Canister Filter Drain Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Canister filter systems face issues with high-pressure fluid handling, contamination from threaded connections in clean fluid pathways, and complex, costly manufacturing due to the connection structure, particularly when operating without a filter element, as seen in prior art designs.

Innovation Solution

A canister filter system design where a drain forms a seal with and releasably engages the filter element, preventing system use without a filter element installed, and eliminates threaded connections in the clean fluid pathway by using a drain that cooperates with the filter element to ensure proper installation and sealing, allowing fluid drainage without increasing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drain is integrated into the canister with threaded connections, then fluid drainage is enabled, but contamination risk increases in the clean fluid pathway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainageVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded connection is extracted from the clean fluid pathway and relocated to the canister body. The drain now connects to the canister externally, separating the threading operation from the sterile fluid path, thereby eliminating contamination risk while preserving drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drain assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the threaded connection interface is isolated from the fluid pathway, with a seal structure creating a barrier that prevents contamination while allowing fluid to pass through the drain channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the canister connection structure is complex to ensure proper filter installation, then system integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drain connection structure is merged with the canister body as an integrated feature rather than a separate component. This eliminates additional assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reliability of ensuring proper filter element installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The canister body serves multiple functions: it contains the fluid, provides the sealed connection interface for the drain, and ensures proper positioning of the filter element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the drain is positioned to allow easy fluid removal, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid removalVSAvoidfluid leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is engaged with the filter element before fluid drainage begins. This preliminary sealing action ensures that the fluid pathway is already sealed when the drain is opened, preventing leakage while allowing easy fluid removal through the drain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing structure is designed to engage and seal the fluid pathway before the drain is activated. This beforehand cushioning prevents any potential leakage by ensuring the seal is in place prior to fluid flow through the drain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures a filter element is always present to prevent contamination, reduces the risk of fluid leakage, simplifies manufacturing, and maintains system integrity by eliminating threads in the clean fluid pathway, thus enhancing operational safety and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a drain that forms a seal with and engages the filter element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2136901B1Canister filter system with drain that cooperates with filter element

Publication Date: 2014.03.19 CATERPILLAR INC

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AI summary

A canister filter system (1) includes a base (10), a canister (20) attachable to the base (10), and positioned inside the canister (20) a filter element (30)having filter media (31). A drain (40) engages and forms a seal with the filter element (30) in a closed position. In an open position, the drain (40) allows fluid to be removed from the canister (20). Because the drain (40) is engaged to and forms a seal with the filter element (30) in the closed position, the drain (40) cannot be closed unless a filter element (30) is present inside the canister (20). This prevents accidental or intentional use of the filter system (1) without a filter element (30) in place.