Filter element for filtering system

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter cartridge (10) for a filter system (100) comprising an ionizer (102), comprising: an electrically insulating filter material (14); at least one electrically conductive polarization element (16a, 16b) to which a voltage can be applied in order to polarize the filter material (14); and a current conductor (20), which is designed to protect the filter material (14) from an overcurrent due to a voltage breakdown and from damage resulting therefrom.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter element for a filtration system including an ionizer, the filter element having an electrically insulating filter material and at least one conductive polarizing element, on which a voltage can be applied to polarize the filter material.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a filtration system with a filter element and an ionizer. Background Technology

[0003] In filtration systems with ionizers and polarized filter media, spark discharges can occur from the ionizer to the filter media. These spark discharges can be exacerbated, for example, by moisture, which cannot be completely avoided in this type of filtration system.

[0004] The electric spark discharge generates localized high temperatures, which can damage the filter media. This damage poses a risk of persistent short circuits between the polarization elements. Due to these short circuits, a voltage difference cannot be established between the electrodes, resulting in the loss of polarization. Furthermore, it may affect the functionality of the ionizer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to reduce the risk of electrical spark discharge during the operation of electrified filtration systems.

[0006] This task is accomplished by a filter element of the type described at the beginning, wherein the filter element according to the invention has a current drainer designed to protect the filter material from overcurrent and damage caused by voltage breakdown.

[0007] Voltage breakdown can be based on electrostatic discharge. For example, electrical breakdown occurs when a voltage higher than the breakdown voltage of the insulating air space between the ionizer and the polarizing element facing the ionizer is applied; this is also known as voltage breakdown. Damage to the filter material can cause a short circuit between the two polarizing elements. Voltage breakdown can originate, for example, from the ionizer. Current drains act to some extent as surge protectors at the filter element and protect it from damage caused by spark discharges.

[0008] In an alternative implementation, the current drainer may also be part of another component of the filtration system, such as the housing of the filtration system into which the filter element is inserted.

[0009] The filter element according to the invention is advantageously improved by constructing the polarization element as a polarization layer. The polarization layer preferably extends parallel to and / or contacts the electrically insulating filter material in a planar manner. The filter material is preferably an electret material or includes electret materials.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a preferred filter element is one in which two conductive polarizing elements, each configured as a polarizing layer, are separated from each other by an electrically insulating filter material. To polarize the filter material, a voltage can be applied to the polarizing layers. The electrically insulating filter material and the two conductive polarizing layers preferably constitute a pleated layer composite. Furthermore, the layer composite may include one or more other layers with other functions, such as an activated carbon layer and / or an anti-allergen layer and / or an antibacterial layer and / or a nanofiber layer.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the current emitter has a trapping device designed to trap overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown. By trapping the overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown, charge can be discharged outside the filter material. This effectively prevents the filter material from being damaged, especially carbonized, by excessive discharge power caused by electrical spark discharge.

