Head, filter element, filter, and filtering device with male and female coupling keys

Abstract

The present invention relates to a head comprising a body provided with head-mounting means and a female coupling key. In addition, the present invention also relates to a filter comprising a housing, a filter element, and a male coupling key configured to be inserted into the female coupling key. Finally, the present invention relates to a filtering device formed by coupling the head to the filter, creating a mounting interface between the male and female keys.

Description

[0001] “HEAD, FILTER ELEMENT, FILTER and FILTER DEVICE WITH MALE AND FEMALE COUPLING SWITCHES”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fluid filters, more particularly, to filters with coupling elements provided with a male and female coupling mounting interface.

[0004] FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0002] Fuel filters are devices designed to remove impurities and contaminants present in fuel before it enters an engine's fuel system. These impurities can include solid particles, dirt, water, and other debris that can impair engine performance and cause damage to components.

[0006]

[0003] In general, these devices are composed of a base assembly (also called a head), through which the fluid to be filtered enters and exits, coupled to a housing that encloses and supports a filter element, responsible for the actual filtering action. A filter of this type can be seen in PI09313364-0 B1, which reveals a threaded filter of the "open mouth" type, in which the threaded plate can be replaced by a threaded ring and which has a fastening feature close to the outer diameter of the filter assembly, allowing the total amount of material to be reduced.

[0007]

[0004] Another example of a filter can be seen in BR 112013016492-1, which discloses a fuel filter equipped with a filter module that includes a filter element and an end cap, wherein said cap has a sealing member with a repeated wavy shape that aids in sealing. The body of the cap also has a corresponding wavy shape, which facilitates the installation of the element in the module, allowing for improved filter performance.

[0008]

[0005] However, it is important to point out that, throughout the use of the filter, it becomes necessary to replace the filter element, for example, due to the excess of accumulated particles and dirt. In this case, since the filter element is fixed to the housing, it is necessary to replace both components, even if the housing is still in perfect working condition. In addition to generating higher costs, there is an environmental impact in this practice, since the state-of-the-art solution uses a metal housing with a large number of associated components.

[0009]

[0006] Therefore, the current state of the art lacks an economical filter, whose assembly and disassembly process is simple and quick, capable of having only part of its components replaced during maintenance and that prevents the use of unsuitable parts, which significantly impair the performance and lifespan of the product.

[0010] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a quick-fit and simplified assembly filter device, while maintaining its filtering performance and ensuring fluid sealing.

[0012]

[0008] Furthermore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a more economical and sustainable filtering device, as it allows only the filter element to be replaced during maintenance or replacement, while the filter housing remains intact.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014]

[0009] The aforementioned objectives are achieved by means of a filtering device that has a head and a filter. Said head comprising a body provided with a head fastening means and a female coupling element / key configured to receive a male coupling element / key.

[0015]

[0010] The present invention also relates to a filter comprising a housing, a filter element, and a male coupling key configured to be inserted inside a female coupling key.

[0016]

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the female coupling key comprises at least one rib arranged radially along its outer surface, this rib being suitable for preventing filters that are not specifically designed for the head of the present invention from being used.

[0017]

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the head further comprises at least one column disposed on the inner surface of said assembly, wherein at least one column has a mechanical stop function that prevents the use of filters that are not specifically designed to be used with the filtering device of the present invention.

[0018]

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a filter equipped with a male coupling key with at least one protrusion arranged along its surface.

[0019]

[0014] Finally, in an advantageous embodiment of this invention, the filter element comprises a spring that includes at least one spring rod that acts to maintain the filter element in the proper position, securing said filter element in the housing and avoiding the need to use an additional component in the structure of the filter device.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021]

[0015] Preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are represented in the accompanying figures, as briefly described below.

[0022]

[0016] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a filtering device having a head and a filter, according to the present invention.

[0023]

[0017] Figure 2 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a filtering device equipped with a head and filter, according to the present invention.

[0024]

[0018] Figure 3 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a filtering device, according to the present invention, equipped with a head and a filter with a CC section line.

