Filter element and housing having first and second engagement regions

Abstract

This application relates to a filter element and a housing having a first engagement region and a second engagement region. A filter cartridge assembly includes a housing defining an internal volume. A first end of the housing defines a first engagement region and a second engagement region. The first engagement region includes a ramp extending at an angle between a first wall and a second wall of the first engagement region. The second engagement region is spaced apart from and structurally different from the first engagement region. A filter element is disposed within the internal volume and includes a filter medium and an end cap. The end cap includes a first engagement region with a first lug projecting radially from an outer peripheral edge of the end cap at an angle and positioned close to the ramp at the mounting location of the filter element within the housing. The end cap also includes a second engagement region structurally different from the first engagement region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to filters for use with internal combustion engine systems. Background Technology

[0002] Internal combustion engines typically use various fluids during operation. For example, fuel (e.g., diesel, gasoline, natural gas, etc.) is used to run the engine. Air can be mixed with fuel to create an air-fuel mixture, which the engine then uses to operate under stoichiometric or lean conditions. One or more lubricants can also be provided to the engine to lubricate its various components (e.g., piston cylinders, crankshaft, bearings, gears, valves, cams, etc.). These fluids can be contaminated with particulate matter (e.g., carbon, dust, metal particles, etc.), which can damage engine components if not removed from the fluids. To clean the fluids used in internal combustion engines, filter assemblies are used to filter them. Some filter assemblies include filter elements positioned within a housing (e.g., a shell-like housing). Installing filter elements, and especially removing them from their housings, can be difficult and may require special tools, increasing maintenance costs and time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for mounting filter elements within a housing, and more particularly, to filter assemblies including filter elements having end caps. The end caps include a first engagement region defining a triangular protrusion configured to engage a first housing engagement region to facilitate mounting or removing the filter element from the housing. The end caps also include a second engagement region structurally different from the first engagement region and configured to engage a second housing engagement region of the housing.

[0004] Various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in one or more of the following embodiments.

[0005] 1) In one set of embodiments, the filter cartridge assembly includes a housing defining an internal volume. A first end of the housing defines a first engagement region, which includes a first wall of the first engagement region, a second wall of the first engagement region spaced apart from the first wall, and a ramp of the first engagement region extending between the first wall and the second wall at an inclined angle. A second engagement region is spaced apart from the first engagement region along the periphery of the housing and is structurally different from the first engagement region. A filter element is disposed within the internal volume. The filter element includes a filter medium and an end cap coupled to a first end of the filter medium, the first end of the filter medium being positioned near the first end of the housing. The end cap includes a first engagement region including a first ledge that projects radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap at a first ledge angle corresponding to the inclined angle, and is positioned near the ramp of the first engagement region in the mounting position of the filter element within the housing. The end cap also includes a second end cap engagement area, which is structurally different from the first end cap engagement area and is configured to mate with the second housing engagement area in the installation position.

[0006] 2) The filter cartridge assembly according to 1), wherein the edge of the first wall of the first joint area of ​​the housing away from the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing is chamfered.

[0007] 3) According to the filter cartridge assembly of 1), wherein the first joint area of ​​the housing further includes a first joint area lug, the first joint area lug extending circumferentially from the edge of the second wall of the first joint area of ​​the housing away from the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing, the first joint area lug being located above the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing.

[0008] 4) According to the filter cartridge assembly of 3), wherein the first engagement area of ​​the end cap further includes: a second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, such that a first lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap contacts a corresponding first lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, and a second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap is located above a corresponding second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap; and a third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending from the second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap to the second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap.

[0009] 5) According to the filter cartridge assembly of 4), wherein, at the installation position of the filter element, there is an axial space between the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap and the lug of the first engagement area of ​​the housing.

[0010] 6) The filter cartridge assembly according to 4) or 5), wherein, at the mounting position of the filter element, the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap contacts the second wall of the first engagement area of ​​the housing.

[0011] 7) The filter cartridge assembly according to any one of 1)-5), wherein the second housing engagement region comprises: a first wall of the second housing engagement region, a second wall of the second housing engagement region spaced apart from the first wall of the second housing engagement region, and a base of the second housing engagement region extending between the first wall of the second housing engagement region and the second wall of the second housing engagement region, the recess being defined in the base of the second housing engagement region.

