Pressure Equalizing Element with Molded Filter Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure compensation elements for closed devices, such as motor vehicle headlights, face challenges in cost-effective production and protection of filter membranes against splash water and mechanical influences, with current solutions requiring additional manufacturing steps or being prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A pressure compensation element with a self-sealing enveloping body and a filter membrane encapsulated on multiple sides, where the filter membrane is molded in its installed position, reducing production steps and incorporating a membrane carrier for enhanced protection and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the filter membrane is separately produced and arranged on a circumferential ledge, then the filter membrane can be replaced or maintained, but additional manufacturing steps and assembly complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter membrane is integrally molded with the enveloping body as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly steps. The filter membrane forms part of the head part of the enveloping body, directly integrated into the molding process, which simplifies manufacturing while maintaining replaceability through modular head part design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the filter membrane cover is folded down for use, then the filter membrane is accessible, but the thinner folded areas are more easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter membrane accessibilityVSAvoidmembrane durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of folding the filter membrane cover down to access the filter membrane, the invention inverts the approach by making the filter membrane itself accessible through openings in the head part. The filter membrane remains in its original position but is directly accessible through the radial openings, eliminating the need for folding and the associated thin, vulnerable areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the filter membrane is exposed, then gas exchange is efficient, but the filter membrane is vulnerable to splash water and mechanical influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exchange efficiencyVSAvoidprotection from splash water

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter membrane is protected by the head part of the enveloping body which acts as a protective shell. The head part covers the filter membrane on its outer side while maintaining accessibility through openings, protecting the filter membrane from splash water and mechanical influences while allowing gas exchange through the openings and the filter membrane itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If a hermetic closure is used to prevent environmental dirt, then sealing is effective, but considerable technological and mechanical effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidtechnological effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a porous filter membrane that allows gas exchange while filtering environmental dirt. The filter membrane provides selective permeability, allowing air to pass through while blocking dust particles and larger contaminants, eliminating the need for hermetic sealing while maintaining protection against environmental dirt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution enables cost-effective production while effectively protecting the filter membrane from splash water and mechanical influences, minimizing damage and production costs by integrating the filter membrane directly into the enveloping body and using a membrane carrier for reinforcement.

Implementation Method 1

a filter membrane (3) inserted therein, which is permeable to air and impermeable to liquids up to a defined pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The filter membrane is covered by a filter membrane cover (101) of the enveloping body (1), which is molded in its installed position, also called the use position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2842714B1Pressure equalising element

Publication Date: 2018.05.16 OXYPHEN

Figure 1~5
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AI summary

An air-permeable pressure equalization element comprises a self-sealing casing (1) and a filter membrane (3) inserted therein. The filter membrane is overmolded with the casing (1) and covered by a filter membrane cover (101) of the casing (1), the filter membrane cover (101) being injection-molded in its operating position. Preferably, the casing is formed in one piece.