Aftermarket Car Cabin Air Filter Design

Authors: 
Laura Doyle, Sabrina Fraser, Jessica Morris and Lyndia Stacey
Case revision date: 
2014-04-11
Length: 
5 pages (Case Study)
Summary: 

Poor air quality is a major problem in urban areas worldwide. The air quality in cars decreases drastically when driving in the country to driving in the city and on highways. People who drive in the city have constant exposure to poor air quality which can have adverse health consequences such as elevated risks of asthma and other lung-related issues. Most recent cars include a cabin air filters that offers protection to passengers from outside harmful dust, exhaust gas, pollen and bacteria, depicted in Figure 1. However, less expensive and older cars rarely include cabin air filters. It is estimated that only 40% of vehicles on the road actually contain a cabin air filter. This creates an opportunity to design and integrate a cabin air filter for cars without them. The main purpose of the filter would be to remove particulate matter from the air thereby reducing the adverse health effects that are associated with inhaling large amounts of particulate matter. The filter must produce results that meet standards set by the Ministry of the Environment, it must remain secured in place at all times and it must ensure that all intake air passes through it.  

Laura Doyle, Sabrina Fraser, Jessica Morris and Lyndia Stacey, four students from University of Guelph, intended to design and verify an aftermarket car cabin air filter that improves the air quality entering the vehicle for their fourth year design project.   

System diagram for harmful highway emissions entering a vehicle

Figure 1 - System diagram for harmful highway emissions entering a vehicle

Learning objectives: 

This case is intended for students to apply air quality and air pollution control concepts to a car cabin air filter design. 

Key words: 
Air pollution, filter, particulate matter, highway emissions
CEAB attributes: 
Problem Analysis; Design; Use of Engineering Tools; Individual and Teamwork
Modules: 
Module 01 - Case Study
Module 02 - Needs Analysis
Module 03 - Conceptual Design
Module 04 - Preliminary Design
Module TN - Teaching Note

Request This Case!

If you would like to see more information on this case study, click here

You can request this case study and a WCDE staff member will get back to you.