DE102007056667A1 - Filter device useful as a component of a tank station of a motor vehicle e.g. car, for cleaning raw gas, comprises a housing and an absorber element arranged in the housing and comprising a base module and an additional module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter device (1) for cleaning raw gas with a housing (2) and a filter element (3) arranged in this housing (2), in particular an adsorber element, wherein the filter element (3) has a modular design and a basic module (3). 4) and at least additional module (5a, 5b, 5c).
Essential to the invention is that the housing (2) has a plurality of slots, in which the base module (4) and at least one additional module (5a, 5b, 5c) in the flow direction one behind the other are inserted.

Description

The The present invention relates to a filter device for cleaning Raw gas with a housing and one in this housing deputed filter element according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a modular system for producing such a filter device and a with Passenger cars equipped with such a filter device.

Around in parked vehicles unwanted evaporation of fuel through a tank vent in the At least be able to reduce the environment, are so-called "mixture-processing plants" which is a fuel vapor retention and recirculation system have known. An important component of such systems is an activated carbon filter, which with a tank ventilation connected is. The activated carbon stores the evaporating Fuel up this by a backwash at Start of the internal combustion engine supplied to this and thereby is drawn into the mixture preparation with. The at the backwashing Fresh air drawn in from the environment flows through the activated carbon filter and thereby tears the hydrocarbon components stored therein into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

From the DE 101 50 062 B4 a generic filter device for the purification of raw gas is known, which has a hose-like housing with a filter element arranged therein. The filter element has several individual filter modules. The housing of the known filter device is designed in the manner of a shrink tube into which the individual filter modules are shrunk and at the respective ends of the connecting elements are shrunk sealing. Between the individual filter modules, which are arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction in the hose-like housing, retracted transitions are provided, which hold the individual filter modules in position.

From the DE 101 64 461 A1 an absorber for purifying raw gases is known, the filter material consists of an electrically conductive absorber material. With it, the unwanted constituents present in the raw gas should simply be retained.

Finally, out of the DE 296 22 912 U1 a filter device for gas streams, in particular for air known, which has at least two in the flow direction successively arranged module frame, in each of which a differently designed filter element is received. This makes it possible to combine different filter elements for the filtration of different components in the filter device together.

The The present invention addresses the problem of for a filter device of the generic type Art to provide an improved embodiment, which is particularly flexible.

According to the invention this problem by the objects of the independent Claims solved. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The The invention is based on the general idea of a filter element a modular construction of a filter device for the purification of raw gas and a number of individual ones corresponding to the respective requirements Provide filter modules. The filter device has a Housing with several, in particular with at least two slots, in each of which a filter module of the filter element in the flow direction can be inserted one behind the other. The filter modules are also called Basic module and additional modules referred, the filter element usually in each case has a basic module and according to the respective Requirements one or more additional modules. Through the slot arrangement in the housing, the individual filter modules are plugged in Switch state in series and increase depending on the number of inserted filter modules, the filter performance the filter device. By the provided in the housing Slots is a fast and flexible customization of the Filtering performance of the filter device, z. B. by plugging another additional module easily possible. It also offers the filter device according to the invention the large Advantage, a same for many fuel tank variants To use housing in which according to the desired Filtering power different number of filter modules are plugged. This not only allows the variety of parts and connected so that reduces warehousing and logistics costs, but it will too a particularly flexible filter device is provided which with can be converted to a few simple steps and thus adapted, so they are suitable for a wide variety of fuel tanks Use can come.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, each module of the filter element, that is, the base module and at least one additional module via a spring or a latching connection in its slot in the housing. Such a spring-biased holder or a latching of the filter module in the housing ensures a perfect installation position, which in particular in a locking connection of entrusted with the assembly staff is haptically or acoustically indicated whether the respective filter module is installed correctly. In addition, such springs or latching connections to ensure safe installation position can be produced inexpensively and structurally simple.

The The invention is further based on the general idea of a modular system to provide for producing such a filter device, which next to the housing and the basic module as well optionally at least one additional module existing filter element Leak detection module, a Wasserabscheidemodul, a connection module as well may have an ambient air filter. With such a modular system is the production of a filter device according to the invention possible according to the modular principle, wherein the filter device be assembled from the kit according to the respective requirements can.

at a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Solution includes the modular system at least two different Housing variants each with a different number in slots. This makes it possible, in particular at a low required filter performance a smaller overall Housing the filter device to use, causing the For this required installation space kept smaller can be. In this smaller case are one small number of slots for the filter modules intended. The provision of different housing variants contributes in particular one in modern motor vehicle construction steadily increasing installation space situation.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the Subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated Description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It it is understood that the above and the following yet to be explained features not only in each case specified combination, but also in other combinations or can be used in isolation, without the scope of the present To leave invention.

preferred Embodiments of the invention are in the drawings and will become more apparent in the following description explained, wherein the same reference numerals to the same or similar or functionally identical components relate.

It show, in each case schematically,

1 a filter device according to the invention,

2 a tank system with a filter device according to the invention.

Corresponding 1 has a filter device according to the invention 1 for the purification of raw gas, in particular for the purification of air contaminated with hydrocarbons, a housing 2 and one in this case 2 arranged filter element 3 on. The filter element 3 is modular and has a basic module 4 and at least one additional module 5 , according to the 1 a total of three additional modules 5a . 5b and 5c on. Both the basic module 4 as well as the additional modules 5a . 5b and 5c of the filter element 3 are in the case 2 plugged into prepared slots, the arrangement of the individual filter modules 4 . 5 ensures in the respective slots that these are connected in series in the flow direction. To secure the respective filter modules 4 . 5 of the filter element 3 in their respective mounting position, a respective associated spring 18 or a locking connection, not shown, may be provided, via which the individual filter modules 4 . 5 kept in their slots.

