Key-Fit Filter Holder Assembly for Faster Off-Highway Filter Swaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems in off-highway machinery face challenges such as time-consuming and labor-intensive filter swapping due to threaded interfaces, which can lead to misalignment, damage, and excessive force requirements, especially in large components.
Innovation Solution
A filter system with a key-fit attachment mechanism using alternating thread and slot sections in a key-fit pattern, combined with O-rings or protruding stops/pegs to ensure proper alignment and prevent damage during installation, allowing for quick and secure attachment of inner and outer filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded interfaces are used to secure filters, then reliable connection is achieved, but installation time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded interface is segmented into alternating thread sections and slot sections around the circumference. This segmentation allows the filter connector to engage with the holder through multiple discrete attachment points simultaneously, converting a sequential threading process into a parallel engagement process that reduces installation time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a single-thread-dimensional engagement to a multi-dimensional key-fit pattern where thread sections and slot sections are arranged alternately around the circumference. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous engagement at multiple points, reducing the rotational movements needed while ensuring reliable multi-point attachment.
2Reliability
If threaded interfaces are used to secure filters, then secure connection is achieved, but risk of misalignment and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alternating pattern of thread sections and slot sections creates an asymmetric key-fit geometry that provides inherent alignment guidance. The protruding stops or pegs on the filter connector align with corresponding slot sections, preventing cross-threading and misalignment before thread engagement occurs, thereby reducing the risk of damage while ensuring secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot sections and protruding stops perform a preliminary alignment function before the thread sections engage. This preliminary action guides the filter connector into proper orientation and prevents misalignment, ensuring that subsequent thread engagement occurs correctly and reducing the risk of damage to threaded components.
3Reliability
If large threaded components are used in off-highway machinery, then secure filter attachment is achieved, but force requirements and risk of over-tightening increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment interface is segmented into multiple alternating thread and slot sections distributed around the circumference. This segmentation distributes the tightening force across multiple engagement points simultaneously, reducing the force required at each individual thread section while maintaining overall attachment security for large off-highway machinery filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes circumferential distribution of thread and slot sections to convert a single-point high-force engagement into a multi-point distributed force system. This dimensional arrangement reduces the mechanical advantage needed for tightening while ensuring secure attachment of large filter components in off-highway machinery applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter system for a machine system includes a filter holder assembly having a filter holder, an inner filter connector, and an outer filter connector. The filter holder includes peripheral surfaces each configured with at least one thread section and at least one slot section. The filter system also includes an inner filter attached to the inner filter connector and an outer filter attached to the outer filter connector. Each of the inner filter connector and the outer filter connector includes a peripheral surface configured with at least one thread section and at least one slot section arranged in a key-fit pattern relative to one of the peripheral surfaces of the filter holder. In an example application the concepts may be applied in an intake air system for an engine in an off-highway machine.