Ambient air filter device and filter element in ambient air filter device

Abstract

An ambient air filter apparatus (100) for arrangement in a front area of a vehicle includes: a mounting frame (30); and a filter element (10) arranged on the mounting frame (30). The mounting frame (30) comprises a flow-through area (36) through which a fluid flow through the filter element (10) can pass and at least one guide member (40) arranged on opposite sides of the flow-through area (36) and for mounting the filter element (10) in the insertion direction (50). The filter element (10) comprises at least one filter media body (12, 13) having at least a portion (15) tiltable about a tilt axis (16) counter to a flow direction (60) of the filter element (10) to provide a bypass passage for the fluid flow to bypass the filter element (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle and to the use of a filter element in the ambient air filter device. Background Art

[0002] An air filter integrated in a front region of a vehicle is usually arranged in a separate filter frame as part of an air duct in front of a radiator.

[0003] DE 102008013501 A1 discloses a filter element for insertion into a filter housing, including a corrugated portion made of a filter medium at least partially surrounded by a frame and at least one end element, the frame being attached to the corrugated portion and molded onto the end element. An undercut is formed at least on a side of the corrugated portion facing the end element.

[0004] KR 20140147553 A discloses a device for collecting fine dust floating in the air by driving a vehicle without external power, including: an inlet portion including an air inlet hole formed at a front end portion based on the direction of driving the vehicle; a filter portion extending from the inlet portion and including at least one filter inside; and an outlet portion including an air inlet hole formed at a rear end portion based on the direction of driving the vehicle. When the vehicle is driven, air passes through the inlet portion, the filter portion, and the outlet hole. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an ambient air filter device having a bypass feature for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle.

[0006] Another object is to provide the use of a filter element in such an ambient air filter device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by an ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle, the ambient air filter device including a mounting frame and a filter element arranged on the mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a flow-through region through which fluid flow can pass through the filter element and at least one guiding member arranged on opposite sides of the flow-through region and for mounting the filter element in an insertion direction. The filter element includes at least one filter medium body having at least a part that can be inclined about an inclined axis opposite to the flow direction of the filter element, thereby providing a bypass channel for fluid flow to bypass the filter element.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the invention, a further object is achieved by a filter element in an ambient air filter device, the filter element comprising: an air inlet side and an air outlet side through which fluid flow can pass to an installation frame; and at least one filter medium body having at least a portion that can be inclined about an inclined axis opposite to the flow direction of the filter element, thereby providing a bypass channel for fluid flow to bypass the filter element.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0010] The proposed ambient air filter device with a filter element is used to filter air designated to flow through the radiator of a cooler of a vehicle. Therefore, due to packaging and insurance class reasons, the ambient air filter device with as flat a design as possible is arranged in front of the cooler. To avoid contact between the filter element and the radiator, embodiments can use a flat flow-through plastic plate with a mesh grid structure on which the filter element is fixed. The impact on the collision area of the vehicle can be advantageously prevented.

[0011] In standard operation, all air flowing through the cooler passes through the filter element before being filtered. Due to the pressure loss in the filter element, the air flow through the cooler is restricted. In a thermally critical situation or when the filter element is blocked (e.g., by snow) and the air conditioning (A / C) heating pump does not receive enough fresh air to operate, the air flow should be enhanced by opening the bypass and part of the air can flow directly to the cooler and the A / C heating pump. The bypass is achieved by tilting at least a portion of the filter element away from the flow area of the installation frame. The inclined axis is advantageously arranged parallel to the installation frame.

[0012] Thermal management in a vehicle is a key aspect to be considered, especially for battery electric vehicles. In particular, the charging time of the battery is a key value. The most critical situation is just before starting battery charging, when the battery is rapidly charged at a high outside temperature with a high load. Also, the A / C heating pump requires fresh air to operate properly, and blockage of the filter element may prevent the A / C heating pump from receiving fresh air.

