Intake Air Filter Centering Device for Radial Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake air filters for internal combustion engines experience relative movements between the main and secondary filter elements, leading to potential loosening or damage during filter changes, due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
The intake air filter design includes a centering device with radially projecting lugs or a receiving crown to fix the secondary element in the radial direction, and a fluid-tight base or cover with a support tube to prevent unwanted movements and integrate length compensation, ensuring secure attachment and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the secondary filter element is supported on the main filter element in the axial direction, then the attachment to the outlet is secure, but radial relative movements between the filter elements occur causing loosening or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device incorporates axial play (movement freedom) in the axial direction while maintaining radial positioning. This dynamic design allows the secondary filter element to accommodate thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances axially without compromising radial stability, thus preventing both loosening and damage
Solution Approach 2:
The centering device provides different degrees of freedom in different directions: it constrains radial movements through the centering opening while allowing axial movements through the designed play. This localized quality control ensures secure attachment while preventing harmful relative movements
2Ease of manufacture
If the filter elements are made with different lengths due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, then the components can be manufactured more easily, but unwanted tension develops in the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is designed with axial play that allows the secondary filter element to move axially relative to the main filter element. This dynamic accommodation absorbs length differences caused by manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, preventing tension buildup while maintaining radial positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for parameter changes in the axial direction (length variations) while maintaining constant parameters in the radial direction. The centering device's geometry enables it to accommodate variations in the axial dimension without affecting the radial positioning, thus preventing tension
3Stability of the object's composition
If a complex centering device is used to prevent all movements, then relative movements are completely prevented, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is segmented into distinct functional parts: the centering opening for radial positioning and the axial play for longitudinal accommodation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The centering device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it centers the secondary filter element radially, accommodates axial length variations, and prevents both radial and axial relative movements that could cause damage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The filter has an annular closed main filter element (17) sealably arranged between an inlet (14) and an outlet (15) of an openable housing (10). An annular closed secondary element (31) is arranged downstream to the main filter element in flow direction. An accommodating wall (29), a pin (30), an accommodating crown, bar and a chamfer are provided on a front side between the secondary element and the main filter element, where the front side faces the outlet. The wall, pin, crown, bar and chamfer are provided for radial position fixing of the secondary element within the main filter element.