Filter system having an ionization device

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter system (10) comprising: i) a fluid conducting system (12) for conducting a fluid to be filtered, ii) an ionization device (14) for ionizing components of the fluid to be filtered, iii) a filter unit (16) comprising: a) a multi-layer filter medium (18), comprising an electrically conductive first conductor layer (22) as a first polarization element (20) and comprising a filter layer (24), the filter layer comprising at least one dielectric layer, and b) an electrical contacting system (26) for connecting the filter unit to a voltage source, the electrical contacting system (26) being designed such that a voltage can be applied to the first conductor layer (22), iv) a second polarization element (28), and v) an activated carbon stage (30) which is separate from the multi-layer filter medium (18) and which comprises an activated carbon volume (32), the activated carbon volume (32) comprising activated carbon at a mass fraction of 50% or more relative to the mass of the activated carbon volume (32). The filter system (10) is designed such that a voltage difference can be applied between the first conductor layer (22) and the second polarization element (28).

Description

[0001] Filter system with ionization device

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a filter system, in particular for use in vehicles, and to a vehicle module comprising a corresponding filter system. Furthermore, a vehicle comprising a corresponding vehicle module is disclosed.

[0004] Modern filtration technology now offers numerous efficient alternatives and further developments to the well-known processes for separating unwanted components from fluid flows, which are mostly based on essentially mechanical separation, usually on a partially permeable filter element, which can, for example, consist of a porous material.

[0005] One of these developments, which is used particularly for gas purification, is so-called electrostatic precipitation, whereby the devices used are also known as electrostatic precipitators. In these electrostatic precipitators, the particles to be removed are first ionized by an electrode and then deposited on an oppositely charged collecting electrode. Such electrostatic precipitators are used primarily in industrial plants.

[0006] However, other requirements are placed on the performance characteristics of cabin air filters, particularly for use in vehicles, whereby, for example, the reliable separation of pollen and / or particulate matter and / or odors and / or exhaust gases is also desired.

[0007] To meet these requirements for cabin air filters, the concept of electrostatic separation, which in many cases is not strictly speaking filtration, was combined with mechanical separation processes to obtain high-performance filter elements. By combining conventional filter materials with an ionization device, the separation efficiency of filters can be significantly increased in many cases. For the purpose of clear identification, the corresponding filter elements are referred to as electrostatic precipitators with filter functionality within the scope of the present invention. However, it has been observed that the separation efficiency of such filter elements can decrease over the service life of the filter element, which is often attributed to a reduction in the electrostatic charge in the filter material over time.

[0008] To solve this problem, it has been proposed to design electrostatic precipitators with filter functionality in such a way that polarization of the filter material can be induced in the filter insert by applying a voltage to two polarization elements through the creation of an electric field. In combination with an ionization device, this polarization of the filter material can enable efficient separation, which can advantageously usually be maintained over the entire service life of the filter element. Background information on the basic technology is disclosed, for example, in WO 2007 / 135232 A1 or EP 3 448 540 B1.

[0009] Particularly advantageous designs of these electrostatic precipitators with filter functionality can be achieved if the polarization elements are at least partially integrated into the filter medium installed in the filter insert. For this purpose, individual layers of a multi-layer filter medium can be designed as electrically conductive layers. Such an electrically conductive conductor layer of the filter medium can, for example, together with a second polarization element arranged on the vehicle or with a second electrically conductive conductor layer, determine the polarization of a dielectric filter material.By at least partially integrating the polarization elements into the filter medium and thus the filter insert, high-performance filter inserts are obtained which, in particular, have an advantageous weight and make it possible to reduce or even completely eliminate the requirements for the equipment required on the vehicle side if no vehicle-side polarization elements have to be provided in order to realize the polarization of the dielectric layer.

[0010] However, the fundamentally advantageous design of the filter media or filter inserts with integrated electrically conductive layers is also associated with challenges, particularly in large-scale production.

[0011] The integration of conductor layers acting as polarization elements into multilayer filter media is not trivial from a manufacturing perspective. For this reason, the prior art proposes solutions for preventing, in particular, the occurrence of manufacturing defects, which can result, for example, from undesired contact between the conductor layers, as disclosed, for example, in DE 102023121052 A1.

[0012] In the course of developing a high-performance filter system, the inventors recognized that the use of activated carbon layers in the multi-layer filter medium can significantly complicate the processing of the starting materials, especially in a continuous process. The integration of corresponding activated carbon layers into the multi-layer filter medium leads to an undesirable reduction in the breakdown voltage achievable with the multi-layer filter medium, particularly when many industrially common separation processes are used, for example, with multiple pinch cuts. Without wishing to be bound by this theory, the inventors assume that the mechanical stress occurring during the separation process can lead to the formation of activated carbon dust, which can penetrate the dielectric layer in the cut area and locally increase its electrical conductivity in an undesirable manner.

[0013] This finding regarding the adverse impact of activated carbon layers in multilayer polarization filter media on their processing is particularly detrimental given industry requirements, especially in the automotive industry. For many applications, especially in the automotive sector, filter systems are expected to exhibit favorable pollutant absorption properties, which in many cases necessitates the use of activated carbon in the filter system. Accordingly, there are regular specifications that require the use of so-called combination media, in which an activated carbon layer is included in the filter media composite.

[0014] In light of the increasing demands placed on the performance of modern filter systems and the cabin air filtration quality desired by vehicle manufacturers, the trend is toward significantly larger quantities of activated carbon and thus significantly higher surface weights in the future in order to optimize the desired performance characteristics in terms of instant breakthrough and total pollutant absorption capacity. Instant breakthrough indicates the percentage of a specific gas that passes through the filter system despite the use of activated carbon.

[0015] In order to ensure that the entire fluid to be filtered comes into contact with the activated carbon, it is also necessary to apply the activated carbon layer over the entire surface of a multi-layer filter medium to prevent any bypassing of the activated carbon. At the same time, there are limits to the packing density of the activated carbon particles during production, as the resulting pressure loss and flow resistance must not be excessive.

