Spin-On Filter Nut Plate Locking for Axial and Radial Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spin-on filter assemblies face challenges in securely mounting and preventing rotation of components, which can lead to inefficiencies in axial and radial force absorption, affecting their performance in fluid delivery and lubrication systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid filter assembly design featuring a housing with a nut plate and protrusions that engage the inner surface to prevent rotation, along with a seal member for secure engagement, enhancing the assembly's stability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting connections are used to secure the spin-on filter to the mounting adapter, then the filter can be mounted and dismounted, but the connection cannot sufficiently absorb axial and radial forces, leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting connection is segmented into multiple functional elements: the mounting adapter with mounting aperture, the spin-on filter housing with mounting connection, and internal securing components (nut plate with protrusions, seal members). This segmentation allows each component to handle specific forces independently, with the mounting connection handling axial forces and the protrusions handling radial forces, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection stability and force absorption capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane mounting connection to a multi-dimensional securing system. The nut plate with radially extending protrusions adds a radial dimension to the mounting connection, allowing the assembly to absorb both axial forces (through the mounting aperture) and radial forces (through the protrusions engaging the housing inner surface), thus resolving the force absorption contradiction
2Ease of manufacture
If the nut plate is secured using conventional methods, then assembly can be manufactured, but the nut plate can rotate relative to the housing, affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The nut plate incorporates self-securing features through its own structure - the radially extending protrusions are integral to the nut plate and automatically engage with the housing inner surface when the nut plate is installed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional external locking components, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring rotational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The nut plate design uses asymmetric geometry with radially extending protrusions that create a non-circular engagement profile with the housing inner surface. This asymmetry prevents rotational movement by ensuring that the protrusions can only engage in one specific orientation, thereby preventing rotation while maintaining simple assembly through the self-aligning nature of the asymmetric features
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly includes a housing, a proximal end cap, and a nut plate. The housing defines a longitudinal axis and includes an inner surface surrounding the longitudinal axis. The proximal end cap is disposed within the housing and defines a central aperture. The nut plate is disposed within the housing and includes a flange portion and an outer wall. The flange portion is disposed within the central aperture. The outer wall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed about the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of protrusions engages the inner surface to prevent rotation of the nut plate relative to the housing.