Oscillating Air Filter Frame Increases Surface Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air filters have limitations in maximizing surface area for a given volume, which can affect their efficiency in removing particulates from air, particularly in applications where air quality is critical, such as in internal combustion engines and ventilation systems.
Innovation Solution
The air filter design features a base with oscillating shape frame elements that are curved, allowing a filter element to follow this shape, increasing the surface area for a given volume, and may include reinforcing devices like wire screens to manage airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional air filters use simple flat or cylindrical shapes, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the surface area for a given volume is limited, reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using oscillating-shaped frame elements with curved profiles (such as sinusoidal curves) instead of straight lines. This allows the filter element to follow a three-dimensional oscillating path, maximizing surface area within the available volume while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat filters or simple cylindrical shapes to a three-dimensional oscillating structure. The frame elements extend in multiple dimensions with curved profiles, creating a complex spatial arrangement that increases surface area without proportionally increasing the bounding box volume, thereby improving filtration efficiency.
2Productivity
If the filter element surface area is increased for better particulate removal, then the filtration efficiency improves, but the volume of the air filter device increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using curved oscillating frame elements instead of straight lines, the patent packs more filter surface area into a compact volume. The curved paths allow the filter material to utilize three-dimensional space more efficiently, increasing the effective filtration area without proportionally increasing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating frame structure creates a nested arrangement where multiple undulations of the filter element are contained within a compact bounding volume. The frame elements fold back on themselves in a space-efficient manner, allowing high surface area to be nested within a small envelope volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An air filter including a base and a first and second frame element is disclosed. Each frame element is coupled to the base. The frame elements have an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base. A filter element generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements. An air filter system is also disclosed. The air filter system can include the air filter and an air filter container. The air filter container contains the air filter and directs air through the air filter in a predetermined direction. An air filter is disclosed including a support structure and an oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure. The oscillating shape increases the air filter surface area for a given volume.