Fuel filter maintenance device, fuel filter assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a fuel filter maintenance device, a fuel filter assembly and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of fuel filters, and the fuel filter maintenance device comprises a first-stage pressure release valve, a multi-stage pressure release valve and a fuel leakage alarm. And the input end of the first-stage pressure release valve is connected with an oil inlet of the fuel oil fine filter. The input end of the multi-stage pressure release valve is connected with an oil inlet of the fuel oil coarse filter, and a first-stage oil return opening is connected with an oil inlet of the fuel oil fine filter. And the fuel oil leakage alarm is respectively connected with the output end of the first-stage pressure release valve and the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure release valve. The opening of the first-stage pressure release valve is configured to be related to the pressure difference of the fuel oil fine filter, and the opening of the multi-stage pressure release valve is configured to be related to the pressure difference of the fuel oil coarse filter. The fuel oil leakage alarm is configured to give out first-stage early warning when the second-stage oil return opening of the multi-stage pressure release valve is opened and give out second-stage early warning when the output end of the first-stage pressure release valve is opened. The device is not provided with an electronic differential pressure sensor, and is simple in layout, easy to maintain and high in early warning accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of fuel filters, and particularly relates to a fuel filter maintenance device, a fuel filter assembly, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Currently, fuel filter maintenance relies primarily on timed intervals (e.g., six months or 20,000 kilometers). This approach can lead to untimely or excessive maintenance. When the fuel pressure reaches the filter's burst pressure, the filter can break and cause fuel leakage, posing a safety risk.

[0003] In related art, in two-stage or multi-stage fuel filter designs, the fine and primary fuel filters typically do not reach their final differential pressures simultaneously due to the fuel quality. Replacing all filters during maintenance wastes some of the filter's service life. While some related art employs differential pressure sensors to monitor filter status, these require specialized oil and electrical circuits, resulting in high costs and ineffective filter protection under certain operating conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a fuel filter maintenance device, a fuel filter assembly, and a vehicle, aiming to at least to some extent resolve the technical problems in related technologies of safety risks caused by untimely maintenance or waste of filter capacity caused by excessive maintenance.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fuel filter maintenance device, wherein the fuel filter includes a fuel coarse filter and a fuel fine filter arranged in sequence in a fuel flow direction, and the fuel filter maintenance device includes:

[0006] a first-stage pressure relief valve, wherein an input end of the first-stage pressure relief valve is connected to an oil inlet of the fuel fine filter;

[0007] a multi-stage pressure relief valve, wherein the input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel coarse filter, and the output end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve includes a primary oil return port and a secondary oil return port, and the primary oil return port is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel fine filter; and

[0008] a fuel leakage alarm, the fuel leakage alarm being connected to the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve and the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve respectively;

[0009] The opening of the first-stage pressure relief valve is configured to be related to the pressure differential of the fuel fine filter, and the opening of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is configured to be related to the pressure differential of the fuel coarse filter. In addition, the fuel leakage alarm is configured to issue a first-stage warning for prompting the replacement of the filter element of the fuel coarse filter when the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened, and to issue a second-stage warning for prompting the replacement of the filter element of the fuel fine filter when the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve is opened.

[0010] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-stage pressure relief valve is configured such that: when the pressure differential of the primary fuel filter reaches a preset first set pressure, the primary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened to bypass the fuel flowing out of the primary oil return port to the fuel fine filter; and, when the pressure differential of the primary fuel filter reaches a preset second set pressure, the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened to bypass the fuel flowing out of the secondary oil return port to the fuel leakage alarm, causing the fuel leakage alarm to issue a first-stage warning, wherein the first set pressure is less than the second set pressure; and

[0011] The first-stage pressure relief valve is configured to open when the oil inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter reaches a preset third set pressure, thereby bypassing the fuel flowing out of the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve to the fuel leakage alarm, causing the fuel leakage alarm to issue a second-stage warning, wherein the oil inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter is related to the pressure difference of the fuel fine filter.

[0012] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the primary pressure relief valve and the multi-stage pressure relief valve are both physical valves; and

[0013] The fuel leakage alarm includes a coarse filter alarm unit and a fine filter alarm unit that are independently provided. The input end of the coarse filter alarm unit is connected to the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve, and the input end of the fine filter alarm unit is connected to the output end of the primary pressure relief valve.

[0014] The first level warning issued by the coarse filtration alarm unit and the second level warning issued by the fine filtration alarm unit use different sound alarm and light alarm combinations.

[0015] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second set pressure is lower than the third set pressure.

