Filter system comprising a polarisation filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter system (100) comprising a polarisation filter (12) which comprises a polarisable filter medium (28), through which a fluid to be filtered is able to flow, and two polarisation electrodes (26a, 26b) for polarising the filter medium (28), a conductor arrangement (16, 54) having a line branch (32) which divides an inlet path (34) into a polarisation path (36) and a measurement path (38), wherein the polarisation filter (12) is located in the polarisation path (36) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54), and an electronic data processing device (102) which is designed to evaluate a current flow (IM1) at at least one test point (106) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54) in order to detect a faulty operating state and / or functional impairment of the polarisation filter (12).

Description

[0001] Münster, June 4, 2025 Our reference: HE1198-02WO Official file number: New application Applicant: HEPA GmbH Nienkamp 55-85 48147 Münster Filter system with a polarization filter The invention relates to a filter system with a polarization filter, which comprises a polarizable filter medium through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes for polarizing the filter medium, a conductor arrangement with a conductor branch that divides an inlet path into a polarization path and a measuring path, wherein the polarization filter is located in the polarization path of the conductor arrangement, and an electronic data processing device which is configured to evaluate a current flow at at least one test point of the conductor arrangement for detecting a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter.Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter insert for a filter system, comprising a polarization filter, which includes a polarizable filter medium through which a fluid to be filtered flows, and two polarization electrodes for polarizing the filter medium, and an electrically conductive conductor arrangement with a conductor branch that divides an inlet path into a polarization path and a measuring path. In addition, the invention relates to an insert holder for a filter system, comprising a receiving space into which a replaceable filter insert of the filter system can be inserted, and an electrically conductive conductor arrangement.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for testing the operation of a filter system, comprising the step of: energizing a conductor arrangement of the filter system to operate a polarization filter of the filter system, which comprises a polarizable filter medium through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes for polarizing the filter medium, wherein a conductor arrangement has a conductor branch that divides an inlet path into a polarization path and a measurement path, the polarization filter being located in the polarization path of the conductor arrangement. In filter systems with an ionization unit and a polarization filter, the energization unit and the polarization filter are powered via a common electrical supply. The polarization filter is electrically connected in parallel to the ionization unit via a high-impedance voltage divider.Connecting the polarization filter in parallel via a high-impedance voltage divider ensures that a polarization impairment at the polarization filter, e.g., due to a moisture-induced short circuit, does not lead to a failure of the filter system, and ionization remains possible. It is not possible to detect the polarization impairment at the polarization filter via the return current, as the effects of a polarization impairment on the return current are within the tolerances for the ionization current. The objective of the invention is therefore to improve the detectability of faulty operating conditions and / or functional impairments of a polarization filter in a filter system. This objective is achieved by a filter system of the type mentioned above, wherein the test point in the filter system according to the invention is located in the measuring path of the conductor arrangement.Because the test point is located in the measurement path of the conductor assembly, a change in current flow due to a faulty operating condition and / or a malfunction of the polarization filter can be reliably detected without having to consider current flow fluctuations in other areas of the conductor assembly during the current flow evaluation. The electronic data processing unit can be configured to determine the polarization voltage that the polarization filter can withstand based on the evaluation of the current flow at at least one test point of the conductor assembly. For example, the tolerable polarization voltage may be higher with low moisture ingress into the polarization filter than with significant liquid ingress.The electronic data processing unit can be configured to initiate a follow-up action upon detection of a faulty operating state and / or a malfunction of the polarization filter. This follow-up action can, for example, involve issuing a warning, switching off an electrical supply device, and / or reducing a supply voltage. Alternatively or additionally, the follow-up action can also involve adjusting the control routine and / or the current settings of the filter system. The filter system is preferably an air filter system and / or is designed for use in a motor vehicle. A measuring circuit connected to the electronic data processing unit is preferably located at the test point in the measurement path. The measuring circuit is preferably a current measuring circuit.In a further preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the conductor branch is part of a voltage divider in the conductor arrangement. The voltage divider allows the voltage applied to the polarization filter to be reduced. Thus, a voltage higher than the polarization voltage of the polarization filter can be applied to the polarization filter. This higher voltage can, for example, be used to operate an ionization unit of the filter system. Furthermore, a filter system compliant with the invention is preferred in which the electronic data processing device is configured to detect a current drop at the test point in the measuring path of the conductor arrangement in order to identify a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter.Upon detection of a characteristic current drop at the test point and / or upon detection of a current drop exceeding a limit value, the electronic data processing device can detect a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter. In the event of a short circuit at the polarization filter, part of the current no longer flows through the measuring path of the conductor arrangement, but instead through the polarization path and the short-circuited polarization filter. A short circuit at the polarization filter causes current division at the conductor branch of the conductor arrangement, resulting in a current drop at the test point in the measuring path of the conductor arrangement. Furthermore, a filter system according to the invention with an ionization unit for ionizing the fluid to be filtered and / or for ionizing particles to be filtered out of the fluid is preferred.The electronic data processing unit can be configured to, upon detecting a faulty operating state and / or a malfunction of the polarization filter, cause an electrical supply unit to regulate an increased current in order to operate the ionization unit. The increased current balances the current flow through the polarization filter, thus maintaining a constant ionization power. In another preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the conductor arrangement is configured