Filter apparatus for a motor vehicle, and method for operating such a filter apparatus

Abstract

A filter apparatus for a motor vehicle is provided. The filter apparatus includes a delivery device, which is provided in addition to a ventilation system of the motor vehicle and can be operated independently of the ventilation system for drawing in and delivering air from the interior of the motor vehicle. The filter apparatus includes at least one filter element, through which can flow the air drawn in and delivered by the delivery device for filtering the air. The filter apparatus includes at least one outlet for introducing the air filtered by way of the filter element into the interior. The filter apparatus is designed to wirelessly receive at least one signal emitted by a terminal and to activate the delivery device based on the signal.

Claims

1. A filter apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: a delivery device, which is operable independently of a ventilation system of the motor vehicle and is provided in addition to the ventilation system in order to draw in and to deliver air from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and to discharge air from the passenger compartment into air surrounding the motor vehicle; at least one filter element through which air which is drawn in and delivered by way of the delivery device flows and filters the air; and at least one outlet for introducing the air filtered by way of the filter element into the passenger compartment, wherein the filter apparatus is configured to receive wirelessly at least one signal which is made available by a terminal and to activate the delivery device as a function of the signal.

2. The filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus includes at least one ionizer for ionizing the air which is drawn in and delivered by way of the delivery device.

3. The filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus includes an electronic computer device with a memory in which data characterizing a time can be stored, and the computer device is configured to activate the delivery device automatically at the time as a function of the stored data.

4. The filter apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filter apparatus includes an electronic computer device with a memory in which data characterizing a time can be stored, and the computer device is configured to activate the delivery device automatically at the time as a function of the stored data.

5. The filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus includes an electronic computer device with a memory in which data characterizing a time can be stored, and the computer device is configured to deactivate the delivery device automatically at the time as a function of the stored data.

6. The filter apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filter apparatus includes an electronic computer device with a memory in which data characterizing a time can be stored, and the computer device is configured to deactivate the delivery device automatically at the time as a function of the stored data.

7. The filter apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the signal characterizes the time, and the computer device is configured to store the data in the memory as a function of the signal.

8. The filter apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal characterizes the time, and the computer device is configured to store the data in the memory as a function of the signal.

9. The filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus is configured to draw in air from the passenger compartment and discharge the air to surroundings of the motor vehicle by way of the delivery device.

10. The filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus includes at least one ionizer for ionizing the air drawn in from the passenger compartment and delivered by way of the delivery device.

11. A method for operating a filter apparatus for a motor vehicle, the method comprising the acts of: operating a delivery device of the filter apparatus independently of a ventilation system of the motor vehicle, the delivery device being configured to deliver air from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and to discharge air from the passenger compartment into air surrounding the motor vehicle; drawing in air from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle by way of the delivery device; delivering the air through at least one filter element, by way of which the air is filtered; and either introducing the filtered air into the passenger compartment via at least one outlet of the filter apparatus or discharging the filtered air from the passenger compartment into air surrounding the motor vehicle, wherein by way of the filter apparatus, at least one signal which is made available by a mobile terminal is wirelessly received and the delivery device is activated as a function of the signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a filter apparatus for a motor vehicle, wherein the filter apparatus is designed to receive wirelessly at least one signal which is made available by a terminal, and to activate a delivery device of the filter apparatus as a function of the signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(2) FIG. 1 shows a detail of a schematic and sectional side view of a motor vehicle 1 which is embodied, for example, as a car, in particular as a passenger car, and which includes a filter apparatus 2. In addition, the motor vehicle 1 includes a permanently installed ventilation system (not illustrated in the FIGURE) which includes, for example, an air-conditioning system. The air-conditioning system is also referred to as an air-conditioning device. The ventilation system includes a blower by way of which air, for example from the surroundings 3 of the motor vehicle 1, can be drawn in and introduced into the passenger compartment 4 of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, the motor vehicle 1 includes a drive unit (not illustrated in the FIGURE) by way of which the motor vehicle 1 can be driven. The ventilation system and therefore the blower run, for example, only when the drive unit, or the ignition thereof, is activated.

(3) The filter apparatus 2 is a component which is different from the ventilation system, is provided in addition to the ventilation system and whose function and operation are explained in more detail below. The filter apparatus 2 includes a delivery device 5 which can be operated independently of the ventilation system and independently of the drive assembly, in particular independently of the ignition thereof, and has the purpose of drawing in and delivering air from the passenger compartment 4. The air which is located in the passenger compartment 4 is also referred to as interior air or passenger compartment air. The delivery device 5 is therefore a component which is different from the ventilation system which is provided and permanently installed in any case, is provided in addition to the ventilation system, in particular in addition to the blower of the ventilation system, and can be operated independently of the ventilation system, in particular of the blower.

