Vehicle Ventilation Moss Lichen Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicle ventilation systems introduce unwanted foreign bodies and pollutants, such as pollen and dust, into the vehicle interior when outside air is circulated, and they often require additional components for moisture regulation and filtration.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation system utilizing mosses and lichens as natural filtering media, which absorb and release moisture, filter fine dust, and can be easily replaced, integrated into the vehicle's air ducts with a holding device for efficient air flow and filtration, potentially reducing noise and turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional filters are used to remove particles and pollutants from the airflow, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant filtrationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines filtration and humidity regulation functions into a single natural filtering medium (moss or lichen). The moss/lichen simultaneously filters particles from the airflow and absorbs/releases moisture to regulate humidity, eliminating the need for separate humidifier and filter components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The natural filtering medium performs multiple functions: it filters fine dust particles from the air, absorbs excess moisture when humidity is high, and releases moisture when humidity is low. This multi-functional approach replaces conventional single-function components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If additional components like humidifiers are added for moisture regulation, then humidity control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity regulationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The natural filtering medium automatically regulates humidity based on ambient conditions without requiring external control systems. When the air is dry, the moss/lichen releases moisture; when the air is humid, it absorbs moisture, providing self-regulating humidity control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If natural filtering media like mosses and lichens are used, then humidity regulation and fine dust filtration are improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to lack of extensive processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefine dust filtration and humidity controlVSAvoidprocessing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The natural filtering medium is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily removed and replaced when depleted or contaminated. The mounting device allows for simple installation and removal without tools, facilitating maintenance and replacement of the consumable natural filter material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional filter materials like cellulose or plastic are used, then manufacturing ease is improved, but indoor climate comfort decreases due to lack of humidity regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidindoor climate comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional non-hygrosopic filter materials (cellulose, plastic) to hygrosopic natural materials (moss, lichen). This parameter change enables the filter to actively interact with moisture in the air, absorbing or releasing water vapor to maintain optimal humidity levels in the vehicle interior.

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 system provides a pleasant indoor climate by effectively filtering pollutants, regulating humidity, and reducing noise, with minimal environmental impact and cost, while being easy to maintain and replace.

Implementation Method 1

mosses and/or lichens can further improve the indoor climate by absorbing or releasing moisture from the airflow and/or the indoor air, depending on the humidity level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

mosses and/or lichens are especially effective at filtering fine dust particles from the air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

mosses and/or lichens can be particularly effective at dampening noise in the vehicle's interior caused by airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3487719B1Ventilation system and motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.06.30 SONO MOTORS GMBH

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AI summary

Ventilation system for an interior compartment of a motor vehicle, having at least one air channel and having at least one air filter device (12) with at least one lichen and/or one moss as natural filtering medium, wherein the air filter device (12) comprises at least one holding device (18) with at least one holding element (20), wherein the holding device (18) is designed to fasten the holding element (20) detachably to the motor vehicle, and wherein the natural filtering medium is, by means of the holding element (20), held at least partially in an air flow of the air channel.