Air pollution reduction system for vehicles

Abstract

Vehicle air pollution reduction system, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted externally on a vehicle and drawing in ambient air through an inlet; a cold catalyst filter within the housing configured to remove gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds from the air; an activated carbon filter connected downstream of the cold catalyst filter and configured to capture particulate matter, gases, and carbon monoxide; a HEPA filter connected to the activated carbon filter and configured to capture micrometer-sized particles, including PM2.5 and PM10; an antibacterial filter positioned downstream of the HEPA filter and configured to capture bacteria for improved hygiene; an anion purification filter following the antibacterial filter and configured to ionize and agglomerate airborne particles;a UV-C light integrated into the filters and configured to disinfect by inactivating microorganisms; an outlet opening connected to the filters and configured to release purified air into the environment; the housing being connected via a port.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present application relates to automotive and environmental inventions, in particular external air purification systems mounted on vehicles for reducing air pollution in open spaces. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The prior art for the utility model application encompasses various well-known innovations in air purification and filtration systems. For example, conventional air filters are designed for indoor or stationary applications, such as HEPA filters in buildings that capture substances like PM2.5 and PM10, or activated carbon units in vehicles for cleaning interior air. Other approaches include catalysts in exhaust systems, as in US 5,427,601, which reduce emissions but focus on combustion gases rather than the ambient air. UV-C light disinfection has been used in HVAC systems to control microbes, while anion generators in portable cleaning devices attract pollutants through ionization. Cold catalyst filters combat gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds in household appliances, and antibacterial layers improve hygiene in medical environments.These advances target air quality in enclosed or fixed environments, but existing technology still has shortcomings.

[0003] The shortcomings or disadvantages of the state of the art ('state of the art'): Existing systems in this domain predominantly focus on stationary, small-scale models with limited design or configuration, resulting in limitations in scalability and adaptability. Such systems are unable to address the dynamic pollution of open spaces caused by traffic, as they rely on fixed installations that cannot effectively cover moving or expansive areas. They often require complex infrastructure, high costs, or manual operation, and are not vehicle-ready. Furthermore, they do not integrate multiple filter layers for comprehensive pollutant capture in real-time urban scenarios, resulting in incomplete removal of harmful gases, particles, and microbes that accumulate in traffic congestion. SUMMARY

[0004] The subject matter of the present invention is defined in the claims.

[0005] According to the present invention, a cost-effective, plug-and-play air filter is externally mounted on the car, particularly in the position of a license plate or a similar location, to purify the air in the immediate vicinity or surrounding area. This model operates using a volumetric approach to target a larger area by introducing individual filters and forming groups that work together toward a similar goal, thus achieving a greater result than a stationary air filter installed within the city. The system can be mounted without compromising general safety, and its exhaust is directed straight into the environment, resulting in cleaner air. This product is beneficial in bumper-to-bumper traffic scenarios and captures various harmful gases that accumulate in the environment during urban traffic. The system is consistent with the objectives set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).These are 17 interconnected global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation (see p.orgsdgs.un.org), with a particular focus on SDG 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities, Clause 11.6, which aims to promote a healthy environment in urban areas and cities. SDG 11 is part of the broader Sustainable Cities and Communities Initiative within the Global Goals Framework. This system reduces air pollution, which arises in cities primarily due to increased traffic, and helps keep the environment cleaner and healthier by capturing harmful pollutants and releasing purified air.Some areas where the products can be used on a large scale include electric buses, subways, and trains. This product is primarily intended to address urban pollution. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a plug-and-play air purification system that can be externally mounted on vehicles to cost-effectively reduce air pollution in open spaces. The device has a housing with a connection for secure attachment to the vehicle, such as in the area of ​​the license plate, ensuring easy installation without compromising safety. Inside the housing, an inlet system draws ambient air through a series of filters arranged sequentially to ensure comprehensive purification.The filters include a cold catalyst layer for gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), an activated carbon layer that captures larger particles, gases, VOCs, and carbon monoxide from vehicle emissions, a HEPA filter with MERV 17 that removes 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 to 1.0 µm, including harmful PM2.5 and PM10, an antibacterial layer that traps bacteria and larger particles, thus improving air quality, an anionic purification layer that emits negative ions which cause airborne particles such as dust and allergens to clump together, making them easier to remove, and UV-C light for disinfection by destroying the DNA and RNA of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The purified air is released directly into the environment via an outlet.

