Integrated Oil Filter Housing for Easier Vehicle Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil filter arrangements for vehicles require separate housings and fastening systems, which can lead to increased material consumption and complexity during installation and replacement.

Innovation Solution

An improved oil filter arrangement that integrates a filter unit and a connection unit with an inlet tube, allowing it to be housed within an existing vehicle housing, eliminating the need for additional housings and fastening systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If oil filter arrangements are connected to housing from outside using fixture features and fastening elements, then the filter unit can be easily installed and replaced, but the device complexity and material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and replacement easeVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filter unit with a connection unit that integrates mounting features directly into the filter assembly. The connection unit includes an inlet tube with integrated mounting structure that couples the filter unit to the housing, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and fixture features. This merging of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining ease of installation and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate housings are provided for filter units, then the filter unit is protected and easily installed, but material consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter unit protectionVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective housing function with the connection unit. The connection unit serves both as the mounting interface and as the protective enclosure for the inlet tube and internal components. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated housing, reducing material consumption while maintaining the protective function through the integrated connection unit structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural protection for the inlet tube, serves as the mounting interface to the housing, and facilitates the coupling of the filter unit. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and material usage while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If oil filter arrangements use dedicated contact pads and guiding elements, then the filter position is precisely maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter position precisionVSAvoidpositioning feature complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates positioning features directly into the connection unit structure. The guiding elements and contact pads are formed as integral parts of the connection unit rather than as separate components. This merging approach maintains precise filter positioning while reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4293206B1Oil filter arrangement for filtering oil of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4293206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293206B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

Oil filter arrangement for filtering oil of a vehicle, comprising: at least one filter unit (12) for filtering the oil; and at least one connection unit (11) comprising at least one inlet tube (15) configured to be connected with an outlet tube (22) of a separate oil pump unit (21); whereby the oil filter arrangement (10) is configured to be housed in an oil filter arrangement housing (32) of the vehicle.