Fuel filter

Abstract

The fuel filter comprises a shell and a filter element, the shell comprises a base with an opening and a screw cap used for sealing the opening, the base and the screw cap define the internal volume, and the base is provided with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet which are far away from the screw cap; the filter element is arranged in the upper compartment of the internal volume, the filter element comprises an annular filter medium, a central framework, a first end cover and a second end cover, the first end cover and the second end cover are connected to the annular filter medium, and the central framework is arranged in the annular filter medium; wherein the rotary cover defines a water accumulation chamber of the internal volume, water separated by the filter element is accumulated in the water accumulation chamber, the second end cover is provided with an annular edge, and the annular edge is provided with an O-shaped ring and is connected to the inner side wall of the rotary cover in a sealed mode so that the upper compartment and the water accumulation chamber can be separated in a sealed mode. According to the scheme, the filter element and the screw cap are connected and sealed without secondary rubber coating injection molding and the like, the manufacturing process is simple, and the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of filters, and particularly relates to a fuel filter. Background Art

[0002] The filter element in a fuel filter or oil filter has a water filtering function, and the filtered water needs to be discharged within a certain period. In order to reduce the drainage period, a certain volume needs to be designed to store water.

[0003] EP2700437B1 discloses a water-separating fuel filter, which includes a housing with a bottom. The housing includes a removable closure (lid) relative to the rest of the housing. The closure includes a tubular side wall with an opening around its annular upper end, such that the closed part forms a container extending between the bottom and the upper end. The container defines an internal volume and has a raw fuel inlet and a filtered fuel outlet spaced apart. The filter further includes a filter element disposed in an upper compartment of the internal volume. The filter element has an upper end, a bottom end remote from the bottom of the housing, an annular filter medium extending around the bottom end, and a central axis between the upper end and the bottom end. The filter medium has an inner surface defining an internal space for separating water in the internal space; a water accumulation chamber in the internal volume defined by the housing part, where water can be accumulated; the filter element defines an upstream region communicating with the raw fuel inlet and a downstream region communicating with the filtered fuel outlet.

[0004] Although the above patent can achieve water storage and discharge, the sealing method between the annular outer edge at the bottom end of the filter element and the upper end of the closure, such as welding and bonding, is too complex, which is not conducive to the replacement of the filter element; and it will cause sealing failure after long-term use. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to propose a fuel filter and a filter, aiming to solve the technical problem that it is difficult to disassemble the current filter element during replacement due to the complex sealing method.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the fuel filter proposed by the utility model includes:

[0007] A housing, including a base with an opening and a screw cap for closing the opening, the two defining an internal volume. The base is provided with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet arranged away from the screw cap;

[0008] A filter element, disposed in an upper compartment of the internal volume. The filter element includes an annular filter medium, a central skeleton, and a first end cap and a second end cap connected to the annular filter medium. The annular filter medium has a central cavity set around its central axis, and the central skeleton is disposed in the central cavity;

[0009] Wherein, the screw cap defines a water accumulation chamber of the internal volume for collecting and containing the water separated by the filter element. The second end cap has an annular edge, and an O-ring is provided on the annular edge and is sealingly connected to the inner side wall of the screw cap to sealingly separate the upper compartment from the water accumulation chamber.

[0010] Optionally, a clamping portion is provided on the side wall of the screw cap, and the top end of the annular edge abuts against the clamping portion to fix the filter element to the screw cap, and the filter element is removed together with the screw cap during disassembly.

[0011] Optionally, the clamping portion is provided as a plurality of buckles that can be connected to and disassembled from the filter element (2).

[0012] Optionally, an annular groove is formed between the annular edge and the main body of the second end cap.

[0013] Optionally, the base is provided with a central column extending into the central cavity from the fuel outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the first end cap is provided with a first opening leading into the central cavity, and the central column enters the central cavity from the first opening.

[0015] Optionally, the second end cap is provided with a second opening leading into the central cavity, and the end of the central column extends into the water accumulation chamber through the second opening.

