Air Filter with Impermeable Sleeve and Pore-Optimized Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filtering devices face challenges in achieving high exit velocity while maintaining cost-effectiveness, transportability, and consumer-friendly noise levels, often requiring larger and more expensive designs due to low air flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The air filtering device incorporates a compact design with a fan and air filter configuration that includes a substantially impermeable outer sleeve and a non-woven air filter with optimized pore distribution and surface area, allowing for efficient particulate removal with lower pressure drops and power consumption, enabling higher air flow rates and quieter operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a higher powered fan is used to achieve sufficient exit velocity for filtering desired particulate levels, then filtering performance is improved, but the device becomes noisy and requires a rigid device housing that adds to the large size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the filter media by using a specialized non-woven material with optimized pore distribution (higher proportion of larger pores) and controlled surface area. This parameter optimization allows the filter to achieve sufficient particulate removal at lower pressure drops, enabling the use of lower-powered fans that reduce noise and device size while maintaining filtering performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a non-woven filter material with specifically engineered pore structure, where the pore distribution is optimized to have a higher proportion of larger pores compared to conventional filters. This porous material design reduces airflow resistance and pressure drop across the filter, allowing effective particulate filtration without requiring high-powered fans, thus avoiding noise and size penalties
2Strength
If a rigid outer housing is used to support the air filter and provide structural integrity, then device strength is improved, but transportability and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional rigid outer housing with a flexible outer sleeve made of a flexible material. This sleeve provides the necessary structural support and filter protection while being collapsible or foldable, significantly improving transportability and reducing manufacturing costs compared to rigid housing solutions
3Reliability
If the air filter surface area is increased to improve particulate removal efficiency, then filtering performance is improved, but pressure drop and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the filter surface area parameter to achieve an optimal balance between particulate removal efficiency and pressure drop. By carefully selecting and tuning the filter surface area in conjunction with the optimized pore distribution, the system achieves effective filtration without excessive pressure drops that would require higher power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The use of non-woven material with optimized pore distribution (higher proportion of larger pores) reduces the airflow resistance per unit surface area. This allows the filter to achieve desired particulate removal efficiency with a smaller total surface area compared to conventional filters, thereby reducing the pressure drop and associated power consumption requirements
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 device effectively filters particulates with a pressure drop of 15-25 Pa, achieving air flow rates of 1.42 to 4.25 m³/min while maintaining low noise levels, making it suitable for medium to large-sized rooms with improved transportability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a fan positioned inside the base between the first side and the second side
Implementation Method 2
an air filter positioned on the first side of the base and in air flow communication with the air outlet of the base such that the air filter removes particulates from the air stream
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A device for filtering air comprising a base, a fan functionally attached to the base, an air filter releasably attached to the base, and a substantially air impermeable outer sleeve is provided.