Removable Lid Filter Device with V-Clamp Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing end-out service filter devices for combustion engine exhaust after-treatment systems face challenges in maintaining insulation integrity, minimizing physical space, preventing particulate matter bypass, and ensuring leak tightness during filter removal and replacement, especially when servicing particulate filters like DPFs and GPFs.

Innovation Solution

An end-out service filter device design featuring a removable lid with V-clamp fixation, a support ring for axial alignment, and insulation to maintain leak tightness, allowing for easy removal and replacement of filters while minimizing bypass risks and accommodating various filter sizes and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If end-out service filter device is designed with removable lid and V-clamp fixation, then ease of filter removal and replacement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of filter removal and replacementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is divided into separable components: a removable lid with V-clamp fixation, a support ring, and the filter unit itself. This segmentation allows the lid to be independently removed for filter servicing while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining components, directly enabling easy filter removal and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The V-clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lid and the filter unit, providing a simple yet effective fixation system. The V-clamp engages with the support ring to secure the lid in place during operation, and can be easily released to remove the lid, balancing security with ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If insulation is added to maintain leak tightness, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak tightnessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible gasket is introduced as a thin film element between the lid and the filter unit housing. This gasket deforms to conform to the mating surfaces, ensuring leak-tight sealing without requiring complex rigid insulation structures. The flexible nature of the gasket allows it to accommodate minor dimensional variations while maintaining seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted from the main structural components and assigned to a dedicated gasket element. This separates the sealing requirement from the mechanical structure, allowing the gasket to be optimized independently for sealing performance while the lid and housing focus on structural integrity and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If support ring is added for axial alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial alignmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring creates a circular reference surface that provides uniform axial alignment for the filter unit regardless of its position during installation. This equipotential reference ensures that the filter unit is correctly positioned along the axial direction, facilitating precise alignment without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The support ring serves as an intermediary alignment element between the lid and the filter unit. It provides a stable reference surface that mediates the alignment process, ensuring that the filter unit is correctly positioned axially before the V-clamp secures the lid in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If service opening is provided for filter access, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of particulate matter bypass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter accessibilityVSAvoidparticulate matter bypass
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The service opening is segmented and controlled by the removable lid that can be securely closed during operation. When the lid is closed and sealed, the service opening is blocked, preventing particulate matter bypass. When the lid is removed for maintenance, the service opening is accessible for filter servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The V-clamp acts as an intermediary locking mechanism that secures the lid in the closed position during operation. This intermediary device ensures that the service opening remains blocked and prevents particulate matter from bypassing the filter, while still allowing easy removal when maintenance is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3990759B1Filter device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 DINEX AS
  • EP3990759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3990759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3990759B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an end-out service filter device for an exhaust after- treatment system of a combustion engine comprising a removable filter unit attached to a filter unit housing via filter unit fixing means, a flow transfer device which comprises a main flow deflecting wall configured to deflect exhaust gases of the combustion engine exiting or entering the filter unit, wherein the flow deflecting wall comprises a removable lid attached to said main flow deflecting wall via lid fixing means, said removable lid closing a service opening facing said filter unit for removing and/or inserting said filter unit through said service opening. The present invention also relates to a method of servicing said end-out service filter device and to an after-treatment system of the exhaust gases of a combustion engine comprising said end-out service filter device.