[0016] Optionally, a water level sensor is provided at the end of the central column.

[0017] Optionally, the filter element further includes a water blocking medium connected to the central skeleton for blocking water in the oil.

[0018] Optionally, the central skeleton includes a plurality of fins, and each fin extends along a spiral path with respect to the central axis of the annular filter medium to form a plurality of flow channels for the oil.

[0019] Optionally, the flow channels communicate with the water accumulation chamber to allow the water in the oil to settle downward.

[0020] Optionally, a drain port, a vent hole, and a drain valve for simultaneously controlling the drain port and the vent hole are provided at the bottom of the screw cap to drain the accumulated water after balancing the internal and external air pressures.

[0021] In the technical solution of the present utility model, by providing an annular edge on the second end cover and sealingly connecting the inner side wall of the screw cap in combination with an O-ring, a water accumulation cavity is formed. There is no need to connect and seal the filter element and the screw cap by means of secondary encapsulation injection molding, etc. The manufacturing process is simple, the processing time is reduced, the production efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced; moreover, the product processing steps are reduced, it is not easy to generate large product processing errors, and the product structure stability is improved. This device can process the filter element and the screw cap separately, and then perform subsequent simple assembly connection and sealing of the filter element and the screw cap. When one of the filter element or the screw cap has poor processing, only the defective part needs to be processed. Therefore, unnecessary waste and quality losses can be reduced, and the production cost is lowered. For users, since the filter element and the screw cap have a separable function, it provides the convenience of only replacing the damaged filter element or screw cap separately, which is beneficial to reducing the use and maintenance cost, and at the same time reducing the generation of solid waste and resource consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structure diagram of an embodiment of a fuel filter provided by the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the front view of;

[0025] Figure 3 is Figure 2 the cross-sectional view of the A-A section in;

[0026] Figure 4 is Figure 1 the three-dimensional structure diagram of the base in;

[0027] Figure 5 is Figure 1 the three-dimensional structure diagram of the screw cap in;

[0028] Figure 6 is Figure 1 the cross-sectional view of the outer shell in;

[0029] Figure 7 is Figure 3 the three-dimensional structure diagram of one perspective of the filter element in;

[0030] Figure 8 is Figure 3Three-dimensional structure diagram of the middle filter element from another perspective.

[0031] Label description: fuel filter - 100, housing - 1, internal volume - 1a, upper compartment - A1, water accumulation chamber - A2, base - 11, central column - 112, water level sensor - 113, opening - 11a, fuel inlet - 11b, fuel outlet - 11c, screw cap - 12, small opening - 12a, drain port - 12b, ventilation hole - 12c, clamping part - 121, drain valve - 13, filter element - 2, annular filter medium - 21, central cavity - 21a, central skeleton - 22, flow channel - 22a, fin - 221, first end cap - 23, first opening - 23a, annular wall - 231, second end cap - 24, second opening - 24a, annular edge - 241, main body - 242, annular groove - 243, O-ring - 25, water blocking medium - 26, water accumulation medium - 27.

[0032] The realization, functional features and advantages of the present utility model will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0034] For a better description and illustration of the embodiments of the present application, one or more accompanying drawings may be referred to, but the additional details or examples used to describe the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of any of the inventive concepts of the present application, the currently described embodiments or the preferred modes.

[0035] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model, rather than indicating that the device referred to must have a specific orientation or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the description of this application herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit this application.

[0037] EP2700437B1 discloses a water-separating fuel filter. Although it can store and discharge water, the sealing method between the annular outer edge at the bottom end of the filter element and the upper end of the closure, such as welding and bonding, is too complex, which is not conducive to the replacement of the filter element; and it will cause sealing failure after long-term use.

[0038] In view of this, the present utility model provides a fuel filter. Figures 1 to 8 This is an embodiment of the fuel filter provided by the present utility model. Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 , the fuel filter 100 includes a housing 1 and a filter element 2.

