Air cleaner and automobile

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of automobile accessories, in particular to an air filter and an automobile, the air filter comprising a body, a sand storage mechanism and a sand discharge mechanism; the body is arranged in an engine compartment of the automobile, and an air outlet of the body is connected with an engine; a sand storage mechanism is arranged below the body, and the body is communicated with the sand storage mechanism; a sand discharge mechanism is arranged at the bottom of the sand storage mechanism, the sand discharge mechanism is electrically connected with a central control system of the automobile, and the central control system can control the opening and closing of the sand discharge mechanism. The air filter and the automobile provided by the application enable a driver to quickly perform sand cleaning operation once without opening a hatch cover, disassembling fasteners or using tools, the sand cleaning efficiency is greatly improved compared with 15 to 30 minutes required by traditional manual cleaning, and the continuity of off-road crossing and user experience are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to an air filter and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] When off-road vehicles are engaged in high-intensity desert off-road conditions such as riding on sharp edges, shoveling pots, and getting out of trouble, the engine intake system will suck in a large amount of sand. Existing air filter housings will accumulate sand, requiring the hood to be opened and multiple fasteners and pipes to be removed. Each cleaning takes about 15 to 30 minutes, which seriously affects the continuity of off-road travel and the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (i) The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that existing air filter housings will accumulate sand particles, requiring the opening of the engine compartment cover and disassembly of multiple fasteners and pipelines, with each cleaning taking about 15 to 30 minutes, which seriously affects the continuity of off-road driving and the user experience.

[0004] (II) Technical Solution To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide an air filter for automobiles, comprising a body, a sand storage mechanism, and a sand discharge mechanism; The main body is located in the engine compartment of the vehicle, and the air outlet of the main body is connected to the engine. The sand storage mechanism is located below the main body, and the main body is connected to the sand storage mechanism; The sand storage mechanism is equipped with a sand discharge mechanism at its bottom. The sand discharge mechanism is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system, which can control the opening and closing of the sand discharge mechanism.

[0005] Furthermore, the sand storage mechanism includes a sand storage tank and a settling pipe, and the sand discharge mechanism includes a sand discharge pipe and an electric sealing valve; The sand storage tank is located below the main body, and the sand storage tank is connected to the main body through the settling pipe; The bottom of the sand storage tank is provided with a sand discharge port, and the electric sealing valve is provided at the sand discharge port. The outlet end of the electric sealing valve is connected to the sand discharge pipe, and the sand discharge pipe extends toward the outside of the vehicle body.

[0006] Furthermore, a check valve is installed inside the settling pipe.

[0007] Furthermore, the settling pipe is laid at a 20° angle along the height direction of the main body.

[0008] Furthermore, the sand discharge mechanism also includes an electronic controller, which is located on the side wall of the sand storage tank; The electronic controller is electrically connected to both the central control system and the electric sealing valve.

[0009] Furthermore, the sand storage tank is also equipped with a height sensor, which is electrically connected to the electronic controller.

[0010] Furthermore, the sand discharge mechanism also includes an assist component, which is located at the top inside the sand storage tank and is used to create positive pressure inside the sand storage tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the assist component includes a motor and an assist fan; Both the motor and the auxiliary fan are located on the inner top wall of the sand storage tank, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the auxiliary fan in a transmission manner. The motor is also electrically connected to the electronic controller.

[0012] Furthermore, sealing rings are provided at the connections between the settling pipe and the main body and the sand storage tank.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention also provide an automobile including the air filter described above.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention provides an air filter that, by incorporating a sand storage mechanism at the bottom of the filter body, allows large sand particles entering the air filter to be separated by gravity and collected in the sand storage mechanism before reaching the filter element. This significantly reduces the amount of sand accumulated on the filter element surface, substantially extending the effective service life of the filter element and lowering the frequency of filter element replacement and maintenance costs. The electrical connection between the sand removal mechanism and the vehicle's central control system enables one-button automatic sand removal from inside the vehicle. The driver does not need to open the hood, remove fasteners, or use tools; a single sand removal operation is extremely quick. Compared to the 15 to 30 minutes required for traditional manual cleaning, sand removal efficiency is greatly improved, ensuring continuity during off-road driving and enhancing the user experience.

