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DE-202026100310-U1 - Air pollution reduction system for vehicles

DE202026100310U1DE 202026100310 U1DE202026100310 U1DE 202026100310U1DE-202026100310-U1

Abstract

Vehicle air pollution reduction system, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted externally on a vehicle and drawing in ambient air through an inlet; a cold catalyst filter within the housing configured to remove gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds from the air; an activated carbon filter connected downstream of the cold catalyst filter and configured to capture particulate matter, gases, and carbon monoxide; a HEPA filter connected to the activated carbon filter and configured to capture micrometer-sized particles, including PM2.5 and PM10; an antibacterial filter positioned downstream of the HEPA filter and configured to capture bacteria for improved hygiene; an anion purification filter following the antibacterial filter and configured to ionize and agglomerate airborne particles; a UV-C light integrated into the filters and configured to disinfect by inactivating microorganisms; an outlet opening connected to the filters and configured to release purified air into the environment; the housing being connected via a port.

Assignees

  • DR VISHWANATH KARAD MIT WORLD PEACE UNIV

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20260120
Priority Date
20260120

Claims (7)

  1. Vehicle air pollution reduction system, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted externally on a vehicle and drawing in ambient air through an inlet; a cold catalyst filter within the housing configured to remove gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds from the air; an activated carbon filter connected downstream of the cold catalyst filter and configured to capture particulate matter, gases, and carbon monoxide; a HEPA filter connected to the activated carbon filter and configured to capture micrometer-sized particles, including PM2.5 and PM10; an antibacterial filter positioned downstream of the HEPA filter and configured to capture bacteria for improved hygiene; an anion purification filter following the antibacterial filter and configured to ionize and agglomerate airborne particles; a UV-C light integrated into the filters and configured to disinfect by inactivating microorganisms; an outlet opening connected to the filters and configured to release purified air into the environment; the housing being connected via a port.
  2. System according to Claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for mounting in the license plate area, with the inlet drawing in air during slow driving in urban traffic to reduce dynamic pollution.
  3. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the HEPA filter has a MERV value of 17 and is configured to capture 99.97% of the particles with 0.3-1.0 µm, in coordination with upstream filters.
  4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anion purification filter emits negative ions to attract pollutants and thus improve their removal prior to UV-C disinfection.
  5. The system according to one of the preceding claims further comprises a microcontroller configured to monitor velocity data for the regulation of airflow flaps.
  6. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the microcontroller adjusts the flaps such that operation is limited above speed thresholds.
  7. System according to Claim 5 or 6 , where the microcontroller is connected to receive speed data from an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle.

Description

AREA The present application relates to automotive and environmental inventions, in particular external air purification systems mounted on vehicles for reducing air pollution in open spaces. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART The prior art for the utility model application includes various known innovations in air purification and filtration systems. For example, conventional air filters are designed for indoor or stationary applications, such as HEPA filters in buildings that capture substances like PM2.5 and PM10, or activated carbon units in vehicles for cleaning the interior air. Other approaches include catalysts in exhaust systems, as in US 5,427,601 These technologies reduce emissions but focus on combustion exhaust rather than ambient air. UV-C light disinfection has been used in HVAC systems to control microbes, while anion generators in portable air purifiers attract pollutants through ionization. Cold catalyst filters combat gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds in household appliances, and antibacterial coatings improve hygiene in medical settings. These advances target air quality in closed or fixed environments, but existing technology still has shortcomings. The shortcomings or disadvantages of the state of the art ('state of the art'): Existing systems in this domain predominantly focus on stationary, small-scale models with limited design or configuration, resulting in limitations in scalability and adaptability. Such systems are unable to address the dynamic pollution of open spaces caused by traffic, as they rely on fixed installations that cannot effectively cover moving or expansive areas. They often require complex infrastructure, high costs, or manual operation, and are not vehicle-ready. Furthermore, they do not integrate multiple filter layers for comprehensive pollutant capture in real-time urban scenarios, resulting in incomplete removal of harmful gases, particles, and microbes that accumulate in traffic congestion. SUMMARY The subject matter of the present invention is defined in the claims. According to the present invention, a cost-effective, plug-and-play air filter is externally mounted on the car, particularly in the position of a license plate or a similar location, to purify the air in the immediate vicinity or surrounding area. This model operates using a volumetric approach to target a larger area by introducing individual filters and forming groups that work together toward a similar goal, thus achieving a greater result than a stationary air filter installed within the city. The system can be mounted without compromising general safety, and its exhaust is directed straight into the environment, resulting in cleaner air. This product is beneficial in bumper-to-bumper traffic scenarios and captures various harmful gases that accumulate in the environment during urban traffic. The system is consistent with the objectives set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are 17 interconnected global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation (see p.orgsdgs.un.org), with a particular focus on SDG 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities, Clause 11.6, which aims to promote a healthy environment in urban areas and cities. SDG 11 is part of the broader Sustainable Cities and Communities initiative within the Global Goals Framework. This system reduces air pollution, which arises in cities primarily due to increased traffic, and helps keep the environment cleaner and healthier by capturing harmful pollutants and releasing purified air. Some areas where the products can be integrated at scale include electric buses, subways, and trains. This product is primarily intended for combating environmental pollution in cities. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plug-and-play air purification system that can be mounted externally on vehicles to cost-effectively reduce air pollution in open spaces. The device has a housing with a connection for secure attachment. The housing is located on the vehicle, such as in the area of the license plate, ensuring easy installation without compromising safety. Inside the housing, an intake system draws ambient air through a series of filters arranged sequentially to guarantee thorough purification. The filters include a cold catalyst layer for gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), an activated carbon layer that captures larger particles, gases, VOCs, and carbon monoxide from vehicle emissions, a HEPA filter with MERV 17 that removes 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 to 1.0 µm, including harmful PM2.5 and PM10, an antibacterial layer that traps bacteria and larger particles, thus improving air quality, an anionic purification layer that emits negative ion