Lubricant Filter Housing With Integrated Cooling for Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges with lubricant contamination and heating, which can damage filter elements and increase parasitic power losses, and existing lubricant coolers require separate cooling assemblies that complicate packaging and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant filter housing with integrated fluid channels for both lubricant and coolant, allowing for efficient cooling of the lubricant within the housing while reducing space and assembly complexity by integrating cooling features directly into the filter housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate lubricant coolers are mounted on or near the filter housing, then lubricant cooling is achieved, but space requirements increase and packaging becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lubricant cooler and filter housing into a single integrated assembly. The cooler is positioned within the filter housing structure, with its heat exchange surfaces in direct thermal contact with the lubricant flow path. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooler mounting space while maintaining effective lubricant cooling during filtration.
2Temperature
If separate lubricant coolers are mounted on or near the filter housing, then lubricant cooling is achieved, but assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cooler as an internal component of the filter housing rather than a separate assembly, the patent reduces the number of parts and assembly steps. The cooler is positioned within the housing structure and connected to the lubricant flow path through integrated channels or direct contact surfaces, eliminating the need for separate mounting procedures and reducing assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If heated lubricant is circulated through the engine, then lubrication is maintained, but parasitic power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent cools the lubricant before it enters the filter element by positioning the cooler upstream in the lubricant flow path. This preliminary cooling action prevents the lubricant from becoming excessively heated during filtration, thereby reducing the energy required to pump and circulate the lubricant through the engine system, which reduces parasitic power losses.
4Reliability
If heated lubricant contacts the filter element, then filtration is performed, but the filter element may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is positioned to cool the lubricant before it reaches the filter element, performing a preliminary cooling action that prevents excessive heat from damaging the filter element media. This sequential arrangement ensures the lubricant is at a suitable temperature for filtration, extending filter element life while maintaining effective particulate removal.
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
This solution reduces parasitic power losses, simplifies packaging, and lowers manufacturing costs by integrating cooling and filtration within a single housing, improving service intervals and reducing plumbing requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a second set of fluid channels structured to communicate a coolant around the first set of fluid channels so as to cool the lubricant flowing therewithin
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant filter housing comprises a top plate defining a first opening. A base plate is positioned opposite the top plate. The lubricant filter housing further comprises at least one sidewall which cooperatively with the top plate and the base plate defines an internal volume. A plurality of plates are axially positioned in the internal volume between the top plate and the base plate. Each plate defines a plate opening axially aligned with the first opening which cooperatively with the first opening and a portion of the base plate, defines an internal cavity for housing a filter element. The plates define a first set of fluid channels structured to deliver a lubricant to the internal cavity, and a second set of fluid channels structured to provide a coolant around the first set of fluid channels.