Filter Assembly With Integral Adhesive Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter assemblies for air intake systems require a support frame and additional adhesives, which can be time-consuming to install and may lead to unfiltered air leaks, whereas a filter assembly with an integral self-adhesive support structure would provide a convenient and reliable solution for securing the filter to the underlying device without these issues.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a filter media and a surrounding collar formed from an adhesive material, such as pressure-sensitive adhesive or thermoset adhesive, that is integrally connected and non-tacky on the top surface, allowing the filter to be securely attached to the underlying device without a separate support frame or additional adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support frame with separate adhesive is used, then the filter assembly provides structural support and secure attachment, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support frame and adhesive into a single integrated component. The foam support structure has adhesive material applied to its peripheral surface, eliminating the need for separate frame and adhesive components. This merging reduces installation steps and time while maintaining secure attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the filter media, acts as the mounting framework, and includes integrated adhesive for attachment to the substrate. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and simplifies the overall assembly.
2Reliability
If a support frame with separate adhesive is used, then the filter assembly can be securely attached, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support frame and adhesive into a single integrated component. The foam support structure has adhesive material applied to its peripheral surface, eliminating the need for separate frame and adhesive components. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, mounting framework, and attachment mechanism through integrated adhesive. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall device complexity.
3Loss of time
If double-sided tape is used for attachment, then the filter can be installed quickly, but unfiltered air may leak through cracks between the frame and underlying device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible foam support structure that can conform to the contours of the underlying device surface. This flexibility ensures complete coverage and eliminates gaps or cracks where unfiltered air could leak, while still allowing for quick installation through the integrated adhesive.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied in segments along the peripheral surface of the foam support structure rather than as a single continuous layer. This segmented adhesive application maintains flexibility for quick installation while ensuring adequate bonding areas to prevent air leakage through the interface.
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 assembly effectively removes contaminants from the air stream while providing a convenient and reliable attachment method, eliminating the need for a separate support frame and reducing installation complexity, ensuring consistent filtration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a surrounding collar for providing structural support to the filter media that simultaneously provides a self-adhesive material
Implementation Method 2
filter media appropriate for segregating and separating the impurities and contaminants from the filtrant stream
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly for removing unwanted contaminants and other impurities from a filtrant stream entering the intake region of an underlying device. The filter assembly comprises a filter media appropriate for segregating and separating the impurities and contaminants from the filtrant stream, and a surrounding collar for providing structural support to the filter media that simultaneously provides a self-adhesive material. Such collar is formed from a self-adhesive material, and a binding solution like printers ink, which interact in conjunction with the portion of such filter media not constituting the filtering region, so that the resulting support collar is integrally connected to the filter media, and is non-tacky on its top surface. At the same time, the adhesive retains its adhesive properties on the bottom surface of the collar.