Filter Element Hand Grip Elements Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation and dismantling of filter elements in filter housings are not easily or reliably performed, leading to potential damage to the filter elements and increased difficulty with larger or heavier units.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least two hand grip elements on the filter element, which can be designed for easy manual or tool-assisted gripping, allowing for secure handling and reducing the risk of pleat edge damage during installation or removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If filter elements are made larger or heavier to increase filtration capacity, then filtration performance is improved, but handling and installation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidhandling and installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into multiple segments or sections, each with its own hand grip elements. This segmentation allows the large filter element to be gripped at multiple points simultaneously, distributing the handling effort and making installation and removal easier despite the overall size and weight of the filter element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If filter elements are made larger to increase filtration area, then filtration performance is improved, but the risk of damage during installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration areaVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Hand grip elements are pre-installed or pre-formed on the filter element at strategic locations before the filter element is installed in the housing. These grip elements provide ready-made handling points that allow installers to securely grasp and control the filter element throughout the installation process, preventing tilting and damage to the pleat edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If filter elements are made heavier to increase structural integrity, then durability is improved, but installation and removal become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand grip elements act as intermediary structures between the installer's hands and the heavy filter element. These grip elements provide mechanical advantage and leverage points, allowing installers to manipulate and position heavy filter elements with reduced effort while maintaining secure control throughout the installation and removal processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9511318B2Filter element with hand grip elements and filter with a filter element

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

AI summary

A filter element, in particular a flat filter element (10) for installation in a filter housing of a filter for a fluid, in particular an air filter, in particular for an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, and a filter are described. The filter element (10) comprises open filter bellows (16) made of a filter medium (18), which has an oncoming flow side (28) and an outgoing flow side (30) for the fluid to be filtered. The filter element (10) has at least two hand grip elements (46) for gripping the filter element (10).