Oil filter assembly

Abstract

Present invention relates to an oil filter assembly (100) comprising a filter body (102). The filter body (102) has a first portion (102a) and a second portion (102b). A first filter element (106) is configured with the first portion (102a). The first filter element (106) is adapted to filter oil flowing through the first portion (102a) of the filter body (102). A second filter element (108) is disposed in the second portion (102b). The second filter element (108) is adapted to filter oil flowing through the second portion (102b) of the filter body (102). The oil filter assembly (100) is capable of filtering oil entering a feed pump (130) as well as a scavenging pump (132). Thus, the requirement of a separate or distinct filter for the feed pump (130) as well as the scavenging pump (132) is mitigated.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION OIL FILTER ASSEMBLY

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] Present invention relates to an oil filter assembly for an internal combustion engine.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0002] An Internal Combustion (IC) engine typically includes a cylinder head, a cylinder block and a crankcase. The cylinder block is mounted on the crankcase, while the cylinder head is mounted on the cylinder block. The crankcase accommodates a crankshaft, a piston assembly and a connecting rod. An oil sump is also provided in the crankcase to store an oil. A feed pump is connected to the oil sump for circulating the oil from the oil sump to other parts of the IC engine for lubrication and cooling engine parts. The oil supplied from the oil sump flow within the engine to cool and lubricate different parts before flowing back towards the bottom of the engine towards the oil sump. While return, when the lubrication oil enters the crank chamber from there flow to the oil sump.

[0006]

[0003] In addition, another pump that is a scavenging pump is used, which sucks out oil from the crank chamber of the crankcase and sends towards the oil sump, thus circulating oil as well as reducing the pressure inside the crank chamber. An additional scavenging pump helps to maintain the negative pressure inside the crankcase and also to suck the oil out from the crank chamber of the crankcase and route the oil to the oil sump. Thus, the oil that is circulated to other parts of the IC engine flows back to the oil sump in the crankcase.

[0007]

[0004] In conventional IC engines, a strainer or an oil filter is provided only for the feed pump and not for the scavenging pump. In such scenarios, impurities such as particulates, can mix up in the oil and flow to the oil sump through an inlet of the scavenging pump. Hence over the period of time, the oil filter for the feed pump needs to be replaced, due to damage by the impurities in the oil. In addition, these impurities in the oil reduces the efficiency of the scavenging pump over the period of time as the impurities gets accumulated in the scavenging pump. Hence, over the period of time, the scavenging needs to be replaced, and frequent servicing is required, which is expensive. Further, accumulation of the impurities in the scavenging pump impact performance of the scavenging pump ad well as the feed pump, as both pumps are connected, this will impact performance of the IC engine, which is undesirable.

[0008]

[0005] In order to solve the aforesaid limitations, existing solution involve use of sperate oil filter for the feed pump as well as the scavenging pumps. However, inclusion of an additional component in the IC engine leads to serviceability and space constraints issues. Also, the number of components in the IC engine is increased, consequently, increasing in number of parts, cost and weight of the IC engine, which is undesirable.

[0009]

[0006] Thus, there is a need for an oil filter assembly for an IC engine, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0007] In one aspect, an oil filter assembly is disclosed. The oil filter assembly comprises a filter body having a first portion and a second portion. A first filter element is configured with the first portion. The first filter element is adapted to filter oil flowing through the first portion of the filter body. A second filter element is disposed in the second portion. The second filter element is adapted to filter oil flowing through the second portion of the filter body.

[0012]

[0008] In an embodiment, the filter body is an elongated tubular member. The first portion is configured adjacent to the second portion along the length of the filter body.

[0013]

[0009] In an embodiment, the filter body is disposed in a pump housing provided in a bottom portion of an Internal Combustion (IC) engine.

[0014]

[0010] In an embodiment, the first portion is disposed below a feed pump of the IC engine and the second portion is disposed below a scavenging pump of the IC engine. [Oi l] In an embodiment, the filter body comprises one or more first peripheral rib members provided to the first portion. The one or more first peripheral rib members is adapted to support the first filter member.