[0016] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-stage pressure relief valve includes:

[0017] A valve body, wherein the valve body is provided with a hollow valve cavity and the first-stage oil return port and the second-stage oil return port communicating with the valve cavity, and one end of the valve cavity serves as an input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve;

[0018] a process plug, which is disposed at the other end of the valve cavity and is sealed with the inner wall of the valve cavity;

[0019] a valve core, the valve core being disposed inside the valve cavity, and an oil inlet passage being provided inside the valve core, the oil inlet passage being provided with a first port at one end for communicating with an input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve, and a second port at the other end for communicating with the valve cavity; and

[0020] An elastic component is arranged inside the valve cavity, and one end of the elastic component is connected to the process plug, and the other end is connected to the valve core.

[0021] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-stage pressure relief valve further includes:

[0022] A sealing component is provided at the input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve on the outside of the valve body, and is used to prevent fuel from leaking from the multi-stage pressure relief valve.

[0023] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fuel filter maintenance device further comprising:

[0024] A driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the valve core to move;

[0025] a controller having a built-in fuel filter maintenance program and connected to the drive mechanism;

[0026] The fuel filter maintenance program is configured as follows:

[0027] After receiving a fuel filter maintenance instruction, monitoring the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter and the fuel inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter;

[0028] When the pressure difference of the primary fuel filter reaches a preset first set pressure, a first control signal is sent to the driving mechanism, so that the driving mechanism drives the valve core of the multi-stage pressure relief valve to start moving until the primary oil return port is opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the primary oil return port is bypassed to the fuel fine filter; and

[0029] When the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter reaches a preset second set pressure, a second control signal is sent to the driving mechanism, so that the driving mechanism drives the valve core of the multi-stage pressure relief valve to move again until the primary oil return port and the secondary oil return port are both opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the secondary oil return port is bypassed to the fuel leakage alarm.

[0030] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fuel filter maintenance device further comprising:

[0031] A reset device is used to reset the fuel leakage alarm and the corresponding multi-stage pressure relief valve or the first-stage pressure relief valve after the fuel coarse filter or the fuel fine filter is replaced.

[0032] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-stage pressure relief valve is provided with:

[0033] a closed state, in which the valve core is in a first position, the elastic component is not compressed, and the second port is closed;

[0034] a first-stage oil return state, in which the valve core reaches the second position, the compression force of the elastic component matches the first set pressure, the second port is opened, the first-stage oil return port is opened, and the second-stage oil return port is closed;

[0035] Secondary oil return state: in the secondary oil return state, the valve core reaches the third position, the compression force of the elastic component matches the second set pressure, the second port is opened, and both the primary oil return port and the secondary oil return port are opened.

[0036] In the fuel filter maintenance device provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel leakage alarm is provided with:

[0037] A self-check module is used to automatically monitor the operating status of the fuel leakage alarm after the fuel filter maintenance device is started, and to issue a fault prompt when the operating status of the fuel leakage alarm exceeds a preset normal range.

[0038] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a fuel filter assembly, which includes a fuel filter and a fuel filter maintenance device as provided in any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a vehicle, comprising a fuel filter and a fuel filter maintenance device according to any one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] The fuel filter maintenance device, fuel filter assembly, and vehicle provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure significantly improve fuel filter maintenance efficiency and accuracy compared to related technologies. Traditional fuel filter maintenance methods typically rely on timing, making it difficult to accurately determine the degree of filter clogging, which can easily lead to untimely or excessive maintenance. The fuel filter maintenance device proposed in the present disclosure, however, does not require an electronic differential pressure sensor. Instead, it uses a physical valve to monitor the fuel filter status (the pressure difference between the primary and secondary fuel filters) and issues a timely warning when the filter is about to clog, making the structure easier to maintain while improving the safety and reliability of the fuel filter. This method of determining maintenance timing based on the opening status of the primary and secondary pressure relief valves effectively avoids mechanical failures and performance degradation caused by improper maintenance. The device does not require dedicated oil circuits and electrical circuits. Especially in marine or vehicle applications, the fuel leak alarm can also leverage existing alarms for corresponding warnings. In addition, through the secondary pressure relief valve, the dust holding capacity of the fuel fine filter can be fully utilized after the fuel coarse filter, which can effectively improve the service life of the secondary pressure relief valve product and effectively extend the service life of the fuel filter, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the overall operating efficiency and reliability of construction machinery. It solves the technical problems of related technologies such as safety risks caused by untimely maintenance or waste of filter capacity due to excessive maintenance.

