Integrated Filter Endcap Seal for Leak-Resistant Canister Filtration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing canister style filter systems experience leakage issues due to the use of separate seals like O-rings, which are prone to leaks, despite solutions such as wing nuts and axial sealing gaskets.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a seal member with the filter element, featuring a sealing portion and a connecting portion with flow passages, providing sealing redundancy and allowing fluid to flow through apertures for filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate O-ring seal is used between the base and canister, then the filter system can be assembled with simple components, but leakage occurs at the seal interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidseal configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is integrated directly into the filter element structure, merging the sealing function with the filter element itself. The seal member includes a sealing portion with sealing surfaces that contact the base and canister, eliminating the need for separate O-rings and wing nuts while preventing leakage at the seal interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate seals and fastening components are used, then sealing coverage can be extended, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing coverageVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed as an integrated assembly where the seal member is directly attached to the filter element body. This single integrated component provides comprehensive sealing coverage at both the base interface and canister interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and simplifying assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If wing nuts are used to secure the housing to the base, then the necessary sealing force can be applied, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing forceVSAvoidfastening operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wing nuts and separate fastening mechanism are completely removed from the system. The integrated seal member is designed to be secured directly to the filter element without requiring external fasteners, eliminating the complexity of wing nut installation and removal while maintaining the necessary sealing force through the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4175731B1Integral filter endcap, mold, and seal
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP4175731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4175731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4175731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An integrated seal member (300a) includes an at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis (216a), a radial direction (218a), and a circumferential direction (217). The at least partially annular body includes a top annular mounting portion (324c), a sealing portion (302a) including at least one top sealing feature (343) and at least one bottom sealing feature (336), and a connecting portion (318a) that extends at least radially outwardly from the top annular mounting portion (324c) to the sealing portion (302a).