Air filter element and filter

Abstract

This utility model discloses an air filter element and filter. The air filter includes a replaceable filter element and a housing for accommodating the filter element. The filter element has an outwardly protruding positioning member, and the housing has a mating part corresponding to the positioning member. The positioning member engages with the mating part through rotational movement around the central axis of the filter element. The positioning member has a snap-fit ​​portion, which engages with the mating part after the positioning member is at least partially elastically embedded in the mating part, thereby locking the filter element around its central axis. This solution utilizes the snap-fit ​​portion on the positioning member to interlock with the mating part, achieving upper limit locking of the filter element in the circumferential direction, resulting in a highly stable positioning effect. Disassembly only requires moving the positioning member, rotating the filter element, and disengaging the snap-fit ​​portion from the mating portion, effectively preventing loosening and abnormal noise caused by vibration during vehicle operation, or unintentional loosening of the filter element due to reverse rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of filter technology, and in particular relates to an air filter element and filter. Background Technology

[0002] Because engines draw in a large amount of air during operation, if this air is not filtered, suspended dust in the air will be sucked into the cylinders, accelerating wear on the piston assembly and cylinders. Larger particles entering between the piston and cylinder can cause severe "cylinder scoring," which is particularly serious in dry and sandy working environments. An air filter is usually installed in front of the carburetor or intake manifold to filter out dust and sand particles from the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinders.

[0003] Patent 201380044097.X discloses a gas filtration device having a filter element housed within a filter housing and a housing cover. A fixing member protruding from the outer housing surface is provided on the filter element, and a corresponding fixing member is attached to it on the housing cover. The fixing members and the corresponding fixing members are interlocked in the assembled state. To prevent the filter element from unintentionally loosening by reversing around its longitudinal axis, a resilient latch is provided on the housing side or cover side according to another advantageous embodiment. Alternatively, a resilient latch is provided on an end plate, positioned in the assembled state on a positioning protrusion on the inner surface of the housing cover or housing. These designs complicate the fixing structure and make the installation and removal of the filter element cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this utility model is to propose an air filter element and filter, which aims to provide a simple structure, improve the assembly reliability of the filter element, and thus solve the technical problem that the filter element assembly becomes loose and noisy due to vibration during vehicle operation or the filter element is accidentally loosened when reversed.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the air filter proposed in this utility model includes:

[0006] A replaceable filter element, wherein the filter element is provided with an outwardly protruding positioning element;

[0007] A filter housing for accommodating the filter element, the filter housing having a mating part corresponding to the positioning member, wherein the positioning member engages with the mating part by rotating about the central axis of the filter element;

[0008] The positioning member has a snap-fit ​​portion, which is used to snap into the mating portion after the positioning member is at least partially elastically embedded in the mating portion, so that the filter element is locked around its central axis.

[0009] Optionally, the filter element is composed of a hollow cylinder arranged around its central axis, and the positioning element protrudes generally radially from the surface of the hollow cylinder.

[0010] Optionally, one axial end face of the filter element is provided with an end plate, and the positioning member protrudes generally radially from the end plate.

[0011] Optionally, the positioning element includes a body that protrudes generally in a radial direction and an elastic connecting portion integrally disposed with the body, the elastic connecting portion being at least partially elastically insertable into the mating portion.

[0012] Optionally, the elastic connecting portions are distributed approximately along the circumferential direction of the filter element.

[0013] Optionally, the snap-fit ​​portion is integrally formed on the elastic connecting portion.

[0014] Optionally, the distal end of the elastic connector is elastically disposed relative to its connection end with the main body, and the snap-fit ​​portion is disposed close to the distal end.

[0015] Optionally, the positioning member further includes a stop portion integrally formed with the main body, the stop portion and the elastic connecting portion being spaced apart to limit the compression amount of the elastic connecting portion.

[0016] Optionally, the mating part is a positioning slot provided on the filter housing, and the snap-fit ​​part abuts against the positioning slot in a hook shape.

[0017] Optionally, the filter element has a second end plate on its other axial end face, and the second end plate has a stop member that is axially spaced from the positioning member.

[0018] This utility model also proposes an air filter element that can be housed in an air filter as described above, characterized in that the filter element is provided with an outwardly protruding positioning member and a locking member axially spaced from the positioning member.

[0019] In this invention, the positioning element on the filter element is rotatably embedded into the matching part inside the filter housing. The locking part on the positioning element engages with the matching part, achieving a stable circumferential locking of the filter element. Disassembly is simple: just move the positioning element, rotate the filter element, and disengage the locking part from the matching part. This simplified structure improves the assembly reliability of the filter element, effectively preventing loosening and abnormal noises caused by vibration during vehicle operation, or accidental loosening due to reverse rotation. It also enhances the convenience of assembly and disassembly. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an installation state diagram of an embodiment of the air filter element provided by this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air filter element provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a side view of an embodiment of the air filter element provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cover of the air filter housing provided by this utility model.

[0025] Labeling Explanation: Filter element-100, shaft-100a, positioning element-1, snap-fit ​​part-11, main body-12, elastic connecting part-13, common distal end-13a, connecting end-13b, first rib-131, second rib-132, stop part-14, first end plate-2, second end plate-3, center opening-3a, stop element-31, groove-31a, filter medium-4, cavity-4a, cover-200, mating part-201.

[0026] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] To better describe and illustrate the embodiments of this application, reference may be made to one or more accompanying drawings, but the additional details or examples used to describe the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of any of the utility model creation, the embodiments or preferred embodiments of this application, or the preferred methods described herein.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and do not indicate that the device referred to must have a specific orientation or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application.

[0031] The interlocking structure of patent 201380044097.X requires ribs on the housing to inhibit reverse rotation after the filter element is installed in a forward-rotating manner. Furthermore, when the filter element is installed in a forward-rotating manner, the fixing component will also move the aforementioned ribs. As can be seen, the ribs are exposed to impacts from the fixing component in both the forward and reverse directions, which places high demands on their strength, making them very easy to break and causing filter element installation failure.

[0032] Therefore, this utility model provides an air filter, mainly used in the intake system of an internal combustion engine in motor vehicles. Figure 1 An embodiment of the air filter provided by this utility model. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 The air filter includes a replaceable filter element 100 and a filter housing for housing the filter element 100.

[0033] The housing typically has an internal cavity 4a, in which the filter element 100 is installed. Generally, to facilitate filter element 100 replacement, the housing includes a removable cover 200. Both the housing and its cover 200 are equipped with intake and exhaust channels, allowing for the intake of air from the outside and the intake of filtered air into the internal combustion engine.

[0034] In a more detailed description, the housing and its cover 200 may be made of any material suitable for a particular application (e.g., plastic, metal) in any suitable manner, such as by injection molding, die casting and / or machining, etc., in one or more pieces.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 In this embodiment, the filter element 100 is composed of a hollow cylinder arranged around its central axis 100a. The hollow cylinder is also an annular filter medium 4 extending along the axial direction, and a cavity 4a is formed inside the filter medium 4. The two end faces of the filter medium 4 are respectively sealed and connected to a first end plate 2 and a second end plate 3. There are various connection methods, such as hot melt welding and adhesive bonding.

[0036] Normally, the filter element 100 has a central opening 3a at the center of its end plate, which communicates with the internal cavity 4a. A riser (not shown in the figure) is sealed through this central opening 3a to connect the internal cavity 4a with the air intake or exhaust channel. In this embodiment, the central opening 3a is located on the second end plate 3. Outside air enters the outside of the filter element 100 through the air intake channel of the housing, is purified by the filter medium 4, then enters the internal cavity 4a of the filter element 100, and finally enters the exhaust channel, which communicates with the internal combustion air intake system, through the riser.

[0037] The positioning element 1, used for rotational fixation, protrudes generally radially from the surface of the hollow cylinder. It can also be offset radially; a radially positioned element better prevents the filter element 100 from failing to hold under tangential force. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning element 1 protrudes generally radially from the outer periphery of the first end plate 2 and is integrally injection molded with the first end plate 2. In other embodiments, the positioning element 1 may protrude from the surface of the filter medium 4.

[0038] Please see Figure 4 The surface of the cover 200 has a mating part 201 corresponding to the positioning member 1, that is, located on the side of the filter element 100. In this embodiment, the mating part 201 is a positioning latch, which is integrally formed with the cover 200 in a U-shape. Of course, the position of the mating part 201 can be any other part of the housing other than the cover 200, as long as it is convenient to fix the filter element 100.

[0039] Specifically, when the filter element 100 and its positioning member 1 rotate around the central axis 100a of the filter element 100, the positioning member 1 can at least partially engage with the mating part 201, forming a temporary fixed state similar to that in patent 201380044097.X. To prevent the effects of forces acting against its rotational movement (e.g., loosening caused by vibrations during vehicle operation or the thrust of airflow), especially tangential forces, the positioning member 1 has a locking part 11, which engages with the mating part 201 after the positioning member 1 is at least partially elastically embedded in it, so that the filter element 100 is locked around its central axis 100a.

[0040] In this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​part 11 is hook-shaped and can hook onto the edge of the mating part 201; or, in other embodiments of this utility model, the snap-fit ​​part can also be designed as a protrusion, and the mating part 201 is provided with a corresponding groove in its structure to achieve snap-fit.

[0041] Furthermore, to enable the positioning element 1 to be embedded in the bayonet, please refer to... Figure 2In one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning member 1 includes a main body 12 that protrudes generally in the radial direction and an elastic connecting part 13 integrally disposed with the main body 12. The main body 12 and the elastic connecting part 13 are generally similar to the shape of a claw hammer. The radially protruding main body 12 can reduce the stress of the elastic connecting part 13 in the tangential direction, while the elastic connecting part 13 is generally distributed along the circumferential direction of the filter element 100 and is generally an arc-shaped structure.

[0042] The elastic connection portion 13 includes a first rib 131 that generally matches the inner wall contour of the body 12 and the U-shaped mating portion 201, and a second rib 132 that extends circumferentially from the distal end of the first rib 131 (relative to the body 12) toward the body 12. The connection between the first rib 131 and the second rib 132 forms a common distal end 13a of the two relative to the body 12, which is the distal end of the elastic connection portion 13.

[0043] Please see Figure 1 and 2 The first rib 131 is located closer to the filter element 100 than the second rib 132. The snap-fit ​​portion 11 is integrally formed on the elastic connecting portion 13. In this embodiment, it is preferably formed on the first rib 131, especially near the common distal end 13a, so that the snap-fit ​​portion 11 can better hook onto the U-shaped mating portion 201.

[0044] The first rib 131 is elastically and movable relative to its connection end 13b with the main body 12. When the first rib 131 is moved by the common distal end 13a of the elastic connection part 13, the elastic connection part 13 can disengage from the bayonet. The second rib 132 is elastically and movable relative to its connection with the first rib 131 (i.e., the common distal end 13a), so that the elastic connection part 13 is compressible relative to itself.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, a spring may also be provided between the first rib 131 and the second rib 132 to ensure material reliability. Alternatively, only a spring may be provided, and the first rib 131 and the second rib 132 may be hinged to each other.

[0046] When the filter element 100 rotates around its central axis 100a, the elastic connecting part 13 can be inserted into the bayonet-shaped mating part 201. The common distal end 13a first enters the bayonet, and then the second rib 132 can be elastically compressed relative to the first rib 131. Under the action of elastic force, the first rib 131 and the second rib 132 tightly abut against the inner wall of the bayonet. Finally, when the hook-shaped engaging part 11 of the first rib 131 hooks into the positioning bayonet and abuts, the filter element 100 is limited in its circumferential direction. At this time, the elastic connecting part 13 can be elastically inserted into the bayonet-shaped mating part 201. Of course, depending on the shape design of the mating part 201, the elastic connecting part 13 can also be completely inserted into the mating part 201. Under the elastic force generated by the second rib 132 tightly abutting against the inner wall of the bayonet, the hook-shaped engaging part 11 hooks into the positioning bayonet and abuts, thereby preventing loosening noise and the risk of filter element falling off due to vehicle vibration.

[0047] When the filter element 100 needs to be replaced, by moving the common distal end 13a of the elastic connecting part 13, the first rib 131 can be lifted relative to the main body 12, thereby releasing the locking part 11 from its abutment with the latch. At this time, by rotating the filter element 100 in the opposite direction around its central axis 100a, the elastic connecting part 13 can be removed from the latch, releasing the circumferential limiting state of the filter element 100. When moving 13a, due to the arc-shaped structure of the second rib 132, the elastic force of the second rib 132 acts on the inner wall of the latch 201, thereby generating an axial rotational pushing force, forcing the positioning member 1 to disengage from the latch 201, thus facilitating the disassembly of the filter element.

