Dual Filter Element Sealing for Separate Service Intervals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems for fuel cell systems require separate servicing of particle and adsorption filters due to different service lives, leading to increased servicing costs.
Innovation Solution
A filter system with two exchangeable filter elements, each with seals surrounding outer edges, and a circumferential abutment element between the seals for seal-tight contact, ensuring separate servicing and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If separate filter bodies are used for particle filter and adsorption filter, then separate servicing is enabled and servicing costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple filter elements and sealing arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into separate filter elements (particle filter and adsorption filter) that can be serviced independently. Each filter element has its own housing and sealing arrangement, allowing selective replacement without affecting the other filter, thus enabling separate servicing and reducing overall servicing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
A common sealing element (O-ring seal) is introduced as an intermediary component between the filter elements and the housing. This standardized sealing element simplifies the sealing arrangement while enabling separate filter elements to be integrated into the housing, balancing device complexity with ease of repair.
2Device complexity
If multiple filter elements are integrated in one housing, then device complexity is reduced, but seal-tightness becomes difficult to maintain between different filter elements
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated sealing element (O-ring seal) is introduced as an intermediary between the filter elements and the housing. This standardized sealing component ensures reliable seal-tightness by providing a consistent sealing interface, while allowing multiple filter elements to be integrated in a single housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The same sealing element design is used across all filter elements, creating a homogeneous sealing system. This standardization ensures that each filter element maintains consistent seal-tightness when installed in the housing, making it easier to maintain reliability across multiple different filter types.
3Ease of manufacture
If filter elements are made as flat filters, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but filtering capacity is limited compared to three-dimensional filter structures
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements transition from two-dimensional flat filters to three-dimensional cylindrical filters. This dimensional change increases the filtering capacity by adding radial and axial dimensions to the filter medium, while the modular design keeps manufacturing relatively simple and cost-effective.
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
Enables separate servicing of particle and adsorption filters, reducing servicing costs and maintaining high seal-tightness, while allowing for cost-effective production and installation.
Implementation Method 1
a circumferential abutment element is arranged between the seals which includes, at sides facing away from each other, seal surfaces for seal-tight contact of the seals
Data Source
AI summary
A filter system has a filter housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. At least two exchangeable filter elements are arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet each having a filter body with a filter medium to be flowed through by a fluid in a flow direction. The filter elements each have an opposing end face with a seal surrounding an outer edge of the filter body at the end face. An abutment element is arranged between the seals when mounted in the filter housing. The abutment element has sides facing away from each other with a seal surface for contacting the seals. A filter element has a filter body with a filter medium and an end face with a seal surrounding an outer edge of the filter body at the end face for contacting a seal surface of an abutment element.