[0013] For thermal management and to ensure that the A / C heating pump receives the fresh air it needs, the creation of a bypass for the air flowing around the filter element can be advantageous. Thus, the thermal management of the vehicle in critical situations may be risk-free. Thus, the concept of the flat frame filter device is slightly adjusted so that one, two or more parts of the filter element may be installed in the frame. By using an actuator or a magnet, one or more of the lower and / or upper parts can be moved in a direction away from the cooler of the vehicle, so that the bypass for the air flow is opened. The opening side depends on the assembly space of the cooler group and the air flow path. The filter element can be connected to the side strip, for example, so that when the bypass is opened, an inclined movement of the filter element may be performed. Additionally, the packaging of the filter element can be smaller because the filter element can potentially be folded.

[0014] Thus, at least part of the filter element can be tilted so that at least part of the filter media body moves away from the mounting frame. In the tilted position, such a filter element enables a bypass for the air to normally pass through the filter element and, in this way, ensures that the thermal management and especially the battery charging time are not affected by the presence of the filter element in front of the radiator of the cooler of the vehicle. Additionally, the bypass ensures that the A / C heating pump always receives fresh air so that the A / C heating pump can operate properly even if the filter element is clogged.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, at least one filter media body can include a pleated media. The tilt axis can be arranged substantially parallel to one of the pleats of the pleated media, especially in one of the pleats of the pleated media. Thus, a part of the filter element can advantageously be tilted parallel to the pleats of the filter media body.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the ambient air filter device can also include side strips covering at least part of the opposite side of at least one filter media body. The side strips even enable the filter element including at least two parts of the filter media body to be tilted, wherein the parts are held at a fixed distance from each other by the side strips. Advantageously, the side strips can be arranged perpendicular to the tilt axis.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the ambient air filter device can also include a seal arranged at least on one side of at least one filter media body (especially pointing in the insertion direction). The seal can be a foam seal. Thus, the filter element can be positioned in a sealed position when installed in the frame of the vehicle.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the mounting frame may further include at least one end stop element for restricting the tilting movement of at least a part of at least one filter medium body. The end stop element restricts the tilting movement of the part of the filter element that is tilted, thus providing a defined bypass opening for air to bypass the filter element.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the filter element may include at least two filter medium bodies. At least one of the at least two filter medium bodies may be tiltable about a tilting axis opposite to the flow direction of the filter element, thereby providing a bypass channel for fluid flow to bypass the filter element. Thus, advantageously, at least one of the filter medium bodies may be tilted to provide a defined bypass opening for air to bypass the filter element. The other of the filter medium bodies remains parallel to the mounting frame.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the at least two filter medium bodies may be joined together by side straps and / or hinges (in particular plastic hinges). In this way, the two filter medium bodies may be tilted relative to each other about a defined tilting axis.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the insertion direction may be substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the filter element. Thus, tilting at least a part of the filter element enables a bypass opening for part of the air to bypass the filter element.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the mounting frame may include an end stop (in particular a projection) arranged at the lower end in the insertion direction, and the end stop is used to fix the filter element in the intended installation position. The end stop may include another flow area through which the fluid flow bypassing the filter element can pass. Even when a part of the filter element is tilted relative to the mounting frame, the end stop fixes the filter element in the installation position and prevents the filter element from being disassembled.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the mounting frame may include a grid (in particular arranged parallel to the filter element), through which the fluid flow passing through the filter element can pass and on which the filter element is arranged. The grid can be used as a stable mechanical support for the filter element against the flow pressure of the passing air and also provides a sufficient flow area for air to pass through the filter element.

[0024] Advantageously, in the use arrangement, both the air inlet side and the air outlet side can be fluidly connected to the environment. Advantageously, the air inlet side may be adapted to be passed through by unfiltered air flow and the air outlet side may be adapted to be passed through by filtered air flow.

[0025] Advantageously, the mounting frame can be formed as part of the vehicle. Thereby ensuring that the mounting frame is stably connected to the vehicle for reliable mounting of the filter element to the mounting frame.

