Interchangeable Filter Element Sealing Lip Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the oil circuit of motor vehicle engines, the existing replaceable filter elements experience oil leakage during removal, leading to contamination of the engine compartment due to an intermediate position where the sealing effect is canceled before the sequence control is opened, allowing oil to escape through a non-oil-tight connection point.

Innovation Solution

A circumferential sealing lip is integrally formed on the inside of the sealing ring, ensuring it rests against the connecting piece's sealing surface, preventing oil escape at the connection point and allowing oil drainage only when the sequence control is open, thus avoiding side leakage and compartment contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate connecting piece is used to interact with the inlet and outlet, then the sequence control can be actuated by the connecting piece, but oil can escape through the non-oil-tight connection point between the connecting piece and the end wall during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence control actuationVSAvoidoil leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connecting piece and the end wall into a single integral component. The connecting piece is no longer a separate part but is formed as one piece with the end wall, eliminating the non-oil-tight connection point that caused leakage. This integration maintains the sequence control actuation function while preventing oil escape through the connection interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an oil-tight connection as an intermediary solution between the connecting piece and end wall. By ensuring the connection point is oil-tight (through integration or sealing), it mediates between the need for mechanical connection (to actuate sequence control) and the need to prevent oil leakage during the removal process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the sealing ring is designed with a simple contact surface, then the structure is simple, but oil can escape during the intermediate position when the sealing ring lifts off before the sequence control opens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing ring structureVSAvoidoil leakage during removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sealing function into two distinct sealing interfaces: the first sealing ring at the interface between the filter housing and system-fixed filter part, and the second sealing ring (sealing lip) at the connection point between the connecting piece and end wall. This segmentation allows each sealing ring to address specific leakage paths independently, preventing oil escape during the intermediate removal position while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the connection point between the connecting piece and end wall is made oil-tight, then oil leakage is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil leakage preventionVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for additional oil-tightening measures by merging the connecting piece and end wall into a single integral component. This fusion approach achieves oil-tight connection without adding complex sealing mechanisms, fasteners, or additional parts, thereby preventing leakage while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution effectively prevents oil leakage and contamination by maintaining a reliable seal during filter element removal, ensuring that oil is absorbed by the sequence control when the filter is unscrewed, thus keeping the engine compartment clean.

Implementation Method 1

a circumferential sealing lip is integrally formed on the sealing ring radially on the inside of its contact surface and rests sealingly against a sealing surface of the connecting piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

the sequence control is opened so that oil escaping from the replaceable filter element is caught and drained off by the system-fixed filter part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2358457B1Interchangeable filter element
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2358457B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2358457B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an interchangeable filter element for fixed installation in the oil circuit, in particular of a motor vehicle. The interchangeable filter element comprises a filter housing (1) with a front wall (2) where a peripheral seal ring (3) is disposed, said seal ring having a contact surface (4). Fastened at the front wall (2) is a central connection nozzle (6). A peripheral seal lip (5) is formed in one piece on the seal ring (3) radially inside of the contact surface (4) thereof, said seal lip lying against a sealing surface (7) of the connection nozzle (6) in a sealing fashion.