to provide the ionization unit with an ionization voltage and the polarization filter with a polarization voltage that differs from the ionization voltage. The ionization voltage provided to the ionization unit is preferably higher than the polarization voltage provided to the polarization filter.The filter system preferably includes a voltage divider to provide an ionization voltage and a polarization voltage that differs from the ionization voltage. In another preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the electronic data processing unit is configured to evaluate a current flow at at least one further test point outside the measuring path of the conductor arrangement. Preferably, separate measurement of the operating currents of ionization and polarization is enabled, allowing for separate fault detection of the two systems. The current flows through the ionization unit and through the voltage divider can thus be recorded separately in two separate current measuring circuits.The evaluation of the current flow at the additional test point is preferably carried out to regulate the current / voltage supply for the ionization unit and / or the polarization filter and / or to detect a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the ionization unit and / or to validate a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter. In a further preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the additional test point is located in the ground path of the polarization filter and / or in the ground path of the ionization unit. At the additional test point, outside the measuring path of the conductor arrangement, a measuring circuit connected to the electronic data processing device is preferably located. The measuring circuit is preferably a current measuring circuit.Furthermore, a filter system according to the invention is preferred in which the electronic data processing device is configured to compare the change in current flow at the test point in the measurement path with the change in current flow at the test point outside the measurement path. The test point outside the measurement path is preferably located in the ground path of the polarization filter and / or in the ground path of the ionization unit. In the event of a short circuit at the polarization filter, the current drop at the test point in the measurement path should be essentially the same as the current increase at the test point outside the measurement path, since the sum of the currents is constant. In another preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the polarization filter is part of a replaceable filter element, which can be inserted into an insert of the filter system.The filter element is preferably removable from the filter system's insert holder without damage. The polarization filter is preferably formed by a multi-layered composite of the filter element. The conductor branching of the conductor arrangement is preferably also part of the replaceable filter element; particularly preferably, the conductor branching is designed as a conductor track formed on the filter element. The filter system according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the electrically conductive conductor arrangement is partially part of the filter element and the filter element comprises three contact fields of the conductor arrangement, via which the filter element can be electrically connected to mating contact fields on the insert holder side. When the filter element is inserted, contact is preferably made between the contact fields on the filter element side and the mating contact fields on the insert holder side.The contact connections between the filter element-side contact fields and the corresponding contact fields on the element holder side are preferably broken when the filter element is removed from the element holder. Furthermore, a filter system according to the invention is preferred in which a first contact field is located in the inlet path of the conductor arrangement. The first contact field is preferably a supply contact field. Alternatively or additionally, a second contact field is located in the ground path of the conductor arrangement and / or a third contact field is located in the measurement path of the conductor arrangement. The second contact field in the ground path of the conductor arrangement and / or the third contact field in the measurement path of the conductor arrangement are preferably ground contact fields.The filter system according to the invention is further advantageously enhanced by an electrical supply unit configured to energize the conductor arrangement and / or the polarization filter and / or the ionization unit. The energizing is preferably achieved via a current control. The current control can specify a setpoint output current, which is regulated. The current regulation preferably occurs as a function of the current measured at the further test point. Alternatively, the energizing of the current path is achieved via a voltage control. In a further preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the electronic data processing unit is configured to control the electrical supply unit upon detection of a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter in such a way that the energizing of the ionization unit continues unchanged.To ensure that the ionization unit continues to be powered without interruption, it is essential to prevent the electrical supply from reducing the ionization power at the additional measuring point due to the increased current when a faulty operating condition and / or a malfunction of the polarization filter is detected. This can be achieved by adjusting a setpoint for the current control when a faulty operating condition and / or a malfunction of the polarization filter is detected. Preferably, the setpoint is adjusted such that the current flow at the additional measuring point after the faulty operating condition and / or malfunction is detected corresponds to the current flow that was present at the additional measuring point before the faulty operating condition and / or malfunction of the polarization filter was detected.Furthermore, a filter system according to the invention is preferred in which the polarization electrodes and the filter medium form a multilayered, in particular pleated, composite structure. The polarization electrodes are preferably designed as polarization layers. The filter medium is preferably designed as a filter layer. The filter medium designed as a filter layer is preferably located between the polarization electrodes designed as polarization layers. The polarization electrodes designed as polarization layers and the filter medium designed as a filter layer are preferably connected to one another by material bonding and / or form-fitting and / or force-fitting.The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a filter insert of the type mentioned above, wherein the electrically conductive conductor arrangement of the filter insert according to the invention comprises three contact fields via which the filter insert can be electrically connected to mating contact fields of an insert receptacle into which the filter insert can be inserted. The filter insert is preferably designed such that it can be used in a filter system according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the filter insert according to the invention, reference is therefore made to the advantages and modifications of the filter system according to the invention.The problem underlying the invention is further solved by an insert holder of the type mentioned above, wherein the electrically conductive conductor arrangement of the insert holder according to the invention comprises three mating contact fields via