Filter system and filter system housing

Abstract

Filter system, comprehensive: - a filter housing (200, 302, 802); - a removable filter element (304, 804) arranged inside the filter housing; - at least one first axial surface irregularity (204) at an axial end of the filter housing (200, 302, 802) which prevents an axial seal from being formed at the axial end of the filter housing at the location of the axial surface irregularity (204); and - at least one second radial surface irregularity (202) on a section of an inner wall surface of the filter housing (200, 302, 802) which prevents a radial seal from being formed on the inner wall surface at the location of the radial surface irregularity.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present application concerns filter systems. BACKGROUND

[0002] Internal combustion engines generally burn a mixture of fuel (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) and air. Before intake air enters the engine, it is typically passed through a filter system containing a filter element to remove contaminants (e.g., fine dust, dust, water, etc.) from the intake air before it is delivered to the engine. If these contaminants were allowed into the engine, they could cause damage and potential engine failure. The filter element usually contains a filter medium. As air flows through the filter medium, the medium removes at least some of the contaminants in the fluid. The filter element is sealed against the housing of the filter system to prevent air from bypassing it. Fig. Figure 1 shows two conventional sealing mechanisms between a filter element and a filter housing. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the filter element can provide a seal against a housing wall 102 by means of a radial sealing element 104 that presses radially against an inner surface of the housing wall, an axial sealing element 106 that presses axially against an axial end of the housing wall 102, or a combination of both sealing mechanisms.

[0003] The filter element must be replaced regularly. Since the filter element filters the air, the filter medium separates and traps some of the airborne contaminants. The trapped contaminants increase the constriction of the filter system, thereby increasing the pressure drop caused by the filter system. Once the amount of trapped contaminants reaches a certain threshold, the pressure drop caused by the filter element becomes too great for the engine to operate efficiently. At this point, the filter element should be replaced. To ensure proper engine operation and the safety of equipment components, the correct replacement filter element should be installed in the filter system housing. If an incorrect type of filter element (e.g.,If a non-compliant filter element were used in the filter system, an undesirable amount of contaminants could pass through the filter system and into the engine, increasing the risk of engine damage. For example, non-compliant filter elements may use different sealing mechanisms than compliant, original filter element types. The different sealing mechanism may utilize a different sealing surface on the housing. For instance, if the compliant filter element uses an axial seal, the non-compliant filter element might use a radial seal. Likewise, the non-compliant filter element might use an axial seal if the compliant filter element uses a radial seal. These alternative sealing surfaces on the housing may not be controlled and inspected by the original parts manufacturer. Thus, the other sealing mechanisms may not provide an adequate seal.

[0004] US 2008 / 0173578A1 discloses a filter container having a wall section that defines a cavity suitable for receiving a filter. A filter retaining element extends integrally from the inner surface of the wall section, providing a shoulder with an interface surface for connection to the filter. DE 112006003021T5 discloses a liquid filter with a plastic casing and a replaceable liquid filter cartridge. The casing is designed to accommodate only a suitably configured, replaceable liquid filter cartridge for proper function. DE 112010001567T5 discloses a filtration sealing system for sealing a filter element in a housing at a matching interface. The sealing system and a replacement filter element for such a filtration sealing system include coded interfaces. SUMMARY

[0005] The invention is described in the attached set of claims. One embodiment relates to a filter system. The filter system includes a filter housing and a removable filter element arranged inside the filter housing. The filter system further includes at least one surface irregularity on a section of a surface of the filter housing, which prevents a seal from forming over that section of the surface.

[0006] Another embodiment relates to a filter system housing. The filter system housing includes a filter housing body that forms an inner compartment designed to accommodate a filter element. The filter system housing further includes a housing cover that is removably coupled to the housing body. The filter system housing includes at least one surface irregularity on a section of a surface of the filter housing body that prevents a seal from forming over that section of the surface.

