Fuel filter

Abstract

A fuel filter for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, preferably for filtering fuel of the diesel type. A fuel filter extends along a filter axis, comprising: a filter medium having a substantially tubular shape through which a fuel can pass in a radial direction when filtered to filter out unwanted components in the fuel and separate the fuel from water; a filter housing comprising a filter chamber adapted to receive a filter medium wherein the filter housing comprises a bottom shell and a top shell, the bottom shell and top shell comprising respective cylindrical sidewalls. The top shell includes: a central opening defined by an opening edge; a planar top wall extending substantially orthogonal to the filter axis starting from the opening edge; and a connecting portion extending between the planar top wall and the cylindrical side wall. The connecting portion includes at least one planar connecting wall. The fuel filter and particularly the top shell are suitable for bearing high pressure, and the fuel filter is a simple component with low production cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to a fuel filter, preferably for diesel-type fuels. In particular, the present utility model relates to a fuel filter for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, preferably for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the present utility model relates to the field of automobiles and, in particular, to fuel filtering operations. BACKGROUND

[0003] A variety of fuel filter solutions are known in the state of the art, which are suitable for filtering fuels, and in particular diesel-type fuels.

[0004] In particular, during a fuel filtering operation, unwanted components, such as particles and / or dirt, are filtered from the fuel and the fuel is separated from water.

[0005] The known fuel filters comprise a filter medium suitable for performing a filtering operation, which takes place in a filter housing which houses the filter medium.

[0006] A typical problem of these embodiments relates to the high pressure inside the filter housing. In fact, the high pressure can sometimes cause bulging on the walls of the filter housing, in particular in the top region of the walls of the filter housing. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the above, there is a strong need to solve this problem by proposing a fuel filter suitable for withstanding high operating pressures inside the filter housing.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present utility model to provide a filter solution.

[0009] A fuel filter for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, preferably for filtering diesel-type fuels, the fuel filter extending along a filter axis, the fuel filter comprising: - a filter medium having a substantially tubular shape along the filter axis, the filter medium comprising a cavity, wherein, in use, fuel to be filtered can pass through the filter medium in a radial direction to filter out unwanted components from the fuel and to separate the fuel from water; - a filter housing comprising a filter chamber suitable for housing the filter medium, wherein the filter housing comprises a bottom shell and a top shell, the bottom shell and the top shell comprising respective cylindrical side walls which are mutually coupled along the filter axis in respective coupling regions; wherein the top shell comprises: a central opening delimited by an opening edge; a planar top wall extending substantially orthogonally to the filter axis starting from the opening edge; and a connecting portion extending between the planar top wall and the cylindrical side wall, wherein the connecting portion comprises at least one planar connecting wall.

[0010] Preferably, in the longitudinal section, the at least one planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall by an angle equal to or less than 45°, preferably equal to or less than 40°.

[0011] Preferably, the connecting portion comprises a plurality of planar connecting walls, preferably at least three planar connecting walls.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting portion comprises three planar connecting walls.

[0013] Preferably, each planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall by an angle different from the angle by which the adjacent planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall.

[0014] Preferably, each planar top wall is inclined by a respective angle, wherein the respective angle gradually increases from a planar connecting wall adjacent to the planar top wall to a planar connecting wall distal from the planar top wall.

[0015] Preferably, the first planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall by an angle equal to or less than about 15°, the second planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall by an angle equal to or less than 45°, and the third planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall by an angle equal to about 65°.

[0016] Preferably, the connecting portion joins the planar top wall and the cylindrical side wall by respective junctions having a radius of curvature less than 3 millimeters, preferably equal to 2.5 millimeters.

[0017] Preferably, two consecutive planar connecting walls are joined by a junction having a radius of curvature less than 3 millimeters, preferably equal to 2.5 millimeters.

[0018] Preferably, the top shell is formed from a sheet of worked metal by plastic deformation, preferably by pressing.

