Filter Element Bypass Channel Sieve Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements for liquid media, such as engine or transmission oil, face challenges in preventing contamination of bypass valves due to coarse dirt particles, which can lead to functional impairment, and existing solutions either increase the filter element's height or complicate sealing, making them costly and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A filter element design where a screen is integrated with the first end plate via injection molding or welding, ensuring a wear-free and fluid-tight fit, with the screen positioned upstream of the bypass valve to separate solid impurities, and a tubular design that maintains the filter element's overall height while providing effective filtration and pressure resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a sieve is fluidically connected downstream of the bypass valve, then coarse dirt particles are filtered from the liquid medium, but the bypass valve becomes contaminated with dirt particles leading to functional impairment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidbypass valve function
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sieve is positioned upstream of the bypass valve in the bypass channel, performing preliminary filtration of coarse dirt particles before the liquid medium reaches the bypass valve. This preliminary action prevents contamination of the bypass valve while maintaining effective filtration of the liquid medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a strainer is arranged on a cover element clipped onto the end plate, then the bypass valve is protected from coarse solid contaminants, but the overall height of the filter element increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass valve protectionVSAvoidfilter element height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sieve is integrated directly into the end plate structure, merging the filtration function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate cover elements and clipping mechanisms, thereby protecting the bypass valve from contaminants while maintaining a compact overall height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a complex sealing arrangement is used between the strainer and cover element, then pressure- and fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but the assembly becomes costly and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidsealing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sieve is formed as an integral part of the end plate, eliminating separate sealing interfaces between strainer and cover element. This merging of components reduces sealing complexity and potential failure points while maintaining pressure and fluid tightness through the simplified monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures reliable separation of solid impurities, maintains a low overall height, and provides a cost-effective, robust, and simple assembly process with enhanced sealing capabilities, ensuring continuous particle-free flow even at high viscosities and pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a sieve (34) is provided in the bypass channel (B) for separating solids from the liquid medium flowing through the bypass channel (B)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The first end plate, together with the support structure of the sieve, can be produced in a single process step, for example, by injection molding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection molding: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 3

The sieve can, in particular, be permanently cast into the first end plate element, which is made of plastic... or, in an alternative embodiment, the sieve, provided it is made of a thermoplastic material, can also be welded to the first end plate/support structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2881156B1Filter element having a bypass channel and filter assembly with a filter element
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2881156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2881156B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element (10) for filtering a liquid medium, in particular engine or transmission oil, comprising a first and a second end plate (20, 22) between which a filter material (12) is arranged. The liquid medium to be filtered flows through the filter material (12) in a flow direction (28) radial to the longitudinal axis (L) of the filter element (10). Downstream of the filter material (12) in the flow direction (28), a cleanroom (R) is arranged, which is fluidically connected to an outlet (30) of the filter element (10). The filter element (10) has a bypass channel (B) for the liquid medium, which is fluidically connected to the cleanroom (R) via a bypass valve (36). An inlet of the bypass channel (B) is formed by the first end plate (20). A sieve (34) for separating solids from the liquid medium passed through the bypass channel (B) is assigned to the bypass channel (B).According to the invention, the sieve (34) is attached to a support device which is integrally formed on the first end plate (20) and which extends along the longitudinal axis (L) of the filter element (10) from the end plate (20) into the interior of the filter element (10). The sieve (34) can, in particular, be permanently cast into the first end plate element (20), which is made of plastic.