Desiccant Container with Integrated Pretension Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional desiccant containers for air dryer cartridges in vehicles require a large number of components and high spring force for pretension, leading to increased mechanical stress and complexity, which can be reduced by simplifying the connection between the container cover and body using an ultrasonic weld and a compact pretension device.
Innovation Solution
A desiccant container with a common pre-mounted unit comprising a container cover and pretension device, where the connection is established via an ultrasonic weld and a locking device that prevents pretension forces during welding, allowing for a simpler and more efficient pretension mechanism with fewer parts and reduced mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional desiccant container uses a separate container cover and pretension device with bayonet connection, then the connection is detachable and serviceable, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container cover and pretension device are merged into a single integrated component called a common pre-mounted unit. The pretension device is built into the container cover structure, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated container cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the container, provides structural support, and incorporates the pretension mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of parts needed in the system.
2Reliability
If high spring force is used for pretension in conventional designs, then effective desiccant pretension is achieved, but mechanical stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force parameters are optimized to provide the minimum necessary pretension force while staying within safe stress limits for the container materials. The integrated design allows for more efficient force distribution across the desiccant bed, reducing peak stresses on individual components.
3Productivity
If ultrasonic weld connection is used between container cover and body, then connection strength increases and assembly time decreases, but welding precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container cover and body are pre-positioned and aligned using定位 features before the ultrasonic welding process begins. This preliminary alignment ensures that the welding surfaces are properly positioned, reducing the precision demands during the actual welding operation and enabling faster assembly.
4Manufacturing precision
If a locking device is added to prevent pretension forces during welding, then welding precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated into the common pre-mounted unit structure rather than being a separate component. The locking features are built into the container cover and pretension device assembly, maintaining welding precision without adding significant complexity to the overall system.
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 the number of components, assembly time, and mechanical stress while maintaining effective desiccant pretension, enabling a more compact and lightweight design with improved handling and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The container cover (14a) together with the pretension device (20), in the mounted state, is connected to the container body (14) by at least one material connection, especially by at least one ultrasonic weld
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air an desiccant container (10, 110) for an air dryer cartridge (12, 112) for a vehicle, especially utility vehicle, with at least one container cover (14a, 114a); with at least one container body (14) for accommodating at least one desiccant (18); and with at least one pretension device (20, 120) for pretension, in a mounted state, the desiccant (18) internally against the container body (14) and/or the container cover (14a, 114a); wherein the container cover (14a, 114a) and the pretension device (20, 120), in a pre-mounted state, are formed as a common pre-mounted unit (11, 111). The present invention further relates to an air dryer cartridge (12, 112) with at least one desiccant container (10, 110) as mentioned above and to an air treatment device with at least one desiccant container (10, 110) and with at least one air dryer cartridge (12, 112) as mentioned above. Additionally, the present invention relates to a stacking device 200 with at least one first common pre-mounted unit 211a and with at least one second common pre-mounted unit 211b as mentioned above.