Filtering Unit Snap-Coupling Cam Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtering units for automotive lubricant, air, and fuel systems face challenges with complex and unreliable bayonet-like couplings, which are costly and difficult to maintain, and axial-snap-couplings that are hard to decouple, leading to increased maintenance time and risk of mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
A filtering unit with a snap-coupling mechanism using elastically yieldable cam means and teeth that radially bend for easy coupling and decoupling, allowing for quick and simple installation and removal of the filtering cartridge, ensuring secure and durable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bayonet-like coupling is used to securely attach the filtering cartridge, then the coupling strength is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into two distinct parts: elastic teeth on the filtering cartridge and corresponding recesses with cam surfaces on the support body. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic elastic connection. The teeth are made of elastically yieldable material that can deform during coupling and decoupling operations, enabling easy installation and removal while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
2Reliability
If bayonet-like coupling is used to ensure secure attachment, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the maintenance time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic teeth provide a dynamic coupling mechanism that maintains reliable attachment during operation but allows for quick decoupling through simple axial translation. The elasticity enables the teeth to flex during removal without requiring complex tools or procedures, significantly reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the teeth are specifically selected to be elastically yieldable, allowing them to deform under operational loads for secure attachment but also to deform reversibly during decoupling. This parameter change enables both reliability and ease of maintenance.
3Device complexity
If axial-snap-coupling is used to simplify the coupling mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of decoupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic teeth transform the static snap-coupling into a dynamic system where the teeth can flex and deform. This allows the coupling to remain simple in structure while providing ease of decoupling through controlled elastic deformation during the removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the material parameter to elastically yieldable material, the coupling mechanism maintains simplicity while enabling easy decoupling. The elasticity parameter allows the teeth to deform during installation and removal operations, making the system both simple and easy to operate.
4Ease of manufacture
If axial-snap-coupling is used to reduce manufacturing cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the coupling durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed to elastically yieldable material for the teeth, which provides both cost-effectiveness and durability. This material selection allows the simple snap-coupling design to achieve sufficient durability for automotive applications while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 provides a reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use filtering unit that supports high-stress filtering cartridges, reducing maintenance time and costs while preventing inadvertent decoupling and mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
cam means operating between the coupling element and the support body so as to radially bend the coupling element in a release position for disengaging the coupling element from the support element
Data Source
AI summary
A filtering unit (10) comprising a casing (20) provided with at least one inlet (32), one outlet (33) and one support body (42) provided with abutment surfaces (44) adapted to removably support a filtering cartridge (50) contained within the casing (20) and adapted to divide the internal volume of the casing (20) into two chambers (21,22) respectively connected with the inlet (32) and the outlet (33) so as to filter the fluid flowing from the inlet (32) towards the outlet (33), the filtering cartridge (50) comprising at least one coupling element (55) configured to be snap-coupled to the support body (42) following a first axial translation for mutual approaching between the filtering cartridge (50) and the support body (42), whose distinctive characteristic lies in the fact that it comprises cam means (57,58) operating between the coupling element (55) and the support body (42) so as to radially bend the coupling element (55) in a release position for disengaging the coupling element (55) from the support element (42) following a further limited mutual axial translation between the filtering cartridge (50) and the support body (42), moving in the same direction with respect to the first approaching translation, the cam means (57,58) being configured so as to keep the coupling element (55) in release position following a slight mutual rotation between the filtering cartridge (50) and the support body (42).