Reinforced Resin Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Under Fluid Pressure

Solution Overview

Problem

Large-sized hollow fiber membrane modules made of resin are prone to deformation under high fluid pressure, leading to potential sealing failures and reduced performance in humidifiers.

Innovation Solution

A hollow fiber membrane module with a resin case main body featuring a reinforcement portion that connects inner wall surfaces of the case, suppressing deformation and maintaining structural integrity under high fluid pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a large-sized case is manufactured by cutting rigid material such as metal, then the case can withstand high fluid pressure without deformation, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The case combines resin material with integrated reinforcement portions to create a composite structure that achieves metal-level pressure resistance while maintaining the cost and manufacturing advantages of resin molding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The case is divided into functional regions: the main body made of resin and reinforcement portions made of rigid material, allowing different parts to serve different purposes (cost-effectiveness vs. strength)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a large-sized case is manufactured by resin molding, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the case deforms under high fluid pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcement portions are built into the case structure during the molding process itself, providing preemptive structural support before the case is subjected to high fluid pressure during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The case combines resin material with integrated reinforcement portions to create a composite structure that achieves metal-level pressure resistance while maintaining the cost and manufacturing advantages of resin molding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the case size is increased to accommodate more hollow fiber membranes, then the humidification output increases, but the fluid pressure inside the case increases causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification outputVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into functional regions: the main body made of resin and reinforcement portions made of rigid material, allowing different parts to serve different purposes (cost-effectiveness vs. strength)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12611631B2Hollow fiber membrane module

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 NOK CORP

AI summary

A hollow fiber membrane module 10 includes: a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200; a case 100 that accommodates the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200 and has a case main body 110 made of a resin and having openings at both ends thereof; and a pair of sealing and fixing portions 310 and 320 that seal a gap between the hollow fiber membranes in a state where a hollow inside of each of the hollow fiber membranes 200 is kept open and fix the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200 to the case 100 on both end sides of the case 100. In the case main body 110, a reinforcement portion 115 that connects a pair of facing wall surfaces of inner wall surfaces for accommodating the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200 is integrally provided on the pair of wall surfaces.