[0041] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a closed state of a multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a first-stage oil return state of a multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a secondary oil return state of a multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 7 A flowchart of an example fuel filter maintenance procedure provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 8 A structural block diagram of a fuel filter assembly provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 9 A structural block diagram of a vehicle provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Reference numerals

[0053] 100-Fuel filter maintenance device; 101-First-stage pressure relief valve; 102-Multi-stage pressure relief valve; 103-Fuel leak alarm;

[0054] 200-Fuel filter; 201-Fuel fine filter; 202-Fuel coarse filter; 102a-Valve body; 102b-Process plug;

[0055] 102c-valve core; 102d-elastic component; 102e-sealing component; A-first-stage oil return port; B-second-stage oil return port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present disclosure is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. It is particularly noted that the following examples are only used to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the following examples are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0057] The terms "first," "second," and "third" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first," "second," and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two or three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples" or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, unless there is any contradiction, those skilled in the art may combine and perform secondary processing on the different embodiments or examples and the features of the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0059] The terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof, in the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, fuel filter maintenance device, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or components inherent to such process, fuel filter maintenance device, product, or apparatus.

[0060] The term "maintenance period" in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to the time at which the filter requires maintenance as specified by the factory.

[0061] The term "final pressure differential" in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to the pressure differential of the filter when it reaches the limit state that the filter element can withstand. Usually, a certain safety margin is reserved for the final pressure differential, which is slightly lower than the filter's damage pressure differential.

[0062] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel filter maintenance device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel filter 200 includes a fuel coarse filter 202 and a fuel fine filter 201 arranged in sequence in the fuel flow direction (also called the fuel inlet direction). Figure 1 As shown, the fuel filter maintenance device 100 includes a primary pressure relief valve 101 , a multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 and a fuel leakage alarm 103 .

[0063] The input end of the primary pressure relief valve 101 is connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel fine filter 201 .

[0064] The input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel coarse filter 202, and the output end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 includes a first-stage oil return port (also called a primary oil return port) and a second-stage oil return port (also called a secondary oil return port). The first-stage oil return port is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel fine filter 201.

[0065] The fuel leakage alarm is connected to the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 and the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 respectively.

[0066] Among them, the opening of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 is configured to be related to the pressure difference of the fuel fine filter 201 (the pressure difference between the input end and the output end), and the opening of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is configured to be related to the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter 202 (the pressure difference between the input end and the output end). In addition, the fuel leakage alarm 103 is configured to issue a first-stage warning to prompt the fuel coarse filter 202 to replace the filter element when the second-stage return oil port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is opened, and to issue a second-stage warning to prompt the fuel fine filter 201 to replace the filter element when the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 is opened.

[0067] It should be noted that the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is provided with multiple levels of oil return ports, including but not limited to the aforementioned first-stage and second-stage oil return ports. The multi-stage design enables the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 to more effectively respond to pressure changes at different levels within the fuel coarse filter 202. Each stage of the pressure relief valve 101 is set with a different opening pressure value to ensure that an appropriate pressure relief channel can be opened under different pressure conditions, thereby protecting the fuel system from damage caused by excessive pressure. Furthermore, this design of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 improves its operational stability and reliability, extending the service life of the fuel filter 200 and the entire fuel system. In actual applications, the precise control and efficient pressure relief capabilities of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 provide important safety guarantees for the vehicle's fuel system.

[0068] Some embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a fuel filter assembly and a vehicle corresponding to the above-mentioned fuel filter maintenance device.

[0069] The fuel filter maintenance device 100 provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is applicable to any existing use scenario of engineering machinery using a fuel filter 200, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the device can be used in various types of engineering machinery such as excavators, loaders, bulldozers, rollers, cranes, etc. In these machines, the fuel filter 200 plays a vital role. It can filter out impurities and moisture in the fuel to ensure that the engine can run stably and efficiently. However, as the use time increases, the filter element of the fuel filter 200 will gradually become clogged, resulting in poor fuel flow, which in turn affects the performance and life of the machine. By adopting the fuel filter maintenance device 100 of the present disclosure, the status of the fuel filter 200 can be monitored in real time, and an early warning can be issued in time when the filter element is about to be clogged, reminding the operator to replace the corresponding filter element.

[0070] The fuel filter maintenance device 100 proposed in this disclosure significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of fuel filter 200 maintenance compared to related technologies. Conventional fuel filter maintenance methods typically rely on timing, making it difficult to accurately determine the degree of filter clogging, which can easily lead to untimely or excessive maintenance. The fuel filter maintenance device 100 proposed in this disclosure, however, does not require an electronic differential pressure sensor. Instead, it uses a physical valve to monitor the status of the fuel filter 200 (the pressure differential between the primary fuel filter 202 and the secondary fuel filter 201) and promptly issues an early warning when the filter is about to become clogged. This makes the structure easier to maintain and improves the safety and reliability of the fuel filter 200. This method of determining maintenance timing based on the opening status of the primary and multi-stage pressure relief valves 101 and 102 effectively avoids mechanical failures and performance degradation caused by improper maintenance. The device does not require dedicated oil circuits or electrical circuits. Especially in marine or vehicle applications, the fuel leak alarm can leverage existing alarms for early warning. In addition, through the secondary pressure relief valve, the dust holding capacity of the fuel fine filter 201 can be fully utilized after the fuel coarse filter 202, which can effectively improve the service life of the secondary pressure relief valve product and effectively extend the service life of the fuel filter 200, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the overall operating efficiency and reliability of construction machinery, solving the technical problems of related technologies such as safety risks caused by untimely maintenance or waste of filter capacity due to excessive maintenance.