which the insert holder can be electrically contacted with contact fields of the filter insert. The insert holder is preferably designed such that it can be used in a filter system according to one of the embodiments described above. The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a method of the type mentioned above, wherein an electronic data processing device, within the framework of the method according to the invention, evaluates a current flow at at least one test point in the measuring path of the conductor arrangement to detect a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter.The method is preferably used to test the operation of a filter system according to one of the embodiments described above. Regarding the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the filter system according to the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a filter element according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 2 the contact element of the filter element shown in Fig. 1 in a top view; Fig. 3 the polarization filter of the filter element shown in Fig. 1 in a sectional view; Fig. 4 a filter system according to the invention in a schematic representation; and Fig. 5 characteristic current flow changes at the test points of a filter system according to the invention in a diagrammatic representation.Figure 1 shows a filter element 10 for a filter system 100. The filter element 10 has a polarization filter 12, which comprises a polarizable filter medium 28 through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes 26a, 26b for polarizing the filter medium 28 (see Figure 3). The polarization filter 12 is formed by a multilayer composite, the composite being connected to a lateral strip of material 14 of the filter element 10. The lateral strip of material 14 is, for example, the side facing of the filter element 10. The filter element 10 also includes an electrically conductive conductor arrangement 16, the conductors of which form a voltage divider 18. The conductor arrangement 16 is supported by a contact element 20. The contact element 20 is designed as a contact label and is applied to the strip of material 14. The contact element 20 can, for example, be glued onto the material strip 14.The electrically conductive conductor arrangement 16 of the filter insert 10 comprises three contact fields 22a-22c, via which the filter insert 10 can be electrically connected to mating contact fields 52a-52c of an insert receptacle 50, into which the filter insert 10 can be inserted. The contact element 20 further comprises contact areas 24a, 24b, via which the conductor arrangement 16 is electrically connected to the polarization electrodes of the polarization filter 12. Fig. 2 shows that the voltage divider 18 electrically connects the contact fields 22a, 22c and the contact area 24b to each other. The contact element 20 does not have an electrically conductive connection between the voltage divider 18 on the one hand and the contact field 22b and the contact area 24a on the other. Fig. 3 shows the multilayer composite of the polarization filter 12. The polarization electrodes 26a, 26b are designed as polarization layers.The filter medium 28 is designed as a filter layer. This filter layer is located between the polarization electrodes 26a, 26b, which are designed as polarization layers. The layered structure has a pleated design with a multiply folded structure. Fig. 4 shows a filter system 100 with a filter insert 10, which is inserted into an insert receptacle 50 of the filter system 100. The filter insert 10 has three contact fields 22a-22c, which are electrically conductively contacted with mating contact fields 52a-52c of the insert receptacle 50. The conductor arrangement 16, 54 of the filter system 100 is partly part of the filter insert 10 and partly part of the insert receptacle 50.The filter element 10 of the filter system 100 comprises a polarization filter 12, which includes a polarizable filter medium 28 through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes 26a, 26b for polarizing the filter medium 28. The conductor arrangement 16 of the filter element 10 has a conductor branch 32, which is part of a voltage divider 18. The voltage divider 18 also includes resistors 30a-30c. The conductor branch 32 divides an inlet path 34 into a polarization path 36 and a measurement path 38, with the polarization filter 12 being located in the polarization path 36 of the conductor arrangement 16. The filter system 100 also includes an electronic data processing device 102, which monitors the current flow I. M1 at test point 106 and the current flow I M2The current flow is evaluated at test point 110. A measuring circuit 108 is located at test point 106. A measuring circuit 112 is located at test point 110. Test point 106 is located in measuring path 38 of the conductor arrangement 16. The electronic data processing device 102 evaluates the current flow I. M1Test point 106 is used to detect a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter 12. Test point 110 is located outside the measuring path 38 of the conductor arrangement 16. Test point 110 is located in the ground path 42 of an ionization unit 104 of the filter system 100. Ground path 42 is connected to ground path 40 of the polarization filter 12 via the mating contact field 52b and the contact field 22b. The ionization unit 104 serves to ionize the fluid to be filtered and / or to ionize particles to be filtered out of the fluid. The conductor arrangement 16, 54 of the filter system 100 is configured to provide an ionization voltage to the ionization unit 104 and a polarization voltage to the polarization filter 12 that differs from the ionization voltage.For this purpose, the conductor arrangement 16, 54 is connected to an electrical supply unit 114, which is configured to energize the conductor arrangement 16, 54 and thus the polarization filter 12 and the ionization unit 104. The provision of an ionization voltage and a polarization voltage that differs from the ionization voltage is implemented by the voltage divider 18. The electronic data processing unit 102 is configured to detect a current flow drop ΔI at the test point 106 in the measuring path 38 of the conductor arrangement 16 in order to detect a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter 12. The electronic data processing unit 102 is further configured to compare the change in current flow ΔI at the test point 106 in the measuring path 38 with the change in current flow ΔI at the test point 106 outside the measuring path 38. The Fig.Figure 5 shows the current I over time t at test points 106, 110 of the conductor arrangement 16, 54 of the filter system 100. At the time of the short circuit t. K Moisture enters the polarization filter 12, causing a short circuit. Due to the short circuit, part of the current no longer flows through the measuring path 38 of the conductor arrangement 16, but instead through the polarization path 36 and the short-circuited polarization filter 12. The current flow I M1 At test point 106, therefore, at the time of the short circuit t, the following occurs: K by the amount ΔI. Simultaneously, the current I increases. M2 at the time of the short circuit t Kby the amount ΔI. In the event of a short circuit at the polarization filter 12, the current drop at test point 106 in measurement path 38 is essentially the same as the current increase at test point 110 outside measurement path 38. By recording the current drop ΔI at test point 106, the electronic data processing unit can detect the short circuit. The evaluation of the current I M2 Testing at station 110 is carried out to regulate the current / voltage supply for the ionizer and to validate a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter 12.

