Oil Filter Housing and Valving for Drip-Free Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of changing lubricating oil and filters in motorized machinery is time-consuming and messy, with used oil often spilling or dripping during filter removal and replacement, requiring additional cleaning and posing disposal challenges.
Innovation Solution
An oil filtration system with a mount interface featuring a contaminated conduit and a clean conduit, sealed by inner and perimeter seals, and a clean valve that remains open during installation and closes during removal, facilitating drip-free oil changes by utilizing a funnel effect to contain used oil within the filter assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional filter removal method is used, then filter element can be detached from housing, but used oil spills and drips during separation causing mess and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filter housing into two separate chambers: a first chamber containing used oil and a second chamber containing clean oil. This segmentation allows the used oil to be contained and drained separately from the clean oil, preventing spillage during filter removal while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a drain valve as an intermediary mechanism between the first chamber and the external environment. This valve allows controlled drainage of used oil without requiring direct exposure or manual handling that would cause spills, thus eliminating the harmful effect while preserving operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If filter element is detached from housing, then filter replacement is completed, but additional cleaning of equipment and floor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the used oil from the filter housing through a dedicated drain valve mechanism before filter removal. By taking out the contaminated oil through a controlled drainage system rather than allowing it to spill during detachment, the subsequent cleaning time is eliminated while productivity is maintained.
3Loss of substance
If used oil is drained during filter removal, then oil change is completed, but disposal becomes difficult and messy
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve serves as an intermediary that provides a controlled pathway for used oil removal. Instead of manual draining that causes mess and disposal difficulties, the valve system allows gravity-assisted or pressure-assisted drainage into a contained receptacle, eliminating the harmful effects while achieving complete oil removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-draining mechanism where the first chamber is designed to automatically drain used oil through the drain valve without requiring external intervention or manual handling. This self-service approach eliminates the mess and disposal difficulties associated with manual oil removal while ensuring complete drainage.
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
Enables simultaneous, drip-free filter and oil changes by retaining contaminated oil within the filter assembly and providing clean oil, reducing mess and environmental impact during the process.
Implementation Method 1
a clean valve being positioned about the clean outlet, the clean valve being configured to bias in a closed position in an uninstalled state and being configured to remain open in an installed state
Implementation Method 2
the element housing can then be provided with a sealed internal volume between the clean valve and the contaminated side valve in the uninstalled state, and wherein the system is provided with an initial volume of clean oil prior to installation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A housing and valving assembly for providing pre-charged oil filters wherein the housing is capable of interfacing with a mount interface, wherein the housing is configured to retain a volume of contaminated oil upon removal, and wherein the valving assembly is configured to minimize oil leakage upon insertion and removal of the housing from the mount interface.