Filter system

Abstract

Filter device (1), in particular an oil filter for cleaning lubricating oil for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, - with a filter housing cover (2) defining a recording space (5), in which a ring filter element (6) is arranged, - with a housing (4) in which a dome (15) is arranged in the center and onto which the filter housing cover (2) can be screwed, - with at least one intermediate piece (3) which is arranged between the filter housing cover (2) and the housing (4) when the filter housing cover (2) is screwed onto the housing (4), - with a housing-side inlet channel that communicates with a raw side of the ring filter element (6) and a housing-side outlet channel (8) that communicates with a clean side of the ring filter element (6), - with a housing-side idle channel (9) through which the intake chamber (5) can be emptied when the filter housing cover (2) is removed, - with a locking device (11) arranged on the intermediate piece (3), which has a locking element (12) with which the idle channel (9) can be closed, - wherein the locking device (11) is designed such that, when the filter housing cover (2) is screwed onto the housing (4), it is fixed in a precisely defined position in which the locking element (12) is aligned with the idle channel (9) and can be adjusted into a position closing the idle channel (9) by screwing on the filter housing cover (2), while, when the filter housing cover (2) is unscrewed, the locking device (11) is rotated and simultaneously moved axially away from the housing (4), so that the locking element (12) releases the idle channel (9), - wherein the closure device (11) has a cap (37) with axially aligned grooves (46) and a plate (63) arranged in the cap (37), wherein the plate (63) has a central opening (34) and a lateral edge, characterized in that - that the lateral edge of the plate (63) is perforated with recesses (40) and forms a perforated side wall (21) with retaining tabs (41), wherein the retaining tabs (41) have toothed elements (45) at their outer end which engage in the grooves (46) of the cap (37), so that the cap (37) and the plate (63) are configured such that the plate (63) is axially displaceable in the cap (37) and is arranged in a non-rotatable manner about the filter axis (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter device for liquids, in particular an oil filter for cleaning lubricating oil for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Filter systems, particularly oil filters for motor vehicle combustion engines, typically have a so-called ring filter element, which filters the fluid flowing through the filter system. This ring filter element must be replaced regularly to ensure the filter system's filtering efficiency at all times. The ring filter element is removed by removing a filter system from the housing. Due to ever-increasing environmental regulations, it must be possible to replace the ring filter element without fluid, especially oil, escaping into the environment.For this reason, conventional filter devices have, in addition to an inlet channel that communicates with the dirty side of the ring filter element and an outlet channel that communicates with the clean side of the ring filter element, an emptying channel in their housing. This emptying channel allows the receiving space containing the ring filter element to be emptied when the filter device is unscrewed. This emptying channel must, of course, be closed when the filter device is operational, as otherwise the clean side and the dirty side of the ring filter element would be short-circuited, preventing the filter device from achieving its filtering effect.

[0003] EP 1 949 950 A1 shows a generic filter device in which the laterally surrounding edge of the plate extends in the circumferential direction in a closed or uninterrupted manner.

[0004] From DE 20 2009 002 455 U1, another filter device is known in which the closure element is designed in the shape of a ring segment.

[0005] EP 2 910 289 A1 discloses a further filter device in which an intermediate piece, into which a closure device is integrated, is provided between a vertically arranged filter device and a housing arranged underneath. The closure device is designed in an intermediate piece so as to be rotatable about the filter axis of the ring filter element, the ring filter element itself being arranged in a receiving space which is delimited by a filter housing cover. An inlet channel and an outlet channel are provided on the housing side, the inlet channel communicating with a dirty side of the ring filter element and the outlet channel communicating with a clean side of the ring filter element. Also provided in the housing is an emptying channel through which the receiving space can be emptied when the filter device is unscrewed, so that no filter fluid, in particular no oil, can escape into the environment.The closure device, which is arranged so as to be rotatable about the filter axis, has a closure element with which the idle channel can be closed when the filter device is fully screwed onto the housing. The closure device is designed such that when the filter device is screwed onto the housing it is fixed in a precisely defined position in which the closure element is aligned with the idle channel and can be adjusted into a position closing the idle channel by screwing on the filter device. In contrast, when the filter device is unscrewed from the housing, the closure device is rotated and simultaneously moved axially away from the housing so that when the filter device is unscrewed from the housing the closure element releases the idle channel and enables the intermediate piece and, if applicable, the receiving space containing the ring filter element to run empty.The rotatable closure device makes it possible to close the idle channel when the filter device is completely screwed onto the housing and to open the idle channel by turning it when the filter device is unscrewed from the housing, so that the receiving space containing the ring filter element can drain and no filter fluid can escape into the environment.

