Filtering Device Modular Assembly and Cyclone Pre-Cleaner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid filtration systems for internal combustion engines lack efficient designs for air filtration and maintenance accessibility, particularly in providing filtered air and supporting fluid reservoirs while ensuring easy assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A filtering device with a housing body, a tubular filtering element, and an intake cover featuring complementary tubular bosses for secure assembly, along with a cyclone pre-cleaner for air filtration, and a fluid reservoir system with a snap-fit connection for easy maintenance, ensuring filtered air supply and fluid management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional filtering system is used, then air filtration is provided, but maintenance accessibility and ease of assembly/disassembly are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering device is divided into separate modular components: a housing body, a removable cover, a tubular filtering element, and a fluid reservoir. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily removed for maintenance access to the filtering element, while the modular design simplifies assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular filtering element is nested within the housing body cavity, and the fluid reservoir is positioned within the same housing. This nested arrangement allows multiple components to occupy space efficiently while maintaining easy access to the filtering element through cover removal, improving maintenance accessibility without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If a secure assembly connection is implemented, then assembly strength is improved, but assembly/disassembly ease is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly connection strengthVSAvoidcomponent replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the cover and housing body is designed to be dynamically changeable - easily separable for maintenance while providing sufficient strength during operation. The removable cover design allows the assembly to transition between a secure closed state for filtering operation and an open state for maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering device uses segmented components (housing body, cover, filtering element) connected through simple interfaces. This segmentation enables the cover to be easily removed and reattached, providing both secure assembly strength during operation and ease of repair when maintenance is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If a cyclone pre-cleaner is added, then air filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair filtration efficiencyVSAvoidfiltration system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone pre-cleaner is merged with the tubular filtering element design, where the cyclone structure is integrated into the filter housing. This combination provides both pre-cleaning functionality and filtration in a single integrated component, improving air filtration efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular filtering element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary filtration medium and incorporates the cyclone pre-cleaner mechanism. This multi-functionality improves overall air filtration efficiency by combining pre-cleaning and filtering in one component, rather than requiring separate dedicated structures for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances air filtration efficiency, simplifies maintenance by allowing easy access and replacement of components, and provides a secure, efficient assembly of the filtering device and fluid reservoirs, improving overall engine performance and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

The intake cover includes a cyclone pre-cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3223927B1Filtering device and maintenance process of a filtering device
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3223927B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3223927B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3223927B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7A

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the technical sector of fluid filtration systems which can be used for air filtration in an internal combustion engine. The invention refers to a filtering device (1) including a filtering element (24) which presents an open axial end (26) and an axial end (27) closed by a cover (28); and an intake cover (7). The said cover (28) includes at least a first tubular boss (55) projecting towards the intake cover (7); and the intake cover (7) includes at least a second tubular boss (57) complementary to the first tubular boss (55) and projecting towards the cover (28); the first tubular boss (55) is slotted in the second tubular boss (57). The invention also refers to a tubular filtering element (24) and to a maintenance process of a filtering device.