Filter Device Movable Coupling Seal Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices face challenges in designing a connection device that simplifies assembly, ensures a secure seal at high pressure levels, and prevents the accidental use of unsuitable filter elements, while maintaining operational safety and precision alignment.

Innovation Solution

The connection device features a movable coupling part on the filter element and a fixed coupling part on the cover part, with a spring-preloaded axial movement forming a seal, allowing only compatible filter elements to achieve the functional state, ensuring a self-controlling and compact design with precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex connection device is used to ensure secure seal at high pressure, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconnection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is divided into separate coupling parts: a first coupling part on the housing and a second coupling part on the cover part. Each coupling part has simplified individual structures with sealing surfaces that mate together, reducing the complexity of each component while maintaining overall sealing reliability through their coordinated interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection device incorporates a spring element that automatically pushes the movable coupling part into engagement with the fixed coupling part when the cover part is mounted. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment or complex actuation systems, achieving reliable sealing through the system's own structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a simple connection device is used to simplify assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but sealing reliability at high pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is pre-loaded in the disassembled state, storing elastic energy that is automatically released upon assembly to drive the coupling parts into their final sealed position. This preliminary preparation of the spring ensures that the complex sealing action occurs automatically during simple assembly without requiring additional sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movable coupling part acts as an intermediary element between the housing and cover part, providing a sealed fluid passage connection. This intermediate component with its sealing surface against the fixed coupling part ensures reliable sealing while keeping the overall assembly simple, as the movable coupling part mediates the connection and sealing function in a single integrated element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a fixed coupling design is used to ensure safety against mix-ups, then operational safety is improved, but adaptability to different filter elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidfilter element compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device transitions from a completely fixed design to a hybrid design where the first coupling part on the housing is fixed, providing safety against mix-ups, while the second coupling part on the cover part is movable, enabling adaptation to different filter elements. The movable coupling part can adjust its position while maintaining sealed engagement, combining safety with versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a movable coupling part with spring preloading is used to achieve self-controlling connection, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is integrated directly into the movable coupling part, combining the actuation mechanism and the coupling function into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms and reduces the number of discrete parts, achieving self-controlling automatic engagement while minimizing overall device complexity.

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

This design ensures a reliable seal and safe operation even at high pressures, preventing mix-ups and ensuring the correct filter elements are used, while maintaining a simple and compact assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

the arrangement is such that the coupling part can be moved axially and, in the functional state, is in contact with a fixed coupling part of the connection device by spring preloading, forming a seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring preloading: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2192965B1Filter device and filter element
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2192965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2192965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2192965B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A filter device includes a filter element (9) received in a housing (1). The housing can be closed by a cover part (3) having fluid ducts (35, 41). A connecting unit is provided to create a fluid-conducting connection between the filter element (9) and an associated fluid duct (35) of the cover part (3). The connecting unit is in the form of a coupling having a movable coupling part (33) creating the fluid connection in the functional state.