[0016] Even with conventional combination filters, which include an activated carbon layer in the multi-layer filter medium, the increasing demands on the amount of activated carbon to be used in light of the specifications for the

[0017] Flow properties mean that the required installation space increases, although the required installation space is also often a limited resource, particularly in the automotive industry.

[0018] By using electrostatic precipitators with filter functionality, the required installation space can in principle be reduced. However, the desired large inflow area of ​​the multi-layer filter medium used, combined with the desired high adsorption efficiency of activated carbon, leads to an increase in the required installation space even in these otherwise advantageous systems. Furthermore, the thickness of the multi-layer filter media also increases, which affects the field strength of the electric field that serves to polarize the dielectric layer.

[0019] In addition, the inventors have found that the difficulties described above in the production of multi-layer filter media in which at least one conductive layer is integrated are further complicated by the required high activated carbon contents to such an extent that many of the solutions for process control proposed in the prior art are not suitable or not sufficiently suitable for solving the manufacturing problems.

[0020] The primary object of the present invention was to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0021] In particular, it was an object of the present invention to provide a particularly efficient filter system with which excellent results can be achieved both in particle filtration and pollutant adsorption.

[0022] It was an object of the present invention that the specified filter system should be comparable in terms of pollutant adsorption performance to classic combination filter systems in which an activated carbon layer is integrated into the multi-layer filter medium. In this respect, it was a desirable requirement that the specified filter system should also be adaptable to future increasing demands for higher adsorption performance and even further increasing activated carbon contents. In this respect, it was an object of the present invention that the advantageous adsorption performance should not be associated with a reduced durability of the multi-layer filter medium used, whereby it was particularly desirable that filter media with an advantageous breakdown voltage and an advantageous polarization effect could be used.

[0023] Furthermore, it was an object of the present invention that the filter media used in the specified filter system should be particularly lightweight and time- and cost-efficient to manufacture. A desirable requirement was that the multilayer filter media used should be able to be manufactured as far as possible using conventional equipment and established processing methods without adversely reducing the breakdown voltage, particularly in multilayer filter media in which two conductor layers are integrated as polarization elements.

[0024] It was a further object of the present invention that the filter system to be specified should have an advantageous ratio between filter performance and pollutant adsorption on the one hand and the required installation space on the other hand.

[0025] Furthermore, it was an object of the present invention that the filter system to be specified should be able to be maintained in a particularly time- and cost-efficient manner.

[0026] Furthermore, it was an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle module which comprises a corresponding filter system.

[0027] It was a secondary object of the present invention to also provide a vehicle with a corresponding vehicle module.

[0028] The inventors of the present invention have now found that the objects described above can be achieved in an advantageous manner if an electrostatic precipitator with filter functionality is combined with a separate activated carbon stage, as defined in the claims.

[0029] This approach makes it possible to provide the required adsorption capacity through a separate activated carbon filter stage, advantageously eliminating the need to provide a separate activated carbon layer in the multilayer filter medium of the electrostatic precipitator with filter functionality. This simplifies the manufacturing process and significantly improves the handling properties of the multilayer filter media, particularly their breakdown voltage. Furthermore, the inventors have found that separating the activated carbon filter stage can significantly improve the overall required installation space, since the flow-relevant properties of the activated carbon stage can be adjusted separately from the inflow area of ​​the multilayer filter medium.

[0030] The above-mentioned objects are accordingly achieved by the subject matter of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following statements.

[0031] Such embodiments, which are designated as preferred below, are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with features of other embodiments designated as preferred. Combinations of two or more of the embodiments designated as particularly preferred below are thus particularly preferred. Likewise preferred are embodiments in which a feature of one embodiment designated as preferred to some extent is combined with one or more further features of other embodiments designated as preferred to some extent. Features of preferred vehicle modules and vehicles result from the features of preferred filter systems.

[0032] The invention particularly relates to a filter system comprising: i) a fluid guidance system for guiding a fluid to be filtered, ii) an ionization device for ionizing components of the fluid to be filtered, iii) a filter insert comprising: a) a multi-layer filter medium comprising, as the first polarization element, an electrically conductive first conductor layer, and a filter layer, wherein the filter layer comprises at least one dielectric layer, and b) an electrical contacting system for connecting the filter insert to a voltage source, preferably a high-voltage source, wherein the electrical contacting system is configured such that a voltage can be applied to the first conductor layer, iv) a second polarization element, and v) an activated carbon stage separate from the multi-layer filter medium, comprising an activated carbon volume, wherein the activated carbon volume comprises activated carbon in a mass fraction of 50% or more,based on the mass of the activated carbon volume, wherein the filter system is designed so that a voltage difference can be applied between the first conductor layer and the second polarization element for polarizing the dielectric layer.

[0033] The filter system according to the invention serves to filter fluids and is therefore particularly designed for filtering air. In this respect, the filter system according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in vehicles. A filter system according to the invention is therefore particularly relevant, wherein the filter system is an air filter system, preferably an interior air filter system, particularly preferably an interior air filter system for vehicles, in particular for land vehicles. A filter system according to the invention is therefore additionally or alternatively also particularly relevant, wherein the fluid to be filtered is an air mixture, preferably the air mixture guided from the outside into the interior of a vehicle by a vehicle ventilation system. A filter system according to the invention is therefore additionally or alternatively also particularly relevant, wherein the fluid guide system is a component of a vehicle ventilation system, preferably a blower.

[0034] The filter system according to the invention comprises at least five components. The first component is a fluid guidance system, which is intended to guide the fluid to be filtered through the filter system and in particular to the other components of the filter system so that these other components can act on the fluid to be filtered as intended. It can be seen as an advantage of the method according to the invention that it is no more restricted with regard to the choice of fluid guidance system than typically used fluid guidance systems, for example in the field of vehicle ventilation. An example of a filter system according to the invention is one in which the fluid guidance system comprises one or more fluid guidance lines, preferably pipes and / or shafts.

[0035] The filter system according to the invention comprises an ionization device. According to the understanding of those skilled in the art, this ionization device is a component of an electrostatic precipitator with a filter function, wherein the first and / or second polarization element, in particular in the form of layers of the multilayer filter medium, interacts with the ionization device and can function, in particular, as a collecting electrode. In other words, this is a filter system according to the invention, wherein the ionization device, the filter insert, and the second polarization element form an electrostatic precipitator with a filter function.

