Component for a filter unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (10) for a filter unit (100), wherein the component (10) can be arranged in an airflow which at least partially flows through the filter unit (100), wherein the component (10) has at least in a predetermined area (12) a plurality of profiles (14) which are arranged to each other according to a predetermined pattern (16), wherein the plurality of profiles is configured to form at least a partially turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce a flow resistance of the airflow at the component (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a component for a filter unit, a filter unit and an air purification system. DE 10 2016 003 352 A1 describes a reduction of air friction for very fast flying bodies, projectiles, rockets and supersonic aircraft by means of indentations (dimples) that are attached to the surface, whereby the indentations turbulence the air. DE 20 2021 003 137 U1 describes a golf ball, characterized in that the golf ball has elevations (cap) on its surface, wherein these elevations represent part of a surface of an imaginary sphere and the radius r of this imaginary sphere is the same for all elevations. Currently, a wide variety of solutions exist for the design of air-conducting components in filter assemblies. Due to the increasing number of air filters in air purification systems, as well as the rising quality and performance requirements, the need for innovative and robust air-conducting solutions is constantly growing. Disclosure of the invention With this embodiment of the invention, an improved component for a filter unit can advantageously be provided. The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. An advantage of the component with the features of claim 1 is that the differential pressure between an air inlet side and an air outlet side of the component can be optimized. In particular, the multitude of profiles can prevent the airflow from prematurely detaching from the surface of the component. Furthermore, the component preferably reduces energy losses, which can be significantly caused by turbulence formation when the airflow exits the component. This is achieved according to the invention by the fact that the component for a filter unit can be arranged in an airflow which at least partially flows through the filter unit, wherein the component has at least in a predetermined area a plurality of profiles which are arranged to each other according to a predetermined pattern, wherein the plurality of profiles is arranged to form at least partially a turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce a flow resistance of the airflow at the component. In other words, a turbulent boundary layer can be created using a multitude of profiles, which can improve the flow characteristics of the airflow. For example, the multitude of profiles, in conjunction with the predetermined pattern, can be designed and positioned relative to each other in such a way that they form a golf ball structure, a sharkskin pattern, or something similar. Preferably, the profiles can be indentations, bulges, or similar features. The predetermined pattern defines the positions of the profiles relative to each other. If the profiles are spherical indentations, each center point of these indentations can be used as a reference for the pattern, allowing for the creation of a multitude of adjacent indentations. For example, a turbulent boundary layer can be created using the golf ball structure as the airflow passes over the multitude of predetermined profiles.Due to the turbulent boundary layer at the multitude of profiles, the airflow remains in contact with the surface for a longer period compared to previous solutions or a smooth surface. For example, the multitude of profiles can be incorporated during the initial forming of the component using an injection mold. Preferably, the component can also be a housing element of a filter unit. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the multitude of profiles preferably each have an essentially spherical recess. An advantage of this embodiment is that the spherical recesses can be relatively easily incorporated into the component during its initial forming process using a suitable plastic injection mold, thus keeping manufacturing costs low, even with increasing component functionality. Furthermore, the term "essentially spherical recesses" can preferably also include recesses or similar features that are spherical, semi-spherical, dome-shaped, or similarly designed. Furthermore, the multitude of essentially spherical recesses in conjunction with the predetermined pattern is preferably arranged to form a golf ball structure in order to form the turbulent boundary layer. An advantage of this embodiment is that the golf ball structure can be well adapted to the respective flow velocity through the component. Preferably, the recesses can be designed as so-called dimples, which form a structure that reduces surface friction. The recesses create small, regular turbulences that separate the flow from the component and reduce the overall resistance. The numerous regular turbulences allow the turbulent boundary layer to form. Furthermore, preferably, the pressure differences across the component can be further reduced by the interaction of guide ribs and the numerous recesses. Preferably, the component has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are arranged essentially orthogonally to each other, and the predetermined area is a transition area between the first surface and the second surface. An advantage of this embodiment is that the effort required to insert the profiles can be minimized, since they only need to be arranged in the transition area, based on the finding that the profiles exhibit a particularly high efficiency in this area. Preferably, the first surface can be arranged essentially orthogonally to the second surface. Furthermore, the turbulent boundary layer is preferably configured to at least