[0012] 8) The filter cartridge assembly according to 7), wherein the second engagement area of ​​the end cap includes a second engagement area lug and a protrusion, the second engagement area lug extending from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and radially offset from the first engagement area lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, and the protrusion extending axially downward from the surface of the second engagement area lug and received in the recess at the mounting position of the filter element.

[0013] 9) The filter cartridge assembly according to 8), wherein the second engagement region of the housing includes a protrusion at a lateral edge of the base of the second engagement region of the housing, the protrusion extending axially upward from the base of the second engagement region of the housing, wherein a portion of the lug of the second engagement region of the end cap is disposed on the protrusion at the uninstalled position of the filter element.

[0014] 10) A filter cartridge assembly according to any one of 1)-5) and 8)-9), wherein the end cap includes a tube extending axially away from the filter medium and disposed around the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge assembly.

[0015] 11) In another embodiment, the filter element includes a filter medium and an end cap, the end cap being coupled to a first end of the filter medium, wherein the first end of the filter medium is positioned near a first end of the housing when the filter element is mounted in the housing. The end cap includes a first engagement region with a first lug that projects radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap at a first lug angle and is configured to be disposed on a slope of the housing first engagement region near the mounting position of the filter element. A second engagement region includes a second engagement region lug extending from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and radially offset from the first lug of the first engagement region, and a protrusion extending axially downward from the surface of the second engagement region lug and configured to be received in a recess defined in the base of the housing second engagement region in the mounting position.

[0016] 12) The filter element according to 11), wherein the first engagement area of ​​the end cap further includes a second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap such that a first lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap contacts a corresponding first lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, and a second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap is located above a corresponding second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap.

[0017] 13) The filter element according to 12), wherein the first engagement area of ​​the end cap further includes a third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, and the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending from the second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap to the second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap.

[0018] 14) A filter element according to any one of 11)-13), wherein the end cap includes a tube that extends axially away from the filter medium and is disposed around the longitudinal axis of the filter element.

[0019] 15) The filter element according to 14), wherein the end cap further includes a plurality of first ribs extending axially upward from a first surface of the end cap located away from the filter medium, and the plurality of first ribs extending radially from the tube to at least one of the first engagement region of the end cap and the second engagement region of the end cap.

[0020] 16) The filter element according to 15), wherein the end cap further includes a plurality of second ribs extending radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, the plurality of second ribs being disposed axially below at least one of the first engagement area and the second engagement area of ​​the end cap.

[0021] 17) A filter element according to any one of 11)-13) and 15)-16), wherein the end cap is a first end cap, and the filter element further comprises: a second end cap disposed on a second end of the filter medium opposite to the first end of the filter medium.

[0022] 18) In yet another embodiment, the housing of the filter cartridge assembly includes a housing body defining an internal volume. A first end of the housing body defines a first housing engagement region, the first housing engagement region including a first wall of the first housing engagement region, a second wall of the first housing engagement region spaced apart from the first wall of the first housing engagement region, and a slope of the first housing engagement region extending at an inclined angle between the first wall of the first housing engagement region and the second wall of the first housing engagement region. A second housing engagement region includes a first wall of the second housing engagement region, a second wall of the second housing engagement region spaced apart from the first wall of the second housing engagement region, and a base of the second housing engagement region extending between the first wall of the second housing engagement region and the second wall of the second housing engagement region, with a recess defined in the base of the second housing engagement region.

[0023] 19) The housing according to 18), wherein the first joint area of ​​the housing further includes a first joint area lug, the first joint area lug extending circumferentially from the edge of the second wall of the first joint area of ​​the housing away from the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing, the first joint area lug being located above the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing.

[0024] 20) The housing according to 18) or 19), wherein the second engagement region of the housing includes a protrusion at the lateral edge of the base of the second engagement region of the housing.

[0025] It should be recognized that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and the additional concepts discussed in more detail below (provided that these concepts do not contradict each other) are contemplated as part of the subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of the claimed subject matter appearing in this disclosure are contemplated as part of the subject matter disclosed herein. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, the following description, and the appended claims. It should be understood that these drawings depict only a few embodiments according to this disclosure and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which will be described with additional specificity and detail using the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1A This is a side sectional view of a filter assembly according to an embodiment, the filter assembly including a filter cartridge assembly including a filter element mounted in a housing and coupled to a filter head.

[0028] Figure 1B From Figure 1A Filter head removal Figure 1A A perspective view of the filter cartridge assembly.

