Filter Bellows With Oblique End Edges For Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements for fluids, particularly in internal combustion engines, lack design flexibility and clear orientation, leading to confusion in installation and flow direction, especially when used with sensitive air mass meters.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with obliquely running end edges that laterally seal pleated edges, allowing for varying pleat lengths and shapes, such as zigzag, circular, or polygonal designs, and utilizing a support glue bead for sealing, which enhances flexibility and prevents accidental orientation during production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the filter bellows is designed with straight and parallel end edges perpendicular to pleated edges, then the manufacturing is simple, but the design flexibility and adaptation to different filter housings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The end edges of the filter bellows are designed with asymmetric orientations relative to the pleated edges. Specifically, at least one end edge is oriented at an angle that is not perpendicular to the pleated edges, creating asymmetric pleat lengths on opposite surfaces. This asymmetric design enables better adaptation to different filter housing configurations while maintaining manufacturability through standard pleating processes.
2Ease of operation
If the filter bellows has symmetric cuboid shape with perpendicular end edges, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the orientation in filter housing is not clearly defined leading to installation confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric orientation of end edges relative to pleated edges creates an inherently directional filter bellows structure. This asymmetry serves as a built-in orientation indicator that defines the correct installation position in the filter housing, preventing confusion between pre- and post-filtration sides without requiring additional geometric features or markings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the end edges are oriented obliquely to pleated edges with different pleat lengths, then the adaptation to filter housings is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric end edge orientation creates local variations in pleat lengths on different surfaces of the filter bellows. This local quality differentiation allows the filter element to adapt to specific housing configurations while the overall manufacturing process remains consistent with standard pleating techniques, requiring only controlled variation in end edge positioning rather than complete redesign of the manufacturing process.
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 design provides a flexible and clear orientation of the filter element, ensuring accurate installation and optimal adaptation to different filter housings, while preventing confusion between pre- and post-filtration sides, and allowing for efficient use of available installation space.
Implementation Method 1
the pleats being laterally sealed at the end edges, each by means of at least one sealing agent line, in particular, a support glue bead
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element for fluids, including: a filter bellows made of a filter medium, the filter medium placed in the filter bellows along pleated edges in a zig-zag shape, in pleats that extend between opposite end edges of the filter bellows; wherein an end pleat having a pleated edge and an opposite free end margin is arranged on each opposite end face of the filter bellows, pleated edges that are consecutive along an end edge of a pleat end at opposite surfaces of the filter bellows; wherein a segment of one of the end edges extends obliquely to one of the pleated edges in such a manner that, in the one segment, the pleated edges on a first one of the opposite surfaces have a different length than the pleated edges of an opposite one of the opposite surfaces; and wherein the pleats are laterally sealed by the end edges.