Filter arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter arrangement (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising at least one filter unit (14), at least one blower device (16), a ring suction device (18) which is arranged in the area of ​​a filler neck (9.1) of a fuel tank (9), and an evaluation and control unit (12) which is configured to control a first blower device (16A) in a first operating mode such that the first blower device (16A) extracts a fuel from the filler neck (9.1) draws in the escaping gas mixture via the ring extraction (18) and directs it as the first supply air stream (ZLS1) to the first filter unit (14A), wherein the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the first filter unit (14A) in the first operating mode so that the first filter unit (14A) separates ammonia from the first supply air stream (ZLS1) and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified first supply air stream (GZLS1) into a vehicle interior or discharges it as a purified exhaust air stream (GALS) from the vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter arrangement for a vehicle.

[0002] Filter systems for vehicles are known in numerous variations. Conventional combustion engines are operated with known fuel types such as E10, E5, etc. To reduce hydrocarbon emissions and odors, it is known to use appropriate filter systems in the vehicle's fuel tank area. These systems capture the emissions and selectively recirculate them back into the combustion process. This prevents not only emissions but also the discomfort of unpleasant odors. Furthermore, it is known to install a fine dust and / or pollen filter and / or an activated carbon filter in the air conditioning system to ensure good air quality in the vehicle interior.

[0003] Ammonia could be considered as a potential fuel for future combustion engines. Even in small doses, ammonia affects the respiratory system and has a very unpleasant, pungent odor that would not be captured by current filter systems in both air conditioning and fuel tanks.

[0004] From DE 10 2018 114 351 A1, a filter medium for an air filter, in particular a cabin air filter or for a fuel cell, is known, comprising at least three active layers. In this medium, one catalytic active layer comprises catalytic activated carbon particles, a second active layer comprises impregnated or catalytic activated carbon particles, and a third active layer comprises impregnated or catalytic activated carbon particles. At least one active layer comprises impregnated activated carbon particles, and the three active layers are different from one another. Furthermore, DE 10 2018 114 351 A1 discloses a filter media body comprising such a filter medium, a filter element comprising the filter media body or the filter medium, an air filter comprising the filter element or the filter media body or the filter medium, and a manufacturing process for producing the filter medium.

[0005] From DE 20 2020 106 950 U1, a filter device for a heating and air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle is known. The filter device has an air duct for guiding air and a filter element for filtering out particles, dust, and fine dust from the air. The filter element is arranged in the air duct so that air can flow through it and divides the air duct into a raw air side and a clean air side. The filter element has a membrane on the raw air side for capturing fine dust, and the filter device has a regeneration unit for regenerating the filter element. During regeneration, the filter element can be cleaned of deposited fine dust by means of the regeneration unit and thus regenerated. The filter element can consist solely of the membrane for capturing fine dust and therefore be designed as a membrane filter.Additionally, the filter element can include an activated carbon filter element on the clean air side for capturing harmful gases and can therefore be designed as a hybrid filter. In addition to particulate matter, the filter element can then also capture harmful gases such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, trimethylamine, and hydrogen sulfide.

[0006] From DE 10 2014 010 129 A1, a thermoplastic storage container for a motor vehicle is known for holding an aqueous urea solution. This container comprises a body enclosing a storage volume for the urea solution, a filling pipe for filling the storage volume, and a vent to the atmosphere. Means for the physical adsorption, chemical adsorption, or physical and chemical adsorption of ammonia are provided in or at the end of the vent.

[0007] From DE 10 2012 018 558 A1, a tank venting system for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a fuel tank, a fuel vapor storage tank connected to the fuel tank, and a venting device connected to the fuel vapor storage tank for venting it. The venting device includes a vent line that opens into an interior space of the motor vehicle.

[0008] From DE 36 32 706 A1, a sealing and suction device for tank filler necks is known. In this device, the uncontrolled escape of the air mixture is prevented at the end of the tank filler neck by a device, the air mixture is suctioned out, and these processes are coupled together. The air mixture is suctioned out through vent openings at the end of the tank filler neck, from which a line carries the air mixture to another location.

[0009] A safety system for a vehicle's fuel tank is known from KR 10 1998 0 031 390 A. The safety system uses a fan motor to draw in gas generated during fuel injection into the vehicle's fuel tank through a suction opening located at a predetermined section on one side of the fuel injection port. The gas then passes through a filter, which discharges the purified air into an outlet.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a filter arrangement for a vehicle which filters out particularly pungent ammonia emissions in the area of ​​a fuel tank filler neck.

