Filter Element Assembly with Axial Interlocking to Prevent Rotation Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices face issues with damage to the filter element during insertion and removal from the filter housing due to rotational forces applied during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a filter element featuring a hollow cylindrical body and end plates, connected via an assembly component that allows for axial interlocking and free rotational movement, utilizing a circumferentially extending interlocking collar with slotted guide-type insertion ramps to facilitate assembly and disassembly without rotational movement of the filter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter element is inserted into and removed from the filter housing using conventional rotational assembly methods, then the assembly and disassembly process can be completed, but the filter element may be damaged due to rotational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the filter element and filter housing is divided into two independent degrees of freedom: axial movement for insertion/removal and rotational movement for alignment. The interlocking element engages with the interlocking counter element to separate these movements, allowing the filter element to be inserted axially without rotational forces while still enabling rotational alignment of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking element acts as an intermediary component between the filter element and filter housing. It mediates the connection by engaging with the interlocking counter element to transmit only axial forces while blocking rotational forces, thereby protecting the filter element from damage during assembly and disassembly operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If rotational movement is applied during assembly and disassembly, then the filter element can be aligned with the filter housing, but rotational forces may damage the filter element
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism segments the movement into independent axial and rotational components. The interlocking element allows rotational alignment to occur independently of the axial insertion movement, enabling proper alignment without applying rotational forces to the filter element itself during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking element serves as a mediator that decouples the alignment function from the insertion function. It allows the filter housing to rotate for alignment while the filter element remains stationary axially, preventing harmful rotational forces from being transmitted to the filter element during assembly.
3Strength
If the filter element is designed as a hollow body with end plates, then the structural integrity is improved, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element structure is segmented into the hollow filter medium body and separate end plates, with the interlocking element providing a dedicated connection mechanism. This segmentation allows the hollow body design to maintain structural integrity while the separate interlocking mechanism handles the assembly complexity in a standardized manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking element and interlocking counter element form a universal connection mechanism that can be applied to various filter element designs. This multi-functional connection system handles both the structural support needs of hollow bodies and the assembly simplicity requirement through a single standardized interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter device is provided with a filter element for filtering a fluid. The filter element has a filter medium body with an end plate arranged at an end face of the filter medium body in relation to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body. A filter base housing receives the filter element. An assembly component for assembly and disassembly of the filter element in the filter base housing is connectable to the end plate and to the filter base housing by rotation about the longitudinal axis. The assembly component has interlocking elements. An interlocking counter element is arranged at the end plate. The interlocking elements can be brought into axial interlocking connection with the interlocking counter element, while enabling a free rotatability in rotational direction about the longitudinal axis. The interlocking counter element is a circumferential interlocking collar with insertion ramps for insertion of the interlocking elements.