Coaxial Outlet Socket Venting for Filter Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements for fluids, particularly in the automotive sector, face challenges in venting during operational use, leading to pressure buildup and impaired fluid flow due to air collection, and require high constructive expenditure for mounting and demounting, making them expensive and complex.

Innovation Solution

A filter system with a coaxial outlet socket that integrates a fluid outlet channel and a venting channel, where the venting channel surrounds the outlet channel radially and extends axially, allowing for simple and inexpensive manufacturing, easy mounting, and efficient venting through capillary channels connected to the filter medium, preventing air introduction and ensuring quick pressure buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter element is designed with separate venting channels and complex mounting structures, then venting function is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing functionVSAvoidconstructive expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the venting channel and fluid outlet channel into a single integrated outlet socket structure. The outlet socket has a first region with a venting channel that communicates with the filter medium and a second region with a fluid outlet channel, both formed within the same component rather than as separate parts requiring assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet socket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the venting channel for releasing air and pressure from the filter medium and the fluid outlet channel for directing filtered fluid outward. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated venting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional venting structures are used, then venting capability is provided, but mounting and demounting become difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing capabilityVSAvoidmounting and demounting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet socket is integrated directly with the end disc of the filter element, forming a unified structure that moves with the filter element during mounting and demounting operations. This eliminates separate venting components that would require additional alignment and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air collects at the clean side during filtering operation, then pressure buildup occurs, but existing venting solutions increase manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure buildupVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The venting channel and fluid outlet channel are merged into a single outlet socket component that is integrated with the end disc. This unified structure reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and sealed, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while providing effective venting to prevent pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet socket acts as an intermediary structure that provides both venting and fluid outlet functions through its integrated design with the end disc, eliminating the need for separate complex mounting structures and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration enables cost-effective production, simplifies the mounting and demounting process, prevents air-induced pressure issues, and ensures efficient fluid flow, particularly beneficial for fuel filters in vehicles with automatic start-stop systems.

Implementation Method 1

venting channel for clean side and/or raw side venting of the filter element, wherein the venting channel coaxially surrounds the fluid outlet channel in radial direction and extends at least in sections thereof in axial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a filter medium that is arranged in an annular shape relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter element and that can be flowed through by the fluid to be filtered in a radial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial flow filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11517836B2Filter element with venting function for suspension on a filter head, and a filter system

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

AI summary

A filter element for a fluid has a filter medium arranged in annular shape about a longitudinal axis to be flowed through by the fluid to be filtered radially. A coaxial outlet socket is arranged at an end of the filter element facing upwardly in filtering operation. The coaxial outlet socket has a fluid outlet channel for filtered fluid and a venting channel that vents a clean side and/or a raw side of the filter element. The venting channel coaxially surrounds the fluid outlet channel radially and extends at least in sections thereof in axial direction. A filter system is provided with a filter head that has a fluid inlet conduit, a fluid outlet conduit for filtered fluid, and a venting conduit, wherein the filter element is suspended from the filter head.