Filter device, in particular for cooling circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter device (22) comprising:-a tubular connector (24) comprising at least one cooling fluid inlet (30) and at least one outlet (32); -a particulate filter (26) mounted in the connector (24) and extending from the inlet (30) into the connector (24), the filter (24) having a generally elongate shape and comprising an open first longitudinal end (36) located on the inlet (30) side and a closed second longitudinal end (38) located inside the connector (24), the filter (26) comprising a filter mesh (44) and an overmolded body (46), the filter mesh extends around and along a longitudinal axis (X) of the filter (26), the filter (26) is removably mounted in the connector (24), and the second end (38) has a bottom wall converging towards the longitudinal axis (X) and towards the first longitudinal end (36).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of filter devices, in particular for use in cooling circuits. Background Art

[0002] The prior art is shown in document EP-A1-4098345.

[0003] Motor vehicle engines, for example, are equipped with a cooling circuit which is essential for the smooth operation of the engine. The cooling circuit keeps the engine at an operating temperature below the maximum recommended temperature and prevents the engine from overheating.

[0004] Typically, an engine cooling circuit includes pipes for circulating cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source to the engine. During the service life of the engine, particles may accumulate in the pipes until they clog the pipes and prevent the cooling fluid from passing through. The accumulation of these particles may cause irreversible damage to components of the cooling circuit or the engine.

[0005] In order to prevent the accumulation of these particles, it has been proposed to equip the cooling circuit with a filtering device including a particle filter. However, current particle filters are bulky and not easily integrated into the engine. In addition, the storage and transportation of particle filters are particularly restricted and the manufacturing method of such filters is complicated.

[0006] Therefore, it is common practice not to equip the cooling circuit with a particulate filter, which often compromises the proper operation and integrity of the engine.

[0007] Document US-A1-2020 / 0054973 describes a filter device for a fuel cell engine cooling circuit. The filter device comprises a tubular connector, the tubular connector comprising at least one cooling fluid inlet and at least one cooling fluid outlet and a particle filter, the particle filter is installed in the connector and extends from the inlet of the connector into the connector.

[0008] The filter has a generally elongated shape and includes a first open longitudinal end located at the inlet side and a second closed longitudinal end located inside the connector. The filter includes a filter mesh surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis of the filter and a body overmolded onto the mesh.

[0009] According to this document, the particle filter is attached to the connector by welding. This way of fixing the filter system has its disadvantages. The welding method is time-consuming, expensive and complicated. It is also an irreversible means of fixing. For example, if the filter mesh is worn, or if a blockage occurs due to particle accumulation in the filter, it is necessary to dismantle the entire filter device, i.e. remove the connector of the cooling circuit and replace it with a new assembly formed by connector and filter.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the document, the second end of the filter has a funnel for collecting and discharging particles. This funnel-like configuration of the second end of the filter creates disturbances in the flow of the cooling fluid, thereby creating pressure losses in the cooling circuit, which can impair the performance of the engine.

[0011] It is therefore necessary to provide a filter device for a cooling circuit which limits the pressure losses in the cooling circuit and which is easy to implement, inexpensive and easy to maintain. Summary of the invention

[0012] To this end, the present invention proposes a filter device, which is particularly used in a cooling circuit, and comprises:

[0013] - a tubular connector comprising at least one inlet for a cooling fluid and at least one outlet for the cooling fluid,

[0014] - a particle filter mounted in the connector and extending from the inlet into the connector, the filter having a generally elongated shape and comprising an open first longitudinal end located on the inlet side and a closed second longitudinal end located inside the connector, the filter comprising a filter mesh and an overmolded body, the filter mesh surrounding and extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter.

[0015] The filter device is notable in that the filter is removably mounted in the connector and the second end has a bottom wall that converges toward the longitudinal axis and toward the first longitudinal end.

