Filter Element With Composite Frame For Cleanable Bellows

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements are not effectively cleaned due to rigid structures that become damaged under heavy soiling and high mechanical loads, limiting their cleaning efficiency and durability.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a zigzag-shaped filter bellows surrounded by a continuous frame comprising both hard and soft plastic materials, allowing for flexible folds that can be easily cleaned and providing a robust seal, preventing damage from mechanical loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the filter bellows is completely overmolded with hard plastic material, then the frame provides high mechanical strength and stability, but the folds become rigid and cannot be effectively cleaned without damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strength of frameVSAvoidcleanability of folds

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is designed with different material properties in different regions: hard plastic material in the end regions for structural strength, and soft plastic material in the intermediate region where folds are located for cleanability. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The frame combines two different plastic materials with distinct properties - a hard plastic for structural support and a soft plastic for flexible cleanable folds. This composite construction enables the frame to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and cleaning flexibility that a single material could not achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the filter bellows is completely overmolded with soft plastic material, then the folds remain flexible and can be easily cleaned, but the frame lacks sufficient mechanical strength under heavy soiling and high loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanability of foldsVSAvoidmechanical strength of frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is designed with different material properties in different regions: hard plastic material in the end regions for structural strength, and soft plastic material in the intermediate region where folds are located for cleanability. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The frame combines two different plastic materials with distinct properties - a hard plastic for structural support and a soft plastic for flexible cleanable folds. This composite construction enables the frame to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and cleaning flexibility that a single material could not achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the filter element uses a rigid frame structure, then the frame provides stable support, but the folds become damaged under heavy soiling and high mechanical loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stability of frameVSAvoiddurability of folds under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is designed with different material properties in different regions: hard plastic material in the end regions for structural strength, and soft plastic material in the intermediate region where folds are located for cleanability. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The frame combines two different plastic materials with distinct properties - a hard plastic for structural support and a soft plastic for flexible cleanable folds. This composite construction enables the frame to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and cleaning flexibility that a single material could not achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 flexible frame configuration enhances cleaning efficiency and durability by allowing manual or vibrational cleaning without fold detachment, ensuring effective sealing and mechanical resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the second frame segment is formed of a second soft material, in particular of a soft plastic material, wherein the filter bellows is fixed in the second frame segment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240216849A1Filter element and filter system

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

AI summary

A filter element for filtering a fluid has a zigzag-shaped filter bellows with folds having parallel fold tips successively arranged in length extension of the filter bellows transverse to a vertical axis of the filter bellows. The fold tips extend between longitudinal sides of the filter bellows which are parallel to the length extension. The filter bellows is arranged in a continuous frame and surrounded by the continuous frame. The continuous frame has at least one first frame segment and at least one second frame segment, wherein the first frame segment has a hardness different from a hardness of the second frame segment. The first frame segment is formed of a first hard material and the second frame segment is formed of a second soft material. The filter bellows is fixed in the second frame segment. A filter system has such a filter element arranged in a filter housing.