[0026] According to the proposed use of the filter element in the ambient air filter device, the filter element can be easily mounted in the mounting frame. At least part of the filter element can be inclined. Such a filter element enables a bypass for air to normally pass through the filter element and in this way ensures that the thermal management, the A / C heat pump and especially the battery charging time are not affected by the presence of the filter element in front of the radiator of the vehicle's cooler. Description of the Drawings

[0027] The present invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages, can be best understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but is not limited to the embodiments, in which are shown: Figure 1 An ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front area of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in an isometric view; Figure 2 Shown in a rear view is the ambient air filter device according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 According to Figure 2 the ambient air filter device is shown in a sectional view along section B-B in Figure 4 Shown is the ambient air filter device according to Figure 1 wherein a part of the filter element is inclined; Figure 5 Shown in a rear view is the ambient air filter device according to Figure 4 ; and Figure 6 According to Figure 5 the ambient air filter device is shown in a sectional view along section A-A in Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0028] In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements. The drawings are only schematic representations and are not intended to depict the specific parameters of the present invention. Furthermore, the drawings are only intended to depict typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 1 An ambient air filter device 100 for being arranged in a front area of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in an isometric view. Figure 2 The ambient air filter device is depicted in a rear view, while in Figure 3 according to Figure 2Section B-B therein shows the ambient air filter device in a sectional view.

[0030] The ambient air filter device 100 has a mounting frame 30 designed to allow air to flow through it. The filter element 10 is arranged on the mounting frame 30. The mounting frame 30 provides a flow-through area 36 (shown in Figure 2 ) for fluid to flow through the filter element 10. The filter element 10 can be mounted from the lower side of the mounting frame 30 in the insertion direction 50.

[0031] The mounting frame 30 has an end stop 80 (in particular a projection 82) at the lower end in the insertion direction 50 for fixing the filter element 10 in the intended mounting position.

[0032] The mounting frame 30 can be formed as part of a vehicle.

[0033] The filter element 10 has an air inlet side 32 and an air outlet side 34 (shown in Figure 2 and 3 ). The mounting frame 30 has two guide members 40 on opposite sides of the flow-through area 36 for fixing the filter element 10 along the insertion direction 50.

[0034] The filter element 10 includes at least one filter medium body 12.

[0035] The opposite sides 20, 22 of the filter element body 12 are covered by side strips 18.

[0036] Furthermore, a seal 24 is arranged on the top side 26 of the filter medium body 12, in particular pointing in the insertion direction 50. Thus, the filter element 10 can be sealed against the vehicle in the mounting position in front of the cooler of the vehicle.

[0037] As can be seen from Figure 2 , the mounting frame 30 is provided with a grid 70 (in particular arranged parallel to the filter element 10) through which air can flow and on which the filter element 10 is arranged.

[0038] In the use arrangement, both the air inlet side 32 and the air outlet side 34 can be fluidly connected to the environment. The air inlet side 32 can be adapted to be flowed through by unfiltered air and the air outlet side 34 can be adapted to be flowed through by filtered air.

[0039] As in Figures 4 to 6As depicted, at least a portion 15 of at least one filter medium body 12, 13 may be inclined about an inclined axis 16 opposite to the flow direction 60 of the filter element 10, providing a bypass channel for fluid flow. The inclined axis 16 is parallel to the mounting frame 30. In this embodiment, when the filter element medium body 13 is in the inclined position, the bypass channel is opened at the bottom of the filter element 10.

[0040] Figure 4 Depicting an ambient air filter device 100 according to Figure 1 in which a portion of the filter element 10 is inclined. Figure 5 Depicting the ambient air filter device 100 in a rear view, in which a portion of the filter element is inclined, while in Figure 6 according to Figure 5 section A-A in shows the ambient air filter device in a sectional view.

[0041] If the filter medium body 12 includes a pleated medium 14, the inclined axis 16 can advantageously be arranged parallel to one of the pleats of the filter medium body 12, particularly within one of the pleats of the filter medium body 12. Thus, the filter element 10 can be easily inclined about the inclined axis 16.