[0016] According to the present invention, the filter is detachably mounted in the connector. This detachable connection makes it easier to install and remove the filter in the connector. The installation and maintenance of the filter device become easy.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention, in contrast to the prior art funnel configuration, the bottom wall of the second end of the filter converges towards the longitudinal axis and towards the first end. This feature of the invention allows the cooling fluid flowing in the filter to be guided to the filter mesh, thereby promoting the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling circuit downstream of the filtering device. Compared to annular or funnel-shaped bottom walls, the bottom wall according to the invention allows the flow disturbances in the connector to be reduced, thereby allowing the pressure losses in the cooling circuit to be reduced.

[0018] Thus, thanks to the filter device of the invention, the filter can be easily mounted and dismounted and the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling circuit is ensured without significant pressure losses.

[0019] The method according to the invention may include one or more of the following features used alone or in combination with each other:

[0020] - The cooling circuit is the cooling circuit of the engine or the fuel cell,

[0021] - the bottom wall comprises a conical or frustoconical surface located inside the filter and having a top end centered on the longitudinal axis,

[0022] the conical or frustoconical surface has a generatrix which forms an angle α of between 10° and 45° with the longitudinal axis,

[0023] the first longitudinal end has a first diameter, the second longitudinal end has a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, preferably 1.5 to four times greater than the second diameter,

[0024] the bottom wall has a longitudinal dimension along the longitudinal axis representing between 2% and 20%, preferably between 5% and 10%, of the length of the filter along the longitudinal axis,

[0025] the filter comprises a frustoconical filter wall, at which the filter mesh is located, and to which the bottom wall is connected by an annular rim, which is located at the second longitudinal end of the filter mesh,

[0026] - the bottom wall defines a recess outside the filter, the recess being centered on the longitudinal axis and surrounded by the annular rim,

[0027] - the first longitudinal end has an external annular shoulder which bears axially on an annular edge of the inlet of the connector,

[0028] - The filter snaps into place in the connector,

[0029] - the first longitudinal end has at least one fixing tab at the periphery of the first longitudinal end, and the connector has at least one opening into which the tab snaps into place,

[0030] the body comprises a longitudinal rib, advantageously an annular rib which is overmoulded onto the filter mesh and which extends around the longitudinal axis and is connected to the longitudinal rib,

[0031] - the number of tabs is equal to the number of longitudinal ribs and the tabs are axially aligned with the longitudinal ribs or are located on these longitudinal ribs,

[0032] - the length of the filter is such that the filter extends over 80% of the length of the connector,

[0033] - the filter mesh and the body comprise advantageously the same polymer material, chosen for example from polyamide,

[0034] - the filter mesh comprises a preferably woven fabric,

[0035] - the filtering surface area of ​​the filter mesh is between 60% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 80%, of the total outer surface area of ​​the filter,

[0036] - the connector is T-shaped and has coaxial first and second conduits and a third intermediate conduit extending perpendicularly to the common axis of the first and second conduits,

[0037] the inner diameter of the first and second conduits is, for example, 1.5 to four times the inner diameter of the third conduit, in particular twice the inner diameter of the third conduit,

[0038] - the connector comprises from three to ten openings, or more than ten openings,

[0039] - the inner diameter of the outer annular shoulder of the first longitudinal end is equal to the inner diameter of the annular rim of the inlet of the connector,

[0040] -The filter mesh has filter holes,

[0041] - the size of the pores is in the micrometer range, for example between 10 μm and 500 μm,

[0042] - The filter screen does not contain any filler material including fibers,

[0043] - the filter mesh comprises a fabric, preferably of woven type,

[0044] - the fabric comprises yarns having an average diameter between 100 μm and 2000 μm,

[0045] - the top of the conical surface of the bottom wall is pointed,

[0046] - the length of the conical or frustoconical surface of the bottom wall is at least equal to the diameter of the base of the conical surface,

[0047] - the bottom wall and the filter wall form an angle β comprised between 5° and 45°, the angle β being measured in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis,