[0006] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a simplified or at least another embodiment for a filter device which enables an automatic opening or closing of an idle channel when removing or installing a filter device.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​providing an intermediate piece between a vertically arranged filter device and a housing arranged underneath, into which intermediate piece a closure device is integrated. The closure device is designed so that it cannot rotate about the filter axis of the ring filter element relative to the housing of the filter device, with the ring filter element itself being arranged in a receiving space which is delimited by a filter housing cover. An inlet channel and an outlet channel are provided on the housing side, with the inlet channel communicating with a dirty side of the ring filter element and the outlet channel communicating with a clean side of the ring filter element. Also provided in the housing is an idle channel through which the receiving space can be emptied when the filter device is unscrewed, so that no filter fluid, in particular no oil, can escape into the environment.The closure device, which is arranged non-rotatably around the filter axis, has a closure element with which the idle channel can be closed when the filter device is fully screwed onto the housing. In general, the closure device is designed such that when the filter device is screwed onto the housing it is fixed in a precisely defined position in which the closure element is aligned with the idle channel and can be adjusted into a position closing the idle channel by screwing on the filter device. When the filter device is unscrewed, the closure device rotates along with the filter device and is simultaneously moved axially away from the housing so that when the filter device is unscrewed from the housing the closure element releases the idle channel and enables the intermediate piece and, if applicable, the receiving space containing the ring filter element to run empty.The closure device according to the invention, which can be designed, for example, as a cost-effective plastic part with a circumferential closure element made of a different plastic, makes it technically extremely simple to reliably close the idle channel when the filter device is fully screwed to the housing, thereby ensuring proper function of the filter device. When the filter device is unscrewed from the housing, the idle channel is automatically opened, allowing the receiving space containing the ring filter element to drain and preventing filter fluid from escaping into the environment. The need to open or close the idle channel separately, which could potentially cause it to be forgotten, can be reliably eliminated by the filter device according to the invention, making maintenance significantly safer and easier to install.Furthermore, the position of the closure device with the circumferential closure element is precisely fixed during the screwing process of the filter device to the housing, which eliminates the need for complex positioning or alignment of the closure element with respect to the idle channel to be closed, while always ensuring that the idle channel is reliably closed when the filter device is fully screwed to the housing.

[0009] The closure device is formed with a cap with axially aligned grooves and a plate arranged in the cap, wherein the plate has a central opening and a lateral edge. The lateral edge of the plate is perforated with recesses and forms a perforated side wall with retaining tabs, wherein the retaining tabs have toothed elements at their outer end which engage in the grooves of the cap, so that the cap and the plate are configured such that the plate is arranged so as to be axially displaceable in the cap and non-rotatable about the filter axis. When the filter device is screwed on, the closure element comes to rest on an opening of the idle channel in such a way that the idle channel is tightly closed.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive solution, a disc-like base and a spring element are provided between the intermediate piece and the ring filter element arranged above it, wherein the base has several through-openings distributed in the circumferential direction. The rotation of the closure device when unscrewing the filter housing cover from the housing causes the closure element to be lifted off the idle channel and thus an axial adjustment of the closure device including the closure element, so that the closure element exposes the opening of the idle channel.

[0011] When the filter device is screwed onto the housing, the closing device, i.e. the spring element arranged between the closing device and the base, is compressed until the closing element arranged on the closing device lies tightly against the idle channel. This ensures that the idle channel is reliably closed when the filter device is screwed onto the housing and that it is reliably opened when the filter device is unscrewed from the housing, thus allowing the receiving space to drain. This ensures that the filter device is highly reliable and, at the same time, prevents filter fluid from escaping into the environment, as the idle channel is preferably fully opened after just a few turns of the filter device, allowing the receiving space to drain completely before the filter device is removed by further turns.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0013] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0015] They show, schematically, Fig. 1: shows an external view of the filter device according to the invention; Fig. 2: shows the lower end of the filter device as an exploded view; Fig. 3: shows a section through the lower end of the filter device; Fig. 4: shows the plate in two views a) and b); Fig. 5: shows the cap and the plate together in two views a) and b); Fig. 6: shows the housing with filter device during screwing; Fig. 7: shows the housing with filter device in the screwed-on state; Fig. 8: shows the housing with filter device during unscrewing with open idle channel;

[0016] In Fig. 1, the filter device 1 is visible from the outside. It consists of a filter housing cover 2, which forms a receiving space 5 in its interior in which a ring filter element 6 is arranged in such a way that it separates a clean side from a dirty side. The internal structure is that of a commonly used spin-on filter suitable for filtering oil. On the side of the filter device 1 facing the housing 4, there is an intermediate piece 3. The housing 4, to which the filter device 1 is screwed, can be, for example, an engine block housing or a cylinder housing. For the sake of simplicity, only the housing 4 is referred to. The housing 4 is designed in such a way that it has a dome 15, for example with a thread, as well as an inlet channel, the outlet channel 8 and the idle channel 9 (see Fig. 6 to 8).

