Rotatable Air Intake Filter Mount for Heat Exchanger Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in vehicle design is accommodating an air intake filter and a heat exchanger assembly in a restricted engine space while ensuring adequate airflow and maintaining accessibility for maintenance, particularly in agricultural vehicles like tractors.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable air intake filter mount connected to a bracket, allowing the filter to change orientations relative to the heat exchanger assembly, with a clamping mechanism for secure positioning in both orientations, enabling unobstructed airflow and easy maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air intake filter is positioned in front of the heat exchanger assembly, then the filter is easily accessible for maintenance, but it obstructs airflow to the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The filter mount is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing the filter to be positioned in different orientations. This dynamic positioning enables the filter to be accessed from the side during maintenance while being positioned to minimize obstruction of the heat exchanger airflow during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned in a lateral dimension relative to the heat exchanger rather than directly in front of it. The rotatable mount allows the filter to be oriented perpendicular to the main airflow path, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that provides both accessibility and minimal obstruction
2Productivity
If the air intake filter is positioned behind the heat exchanger assembly, then airflow to the heat exchanger is maximized, but the filter becomes difficult to access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable mount allows the filter to be dynamically repositioned between an operational position behind the heat exchanger for maximum airflow and a maintenance position where it can be easily accessed from the side
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is segmented into a detachable filter element and a rotatable mount, allowing the filter to be independently accessed and replaced without moving the entire heat exchanger assembly or other engine components
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed filter mount is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the filter cannot be easily accessed or positioned optimally for both airflow and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
A rotatable mount with toggle latches provides a simple mechanical solution that enables flexible filter positioning without requiring complex actuators or control systems. The toggle latch mechanism allows easy locking and unlocking of the filter in different positions
Solution Approach 2:
The mount structure is segmented into a bracket attached to the heat exchanger and a separate rotatable filter mount, allowing independent movement of the filter while maintaining a simple overall structure
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 significantly increases airflow through the heat exchanger assembly by doubling the unobstructed area, enhancing cooling efficiency and facilitating easy filter maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The filter mount is rotatably connected to the bracket and coupled to the housing of the air intake filter, wherein the filter mount is rotatable relative to the bracket about a rotation axis orthogonal to the first face of the heat exchanger assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to an assembly for a vehicle and to a vehicle comprising such an assembly. Example embodiments include an assembly (200) for a vehicle, comprising: a heat exchanger assembly (201) having a first face (202); an engine air intake filter (203) having a housing (208); a bracket (204) extending across the first face (202) of the heat exchanger assembly (201); a filter mount (210) rotatably connected to the bracket (204) and coupled to the housing (208) of the air intake filter (203); wherein the filter mount (210) is rotatable relative to the bracket (204) about a rotation axis (211) orthogonal to the first face (202) of the heat exchanger assembly (201).