Adjustable Filter Track for Multi-Thickness HVAC Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing HVAC systems require multiple filter tracks of specific sizes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complex filter switching processes, as existing filter tracks are rigidly designed for single filter sizes, necessitating replacement when switching between different filter sizes.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable filter track system that includes a guideway and brackets forming a recess to secure filters of varying sizes through multiple configurations, such as adjustable angle brackets and inserts within receptacles, allowing for easy adaptation to different filter thicknesses without the need for multiple filter tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple filter tracks of specific sizes are manufactured for different filter sizes, then each filter track can be precisely fitted to its designated filter size, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter track fit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter track is designed with adjustable components (brackets and inserts) that enable a single filter track structure to accommodate multiple filter sizes. The brackets can be repositioned along the guideway and inserts can be added or removed to create different spacing configurations, allowing one universal filter track to replace multiple size-specific tracks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter track incorporates movable and reconfigurable elements including brackets that can be adjusted to different positions and inserts that can be inserted or removed from receptacles. This dynamic adjustability allows the filter track to adapt its configuration to match different filter thicknesses and sizes without requiring multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple filter tracks of specific sizes are manufactured for different filter sizes, then each filter track can be precisely fitted to its designated filter size, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter track fit precisionVSAvoidfilter track system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter track is divided into modular components including the guideway, adjustable brackets, and removable inserts. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted or reconfigured to accommodate different filter sizes, simplifying the overall system by replacing multiple complete filter tracks with one modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If rigid filter tracks are manufactured for specific filter sizes, then the filter track structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to adapt to different filter sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter track manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfilter size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If multiple filter tracks of different sizes are used, then each filter can be securely fitted, but the time required to switch between filters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter securementVSAvoidfilter switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable brackets and inserts are pre-positioned along the guideway at various receptacle locations, allowing for quick configuration changes. When switching between filter sizes, the user can simply reposition existing components rather than assembling new filter tracks, significantly reducing the time required for filter size transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11090595B2Adjustable filter track for HVAC system

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH

AI summary

An adjustable filter track system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a filter track including a guideway and a bracket that form a recess configured to receive a first filter in a first configuration of the adjustable filter track system, a plurality of receptacles formed in the guideway and aligned along a length of the guideway, and a plurality of inserts, where, in a second configuration of the adjustable filter track system, each insert of the plurality of inserts is configured to be disposed in a corresponding receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and extend outwardly from the guideway to secure a second filter between the plurality of inserts and the bracket, where the second filter has a different thickness than the first filter.