Layered Fuel Filter Aperture Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel filter apparatuses are inadequate for effectively removing JIS 7 powder dust from fuel, leading to increased pressure loss and potential clogging, which burdens the fuel pump and requires a secondary filter for fine dust capture.

Innovation Solution

A fuel filter apparatus with a layered filter body structure, featuring a woven fabric mesh outer layer, multiple layers of melt-blown unwoven cloth with varying aperture diameters, and a spun-bond inner layer, minimizing particle diameter overlap and maintaining effective filtration area to prevent pressure loss and clogging, allowing for long-term operation without a secondary filter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single layer of filter material with small aperture diameter is used to capture fine dust, then dust removal efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases and filter life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust removal efficiencyVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is divided into multiple layers with different aperture diameters. The outer layer has larger aperture (5-20 μm) for capturing coarse dust with low pressure loss, while the inner layer has smaller aperture (3-10 μm) for capturing fine dust. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different particle sizes, achieving high overall filtration efficiency without excessive pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter body have different filter material properties. The outer layer uses material with larger aperture suitable for coarse dust, while the inner layer uses material with smaller aperture for fine dust. This local differentiation of filter properties optimizes the balance between dust removal efficiency and pressure loss for different particle sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a single layer of filter material with small aperture diameter is used to capture fine dust, then dust removal efficiency is improved, but filter life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust removal efficiencyVSAvoidfilter life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is divided into multiple layers with different aperture diameters. The outer layer has larger aperture (5-20 μm) for capturing coarse dust with low pressure loss, while the inner layer has smaller aperture (3-10 μm) for capturing fine dust. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different particle sizes, achieving high overall filtration efficiency without excessive pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer layer with larger aperture performs preliminary filtration of coarse dust particles before the fuel reaches the inner layer with smaller aperture. This preliminary action prevents coarse dust from clogging the inner layer, extending the filter's service life while maintaining fine dust removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple layers of filter material are added to improve dust removal, then filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust removal efficiencyVSAvoidfilter body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is divided into multiple layers with different aperture diameters. The outer layer has larger aperture (5-20 μm) for capturing coarse dust with low pressure loss, while the inner layer has smaller aperture (3-10 μm) for capturing fine dust. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different particle sizes, achieving high overall filtration efficiency without excessive pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter body uses composite structure combining different filter materials with different aperture characteristics. The outer layer uses material with larger aperture (5-20 μm) and the inner layer uses material with smaller aperture (3-10 μm), creating a composite filtration system that achieves high efficiency without excessive complexity.

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

The filter apparatus efficiently removes 90% of JIS 7 powder dust, maintains low pressure loss over time, and reduces the burden on the fuel pump, enabling extended filtration without clogging or the need for a secondary filter.

Implementation Method 1

a filter body having an internal space which is connected to the fuel suction opening inside the fuel tank... three layers of filter materials made of an unwoven cloth produced by melt-blown method between the outermost filter material made of a woven fabric mesh and the innermost filter material made of an unwoven cloth produced by spun-bond method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2143934B1Filter apparatus for fuel

Publication Date: 2013.07.10 NIFCO INC

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AI summary

A filter apparatus F includes a bag-shape filter body and is attached in such a manner that an internal space of the filter body is connected to a fuel inlet in a fuel tank. The filter body includes two or more filter materials laminated each other. At least one of the filter materials is formed of an unwoven cloth having an average aperture diameter of 30 µm or less. A filter material made of an unwoven cloth having a maximum aperture diameter of 100 µm or less is disposed outside of the filter material made of the unwoven cloth having the average aperture diameter of 30 µm or less.