Pre-separator Unit Foldable Tabs for Gas Stream Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation devices for paint mist particles in air streams have a limited service life due to the high forces exerted by the raw gas stream, which can cause structural instability and require complex assembly.

Innovation Solution

A pre-separation unit with foldable parts and lateral tabs that engage in recesses, providing stability and ease of assembly, which is lightweight and easy to manufacture, and can be integrated with existing separation devices to enhance their durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a pre-separation unit is designed with foldable parts and lateral tabs for stability, then the service life and structural stability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-separation unit is divided into a first part and a second part that can be assembled together. The first part has lateral tabs that fold over and engage with recesses in the second part, creating a stable structure without requiring complex fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows the unit to be manufactured and assembled simply while providing the structural stability needed to withstand raw gas stream forces throughout its service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the pre-separation unit uses lateral tabs and recesses for assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmarginal recess precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral tabs and recesses are designed with specific geometric characteristics - the tabs have a thickness and width that provides sufficient engagement area, while the recesses are positioned and dimensioned to receive the tabs with appropriate clearance. This local geometric optimization ensures that the assembly is easy to manufacture using standard folding and fitting processes while maintaining the precision needed for stable engagement under operational forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4267275B1Pre-separator unit
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 NEUFILTER
  • EP4267275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4267275B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4267275B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a pre-separator unit (30) which is designed to separate particles entrained in a raw gas flow, comprising two parts (24, 26). One of the two parts (24) has lateral tabs (32, 34) formed by folding-over two opposing sides, and the other part (26) has edge-side recesses (36, 38), wherein the lateral tabs (32, 34) engage into the edge-side recesses (36, 38) in the folded-over state.