[0019] Preferably, the bottom shell is formed from a sheet of worked metal by plastic deformation, preferably by pressing.

[0020] Preferably, the bottom cylindrical side wall and the top cylindrical side wall are integrally joined in a non-removable manner by mechanical crimping.

[0021] Preferably, the bottom shell further comprises a central discharge opening, wherein the bottom shell further comprises a discharge element which closes the central discharge opening and discharges water separated from the fuel by the filtering medium.

[0022] Preferably, the connection region between the bottom cylindrical side wall and the top cylindrical side wall is located at an axial height between the central opening and the central discharge opening.

[0023] Preferably, the top shell further comprises an annular seal which surrounds the upper and lower portions of the opening edge.

[0024] The fuel filter and in particular the top housing is adapted to withstand high pressure and the fuel filter is a simple component with low production costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present utility model will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present utility model provided by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the filter according to the present utility model is shown;

[0027] - Figure 2 A top view of the filter of Figure 1 is shown;

[0028] - Figure 3a and Figure 3b are two sectional views with respect to the section A-A and the section B-B of Figure 2 respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] With reference to the drawings, the fuel filter is indicated as a whole by the number 1.

[0030] The fuel filter 1 is adapted to be used, preferably for vehicles, as part of a fuel system for internal combustion engines.

[0031] In particular, the fuel filter 1 is adapted to filter diesel-type fuels.

[0032] Preferably, the fuel filter 1 is adapted to perform a fuel filtration operation to filter out unwanted components from the fuel and separate the fuel from water.

[0033] According to the present utility model, the fuel filter 1 extends along a filter axis X-X.

[0034] When the fuel filter 1 is used, the filter axis X-X is preferably arranged vertically with respect to a ground plane.

[0035] According to the present utility model, the fuel filter 1 comprises a filter medium 2 having a substantially tubular shape along the filter axis X-X and comprising a cavity 20. In particular, the fuel, when filtered, is able to pass through the filter medium 2 in a radial direction and, when passing through the filter medium 2 in a radial direction, the fuel is filtered from unwanted components and separated from water.

[0036] According to the present utility model, the fuel filter 1 comprises a filter housing 3 comprising a filter chamber 30 adapted to house the filter medium 2.

[0037] In other words, the fuel to be filtered flows into the filtering chamber 30 and the filtered fuel flows out of the filtering chamber.

[0038] According to the application, the filter housing 3 comprises a bottom shell 4 and a top shell 5, which are axially couplable with respect to the filter axis X-X. Furthermore, the bottom shell 4 and the top shell 5 comprise respective cylindrical side walls. These cylindrical side walls are couplable along the filter axis X-X at respective connection areas.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the top shell 5 is formed from a machined sheet metal. Preferably, the sheet metal has a thickness between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. Preferably, the sheet metal has a thickness substantially equal to 0.5 mm. For example, the top shell 5 can be formed from a machined sheet metal by plastic deformation, preferably by pressing.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom shell 4 is formed from a machined sheet metal. Preferably, the sheet metal has a thickness between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. Preferably, the sheet metal has a thickness substantially equal to 0.5 mm. For example, the bottom shell 4 is formed from a machined sheet metal by plastic deformation, preferably by pressing.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom cylindrical side wall 41 and the top cylindrical side wall 51 are integrally joined in a non-removable manner by mechanical crimping.

[0042] According to the application, the top shell 5 comprises a central opening 50 delimited by an opening edge 500.

[0043] Furthermore, the top shell 5 comprises a planar top wall 53 extending substantially orthogonally to the filter axis X-X from the opening edge 500.

[0044] According to the application, the top shell 5 comprises a connection portion 52 extending between the planar top wall 53 and the top cylindrical side wall 51.

