Tubular Air Filter Mounting With Protrusion-Seal Load Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air filter units with double-walled tubes experience leakage and excessive wear of sealing rings due to moment forces caused by gravity, leading to frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a protrusion on the top plate that absorbs the load from gravity, reducing the influence on the sealing ring and allowing for optimal compression and material selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the air filter unit is attached to a vertical wall with the longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the wall, then the air filter unit can be installed in a space-saving manner, but moment forces caused by gravity act on the sealing ring leading to leakage and excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the sealing function. The top plate is divided into a support structure (protrusion) that bears the gravitational load and a sealing structure (sealing ring groove) that maintains the seal. This segmentation allows the sealing ring to perform only its sealing function without bearing the weight of the air filter unit, eliminating moment forces while preserving vertical wall installation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
A protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element between the top plate and the sealing ring. This protrusion acts as a load-bearing intermediary that absorbs the gravitational force and transfers it to the wall mounting structure, preventing the force from reaching the sealing ring. The protrusion mediates between the weight-bearing requirement and the sealing requirement, allowing both to coexist without interference.
2Reliability
If the sealing ring is compressed by the fastener to seal the connection between the top plate and the vertical wall, then air tightness is achieved, but the moment forces cause excessive wear requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a mounting zone with the protrusion for load bearing, a sealing zone with the groove for the sealing ring, and fastening points. This segmentation ensures that the sealing ring is compressed only for sealing purposes without experiencing the moment forces that would cause wear, thereby extending service life while maintaining air tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion serves as a protective intermediary between the gravitational load and the sealing ring. By positioning the protrusion between the mounting structure and the sealing ring, it mediates the force transmission, allowing the sealing ring to be compressed adequately for sealing while preventing the transmission of damaging moment forces, thus extending the sealing ring's operational life.
3Force
If the sealing ring is subjected to tractive force on the upper side due to gravity, then the connection is maintained, but leakage occurs through gaps between the upper part of the sealing ring and the vertical wall
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion acts as a force-distributing intermediary that prevents the concentration of tractive forces on the upper side of the sealing ring. By providing a load-bearing surface above the sealing ring, it redistributes the gravitational force through the protrusion structure to the mounting points, preventing the formation of gaps and eliminating air leakage while maintaining adequate connection force.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and distributing the gravitational load before it can create harmful moment forces on the sealing ring. This preemptive load management prevents the development of tractive forces that would cause gaps and leakage, ensuring continuous sealing performance throughout the service life of the air filter unit.
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
Significantly reduces leakage and wear of sealing rings, eliminating the need for frequent replacements by evenly distributing the force of gravity through the protrusion, enabling the use of a wider range of sealing materials.
Implementation Method 1
When the air filter unit is in use the at least one protrusion will take up the load due to the force of gravity of the air filter unit
Implementation Method 2
a sealing ring of a resilient material surrounding the air inlet in the top plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air filter unit (1) having the shape of a tube comprising a top plate (6), having an air inlet (7) leading into the interior of the tube, whereby the top plate (6) includes fasteners (13) for removably attaching said air filter unit to a wall (2) so that the air inlet of the top plate is concentrically disposed in relation to an opening in said wall, and a sealing ring (14,15) of a resilient material surrounding the air inlet in the top plate. According to the present invention, the top plate (6) includes at least one protrusion (16) on the side thereof facing said wall (2) in use, the height of said protrusion (16) being less than the distance with which the sealing ring (14,15), when not subjected to load, projects out from the surface of the top plate.