Dehydrating Filter Cartridge With Bypass Flow for Low Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter cartridges for engine fluids in motor vehicles face challenges with accessibility and pressure drop issues, particularly when integrated into compact spaces like under the hood, and they fail to effectively manage water in lubrication systems, leading to corrosion and reduced fluid service life.

Innovation Solution

A filter cartridge design featuring a separate desiccant filter element integrated within a hollow space of a first filter element, allowing bypass flow without passing through the permeable wall, minimizing pressure drop and enhancing water retention, with a connector securing the desiccant filter as a pre-assembled unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a desiccant material is placed in an internal space of a filter cartridge to capture water, then water retention capability is improved, but the device complexity and accessibility for replacement worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retention capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cartridge is divided into two separate filter elements: a first filter element with a hollow internal space and a second filter element containing the desiccant material. This segmentation allows the desiccant filter to be a pre-assembled unit that can be easily installed and replaced without complex assembly procedures, while still providing effective water capture capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second filter element (desiccant filter) is inserted into the hollow internal space of the first filter element, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach allows compact integration of the dehydration function within the filtration system while maintaining simple accessibility for replacement of the entire cartridge assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a desiccant filter is integrated into the filter cartridge, then water removal efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater removal efficiencyVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant material is contained within a specific internal volume of the second filter element, creating a localized dehydration zone. This localized approach ensures that water removal occurs efficiently at the point of contact with the desiccant material, while the overall flow path maintains minimal resistance. The permeable wall allows liquid to pass through to reach the desiccant material without creating excessive pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The permeable wall acts as an intermediary between the filter medium and the desiccant material. It allows purified liquid to reach the desiccant material while maintaining structural integrity and controlling flow distribution. This intermediary structure ensures efficient water capture without creating excessive flow resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the desiccant filter is made as a separate pre-assembled unit, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second filter element (desiccant filter) is pre-assembled as a complete unit with its connector and permeable wall before insertion into the first filter element. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation process, as the desiccant filter can be inserted as a ready-made component rather than requiring on-site assembly of multiple parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The design ensures efficient water removal from engine fluids, reducing corrosion and extending fluid service life while maintaining minimal pressure loss, facilitating easy installation and replacement in compact environments.

Implementation Method 1

A desiccant material, capable of retaining water, is placed in this internal space and allows for the capture of both free water from a bottom area of the tank and water dissolved in the oil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a first filter element including an annular filter medium allowing purification of said liquid by extending around a central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4526008B1Dehydrating filter cartridge and filtration device including the cartridge for filtering lubricant
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 PURFLUX FILTRATION
  • EP4526008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4526008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4526008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter cartridge for filtering lubricant, the cartridge being mounted in a housing (3) that has an outlet, the cartridge having: an annular filtration medium (2); a flange (1a) for covering an axial end of the medium with an opening (30) facing the outlet; a frame (1c) for retaining an internal face (2b) of the medium through which purified lubricant leaves; and a drying filter (5) provided with a connector (7). The frame allows the connector to be axially retained in the cavity of the medium once this connector has been inserted via the opening (30). The filter (5) is provided with an internal space that accommodates dessiccation material and is delimited by a permeable wall (T) through which passes lubricant leaving the cartridge via the opening (30). Bypass means which are formed in the cavity (9), including the frame, allow lubricant that has bypassed the medium (2) and/or the permeable wall to be channeled around the filter (5).