Deflecting Connector Socket Air Filter Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air filter housings in tight spaces, such as engine compartments of motor vehicles, face challenges with hose connections being too short or inflexible, requiring significant time for detachment and re-attachment during filter element changes, and are prone to breakage due to over-tightening, especially under shop or construction site conditions.
Innovation Solution
The air filter housing design features a deflecting connector socket on the cover element that projects outwardly, allowing both hoses to remain connected during servicing, with a flow deflection mechanism that improves accessibility and includes a water outlet valve for easy water separation, and a collar for easy filter element removal, ensuring a seal-tight connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector sockets are aligned axially with the air filter element, then the hose connections are simple to make, but the filter element cannot be changed without disconnecting the hoses
Solution Approach 1:
The connector sockets are positioned in different spatial dimensions relative to the air filter element. Specifically, the first connector socket is arranged laterally outside the cross-sectional area of the air filter element, while the second connector socket is arranged on the end face. This spatial arrangement allows the filter element to be removed without disconnecting either hose, as both connector sockets remain accessible from opposite sides of the housing.
2Reliability
If the hose clamp is tightened securely to prevent leakage, then the connection reliability improves, but the plastic housing may break due to excessive tightening force
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure incorporates localized reinforcement features at the connector socket regions. The first housing part and second housing part include integrated strengthening elements around the connector sockets, allowing the hose clamps to be tightened securely without transmitting excessive stress to the main plastic housing body. This local quality enhancement maintains connection reliability while protecting the housing from breakage.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector sockets are positioned inside the cross-sectional area of the air filter element, then the housing structure is compact, but the connector sockets become inaccessible when the filter element is installed
Solution Approach 1:
The connector sockets are positioned in different spatial dimensions relative to the air filter element. Specifically, the first connector socket is arranged laterally outside the cross-sectional area of the air filter element, while the second connector socket is arranged on the end face. This spatial arrangement allows the filter element to be removed without disconnecting either hose, as both connector sockets remain accessible from opposite sides of the housing.
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 design enables quicker filter element changes without disconnecting hoses, reduces the risk of hose connection issues, and facilitates easy water separation and filter maintenance, while maintaining a seal-tight connection and preventing damage to the housing.
Implementation Method 1
The water outlet valve is designed in particular such that it opens only when a certain pressure is present, i.e., a water column of a certain height is present
Implementation Method 2
Sucked-in water is removed during deflection of the air flow as a result of gravity and the additional centrifugal force against the inner side of the cover element
Implementation Method 3
Sucked-in water is removed during deflection of the air flow as a result of gravity and the additional centrifugal force against the inner side of the cover element
Data Source
AI summary
In an air filter housing (100) for an air filter element (2) with at least one housing bottom part (10) into which the air filter element (2) can be inserted completely or with a substantial portion of its length and a cover element (20) to be connected to the housing bottom part (10), on the housing bottom part (10) and on the cover element (20) at least one connector socket (14, 15) for connection to a hose conduit is provided, respectively. The connector socket for the side of the air filter element facing the cover element (20) is designed as a deflecting connector socket (14) that extends at least partially outside of the cross-sectional area covered by the air filter element (2) and that is connected to the housing bottom part (10).