Multi-Filter Head Layout for Compact Vehicle Fluid Filtration

Solution Overview

Problem

Large vehicles often require multiple filter heads and fluid lines to accommodate multiple filters, leading to increased space requirements and complexity in the engine compartment.

Innovation Solution

A compact filter head design that can operably couple with two or more filters, providing multiple inlet and outlet configurations on different sides, allowing for efficient fluid flow and reduced space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filter heads are mounted in the vehicle to accommodate multiple filters, then the filtering capability is improved, but the space requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple filter headers into a single integrated filter head assembly. The filter head includes a body with multiple inlet passages and outlet passages, allowing multiple filters to be mounted on one side of the body, thereby reducing the number of separate filter heads and associated fluid lines while maintaining the ability to filter multiple fluid streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter head is designed as a universal assembly that can accommodate multiple filters with different functions (e.g., primary filter, secondary filter, auxiliary filter) within a single housing. The multi-functional design allows the same filter head structure to handle various fluid filtering requirements through its multiple passages and mounting locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filter heads are mounted in the vehicle to accommodate multiple filters, then the filtering capability is improved, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple filter headers into a single integrated filter head assembly. The filter head includes a body with multiple inlet passages and outlet passages, allowing multiple filters to be mounted on one side of the body, thereby reducing the number of separate filter heads and associated fluid lines while maintaining the ability to filter multiple fluid streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter headers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration on one side of the filter head body, utilizing vertical and lateral space efficiently. This spatial arrangement allows multiple filters to be accommodated in a compact footprint by stacking or clustering them in different dimensional orientations rather than spreading them out in a single plane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filter heads are mounted in the vehicle to accommodate multiple filters, then the filtering capability is improved, but the fluid line management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoidfluid line management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple filter headers into a single integrated filter head assembly. The filter head includes a body with multiple inlet passages and outlet passages, allowing multiple filters to be mounted on one side of the body, thereby reducing the number of separate filter heads and associated fluid lines while maintaining the ability to filter multiple fluid streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter head body acts as an intermediary component that consolidates multiple fluid line connections. Instead of requiring separate external fluid lines for each filter head, the body provides internal passages that route fluid between multiple filters and a single set of external connections, simplifying the fluid line management system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11724222B2Compact vehicle filter head

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 DEERE & CO

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a vehicle fluid filter head. The filter head can be attached to two or more filters to filter vehicle fluid, and provide a variety of optional arrangements for coupling inlet and outlet hoses. A plurality of inlets and outlets can be disposed on the filter head at different sides of the filter head. A pair of filter headers can be disposed on a first side to receive filter. A first inlet and outlet can be disposed on a second side, and a second inlet and outlet can be disposed on a third side. Respective inlet are fluidly coupled with an inlet passage in the head, which is fluidly coupled with an intake portion of the filter headers. Respective outlets are fluidly coupled with an outlet passage in the head, which is fluidly coupled with an outflow portion of the filter headers.