Angled Sensor Socket for Compact Air Filter Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filter systems for internal combustion engines face challenges with protruding sensor connection pieces that require additional installation space and risk damage due to their right-angled arrangement, which complicates installation and increases the risk of damage during handling and transport.

Innovation Solution

The air filter system incorporates a sensor socket arranged at an angle to the housing's longitudinal axis, allowing for a compact design that keeps the sensor connection within the housing contours, reducing installation space requirements and protecting the sensor from damage, while enabling easy attachment and pressure measurement directly in the outlet channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sensor connection piece is arranged radially on the housing, then the sensor can be easily attached, but the sensor protrudes far beyond the housing contour requiring additional installation space and risking damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sensor attachmentVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor connection piece is arranged at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) to the radial direction of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of attachment. This angular arrangement allows the sensor to be attached at an inclined angle rather than purely radially, enabling the sensor to extend less beyond the housing contour while maintaining accessibility for attachment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor connection piece is integrated into the housing structure with an angled arrangement that allows the sensor to be nested more compactly within or near the housing contour. The angled design enables the sensor to follow a more compact path relative to the housing, reducing the overall envelope space required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the sensor connection piece is arranged radially on the housing, then the sensor can be easily attached, but the sensor protrudes far beyond the housing contour increasing the risk of damage during handling and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sensor attachmentVSAvoidsensor protection from damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the sensor connection piece at an angle to the radial direction, the sensor follows a different spatial trajectory that keeps it closer to the housing body during handling. This angular configuration reduces the sensor's exposure to external impacts and damage risks while preserving attachment ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The angled arrangement of the sensor connection piece serves as a preventive design that cushions the sensor against potential damage before it occurs. By positioning the sensor at an angle rather than radially outward, the design inherently protects the sensor from impacts that might occur during handling and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If the sensor socket is arranged axially on the housing end face, then the sensor connection is compact, but the installation space between sensor and outlet connector is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidinstallation space for hose and clamp
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor connection piece is arranged at an angle to the housing longitudinal axis rather than purely axially or radially. This angular configuration creates a three-dimensional arrangement that optimizes both compactness and available installation space for hoses and clamps by utilizing diagonal space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The angular arrangement of the sensor connection piece creates different spatial characteristics in different regions. The angled design provides compactness in one direction while creating sufficient clearance in other directions, allowing local optimization for both sensor integration and hose installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2843206B1Filter system with sensor tip
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP2843206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter system (100) comprising a housing (108) with a housing wall (112) and at least one cover (110), an inlet nozzle (102) arranged on the housing (108) for supplying a fluid to be filtered, in particular air, an outlet nozzle (104) arranged on the housing (108) for discharging the filtered fluid, and a sensor nozzle (120) arranged on the housing (108). The sensor nozzle is arranged obliquely to a longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (108) in an end region (116) of the housing (108).