[0011] This problem is solved by a filter arrangement for a vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] In order to provide a filter arrangement for a vehicle which filters out particularly pungent ammonia emissions in the area of ​​a fuel tank filler neck, the filter arrangement comprises at least one filter unit, at least one blower device, a ring suction device which is arranged in the area of ​​a fuel tank filler neck, and an evaluation and control unit which is designed to control a first blower device in a first operating mode such that the first blower device draws in a gas mixture exiting the filler neck via the ring suction device and directs it as a first supply air flow to the first filter unit.In this case, the evaluation and control unit is further designed to control the first filter unit in the first operating mode in such a way that the first filter unit separates ammonia from the first supply air stream and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified first supply air stream into a vehicle interior or discharges it as a purified exhaust air stream from the vehicle.

[0013] By filtering out the pungent odor of ammonia, certain embodiments of the filter arrangement can improve driving comfort and protect the vehicle interior from absorbing foreign odors. At high concentrations of ammonia in the supply air stream, these embodiments of the filter arrangement even serve to protect the health of the vehicle occupants, as otherwise irritation of their respiratory tracts would be possible.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, the first blower device can be configured with two channels. The evaluation and control unit can be further configured to control the first blower device in at least one additional operating mode such that the first blower device draws in a second supply air stream from the outside and directs it to the first filter unit. This means that a first channel of the blower device can be configured to draw in the gas mixture exiting the filling nozzle via the annular suction and direct it to the first filter unit as the first supply air stream, and a second channel of the blower device can be configured to draw in the second supply air stream from the outside and direct it to the first filter unit.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, the evaluation and control unit can be further configured to control the first filter unit in a second operating mode such that the second supply air stream rinses the first filter unit and discharges the resulting air stream from the vehicle as a loaded exhaust air stream. For this purpose, several air control flaps can be arranged and controlled within the first filter unit to direct the second supply air stream in such a way that a corresponding filter element is cleaned.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, the evaluation and control unit can be further configured to control the first filter unit in a third operating mode such that it separates ammonia from the second supply air stream and introduces the resulting air stream into the vehicle interior as a purified second supply air stream. In this third operating mode, the evaluation and control unit can also be configured to control at least one ventilation device of the vehicle such that a corresponding vent opening of the at least one ventilation device is closed, so that the purified second supply air stream increases the internal pressure in the vehicle interior. The at least one ventilation device can preferably be designed as an electric solenoid valve that opens or closes the corresponding vent opening.For such overpressure to occur, the vehicle must of course be airtight. Therefore, in addition to the ventilation openings, windows, roof vents, ventilation flaps in an air conditioning unit, etc., can also be automatically closed.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, a second filter unit and a second blower unit can be arranged in an air conditioning unit. The evaluation and control unit can be further configured to control the second blower unit in at least one operating mode, causing it to draw in outside air and direct it to the second filter unit as a third supply air stream. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit can be configured to control the second filter unit in at least one operating mode, causing it to separate ammonia from the third supply air stream and introduce the resulting purified air stream into the vehicle interior. This means that the second filter unit can be operated independently of the first filter unit to purify the air supplied to the vehicle interior.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, interior sensors can detect at least the current interior pressure and / or the current interior temperature and / or the current level of soiling in the vehicle interior and / or the status of at least one vehicle opening and / or the loading status of the first filter unit, and output corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit. To detect these parameters, the interior sensors can comprise several sensor elements, which can be distributed at appropriate positions within the vehicle.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, external sensors can detect at least the current external pressure and / or the current external temperature and / or the current pollution level in the vehicle's environment and output corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit. To detect these parameters, the external sensors can comprise several sensor elements, which can be distributed at appropriate positions on the vehicle's outer skin.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the filter arrangement, the evaluation and control unit can be further configured to evaluate the received information from the interior and exterior sensors and, depending on the evaluation, to activate and execute a corresponding operating mode. For example, the evaluation and control unit can be configured to activate and execute the first operating mode when refueling is detected. Alternatively, the evaluation and control unit can activate and execute the second operating mode when the load in the first filter unit reaches or exceeds a predefined first threshold. As a further alternative, the evaluation and control unit can activate the third operating mode when the current pollution level in the vehicle's environment reaches or exceeds a predefined second threshold.Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit can issue a visual and / or audible warning message if the detected ammonia concentration in the vehicle interior reaches or exceeds a predefined threshold during extended periods of vehicle inactivity. It is also possible to send a text and / or voice message to a mobile device via a corresponding communication link, warning the driver of the elevated ammonia concentration in the vehicle interior before they enter the vehicle, allowing them to take appropriate measures to reduce the ammonia concentration inside the vehicle.

[0021] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned 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 on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with an embodiment of a filter arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic detailed representation of a first section of the filter arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle made of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a schematic detail representation of a second section of the filter arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle made of Fig. 1.

