Serviceable Air Filter Cartridge with Biasing Lock Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaners for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently filtering intake air due to the occlusion of filter cartridges, which require frequent replacement and proper sealing mechanisms to maintain air flow directionality and pressure resistance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a serviceable filter cartridge with a straight-through flow configuration using z-filter media, secured within an impermeable sidewall construction, and a biasing and lock mechanism with contoured blades to ensure proper sealing and easy replacement, along with various seal arrangements such as axial and radial seals to manage air flow and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter cartridges are used in air cleaners, then air filtration is achieved, but the filter cartridges become occluded and require frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtration efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a serviceable filter cartridge design where the filter element can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. This allows the filter media to be recovered and reused multiple times, reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining filtration reliability. The cartridge structure enables easy removal and installation without replacing the entire filter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of operation

If filter cartridges are made serviceable for easy replacement, then maintenance ease is improved, but sealing mechanisms become more complex to maintain air flow directionality and pressure resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cartridge replacementVSAvoidsealing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the filter assembly into separate functional components: a reusable cartridge housing and a removable filter element. This segmentation allows the filter element to be easily replaced without affecting the sealing mechanisms in the housing, simplifying maintenance while maintaining pressure resistance through dedicated seal locations at the cartridge ends.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces seal members as intermediary components positioned at the ends of the cartridge where it engages with the housing. These seals act as mediators that maintain pressure resistance and air flow directionality while allowing the cartridge to be easily inserted and removed, decoupling the sealing function from the replacement complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If z-filter media is arranged in coiled or stacked configurations, then filtration capacity is increased, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidserviceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the z-filter media within a cylindrical cartridge structure, arranging the fluted media in a compact nested configuration. The corrugated media is positioned within the cartridge housing, creating a space-efficient nested arrangement that maintains high filtration capacity while allowing the entire cartridge to be easily removed and serviced as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This configuration allows for efficient air filtration with easy maintenance, maintaining high pressure resistance and ensuring consistent air flow directionality, suitable for large diesel engines and other applications with varying turbocharger setups.

Implementation Method 1

z-filter media generally comprises a corrugated or fluted media sheet secured to a facing sheet. The media is arranged to form a set of longitudinal flutes or air flow channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a biasing and lock mechanism with contoured blades to ensure proper sealing and easy replacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

various seal arrangements such as axial and radial seals to manage air flow and pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS7682416B2Air cleaner arrangements; serviceable filter elements; and, methods

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 DONALDSON CO INC

AI summary

An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.