Motor Vehicle Air Filter Element With Self-Compressing Front Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter elements for air filtration devices in motor vehicles require cumbersome handling due to the need for simultaneous external pressure on actuating plates during insertion, making integration into the housing difficult.

Innovation Solution

The filter element features an elastically deformable front wall with an integrated insertion bevel that allows for automatic deformation during insertion, ensuring secure attachment of the lid to the housing without additional actuating plates, using a rigid fastening element aligned by the bevel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If actuating plates are used to compress the front wall during insertion, then the filter element can be inserted into the housing, but the handling becomes cumbersome requiring simultaneous external pressure on both actuating plates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of filter elementVSAvoidstructure of filter element

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the actuating plates from the filter element structure entirely. Instead, the housing itself provides the compression function through its insertion opening being narrower than the front wall in its non-deformed state, allowing the front wall to be compressed automatically during insertion without requiring separate actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element's front wall compresses itself automatically during insertion into the housing. The housing opening acts as a constraint that naturally applies the necessary compressive force to deform the elastically deformable front wall, eliminating the need for external actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the housing opening is narrower than the front wall, then the filter element can be held indented in the receiving chamber, but the front wall must be elastically deformed during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of filter elementVSAvoidinsertion process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the elastic properties of the front wall material, allowing it to temporarily change its dimensional parameters (compress in the insertion direction) during insertion, then return to its original shape to achieve a secure indented fit in the receiving chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The front wall transitions from a non-deformed state with larger dimensions to a deformed state with smaller dimensions during insertion, then dynamically returns to its original shape, creating a secure mechanical interference fit with the housing opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If fastening elements are arranged on the frame, then the lid can be fixed to the housing, but additional components increase the device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure of receiving chamberVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening elements are integrated directly into the frame structure rather than being separate attached components. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the capability to securely fasten the lid to the housing through the fastening elements that are already part of the frame assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easy and secure integration of the filter element into the housing, preventing incorrect operation by ensuring the lid can only be attached when the element is correctly installed, and providing a stable, tight-fitting closure.

Implementation Method 1

The front wall can be elastically deformed or compressed in order to introduce the filter element into the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least one insertion bevel is formed on the frame, by means of which the front wall can be brought into an elastically deformed state during the insertion of the filter element into the receiving chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12453937B2Filter element for an air filtration device of a motor vehicle and air filtration device

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A filter element for an air filtration device of a motor vehicle includes a frame where the frame has an elastically deformable front wall which extends perpendicularly to an insertion direction of the filter element in a receiving chamber of a housing of the air filtration device. A fastening element is disposed on the frame where a lid of the air filtration device is fixable on the fastening element and where the lid is configured for closing the receiving chamber. An insertion bevel is formed on the frame wherein via the insertion bevel the front wall can be brought into an elastically deformed state during an insertion of the filter element into the receiving chamber. An inherently rigid component is mounted on the frame in an area of the front wall where the fastening element is formed integrally with the component and the component has the insertion bevel.