[0071] Among them, for the first-level pressure relief valve 101, a reasonable opening pressure value can be set to ensure that before the fuel filter 201 filter element is clogged and the fuel pressure rises to a dangerous level, the first-level pressure relief valve 101 can be opened in time to release excess fuel pressure and issue a second-level warning to protect the fuel system and engine from damage.

[0072] Multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 enables more detailed pressure management by precisely controlling the opening pressure of each stage. As the fuel filter 200's filter element becomes increasingly clogged and fuel pressure rises, each stage's pressure relief port (including the primary and secondary ports) opens sequentially, gradually releasing pressure. This ensures the fuel system is properly protected despite varying degrees of clogs. This multi-stage pressure relief mechanism not only improves fuel system safety but also provides smoother pressure release from the fuel filter, reducing the impact of transient high pressure on the fuel system and engine, further extending the service life of related components.

[0073] The fuel leak alarm 103's alarm mechanism does not require a differential pressure sensor; it simply controls the opening status of the output of the first-stage pressure relief valve and the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve. Once the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is opened, the fuel leak alarm 103 detects a fuel leak and immediately triggers a first-stage warning, reminding the operator to promptly replace the filter element of the primary fuel filter 202. Alternatively, once the output of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 is opened, the fuel leak alarm 103 detects a fuel leak and immediately triggers a second-stage warning, reminding the operator to promptly replace the filter element of the secondary fuel filter 201. This hierarchical warning mechanism not only improves the timeliness and accuracy of fault response, but also significantly reduces potential safety risks caused by fuel leaks. When the first-stage warning is triggered, it indicates that the filter element of the primary fuel filter 202 has become clogged to a certain extent and requires prompt cleaning or replacement to prevent further increases in fuel pressure and possible system damage. When the second-level warning is triggered, it means that the filter element of the fuel fine filter 201 has reached the limit of its service life and immediate action must be taken to prevent irreversible damage to the engine.

[0074] In some embodiments, to accurately provide early warning of the status of the primary fuel filter 202, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is configured such that: when the pressure differential across the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a preset first set pressure, the primary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 opens to bypass fuel flowing out of the primary oil return port to the final fuel filter 201 (i.e., the primary port opens to bypass fuel flowing out of the primary oil return port to the final fuel filter 201). Furthermore, when the pressure differential across the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a preset second set pressure, the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 opens to bypass fuel flowing out of the secondary oil return port to the fuel leak alarm 103, causing the fuel leak alarm 103 to issue a first-stage early warning (i.e., an alarm after the secondary port opens). The first set pressure is lower than the second set pressure. The multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 can be a physical valve or an electronically controlled valve. This configuration of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 ensures the stability and reliability of the fuel filter 200. When the differential pressure across primary fuel filter 202 gradually increases to a first set pressure, the opening of the first-stage fuel return port creates a bypass path for the fuel, thereby preventing excessive pressure due to clogging and protecting primary fuel filter 202 from damage. When the differential pressure continues to increase to a higher second set pressure, the opening of the second-stage fuel return port not only further bypasses the fuel but, more importantly, triggers the first-stage warning of fuel leak alarm 103, prompting the operator to promptly replace the filter element in primary fuel filter 202. This escalating response strategy ensures the continued operation of the fuel system while effectively preventing potential failures.

[0075] In some embodiments, to accurately provide early warning of the filter element status of the fuel filter 201, the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 is configured to open when the inlet pressure of the fuel filter 201 reaches a preset third set pressure, bypassing the fuel flowing out of the output of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 to the fuel leak alarm 103, causing the fuel leak alarm 103 to issue a second-stage warning. The inlet pressure of the fuel filter 201 is related to the pressure differential across the fuel filter 201. The first-stage pressure relief valve 101 can also be a physical valve or an electronically controlled valve, further enhancing the safety and reliability of the fuel filter 200 system. When the inlet pressure of the fuel filter 201, a parameter closely related to the pressure differential across the fuel filter 201, reaches the preset third set pressure, it indicates that the fuel filter 201 may be at risk of clogging. At this point, the timely opening of the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 not only provides an additional bypass path for the fuel, relieving pressure on the fuel fine filter 201, but more importantly, triggers the second-stage warning of the fuel leak alarm 103. This warning level is more urgent than the first-stage warning. It alerts the operator that the fuel filter 200 has approached or reached its operating limit and requires immediate inspection or filter element replacement to avoid more serious failure. In this way, the fuel filter maintenance device 100 can comprehensively monitor the status of the fuel filter 200 and provide timely warnings when necessary, effectively extending the service life of the fuel filter 200 and ensuring the normal operation of the construction machinery.

