Folded Sorption Filter Cartridge for CO2 and Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrically powered vehicles, recirculating air for air conditioning can lead to water and carbon dioxide accumulation in the passenger compartment, causing fogging and health issues, which existing systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A sorption filter element with a filter medium and heater system, repeatedly folded along parallel axes, adsorbs and desorbs water and carbon dioxide, using heat to regenerate the filter medium, and is integrated into the HVAC system to maintain air quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air recirculation mode is used to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but water and carbon dioxide accumulate in the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful substances (water and carbon dioxide) are extracted from the recirculated air through the filter medium, which selectively adsorbs these contaminants while allowing the air to be recirculated, thus maintaining energy savings while removing harmful accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter medium acts as an intermediary between the recirculated air and the passenger compartment, capturing water and carbon dioxide molecules through adsorption while permitting the beneficial recirculation of conditioned air to continue
2Reliability
If filter medium surface area is increased to improve adsorption capacity, then adsorption effectiveness increases, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is folded into a compact nested structure where multiple layers are stacked within a small volume, similar to nested dolls, thereby maximizing the adsorption surface area while minimizing the overall device volume occupied by the air conditioning system
Solution Approach 2:
The filter medium transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional folded structure, utilizing vertical stacking and layered arrangement to dramatically increase the effective adsorption area within the same footprint volume
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
Effectively reduces water and carbon dioxide accumulation, enhancing safety and comfort by quickly regenerating the filter medium and maintaining air quality in the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The filter medium is suitable for adsorbing and/or absorbing carbon dioxide and water
Implementation Method 2
By applying heat to the sorbent, the adsorbed and/or absorbed substances can be released from the sorbent. Desorption thus generally represents the reverse process of sorption
Data Source
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AI summary
A sorption filter element (19) comprises a filter medium (24), and a heater system (25) covering at least one filter surface (32) of the filter medium (24). The filter medium (24) and the heater system (25) are repeatedly folded along parallel aligned folding axes (26 - 30)