Pleated Filter Element Reinforcing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter elements with soft thermoplastic elastomer holder frames are prone to deformation and separation when subjected to external forces, leading to separation or peel-off of laminated non-woven fabric layers and increased ventilation resistance.
Innovation Solution
A filter element design featuring a holder frame and reinforcing members made of thermoplastic elastomer, with one end connected to the holder frame and the other end as a free end, extending to intersect the filter member, preventing separation and maintaining a larger filtration area without increasing ventilation resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the holder frame is formed of a soft material such as thermoplastic elastomer, then the packing can be formed integrally with the holder frame improving assembling workability and manufacturing cost, but the end portion of the filter member will be deformed under external force leading to separation or peel-off of the non-woven fabric layers or between the non-woven fabric and the holder frame
Solution Approach 1:
The holder frame is divided into two distinct parts: a soft material portion for integral packing formation and a rigid material portion for structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the soft portion provides ease of manufacture and sealing, while the rigid portion prevents deformation and separation under external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder frame is constructed as a composite structure combining soft material (thermoplastic elastomer) and rigid material in a single integrated component. This composite approach enables the holder frame to simultaneously exhibit the formability and sealing properties of soft materials and the structural stability and resistance to deformation of rigid materials.
2Device complexity
If the holder frame is formed of a soft material such as thermoplastic elastomer, then the packing can be formed integrally with the holder frame reducing the number of members and manufacturing cost, but the filtering area may be reduced due to contacting and sticking of adjacent gathers of the pleated filter member
Solution Approach 1:
The holder frame is segmented into soft and rigid portions, where the rigid portion specifically serves to maintain the spacing between pleated gathers. This prevents adjacent gathers from contacting and sticking together, thereby preserving the full filtering area while still allowing the soft portion to provide integral packing formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite holder frame structure combines the advantages of soft materials (integral packing, reduced component count) with rigid materials (maintained gathering spacing, preserved filtering area). This allows the filter element to achieve both manufacturing simplicity and full filtering capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an external force is applied concentrically to the end portion of the filter member when the filter element is intentionally twisted or bent, then the holder frame may deform, but using a soft material for the holder frame increases the risk of separation or peel-off of the bonded laminated non-woven fabric layers
Solution Approach 1:
The holder frame is segmented into a soft material portion that provides flexibility and adaptability for twisting or bending, and a rigid material portion that provides structural support to prevent excessive deformation. This segmentation ensures that the bonding between laminated non-woven fabric layers remains intact even when the filter element is subjected to intentional twisting or bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite holder frame combines soft and rigid materials to achieve both flexibility and strength. The soft portion allows the filter element to adapt to twisting or bending without breaking, while the rigid portion prevents deformation that would cause separation or peel-off of the bonded layers, thereby maintaining bonding strength under flexible conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element includes: a filter member formed of a non-woven fabric formed by laminating a plurality of non-woven fabric layers and folding the thus formed non-woven fabric in form of pleat having a predetermined size along a width direction of the filter member; a holder frame formed of a soft material and disposed along an outer peripheral edge of the filter member, the holder frame being constituted by first and second frame members; and a reinforcing member having one end connected to the first frame member disposed along the width direction of the holder frame and having another end formed as a free end free from connection. The reinforcing member extends so as to intersect the width direction of the filter member.