[0012] Furthermore, the filter element according to the invention is advantageously improved by the fact that the trapping device protrudes beyond the polarization element. In particular, the trapping device protrudes outward and / or toward the ionizer and / or on the inflow side of the filter element beyond the polarization element. By protruding the trapping device beyond the polarization element, the separation distance between the ionizer and the polarization element is locally reduced, thereby trapping the overcurrent before it is introduced into the polarization element. Therefore, the trapping device pre-determines the location of the spark discharge.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the following filter element is advantageous, in which the trapping device is constituted by a cured, conductive adhesive. The trapping device can be a cured, conductive adhesive strip. In particular, it has a 10... 6 Plastic materials with a resistivity of Ω*m or less can be used as conductive adhesives. The polarization element can be electrically contacted via the cured conductive adhesive. Preferably, the cured conductive adhesive is applied to the polarization element and used to fix the contact section of the conductor carrier. The conductive adhesive locally reduces the electrode spacing, allowing spark discharge, for example, to be directly introduced into the contact tabs of the conductor carrier. Alternatively, the trapping device can be, for example, a conductive trapping tip made of conductive plastic or metal.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, the following filter element is preferred, in which the current emitter includes an electrical discharge path through which overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown can be discharged outside the insulating filter material and / or polarizing element. Thus, high current flows through the filter material and / or polarizing element that could cause damage are effectively avoided. The resistance of the discharge path is relatively small relative to the filter material or at least one dielectric layer of the filter material. Along the discharge path, the current can be reduced by braking resistance outside the filter element.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the outlet path is at least partially constituted by a voltage divider of the filter element for regulating the polarization voltage. The voltage divider serves as an outlet path outside the filter material in the event of spark discharge. The voltage divider can be carried by a wire carrier, such as a carrier foil or carrier label, laid on the outside of the filter element, for example, laid on the side covering of the filter element. The wire carrier may include at least one contact segment for making electrical contact between the wire carrier and the polarization element. The contact segment may be constituted by a contact tab. The contact segment is located on the polarization element and thus protrudes beyond the surface of the polarization element, such that the distance between the contact segment and the ionizer is smaller than the distance between the polarization element and the ionizer contacted via the contact segment.

[0016] Furthermore, the filter element according to the invention is advantageously improved by a pre-resistor designed to reduce the current flow through the filter material caused by a short circuit. The pre-resistor is preferably a high-ohmic resistor. The pre-resistor is preferably connected upstream of the polarizing element. Through this pre-resistor, the discharge power caused by the electrical spark discharge is significantly reduced. The short circuit can be between the polarizing elements. The heat input to the filter medium caused by the short circuit is reduced by the pre-resistor and the reduced current flow, thereby protecting the filter medium from heat-induced damage, such as carbonization.

[0017] The objective of the present invention is also achieved by a filtration system of the type described at the beginning, wherein the filter element of the filtration system according to the invention is constructed according to any one of the embodiments described above. Therefore, regarding the advantages and modifications of the filtration system according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the filter element according to the invention.

[0018] In addition to or as an addition to a current drainer, the ionizer can be limited in power by means of a pre-resistor to protect the filter material from overcurrent and damage caused by voltage breakdown.

[0019] In addition to or as an adjunct to the current extractor, to protect the filter material from overcurrent and damage caused by voltage breakdown, the ionizer may comprise two plates spaced apart from each other with a smaller spacing than that between the ionizer electrodes. The ionizer electrodes may, for example, be spaced apart in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, e.g., 20 mm. The plates may, for example, be spaced apart in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, particularly in the range of 6 mm to 8 mm. The ionizer operates, for example, with a voltage difference between 0.2 kV / mm and 2 kV / mm between the electrodes. In the case of relatively sharp jet electrodes, sufficiently high ionization of the flowing air may occur, for example, at approximately 0.4 kV / mm. A sharp increase in air humidity exceeding the saturation limit (which, for example, may lead to droplet formation and / or atomization) can trigger a chain reaction in the ionized air, resulting in an electric spark discharge between the electrodes. The two plates ensure that the spark discharge does not penetrate or travel along the filter material, thus avoiding localized carbonization and the resulting short circuit.

[0020] Furthermore, the filtration system according to the invention is advantageously improved by having an ionizer with an electrode unit having one or more injection electrodes, wherein the electrode unit is preferably arranged adjacent to the filter element. The electrode unit may be an electrode frame having one or more injection electrodes. The polarizing element and the filter material preferably constitute a multilayer composite. The composite has an inflow side and an outflow side. The electrode unit is preferably arranged on the inflow side of the composite.

[0021] Furthermore, the following filtration system according to the invention is advantageous, wherein the ionizer has a deposition electrode, which is a component of the filter element. A layer of the filter element's layered composite can serve as the deposition electrode. Preferably, the polarization element of the filter element serves as the deposition electrode of the ionizer. Preferably, the polarization element used as the deposition electrode has a lower potential or zero potential relative to ground compared to other polarization elements. The polarization element used as the deposition electrode is preferably located on the side facing the ionizer or its electrode unit. Thus, when a spark discharge occurs, the other layers of the layered composite will not be broken down.

