Filter Bowl Threaded Coupling Eliminates Nut Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration systems for fluids, such as fuel and lubricants, often require additional components like nut plates for coupling, increasing manufacturing complexity and cost, and may accumulate water which needs to be removed.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly design featuring a housing with female threads on the bottom and a clear bowl with male threads for removably coupling, eliminating the need for nut plates and simplifying manufacturing by reducing parts, while allowing direct coupling and easy removal of the bowl for water drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If nut plates are used for coupling the bowl to the housing, then the coupling mechanism is provided, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the coupling function directly into the housing and bowl structures by providing female threads in the housing and male threads on the bowl, eliminating the need for separate nut plates. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the coupling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the nut plates from the filter assembly design, extracting this intermediate component entirely. The coupling function that was previously performed by nut plates is now directly achieved through threaded features integrated into the housing and bowl, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If nut plates are used for coupling, then the coupling mechanism is provided, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is merged into the housing and bowl structures through integrated threaded features, eliminating the need for separate nut plates. This reduces both the number of parts and manufacturing cost by removing an additional component and its associated assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut plates are extracted from the design, removing this intermediate component entirely. The coupling capability is achieved directly through threads formed on the housing and bowl, reducing part count and associated manufacturing costs.
3Ease of operation
If the bowl is permanently attached, then structural integrity is maintained, but water drainage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling system using threaded fasteners that allow the bowl to be easily attached and detached. This reversible connection maintains structural integrity during operation while enabling simple removal for water drainage, transitioning from a permanent to a controllable temporary attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is segmented into separable components (housing, filter element, and bowl) connected by threaded fasteners. This segmentation allows the bowl to be independently removed for water drainage while maintaining the integrity of the remaining assembly when properly connected.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly comprises a housing defining an internal volume. A housing second end of the housing defines at least one female thread. A bowl is positioned at the housing second end The bowl comprises at least one bowl male thread structured to engage the at least one female thread of the housing so as to be coupled thereto.