Air Guide Flap Filtration Control Without Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaning devices lack the ability to easily adjust air flow to the filter element, leading to inefficient operation based on vehicle speed or environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaning device with an adjustable air guide flap that reacts to air pressure, pivoting between open and closed positions based on airflow velocity, allowing optimal filtration based on vehicle speed without the need for an actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed air flow design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the filtration efficiency cannot be optimized based on vehicle speed or environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiency optimizationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide flap is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on airflow conditions. The flap can pivot between different angles to optimize filtration efficiency at various vehicle speeds while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide flap utilizes the airflow itself as the actuating force, eliminating the need for external actuators or control systems. The airflow automatically moves the flap to appropriate positions, making the system self-regulating and adaptive without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If an actuator is used to adjust the air guide flap, then the air flow control is precise, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow controlVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide flap is designed to be automatically actuated by the airflow itself, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or control systems. This self-service mechanism achieves effective air flow control without consuming additional energy or increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a passive aerodynamic mechanism. Instead of using motors, sensors, and control electronics to adjust the flap, the design uses the natural airflow to directly move the flap to appropriate positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the air guide flap has equal mass distribution, then the manufacturing is simple, but the flap cannot maintain stable positions during airflow variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap position stabilityVSAvoidmass distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide flap is designed with asymmetric mass distribution, where the closing section has greater mass than the opening section. This asymmetry creates a natural torque that helps the flap return to a closed position during high-speed airflow conditions, providing stable position control without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device efficiently adjusts air flow to the filter element, optimizing filtration performance by minimizing airflow when high speeds are reached and maximizing it at low speeds, thereby enhancing filtration efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the air guide flap is able to react to the pressure exerted by the air flow. When hitting the closing section while standing in its open position the air guide flap turns about the rotational axis of the pivot joint if the velocity and hence the pressure of the air flow is high enough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure exerted by air flow: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The closing section forms an air resistance surface for the air flow passing through the air guide region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir resistance: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP4524419B1Air cleaning device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4524419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4524419B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4524419B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

An air cleaning device includes a filter element, an air guide region in flow connection with the filter element, and an air guide flap being arranged in the air guide region and being configured to adjust an air flow passing the air guide region. The air guide flap is mounted on a pivot joint and is configured to be turned between a closed position and an open position. The air guide flap includes a closing section and an opening section being connected with the closing section. The pivot joint is arranged between the closing section and the opening section. The closing section forms an air resistance surface for the air flow passing through the air guide region.