Vehicle HVAC Filter Housing With Retaining Strip for Easier Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing housings for heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation devices in motor vehicles do not effectively retain the first filtering medium during the installation of the second filtering medium, making the after-sales fitting of the air filter difficult for operators.

Innovation Solution

A housing with a retaining device configured to hold the primary frame strip of the first filtering medium in place, allowing the second filtering medium to be inserted without manual support of the first medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the first filtering medium is inserted into the opening first without a retaining device, then the installation process requires manual holding of the first filtering medium, but this increases the difficulty and time required for operator installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of air filter installationVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device is pre-installed on the housing before the filtering mediums are inserted. This preliminary action ensures that when the first filtering medium is inserted, it is automatically retained without requiring manual holding, thus simplifying the installation process and reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining device acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the first filtering medium. It facilitates the insertion process by providing automatic retention, eliminating the need for manual intervention and making the installation easier and faster

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the first filtering medium is held manually during insertion of the second filtering medium, then the first filtering medium can be positioned correctly, but this increases the complexity of the installation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of first filtering mediumVSAvoidinstallation procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device enables the first filtering medium to retain itself automatically upon insertion, without requiring manual holding or complex positioning procedures. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable positioning while simplifying the installation procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining device is prepared in advance on the housing, so that when the first filtering medium is inserted, the retention action occurs automatically. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex manual positioning procedures during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12208662B2Housing for a heating, air-conditioning and/or ventilation device for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a housing (1) for a heating, air-conditioning and/or ventilation device for a motor vehicle, configured to receive an air filter (3), said air filter (3) comprising a first filtering medium (30) which is delimited by at least two primary frame strips (300) and a second filtering medium (31) which is delimited by at least two secondary frame strips (310), according to which said housing (1) comprises at least one maintenance device (100) which is configured to retain one of said primary frame strips (300) when said first filtering medium (10) is mounted in said housing (1).