[0076] In some embodiments, to ensure a hierarchical and effective warning system, the second set pressure is lower than the third set pressure, i.e., the first, second, and third set pressures decrease in order. This gradient design of pressure settings ensures the hierarchical and effective warning system. When the inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter 201 reaches the lower second set pressure, the first level warning is first triggered. At this point, the system prompts the operator to replace the primary fuel filter 202 of the fuel filter 200, but this does not yet constitute an emergency response. As the pressure continues to rise, once it reaches the higher third set pressure, the second level warning is activated. This more urgent warning signal urges the operator to take immediate action and inspect or replace the filter element of the fuel fine filter 201. This design not only improves the accuracy of warnings but also effectively avoids potential risks caused by untimely or false alarms, further enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the fuel filter maintenance device 100.

[0077] In some embodiments, to reduce the uncertainty introduced by electronic components, both the first-stage pressure relief valve 101 and the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 utilize physical valves. These physical valves achieve pressure control through mechanical structures, without relying on complex electronic components or control systems. The first-stage pressure relief valve 101 is responsible for rapidly opening when the inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter 201 exceeds a third set pressure, releasing excess pressure and protecting the fuel filter 200 from damage caused by excessive pressure. The multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, on the other hand, gradually opens different levels of pressure relief channels according to the different pressure stages, enabling more precise pressure regulation. This physical valve design not only improves the stability and reliability of the system but also reduces reliance on external power sources, allowing the fuel filter maintenance device 100 to maintain efficient operation in a variety of environments.

[0078] In some embodiments, to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of early warnings, the fuel leak alarm 103 includes independently configured coarse filter alarm units and fine filter alarm units. The coarse filter alarm unit's input is connected to the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, while the fine filter alarm unit's input is connected to the output of the primary pressure relief valve 101. The coarse filter alarm unit monitors the operating pressure of the coarse fuel filter 202. When the differential pressure of the coarse fuel filter 202 abnormally rises to a preset threshold, the coarse filter alarm unit triggers an alarm signal, prompting the operator to inspect or maintain the coarse fuel filter 202. The fine filter alarm unit, on the other hand, focuses on monitoring the pressure of the fine filter 201. If the operating pressure of the fine filter 201 exceeds a safe range, the fine filter alarm unit immediately responds with an alarm, ensuring timely maintenance of the fine filter 201 and preventing the risk of fuel leaks caused by blockage or damage. This dual alarm unit design not only improves the accuracy and timeliness of fuel filter 200 maintenance but also effectively ensures the overall safety of the vehicle's fuel system.

[0079] In some embodiments, to improve operator response time, the first-level warning issued by the coarse filter alarm unit and the second-level warning issued by the fine filter alarm unit use different audible and visual alarm combinations. This design allows operators to quickly distinguish warning levels and immediately identify the specific problem with fuel filter 200. For example, the coarse filter alarm unit may use a low-pitched beeping sound accompanied by a flashing red light to indicate that the coarse filter may be clogged or slightly worn, requiring prompt inspection. Meanwhile, the fine filter alarm unit may use a high-pitched, sharp tone combined with a steady yellow light to warn that the fine filter may be at risk of severe clog or damage, requiring immediate action. This intuitive warning method significantly improves fault response time and ensures stable operation of the vehicle's fuel system.

[0080] In some embodiments, to facilitate installation and replacement, fuel filter 200 also includes a first filter seat for mounting primary fuel filter 202 and a second filter seat for mounting secondary fuel filter 201. A secondary pressure relief valve is connected in parallel to the first filter seat. The design of the first and second filter seats not only facilitates installation and replacement of primary and secondary fuel filter 202 and 201, but also optimizes the overall structure of fuel filter 200 through a rational layout, improving both ease and efficiency of maintenance.

[0081] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, in Figure 1 Based on the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 comprises a valve body 102a, a process plug 102b, a valve core 102c, and an elastic component 102d. The valve body 102a is provided with a hollow valve cavity and a first-stage oil return port A and a second-stage oil return port B that connect to the valve cavity. One end of the valve cavity serves as the input of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102. The process plug 102b is provided at the other end of the valve cavity and is sealed to the inner wall of the valve cavity. The valve core 102c is disposed within the valve cavity and has an oil inlet passageway therein. One end of the oil inlet passageway is provided with a first port for connecting to the input of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, and the other end is provided with a second port for connecting to the valve cavity. The elastic component 102d is disposed within the valve cavity, with one end of the elastic component 102d connected to the process plug 102b and the other end connected to the valve core 102c.

