Interlocked Filter Assembly for Stable Sealing Under Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filtration systems for internal combustion engines lack stability and are expensive due to the use of elastomeric seals and plastic endcaps, leading to vibration and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A filter assembly with interlocking features between the filter housing, cover, and element, including nonplanar configurations and protruding portions, to enhance stability and eliminate the need for expensive endcaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastomeric seals and plastic endcaps are used in conventional filtration systems, then sealing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the elastomeric seal and plastic endcap components from the filtration system, replacing them with an interlocking feature system that integrates sealing and structural functions into the housing and filter element themselves, thereby eliminating expensive materials while maintaining sealing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the sealing function and structural support function into the interlocking features themselves, rather than requiring separate elastomeric seals and endcaps, thus reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If elastomeric seals are used in conventional filtration systems, then sealing is achieved, but vibration-induced stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidvibration-induced stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the elastomeric seal that acts as a vibration damper, replacing it with rigid interlocking features that prevent relative movement between components, thereby eliminating the source of vibration-induced stress while maintaining sealing through the interlock geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a compliant elastomeric material to accommodate vibration, the patent uses rigid interlocking features with precise geometric engagement that prevent vibration-induced separation, inverting the approach from compliance to rigidity for vibration resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If planar seals are used between filtration system elements, then sealing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function with the structural interlocking features, so that the same geometric engagement that provides mechanical stability also provides the sealing interface, eliminating the need for separate planar seal components and reducing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250312718A1Interlocked stable filter assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 ATMUS FILTRATION IP INC

AI summary

A filter element for a filter assembly includes a filter media, a main seal, and a planar side seal. The main seal is coupled to an outer periphery of the filter media and disposed in a main seal plane perpendicular to a first side wall of the filter element. The planar side seal is coupled to and extends outward from the first side wall, and diverges away from the main seal plane.