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News Release from: Minnesota Rubber and Plastics | Subject: Plastics design
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 18 July 2003
Novel design for automotive air filter
A novel automotive air filter gauge developed by Minnesota Rubber QMR Plastics features a liquid silicone rubber diaphragm indicating when it's time to change the filter.
A novel automotive air filter gauge from Minnesota Rubber QMR Plastics features a liquid silicone rubber diaphragm indicating when it's time to change the filter Precise diaphragm reaction is an important design benefit of automotive air filter indicator gauges moulded and assembled from four components by Minnesota Rubber QMR Plastics for a leading automotive manufacturer
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 7 Feb 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The air pressure change inside the gauge activates a specially designed diaphragm that displays a black dot through a view port (lens), indicating when its time to change a dirty air filter.
Although the diaphragm is the key operating component in the indicator gauge, the other three components interlock and contribute to sealability, ease of assembly and overall long term indicator gauge function.
By consolidating sources for all four components including final assembly at QMR Plastics, the automotive customer resolved diaphragm function and assembly fit issues while reducing tooling cycle requirements by 50%, thereby accelerating time to market.
The four components and their material composition are: the housing/body in polypropylene; the polycarbonate lens; theb liquid silicone rubber (LSR) diaphragm; and the liner/grommet made from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).
Correct material selection and moulding of the four components was important to meet high automotive quality requirements.
The LSR diaphragm has very good mechanical properties over wide temperature ranges required in automotive under hood applications.
The LSR choice also provided white colour consistency with a high level of air aging resistance.
The polycarbonate lens provided high clarity for visual recognition when air filter change is needed.
The glass filled polypropylene housing material provided structural strength to lock the assembly securely together.
Minnesota Rubber QMR Plastics uses certified assembly processes for these gauges.
The view port (lens) aligns into the liner/grommet and forms a sealing groove around the diaphragm.
The liner/grommet press fits into the housing body, which locks the four components together as the completed assembly.
These indicator gauges exemplify the benefits of using advanced elastomers and thermoplastics from an experienced, single source supplier with combined design, manufacture and assembly capabilities.
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