Electro-mechanical filter system for cleaning air in rail vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical filters in rail vehicles are inadequate for capturing viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic components, requiring higher filter classes that increase pressure differences, reduce filter stand time, and occupy more space, making them unsuitable for spatially limited environments and increasing maintenance frequency.
Innovation Solution
An electro-mechanical filter system comprising a lonization unit, a deposition unit, and a DC/DC converter with a combi filter element of filter fleece and activated carbon, utilizing high voltage for electrostatic charging and separation, which can be selectively activated during high particulate matter or pathogen loads, and is designed for integration within existing systems with safety features and monitoring capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher filter classes (HEPA or activated carbon filters) are used to capture viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic components, then the filtering performance is improved, but the pressure difference increases substantially requiring higher power supply air fans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrostatic charging assembly with mechanical filtration in a single integrated filter unit. The electrostatic pre-charging of particles enhances the capture efficiency of the mechanical filter, allowing effective virus and bacteria filtration without requiring higher filter classes that would increase pressure drop and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical filtration system with an electrostatic charging mechanism. Instead of relying solely on mechanical filter media to capture all particles, the electrostatic charging assembly pre-charges particles, enabling more efficient capture with lower pressure loss and reduced fan power requirements.
2Reliability
If higher filter classes are used to improve filtering performance, then the capture of viruses and bacteria is enhanced, but the filter stand time is reduced requiring more frequent changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrostatic charging functionality with mechanical filtration, creating a hybrid system where the electrostatic assembly handles initial particle charging and the mechanical filter captures charged particles. This division of labor extends filter life while maintaining high capture efficiency for viruses and bacteria.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting part of the mechanical filtration burden with electrostatic charging, the mechanical filter operates at lower capacity, reducing saturation and extending stand time while maintaining effective pathogen capture.
3Reliability
If higher filter classes are used to achieve better air quality, then the capture of small particles is improved, but the space required increases making integration in spatially limited environments difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrostatic charging assembly and mechanical filter element into a compact unified structure. The electrostatic components are positioned upstream of the mechanical filter, creating a space-efficient configuration that delivers HEPA-level performance in a smaller footprint suitable for rail vehicle applications.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing portions of the mechanical filter structure with electrostatic charging components, the patent achieves equivalent or superior particle capture performance with reduced overall filter volume, enabling integration in space-constrained rail vehicle environments.
4Reliability
If the filter class is increased to improve pathogen capture, then the filtering effectiveness is enhanced, but the construction must withstand particularly high mechanical loads and safety demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrostatic charging assembly with a mechanically robust filter housing designed for rail vehicle applications. The electrostatic components are integrated into the housing structure, distributing mechanical loads and maintaining strength requirements while achieving enhanced pathogen capture through the electrostatic-mechanical hybrid filtration mechanism.
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 effectively filters small particles and deactivates viruses, improving air quality without increasing initial pressure loss, allowing for increased filter class performance and reduced maintenance frequency, while being safely integrated and retrofitted into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-mechanical filter which consists of a lonization unit (26) and a separation unit (28), wherein based on the air flow (22) the separation unit (28) is arranged in the flow direction of the lonization unit (26) downstream
Implementation Method 2
the lonization unit (26) has two electrodes (24), wherein with the two electrodes (24) an electric field can be generated, in which the air flow (22) or the particles contained therein obtain an electrostatic charge
Implementation Method 3
the separation unit (28) has a combi filter element consisting of a filter fleece (30) and a flow direction downstream activated carbon layer (32)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electro-mechanical filter system for cleaning air in rail vehicles, wherein the air is supplied to and discharged from areas occupied by people by means of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, wherein the filter system comprises an electro-mechanical filter, which is arranged in a housing through which an air flow can flow, and which has an assembly for electro-static charging of the particles contained in the air, in combination with a mechanical filter element, The object of the invention is to create a filter system of this type, which permits an effective filtering of very small particles, such as fine dust and bacteria, as well as an inactivation/killing of viruses, via the use of a specifically configured electro-mechanical filter. The object is achieved in that the electro-mechanical filter consists of an ionisation unit (IE), a separator unit (AE) arranged downstream in the flow direction, and a DC/DC converter (7), wherein the ionisation unit (IE) has two electrodes, with which an electric field can be generated, in which the air flow (LS) or the particles contained therein obtain an electro-static charge, wherein the separator unit (AE) has a combi-filter element consisting of a filter fleece (3) and an activated carbon layer (4) arranged downstream in the flow direction, and wherein the DC/DC converter (7) is supplied with the control voltage of the rail vehicle.