[0082] The collaboration between the valve core 102c and the elastic component 102d (including but not limited to a spring) plays a key role in pressure relief. When the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter 202 exceeds the first set pressure, the valve core 102c will move toward the other end of the valve cavity under the action of the elastic component 102d, so that the second port of the oil inlet passage is connected to the valve cavity, and the second port is connected to the first oil return port A, thereby achieving a first-level pressure relief of the fuel. When the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter 202 exceeds the second set pressure, the valve core 102c will continue to move toward the other end of the valve cavity under the action of the elastic component 102d, so that the second port of the oil inlet passage is connected to the valve cavity, and the second port is connected to the first oil return port A and the second oil return hole, thereby achieving a second-level pressure relief of the fuel. This multi-stage pressure relief design can perform step-by-step pressure relief according to different pressure requirements, which not only ensures the safety of the fuel system but also avoids unnecessary fuel waste. In addition, the sealed connection design of the valve body 102a and the process plug 102b ensures the sealing inside the valve cavity, prevents fuel leakage, and further improves the working efficiency and stability of the fuel filter maintenance device 100.

[0083] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another multi-stage pressure relief valve provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, in Figure 2 In addition to the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 also includes a sealing component 102e (including but not limited to a sealing ring). This sealing component 102e is positioned at the input of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, outside the valve body 102a, to prevent fuel leakage from the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102. The sealing component 102e is made of a high-quality elastic material, offering excellent sealing performance and fuel corrosion resistance. Through precise design and installation, the sealing component 102e fits tightly against the outside of the valve body 102a, effectively preventing fuel leakage from the input of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102. This design not only enhances the sealing performance of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 but also improves the safety and reliability of the entire fuel filter maintenance device 100.

[0084] In some embodiments, in order to achieve accurate early warning control, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is provided with a closed state, a first oil return state and a second oil return state. In the closed state (also the initial state), the valve core 102c is in the first position, the elastic component 102d is not compressed, and the second port is closed. Figure 4 As shown, in this state, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 does not return oil. In the first-stage oil return state, the valve core 102c reaches the second position along the oil inlet direction, the compression force of the elastic component 102d matches the first set pressure, the second port is opened, the first-stage oil return port A is opened and the second-stage oil return port B is closed, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 In the secondary oil return state, the valve core 102c reaches the third position, the compression force of the elastic component 102d matches the second set pressure, the second port is opened, and the primary oil return port A and the secondary oil return port B are both opened, as shown. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, this multi-stage pressure relief design allows the fuel filter assembly 200 to effectively release excess pressure under varying pressure conditions, thereby protecting the fuel system and engine from potential damage caused by excessive pressure. When the pressure in the fuel system exceeds a preset safety threshold, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 sequentially enters either the primary or secondary return state, depending on the pressure level, safely releasing excess fuel through different return paths to a storage device, including but not limited to the fuel tank. This design not only improves the reliability and durability of the fuel filter assembly 200, but also ensures the overall performance and safety of the vehicle's fuel system.

[0085] In some embodiments, to achieve more intelligent fuel filter maintenance, the fuel filter maintenance device 100 further includes a drive mechanism and a controller. The drive mechanism is used to move the valve core 102c. The controller has a built-in fuel filter maintenance program and is connected to the drive mechanism. The fuel filter maintenance program is configured to include the following steps S10-S30.

[0086] Step S10 : After receiving the fuel filter maintenance instruction, the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter 202 and the fuel inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter 201 are monitored.

[0087] Step S20: When the pressure difference of the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a preset first set pressure, a first control signal is sent to the drive mechanism, so that the drive mechanism drives the valve core 102c of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 to start moving until the first-stage oil return port A is opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the first-stage oil return port A is bypassed to the fuel fine filter 201.

[0088] Step S30: When the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter 202 reaches a preset second set pressure, a second control signal is sent to the driving mechanism, so that the driving mechanism drives the valve core 102c of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 to move again until both the primary oil return port A and the secondary oil return port B are opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the secondary oil return port B is bypassed to the fuel leakage alarm.

[0089] Steps S10-S30 implement intelligent maintenance of the fuel filter 200. This maintenance procedure not only extends the service life of the fuel filter 200 but also ensures stable operation of the fuel system. By real-time monitoring the pressure differential across the primary fuel filter 202 and the inlet pressure of the secondary fuel filter 201, the system can promptly detect any blockage in the fuel filter 200. By controlling the movement of the valve core 102c of the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102, fuel bypass is achieved, preventing fuel shortages or excessive fuel pressure caused by filter blockage. Furthermore, when the pressure differential across the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a second set pressure, the system triggers a fuel leak alarm, alerting the driver to promptly address any fuel leaks, further enhancing vehicle safety.

