Elastomeric Sealing Spring Gasket for Filter Assembly Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spin-on filter assemblies face challenges in accommodating stack-up tolerance and sealing due to geometrical constraints, often requiring separate components like coil springs and static sealing elements, which increase complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A single, elastomeric sealing spring gasket that functions as both a biasing member and a seal, absorbing stack height tolerance and forming multiple seals within the filter assembly, eliminating the need for separate coil springs and static sealing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional compression springs and separate sealing elements are used, then stack-up tolerance can be accommodated and sealing can be provided, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the compression spring function and sealing function into a single elastomeric gasket component. The gasket includes a body portion that provides sealing against the endplate and a leg portion that acts as a compression spring to accommodate stack-up tolerance between the nutplate and endplate. This merging eliminates the need for separate coil springs and static sealing elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining both sealing effectiveness and tolerance accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric gasket performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing contact with the endplate, acts as a compression spring to absorb height variations and stack-up tolerance, and maintains continuous contact with the nutplate. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, thereby reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional compression springs and separate sealing elements are used, then stack-up tolerance can be accommodated, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack-up tolerance accommodationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional metal springs and rigid sealing elements to an elastomeric material that inherently provides both spring-like compliance and sealing capability. The elastomeric gasket can deform elastically to accommodate stack-up tolerance while maintaining sealing contact, eliminating the need for precision assembly and reducing manufacturing costs associated with multiple components and tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If geometrical constraints of filter assembly are considered, then proper sealing can be achieved, but conventional compression springs cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidspring applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an elastomeric gasket with flexible geometry that can adapt to the constrained space within the filter assembly. The gasket includes a body portion and a leg portion that can deform elastically to provide sealing contact between the nutplate and endplate in geometries where conventional rigid coil springs cannot fit. The flexible elastomeric material allows the gasket to conform to the specific geometrical constraints while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric gasket provides dynamic sealing capability through its ability to deform and recover. The leg portion acts as a compliant spring that can dynamically adjust to height variations and stack-up tolerance, maintaining continuous contact with the nutplate. This dynamic behavior allows the gasket to function in geometrical constraints where static conventional springs would fail to provide proper sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 elastomeric gasket reduces manufacturing costs and quality control constraints while providing effective sealing and stack-up tolerance accommodation, enhancing the flexibility and reliability of spin-on filter assemblies.

Implementation Method 1

The spring-loaded extension is axially flexible between an expanded position and a compressed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230338879A1Elastomeric sealing spring gasket for a filter assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 ATMUS FILTRATION INC

AI summary

A spin-on filter comprises a housing shell, a filter element, a nutplate, and a gasket. The filter element is positionable within the housing shell and comprises a filter media and an endplate. The nutplate is positionable within the housing shell. The gasket comprises a central body and a spring-loaded extension. The spring-loaded extension circumferentially surrounds and extends radially from the central body. The spring-loaded extension is axially flexible between an expanded position and a compressed position. The spring-loaded extension forms and maintains a first seal with the endplate and maintains contact with the nutplate as the spring-loaded extension moves between the expanded position and the compressed position.