Gradient Seal Interface for Filter Cartridges Under Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-genuine filter cartridges for internal combustion engines often fail to adequately remove particulate contamination, leading to engine damage and performance degradation due to inadequate sealing and filtration performance.

Innovation Solution

A unique sealing interface between the filter cartridge and filter head featuring a tilted sealing member and anti-rotation mechanism, along with vertical ribs and indentations, ensures proper alignment and prevents the use of non-matching cartridges, maintaining effective filtration and engine protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid seal interface is used between filtration elements, then sealing reliability is improved, but stress concentration and element deformation occur due to housing expansion from temperature or pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidelement deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal interface transitions from a rigid configuration to a compliant configuration through material selection and geometric design. The compliant seal interface changes its physical state from rigid to flexible, allowing it to accommodate housing expansion and contraction while maintaining sealing reliability and preventing stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a rigid seal interface is used between filtration elements, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to sensitivity to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidseal interface alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seal interface transitions from a rigid configuration to a compliant configuration through material selection and geometric design. The compliant seal interface changes its physical state from rigid to flexible, allowing it to accommodate housing expansion and contraction while maintaining sealing reliability and preventing stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The seal interface incorporates a compliant region with specific geometric features (such as rounded corners, tapered sections, or increased thickness) that differ from the rigid portions of the filtration element. This local variation in geometry creates a zone that can deform to accommodate misalignment while the rest of the element maintains its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid seal interface is used between filtration elements, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for precise fitting and assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal interface transitions from a rigid configuration to a compliant configuration through material selection and geometric design. The compliant seal interface changes its physical state from rigid to flexible, allowing it to accommodate housing expansion and contraction while maintaining sealing reliability and preventing stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The seal interface incorporates a compliant region with specific geometric features (such as rounded corners, tapered sections, or increased thickness) that differ from the rigid portions of the filtration element. This local variation in geometry creates a zone that can deform to accommodate misalignment while the rest of the element maintains its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3972711B1Filtration element with gradient seal interface
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 ATMUS FILTRATION IP INC
  • EP3972711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3972711B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3972711B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

A liquid filtration system includes a filter head, a shell housing, and a filter cartridge. The filter head includes a skirt having a ramp disposed at a first end of the skirt. The shell housing is coupled to the filter head. The filter cartridge is disposed within the shell housing. The filter cartridge includes a filter media pack and am endcap coupled to a first end of the filter media pack. The endcap includes an interface member extending from an upper surface of the endcap. The interface member includes a sealing member that is at least partially tilted at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the endcap. The sealing member is sealingly engaged with the skirt.