Sealing Element V-Recess for Fluid Purifier Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid cleaning systems face challenges in reducing the effort required for arranging sealing elements and improving the function and reliability of these elements, particularly in fluid cleaning elements used for filtering and water separation.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an end body holding contour with a projection that tapers radially outward and a V-shaped recess in the sealing element, allowing for improved force transmission and precise fit, reducing material expenditure and enhancing the sealing element's functionality and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional sealing element design is used without a V-shaped recess, then the sealing element has sufficient material for basic sealing, but the material expenditure is high and the fit precision with the end body is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit precision of sealing elementVSAvoidmaterial expenditure of sealing element
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element features a V-shaped recess localized at the sealing surface that engages with a projection on the end body. This local geometric feature concentrates the sealing function at the critical interface, improving fit precision without requiring excess material throughout the entire sealing element structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing a complete circumferential sealing groove that requires substantial material, the design inverts the approach by creating a V-shaped recess that receives a projection from the end body. This inversion allows the sealing element to achieve precise fit through the interlocking geometry rather than relying on material volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the sealing element is designed with complex contours for improved sealing, then the sealing performance improves, but the effort for arranging and installing the sealing element increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoideffort for arranging sealing element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The V-shaped recess and projection are pre-formed during manufacturing, establishing the sealing geometry in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the sealing element is installed, the precise fit is already built-in, reducing the effort required for arrangement and installation while maintaining high sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped recess introduces asymmetric geometry to the otherwise radially symmetric sealing element. This asymmetric feature creates a directional engagement with the projection on the end body, improving sealing reliability through precise geometric interlocking while the overall simple form factor keeps installation effort low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design reduces material costs for the sealing element, improves its fit and functionality, and enhances the sealing performance, ensuring effective sealing and reliability in fluid cleaning systems, including filter and water separation applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic annular sealing element, which is arranged on a radially outer circumferential side of the at least one end body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4028143B1Fluid-purifying element of a fluid-purifying system for purifying liquid fluid, fluid-purifying system, and sealing element of a fluid-purifying element
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4028143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4028143B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4028143B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid-purifying element (36) of a fluid-purifying system (10) for purifying liquid fluid, to a fluid-purifying system (10), and to a sealing element (60). The fluid-purifying element (36) has: at least one purifying medium (38), which at least partially delimits at least one element inner space (40); at least one end body (42), which is situated on the axial end of the fluid-purifying element (36) in relation to an imaginary axis (22); and at least one elastic, annular sealing element (60), which is situated on a radially outer circumferential face of the at least one end body (42). The at least one end body (42) has at least one end body holding contour (48) for the at least one sealing element (60), said holding contour running continuously at least in some sections of the circumference around a radially outer circumferential face of the at least one end body (42). The at least one sealing element (60) has, on its radially inner circumferential face, a seal holding contour (62), which bears at least in some sections against the end body holding contour (48) of the at least one end body (42). The at least one sealing element (60) has at least one sealing face (70), which extends at least around part of the radially outer circumferential face of the at least one sealing element (60). At least one end body holding contour (48) has at least one protrusion, which extends radially outwards and around at least part of the circumference. At least one seal holding contour (62) has at least one depression, which extends radially outwards and around at least part of the circumference. The at least one end body holding contour (48) engages at least partially into the at least one seal holding contour (62).