U.S. patent application number 11/993573 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for liquid filtering device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MANN+HUMMEL GMBH. Invention is credited to Ralf Blum, Sven Epli, Herbert Jainek, Markus Kolczyk, Jorg Kramer, Rainer Loos, Daniel Lucas.
Application Number | 20100224161 11/993573 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36926910 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100224161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kolczyk; Markus ; et
al. |
September 9, 2010 |
Liquid Filtering Device
Abstract
A filter arrangement for liquids has a filter housing and a
functional carrier arranged inside the filter housing. A
cylindrical filter element is inserted axially into the filter
housing and defines an unfiltered side and a filtered side inside
the filter housing. A non-return diaphragm is secured within the
filter housing, wherein the non-return diaphragm is arranged on the
functional carrier so as to effect an axial and/or radial sealing
action of the unfiltered side relative to the filtered side of the
filter arrangement.
Inventors: |
Kolczyk; Markus;
(Mundelsheim, DE) ; Loos; Rainer; (Freiberg,
DE) ; Lucas; Daniel; (Zaragoza, ES) ; Epli;
Sven; (Heilbronn, DE) ; Jainek; Herbert;
(Heilbronn, DE) ; Blum; Ralf; (Aham, DE) ;
Kramer; Jorg; (Hechingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mann+Hummel GMBH;Department VR-P
Hindenburgstr. 45
Ludwigsburg
71638
DE
|
Assignee: |
MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
Ludwigsburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
36926910 |
Appl. No.: |
11/993573 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
June 22, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP06/63462 |
371 Date: |
May 21, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/196A ;
210/441; 210/450 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 29/21 20130101;
B01D 35/16 20130101; B01D 2201/34 20130101; F01M 2001/1064
20130101; B01D 2201/305 20130101; B01D 35/157 20130101; F01M
2011/033 20130101; F02M 37/0029 20130101; Y02T 10/126 20130101;
F02M 37/32 20190101; B01D 35/1576 20130101; B01D 2201/167 20130101;
F02M 37/46 20190101; B01D 35/18 20130101; F01M 11/03 20130101; B01D
35/153 20130101; F02M 31/20 20130101; B01D 29/232 20130101; B01D
2201/295 20130101; B01D 35/147 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/196.A ;
210/450; 210/441 |
International
Class: |
F01M 11/03 20060101
F01M011/03; B01D 27/08 20060101 B01D027/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 010 445.0 |
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
12. A filter arrangement for liquids, the filter arrangement
comprising: a filter housing; a functional carrier arranged inside
the filter housing; a cylindrical filter element inserted axially
into the filter housing and defining an unfiltered side and a
filtered side inside the filter housing; a non-return diaphragm
secured within the filter housing, wherein the non-return diaphragm
is arranged on the functional carrier so as to effect an axial
and/or radial sealing action of the unfiltered side relative to the
filtered side of the filter arrangement.
13. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
non-return diaphragm is comprised of an elastomer and is attached
to an axial projection of the functional carrier in such a way that
the non-return diaphragm has a contact on sealing surfaces of the
filter housing which contact is flexible within predetermined
limits in an axial direction of the filter arrangement.
14. The filter arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the axial
projection of the functional carrier is sized such that the axial
projection, upon contacting a step of the filter housing, provides
a stop so that a length of the axial projection defines a
predetermined pretension of the non-return diaphragm when resting
against the sealing surfaces.
15. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
functional carrier is a central tube that is metal-free and fixedly
connected to the filter element, wherein the non-return diaphragm
is fixedly attached to the central tube.
16. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
functional carrier is a metal-free central tube that is fixedly
mounted on the filter housing, wherein the non-return diaphragm is
fixedly mounted on the central tube.
17. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
functional carrier is an end plate connected fixedly to the filter
element, wherein the non-return diaphragm is attached to the end
plate.
18. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
functional carrier is an end plate fixedly connected to the filter
element, wherein the non-return diaphragm is attached to the end
plate, wherein the end plate has radial noses that laterally engage
matching recesses of the filter housing, wherein the recesses are
sized such that, when the recesses are contacted by the radial
noses, a stop is formed that defines a remaining space, wherein the
remaining space provides a predetermined pretension when the
non-return diaphragm contacts the sealing surface of the filter
housing.
19. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
functional carrier is an end plate connected with a snap-on
connection to the filter element, wherein the non-return diaphragm
is attached to the end plate, wherein radial snap-on noses of the
end plate engage laterally intermediate spaces of folded filter
webs of the filter element above an axial glued connection of the
filter webs and, when doing so, extensions of the non-return
diaphragm are radially and/or axially clamped between the
functional carrier and the filter element for sealing purposes.
20. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
non-return diaphragm is fixedly connected to the functional carrier
by gluing, welding, or by a two-component method.
21. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the
non-return diaphragm is detachably connected to the functional
carrier by coupling.
22. The filter arrangement according to claim 12, wherein a liquid
to be filtered is fuel or a lubricant for an internal combustion
engine of a motor vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a filtering arrangement for
liquids, in particular for oil or fuel of an internal combustion
engine, according to the preamble of the independent claim.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Filter elements for liquid filtration of viscous media such
as oil or fuel are produced in a conventional way from pleated
filter media preferably in a cylindrical shape. These filter
elements can be free of metal and can be provided with an end plate
of film, cardboard, plastic material, for example, PA, or something
similar. Embodiments with metal end plates and a central metal tube
are possible also. In this connection, the pleats of the filter
elements are often incorporated into the end plates, for example,
glued, welded, or foamed, and directly connect these elements.
[0003] The embodiments comprising a central tube for receiving the
filter elements are often designed such that a reciprocal sealing
action of the unfiltered side and the filtered side in the flow of
the medium to be filtered is realized by means of an O-ring that is
pushed onto the central tube; the O-ring is then exchangeable
during servicing.
[0004] It is disclosed, for example, in DE 100 46 494 A1 to employ
a metal-free filter element in an oil filter for filtering oil of
an internal combustion engine. This filter element is inserted into
a housing and the housing is closed off by a lid. In the housing,
for reducing oil return upon shut-down of the internal combustion
engine, a non-return vale is usually provided. In this connection,
at least one seal is arranged on the filter element such that it
rests seal-tightly against a housing wall of the filter housing
within a predetermined axial movement area.
[0005] For preventing the filter housing from draining completely
in the tube direction, it is also customary to employ a
spring-loaded valve that is permanently introduced into the
housing. These non-return valves are inserted in a separate
assembly step into the housing and the non-return valves are
comprised usually of a valve plate that is pre-tensioned by a
spring; a valve crown; and a valve seat. The valve is screwed into
the housing or inserted, wherein, generally, it is disadvantageous
that assembly of this module is complex.
[0006] For example, DE 42 40 656 C2 disclose a further filtering
arrangement for fuel and/or lubricants of an internal combustion
engine in which a bottom drainage is provided that is closed off by
an end plate of the filter element upon insertion of the filter
element. This drainage is opened as soon as the filter element is
removed so that the oil can flow out through this drainage bore
into a catch basin. Also known in the prior art is a non-return
valve that is comprised of a metal plate that is loaded by a spring
and that seals the supply bore for the unfiltered oil. In this
connection, different valve components are required.
[0007] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,712 discloses a filter for
liquids in which the end plates of the cylindrical filter element
are made from plastic material that is connected to the filter
element. As a non-return diaphragm, an additional radially sealing
rubber diaphragm is provided that rests against the end plate and
is inserted during assembly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention has the object to further develop a filter
arrangement according to the preamble of the independent claim in a
simple way such that a non-return valve can be produced and mounted
in the filter housing in a simple way.
[0009] The filter arrangement for liquids in accordance with the
invention has according to the preamble a cylindrical filter
element that is insertable axially into the filter housing, wherein
the filter element after mounting effects closure of a return
device for the unfiltered liquid that is to be filtered with at
least one seal secured on the filter element acting as a non-return
diaphragm. In an advantageous way, the filter arrangement according
to the invention is designed such that the non-return diaphragm is
mounted on a functional carrier of the filter arrangement in such a
way that an axial and/or radial sealing action of the unfiltered
side and filtered side of the filter arrangement is effected.
[0010] The liquids to be filtered can be, for example, fuel and/or
lubricants for an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle,
but also water. Preferably, the non-return diaphragm can be mounted
on an axial projection of the functional carrier in such a way that
a flexible contact of the non-return diaphragm on the sealing
surfaces of the filter arrangement results within axially
predetermined limits.
[0011] In an especially advantageous way, the axial projection of
the functional carrier is dimensioned such that by means of the
projection, upon contacting a step of the filter housing, a stop is
provided. By means of an advantageous size of the length of the
projection, after insertion of the filter element and hitting the
step, a predetermined pretension of the non-return diaphragm
resting against the sealing surface can be effected by the
remaining space allowing a flexible deformation of the
diaphragm.
[0012] Moreover, according to another advantageous embodiment, the
functional carrier can be an end plate that is fixedly connected to
the filter element, wherein the non-return diaphragm is attached to
the end plate and wherein the end plate is designed such that
radial noses are provided on it that laterally engage matching
recesses of the filter housing, wherein the recesses in this
connection are also sized such that with the recesses when
contacted by the radial noses a stop is formed so that by means of
the remaining space a predetermined pretension can be generated
when the diaphragm rests against the sealing surface of the filter
housing.
