Filter Socket Head With Teeth for Slippage-Free Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for removing hard-shell housing components, such as oil filters, are prone to slippage due to limited clearance and slippery surfaces, increasing labor time and cost, and require multiple specialized tools for different vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A filter tool with a socket head and angularly positioned teeth that grip the hard-shell housing, allowing for rotational deformation and torque application to remove the component, compatible with various diameters and driven by a power drill or manual tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal filter wrench with a flexible band is used to grip oil filters of varying sizes, then adaptability to different filter sizes is improved, but slippage occurs due to limited clearance and slippery oil-coated surfaces, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surface is segmented into multiple discrete teeth rather than a continuous band. These teeth can individually engage with the filter housing surface, distributing the gripping force and maintaining reliable contact even when some teeth encounter clearance limitations or slippery areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth are designed with specific local characteristics including varying lengths, angles, and spacing patterns. This local differentiation allows certain teeth to engage with the filter housing at optimal positions, adapting to different filter diameters while maintaining reliable grip through localized contact points that avoid slippery areas.
2Reliability
If a filter cap wrench specifically sized and shaped for a particular oil filter is used, then grip reliability is improved by engaging complementary features, but device complexity increases as multiple specialized wrenches are needed for different vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed as a universal filter wrench that can service multiple different oil filter types and sizes. The socket head with configurable teeth arrangement can adapt to various filter diameters and mounting configurations, eliminating the need for multiple vehicle-specific wrenches while maintaining reliable engagement through complementary feature matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates adjustable or reconfigurable elements that allow the teeth arrangement to be dynamically adapted to different filter sizes and types. This dynamic configuration capability enables a single tool to perform the function of multiple specialized wrenches, reducing tool inventory complexity while maintaining reliable grip on each specific filter type.
3Ease of operation
If traditional socket wrenches are used for engine fasteners, then ease of operation is improved with standardized tools, but they cannot effectively grip hard-shell filter housings due to limited clearance and slippery surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The tool acts as an intermediary between the standard drive mechanism (power drill or manual tool) and the hard-shell filter housing. The socket head with specially designed teeth serves as a mediator that translates standard rotational input into effective gripping and removal action on filters with limited clearance and slippery surfaces, combining ease of operation with filter-specific adaptability.
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
Efficiently removes hard-shell components with reduced slippage and cost by using a universal tool that accommodates different sizes and types of filters, enhancing service efficiency and reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
Implementation Method 1
sufficient friction is generated between the band and the annular, hard-shell housing of the oil filter to enable the service technician to rotate the filter wrench
Implementation Method 2
apply sufficient torque for removal
Data Source
AI summary
A filter tool and method of removing a filter includes a socket head and a plurality of teeth. The socket head has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an outer wall at least partially surrounding a longitudinal axis and defining a hollow configured to receive at least a portion of a housing of the filter. The plurality of teeth are configured to grip the housing of the filter and further define the hollow. The plurality of teeth are angularly positioned about the longitudinal axis and extend radially inward from the outer wall toward the longitudinal axis and further extend longitudinally toward the proximal end portion. The hollow thus narrows toward the proximal end portion for rotatably gripping the housing of the filter received therein and removing the filter from a filter mount.