Pleated Filter Element With Fluid Deflection Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements in the motor vehicle sector face challenges in maximizing filter area within limited installation space, particularly when dealing with fluids like air, gasoline, diesel, and urea solutions, due to geometric constraints and the need for efficient fluid flow and filtration.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a pleated filter medium connected to a support frame, featuring a fluid duct that redirects fluid flow, allowing for optimal use of installation space and enhanced stability, especially for liquid filtration, using materials like synthetic non-woven materials or paper, and incorporating a fluid guide channel for flow reversal and deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a pleated filter medium is used to increase filter area, then the filtration capacity is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter areaVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium is folded into a three-dimensional bellows structure with multiple pleats, transforming a two-dimensional surface into a compact three-dimensional form. This allows the filter medium to occupy space efficiently while maintaining a large surface area for filtration within a limited installation volume.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows structure allows the filter medium to be nested within itself through multiple folds, creating a compact configuration where the filter surface is folded back on itself multiple times, maximizing the filter area within a small footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the filter medium is made flexible to improve flow characteristics, then the fluid flow is improved, but the stability during flow decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flowVSAvoidstability during flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium is divided into multiple rigid or semi-rigid segments through folding, creating a structured bellows form. This segmentation provides structural stability while maintaining the ability to guide fluid flow through the pleated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element combines the filter medium with a support frame and end disk sections to create a composite structure. This composite construction provides the necessary stability during flow while allowing the filter medium to perform its filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the support frame structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the manufacturing is improved, but the stability during flow is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturingVSAvoidstability during flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame is merged with the end disk sections to form an integrated one-piece structure. This combining of components simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining the structural stability needed during fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables efficient filtration with a larger filter surface area, improved stability during fluid flow, and flexibility in installation, accommodating various fluid types and applications, including air and liquid filtration in vehicles and other machinery.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element with a pleated filter medium and a support frame to which the filter medium is connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the support frame having a fluid duct which is set up for this purpose a fluid flowing through the filter medium in such a way that it can be guided along a side of one of the end disk sections facing away from the filter medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow deflection:

Data Source

PatentEP3370851B1Filter element and filter assembly
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3370851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370851B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element (1), in particular an air filter element, comprising a folded filter medium (5) and a support frame (2), with which the filter medium (5) is connected, wherein the filter medium (5) is arranged between a first end disk section (17) and a second end disk section (18) of the support frame (2), and wherein the support frame (2) has a fluid-guiding channel (26) which, while said fluid (L) is flowing through the filter medium (5), is designed to direct the fluid (L) in such a way that it can be guided along a side of one of the end disk sections (17, 18), which is facing away from the filter medium (5).