Round Filter Element Sealing Carrier for Compact Gas Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular filter elements face challenges in achieving high filtration performance while maintaining compact dimensions, particularly in gas filtration applications such as vehicle intake manifolds.

Innovation Solution

A circular filter element design with a longitudinally elongated filter medium body, featuring a radially oriented fluid flow, separate sealing carrier, and radial indentations, which allows for efficient fluid separation and reduced housing dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a circular filter element with radially flowing fluid is designed, then filtration performance is improved, but the filter element deforms under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidfilter medium body deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium body is divided into multiple pleats (folds) that are supported by reinforcing ribs. This segmentation allows the filter to maintain its structural integrity under pressure while still providing adequate filtration surface area. The ribs divide the filter medium into supported sections that resist deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element combines different materials with complementary properties: a flexible filter medium body for filtration combined with rigid reinforcing ribs made of plastic material for structural support. This composite structure allows the filter to achieve both high filtration performance and pressure resistance without deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If the filter element is made compact for vehicle intake manifolds, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter element sizeVSAvoidinstallation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element features an asymmetric design with a conical outer surface that tapers from the inlet end to the outlet end. This asymmetric geometry allows for compact packaging in the filter housing while providing clear installation orientation through the tapered shape, eliminating the need for complex alignment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element employs curved surfaces throughout its structure, including the conical outer surface and rounded end plates. These curved geometries allow for compact three-dimensional packaging within the filter housing while maintaining ease of installation through self-alignment characteristics of the curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If end plates are used to seal the filter medium body, then sealing is improved, but the end plates are subject to holding and sealing forces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidend plate strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing element (O-ring or similar) is introduced as an intermediary component between the end plate and the filter medium body. This sealing element absorbs the holding and sealing forces, protecting the end plate from direct mechanical stress while maintaining the seal. The sealing element deforms under pressure to create the seal rather than relying on the end plate's structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the filter medium body is elongated longitudinally, then filtration surface area is improved, but the filter element becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidfilter element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element transitions from a simple cylindrical shape to a conical three-dimensional structure with pleats folded in multiple dimensions. This allows the filtration surface area to be expanded through the pleated folds while the overall longitudinal length remains manageable. The conical shape efficiently packs the pleats within a compact volume.

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

Ensures high filtration performance with compact dimensions by minimizing deformation under pressure and enabling precise installation within a filter housing, while facilitating maintenance and reducing material stress on the filter medium body.

Implementation Method 1

a filter medium body (6), through which the fluid to be cleaned flows radially

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3525911B1Round filter element, in particular for gas filtration

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

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AI summary

A round filter element has an air filter with a filter medium body having an elongate cross-sectional shape, wherein, adjacent to the radially outer outer wall of the filter medium body and adjacent to an end face of the filter medium body, there is arranged a seal support that bears a seal element and over the majority of its periphery has a constant radial distance to the outer wall of the filter medium body, but has at least one radially inwardly oriented indentation with a reduced radial distance to the outer wall of the filter medium body, wherein the at least one indentation (31) in the seal support (14) is located on a longitudinal side of the filter medium body (6).