Filter Assembly with Tangential Inflow for Cyclone Pre-Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter arrangements for motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining low flow resistance while minimizing installation space and accommodating cyclone pre-separation, which restricts geometry and orientation.

Innovation Solution

A filter arrangement with a tangentially arranged inflow connection piece that widens in the direction of flow, allowing for cyclone pre-filtering and reducing flow resistance, featuring a cylindrical housing with a lateral inflow opening and an inflow nozzle that transitions smoothly into a rotating flow, facilitating centrifugal separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclone pre-separation is integrated into the housing, then pre-separation effectiveness is improved, but geometry and installation orientation are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-separation effectivenessVSAvoidgeometry and installation orientation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into separate functional modules: the housing with filter element and the separate cyclone pre-separation device. This segmentation allows the pre-separation device to be independently positioned and oriented without constraining the overall housing geometry, resolving the contradiction between pre-separation effectiveness and geometric flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inflow connection piece extends in a direction that is not radial to the cylindrical housing, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that accommodates cyclone pre-separation without restricting the housing's cylindrical geometry or installation orientation. This dimensional adjustment enables both effective pre-separation and geometric adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If the inflow connection piece has a flow cross section that widens in the direction of flow, then flow resistance is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cross-section of the inflow connection piece is designed to change along the flow direction, with a larger cross-section at the housing connection and a smaller cross-section at the distal coupling area. This parameter variation reduces flow resistance while the gradual transition is designed to be manufacturable using standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The inflow connection piece features a smoothly curved, tapering geometry that transitions from a larger circular cross-section to a smaller one. This curved design reduces flow resistance by eliminating sharp edges and promoting laminar flow, while the simple rotational symmetry makes it manufacturable as a single piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the inflow opening is covered by an attachment surface, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing modification flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflow connection piece is designed as a separate component with an attachment surface that covers the inflow opening. This segmentation allows the housing to be manufactured with a simple opening without requiring complex integrated features, while the separate connection piece can be optimized independently for flow characteristics and attachment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves effective pre-separation and reduces flow resistance, enabling efficient filtration with flexible manufacturing and installation options, including adaptable geometries and simplified production.

Implementation Method 1

raw fluid flows tangentially, ie at an angle of approximately 90° to the radial direction, into the filter receptacle and flows in a circular or turbulent manner between the inside of the lateral surface and a filter element. This allows centrifugal separation to be achieved.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

raw fluid flows tangentially, ie at an angle of approximately 90° to the radial direction, into the filter receptacle and flows in a circular or turbulent manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2703059B1Filter assembly and method for producing a filter holder
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2703059B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2703059B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2703059B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The filter arrangement comprises a filter receptacle (10) and a round filter element arranged in the filter receptacle. The filter receptacle comprises a housing (1) with a cylindrical housing portion, an inflow opening is arranged in the outer surface of the housing portion, an inflow socket (2) fixed to the inflow opening for coupling a fluid supply line, and an axial outflow opening (9). The inflow socket has a flow cross-section that widens in a flow direction. The filter receptacle is formed as a multi-part housing for receiving the rotationally symmetrical filter element. An independent claim is included for a method for manufacturing a filter receptacle for a filter arrangement.