Integrated Oil Filter Housing for Fastener-Free Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil filter arrangements for vehicles require separate housings and fastening elements, leading to material wastage and complex installation processes, particularly when replacing filter units.

Innovation Solution

An integrated oil filter arrangement housed within the vehicle's existing housing, featuring a connection unit with inlet and outlet tubes, contact elements, guiding elements, and sealing elements to secure the filter unit in place without external fasteners, allowing for easy replacement and reduced material consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oil filter arrangements are connected to housing from outside using fixture features and fastening elements, then the filter unit can be securely attached, but material consumption increases and installation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing is integrated directly into the vehicle housing, merging two separate components into one unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate fixture features and fastening elements, reducing material consumption while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously houses the filter unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated filter mounting structures, reducing overall material consumption while ensuring reliable integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If separate housing is provided for filter unit, then the filter unit can be independently replaced, but device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter replacementVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into the filter unit and the integrated housing structure. The filter unit can be independently removed and replaced while the housing remains part of the vehicle structure, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining ease of repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If connection unit includes multiple contact elements and guiding elements, then the filter unit positioning is precise, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter positioningVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection unit incorporates asymmetric contact elements and guiding features that provide precise positioning through their unique geometric configurations. These asymmetric features ensure correct orientation and placement of the filter unit while being manufacturable using standard precision manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12084996B2Oil filter arrangement for filtering oil of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

An oil filter arrangement for filtering oil of a vehicle can comprise: at least one filter unit for filtering the oil, and at least one connection unit comprising at least one inlet tube configured to be connected with an outlet tube of a separate oil pump, wherein the oil filter arrangement is configured to be housed in an oil filter arrangement housing of the vehicle.