[0048] - the recess at the second end of the filter comprises at least one material injection point, the at least one material injection point being preferably centred on the longitudinal axis,

[0049] - the recess has a frustoconical surface, the end of which having a smaller diameter is connected to a surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,

[0050] - the end of the frustoconical surface having a larger diameter is connected to the rim,

[0051] - the bottom wall has a varying thickness measured along the longitudinal axis,

[0052] - the thickness of the bottom wall is greatest at the level of the longitudinal axis of the filter and decreases towards the periphery of the bottom wall,

[0053] - the maximum thickness of the bottom wall is at least 1.5 times the minimum thickness of the bottom wall measured at the periphery of the bottom wall,

[0054] - the longitudinal ribs are located exclusively on the outside of the filter screen,

[0055] - longitudinal ribs extending from a first end to a second end of the filter,

[0056] - longitudinal ribs extend between two annular ribs and each longitudinal rib has a first end connected to one annular rib and a second end connected to an adjacent annular rib,

[0057] - longitudinal ribs and / or annular ribs are molded into the filter mesh,

[0058] - of the longitudinal ribs and the annular ribs, only the annular ribs are overmolded onto the filter mesh,

[0059] - longitudinal ribs are fixed to the annular ribs, wherein there is a radial space between the filter mesh and each longitudinal rib,

[0060] - the filter comprises an inlet opposite the second longitudinal end, the inlet having a rounded shape,

[0061] - an inlet of the filter is formed at a first longitudinal end of the filter,

[0062] - the inlet is supported on the connector,

[0063] - the inlet of the filter is formed integrally with the body of the filter,

[0064] The radius of the rounding is between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0065] The invention also relates to a cooling circuit for an engine.

[0066] The cooling circuit is notable in that it comprises at least one filter device according to any of the above features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling circuit for a motor vehicle engine,

[0069] Figure 2 Shows the assembly to Figure 1 A partial longitudinal section of the filter device of the circuit shown in FIG.

[0070] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a filter device according to the present invention, the filter device comprising a connector according to the present invention and a filter according to a first embodiment,

[0071] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the filter equipped with the filtering device,

[0072] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A partial longitudinal section of the filter shown in FIG.

[0073] Figure 6 is an enlarged partial longitudinal section of the inlet of the connector in which the filter is installed,

[0074] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a filter according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a filter according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter device according to the present invention, the filter device comprising a connector according to the present invention and a filter according to another embodiment,

[0077] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A side view of a filter provided in the filtering device,

[0078] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Another perspective view of the filter in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] Figure 1 The cooling circuit 10 is shown for example for an engine 12, in particular an engine of a motor vehicle. However, according to the invention, the cooling circuit 10 may be a cooling circuit of a fuel cell.

[0080] The cooling circuit 10 includes, for example, a source 14 of a cooling fluid and a pump 16 arranged between the source 14 and the engine 12. The pump 16 includes a cooling fluid inlet port 16a and a cooling fluid outlet port 16b, the cooling fluid inlet port being connected to the source 14. The cooling circuit 10 also includes at least one conduit 18, which serves as a passage for the cooling fluid from the source 14 to the engine 12. The conduit 18 is formed, for example, by a plurality of conduits 20a, 20b connected to each other.

[0081] The engine 12 may be thermal, electric, or hydrogen powered, such as a fuel cell.

[0082] The cooling fluid is, for example, a liquid, in particular water.

[0083] According to the present invention, the cooling circuit 10 further comprises a filter device 22. The filter device 22 is installed between the pump 16 and the engine 12, in particular, between the outlet port 16b of the pump 16 and the engine 12. Figure 2 The filter device 22 includes a connector 24 and a particle filter 26 installed in the connector 24 .

[0084] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the connector 24 is tubular and has a longitudinal axis X.