[0036] In the filter system according to the invention, the ionization device is responsible for, for example, ionizing dirt particles in the fluid to be filtered and thus promoting the deposition of the dirt particles on the polarized filter layers of the multilayer filter medium. Suitable ionization devices are known to those skilled in the art and are disclosed, for example, in WO 2023 / 012166 A1. Electrical ionization devices, which are also known from other technological fields and can effect ionization, in particular, through a corona discharge, are relevant for essentially all embodiments. Such electrical ionization devices are far superior to other ionization methods, particularly those using ionizing radiation, in terms of safety aspects, as well as their handling and performance.A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the ionization device is an electrical ionization device, wherein the ionization device is preferably configured to effect the ionization of components of the fluid to be filtered at least partially, preferably substantially completely, by means of corona discharge. Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the ionization device does not comprise a radiation source for ionizing radiation.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that the desired interaction between the ionization device and the multilayer filter medium in the filter insert requires that the filter insert with the multilayer filter medium acting as a collecting electrode should be placed downstream of the ionization device in the direction of flow. Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the ionization device is arranged in the filter system such that the fluid to be filtered, which is guided in the fluid guide system, flows through it upstream of the filter insert, preferably directly upstream of the filter insert.

[0038] The filter insert to be used according to the invention comprises a multi-layer filter medium comprising at least one electrically conductive first conductor layer. This first conductor layer is intended to act as a polarization element in the polarization of the filter layer provided in the multi-layer filter medium.

[0039] In particularly simple structural embodiments, the second polarization element can be designed, for example, as a metallic plate or grid. Accordingly, in terms of structural complexity, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the second polarization element is a metallic plate or a metallic grid. In one embodiment, the second polarization element can be formed by an element separate from the filter insert, which element can be arranged, for example, on the vehicle side. The advantage of this design can be seen in the fact that the second polarization element is relocated out of the filter insert. This not only reduces the weight of the filter inserts used according to the invention, but also simplifies their construction, thereby facilitating their design as a replaceable filter insert. Furthermore, the amount of waste generated when replacing a filter insert is reduced.A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the second polarization element is not part of the filter insert or is a separate element from the filter insert.

[0040] Even though it may be advantageous for certain applications to provide the second polarization element outside the filter insert according to the invention, the inventors consider it particularly advantageous in practice to integrate the second polarization element into the filter insert. While it would theoretically be conceivable to provide the second polarization element as a separate element from the multi-layer filter medium, for example again as a metallic plate, this is less preferred with regard to the overall weight. In this respect, the inventors consider it particularly advantageous for essentially all embodiments if the second polarization element for polarization is also integrated into the multi-layer filter medium, so that the multi-layer filter medium comprises a second conductor layer in addition to a first conductor layer, and the filter layer can be arranged between this first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.A corresponding design of the multi-layer filter medium only results in a slight increase in weight and results in a beneficial polarization effect on the filter layer located directly between the conductor layers. Furthermore, it makes it possible to integrate all the components required for the polarization effect into the replaceable filter insert without incurring high additional costs or requiring additional installation space. This advantageously allows all components required for proper polarization to be replaced when the filter insert is replaced, thus enabling easy maintenance of the entire system.Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the multi-layer filter medium additionally comprises an electrically conductive second conductor layer, wherein the filter layer is arranged between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer and wherein the second polarization element is formed by the second conductor layer.

[0041] In this case, the electrical contacting of the second conductor layer can also be conveniently achieved via the electrical contacting system, thus advantageously eliminating the need for additional contacting systems for electrically connecting the second conductor layer. In this case, it is a filter system according to the invention, wherein the electrical contacting system is configured to allow a voltage difference to be applied between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.

[0042] The further components of the filter system according to the invention, which can be assigned to the electrostatic precipitator with filter functionality in addition to the ionization device, are the filter insert, which comprises the first conductor layer acting as the first polarization element and at least one dielectric layer to be polarized, as well as the second polarization element, which interacts with the first conductor layer to polarize the dielectric layer. The filter system is designed such that a voltage difference can be applied between the first conductor layer acting as the first polarization element and the second polarization element, resulting in an electric field that can polarize the dielectric layer. In addition to the first conductor layer, the multilayer filter medium also comprises at least one dielectric layer and optionally further layers.Further information on the layers of the multi-layer filter medium and the electrical contacting system is disclosed below.

[0043] It can be seen as an advantage of the filter system according to the invention that the multilayer filter media to be used in the filter insert can be processed in a conventional manner and with conventional devices, in particular by pleating and lamination, whereby the process-technical difficulties associated with the processing of activated carbon-containing multilayer filter media can be advantageously avoided. For most applications, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the filter insert comprises the multilayer filter medium as a pleated filter medium.A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein at least one of the sides of the pleated multi-layer filter medium, preferably at least two sides, particularly preferably at least the long sides, very particularly preferably all sides, are laminated with a lamination material, wherein the lamination material is preferably selected from the group consisting of foams, in particular plastics, in particular thermosetting plastics, and textile fabrics, in particular nonwovens and felts, preferably textile fabrics.

[0044] As a further element, the filter system according to the invention comprises an activated carbon stage, which, according to the invention, is separated from the multi-layer filter medium. This means, in accordance with the expert's understanding, that the activated carbon stage is not a component of the multi-layer filter medium, so that the activated carbon stage is not directly connected to the other layers of the multi-layer filter medium, in particular not bonded.

[0045] As the name suggests, the activated carbon stage comprises activated carbon. Activated carbon is well known to those skilled in the field of filtration technology and is commercially available in various forms from numerous suppliers.