[0015] This invention provides a vehicle that, by using the aforementioned air filter, revolutionizes the maintenance efficiency of the vehicle's intake system under desert off-road conditions. The driver can perform one-button sand removal from inside the vehicle via the central control screen without opening the engine hood, disassembling any parts, or using tools. This highly efficient sand removal process replaces the traditional 15-30 minute manual sand removal method. Real-time sand accumulation monitoring and the one-button sand removal function allow the driver to monitor the filter status at any time and complete the sand removal operation in the shortest possible time, ensuring the continuity of off-road travel and unobstructed engine air intake. The positive pressure closed-loop sand removal technology completely eliminates the risk of secondary pollution during the sand removal process, protecting the engine and turbocharger from sand damage and significantly improving the reliability and maintenance efficiency of off-road vehicles in extreme environments. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air filter provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of an air filter provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] icon: 100-Ontology; 200 - Sand storage tank; 201 - Settling pipe; 202 - Check valve; 203 - Height sensor; 300-Sand discharge pipe; 301-Electric sealing valve; 302-Electronic controller; 303-Assisted fan. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0022] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the present invention provides an air filter for automobiles, including a body 100, a sand storage mechanism, and a sand discharge mechanism; The main body 100 is located in the engine compartment of the car, and the air outlet of the main body 100 is connected to the engine. A sand storage mechanism is provided below the main body 100, and the main body 100 is connected to the sand storage mechanism; The bottom of the sand storage mechanism is equipped with a sand discharge mechanism, which is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system. The central control system can control the opening and closing of the sand discharge mechanism.

[0023] In this embodiment, the air filter is used in an automobile and includes a body 100, a sand storage mechanism, and a sand discharge mechanism. The body 100 is the main housing structure of the air filter, located in the engine compartment of the automobile. Its air inlet communicates with the outside atmosphere to introduce fresh air, and its air outlet is connected to the engine's air intake pipe or the turbocharger's air intake port via an intake pipe. Specifically, the body 100 contains a filter element for physically filtering the incoming air, blocking particulate matter such as sand and dust, allowing clean air to enter the engine for combustion. Optionally, the body 100 mentioned in this embodiment can be an air filter already installed in existing vehicle models, thereby achieving the goals of saving production costs and improving production efficiency.

[0024] The main body 100 has a sand storage mechanism located at its lower part, and the main body 100 is connected to the sand storage mechanism, meaning that the internal space of the main body 100 and the internal space of the sand storage mechanism are interconnected through a channel. Specifically, a sand discharge port is provided at the bottom of the main body 100, which is sealed and connected to the top inlet of the sand storage mechanism, allowing sand particles entering the main body 100 to fall naturally into the sand storage mechanism under the action of gravity. During normal engine operation, when air containing sand particles enters the main body 100, most of the sand particles settle into the sand storage mechanism under their own gravity, with only a small number of tiny particles being intercepted by the filter element. This significantly reduces the sand accumulation burden on the filter element and extends its service life.

[0025] A sand discharge mechanism is located at the bottom of the sand storage unit. This mechanism is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system, which controls its opening and closing. The sand discharge mechanism is located at the bottom outlet of the sand storage unit and is normally closed to ensure the sealing of the storage unit during engine operation and prevent sand leakage. When sand removal is needed, the driver issues a sand removal command through the central control system's interface (such as the central control screen or instrument panel buttons). The central control system then sends an electrical signal to the sand discharge mechanism, controlling it to open and allowing the sand stored inside the storage unit to be discharged under gravity or auxiliary power. The electrical connection between the sand discharge mechanism and the central control system enables remote control of the sand removal operation from inside the vehicle, allowing the driver to complete the operation without opening the engine hood.

[0026] By incorporating a sand storage mechanism below the main body 100, large sand particles entering the air filter are separated by gravity and collected in the sand storage mechanism before reaching the filter element. This significantly reduces the amount of sand accumulated on the filter element surface, substantially extending the effective service life of the filter element and lowering the frequency of filter element replacement and maintenance costs. The electrical connection between the sand discharge mechanism and the vehicle's central control system enables one-button automatic sand removal from inside the vehicle. The driver does not need to open the hood, remove fasteners, or use tools. A single sand removal operation is extremely quick, greatly improving efficiency compared to the 15 to 30 minutes required for traditional manual cleaning, ensuring continuity during off-road adventures and enhancing the user experience.

