Vehicle Filter Removal Tool With Perforation and Fluid Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle filter changing processes are labor-intensive, physically demanding, and pose safety risks due to complex and ad-hoc methods, often requiring skilled technicians and leading to potential injuries and fluid spills.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a perforator and gripper mechanism that allows for safe and efficient removal and drainage of vehicle filters by providing a perforation and rotation, featuring a housing with a cavity and opening for fluid reception, a rotatable perforator, and a gripper to restrict relative rotation, enabling automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual filter removal methods are used, then technicians can remove filters, but the process becomes labor-intensive and physically demanding requiring uncomfortable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter removal process is segmented into distinct functional components: the gripper for engagement, the perforator for drainage, and the rotating mechanism for removal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and automatable, reducing manual labor and time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system that integrates gripping, perforating, and rotating functions. This substitution eliminates the need for technicians to adopt uncomfortable positions and significantly reduces the time required for filter removal
2Reliability
If traditional filter removal methods are used, then filters can be removed, but safety risks increase due to fluid spills and ad-hoc processes
Solution Approach 1:
The perforator creates a controlled drainage path before filter removal begins, allowing fluids to be safely directed into the containment cavity. This preliminary action prevents unexpected spills and makes the overall process more reliable and safer
Solution Approach 2:
The containment cavity acts as an intermediary between the filter and the external environment, capturing and containing any fluids that escape during the removal process. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for ad-hoc spill management procedures
3Productivity
If filters are removed manually, then the process can be completed, but technicians face physical demands and injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system substitutes human technicians for all manual operations involving filter engagement, perforation, and removal. This substitution eliminates exposure to harmful factors such as hot oil, awkward positions, and repetitive strain while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tool combines multiple functions (gripping, perforating, containing, and rotating) into a single universal device that can handle different filter types and sizes. This multi-functionality increases productivity while eliminating the need for technicians to perform multiple manual operations
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for draining and removing a vehicle filter (e.g. an oil filter, an air filter, a coolant filter, a fuel filter, or the like) from a vehicle, and a method for removing a vehicle filter from a vehicle. The tool includes a perforator for providing a perforation in a vehicle filter; a housing comprising a cavity and an opening therein for receiving a fluid from a perforation in a vehicle filter into the cavity, the perforator at least partially located in the cavity, and the opening being configured such that least one of the perforator and a vehicle filter are positionable therethrough; and a gripper connected to the housing and comprising a gripping surface for engaging and gripping a vehicle filter to restrict relative rotation between the gripper and the vehicle filter to permit rotation of a vehicle filter by rotation of the tool.