Folded Plate Filter Element with Offset Passages for Particle Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current filter elements used in agricultural operations for cleaning exhaust air from stables are not robust, reliable, and cost-effective, especially under demanding conditions, and require improved designs for particle separation and ease of assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A filter element comprising a dimensionally stable folded plate base support with strategically arranged passage openings and foldable attachments that create an intermediate flow space for particle collection, allowing for efficient particle separation and easy assembly, with detachable connections for cost-effective and adaptable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter elements are made robust and reliable for demanding operating conditions, then particle separation performance improves, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobustness and reliability under demanding conditionsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into modular components: a base support with attachment areas and multiple detachable attachments that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly procedures while maintaining structural robustness through standardized connection elements at the fold edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachments are designed to be detachable and replaceable, transforming a static filter structure into a dynamic system where components can be easily assembled, disassembled, and maintained. This dynamic design reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliability through reusable standardized connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If filter elements are designed for easy assembly and maintenance, then manufacturing and repair costs decrease, but structural stability and particle separation efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and maintenanceVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the filter into a base support and detachable attachments with standardized connection elements, the design enables easy assembly and maintenance while maintaining structural stability through precise geometric interlocking at the fold edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection elements are pre-designed with complementary geometries that ensure stable interlocking before assembly occurs. The fold edge structures are predetermined to provide rigid attachment points, ensuring structural stability is built into the design before the actual assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If passage openings are arranged to maximize particle separation, then separation efficiency improves, but the structural integrity of the base support decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle separation efficiencyVSAvoidstructural integrity of base support
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base support is segmented with passage openings arranged in offset patterns between first and second fold edges. This segmentation allows high particle separation efficiency through multiple passage rows while maintaining structural integrity by distributing openings across segmented zones connected by rigid fold edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Passage openings are arranged in multiple rows offset in the flow direction, utilizing the dimensional space between fold edges. This multi-row offset arrangement maximizes particle separation efficiency by creating multiple flow paths while the fold edge geometry maintains structural integrity across the segmented base support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If filter elements are designed as washable and regenerable, then operational duration increases, but the complexity of cleaning and maintenance procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational duration through washing and regenerationVSAvoidease of cleaning and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable attachment design segments the filter into easily separable components that can be independently removed and washed. This segmentation simplifies maintenance procedures while enabling regenerable operation, as attachments can be quickly detached for cleaning without complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic detachable design allows rapid assembly and disassembly for cleaning purposes.Attachments can be easily removed, washed, and reattached, transforming a potentially complex maintenance procedure into a simple dynamic operation that extends operational duration while maintaining ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 filter element effectively separates particles from the raw gas stream, retains its shape under various stresses, and allows for easy assembly and maintenance, ensuring robust and reliable performance while being cost-effective to manufacture and transport.

Implementation Method 1

the particle-laden exhaust air, i.e. the raw gas flow, is deflected due to the offset arrangement of the first and second passage openings in an intermediate flow space between the base support and the several attachments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

the particles in the raw gas flow with a higher density cannot follow this deflection process and therefore collect in the intermediate flow space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParticle sedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP2987546B1Filter element for separation of particles from a particle loaded raw flow of gas
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 BIG DUTCHMAN INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP2987546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2987546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2987546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element for separating particles from a raw gas stream, comprising a base carrier designed as a folded plate with first and second fold edges, wherein first through-openings are arranged in the region of the first fold edges and first connecting elements are arranged in the region of the second fold edges, and attachments, wherein each attachment is designed as a strip foldable longitudinally along a fold line with second through-openings and a first and second longitudinal edge, and wherein each attachment has second connecting elements in the region of the first and second longitudinal edge, wherein the attachments are folded along their fold line and arranged on the base carrier in this manner.that the second connecting elements of the first and second longitudinal edges of each attachment are connected to the first connecting elements of two adjacent second fold edges, and that the second connecting elements of the first longitudinal edge of one of the attachments and the second connecting elements of the second longitudinal edge of an adjacent attachment are connected to the first connecting elements of one of the second fold edges.