter mounting housing 10 of the automobile air conditioner with the air inlet side 1 b facing downward.

[0048] The purification unit 6 is a vibration purification unit that vibrates the air filter, such as a motor vibration purification unit or an ultrasonic vibration purification unit, and the purpose is to vibrate the air filter so that the dust, particulate matter and other debris filtered by the air filter and retained in the air filter can be vibrated and separated from the air filter downward under the action of gravity. It can be to apply vibration to the filter mounting housing 10 to drive the air filter to vibrate (such as a motor vibration purification unit), or it can be to directly apply vibration to the air filter (such as an ultrasonic vibration purification unit).

[0049] In some embodiments, the automobile air conditioner has an air inlet duct 7 located on the air inlet side 1b of the air filter body. The air inlet duct 7 is configured to guide air upward toward the air inlet side 1b of the air filter body.

[0050] The air inlet duct 7 has an air outlet 701 corresponding to the air inlet side 1b of the air filter body, the air inlet duct 7 has an air inlet 702 corresponding to the fan 8 of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner, and the air inlet duct 7 has a cleaning port 703 located below the air inlet side 1b of the air filter body.

[0051] In some embodiments, the automobile air conditioner further includes an air vent switching unit 9 , which is used to switch the opening and closing states of the air inlet 702 and the cleaning port 703 .

[0052] For example, when the air filter needs to be cleaned, the air inlet 702 is switched to be closed and the cleaning port 703 is opened to prevent the cleaned dust, particles, etc. from reaching the area where the fan 8 is located through the air inlet 702; when air supply is needed, the air inlet 702 is switched to be opened and the cleaning port 703 is closed to reduce the negative pressure of gas entering from the cleaning port 703.

[0053] In some embodiments, the air inlet duct 7 is arranged in a herringbone or quasi-herringbone shape, having a central opening at the top and two arc-shaped channels (704a, 704b) at the bottom that are connected to the central opening. The proximal ends of the two arc-shaped channels close to the central opening are connected to each other, the air inlet 702 is formed on the distal end of one of the arc-shaped channels 704b, and the cleaning port 703 is formed on the distal end of the other arc-shaped channel 704a.

[0054] In some embodiments, the tuyere switching unit 9 includes a rotating shaft 901 and a switch switching plate 902 located in the connecting space of the two arc-shaped channels. The rotating shaft 901 is rotatably connected between the two arc-shaped channels and close to the connecting space of the two arc-shaped channels, and the switch switching plate 902 is connected to the rotating shaft 901.

[0055] The tuyere switching unit 9 also includes a rotation driving assembly for driving the rotating shaft 901 to rotate.

[0056] In some embodiments, the rotation drive assembly includes a drive motor for driving the rotating shaft 901 to rotate.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the switch switching plate 902 blocks any arc-shaped channel, the switch switching plate 902 is tilted up and down, and is tilted from the upper plate portion close to any arc-shaped channel to the lower plate portion connected to the rotating shaft.

[0058] While being able to more smoothly guide and discharge the purified dust, particles, etc., it can better intake air and reduce wind resistance.

[0059] In this embodiment, a filter purification method is provided, wherein a control unit 3 determines a detection signal of a wind speed sensor or a detection unit 2 including the wind speed sensor, and determines a filtering effect of the air filter by means of the intensity of the determined detection signal; when it is determined that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold, a purification unit 6 in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

[0060] In some embodiments, the control unit 3 also obtains the working information of the fan 8 of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner; after determining that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold and the fan 8 of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner is in a stopped air supply state, the purification unit 6 in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

[0061] Before purification, the control unit 3 controls the air outlet switching unit 9 to switch to close the air inlet 702 and open the cleaning port 703; after purification is completed, the control unit 3 controls the air outlet switching unit 9 to switch to open the air inlet 702 and close the cleaning port 703.

[0062] In some embodiments, the control unit 3 further obtains air supply gear information in the automobile air conditioner, and uses different thresholds at different air supply gears as designated thresholds at the current gear.

[0063] For example, when the air is supplied at the first gear, the first threshold is used as the designated threshold for the gear; when the air is supplied at the second gear, the second threshold different from the first threshold is used as the designated threshold for the gear. Generally, when the air supply speed of the second gear is designed to be greater than the air supply speed of the first gear in the automobile air conditioner, the second threshold is correspondingly greater than the first threshold.

[0064] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the invention. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be considered as limiting the claim to which it relates.

Claims

1. An air filter, comprising an air filter body, characterized in that: A detection unit is provided on one of the wind-passing sides of the air filter body, and the detection unit includes a wind speed sensor or is composed of a wind speed sensor; The detection unit generates at least a detection signal indicating a filtering effect of the air filter.

2. The air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The wind speed sensor is arranged on the air outlet side of the air filter body.

3. The air filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air filter body includes a pre-filter layer, an activated carbon layer, a support layer and a skirt bracket; The air flow direction of the air filter body is configured to pass through the pre-filter layer, the activated carbon layer, and the support layer in sequence.

4. The air filter according to claim 3, characterized in that The wind speed sensor is arranged on the skirt bracket and corresponds to the side with the supporting layer.

5. An automobile air conditioner, comprising the air filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The detection unit is electrically connected to a control unit arranged outside the air filter. The control unit determines the detection signal of the wind speed sensor or the detection unit including the wind speed sensor, and determines the filtering effect of the air filter based on the intensity of the determined detection signal.

6. The automotive air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: A feedback module is configured or the control unit is electrically connected to a feedback module, and the control unit is also configured to provide information feedback of the determined filtering effect of the air filter to the user through the feedback module.

7. The automotive air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that: The control unit is also configured to alert the user through the feedback module when it is determined that the filtering effect of the air filter is below a specified threshold.

8. The automotive air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: A purification unit for purifying the air filter is also provided, and the control unit is configured to control the purification unit in the automobile air conditioner to purify the air filter.

9. A filter purification method, comprising the automobile air conditioner according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control unit determines a detection signal of the wind speed sensor or a detection unit including the wind speed sensor, and determines a filtering effect of the air filter by means of the intensity of the determined detection signal; When it is determined that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold, a purification unit in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

10. The filter purification method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control unit also obtains the operating information of the fan of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner; After determining that the filtering effect of the air filter is lower than a specified threshold and the fan of the air supply system of the automobile air conditioner is in a stopped air supply state, the purification unit in the automobile air conditioner is controlled to purify the air filter.

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