Regenerable Cabin Air Adsorption Filter With Heated Desorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cabin air filter systems for vehicles have limited service life due to finite dust holding and adsorption capacities, requiring frequent replacements and generating waste.
Innovation Solution
A cabin air filter system with a spatially separated regenerable adsorption filter element using adsorbent honeycombs, a heating element for regeneration, and a regeneration flap to release harmful gases to the environment, extending the service life of the adsorption filter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adsorption filter elements are used to remove harmful gases, then gas filtration performance is improved, but service life is limited due to finite adsorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a regeneration system that recovers the adsorption capacity of the filter element by heating it to desorb accumulated harmful gases. The heating element raises the temperature to facilitate desorption, and the regeneration flap directs the heated air flow through the filter element. This allows the adsorbent material to be reused multiple times, transforming a single-use consumable into a regenerable component and significantly extending service life.
2Reliability
If filter elements are replaced frequently to maintain performance, then air quality is maintained, but maintenance effort and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance through automated regeneration cycles. The control unit monitors filter element status and automatically activates the heating element and regeneration flap when regeneration is needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-regenerating capability reduces maintenance effort from frequent physical replacements to automated periodic regeneration, while continuously maintaining air quality performance.
3Reliability
If filter elements are replaced frequently, then performance is maintained, but sustainability is reduced due to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration system recovers the functional capacity of the adsorbent material by heating it to desorb captured harmful gases. The desorbed gases are vented through the regeneration flap, while the cooled filter element retains its adsorption capacity for continued use. This recovery process eliminates the need to discard and replace filter elements frequently, significantly reducing waste generation and improving sustainability while maintaining filtration performance.
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 system achieves a practically unlimited service life for the adsorption filter element by allowing regeneration of the adsorbent honeycombs, reducing maintenance frequency and waste generation.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element is activated so that the adsorption filter element is heatable to a temperature above a predefined regeneration temperature
Implementation Method 2
an adsorption filter element that is spatially separated from the particle filter element. The adsorption filter element comprises at least one adsorbent honeycomb
Implementation Method 3
a regeneration outlet that is fluidly connected to the adsorption filter element and that leads to the environment. The regeneration outlet is switchable by the regeneration flap
Data Source
AI summary
A cabin air filter system for a vehicle includes at least one particle filter element and an adsorption filter element that is spatially separated from the particle filter element and having at least one adsorbent honeycomb. The system further having at least one heating element adapted for heating the adsorption filter element for regeneration and a regeneration flap, wherein the regeneration flap is adapted to switch a regeneration outlet to the environment. The system is operable in a regeneration mode in that the heating element is activated so that the adsorption filter element is heatable to a temperature above a predefined regeneration temperature and the regeneration outlet is opened by the regeneration flap so that a regeneration air flow processed by the adsorption filter element is releasable to the environment. A method for cleaning air to be supplied to a cabin of a vehicle with the cabin air filter system.