Filter Element Stand Structure for Closure Element Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements for internal combustion engines face issues with damage to closure elements, particularly elastomeric sealing elements, during manufacturing, packaging, transport, and assembly, leading to impaired sealing capacity and mechanical damage to other components.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a stand aid that extends from the end face to the closure element, providing protection against mechanical damage and allowing for simple and cost-effective production, assembly, and positioning on filter heads or housing parts, while the stand aid is designed to be rotatable and adjustable to prevent adhesion and ensure reliable sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closure element is made of elastomeric material to ensure sealing capacity, then the sealing performance is improved, but the closure element becomes susceptible to mechanical damage during manufacturing, packaging, and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capacityVSAvoidmechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stand aid extends axially beyond the closure element to provide protective cushioning before mechanical damage can occur. This protective extension absorbs or deflects mechanical impacts during manufacturing, packaging, and transport, preventing damage to the elastomeric closure element while maintaining its sealing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the closure element is eccentrically arranged to close the idle channel, then the sealing function is achieved, but the filter element cannot be stably positioned on bearing surfaces during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stand aid is implemented as a separate functional extension from the closure element itself. This segmentation allows the closure element to maintain its eccentric sealing function while the stand aid provides the standing function, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stand aid acts as an intermediary element between the filter element body and the bearing surface. It mediates the positioning function without interfering with the eccentric closure element's sealing action, allowing stable handling while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the stand aid is made integral with the filter element for simple production, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the stand aid may interfere with mounting on filter heads that do not allow such extensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidmounting compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stand aid is designed to be rotatable relative to the filter element about the longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability allows the stand aid to be oriented in different positions, enabling mounting on various filter head configurations while maintaining the benefit of integral construction for simple production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3668630B1Filter element having an end-side stand
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3668630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3668630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3668630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element (10) for filtering a fluid, in particular fuel or oil, in particular for the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a closure element (34) which extends away from an end side (18) of the filter element (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (16) of the filter element (10), and by means of which a no-load channel of a filter head provided for connecting the filter element (10) can be closed during the filtering operation. According to the invention, the filter element (10) has a stand (44) engaged with the filter element (10), which extends away from the end side (18) of the filter element (10) in the axial direction up to the height of the free end (46) of the closure element (34), or extends beyond the free end (46) of the closure element (34).