Integrated Filter Sheet for Dual-Path Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid filters face a trade-off between removing fine contaminants and limiting filter back pressure, requiring separate parallel paths and supporting structures, which increases construction costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

Integrating coarse and fine filter media into a single flexible filter sheet, eliminating the need for separate supporting structures and allowing fluid to flow through both media types without additional support, thereby reducing construction costs and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate supporting structures are used to hold different filter media in parallel paths, then the filtration effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the supporting structure function into the filter media itself by creating a laminated composite where the coarse filter fabric serves as the structural support for the fine filter fabric. This eliminates separate supporting structures like rib trays or plastic scaffolding while maintaining the parallel path configuration for effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of two different filter fabrics laminated together - a coarse filter fabric providing structural support and low-pressure drop passage, and a fine filter fabric providing high-efficiency filtration. This composite approach allows both media types to be integrated without separate supporting structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If separate supporting structures are used to hold different filter media, then the filter media stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter media stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the supporting function with the filter media by making the coarse filter fabric bear the structural load while supporting the fine filter fabric. This merging eliminates the need for separate supporting structures and simplifies manufacturing to primarily attaching the laminated filter assembly to the inlet port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If fine filter media with small pore size is used to remove fine contaminants, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter back pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidfilter back pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the filtration function into two parallel paths: one through coarse filter media with large pore sizes that provides low-pressure drop passage, and another through fine filter media with small pore sizes that captures fine particles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high filtration efficiency while limiting back pressure through the coarse path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite filter structure where coarse and fine filter fabrics are laminated together, enabling oil to flow through both media types in parallel. The coarse fabric maintains low back pressure while the fine fabric provides high-efficiency filtration, resolving the trade-off between filtration efficiency and back pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This integrated approach reduces construction costs, simplifies the filter structure, and maintains effective filtration by allowing fluid to flow through both media types without additional support, optimizing flow under varying viscosity conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A coarse filter fabric is attached to a fine filter fabric to form an integrated flexible filter sheet interposed in a path between the inlet port and the outlet port so that fluid flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port passes through the filter medium both through the coarse filter fabric alone and the fine filter fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3010619B1Filter providing coarse media with high-efficiency insert
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3010619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3010619B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A filter providing dual paths through a coarse filter medium and a fine filter medium attaches the coarse filter medium to the fine filter medium directly eliminating an intervening supporting structure and simplifying manufacture.