Air Filter Medium With Segmented Packing Densities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air filters for internal combustion engines face limitations in dirt particle storage capacity and performance due to increased pressure loss, leading to decreased engine performance over time.

Innovation Solution

The air filter element features a dual-layer filter medium with distinct packing densities and a nanofiber layer, where the first filter layer section has a high porosity for larger particles and the second filter layer section with lower porosity filters finer particles, ensuring efficient dirt particle separation and extended filter life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single filter layer with uniform packing density is used, then the filter structure is simple, but the dirt particle storage capacity is limited and pressure loss increases over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt particle storage capacityVSAvoidfilter structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium is divided into multiple filter layers with different packing densities. The first filter layer has a first packing density and the second filter layer has a second packing density that differs from the first, allowing different sections to handle different particle sizes and storage requirements, thereby increasing overall dirt particle storage capacity while maintaining manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the filter medium are assigned different local properties through varying packing densities. The first filter layer section has higher porosity for larger particles while the second filter layer section has lower porosity for finer particles, optimizing each local region for its specific filtration function and increasing overall storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If a filter layer with high porosity is used, then larger dirt particles can be filtered, but finer dirt particles cannot be effectively separated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle size range filtrationVSAvoidfine particle separation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration function is segmented across multiple layers: the first filter layer with higher porosity handles larger particles, while the second filter layer with lower porosity handles finer particles. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific particle size range, achieving both broad particle size range filtration and fine particle separation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each filter layer is assigned a specific local quality in terms of porosity and packing density. The first filter layer has higher porosity optimized for larger particles, while the second filter layer has lower porosity optimized for finer particles, allowing simultaneous achievement of broad particle size range filtration and fine particle separation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the filter medium stores more dirt particles, then the filter life is extended, but the pressure loss increases and engine performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter lifeVSAvoidengine performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium is segmented into multiple layers with different packing densities that work together to extend filter life. The distributed storage capacity across layers with varying porosity allows the filter to accommodate more dirt particles before reaching pressure loss thresholds that would impact engine performance, thereby extending operational duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packing density parameter is varied across different filter layers to optimize both dirt particle storage capacity and pressure loss characteristics. By changing the packing density from the first filter layer to the second filter layer, the system achieves extended filter life while maintaining acceptable pressure loss levels for sustained engine performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration enhances dirt particle storage capacity and maintains engine performance by effectively filtering a broader range of particle sizes, reducing pressure loss and extending the filter's operational life.

Implementation Method 1

the comparatively large dirt particles first, i. H. through the first filter layer section with a high porosity value, and the finer dirt particles through the second filter layer section with a lower porosity value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the comparatively large dirt particles first, i. H. through the first filter layer section with a high porosity value, and the finer dirt particles through the second filter layer section with a lower porosity value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The second filter layer additionally provides a final filter function through a nanofiber filter layer. This allows the smallest dirt particles to be filtered out of the fluid flow to be filtered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2988846B2Filter medium, particularly an air filter medium and filter element, particularly an air filter element, having a filter medium
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2988846B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2988846B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP2988846B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6C

AI summary

A filter medium, particularly an air filter medium (100) comprises a first filter layer (110) and a second filter layer (120). The first filter layer comprises a first filter layer section (111) and a second filter layer section (113), which is arranged after the first filter layer section in a through-flow direction (103) of the filter medium (100). The first filter layer section (111) has a first fibre packing density and the second filter layer section (113) has a second fibre packing density which differs from the first fibre packing density. The second filter layer (120) is arranged after the first filter layer (110) in the through-flow direction (103) and has nano-fibres.