Cabin Air Filter Module Sealing Layout for Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cabin air filters face challenges in achieving a compact design with reliable operation under vibration, requiring large installation space and failing to ensure effective filtration performance, and secure mounting, especially in vehicles with spraying or misting devices for plant protection products.

Innovation Solution

A filter module design featuring a particle filter element with a pleated pack and an adsorption filter element, surrounded by a frame with a radially projecting sealing flange, ensuring a bidirectional seal and positioning the sealing flange close to the module's center of mass, allowing for a compact design and stable operation under vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealing flange is positioned radially outwards in the area of particle filter elements, then the filter module can be sealed effectively, but the filter module becomes more susceptible to vibration damage and requires larger installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidvibration susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flange is repositioned from a radial outward position to an axial position at the end of the frame, changing the sealing dimension from radial to axial. This dimensional shift allows the seal to be positioned closer to the center of mass, reducing vibration susceptibility while maintaining sealing effectiveness through axial compression between housing parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flange is positioned to balance the mass distribution of the filter module, with the seal located near the center of mass. This creates a counterbalancing effect that reduces the impact of vibrations on the sealing mechanism, preventing vibration-induced sealing failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If separate filter bellows are used for particle filter layers, then filtration performance is improved, but the installation space in the axial direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidaxial installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple particle filter layers are combined into a single integrated particle filter element with a common frame and shared sealing flange. This merging eliminates the need for separate filter bellows while maintaining the filtration performance of multiple layers through their stacked arrangement within the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common frame and sealing flange serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for multiple filter layers, enable sealed airflow paths through all layers, and reduce the overall axial space requirement. This multi-functional design replaces the need for individual housing structures for each filter layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the filter module is designed for high integration with compact dimensions, then installation space is reduced, but the filter volume available for extended service life is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidfilter service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium in each local area of the particle filter element is optimized for its specific function, with different regions potentially using different filter media types or configurations. This allows maximum filtration efficiency in each local zone while maintaining a compact overall structure, extending service life without increasing total volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces installation space requirements by up to 50% while maintaining filtration performance and ensuring reliable operation, even under vibration, making it suitable for vehicles with limited space and harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one layer has an aerosol-separating filter medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an adsorption filter element downstream, wherein the particle filter element and the adsorption filter element are arranged such that they can be flowed through in series

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4489891B1Interior room air filter module
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4489891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4489891B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4489891B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an interior room air filter module (1) comprising a particle filter element (2), an adsorption filter element (3), and a frame (4) which surrounds the particle filter element (2) and the adsorption filter element (3). The frame (4) has a radially protruding sealing flange (5), and the particle filter element (2) has a folded pack which is made of multiple layers of a filter medium (15) folded in a zig-zag shape, wherein at least one layer (2B) has an aerosol-separating filter medium. The particle filter element (2) has a first layer (2A) on the inflow side and a second layer (2B) on the outflow-side, set layers being folded so as to lie against each other in order to form the folded pack. The adsorption filter element (3) has at least one molded body (3A – 3E) in the form of a honeycomb body which adsorbs at least hydrocarbons. The sealing flange (5) is arranged so as to run laterally about the adsorption filter element (3) on an outer circumferential wall (14) thereof.