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter element 10 may include at least two filter medium bodies 12, 13, wherein at least one of the two filter medium bodies 12, 13 may be inclined about an inclined axis 16 opposite to the flow direction 60 of the filter element 10. The other of the filter medium bodies 12, 13 may remain parallel to the mounting frame 30.

[0043] The at least two filter medium bodies 12, 13 may be joined together by side strips and / or hinges (particularly plastic hinges). Thus, the mutually opposite inclined movements of the two filter medium bodies 12, 13 can be easily achieved.

[0044] The mounting frame 30 includes two end stop elements 42 on both sides of the mounting frame 30, configured to limit the inclined movement of at least one inclined portion 15 of at least one of the filter medium bodies 12, 13. The end stop elements 42 are arranged as an extension of the end guide members 40 and limit the inclined movement of the filter element 10 opposite to the flow direction 60.

[0045] The end stop 80 at the lower part of the mounting frame 30 is configured as another flow-through area 38 for air to bypass at least one tiltable part 15 of at least one filter element 10. If part 15 of the filter medium body 12 or, in the case of two filter medium bodies 12, 13, one filter medium body 13 tilts about the tilt axis 16, the other flow-through area 38 opens. Air can bypass the filter element 10 in the bypass flow direction 62 and can flow directly through the other flow-through area 38 to the flow-through area 36 of the mounting frame 30.

[0046] If a critical thermal situation of, for example, the vehicle's battery is detected (especially during rapid charging of the battery), the bypass can be advantageously opened. List of reference numerals 10 Filter element 12 Filter medium body 13 Filter medium body 14 Filter medium 15 Part 16 Tilt axis 18 Side strip 20 Side 22 Side 24 Seal 26 Side 30 Mounting frame 32 Air inlet side 34 Air outlet side 36 Flow-through area 38 Another flow-through area 40 Guide member 42 End stop element 50 Insertion direction 52 Fixing direction 60 Flow direction 62 Bypass flow direction 70 Grid 80 End stop 82 Protrusion 100 Ambient air filter device

Claims

1. An ambient air filter device (100) for arrangement in a front area of ​​a vehicle, the ambient air filter device (100) comprising: Mounting frame (30); as well as a filter element (10) arranged on a mounting frame (30), wherein the mounting frame (30) comprises a flow-through area (36) through which a fluid can flow through the filter element (10) and at least one guide member (40) which is arranged on opposite sides of the flow-through area (36) and is used to mount the filter element (10) in an insertion direction (50), and The filter element (10) comprises at least one filter media body (12, 13) having a portion (15) which can be tilted about a tilt axis (16) opposite to a flow direction (60) of the filter element (10) to provide a bypass channel for fluid flow to bypass the filter element (10), wherein the at least one filter media body (12, 13) comprises a pleated media (14) and the tilt axis (16) is arranged substantially parallel to one of the pleats of the pleated media (14).

2. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, further comprising side bands (18) covering at least portions of opposing sides (20, 22) of at least one filter media body (12, 13).

3. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, further comprising a seal (24) disposed on at least one side (26) of at least one filter media body (12, 13).

4. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The mounting frame (30) also includes at least one end stop element (42) for limiting tilting movement of at least one portion (15) of the filter media body (12, 13).

5. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The filter element (10) comprises at least two filter media bodies (12, 13), and At least one of the at least two filter media bodies (12, 13) can be tilted about a tilt axis (16) opposite to a flow direction (60) of the filter element (10) to provide a bypass channel for fluid flow to bypass the filter element (10).

6. The ambient air filter device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: At least two filter media bodies (12, 13) are joined together by side straps and / or hinges.

7. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The insertion direction (50) is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction (60) of the filter element (10).

8. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The mounting frame (30) comprises an end stop (80) arranged at a lower end in the insertion direction (50), the end stop (80) being used to fix the filter element (10) in the intended installation position, and the end stop (80) comprises a further flow-through area (38) through which a fluid flow bypassing the filter element (10) can pass.

9. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The mounting frame (30) comprises a grid (70) through which a fluid flow through the filter element (10) can pass and on which the filter element (10) is arranged.

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