[0017] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows the intermediate piece 3, which is tightly connected, for example, by crimping, to the filter housing cover 2 at the junction between the two parts. The intermediate piece 3 consists of an outer cap 37 and an inner plate 63.

[0018] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows the sealing element 50, which is located outside the cap 37 and has a sealing effect in the direction of the housing 4. This sealing element 50 generally seals the filter device 1 from the environment, so that no oil can escape into the environment during operation of the vehicle and when unscrewing the filter device. An annular groove 47 is provided in the cap 37 to accommodate the sealing element 50 (see Fig. 3)

[0019] In the Fig. 2, the individual parts that together form the intermediate piece 3 and other parts are shown. The end of the receiving space 5 is formed by a base 16, which has through-openings 33 through which oil can enter the receiving space 5. The central opening 28 of the base has a thread or a threaded hollow bolt so that the filter device 1 can be screwed tightly to the dome 15 of the housing 4. Between the base 16 and the plate 63 there is advantageously a spring element 17, in the example shown a conventional spiral spring, but any suitable spring element 17 can be used. The spring element 17 has a bearing surface on the inside of the plate 63. In the Fig. 4a and Fig. Figure 4b shows details of plate 63.

[0020] In the Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b shows details of the cap 37. The plate 63 has a central opening 34 and a lateral edge 21, which is pierced by recesses 40. Preferably, the plate 63 has a groove 21a in the lateral edge 21 ( Fig. 2) in which a seal 20, for example an O-ring, is inserted, which seals the plate 63 against the cap 37 ( Fig. 3). The recesses 40 are connected laterally at their sides by retaining tabs 41, which each have at least one toothed element 45 at their outer ends, which forms a stop for the plate 63 in the cap 37. The toothed elements 45 prevent rotation of the plate 63 in the cap 37. For this purpose, the cap 37 has axially aligned grooves 46 in its inner edge ( Fig. 5b) which, together with the toothed elements 45, prevent the plate 63 from twisting in the cap 37 and a stop edge 46a against which the retaining tabs 41 can rest and which prevents the plate 63 from slipping axially out of the cap 37 in the direction of the housing 4. Preferably, the cap 37 has six grooves 46 and the plate 63 has six retaining tabs 41, each with a toothed element 45. Preferably, the plate 63 has a flat annular groove 49 on the side facing the housing ( Fig. 4a), into which the closure element 12 is inserted in the form of a circular, flat seal. The closure element 12 can also be injected into the annular groove 49 as a sealing compound. The exact shape of the closure element 12 depends on the specific application. Preferably, the closure element 12 and / or the sealing element 50 can be annular.

[0021] All of the aforementioned parts of the filter device 1, except for the ring filter element 6 and the seals, can be made of metal or suitable plastics. In the latter case, however, the cap 37 would be welded to the filter housing cover 2 rather than crimped. Preferably, the plate 63 is made of plastic. However, the plate 63 can also be made of metal, particularly sheet metal.

[0022] In detail, the cap 37 and the plate 63 are shown again in the Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b. The plate 63 is non-rotatably mounted in the cap 37. Preferably, at least two limiting knobs 48 are arranged on the inside of the plate 63, which hold the spring element 17 in place.

[0023] In the Fig. 5a and Fig. Figure 5b shows an oblique top view from below and from above of the plate 63, which is non-rotatably mounted in the cap 37. As can be seen from the engagement of the toothed elements of the plate 63 in the grooves 46 of the cap 37, the plate 63 cannot be rotated in any direction relative to the plate 37.

[0024] In the Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the housing 4 with the filter device 1 while it is being screwed on. The outlet channel 8 and the idle opening 9 can be seen. The plate 63 rotates when the filter device 1 is screwed on because it is non-rotatably mounted in the cap 37. The plate 63 can be moved axially in the grooves 46 of the cap 37 while the filter device 1 is being screwed on. Even when the closure element 12 comes to rest on the opening of the idle channel 9, the plate 63 can continue to rotate as the filter device 1 continues to rotate. The filter device 1 is screwed tighter until the sealing element 50 also comes into contact with the housing 4, during which time the plate 63 rotates along with the filter device 1. The sealing element 50 now rests on the upper edge of the receptacle of the housing 4 and seals the filter device from the environment.Regardless of its axial position within the cap 37, the seal 20 of the plate 63 seals the plate 63 against the cap 37.

[0025] In the Fig. Figure 7 shows the filter assembly in the screwed-on state. Tightening the screw lifts the retaining tabs 41 of the plate 63 from the stop edge 46a of the cap 37. The spring element 17 presses the closure element 12 onto the opening of the idle channel 9, and the sealing element 50 rests on the upper edge of the housing 4 receptacle, sealing the filter assembly from the environment.