partially retain the airflow in the predetermined area along a flow direction of the airflow at the component, so that a point at which the airflow detaches from the component shifts along the flow direction and along the predetermined area. An advantage of this embodiment is that the airflow remains at the component for a longer period, thus further reducing flow resistance. Preferably, the component can at least partially have a nozzle that widens along the airflow, so that the turbulent boundary layer retains the airflow at the increasing diameter of the nozzle for a longer period. Preferably, the component has a first section and a second section, wherein the first section can be arranged inside the filter unit, wherein the second section can be arranged outside the filter unit, wherein the second section has the predetermined area with the plurality of profiles, and wherein the first section has a second plurality of profiles which is configured to form a second turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce the flow resistance at the component in the first section. One advantage of this design is that, depending on the position of the respective sections, both the number and shape of the profiles can be adapted to each section. This allows for targeted adaptation to different flow conditions. Preferably, the component has a constriction between the first section and the second section, wherein the second turbulent boundary layer in the first section is configured to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow towards the constriction, and wherein the turbulent boundary layer in the second section is configured to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow away from the constriction. One advantage of this embodiment is that, based on the different cross-sections of the component in the first section as well as in the second section, the flow velocities of the airflow differ, so that by individually adjusting the respective turbulent boundary layers in the first and second section the effectiveness or the total pressure loss can be reduced. Preferably, the turbulent boundary layer and the second turbulent boundary layer are different from each other. Preferably, the first section has a first effect and the second section a second effect, wherein the effect of the first section is configured to support the formation of the second turbulent boundary layer, and wherein the effect of the second section is configured to support the formation of the turbulent boundary layer. Furthermore, the multitude of profiles in conjunction with the predetermined pattern is preferred to form a sharkskin. One advantage of this embodiment is that the sharkskin provides a bionic means to reduce flow resistance at the component. Another aspect of the invention relates to a filter unit comprising a filter element and a component as described above and below, wherein the filter unit is configured to filter a predetermined selection of elements from an airflow by means of the filter element, and wherein the filter unit is configured to guide the airflow through the filter element and the component. For example, the filter element could be a cartridge filter or a similar type. Preferably, the component can at least partially engage with the filter element, allowing an airflow to pass through the filter unit and exit at least partially through the component. Another aspect of the invention relates to an air purification system which comprises a component as described above and below and / or a filter unit as described above and below. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term "unit" is to be understood broadly in this context and includes both single-part and multi-part designs of the respective units, whereby the respective sub-units do not necessarily have to be located in one position of the filter unit or air purification system, but can also be distributed on the filter unit or air purification system. All disclosures described above and below with respect to one aspect of the invention shall apply equally to all other aspects of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a component according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 a filter unit according to one embodiment; Fig. 5 an air purification system according to one embodiment. Embodiments of the invention The figures are schematic only and not to scale. Identical, equivalent, or similar elements with the same reference symbols may be used within the figures. Fig. 1 shows a component 10 according to one embodiment. The component 10 for a filter unit 100 can be arranged in an airflow which at least partially flows through the filter unit 100, wherein the component 10 has at least in a predetermined area 12 a plurality of profiles 14 which are arranged to one another according to a predetermined pattern 16, wherein the plurality of profiles 14 is configured to form at least a partially turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow at the component 10. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the plurality of profiles 14 can be configured as substantially spherical recesses 17. When the spherical recesses 17 are arranged according to the predetermined pattern 16, they can form a golf ball structure 18, as shown in Fig. 1. More preferably, the component 10 in Fig. 1 has a first surface 20 and a second surface 22, which are arranged substantially orthogonally to each other. The predetermined area 12 in which the plurality of profiles can be arranged can be located in a transition area 24, wherein the transition area 24 is between the first surface 20 and the second surface 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the transition area 24 can be a rounding or similar feature between the first surface 20 and the second surface 22. Fig. 2 shows a filter unit 100 according to one embodiment. The filter unit 100 preferably comprises a filter element 102 on which the component 10 is arranged. The component 10 preferably has a plurality of profiles 14 in