Hollow Filter Element With Central Support Fluid Passage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filter designs for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently integrating a secondary fluid line and maintaining the filter element's position, leading to reduced dirt retention capacity and increased pressure losses.

Innovation Solution

A hollow filter element with a central support element that incorporates a fluid passage for connecting a secondary fluid line, which also serves as a positioning device, reducing installation space and improving dust holding capacity while securing the filter element in place during vehicle movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a separate support structure and secondary fluid line are used, then the filter element is supported and fluid can be conveyed, but the installation space increases and dirt retention capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddirt retention capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support element and secondary fluid line are merged into a single integrated component. The support element has a hollow interior space that serves as the fluid passage, eliminating the need for separate support structures and fluid lines while reducing installation space and improving dirt retention capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the filter element, serves as a positioning device through its geometric shape, and functions as a fluid passage for conveying secondary fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and optimizes space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a separate support structure and secondary fluid line are used, then the filter element is supported and fluid can be conveyed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoiddirt retention capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support element and secondary fluid line are merged into a single integrated component. The support element has a hollow interior space that serves as the fluid passage, eliminating the need for separate support structures and fluid lines while reducing installation space and improving dirt retention capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the filter element, serves as a positioning device through its geometric shape, and functions as a fluid passage for conveying secondary fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and optimizes space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the filter element positioning is not optimized, then installation is simple, but the filter element may shift during vehicle movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpositioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support element has an asymmetric geometric shape with specific contour features that complement the housing-sided support section. This asymmetric design provides unique positioning characteristics that prevent shifting during vehicle movements while maintaining simple installation through direct insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The support element features locally optimized geometric characteristics at specific regions, such as tapered sections or contour variations, that engage with corresponding features in the housing to provide stable positioning while allowing straightforward installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10837414B2Hollow filter element, filter housing and filter

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

AI summary

A hollow filter element, including: a filter medium (64) for filtering the fluid, the filter medium circumferentially surrounding an element interior space (72) in relation to an element axis (32), forming a conical-oval round filter element; wherein the hollow filter element (18) includes: at least at one outer face facing away from the element interior space (72) at an end face (66); at least one support element (78) configured to support the hollow filter element (18) at a housing-sided support section (42) of a filter housing (12); and at least one fluid passage (81) arranged at the end face (66) in the center of the at least one support element (78), the at least one fluid passage connected to the element interior space (72) for connecting a secondary fluid line connector (45) of a housing-sided secondary fluid line (47) and/or for receiving a housing-sided positioning dome (245).