[0085] In the present invention, the terms “longitudinal”, “longitudinally”, “axial”, “axially”, “radial” and “radially” are understood to refer to the longitudinal axis X.

[0086] The terms “inner”, “innerly”, “inside”, “outer”, “externally” and “outside” are understood to relate to the distance from the longitudinal axis X along a radial axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X.

[0087] The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the flow direction F of the cooling fluid along the longitudinal axis X in the filter device 22 .

[0088] The connector 24 has a tubular body extending longitudinally between a first longitudinal end 24a and a second longitudinal end 24b. The connector also includes a first internal passage 28 extending longitudinally between the longitudinal ends 24a and 24b.

[0089] The connector 24 includes at least one cooling fluid inlet 30 and a cooling fluid outlet 32. For example, the inlet 30 is connected to the outlet 16b of the pump 16, and the outlet 32 ​​is connected to the engine 12. The inlet 30 and the outlet 32 ​​are formed at the first longitudinal end 24a and the second longitudinal end 24b, respectively, for example. The inlet 30 and the outlet 32 ​​each have an annular edge 30a, 32a.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connector 24 is, for example, T-shaped. According to this example, the tubular body comprises a first conduit 24c extending longitudinally from the first end 24a, a second conduit 24d extending to the second end 24b and coaxial with the first conduit 24c. The tubular body comprises an intermediate third conduit 24e extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the first conduit 24c and the second conduit 24d. The third conduit 24e has an auxiliary channel 24e' for the cooling fluid, which leads to the first internal channel 28. The third conduit 24e also has an outer radial end 24f, on which a second outlet 24f' for the cooling fluid is formed.

[0091] The first pipe 24c, the second pipe 24d and the third pipe 24e each have an inner diameter, and the inner diameters of the first pipe 24c and the second pipe 24d are advantageously equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the third pipe 24e. The inner diameters of the first pipe 24c and the second pipe 24d are, for example, 1.5 to four times the inner diameter of the third pipe 24e, in particular, twice the inner diameter of the third pipe 24e.

[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connector 24 also has at least one opening 34, and advantageously has a plurality of openings 34. The openings 34 are formed in the first end 24a of the connector 24. The openings 34 are evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X. The number of openings is, for example, between three and ten, and may be greater than ten. Each opening 34 is polygonal in shape, for example a square or a rectangle.

[0093] The connector 24 is mounted in the cooling circuit 10, for example by press-fitting into the ducts 20a, 20b. To this end, the connector 24 comprises, for example, an outer annular groove 25, which is formed, for example, on the first, second and third conduits 24c, 24d, 24e.

[0094] The filter 26 is a particle filter mounted in the connector 24 . The filter 26 has a generally elongated shape centered on the longitudinal axis X. Preferably, the filter 26 has a length l measured along the longitudinal axis X greater than or equal to 80% of the length L of the connector 24 .

[0095] The filter 26 is located in the first channel 28. The filter 26 also has a second internal channel 35 for the circulation of a cooling fluid.

[0096] As in Figure 4As can be seen more clearly in the figure, the filter 26 extends along the longitudinal axis X between a first longitudinal end 36, which is open, and a second longitudinal end 38, which is closed and connected together by, for example, a frustoconical filtering wall 39 centered on the longitudinal axis X. The first longitudinal end 36 and the second longitudinal end 38 are annular and centered on the longitudinal axis X. The first longitudinal end 36 and the second longitudinal end 38 have a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, respectively. The first inner diameter of the first longitudinal end 36 of the filter 26 is greater than the second inner diameter of the second longitudinal end 38. Preferably, the first inner diameter is 1.5 to four times, in particular twice, the second inner diameter of the second longitudinal end 38.