[0007] These and other characteristics, as well as the organization and nature of their activity, will become clear from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereby identical elements in the various drawings described below have the same reference symbols throughout. List of characters Fig. Figure 1 shows cross-sectional views of a state-of-the-art filter system housing and possible filter element sealing mechanisms. Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an air filter system housing according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an air filter system according to another embodiment. Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 7 shows different designs of surface irregularities on the housing of the air filter system. Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an air filter system according to a further embodiment. Fig. 9 to Fig. Figure 12 shows different designs of surface irregularities on the housing of the air filter system. Fig. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Regarding the figures in general, they describe filter housings that have surface irregularities in one housing wall. These surface irregularities are located on the inner walls of the housing and / or the axial ends of the housing walls. The surface irregularities may include, for example, grooves, ribs, bumps, and the like. The surface irregularities provide an engine integrity protection (EIP) feature because they prevent unauthorized replacement filter elements (and thus filter elements that may lack properly designed sealing mechanisms) from forming a seal against alternative sealing surfaces on the inner surfaces of the housing walls or against axial ends.For example, if the permissible filter element forms an axial seal with the filter system housing, the surface irregularities may be arranged in such a way as to prevent filter elements designed to form radial seals with the housing from being installed in the filter system. Likewise, the surface irregularities may be arranged in such a way as to prevent filter elements designed to form axial seals with the housing from being installed in the filter system if the permissible filter element forms a radial seal with the filter system housing.

[0009] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing 200 of an air filter system according to an exemplary embodiment. The housing 200 illustrates the general concept described below with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 12 will be discussed in more detail. The housing 200 is a modified version of the housing 102 from Fig. 1. The housing 200 includes surface irregularities that prevent potentially impermissible replacement filter cartridges from forming seals against the housing 200. More precisely, the housing 200 includes radial surface irregularities 202 arranged on an inner wall of the housing 200. The radial surface irregularities 202 may, for example, comprise ribs, notches, grooves, bumps, or the like. The radial surface irregularities 202 prevent a radial seal from forming on the inner wall of the housing 200 at the location of the radial surface irregularities 202. More precisely, the housing 202 also includes axial surface irregularities 204 arranged at an axial end of the housing 200. The axial surface irregularities 204 may, for example, comprise projections, notches, grooves, bumps, or the like.The axial surface irregularities 204 prevent an axial seal from forming at an axial end of the housing 200 at the location of the axial surface irregularities 204. Accordingly, the surface irregularities 202 and 204 can be used to prevent filter elements with impermissible sealing mechanisms from being installed inside the housing 200. For example, if the permissible filter element forms an axial seal with the filter system housing 200, the radial surface irregularities 202 can be arranged to prevent impermissible filter elements designed to form radial seals with the housing 200 from functioning properly with the housing 200.Likewise, the axial surface irregularities 204 can be used to prevent non-compliant filter elements designed to form axial seals with the housing 200 from functioning properly inside the housing 200 when the compliant filter element forms a radial seal with the filter system housing 200.

[0010] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an air filter system 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The air filter system 300 includes a filter housing 302 and a replaceable filter element 304. The replaceable filter element 304 is secured within the filter housing 302 by a cover 306. The filter element 304 includes a filter medium 308 surrounding a central support core 310. In some arrangements, the filter medium 308 is a wound filter medium. The filter element 304 includes a circumferential ring 312, which is sealed against the filter medium 308. The circumferential ring 312 includes an axial sealing element 314. The axial sealing element 314 forms an axial seal with an axial end face of the housing 302. In some arrangements, the axial sealing element 314 is held in a compressed state against the axial end face of the housing 302 when the cover 306 is secured to the housing 302.

[0011] The replaceable filter element 304 is an approved filter element. Thus, the replaceable filter element 304 is designed to create a seal against the housing 302 and to remove an appropriate amount of contaminants from air filtered through the filter system 300. A technician servicing the filter system 300 may attempt to install a non-approved filter element, for example, a filter element designed to create a radial seal with the housing 302, into the housing 302. To prevent the installation of the non-approved filter element that creates a radial seal with the housing 302, the housing 302 incorporates surface irregularities along an inner wall of the housing 302. The surface irregularities may include, for example, ribs, notches, grooves, bumps, or a combination thereof.The surface irregularities prevent a radial seal from forming on the inner wall of the housing 302 at the location of the radial surface irregularities. Specific arrangements of the surface irregularities are described below with reference to [reference to figure]. Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 described in more detail.