[0029] Figure 2A yes Figure 1B A perspective view of the housing of the filter cartridge assembly; Figure 2B It includes the first joint area of ​​the housing. Figure 2A A perspective view of the first part of the housing of the filter cartridge assembly, and Figure 2C It includes the second joint area of ​​the housing. Figure 2A A perspective view of the second part of the housing of the filter cartridge assembly.

[0030] Figure 3A yes Figure 1B A perspective view of the filter element of the filter cartridge assembly; Figure 3B It includes the first mating area of ​​the end cap. Figure 3A A perspective view of the first part of the filter element of the filter cartridge assembly, and Figure 3C It includes the second joint area of ​​the end cap. Figure 3A A perspective view of the second part of the filter element of the filter cartridge assembly.

[0031] Figures 4A-4D Together they showed that Figure 3A The filter element is installed into Figure 2A The process within the shell.

[0032] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings throughout the following detailed description. In the drawings, similar symbols generally identify similar parts unless the context otherwise indicates. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, aspects of this disclosure can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a variety of different configurations, all of which are expressly contemplated and are part of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for mounting filter elements within a housing, and more particularly, to filter assemblies including filter elements having end caps. The end caps include a first engagement region defining a triangular protrusion configured to engage a first housing engagement region to facilitate mounting or removing the filter element from the housing. The end caps also include a second engagement region structurally different from the first engagement region and configured to engage a second housing engagement region of the housing.

[0034] Various filter assemblies include filter elements positioned within a housing (such as a shell-like housing). Installing and, particularly, removing filter elements from their housings can be difficult and may require special tools, increasing maintenance costs and time. For example, without special tools, it may be difficult to push a filter element into or pull it out of the housing. Other filter elements and associated housings may include snap-fit ​​features to facilitate the installation and securing of the filter element within the housing. However, such snap-fit ​​features may require tight dimensional tolerances during the machining of the filter element or housing components, increasing manufacturing costs.

[0035] The embodiments of the filter cartridge assembly described herein, comprising a filter element and a housing including two engagement zones, may provide one or more benefits, such as: (1) facilitating proper alignment of the filter element with the housing by providing two structurally distinct engagement zones on the filter element and the housing; (2) allowing the housing to be molded or cast instead of using expensive machining operations, since strict dimensional tolerances are not required; (3) allowing the filter element to be installed in the housing without the use of snap-fit ​​features, thereby facilitating the installation and removal of the filter element from the housing; and (4) providing an interlocking feature in at least one engagement zone to prevent the filter element from rotating within the housing once it is properly installed in the housing.

[0036] Figure 1A This is a side sectional view of a filter assembly 10 according to an embodiment, the filter assembly 10 including a filter cartridge assembly 100 coupled to a filter head 12, and Figure 1BA filter cartridge assembly 100 removed from a filter head 12 is shown. The filter cartridge assembly 100 can be used to filter liquids (e.g., lubricants, fuels, coolants, etc.), gases (e.g., air), air / fuel mixtures, or other fluids supplied to an engine or engine-related systems. The filter cartridge assembly 100 includes a housing 101 and a filter element 130 disposed within the housing 101.

[0037] Figure 2A It shows Figure 1B A perspective view of the housing 101 of the filter cartridge assembly. The housing 101 defines an internal volume within which the filter element 130 is disposed. The housing 101 includes a housing body 102, which may be formed of a robust and rigid material, such as plastics (e.g., polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), polymers (e.g., reinforced rubber, silicone), or any other suitable material. In a particular embodiment, the housing 101 may include a cylindrical housing having a generally circular cross-section. In a particular embodiment, the housing 101 may include a shell-like housing.

[0038] Also refer to Figures 2B-2C The housing body 102 includes a first housing end 103 (e.g., a top end) and a second housing end 104 (e.g., a bottom end) opposite the first housing end 103. The second housing end 104 may be closed, and the first housing end 103 is open and defines an opening through which the filter element 130 is inserted into and mounted within the housing 101. The first housing end 103 defines a first housing engagement region 110 and a second housing engagement region 120, the second housing engagement region 120 being radially spaced from the first housing engagement region 110 along the periphery of the housing 101. The second housing engagement region 120 is structurally different from the first housing engagement region 110, as described in further detail herein.