[0039] Specifically, the housing 1 includes a base 11 having an opening 11a and a screw cap 12 for closing the opening 11a. After being closed with each other, an internal volume 1a is defined; wherein, the base 11 is provided with a fuel inlet 11b and a fuel outlet 11c arranged away from the screw cap 12. The filter element 2 is disposed in the upper compartment A1 of the internal volume 1a. In this embodiment, the fuel inlet 11b communicates with the upper compartment A1, and the fuel outlet 11c communicates with the clean side inside the filter element 2. The filter element 2 includes an annular filter medium 21, a central skeleton 22, and a first end cap 23 and a second end cap 24 connected to the first end of the annular filter medium 21. The annular filter medium 21 has a central cavity 21a defined around its central axis. The central skeleton 22 is disposed in the central cavity 21a and both ends are connected to the first end cap 23 and the second end cap 24 to provide support for the annular filter medium 21. It should be noted that the first end cap 23 and the second end cap 24 are hermetically connected to both ends of the annular filter medium 21, and the connection method can be hot melt welding, glue bonding, etc.

[0040] Among them, the screw cap 12 is disposed below the base 11. The screw cap 12 defines a water accumulation chamber A2 of the internal volume 1a for collecting and accommodating the water separated by the filter element 2. The second end cap 24 of the filter element 2 has an annular edge 241. An O-ring 25 is sleeved on the annular edge 241 and is hermetically connected to the inner side wall of the screw cap 12 to hermetically separate the upper compartment A1 from the water accumulation chamber A2. The O-ring 25 can increase the friction between the filter element 2 and the inner side wall of the screw cap 12. When it is necessary to disassemble the filter element 2, the screw cap 12 and the filter element 2 can be removed together, preventing the leakage of pollutants caused by the filter element 2 remaining in the base 11.

[0041] In the technical solution of the present utility model, by providing an annular edge 241 on the second end cap 24 and combining with an O-ring 25 to sealingly connect the inner side wall of the screw cap 12, a water accumulation cavity is formed. There is no need to connect and seal between the filter element 2 and the screw cap 12 by means of secondary overmolding injection molding, etc. The manufacturing process is simple, the processing time is reduced, the production efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced; moreover, the product processing steps are reduced, large product processing errors are not easily generated, and the structural stability of the product is improved. This device can process the filter element 2 and the screw cap 12 separately, and then perform subsequent assembly connection and sealing on the filter element 2 and the screw cap 12. When necessary, the connected filter element 2 and the screw cap 12 can be disassembled. When one of the filter element 2 or the screw cap 12 has processing defects, only the defective part needs to be processed. Therefore, unnecessary waste and quality losses can be reduced, and the production cost is lowered.

[0042] To increase the axial connection stability between the filter element 2 and the screw cap 12, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present utility model, a clamping portion 121 is provided on the side wall of the screw cap 12, and the top end of the annular edge 241 abuts against the clamping portion 121 to prevent the filter element 2 from separating from the screw cap 12 axially, so that the filter element 2 is fixed to the screw cap 12, and the filter element 2 can be removed together with the screw cap 12 during disassembly. It should be noted that both the annular edge 241 and the clamping portion 121 have a certain elasticity, and when installing the filter element 2, the annular edge 241 can be pressed down into the screw cap 12 and then abuts against the clamping portion 121.

[0043] Furthermore, to provide the clamping portion 121 on the screw cap 12, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present utility model, a small opening 12a is opened on the side wall of the screw cap 12, and a protruding buckle is formed at the small opening 12a. The buckle can be elastically compressed radially outward and radially inwardly reset at the small opening 12a, so that after the annular edge 241 compresses the buckle outward, its top end can abut against the clamping portion 121. Preferably, there are two clamping portions 121, which are symmetrically arranged along the inner side wall of the screw cap 12; of course, it can also be set to other numbers as long as it can achieve the axial positioning effect on the filter element 2. The setting of the small opening 12a also plays an auxiliary role in the subsequent detachment of the filter element 2 from the screw cap 12. Just continue to compress the buckle outward at the small opening 12a to release the axial limit of the filter element 2, and then pull out the filter element 2 from the screw cap 12 with force.

