Filter Housing Coupling Mechanism for Reliable Element Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices lack operational reliability, as they can be used without a filter element, leading to potential functional failures and increased costs due to unsuitable filter elements being used.
Innovation Solution
A filter device design where the filter element must be installed in a functional position before housing parts can be connected, utilizing a coupling device with threaded connecting elements, including a third element that fixes the connection, ensuring only suitable filter elements are used and minimizing wear and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the filter device allows operation without a filter element, then the device can be operated in any state, but operational reliability deteriorates due to potential functional failures
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed to require preliminary insertion of the filter element before the housing parts can be connected. The third connecting element can only be engaged when the filter element is in place, ensuring the filter is installed before operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element acts as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between the first and second housing parts. Without the filter element properly inserted, the coupling device cannot be assembled, making the filter element a necessary intermediary for device operation.
2Ease of operation
If any filter element can be used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to use of unsuitable filter elements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element and coupling device are designed with asymmetric features including specific thread configurations and positioning elements that only allow proper engagement when the correct filter element is used. This asymmetric design prevents incompatible filter elements from being installed while maintaining ease of operation for the correct component.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific local features on the filter element such as positioned threads, sealing surfaces, and geometric constraints are designed to match corresponding features on the coupling device. These localized quality requirements ensure only suitable filter elements can be installed while keeping the overall installation process simple.
3Strength
If metal threads are used in the coupling device, then connection strength is improved, but harmful factors increase due to metal debris formation
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter of the connecting elements is changed from metal to plastic. This parameter change eliminates the generation of metal debris during screwing operations while maintaining sufficient connection strength through appropriate plastic material selection and thread design.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter device has a filter housing having two separable housing parts (1 and 11) that can receive at least one filter element (21). The housing parts can be connected to one another by a coupling device (7). The filter element (21), or an adapter that can be connected to it, forms a functionally essential component of the coupling device (7). Only when the filter element (21) has been placed in its functional position within at least one of the housing parts (1, 11), can the housing parts (1, 11) be connected to form the filter housing of a functional filter device.