[0027] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sand storage mechanism includes a sand storage tank 200 and a settling pipe 201, and the sand discharge mechanism includes a sand discharge pipe 300 and an electric sealing valve 301; The sand storage tank 200 is located below the main body 100, and the sand storage tank 200 is connected to the main body 100 through the settling pipe 201; The bottom of the sand storage tank 200 is provided with a sand discharge port, and an electric sealing valve 301 is provided at the sand discharge port. The outlet end of the electric sealing valve 301 is connected to a sand discharge pipe 300, which extends toward the outside of the vehicle body.

[0028] In this embodiment, the sand storage mechanism includes a sand storage tank 200 and a settling pipe 201, and the sand discharge mechanism includes a sand discharge pipe 300 and an electric sealing valve 301. The sand storage tank 200 is located below the main body 100. The sand storage tank 200 is a container with an internal cavity, an inlet at the top, and a sand discharge outlet at the bottom. It is made entirely of stainless steel and has sufficient structural strength to withstand vibrations and impacts during vehicle operation. The sand storage tank 200 is connected to the main body 100 through the settling pipe 201. The upper end of the settling pipe 201 is sealed to the bottom sand discharge port of the main body 100, and the lower end of the settling pipe 201 is sealed to the top inlet of the sand storage tank 200, forming a continuous channel extending downward from the bottom of the main body 100 to the sand storage tank 200.

[0029] The sand storage tank 200 has a sand discharge port at its bottom, which is an opening on the bottom wall of the sand storage tank 200 for discharging sand particles accumulated inside the tank. An electric sealing valve 301 is installed at the sand discharge port. The electric sealing valve 301 is a normally closed electrically controlled valve (such as an electric butterfly valve or an electric ball valve). Its valve body is fixedly installed at the sand discharge port at the bottom of the sand storage tank 200. Under normal circumstances, the valve core is in the closed state, sealing and blocking the sand discharge port. When the electric sealing valve 301 receives an opening electrical signal from the central control system, the valve core actuates, opening the sand discharge port. A sand discharge pipe 300 is connected to the outlet of the electric sealing valve 301. One end of the sand discharge pipe 300 is sealed to the outlet of the electric sealing valve 301, and the other end extends towards the outside of the vehicle body. Its outlet is usually located below the side of the vehicle frame or at the bottom of the chassis, allowing the discharged sand particles to be directly discharged to the ground outside the vehicle, preventing them from splashing onto the vehicle body or chassis components. The length and direction of the 300mm sand discharge pipe are designed according to the chassis layout of the specific vehicle model to ensure a smooth sand discharge path and that it does not interfere with other components.

[0030] By setting up a sand storage mechanism consisting of a sand storage tank 200 and a settling pipe 201, and a sand discharge mechanism consisting of a sand discharge pipe 300 and an electrically operated sealing valve 301, a complete sand collection and discharge channel is formed from the air filter body 100 to the outside of the vehicle. The settling pipe 201 uses gravity to allow sand particles to naturally settle from the body 100 into the sand storage tank 200, realizing automatic separation and collection of sand particles; the normally closed characteristic of the electrically operated sealing valve 301 ensures the sealing of the sand storage tank 200 during engine operation, preventing sand leakage; the sand discharge pipe 300 guides the discharged sand particles to the outside of the vehicle, avoiding sand accumulation in the engine compartment. The electric control of the sand discharge mechanism enables electrified remote control of the sand cleaning operation, providing the hardware foundation for one-button sand cleaning inside the vehicle.

[0031] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, a check valve 202 is installed inside the settling pipe 201.

[0032] In this embodiment, the check valve 202 is a one-way valve that allows the medium to flow in only one direction and automatically closes when the flow reverses. In this embodiment, the check valve 202 is installed in the middle section of the settling pipe 201 or near one end of the sand storage tank 200, and its conduction direction is from top to bottom, that is, it only allows sand and airflow to flow downward from the direction of the main body 100 to the direction of the sand storage tank 200, while preventing the medium from flowing back upward from the direction of the sand storage tank 200 to the direction of the main body 100.

