Flangeless Air Filter Mounting for Airtight Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air filters for internal combustion engines often require flanges for mounting, which can create gaps and reduce the effectiveness of air filtration due to potential leaks and mechanical wear from particulate matter.
Innovation Solution
A flangeless air filter design featuring a pliable seal and a cap with a wire support filter medium, treated with a filter oil composition, to ensure an airtight connection and enhanced air cleaning properties, mounted directly onto a flat surface within the air intake system using a mounting bracket and fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air filters use flanges for mounting, then the filter can be installed and secured, but gaps and leaks occur that reduce filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flange component entirely from the air filter design. The filter element is mounted directly onto a flat surface without requiring a flange, thereby eliminating the gaps and leaks that occur at flange interfaces in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a flange to create a mounting interface (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by mounting the filter directly onto a flat surface using adhesive or mechanical fasteners applied to the filter element itself, eliminating the need for a separate flange component.
2Reliability
If flanges are used for mounting air filters, then the filter can be secured, but mechanical wear from particulate matter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the flange component that causes mechanical wear. By eliminating the flange, the mounting structure no longer accumulates particulate matter that causes wear, while the filter remains securely mounted through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting mechanism (adhesive or direct fasteners) between the filter element and the flat surface, replacing the flange as the mediating component. This intermediary does not create the same wear problems as flanges while maintaining secure mounting.
3Reliability
If a flangeless design is used, then gaps and leaks are eliminated improving filtration, but mounting complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex flange structure with its multiple bolts, gaskets, and sealing surfaces. The simplified direct mounting approach eliminates these components while achieving airtight sealing through the filter element's direct contact with the flat surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible seal or grommet integrated into the filter element's mounting surface. This flexible component conforms to the flat mounting surface, creating an airtight seal without requiring complex rigid flange structures with multiple fastening points.
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 flangeless air filter provides an efficient and durable solution for removing contaminants and particulate matter from the airstream, maintaining an airtight seal and reducing mechanical wear, while allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is comprised of a pliable material amendable to being compressed so as to establish an airtight connection between the base and the flat surface
Implementation Method 2
The filter medium is configured to remove contaminants and particulate matter from the intake airstream entering the air intake duct
Implementation Method 3
the filter medium is configured to be treated with a filter oil composition so as to enhance air cleaning properties of the filter medium
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for a flangeless air filter configured to be mounted onto a flat surface within an air intake system of an internal combustion engine. The flangeless air filter is comprised of a cone-shaped filter medium, retained between a base and a cap, that is fabricated to remove contaminants and particulate matter from an intake airstream. The base includes a pliable seal that forms an airtight connection between the flangeless air filter and the flat surface of the air intake system. A mounting bracket and fasteners may be used to attach the base to the flat surface, compressing the seal there between. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may be incorporated into, and made a part of the base. A cap is disposed on a top of the flangeless air filter and configured to direct the intake airstream around the cap and toward the filter medium.