Monolithic Filter Seal Axial Compression Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter elements for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving reliable sealing within filter housings, particularly due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for compact designs that maintain effective filtration.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic seal with a sealing body and lip, forming an acute angle, is designed to provide axial sealing action, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances and allowing for a compact filter housing design, where the seal is pre-manufactured and arranged circumferentially around the filter body, enabling a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is foamed onto the outer circumference of the filter body and compressed radially between filter body and filter housing, then sealing action is achieved, but the design is sensitive to manufacturing tolerances and requires larger filter housing
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is repositioned from radial compression to axial compression perpendicular to the filter body's cross-sectional plane. The sealing lip extends axially and is compressed between the filter body end and filter housing, changing the sealing dimension from radial to axial, which reduces sensitivity to radial manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The seal geometry is changed from a conventional radial profile to one with an acute angle between the sealing lip and sealing body. This angular configuration allows the sealing lip to be compressed axially onto the filter body, transforming the sealing mechanism and reducing tolerance sensitivity
2Reliability
If a seal is foamed onto the outer circumference of the filter body, then sealing is achieved, but the filter housing must accommodate the entire filter body, increasing size
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted from the conventional position surrounding the entire filter body and repositioned to seal only at one axial end. This allows the filter housing to accommodate only a portion of the filter body, reducing the overall housing volume while maintaining effective sealing
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the sealing action to the axial dimension rather than radial, the seal can be positioned at the end of the filter body, allowing the housing to be sized for only part of the filter body length rather than requiring accommodation of the entire filter body
3Manufacturing precision
If a monolithic seal with acute angle sealing lip is used for axial sealing action, then sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances is reduced and housing size is minimized, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is manufactured as a monolithic single-piece component combining the sealing body and sealing lip into one integrated structure. This merging simplifies manufacturing and assembly while achieving the complex angular geometry needed for axial sealing action
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
The solution achieves a robust and reliable sealing action perpendicular to the filter body, reducing fluid leakage and accommodating manufacturing variations, while allowing for a compact filter housing design that enhances filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is extrusion-molded and can be produced in particular as continuous material
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element includes a filter body (2) and a monolithic seal (10) arranged to extend circumferentially about the filter body. The seal (10) has a sealing body (14) and a sealing lip (16) which is connected at a first sealing lip section (15) with the sealing body (14) and that is spaced apart from the seating body (14) at a second sealing lip section (17).