[0097] The first longitudinal end 36 is located on the side of the inlet 30 of the connector 24. Advantageously, the first longitudinal end 36 has an outer annular shoulder 36a or lip 36a which abuts axially against the annular edge 30a of the inlet 30 of the connector 24. Figure 3 or Figure 6 As can be more clearly seen in the figure, the outer diameter of the outer annular shoulder 36a is equal to the outer diameter of the annular edge 30a of the inlet 30 of the connector 24. Therefore, the outer annular shoulder 36a is axially aligned with the annular edge 30a of the inlet 30 of the connector 24.

[0098] The second longitudinal end 38 is located inside the connector 24, preferably downstream of the third conduit 24e. The second longitudinal end 38 is closed by a bottom wall 40. Figure 5 The bottom wall 40 has: an upstream surface 40 a located inside the filter 26 ; and a downstream surface 40 b perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and located outside the second internal channel 35 .

[0099] According to the invention, the bottom wall 40 converges towards the longitudinal axis X and towards the first longitudinal end 36 of the filter 26. The upstream surface 40a is therefore conical or frustoconical and has a top 42 centered on the longitudinal axis X and located inside the filter 26 in the internal passage 35 and a base 42 ′ opposite the top 42.

[0100] according to Figure 5 In the preferred embodiment, the upstream surface 40 is conical and the top 42 is pointed.

[0101] The axial length of the conical or frustoconical upstream surface 40 of the bottom wall 40 is at least equal to the diameter of the base of this surface. The bottom wall 40 has a variable thickness measured along the longitudinal axis X. This thickness is maximum at the level of the longitudinal axis X of the filter 26 and decreases towards the periphery of the bottom wall 40. Preferably, the bottom wall 40 has a maximum longitudinal dimension d1 measured along the longitudinal axis X, which represents between 2% and 20%, preferably between 5% and 10%, of the length l of the filter 26. The longitudinal dimension d1 is measured along the longitudinal axis X between the top 42 and the downstream surface 40b. Therefore, the longitudinal dimension d1 represents the maximum thickness of the bottom wall 40. This maximum thickness is at least 1.5 times the minimum thickness of the bottom wall 40 measured at the periphery of the bottom wall.

[0102] Preferably, the conical upstream surface 40a has a generatrix Z forming an angle α comprised between 10° and 45° with the longitudinal axis X. The angle α represents the half angle at the top end of the cone.

[0103] The bottom wall 40 is advantageously made of a polymer material, for example chosen from polyamides.For example, the bottom wall is overmoulded.

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown by the arrows in , the conical or frustoconical upstream surface 40a directs the flux F of the cooling fluid towards the filter wall 39. Directing the flow in this way reduces the disturbance of the cooling flux in the cooling circuit 10. The pressure losses in the cooling circuit are thus limited.

[0105] The conical upstream surface 40 a with the pointed tip 42 also improves the guidance of the cooling flux F towards the filter wall 39 .

[0106] Furthermore, the advantageous length of the conical or frustoconical upstream surface 40 a allows a larger guide surface to be created in order to further improve the guidance of the cooling flux F towards the filtering wall 39 .

[0107] The bottom wall 40 is connected to the filtering wall 39 by an annular rim 40 c, which is located at the second end 38 of the filter 26. Advantageously, the bottom wall 40 and the filtering wall 39 form an angle β comprised between 5° and 45°, measured in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis X. The annular rim 40 c is made of the same polymer material as the bottom wall 40. The annular rim 40 is, for example, overmoulded with the bottom wall 40.

[0108] The bottom wall 40 also has a recess 40d, also called a cavity, located outside the internal passage 35. This recess 40d has a truncated conical surface with an upstream end and a downstream end, the diameter of the downstream end being greater than the diameter of the upstream end. The upstream end of smaller diameter is connected to or formed by the downstream surface 40b of the bottom wall 40, while the downstream end of larger diameter is radially delimited by an annular rim 40c. The recess 40d has at least one injection point for polymer material. Such a recess 40d facilitates the manufacture of the filter 26 by molding. In fact, the recess 40d constitutes the following area, at which the injection point of polymer material can be provided during molding. In the case where the injection point is located in this recess 40d, during the handling and installation of the filter 26, the bottom wall 40 advantageously does not have protruding parts that may endanger the safety of the operator. In addition, when the polymer material is injected, the maximum axial thickness of the bottom wall 40 promotes the uniform distribution of the material in the mold and limits molding defects.

