Flat Filter System with Parallel Unequal-Density Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid filters, particularly in cooling systems and transmission systems, face challenges in achieving sufficient filtration efficiency while minimizing differential pressure, often requiring mechanical bypass valves due to high filtration density.
Innovation Solution
A filter system with a flat non-pleated design featuring two filtration areas of different densities, allowing fluid to pass through both areas in parallel, with one area having high filtration density and the other low, reducing differential pressure and maintaining filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single high filtration density area is used, then filtration efficiency is improved, but differential pressure increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple filtration areas with different filtration densities. The first filtration area has a first filtration density and the second filtration area has a second filtration density that is different from the first. This segmentation allows the filter to handle different portions of the fluid flow with appropriate filtration levels, maintaining overall filtration efficiency while reducing the differential pressure that would result from using a single high-density filtration area throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the filter element are assigned different filtration densities based on local requirements. The first filtration area and second filtration area have distinct filtration densities tailored to their specific functions. This local quality approach ensures that each area contributes optimally to the overall filtration process without creating excessive pressure differential across the entire filter.
2Reliability
If filtration density is increased to improve filtration quality, then filtration efficiency is improved, but fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple filtration areas with different filtration densities. The first filtration area has a first filtration density and the second filtration area has a second filtration density that is different from the first. This segmentation allows the filter to handle different portions of the fluid flow with appropriate filtration levels, maintaining overall filtration efficiency while reducing the differential pressure that would result from using a single high-density filtration area throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration density parameter is varied across different areas of the filter element. By changing the filtration density from the first value in the first area to the second value in the second area, the system optimizes the balance between filtration quality and fluid flow rate. This parameter change allows high filtration quality where needed while maintaining adequate flow rates through areas with lower filtration density.
3Productivity
If a mechanical bypass valve is used to reduce differential pressure, then fluid flow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical bypass valve is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using an active valve mechanism to bypass fluid, the invention relies on the passive structural design of the filter element with multiple filtration areas of different densities. This extraction eliminates the complexity of the valve mechanism while still achieving the goal of maintaining adequate fluid flow and reducing differential pressure through the distributed filtration density approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element itself provides the pressure regulation function that would otherwise require a mechanical bypass valve. By incorporating multiple filtration areas with different densities, the filter structure automatically manages the fluid flow and differential pressure without requiring external control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using its own structural characteristics to achieve both filtration and flow management.
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 system achieves reduced differential pressure and sufficient filtration quality by utilizing parallel filtration areas with varying densities, eliminating the need for mechanical bypass valves and enhancing fluid flow adaptability to viscosity changes.
Implementation Method 1
a flat non-pleated filter element being operably accommodated in the housing, a fluid flow passing transversely through the filter element from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, the filter element having at least two filtration areas of different filtration densities, the fluid flow passing the at least two filtration areas in parallel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filter system (100) for filtering fluids, in particular a liquid fluid filter system, comprising a housing (110), a fluid inlet (102) formed in a first housing part (112), a fluid outlet (104) formed in a second housing part (114), a flat non-serviceable filter element (10) being operably accommodated in the housing (110), a fluid flow (50) passing transversely through the filter element (10) from the fluid inlet (102) to the fluid outlet (104). The filter element (10) has at least two filtration areas (12, 14) of different filtration densities, the fluid flow (50) passing the at least two filtration areas (12, 14) in parallel.