Ring Filter Element With Desiccant for Battery Cooling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cooling systems face challenges in maintaining low water content in dielectric fluids to prevent unwanted short circuits, as water can accumulate due to leaks or condensation, necessitating effective water management in cooling media.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a ring filter element and a drying unit containing a desiccant, such as zeolite, is integrated into the battery cooling system to manage water content, positioned strategically to minimize pressure loss and ensure dielectricity, with options for placement in flow-calmed areas or main flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional filter element with a continuous filtering surface is used, then the filtering surface area is large, but the flow resistance is high and clogging occurs easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering surface areaVSAvoidflow resistance and clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering surface is divided into multiple discrete filtering elements (e.g., fibers, particles, or structures) distributed across the support structure, rather than forming a continuous surface. This segmentation allows fluid to pass through multiple pathways simultaneously, reducing flow resistance and preventing clogging while maintaining adequate filtering surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter element have varying filtering characteristics. The filtering elements are distributed non-uniformly or have different sizes, shapes, and orientations in different areas, optimizing both filtering capacity and flow characteristics. This allows high filtering surface area in critical regions while maintaining low flow resistance in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the filter element structure is made more complex to improve filtering performance, then the filtering capability increases, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical strength, acts as a flow distributor, and serves as the mounting substrate for filtering elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining high filtering performance through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element utilizes controlled porosity, surface area, and structural parameters of the support material to achieve high filtering performance. By adjusting these parameters during manufacturing (e.g., selecting materials with specific pore sizes or surface areas), high filtering capability is achieved without requiring complex structural designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the filter element is designed with high filtering capacity, then the filtering surface area increases, but the device becomes more prone to clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering capacityVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering function is distributed across multiple discrete elements rather than concentrated in a continuous surface. This segmentation creates multiple parallel flow paths that prevent clogging, as particles cannot accumulate to block the entire filtering surface, while still providing high total filtering capacity through the collective area of multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element incorporates three-dimensional filtering structures (e.g., porous materials, fibrous networks, or layered configurations) that provide high filtering surface area without increasing the footprint. This dimensional approach allows high filtering capacity while maintaining open flow pathways that resist clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively maintains dielectric fluids by reducing water content, preventing short circuits and ensuring reliable operation of battery cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element for a filter holder (20), in particular for a car engine, which has a support structure (10) with a three-dimensional porous structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4504368B1Ring filter element
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP4504368B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4504368B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4504368B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a ring filter element (6), comprising - an upper end plate (7), - a lower end plate (8), and filter material (9) interposed between the upper end plate (7) and the lower end plate (8). According to the invention, a drying device (11) comprising a drying agent (12) is provided on the ring filter element (6). The invention further relates to a filter device (1) comprising a ring filter element (6) of the above type and comprising a drying device (11) with a drying agent (12) arranged in the region of the filter housing (3).