Filter Cartridge Bypass Valve Asymmetry and Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter cartridges for fuel and lubricating oil face issues with excessive hydraulic resistance due to clogged filters and high viscosity fluids, leading to reduced fluid inflow, and prior solutions like integrated bypass valves are cumbersome and costly to replace.

Innovation Solution

A filter cartridge design featuring a bypass channel with a valve positioned out-of-center, allowing for independent replacement and production economies, along with a heat-sensitive element for dual pressure and temperature control, ensuring efficient fluid flow and reduced maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bypass valve is integrated into the support plate, then the bypass function is achieved, but the replacement and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass functionVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve is separated from the support plate into an independent component. The support plate contains a recess that receives the bypass valve, allowing the valve to be independently manufactured, assembled, and replaced without replacing the entire support plate assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass valve is extracted from the integrated support plate structure and positioned in an out-of-centre location on the support plate. This extraction allows the valve to be a separate, replaceable component while maintaining its bypass function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If the bypass valve is positioned in the centre of the support plate, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve positioningVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve is positioned in an out-of-centre location on the support plate rather than at the centre. This asymmetric positioning provides design flexibility to accommodate engaging means and openings in the central zone while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the recess structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If the filter wall is crossed from inside towards the outside, then the filtration is effective, but the hydraulic resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidhydraulic resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve provides a dynamic alternative flow path. When the filter wall becomes clogged and hydraulic resistance exceeds a threshold, the bypass valve opens automatically to allow fluid to flow through the bypass channel, reducing pressure buildup while maintaining filtration when conditions permit.

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 solution enhances filter cartridge design by allowing for easy replacement and production scalability, maintaining fluid flow efficiency even under high viscosity and temperature conditions, preventing malfunctions and ensuring filtered fluid quality.

Implementation Method 1

heat-sensitive element for dual pressure and temperature control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat-sensitive element response: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

bypass valve which following an increase in pressure in the chamber of the fluid to be filtered, which pressure goes beyond a predetermined value, is destined to open a direct passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2670504B1A filter cartridge
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 UFI FILTERS SPA
  • EP2670504B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2670504B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2670504B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A filter cartridge (60, 160) comprising a filter wall (63, 163) having a tubular shape and at least a support plate (61, 161) fixed to an end of the filter wall (63, 163), characterised in that a by-pass conduit (66, 166) is fashioned in the support plate (61, 161), which by-pass conduit (66, 166) is designed to place an internal volume (64, 164) delimited by the filter wall (63, 163) in communication with outside, which by-pass conduit (66, 166) is intercepted by a valve (70, 170) which is associated to the support plate (61, 161) in an out-of-centre position with respect to a longitudinal axis (A, A2) of the filter wall (63, 163), the valve (17, 170) comprising an internally-hollow valve body (171, 171 ), which is provided with a hole (72, 172) suitable for setting the bypass conduit (66, 166) in communication with the internal cavity of the valve body (71, 171), an obturator (73, 174) housed in the internal cavity of the valve body (71, 171), and an elastically-acting element (75,180) suitable for pressing the obturator (73, 174) against a valve seating (74, 179) such as to close the hole (72, 172), the valve (70, 170) being housed internally of a seating (67, 167) afforded in the support plate (61, 161 ).