Filter Element With Clean Side Support For Gas Filtration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements for gas filtration, particularly in internal combustion engines, face challenges in stable accommodation within filter housings without impairing flow or cleaning performance, often requiring complex recess designs that affect filtration area and flow conditions.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a pleated filter medium body and a support element located on the clean side, which is connected in a fixed or non-detachable manner, eliminating the need for a continuous recess between the dirty and clean sides, thereby enhancing filtration area and preventing flow disruptions, while using PUR foam for both the support element and seal to ensure stability and flow-tight separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous recess is formed in the filter medium body to fix the filter element in the filter housing, then the filter element can be stably integrated, but the filtration area is reduced and flow conditions are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable integrationVSAvoidfiltration area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into two separate elements: a support element on the clean side and a counter-support element on the dirty side. This eliminates the need for a continuous recess through the filter medium body, as each support element only requires a localized recess on its respective side, thereby preserving most of the filtration area while achieving stable integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support element acts as an intermediary component that transfers the mechanical load from the filter medium body to the filter housing. By introducing this intermediate support structure, the filter element achieves stable integration without requiring a continuous recess that would compromise the filtration area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a continuous recess is formed in the filter medium body, then the filter element can be fixed in the filter housing, but flow disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed positionVSAvoidflow conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into two separate support elements positioned on opposite sides of the filter medium body. This segmentation allows each support element to provide localized stabilization without creating a continuous flow path disruption, thereby maintaining better flow conditions while ensuring the filter element remains fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a single continuous recess through the filter medium body, the invention inverts the approach by creating two separate recesses on opposite sides, each housing a support element. This inverted structure reduces flow disruption by eliminating the continuous opening that would otherwise impede fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the filter medium body is supported on the dirty side, then stability is achieved, but the filter medium body bulges towards the clean side when wet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbulging
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The counter-support element on the dirty side acts as a counterweight that balances the forces acting on the filter medium body. When the filter medium becomes wet and expands, the counter-support element provides opposing support that prevents bulging towards the clean side, thereby maintaining both structural stability and proper shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The support and counter-support elements are pre-positioned on opposite sides of the filter medium body before operation. This preliminary action ensures that when the filter medium absorbs moisture and expands, the opposing support forces are already in place to prevent bulging, maintaining the structural integrity and shape throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 improves filtration efficiency, reduces manufacturing complexity, and ensures long-term stability under various operating conditions by preventing bulging of the filter medium body, even when wet, without adverse effects on flow conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the forces acting on the filter medium body by the flowing fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a circumferential seal (3), which is arranged in the edge region of the filter medium body (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow-tight sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3297745B1Filter element, in particular for gas filtration
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3297745B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3297745B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3297745B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element comprising a filter medium body, on which is arranged a supporting element which is disposed on the filtered side of the filter medium body, the supporting element being separated from the unfiltered side by the material of the filter medium body.