[0025]

[0019] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a filter equipped with a coupling key, which exemplifies the disassembly between the filter element and the housing.

[0026]

[0020] Figure 5 shows a side view of a filter element according to the present invention.

[0027]

[0021] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a filter element according to the present invention, illustrating the top cover with detail of the male coupling key design.

[0028]

[0022] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a filter element, in which the bottom cover is illustrated with details of the design of the latches and spring rods.

[0029]

[0023] Figure 8 shows a back view of a cylinder head illustrating the detail of the female coupling key.

[0030]

[0024] Figure 9 shows a back view of a cylinder head illustrating the detail of the female coupling key.

[0031]

[0025] Figure 10 shows a partial sectional view taken from the CC view of Figure 3 of a filtering device head with male and female coupling keys.

[0032]

[0026] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional front view, illustrating the internal mounting interface between the head, filter element and housing.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034]

[0027] According to the general concept of the present invention, a filtering device is disclosed that is used to remove particles and / or contaminants from a fluid flow, such as, for example, fuel from an automotive vehicle. This device consists of a head (also called a base), capable of directing the fluid flow between a port inlet (or dirty side) and an outlet (or clean side), and a filter, which acts to remove particles and / or other contaminants from a fluid flow, such as a fuel fluid. These components are connected by means of male and female coupling keys that ensure proper fitting.

[0035]

[0028] The head 100 and the filter 200 can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 3, which illustrate, respectively, a perspective view, a side view and a front view of the filtering device 10. The said filter 200 is composed of a housing 400 of preferably cylindrical shape and a filter element 300, as illustrated in figure 4. In addition, the filter 200 also has a means of fixing the filter 520, such as, for example, a filter thread 520 at one of its ends. Through the said thread 520 the filter 200 is coupled to the head 100, the said filter thread 520 being preferably disposed at one end of the housing 400.

[0036]

[0029] In a preferred embodiment illustrated by Figures 5, 6 and 7, the filter element 300 is an element with a cylindrical body extending between an upper end, which has an upper cap 330, and a lower end, which has a lower cap 350. Said upper cap 330 has a mounting interface consisting of a flange 315 and a male coupling key 390 used for coupling with the head 100, which is preferably a cylindrical element projecting from the upper cap 350. In one embodiment of the present invention, the male coupling key 390 comprises at least one radially arranged protrusion 380 along its outer surface. The filter element 300 has a filter medium 340 preferably made of paper.

[0037]

[0030] As illustrated in Figure 4, the filter element 300 is disposed inside the housing 400, which, in one embodiment of this invention, is fastened to said housing 400 by means of at least one latch 395 fitted into at least one latch of the housing 500. Furthermore, the lower cover 350 of the filter element 300 comprises a spring 355 provided with at least one spring rod 360 which, in addition to assisting in securing the filter element, has the function of pushing (or holding) the filter element upwards in such a way that, even when subjected to the mechanical stress of compression, the elastic reaction force of the spring rod 360 pushes the element upwards. With this, the sealing ring 320 of the upper cover 330 of the filter element is maintained in a position that guarantees the sealing and flow of the fluid to be filtered. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cover 350 has eight conventional latches 395 and three spring rods.

[0038]

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention illustrated by figure 6, the top cover 330 of the filter element 300 has at least one handle 370, which is used to assist in removing the filter element 300 from the housing 400, by applying an axial traction force, which allows maintenance or replacement of the equipment.

[0039]

[0032] Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the head 100 of the filtering device 10. In one embodiment of the invention, the head 100 has a body 115, preferably cylindrical in shape, open at one end and closed at the other. The closed end has an inlet orifice 180 and an outlet orifice 185, which allow the fluid to be filtered to enter and subsequently exit. The open end is disposed on the upper cover 330 of the filter element 300 and has a head fastening means 190, such as a head thread 190 on its inner wall. Said head thread 190 interacts with the filter thread 520 of the housing 400, ensuring coupling between the head 100 and the filter 200.

