Air Dryer Cartridge Multi-Start Thread for Fast Vehicle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment cartridges for vehicles face challenges in ensuring the right type is assembled for the intended application, leading to a time-consuming and difficult assembly process due to the use of single-start screw threads.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-start screw thread on the air treatment cartridge and air treatment device, with offset threads and increased pitch, facilitates easy and quick assembly by ensuring compatibility and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-start screw thread is used for connecting the air treatment cartridge to the air treatment device, then compatibility and simple combination of different types of connection elements are ensured, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult due to positioning and finding the start of thread
Solution Approach 1:
The screw thread is segmented into multiple starts (e.g., two-start, three-start), creating multiple parallel thread paths. This segmentation allows the connecting elements to engage more quickly while maintaining compatibility through standardized thread geometry and pitch relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-start screw thread geometry is pre-configured with specific lead angles and thread offsets that automatically guide the connecting elements into proper alignment during insertion, eliminating the need for manual positioning or searching for the thread start.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-start screw thread is used, then simple combination of different types of connection elements is achieved, but positioning of the cartridge and finding the start of thread during assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-start screw thread introduces asymmetric features such as different lead angles and thread offsets between starts. These asymmetric characteristics create a self-aligning mechanism that guides connecting elements into correct positioning automatically, making assembly easier while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to the thread engagement process by utilizing multiple thread starts that engage at different rates. This dimensional approach transforms the assembly process from a sequential single-point engagement to a parallel multi-point engagement, improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If a multi-start screw thread with increased pitch is used, then assembly is conducted faster and positioning is easier, but the complexity of the thread design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes key thread parameters including pitch, lead angle, and number of starts to optimize assembly speed. By systematically varying these parameters while maintaining standardized thread profiles, the design achieves faster assembly without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-start screw thread design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides self-alignment, increases assembly speed, maintains compatibility with standardized components, and enables positive engagement. This multi-functionality justifies the increased design complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural feature.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air treatment cartridge (100), especially air dryer cartridge, for an air treatment device (200) for a vehicle, especially utility vehicle, comprising: a cartridge body (102) having a connecting portion (104) for connecting the air treatment cartridge (100) to the air treatment device (200), the connecting portion (104) being formed on the cartridge body (102) and having a leading end (106), a trailing end (108) opposite to the leading end (106), and a multi-start screw thread (110) formed between the leading end (106) and the trailing end (108), wherein each start of thread (112) of the multi-start screw thread (110) is offset to one another on the leading end (106) and/or the trailing end (108), and wherein the screw thread profile (22) has a first (22a) and a second flank (22b) which are asymmetric.