Air Filter Cantilever Lock Tab for Secure Housing Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter assemblies face challenges in providing a secure and efficient locking mechanism for air filter cartridges, leading to potential leakage and improper installation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a resiliently movable lock tab feature on the air filter, integrated with a support arm and lock member, allows for easy installation and secure locking by engaging with catches on the air cleaner housing, ensuring proper sealing and preventing over-rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resiliently movable lock tab with support arm is implemented, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock tab is designed as a resiliently movable component with a support arm that can deflect during installation. The support arm includes a lock member that engages with catches on the housing, providing dynamic movement capability that ensures reliable locking while accommodating installation variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the lock tab body, the support arm with cantilever configuration, the lock member at the distal end, and the anchor base. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to overall locking reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the support arm is made resiliently movable to facilitate manual installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm's resilience is achieved by controlling its physical parameters including thickness (0.5-5mm), width (10-50mm), and length (20-100mm). These parameter specifications ensure the support arm has sufficient flexibility for manual installation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and consistent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm exhibits different structural properties at different locations: it is thickest at the anchor base for strong attachment to the lock tab, gradually thinning toward the distal end to increase flexibility. This gradient in local quality optimizes both installation ease and structural integrity.
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
The solution provides a reliable locking mechanism that ensures effective sealing and prevents leakage, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the integrity of the air filter assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient support arm (100) connected to the support ring (66) at an anchor base (102)... The support arm (100) extends in a circular arc direction around the support ring (66) in a cantilever manner... The lock member (105) is configured to interact and lock relative to one or more of the catches (44)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air filter, an air filter assembly, and method of installing the air filter into a housing of the air filter assembly are provided. The air filter includes an attachment portion and a lock tab. The lock tab is carried by and resiliently moveable relative to the attachment portion. The lock tab is located radially outward from the attachment portion and movable circumferentially about a central axis of the air filter. Another feature relates to using an end stop in a housing as a catch. Yet another feature relates to using a perforated end cap and capping such perforations with a housing seal.