[0039] A set of housing threads 106 may be circumferentially defined on the outer surface of the housing body 102 near the first end 103 of the housing, below the first engagement area 110 and the second engagement area 120 of the housing. For example... Figure 1A As shown, the filter head 12 includes a flange 15 extending from the peripheral edge of the filter head 12 toward the filter cartridge assembly 100. A set of filter head threads 16 are formed on the inner surface of the flange 15. This set of housing threads 106 can be configured to engage the set of filter head threads 16 to connect the first end 103 of the housing to the filter head 12. A groove 107 (e.g., a circumferential groove) can be formed below the set of housing threads 106 on the outer surface of the housing body 102, and a housing sealing member 109 (e.g., a gasket or O-ring) is disposed within the groove 107. Figure 1AAs shown, when the housing 101 is attached to the filter head 12, the housing sealing member 109 can be configured to form a radial seal with the filter head 12. Furthermore, ribs 108 (e.g., circumferential ribs) are provided below the recess 107 and project radially outward from the outer surface of the housing body 102. The filter cartridge assembly 100 can be screwed into the filter head 12 until the ribs 108 contact the proximal end of the flange 15, such that when the housing 101 is screwed into the filter head 12, the ribs 108 limit the travel distance of the first end 103 of the housing into the filter head 12.

[0040] The housing first engagement region 110 and the housing second engagement region 120 may include cutouts formed in the housing first end 103. The housing first engagement region 110 includes a housing first engagement region first wall 113, a housing first engagement region second wall 116 spaced radially from the housing first engagement region first wall 113, and a housing first engagement region slope 112 extending between the housing first engagement region first wall 113 and the housing first engagement region second wall 116. The housing first engagement region slope 112 is inclined at a slope inclination angle α (e.g., in a particular embodiment, in the range of 10 degrees to 60 degrees, including 10 degrees and 60 degrees).

[0041] In some embodiments, the edge 114 of the first wall 113 of the housing first engagement region, away from the housing first engagement region slope 112 (e.g., located at the edge of the housing first end 103), is chamfered. This can facilitate the insertion of the corresponding engagement region of the filter element 130 into the housing first engagement region 110. In some embodiments, the housing first engagement region 110 also includes a housing first engagement region lug 118 extending circumferentially from the edge of the housing first engagement region second wall 116 away from the housing first engagement region slope 112, such that the housing first engagement region lug 118 is located axially above the housing first engagement region slope 112.

[0042] The housing second engagement region 120 includes a housing second engagement region first wall 125, a housing second engagement region second wall 127 spaced apart from the housing second engagement region first wall 125, and a housing second engagement region base 122 extending between the housing second engagement region first wall 125 and the housing second engagement region second wall 127. A recess 123 is defined in the housing second engagement region base 122 and is configured to receive part of a corresponding engagement region of the filter element 130, as described in further detail herein.

[0043] Each of the first wall edge 126 of the second wall 125 of the housing second engagement region and the second wall edge 128 of the second wall 127 of the housing second engagement region is chamfered, for example, to facilitate the insertion of the corresponding engagement region of the filter element 130 into the housing second engagement region. In some embodiments, the housing second engagement region 120 includes a protrusion 124 located at the lateral edge of the housing second engagement region base 122. The protrusion 124 extends axially upward from the housing second engagement region base 122.

[0044] Filter element 130 is along the longitudinal axis A of filter cartridge assembly 100. L It is removably disposed within the internal volume defined by the housing 101. (Reference) Figure 3A The filter element 130 includes a filter medium 132. The filter medium comprises a porous material having a predetermined pore size and is configured to filter particulate matter from a fluid flowing through it. The filter medium 132 may include pleated media, tetrahedral media, fluted media, corrugated media, or variations thereof. In some embodiments, a set of strips 133 may be arranged circumferentially around the filter medium 132 along its longitudinal axis at predetermined intervals along its axial length. The set of strips 133 may be formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber, polymer, etc.) and may be configured to fix multiple pleats or corrugations of the filter medium 132 (e.g., maintain spacing between pleats).

[0045] Filter medium 132 can be a radial flow filter medium (i.e., configured to filter fluid when it flows radially through filter medium 132). For example... Figure 1A As shown, filter media 132 can define a central channel, within which a central tube 170 is disposed. In a particular embodiment, the central tube 170 can be included in the filter element 130 (e.g., filter media 132 can be wound around the central tube 170 or otherwise coupled to the central tube 170). Dirty fluid can enter the housing body 102 around the filter media 132 and flow radially through the filter media 132 during filtration.