[0015]

[0012] In an embodiment, the filter body comprises one or more first passage openings provided between the one or more first peripheral rib members. The one or more first passage openings are adapted to route the oil through the first filter member.

[0016]

[0013] In an embodiment, the filter body comprises one or more second peripheral rib members provided to the second portion. The one or more second peripheral rib members are adapted to support the second filter member.

[0017]

[0014] In an embodiment, the filter body comprises one or more second passage openings provided between the one or more second peripheral rib members. The one or more second passage openings are adapted to route the oil through the second filter member.

[0018]

[0015] In embodiment, the oil filter assembly comprises a sleeve plug coupled to the filter body. The sleeve plug is configured on one of a first end and a second end of the filter body.

[0019]

[0016] In an embodiment, the filter body comprises a connecting portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

[0020]

[0017] In an embodiment, the connecting portion is provided with one or more sealing rings. The one or more sealing rings is adapted to block flow of oil between the first portion and the second portion.

[0021]

[0018] In an embodiment, the filter body is disposed laterally within a pump housing of the IC engine, about a lateral direction of the IC engine.

[0022]

[0019] In another aspect, the IC engine for a vehicle is disclosed. The IC engine comprises the crankcase, the pump housing configured with the crankcase and the oil filter assembly disposed in the pump housing. The oil filter assembly comprises the filter body having the first portion and the second portion. The first filter element is configured with the first portion. The first filter element is adapted to filter oil flowing through the first portion of the filter body. The second filter element is disposed in the second portion. The second filter element is adapted to filter oil flowing through the second portion of the filter body.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0024]

[0020] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pump housing with an oil filter assembly of an Internal Combustion (IC) engine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the pump housing and an exploded view of the oil filter assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pump housing with the oil filter assembly of the IC engine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the oil filter assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a partial exploded view of an oil filter assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the oil filter assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032]

[0021] The present invention relates to an oil filter assembly for an Internal Combustion (IC) engine. The oil filter assembly is capable of being integrated into a crankcase of the IC engine such that, a single filter is sufficient for filtering oil (such as an engine oil) routed through both a feed pump as well as a scavenging pump of the IC engine. Thus, the scavenging pump along with the feed pump is protected by the oil filter assembly from impurities such as particulates and burrs. Consequently, efficiency and performance of the feed pump as well as the scavenging pump are enhanced, in-turn improving performance characteristics of the IC engine. Furthermore, the oil filter assembly being simple in construction, provides ease of serviceability, assembly and removal of feed pump and / or scavenging pump from the IC engine.

[0033]

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pump housing 104 with an oil filter assembly 100 of an Internal Combustion (IC) engine 124, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The IC engine 124 comprises the pump housing 104, a cylinder block (not shown) and a cylinder head (not shown). The cylinder block is mounted above the crankcase, while the cylinder head is mounted on the cylinder block.

[0034]

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 in conjunction with Figure 1, the crankcase is adapted to accommodate a crankshaft (not shown) that is coupled to a piston and connecting rod assembly (not shown). An oil sump 128 is provided at a bottom portion of the crankcase. The oil sump 128 is adapted to store oil (such as an engine oil) that is required for lubricating and cooling parts of the IC engine 124. The oil sump 128 is also fluidically coupled to a feed pump 130. The feed pump 130 is adapted to pump the oil to other parts such as but not limited to the cylinder head and / or cylinder block of the IC engine 124 for lubrication. Also, the oil sump 128 is fluidically coupled a scavenging pump 132. The scavenging pump 132 is adapted to route the oil from the crank chamber in the crankcase to the oil sump 128. The feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132 are disposed in the pump housing 104 configured with the crankcase. The pump housing 104 is disposed in the bottom portion of the crankcase and above the oil sump 128. The feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132 are disposed adjacent to one another about a left-right direction (shown through arrow indication) of the IC engine 124 (as shown in Figure 3). In the pump housing 104, an oil filter assembly 100 is provided. The oil filter assembly 100 is adapted to filter impurities such as particulates, burrs and the like from the oil entering the feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132. Consequently, performance of the feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132 is maintained, while preventing damage due to the impurities.