[0023] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the illustrated embodiment of a filter arrangement 10 according to the invention for a vehicle 1 comprises at least one filter unit 14, at least one blower device 16, a ring suction device 18, which is arranged in the area of ​​a filling nozzle 9.1 of a fuel tank 9, and an evaluation and control unit 12, which is designed to control a first blower device 16A in a first operating mode such that the first blower device 16A draws in a gas mixture exiting the filling nozzle 9.1 via the ring suction device 18 and directs it as a first supply air flow ZLS1 to the first filter unit 14A.The evaluation and control unit 12 is further designed to control the first filter unit 14A in the first operating mode in such a way that the first filter unit 14A separates ammonia from the first supply air stream ZLS1 and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified first supply air stream GZLS1 into a vehicle interior or discharges it as a purified exhaust air stream GALS from the vehicle 1.

[0024] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the filler neck 9.1 is fluidically connected to the fuel tank 9 via a filler pipe 9.2, which in the illustrated embodiment contains ammonia as fuel. For refueling, a dispensing nozzle ZP is inserted through the filler neck 9.1 into the filler pipe 9.2, so that the fuel is directed from the dispensing nozzle ZP through the filler pipe 9.2 into the fuel tank 9. Additionally, a circumferential diaphragm, designed as a bellows FB, is arranged on the dispensing nozzle ZP, which seals the space between the dispensing nozzle ZP and the filler neck 9.1 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0025] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the filter arrangement 10 in the illustrated embodiment comprises, in addition to the first filter unit 14A and the first blower device 16A, a second filter unit 14B and a second blower device 16B. The second filter unit 14B and the second blower device 16B are arranged in an air conditioning unit 3. The evaluation and control unit 12 is further configured to control the second blower device 16B in at least one operating mode such that the second blower device 16B draws in outside air and directs it to the second filter unit 14B as a third supply air stream ZLS3. The evaluation and control unit 12 is further designed in which at least one operating mode controls the second filter unit 14B in such a way that the second filter unit 14B separates ammonia from the third supply air stream ZLS3 and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified third supply air stream GZLS3 into the vehicle interior.

[0026] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the first blower device 16A of the filter arrangement 10 is designed as a two-channel device in the illustrated embodiment. The evaluation and control unit 12 is further designed to control the first blower device 16A in at least one additional operating mode such that the first blower device 16A draws in a second supply air stream ZLS2 from outside and directs it to the first filter unit 14A.

[0027] In this configuration, the evaluation and control unit 12 is further designed to control the first filter unit 14A in a second operating mode such that the second supply air stream ZLS2 cleans the first filter unit 14A and discharges the resulting air stream as a loaded exhaust air stream BALS from the vehicle 1. Such a cleaning process can also be provided for the second filter unit 14B. For this purpose, the second filter unit 14B can be designed such that a further loaded exhaust air stream can be discharged from the second filter unit 14B and the vehicle 1. In this configuration, the evaluation and control unit 12 can further be designed to control the second filter unit 14A in a third operating mode such that the third supply air stream ZLS3 cleans the second filter unit 14B and discharges the resulting air stream as a loaded exhaust air stream from the vehicle 1.

[0028] The rinsing processes of the at least one filter unit 14 can preferably be carried out when the vehicle 1 is moving outside of a built-up area or in an area with low traffic volume. For example, the evaluation and control unit 12 can evaluate information from a navigation system (not shown) to determine the current vehicle position. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit 12 can receive and evaluate external information, for example from other vehicles and / or a central control unit and / or another suitable information source, via a communication system (not shown). Text and / or voice messages can also be sent to the driver's mobile device via the communication system. Such text and / or voice messages can be used, for example, to issue status messages and / or warnings.

[0029] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment of the filter arrangement 10, the evaluation and control unit 12 is further configured to control the first filter unit 12 in a third operating mode such that the first filter unit 14A separates ammonia from the second supply air stream ZLS2 and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified second supply air stream GZLS2 into the vehicle interior. The evaluation and control unit 12 is further configured to control at least one ventilation device 19 of the vehicle 1 in this third operating mode such that a corresponding ventilation opening 19.2 of the at least one ventilation device 19 is closed, so that the purified second supply air stream GZLS2 increases the internal pressure in the vehicle interior.

[0030] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the venting device 19 in the illustrated embodiment of the filter arrangement 10 is designed as an electric solenoid valve 19A. A closing element 19.1, which in the open state shown releases the corresponding vent opening 19.2, is connected to a slidingly mounted magnetic armature 19.3. The magnetic armature 19.3 can be moved by an energized electromagnet 19.3 against the force of a return spring 19.5 from the open state shown to a closed state (not shown), in which the closing element 19.1 completely covers and closes the vent opening 19.2, so that no exhaust airflow (ELS) can escape from the vehicle interior.

