Filter Retainer Arrangement for Sealing Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter retainer arrangements fail to provide adequate sealing force without deforming lightweight filter casings, especially under reverse air flow conditions, and often require complex or lost hardware components for installation.
Innovation Solution
A retainer arrangement using non-stretchable retainer cables and an elastic tensioner cord to apply adjustable sealing forces to the filter border, ensuring effective sealing without damaging the filter, and allowing easy installation and adaptation to various filter sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retainer arrangements apply sealing force to the filter border, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the lightweight filter casing may be deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible gasket member with flow openings that can deform to conform to the filter border while still providing sealing force. The gasket's flexibility allows it to adapt to the lightweight filter casing without causing deformation, while its elastomeric material provides sufficient sealing pressure to prevent unfiltered air leakage.
2Reliability
If retainer arrangements apply increased sealing force, then leakage prevention is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retainer and sealing functions into a single integrated gasket member that attaches directly to the holder flange. This eliminates the need for separate retainer hardware, clips, or fasteners, simplifying installation while maintaining effective sealing force through the gasket's elastic deformation against the filter border.
3Force
If retainer arrangements use small hardware components, then sealing force can be applied, but the components can be lost during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from small hardware components and integrates it into a large, visible gasket member that is easily installed and retained. The gasket's size and integration with the holder flange make it impossible to lose during installation, while still providing the necessary sealing force through its elastic material properties.
4Force
If retainer arrangements are designed for sturdier filter casings, then sealing force is sufficient, but lightweight filters cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastomeric gasket material whose sealing force is generated through elastic deformation rather than rigid mechanical pressure. This allows the same gasket design to adapt to different filter casing strengths by varying the degree of deformation, providing sufficient sealing force for both lightweight and sturdier filters without requiring different retainer designs.
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
The solution effectively seals the air filter against the holder flange, resisting distortion and leakage, while being easy to install and adaptable to different filter strengths and sizes, without the need for small hardware components that can be lost.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic stretchable tensioner cord is engaged at one end with a retainer cable mid portion which extends over and along the opposite side of the filter. The stretch cord is of a length so as to be tensioned when engaged with the retainer cable portion to thereby put the retainer cable in itself
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer arrangement exerts forces on a filter installed in a holder to increase the sealing pressure exerted by the filter against a holder flange on which the filter is seated when installed the arrangement, including a pair of substantially non stretchable but flexible retainer cables, each attached at either end to respective opposite holder sides at points located within the thickness of the air filter and of a length to enable drawing each cable around an outer edge of an air filter case and onto the surface thereof. An elastic stretch cord is connected at either end thereof to respective retainer cable extending over the surface of the filter at an intermediate point along the length thereof. The retainer cables are thereby tensioned and generate a reaction force acting on each filter perimeter edge contacted by a retainer cable, increasing the sealing pressure exerted by the filter on the holder flange on which it is seated.