[0035]

[0024] In an embodiment, the oil filter assembly 100 is disposed below the feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132 in the pump housing 104. Also, the oil filter assembly 100 is oriented laterally in the pump housing 104 about a lateral direction (i.e. a left-right direction shown through arrow indication) of the IC engine 124.

[0036]

[0025] Referring to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figures 1-3, the oil filter assembly 100 comprise a filter body 102. The filter body 102 is an elongated hollow tubular member and has a first portion 102a and a second portion 102b. The first portion 102a and the second portion 102b are provided along the length of the filter body 102. As such, the first portion 102a and the second portion 102b are hollow tubular in construction. The filter body 102 upon mounting within the pump housing 104, the first portion 102a is positioned below the feed pump 130, while the second portion 102b is positioned below the scavenging pump 132. As such, the first portion 102a is adapted to enable flow of oil between the oil sump 128 and the feed pump 130, while the second portion 102b is adapted to enable flow of the oil between the scavenging pump 132 and the crank chamber of crankcase or the oil sump 128. A connecting portion 120 is provided between the first portion 102a and the second portion 102b. The connecting portion 120 also acts as a barrier between the first portion 102a and the second portion 102b to prevent flow of oil between the first portion 102a and the second portion 102b, consequently improving filtration and pump efficiency.

[0037]

[0026] In an embodiment, one or more sealing rings 134 are provided to the filter body 102. In another embodiment, the one or more sealing rings 134 are provided to the connecting portion 120. The one or more sealing rings 134 are O-rings. In an embodiment, the one or more sealing rings 134 comprises four sealing rings 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d. A first sealing ring 134a is provided between the first portion 102a and the sleeve plug 118 in the filter body 102. A second sealing ring 134b and a third sealing ring 134c are provided in the connecting portion 120. The second sealing ring 134b is provided towards a first end 122a, while the third sealing ring 134c is provided towards a second end 122b of the filter body 102. The second sealing ring 134b and the third sealing ring 134c are provided in the connecting portion 120 for preventing oil flow along length from the first portion 102a to the second portion 102b. Further, a fourth sealing ring 134d is provided at the second end 122b of the filter body 102.

[0038]

[0027] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the filter body 102 is adapted to support a first filter element 106 on or within the first portion 102a. The first filter element 106 is adapted to filter oil that flows through the first portion 102a to the feed pump 130. The first filter element 106 can be a tubular filter element made of mesh type material, or any other suitable filter element, for filtering the impurities in the oil. In an embodiment, the first filter element 106 is glued on or within the first portion 102a.

[0039]

[0028] In order to support the first filter element 106, the first portion 102a is provided with one or more first peripheral rib members 110. The one or more first peripheral rib members 110 are elongated members provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 102a. In the present embodiment, the one or more first peripheral rib members 110 comprises five peripheral rib members provided adjacently and circumferentially spaced apart from one another on the first portion 102a of the filter body 102. In an embodiment, the one or more first peripheral rib members 110 are made of plastic material. Further, one or more first passage openings 112 are provided between the one or more first peripheral rib members 110. The one or more first passage openings 112 are adapted to allow flow of oil through the first filter member 106. The one or more first passage openings 112 may be slots provided between the one or more first peripheral rib members 110. In an embodiment, the one or more first passage openings 112 comprises four passage openings provided to the first portion 102a between the five peripheral rib members.

[0040]

[0029] Further, the filter body 102 is adapted to support a second filter element 108 on or within the second portion 102b. The second filter element 108 is adapted to filter the oil that flows through the second portion 102b to the scavenging pump 132. The second filter element 108 can be a cylindrical filter element made of mesh type material for filtering the impurities in the oil. In an embodiment, the second filter element 108 is glued on or within the second portion 102b.

