Liquid Filter End Plate Direct Contact Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid filters face challenges in maintaining a flow-tight separation between the water collection chamber and the filter element, often requiring complex sealing structures that can be costly and prone to leaks.

Innovation Solution

A liquid filter design featuring a hollow-cylindrical filter element with end disks that directly contact the housing component, eliminating the need for a separate sealing element, and incorporating a coalescer element or water separation screen to separate water droplets, with a non-detachable connection between the end plate and housing component for enhanced structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing element is used between the end plate and housing component, then flow-tight separation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow-tight separationVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sealing element from the system entirely. The end plate is designed with a radially outer edge that directly contacts the housing component, creating a flow-tight seal through the geometric configuration of the end plate and housing rather than through a separate sealing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is merged into the structural design of the end plate itself. The radially outer edge of the end plate serves dual purposes: structural support and flow-tight sealing against the housing component, eliminating the need for a separate sealing element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a sealing element is used between the end plate and housing component, then flow-tight separation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow-tight separationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design uses the existing structural components (end plate and housing) to provide sealing functionality, rather than adding expensive specialized sealing elements. This approach reduces material costs and simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of repair

If the end plate is detachably connected to the housing component, then maintenance is easier, but structural integrity and seal reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidseal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate is permanently integrated with the housing component through a unified structure. This merging ensures continuous flow-tight separation while maintaining structural integrity, as the seal is formed by the precise geometric fit between the radially outer edge of the end plate and the housing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the end plate itself is permanently attached, the filter element as a whole can be removed and replaced as a modular unit. This allows maintenance while preserving the permanent seal between the end plate and housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures a simple, effective, and leak-proof separation of water from the filtered fluid, allowing for efficient water collection and discharge, while simplifying maintenance by forming a coherent structural unit that can be replaced as a whole.

Implementation Method 1

A coalescer element is arranged axially offset from the filter element on the riser pipe. This coalesces the water droplets present in the fuel, which are dispersed, into larger droplets to facilitate water separation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoalescence: Coagulation

Implementation Method 2

The lower end plate of the filter element, facing the bottom, rests directly against the inside of the housing component and seals the water collection chamber located beneath the end plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect contact sealing:

Implementation Method 3

a hollow cylindrical filter element in a housing component, through which the fluid to be cleaned flows radially. The flow direction is preferably radial from the outside to the inside, so that the radially outer surface forms the dirty side and the cylindrical cavity in the filter element forms the clean side.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial flow filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2910290B1Liquid filter

Publication Date: 2020.02.05 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A liquid filter comprises a hollow cylindrical filter element with end discs, which is housed in a casing component that includes a water collection chamber at its base. The end disc facing the base rests directly against the inside of the casing component and seals the water collection chamber in a flow-tight manner.