[0040]

[0033] The head 100 further comprises at least one female coupling key 130 with a preferably cylindrical shape and projecting from the closed end internally towards the open end of the head. When the head 100 is coupled to the filter, the female coupling key 130 interacts with the male coupling key 390 of the upper cover 330 of the filter element 300, in such a way that said male key 390 is inserted inside the female key 130. The male key 390 has a geometry specially adapted to engage with the geometry of the female key, as illustrated in figures 4 to 6, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment in which the male key 390 has a bifurcated geometry at its end, which engages inside the female key.

[0041]

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the female coupling key 130 has a surface 103 with at least one fitting slot 105 disposed on said surface of the key 130. At least one protrusion 380 disposed on the outer surface of the cover 330 is fitted into at least one slot 105, forming a mounting interface between said keys. In a preferred embodiment, two slots 105 are provided, in which the ribs 380 of the cover 330 are disposed, ensuring the fitting between the male key 390 and the female key 130.

[0042]

[0035] Thus, the present invention ensures a male and female mounting interface, which enables proper coupling and correct assembly between the components. This results in a quick-connect filter device 100 between the filter element 300 and the head 200, facilitating its removal from the housing 400. Said removal is also facilitated by the use of the combination of latches 395, spring rods 360 and housing latches 500, which allow an axial tensile force applied to the handles 370 to release the filter element 300. Therefore, the present invention provides a filter device 100 that facilitates assembly and disassembly.

[0043]

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the female key 130 has at least one rib 110 arranged along the outer diameter of said key 130, with four ribs 110 arranged radially along its outer diameter being used in a preferred embodiment. The presence of such ribs serves as a safety measure as it prevents the improper fitting of components that could impair the performance of the filtering device, such as in cases where an incompatible head and filter are used. In this sense, both surface 103 and rib 110 are designed to prevent incorrect components from using the surfaces for sealing. In the case of surface 103, preventing a possible axial seal and for rib 110, preventing a possible radial seal.

[0044]

[0037] Still with regard to figures 8 and 9, in one embodiment of this invention, the head may have at least one column 140, arranged radially along the inner diameter of the head 100. The at least one column 140 acts as a mechanical mounting limiter, preventing the use of a filter that is not suitable for fitting with the head 100 of the present invention. This is because said columns do not allow the filter thread to reach its limit, acting as a mechanical stop that prevents the fitting necessary for the correct functioning of the filtering device. That is, if a filter that is not suitable for the head 100 of the present invention is used, there will be a fluid leakage failure between a sealing ring 510 due to the deficient fitting of the components.

[0045]

[0038] Finally, it is also important to emphasize that the description above is intended solely to exemplify a particular embodiment of the invention in question. Therefore, it is clear that modifications, variations, and constructive combinations of the elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results remain within the scope of protection delimited by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Head (100) CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a body (115) comprising: a head fastening means (190); and a female coupling key (130) configured to receive a male coupling key (390).

2. Head, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the female coupling key (130) comprises at least one rib (110) arranged radially along said key, wherein there are preferably four ribs (110).

3. Head (100), according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the female coupling key (130) comprises at least one groove (105) arranged radially along said key.

4. Head (100), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises at least one column (140) arranged along its inner diameter, wherein the head (100) preferably has eight columns (140).

5. Filter element (300) CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: an upper cover (350) in which a male coupling key is disposed. (390) configured to be inserted inside a female coupling key (130).

6. Filter element (300), according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a spring rod (360).

7. Filter element (300), according to claim 5 or 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the lower cover (350) of the filter element has at least one lock (395), wherein there are preferably eight locks (395).

8. Filter element (300), according to any one of claims 5 to 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the male coupling key (390) has at least one protrusion (380).

9. Filter (200) CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a housing (400); a filter element (300) provided with a male coupling key (390), as defined in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the male coupling key (390) is configured to be inserted inside a female coupling key (130).

10. Filter (200), according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the housing (400) is provided with at least one housing lock (500).

11. Filtering device (10) comprising a head (100), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, and a filter element (300), as defined in any one of claims 5 to 8, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a mounting interface formed by a male coupling key (390) and a female coupling key (130), configured to be engaged with each other.

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