Engine Oil Filter Flow Control for Drip-Free Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter systems for engine oil in internal combustion engines often result in residual oil escaping into the environment when the replaceable filter is dismantled, especially if mounted at an angle or vertically, leading to environmental contamination and potential engine malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an oil bypass with a flow control element that automatically closes or opens depending on operating and installation conditions, ensuring drip-free dismantling by using a secondary oil line and a closure element that drains residual oil when the filter is removed, and optionally controlling a secondary oil circuit based on operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the replaceable filter is dismantled from the filter head, then the filter can be replaced and serviced, but residual oil escapes into the environment causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter replacementVSAvoidoil contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is positioned to automatically close the oil bypass line before the filter element is removed from the filter head. This preliminary action prevents residual oil from escaping during the disassembly process, eliminating contamination while allowing easy filter replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If the oil bypass line remains open during filter disassembly, then residual oil can drain from the filter head, but oil escapes into the environment instead of being contained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual oil drainageVSAvoidenvironmental contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the oil bypass line. It automatically closes the bypass line during filter disassembly, intercepting residual oil and preventing it from escaping into the environment while still allowing proper drainage through the controlled bypass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a flow control element is added to the filter system, then oil leakage during disassembly is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrip-free disassemblyVSAvoidfilter system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is integrated with the filter element assembly, merging the flow control function into the existing filter structure. This combining approach prevents oil leakage during disassembly while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the existing filter housing and mounting mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2670503B1Filtering system for motor oil of an internal combustion engine, and replaceable filter of a filtering system
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2670503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2670503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2670503B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filtering system (9) for motor oil of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising a filter head (12) and a replaceable filter (10). The filter head (12) has a feed line (66) for motor oil to be filtered and a discharge line (62) for filtered motor oil. The replaceable filter (10) is mounted on the filter head (12) in a removable manner by means of a rotational and/or plug connection (15) and comprises a housing (17) with at least one inlet (26) for the motor oil to be filtered and at least one outlet (28) for the filtered motor oil. The inlet (26) communicates with the feed line (66). The outlet (28) communicates with the discharge line (62). The housing (17) is equipped with a filtering element (34) that sealingly separates the inlet (26) from the outlet (28). The filter head (12) comprises an auxiliary oil line (60). The replaceable filter (10) has a flow control element (53) that automatically closes or releases the auxiliary oil line (60) dependent on an operation and/or assembly condition.