Ratcheting Filter Frame Header Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pocket filter assemblies face challenges in maintaining uniform gas flow and maximizing filter media utilization, leading to pressure losses and increased energy requirements due to contact between adjacent filter bags, and require larger, bulkier filters for effective separation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-bag filter cartridge design featuring wedge-shaped filter bags held open by rectangular sub-frames and a main frame with internal miters and ratcheting teeth for secure assembly without rivets, ensuring tight connections and reduced racking, thereby minimizing contact between bags and optimizing filter media usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter bags are shaped in tapered or wedge-like configuration to maintain separation, then separation between adjacent filter bags is improved, but filter size increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into multiple discrete filter bags, each supported by its own rigid circular support structure. This segmentation allows each bag to maintain its shape independently, ensuring separation without requiring the entire filter assembly to be larger or more complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigid circular support structures are installed within each filter bag before the bags are assembled into the final configuration. This preliminary action pre-establishes the separation geometry, allowing the bags to maintain proper spacing throughout operation without requiring complex tapered or wedge-like shaping of the bags themselves.
2Reliability
If filter bags are sewn together to maintain separation, then separation between adjacent filter bags is improved, but filter media area is reduced due to seams
Solution Approach 1:
Rigid circular support structures serve as intermediary elements between adjacent filter bags, physically maintaining separation without requiring the filter bags themselves to be sewn or bonded together. This intermediary approach preserves the full filter media area of each bag while ensuring proper spacing.
3Strength
If rivets are used to connect frame ends, then connection strength is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame ends are designed with interlocking features that allow them to connect to each other without requiring external fasteners like rivets. The self-service connection mechanism achieves adequate strength while significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection features are integrated directly into the frame end structures themselves, merging the connection function with the frame structure. This eliminates the need for separate rivets or fasteners, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A header containing a multi-toothed tab forming a series of ratchets formed therein cooperatively engages a lanced section extending across the web of the cross section and depressed toward the inside of the cross section a selected depth that is greater than the tab thickness. One edge of the lanced and formed surface is formed with an upturned lip that functions as a pawl for the ratchets on the tab. Insertion of the tab into the lanced section of the receiver, each ratchet will be forced over the paw of the lanced section. The lanced section acts as a spring to allow the ratchet to pass over the paw and then pop back to its previous location ready to be flexed again for the next ratchet.The header includes a longitudinal channel having a base channel and upwardly extending channel sidewalls and a pair of spaced apart aligned longitudinal reinforcement ribs extending along said longitudinal channel base. The channel sidewalls including a pair of inwardly projecting longitudinal shoulders spaced apart from and aligned with the reinforcement ribs. The longitudinal channel member include a first male end including a tab with two lateral half tangs for cooperatively engaging an opposing channel receiver including two lateral lanced portions forming inwardly raised transverse flanges on either side of said channel base, each with an upwardly projecting lip for cooperative engagement with the two tangs disposed on the tab surface of the opposing distal end of the longitudinal channel member. The channel receiver has two inwardly extending dimples which cooperatively engage an inwardly canted end portion of the tab to maintain engagement of the tangs with said upwardly projecting lips.