Vehicle Filter Holder With Inertial Self-Cleaning Frame Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle cabin air filters in dusty environments become clogged with dust and pollutants, necessitating frequent maintenance, which leads to downtime and additional costs, and there is a risk of damaging the filter medium during cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a frame-like holder and movable components that allow relative movement between the filter medium and a connected component, utilizing inertia to self-clean by compressing or stretching the filter medium, thereby releasing trapped particles without additional energy sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the filter medium is rigidly fixed in the holder, then the filter structure is simple and stable, but the filter medium cannot self-clean and particles accumulate, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of filter mediumVSAvoidcomplexity of holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the holder structure partially movable rather than completely rigid. The second frame element is connected via a movable connecting device that allows relative movement between holder components, enabling the filter medium to undergo compression and expansion motions that facilitate self-cleaning while maintaining overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by utilizing changes in the physical state and position of the holder components. The movable connecting device allows the second frame element to change its position relative to the first frame element, creating dynamic compression and expansion of the filter medium that enables particle removal without requiring external cleaning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the filter medium is made movable to enable self-cleaning, then particle release is improved, but the structural stability and filtration reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle accumulation in filterVSAvoidfiltration reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the holder into multiple frame elements (first and second frame elements) with different connection characteristics. The first frame element is rigidly connected for stability, while the second frame element is movably connected for self-cleaning, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve both reliability and particle release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different connection characteristics to different parts of the holder structure. The first frame element has rigid connections for structural stability, while the second frame element has movable connections for self-cleaning, allowing each local region to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If frequent maintenance is performed to clean or replace the filter, then filter efficiency is maintained, but vehicle downtime and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the filter medium to clean itself through the dynamic movements of the holder structure. The movable connecting device allows the second frame element to move relative to the first, creating compression and expansion motions that automatically remove accumulated particles from the filter medium during vehicle operation, eliminating the need for frequent manual maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the filter medium is cleaned manually, then particles are removed, but additional personnel and expenses are required, and the filter medium may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle removalVSAvoidmaintenance cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by designing the holder structure to automatically clean the filter medium through its own movements. The movable connecting device enables the second frame element to move relative to the first, creating dynamic compression and expansion that removes particles without requiring external cleaning systems, personnel, or resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful accumulation of particles into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The weight and accumulation of particles in the filter medium actually enhance the self-cleaning effect, as the particle-laden filter medium itself becomes part of the moving system that generates the cleaning motion through the movable connecting device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 self-cleaning effect extends the service life of the filter medium, reducing maintenance frequency and associated costs, while maintaining filter efficiency during vehicle operation.

Implementation Method 1

the inertia causes at least the second frame element of the holder to execute a different movement than the displaceable component when the displaceable component performs changes in movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4599916A1Filter device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 MICROAIR SP ZOO
  • EP4599916A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4599916A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4599916A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filter device suitable for use in vehicles (10), comprising a filter (20) with a filter medium (22) and a frame-like holder (24) with at least two frame elements (26, 28), wherein the filter medium (22) is fastened in the holder (24), a displaceable component with a first fastening point (50) and a second fastening point (52), a movable connecting device (56), and a rigid connecting device (54), wherein the first frame element (26) is connected to the displaceable component at the first fastening point (50) by means of the rigid connecting device (54), wherein the second frame element (28) is connected to the displaceable component at the second fastening point (52) by means of the movable connecting device (56), and wherein the second frame element (28) is movable relative to the displaceable component.