Segmented Center Pipe Filter System for Reproducible Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air filter systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in reproducibly accommodating and replacing primary and secondary filter elements, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance and increased costs due to wastage of center pipes and recycling costs.
Innovation Solution
A filter system design featuring independent primary and secondary center pipes integrated within the housing, allowing for reproducible self-positioning and easy interchangeability, with snap-fit and threading mechanisms for secure attachment, reducing tooling and production costs, and minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated center pipe is used for both primary and secondary filter elements, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reproducibility of filter element accommodation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The center pipe system is segmented into two independent pipes: a primary center pipe for the primary filter element and a secondary center pipe for the secondary filter element. This segmentation allows each pipe to be independently manufactured and positioned, ensuring reproducible accommodation of filter elements while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the secondary center pipe extends into the primary center pipe, then ease of manufacture is improved through modular assembly, but device complexity increases due to nested structure
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary center pipe is designed to extend into the primary center pipe, creating a nested configuration. This nesting arrangement facilitates modular assembly where the secondary pipe can be independently manufactured and then inserted into the primary pipe structure, simplifying manufacturing while the nested design itself is managed through clear structural definition.
3Reliability
If filter elements are replaced frequently based on dust load, then reliability of clean air supply is maintained, but loss of time and productivity increase due to maintenance interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The primary filter element is designed as a replaceable component with finite service life, optimized for cost-effective replacement rather than extended durability. This allows frequent replacement based on dust load without excessive cost, maintaining clean air supply reliability while minimizing downtime through simple replacement procedures enabled by the independent center pipe design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the secondary filter element remains in the housing during primary filter replacement, then protection against dirt particles is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary filter element and its associated secondary center pipe are designed as a separate, independently replaceable unit. This extraction allows the secondary filter to remain in place during primary filter replacement operations, continuing to provide protection against dirt particles, while the independent design simplifies the replacement process by allowing selective replacement of only the primary filter when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filter system (100) comprising a housing (110), a fluid inlet (102), a fluid outlet (108), a primary filter element (50) and a secondary filter element (10), both being accommodated in the housing (110), comprising a primary center pipe (62) and a secondary center pipe (150) being arranged inside the housing (110), wherein the primary center pipe (62) is attached to a second housing part (114) and the secondary center pipe (150) is attached to the first housing part (112), wherein the secondary center pipe (150) extends into the primary center pipe (62), wherein the primary filter element (50) is arranged on the primary center pipe (62), and the secondary filter element (10) is arranged on the secondary center pipe (150), the inside of the secondary filter element (10) being in fluid connection with the fluid outlet (108).