Fluted Filter With Integrated Frame and Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements with fluted media face challenges in secure attachment and sealing within filter housings, leading to potential bypass of unfiltered fluids and difficulties in removal and replacement, which affects filtration efficiency and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The development of a filter element with a border frame integrally bonded to the fluted filter media pack, providing structural support and protection, combined with a seal support frame and annular seal that are separately molded and attached, ensuring secure sealing and easy installation/removal, using materials like rigid urethane for structural support and softer urethane foam for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is provided on the filter element to prevent fluid bypass, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the filter element structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is integrated directly into the filter element body, merging the sealing function with the structural component rather than being a separate attachment. This reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining the sealing function necessary for filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the filtration media, and incorporates the sealing function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Ease of operation
If a clearance gap is provided between the filter element and filter housing to enable removal, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid may short circuit around the filter element
Solution Approach 1:
A seal acts as an intermediary element between the filter element body and the filter housing. It allows the clearance gap necessary for removal while preventing fluid from short-circuiting around the filter media, thus maintaining both ease of operation and filtration efficiency.
3Strength
If the filter element is provided with integrated frame and seal structures, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame and seal structures are integrated into the filter element body as a unified component. This merging provides enhanced structural integrity while streamlining the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
A filter element includes a filter media pack, a frame, an annular seal, and a sealing means independent of the annular seal. The frame is integrally secured to the fluted filter media pack with material of the frame integrally bonding the frame thereto.