[0033] The check valve 202 can adopt a gravity-flipped structure, meaning that there is a valve disc inside the valve body that can flip around a horizontal axis. Under its own weight, the valve disc is in a naturally downward-facing open state. When sand and airflow flow downwards, they push the valve disc to flip, opening the passage. When the engine is running, a negative pressure is generated in the air filter body 100. This negative pressure is transmitted downwards along the settling pipe 201 to the check valve 202. The suction force acting on the lower surface of the valve disc causes it to flip upwards and press tightly against the valve seat, completely sealing the passage. This prevents sand particles in the sand tank 200 from being sucked back into the body 100 or adhering to the filter element surface due to negative pressure fluctuations. When the engine is turned off, the negative pressure disappears, and the valve disc automatically returns to the open state under gravity, allowing sand particles to continue settling into the sand tank 200. The presence of the check valve 202 ensures that even under conditions of fluctuating engine intake negative pressure or severe vehicle vibration, the settled sand particles will not flow back, guaranteeing a long-lasting and reliable sand-prevention effect.

[0034] By installing a check valve 202 inside the settling pipe 201, the dual functions of unidirectional sand settling and backflow prevention are achieved. The check valve 202 automatically closes when the engine intake negative pressure is generated, completely blocking the backflow path of the sand particles that have settled in the sand storage tank 200. This prevents sand particles from repeatedly adsorbing onto the filter element surface due to intake pressure fluctuations or vehicle bumps, solving the problem of rapid filter element clogging from the source and ensuring the continuous unobstructed flow of the filter element and stable engine intake under desert off-road conditions.

[0035] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the settling pipe 201 is laid at a 20° angle along the height direction of the main body 100.

[0036] In this embodiment, the settling pipe 201 maintains an angle of 20° with the vertical direction, that is, the angle between the central axis of the settling pipe 201 and the horizontal plane is about 70°. The upper end of the settling pipe 201 is connected to the sand discharge interface at the bottom of the main body 100, and the lower end is connected to the top inlet of the sand storage tank 200. Its overall direction extends slopingly from the upper end to the lower end at an angle of 20°.

[0037] The settling pipe 201 is arranged at an angle, allowing sand particles to slide along the inclined inner wall of the pipe as they fall, rather than falling freely. The friction between the sand particles and the pipe wall acts as a buffer, reducing the impact and wear on the bottom of the pipe and the inlet of the sand storage tank 200. The angled arrangement increases the effective length of the settling pipe 201 within the limited vehicle height space, extending the settling path and time of the sand particles, allowing for more complete separation of the sand particles from the airflow. Simultaneously, compared to a vertical arrangement, the angled arrangement offers better spatial adaptability when space is limited under the vehicle body, allowing for flexible adjustment of the installation angle according to the chassis layout. However, an angle that is too small (close to horizontal) will cause sand particles to accumulate inside the pipe and prevent smooth sliding; an angle that is too large (close to vertical) results in poor spatial adaptability and increased impact and wear.

[0038] By arranging the settling pipe 201 at a 20° angle along its height, the settling path length is increased and spatial adaptability is optimized while ensuring smooth sand drop. The inclined pipe allows sand to slide slowly along the pipe wall instead of falling freely, reducing impact wear on the bottom of the sand storage tank 200 and extending the device's service life. Simultaneously, the inclined arrangement provides more flexible installation angle selection when the vehicle's underbody height is limited, facilitating adaptation to the chassis layout of different vehicle models. Of course, if the vehicle model has sufficient space for a vertically arranged settling pipe 201, it can also be arranged vertically; this does not depart from the design concept of the invention and should fall within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0039] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sand discharge mechanism also includes an electronic controller 302, which is located on the side wall of the sand storage tank 200; The electronic controller 302 is electrically connected to the central control system and the electric sealing valve 301 respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the electronic controller 302 is an electronic control unit with a microprocessor and a memory. Its housing is designed to be waterproof and dustproof, and it is fixedly installed on the mounting bracket on the outer wall of the sand storage tank 200. The installation position is convenient for electrical connection and is not interfered with by the sand discharge operation of the sand storage tank 200.

[0041] The electronic controller 302 is electrically connected to the central control system and the electric sealing valve 301 respectively. That is, the electronic controller 302 receives sand clearing instructions and status query instructions from the central control system. At the same time, the control output terminal of the electronic controller 302 is connected to the electric sealing valve 301 through the control cable, and outputs a switch signal to control the opening and closing of the electric sealing valve 301.

[0042] The electronic controller 302 internally runs control logic programs to parse and verify commands sent by the central control system; drive the electric sealing valve 301 to operate according to a preset timing sequence; monitor the opening and closing status of the electric sealing valve 301 and perform fault detection; and communicate with the central control system for status feedback. As an intermediate control layer between the central control system and the electric sealing valve 301, the electronic controller 302 shares the control load of the central control system while simultaneously providing local drive and protection functions for the electric sealing valve 301.