[0046] The activated carbon stage in the filter system according to the invention serves the purpose of achieving the high adsorption efficiency for pollutants desired by vehicle manufacturers without having to integrate activated carbon into the multi-layer filter medium. This advantageously results in significantly increased flexibility in the dimensioning of the activated carbon content and the design of the activated carbon filter stage, which can now be carried out independently of the dimensions of the multi-layer filter medium and the flow properties required for the multi-layer filter medium. According to the invention, the activated carbon stage comprises an activated carbon volume. The term "activated carbon volume" expresses that it is a structure with a certain volume, but one that is relatively flexible in terms of its structural design.According to the inventors' assessment, the activated carbon volume will in many cases be an activated carbon layer, whereby the thickness of this layer, in particular the thickness along the flow direction in the filter system, can be adapted by the person skilled in the art to the respective application requirements. The term "activated carbon volume" thus takes into account the fact that, starting from one activated carbon layer, a further increase in the average thickness from a certain point can lead to the term "layer" no longer accurately describing the geometric shape of the activated carbon volume. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon volume is an activated carbon layer, wherein the activated carbon layer preferably has a basis weight in the range of 50 to 1000 g / m. 2 , particularly preferably in the range of 100 to 600 g / m 2, Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the activated carbon volume comprises activated carbon in an amount in the range from 20 to 2000 g, preferably in the range from 100 to 1000 g, particularly preferably in the range from 120 to 600 g.

[0047] At least in principle, it is possible for the activated carbon volume to comprise further components in addition to activated carbon. Materials that can function as a carrier material or carrier structure for the activated carbon in the activated carbon volume, in particular textile fabrics or honeycomb structures, are of particular importance here. In this case, particularly with a view to a robust design of the activated carbon stage, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon volume comprises a three-dimensional carrier structure with cavities, wherein the activated carbon is arranged in the cavities of the three-dimensional carrier structure, wherein the three-dimensional carrier structure is preferably a textile fabric or a honeycomb body, preferably a textile fabric, in particular a nonwoven.

[0048] However, the above definition of the mass fraction of activated carbon in the activated carbon volume already expresses that, in accordance with expert understanding, the activated carbon volume consists at least largely of activated carbon. In the inventors' opinion, with a view to an advantageous adsorption effect for pollutants, it is particularly preferable to provide the highest possible proportion of activated carbon in the activated carbon stage or the activated carbon volume, in particular also from the point of view of a space-optimized design. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon stage consists of 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, particularly preferably 95% or more, and especially preferably 98% or more, of the activated carbon volume, based on the mass of the activated carbon stage.Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon volume comprises activated carbon in a mass fraction of 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, particularly preferably 90% or more, based on the mass of the activated carbon volume.

[0049] In the inventors' experiments, the use of particulate activated carbon and activated carbon with a high specific surface area has proven particularly preferred, as advantageous adsorption properties can be obtained with this. Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon is particulate activated carbon, wherein the activated carbon preferably has an average diameter d50 in the range from 0.1 to 4 mm, preferably in the range from 0.2 to 2 mm. Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon has a specific BET surface area according to DIN ISO 9277:2014-01 of 500 m 2 / g or more, preferably 1000 m 2 / g or more, particularly preferably 2000 m 2 / g or more.

[0050] Particularly when using particulate activated carbon, it is preferable, both in the production of activated carbon volumes with and without support structures, to fix the activated carbon in the activated carbon volume with a binder. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon is fixed in the activated carbon volume with a binder.

[0051] Even if it would at least theoretically be conceivable to provide the activated carbon stage at any location in the filter system, the inventors consider it particularly advantageous if the activated carbon stage is arranged so that the air flows through it only after the electrostatic precipitator with filter functionality. This advantageously makes it possible to capture ozone formed in the ionization device before it is, for example, introduced into the interior of a vehicle. This positioning is superior in two respects to an arrangement between the ionization device and the filter insert, which could at least theoretically fulfill the same functionality with regard to ozone. Such an intermediate activated carbon stage would successively contaminate the activated carbon stage with particles that could not previously be removed by the filter insert.Furthermore, the additional distance between the ionization device and the associated collecting electrode in the filter insert would adversely reduce the degree of ionization of the particles arriving at the filter insert, which could result in efficiency losses. Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon stage is arranged in the filter system such that the fluid to be filtered, which is guided in the fluid guide system, flows through it after the filter insert, preferably immediately after the filter insert.

[0052] As explained above, the advantageous circumstance that the activated carbon stage can be designed essentially without consideration of the structural specifications of the multi-layer filter medium and the required flow properties of the multi-layer filter medium makes it possible to reduce the installation space required for the activated carbon stage compared to the installation space by which the filter insert would theoretically have had to be increased if the activated carbon had been integrated as an activated carbon layer. The inventors consider it advantageous to make use of this possibility and, in particular, to design the activated carbon stage smaller than the filter insert. Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the installation space required for the activated carbon stage is smaller than the installation space required for the filter insert, preferably by 10% or more, particularly preferably by 20% or more, very particularly preferably by 30% or more, especially preferably by 40% or more.To optimize maintainability and increase the service life of the overall filter system, the inventors propose that at least the filter insert should preferably be designed as a replaceable filter insert, wherein it is advantageous to additionally or alternatively also design the ionization device to be replaceable. In this respect, the ionization device and the filter insert can also be combined in a common component which is replaceable in its entirety. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the ionization device is arranged in the filter system so that it can be replaced reversibly and non-destructively, preferably independently of the filter insert and / or the activated carbon stage, preferably independently of the activated carbon stage, and / or wherein the filter insert is arranged in the filter system so that it can be replaced reversibly and non-destructively, preferably independently of the ionization device and / or the activated carbon stage, preferably independently of the activated carbon stage.Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the ionization device and the filter insert are connected to one another in the filter system and / or contact one another, wherein the ionization device and the filter insert in the filter system preferably contact one another electrically via a frame structure and / or are connected thereto.

[0053] In light of the above discussion regarding the interchangeability of the ionization device and the filter insert, the inventors propose that the activated carbon stage can also advantageously be designed as a replaceable component, so that it can be easily replaced, particularly after the total adsorption capacity has been reached, without the other components of the filter system also accruing as waste. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the activated carbon stage is arranged in the filter system in a reversible and non-destructively replaceable manner, preferably independently of the ionization device and / or the filter insert, particularly preferably independently of the ionization device and the filter insert.