[0007] The system targets areas with poor air quality, characterized by high pollutant concentrations, which can be visualized as dense, gray-shaded areas where harmful gases and particles accumulate, particularly in urban traffic zones. When vehicles equipped with this device occupy such areas, they collectively create clearer zones with improved air quality, as the filters capture harmful elements and release cleaner air, resulting in a higher air quality index in the surrounding area. This is especially effective in bumper-to-bumper traffic, where pollutants build up, allowing groups of vehicles to cover larger areas than stationary filters.

[0008] To overcome the ergonomic challenges at higher speeds, the system is equipped with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) that is connected to the vehicle's control unit via an interface and provides real-time speed data. The microcontroller regulates the position of the flaps to modulate the airflow based on speed limits, thus preventing disturbances while maintaining functionality in low-speed urban scenarios.

[0009] The automation system of the present invention improves operational adaptability by dynamically adjusting the position of the flaps depending on the vehicle speed, thereby optimizing the air supply for cleaning while also taking ergonomic and efficiency aspects into account. The housing is preferably mounted at the front of the vehicle, such as in the area of ​​the license plate, to utilize the forward motion for a ram air effect that increases the intake volume at low speeds, which are typical for urban traffic where pollutant concentrations are highest. A microcontroller, connected via an interface to the vehicle's engine control unit (ECU), receives real-time speed data and configures the flaps to remain open below predefined thresholds (e.g.,The air intakes open fully at speeds of 40-60 km / h to maximize airflow through the filters for effective pollutant capture, and partially or fully close at higher speeds to mitigate excessive wind force that could overwhelm the filter layers or cause structural stress. This speed-dependent modulation reduces drag, thus preserving fuel efficiency or vehicle range, and minimizes noise and vibration transmitted to the cabin, improving driver comfort and reducing fatigue during extended use. Furthermore, the hands-free, automated operation eliminates the need for manual intervention and ensures seamless integration without compromising vehicle stability or safety under varying driving conditions.

[0010] Alternative filter implementations could include similar materials, such as photocatalytic oxidation layers instead of cold catalysts for the degradation of volatile organic compounds, or electrostatic precipitators instead of HEPA for particle capture with comparable efficiency. The housing could be made of aluminum or reinforced plastic for durability and lightness, and it could be mounted with magnets or clips for versatility. The anion generator could use corona discharges or needle ionizers to provide equivalent ionization. UV-C could be replaced with UV-A LEDs to save energy while maintaining disinfection. The microcontroller could be integrated with CAN bus or OBD-II to increase vehicle compatibility.

[0011] The clean propulsion system described herein offers an in-vehicle solution for reducing air pollution. It utilizes multi-layer filtration and conditional automation to dynamically and cost-effectively improve air quality in cities. 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] US 5,427,601

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle air pollution reduction system comprising: a housing configured to be mounted externally on a vehicle and drawing in ambient air through an inlet; a cold catalyst filter inside the housing configured to remove gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds from the air; an activated carbon filter connected downstream of the cold catalyst filter and configured to capture particulate matter, gases, and carbon monoxide; a HEPA filter connected to the activated carbon filter and configured to capture micrometer-sized particles, including PM2.5 and PM10; an antibacterial filter positioned downstream of the HEPA filter and configured to capture bacteria for improved hygiene; an anion purification filter following the antibacterial filter and configured to ionize and agglomerate airborne particles;a UV-C light integrated into the filters and configured to disinfect by inactivating microorganisms; an outlet opening connected to the filters and configured to release purified air into the environment; the housing being connected via a port. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for mounting in the license plate area, wherein the inlet draws in air during slow driving in urban traffic to reduce dynamic pollution. [3] System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the HEPA filter has a MERV value of 17 and is configured to capture 99.97% of the particles with 0.3-1.0 µm, in coordination with upstream filters. [4] System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anion purification filter emits negative ions to attract pollutants and thus improve their removal prior to UV-C disinfection. [5] The system according to any of the preceding claims further comprises a microcontroller configured to monitor velocity data for the regulation of airflow flaps. [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the microcontroller adjusts the flaps so that operation is limited above speed thresholds. [7] System according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the microcontroller is connected to receive speed data from an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle.