Fuel Filter Inlet Valve and Pin for No-Filter No-Run Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters do not effectively prevent fuel from splashing during maintenance and lack a reliable 'No Filter, No Run' function to ensure engine safety.
Innovation Solution
A liquid filter with an anti-leakage valve mechanism that automatically closes the fuel inlet when the filter housing is unscrewed and includes a pin on the filter element to ensure proper alignment and operation, preventing fuel flow and detecting inappropriate filter elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the filter housing is dismounted from the casting during maintenance, then the filter element can be replaced, but fuel may splash on the operator and floor
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-leakage valve is designed to automatically close the fuel inlet passage before the filter housing is completely removed from the casting. This preliminary action prevents fuel spillage during the maintenance operation by sealing the fuel supply line in advance, allowing safe removal and replacement of the filter element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a valve system is added to close the fuel inlet when housing is unattached, then fuel spillage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-leakage valve is designed as a self-actuating mechanism that automatically closes when the filter housing is dismounted and automatically opens when the housing is reattached. The valve uses the mechanical movement of the housing itself as the actuating force, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving spillage prevention.
3Reliability
If a pin is added to the filter element to ensure proper alignment and operation, then the 'No Filter, No Run' function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is integrated directly into the filter element structure, merging the alignment function with the filter element itself. This single-component design eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms or additional parts, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring proper positioning and enabling the 'No Filter, No Run' safety function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid filter (6, 12), preferably a fuel filter, for a vehicle, said filter comprising a filter head (36) delimiting an inlet port (19) and an outlet port (21), a filter housing (30) which is to be screwed below the filter head (36) and which contains a filter element (32) centred on a central axis (X38), said filter element including a filter medium (38), a top end plate (42) and a bottom end plate (40). The filter housing (30) delimits a first volume for receiving a flow of liquid to be filtered, said first volume being delimited radially around the filter medium (38) and communicating with the inlet port (19) and a second volume for receiving a flow of filtered liquid, said second volume being delimited radially inside the filter medium (38) and communicating with the outlet port (21). The filter head (36) includes an anti-leakage valve (50) comprising a closing element (52) that is movable between a closed position in which it closes off the inlet port (19) and an open position in which the liquid can flow through the inlet port (19) and the filter (6, 12) further includes a pin (54) that is fitted on the filter element (32) and that is configured to penetrate inside the inlet port (19) so as to move the closing element (52) from the closed position to the open position.