[0002] Reference numeral 10 Filter insert 12 Polarization filter 14 Material strip 16 Conductor arrangement 18 Voltage divider 20 Contact element 22a-22c Contact fields 24a, 24b Contact areas 26a, 26b Polarization electrodes 28 Filter medium 30a-30c Resistors 32 Line branch 34 Inlet path 36 Polarization path 38 Measuring path 40 Ground path 42 Ground path 50 Insert holder 52a-52c Counter-contact fields 54 Conductor arrangement 100 Filter system 102 Data processing unit 104 Ionization unit 106 Test point 108 Measuring circuit 110 Test point 112 Measuring circuit 114 Power supply unit I Current I M1 , I M2 Current flows t Time t K Short-circuit time ΔI Current flow drop or current flow increase

Claims

Claims 1. Filter system (100), comprising: - a polarization filter (12), which includes a polarizable filter medium (28) through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes (26a, 26b) for polarizing the filter medium (28); - a conductor arrangement (16, 54) with a conductor branch (32), which divides an inlet path (34) into a polarization path (36) and a measurement path (38), wherein the polarization filter (12) is located in the polarization path (36) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54); and - an electronic data processing device (102), which is configured to measure a current flow (I M1) at at least one test point (106) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54) to detect a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter (12); characterized in that the test point (106) is located in the measurement path (38) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54).

