Compressor Filter Housing Trap Door for Safer Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems pose ergonomic risks during air filter replacement due to inadequate sealing mechanisms, leading to potential safety hazards and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system with a filter housing that incorporates a trap door mechanism to securely engage and seal filters using a sealing feature and engagement feature, facilitated by a collar and hinge system, ensuring easy installation and removal while maintaining a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional filter replacement method is used, then the filter can be replaced, but ergonomic risks are imposed on the person replacing the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The trap door mechanism is designed to automatically secure the filter element when closed, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of the filter during installation. The system serves itself by using the filter's own engagement features to trigger the sealing action, thereby removing ergonomic risks from the maintenance process
Solution Approach 2:
The trap door acts as an intermediary mechanism between the filter element and the housing. It provides a safe interface for filter installation by automatically engaging the filter's engagement features and securing it in place, thereby protecting the operator from direct contact with potentially hazardous filter handling
2Reliability
If a secure sealing mechanism is implemented, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the filter securing function. The same trap door mechanism that secures the filter element also provides the sealing action by compressing the sealing feature against the housing. This consolidation achieves reliable sealing without adding separate complex sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element's engagement features automatically trigger the sealing mechanism when the trap door is closed. The system uses the filter's own structural features to drive the sealing action, eliminating the need for external sealing actuators or complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor system includes a compression module having an inlet for receiving air; and a filter housing in fluid communication with the compression module. The filter housing is constructed to house a filter, the filter having a sealing feature disposed at a first end of the filter and having an engagement feature disposed at a second end of the filter opposite the first end. The filter housing includes a trap door constructed to contact the engagement feature, and constructed to drive the engagement feature in a direction parallel to an axis of the filter toward the sealing feature and urge the sealing feature into sealing engagement with the filter housing.