[0109] Furthermore, the recess 40d allows reducing the size of the filter 26. In fact, compared to a bottom wall 40 not having such a recess 40d, for the same filtering surface, the axial size of the filter 26 is reduced due to the recess 40d.

[0110] Furthermore, the filter 26 comprises a storage space 40e for particles, which is delimited by the base 42' of the upstream surface 40a of the bottom wall 40 and radially by the filtering wall 39. The storage space 40e allows particles to accumulate and be stored in the downstream portion of the filter 26 without reducing the effective filtering surface area of ​​the filter 26.

[0111] The filtering wall 39 is substantially frustoconical in shape. The filtering wall 39 advantageously has an inner diameter that decreases towards the outlet 28 of the connector 24.

[0112] The filter 26 comprises a filter mesh 44 and an overmolded body 46. The filter mesh 44 constitutes the filter wall 39. Thus, the filter mesh extends between the first longitudinal end 36 and the second longitudinal end 38. Specifically, the filter mesh 44 extends from the annular shoulder 36a to the annular rim 40c.

[0113] The filter mesh 44 has filter holes for passing the cooling fluid while retaining the polluting particles. For example, the size of the holes is in the micrometer range, for example, between 10 μm and 500 μm.

[0114] The filter mesh 44 advantageously has a filtering surface area of ​​between 60% and 95% of the total outer surface area of ​​the filter 26 , in particular between 70% and 80% of the total outer surface area of ​​the filter 26 .

[0115] The filter mesh 44 comprises a preferably woven fabric comprising polymer threads. The polymer of the yarns is for example selected from polyamide, polyolefin (such as polypropylene, polyethylene) or polyester.

[0116] The average diameter of the wires is preferably between 100 μm and 2000 μm.

[0117] Advantageously, the fabric of the filter mesh 44 contains no filler including fibers.

[0118] According to a first embodiment, the body 46 is overmolded onto the filter mesh 44 .

[0119] During the overmolding operation of the body 46 , maintenance of the filter screen 44 is improved due to the conical or frusto-conical shape of the upstream surface 40 a .

[0120] The body 46 comprises longitudinal ribs 48 and advantageously annular ribs 50 connected to the longitudinal ribs 50. The longitudinal ribs 48 and the annular ribs 50 are overmolded onto the filter mesh 44 according to the filter mesh.

[0121] These longitudinal ribs are evenly spaced around the longitudinal axis X.

[0122] According to this first embodiment, the longitudinal ribs 48 also extend from the first longitudinal end 36 to the second longitudinal end 38 of the filter 26 .

[0123] In order to withstand the forces associated with the internal pressure, the longitudinal ribs 48 are preferably located exclusively on the outside of the filter mesh 44. Depending on the diameter of the filter 26, the longitudinal ribs 48 are, for example, two, three, four or five or more.

[0124] The annular ribs 50 are centered on the longitudinal axis X. These annular ribs are evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis X. According to this embodiment, the body 46 has, for example, a first annular rib located on the first longitudinal end 36 and forming an annular shoulder 36a, a second annular rib located on the second longitudinal end 38 and forming an annular rim 40c, and a third central annular rib 50a located at an equal distance from the first and second annular ribs.

[0125] Advantageously, the bottom wall 40 forms an integral part of the body 46 .

[0126] The body 46 comprises a polymer material, which is preferably the same as the polymer material of the filter mesh 44. Preferably, the polymer material is selected from polyamides. The body 46 is formed, for example, by overmolding.

[0127] The body 46 reinforces the filter mesh 44 against stresses related in particular to the internal pressure of the cooling circuit 10 .

