Round Filter Bellows Assembly for Low-Stress Gas Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular filter elements for fuel cell applications are complex to manufacture and do not achieve optimal filtration performance.

Innovation Solution

A circular filter element with concentrically arranged particle and pollutant filter medium bodies, designed as bellows with a common end plate and gas-permeable support element, allowing radial flow and reducing friction through gas-permeable media layers, facilitating easy assembly and high filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a flat filter element is used, then the housing can be simply designed, but the filter element is subject to high mechanical stress and requires a large frame area for the same filtration area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing designVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed with a rounded cross-section instead of a flat shape. This curvature distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the filter element surface, reducing peak stress concentrations and improving structural strength without requiring a more complex housing design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If a flat filter element is used, then the housing can be simply designed, but a larger frame area is required for the same filtration area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing designVSAvoidframe area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded cross-section of the filter element allows for a more compact arrangement within the housing, increasing the effective filtration area within the same frame area compared to flat filter elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Strength

If a rounded filter element is used, then the mechanical stress is reduced and frame area is optimized, but the filter element cannot be easily removed from the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress resistanceVSAvoidfilter element removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into a frame portion and a filter medium portion that can be separated. The frame portion with the rounded cross-section remains in the housing providing structural strength, while the filter medium can be easily removed and replaced by detaching it from the frame, combining the benefits of rounded design with ease of maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the filter element is tightly fitted in the housing, then filtration efficiency is improved, but cleaning and disassembly become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the filter element into removable frame and filter medium components, the filter medium can be easily detached for cleaning or replacement without requiring disassembly of the entire housing or tight fitting mechanisms, maintaining filtration efficiency while enabling easy maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4426467B1Round filter element and filter device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4426467B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4426467B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4426467B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a round filter element for filtering a gaseous fluid, comprising a particle filter medium body designed as a hollow body and a separate pollutant gas filter medium body designed as a hollow body, wherein the filter medium bodies are concentrically arranged to one another and enclose an internal flow chamber. The end faces of both filter medium bodies are covered by a common end disk in a flow-tight manner. Both filter medium bodies are designed as a filter bellows from folded filter medium.