[0012] In some arrangements, such as in Fig. Figure 4 shows the surface irregularities of the housing 302, including notches 402 and ribs 404. The notches 402 and the ribs 404 prevent a radial seal from being formed over the notches 402 and the ribs 404 and against the housing 302. Although the housing 302 shown includes both notches 402 and ribs 404, it can also include only notches 402 or only ribs 404. In other arrangements, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the surface irregularities of the housing 302 include several recesses 502. The recesses 502 form blind holes in the housing 302. The recesses 502 prevent a radial seal from being formed over the recesses 502 and against the housing 302. In further arrangements, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the surface irregularities of the housing 302 include several bumps 602. The bumps 602 prevent a radial seal from being formed over the bumps 602 and against the housing 302. In further arrangements, as shown in Figure 6, the surface irregularities of the housing 302 include several bumps 602. Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the surface irregularities of the housing 302 include several depressions 502 and several bumps 602. The depressions 502 and the bumps 602 prevent a radial seal from being formed over the depressions 502 and the bumps 602 and against the housing 302. In additional arrangements, the surface irregularities of the housing 302 can include any combination of notches 402, ribs 404, depressions 502, and bumps 602.

[0013] Fig. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an air filter system 800 according to an exemplary embodiment. The filter system 800 is comparable to the filter system 300. The air filter system 800 includes a filter housing 802 and a replaceable filter element 804. The replaceable filter element 804 is secured within the filter housing 802 by a cover 806. The filter element 804 includes a filter medium 808 that surrounds a central support core 810. In some arrangements, the filter medium 808 is a wound filter medium. The filter element 804 includes a circumferential ring 812 that is sealed against the filter medium 808. The circumferential ring 812 includes a radial sealing element 814. The radial sealing element 814 forms a radial seal with an inner wall of the housing 802. In some arrangements, the radial sealing element 814 is held in a compressed state against the inner wall of the housing 802 when the cover 806 is secured to the housing 802.

[0014] The replaceable filter element 804 is an approved filter element. Thus, the replaceable filter element 804 is designed to create a seal against the housing 802 and to remove an appropriate amount of contaminants from air filtered through the filter system 800. A technician servicing the filter system 800 may attempt to install a non-approved filter element, such as a filter element designed to create an axial seal with the housing 802, into the housing 802. To prevent the installation of the non-approved filter element that creates an axial seal with the housing 802, the housing 802 incorporates surface irregularities along one axial end of the housing 802. The surface irregularities may include, for example, ribs, notches, grooves, bumps, or a combination thereof.The surface irregularities prevent an axial seal from being formed at the axial end of the housing 802 at the location of the surface irregularities. Specific arrangements of the surface irregularities are described below with reference to [reference to figure]. Fig. 9 to Fig. 12 described in more detail.

[0015] In some arrangements, such as in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the surface irregularities of the housing 802 include wave-shaped notches 902. The wave-shaped notches 902 prevent an axial seal from being formed over the wave-shaped notches 902 and against the axial end of the housing 802. In other arrangements, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the surface irregularities of the housing 802 include sawtooth-shaped notches 1002. The sawtooth-shaped notches 1002 prevent an axial seal from being formed over the sawtooth-shaped notches 1002 and against the axial end of the housing 802. In further arrangements, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the surface irregularities of the housing 802 include a projection 1102 and a notch 1104. Although the housing 802 shown includes only one projection 1102 and only one notch 1104, it should be clarified that it can include multiple projections 1102 and multiple notches 1104. The projection 1102 and the notch 1104 prevent an axial seal from being formed over the projection 1102 and the notch 1104 and against the axial end of the housing 802. In further arrangements, as shown in Fig.Figure 12 shows the surface irregularities of the housing 802, sections with wavy notches 902 and sections with sawtooth notches 1002. The sections with wavy notches 902 and the sections with sawtooth notches 1002 prevent an axial seal from being formed over the sections with wavy notches 902 and the sections with sawtooth notches 1002 against the housing 802. In additional arrangements, the surface irregularities of the housing 802 can include any combination of wavy notches 902, sawtooth notches 1002, projections 1102, and notches 1104.

