Ring Filter Element Support Contour for Pin Stress Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous stress on the pin of a ring filter element due to pressure pulsations during operation leads to pin breakage, causing operational issues and replacement difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A ring filter element design with a support contour projecting from the lower end disk that directly or indirectly supports the element against the filter housing, reducing stress on the pin and preventing breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pin is used to close the idle channel in the lower end disk, then the idle channel can be effectively sealed, but the pin is subjected to high pressure pulsations during operation which causes it to break or tear off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliability of idle channelVSAvoidpin strength under pressure pulsation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lower end disk is divided into functional zones: the pin area for sealing and the support contour area for load bearing. This segmentation allows the pin to focus on sealing while the support contour handles pressure loads, preventing pin breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support contour acts as an intermediary structure between the lower end disk and the filter housing. It mediates the pressure pulsations by providing an alternative load path, preventing these forces from being transmitted directly to the pin connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the pin is supported directly by the lower end plate, then the structure is simple, but the pin experiences high notch loads during pressure pulsations leading to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpin resistance to breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support contour extends in the axial dimension from the lower end disk, creating a new load-bearing dimension. This additional structural element distributes pressure loads away from the pin's root connection, reducing notch effects without significantly complicating the overall structure.

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

3Device complexity

If the ring filter element is supported only by the pin connection, then the design is compact, but pressure pulsations force the pin into the idle channel causing operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidfilter element operational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support contour provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and distributing pressure pulsations before they can force the pin into the idle channel. This preventive structure cushions the pin against excessive axial forces during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4234064B1Ring filter element and liquid filter device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP4234064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4234064B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4234064B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a ring filter element (3) comprising an upper end disk (4), a lower end disk (5), and a filter material (6), in particular a pleated star, arranged between them, and a pin (8) arranged eccentrically on the lower end disk (5) and projecting in the axial direction (7) for closing an idle channel (9). To relieve stress on the pin (8), at least one support contour (11) projecting axially (7) from the lower end disk (5) is provided adjacent to the pin (8) for support against a filter housing (2).