Filter Housing Pressure Equalization via Body Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic system filters face pressure differences that can lead to damage due to the inability to equalize pressure between the inlet and drain spaces, often requiring costly modifications or components like compression springs or additional manufacturing steps for pressure relief.

Innovation Solution

A filter housing design with body sections protruding from the filter bowl base to support the filter element, allowing pressure equalization between the inlet and drain spaces, and incorporating a spring element to secure the filter element and compensate for flow influences, while also facilitating easy assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a compression spring is used to support the filter element and enable pressure equalization, then pressure difference damage is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure equalizationVSAvoidcompression spring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the pressure equalization function from the filter element itself and implements it through separate body sections in the filter housing. The body sections create passages that allow pressure equalization between the inlet and drain spaces, eliminating the need for complex modifications to the filter element such as compression springs or pressure relief notches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The body sections act as intermediary structures between the inlet space and drain space, providing pressure equalization pathways without requiring direct modification of the filter element. These body sections with integrated passages serve as mediators that resolve the pressure differential issue while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pressure relief notches are made in the end plate, then pressure equalization is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional work steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidadditional work step
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the pressure relief function from the filter element's end plate and relocates it to the filter housing's body sections. This extraction eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps in the filter element production process, as the pressure equalization passages are formed as integral parts of the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The body sections combine multiple functions: structural support for the filter element, creation of pressure equalization passages, and fluid distribution. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the invention eliminates the need for separate pressure relief notches and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the filter element is shortened to enable pressure equalization, then pressure difference damage is prevented, but filtration effectiveness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure equalizationVSAvoidfiltration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the pressure equalization function from the filtration function. The body sections handle pressure equalization while the full-length filter element maintains optimal filtration performance. This segmentation allows both functions to be optimized independently without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The body sections serve as intermediary structures that enable pressure equalization without requiring shortening of the filter element. The passages in the body sections provide the pressure relief function while the filter element maintains its full length and optimal filtration characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents pressure-induced damage by equalizing pressures, reduces stress on the filter element, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly, ensuring stable and tool-free filter operation with reduced risk of leakage and particle residue.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a spring element to secure the filter element and compensate for flow influences

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

forming passages between a radially outer fluid inlet space and a bottom cavity of the filter element, whereby a pressure equalization can take place between these two spaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP2444137B1Filter housing for a filter and filter with such a filter housing
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2444137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2444137B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2444137B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The housing (2) has filter cover (4) whose inner portion (14) is attached to filter element (6) for separating fixed particles from fluid. A filter head (8) is attached to inner portion of filter cover. An inlet terminal (10) is provided to supply filtered fluid into inner portion of filter cover. An expiration terminal (12) is provided for removing filtered fluid from inner portion of filter cover. The lift-up portions (46a,46b) are provided in bottom portion of inner portion of filter cover, and are lifted-up for supporting filter element. An independent claim is included for filter.