(4) The delivery device 5 can be operated and therefore activated, while the drive unit, in particular the ignition, or the ventilation system, in particular the blower, thereof, are deactivated. The delivery device 5 can, for example, be operated electrically and is supplied with electric current or electrical energy in order to operate the delivery device 5. This electrical energy is stored, for example, in an energy store (not illustrated in the FIGURE) of the motor vehicle 1 and is fed to the delivery device 5 when the latter is activated.

(5) The filter apparatus 2 also includes at least one filter element 6 through which air which is drawn in and delivered by way of the delivery device 5 can flow and which has the purpose of filtering the air. In other words, if the delivery device 5 is operated so that the air from the passenger compartment 4 is drawn in and delivered by way of the delivery device, the air is delivered through the filter element 6 by way of the delivery device 5, as a result of which the air is filtered and as a result cleaned by way of the filter element 6. The filter apparatus 2 also includes at least one outlet 8 via which the air which is filtered by way of the filter element 6 can be introduced into the passenger compartment 4. This means that the air which is drawn in by way of the delivery device 5 and cleaned by way of the filter element 6 is introduced again into the passenger compartment 4 via the outlet 8. This process is also referred to as circulation of the interior air, wherein the interior air is cleaned by way of the filter element 6 within the scope of the circulation.

(6) In order then to be able to set particularly high air quality in the passenger compartment 4 appropriately with respect to requirements, the filter apparatus 5 is designed to receive wirelessly at least one signal 19 which is made available, for example, wirelessly by a mobile terminal 7, and to activate the delivery device 5 as a function of the signal 19.

(7) The delivery device 5 includes, for example, an impeller wheel 9 and an electric motor (not illustrated in the FIGURE) which is provided in addition to the blower and in addition to the drive assembly and by way of which the impeller wheel 9 can be driven. In addition, the filter apparatus 2 includes an electronic computer device 10 which is also referred to as a control unit. The control unit is connected to the electric motor, so that the electric motor can be actuated by the control unit. By way of this actuation, the electric motor can be activated by the control unit, as a result of which the impeller wheel 9 is driven by the electric motor. Alternatively it is contemplated that the electronic computer device 10 is, for example, a positionally fixed electronic computer device which is different from the filter apparatus 2 and the motor vehicle 1 and is embodied, for example, as a server or back-end and can communicate wirelessly, for example via the Internet, with the motor vehicle 1 or the filter apparatus 2.

(8) In addition, the filter apparatus 2 includes a communication device 11 with at least one receiver element 12 by way of which the signal 19 which is made available wirelessly can be received wirelessly. The receiver element 12 is connected to the computer device 10. If the receiver element 12 receives the signal 19 wirelessly, for example the receiver element 12 transfers an actuation signal to the control unit which receives the actuation signal. The electric motor is actuated by way of the control unit as a function of the actuation signal, in order as a result to drive the impeller wheel 9 by way of the electric motor. The delivery device 5 is therefore activated by way of the control unit as a function of the received signal 19. As a result of the actuation of the delivery device 5, the air is drawn in, delivered and therefore cleaned in the described way by way of the delivery device 5.

(9) The wireless provision of the signal 19 can be brought about, for example, by way of the mobile terminal 7, by a person using the mobile terminal 7, said person also being referred to as a user. The mobile terminal 7 is therefore a remote control system for the filter apparatus 2.

(10) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the FIGURE, the mobile terminal 7 has three operator control elements 13, 14 and 15. The respective operator control element 13, 14 or 15 is embodied, for example, as a mechanical operator control element, which can be moved relative to a housing of the mobile terminal 7. For example, by activating the respective operator control element 13, 14 or 15 the person can move the respective operator control element 13, 14 or 15 out of a home position into an activation position. In particular, the respective operator control element 13, 14 or 15 is embodied, for example, as a push button key which returns from the activation position into the home position by way of a spring force made available by a spring if the person (user) releases the respective operator control element 13, 14 or 15.

(11) For example, the filter apparatus 2 can be basically activated and deactivated by way of the operator control element 13. In the activated state, the filter apparatus 2 is able to receive the signal 19. In the deactivated state, the filter apparatus 2 is, for example, not able to receive the signal 19, in particular not even if the signal 19 is made available wirelessly by the mobile terminal 7.

