Adjustable Oil Filter Removal Tool for Multi-Angle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil filter removal tools are not versatile enough to fit a wide range of sizes and angles, requiring multiple tools for different vehicles, and struggle with soiled or greasy surfaces, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency in maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A universal oil filter removal tool with a hammerhead profile and serrated gripping surfaces, featuring adjustable jaws that can grip oil filters from various angles and sizes, ensuring secure engagement even on dirty surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing oil filter removal tools are used, then they can grip and remove oil filters, but they are only well adapted to fit a narrow range of oil filter sizes and are not sufficiently versatile to access the oil filter from a number of angles
Solution Approach 1:
The oil filter removal tool is designed with a universal jaw structure that can accommodate multiple oil filter sizes and orientations. The jaw features a curved gripping surface with serrated edges that can adapt to different diameters, and the hammerhead profile with terminal clamping elements provides multiple contact points for securing filters from various angles, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates an adjustable jaw mechanism where the terminal clamping elements can be positioned at different locations along the jaw region. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the tool to adapt its gripping configuration to match different oil filter sizes and access angles, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-configuration tools.
2Ease of operation
If tools of different configurations are maintained for different vehicle models, then the appropriate tool can be chosen for each specific case, but this results in inconvenience, extra expense, and issues in space-restricted settings
Solution Approach 1:
The oil filter removal tool is designed with a universal jaw structure that can accommodate multiple oil filter sizes and orientations. The jaw features a curved gripping surface with serrated edges that can adapt to different diameters, and the hammerhead profile with terminal clamping elements provides multiple contact points for securing filters from various angles, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.
3Ease of operation
If an oil filter removal tool that is not sized to grip a particular size of oil filter is used, then it may be easier to access tight spaces, but it can be difficult to grip the filter properly and securely
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw region features localized serrated gripping surfaces and terminal clamping elements positioned at specific locations. These localized features provide enhanced grip security at the contact points with the oil filter, while the overall hammerhead profile maintains a compact form factor that can access tight spaces. The serrations are concentrated where needed for secure gripping rather than distributed uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates an adjustable jaw mechanism where the terminal clamping elements can be positioned at different locations along the jaw region. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the tool to adapt its gripping configuration to match different oil filter sizes and access angles, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-configuration tools.
4Force
If a wrench or similar tool is used to rotate the oil filter, then mechanical assistance is provided to overcome the tacky rubber seal, but the tool may not securely grip a soiled or greasy surface
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw region features localized serrated gripping surfaces and terminal clamping elements positioned at specific locations. These localized features provide enhanced grip security at the contact points with the oil filter, while the overall hammerhead profile maintains a compact form factor that can access tight spaces. The serrations are concentrated where needed for secure gripping rather than distributed uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surfaces combine metal structural components with serrated edges that provide mechanical interlocking. The serrations create multiple small contact points that distribute gripping force and maintain adhesion even on soiled or greasy surfaces, while the underlying metal structure provides the necessary strength for rotational force application.
Data Source
AI summary
Oil filters used in automotive vehicles come in different sizes and may be located at varying positions on the engine which differ in terms of ease of access. Due to such variability, multiple specialized tools have typically been required to remove installed oil filters from automotive engines, including various sized pliers, straps, bands and the like, the selection of the tool depending on the location and size of the oil filter, and the angle of approach required. An oil filter removal tool is now provided which has at least two sets of opposing gripping regions, the two sets being in perpendicular orientation relative to each other. Advantageously, the oil filter removal tool may be used to approach and grasp the oil filter from an axial or radial direction, and may be used with different sizes of oil filters.