Filter Element With Elastic Fingers For Secure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid filter designs for internal combustion engines often lead to improper installation, which can result in damage to the filter, housing, and engine components due to alignment issues, forceful installation, and potential upside-down installation, highlighting a need for an improved method and design that ensures secure and damage-free installation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a filter element with circumferentially positioned fingers and nodules that align and lock with the filter head, allowing for rotational installation and removal, with features like elastic deformation to prevent damage during installation and a function carrier for ensuring proper orientation and sealing, facilitating easy and secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin with O-ring sealing element is used to close the run-off channel, then sealing performance is improved, but installation complexity and risk of damage increase due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into separate components: the filter element with its own sealing mechanism, and the housing with integrated seals. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, reducing installation complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element incorporates self-aligning features such as guide ribs and complementary sealing surfaces that automatically position the component correctly during installation. The sealing mechanism is designed to self-adjust during assembly, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment of pins and channels.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual alignment of pin with channel is used during installation, then alignment precision can be achieved, but installation time increases and difficulty increases due to visibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates visual indicators such as colored rings or markings on the exterior surface that clearly indicate the correct rotational orientation. These color-coded indicators allow installers to quickly identify proper alignment without needing to visually trace internal pin and channel positions, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If filter is installed forcibly to overcome resistance, then installation can be completed, but damage to filter, housing, and engine components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates flexible or resilient components such as elastic sealing rings and spring-loaded positioning elements that can deform during installation to accommodate minor misalignments or tolerances. This dynamic design allows the filter to be installed smoothly without requiring excessive force, preventing damage to the filter, housing, and engine components while maintaining installation efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If filter can be installed upside-down, then installation flexibility increases, but proper sealing and function are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates asymmetric features such as non-uniform circumferential markings, asymmetric positioning of mounting lugs or slots, and directionally oriented sealing surfaces. These asymmetric design elements make it physically impossible or clearly identifiable when the filter is installed upside-down, ensuring proper orientation for sealing and function while providing visual guidance for correct installation.
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 design enhances the ease and safety of filter installation and removal by providing a natural 'feel' for proper alignment, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring secure locking, thus preventing distortion or fracture during handling and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the fingers (116) are caused to elastically deform to engage with the nodules (208)
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element having a central axis includes a first endplate having a first central aperture, a second endplate having a second central aperture, a filter material positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate and having an axial passageway extending therebetween and along the central axis, the axial passageway axially aligned with the first central aperture and the second central aperture. The filter element includes a plurality of fingers attached to the first endplate and positioned circumferentially about the central axis and extending parallel therewith, each finger having a lip that extends from a surface of its respective finger for axial engagement with a respective nodule, of a plurality of nodules, of a filter head.