(12) In order therefore to be able to activate the delivery device 5 by way of the signal 19, the user must initially switch, for example, the filter apparatus 2 from the deactivated state into the activated state by way of the operator control element 13. If, for example, the user subsequently activates the operator control element 14, the signal 19 is made available by the mobile terminal 7. Since the filter apparatus 2 is in its activated state, the receiver element 12 can receive the signal 19, as a result of which the delivery device 5 is activated in the way described.

(13) As a result of activation of the operator control element 15, the user can, for example, cause the mobile terminal 7 to make available wirelessly at least one second signal. If the filter apparatus 2 is in its activated state, the receiver element 12 can receive wirelessly the second signal which was made available wirelessly. The electric motor is actuated by the control unit as a function of the second signal, as a result of which the electric motor and therefore the delivery device 5 are deactivated. This means that the user activates the delivery device 5 by activating the operator control element 14, and can deactivate the delivery device 5 by activating the operator control element 15, in particular when the filter apparatus 2 is in its activated state.

(14) The filter apparatus 2 is therefore embodied as a remote additional air cleaner, since the filter apparatus 2 is used in addition to the air-conditioning system and can filter and as a result clean the interior air by way of the filter element 6. It has proven particularly advantageous if the filter apparatus 2 has at least one ionizer 16 for ionizing the air which is drawn in and delivered by way of the delivery device 5. As a result, particularly high air quality can be implemented in the passenger compartment 4.

(15) The electronic computer device 10 includes, for example, a memory 17 in which respective data can be stored. First data items here characterize, for example, a first time, wherein second data items here characterize, for example, a second time. The control unit is preferably designed to activate the delivery device 5 automatically at the first time as a function of the stored first data. In addition, the control unit is preferably designed to deactivate the delivery device 5 at the second time as a function of the second data. The data can be transmitted, for example, wirelessly to the receiver element 12 and via the latter to the control unit and be received by the control unit by way of the signal 19, so that the user can program the filter apparatus 2 without having to enter the passenger compartment 4. This programming is to be understood as meaning that the respective data and therefore the respective times are stored in the memory 17.

(16) In addition, by activating the operator control element 14, the user can activate the delivery device 5 without having to enter the passenger compartment. As a result, the air in the passenger compartment 4 can be cleaned before the user actually enters the passenger compartment 4. This is also referred to as pre-conditioning of the interior air so that particularly high air quality is already present in the passenger compartment 4 when the user enters the passenger compartment 4. As a result of the pre-conditioning, particularly high passenger compartment air quality can already be implemented when it is entered, so that a particularly high level of driving comfort and a particularly high level of safety can be provided. Since the pre-conditioning and therefore, for example, intensive cleaning of the air can be carried out before the user enters the passenger compartment 4, excessive cleaning noise, which occurs while the user is in the passenger compartment 4, can be avoided. This also benefits the driving comfort. In addition, particularly comfortable actuation of the filter apparatus 2 can be implemented by way of the mobile terminal 7.

(17) Moreover it is contemplated that the filter apparatus 2 has a detection device 18 by way of which a distance between the motor vehicle 1 and the mobile terminal 7 can be detected. Since the user carries the mobile terminal 7 with him, the distance between the motor vehicle 1 and the mobile terminal 7 corresponds to the distance between the motor vehicle 1 and the user. If, for example, it is detected by way of the detection device 18 that the distance between the mobile terminal 7 and the motor vehicle 1 undershoots a predefinable threshold value, the delivery device 5 is, for example, activated automatically by way of the control unit (e.g., computer device 10). For this purpose, a second actuation signal is transmitted, for example, by the detection device 18 to the control unit. The control unit actuates the electric motor as a function of the second actuation signal, in order thereby to activate the electric motor and therefore the delivery device 5. As a result, particularly comfortable operator control of the filter apparatus 2 can be implemented.

(18) A further advantage of the invention is that the filter element 6 can be exchanged or serviced particularly easily and therefore favorably in terms of time and cost. A further advantage is that the interior air can be cleaned without operating the air-conditioning system. As a result of this operation of the filter apparatus 2 which is independent of the air-conditioning system it is possible to clean the interior air particularly efficiently in terms of energy and therefore with low consumption of energy.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(19) TABLE-US-00001 1 Motor vehicle 2 Filter apparatus 3 Surroundings 4 Passenger compartment 5 Delivery device 6 Filter element 7 Mobile terminal 8 Outlet 9 Impeller wheel 10 Electronic computer device 11 Communication device 12 Receiver element 13 Operator control element 14 Operator control element 15 Operator control element 16 Ionizer 17 Memory 18 Detection device 19 Signal

(20) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.