Air Filter Element Grip Structure for Radial Alignment and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter systems are cumbersome to install and remove due to space constraints and bulkiness, leading to inefficient use of space and potential noise interference, especially when aligning outlets for multiple components.
Innovation Solution
An air filter element with a gripping structure at one end for easy removal and radial alignment during insertion, integrated into the filter housing, and a guiding structure at the corresponding end for alignment during installation, facilitating both tasks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air filter element is designed with a complex and bulky structure to facilitate alignment and installation, then the alignment and installation are easier, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping structure at the second end of the air filter element serves multiple functions: it facilitates manual gripping for removal, provides radial alignment during insertion through interaction with the filter housing, and enables tool interaction for facilitated removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment features, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping structure combines several functional elements into a single integrated component. Instead of having separate gripping features, alignment features, and tool interaction features, the gripping structure merges all these functions into one element, thereby simplifying the overall design and reducing the number of parts.
2Ease of operation
If the air filter element is designed with a complex and bulky structure, then the alignment and installation are easier, but the assembly time increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping structure performs multiple functions simultaneously - manual gripping, radial alignment during insertion, and tool interaction for removal. This eliminates the need for multiple separate features that would increase assembly time, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping structure is pre-configured on the air filter element to provide radial alignment during insertion. This preliminary alignment feature ensures that the air filter element is correctly positioned before final installation, reducing adjustment time and improving assembly efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the air filter element is designed with a complex and bulky structure, then the alignment and installation are easier, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping structure at the second end serves multiple functions including manual gripping, radial alignment during insertion, and tool interaction. By consolidating these functions into a single structure rather than using multiple separate features, the overall volume and space requirements of the air filter element are reduced while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping structure merges gripping features, alignment features, and tool interaction features into one integrated component. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional space-consuming separate features, thereby reducing the overall volume of the air filter element while maintaining operational ease.
4Ease of operation
If the air filter element is designed with a complex and bulky structure, then the alignment and installation are easier, but the noise optimization is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping structure provides multiple functions (gripping, alignment, tool interaction) in a compact form, avoiding the need for bulky additional features that would disrupt intake system airflow and acoustic characteristics, thereby maintaining noise optimization while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple functions into the gripping structure, the design avoids adding separate bulky components that would interfere with the intake system's acoustic tuning, thus maintaining noise optimization while achieving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An air filter element includes a first end and a second end located opposite to the first end in relation to a longitudinal direction of the air filter element. The air filter element is configured for axial insertion into a filter housing with the first end leading the axial insertion. The air filter element includes a gripping structure at the second end, the gripping structure comprising an external surface accessible for interaction by a tool to facilitate removal of the air filter element from the filter housing. The gripping structure is also configured to, during insertion of the air filter element into the filter housing, radially align the air filter element in the filter housing.