Filter Element Rotatable Closing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid filters in vehicles face contamination issues during servicing, as external particles can enter the clean side of the housing when the filter element is removed, leading to potential damage to injectors and bearings.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with a central perforated rigid tube and guiding path that generates a progressive rotational movement of the rotatable element in the filter housing, ensuring the outlet is automatically closed during filter element removal, preventing external contaminants from entering the clean side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the filter element is removed from the filter housing during servicing, then the filter medium can be replaced, but external particles can enter the clean side of the housing through the central opening
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable element is designed to automatically close the central opening as soon as the filter element is removed, before any external particles can enter. This preliminary closing action prevents contamination before it can occur during the servicing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable element acts as an intermediary component between the filter element and the clean side environment. It provides a mechanical barrier that can be dynamically positioned to either allow filter removal or prevent particle entry, mediating between the need for maintenance and contamination prevention.
2Device complexity
If a conventional filter element design is used, then the structure is simple, but the outlet remains open to contaminants during filter removal
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into the filter element, the rotatable element with closing feature, and the housing. This segmentation allows the rotatable element to independently perform the closing function without complicating the overall structure, as each component has a specific, simplified role.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable element introduces a dynamic component that can rotate between open and closed positions. This dynamic feature enables the system to adapt its state based on whether the filter is installed or removed, providing reliability without requiring a completely complex mechanical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
This filter element (1) comprises a filter medium (3) configured with an annular shape, having a central axis (X1) and forming inside a central channel (4) extending substantially axially, a first and a second end plates (5, 6), each plate covering one axial end of the filter medium (3) and being sealingly mounted on said axial end, the first end plate (5) having a central opening (7) substantially coaxial with the central axis (X1) and in fluid communication with the channel (4), and a central perforated rigid tube (9) that extends axially between the first and second end plates (5, 6) and having an inner perforated wall delimiting the central channel (4). The filter element (1) is designed to be placed in a filter housing (14) for forming a liquid filtering device (10), whereby a liquid to be filtered can flow along a liquid path through the filter medium (3) towards the channel (4) and out of the filter element (1) through the central opening (7). The central perforated rigid tube (9) comprises at least one guiding path (24), arranged inside the central perforated rigid tube (9), adapted to generate, by contact with a following member (204) of a rotatable central element (200) of the filter housing (14), at least a first, progressive rotational movement (A5) of the rotatable element (200) of the filter housing (14) when the filter element (1) is mounted in the filter housing (14) during a first translation movement (A1) along the central axis (X1). The at least one guiding path (24) comprises at least one portion of helical path (24A) for obtaining the first, progressive rotational movement (A5), and the helical path (24A) extends on less than half of the inner periphery of the central perforated rigid tube (9) in order to generate a rotation of the rotatable element (200) inferior to one half of a turn.