Cabin air filters are also frequently referred to as “interior filters” or “interior air filter elements”. Essentially, a cabin air filter screens the fresh air entering the passenger cabin or compartment or driver’s cab in order to protect the occupants from dirt, pollen, pollutants and possibly also aerosols, bacteria, and ozone. Cabin air filters can also provide effective protection for allergy sufferers.
Applications for cabin air filters
Most cabin filters in cars and trucks contain standard filter media made of cellulose or plastic and are typically used to filter pollen and dirt from the air inside the vehicle. These types of media can reliably filter such particles from the intake air and retain them in the filter medium. However, to protect the vehicle’s interior from unpleasant or even harmful odors, the use of activated carbon is necessary. This can be applied to the filter medium as an additional layer, to a carrier medium as the main filter medium, or used as a bulk material in a vessel. In some systems there is a standard filter that functions as a pre-filter followed by a second filter containing activated carbon.
In construction machinery, especially landfill vehicles, much finer filters are used. For these applications we can supply special glass-fiber media for the air-conditioning/ventilation systems in the driver’s cab. Typically, these landfill vehicles are operated with positive pressure in the cabin, thus preventing the ingress of particles and odors.
When it comes to agricultural machinery, standard air filters are generally used. An exception to this is vehicles used for crop protection/spraying, in which special cabin air filters containing activated carbon are used to protect the driver from harmful substances such as pesticides. These highly complex systems are also known as protective ventilation systems.
Why is it necessary to change cabin air filters?
The cabin air filter systems described here must be regularly tested, monitored, and maintained to ensure that they can still meet the respective requirements.
Dirty cabin air filters will reduce the air flow air inside a car, truck tractor or construction machine. As a result, the fan is forced to work harder, which could cause the motor to overheat. Dirty filters also mean that humid interior air will be discharged less efficiently, which can lead to fogging of the windscreen and windows. Furthermore, moisture and mold can accumulate inside air conditioners. Once saturated, activated carbon no longer absorbs aerosols, allowing odors and vapors to enter the vehicle’s interior.
How often do cabin air filters need to be changed?
It is important to observe and comply with the manufacturer’s maintenance and service recommendations, especially since monitoring the individual systems is often impossible. The relatively small air flow in a car, truck or agricultural/construction machine makes monitoring the actual degree of filter contamination a complicated and costly proposition.
Monitoring the state of the activated carbon is even more difficult, since the current degree of saturation can only be estimated by weighing it.
Which type of cabin air filter is the best choice?
In addition to standard filters for most common applications, many manufacturers, including MANN+HUMMEL, Donaldson, FIL FILTER and Panclean, also offer upgraded filters containing activated carbon, which is usually structured in multiple layers. Accordingly, the operator is free to choose any compatible model for the corresponding vehicle.
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