Intake system for a ventilation device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an intake system (10) for a ventilation device, comprising a filter (12) and a blower (16) within a housing (14) of an air duct, wherein the intake system (10) has a drainage device (15) for the controlled discharge of accumulating water (W), characterized in that the water (W) can be discharged downstream behind the blower (16) by means of the drainage device (15). The invention further relates to a method for operating an intake system (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an intake system for a ventilation device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method.

[0002] The filtration of blower air in intake systems for ventilation devices is becoming increasingly important, with the use of ever thinner and more compact filters. However, these filters have the disadvantage that they occasionally allow small amounts of water to pass through when exposed to heavy rain or snow. In a suction-side filter arrangement, this water can penetrate as far as the blower and cause damage or even blower failure. Currently, water drain valves are not provided on the filter in the passenger compartment. However, by selectively diverting the water accumulating in the filter area, it can be directed to less sensitive areas, thus preventing the blower from being affected or damaged. This can be achieved using a special water separator design that effectively separates and drains the water from the intake airflow.

[0003] German patent application DE 11 2011 100 387 B4 discloses a water separator assembly designed to separate liquid water from an intake air stream before the air enters an air filter assembly for the combustion air of an engine. This water separator assembly is particularly relevant for protecting the engine from damage that could be caused by water in the intake air stream. The assembly comprises an inlet assembly containing an inlet housing with an airflow inlet and outlet, and defining an interior of the housing through which the airflow is guided. Additionally, the assembly includes a water drain assembly with a drain outlet positioned to allow water to drain from a location within the housing and outside the inner guide vane assembly.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create an intake system by which water residues in an air duct of the intake system are essentially avoided.

[0005] This problem is solved by means of an intake system with the features of claim 1 and by means of a method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the intake system according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, wherein the means of the intake system are used to carry out the method steps. Furthermore, advantageous developments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to an intake system for a ventilation device, particularly for motor vehicles, comprising a filter and a blower housed within an air duct. The intake system includes a drainage device for the controlled removal of any accumulated water. To achieve the objective of the invention, the drainage device directs the water downstream behind the blower. This downstream discharge of the water behind the blower prevents water from entering the blower, thus potentially preventing damage to the blower and associated system failures. This, in particular, extends the service life of the blower and increases the reliability and stability of the entire ventilation device and / or intake system. Additionally, this design minimizes the risk of, for example,Moisture accumulation and / or ingress of harmful microorganisms into critical areas of the air duct, thereby increasing the quality and safety of the entire ventilation device and / or intake system.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drainage device is designed to remove water from outside the passenger compartment, primarily to prevent damage to sensitive vehicle components. For example, the drainage device can direct the water outwards into the vehicle's surroundings via pipes or hoses. This design ensures that the water is not only kept away from the passenger compartment but also safely removed from the vehicle without flowing back into or accumulating in sensitive areas.

[0008] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drainage device includes a drainage valve integrated laterally on the filter, which prevents the backflow of water due to pressure differences before and after the blower (p1 < p2). The pressure differences in an intake system arise from the movement of air through the blower. A lower pressure (p1) prevails before the blower, as air is being drawn in, while a higher pressure (p2) arises after the blower, as air is being forced into the air duct. This pressure difference (p1 < p2) can cause water that has accumulated in the intake system to flow back. The drainage valve integrated laterally on the filter ensures that water that could flow back due to the pressure difference in the intake system is effectively drained away, thereby protecting the blower from potential water damage.

[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a drainage channel is provided which is sealed by a gasket to prevent water from entering the critical area. The gasket is provided, in particular, by a sealing ring designed to ensure that the water does not unintentionally enter sensitive areas, but is safely drained away through the provided drainage channel.

[0010] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an intake system according to the first aspect. The method comprises the steps of filtering the intake air through a filter arrangement, directing the air into a blower, draining water from the filter area by means of a drainage device, and conveying the water downstream behind the blower.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the backflow of water due to the different pressure conditions before and after the blower (p1 < p2) is prevented by sealing a drainage channel by means of a drainage valve integrated laterally on the filter.

[0012] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0013] This shows: Fig. 1 to 11: Respective cross-sections for possible designs of an intake system for a ventilation device.

