Electrically Charged Filter with Segmented Nonwoven Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrically charged filters face challenges in maintaining high initial filtering efficiency and preventing a decline in efficiency due to electrostatic charge neutralization, especially when capturing oil mist, leading to increased pressure loss and clogging.

Innovation Solution

An electrically charged filter comprising a liquid-charged nonwoven fabric layer and a tribo-electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer, where the tribo-electrically charged layer is made from polyolefin and acrylic resin fibers with a circular cross-section, and the liquid-charged layer is positioned upstream to enhance electrostatic capture and reduce pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the diameter of the fibers is reduced to increase filtering efficiency, then smaller dust particles can be captured, but initial pressure loss increases and air permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidinitial pressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple layers with different fiber diameters and charging methods. The upstream layer uses larger diameter fibers (5-20 μm) charged by liquid charging, while the downstream layer uses smaller diameter fibers (1-5 μm) charged by triboelectric charging. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without the downsides affecting the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter have different properties: the upstream layer has larger fibers with liquid-induced charge, while the downstream layer has smaller fibers with friction-induced charge. This local differentiation optimizes both pressure loss and filtering efficiency in their respective positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If an electrically charged filter is used to improve filtering efficiency, then dust capture is enhanced, but the electrostatic charge becomes neutralized over time leading to efficiency decline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidcharge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter combines two different charging mechanisms in separate layers: liquid charging for the upstream layer and triboelectric charging for the downstream layer. This segmentation ensures that neither charging method alone is responsible for efficiency decline, and the triboelectrically charged layer provides sustained charge stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter uses a composite structure combining fibers with different charging characteristics. The upstream layer uses fibers charged by liquid application, while the downstream layer uses fibers charged by friction between different fiber materials (polyolefin and acrylic resins), creating a composite filtering system with enhanced and sustained electrostatic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a single-layer electrically charged filter is used, then the structure is simple, but filtering efficiency is insufficient and pressure loss increases rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidfilter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is segmented into two functional layers: an upstream layer with larger diameter fibers (5-20 μm) charged by liquid application, and a downstream layer with smaller diameter fibers (1-5 μm) charged by triboelectric friction. This segmentation enables each layer to contribute differently to dust capture, achieving high filtering efficiency while managing pressure loss effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds the dimension of layered structure to the filter design, transitioning from a single-layer to a multi-layer configuration. This dimensional change allows simultaneous optimization of different filtering mechanisms (physical interception in upstream layer, electrostatic capture in downstream layer) without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 filter maintains high initial filtering efficiency and minimizes efficiency decline, even when capturing oil mist, by combining the electrostatic and physical capture mechanisms effectively, thereby reducing pressure loss and clogging.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid-charged nonwoven fabric layer which is charged by application of a force via a polar liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a tribo-electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer which is charged by friction between fiber components of a plurality of types

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriboelectric charging: Triboelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The capture of dust in a filter made of nonwoven fabric is principally by means of Brownian diffusion, interception, inertial impaction or the like, based on a physical action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrownian diffusion: Brownian Motion

Implementation Method 4

The capture of dust in a filter made of nonwoven fabric is principally by means of Brownian diffusion, interception, inertial impaction or the like, based on a physical action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial impaction: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2567744B1Electrically charged filter and mask
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 JAPAN VILENE CO LTD
  • EP2567744B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2567744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2567744B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electrically charged filter which has a high initial filtering efficiency and is not liable to decline in filtering efficiency, by including a liquid-charged nonwoven fabric layer that is charged by application of force via a polar liquid, and a tribo-electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer that is charged by friction between fiber components of a plurality of types.