[0044] To prevent the leakage of particulate contaminants intercepted by the filter element 2, please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 7 as well as Figure 8, in an embodiment of the present utility model, an annular groove 243 is formed between the annular edge 241 and the main body 242 of the second end cap 24. The annular groove 243 extends circumferentially and is used to intercept and accumulate the particulate matter after the filter element 2 filters the fuel. It should be noted that the annular edge 241 and the main body 242 of the second end cap 24 are integrally formed. Of course, a split connection method can also be adopted.

[0045] To pump out the clean fuel in the filter element 2, please refer to Figure 3 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, the base 11 is provided with a central column 112 extending axially. The central column 112 extends into the central cavity 21a from the fuel outlet 11c. When sucking the clean fuel in the filter element 2, the liquid level of the oil in the central cavity 21a rises, and then flows to the fuel outlet 11c under the guidance of the central column 112.

[0046] Furthermore, to enable the central column 112 to pass through the first end cap 23, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, the first end cap 23 is provided with a first opening 23a leading to the central cavity 21a. The central column 112 enters the central cavity 21a from the first opening 23a. In this embodiment, the first end cap 23 radially protrudes outward along the outer periphery of the first opening 23a to form an annular wall 231. The annular wall 231 is hermetically connected to the fuel outlet 11c of the base 11, so as to relatively hermetically separate the clean side (central cavity 21a) and the non-clean side (upper compartment A1 outside the annular filter medium 21) of the filter element 2, so as to facilitate the formation of a negative pressure, so that the fuel can smoothly pass through the annular filter medium 21 and achieve filtration.

[0047] To detect the water level in the water accumulation chamber A2, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, the second end cap 24 is provided with a second opening 24a leading to the central cavity 21a. The end of the central column 112 passes through the second opening 24a and extends into the water accumulation chamber A2, and a water level sensor 113 is provided at the end of the central column 112. The water level sensor 113 includes two electrodes. When the water in the water accumulation chamber A2 deposits to a predetermined water level, the two electrodes conduct electricity and send out an alarm to remind the operator to open the water outlet channel for drainage.

[0048] Furthermore, to facilitate drainage, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6, in an embodiment of the present utility model, the water outlet channel is a drain port 12b provided at the bottom of the rotary cap 12. A vent hole 12c is also provided at the bottom of the rotary cap 12 for balancing the air pressure between the water accumulation chamber A2 and the external environment. A drain valve 13 for simultaneously controlling the drain port 12b and the vent hole 12c is further provided at the bottom of the rotary cap 12. When the operator receives a drainage reminder, the drain valve is opened to balance the air pressure between the water accumulation chamber A2 and the external environment, and finally the accumulated water is discharged from the drain port 12b. It should be noted that the drain valve 13 is a bolt with a sealing ring.

[0049] To enable the filter element 2 to filter out water in the oil during use, please refer to Figure 3 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, a water accumulation medium 27 is provided between the annular filter medium 21 and the central skeleton 22, which can absorb moisture. When small water particles in the non-clean-side fuel flow through the filter medium 21, they are aggregated by the water accumulation medium 27 to form large water particles, which are released into the central cavity 21a. In addition, the filter element 2 further includes a water-blocking medium 26, and the water-blocking medium 26 is connected to the central skeleton 22, so that when the oil in the central cavity 21a passes through the water-blocking medium 26, the large water particles released into the central cavity 21a are intercepted by the water-blocking medium 26 and settle towards the water accumulation chamber A2 under the action of gravity (the specific gravity of water is greater than that of fuel). In this embodiment, the water-blocking medium 26 is an oil-water separation filter membrane, and the oil-water separation filter membrane is formed in a cylindrical shape around and connected to the inner peripheral edge of the central skeleton 22 to separate water in the oil.

