Air Filter Cover With Integrated Latch Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaners for internal combustion engines often require significant time and effort to service due to complex latch systems and two-handed operation, which increases manufacturing costs and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The design of an air cleaner housing assembly with a removable cover featuring a handle assembly and latch system that allows single-handed operation, using flexible and static portions to engage and disengage from the filter housing, eliminating the need for separate latch mechanisms and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional latch systems with multiple latches and bolts are used, then the cover is securely attached to the housing, but significant time and effort are required to unlatch or unscrew prior to servicing the air filter element
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system is segmented into multiple independent spring-loaded latches distributed around the cover perimeter, allowing partial engagement or disengagement without requiring all latches to be operated simultaneously. This segmentation enables faster service access while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latches are designed with spring-loaded mechanisms that provide dynamic engagement and disengagement capabilities. The springs allow the latches to flex during installation and removal, enabling quick service access while maintaining reliable attachment during operation. The dynamic nature of the spring-loaded system reduces the force and time required for cover removal.
2Reliability
If conventional latch systems with multiple latches and bolts are used, then the cover is securely attached to the housing, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch functions are merged into an integrated cover assembly where the latches, springs, and retaining features are combined into a unified structure. This merging reduces the total number of separate components, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining secure attachment through the distributed latch system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latches are designed to self-eng age and self-lock into the housing recesses without requiring additional fastening operations. The springs automatically provide the necessary engagement force, eliminating the need for separate bolts or complex locking mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Strength
If covers requiring two hands to remove are used, then the cover can be securely held and manipulated, but user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion on the cover acts as an intermediary element that engages with a corresponding recess in the housing. This intermediary feature provides a mechanical advantage point that allows the user to leverage body weight and apply force more efficiently during removal, reducing the need for two-handed manipulation while maintaining control over the heavier cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover removal mechanism incorporates a lifting or prying dimension in addition to the horizontal pulling motion. By introducing this additional degree of freedom, the user can exploit vertical force components and body mechanics to overcome the weight and friction of the cover, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining secure handling control.
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner assembly includes a filter housing extending axially along a longitudinal axis and a cover. The filter housing includes at least one sidewall (e.g., an annular sidewall) extending between a first housing end and a second housing end and a retainer formed proximate at least one of the first housing end and the second housing end. The cover is removably coupled to at least one of the first housing end and the second housing. The cover includes a handle assembly having a latch configured to releasably engage the retainer at the fiber housing. The filter element includes filter media and is axially insertable into the filter housing when the cover is removed from the filter housing.