Membrane Humidifier Cartridge With Soft Mesh Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow fiber membranes in membrane humidifiers for fuel cells are prone to damage due to fluid friction and repetitive contact, leading to efficiency losses and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an impact-absorbing portion with a softer material (Shore A 5 to 80) around the joints and mesh hole portions to reduce friction and protect the hollow fiber membranes, which are housed in a harder inner case (Shore D 20 to 80) to absorb and dissipate fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hollow fiber membrane is used in a membrane humidifier, then the permeation area per unit volume is increased and humidification efficiency is improved, but the membrane is prone to damage from fluid friction and repetitive contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective layer made of soft material (such as silicone rubber or foam) at the inlet and outlet of the hollow fiber membrane. This protective layer is positioned in advance to cushion and absorb the impact of fluid flow and repetitive contact, preventing direct damage to the membrane before damage can occur. The soft material acts as a buffer that reduces mechanical stress on the fragile membrane surfaces.
2Strength
If the inner case is made of hard material, then structural strength is improved, but friction and impact damage to the membrane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the material properties at different locations within the cartridge structure. The inner case is made of hard material (such as polypropylene or polycarbonate) to provide overall structural strength and rigidity, while the inlet and outlet regions where the membrane is most vulnerable are covered with soft protective material. This localized differentiation allows the structure to have both strength where needed and softness where it protects the membrane from friction and impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining hard structural materials with soft protective materials in a single cartridge assembly. The inner case uses hard plastic materials for structural integrity, while the protective layers use soft materials like silicone rubber or foam. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve structural strength and membrane protection, resolving the contradiction between case strength and membrane friction damage.
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 impact-absorbing portion effectively reduces damage from repetitive contact and friction, enhancing the durability and longevity of the hollow fiber membranes, thereby maintaining efficient moisture exchange and humidification performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow fiber membrane in which a first fluid flows, and including a material having a first hardness
Implementation Method 2
at least any one of the first mesh hole portion and the second mesh hole portion may include a material having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a membrane humidifier cartridge, in which a hollow fiber membrane accommodated in a cartridge may be prevented from being damaged by a fluid, and a fuel cell membrane humidifier including the same. The membrane humidifier cartridge may include an inner case accommodating therein a hollow fiber membrane in which a first fluid flows, and including a material having a first hardness, a potting portion fixing a terminal of the hollow fiber membrane, a first mesh hole portion through which a second fluid is introduced, and including a plurality of windows, and a second mesh hole portion through which the second fluid introduced through the first mesh hole portion is discharged after exchanging moisture with the first fluid through the hollow fiber membrane, and including a plurality of windows. At least any one of the first mesh hole portion and the second mesh hole portion may include a material having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness.