Fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to a fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly which comprises a fuel filter (1) with a filter shell (10), and the filter shell is provided with a first end (11), a second end (12) opposite to the first end (11) and a peripheral wall (13). The mounting bracket (2) is fixedly connected to the peripheral wall or is integrally manufactured with the peripheral wall, the mounting bracket is located at the position, between the first end and the second end, of the peripheral wall, and the mounting bracket (2) is provided with a first connecting mechanism (20); and a pressure regulator (3) having a regulator housing (4), the regulator housing (4) being provided with a second connection mechanism (40); wherein the pressure regulator (3) is detachably and fixedly mounted to the mounting bracket (2) through the cooperation of the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism, so that the filter shell and the regulator shell are separated in the radial direction at an interval.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of engine oil supply system especially relates to a fuel filter - pressure regulator assembly for engine oil supply system, wherein the pressure regulator is detachably assembled to the fuel filter. BACKGROUND

[0002] The fuel pump is a part of the engine oil supply system. The fuel filter is a part of the fuel pump, which provides clean fuel for the engine. The pressure regulator is also a part of the fuel pump, which provides stable pressure fuel for the engine.

[0003] Currently, whether it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICE), higher requirements are put forward for the efficiency of the fuel pump. Intelligentization, diversification, lightweight and high environmental protection performance are the development trend of the fuel pump.

[0004] The fuel pump in the prior art does not integrate a lifetime filter, and has poor environmental protection performance. Moreover, the pressure regulator is connected to the oil return pipe bundle joint on the flange through a hose, and the fuel supply efficiency is poor. The current pressure regulator has the disadvantages of many parts, complex structure, long and complex manufacturing process and high manufacturing cost. In addition, the part design of the pressure regulator shell is complex, the weight is large, and the installation space is large.

[0005] In addition, in the current fuel pump, the fuel filter and the pressure regulator are coaxially installed, which results in a high installation height of the fuel pump, a large occupied installation space, and a high cost of the fuel pump. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to overcome at least one of the above problems, it is necessary to provide a fuel filter - pressure regulator assembly, wherein the pressure regulator and the fuel filter are installed in parallel, which significantly reduces the installation height of the fuel filter - pressure regulator assembly.

[0007] Therefore, the utility model provides a fuel filter - pressure regulator assembly, which comprises: a fuel filter having a filter shell, the filter shell having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and an outer peripheral wall; a mounting bracket fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall or integrally made with the outer peripheral wall, wherein the mounting bracket is located between the first end and the second end of the outer peripheral wall, and the mounting bracket is provided with a first connecting mechanism; and a pressure regulator having a regulator shell, the regulator shell being provided with a second connecting mechanism; wherein the pressure regulator is detachably fixedly installed to the mounting bracket through the cooperation of the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism, so that the filter shell and the regulator shell are radially spaced apart.

[0008] In the above embodiment, due to the configuration of the mounting bracket, the fuel filter and the pressure regulator are installed side by side, which reduces the installation height of the fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly compared with the coaxial installation in the prior art, and installation space can be better utilized.

[0009] According to one preferred aspect of the present application, the mounting bracket is located at a middle position between the first end and the second end of the peripheral wall, and a plane in which the mounting bracket is located is perpendicular to the peripheral wall. In the above configuration, the installation height of the fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly can be significantly reduced.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present application, the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism are configured such that the pressure regulator can move between an assembled position and a detachable position, wherein in the assembled position, the pressure regulator can be fixed to the mounting bracket through the engagement of the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism, and in the detachable position, the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism are disengaged, so that the pressure regulator can be detached from the mounting bracket, i.e. the pressure regulator is detached from the fuel filter.

[0011] According to one preferred aspect of the present application, the mounting bracket has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a mounting hole extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein a central axis of the mounting hole is parallel to a longitudinal center line of the filter housing; the first connecting mechanism includes a first axial limiting structure, a first circumferential limiting structure, and a circumferential limiting member arranged at the mounting hole; the second connecting structure includes a second axial limiting structure and a second circumferential limiting structure arranged on the regulator housing; wherein in the assembled position, the first axial limiting structure and the second axial limiting structure are engaged to limit the axial movement of the pressure regulator relative to the mounting bracket, and the first circumferential limiting structure and the circumferential limiting member are engaged with the second circumferential limiting structure to limit the circumferential movement of the pressure regulator relative to the mounting bracket; in the detachable position, the first axial limiting structure and the second axial limiting structure are disengaged, and the first circumferential limiting structure and the circumferential limiting member are disengaged from the second circumferential limiting structure, so that the pressure regulator can be detached from the mounting bracket.

[0012] According to one preferred aspect of the present application, the regulator housing is molded from a plastic material and includes a first cylindrical section and a second cylindrical section, wherein the outer diameter of the first cylindrical section is smaller than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical section.

[0013] According to one preferred scheme of the utility model, the first axial limiting structure includes a plurality of first protruding parts extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole and evenly spaced along the circumference of the mounting hole, wherein the upper surface of the first protruding part is flush with the upper surface of the mounting bracket;The second axial limiting structure includes a plurality of second protruding parts protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section of the regulator housing and evenly spaced along the circumference thereof, a plurality of protruding parts protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section of the regulator housing and evenly spaced along the circumference thereof, wherein the plurality of protruding parts are arranged closer to the second cylindrical section than the plurality of second protruding parts, and the circumferential dimension of the protruding part is selected so that the protruding part can pass through the gap between adjacent first protruding parts, and the circumferential length of the second protruding part is greater than the circumferential spacing between two adjacent first protruding parts.

[0014] According to one preferred scheme of the utility model, the first circumferential limiting structure includes a plurality of limiting clamping grooves defined by the top surface of a plurality of first protruding parts and a flange protruding upward along the top edge of the first protruding part;The circumferential limiting member is configured as a stop arm extending upward perpendicular to the first protruding part at the radial edge of a first protruding part;The second circumferential limiting structure includes the plurality of protruding parts. In fact, the protruding part can be used for both axial limiting and circumferential limiting.

[0015] According to one scheme of the utility model, the first axial limiting structure includes four first protruding parts;The first circumferential limiting structure includes four limiting clamping grooves;The second axial limiting structure includes four second protruding parts and four protruding parts;And the second circumferential limiting structure includes four protruding parts.

[0016] According to one scheme of the utility model, the pressure regulator further includes a cylindrical rear cover, a valve core and a spiral spring, the rear cover is molded from a plastic material and has an open end, the free end of the first cylindrical section of the regulator housing extends into the open end and is fixedly connected to the rear cover by laser welding, wherein the spiral spring and the valve core are located in the accommodation chamber defined by the rear cover.

[0017] According to one scheme of the utility model, the fuel filter is a lifetime filter;The mounting bracket and the filter housing are integrally formed from a plastic material.

[0018] At least one of the following beneficial technical effects can be achieved by the utility model: the pressure regulator is installed in parallel with the fuel filter through the mounting bracket, which can significantly reduce the height of the device and the occupied installation space; the detachable connection design, such as the buckle design, between the mounting bracket and the pressure regulator can reduce the number of parts and the mold and production cost; the buckle design saves the investment in laser welding equipment, meets the requirements of customers, is controllable in cost, and has low quality risk; since the detachable buckle design is adopted, the pressure regulator can be conveniently replaced when there is a quality problem, the overall scrapping is avoided, and the after-sales cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Further features and advantages of the utility model will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of one embodiment of a fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly according to the utility model is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A perspective view of the pressure regulator fixedly connected to the filter housing of the fuel filter through the mounting bracket is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 A sectional view of the pressure regulator assembled to the mounting bracket is shown;

[0023] Figure 4 A perspective view of one embodiment of the pressure regulator according to the utility model is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 A sectional view of the pressure regulator is shown; Figure 4

[0025] A sectional view of the pressure regulator is shown; Figure 6 Figure 4 A sectional view of the pressure regulator is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 A structural schematic view of the first connection mechanism on the mounting bracket viewed from above is shown;

[0027] Figure 8 A structural schematic view of the first connection mechanism on the mounting bracket viewed from below is shown;

[0028] Figure 9 A perspective view of one embodiment of the regulator housing according to the utility model is shown;

[0029] Figure 10 A sectional view of the regulator housing is shown; Figure 9

[0030] Figure 11 ​​a perspective view of the pressure regulator in a detached position relative to the mounting bracket; and

[0031] Figure 12 a perspective view of the pressure regulator in an assembled position relative to the mounting bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] An oil filter-pressure regulator assembly according to the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of example. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present application. Further, it will be appreciated that the present application is not limited in scope to the particular embodiments introduced in this introduction. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the present application will encompass any and all combinations of features and elements introduced below, whether they are involved in different embodiments or not.

[0033] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of an oil filter-pressure regulator assembly according to the present application is shown. The oil filter-pressure regulator assembly comprises an oil filter 1 and a pressure regulator 3 detachably fixedly connected to the oil filter 1 by means of a mounting bracket 2. Here, the oil filter 1 is preferably a lifetime filter. As can be seen from the figures, the pressure regulator 3 is parallel and radially spaced apart from the oil filter 1, i.e. arranged side by side, not only saving installation space, but also reducing the installation height of the oil filter-pressure regulator assembly, and thus the overall height of the fuel pump.

[0034] Figure 2 A perspective view of the pressure regulator fixedly connected to the filter housing 10 of the oil filter 1 by means of the mounting bracket 2 is shown. As can be seen from the figure, the filter housing 10 has a first end 11, an opposite second end 12 and an outer peripheral wall 13 extending between the first and second ends. Here, the mounting bracket 2 is integrally formed with the filter housing 10, in particular with the outer peripheral wall 13 thereof. In the embodiment shown, in order to increase the stability of the mounting bracket 2, the mounting bracket 2 can be integrally formed with both the adjacent filter housing 10 and the pump core support 6, for example. It will be appreciated that the mounting bracket 2 can also be fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall 13 by other means, such as welding. Advantageously, the mounting bracket 2 is located at a position between the first and second ends of the outer peripheral wall 13, preferably at a middle position, so that the oil filter and the pressure regulator can be installed side by side, reducing the installation height of the oil filter-pressure regulator assembly and optimizing the installation space. Preferably, the mounting bracket 2 can be configured in the form of a mounting plate, the plane of which is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral wall 13 of the filter housing 10, thereby further reducing the installation space.

[0035] In the above embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 9 The mounting bracket 2 is provided with a first connection mechanism 20. Reference is made to Figures 4 to 6 The pressure regulator 3 comprises a regulator housing 4, a cylindrical rear cover 31, a valve core 32 and a coil spring 33 located in a cavity 30 formed by the rear cover. The regulator housing 4 is provided with a second connection mechanism 40 which can cooperate with the first connection mechanism 20. The pressure regulator 3 is detachably fixed to the mounting bracket 2, and in turn to the fuel filter 1, by engagement of the first connection mechanism 20 with the second connection mechanism 40. In this embodiment, the first connection mechanism 20 and the second connection mechanism 40 can be configured such that the pressure regulator can move between an assembled position, in which the pressure regulator 3 is fixed to the mounting bracket 2 by engagement of the first connection mechanism 20 with the second connection mechanism 40, and a detachable position, in which the first connection mechanism 20 is disengaged from the second connection mechanism 40, so that the pressure regulator can be detached from the mounting bracket 2.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the rear cover 31 is molded from a plastic material and has an open end 310, into which the free end 430 of the first cylindrical section of the regulator housing 4 extends and is fixedly connected to the rear cover 31 by, for example, laser welding (see in particular Figure 3 In the above embodiments, the pressure regulator is composed of four parts, which reduces assembly complexity and lowers production cost. Moreover, the valve core 32 can be composed of a plastic skeleton and FKM fluororubber, for example, which is simple to manufacture, low in cost and of guaranteed quality.

[0037] Figure 7 and Figure 8A structural schematic view of the first connecting mechanism 20 provided on the mounting bracket 2 is shown. As can be seen from the figure, the mounting bracket 2 is configured as a flat plate, having an upper surface 2a, a lower surface 2b and a mounting hole 5 extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the central axis of the mounting hole 5 is parallel to the longitudinal center line of the filter housing, so that the fuel filter and the pressure regulator can be installed in parallel. In one embodiment, the first connecting mechanism 20 includes a first axial limiting structure 21, a first circumferential limiting structure 22 and a circumferential limiting member 23 provided at the mounting hole 5. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first axial limiting structure 21 includes four first protrusions extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 5 and uniformly spaced along the circumference of the mounting hole, wherein the upper surface of the first protrusion is flush with the upper surface 2a of the mounting bracket 2. The first circumferential limiting structure 22 includes four limiting clamping grooves defined by the top surface of the respective first protrusion and the flange 22a protruding upward along the top edge of the first protrusion, and the circumferential limiting member 23 is configured as a stop arm extending upward perpendicularly to the first protrusion at the radial edge of one first protrusion. It should be understood that the number of first protrusions and limiting clamping grooves is only exemplary, and other suitable numbers, such as three, five, etc., are also covered within the scope of the present application.

[0038] Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , a specific structure of one embodiment of the regulator housing 4 according to the present application is shown. The second connecting mechanism 40 includes a second axial limiting structure 41 and a second circumferential limiting structure 42 provided on the regulator housing 4. In this embodiment, the regulator housing 4 is molded from a plastic material and includes a first cylindrical section 43 and a second cylindrical section 44, wherein the outer diameter of the first cylindrical section is smaller than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical section. This housing design is simple, has a small weight, and occupies a small installation space. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the second axial limiting structure 41 includes four second protrusions protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section 43 of the regulator housing 4 and uniformly spaced along the circumference thereof, and four protrusions protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section 43 of the regulator housing 4 and uniformly spaced along the circumference thereof. Among them, the protrusions are closer to the second cylindrical section than the second protrusions, and the circumferential dimension of the protrusions is selected such that the protrusions can pass through the gap between the adjacent two first protrusions, and the circumferential length of the second protrusions is greater than the circumferential spacing between the adjacent two first protrusions. The four protrusions also constitute the second circumferential limiting structure 42. In the embodiment as shown, the shapes of the second protrusions and the protrusions are selected as fan ring shapes, and the protrusions can be configured as hollow.

[0039] Likewise, the number of second protrusions and protrusions is merely exemplary, and other suitable numbers, such as three, five, and the like, are encompassed within the scope of the present application. Also, in the above embodiments, the number of first protrusions, second protrusions, limiting clamping grooves, and protrusions is the same.

[0040] The following is based on Figure 11 and Figure 12 The assembly and disassembly process of the fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly according to the present application is briefly described as follows: first, the regulator housing 4 of the pressure regulator 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 5 of the mounting bracket 2 upward, and then the axial direction of the regulator housing 4 is pressed to the stop position, at which position the second protrusion on the regulator housing 4 abuts against the first protrusion at the mounting hole 5 of the mounting bracket 2, while the protrusions on the regulator housing 4 are disengaged from the limiting clamping grooves, i.e. the protrusions and the first protrusions are spaced apart by a certain distance, and one of the protrusions is also disengaged from the axial limiting member 23, at this time the pressure regulator 3 is in a detachable position relative to the mounting bracket 2 (fuel filter 1) (as shown in Figure 11 ), i.e. the first axial limiting structure 21 and the second axial limiting structure 41 are disengaged, and the first circumferential limiting structure 22 and the circumferential limiting member 23 are disengaged from the second circumferential limiting structure 42; then, the pressure regulator 3 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, keeping the first axial limiting structure 21 engaged with the second axial limiting structure 41, i.e. the second protrusion and the protrusion on the regulator housing abut against the first protrusion on the mounting bracket 2 to prevent the axial movement of the pressure regulator 3 relative to the mounting bracket 2, while the first circumferential limiting structure 22 is engaged with the second circumferential limiting structure 42, i.e. the protrusions fall into the limiting clamping grooves by the weight of the pressure regulator, and one of the protrusions is engaged with the circumferential limiting member 23 to prevent the circumferential movement of the pressure regulator 3 relative to the mounting bracket 2, thereby fixing the pressure regulator 3 to the mounting bracket 2, i.e. the pressure regulator 3 is in an assembled position relative to the mounting bracket 2 (fuel filter 1) (as shown in Figure 12 ).

[0041] When the pressure regulator needs to be disassembled: first, the pressure regulator 3 is moved axially upward so that the protrusions are disengaged from the limiting clamping grooves; then, the pressure regulator 3 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the first axial limiting structure 21 is disengaged from the second axial limiting structure 41 (i.e. the protrusions are located above the gap between the two adjacent first protrusions), and the first circumferential limiting structure and the second circumferential limiting structure are disengaged (the protrusions are disengaged from the limiting clamping grooves and the circumferential limiting member 23); finally, the pressure regulator 3 is pulled out from the mounting bracket 2 from below.

[0042] Although the utility model has disclosed as above with preferable embodiments, the utility model is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art, the various combinations, changes and modifications made without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, should be included in the protection scope of the utility model, therefore the protection scope of the utility model should be limited to the range defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly characterized by, The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly comprises: a fuel filter (1) having a filter housing (10) with a first end (11), a second end (12) opposite the first end (11), and an outer peripheral wall (13); a mounting bracket (2) fixedly connected to or integrally formed with the outer peripheral wall, wherein the mounting bracket is located at a position of the outer peripheral wall between the first end and the second end, and the mounting bracket (2) is provided with a first connecting mechanism (20); and a pressure regulator (3) having a regulator housing (4) provided with a second connecting mechanism (40); wherein the pressure regulator (3) is detachably fixedly mounted to the mounting bracket (2) through cooperation of the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism, so that the filter housing and the regulator housing are radially spaced apart.

2. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein, The mounting bracket (2) is located at a middle position of the outer peripheral wall (13) between the first end and the second end, and a plane in which the mounting bracket is located is perpendicular to the outer peripheral wall.

3. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first connecting mechanism (20) and the second connecting mechanism (40) are configured so that the pressure regulator can move between an assembled position and a detachable position, wherein in the assembled position, the pressure regulator (3) can be fixed to the mounting bracket (2) through engagement of the first connecting mechanism (20) and the second connecting mechanism (40), and in the detachable position, the first connecting mechanism (20) and the second connecting mechanism (40) are disengaged, so that the pressure regulator can be detached from the mounting bracket (2).

4. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly according to claim 3, wherein the mounting bracket (2) has an upper surface (2a), a lower surface (2b), and a mounting hole (5) extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein a central axis of the mounting hole (5) is parallel to a longitudinal center line of the filter housing; the first connecting mechanism (20) includes a first axial limiting structure (21), a first circumferential limiting structure (22), and a circumferential limiting member (23) arranged at the mounting hole (5); the second connecting structure (40) includes a second axial limiting structure (41) and a second circumferential limiting structure (42) arranged on the regulator housing (4); In the assembled position, the first axial limiting structure (21) is engaged with the second axial limiting structure (41) for limiting axial movement of the pressure regulator relative to the mounting bracket, and the first circumferential limiting structure (22) and the circumferential limiting member (23) are engaged with the second circumferential limiting structure (42) for limiting circumferential movement of the pressure regulator relative to the mounting bracket; in the detachable position, the first axial limiting structure (21) and the second axial limiting structure (41) are disengaged, and the first circumferential limiting structure (22) and the circumferential limiting member (23) are disengaged from the second circumferential limiting structure (42), so that the pressure regulator can be detached from the mounting bracket.

5. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 4, wherein, The regulator housing (4) is molded from a plastic material and comprises a first cylindrical section (43) and a second cylindrical section (44), wherein the first cylindrical section has a smaller outer diameter than the second cylindrical section.

6. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 5, wherein The first axial limiting structure (21) comprises a plurality of first protrusions extending radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole (5) and uniformly spaced along a circumference of the mounting hole, wherein upper surfaces of the first protrusions are flush with an upper surface (2a) of the mounting bracket (2); The second axial limiting structure (41) comprises a plurality of second protrusions protruding outward from an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section (43) of the regulator housing (4) and uniformly spaced along a circumference thereof, and a plurality of protrusions protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical section (43) of the regulator housing (4) and uniformly spaced along a circumference thereof, wherein the plurality of protrusions are closer to the second cylindrical section than the plurality of second protrusions, the second protrusions have a circumferential length greater than a circumferential spacing between two adjacent first protrusions, and the protrusions are sized such that the protrusions can pass through the gap between two adjacent first protrusions.

7. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 6, wherein The first circumferential limiting structure (22) comprises a plurality of limiting notches defined by top surfaces of the first protrusions and flanges (22a) protruding upward along top edges of the first protrusions; The circumferential limiting member (23) is configured as a stopper arm extending upward perpendicularly to the first protrusion at a radial edge thereof; The second circumferential limiting structure (42) comprises the plurality of protrusions.

8. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of claim 7, wherein, The first axial limiting structure (21) comprises four first protrusions; the first circumferential limiting structure (22) comprises four limiting notches; the second axial limiting structure (41) comprises four second protrusions and four protrusions; and the second circumferential limiting structure (42) comprises four protrusions.

9. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of any one of claims 5-8, wherein, The pressure regulator (3) further comprises a cylindrical rear cover (31) moulded from a plastic material and having an open end (310) into which the free end (430) of the first cylindrical section of the regulator housing (4) extends and is fixedly connected by laser welding, a valve core (32) and a helical spring (33) located in a containing chamber (30) defined by the rear cover.

10. The fuel filter-pressure regulator assembly of any one of claims 5-8, wherein, The fuel filter is a lifetime filter; the mounting bracket and the filter housing are integrally formed from a plastic material.

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