Angled Vent Filter With Integrated Hydrophobic Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filters for venting enclosures in the automobile industry face challenges in cost-effectiveness, mechanical strength, and protection against water infiltration, especially under pressure, due to complex membrane handling and rectilinear conduit designs that are difficult to construct and provide inadequate protection against direct liquid flows.
Innovation Solution
A filter design featuring a hydrophobic membrane integrated with the filter body, constructed using a moulding process that incorporates the membrane edge into the plastic material, forming a stable association with angled tubular portions to prevent water entry and enhance gas transfer, with optional labyrinth features for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate hydrophobic membrane is used in the filter, then water protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to complex assembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrophobic membrane with the filter body by integrating it into the moulding process. The membrane is incorporated into the plastic material during injection moulding, creating a single integrated component rather than requiring separate assembly of membrane and filter body. This eliminates complex handling and assembly operations while maintaining water protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane is prepared and positioned in advance within the mould cavity before the plastic material is injected. This preliminary positioning ensures the membrane is correctly placed and secured during the moulding process, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly operations and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rectilinear venting conduit is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but protection against direct liquid flow is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rectilinear venting conduit with an angled tubular conduit that features curved transitions and non-linear geometry. This curved design deflects direct liquid flows away from the membrane opening, providing superior protection against water infiltration during washing or high-pressure tests, while still being manufacturable through standard moulding processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly operations are used to attach the membrane, then membrane positioning precision is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-positioned within the mould cavity before injection, ensuring precise positioning is achieved during the moulding process itself rather than through subsequent assembly operations. This preliminary action guarantees accurate membrane placement while eliminating time-consuming manual or automated assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the membrane attachment with the injection moulding process, the patent achieves precise membrane positioning as an integral part of the manufacturing operation. The plastic material encapsulates and secures the membrane in the correct position during moulding, eliminating separate positioning and attachment operations that would increase production time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are assembled, then adaptability is improved, but construction difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (filter body, membrane, conduit) into a single integrated part manufactured through injection moulding. This merging maintains design flexibility by allowing different configurations to be achieved through mould design rather than mechanical assembly, while significantly reducing construction difficulty and the number of fastening operations required.
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 integrated membrane design allows for quick, low-cost production of filters with enhanced mechanical strength and liquid sealing capabilities, effectively protecting against water infiltration even under pressure, reducing construction complexities and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering element of hydrophobic membrane type (15) positioned in the internal conduit (11)
Implementation Method 2
presenting a body (20) having at least two internally hollow tubular portions (20A, 20B) disposed at an angle to each other... with optional labyrinth features for improved sealing
Implementation Method 3
constructed using a moulding process that incorporates the membrane edge into the plastic material, forming a stable association
Data Source
AI summary
A filter for venting an enclosure (1) containing an electrical apparatus (4), such as a lens or lighting unit of a motor vehicle, and exposed to moisture or atmospheric agents, the filter including a tubular body (20) with a through cavity or conduit (11) opening at opposite ends (9, 10) of the body (20), which is coupled to a venting aperture (6) of the enclosure (1), the filter (8) including a hydrophobic filtering element; the body (20) of this filter (8) includes at least two portions (20A, 20B) set at an angle to each other, the membrane filtering element (15) being in the interior of the body (20) and being associated with it in such as manner as to form one piece therewith, and being coupled to the body (20) in a manner transverse to an axis of at least one of the portions.