Filter Device Valve Member Actuation for Contamination Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices face challenges in preventing contaminants from entering supply or discharge channels during filter element changes, leading to potential contamination of subsequent system components.

Innovation Solution

A filter device equipped with a valve member and actuation arrangement that automatically closes the supply or discharge channel when the filter element is removed and opens it when the filter element is positioned correctly, ensuring fluid flow only through the filter element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve member is added to automatically close channels during filter element changes, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve member is designed to automatically close the supply or discharge channel when the filter element is removed, without requiring external control systems. The actuation arrangement on the filter element directly interacts with the valve member to trigger closure, allowing the system to self-regulate and prevent contamination during filter element changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An actuation arrangement serves as an intermediary mechanism between the filter element and the valve member. This arrangement includes actuating elements that engage with the valve member to trigger its movement, providing a simple mechanical linkage that connects the filter element removal action to the valve closure function without requiring complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual channel closing procedures are used during filter element changes, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve member is positioned and configured in advance within the filter housing to automatically respond to filter element removal. The actuation arrangement is pre-configured on the filter element to engage with the valve member, ensuring that the channel closure action occurs automatically as a preliminary step before any potential contamination can occur during filter element changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3969148B1Filter device for purifying a fluid, and filter element
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP3969148B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3969148B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3969148B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filter device (10) for purifying a fluid, comprising a filter element (20), a filter housing (30) for receiving the filter element (20), and a valve member (40) which is movably arranged in the filter housing (30) and defines a valve member longitudinal axis (41). The valve member (40) is movable back and forth in the course of a valve member movement (42) between a closed position (43) and at least one open position (45, 46), the valve member (40) being movable back and forth between the closed position (43) and at least one open position (45, 46) by means of an actuating arrangement (60). The filter housing (30) comprises a dome (31) for receiving the filter element (20) and the valve member (40). In the operational position (20a) the filter element (20) is placed onto the dome (31), the actuating device (60) having an opener arrangement (61) arranged on the valve member (40) and an extension arrangement (62) arranged on the filter element (20), and the extension arrangement (62) co-operating with the opener arrangement (61) in the operational position (20a) in order to bring the valve member (40) into an open position (45, 46).