Air Filter Mating Interface Press-Fit Groove Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mating interfaces between air intake housings and air filters often require external fasteners, which can lead to installation complexity and potential leaks, compromising the sealing and durability of the air filter assembly.

Innovation Solution

A mating interface design that includes a groove on the air filter housing for a press-fit connection with the air intake housing, eliminating the need for external fasteners, and featuring a flange that is radially pressed against the housing by the air tube, along with optional features like screw threads, polyurethane material, and draft or rib designs for enhanced sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external fasteners are used to connect air intake housing and air filter, then the connection can be secured, but the installation complexity increases and potential leaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove and flange features are integrated directly into the mating interface between the air intake housing and air filter, combining the connection and sealing functions into a single unified structure that eliminates the need for separate external fasteners

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange is radially pressed against the air filter housing by the air tube itself, allowing the air tube to automatically perform the sealing function without requiring external fasteners or additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If external fasteners are used to connect air intake housing and air filter, then the connection can be secured, but the installation process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

External fasteners are completely removed from the design, extracting the unnecessary components that complicate installation while retaining the essential connection and sealing functions through the integrated groove and flange structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection and sealing functions are merged into the mating interface itself through the groove and flange design, creating a single-step installation process that is both simple and durable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a press-fit connection is used without external fasteners, then installation is simplified, but the sealing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air tube automatically performs the sealing function by radially pressing the flange against the air filter housing through its own installation process, eliminating the need for external fasteners while maintaining reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flange is positioned at the specific location where sealing is needed, and its radial pressing action creates a localized high-pressure sealing zone that ensures reliable connection without requiring fasteners throughout the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3309382B1Mating interface between air intake housing and air filter
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 HOLLEY PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
  • EP3309382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3309382B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3309382B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Mating interfaces between an air intake housing and an air filter are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an air filter assembly having a mating interface for coupling an air intake housing to the air filter may include an air filter having an exterior, an interior, and outlet; and a mating interface coupled to a circumference of the outlet of the air filter. The mating interface may include an opening for receiving an end of an air tube that is in communication with the interior of the air filter; and a groove in a surface of the mating interface for press-fit receiving a first opening an air filter housing that surrounds the air filter.