Elastically Deformable Filter Frame Web for Vehicle Air Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter devices for vehicles face challenges in achieving an inexpensive and easy-to-handle design while maintaining an adequate seal between the filter element and the housing, which is crucial for effective air filtration in passenger compartments.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an elastically deformable web on the filter frame, which overlaps the insertion opening and forms a sealing and fastening area, utilizing restoring forces to create a prestressed contact with the housing collar, eliminating the need for additional sealants and simplifying assembly by automatically securing the filter element in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cover is attached to the filter frame to close the insertion opening, then the sealing function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover and filter frame into a single integrated filter frame structure. The closure area is formed as an integral part of the filter frame, eliminating the need for a separate cover component. This reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the sealing function through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter frame is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, seals the filter material laterally, and forms the closure area to close the insertion opening. By making the filter frame multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate components like covers, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If additional sealants are used to achieve adequate sealing between the filter element and housing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter frame's closure area is designed to automatically seal against the housing opening edge through its own elastic deformation and geometric design. The L-shaped cross-section and elastic material properties enable the closure area to self-seal without requiring additional sealants, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the filter frame material and the geometric parameters of the closure area to achieve sealing. By changing the material parameters (elasticity) and geometric parameters (L-shaped cross-section, overlap dimensions), the system achieves reliable sealing through the filter frame itself rather than requiring separate sealant materials.
3Ease of operation
If the web is deformed during assembly and pressed through the narrower insertion opening, then the assembly ease is improved, but an additional elastically deformable area and compressible element are required
Solution Approach 1:
The closure area is designed with elastic deformability that allows it to dynamically adapt during assembly. The elastic material enables the closure area to deform elastically during insertion and then spring back to its original shape, creating a prestressed contact with the housing. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for separate compressible elements while maintaining assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the filter frame material by making it elastically deformable. This parameter change allows the closure area to be inserted through the opening and then automatically spring back to create sealing contact, eliminating the need for additional compressible elements like foam seals.
4Reliability
If the filter element is secured with locking tabs and latching contours, then the positioning reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tabs and latching contours are integrated directly into the filter frame structure as integral features rather than separate components. The locking tabs are formed as part of the filter frame, and the latching contours are formed on the closure area, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter frame is designed to provide multiple functions: structural support, sealing, and locking. The locking tabs and latching contours are incorporated into the filter frame itself, making it a multi-functional component that provides both sealing and secure positioning without requiring additional fastening components.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and easy-to-handle air filter design that ensures a reliable seal without additional sealants, enhancing the filtration efficiency and ease of assembly while maintaining the filter element's secure positioning within the housing.
Implementation Method 1
The web has elastically deformable areas that have restoring forces at their disposal. These areas are preferably formed from an elastically deformable material. The web is pressed against the housing by the assembly and is thereby elastically deformed, whereby the restoring forces produce a prestressed contact.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air filter device (6), in particular for a vehicle, with a plate-shaped filter element (1) comprising a filter body (2) and at least on one side a filter frame (4) delimiting the filter body (2), and with a housing (7) whose housing wall (8) laterally encloses an airflow path (9) and which laterally has an insertion opening (10) through which the filter element (1) can be inserted into and removed from the housing (7), wherein, in the inserted state, the filter frame (4) in a closure area (12) which delimits the side of the filter body (2) associated with the insertion opening (10) cooperates with an opening edge (13) enclosing the insertion opening (10) to close the insertion opening (10).A cost-effective design is achieved if the filter frame (4) has a bridge (14) in the closure area (12) that has a geometrically larger extent than the insertion opening (10) and elastically deformable areas that lie close to the housing (7).