Air Filter Housing Pivoting Hood for Easy Element Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filters for internal combustion engines require complex assembly and disassembly steps for flat filter elements, particularly rectangular or square zigzag-shaped filters, which can lead to dirt accumulation and increased installation difficulties due to the need for additional frame elements.

Innovation Solution

The air filter design allows for a filter element to be removed by swiveling one housing part slightly (15° to 20°), utilizing a circumferential seal that extends into the housing, enabling easy detachment without leaving dirt inside the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flat filter elements are used in a two-part housing, then filtration is effective, but assembly and disassembly become complex requiring additional frame elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is nested directly into the housing without requiring an additional frame structure. The circumferential seal of the filter element engages directly with the housing's sealing surface, eliminating the need for a separate frame element and simplifying the overall assembly structure while maintaining effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into two separable parts (housing base and housing cover) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The filter element with its circumferential seal is positioned to be retained in the housing base when the cover is removed, allowing simple access for filter replacement without complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If flat filter elements are used in a two-part housing, then filtration is effective, but removal requires additional frame elements increasing installation difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is nested directly into the housing without requiring an additional frame structure. The circumferential seal of the filter element engages directly with the housing's sealing surface, eliminating the need for a separate frame element and simplifying the overall assembly structure while maintaining effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If traditional hinges are used requiring 180° opening, then housing can be opened, but filter element may leave dirt inside housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing operabilityVSAvoiddirt contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is positioned and secured in advance within the housing base using the circumferential seal engagement with the sealing surface. This preliminary securing action ensures that when the housing cover is removed, the filter element remains firmly in place and cannot leave dirt or contaminants inside the housing, eliminating the risk of contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If circumferential seal extends completely into housing, then sealing is effective, but filter element removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfilter element removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a stationary housing base and a removable housing cover. The circumferential seal of the filter element engages with the sealing surface on the housing base, creating an effective seal while allowing the housing cover to be removed separately. This segmentation enables the filter element to be accessed and removed easily by simply removing the cover, without compromising sealing effectiveness during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2113650B2Air filter housing with pivoting hood
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2113650B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2113650B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The filter has a filter element (21) arranged in a raw air housing (11) and in a clean air hood (13), and completely extending into the hood and into the housing based on a sealing plane, where the housing and hood are rotatably supported. The filter element includes a peripheral seal (23) forming a sealing between the housing and the hood. Clean air- and raw air connections are provided in the hood and in the housing, respectively, where the hood is bent about 15 degrees in relation to a normal position, for replacing of the filter element. An independent claim is also included for a method for replacing of a filter element for an internal combustion engine.