[0022] Furthermore, the following filtration system according to the invention is advantageous, wherein the ionizer has a deposition electrode, wherein the deposition electrode is arranged outside the filter element and / or as part of the electrode unit. This embodiment has the advantage of allowing the deposition electrode to be replaced independently of the filter element.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the filtration system according to the invention has a power supply module designed to energize and / or supply voltage to the ionizer and filter element. The power supply module is preferably designed to provide a high voltage to the ionizer. The high voltage supplied to the ionizer is preferably reduced to a lower voltage level by a voltage divider in the filter element before the voltage is applied to the polarization element for polarizing the filter material. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described and illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of the filter element according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A detailed diagram showing the current drawer of the filter element in the filtration system according to the present invention; and

[0027] Figure 3 A detailed diagram of the current extractor of a filter element in another filtration system according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 The filter element 10 of the filtration system 100 is shown, which can be used in a motor vehicle. The filtration system 100 is used, for example, as an interior air filter for a motor vehicle.

[0029] The filter element 10 includes a pleated layer composite 12 composed of multiple layers. The layer composite 12 includes an electrically insulating filter material 14 and two conductive polarizing elements 16a and 16b. The polarizing elements 16a and 16b are configured as polarization layers. The lower polarization layer 16a is located below the filter material 14. The upper polarization layer 16b is located above the filter material 14.

[0030] Material strips 18a and 18b extend from the lateral outer edges of the pleated layered composite 12. The material strips 18a and 18b constitute the side covering portion of the filter element 10 and are materially locked to, for example, bonded to, the pleated layered composite 12.

[0031] A conductor receiving surface 24 is provided on the outer side of the material strip 18a, and a wire carrier 28 is arranged on the conductor receiving surface. The wire carrier 28 is a carrier film or a carrier label. The wire carrier 28 is attached to the conductor receiving surface 24.

[0032] The wire carrier 28 extends along three sides of the filter element 10. Specifically, the wire carrier 28 extends along the upper side, the lower side, and the side of the filter element 10. The wire carrier 28 allows the filter element 10 to make conductive contact with the power supply module of the filtration system 100.

[0033] Furthermore, filter element 10 includes a current drainer 20 designed to protect filter material 14 disposed between polarizing elements 16a, 16b from overcurrent and damage caused by voltage breakdown. If filter element 10 is used in a filtration system 100 including ionizer 102, voltage breakdown may originate from said ionizer 102. Electrical breakdown, also known as voltage breakdown, occurs, for example, when a voltage higher than the breakdown voltage of the insulating air space between ionizer 102 and polarizing element 16b is applied between ionizer 102 and polarizing element 16b.

[0034] The current facilitator 20 functions to some extent as a surge arrester at the filter element 10. The current facilitator 20 includes a trapping device 26 and a discharge path 22. The trapping device 26 is used to trap overcurrents caused by voltage breakdown. Overcurrents caused by voltage breakdown can be discharged via the discharge path 22 outside the insulating filter material and / or polarizing elements 16a, 16b.

[0035] The trapping device 26 is a hardened, conductive adhesive strip. The trapping device 26 protrudes beyond the upper polarization element 16b, thereby locally reducing the spacing between the ionizer 102 and the trapping device 26, whereby the overcurrent is trapped before being introduced into the polarization element 16b.

[0036] A hardened, conductive adhesive of the trapping device 26 is applied to the polarizing element 16b and used to fix the contact segment 30 of the wire carrier 28. The contact segment 30 is the contact tab of the wire carrier 28. The conductive adhesive locally reduces the electrode spacing, allowing spark discharge to be directly introduced into the contact tab.

[0037] The outlet path 22 extends in a partially tortuous manner and is partially constituted by a voltage divider of the filter element 10 for adjusting the polarization voltage. Therefore, the voltage divider serves as an outlet path outside the filter material in the event of spark discharge.

