Fuel Filter Assembly With Segmented Housing And Pleated Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters for internal combustion engines often fail to effectively remove contaminants from fuel, leading to potential damage to the fuel system.
Innovation Solution
A fluid filter assembly with a cylindrical filter element housed in a bonded upper and lower housing, featuring a top plate with seals and threads for secure mounting, and a pleated filter media with core support to prevent collapse and ensure efficient contaminant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fuel filter design is used, then the structure is simple, but the filter fails to effectively remove contaminants from fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is divided into multiple segments (first housing portion, second housing portion, third housing portion) that can be assembled together, allowing for a more complex internal structure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The pleated filter media is also segmented into multiple pleats that increase surface area without requiring a larger overall filter size.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is designed with pleats that extend in multiple dimensions, transforming a simple flat filter into a three-dimensional structure with increased surface area. This allows the filter to remove more contaminants effectively while maintaining a compact overall size, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and complexity.
2Reliability
If the filter housing is made as a single piece, then manufacturing is simple, but the filter cannot be securely mounted and sealed
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple portions that are assembled together using fastening members and seals. This segmentation allows for secure mounting through threaded portions and reliable sealing through gaskets placed at the joints between housing portions, while still being manufacturable as separate simple components that are then assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Seals (gaskets) are introduced as intermediary elements between the housing portions to create reliable sealing surfaces. These seals act as mediators that enable secure mounting and effective sealing without requiring complex integrated sealing features in each housing portion, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable assembly.
3Reliability
If the filter media is made without core support, then the structure is simpler, but the filter media collapses and cannot filter effectively
Solution Approach 1:
A core support structure is introduced within the pleated filter media to prevent collapse while maintaining flexibility. The core support acts as a flexible skeleton that maintains the three-dimensional pleated structure during operation, ensuring effective filtration without requiring the filter media itself to be rigid or overly complex.
4Reliability
If multiple seals are added to ensure proper sealing, then sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple seals positioned at different locations (first seal between first and second housing portions, second seal between second and third housing portions, third seal at the top plate interface). This segmentation allows each seal to address specific sealing needs at critical joints, achieving comprehensive sealing reliability while keeping each individual seal simple and the overall design modular.
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 filter assembly effectively removes contaminants from fuel, preventing damage to the fuel system and ensuring reliable engine operation by securely housing and supporting the filter media.
Implementation Method 1
passes through media of the filter element
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid filter assembly is adapted to filter out contaminants from a fluid supply. The filter assembly includes a housing that is adapted to house a cylindrical filter element. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing. A top plate is secured to the upper filter housing. Both the top plate and upper filter housing include seals that are adapted to seal the filter. The filter includes threads formed on an exterior surface of the upper housing to allow the filter to be coupled to a filter mount. Dirty fuel enters the filter through the top plate by use of a plurality of openings formed in the top plate, passes through media of the filter element, and exits through a center opening formed in the top plate.