Self-Draining Oil Filter Adaptor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spin-on oil filters, when removed from engines, often spill oil due to their inverted orientation, causing environmental hazards and maintenance nuisances, as existing shrouds and guide ways fail to effectively contain and collect the draining oil.
Innovation Solution
A self-draining oil filter adaptor system comprising a housing unit, inner piston, drain valve, actuator spring, and filter nipple, which allows the oil to drain back into the engine crankcase or a collection receptacle, minimizing spillage by sealing and guiding the oil flow during filter removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spin-on oil filter is mounted in inverted position, then filter operation is improved and design is simplified, but oil spillage occurs during filter removal
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly serves as an intermediary device between the inverted oil filter and the environment. It includes a housing with a receptacle that captures draining oil, a drain valve that controls oil flow, and a piston mechanism that opens the drain valve when the filter is removed. This intermediary system allows the inverted filter mounting to be maintained while preventing oil spillage during filter removal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shrouds and guide ways are used to funnel draining oil, then some oil containment is achieved, but they are not convenient to use and fail to adequately constrain and collect spilled oil
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly is designed to automatically drain oil without requiring user intervention. When the oil filter is removed from the adaptor, the piston is pulled outward by a spring, which automatically opens the drain valve. The oil then drains through the drain passage into the receptacle or back into the engine oil pan. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation of shrouds or guide ways, providing both effective oil containment and ease of use.
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 system effectively prevents oil spillage during filter change by ensuring that oil is contained and drained back into the engine or a collection bucket, reducing environmental impact and simplifying maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator spring located between the inner piston and the housing unit, wherein the actuator spring exerts a force on the inner piston capable of moving the inner piston from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a valve spring adapted to force the drain valve to seal against the drain channel and prevent flow of oil through the drain channel when the inner piston is in the first position
Implementation Method 3
allows the oil to drain back into the engine crankcase or a collection receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner oil change procedure can be achieved by using an adaptor assembly that comprises: a housing unit that defines a cavity volume; a filter mount connected to the housing unit, and adapted to mount a spin-on oil filter; an inner piston slidably engaged with the filter mount and adapted to fit within the cavity volume, wherein the inner piston is moveable between a first position within the cavity volume and a second position substantially outside of the cavity volume; an actuator spring located between the inner piston and the housing unit, wherein the actuator spring exerts a force on the inner piston capable of moving the inner piston from the first position to the second position; a drain valve slidably connected to the inner piston; a drain channel in the housing unit; and a valve spring adapted to force the drain valve to seal against the drain channel and prevent flow of oil through the drain channel when the inner piston is in the first position, wherein the drain valve does not seal against the drain channel when the piston is in the second position.