2. Filter system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor branch (32) is part of a voltage divider (18) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54).

3. Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic data processing device (102) is configured to detect a current flow drop (ΔI) at the test point (106) in the measurement path (38) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54) in order to detect a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter (12).

4. Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ionization unit (104) for ionizing the fluid to be filtered and / or for ionizing particles to be filtered out of the fluid.

5. Filter system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductor arrangement (16, 54) is configured to provide the ionization unit (104) with an ionization voltage and the polarization filter (12) with a polarization voltage that differs from the ionization voltage.

6. Filter system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic data processing device (102) is configured to control a current flow (I M2) to evaluate at least one further test point (110) outside the measurement path (38) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54).

7. Filter system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the further test point (110) is located in the ground path (40) of the polarization filter and / or in the ground path (42) of the ionization unit (104).

8. Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic data processing device (102) is configured to compare the change in current flow (ΔI) at the test point (106) in the measurement path (38) with the change in current flow (ΔI) at the test point (110) outside the measurement path (38).

9. Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polarization filter (12) is part of a replaceable filter insert (10) which can be inserted into an insert receptacle (50) of the filter system (100).

10. Filter system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the electrically conductive conductor arrangement (16, 54) is partially part of the filter element (10) and the filter element (10) comprises three contact fields (22a-22c) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54) via which the filter element (10) can be electrically connected to mating contact fields (52a-52c) on the element receiving side.

11. Filter system (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that - a first contact field (22a) is located in the inlet path (34) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54); and / or - a second contact field (22b) is located in the ground path (40, 42) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54); and / or - a third contact field (22c) is located in the measuring path (38) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54). 12.Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an electrical supply device (114) configured to energize the conductor arrangement (16, 54) and / or the polarization filter (12) and / or the ionization unit (104).

13. Filter system (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the electronic data processing device (102) is configured to control the electrical supply device (114) upon detection of a faulty operating state and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter such that the energizing of the ionization unit (104) continues unchanged.

14. Filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polarization electrodes (26a, 26b) and the filter medium (28) form a multilayered, in particular pleated, composite.

15. Filter insert (10) for a filter system (100), in particular for a filter system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a polarization filter (12) comprising a polarizable filter medium (28) through which a fluid to be filtered can flow, and two polarization electrodes (26a, 26b) for polarizing the filter medium (28); and - an electrically conductive conductor arrangement (16) with a conductor branch (32) which divides an inlet path (34) into a polarization path (36) and a measuring path (38), characterized in that the electrically conductive conductor arrangement (16) comprises three contact fields (22a-22c) via which the filter insert (10) can be electrically connected to mating contact fields (52a-52c) of an insert receptacle (50) into which the filter insert (10) can be inserted. 16.Insert receptacle (50) for a filter system (100), in particular for a filter system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising - a receiving space in which a replaceable filter insert (10) of the filter system (100) can be inserted, and - an electrically conductive conductor arrangement (54), characterized in that the electrically conductive conductor arrangement (54) comprises three counter-contact fields (52a-52c) via which the insert receptacle (50) can be electrically contacted with contact fields (22a-22c) of the filter insert (10).

17. Method for testing the operation of a filter system (100), in particular the operation of a filter system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the step: - energizing a conductor arrangement (16, 54) of the filter system (100) to operate a polarization filter of the filter system (100), which is a polarizable fluid to be filtered. a flowable filter medium (28) and two polarization electrodes (26a, 26b) for polarizing the filter medium (28); wherein the conductor arrangement (16, 54) has a conductor branch (32) which divides an inlet path (34) into a polarization path (36) and a measurement path (38), wherein the polarization filter (12) is located in the polarization path (36) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54), characterized in that an electronic data processing device (102) controls a current flow (I M1 ) at at least one test point (106) in the measuring path (38) of the conductor arrangement (16, 54) to detect a faulty operating condition and / or a functional impairment of the polarization filter.

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