Press-in Filter Spud With Non-Circular Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filter systems face challenges in maintaining a positive seal between the filter element and the filter head, particularly during the mounting and removal of spin-on filter elements, which can lead to fluid leakage and inefficiencies in the filtration process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spin-on filter element with an outer housing and an element subassembly featuring a tubular ring of filter media, a central opening with a non-circular periphery, and an axially undulating and radially facing sealing region, which engages with a corresponding sealing region on the filter head, ensuring proper angular alignment and torque transfer for secure mounting and reduced leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spin-on filter element with threaded attachment is used, then the filter element can be easily removed and replaced, but maintaining a positive seal during mounting and removal becomes difficult leading to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into two functional segments: an outer housing with threaded attachment member for easy mounting/removal, and an inner element subassembly that remains stationary during thread rotation. This segmentation allows the threading mechanism to operate independently without compromising the seal integrity of the stationary subassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The central opening of the seal member is designed with a non-circular periphery that corresponds to a non-circular spud geometry. This asymmetric engagement creates a keyed connection that prevents rotation of the element subassembly while allowing the outer housing to rotate during mounting and removal operations.
2Ease of operation
If the entire filter element is made rotatable for spin-on mounting, then installation is simplified, but torque requirements increase and seal integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational motion is segmented and applied only to the outer housing during installation, while the element subassembly remains stationary. This reduces the torque requirement since only the outer housing needs to rotate onto the threads, rather than the entire filter element assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spud acts as an intermediary component that transfers rotational motion from the outer housing to the element subassembly only when needed for alignment. During normal mounting operations, the spud prevents unnecessary rotation of the subassembly, reducing overall torque requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal member and spud have circular geometries, then manufacturing is simpler, but angular alignment during mounting becomes unreliable leading to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular periphery of the central opening and the corresponding non-circular spud geometry create a mechanical keying system that enforces precise angular alignment during mounting. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the undulating sealing surfaces align correctly without requiring complex alignment procedures or high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
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AI summary
A filter element, filter head, a filter system and methods of assembling or mounting a filter element to a filter head are provided. The filter element and filter head have cooperating axially undulating sealing regions. The filter head has a spud that has a non-cylindrical region that extends through a non-circular opening in the filter element to communicate a central bore of the spud with a central cavity defined by filter media of the filter element. The method includes angularly aligning the undulating sealing regions by inserting the non-cylindrical region of the spud through the non-circular opening of the filter element.