Air Filter Seal Indexing for Reusable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air filter assemblies for internal combustion engines face challenges with seal deformation due to thermal shock, vibrations, and pressure, leading to air leaks and compromised filtration and airflow, requiring frequent seal replacement during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An air filter assembly with an indexing mechanism using a male tongue and female notch to reposition the seal between the cover and air metering valve, ensuring the seal returns to its original position after disassembly and assembly, eliminating the need for seal replacement during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seal is made removable to allow filter cartridge replacement, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to deformation from thermal shocks, vibrations and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing means (protrusion and recess) are pre-configured on the seal and cover respectively, establishing the correct seal position before assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cover is removed and reinstalled during maintenance, the seal automatically returns to its original position without deformation, maintaining sealing reliability while allowing easy cartridge replacement
2Reliability
If the seal position is fixed to maintain sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to difficult disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into three independent components: the seal itself, the indexing means (protrusion and recess) for position control, and the filter cartridge. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be removed for maintenance while the seal remains in place with its position controlled by the simple indexing mechanism, reducing maintenance complexity while ensuring sealing reliability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (1) comprising an air filter (2) comprising a cover (7), said cover (7) comprising an opening (9), an air metering valve comprising a filtered air inlet, a seal (15) arranged between the opening (9) and the filtered air inlet, characterised in that it comprises means for indexing the seal (15) with respect to the cover (7).