[0090] Figure 7 A flowchart of an example fuel filter maintenance procedure is provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 As shown, when the pressure differential P1 across the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a first set pressure S1, the first stage of the multi-stage pressure relief valve opens, partially bypassing the fuel to the secondary fuel filter 201. This reduces the pressure differential across the primary fuel filter 202 and protects the filter's reliability. Simultaneously, impurities in the fuel are filtered by the secondary fuel filter 201, fully utilizing the filter's dust holding capacity. When the pressure differential P1 across the primary fuel filter 202 reaches a second set pressure S2, the second stage of the multi-stage pressure relief valve opens, bypassing the fuel to the fuel leak alarm 103. This alarm prompts you to replace the primary fuel filter 202 element. When the inlet pressure P2 across the secondary fuel filter 201 reaches a third set pressure S3, the first stage of the pressure relief valve opens, partially bypassing the fuel to the secondary fuel filter 103. This alarm prompts you to replace the secondary fuel filter 201 element.

[0091] In some embodiments, to reduce the probability of false indications, the fuel filter maintenance device 100 also includes a reset device. This reset device is used to reset the fuel leak alarm 103 and the corresponding multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 or primary pressure relief valve 101 after the primary fuel filter 202 or the secondary fuel filter 201 is replaced. The reset device ensures that after the fuel filter 200 assembly is maintained or replaced, the system is restored to its initial state, ready for normal operation. The reset operation typically involves resetting the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 or primary pressure relief valve 101 to its default position and clearing any alarm conditions in the fuel leak alarm. This allows the vehicle to be safely started and operated without false indications once the fuel filter 200 assembly is reinstalled and inspected. The reset device may be a mechanical structure, such as a piston loaded by an elastic member 102d, or an electronically controlled component that receives a signal from a controller to initiate the reset. In either case, the goal is to ensure that the fuel filter maintenance device 100 can be reliably returned to service after maintenance.

[0092] In some embodiments, the electronic or mechanical multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 is configured with a closed state, a primary oil return state, and a secondary oil return state. In the closed state, the valve core 102c is in a first position, the elastic component 102d is uncompressed, and the second port is closed. In the primary oil return state, the valve core 102c reaches a second position, the compression force of the elastic component 102d matches the first set pressure, the second port is opened, the primary oil return port A is opened, and the secondary oil return port B is closed. In the secondary oil return state, the valve core 102c reaches a third position, the compression force of the elastic component 102d matches the second set pressure, the second port is opened, and both the primary oil return port A and the secondary oil return port B are opened. This multi-stage pressure relief design allows the fuel filter assembly 200 to effectively release excess pressure under different pressure conditions, thereby protecting the fuel system and engine from potential damage caused by excessive pressure. When the pressure in the fuel system exceeds a preset safety threshold, the multi-stage pressure relief valve 102 enters either the primary or secondary return state, depending on the pressure, safely releasing excess pressure back into the fuel tank through different return paths. This design not only improves the reliability and durability of the fuel filter 200 assembly but also ensures the overall performance and safety of the vehicle's fuel system.

[0093] In some embodiments, to ensure the reliability of early warning results, the fuel leak alarm 103 is equipped with a self-test module. After the fuel filter maintenance device 100 is activated, the self-test module automatically monitors the operating status of the fuel leak alarm 103 and issues a fault warning if the operating status of the fuel leak alarm 103 exceeds a preset normal range. This fault warning can take the form of an audible alarm, a light alarm, or a fault message sent to the vehicle's driver information system. Upon receiving the fault warning, the operator can quickly locate the problem and take timely repair measures, thereby avoiding potential fuel leaks. Furthermore, the self-test module includes a recording function that saves historical self-test results and fault warning records, providing important reference for subsequent maintenance and fault diagnosis. This design not only enhances the intelligence level of the fuel filter maintenance device 100 but also further strengthens the safety and reliability of the vehicle's fuel system.

[0094] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a fuel filter assembly provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, the fuel filter assembly 1 includes a fuel filter 200 and a fuel filter maintenance device 100 as described in the above device embodiment.

[0095] Figure 9 A structural block diagram of a vehicle provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle 2 includes a fuel filter 200 and a fuel filter maintenance device 100 as described above.

[0096] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and vary the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A fuel filter maintenance device, wherein the fuel filter comprises a fuel coarse filter and a fuel fine filter arranged in sequence in the direction of fuel flow, characterized in that: The fuel filter maintenance device includes: a first-stage pressure relief valve, wherein an input end of the first-stage pressure relief valve is connected to an oil inlet of the fuel fine filter; a multi-stage pressure relief valve, wherein the input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel coarse filter, and the output end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve includes a primary oil return port and a secondary oil return port, and the primary oil return port is connected to the oil inlet of the fuel fine filter; and a fuel leakage alarm, the fuel leakage alarm being connected to the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve and the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve respectively; The opening of the first-stage pressure relief valve is configured to be related to the pressure differential of the fuel fine filter, and the opening of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is configured to be related to the pressure differential of the fuel coarse filter. In addition, the fuel leakage alarm is configured to issue a first-stage warning for prompting the replacement of the filter element of the fuel coarse filter when the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened, and to issue a second-stage warning for prompting the replacement of the filter element of the fuel fine filter when the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve is opened.

2. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-stage pressure relief valve is configured such that: when the pressure differential of the fuel coarse filter reaches a preset first set pressure, the first-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened to bypass the fuel flowing out of the first-stage oil return port to the fuel fine filter; and when the pressure differential of the fuel coarse filter reaches a preset second set pressure, the second-stage oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve is opened to bypass the fuel flowing out of the second-stage oil return port to the fuel leakage alarm, causing the fuel leakage alarm to issue the first-stage warning, wherein the first set pressure is less than the second set pressure; and The first-stage pressure relief valve is configured to open when the oil inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter reaches a preset third set pressure, thereby bypassing the fuel flowing out of the output end of the first-stage pressure relief valve to the fuel leakage alarm, causing the fuel leakage alarm to issue a second-stage warning, wherein the oil inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter is related to the pressure difference of the fuel fine filter.

3. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second set pressure is lower than the third set pressure.

4. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first-stage pressure relief valve and the multi-stage pressure relief valve are both physical valves; and, The fuel leakage alarm includes a coarse filter alarm unit and a fine filter alarm unit that are independently provided. The input end of the coarse filter alarm unit is connected to the secondary oil return port of the multi-stage pressure relief valve, and the input end of the fine filter alarm unit is connected to the output end of the primary pressure relief valve. The first level warning issued by the coarse filtration alarm unit and the second level warning issued by the fine filtration alarm unit use different sound alarm and light alarm combinations.

5. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-stage pressure relief valve comprises: A valve body, wherein the valve body is provided with a hollow valve cavity and the first-stage oil return port and the second-stage oil return port communicating with the valve cavity, and one end of the valve cavity serves as an input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve; a process plug, which is disposed at the other end of the valve cavity and is sealed with the inner wall of the valve cavity; a valve core, the valve core being disposed inside the valve cavity, and an oil inlet passage being provided inside the valve core, the oil inlet passage being provided with a first port at one end for communicating with an input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve, and a second port at the other end for communicating with the valve cavity; and An elastic component is arranged inside the valve cavity, and one end of the elastic component is connected to the process plug, and the other end is connected to the valve core.

6. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The multi-stage pressure relief valve further comprises: A sealing component is provided at the input end of the multi-stage pressure relief valve on the outside of the valve body, and is used to prevent fuel from leaking from the multi-stage pressure relief valve.

7. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: Also includes: A driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the valve core to move; a controller having a built-in fuel filter maintenance program and connected to the drive mechanism; The fuel filter maintenance program is configured as follows: After receiving a fuel filter maintenance instruction, monitoring the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter and the fuel inlet pressure of the fuel fine filter; When the pressure difference of the primary fuel filter reaches a preset first set pressure, a first control signal is sent to the driving mechanism, so that the driving mechanism drives the valve core of the multi-stage pressure relief valve to start moving until the primary oil return port is opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the primary oil return port is bypassed to the fuel fine filter; and When the pressure difference of the fuel coarse filter reaches a preset second set pressure, a second control signal is sent to the driving mechanism, so that the driving mechanism drives the valve core of the multi-stage pressure relief valve to move again until the primary oil return port and the secondary oil return port are both opened, so that the fuel flowing out of the secondary oil return port is bypassed to the fuel leakage alarm.

8. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes: A reset device is used to reset the fuel leakage alarm and the corresponding multi-stage pressure relief valve or the first-stage pressure relief valve after the fuel coarse filter or the fuel fine filter is replaced.

9. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The multi-stage pressure relief valve is provided with: a closed state, in which the valve core is in a first position, the elastic component is not compressed, and the second port is closed; a first-stage oil return state, in which the valve core reaches the second position, the compression force of the elastic component matches the first set pressure, the second port is opened, the first-stage oil return port is opened, and the second-stage oil return port is closed; Secondary oil return state: in the secondary oil return state, the valve core reaches the third position, the compression force of the elastic component matches the second set pressure, the second port is opened, and both the primary oil return port and the secondary oil return port are opened.

10. The fuel filter maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fuel leak alarm is provided with: A self-check module is used to automatically monitor the operating status of the fuel leakage alarm after the fuel filter maintenance device is started, and to issue a fault prompt when the operating status of the fuel leakage alarm exceeds a preset normal range.

11. A fuel filter assembly, characterized in that: The fuel filter assembly includes a fuel filter and the fuel filter maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle includes a fuel filter and the fuel filter maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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