[0046] Filter element 130 includes a first end cap 140 coupled to a first end of filter medium 132, the first end cap 140 being positioned near a first end 103 of housing 101 within which filter element 130 is mounted. Filter element 130 may also include a second end cap 134 coupled to a second end (e.g., the bottom end) of filter medium 132 opposite to the first end of filter medium. The second end cap 134 may protect the end of filter medium 132 from damage and / or maintain the shape (e.g., cylindrical shape) of filter medium 132 when filter element 130 is inserted into housing 101 to facilitate insertion of filter element 130 into housing 101. In a particular embodiment, the first end cap 140 and the second end cap 134 may be fixedly coupled to the first and second ends of filter medium 132 respectively via adhesive or thermal bonding.

[0047] Also refer to Figures 3B-3C The first end cap 140 includes a first end cap engagement region 150 configured to abut or engage with a housing first engagement region 110 when the filter element 130 is mounted in the housing 101. The first end cap 140 also includes a second end cap engagement region 160 radially offset from and structurally different from the first end cap engagement region 150. The second end cap engagement region 160 is configured to abut or engage with a housing second engagement region 120 when the filter element 130 is mounted in the housing 101. In various embodiments, the first end cap 140 may include two first end cap engagement regions 150 radially offset from each other by approximately 180 degrees. Furthermore, the first end cap 140 may include two second end cap engagement regions 160 radially offset from each other by approximately 180 degrees and radially offset from each first end cap engagement region 150 by approximately 90 degrees.

[0048] Further extending, the end cap first engagement region 150 includes an end cap first engagement region first lug 152, which extends radially from the outer peripheral edge 141 (or outer peripheral surface) of the first end cap 140 relative to the plane containing the top surface of the first end cap 140 at a first lug tilt angle β (e.g., in the range of 10 to 60 degrees, including 10 and 60 degrees). The end cap first engagement region first lug 152 is configured or constructed to be disposed near the housing first engagement region slope 112 of the housing first engagement region 110 in the mounting position of the filter element 130 within the housing 101 (e.g., disposed on and in contact with the housing first engagement region slope 112). In some embodiments, the first lug tilt angle β may correspond to the slope tilt angle α (e.g., equal to the slope tilt angle α or within +5 degrees of the slope tilt angle α).

[0049] The first engagement region 150 of the end cap may further include a second lug 154 extending radially from the outer peripheral edge 141 of the first end cap 140, such that a first lateral edge of the second lug 154 contacts a corresponding first lateral edge of the first lug 152 of the first engagement region, and a second lateral edge of the second lug 154 is located above a corresponding second lateral edge of the first lug 152 of the first engagement region. For example, the second lug 154 may extend parallel to the top surface of the first end cap 140, i.e., at an angle of approximately zero degrees relative to the plane extending from the top surface of the first end cap 140.

[0050] The first engagement region 150 of the end cap may further include a third lug 156 extending radially from the outer peripheral edge 141 of the first end cap 140. The third lug 156 extends from the second lateral edge of the second lug 154 of the first engagement region to the second lateral edge of the first lug 152 of the first engagement region (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis A). L Or, at an angle of 90 degrees + 5 degrees relative to the plane extending from the top surface of the first end cap 140. Therefore, the first lug 152, the second lug 154, and the third lug 156 of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap can together form a triangular protrusion radially projecting from the outer peripheral edge 141 (or surface) of the first end cap 140. The third lug 156 of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap can contact the second wall 116 of the first engagement area of ​​the housing at the mounting position of the filter element 130.

[0051] The second engagement region 160 of the end cap includes a second engagement region lug 162 extending from the outer peripheral edge 141 (or surface) of the first end cap 140 and radially offset from the first engagement region lug 152. The second engagement region lug 162 may extend parallel to the top surface of the first end cap 140, i.e., at an angle of approximately zero degrees relative to the plane in which the top surface of the first end cap 140 extends. A protrusion 164 extends axially downward from the surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the second engagement region lug 162 and is configured or constructed to be received in a recess 123 defined in the housing second engagement region base 122 of the housing second engagement region 120 at the mounting position of the filter element 130, thereby inhibiting rotation of the filter element 130 within the housing 101. The protrusion 164 may extend from the midpoint of the second engagement region lug 162.

[0052] In some embodiments, the housing second engagement region base 122 may have a first width W1 extending from the lateral edge of the protrusion 124 away from the housing second engagement region first wall 125 to the housing second engagement region second wall 127, the first width W1 corresponding to the second width W2 of the end cap second engagement region lug 162, for example, equal to or slightly greater than the second width W2 (e.g., in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm or greater). In the installation position of the filter element 130, the end cap second engagement region lug 162 may rest on the housing second engagement region base 122 between the lateral edge of the protrusion 124 and the housing second engagement region second wall 127, which further suppresses rotation of the filter element 130 relative to the housing 101.

[0053] like Figure 1B As shown, in the installation position, a portion of the second lug 154 of the end cap first engagement area is located axially below the lug 118 of the housing first engagement area, such that in the installation position of the filter element 130, there is an axial space or gap between the second lug 154 of the end cap first engagement area and the lug 118 of the housing first engagement area. Therefore, when the filter element 130 is not rotating, the axial displacement of the filter element 130 is limited by the axial top surface of the contact between the second lug 154 of the end cap first engagement area and the lug 118 of the housing first engagement area. The lug 118 of the housing first engagement area can also facilitate the removal of the filter element 130 and the housing 101 together from the filter head to which the filter cartridge assembly 100 is attached by limiting the axial displacement of the filter element 130 relative to the housing 101.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first end cap 140 includes a tube 142 (e.g., a fluid inlet tube or a fluid outlet tube) that extends axially away from the filter medium 132 and surrounds the longitudinal axis A of the filter element 130. LConfiguration. A tube 142 is configured to be inserted into a corresponding filter head tube 14 of the filter head 12 to fluidly connect the filter element 130 to the filter head 12. The filter head tube 14 may be an inlet configured to communicate dirty fluid to the tube 142 of the first end cap 140, or alternatively, configured to receive clean fluid that has been filtered by the filter element 130 through the tube 142 of the end cap and communicate clean fuel to an outlet outside the cartridge assembly 100. An end cap sealing member 144 is disposed circumferentially around the tube 142, for example, at least partially located within a circumferential groove defined on the outer surface of the tube 142. The end cap sealing member 144 is configured to form a radial seal with the inner surfaces of the inlet / outlet of the filter head 12.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first end cap 140 further includes a plurality of first ribs 146 extending axially upward from a first surface (e.g., the top surface of the first end cap 140 positioned away from the filter medium 132). The plurality of first ribs 146 extend radially from the tube 142 to at least one of the first end cap engagement region 150 and the second end cap engagement region 160, for example, to each of the first end cap engagement region 150 and the second end cap engagement region 160 (e.g., extending along the top surfaces of the second lugs 154 and 162 of the first end cap engagement region). The plurality of first ribs 146 can serve as reinforcing ribs to enhance the structural integrity of the first end cap 140.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first end cap 140 further includes a plurality of second ribs 168 extending radially outward from the outer peripheral edge 141 of the first end cap 140. The plurality of second ribs 168 are axially disposed below at least one of the first engagement region 150 and the second engagement region 160 of the end cap, for example, below each of the first engagement region 150 and the second engagement region 160 (e.g., below the first lug 152 of the first engagement region and below the protrusion 164 of the second engagement region 160). In some embodiments, when the filter element 130 is mounted in the housing 101, the plurality of second ribs 168 may serve as spacer ribs and may have a width corresponding to the radial distance between the outer peripheral edge 141 of the first end cap 140 and the inner surface of the housing 101 to maintain the radial distance and suppress lateral movement of the filter element 130 within the housing 101.

[0057] Figures 4A-4D Together they showed that Figure 3A The filter element is installed into Figure 2A The process within the shell. Figure 4AAt position 410, the filter element 130 is inserted into the housing 101 such that the second end of the filter medium, provided with the second end cap 134, is first inserted into the internal volume defined by the housing 101. When the filter element 130 is inserted into the housing 101, it can be rotated until the first engagement region 150 of the end cap is substantially axially aligned with the first engagement region 110 of the housing, and the second engagement region 160 of the end cap is substantially axially aligned with the second engagement region 120 of the housing.

[0058] exist Figure 4B At position 420, the end cap first engagement region 150 engages with the housing first engagement region 110, such that the first lug 152 of the end cap first engagement region rests on the inclined surface 112 of the housing first engagement region near the first wall 113 of the housing first engagement region. Furthermore, the end cap second engagement region 160 engages with the housing second engagement region 120, such that a portion of the end cap second engagement region 160 rests on the protrusion 124, and the protrusion 164 is offset from the recess 123.

