Fluid Filter Assembly Aid Elements for Misalignment Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid filters for internal combustion engines and other applications face issues with incorrect assembly of filter components, leading to potential contamination and improper filtration.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates auxiliary assembly elements on both the filter element and the housing, including recesses and elevations, to ensure correct angular, axial, and rotational alignment during assembly, preventing accidental misalignment and ensuring a secure, correct installation position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary assembly elements are added to ensure correct assembly, then assembly correctness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing auxiliary assembly elements (protrusions and recesses) that are asymmetrically positioned on the filter element and housing. This asymmetric design creates a unique fit that only allows correct assembly orientation, preventing incorrect installation while maintaining simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary assembly elements act as intermediary features between the filter element and housing. These protrusions and recesses serve as mediating structures that guide and confirm correct assembly without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple components.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple auxiliary assembly elements are distributed over the circumference, then assembly precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auxiliary assembly elements into multiple discrete protrusions and recesses distributed around the circumference. Each element is independently formed, allowing for precise positioning while maintaining ease of manufacturing through simple molding or machining operations on each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
Main claim: a fluid filter, having a filter element (10) which can be inserted into a filter housing (2), characterized in that the filter element (10) has at least one assembly aid element (12) which is assigned a corresponding housing-side assembly aid element (11) in such a way that the housing-side assembly aid element (11) and the filter-side assembly aid element (12) engage into one another in the installed situation.