[0050] To improve the filtration efficiency of the oil, please refer to Figure 3 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, the central skeleton 22 includes a plurality of fins 221, and each fin 221 extends along a spiral path with respect to the central axis of the annular filter medium 21 to form a plurality of flow channels 22a for the oil. When the oil is pumped, it climbs upward along the surface of the fins 221 to fully contact the water-blocking medium 26, so that the filtering speed of the oil is accelerated, and thus the filtration efficiency of the oil is improved.

[0051] To enable the water filtered by the water-blocking medium 26 to enter the water accumulation chamber A2 from the central cavity 21a, please refer to Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present utility model, the flow channel 22a is communicated with the water accumulation chamber A2 through a second opening 24a, so that the water separated from the oil deposits downward through the second opening 24a. Preferably, a through hole is formed at the lower end of the central skeleton 22 and is closely attached to the outer wall of the central column 112 for guiding when installing the filter element 2.

[0052] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[0053] The above embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fuel filter, characterized in that: include: A housing (1) comprising a base (11) having an opening (11a) and a screw cap (12) for closing the opening (11a), the two defining an internal volume (1a), the base (11) being provided with a fuel inlet (11b) and a fuel outlet (11c) arranged away from the screw cap (12); A filter element (2) is arranged in an upper compartment (A1) of the internal volume (1a), the filter element (2) comprising an annular filter medium (21), a central frame (22), and a first end cover (23) and a second end cover (24) connected to the annular filter medium (21), the annular filter medium (21) having a central cavity (21a) set around its central axis, and the central frame (22) is arranged in the central cavity (21a); The screw cap (12) defines a water accumulation chamber (A2) of the internal volume (1a) for collecting and accommodating water separated by the filter element (2), and the second end cap (24) has an annular edge (241), wherein the annular edge (241) is provided with an O-ring (25) and is sealingly connected to the inner wall of the screw cap (12) to seal the upper compartment (A1) from the water accumulation chamber (A2).

2. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner side wall of the rotary cover (12) is provided with a clamping portion (121), and the top end of the annular edge (241) abuts against the clamping portion (121) so as to fix the filter element (2) to the rotary cover (12), and the filter element (2) is removed together with the rotary cover (12) during disassembly.

3. The fuel filter according to claim 2, characterized in that The clamping portion (121) is configured as a plurality of buckles that can be connected to and detached from the filter element (2).

4. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that An annular groove (243) is formed between the annular edge (241) and the main body (242) of the second end cover (24).

5. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The base (11) is provided with a central column (112) extending from the fuel outlet (11c) into the central cavity (21a).

6. The fuel filter according to claim 5, characterized in that The first end cover (23) is provided with a first opening (23a) for entering the central cavity (21a), and the central column (112) enters the central cavity (21a) from the first opening (23a).

7. The fuel filter according to claim 5, characterized in that The second end cover (24) is provided with a second opening (24a) entering the central cavity (21a), the end of the central column (112) extends into the water accumulation chamber (A2) through the second opening (24a), and the end of the central column (112) is provided with a water level sensor (113).

8. The fuel filter according to claim 7, characterized in that The filter element (2) further comprises a water-blocking medium (26), wherein the water-blocking medium (26) is connected to the central frame (22) and is used to block water in the oil.

9. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The central skeleton (22) comprises a plurality of fins (221), each of the fins (221) extending in a spiral path relative to a central axis of the annular filter medium (21) to form a plurality of oil flow channels (22a).

10. The fuel filter according to claim 9, characterized in that The flow channel (22a) is connected to the water accumulation chamber (A2) so that water in the oil can settle downward.

11. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottom of the rotary cover (12) is provided with a drainage port (12b), a vent hole (12c), and a drainage valve (13) that controls the drainage port (12b) and the vent hole (12c) simultaneously, so as to drain the accumulated water after balancing the internal and external air pressures.

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