[0054] However, a filter system according to the invention is also conceivable, wherein the filter insert and the activated carbon stage are integrated into a common filter component or connected to one another, so that the fluid to be filtered flows through the multi-layer filter medium of the filter insert and the activated carbon volume one after the other.

[0055] Based on an advantageous embodiment with a replaceable activated carbon stage, the inventors propose that the filter system be provided with a detection mechanism by which the correct fit of the activated carbon stage in the filter system according to the invention can be verified. If the detection mechanism indicates that the activated carbon stage is not installed or is not installed correctly, the operation of the filter system, in particular the ionization device, or even the entire vehicle, can be prevented. This advantageously ensures that the ionization device, during whose operation ozone can be generated, is not switched on if the activated carbon stage does not ensure sufficient removal of the resulting ozone, thus protecting vehicle occupants in particular from undesirable ozone development.A corresponding detection mechanism can be easily designed by a person skilled in the art, for example as a mechanical mechanism in which the activated carbon stage used must act on an activation element, by means of a weakly current measuring circuit which is only closed by a correctly inserted activated carbon stage and / or by using optical sensors which can detect the correct position of the activated carbon stage, for example based on a detection marking.Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the filter system comprises a detection mechanism, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to detect the presence and / or the correct arrangement of the activated carbon stage in the filter system, wherein the filter system is preferably configured to prevent activation of the ionization device if the detection mechanism does not detect the presence and the correct arrangement of the activated carbon stage in the filter system.

[0056] The inventors have succeeded in identifying preferred embodiments for the multi-layer filter medium to be used according to the invention and its individual layers, in particular the conductor layers. In light of the above explanations, the person skilled in the art will understand that for essentially all embodiments it is preferred to utilize the advantages of the separate activated carbon stage by designing the multi-layer filter medium largely free of activated carbon. For essentially all embodiments, a filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the mass fraction of activated carbon in the multi-layer filter medium and / or in the filter insert is 5% or less, preferably 1% or less, particularly preferably 0.5% or less, very particularly preferably 0.1% or less, particularly preferably essentially 0%, based on the mass of the multi-layer filter medium or the filter insert.Particularly when small amounts of activated carbon are used in the conductor layers to ensure electrical conductivity, it is advantageous to then design at least the remaining filter layer as free of activated carbon as possible. For many embodiments, a filter system according to the invention is additionally or alternatively preferred, wherein the mass fraction of activated carbon in the filter layer is 5% or less, preferably 1% or less, particularly preferably 0.5% or less, very particularly preferably 0.1% or less, particularly preferably essentially 0%, based on the mass of the filter layer.

[0057] Furthermore, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first conductor layer comprises a first textile fabric, preferably a first textile fabric coated or impregnated at least in sections with an electrically conductive first material, and / or wherein the second conductor layer comprises a second textile fabric, preferably a second textile fabric coated or impregnated at least in sections with an electrically conductive second material.

[0058] The term "textile fabric" is clear to the skilled person and refers to two-dimensional textile products, which can be woven, warp-knitted, needle-punched, or knitted, for example. In accordance with the expert's understanding, non-textile, fiber-containing fabrics, such as paper and cardboard, in which the fibers are primarily held together by binding agents, are not considered textile fabrics. Even though a wide range of textile fabrics could in principle be considered for the textile fabrics of the conductor layers, the inventors have been able to achieve the best performance characteristics with so-called "non-wovens," and in particular with spunbonded nonwovens.A corresponding textile fabric made of a non-conductive material can advantageously be achieved by equipping the textile fabric with a conductive material, whereby, in the opinion of the inventors, a variety of possible methods are suitable in principle. Thus, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first textile fabric and / or the second textile fabric, preferably the first textile fabric and the second textile fabric, is a nonwoven fabric, preferably a spunbonded fabric.

[0059] In practice, the person skilled in the art readily distinguishes between an electrically conductive material and an electrically insulating material based on his or her expert and clear technical understanding of these terms. In this respect, a material is considered to be electrically conductive within the scope of the present invention in particular if its specific electrical resistance at 20 °C is 10 6 Q*m or less, preferably at 10 5 Q*m or less, particularly preferably 10 4 Q*m or less. Conversely, a material is considered to be an electrically insulating material within the scope of the present invention if its specific electrical resistance at 20 °C is 10 7 Q*m or more, preferably at 10 9 Q*m or more, particularly preferably at 10 11Q*m or more. Accordingly, metals and alloys, as well as carbon blacks, in particular conductive carbon black, and plastics made conductive by additives, are electrically conductive materials, whereas typical, unmodified plastics such as PET or PE are also electrically insulating materials, as are most glasses and ceramics. The specific electrical resistance of materials is a value that is well known to those skilled in the art and can be found in relevant tables for most materials. The measurement of the specific electrical resistance of other components is carried out in accordance with common practice, either according to DIN EN ISO 3915 from 1999, which is used in particular for particularly conductive materials, or according to IEC 60093 from 1993, which is used for high specific electrical resistances.The question of which of the two standards should be used depends on the requirements of the two regulations as well as the properties of the respective material being examined.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will understand that the electrical conductivity of conductor layers, for example, the first conductor layer, can in many cases, for example, when using composite materials, result from the presence of conductive material paths running through an otherwise largely insulating material. For example, a dielectric fleece whose fibers are coated with a thin layer of conductive carbon black can be an electrically conductive layer, even though the macroscopic resistivity of the composite material is relatively high due to the dielectric carrier material.

[0061] Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first textile fabric and / or the second textile fabric, preferably the first textile fabric and the second textile fabric, consist of a plastic to a mass fraction of 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, particularly preferably 95% or more, very particularly preferably substantially 100%, based on the mass of the textile fabric, wherein the plastic is preferably selected from the group consisting of polyacrylonitriles, polyolefins, polyesters, fluoropolymers and mixtures of these plastics, particularly preferably polyacrylonitriles, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride and mixtures of these plastics, especially preferably polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the first conductor layer and / or the second conductor layer, preferably the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, are produced or can be produced by equipping the respective textile fabric, in particular the nonwoven fabric, with the respective electrically conductive material using a process selected from the group consisting of impregnation, dip coating, in particular using a padding system, spray coating, application coating, in particular by means of a dispersion in the kiss-coat process, and print coating.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the electrically conductive first material and / or the electrically conductive second material, preferably the electrically conductive first material and the electrically conductive second material, are selected from the group consisting of metals, conductive plastics and carbon, preferably carbon, in particular carbon black or graphene, wherein the electrically conductive material is particularly preferably identical for the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the first conductor layer and / or the second conductor layer, preferably the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, are electrically conductive as a result of the coating of the respective textile fabric at least over 80% or more of the area, preferably over 90% or more, particularly preferably over 95% or more, very particularly preferably over 98% or more, particularly preferably substantially over the entire area.

