Air filter and filter unit for the air filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filters face challenges in achieving efficient airflow while maintaining a secure seal between the filter unit and the housing, especially when the filter unit becomes clogged, making it difficult to replace without compromising the seal.
Innovation Solution
The air filter design incorporates a first flap of flexible material attached to the outer end of the outer filter element, which has an unattached overhang that deforms to press against an abutment surface, ensuring a secure seal. This design allows for easy replacement of the filter unit while maintaining airflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter unit is designed to be easily removable for replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing flap is segmented into a fixed portion attached to the filter element and a free overhang portion that is not attached, allowing the filter unit to be easily removed while maintaining sealing capability through the resilient overhang portion
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing flap transitions from a static rigid seal to a dynamic resilient seal that can deform and adapt. The free overhang portion of the sealing flap is designed to be resilient and deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust to maintain sealing contact with the filter housing during operation and replacement
2Reliability
If a rigid sealing structure is used to ensure good seal, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing flap is constructed as a flexible thin film or sheet material that can deform and conform to the sealing surface. This flexible sealing structure maintains reliable sealing contact while allowing easy insertion and removal of the filter unit, replacing the need for rigid sealing mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible flap design provides a reliable seal between the filter unit and the housing, ensuring that airflow is not compromised, even when the filter unit is clogged, and allows for easy replacement without sacrificing sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The overhang is in a deformed state in which restoring forces of the flexible material press the overhang against the first abutment surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to an air filter (1) comprising a filter housing (10), a blower (20) arranged in the filter housing (10) and serving to generate an air flow (2) from an air inlet (11) to an air outlet (12), a filter unit (50) arranged in an operating position between the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12) in the filter housing (50), the filter unit (50) having: a) a plurality of filter elements (51), of which an outer filter element (51a) and a filter element (51b) adjacent thereto are arranged at an angle to one another and are connected to one another at a joint edge (52), and b) a first side holder (53) and a second side holder (54) which serve to fix the filter elements (51). The invention is characterised in that a first flap (58) of a flexible material is fixed to an outer end (57) of the outer filter element (51a) and extends parallel to the joint edge (52), the first flap (58) not being fixed over an entire width and having an unattached, free overhang (59) which, in the operating position of the filter unit (50), abuts a first abutment surface in a deformed state in which restoring forces of the flexible material press the projection (59) sealingly against the first abutment surface. Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter unit (50) for the air filter (1).