[0128] According to the invention, the filter 26 is removably mounted, preferably snap-fitted, in the connector 24. To this end, the filter 26 advantageously comprises at least one fixing tab 52 that snaps into a corresponding slot 34 in the connector 24. Advantageously, the filter 26 comprises a plurality of tabs 52 evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X. In particular, the filter 26 comprises as many tabs 52 as there are openings 34 and longitudinal ribs 48.

[0129] The tabs 52 are formed on the outer periphery of the first longitudinal end 36 of the filter. Preferably, the tabs 52 are axially aligned with the longitudinal ribs 48 or are located on the longitudinal ribs 48.

[0130] Preferably, the tabs 52 are overmolded onto the filter screen 44. For example, these tabs are formed during the manufacture of the body 46, thereby forming an integral part of the body 46.

[0131] The lugs 52 are polygonal in shape, preferably substantially rectangular. Each lug has a lug 52a and a support end 52a, so that the lugs 52a can be inserted into the corresponding openings 34 by pressing the connector 24 onto the lugs 52. The lugs 52a allow the filter 26 to be locked in translation and rotation in the connector 24.

[0132] This detachable connection, which is preferably a snap-fit, makes it easier to assemble and remove the connector 24 in the filter 26, thereby facilitating the installation of the filter device 22 and its maintenance.

[0133] Furthermore, the tapered configuration of the bottom wall 40 allows for directing the cooling fluid towards the filtering wall 39 to reduce disturbances to the cooling fluid flux in the connector 24 , thereby reducing pressure losses in the cooling circuit 10 .

[0134] Due to the filter device 22 of the invention, the filter 26 can be easily mounted and dismounted and the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling circuit 10 is ensured without significant pressure losses.

[0135] Figure 7 A second embodiment of a filter 26 is shown. Figures 1 to 6 The entire description of is applicable to the second embodiment. Only the differences are described below.

[0136] Figure 7 The filter 26 of the second embodiment differs from the filter 26 of the first embodiment described above in that the longitudinal ribs 48 extend discontinuously between the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the filter 26. According to this second embodiment, each longitudinal rib 48 has a first end 48a connected to an annular rib 50 and a second end 48b connected to another adjacent annular rib 50. The longitudinal ribs 48 can be axially aligned or offset. The longitudinal ribs 48 can be evenly or irregularly distributed around the longitudinal axis X.

[0137] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the filter 26 has four annular ribs 50 evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis X and situated at the ends respectively forming the outer annular shoulder 36 a and the annular rim 40 c .

[0138] Figure 8 A third embodiment of a filter 26 is shown. Figures 1 to 6 The entire description of applies to the third embodiment. Only the differences are described below.

[0139] Figure 8 The filter 26 in the embodiment differs from the filter 26 in the first embodiment in that the longitudinal ribs 46 are fixed to the annular ribs 50a and a radial space 54 is provided between the filter mesh 44 and each longitudinal rib 46. In this design, only the annular ribs 50 are overmolded onto the filter mesh 44.

[0140] Figures 9 to 11 One embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figures 1 to 8 The entire description of applies to this embodiment.

[0141] The filter 26 has an inlet 55 for the fluid F located on the first longitudinal end 36 side and the inlet is therefore opposite to the bottom wall 40. The inlet 55 is supported by the connector 24. The inlet 55 may be formed by the shoulder 36a or the lip 36a.

[0142] The inlet 55 is annular and centred on the longitudinal axis X.

[0143] The inlet 55 has a generally flared shape towards the first longitudinal end of the filter 26 and towards the exterior of the filter 26 and therefore away from the longitudinal axis X.

[0144] The inlet 55 has a free peripheral edge 56 and an inner surface 57. The inner surface 57 has a rounded shape 58. The rounded shape 58 extends to the peripheral edge 56 of the inlet 55. The radius of the rounded shape 58 is preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0145] The inlet 55 is integral with the body 46 of the filter 26 .

