Vehicle Cabin Filter Cleaning Using Inertia-Driven Motion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle air conditioner filter cleaning devices do not require a motor or electric wiring, reducing manufacturing costs, but they fail to clean the filter frequently when the glove box is not opened or closed, leading to filter clogging.

Innovation Solution

A filter cleaning device that utilizes a movable mechanism connected to a cleaning body, allowing it to move relative to the filter by inertia forces generated from vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and steering, without the need for a motor or electric wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a motor and electric wiring are used to drive the scraping member, then the filter can be cleaned frequently and reliably, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cleaning reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device utilizes the vehicle's own operational movements (acceleration, deceleration, steering) to generate inertia forces that automatically drive the cleaning body against the filter. The system serves itself by converting the vehicle's normal operational dynamics into cleaning action, eliminating the need for external power sources while ensuring cleaning occurs during regular vehicle use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with an inertia-based mechanical system. Instead of using an electric motor to drive the scraping member, the invention uses the inertia force generated by vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and steering to move the cleaning body, thereby simplifying the mechanical structure and reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If the glove box is opened or closed to activate the cleaning mechanism, then manufacturing cost is reduced by eliminating the motor, but the filter is not cleaned when the glove box remains stationary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfilter cleaning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device utilizes the vehicle's own operational movements (acceleration, deceleration, steering) to generate inertia forces that automatically drive the cleaning body against the filter. The system serves itself by converting the vehicle's normal operational dynamics into cleaning action, eliminating the need for external power sources while ensuring cleaning occurs during regular vehicle use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a static, manual activation system (glove box opening/closing) to a dynamic system that responds to the vehicle's operational state. The cleaning body is positioned to be pushed by inertia forces during vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and steering, making the cleaning process dynamic and automatically aligned with vehicle usage patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a simple brush base and guide rail mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovable mechanism complexityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a static, manual activation system (glove box opening/closing) to a dynamic system that responds to the vehicle's operational state. The cleaning body is positioned to be pushed by inertia forces during vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and steering, making the cleaning process dynamic and automatically aligned with vehicle usage patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the physical parameters of the cleaning body (brush density, contact pressure, surface area) and the guide rail geometry to ensure effective cleaning action is achieved with the simple inertia-based mechanism. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the system maintains high cleaning effectiveness despite the reduced mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for motors and wiring, while ensuring frequent filter cleaning each time the vehicle is used, thereby preventing filter clogging.

Implementation Method 1

the movable mechanism enables the cleaning body to move relatively with respect to the filter by an inertia force generated by an acceleration, a deceleration and a steering of a vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertia force: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS20250121314A1Filter cleaning device

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 KOWA INC

AI summary

Provided with a filter cleaning device capable of reducing a manufacturing cost and capable of cleaning a filter frequently each time when a vehicle is used. A filter cleaning device 10 includes: a filter 1; a cleaning body 2 configured to remove dust adhered to a surface of the filter 1 while contacting with the filter 1; and a movable mechanism 3 connected to the cleaning body 2 and configured to control a movement of the cleaning body 2 while keeping a distance between the cleaning body 2 and the filter 1 approximately constant, wherein the movable mechanism 3 enables the cleaning body 2 to move relatively with respect to the filter 1 by an inertia force generated by an acceleration, a deceleration and a steering of a vehicle.