[0041]

[0030] In order to support the second filter element 108, the second portion 102b is provided with one or more second peripheral rib members 114. The one or more second peripheral rib members 114 are elongated members provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second portion 102b. In the present embodiment, the one or more second peripheral rib members 114 comprises five peripheral rib members provided adjacently and circumferentially spaced apart from one another on the second portion 102b of the filter body 102. In an embodiment, the one or more second peripheral rib members 114 are made of plastic material. Further, one or more second passage openings 116 are provided between the one or more second peripheral rib members 114. The one or more second passage openings 116 are adapted to allow flow of oil through the second filter member 108. The one or more second passage openings 116 may be slots provided between the one or more second peripheral rib members 114. In an embodiment, the one or more second passage openings 116 comprises four passage openings provided to the second portion 102b between the five peripheral rib members.

[0042]

[0031] Further, the filter body 102 is provided with a sleeve plug 118. The sleeve plug 118 provided on one of the first end 122a and the second end 122b of the filter body 102. In the present embodiment, the sleeve plug 118 is provided at the first end 122a of the filter body 102. In an embodiment, the sleeve plug 118 is fastened or clamped to the first end 122a of the filter body 102. The sleeve plug 118 is assembled to enable insertion and / or removal of the oil filter assembly 100 in the pump housing 104. In another embodiment, the sleeve plug 118 can act as a cap member for retaining or for removing the first filter element 106 and / or the second filter element 108 from the filter body 102.

[0043]

[0032] Further, the sleeve plug 118 is capable of accommodating a holder 126. The holder 126 can be attached or clamped or snap-fitted with the sleeve plug 118, through a one or more openings (not shown) provided in the sleeve plug 118 and one or more projections (not shown) provided in the holder 126. The holder 126 upon insertion into the sleeve plug 118 is adapted to block the opening in the first end 122a of the filter body 102 located towards the sleeve plug 118 to prevent flow of oil. Also, the holder 126 is adapted to facilitate removal of the oil filter assembly 100 from the pump housing 104. Additionally, the holder 126 is adapted to block flow of oil to the sleeve plug 118, thereby ensuring the oil flow is only in the first portion 102a and / or the second portion 102b area.

[0044]

[0033] In an embodiment, during assembly, the filter body 102 is configured with the second filter element 108 onto the second portion 102b. In this embodiment, the second filter element 108 is glued on the one or more second peripheral rib elements 114. Alternatively, the second filter element 108 can be glued within the one or more second peripheral rib elements 114. The first filter element 106 is inserted and glued into the one or more first peripheral rib elements 110 provided in the first portion 102a of the filter body 102. Alternatively, the first filter element 106 can be glued onto the one or more first peripheral rib elements 110. The first filter element 106 contacts the connecting portion 120 upon insertion into the first portion 102a, thereby limiting movement of the first filter element 106 in the filter body 102. The sleeve plug 118 is connected to the first end 122a of the filter body 102. The holder 126 is then inserted into the sleeve plug 118 to block the opening in the first portion 102a on sleeve plug 118 for blocking oil flow into the sleeve plug, thereby forming the oil filter assembly 100. The oil filter assembly 100 is then disposed in the pump housing 104 of the IC engine 124, and below the feed pump 130 and the scavenging pump 132. The sleeve plug 118 acts as the locking unit to the oil filter assembly 100, while assembling into the IC engine 124.

[0045]

[0034] The claimed invention as disclosed above is not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed aspects enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the claimed aspect of providing the oil filter assembly having the first portion with the first filter element and the second portion with the second filter element is capable of filtering oil entering the feed pump as well as the scavenging pump. Thus, the requirement of a separate or distinct filter for the feed pump as well as the scavenging pump is mitigated. Consequently, the number of components or parts in the IC engine is reduced. In other words, a single filter (i.e. the oil filter assembly) is sufficient for filtering oil routed through both the feed pump as well as the scavenging pump of the IC engine. Thus, the scavenging pump along with the feed pump is protected by the oil filter assembly from impurities such as particulates, burrs and the like. Consequently, efficiency and performance of the feed pump as well as the scavenging pump are enhanced, in-turn improving performance characteristics of the IC engine. Further, the sleeve plug provided to the filter body enables easy removal of the oil filter assembly from the IC engine during a maintenance event. Furthermore, the oil filter assembly being simple in construction, provides ease of serviceability, assembly and removal of feed pump and / or scavenging pump from the IC engine.

