Fuel Filter Layout With Multi-Surface Media and Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters for internal combustion engines face challenges in maximizing filtration area in limited space, leading to reduced filtration capacity and service life due to increased flow rate per unit area and resistance, which is not adequately addressed by current cylindrical or cuboid-shaped designs.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a housing featuring multiple hollow surfaces and a primary filter body with a support fence and particulate filter medium, along with a secondary filter body for water blocking, allowing for increased filtration area and efficient fuel-water separation by arranging more filter media in a limited space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cylindrical filter design is used, then the filter structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the filtration area is not maximized in limited space and filtration performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional cylindrical filter design to a planar flat structure with multiple hollow surfaces. This dimensional change allows the filter medium to be arranged on multiple surfaces (front, back, left, right) simultaneously, maximizing the filtration area within a limited volume space without increasing the overall filter size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the filter medium is sleeved on a support fence, and multiple hollow surfaces are integrated within the compact housing. This nesting approach allows maximum utilization of internal space for filtration while maintaining a compact external dimensions.
2Device complexity
If filtration area is reduced, then the filter structure is simplified, but flow rate per unit area increases and flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging filter media on multiple hollow surfaces (front, back, left, right) in a planar configuration, the total filtration area is significantly increased without complicating the overall structure. This multi-surface arrangement allows fuel to flow through multiple filtration zones simultaneously, reducing flow rate per unit area and minimizing flow resistance.
3Device complexity
If filtration area is reduced, then the filter structure is simplified, but filtration capacity and service life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes multiple hollow surfaces arranged in a planar configuration to maximize filtration area within limited space. This approach increases filtration capacity by providing multiple parallel filtration paths, allowing the filter to process larger volumes of fuel effectively without requiring a complex multi-component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device integrates multiple functions into a single compact unit: particulate filtration through the filter medium, water separation through the water separator, and contaminant accommodation. This multi-functionality achieves high filtration capacity without increasing structural complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical filter with concentric water separator is used, then the structure is conventional and easy to manufacture, but space utilization is poor and filtration performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent abandons the conventional cylindrical concentric design in favor of a planar structure with multiple hollow surfaces. This dimensional transformation allows the filter medium to be distributed across multiple surfaces (front, back, left, right), dramatically increasing the filtration area while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric planar layout with hollow surfaces arranged on different faces of the housing rather than a symmetric cylindrical configuration. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes space utilization and maximizes filtration area within the available volume, while the modular design keeps manufacturing straightforward.
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 solution enhances filtration efficiency and service life by reducing flow resistance and energy consumption, improving particulate impurity accommodation and fuel-water separation, thus extending the filter's performance and lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a particulate filter medium sleeved on the periphery of the support fence
Implementation Method 2
a secondary filter body installed on an outer side of the housing and configured to block water and allow the fuel to pass
Implementation Method 3
the reduction of the flow rate per unit area and the flow resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a filter device, including a housing, a primary filter body, and a secondary filter body. The housing is formed with a first channel for fuel to flow in. The primary filter body includes a support fence, a particulate filter medium, and end covers. The secondary filter body is formed with a second channel for the fuel to flow out from the secondary filter body and is configured to block water and allow the fuel to pass. The filter device in the present invention can make it possible to arrange more particulate filter media in a limited space, thereby improving the filtration capacity of a filter element per unit volume.