Fuel Filter Cartridge Interface with RFID Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ensuring compatibility and integrity of fuel filter cartridges in fuel filter assemblies, as incompatible cartridges can compromise the engine's fuel filtering system, leading to operational issues and increased maintenance costs, due to varying dimensions, capacities, and filtration capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A fluid filter assembly with a housing and filter cartridge interface that includes a boss with a stepped diameter bore and a cylindrical interface, utilizing protrusions, magnets, proximity sensors, or RFID tags to verify the cartridge's characteristics, ensuring proper fitment and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a replacement fuel filter cartridge is selected based on dimensional conformity to the housing base, then the ease of replacement is improved, but the reliability of the filtering system deteriorates due to incompatible filter media specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical dimensional matching with an electronic identification system. RFID tags on the filter cartridge communicate with readers in the housing, using electromagnetic fields instead of purely mechanical interfaces to verify cartridge compatibility and specifications, thereby preventing incompatible replacements while maintaining ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through RFID communication between the filter cartridge and housing. The housing readers detect and verify the cartridge's identification data, providing immediate feedback on compatibility. This feedback mechanism ensures that only properly specified cartridges are installed, maintaining filtering system integrity while guiding users through the replacement process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filter cartridge specifications are supported to meet varying engine requirements, then the adaptability of the filtering system is improved, but the complexity of ensuring proper compatibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it accommodates different filter cartridge specifications through a universal interface structure while incorporating RFID readers that can identify and verify multiple cartridge types. This universal design allows the same housing to support various filter media qualities, capacities, and dimensions without requiring complex mechanical variations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If visual inspection alone is used to verify filter cartridge suitability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of cartridge specifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes visual inspection with electronic RFID verification. RFID tags on the filter cartridge communicate their precise specifications (porous size, capacity, media quality) to readers in the housing through electromagnetic fields, providing accurate measurement and verification without requiring visual inspection or manual measurement by the operator, thus maintaining simplicity while dramatically improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid filter assembly having a filter cartridge and housing interface to indicate whether a replacement filter cartridge is proper and desirable for the fluid filter assembly. A substantially cylindrical interface is connected to and extends from the filter cartridge and is matingly received by a bore provided in a boss of a housing of the fluid filter assembly. A means for indicating at least one characteristic of the filter cartridge is provided to ensure the replacement filter cartridge is proper and desirable for the fluid filter assembly.