Pleated Filter Element With Oblique Adhesive Bonds for Edge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements for fluids, particularly in motor vehicles, face challenges in manufacturing efficiency and stability under operational flow forces, especially in areas near the edges, requiring additional seals or stabilizing elements that complicate production and reduce filtration effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A pleated filter element with a zigzag-folded filter medium is stabilized using adhesive bonds that run at angles or offsets to the fold edges, forming internal adhesive walls within the pleated pack, enhancing structural integrity and flow guidance without additional external supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a filter element is folded into a compact configuration for storage and transport, then storage space is reduced, but the filter element may deform or damage during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple pleated sections that can be independently folded. Each pleat acts as a segmented unit that maintains its structural integrity while allowing compact folding. The pleats are designed with specific geometry to fold repeatedly without damage, solving the contradiction between compact storage and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element incorporates flexible support structures and mounting mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment during folding and deployment. The pleated design enables the filter to flex and adapt to folding motions while maintaining functional integrity, resolving the conflict between compact configuration and structural rigidity.
2Strength
If the filter element is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the filter element cannot be folded for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is organized into discrete pleated sections that can flex independently. This segmentation allows the filter to maintain rigidity in its operational configuration while enabling folding for storage, as each pleat can bend without compromising the overall structural integrity of the filter element.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element utilizes flexible pleated structures that can bend and fold while maintaining their filtering function. The pleats are designed with appropriate thickness and material properties to provide structural strength when deployed but flexibility when folded, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and foldability.
3Productivity
If the filter element is designed with a large surface area for high filtration capacity, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter element occupies more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element employs a pleated design that extends the filtering surface area into the third dimension. By creating multiple folds and pleats, the filter achieves a large effective filtration area within a compact volume, allowing high filtration capacity while maintaining small storage footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The pleated structure allows the filter surface to be nested within itself when folded for storage. Multiple layers of pleats can be compacted into a small space while maintaining the total surface area required for high filtration capacity, resolving the contradiction between filtration productivity and storage volume.
4Volume of moving object
If the filter element is folded compactly for storage, then storage volume is reduced, but the filter element is difficult to unfold and install
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple pleated sections that can be independently unfolded. This segmentation allows the filter to be deployed in a controlled manner, with each pleat unfolding sequentially, making the installation process easier while maintaining compact storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter incorporates flexible mounting mechanisms and pleated structures that facilitate easy unfolding and deployment. The dynamic design allows the filter to transition smoothly from compact storage configuration to operational configuration, improving installation ease while maintaining small storage volume.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filter element (1) for filtering a fluid, in particular for filtering combustion air in a motor vehicle and/or for filtering working fluids of a motor vehicle, which filter element comprises a fold pack (2) which is formed from a filter medium (9) that is folded in a zigzag shape and has fold portions (22) delimited by fold edges (16). At least two directly adjacent fold portions (22A, 22B) are interconnected along an adhesive line (21) by an adhesive bond (23) by means of an adhesive material (24), the adhesive line (21) running at least partially obliquely in respect to the fold edge (16A) situated between the two directly adjacent fold portions (22A, 22B) or being offset along the fold edge (16A) situated between the two directly adjacent fold portions (22A, 22B).