Filter Element Seal Receiver for Replaceable Circumferential Seals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements have high manufacturing costs and require unnecessary replacement of seal members during maintenance, leading to increased maintenance costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A filter element design featuring a seal receiver with a closed-loop surface having single-fold rotational symmetry, allowing for a removable seal member that is separate from the filter medium pack, enabling independent replacement and re-use of seal members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal arrangement is integrated with the filter medium pack using moulding technique, then the seal is secure and reliable, but the manufacturing time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal arrangement is divided into separate components: a seal receiver that remains with the filter medium pack, and a separate seal member that can be independently manufactured and installed. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing processes, improving productivity while maintaining seal reliability through dedicated sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is extracted from the integrated moulded structure and made as a separate removable component. This extraction enables the seal to be replaced independently without replacing the entire filter element, reducing maintenance costs and manufacturing time for routine seal replacements.
2Reliability
If the seal arrangement is integrated with the filter medium pack, then the seal is maintained during filter operation, but the seal must be replaced whenever the filter media requires replacement, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is segmented into a permanent seal receiver and a replaceable seal member. This allows the seal member to be independently replaced when worn, while the seal receiver remains with the filter medium pack, reducing maintenance costs by avoiding unnecessary replacement of the entire filter element.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed as a consumable component that can be discarded after use and replaced with a new seal member. The seal receiver is recovered and retained with the filter medium pack for subsequent seal replacements, reducing overall maintenance material costs.
3Reliability
If a foamed polyurethane seal arrangement is used, then the seal provides good sealing performance, but the manufacturing process is time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is divided into a seal receiver and a separate seal member. The seal member can be made from foamed polyurethane or other sealing materials, but the segmentation allows for simpler, faster manufacturing processes compared to creating an integrated moulded seal, while maintaining good sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed as a simpler, potentially disposable component that can be manufactured more economically than integrated seals. This approach prioritizes ease of manufacture and replacement over creating a permanent integrated seal structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element for insertion into a housing of a filter system. The filter element includes a filter medium pack and a seal receiver. The filter medium pack has an outer circumferential face extending between a first outer axial face and a second outer axial face, opposite the first outer axial face. The filter element further includes a seal receiver sealingly attached to the filter medium pack. The seal receiver includes a closed-loop surface suitable for receiving a removable circumferential seal member, and wherein the closed-loop surface forms a contour shape with single-fold rotational symmetry. A seal assembly including a filter element and a seal carrier is also presented.