Filter Device Valve Arrangement for Hydraulic Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices for hydraulic systems, particularly in construction machinery, face frequent contamination issues during filter element changes, leading to system and environmental contamination.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a valve arrangement featuring an elastomeric cap with incisions that mechanically opens to form flow slots, ensuring the valve moves into a closed position during filter element removal and an open position during insertion, preventing contamination and eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter elements are frequently replaced due to high contamination rates, then filtration effectiveness is maintained, but system and environmental contamination risk increases during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement is pre-configured in the connection device to automatically close when the filter element is removed. This preliminary setup ensures that before any contamination can occur during filter element handling, the valve is already in the closed position, preventing contaminants from escaping into the hydraulic system or environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve arrangement acts as an intermediary between the filter element and the hydraulic system. It mediates the connection and disconnection processes by automatically closing to isolate the filter element, thereby preventing direct contact between contaminants and the clean hydraulic system during filter element replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If valve arrangements are added to filter elements to prevent contamination, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidfilter element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement is merged with the connection device, which is already an integral part of the filter element structure. By combining the valve function with the existing connection components, the patent avoids adding separate, complex valve mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still achieving automatic contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve arrangement is designed to be self-actuating through the mechanical action of filter element insertion and removal. The valve automatically opens when the filter element is inserted and closes when it is removed, without requiring external control systems, additional actuators, or complex control logic, thus maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional valve arrangements are used that require external actuation, then reliable valve control is achieved, but ease of operation during filter element changes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve controlVSAvoidfilter element replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement is designed to be self-actuating through the mechanical action of filter element insertion and removal. The valve automatically opens when the filter element is inserted and closes when it is removed, without requiring external control systems, additional actuators, or complex control logic, thus maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The valve arrangement acts as an intermediary between the filter element and the hydraulic system. It mediates the connection and disconnection processes by automatically closing to isolate the filter element, thereby preventing direct contact between contaminants and the clean hydraulic system during filter element replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 contamination during filter element changes, reducing the frequency of filter element replacements and minimizing environmental pollution, while maintaining low production costs and simplifying installation in compact spaces.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric cap (61) which spans an end region of the inlet socket (43) and is provided with incisions (63), in such a way that a connection socket (29) by mechanical action on the cap whose incisions open to form flow slots

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve arrangement or at least parts thereof can be moved in such a way that when the filter device is taken out of operation by removing the filter element from the filter housing, the valve arrangement moves into its closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure actuation: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2629872B1Filter device
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2629872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2629872B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A filter device having at least one filter element (37) that can be accommodated in a filter housing that has at least one connection unit (29) for forming a fluid connection to the filter element (37), wherein the connection unit (29) is provided for the feed of the fluid that is to be purified to the dirty side (41) of the filter element (37) and is a component of the element receiver with which the filter element (37) that is situated in the functioning position interacts is characterized in that, via the connection unit (29) as a component of the filter housing, or the parts that can be associated with the filter housing, the valve arrangement (61; 67, 69) or at least parts thereof are moveable in such a manner that, on shutdown of the filter device by removing the filter element (37) from the filter housing, the valve arrangement (61; 67, 69) comes into its closed position and on starting up the filter device by insertion of the filter element (37) into its functioning position within the filter housing, the valve arrangement (61; 67, 69) comes into its open position.