[0043] By installing an electronic controller 302 on the side wall of the sand storage tank 200 and electrically connecting its central control system and electric sealing valve 301, intelligent control of the sand discharge mechanism is achieved. The electronic controller 302, acting as an intermediate layer between the central control system and the actuator, parses and executes central control commands locally, reducing the control burden on the vehicle's central control system. Its fault detection and status feedback functions allow the driver to monitor the sand discharge mechanism's operating status in real time, improving system reliability and maintainability. The integrated installation of the electronic controller 302 and the sand storage tank 200 simplifies and ensures reliable electrical wiring, avoiding the risks of signal attenuation and interference caused by excessively long wiring harnesses.

[0044] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, a height sensor 203 is also installed inside the sand storage tank 200, and the height sensor 203 is electrically connected to the electronic controller 302.

[0045] In this embodiment, the height sensor 203 is a sensing element used to detect the height of sand accumulation inside the sand storage tank 200, and is installed at a predetermined height position on the inner top or inner sidewall of the sand storage tank 200. The detection end of the height sensor 203 faces the lower interior of the sand storage tank 200, and is used to sense whether the surface of the sand particles has reached the height of the sensor installation position.

[0046] The height sensor 203 transmits the detected sand level signal to the electronic controller 302 in real time. After processing the signal, the electronic controller 302 sends a sand clearing warning signal to the vehicle's instrument panel when the sand height reaches a preset threshold (e.g., 80% of the volume of the sand storage tank 200), causing the sand clearing warning light on the instrument panel to illuminate or a warning message to pop up on the central control screen. The height sensor 203 allows the driver to know the sand accumulation status of the sand storage tank 200 in real time without visual inspection.

[0047] By installing a height sensor 203 inside the sand storage tank 200, automatic real-time monitoring and intelligent alerts for sand accumulation are achieved. The height sensor 203 allows the driver to monitor the sand accumulation status of the sand storage tank 200 at any time, eliminating reliance on experience to determine when to clear the sand and preventing risks such as engine air intake obstruction or sand inhalation due to overloaded sand. The height sensor 203, in conjunction with the electronic controller 302, actively pushes sand clearing alert signals to the instrument panel and central control screen, enabling automatic warnings for overloaded sand accumulation and improving the vehicle's usability and engine protection in desert off-road conditions.

[0048] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sand discharge mechanism also includes an assist component, which is located at the top inner part of the sand storage tank 200. The assist component is used to create positive pressure inside the sand storage tank 200.

[0049] In this embodiment, the assist component is an airflow generator installed above the inside of the sand storage tank 200. Its function is to blow airflow into the sand storage tank 200 during the sand cleaning process, creating a positive pressure environment inside the sand storage tank 200 that is higher than the external atmospheric pressure. The air pressure disperses the sand particles accumulated at the bottom of the sand storage tank 200, placing them in a suspended or flowing state, facilitating their discharge from the sand outlet. The positive pressure airflow flows outward from the inside of the sand storage tank 200 in the same direction as the sand particle discharge, pushing the sand particles out of the sand discharge pipe 300 and preventing blockage at the discharge outlet. Furthermore, the positive pressure sand discharge direction is a unidirectional flow from the inside to the outside, ensuring that sand particles are not drawn back into the air intake system during the sand cleaning process, completely eliminating the risk of secondary pollution during sand cleaning.

[0050] The assist component is electrically connected to the electronic controller 302. It is activated by the electronic controller 302 when the sand-clearing command is executed and automatically shuts off after sand clearing is completed. The power and air volume of the assist component are designed to match the volume of the sand storage tank 200 and the length of the sand discharge pipe 300 to ensure that the accumulated sand in the tank can be completely emptied within a few seconds.

[0051] By installing an assistive component at the top of the sand storage tank 200, a positive pressure airflow is actively generated to assist in sand removal during the cleaning process. Compared with gravity-based sand removal, positive pressure sand removal has the advantages of more thorough and faster removal. Even if sand particles become compacted due to moisture or compression within the sand storage tank 200, they can be dispersed and discharged under the blowing of the positive pressure airflow. The positive pressure airflow is directed from the inside out, physically eliminating the possibility of sand particles reversing into the intake system, and completely eliminating the risk of secondary engine damage caused by sand particles being blown into the downstream intake pipe during traditional high-pressure air gun sand removal. Positive pressure-assisted sand removal can effectively improve sand removal efficiency.

