Filter Cartridge Centering Member for Parallel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter cartridge assemblies face challenges in maintaining the cartridge's axis parallel to the container during assembly, leading to inefficient filtering and potential leakage due to improper positioning and sealing issues.
Innovation Solution
The filter assembly incorporates an additional centering member, such as an elastic strip or ring, that engages with the container's seats to ensure correct positioning, and a deformable synthetic seal overmoulded onto the container for enhanced sealing, along with self-tapping projections for secure fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the container has a frusto-conical inner cross-section to allow extraction from the mould, then the container can be manufactured easily, but the cartridge cannot be kept centered and its axis cannot remain parallel to the container axis during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A centering member is introduced as an intermediary element between the cartridge and the container. This centering member has a diameter that matches the container's inner diameter at the open end, allowing it to bridge the gap between the frusto-conical container shape and the cylindrical cartridge, thereby maintaining precise positioning during assembly while preserving the easy-to-manufacture frusto-conical container design.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering member is pre-installed on the container before the cartridge assembly process. This preliminary action ensures that the cartridge is automatically guided and centered as it is inserted, preventing misalignment issues that would otherwise require complex adjustment mechanisms during the assembly process.
2Reliability
If the cartridge diameter is made smaller than the container inner diameter for filtering requirements, then the filtering performance is improved, but a free space is formed around the cartridge that prevents proper centering
Solution Approach 1:
The centering member acts as a mediator that fills the radial gap between the cartridge and the container wall. By having a diameter intermediate between the cartridge outer diameter and the container inner diameter, it provides continuous radial support to the cartridge, ensuring it remains centered while allowing the cartridge to maintain its optimized smaller diameter for filtering performance.
3Device complexity
If the sealing member is merely rested on the container and cover, then the assembly is simple to construct, but the seal can come out of the seat and leakage occurs during tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is pre-installed into a dedicated seat on the container before the cover is attached. This preliminary positioning ensures the seal is correctly seated and cannot escape during the tightening process, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is designed with inherent retention features such as engagement grooves or interference fits that prevent it from coming out of the seat during tightening. This beforehand protection against seal displacement eliminates the risk of leakage without significantly increasing the complexity of the sealing structure.
4Ease of operation
If the cartridge is tilted during assembly, then the assembly operation appears simpler without special centering mechanisms, but the cartridge cannot be properly positioned in the cover resulting in loss of filtering efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The centering member serves as a guiding intermediary that automatically corrects any tilt or misalignment of the cartridge during the insertion process. As the cartridge is inserted, the centering member ensures it follows the correct axial path, making the assembly operation simple while guaranteeing proper positioning and maintaining filtering efficiency.
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 facilitates easy and accurate cartridge alignment, prevents leakage, and ensures reliable assembly and maintenance by maintaining the cartridge's axis parallel to the container, enhancing filtering efficiency and sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable synthetic seal overmoulded onto the container for enhanced sealing
Implementation Method 2
an additional centering member, such as an elastic strip or ring, that engages with the container's seats
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A filter assembly (10) for fluids, comprising a generally cylindrical container (3), a cylindrical filter cartridge (4) housed inside said container (3) and a closing cover (1) with centering means (11, 12) of the filter cartridge (4) on the bottom of the container and on the cover. The centering of the cartridge (4) during its assembling is ensured by an annular centering member (9) disposed on the outer surface of the filter cartridge (4) and cooperating with engagement means (31) formed on the inner surface of the container (3). The seal between the container (3) and the cover (1) is formed by a member (13) overmoulded to the upper edge of the container (3).