[0146] The inlet 55 of the filter 26 having a rounded shape 58 allows limiting the disturbance of the fluid flow. In addition, the inlet 55 is formed directly on the body 46 of the filter 26, so that no additional components are required to form the inlet of the filter.

Claims

1. A filter device (22), in particular for use in a cooling circuit (10), comprising: a tubular connector (24) comprising at least one inlet (30) for a cooling fluid and at least one outlet (32) for said cooling fluid, a particle filter (26) mounted in the connector (24) and extending from the inlet (30) into the connector (24), the filter (26) having a generally elongated shape and comprising an open first longitudinal end (36) on the side of the inlet (30) and a closed second longitudinal end (38) located inside the connector (24), the filter (26) comprising a filter mesh (44) surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the filter (26) and an overmolded body (46), Characterized in that the filter (26) is removably mounted in the connector (24), and the second end (38) has a bottom wall (40) which converges toward the longitudinal axis (X) and toward the first longitudinal end (36).

2. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The bottom wall (40) includes a conical or frustoconical surface (40a) located inside the filter (26) and having a top end (42) centered about the longitudinal axis (X).

3. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The conical or frustoconical surface (40a) has a generatrix (Z) which forms an angle (α) of between 10° and 45° with the longitudinal axis (X).

4. A filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first longitudinal end (36) has a first diameter and the second longitudinal end (38) has a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, preferably 1.5 to four times the second diameter.

5. The filter device according to claim 2, characterized in that The bottom wall (40) has a longitudinal dimension (d1) along the longitudinal axis (X), which represents between 2% and 20%, preferably between 5% and 10%, of the length (l) of the filter (26) along the longitudinal axis (X).

6. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter (26) comprises a frustoconical filter wall (39), the filter mesh (44) is located at the filter wall, and the bottom wall (40) is connected to the filter wall (39) by an annular rim (40c), which is located at the second longitudinal end (38) of the filter (26).

7. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The bottom wall (40) defines a recess (40d) outside the filter (26), the recess being centered on the longitudinal axis (X) and surrounded by the annular rim (40c).

8. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The recess (40d) includes at least one material injection point.

9. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The recess (40d) has a frustoconical surface, one end of which has a smaller diameter, connected to a surface (40b) that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X).

10. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The larger diameter end of the frustoconical surface is connected to the annular rim (40c).

11. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first longitudinal end (36) has an outer annular shoulder (36a) which bears axially against an annular edge (30a) of the inlet (30) of the connector (24).

12. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter (26) snaps into the connector (24).

13. Filter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The first longitudinal end (36) has at least one securing tab (52) at an outer periphery of the first longitudinal end, and the connector (26) has at least one opening (34) into which the tab (52) snap fits.

14. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The body (46) comprises longitudinal ribs (48) and advantageously, the body (46) comprises an annular rib (50) which is overmolded onto the filter mesh (44) and which extends around the longitudinal axis (X) and is connected to the longitudinal ribs (48).

15. Filter device according to all of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that The number of the tabs (52) is equal to the number of the longitudinal ribs (48), and the tabs (52) are axially aligned with or located on the longitudinal ribs (48).

16. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The length of the filter (26) is such that the filter extends over more than 80% of the length (L) of the connector (24).

17. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter mesh (44) and the body (46) comprise advantageously the same polymer material, chosen for example from polyamide.

18. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter mesh (44) comprises a preferably woven fabric.

19. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filtering surface of the filter mesh (44) is between 60% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 80%, of the total outer surface of the filter (26).

20. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter (26) comprises an inlet (55) opposite the second longitudinal end (38), the inlet (55) having a rounded shape (58).

21. A cooling circuit (10) for an engine (12), characterized in that The cooling circuit comprises at least one filter device (22) according to any of the preceding claims.

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