[0065] Even though the conductor layers can contribute to the filtration performance of the filter media, particularly when designed as textile fabrics, the inventors consider it advantageous if the conductor layers are designed with sufficient open pores so that they primarily restrict the air flow through the filter medium as little as possible. With regard to the weight of the conductor layers, at least when using textile fabrics, there is a trade-off between the influence on the overall weight of the filter medium and a beneficial stabilizing effect of the conductor layers on the filter medium, thus improving the mechanical properties. In this respect, the inventors have succeeded in identifying suitable basis weights for the textile fabrics that advantageously resolve this trade-off.Against this background, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first conductor layer and / or the second conductor layer, preferably the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, have an air passage in the range of 500 to 30,000 L / (m) at 200 Pa. 2 s), preferably in the range of 2000 to 20000 L / (m 2 s). Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the first textile fabric and / or the second textile fabric, preferably the first textile fabric and the second textile fabric, have a basis weight in the range of 5 to 200 g / m 2 , preferably in the range of 10 to 150 g / m 2 , particularly preferably in the range of 15 to 50 g / m 2 , have.

[0066] With regard to the general structure of the multi-layer filter medium, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the filter layer comprises one or more further layers, preferably further layers arranged between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, wherein the filter layer preferably comprises two or more dielectric layers, particularly preferably three or more dielectric layers.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein at least one of the dielectric layers, preferably all of the dielectric layers, consists of a dielectric plastic material to a mass fraction of 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, particularly preferably 95% or more, very particularly preferably substantially 100%, based on the mass of the dielectric layer. A filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the dielectric plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene-propylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene, polyesters, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, and polylactides.Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the dielectric plastic material has a specific electrical resistance at 20 °C of 10. 7 Q*m or more, preferably at 10 9 Q*m or more, particularly preferably at 10 11 Q*m or more.

[0068] For the majority of embodiments, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein at least one of the dielectric layers is a particle filter layer comprising a third textile fabric. A filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the third textile fabric is a nonwoven fabric, wherein the third textile fabric is preferably selected from the group consisting of needle-punched nonwovens, electrospun nonwovens, and meltblown nonwovens. Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the particle filter layer has a basis weight in the range of 10 to 200 g / m 2 , preferably in the range of 15 to 150 g / m 2 , particularly preferably in the range of 20 to 110 g / m 2 , has.

[0069] With regard to mechanical stability, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein at least one of the dielectric layers is a protective layer which comprises a fourth textile fabric, particularly preferred is a multi-layer filter medium according to the invention, wherein the fourth textile fabric is a nonwoven fabric, preferably a spunbonded fabric.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the protective layer at 200 Pa has an air passage in the range of 500 to 30,000 L / (m 2 s), preferably in the range of 2000 to 20000 L / (m 2 s). Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the protective layer has a basis weight in the range of 15 to 400 g / m 2 , preferably in the range of 50 to 200 g / m 2,. In addition or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the protective layer comprises one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of antiallergenic active ingredients and biocidal active ingredients.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also particularly preferred, wherein the protective layer has a Gurley flexural rigidity, determined according to ASTM D6125-97, in the range from 0.4 to 40 mN, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 20 mN, particularly preferably in the range from 0.6 to 10 mN.

[0072] Regardless of whether only one conductor layer is integrated into the filter insert as part of the polarization system, or whether both polarization elements are integrated into the filter insert, in particular in the form of two conductor layers, a structure is required which distributes the voltage necessary for polarization, which is applied to the filter insert from the outside, to the polarization element(s) in the filter insert. In the context of the present invention, the corresponding structure is referred to as an electrical contacting system, which is designed to electrically connect the parts of the polarization system provided in the filter insert according to the invention, i.e. in particular the first conductor layer and optionally the second conductor layer, to an external voltage source, which can be part of a vehicle module, for example. A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the voltage source is a high-voltage source.Additionally or alternatively, with regard to positioning, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the electrical contacting system is connected to the lamination of the pleated filter medium, preferably in a materially bonded manner.

[0073] The electrical contacting system to be provided according to the invention can be designed by a person skilled in the art according to the respective application requirements and the design specifications of the filter system, in particular the vehicle filter module. Regardless of the specific configuration of the electrical contacting system, it will usually comprise a first contacting element intended to establish an electrically conductive contact with the first conductor layer of the multi-layer filter medium. A filter insert according to the invention is preferred for essentially all embodiments, wherein the electrical contacting system comprises a first contact point and a second contact point for contacting the voltage source.

[0074] Even though theoretically very simple designs of the electrical contacting system are conceivable, for example, relying on cables, the inventors have designed a particularly advantageous electrical contacting system with a view to time- and cost-efficient production, which can be combined particularly efficiently with the conductor layer(s) by bonding it using an electrically conductive plastic material. In the inventors' opinion, it is particularly advantageous if traditional electrical cabling is not used, or is used only to a limited extent, but rather the contacting system is designed as largely as possible from components made of an electrically conductive plastic.Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the electrically conductive components of the electrical contacting system are formed at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably substantially completely, by an electrically conductive plastic. A filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the electrically conductive plastic of the electrical contacting system has a specific electrical resistance of 10 at 20°C. 6 Q*m or less, preferably 10 5 Q*m or less, more preferably 10 4 Q*m or less.