[0052] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the power assist component includes a motor and a power assist fan 303; Both the motor and the auxiliary fan 303 are located on the inner top wall of the sand storage tank 200, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the auxiliary fan 303 for transmission. The motor is also electrically connected to the electronic controller 302.

[0053] In this embodiment, the assist component includes a motor and an assist fan 303. Both the motor and the assist fan 303 are mounted on the inner top wall of the sand storage tank 200. The motor is fixed to the center or eccentric position of the inner top wall of the sand storage tank 200 via a mounting bracket. The assist fan 303 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor and located below the motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the assist fan 303 via a transmission connection. When the motor is energized and rotates, its output shaft drives the impeller of the assist fan 303 to rotate at high speed, generating a downward directional airflow.

[0054] The motor is preferably a brushless DC motor, which has the advantages of high efficiency, long life, and wide speed range. Its operating voltage is the vehicle power supply voltage. The power input terminal of the motor is connected to the motor drive output terminal of the electronic controller 302 via a wire, and the electronic controller 302 controls the motor's start, stop, and speed. The auxiliary fan 303 is an axial flow fan, and its impeller diameter and blade angle are designed according to the cross-sectional dimensions of the sand storage tank 200 and the required air volume. During the sand cleaning process, the electronic controller 302 outputs drive voltage to the motor, which drives the auxiliary fan 303 to rotate. The resulting downward airflow creates a positive pressure environment inside the sand storage tank 200, blowing sand particles out from the sand discharge port. After the sand cleaning is completed, the electronic controller 302 cuts off the motor power, and the auxiliary fan 303 stops operating.

[0055] By employing a motor-driven booster fan 303 as the booster component, it can be driven using the vehicle's onboard power supply, eliminating the need for additional air supply equipment. This design is simple, low-cost, and reliable. The integrated design of the motor and booster fan 303 within the top of the sand storage tank 200 does not add extra external installation space or affect the vehicle's ground clearance. The motor's start-stop control is simple and responsive, and its linkage control with the electric sealing valve 301 allows the sand-clearing process to complete the entire process of starting, discharging, and shutting down within seconds.

[0056] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, sealing rings are provided at the connection points between the settling pipe 201 and the main body 100 and the sand storage tank 200.

[0057] In this embodiment, the sealing ring is a ring-shaped elastomeric sealing element made of oil-resistant, temperature-resistant, and aging-resistant rubber material, and its cross-sectional shape can be O-shaped or rectangular. The upper end of the settling pipe 201 is connected to the bottom sand discharge interface of the main body 100 by a plug-in or flange connection. A sealing ring is provided at the joint surface of the two, and the sealing ring is pressed between the joint surfaces to fill the tiny gaps between the joint surfaces and prevent sand or air from leaking from the connection. Similarly, a sealing ring is also provided at the connection between the lower end of the settling pipe 201 and the top inlet of the sand storage tank 200 to achieve the same sealing function.

[0058] The sealing ring ensures that the sand passage from the main body 100 to the sand storage tank 200 is sealed at the connection point, preventing sand from leaking into the engine compartment during settling and causing contamination. It also prevents unfiltered air from being drawn in through the engine intake vacuum. The sealing ring also absorbs vibration and compensates for assembly tolerances. Under vehicle vibration conditions, the elastic deformation of the sealing ring absorbs minor relative displacements between the connecting parts, maintaining the long-term sealing performance of the connection.

[0059] By installing sealing rings at the connections between the settling pipe 201 and the main body 100, and at the connections between the settling pipe 201 and the sand storage tank 200, the airtightness of the sand storage channel is ensured throughout its entire path. The sealing rings effectively prevent sand particles from leaking through the connection gaps and contaminating the engine compartment, and also prevent unfiltered outside air from being drawn into the intake system through the connections, ensuring the cleanliness of the engine's intake air. The elastic cushioning effect of the sealing rings also absorbs some vehicle vibrations, protecting rigid connections from fatigue damage and improving the long-term reliability of the device.

[0060] Example 2 The present invention provides an automobile including the air filter described above.