a predetermined area 12, which are arranged relative to one another according to a predetermined pattern 16, such that the plurality of profiles 14 can form a turbulent boundary layer to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow at the component. The airflow can, for example, first flow through the filter element and then from the interior of the filter element 102 through the component 10 to the environment. Fig. 3 shows a component 10 according to one embodiment. The component 10 has a first section 30 and a second section 32, wherein the first section 30 can be arranged inside the filter unit 100, and the second section 32 can be arranged outside the filter unit 100. More preferably, the second section 32 has the predetermined area 12 with the plurality of profiles 14, which are arranged relative to each other according to a predetermined pattern 16 in order to form the turbulent boundary layer. More preferably, the first section 30 has a second plurality of profiles 34, which can be arranged, in particular, according to a further predetermined pattern in order to form a second turbulent boundary layer. Thus, the flow resistance of the component 10 can be further reduced. More preferably, the component 10 has a constriction 36 between the first section 30 and the second section 32.Preferably, the second turbulent boundary layer can be configured to reduce the airflow resistance towards the constriction 36, while the turbulent boundary layer of the second section 32 reduces the airflow resistance away from the constriction 36. Preferably, the turbulent boundary layer can be configured to retain the airflow in the predetermined region 12 along a flow direction 26 of the airflow at the component 10, such that a point 28, at which the airflow detaches from the component 10, shifts along the flow direction 26 and along the predetermined region 12. Figure 3 indicates an example point 29 at which the airflow could detach if no plurality of profiles 14 is provided. By arranging the plurality of profiles 14, the airflow can be retained along the flow direction 26 at a surface of the component 10 for a longer period, thus further reducing the airflow resistance. Fig. 4 shows a filter unit 100 according to one embodiment. The filter unit 100 comprises a component 10 as described above and below, as well as a filter element 102. Preferably, an airflow can pass through the filter element 102 and then through the component 10. Fig. 5 shows an air purification system 200 according to one embodiment. The air purification system 200 preferably comprises a filter unit 100 and / or a component 10 as described above and below.

Claims

Component (10) for a filter unit (100), wherein the component (10) can be arranged in an airflow which at least partially flows through the filter unit (100), wherein the component (10) has at least in a predetermined area (12) a plurality of profiles (14) which are arranged to each other according to a predetermined pattern (16), wherein the plurality of profiles is configured to form at least partially a turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce a flow resistance of the airflow at the component (10). Component (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of profiles (14) each has a substantially spherical recess (17). Component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of substantially spherical recesses (17) in conjunction with the predetermined pattern (16) is arranged to form a golf ball structure (18) to form the turbulent boundary layer. Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (10) has a first surface (20) and a second surface (22), wherein the first surface (20) and the second surface (22) are arranged substantially orthogonally to each other, wherein the predetermined area (12) is a transition area (24) between the first surface (20) and the second surface (22). Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbulent boundary layer is configured to at least partially retain the airflow in the predetermined region (12) along a flow direction (26) of the airflow on the component (10), such that a point (28) at which the airflow detaches from the component (10) shifts along the flow direction (26) and along the predetermined region (12). Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (10) has a first section (30) and a second section (32), wherein the first section (30) can be arranged inside the filter unit (100), wherein the second section (32) can be arranged outside the filter unit (10), wherein the second section (32) has the predetermined area (12) with the plurality of profiles (14), wherein the first section (30) has a second plurality of profiles (34) which is configured to form a second turbulent boundary layer in order to reduce the flow resistance at the component (10) in the first section (30). Component (10) according to claim 6, wherein the component (10) has a constriction (36) between the first section (30) and the second section (32), wherein the second turbulent boundary layer in the first section (30) is configured to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow towards the constriction (36), and wherein the turbulent boundary layer in the second section (32) is configured to reduce the flow resistance of the airflow away from the constriction (36). Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of profiles (14) in conjunction with the predetermined pattern (16) is arranged to form a sharkskin. Filter unit (100) comprising a filter element (102) and a component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the filter unit (100) is configured to filter a predetermined selection of elements from an airflow by means of the filter element, wherein the filter unit (100) is configured to guide the airflow through the filter element (102) and the component (10). Air purification system (200) comprising a component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a filter unit (100) according to claim 9 .

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