Two-Sided Suction Filter Housing for Overmould-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction filters for liquids, such as those used in automatic gearboxes, face design and assembly complexities due to overmoulding requirements and viscosity-related pressure drops, which increase costs and complicate operation, especially at colder temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A suction filter with a housing design featuring two open sides allows for clamping of a coarse filter element without overmoulding, using a polyester filter medium for leak-tight assembly and reduced costs, and incorporates a pleated fine filter element with multiple layers for enhanced filtration and a bypass valve to manage pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If overmoulding is used to secure filter elements in the housing, then the filter elements are kept in place reliably, but the design and assembly become complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the overmoulding process from the filter unit assembly by extracting the function of securing filter elements to a separate clamping mechanism. The clamping device with adjustable clamping elements can secure filter elements without requiring the filter elements to be overmoulded into the housing, thus simplifying the overall design and assembly while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the filter unit into modular components: a housing, separately replaceable filter elements, and a clamping device with adjustable clamping elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled without complex overmoulding processes, reducing design complexity while ensuring reliable assembly.
2Reliability
If traditional metallic wire mesh is used for coarse filter element, then filtration is effective, but assembly leak-tightness is difficult to achieve and costs are higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the coarse filter element from traditional metallic wire mesh to polyester filter material. This material change enables the filter element to be assembled in a leak-tight manner using the clamping device while reducing costs. The polyester material can be effectively secured by the clamping elements without requiring complex sealing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective polyester filter material that can be replaced more easily and cheaply than traditional metallic wire mesh. The filter element is designed as a consumable component that can be replaced when clogged, reducing long-term maintenance costs while maintaining effective filtration during its service life.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-layer filter elements are used, then assembly is simple, but filtration efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filtration function into multiple separate filter elements (coarse filter element and fine filter element) that can be assembled in sequence within the housing. Each layer handles a specific filtration stage, maintaining assembly simplicity while significantly improving overall filtration efficiency through the multi-stage filtration process.
4Ease of manufacture
If housing has only one open side, then assembly is straightforward, but clamping of filter elements requires overmoulding which complicates design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by providing the housing with two open sides instead of one, allowing filter elements to be inserted from either side. This inversion enables the use of a clamping device with clamping elements that can secure filter elements without overmoulding, simplifying the overall design while maintaining ease of assembly.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and effectively manages pressure drops across varying viscosities, ensuring efficient filtration and reliable operation even at low temperatures by eliminating the need for overmoulding and using a cost-effective polyester filter medium.
Implementation Method 1
the bypass valve including an orifice that is opened and closed in response to differential pressure across the valve
Implementation Method 2
filter media with the fluid passing through the media under pressure and/or with suction applied to the filter on the outlet side
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a suction filter unit (1) for filtering liquids. The filter unit (1) comprises: a housing element (3) with an open first side and an open opposing, second side, the housing element (3) comprising a first set of filter element supporting elements (23); a first cover (5) sealingly connected to the first side of the housing element (3); a second, different cover (7) sealingly connected to the second side of the housing element (3), the second cover (7) comprising a second set of filter element supporting elements (25); a filter unit inlet (9); a filter unit outlet; a first filter element (13) for providing a fine filtering property of the liquid; and a second filter element (21) arranged between the first filter element (13) and the inlet (9) for providing a coarse filtering property of the liquid. The second filter element (21) is clamped between the second cover and the housing element (3) by the first and second set of filter element supporting elements (23, 25).