Circumferential Filter Seal for Multi-Stage Airflow Tightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filters with multiple levels require complex and material-intensive sealing solutions to ensure tightness and efficient filtration, which can be difficult to assemble safely and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A filter design featuring a sealing element that connects the first and second filter elements, providing an all-round sealing surface that matches the filter intake, ensuring secure sealing between the filter elements and the intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional seals are used to ensure leak-tight connection between filter elements and filter housing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrally connected to the second filter element, combining the sealing function with the filter element structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate additional seals while maintaining leak-tight connection between the first and second filter elements and between the second filter element and filter housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element serves multiple functions: it provides sealing between the first filter element and second filter element, sealing between the second filter element and filter housing, and structural support for mounting the first filter element. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional seals are used to ensure leak-tight connection, then sealing reliability is improved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrally connected to the second filter element, combining the sealing function with the filter element structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate additional seals while maintaining leak-tight connection between the first and second filter elements and between the second filter element and filter housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex sealing solutions are used to ensure tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrally connected to the second filter element, combining the sealing function with the filter element structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate additional seals while maintaining leak-tight connection between the first and second filter elements and between the second filter element and filter housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is pre-integrally connected to the second filter element during manufacturing, so that during assembly only the filter elements need to be mounted without handling separate sealing components. This preliminary integration significantly simplifies the assembly process while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If separate sealing solutions are used for each filter element connection, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element serves multiple functions: it provides sealing between the first filter element and second filter element, sealing between the second filter element and filter housing, and structural support for mounting the first filter element. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4529971A1Filter with circumferential sealing element
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP4529971A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4529971A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4529971A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter (10) for cleaning an airflow (L) comprising at least one first filter element (1) for a first filter stage and a second filter element (2) for a second filter stage, wherein the second filter element (2) is provided with a circumferential sealing element (3) and the sealing element (3) is bonded to the second filter element (2). According to the invention, the sealing element (3) has an outer circumferential sealing surface (4) for sealing against a filter holder (20) and an inner circumferential sealing surface (5) for sealing against the first filter element (1). Advantageously, a single sealing element can be used to seal the first filter element against the second filter element and the second filter element against the filter holder (20). The invention also relates to a filter arrangement (100) comprising a filter as described above and a filter holder for receiving the filter.