[0048] To prevent the flexible connecting part 13 from being excessively embedded in the bayonet, please refer to... Figure 1 In one embodiment of this utility model, the positioning member 1 further includes a stop portion 14 integrally formed with the main body 12. The stop portion 14 is a rib extending generally radially, located inside the elastic connecting portion 13 and spaced apart from it. When the elastic connecting portion 13 is excessively embedded in the bayonet, that is, beyond the position where the engaging portion 11 abuts against the bayonet, the stop portion 14 can abut against the outer wall of the bayonet, preventing the elastic connecting portion 13 from continuing to embed into the bayonet, thus limiting the compression amount of the elastic connecting portion 13. Furthermore, the stop portion 14 can also prevent the first rib 131 from being pushed too far toward the filter element 100, avoiding the risk of breakage at the connection between the first rib 131 and the main body 12.

[0049] Please see Figure 2 and 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the second end plate 3 of the filter element 100 is provided with a stop member 31 that is axially spaced from the positioning member 1. When the filter element 100 rotates around its central axis 100a, the positioning member 1 on the first end plate 2 is embedded into the mating part 201 on the cover 200, and the stop member 31 on the second end plate 3 can also engage with the corresponding mating structure on the housing.

[0050] Specifically, please refer to Figure 3 The second end plate 3 is provided with a total of three stop members 31 evenly arranged on the circumference, and the stop members 31 have grooves 31a extending in the circumferential direction. Correspondingly, a total of three matching structures of corresponding shapes are also provided on the inner side of the housing, which are evenly arranged on the circumference. The matching structure is composed of a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction, which is inserted into the groove 31a when the filter element 100 is rotated and assembled.

[0051] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, 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, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0052] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of this application, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air filter, characterized in that, The air filter Includes the following components: A replaceable filter element (100) is provided with an outwardly protruding positioning element (1) having a snap-fit ​​portion (11). A housing (200) for accommodating the filter element (100) is provided with a mating part (201) corresponding to the positioning member (1). The positioning member (1) engages with the mating part (201) by rotating around the central axis of the filter element (100). After the positioning member (1) is at least partially elastically embedded in the mating part (201), the snap-fit ​​part (11) snaps with the mating part (201) so that the filter element (100) is locked around its central axis.

2. The air filter as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The filter element (100) is composed of a hollow cylinder arranged around its central axis, and the positioning element (1) protrudes approximately radially from the surface of the hollow cylinder.

3. The air filter as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The filter element (100) has a first end plate (2) on one of its axial end faces, and the positioning member (1) protrudes approximately radially from the first end plate (2).

4. The air filter as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mating part (201) is a positioning slot provided on the housing (200), and the snap-fit ​​part (11) abuts against the positioning slot in a hook shape.

5. The air filter as described in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The positioning member (1) includes a body (12) that protrudes generally in the radial direction and an elastic connecting part (13) integrally disposed with the body (12), wherein at least part of the elastic connecting part (13) is elastically embedded in the mating part (201).

6. The air filter as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The elastic connection part (13) includes a first rib (131) and a second rib (132) that are elastically connected. The snap-fit ​​part (11) is integrally formed on the first rib (131) and is used to snap onto the mating part (201) when the second rib (132) elastically abuts against the mating part (201).

7. The air filter as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The distal end (13a) of the elastic connecting part (13) is elastically disposed relative to the connecting end (13b) of the main body (12), and the snap-fit ​​part (11) is disposed close to the distal end (13a).

8. The air filter as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The positioning member (1) also includes a stop part (14) integrally formed with the main body (12), the stop part (14) and the elastic connecting part (13) are spaced apart, and are used to limit the compression amount of the elastic connecting part (13).

9. The air filter as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The filter element (100) has a second end plate (3) on its other axial end face, and the second end plate (3) has a stop member (31) that is axially spaced from the positioning member (1).

10. An air filter element capable of being housed within an air filter as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The filter element is provided with an outwardly protruding positioning member (1) and a stop member (31) axially spaced from the positioning member (1).

Images