[0013] With the aforementioned embodiment, correct mounting can be
ensured because in this way it is made sure that the pretension of
the non-return diaphragm is not too great, that the filter element
as a result of the stop does not sag downwardly, and that an
incorrectly mounted filter element is pushed onto its seal
seat.
[0014] It can be especially advantageous when the functional
carrier has a metal-free central tube fixedly connected to the
filter element to which the non-return diaphragm is seal-tightly
attached. On the central tube in a simple way a diaphragm, for
example, made from elastomer, is mounted that prevents that the
filter housing will run empty in certain mounting situations. The
diaphragm is designed such that it acts as a radial or axial seal
between the unfiltered and filtered sides with a corresponding
projection of the filter housing. The non-return diaphragm is
exchangeable in this embodiment and is exchanged together with the
filter element.
[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment the functional
carrier is a central tube that is metal-free and is mounted fixedly
in the housing of the filter arrangement, wherein the non-return
diaphragm is fixedly connected to the tube. In this connection, the
embodiment of the central tube must however be such that the filter
element can be removed in a direction toward the lid. For this
purpose, the diaphragm must be made of a material, for example, an
appropriate elastomer, that is permanent and matched to the service
life of the vehicle. The material of the central tube can be
selected within limits but should be completely incineratable so
that in this connection in particular plastic materials such PA,
PP, PE, POM, PUR or comparable materials are advantageous.
[0016] In an advantageous way, the functional carrier can also be
an end plate that is fixedly connected to the filter element and to
which the diaphragm is attached. However, in many applications it
is also very advantageous when the functional support has an end
plate that is connected by means of a snap-on connection to the
filter element to which end plate the non-return diaphragm is
attached. In this connection, when snapping on or axially pushing
the end plate against the end faces of the filter element radial
snap-on noses can engage laterally the intermediate spaces of the
folded filter webs of the filter element above the axial glued
connection of the filter webs and provide a detachable connection
in this way. In this connection, elastomer extensions of the
non-return diaphragm that are secured on the functional carrier can
be clamped radially and/or axially between the functional carrier
in the filter element for sealing purposes.
[0017] Such a component that is composed of the non-return
diaphragm and the functional carrier can be pre-manufactured in a
simple way independent of the filter element and can be attached by
simple manipulations and optionally can also be removed once the
filter element is mounted.
[0018] The non-return diaphragm in all afore described embodiments
can be connected fixedly to the functional carrier by gluing,
welding, or by means of a two-component method. Alternatively, a
detachable connection of the non-return diaphragm with the
functional carrier by coupling can be provided.
[0019] As a result of the space-saving embodiment of a valve as a
non-return diaphragm in accordance with the invention, the filter
housing can be very compact. The non-return diaphragm can be
produced and mounted inexpensively and is therefore less expensive
than a spring-loaded cup valve in accordance with the prior art.
The non-return diaphragm according to the invention can be embodied
as a shaped part and, in an advantageous way, can take over the
sealing function of an O-ring as a seal for the otherwise required
sealing action between the unfiltered side and filtered side of the
filter arrangement so that this element can also be eliminated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Embodiments of the filter arrangement according to the
invention will be explained with the aid of the Figures. It is
shown in:
[0021] FIG. 1 a section of a basic configuration of a filter
arrangement for liquids according to the prior art;
[0022] FIG. 2a a schematic illustration of a filter element for a
filter arrangement according to FIG. 1 with a non-return diaphragm
and an axial sealing action of the unfiltered side in the liquid
flow;
[0023] FIG. 2b a schematic illustration of a filter element for a
filter arrangement according to FIG. 1 with a non-return diaphragm
and a radial sealing action of the unfiltered side in the liquid
flow;
[0024] FIG. 3a a detail illustration of a radially sealing
non-return diaphragm with a two-component attachment on an end
plate of the filter element;
[0025] FIG. 3b a detail view of an axially sealing non-return
diaphragm with a two-component attachment on an end plate of the
filter element;
[0026] FIG. 3c a detail illustration of a radially sealing
non-return diaphragm that is coupled to an end plate of the filter
element;
[0027] FIG. 3d a detail view of an axially sealing non-return
diaphragm that is coupled to an end plate of the filter
element;
[0028] FIG. 3e a detail illustration of another embodiment of an
axially sealing non-return diaphragm that is connected to an end
plate of the filter element;
[0029] FIG. 4 a schematic illustration of an axially sealing
non-return diaphragm that is mounted on a two-part snapped-on
central tube for a filter element;
[0030] FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of an axially sealing
non-return diaphragm that is mounted on a single-part central tube
for a filter element;
[0031] FIG. 6 a schematic illustration of a radially sealing
non-return diaphragm that is mounted on a single-part central tube
for a filter element;
[0032] FIG. 7 a further schematic illustration of a non-return
diaphragm that is mounted on an extended central tube for a filter
element;
[0033] FIGS. 8a to 8c further embodiments of attachments of the
non-return diaphragm on the central tube according to FIG. 7;
[0034] FIG. 9 an embodiment of an end plate on the filter element
that has a stop for generating a defined pretension for the
non-return diaphragm;
[0035] FIG. 10 an embodiment that has an end plate with a
non-return diaphragm and can be attached to the filter element by
means of a snap-on connection;
[0036] FIG. 11 a plan view of one embodiment of an end plate with
radial noses.
EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In FIG. 1 a filter arrangement is illustrated that, in
principle, corresponds to a filter arrangement for fuel or
lubricant for an internal combustion engine disclosed in the prior
art reference DE 100 46 494 A1. The unfiltered liquid that is to be
filtered flows through an inlet 1 into the filter housing that is
comprised of a top part 2 and a bottom part 3. In the filter
housing, a filter element 4 of zigzag-folded filter paper is
arranged that is pushed onto a central tube 5 and is clamped
fixedly upon joining the filter housing. The unfiltered liquid
flows through the filter element 4 and exits at the filtered side
through the central tube 5 and through the outlet 6.
[0038] A non-return diaphragm 7, for example, made of elastomer, is
arranged on the end plate 8 of the filter element 4 and releases at
the unfiltered side the liquid flow but upon interruption of the
flow, for example, when the internal combustion engine is shut
down, prevents return flow into the supply channel 1 as the
diaphragm contacts axially or radially the filter housing. FIGS. 2a
and 2b illustrate the principal mechanisms of the function of such
non-return diaphragms 7; FIG. 2a shows an axial sealing action and
FIG. 2b shows a radial sealing action.
[0039] FIGS. 3a to 3e show respectively different embodiments of
the non-return diaphragm 7 mounted on an end plate 8. The FIGS. 3a
and 3b show non-return diaphragms 7 that are glued, welded or
connected by a two-component method, and FIGS. 3c to 3e show
non-return diaphragms 7 coupled to the end plate 8.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the attachment of the non-return diaphragm 7 on
a two-part central tube 5, and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show,
respectively, an attachment of the non-return diaphragm 7 on a
single-part central tube 5.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the non-return diaphragm
7 is attached to the central tube 5 in such a way that a sealing
bead 9 results with which a radial sealing action between the
central tube 5 and the bottom housing part 3 (compare FIG. 1) can
be realized. FIG. 8a shows the possibility of an axial sealing
action with the sealing bead 9, and FIGS. 8b and 8c show further
sealing actions as a supplement to the arrangement according to
FIG. 7.
[0042] In FIG. 9, as a supplement to the illustrations of FIGS. 3a
to 3c, it is shown that for an end plate 8 as a functional carrier
a non-return diaphragm 10 can be attached to the end plate 9 and in
particular to a projection in the form of an axial projection 11 of
the end plate 8. This area of the end plate 8 is embedded by
injection-molding with an elastomer for forming the non-return
diaphragm 10 wherein, in this connection, a radial seal 12 for
sealing relative to an inner sealing pin 13 can be integrated. The
axial projection 11 is sized with regard to its length such that by
means of it upon contacting the step 14 of the filter housing a
stop is formed so that as a result of the remaining space (arrow
15) a predetermined pretension can be produced when the non-return
diaphragm 10 contacts the sealing surface of the filter
housing.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of an end plate 16
as a functional carrier having on the exterior so-called snap-on
noses 17 so that the non-return diaphragm 10 with the end plate 16
can be connected by means of a snap connection to the filter
element 4. Upon snapping on or upon axial sliding onto the end
surface of the filter element 4, the snap-on noses 17 engage
laterally the intermediate spaces of the folded filter webs of the
filter element 4 above an axial glued connection 18 of the filter
webs and provide a detachable connection in this way.
[0044] In this connection, it is also possible to provide by
injection molding elastomer extensions on the non-return diaphragm
10 radially and/or axially between the end plate 16, 17 and the
filter element 4 that, for providing a sealing action, are clamped
during mounting.
[0045] An end plate 20 according to FIG. 11 is designed such that,
as a modification to the end plate 16 according to FIG. 10, radial
noses 21 are provided that engage lateral recesses, not shown, of
the filter housing, as is illustrated e.g. by means of the bottom
part 3 according to FIGS. 2a and 2b. The recesses are sized such
that with them, when contacted by the radial noses 21, a stop is
formed so that by means of the remaining space a predetermined
pretension can be produced when the non-return diaphragm contacts
the sealing surface of the filter housing.
TECHNICAL UTILITY
[0046] The invention is, for example, usable in automotive
technology, in particular in filter arrangements for liquids, in
particular for oil or fuel.
* * * * *