[0061] In this embodiment, the vehicle includes the aforementioned air filter. The vehicle can be a pure gasoline-powered off-road vehicle, a hybrid off-road vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid off-road vehicle, and is particularly suitable for off-road vehicles that frequently engage in harsh conditions such as desert off-roading and Gobi crossings. Inside the vehicle's engine compartment, the air filter is installed upstream of the engine's intake system. The air outlet of its body 100 is connected to the engine's intake pipe or turbocharger via an intake pipe. A sand storage mechanism and a sand discharge mechanism are installed below the body 100. The sand storage tank 200 is fixed to the side of the vehicle frame longitudinal beam or other suitable location on the chassis via a bracket, without occupying core maintenance space in the engine compartment. The sand discharge pipe 300 extends from the bottom of the sand storage tank 200 to the outer side of the vehicle's bottom, with its outlet facing the ground.

[0062] The vehicle's central control system (including the central control screen, instrument panel, and vehicle controller) is electrically connected to the electronic controller 302 of the air filter. During desert off-road driving, sand particles continuously settle into the sand storage tank 200, and the height sensor 203 monitors the amount of sand accumulation in real time. When the sand accumulation in the sand storage tank 200 reaches a preset threshold, the instrument panel automatically illuminates the sand clearing indicator light, and a sand clearing reminder window pops up on the central control screen. After parking, shifting into P or N gear, and turning off the engine, the driver can trigger the sand clearing program via the one-button sand clearing button on the central control screen. After confirming that the engine is off, the electronic controller 302 automatically executes the sand clearing operation, powering the fan 303 to operate and opening the electric sealing valve 301. Sand particles are forcibly expelled from the vehicle by positive pressure airflow through the sand discharge pipe 300. The entire process is completed inside the vehicle without the need to get out. After the sand clearing is completed, the system automatically resets and clears the reminder.

[0063] By applying the aforementioned air filter to automobiles, the maintenance efficiency of the vehicle's intake system under desert off-road conditions has been revolutionized. Drivers can perform a one-button sand removal process via the central control screen inside the vehicle without opening the hood, disassembling any parts, or using tools. This highly efficient sand removal process replaces the traditional 15-30 minute manual sand removal method. Real-time sand accumulation monitoring and the one-button sand removal function allow drivers to monitor the filter status at any time and complete the sand removal operation in the shortest possible time, ensuring the continuity of off-road travel and unobstructed engine air intake. The positive pressure closed-loop sand removal technology completely eliminates the risk of secondary pollution during the sand removal process, protecting the engine and turbocharger from sand particle damage and significantly improving the reliability and maintenance efficiency of off-road vehicles in extreme environments.

[0064] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air filter for use in automobiles, characterized in that, Includes the main body, sand storage mechanism, and sand discharge mechanism; The main body is located in the engine compartment of the vehicle, and the air outlet of the main body is connected to the engine. The sand storage mechanism is located below the main body, and the main body is connected to the sand storage mechanism; The sand storage mechanism is equipped with a sand discharge mechanism at its bottom. The sand discharge mechanism is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system, which can control the opening and closing of the sand discharge mechanism.

2. The air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sand storage mechanism includes a sand storage tank and a sedimentation pipeline, and the sand discharge mechanism includes a sand discharge pipe and an electric sealing valve; The sand storage tank is located below the main body, and the sand storage tank is connected to the main body through the settling pipe; The bottom of the sand storage tank is provided with a sand discharge port, and the electric sealing valve is provided at the sand discharge port. The outlet end of the electric sealing valve is connected to the sand discharge pipe, and the sand discharge pipe extends toward the outside of the vehicle body.

3. The air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The settling pipe is equipped with a check valve.

4. The air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The settling pipe is laid at a 20° angle along the height direction of the main body.

5. The air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sand discharge mechanism also includes an electronic controller, which is located on the side wall of the sand storage tank; The electronic controller is electrically connected to both the central control system and the electric sealing valve.

6. The air filter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sand storage tank is also equipped with a height sensor, which is electrically connected to the electronic controller.

7. The air filter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sand discharge mechanism also includes an assist component, which is located at the top inside the sand storage tank and is used to create positive pressure inside the sand storage tank.

8. The air filter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The assist component includes a motor and an assist fan; Both the motor and the auxiliary fan are located on the inner top wall of the sand storage tank, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the auxiliary fan in a transmission manner. The motor is also electrically connected to the electronic controller.

9. The air filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The settling pipe is equipped with a sealing ring at the connection between itself and the main body and the sand storage tank.

10. A car, characterized in that, Includes the air filter as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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