Filter Assembly Flat Sealing Element Dead Space Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter assemblies in the food industry face contamination risks due to filtered components piling up between the outflow opening and the filter housing, which prevents them from conforming to EHEDG standards, as microorganisms can develop in these areas.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly design featuring a sealing element clamped against a supporting collar within the filter housing, allowing the outflow opening to be positioned near the filter element's head end, eliminating dead spaces where filtered material can accumulate, and using a flat silicone sealing element with tensioning means to secure the filter element, ensuring a tight seal and preventing microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outflow opening is positioned away from the filter element head end, then the filter housing structure is simpler, but filtered components accumulate in dead spaces creating contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element extends in the axial direction of the filter element, creating a new dimensional barrier that eliminates dead spaces between the outflow opening and filter element head end, preventing material accumulation without complex internal structures
Solution Approach 2:
A flat sealing element made of flexible material (such as silicone) is used to create an effective seal between the filter element and filter housing, eliminating dead spaces while maintaining a simple overall structure
2Reliability
If O-shaped sealing rings are used between filter element and filter housing, then sealing is achieved, but dead spots are created where material can pile up
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional O-shaped sealing ring structure that creates dead spots, replacing it with a flat sealing element that extends axially to prevent material accumulation while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a sealing ring that creates a cavity around the filter element, the invention uses a flat sealing element that extends outward to eliminate cavities, inverting the traditional sealing approach to prevent material pile-up
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the sealing element extends beyond the filter element diameter, then dead spaces are eliminated, but the sealing element requires additional support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element extends only partially beyond the filter element diameter - sufficient to eliminate dead spaces and prevent material accumulation, but not excessively to require complex support structures
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 design prevents the accumulation of filtered materials, thereby eliminating the risk of microorganism development, ensuring compliance with EHEDG standards and maintaining the integrity of filtered products, particularly in the food and dairy industries.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing element is clampable against a head end of the filter element and the supporting collar by means of tensioning means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates, on the one hand, to a filter assembly (1) suitable for filtering liquids and/or gases, comprising a filter housing (2) having an inflow opening (3) and an outflow opening (4) for a liquid and/or gas, a tubular filter element (5) accommodated in the filter housing (2) having open head ends and a tube wall (6) which acts as a filter, a sealing element (10) provided for closing one of the head ends, and tensioning means (7, 8) for tensioning the filter element (5) in the filter housing (2), wherein the sealing element (10) is flat and the filter housing (2) further comprises a supporting collar (14) for the sealing element (10), wherein the sealing element (10) is clampable against a head end of the filter element (5) and the supporting collar (14) by means of the tensioning means (7, 8). On the other hand, the present invention relates to a filter housing (2) for such a filter assembly (1).