Integrated Filter Seal Profile for Redundant Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Canister style filter systems with separate axially intermediate radially outer seal members, such as O-rings, often experience leakage issues due to the lack of effective sealing redundancy.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a seal member within the filter element, featuring a sealing portion disposed radially away from the annular filter media and axially between the top and bottom ends, providing redundant sealing and allowing dirty fluid to flow through apertures for filtration, while preventing direct fluid bypass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate axially intermediate radially outer seal member (O-ring) is interposed between the base and the canister, then the filter system can be assembled with simple components, but leakage occurs due to lack of sealing redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal member with the filter element into an integrated unit. The seal member is attached to the filter element and includes a sealing portion that contacts the canister, eliminating the need for separate O-rings between base and canister. This merging provides sealing redundancy while simplifying the overall structure by reducing the number of discrete components.
2Ease of operation
If a separate seal member is used between base and canister, then assembly is simple with discrete components, but the seal may still leak requiring additional sealing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is integrated with the filter element as a single assembly unit. The seal portion is attached to the filter element and extends to contact the canister directly, providing redundant sealing paths. This integration maintains ease of assembly since the entire filter element with integrated seal is installed as one component, while simultaneously improving sealing effectiveness through the redundant sealing mechanism.
3Device complexity
If an O-ring seal is employed between base and canister, then the structure remains simple, but small amount of leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the seal member with the filter element, creating a combined structure where the seal portion contacts the canister. This eliminates the traditional O-ring configuration between base and canister. The integrated design provides redundant sealing that prevents fluid leakage while maintaining structural simplicity by reducing the number of separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed with specific local features including a sealing portion with sealing surfaces that contact the canister. The seal member includes apertures positioned to allow dirty fluid to reach the filter media while the sealing surfaces provide localized sealing contact. This local quality differentiation enables the seal to perform both sealing and fluid directing functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated seal member includes an at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The at least partially annular body includes a mounting portion, a sealing portion including at least one top sealing feature and at least one bottom sealing feature, and an apertured connecting portion that extends radially outwardly from the mounting portion to the sealing portion.