Oblong Filter With Permeable Bottom Reducing Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filters for liquid and gaseous media suffer from high flow resistance and pressure drop due to an impermeable bottom that reduces the flow cross-section, making them inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A filter design without an impermeable bottom, featuring wider and thicker support elements that hold a medium-permeable filter element, allowing for a non-circular cross-section and reduced transverse struts to minimize flow resistance, with the filter element extending as a continuous strip or multiple elements for enhanced stability and flow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an impermeable bottom is used in the filter, then the filter structure is simple and stable, but the flow cross-section is reduced leading to high flow resistance and pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structure stabilityVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The impermeable bottom is completely removed from the filter structure. The filter element now extends continuously to the ends of the support elements, eliminating the bottom barrier that caused flow resistance. This extraction of the harmful impermeable bottom allows medium to flow through the entire filter surface area without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is made of a porous material that allows medium penetration throughout its entire surface area. By making the filter element itself the bottom surface rather than using an impermeable bottom, the entire filter surface becomes permeable, maximizing flow cross-section and minimizing pressure drop while maintaining structural integrity through the support elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the filter element is supported by a frame extending through the bottom, then the filter maintains its shape and stability, but the flow cross-section is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter shape stabilityVSAvoidflow cross-section
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure that previously extended through the bottom of the filter is completely removed. Instead, the filter element is supported only along the longitudinal edges by the support elements, allowing the bottom area to remain open and permeable, thus maximizing the flow cross-section while maintaining sufficient structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is transitioned from a three-dimensional frame extending through the bottom to a one-dimensional edge support system. The support elements are positioned only at the longitudinal edges, transferring the support function from the bottom surface to the perimeter, thereby freeing the entire bottom surface for medium flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If multiple synthetic resin mesh sheets are assembled to form the filter element, then the filter element can be supported by a frame, but the manufacture becomes troublesome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter element supportabilityVSAvoidfilter assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple synthetic resin mesh sheets are merged into a single pleated filter element structure. The pleating process combines multiple layers into one integrated component that maintains its shape through the pleats themselves, eliminating the need for additional frame structures to support the filter element while simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is pre-formed with pleats during manufacturing that provide inherent structural support. This preliminary shaping action creates a self-supporting structure that does not require additional frame elements for support, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design significantly reduces pressure drop and flow resistance by allowing medium flow in the longitudinal direction with minimal annular gaps, enhancing the filter's stability and manufacturing simplicity while maintaining efficient filtration.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element arranged on the frame and the support elements and made of a filter material which has small filter element openings for the medium to flow through. The filters retain solids and other contaminants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2165749B2Filter for liquids and gases
Publication Date: 2015.01.21 KARL KUFNER
  • EP2165749B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2165749B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2165749B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The filter has an oblong supporting body (1) made of plastic and a filter element (2) made from a filter material arranged at the supporting body. Two supporting elements (5) arranged at a frame (4), which extend in longitudinal direction (6) of the supporting body. The filter element is fixed by the frame and the two supporting elements. A central opening is turned away for the medium permeable head (8) of the filter, which is formed by the filter element and the supporting element. A ring (3) made of metal is arranged at the frame of the supporting body.