Air Filter Element Guide Structure for Closed Housing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter devices face challenges in securely and easily installing filter elements into completely closed housing sections, leading to potential leaks due to improper alignment and compression of filter frames, especially in areas with limited visibility.
Innovation Solution
The air filter device and filter element design feature projections on the side walls that can be elastically deformed to guide and secure the filter element into place, using link end regions and guide flanks to ensure correct positioning and secure holding without the need for front locking mechanisms, allowing for easy and reliable assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter element is inserted into a completely closed housing cross section, then the filter element can be securely retained in position, but the insertion and removal process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into a frame structure with multiple side walls, and the housing is segmented with corresponding link guides on each side wall. This segmentation allows the filter element to be guided and retained through multiple distributed connection points rather than a single complex mechanism, enabling secure retention while simplifying the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The link guides are pre-formed in the housing side walls at predetermined positions and orientations. The frame structure of the filter element is pre-configured with side walls that match these link guides. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment during insertion, reducing installation time while ensuring secure retention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the filter frame is compressed to fit through narrow housing openings, then the filter element can be installed in closed sections, but improper alignment and compression can cause leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The link guides are pre-formed in the housing side walls at predetermined positions and orientations. The frame structure is pre-configured with side walls that match these link guides. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment before compression occurs, preventing improper seating that would cause leaks while still enabling installation in closed sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The link guides act as intermediary structures between the filter frame and the housing. These guides mediate the insertion process by providing a controlled path that ensures proper alignment and distribution of compression forces, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable sealing even when the housing cross section is completely closed.
3Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to secure the filter element, then reliable retention is achieved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure with its link-guided side walls is self-retaining. The geometric configuration of the frame and link guides creates inherent mechanical interlocking that secures the filter element without requiring separate locking mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional locking mechanisms are extracted from the design. Instead of adding separate locks, hinges, or fastening devices, the retention function is integrated directly into the frame structure and link guides. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving secure retention through the geometric configuration alone.
4Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to secure the filter element, then reliable retention is achieved, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Separate locking mechanisms are extracted from the design. The retention function is integrated into the compact frame structure and link guides, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming locks, hinges, or fastening devices. This integration reduces the overall installation space while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is merged with the basic frame structure and link guides. Instead of having separate retention components, the geometric configuration of the frame side walls and link guides combines the structural support and retention functions into a single integrated system, reducing the space required for installation.
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
This design facilitates a quick, safe, and process-reliable assembly of the filter element, ensuring proper alignment and secure retention, thereby preventing leaks and simplifying the installation process, even in obstructed areas, while also saving installation space.
Implementation Method 1
the side walls being elastically deformable, so that a distance between the two projections arranged on the same side wall can be reduced from one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an air filter device of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (12) having a receiving space (14) for a filter element (10). The filter element (10) has a frame (16), which surrounds a filter material (18) of the filter element (10) at least in parts. The frame (16) comprises a first side wall (20), a second side wall (22) opposite the first side wall, and a first and a second transverse wall (32, 34), the second transverse wall lying opposite the first transverse wall, and the transverse walls connecting the side walls. A first protrusion (26, 30, 76, 78) protrudes from each side wall (20, 22) near one of the two transverse walls (32, 34). The housing (12) comprises two opposite housing side walls (44, 46), each of which has at least one slotted guide (50, 52, 80, 82, 84, 86), in which the first protrusion (26, 30, 76, 78) of the side wall (20, 22) in question of the filter element (10) can be inserted into a slotted-guide end region (54, 56, 72, 74, 98, 100, 106, 108) pointing in a first direction (64, 102, 104). A second protrusion (28, 76, 78) protrudes from each side wall (20, 22) near the other of the two transverse walls (32, 34), and the housing side walls (44, 46) each have a second slotted-guide end region (72, 74, 98, 100, 106, 108) pointing opposite the first direction (64, 102, 104), into which second slotted-guide end regions the second protrusions (28, 76, 78) can be inserted so that the filter element (10) is in its operating position in the receiving space (14) of the housing (12). The side walls (20, 22) are elastically deformable so that a mutual distance (40) of the two protrusions (26, 28, 30, 76, 78) arranged on the same side wall (20, 22) can be reduced in order to bring the second protrusions (28, 76, 78), during the insertion, past inwardly directed slotted-guide guiding flanks (68, 70, 92, 96, 90, 94) into the respective second end region (72, 74, 98, 100, 106, 108) assigned to the second protrusions. The invention also relates to a filter element (10) for an air filter device of this type.