Air Dryer Cartridge Fixing Interface With Separate Locking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air dryer cartridges for vehicles require complex bayonet locking systems with central threaded portions, necessitating specialized tools and trained personnel for assembly, leading to increased complexity and potential mounting errors.
Innovation Solution
A fixing interface with a separate locking element, such as a locking pin or screw, that engages directly or indirectly with flange and housing fixing elements, allowing for a simpler and reliable mechanical connection without rotational freedom, and incorporating depressurization and deaeration channels for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex bayonet locking system with central threaded portion is used, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing interface is divided into separate functional elements: a cartridge base with fixing flange, a housing portion with fixing elements, and a separate locking element. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable connection through modular components that are easier to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is extracted as a separate component from the integrated bayonet locking system. This separate locking element can be a simple pin or screw that engages with fixing elements on the cartridge base and housing, eliminating the need for complex threaded portions and reducing assembly complexity while preserving connection reliability.
2Strength
If a complex bayonet locking system is used, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component such as a pin or screw that can be quickly inserted and removed with common tools. This simple locking mechanism provides sufficient connection strength for the application while dramatically improving ease of operation and reducing the need for specialized tools or trained personnel.
3Ease of manufacture
If a separate locking element is used instead of integrated bayonet locking, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The separate locking element is combined with fixing elements that are integrated into the cartridge base and housing structure. This combination approach allows the locking element to be manufactured separately with simple geometry, while the fixing elements provide the structural connection framework, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing interface for fixing an air dryer cartridge and an air treatment device for a vehicle, especially a utility vehicle, includes a cartridge base assignable to the air dryer cartridge. The cartridge base has a fixing flange and a circular ring-shaped metal sheet in contact with the fixing flange in the mounted state. A housing portion assignable to a housing of the air treatment device fixes, in a mounted state, the fixing flange to the housing portion. The fixing flange has a first flange fixing element and the housing portion has a first housing fixing element. The first flange fixing element and the first housing fixing element, in the mounted state, are engaged with one another. The fixing interface further has a locking element, wherein the locking element, in the mounted state, is engaged either directly and/or indirectly with the first flange fixing element and/or the first housing fixing element such that a degree of freedom of the fixing flange with regard to the housing portion or vice versa is locked.