Filter Support Structure Segmentation for Surface Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter designs face challenges in maximizing the surface area of filter media without impeding fluid flow and are often labor-intensive to fabricate, limiting the processing capacity of fluid filters.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a first and second frame portion, featuring radially-extending fingers and longitudinally-extending support surfaces, that defines concentric filtering channels to enhance the surface area of the filter media while maintaining unobstructed fluid flow and ease of fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface area of filter media is increased by geometric configurations, then the processing capacity of the filter element is maximized, but the structure becomes more complex and labor-intensive to fabricate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple radially-extending fingers that are longitudinally spaced apart, creating segmented channels. This segmentation increases the effective surface area of the filter media while maintaining a simple, modular structure that is easy to fabricate from a single piece of material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a flat filter media configuration to a three-dimensional structure with radially-extending fingers and longitudinally-extending support surfaces. This dimensional change creates multiple filtering channels (radial and circumferential) that increase the effective surface area without proportionally increasing the overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If the surface area of filter media is increased by geometric configurations, then the processing capacity of the filter element is maximized, but the fabrication process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses segmented radially-extending fingers that can be formed from a single piece of material through simple molding or forming processes. This segmentation achieves the desired geometric configuration while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the entire structure can be fabricated in one piece without complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially-extending fingers and longitudinally-extending support surfaces are designed to automatically define the filtering channels when the support structure is assembled with the filter media. The structure self-configures the fluid flow paths without requiring additional labor-intensive assembly or adjustment steps.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support structures are added to retain filter media in geometric configuration, then the filter media is properly supported, but fluid flow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The radially-extending fingers are longitudinally spaced apart from one another, creating open channels between them. This segmentation provides structural support to maintain the filter media configuration while leaving sufficient open space for unimpeded fluid flow through the filtering channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses thin, planar radially-extending fingers and longitudinally-extending support surfaces that provide minimal obstruction to fluid flow. These thin structures maintain the necessary geometric configuration of the filter media while allowing fluid to flow freely through the defined channels with minimal resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure of a filter element for supporting a filter material that is adapted to filter a fluid includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The first frame portion has a plurality of radially-extending fingers that are longitudinally spaced from one another. The first frame portion is disposed entirely on an unfiltered side of the filter material. A second frame portion has a pair of longitudinally-extending support surfaces that are disposed in a spaced, facing relationship with respect to one another. The second frame portion is disposed entirely on a filtered side of the filter material. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion and each of the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion support the filter material to define a first radial channel. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion space the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion apart from one another.