[0016] The filter housings described above, which feature surface irregularities on the housing wall, provide EIP (Exclusive Inspection Point) characteristics for the filter systems. These surface irregularities prevent non-compliant filter elements from forming seals against the inner surfaces or axial ends of the housing wall. Thus, the surface irregularities prevent the proper functioning of non-compliant filter elements, thereby discouraging their use in the individual filter systems. Although described in the context of an air filter system, the same or similar sealing prevention mechanisms (i.e., the surface irregularities in the housing) can be applied to other types of filter systems, such as fuel filter systems, lubricant filter systems, water filter systems, hydraulic fluid filter systems, and the like.

[0017] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations and / or illustrations of possible embodiments (and that such a term is not necessarily intended to imply that such embodiments are exceptional or outstanding examples).

[0018] The term "connected" and the like, as used herein, means the direct or indirect connection of two elements. This connection can be stationary (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable or detachable). This connection can be achieved by the two elements, or the two elements and any further intermediate elements, being integrally formed as a single body, or by the two elements, or the two elements and any further intermediate elements, being attached to one another.

[0019] References herein to the positions of the elements (e.g., "upper", "lower", "above", "below", etc.) merely describe the orientation of the different elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ depending on other exemplary embodiments, and the present disclosure includes such variations.

[0020] It should be noted that the structure and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments serve only for illustration. Although only some embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily recognize upon reading this disclosure that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and sections of the various elements, values ​​of parameters, assembly arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without significantly departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown to be formed in one piece may be constructed from several parts or elements, the position of the elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the type or number of separate elements or positions may be changed or varied.The sequence or order of process steps can be varied or rearranged according to alternative embodiments. Furthermore, features from certain embodiments can be combined with features from other embodiments, which should be obvious to those skilled in the art. Further substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can also be made with respect to the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Filter system, comprising: - a filter housing (200, 302, 802); - a removable filter element (304, 804) arranged inside the filter housing; - at least one first axial surface irregularity (204) at an axial end of the filter housing (200, 302, 802) which prevents an axial seal from being formed at the axial end of the filter housing at the location of the axial surface irregularity (204); and - at least one second radial surface irregularity (202) on a section of an inner wall surface of the filter housing (200, 302, 802) which prevents a radial seal from being formed on the inner wall surface at the location of the radial surface irregularity. [2] Filter system according to claim 1, wherein the removable filter element (304, 804) is an approved filter element, and the removable filter element (304, 804), when arranged in the filter housing (200, 302, 802), forms a radial seal with the section of the inner wall surface of the filter housing (200, 302, 802). [3] Filter system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first axial surface irregularity (204) includes at least one notch (402, 902, 1002, 1104), a projection (1102), a rib (404), a groove, a bump (602) and / or a depression (502). [4] Filter system according to claim 1, wherein the removable filter element (304, 804) is an approved filter element, and the removable filter element (304, 804) includes an axial sealing element that forms a seal between the removable filter element (304, 804) and the axial end face of the filter housing (200, 302, 802). [5] Filter system housing (300), comprising: - a filter housing body (200, 302, 802) forming an inner compartment designed to accommodate a removable filter element (304, 804); - a housing cover (306) which is removably coupled to the filter housing body (200, 302, 802); - at least one first surface irregularity at an axial end of the filter housing body (200, 302, 802) which prevents an axial seal from being formed at the location of the axial surface irregularity at the axial end of the filter housing body (200, 302, 802); and - at least one second radial surface irregularity on a section of an inner wall surface of the filter housing body (200, 302, 802) that prevents a radial seal from being formed at the location of the radial surface irregularity on the inner wall surface when the filter element (304, 804) is positioned inside the filter housing body (200, 302, 802). [6] Filter system housing (300) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first surface irregularity includes at least one notch (402, 902, 1002, 1104), a projection (1102), a rib (404), a groove, a bump (602) and / or a depression (502). [7] Filter system housing according to claim 5, wherein the filter element (304, 804) includes a radial sealing element that forms a seal between the filter element (304, 804) and an inner wall of the filter housing body (200, 302, 802).

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