Cab Air Filter Layout With Fixed Chemical Stages and Serviceable Dust Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filtering devices for agricultural machines lack a structured approach to maintenance, particularly for dust, aerosol, and vapor filters, and do not adequately protect against alterations during maintenance operations.

Innovation Solution

A modular filtering device with a removable dust filter module and permanently fixed aerosol and vapor filter modules, ensuring separate maintenance and protection, while allowing for different configurations based on application needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all filter modules are permanently fixed to the housing, then the device structure is simplified and protection against alterations is improved, but maintenance complexity increases and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against alterationsVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering device is segmented into multiple independent filter modules (first filter module for dust, second filter module for aerosol, third filter module for vapor), each with different fixation methods. The first filter module is removably coupled to allow maintenance, while the second and third filter modules are permanently fixed to prevent alterations and ensure safety. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different fixation strategies to different functional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the dust filter module is permanently fixed, then protection against unauthorized alterations is improved, but maintenance time and operational downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration protectionVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into segments with different accessibility levels. The first filter module (dust filter) is designed as a removable component that can be quickly accessed and replaced without disassembling the entire housing, minimizing maintenance time. The second and third filter modules are permanently integrated to prevent unauthorized alterations. This segmentation allows the dust filter to be maintained frequently with minimal downtime while protecting the more critical aerosol and vapor filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If all filter modules are made removable for easy maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and risk of improper configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses segmentation to provide different levels of accessibility: the first filter module is removably coupled with simple fastening mechanisms for easy user maintenance, while the second and third filter modules are permanently integrated during manufacturing to prevent improper configuration. This segmented approach maintains ease of operation for routine maintenance while avoiding the complexity and risk associated with making all components removable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making all filter modules removable and relying on user correctness, the invention inverts the approach by making the critical filters (aerosol and vapor) permanently fixed during manufacturing, eliminating the need for user intervention and the risk of improper installation. Only the less critical dust filter is made removable, inverting the conventional wisdom that all filters should be easily serviceable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enhances maintenance efficiency, prolongs service life, and ensures safety by allowing separate maintenance of the dust filter while maintaining the aerosol and vapor filter configurations intact, accommodating various agricultural machine applications with a single basic structure.

Implementation Method 1

a first filter module for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage to eliminate or reduce the amount of dust present in the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a second filter module for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage to eliminate or reduce the amount of aerosol present in the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a third filter module for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage to eliminate or reduce the amount of vapour present in the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4190427B1Filtering device
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 OFFICINE METALLURGICHE G CORNAGLIA
  • EP4190427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4190427B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4190427B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Described herein is a filtering device (10) for filtering air, in particular for the cab of an agricultural machine operating with a system for spraying pesticides. The device is characterized in that it comprises: - an outer housing (2) defining an inner chamber (C) and a fluid passage (K) through the inner chamber; - a first filter module (4) for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage (K) to eliminate or reduce the amount of dust present in the air flow; - a second filter module (6) for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage (K) to eliminate or reduce the amount of aerosol present in the air flow; and - a third filter module (8) for carrying out an action of filtering on a flow of air that traverses the fluid passage (K) to eliminate or reduce the amount of vapour present in the air flow; wherein the second and third filter modules (6, 8) are arranged within the inner chamber (C) and are permanently fixed to the outer housing (2) so that they cannot be removed from the outer housing (2); and wherein the first filter module (4) is arranged within the inner chamber (C) and is coupled to the housing (2) in a removable way.