[0075] According to the inventors' assessment, these electrically conductive components, which preferably consist of an electrically conductive plastic, should be arranged on a preferably thin substrate, which acts as a carrier and advantageously enables the electrically conductive components of the electrical contacting system to be assembled before attachment to the filter insert to be used according to the invention and to be applied in a single step during the manufacturing process, for example, to the lateral lamination of the filter insert. Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the electrically conductive components of the electrical contacting system are conductive components arranged on a substrate and / or in a substrate.Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of electrically insulating films, preferably plastic films, wherein the average thickness of the substrate is preferably in the range from 20 to 500 pm, particularly preferably in the range from 80 to 150 pm.

[0076] The use of a thin substrate, in particular a film, in combination with conductive components made of plastic, advantageously allows the electrical contacting system to be designed not only in a particularly space-saving and lightweight manner, but also results in an electrical contacting system with a high degree of flexibility, in which the substrate and the conductive components lying thereon can be adapted particularly easily to the structural requirements of the filter insert to be used according to the invention.

[0077] The inventors' experiments have shown, in particular, that a corresponding electrical contacting system can be advantageously printed onto the substrate, although, at least theoretically, other additive manufacturing processes could also be considered. Thus, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the electrical contacting system can be produced by printing the substrate with an electrically conductive material, preferably an electrically conductive plastic, wherein the printing is preferably a screen printing process.

[0078] In particular, additive manufacturing processes advantageously make it possible to obtain an electrical contacting system that is provided with the electrically conductive components only on one side and consequently has a bottom side whose properties are largely influenced by those of the substrate, which can advantageously be designed as an electrically insulating substrate. With regard to attachment, a filter system according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the electrical contacting system comprises the electrically conductive components of the electrical contacting system at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably substantially completely, preferably at least the contact points and the contacting elements, on the same side of the substrate.

[0079] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the substrate is designed as a comparatively thin film, in whose central region essential elements of the electrical contacting system are arranged, for example, the contact points for the external voltage source or a potential voltage divider. The inventors propose that wing-like or tab-like projections can be formed on the sides, onto which the contacting elements intended for contacting the conductor layers are applied.When such a contacting system is applied to the lateral lamination of a filter insert according to the invention, the wing-like tabs can be folded over particularly easily so that they each contact the conductor layer and can then be glued, for example, with an electrically conductive adhesive in such a way that a material-to-material connection is created through the plastic material without this connection being made more difficult by excessive mechanical stresses.Accordingly, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first contacting element and / or the second contacting element, preferably the first contacting element and the second contacting element, are arranged on laterally projecting projections of the substrate, wherein the laterally projecting projections preferably have a deformation region and a contact region, wherein the contact region is preferably wider than the deformation region transversely to the longitudinal direction of the filter insert. A filter system according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the laterally projecting projections are L-shaped. Additionally or alternatively, a filter insert according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the laterally projecting projections are designed to be reversibly and non-destructively deformable, in particular bendable, in the deformation region.

[0080] The filter inserts to be used according to the invention are intended to be combined with the ionization device in the filter system according to the invention. The voltage required for ionization will generally be significantly higher than the polarization voltage necessary for polarization or the maximum applicable polarization voltage, which is limited, particularly when both polarization elements are integrated into the multilayer filter medium, by the voltage at which undesirable breakdown occurs. One conceivable solution would be to provide different voltage sources for the ionization device and the filter insert. However, the inventors have recognized that such a provision of separate high-voltage sources is not possible in many cases or involves considerable equipment complexity, so that such a design is less preferred.For this purpose, it is proposed to design the electrical contacting system as a voltage divider, with which a voltage taken over from the ionization device can be adapted to the requirements of the filter insert. A filter system according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the electrical contacting system is a voltage divider. For this purpose, the electrical contacting system can have contact points which are intended to be contacted directly or indirectly via the ionization device with an electrical potential difference which is designed for the ionization device. Between these contact points, a resistance path is provided which preferably has a meandering contour. The resistance path applied to the first contacting element orThe voltage possibly omitted by the second contacting element can advantageously be adjusted by positioning the contacting element along this resistance path, so that, for example, only a reduced voltage is present between the two contacted conductor layers compared to the ionization device. Against this background, a filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein in the electrical contacting system, the first contact point is electrically connected to the second contact point via a resistance path, wherein the first contacting element is electrically connected to the resistance path between the first contact point and the second contact point, and wherein the second contacting element is electrically connected to the second contact point.Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the resistance path is of meandering design. Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is further preferred, wherein the first contacting element and / or the second contacting element, preferably the first contacting element and the second contacting element, are connected to the resistance path in such a way that the contact area between the resistance path and the contacting element is larger than the cross-section of the resistance path orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the resistance path. Additionally or alternatively, a filter system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the second contacting element is not electrically conductively connected to the resistance path between the first contact point and the second contact point.

[0081] In particularly preferred embodiments, in addition to the electrically conductive components of the contacting system, machine-readable information, for example in the form of a QR code, can also be provided on the substrate. In particular, if the electrical contacting system is applied to the side lamination of the filter insert, it is particularly easy to read from the outside. This makes it possible to provide the customer or the workshop with important information about the handling and / or installation of corresponding filter inserts. Furthermore, it is possible to access the machine-readable information marking during the production of the filter inserts, for example, if the information stored therein includes instructions on the control of the devices and / or the material selection.A filter system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the electrical contacting system comprises a machine-readable information marking, preferably a matrix code or a QR code, wherein the machine-readable information marking comprises information and / or work instructions about the application position of the electrical contacting system in the filter insert and / or the process parameters for connecting the contact elements to the corresponding conductor layers by means of the corresponding adhesive.

[0082] The invention also relates to a vehicle module comprising:

[0083] I) a filter system according to the invention, and

[0084] II) a supply unit, wherein the supply unit is configured to supply the filter system, in particular the ionization device, the second polarization element and the filter insert with electrical energy.

[0085] The term "vehicle module" refers, in accordance with the expert understanding, to the combination of the filter system according to the invention with those components of the vehicle which are required for the operation of the filter system according to the invention, in particular the supply unit for providing the required voltage.

[0086] Finally, a vehicle comprising a vehicle module according to the invention is also disclosed.

