Filter Cartridge Connector Flange for Stable O-Ring Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for removable cartridges, such as filters, face challenges in maintaining a stable seal due to tilting of connector pipes, which can lead to inadequate compression of O-rings, resulting in leakage and inefficient fluid handling.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly includes a flange between the upper and lower plates of the manifold to limit the tilt angle of the connector pipes, ensuring the O-rings are compressed within predetermined compression ratio limits, thereby maintaining a stable seal by adhering to the relationship L·h ≤ W ≥ L·(C_U - C_L·T_O) where W is the flange width, L is the length from the flange to the O-ring, h is the gap height, C_U is the upper compression limit, C_L is the lower compression limit, and T_O is the uncompressed O-ring thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector pipe is allowed to tilt freely for easy installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the seal stability deteriorates due to inadequate O-ring compression
Solution Approach 1:
The flange width is designed as a specific parameter that changes the geometric relationship between the connector pipe and manifold. By optimizing the flange width dimension, the system allows controlled tilting during installation while preventing excessive tilt that would compromise seal compression, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and seal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary element between the connector pipe and the manifold body. It mediates the tilting motion by providing a controlled interface that permits installation flexibility while maintaining proper O-ring compression, thereby bridging the gap between operational ease and seal reliability
2Reliability
If the flange width is increased to prevent tilting, then the seal stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector pipe is segmented into distinct functional elements: the insertion end for fluid connection, the flange for positional control, and the body for structural support. This segmentation allows the flange to independently manage tilting prevention without complicating the entire connector assembly, maintaining simplicity while ensuring seal stability
3Reliability
If the O-ring compression is increased to prevent leakage, then the seal stability is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to O-ring deformation beyond limits
Solution Approach 1:
The flange geometry is designed in advance to prevent excessive tilting before it can occur during operation. By establishing proper alignment and limiting tilt angles through the flange-width-to-length ratio, the system preemptively prevents conditions that would lead to over-compression and O-ring damage, thus protecting material integrity while maintaining seal stability
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 effectively prevents excessive or insufficient compression of O-rings, ensuring a stable seal and preventing leakage, thus maintaining efficient fluid flow and secure attachment of removable cartridges like filters and flushing containers.
Implementation Method 1
An O-ring is compressed between the connector pipe and the port
Implementation Method 2
A compression ratio of the O-ring is within a range between a compression ratio upper limit and a compression ratio lower limit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A connection assembly includes a manifold configured to attach a removable cartridge and a connector pipe with a flange. The flange is disposed between an upper plate and a lower plate of the manifold and has a width that prevents tilting of the connector pipe at greater than a maximum tilt angle. The connector pipe is configured to be inserted into a port of the removable cartridge in which an O-ring is compressed between the connector and the port. A filter assembly includes a manifold, a filter removably attached to the manifold, a connector pipe with a flange disposed between an upper plate and a lower plate of the manifold, and an O-ring. The O-ring is compressed between the connector pipe and the port.