Filter End Caps With Notch Feature for Seal Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems face challenges in preventing leak paths between the seal arrangement and filter media, especially when preformed components are attached, due to the complexity of shapes and configurations, which can lead to ineffective sealing and fluid bypass.
Innovation Solution
The filter system incorporates end caps with notches that expose adhesive material, allowing a seal arrangement to securely attach to the filter media and end caps using a second adhesive, which contacts the first adhesive, ensuring a tight seal and preventing leaks. This configuration includes a block of filter media with pleated folds and a mesh layer for additional support, with the seal arrangement extending around the filter media and end caps to cover notches and exposed adhesive for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If preformed components are attached to the filter media with adhesive, then the filter structure is strengthened and components are secured, but leak paths may form between the seal arrangement and filter media due to complex shapes and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied to the end caps before attaching the seal arrangement, creating a pre-formed adhesive layer that ensures proper sealing contact. The notches are also pre-formed in the end caps to facilitate adhesive exposure and seal engagement, preparing the sealing interface in advance to prevent leak paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive acts as an intermediary substance between the end caps and the seal arrangement, creating a bonding interface that prevents leak paths. The adhesive material fills gaps and conforms to complex shapes, ensuring reliable sealing between components that have varying geometries.
2Area of stationary object
If the seal arrangement is positioned around complex filter configurations, then complete coverage is achieved, but it becomes difficult to prevent leak paths between the seal and filter media
Solution Approach 1:
The seal arrangement is designed with variable cross-sectional dimensions, being thicker in some areas and thinner in others, allowing it to conform to complex filter configurations. The notches in the end caps are strategically positioned and sized to expose adhesive at specific locations, enabling the seal to adapt to varying geometries while maintaining precise sealing contact.
3Reliability
If end caps with notches are used to expose adhesive, then the seal arrangement can be securely attached, but the end cap design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The end caps are designed with notches that segment the adhesive application areas, allowing the adhesive to be exposed at specific locations where the seal arrangement needs to attach. This segmentation enables precise control over where bonding occurs, improving attachment reliability while keeping the overall design manageable through localized modifications rather than complex overall restructuring.
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 significantly reduces the likelihood of leak paths, ensuring effective sealing and preventing fluid bypass, even with complex filter configurations, by utilizing overlapping notches and adhesives to secure the seal arrangement effectively around the filter media and end caps.
Implementation Method 1
A first adhesive material is used to secure the first and second end caps to the first and second ends of the block of filter media, respectively
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second notches in the first and second end caps exposes a portion of the first adhesive material. A second adhesive material is used to secure the seal arrangement to the block of filter media and the first and second end caps, with the second adhesive material contacting the first adhesive material
Data Source
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AI summary
A filter including a filter media pack, first and second preform members and first and second adhesives is provided. The first preform member is disposed over the media pack. The first preform member has a wall defining a well. The wall defines a notch. The first adhesive in the well attaches the first preform member to the filter media pack. The first adhesive has a contact region disposed in the notch. The second preform member is disposed over the first preform member. The second adhesive bonds the first preform member over the first preform member. The second adhesive engages with the first adhesive at the contact region.