Filter Valve Axial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices require high actuating forces and complex design to unlock the valve and locking mechanism, leading to operational reliability issues and material stress, which limits the use of cost-effective materials.
Innovation Solution
The blocking member of the locking device is axially displaced within the housing head, allowing direct movement into the unlocking position through contact with the filter element's control element during attachment, eliminating the need for complex conversion mechanisms and reducing frictional forces, enabling the use of cost-effective materials like plastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex conversion mechanism is used to unlock the valve, then the locking position can be achieved, but the actuating force required increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting axial movement into radial movement of blocking members (as in prior art), the patent inverts the approach by having blocking members move axially in direct response to the control element's axial movement. This eliminates the need for complex conversion mechanisms and reduces the actuating force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex conversion mechanism from the system. By having blocking members move axially rather than radially, the patent removes the intermediate conversion elements that would otherwise be needed to translate the control element's movement into the blocking members' movement.
2Reliability
If a complex conversion mechanism is used to unlock the valve, then the locking position can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having blocking members move axially rather than radially. This simplification eliminates the need for complex conversion mechanisms, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining the locking function's reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members are designed as independent axial movement elements that can be individually actuated by the control element. This segmentation allows for a simpler overall structure compared to a unified radial conversion mechanism, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable locking.
3Reliability
If radial movement of blocking members is used, then the valve can be locked, but frictional forces increase and material stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the movement direction from radial to axial. This inversion eliminates the frictional forces associated with radial movement and complex conversion mechanisms, allowing for simpler design and reduced material stress while maintaining effective valve locking capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter device has a filter housing (1, 3) releasably accommodating one filter element (15) and has a housing pot (1) surrounding the filter element (15) and a removably attachable housing head (3) with fluid passage (39) for the discharge of filtrate. A valve device in the fluid passage includes a closing body (53) blocking the discharge flow in its closed position and facilitates the discharge flow in its release position. A locking device includes a blocking member (57) locking the closing body (53) in its closed position. The blocking member (57) can move out of its locking position into its unlocking position by a control element (81) on the filter element (15). When the filter element (15) is situated in its functional position in the housing pot (1), the control element impacts the blocking member (57) as the housing head (3) is attached to the housing pot (1) to move the blocking member axially to its unblocking position.