Fluid Filter Insert Gauge for Correct Housing Fit Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid filter systems lack a reliable mechanism to ensure that the correct filter insert is installed, which can lead to fluid flow blockages or machine damage due to incorrect or missing inserts, necessitating a gauge to verify compatibility and enable fluid flow control.

Innovation Solution

A gauge system for fluid filter inserts and housings, featuring a first surface with protrusions and protuberances that engage with complementary guides in the housing, allowing for precise alignment and actuation of fluid flow control means, such as valves or cover locking devices, through a bearing mechanism that enables movement in a third direction independent of the first surface direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gauge system with protrusions and protuberances is added to verify filter insert compatibility, then reliability of filter installation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter installation compatibilityVSAvoidgauge structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gauge system performs self-verification through its geometric features (protrusions and protuberances) that automatically engage with complementary guides in the housing. The system serves itself by using the insertion process to verify compatibility without requiring external verification tools or complex electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The gauge acts as an intermediary element between the filter insert and the housing. Its protrusions and protuberances serve as mediators that translate the compatibility verification into mechanical engagement, allowing the system to verify fit without direct complex interaction between the insert and housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a bearing mechanism enabling movement in a third direction is incorporated, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegauge insertionVSAvoidbearing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing mechanism introduces dynamic capability to the gauge, allowing it to move from a static structure to one that can adapt its position. The bearing enables the gauge to move in a third direction independent of the first surface direction, facilitating easier insertion while maintaining verification functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the gauge prevents fluid flow until compatibility is verified, then machine damage protection is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine damageVSAvoidfilter installation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gauge system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing fluid flow before compatibility is verified. The flow control means remains in a blocking state until the gauge successfully engages with the housing, ensuring that no harmful fluid flow occurs until proper verification is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification through the gauge engagement before allowing the main function (fluid flow) to proceed. The protrusions and protuberances must first engage with the housing guides to verify compatibility, and only then is the fluid flow path opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4691591A1Fluid filter insert and fluid filter housing
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HENGST SE
  • EP4691591A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4691591A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4691591A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid filter insert 200 with a gauge 100, wherein the gauge 100 has a first surface 110 extending along or parallel to a longitudinal axis 2 being parallel to a first direction e2, at least one protrusion 120 and at least one protuberance 140, wherein the protuberance 140 and the protrusion 120 extend relative to the first surface 110 in a second direction and define an extension of the protuberance d42 in a second direction e2 and an extension of the protrusion d22 in the second direction e2 enables to verify that the fluid filter insert 200 is inserted in the correct fluid filter socket, if the fluid filter insert 200 has a bearing 170 movably supporting the protuberance 140 relative to the protrusion 120 and allowing for a movement of the of the protuberance 140 relative to the protrusion 120 in a third direction e3.