[0014] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of an intake system 10 of a ventilation device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car. A filter 12, a housing 14 of an air duct, and a blower 16 arranged in the housing 14 are shown, all of which are arranged along the air duct. Air is drawn in by the blower 16 in the direction of flow S, whereby water or water droplets W are also drawn in with the air. A filter 12 is shown, which is designed to retain these water droplets W. Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 1 shows three spaces: a first space A with low pressure, a second space B with a transition zone, and a third space C with high pressure. Accordingly, the pressure P1 in the first space A is lower than the pressure P2 in the third space C. The pressure conditions in such an intake system 10 arise from the movement of air through the blower 16. A low pressure P1 prevails before the blower 16, as air is being drawn in, while a higher pressure P2 arises after the blower, as the air is being forced into the air duct. This pressure difference P1 < P2 could cause the water droplets W, which have accumulated in the intake system 10, to flow back. In configurations according to... Fig. However, the water cannot flow back, as this diagram does not show a bypass / drainage. Furthermore, the water droplets would damage the blower, since they can only reach room C via the blower.

[0016] Only from Fig. Figure 2 shows a drainage system. The pressure difference P1 < P2 causes the water droplets W, which have accumulated in the intake system 10, to flow back. This is to be prevented by the following design features.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows one to Fig. 1. Similar embodiment, wherein in particular a drainage valve 18 is arranged next to the filter 12, to which a drainage line 20 is arranged, which in turn is connected to the housing 14 of the air duct in a flow-conducting manner, the connection to the housing 14 being shown only after the blower 16. This allows the aspirated water or water droplets W to be conveyed through the drainage line 20 to the rear into the housing 14, where the water or water droplets W can be further disposed of.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows one for Fig. 2. Similar embodiment, with the difference that instead of a drainage line 20, a drainage channel 22 is shown, which is attached to the housing 14 of the air duct. Accordingly, the drainage valve 18 is arranged as the inlet to the drainage channel 22, the drainage channel 22 being, as in Fig. 2 is also connected here to the housing 14 only after the blower 16, in order to then dispose of the water or water droplets W accordingly.

[0019] The Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which a drainage pipe 20 is also arranged; however, this drainage pipe is, in contrast to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the water or water droplets are not connected to the housing 14, but are directed away from the ventilation device and into the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle. This is intended to ensure that the water or water droplets are completely removed from the intake system 10.

[0020] Fig. Figure 5 shows one design of the 20 drainage pipes comprising the designs from Fig. 4 and Fig. 2, with a view to a seal on the drainage valve 18. This seal 24 is designed as a sealing ring and ensures that water, which would otherwise flow back into room A due to the pressure differences between room A and room D (represented here as the reference room), is prevented. Since room D has a higher pressure than room A, the water, or rather the water droplets W, would flow back along the pipe or drainage pipe 20 into room A; this is prevented by the seal 24.

[0021] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the drainage valve 18, in which a ball housing 34 with a valve ball 32 is arranged to close openings 36 and 38. In addition to the seal 24, a ball valve arrangement is intended to prevent water or water droplets from flowing back through the drainage valve 18 under varying pressures. That is, the water W would pass through the filter 12 via opening 30 into the drainage valve 18 and then be discharged into the drainage line 20 via the ball valve or along the valve ball 32. The backflow of water W caused by the pressure conditions would be stopped by the seal 24 and the valve ball 32.

[0022] Fig. 7 shows the in Fig. The idea shown in Figure 6 differs in that, instead of a ball valve with a valve ball 32 and corresponding ball housing 34, a flap device 40 is now arranged through which the water W can only flow in the direction of flow S. If backflow were attempted due to pressure conditions, the flap device 40 would close or pivot, thus preventing the water W from flowing back.

[0023] Fig. Figure 8 shows a further embodiment in which an extended area along the housing 14 is shown for the drainage valve 18. This provides a combination of the drainage channel 22 and the drainage line 20 to offer improved drainage of the water W. The flap is also larger in this embodiment, allowing for larger quantities of water droplets W to pass through and enabling all the water to be drained down to the bottom of the filter.

[0024] Fig. Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the suction system 10, wherein the channel runs horizontally, causing the water to fall downwards perpendicular to the vertical flow direction S, and is directed by a flap device 40 also shown here to a further chamber 44 of the drainage valve 18 and is subsequently discharged from the drainage valve 18 by the line or drainage line 20.

[0025] Fig. 10 shows one for Fig. 9 similar embodiment in which, instead of the flap device 40, a labyrinth valve 48 is arranged, which would strongly prevent the return of the water W due to the pressure conditions, so that here too the water W is only diverted in one direction, namely towards the drainage line 20, via the opening 46 or the outlet opening 46.

[0026] Finally, it shows Fig.Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the discharge possibilities for water or water droplets W along the filter 12, wherein a water collection chamber 50 is shown, along which the water W is collected and discharged via a ball valve 52 towards the drainage line 20. This ball valve can also close the openings 56 and 58 here, whereby, at the pressure ratio, the water that would flow back from the drainage line 22 would be prevented by the valve ball 54 and by a seal. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 11 2011 100 387 B4

[0003]

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