Gel-Sealed Air Filter Housing to Prevent Seal Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filtration systems face challenges in achieving a leak-free seal between the filter and housing, particularly in the first filter stage where raw gas contact occurs, as traditional sealing methods can introduce particles into the sealing material, leading to premature aging and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A filter arrangement featuring a circumferential gel seal between the filter element and housing, with a cutter and cover element designed to prevent dirt ingress and ensure a secure, leak-free mounting, utilizing a gel channel filled with materials like PU or silicone, and various cutter and cover element configurations to facilitate easy handling and reduce material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gel channels with cutters are used for sealing filters, then a seal is achieved, but particles from raw gas are introduced into the gel causing rapid aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidgel seal lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into two functional parts: a cover element that protects the gel channel from particle ingress, and the gel seal itself that provides the sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element is installed beforehand to protect the gel channel from particle contamination before the gel seal is applied. This preliminary protective action prevents particles from entering the gel channel, thereby extending the gel seal's lifespan while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional protruding flaps of filter material are used as sealing elements, then sealing is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and mounting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfilter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the filter material itself and implemented as a separate gel seal system with a dedicated cover element. This separation simplifies the overall filter structure by eliminating the need for complex protruding flaps while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gel seal acts as an intermediary sealing element between the filter housing and the filter cartridge, providing a simple yet effective sealing solution that replaces complex interlocking flaps and reduces structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional sealing methods are used in the first filter stage, then sealing is achieved, but dirt ingress causes premature aging of the sealing material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoiddirt ingress into seal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element provides beforehand protection to the gel seal, cushioning it against particle contamination from raw gas. This prior protective measure prevents dirt ingress that would otherwise cause premature aging of the sealing material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element serves as a sacrificial protective component that can be easily replaced if contaminated, while the expensive gel seal remains protected. This approach protects the long-lived sealing material by using a simpler protective element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 filter arrangement provides an easy-to-handle, leak-free seal and reduces dirt ingress into the gel channel, ensuring effective filtration and extending the lifespan of the sealing material by preventing premature aging.

Implementation Method 1

a circumferential gel seal arranged between the filter element and the housing in order to seal the filter element from the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGel sealing: Gel

Implementation Method 2

the filter element having a filter material configured to filter an air stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11746905B2Filter arrangement with a gel seal and use of such a filter arrangement as an interior air filter

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

A filter arrangement includes: a filter element in a first filter stage, the filter element having a filter material for filtering an air stream; a housing for receiving the filter element; and a circumferential gel seal arranged between the filter element and the housing in order to seal the filter element from the housing.