Air Filter Housing With Asymmetric Outlet Pipe Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter systems face challenges in aligning and installing air filter elements due to their complex and bulky design, leading to extended assembly time and inefficient use of space, with potential negative effects on noise optimization.
Innovation Solution
The air filter housing and element are designed with a tapering cross-sectional area in the outlet pipe and outlet, allowing for precise alignment and fixation in two directions, preventing rotation and improving installation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air filter element is designed with complex structure to enable alignment with multiple outlets, then the alignment capability is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipe is designed with an asymmetric tapering cross-sectional area that does not possess rotational symmetry. This asymmetric geometry enables the outlet pipe to align with a corresponding asymmetric opening in the air filter element, providing unique orientation guidance without requiring complex alignment mechanisms. The asymmetric shape naturally prevents rotational misalignment while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air filter element is designed with complex structure to enable alignment with multiple outlets, then the alignment capability is improved, but the space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tapering cross-section of the outlet pipe provides effective alignment functionality without increasing the overall volume of the air filter element. The alignment capability is achieved through the geometric shape of the outlet pipe and corresponding opening rather than through additional bulk or complex structural additions, thereby maintaining space efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the air filter element has bulky design for alignment, then the alignment stability is improved, but the noise optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tapering cross-sectional area of the outlet pipe provides stable alignment through its unique geometric shape that prevents rotation, without requiring bulky design additions. This compact asymmetric structure maintains good noise optimization by avoiding the bulkiness that would otherwise be needed to achieve stable alignment through conventional symmetric designs.
4Ease of manufacture
If the outlet pipe has non-tapering cross-section, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapering cross-sectional area with asymmetric geometry provides precise alignment capability by creating a unique fit between the outlet pipe and the corresponding opening in the air filter element. The tapering shape guides the alignment process and ensures accurate positioning, while still being manufacturable using conventional forming processes.
5Ease of operation
If the air filter element requires manual alignment, then the alignment flexibility is improved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tapering cross-section of the outlet pipe provides self-aligning functionality that guides the air filter element into the correct position during installation. This geometric feature reduces the need for complex manual alignment operations while maintaining installation flexibility, thereby significantly reducing assembly time compared to systems requiring precise manual positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An air filter housing has an inner housing space adapted to receive an air filter element. The air filter housing includes a first housing end and a second housing end located axially opposite the first housing end in relation to the inner housing space, and an outlet pipe extending from the second housing end axially into the inner housing space. The outlet pipe has a center axis and an opening configured to receive clean air from the inner housing space, wherein at least an axial portion of the outlet pipe has a cross-sectional area along a geometrical plane perpendicular to the centre axis which is tapering.