[0031] As from Fig.As can be seen further in Figure 1, the filter arrangement 10 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an interior sensor 5, which detects at least a current interior pressure and / or a current interior temperature and / or a current pollution level in the vehicle interior and / or a status of at least one vehicle opening and / or a loading status of the first filter unit 14A and outputs corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit 12. Furthermore, the filter arrangement 10 comprises an exterior sensor 7, which detects at least a current exterior pressure and / or a current exterior temperature and / or a current pollution level in the vehicle environment and outputs corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit 12.In this case, the evaluation and control unit 12 is further designed to evaluate the received information from the indoor sensor 5 and the outdoor sensor 7 and, depending on the evaluation, to activate and execute a corresponding operating mode.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment of the filter arrangement 10, the evaluation and control unit 12 is further configured to activate and execute the first operating mode when a refueling process is detected. Alternatively, the evaluation and control unit 12 activates and executes the second operating mode when the loading of the first filter unit 14A reaches or exceeds a predefined first threshold. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit 12 activates and executes the third operating mode when the current pollution level in the vehicle's environment reaches or exceeds a predefined second threshold. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 vehicle 3 air conditioner 5 Interior sensors 7 External sensors 9 Fuel tank 9.1 Filler neck 9.2 Filler pipe 10 Filter arrangement for a vehicle 12 Evaluation and control unit 14, 14A, 14B Filter unit 16, 16A, 16B Blower device 18 Ring suction 19 Venting device 19A Solenoid valve 19.1 Locking element 19.2 Vent opening 19.3 Magnetic armature 19.4 Electromagnet 19.5 Return spring ZP dispensing nozzle FB bellows ZLS1, ZLS2, ZLS3 Supply air flow GZLS1, GZLS2, GZLS3 purified supply air stream GALS purified exhaust air stream BALS-contaminated exhaust air stream ELS ventilation airflow

Claims

[1] Filter arrangement (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising at least one filter unit (14), at least one blower device (16), a ring suction device (18) which is arranged in the area of ​​a filler neck (9.1) of a fuel tank (9), and an evaluation and control unit (12) which is configured to control a first blower device (16A) in a first operating mode such that the first blower device (16A) extracts a fuel from the filler neck (9.1) draws in the escaping gas mixture via the ring extraction (18) and directs it as the first supply air stream (ZLS1) to the first filter unit (14A), wherein the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the first filter unit (14A) in the first operating mode so that the first filter unit (14A) separates ammonia from the first supply air stream (ZLS1) and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified first supply air stream (GZLS1) into a vehicle interior or discharges it as a purified exhaust air stream (GALS) from the vehicle (1). [2] Filter arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first blower device (16A) is designed as a two-channel device, wherein the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the first blower device (16A) in at least one further operating mode such that the first blower device (16A) draws in a second supply air flow (ZLS2) from outside and forwards it to the first filter unit (14A). [3] Filter arrangement (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the first filter unit (14A) in a second operating mode such that the second supply air flow (ZLS2) rinses the first filter unit (14A) and discharges the resulting air flow as a loaded exhaust air flow (BALS) from the vehicle (1). [4] Filter arrangement (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the first filter unit (14A) in a third operating mode in such a way that the first filter unit (14A) separates ammonia from the second supply air stream (ZLS2) and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified second supply air stream (GZLS2) into the vehicle interior. [5] Filter arrangement (10) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control at least one ventilation device (19) of the vehicle (1) in the third operating mode such that a corresponding ventilation opening (19.2) of the at least one ventilation device (19) is closed, so that the purified second supply air flow (GZLS2) increases an internal pressure in the vehicle interior. [6] Filter arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that a second filter unit (14B) and a second blower device (16B) are arranged in an air conditioning unit (3), wherein the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the second blower device (16B) in at least one operating mode such that the second blower device (16B) draws in outside air and directs it as a third supply air stream (ZLS3) to the second filter unit (14B), wherein the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to control the second filter unit (14B) in at least one operating mode such that the second filter unit (14B) separates ammonia from the third supply air stream (ZLS3) and introduces the resulting air stream as a purified third supply air stream (GZLS3) into the vehicle interior. [7] Filter arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that an interior sensor system (5) detects at least a current interior pressure and / or a current interior temperature and / or a current pollution level in the vehicle interior and / or a status of at least one vehicle opening and / or a loading status of the first filter unit (14A) and outputs corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit (12). [8] Filter arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that an external sensor (7) detects at least a current external pressure and / or a current external temperature and / or a current pollution level in the vehicle environment and outputs corresponding information to the evaluation and control unit (12). [9] Filter arrangement (10) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by, that the evaluation and control unit (12) is further designed to evaluate the received information from the interior sensors (5) and the exterior sensors (7) and, depending on the evaluation, to activate and execute a corresponding operating mode. [10] Filter arrangement (10) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the evaluation and control unit (12) is further configured to activate and execute the first operating mode when a refueling process is detected, or to activate and execute the second operating mode when the loading of the first filter unit (14A) reaches or exceeds a predetermined first threshold, or to activate the third operating mode when the current pollution level in the vehicle environment reaches or exceeds a predetermined second threshold.

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