[0038] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A filtration system 100 with a filter element 10 and an ionizer 102 is shown. Furthermore, the filtration system 100 includes a power supply module (not shown) for energizing the ionizer 102 and the filter element 10.

[0039] The ionizer 102 has an electrode unit 104 with a plurality of injection electrodes, wherein the electrode unit 104 is arranged adjacent to the filter element 10. The electrode unit 104 includes an electrode frame, and the plurality of injection electrodes are arranged on the electrode frame.

[0040] The layered composite 12, consisting of filter material 14 and polarization elements 16a and 16b configured as polarization layers, has an inflow side and an outflow side. The electrode unit 104 of the ionizer 102 is arranged on the inflow side of the layered composite 12.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the ionizer 102 has a deposition electrode 106, which is configured as a grid frame and arranged outside the filter element 10. The deposition electrode 106, configured as a grid frame, is a component of the electrode unit 104.

[0042] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the ionizer 102 has a deposition electrode 32, which is a component of the filter element 10. In this case, a layer of the layered composite 12 of the filter element 10 serves as the deposition electrode 32. The polarization element 16b, which serves as the deposition electrode 32 and is configured as a polarization layer, is located on one side of the electrode unit 104 facing the ionizer 102. Therefore, a separate deposition electrode outside the filter element 10 is not mandatory in this case.

[0043] Figure Labels

[0044] 10 filter elements

[0045] 12-layer composite

[0046] 14 Filter Media

[0047] 16a and 16b polarization elements

[0048] 18a and 18b material strips

[0049] 20 Current Extractor

[0050] 22 Export Path

[0051] 24 conductor receiving surface

[0052] 26 capture devices

[0053] 28 conductor carrier

[0054] 30 contact section

[0055] 32 Deposition Electrode

[0056] 100 Filtration System

[0057] 102 ionizer

[0058] 104 electrode units

[0059] 106 Deposition Electrode

Claims

1. A filter element (10) for a filtration system (100) including an ionizer (102), the filter element having: —Electrically insulating filter material (14); and —At least one conductive polarizing element (16a, 16b) on which a voltage can be applied to polarize the filter material (14); Its features A current drainer (20) is provided, which is designed to protect the filter material (14) from overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown and the resulting damage.

2. The filter element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polarization elements (16a, 16b) are constructed as polarization layers.

3. The filter element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... Two conductive polarization elements (16a, 16b) are provided, each configured as a polarization layer, and the polarization elements are separated from each other by an electrically insulating filter material (14).

4. The filter element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The current extractor (20) has a capture device (26) designed to capture overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown.

5. The filter element (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The capture device (26) protrudes outward and / or toward the ionizer (102) and / or on the inflow side of the filter element beyond the polarization element (16a, 16b).

6. The filter element (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The capture device (26) is made of a hardened, conductive adhesive.

7. The filter element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The current extractor (20) includes an electrical discharge path (22) through which overcurrent caused by voltage breakdown can be discharged outside the insulating filter material (14) and / or the polarization elements (16a, 16b).

8. The filter element (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outgoing path (22) is at least partially formed by a voltage divider of the filter element (10) for adjusting the polarization voltage.

9. The filter element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that... A pre-resistor is provided, which is designed to reduce the short-circuit current caused by a short circuit through the filter material (14).

10. A filtration system (100), said filtration system having: —Filter cartridge (10); and ——Ionizer (102) Its features are, The filter element (10) is constructed according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The filtration system (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The ionizer (102) has an electrode unit (104) with one or more jet electrodes, the electrode unit (104) preferably being arranged adjacent to the filter element (10).

12. The filtration system (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The ionizer (102) has a deposition electrode (32), which is a component of the filter element (10).

13. The filtration system (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The ionizer (102) has a deposition electrode (106) which is arranged outside the filter element (10) and / or is part of the electrode unit (104).

14. The filtration system (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that... A power supply module is provided, which is designed to energize and / or supply voltage to the ionizer (102) and the filter element (10).

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