[0045] The connection portion 52 comprises at least one planar connection wall.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the top shell 5 comprises a single planar connection wall. According to a preferred embodiment, the planar connection wall corresponds to a portion of a lateral surface of a truncated cone having an axis of rotation coinciding with the filter axis X-X and having a larger base substantially coinciding with the diameter of the top cylindrical side wall 51 of the top shell 5.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, in longitudinal section, the at least one planar connection wall is inclined by an angle a with respect to the planar top wall 53, the angle being equal to or less than 45°, preferably equal to or less than 40°, in particular equal to 39.5°.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 52 comprises at least three planar connecting walls.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 52 comprises three planar connecting walls.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, each planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall 53 at an angle different from the angle of inclination of the adjacent planar connecting wall.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, each planar connecting wall is inclined with respect to the planar top wall 53 at an acute angle different from the acute angle of the adjacent planar connecting wall.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, each planar wall is inclined at a respective angle, wherein the value of the angle increases progressively from the planar connecting wall adjacent to the planar top wall 53 to the planar connecting wall distal from the planar top wall 53.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the first planar connecting wall 521 is inclined with respect to the planar top wall 53 at an angle β equal to or less than 15°, the second planar connecting wall 520 is inclined with respect to the planar top wall 53 at an angle a equal to or less than 45°, and the third planar connecting wall 522 is inclined with respect to the planar top wall 53 at an angle γ equal to or less than 65°.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the value of the above-mentioned angles has a tolerance of + / - 5°.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 52 joins the planar top wall 53 and the top cylindrical side wall 51 through respective junctions having a radius of curvature less than 3 mm, preferably equal to 2.5 mm.

[0056] Preferably, the junction between two consecutive planar connecting walls has a radius of curvature less than 3 mm, preferably equal to 2.5 mm.

[0057] According to the preferred embodiment, the radius of each junction has a tolerance of + / - 0.2 mm.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom shell 4 further comprises a central discharge opening 40.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom shell 4 further comprises a discharge element 8 which closes the central discharge opening 40 and discharges the water separated from the fuel by the filtering medium 2.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the axial height of the connection area between the bottom cylindrical side wall 41 and the top cylindrical side wall 51 is between the central opening 50 and the central discharge opening 40.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the top shell 5 further comprises an annular seal 6, which surrounds the upper and lower part of the opening edge 500.

[0062] In a creative way, the fuel filter, object of the present utility model, fully achieves the intended purpose of the present utility model by solving those drawbacks that arise in the typical solutions of the prior art.

[0063] Advantageously, the fuel filter, and in particular the top shell, is adapted to withstand high pressures.

[0064] Advantageously, the top shell has planar connection walls adapted to release the pressure action onto the planar top wall and the cylindrical lateral wall.

[0065] Advantageously, the top shell has a plurality of planar connection walls adapted to release the pressure action onto the planar top wall and the cylindrical lateral wall.

[0066] Advantageously, by means of at least one planar connection wall, the top shell has an increased mechanical strength adapted to interact with a corresponding planar abutment surface provided on the top of the shell in which the filter is mounted.

[0067] Advantageously, the presence of the planar walls decomposes the thrust action of the pressure into a plurality of orthogonal actions.

[0068] Advantageously, the filter is a simple component with low production costs.

[0069] It is clear that the person skilled in the art can make changes to the filter in order to satisfy contingent needs, which changes all fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present utility model.

[0070] List of reference numbers:

[0071] 1 filter

[0072] 2 filter medium

[0073] 20 cavity

[0074] 3 filter housing

[0075] 30 filter chamber

[0076] 4 bottom shell

[0077] 41 bottom cylindrical lateral wall

[0078] 40 discharge opening

[0079] 5 top shell

[0080] 50 central opening

[0081] 500 opening edge

[0082] 51 top cylindrical side wall

[0083] 52 connecting portion

[0084] 520 second planar connecting wall

[0085] 521 first planar connecting wall

[0086] 522 third planar connecting wall

[0087] 6 annular seal

[0088] 8 discharge element

[0089] α, β, γ angles

[0090] X-X filter axis

Claims

1. A fuel filter for an internal combustion engine fuel system for filtering diesel fuel, said fuel filter extending along a filter axis (XX), characterized in that, The fuel filter includes: - Filter medium (2) having a tubular shape along the filter axis (XX), the filter medium including a cavity (20) wherein fuel can pass through the filter medium (2) radially during filtration to filter out unwanted components in the fuel and separate the fuel from water; - A filter housing (3) includes a filter chamber (30) adapted to contain the filter medium (2), wherein the filter housing (3) includes a bottom shell (4) and a top shell (5), the bottom shell and the top shell including corresponding cylindrical sidewalls that can be interconnected along the filter axis (XX) in corresponding connection areas; The top shell (5) includes: a central opening (50) defined by an opening edge (500); a planar top wall (53) extending orthogonally to the filter axis (XX) from the opening edge (500); and a connecting portion (52) extending between the planar top wall (53) and the cylindrical sidewall, wherein the connecting portion (52) includes at least one planar connecting wall.

2. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the longitudinal section, at least one of the planar connecting walls is inclined at an angle (α) relative to the planar top wall (53), the angle being equal to or less than 45°.

3. The fuel filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connecting portion (52) includes a plurality of the planar connecting walls.

4. The fuel filter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting portion (52) includes three planar connecting walls.

5. The fuel filter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The angle at which each of the planar connecting walls is tilted relative to the planar top wall (53) is different from the angle at which the adjacent planar connecting wall is tilted relative to the planar top wall.

6. The fuel filter according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the planar top walls is inclined at a corresponding angle, wherein the value of the corresponding angle gradually increases from the planar connecting wall adjacent to the planar top wall (53) to the planar connecting wall away from the planar top wall (53).

7. The fuel filter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first planar connecting wall (521) is inclined relative to the planar top wall (53) at an angle (β) equal to or less than about 15°, the second planar connecting wall (520) is inclined relative to the planar top wall (53) at an angle (α) equal to or less than 45°, and the third planar connecting wall (522) is inclined relative to the planar top wall (53) at an angle (γ) equal to or less than 65°.

8. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting portion (52) joins the planar top wall (53) and the cylindrical side wall through a corresponding joint, the joint having a radius of curvature of less than 3 mm.

9. The fuel filter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The two continuous planar connecting walls are joined by a joint having a radius of curvature of less than 3 mm.

10. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top shell (5) is formed by plastic deformation of a processed metal sheet.

11. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom shell (4) is formed by plastic deformation of processed metal sheets.

12. The fuel filter according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The bottom columnar sidewall (41) and the top columnar sidewall (51) are mechanically pressed together in a manner that makes them irremovable.

13. The fuel filter according to claim 12, characterized in that, The bottom shell (4) also includes a central discharge opening (40), wherein the bottom shell (4) also includes a discharge element (8), which closes the central discharge opening (40) and discharges water separated from the fuel by the filter medium (2).

14. The fuel filter according to claim 13, characterized in that, The connection area between the bottom columnar sidewall (41) and the top columnar sidewall (51) is located at an axial height between the central opening (50) and the central discharge opening (40).

15. The fuel filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top shell (5) also includes an annular seal (6) surrounding the top and bottom of the opening edge (500).

16. The fuel filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The angle is equal to or less than 40°.

17. The fuel filter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting portion (52) includes at least three of the planar connecting walls.

18. The fuel filter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The joint has a radius of curvature of 2.5 mm.

19. The fuel filter according to claim 9, characterized in that, The two continuous planar connecting walls are joined by a joint having a radius of curvature equal to 2.5 mm.

20. The fuel filter according to claim 10, characterized in that, The top shell (5) is formed by pressing processed metal sheets.

21. The fuel filter according to claim 11, characterized in that, The bottom shell (4) is formed by pressing processed metal sheets.

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