[0046]

[0035] In light of the abovementioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed assembly, the claimed aspects as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed aspects provide solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed aspects clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the assembly itself as the claimed aspects provide a technical solution to a technical problem.

[0047]

[0036] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0048] List of Reference Numerals and Reference Signs

[0049] 100 - Oil filter assembly

[0050] 102 - Filter body

[0051] 102a - First portion of the filter body

[0052] 102b - Second portion of the filter body

[0053] 104 - Pump housing

[0054] 106 - First filter element

[0055] 108 - Second filter element

[0056] 110 - One or more first peripheral rib members

[0057] 112 - One or more first passage openings 114 - One or more second peripheral rib members

[0058] 116 - One or more second passage openings

[0059] 118 - Sleeve plug

[0060] 120 - Connecting portion 122a - First end of the filter body

[0061] 122b - Second end of the filter body

[0062] 124 - Internal Combustion engine

[0063] 126 - Holder

[0064] 128 - Oil sump 130 - Feed pump

[0065] 132 - Scavenging pump

[0066] 134 - One or more sealing rings

[0067] 134a - First sealing ring

[0068] 134b - Second sealing ring 134c - Third sealing ring

[0069] 134d - Fourth sealing ring

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An oil filter assembly (100), comprising: a filter body (102), the filter body (102) comprising a first portion (102a) and a second portion (102b); a first filter element (106) configured with the first portion (102a), the first filter element (106) being adapted to filter oil flowing through the first portion (102a) of the filter body (102); and a second filter element (108) configured with the second portion (102b), the second filter element (108) being adapted to filter oil flowing through the second portion (102b) of the filter body (102).

2. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body (102) is an elongated tubular member.

3. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (102a) is configured adjacent to the second portion (102b) along the length of the filter body (102).

4. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body (102) is disposed in a pump housing (104) of an Internal Combustion (IC) engine (124), and wherein the first portion (102a) is disposed below a feed pump (130) of the IC engine (124) and the second portion (102b) is disposed below a scavenging pump (132) of the IC engine (124).

5. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body ( 102) comprises one or more first peripheral rib members (110) provided to the first portion (102a), the one or more first peripheral rib members (110) being adapted to support the first filter member (106).

6. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filter body (102) comprises one or more first passage openings (112) provided betweenthe one or more first peripheral rib members (110), the one or more first passage openings (112) being adapted to route the oil through the first filter member (106).

7. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body (102) comprises one or more second peripheral rib members (114) provided to the second portion (102b), the one or more second peripheral rib members (114) being adapted to support the second filter member (108).

8. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the filter body (102) comprises one or more second passage openings (116) provided between the one or more second peripheral rib members (114), the one or more second passage openings (116) being adapted to route the oil through the second filter member (108).

9. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a sleeve plug (118) coupled to the filter body (102), the sleeve plug (118) configured on one of a first end (122a) and a second end (122b) of the filter body (102).

10. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body (102) comprises a connecting portion (120) disposed between the first portion (102a) and the second portion (102b).

11. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connecting portion (120) being provided with one or more sealing rings (134), the one or more sealing rings (134) being adapted to block flow of oil between the first portion (102a) and the second portion (102b).

12. The oil filter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 being disposed laterally within a pump housing (104) of an IC engine (124), about a lateral direction of the IC engine (124).

13. An IC engine (124) for a vehicle, comprising:a crankcase; a pump housing (104) provided with the crankcase; and an oil filter assembly (100) disposed in the pump housing (104), the oil filter assembly (100) comprising: a filter body ( 102), the filter body ( 102) comprising a first portion ( 102a) and a second portion (102b); a first filter element (106) configured with the first portion (102a), the first filter element (106) being adapted to filter oil flowing through the first portion (102a) of the filter body (102); and a second filter element (108) configured with the second portion (102b), the second filter element (108) being adapted to filter oil flowing through the second portion (102b) of the filter body (102).

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