[0026] When unscrewing the filter device 1 from the housing 4 ( Fig.8), the plate 63 is moved along with the filter device 1 because it is non-rotatably mounted in the cap 37. After one or two rotations of the filter device, the retaining tabs 41 of the plate 63 rest again against the stop edge 46a of the cap 37 due to the force of the spring element 17, so that the idle opening of the idle channel 9 is released, and the oil can flow out of the receiving space 5 of the filter device 1 via the idle channel 9 before the filter device 1 is unscrewed from the housing 4. List of reference symbols: 1 filter device 2 filter housing covers 3 intermediate piece 4 housings 5 Recording room 6 ring filter element 8 exhaust channel 9 Idle channel 12 locking element 15 Cathedral 16 Floor 17 Spring element 20 Seal (e.g. O-ring) 21 edge 21a Groove for the seal 20 28 Opening of the floor 16 33 through holes in the floor 16 34 central opening of plate 63 37 cap 40 recess 41 Retaining tab 45 Gear element 46 grooves 46a Stop edge 47 Ring groove of the cap 37 49 Ring groove of plate 63 50 sealing element 63 plate QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 949 950 A1

[0003] DE 20 2009 002 455 U1

[0004] EP 2 910 289 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Filter device (1), in particular an oil filter for cleaning lubricating oil for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, - with a filter housing cover (2) defining a receiving space (5) in which a ring filter element (6) is arranged, - with a housing (4) in which a dome (15) is arranged centrally and onto which the filter housing cover (2) can be screwed, - with at least one intermediate piece (3) which is arranged between the filter housing cover (2) and the housing (4) when the filter housing cover (2) is screwed to the housing (4), - with a housing-side inlet channel which communicates with a raw side of the ring filter element (6) and a housing-side outlet channel (8) which communicates with a clean side of the ring filter element (6), - with an idle channel (9) on the housing side, through which the receiving space (5) can be emptied when the filter housing cover (2) is removed, - with a closure device (11) arranged on the intermediate piece (3), which has a closure element (12) with which the idle channel (9) can be closed, - wherein the closure device (11) is designed such that when the filter housing cover (2) is screwed onto the housing (4), it is fixed in a precisely defined position in which the closure element (12) is arranged in alignment with the idle channel (9) and can be adjusted into a position closing the idle channel (9) by screwing on the filter housing cover (2), while the closure device (11) is rotated when the filter housing cover (2) is unscrewed and at the same time is moved axially away from the housing (4) so that the closure element (12) releases the idle channel (9), - wherein the closure device (11) comprises a cap (37) with axially aligned grooves (46) and a plate (63) arranged in the cap (37), the plate (63) having a central opening (34) and a lateral edge, characterized by , - that the lateral edge of the plate (63) is perforated with recesses (40) and forms a perforated side wall (21) with retaining tabs (41), wherein the retaining tabs (41) have toothed elements (45) at their outer end which engage in the grooves (46) of the cap (37), so that the cap (37) and the plate (63) are configured such that the plate (63) is arranged to be axially displaceable in the cap (37) and non-rotatable about the filter axis (10). [2] Filter device according to claim 1, characterized bythat an inner region enclosed by the perforated side wall (21) in the circumferential direction and an outer region enclosed by the perforated side wall (21) in the circumferential direction communicate with each other through the recesses (40). [3] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that between the intermediate piece (3) and the ring filter element (6) a disc-like base (16) is provided, which has a plurality of through openings (33) distributed in the circumferential direction and a central opening (28), [4] Filter device according to claim 3, characterized by that a spring element (17) is arranged between the plate (63) of the closure device (11) and the disc-like base (16), which causes the closure element (12) to be pressed onto the idle channel (9). [5] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat a rotary movement of the closure device (11) causes an axial adjustment of the closure device (11) and thus an opening of the idle channel (9). [6] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the plate (63) is made of plastic or metal, in particular sheet metal. [7] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the closure element (12) is made of lubricating oil-resistant plastic or rubber. [8] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the closure device (11), in particular on the plate (63), has an annular groove (49) open in the axial direction, in which the closure element (12) is arranged. [9] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the intermediate piece (3), in particular on the cap (37), has an annular groove (47) open in the axial direction, in which a sealing element (50) is arranged, which seals the intermediate piece (3) with respect to the housing (4) when the filter housing cover (2) is screwed on. [10] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the closure element (12) and / or the sealing element (50) is annular. [11] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the cap (37) has six grooves (46) and the plate (63) has six retaining tabs (41) each with a toothed element (45). [12] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the plate (63) has a groove (21a) in the lateral edge (21) in which a seal (20) is inserted, which seals the plate (63) against the cap (37). [13] Filter device according to claim 12, characterized bythat the seal (20) is an O-ring seal. [14] Filter device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the cap (37) has a stop edge (46a) on which the retaining tabs (41) can rest in order to prevent the plate (63) from slipping axially out of the cap (37) in the direction of the housing (4).

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