Oil Filter Cup Top Cap Rotational Axial Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil filters lack reliable assembly mechanisms for the filtering element, which can lead to positioning errors and operational deficiencies due to the absence of rotational and axial locking features before the cup is secured to the head.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of at least one rotational locking means and two axial locking means on the cup and top cap, allowing for secure mounting and retention of the filtering element within the cup before it is threaded onto the head, enhancing assembly reliability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the filtering element is assembled only by seating the peripheral portion onto the peripheral edge of the cup, then the assembly process is simple, but the filtering element lacks rotational and axial locking, leading to positioning errors and operational deficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct rotational locking means (protrusions on cup, recesses on top cap) and axial locking means (protrusions on cup, recesses on top cap), separating the locking functions while maintaining integrated assembly. This allows simple seating action combined with automatic multi-directional locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational and axial locking means are pre-configured on the cup and top cap before assembly. When the peripheral portion is seated onto the peripheral edge, the locking means automatically engage without requiring additional assembly steps, providing preliminary locked positioning that prevents subsequent displacement.
2Device complexity
If the filtering element is secured only after the cup is threaded onto the head, then the assembly process is simplified, but the filtering element remains unsecured during the cup-to-head coupling process, risking misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational and axial locking means are designed to engage automatically during the peripheral portion seating process, before the cup is threaded onto the head. This preliminary locking action secures the filtering element in precise alignment, preventing misalignment during the subsequent cup-to-head coupling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means provide preliminary anti-action by preventing rotational and axial displacement of the filtering element before the cup is secured to the head. This counteracts potential misalignment forces that would occur during the threading process, ensuring positioning accuracy is maintained throughout assembly.
3Device complexity
If no rotational and axial locking means are incorporated, then the device structure remains simple, but the filtering element can shift or rotate, causing operational deficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into rotational locking means and axial locking means, with rotational protrusions/recesses and axial protrusions/recesses. This segmentation provides targeted locking for each degree of freedom while keeping individual locking elements simple and minimal in number.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational and axial locking means are merged into a single integrated assembly action. When the peripheral portion is seated onto the peripheral edge, both rotational and axial locking occur simultaneously through the interlocking protrusions and recesses, providing comprehensive securing without requiring separate locking steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
The filter has a head (10) with an oil inlet and an oil outlet (11,12), and to which is coupled an open end (21) of a cup (20) lodging a filtering element (30) which has an inner central chamber (32) and an outer annular chamber (33), connected to the oil inlet and oil outlet (11,12). A top cap (50) has a median annular portion (52) affixed to the filtering element (30), and a peripheral portion (53) with windows and positioned on an open end (33a) of the outer annular chamber (33) and seated onto the open end (21) of the cup (20). Rotational locking means (60) and axial locking means (80) are incorporated to the open end (21) of the cup (20) or to the peripheral portion (53) of the top cap (50), it being further provided, in the other of said parts, rotational locking receiving means (70) and axial locking receiving means (90), in which are fitted and retained the rotational locking means (60) and the axial locking means (80).