To filter out hydrocarbon fractions contained in the air, the basic module 4 and at least one additional module 5a . 5b or 5c Have activated carbon, which acts as an adsorbent. Activated carbon is a fine-grained coal with a very large internal surface, with up to 2,000 m ² / g coal and is usually produced from vegetable, animal, mineral or petrochemical substances. A major advantage of the activated carbon is, inter alia, its thermal reactivity as well as the possibility of hydrocarbons stored in the activated carbon by a backwashing of the filter element 3 again to remove and thereby the filter element 3 to regenerate.

The filter device 1 is therefore individually adaptable to a respectively required filter performance by more or less additional modules 5 in the case 2 to be ordered.

Again 2 it can be seen, the filter device 1 Part of a tank plant 6 an otherwise not shown motor vehicle, wherein the filter device 1 via a tank vent line 7 with a fuel tank 8th of the motor vehicle is connected. For connecting the tank ventilation line 7 to the filter device 1 the latter has a connection module 9 on, which with the filter element 3 as well as via a backwash line 10 with an internal combustion engine 11 connected is. Furthermore, the filter device 1 a trained in the manner of a diagnostic module leak detection module 12 to indicate a leak in the fuel tank 8th exhibit. The leak detection module 12 can while an ambient air filter 13 be assigned, wherein the leak detection module 12 in a connection line 14 between the filter element 3 and the ambient air filter 13 is arranged. It is conceivable that a leak detection module 12 and ambient air filters 13 existing unit 15 optional, that is in particular in states, in which these modules / filters are prescribed by law, is installed. This is particularly the US into consideration, which provides for very strict environmental protection requirements.

Via an optional optional water separation module 16 is the filter element 3 indirectly about the unit 15 or directly with the environment 17 communicatively connected. It is conceivable that between the Wasserabscheidemodul 16 and the environment 17 a valve device, not shown, is provided.

Of particular advantage in the filter device according to the invention 1 is that this is easily and flexibly adaptable to the respective requirement regarding a filtration performance, in addition to the basic module 4 further additional modules 5 , which increase the filtration effect, just the respective slots of the housing 2 are pluggable. The filter device according to the invention 1 can thus be used in different tank systems 6 be used, each with individually selected number of additional modules 5 ,

Another advantage is the filter device according to the invention 1 if this can be produced by means of a modular system, that is, according to the modular principle. Such a modular system would necessarily a housing 2 with a basic module 4 and optionally at least one additional module 5 include. Also optionally, such a modular system, a leak detection module 12 to indicate a leak in the fuel tank, a Wasserabscheidemodul 16 , a connection module 9 for communicating connection to the internal combustion engine 11 and on the fuel tank 8th and an ambient air filter 13 exhibit. It is conceivable, in particular, that the modular system different variants of housings 2 each having a different number of slots for filter modules 4 . 5 have. By such a modular system, the filter device 1 particularly individual and easy, that means flexible, adapted to the respective requirements.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10150062 B4 [0003]
• - DE 10164461 A1 [0004]
• - DE 29622912 U1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Filter device ( 1 ) for the purification of raw gas with a housing ( 2 ) and one in this housing ( 2 ) arranged filter element ( 3 ), in particular an adsorber element, wherein the filter element ( 3 ) is modular and a basic module ( 4 ) as well as at least additional module ( 5a . 5b . 5c ), characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) has several slots into which the basic module ( 4 ) and at least one additional module ( 5a . 5b . 5c ) are inserted one behind the other in the flow direction. Filter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter device ( 1 ) Part of a tank plant ( 6 ) of a motor vehicle, the basic module ( 4 ) and the at least one additional module ( 5a . 5b . 5c ) Have activated carbon for the filtration of hydrocarbon fractions. Filter device according to claim 2, characterized in that the filter device ( 1 ) via a tank vent line ( 7 ) with a fuel tank ( 8th ) of the motor vehicle and a leak detection module ( 12 ) for indicating a leak in the fuel tank ( 8th ) having. Filter device according to claim 3, characterized in that the leak detection module ( 12 ) between the filter element ( 3 ) and an ambient air filter ( 13 ) is arranged. Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each module ( 4 . 5 ) of the filter element ( 3 ), that is the basic module ( 4 ) and at least one additional module ( 5a . 5b . 5c ) via a spring ( 18 ) or is held in its slot via a latching connection. Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filter device ( 1 ) a water separation module ( 16 ) and / or a connection module ( 9 ) for connection to an internal combustion engine ( 11 ) and to a fuel tank ( 8th ) having. Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the filter device ( 1 ) is formed backwashable, to which ambient air through the ambient air filter ( 13 ) and sucked through the filter element ( 3 ) the internal combustion engine ( 11 ) is supplied. Passenger cars with a filter device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Modular system for producing a filter device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the modular system necessarily comprises the following components, a housing ( 2 ) with a basic module ( 4 ) and optionally at least one additional module ( 5a . 5b . 5c ) of a filter element ( 3 ), a leak detection module ( 12 ) for indicating a leak in the fuel tank ( 8th ), a water separation module ( 16 ), a connection module ( 9 ) for communicating with an internal combustion engine ( 11 ) and to the fuel tank ( 8th ), an ambient air filter ( 13 ). Modular system according to claim 9, characterized in that the modular system at least two different variants of housings ( 2 ) with a different number of slots.