Cabin Filter Housing With Dual-Element Sealing and Independent Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cabin filters for motor vehicles require multiple parts and do not allow for independent replacement of HEPA and pre-filter elements, leading to increased complexity and reduced service life due to the integrated frame structure.
Innovation Solution
A filter design with a filter housing that accommodates two filter elements, where the second filter element with a hollow chamber profile seal allows for independent replacement of both elements, minimizing the number of parts and using a common seal for sealing, ensuring secure and permanent sealing without mechanical stress on the first filter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HEPA filter element and pre-filter element are bonded to a common frame, then sealing is improved, but the filter elements cannot be replaced independently and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into a permanent frame integrated with the filter housing and replaceable filter cartridges that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the frame to remain while only the filter elements need replacement, reducing the number of parts compared to separate frames for each element and enabling independent replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is merged with the filter housing to create a single permanent structural component. This integration eliminates the need for separate frame assemblies for each filter element, reducing part count while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the unified structure.
2Area of stationary object
If pre-filter element has larger dimensions than HEPA filter element, then pre-filter coverage is improved, but independent replacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into two independently replaceable cartridges mounted on the same frame. The larger pre-filter and smaller HEPA filter are designed as separate modular units with standardized mounting interfaces, allowing each to be removed and replaced independently despite their size difference.
Solution Approach 2:
Both filter elements use a universal mounting interface and sealing mechanism that accommodates different sizes. This universal design allows the frame and sealing system to work with both the larger pre-filter and the smaller HEPA filter element, enabling independent replacement of either element.
3Reliability
If filter elements are sealed against common frame, then sealing is improved, but frame assembly results in large number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is merged with the filter housing to create a single permanent structural component. This integration eliminates multiple separate frame assemblies and reduces the total number of parts while maintaining effective sealing of both filter elements against the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables sealing for both filter elements, and facilitates independent replacement. This multi-functional design reduces part count compared to separate frame assemblies for each element.
4Reliability
If clamping force is applied to first filter element, then sealing of second filter element is improved, but first filter element may be mechanically stressed
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the filter elements themselves and transferred to dedicated sealing components (sealing rings or lips) that are part of the filter cartridge assembly. This extraction allows the filter medium to be protected from mechanical stress while the sealing components handle the clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing ring or sealing lip acts as an intermediary between the clamping mechanism and the filter elements. This intermediary component absorbs the mechanical stress of clamping and sealing, protecting the filter medium from damage while ensuring effective sealing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter (10), in particular a filter for the interior of a motor vehicle (100), comprising a filter housing (2) with at least one filter housing part (21) and a filter housing cover (22). In each case, the filter housing (2) has at least one air inflow opening (23), an air outflow opening (25), and a receiving area (26) for receiving at least two filter elements (3, 4), each of which has a filter medium body (33, 43) and a frame device (31, 41) that surrounds the filter medium body (33, 43). The receiving area (26) is equipped with at least one circumferential contact shoulder (27) which protrudes radially inwards in order to sealingly contact a filter element-side seal (42). The receiving area (26) can be closed by the filter housing cover (22) in an installed state, wherein the filter housing cover (22) exerts a clamping force, which is at least partly oriented in an axial direction, onto the frame device (31) of a first filter element (3). The axial end of the frame device (31) of the first filter element (3), said axial end facing away from the filter housing cover (22), lies against the frame device (41) of a second filter element (4) in the installed state, and the clamping force is transmitted onto the frame device (41) of the second filter element (4). The frame device (41) of the second filter element (4) has a circumferential seal (42) which is pressed onto the contact shoulder (27) of the filter housing (2) by means of the clamping force in the installed state and which has a profiled hollow chamber. The invention additionally relates to a use, a filter element (4), and a motor vehicle (100).