Reusable Magnetic Assembly for Oil Filter Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil filter systems are inefficient in removing microscopic ferrous particles due to their size limitations, leading to increased engine wear, and the regular disposal of magnets used in external magnetic assemblies is not environmentally friendly and costly.
Innovation Solution
An improved magnetic assembly for oil filters that utilizes a steel member to direct the magnetic field from outward-facing poles back to the oil filter case, creating a pseudo horseshoe magnet effect, which enhances ferrous metal attraction, and includes an adaptable band case to fit various oil filter sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets are built into the oil filter, then ferrous particles can be removed effectively, but the magnets must be disposed with the filter which is not resource friendly and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet assembly is extracted from the disposable oil filter and made into a separate, reusable external component. The band with magnets can be detached from the filter element and reused across multiple oil changes, while only the filter element is disposed of. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ferrous particle removal effectiveness while eliminating magnet disposal.
2Loss of substance
If external magnetic assemblies are used, then magnets can be reused, but the assembly complexity increases and may not fit all oil filter sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The band is designed with adjustable positioning features that allow it to fit multiple oil filter sizes and configurations. The band can be positioned at different locations around the filter case, making a single band design universal for various filter types. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining magnet reuse capability.
3Loss of substance
If magnets are placed at a distance from the oil filter case, then they can be attached to external assemblies, but the attraction force on ferrous particles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A ferrous band is introduced as an intermediary between the magnets and the oil filter case. The band is magnetically attracted to the filter case, bringing the magnets into close proximity with the case surface. This intermediary solution maintains magnet reusability while maximizing attraction force through minimal distance.
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 solution effectively increases the attraction of ferrous metal to the oil filter case, reducing engine wear and conserving magnet resources by allowing reuse and fitting different oil filter sizes.
Implementation Method 1
Magnets are introduced to the oil filter to remove ferrous particles. A magnet is placed near the oil filter inlet to attract ferrous material.
Implementation Method 2
A steel member is used to direct magnetic field from the outward facing pole to the oil filter case. The steel member is adapted to couple only the other pole of the magnet and to be coupled to the oil filter case.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes an assembly of magnets to be coupled to oil filter case to attract ferrous material. Oil filter case [20] takes the shape of a cylinder. Magnet [22] has two poles and one of the poles is coupled to the side of oil filter case [20]. A steel member [24] is provided to couple only the other pole of the magnet [22] with the oil filter case [20]. The steel member [24] comprises a pivot unit [26] that couples the pole of magnet, a pivot extender [28] which couples the pivot unit [26] and a bridge [30] that couples the pivot extender [28] with oil filter case [20]. The magnet assembly directs the magnetic field from outward pole towards the oil filter to create a pseudo horse shoe magnet effect.