Honeycomb Filter Plugging Pore Distribution for Thermal Shock Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Honeycomb structures used in filters for removing particulate matter from exhaust gases face issues with increased pressure loss and reduced strength due to deposits, especially when plugging portions have high porosity, leading to potential cracks and bonding strength deficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A honeycomb structure with plugging portions having a porosity of 50 to 90% and a thickness of 3 to 30 mm, featuring pores with a sectional area of 0.15 mm² or more occupying 30% or more of the total pore area, centered around the central axis, which enhances thermal shock resistance and bonding strength while maintaining low pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the porosity of plugging material is increased to reduce pressure loss and improve thermal shock resistance, then the resistance to thermal shock is improved, but the bonding strength of the plugging portion becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to thermal shockVSAvoidbonding strength of plugging portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a gradient in pore characteristics within the plugging portion. Specifically, it ensures that pores with a sectional area of 0.15 mm² or more (which provide thermal shock resistance) occupy 30% or more of the total pore area, while controlling the overall porosity to be 50-90%. This selective control of pore size distribution allows the plugging portion to simultaneously achieve excellent thermal shock resistance through large pores and sufficient bonding strength through controlled overall porosity and pore distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If deposits accumulate in the opening end portion of the cell, then the filtering capability is improved, but the pressure loss increases and output decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the plugging portion with specific pore characteristics (porosity of 50-90% and large pores occupying 30% or more of total pore area) before deposits accumulate. This pre-configuration ensures that even when deposits accumulate during operation, the structured pore distribution maintains adequate flow paths, preventing excessive pressure loss while still allowing deposits to form for filtering purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the thickness of plugging portion is increased to improve bonding strength, then the bonding strength is improved, but the pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength of plugging portionVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the thickness of the plugging portion to be within 3-30 mm and controlling the porosity to be 50-90%, with large pores (0.15 mm² or more sectional area) occupying 30% or more of the total pore area. This parameter optimization achieves sufficient bonding strength without excessive thickness, thereby maintaining low pressure loss while ensuring adequate structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 structure effectively prevents crack generation and maintains sufficient bonding strength even with high porosity plugging portions, reducing pressure loss and optimizing exhaust gas capturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a resistance to thermal shock is achieved (to prevent crack generation or dissolved loss due to the thermal shock during regeneration of the filter)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal shock: Thermal Shock

Implementation Method 2

the partition wall 2 functions as a filter to capture the PM and the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP1707252B1Honeycomb structure
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 NGK INSULATORS LTD
  • EP1707252B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP1707252B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

There is provided a honeycomb structure which is excellent in such a resistance to thermal shock as to prevent generation of cracks or dissolved losses in partition wall intersections as critical damages for a filter and which is capable of securing a sufficient bonding strength to partition walls even in a case where plugging portions have a high porosity. A honeycomb structure includes: porous partition walls arranged to define cells connecting two end faces to each other; and plugging portions arranged to plug the cells in either end face. A porosity of each plugging portion is 50 to 90%, and an area of pores each having a sectional area of 0.15 mm2 or more is 30% or more of a total pore area, the sectional area occupying an arbitrary section including a central axis of the plugging portion.