Air Cleaner Filter Cartridge With Radial Flange Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filter assemblies for internal combustion engines face challenges in assembly, serviceability, and effective sealing of filter cartridges, leading to inefficiencies in air filtration.

Innovation Solution

The filter cartridges include a media pack with a radially directed seal member and projection-receiver arrangements, such as flanges and openings, for secure engagement with the air cleaner housing, enhancing sealing and ease of installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a serviceable filter cartridge is used in an air cleaner assembly, then the filter media can be cleaned or replaced after a period of use, but the assembly and sealing of the filter cartridge becomes complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of filter assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of filter cartridge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cartridge is divided into separate components: a removable filter element containing the media and a separate sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism includes discrete seal members positioned at specific locations (inlet end, outlet end, and radial seals) that can be independently installed and replaced, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining serviceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is nested within the filter cartridge housing, with the sealing mechanism integrated between them. The radial seal members are positioned within grooves in the housing that guide their installation, creating a nested structure where each component fits into a designated space, reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a serviceable filter cartridge is used in an air cleaner assembly, then the filter media can be cleaned or replaced after a period of use, but the sealing effectiveness becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of filter assemblyVSAvoidsealing effectiveness of filter cartridge

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different sealing solutions are applied at different locations based on specific sealing requirements. Axial seals are positioned at the inlet and outlet ends to prevent axial leakage, while radial seal members are positioned at the intermediate portion to prevent radial leakage. Each seal member is tailored to its specific location's sealing challenges, ensuring reliable sealing throughout the filter cartridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Seal members act as intermediary elements between the filter element and the housing. These seal members are specifically designed to bridge the gap between components, with唇-shaped sealing surfaces that conform to mating surfaces on both the filter element and housing, ensuring effective sealing even with manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a complex sealing mechanism is added to the filter cartridge, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the ease of installation and serviceability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectiveness of filter cartridgeVSAvoidease of filter cartridge installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal members are pre-positioned in grooves within the housing during manufacturing, and the filter element is pre-assembled with its sealing surfaces prepared. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field assembly procedures, as users simply need to insert the filter element into the housing where the pre-positioned seal members automatically engage with the filter element's sealing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If multiple seal members are positioned at different locations, then sealing coverage is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing coverage of filter cartridgeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of filter assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with universal grooves and features that can accommodate different types of seal members (axial seals, radial seals) using the same basic manufacturing processes. The grooves are molded directly into the housing during injection molding, and the seal members themselves can be manufactured using similar extrusion or molding techniques, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the multiple sealing locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12447431B2Air cleaner assemblies and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 DONALDSON CO INC

AI summary

A filter cartridge for an air cleaner assembly is disclosed. The filter cartridge can include a media pack configured for installation into an air cleaner housing, the media pack extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite inlet and outlet flow ends, the media pack defining an outer perimeter. The filter cartridge can also include a circumferential shell surrounding at least a portion of the media pack outer perimeter. A radial flange extending from the circumferential shell proximate the media pack inlet end can also be provided. The flange can define a plurality of openings that are configured to receive protrusions on a housing body of the air cleaner assembly. The interaction between the protrusions and openings operates to ensure a secure seal between the housing body and the seal member.