[0059] exist Figure 4C At position 430, the filter element 130 rotates further until the protrusion 164 approaches the recess 123, and the third lug 156 of the first engagement region of the end cap approaches the second wall 116 of the first engagement region of the housing, and a portion of the second lug 154 of the first engagement region of the end cap is below the lug 118 of the first engagement region of the housing. However, because the lug 162 of the second engagement region of the end cap can still rest on the protrusion 124, the filter element 130 can rotate without axially moving into the housing 101, such that at step 430, a gap can exist between the first lug 152 of the first engagement region of the end cap and the inclined surface 112 of the first engagement region of the housing.

[0060] At 440, the filter element 130 is further rotated such that the protrusion 164 is axially aligned with and inserted into the recess 123, and the end cap second engagement region lug 162 rests on the housing second engagement region base 122 between the protrusion 124 and the housing second engagement region second wall 127. Furthermore, the end cap first engagement region first lug 152 is close to or rests on the housing first engagement region slope 112, and the end cap first engagement region third lug 156 is close to or contacts the housing first engagement region second wall 116.

[0061] To remove the filter element 130 from the housing 101, the filter element 130 can be axially displaced until the protrusion 164 is positioned outside the recess 123, and then rotated until any portion of the second lug 154 of the first engagement region of the end cap is no longer below the lug 118 of the first engagement region of the housing. The filter element 130 can then be moved along the longitudinal axis A. L Axial displacement is performed to remove the filter element 130 from the housing 101.

[0062] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” generally mean plus or minus 10% of the value stated. For example, approximately 0.5 would include 0.45 and 0.55, approximately 10 would include 9 to 11, and approximately 1000 would include 900 to 1100.

[0063] It should be noted that the term "example" used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate possible examples, representations, and / or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to mean that such embodiments must be particular or best examples).

[0064] As used herein, the terms “link” and “connection” refer to two components being directly or indirectly linked to each other. Such a link can be fixed (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such a link can be achieved by two components, or two components and any additional intermediate components, being integrally formed into a single unit, or by two components, or two components and any additional intermediate components, being attached to each other.

[0065] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many modifications (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of various elements, values ​​of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) are possible without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications, variations, and omissions may also be made in the design, operation, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0066] While this specification contains numerous specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting any embodiment or the scope of the claims, but rather as descriptions of features characteristic of a particular implementation of a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of individual implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple implementations. Furthermore, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, and even initially claimed in this way, in some cases, one or more features from a claimed combination may be removed from that combination, and the claimed combination may refer to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

Claims

1. A filter cartridge assembly, comprising: - A housing, the housing defining an internal volume, the first end of the housing defining: -- A first joint area of ​​the housing, the first joint area of ​​the housing including a first wall of the first joint area, a second wall of the first joint area spaced apart from the first wall of the first joint area, and a slope of the first joint area, the slope of the first joint area extending between the first wall and the second wall of the first joint area at an inclined angle, and -- A second housing joint area, spaced apart from the first housing joint area along the periphery of the housing and structurally different from the first housing joint area, wherein the second housing joint area includes: a first wall of the second housing joint area, a second wall of the second housing joint area spaced apart from the first wall of the second housing joint area, and a base of the second housing joint area extending between the first wall of the second housing joint area and the second wall of the second housing joint area, a recess defined in the base of the second housing joint area; and - A filter element disposed within the internal volume, the filter element comprising: -- Filter media, and -- An end cap, the end cap being connected to a first end of the filter medium, the first end of the filter medium being positioned near a first end of the housing, the end cap comprising: --- End cap first engagement area, the end cap first engagement area including an end cap first engagement area first lug, the end cap first engagement area first lug protruding radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap at a first lug inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclined surface, and disposed near the inclined surface of the first engagement area of ​​the housing at the mounting position of the filter element within the housing, and --- End cap second engagement area, which is structurally different from the end cap first engagement area and is configured to mate with the housing second engagement area in the mounting position.

2. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The edge of the first wall of the first joint area of ​​the housing, away from the inclined surface of the first joint area of ​​the housing, is chamfered.

3. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first joint area of ​​the housing also includes a first joint area lug, which extends circumferentially from the edge of the second wall of the first joint area away from the inclined surface of the first joint area, and the first joint area lug is located above the inclined surface of the first joint area.

4. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The first mating area of ​​the end cap further includes: A second lug in the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the second lug extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, such that a first lateral edge of the second lug contacts a corresponding first lateral edge of the first lug in the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, and a second lateral edge of the second lug in the first engagement area of ​​the end cap is located above a corresponding second lateral edge of the first lug in the first engagement area of ​​the end cap; and The end cap first engagement area has a third lug, which extends radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and extends from the second lateral edge of the second lug of the end cap first engagement area to the second lateral edge of the first lug of the end cap first engagement area.

5. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 4, wherein, At the installation position of the filter element, there is an axial space between the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap and the lug of the first engagement area of ​​the housing.

6. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, At the installation position of the filter element, the third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap contacts the second wall of the first engagement area of ​​the housing.

7. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The second engagement area of ​​the end cap includes a second engagement area lug and a protrusion. The second engagement area lug extends from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and is radially offset from the first engagement area lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap. The protrusion extends axially downward from the surface of the second engagement area lug and is received in the recess at the mounting position of the filter element.

8. The filter cartridge assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The second joint area of ​​the housing includes a protruding portion located at the lateral edge of the base of the second joint area of ​​the housing, the protruding portion extending axially upward from the base of the second joint area of ​​the housing. Wherein, a portion of the lug in the second engagement area of ​​the end cap is disposed on the protruding portion at the uninstalled position of the filter element.

9. The filter cartridge assembly according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7-8, wherein, The end cap includes a tube that extends axially away from the filter medium and is positioned around the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge assembly.

10. A filter element, comprising: Filter media; as well as An end cap is connected to the first end of the filter medium. When the filter element is installed in the housing, the first end of the filter medium is positioned close to the first end of the housing. The end cap includes: An end cap first engagement area includes a first lug that protrudes radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap at a first lug inclination angle and is configured to be disposed on the inclined surface of the housing first engagement area near the mounting position of the filter element. The end cap second engagement area includes an end cap second engagement area lug and a protrusion. The end cap second engagement area lug extends from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and is radially offset from the end cap first engagement area lug. The protrusion extends axially downward from the surface of the end cap second engagement area lug and is configured to be received in a recess defined in the base of the housing second engagement area in the mounting position. The housing second engagement area is structurally different from the housing first engagement area.

11. The filter element according to claim 10, wherein, The first engagement area of ​​the end cap also includes a second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, such that the first lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap contacts the corresponding first lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, and the second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap is located above the corresponding second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap.

12. The filter element according to claim 11, wherein, The first engagement area of ​​the end cap also includes a third lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap, which extends radially from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap and extends from the second lateral edge of the second lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap to the second lateral edge of the first lug of the first engagement area of ​​the end cap.

13. The filter element according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein, The end cap includes a tube that extends axially away from the filter medium and is positioned around the longitudinal axis of the filter element.

14. The filter element according to claim 13, wherein, The end cap further includes a plurality of first ribs that extend axially upward from a first surface of the end cap located away from the filter medium, and that extend radially from the tube to at least one of the first engagement area and the second engagement area of ​​the end cap.

15. The filter element according to claim 14, wherein, The end cap further includes a plurality of second ribs extending radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end cap, and the plurality of second ribs being disposed axially below at least one of the first engagement area and the second engagement area of ​​the end cap.

16. The filter element according to any one of claims 10-12 and 14-15, wherein, The end cap is a first end cap, and the filter element further includes: The second end cap is disposed on the second end of the filter medium opposite to the first end of the filter medium.

17. A housing for a filter cartridge assembly, comprising: A shell body, defining an internal volume, and a first end of the shell body defining: The housing first joint area includes a first wall of the housing first joint area, a second wall of the housing first joint area spaced apart from the first wall of the housing first joint area, and a slope of the housing first joint area, the slope of the housing first joint area extending between the first wall of the housing first joint area and the second wall of the housing first joint area at an inclined angle; and The housing second joint area includes a housing second joint area first wall, a housing second joint area second wall spaced apart from the housing second joint area first wall, and a housing second joint area base extending between the housing second joint area first wall and the housing second joint area second wall, with a recess defined in the housing second joint area base.

18. The housing according to claim 17, wherein, The first joint area of ​​the housing also includes a first joint area lug, which extends circumferentially from the edge of the second wall of the first joint area away from the inclined surface of the first joint area, and the first joint area lug is located above the inclined surface of the first joint area.

19. The housing according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, The second joint area of ​​the housing includes a protruding portion located at the lateral edge of the base of the second joint area of ​​the housing.

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