Filter Cartridge Snap-Fit Engagement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filter systems for high-flow applications, such as in lorries and industrial settings, face challenges with complex and unreliable engagement mechanisms, leading to increased production and maintenance costs, and difficulties in handling and replacing large, heavy filter cartridges.

Innovation Solution

A filter cartridge design featuring a snap-fitting mechanism with elastically yielding teeth that snap-fit to a support body along a nearing axis, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement through reciprocal translation and rotation, facilitated by guide surfaces and a disengaging ramp for reliable and rapid installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bayonet-type engagement is used to removably engage the filter cartridge to the casing, then the filter cartridge can be removed and replaced, but the engagement mechanism becomes complex and unreliable over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremovable engagementVSAvoidengagement mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement mechanism is segmented into simple axial translation motion for engagement and separate rotational motion for disengagement. The filter cartridge and casing are divided into engagement elements (protrusions and recesses) that work independently without complex blocking systems, resolving the contradiction between removability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex blocking systems (flexible devices, labyrinthine grooves, threaded organs) are extracted and removed from the design. Only the essential axial translation and rotation motions are retained, simplifying the engagement mechanism while maintaining removable engagement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If blocking systems are added to prevent reciprocal rotation between the filter cartridge and support flange, then rotational stability is improved, but production costs and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

All blocking systems are extracted and removed from the design. The patent achieves rotational stability without any additional blocking components by using the basic snap-fit engagement geometry, thereby eliminating production costs and maintenance costs associated with these systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement mechanism uses simple, inexpensive geometric features (protrusions and recesses) rather than expensive blocking systems. The design accepts that the engagement may have limited lifespan but compensates with extremely low production and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the filter cartridge is designed with considerable dimensions to handle high flow rates, then the air flow capacity is improved, but the handling and replacement of the filter cartridge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow capacityVSAvoidhandling and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cartridge is segmented into modular components that can be easily engaged and disengaged through axial translation. This segmentation allows large-diameter cartridges to be handled simply by vertical lifting and insertion, without requiring complex maneuvering, thus maintaining ease of operation despite high flow capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement elements (protrusions and recesses) are pre-positioned to guide the filter cartridge into the correct position during axial insertion. This preliminary alignment action simplifies handling by eliminating the need for precise manual positioning of large, heavy cartridges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution simplifies and speeds up the installation and replacement of filter cartridges, provides a robust and cost-effective engagement system, and ensures hermetic sealing, addressing the limitations of bayonet and axial snap-fit systems.

Implementation Method 1

comprises at least a snap-engaging element destined to snap-fit to a support body following a reciprocal translation between the filter cartridge and the support body along a nearing axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

disengaging means destined to disengage the snap-fitting element from the support body following a reciprocal rotation between the filter cartridge and the support body with respect to the axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2699329B2A filter group
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 UFI INNOVATION CENTER SRL
  • EP2699329B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2699329B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2699329B2 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A filter cartridge (30) comprising a filter membrane (33) and at least a support element (31 ) fixed to the filter membrane (33), the support element being provided with at least a snap-engaging element (36) suitable for snap- engaging to a support body (20) following a reciprocal translation between the filter cartridge (30) and the support body (20) along a nearing axis (A), the support element (31 ) further comprising disengaging means (38) suitable for disengaging the snap-engaging element (36) from the support body (20) following a reciprocal rotation between the filter cartridge (30) and the support body about the axis (A).