[0087] The invention and preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle module according to the invention with a filter system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0088] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a filter insert to be used according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0089] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle module 36 according to the invention in a highly simplified representation. In Fig. 1, the further components of the filter system 10 according to the invention are arranged in the fluid guide system 12, which is abstracted by dotted lines. The flow direction of the fluid to be filtered, which can in particular be ambient air entering a vehicle from outside, is indicated by the wide arrows.

[0090] The fluid to be filtered first passes through the ionization device 14 of the filter system 10 according to the invention, which receives the electrical energy required for operation via the supply unit 38 of the vehicle module 36. The ionization device 14 ionizes air constituents, in particular dust particles, by means of a corona discharge, whereupon the ionized constituents are further conveyed by the fluid flow toward the filter insert 16. In the filter insert 16, the ionized air constituents encounter the multi-layer filter medium 18.

[0091] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the fluid to be filtered first flows through the first conductor layer 22, which functions as the first polarization element 20 and, together with the second conductor layer 34, which forms the second polarization element, serves to polarize the filter layer 24 arranged between the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 34.

[0092] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the filter layer 24 is designed as a particle filter layer. In the example shown, both the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 34 and the filter layer 24 are formed as textile surfaces, namely nonwovens, with the electrical conductivity of the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 34 each being realized by a coating containing conductive carbon black. The voltage required for polarization is in turn provided by the supply unit 38 assigned to the vehicle module 36, with the contacting of the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 34 being effected by the electrical contacting system 26.

[0093] Particles, particularly ionized components of the air, are separated in the filter insert 16. In the example of Fig. 1, the activated carbon stage 30 is arranged downstream of the filter insert 16 in the flow direction. This stage comprises the activated carbon volume 32, which in the example shown is designed as an activated carbon layer with an average thickness of 3 mm and a basis weight of approximately 300 g / m 2 In the example shown in Fig. 1, the activated carbon volume comprises 32 particulate activated carbons with an average diameter of approximately 0.45 mm. The particulate activated carbon is formed with a binding agent into one, two, or more layers, which are enclosed on both sides by a covering fleece.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, both the ionization device 14 and the filter insert 16 and the activated carbon stage 30 are designed as reversibly and non-destructively replaceable components, wherein the filter system 10 additionally comprises a detection mechanism (not shown) with which the correct seating of the activated carbon stage 30 can be detected, otherwise activation of the ionization device 14 is prevented in order to prevent unwanted exposure of the vehicle occupants to the ozone generated in the ionization device 14.

[0095] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a filter insert 16 to be used according to the invention, which has a pleated, multi-layer filter medium 18, which is fixed by a felt lamination 40 on both sides. The electrical contacting system 26 is provided on the side wall formed by the lateral lamination 40. This electrical contacting system is designed as a voltage divider made of an electrically conductive plastic on an insulating substrate and comprises two contact points via which the voltage provided by the supply unit 38 can be tapped indirectly via the ionization device 14. The voltage applied to the multi-layer filter medium 18 can be adjusted via the voltage divider.

[0096]

[0097] 10 Filter system

[0098] 12 Fluid guidance system

[0099] 14 ionization device

[0100] 16 filter insert

[0101] 18 multi-layer filter medium

[0102] 20 first polarization element

[0103] 22 first conductor layer

[0104] 24 filter layer

[0105] 26 electrical contact system

[0106] 28 second polarization element

[0107] 30 activated carbon level

[0108] 32 activated carbon volumes

[0109] 34 second conductor layer

[0110] 36 vehicle module

[0111] 38 supply unit

[0112] 40 Laminating

Claims

Claims 1. A filter system (10), comprising: i) a fluid guidance system (12) for guiding a fluid to be filtered, ii) an ionization device (14) for ionizing components of the fluid to be filtered, iii) a filter insert (16), comprising: a) a multi-layer filter medium (18), comprising as a first polarization element (20) an electrically conductive first conductor layer (22), and a filter layer (24), wherein the filter layer comprises at least one dielectric layer, and b) an electrical contacting system (26) for connecting the filter insert to a voltage source, wherein the electrical contacting system (26) is configured such that a voltage can be applied to the first conductor layer (22), iv) a second polarization element (28), and v) an activated carbon stage (30) separate from the multi-layer filter medium (18), comprising an activated carbon volume (32), wherein the activated carbon volume (32) contains activated carbon in a mass fraction of 50% or more,based on the mass of the activated carbon volume (32), wherein the filter system (10) is designed so that a voltage difference can be applied between the first conductor layer (22) and the second polarization element (28) for polarizing the dielectric layer.

2. Filter system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the multi-layer filter medium (18) additionally comprises an electrically conductive second conductor layer (34), wherein the filter layer (24) is arranged between the first conductor layer (22) and the second conductor layer (24) and wherein the second polarization element (28) is formed by the second conductor layer (34).

3. Filter system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second polarization element (28) is a metal plate or a metal grid.

4. Filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ionization device (14) is arranged in the filter system (14) such that the fluid to be filtered, which is guided in the fluid guide system (12), flows through it in front of the filter insert (16).

5. Filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the activated carbon stage (30) is arranged in the filter system (10) such that the fluid to be filtered, which is guided in the fluid guide system (12), flows through it after the filter insert (16).

6. Filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ionization device (14) is arranged in the filter system (10) in a reversible and non-destructively replaceable manner, and / or wherein the filter insert (16) is arranged in the filter system (10) in a reversible and non-destructively replaceable manner, and / or wherein the activated carbon stage (30) is arranged in the filter system (10) in a reversible and non-destructively replaceable manner.

7. Filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the required installation space of the activated carbon stage (30) is smaller than the required installation space of the filter insert (18).

8. Filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the The activated carbon volume (30) comprises a three-dimensional support structure with cavities, wherein the activated carbon is arranged in the cavities of the three-dimensional support structure.

9. The filter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the activated carbon is particulate activated carbon, wherein the activated carbon preferably has an average diameter d50 in the range of 0.1 to 4 mm.

10. Vehicle module (36) comprising: I) a filter system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and II) a supply unit (38), wherein the supply unit is designed to supply the filter system with electrical energy.

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