Fluid filter element for circular locking engagement with a filter support

A fluid filter element for circular locking engagement with a filter support, the fluid filter element including a filter medium arranged about a longitudinal axis, first and second end caps arranged at opposite cylindrical ends of the filter medium and sealed thereto, at least one locking protrusion located on the second end cap for rotatably locking the fluid filter to the filter support and at least one releasable retainer located on the second end cap and associated with at the at least one locking protrusion for retaining the at least one locking protrusion in locking engagement with the filter support and being operative, when released, to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved fluid filter.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a fluid filter element for circular securable locking engagement with a filter support, the fluid filter element including a filter medium arranged in a cylindrical arrangement about a longitudinal axis, first and second end caps arranged at opposite cylindrical ends of the filter medium and sealed thereto, the second end cap defining a filtered fluid outlet, at least one locking protrusion located on the second end cap for rotatably locking the fluid filter to the filter support by rotation of the fluid filter element about the longitudinal axis in a first direction of rotation relative to the filter support and at least one releasable retainer located on the second end cap and associated with at the at least one locking protrusion for retaining the at least one locking protrusion in locking engagement with the filter support and being operative, when released, to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element from the filter support by rotation of the fluid filter element about the longitudinal axis in a second direction of rotation relative to the filter support, opposite to the first direction of rotation.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a fluid filter system including a filter support and a fluid filter element for circular securable locking engagement with the filter support, the fluid filter element including a filter medium arranged in a cylindrical arrangement about a longitudinal axis, first and second end caps arranged at opposite cylindrical ends of the filter medium and sealed thereto, the second end cap defining a filtered fluid outlet, at least one locking protrusion located on the second end cap for rotatably locking the fluid filter to the filter support by rotation of the fluid filter element about the longitudinal axis in a first direction of rotation relative to the filter support and at least one releasable retainer located on the second end cap and associated with at the at least one locking protrusion for retaining the at least one locking protrusion in locking engagement with the filter support and being operative, when released, to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element from the filter support by rotation of the fluid filter element about the longitudinal axis in a second direction of rotation relative to the filter support, opposite to the first direction of rotation.

Preferably, the at least one releasable retainer is configured for actuation in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to provide release, thereby to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element from the filter support.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one locking protrusion is entirely integrally formed with the second end cap.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one releasable retainer is co-molded with the second end cap.

Preferably, the at least one releasable retainer is partially integrally formed with the second end cap. Alternatively, the at least one releasable retainer is entirely integrally formed with the second end cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made toFIGS. 1-4F, which illustrate a filter system constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As seen inFIGS. 1-4F, there is provided a filter system100comprising a filter support110, which typically forms part of a filter housing of an engine or a vehicle. Filter support110preferably includes a filter support plate112, which is formed with a clean air passage aperture114, which is centered about a longitudinal axis118. Preferably filter support plate112is formed with a plurality of filter element engagement protrusions120, which are evenly azimuthally distributed about longitudinal axis118.

As see inFIG. 1, filter element engagement protrusions120preferably each include a top wall portion122, extending generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis118and an end wall portion124joining top wall portion122and defining therewith a channel126having an open end128, typically facing in a counter-clockwise direction, indicated by an arrow130, in the downward-facing sense ofFIG. 1, and an open radially inward facing side opening132.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-4F, filter system100comprises a filter element150which includes a filter medium160, arranged in a cylindrical arrangement about a longitudinal axis170, which when filter element150is mounted onto filter support110, is coaxial with longitudinal axis118. First and second end caps180and190are arranged at opposite cylindrical ends of the filter medium160and sealed thereto.

Fluid, such as air, to be filtered enters the filter element150via the filter medium160and is filtered thereby and the filtered fluid leaves the filter element150via a filtered fluid outlet194formed in second end cap190.

It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that at least one locking protrusion200is located on second end cap190for rotatably locking the fluid filter element150to filter support100by engagement of locking protrusions200with corresponding filter element engagement protrusions120of filter support110by means of rotation of the fluid filter element150about mutually coaxial longitudinal axes118and170in a first direction of rotation, here shown as counterclockwise, in the sense ofFIG. 1, and indicated by an arrow202.

It is a further particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that at least one releasable retainer210is located on second end cap190and associated with one or more locking protrusion200for retaining locking protrusion200in locking engagement with filter support110. Releasable retainer210, only one of which is shown inFIGS. 1-4F, is operative, when released, to allow rotatable unlocking of filter element150from filter support110by rotation of the filter element about coaxial longitudinal axes118and170is in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction. The second direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow214.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4F, the locking protrusion200preferably extends downwardly from second end cap190. Protrusion200preferably includes a bottom wall portion222, extending generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis170and an end wall portion224joining bottom wall portion222and defining therewith a channel226having an open end228, typically facing in a clockwise direction, in the sense ofFIG. 1, indicated by an arrow202, and an open radially outward facing side opening232.

Protrusion200is configured for rotatable engagement and disengagement with a corresponding protrusion120of filter support110, whereby rotatable engagement is produced by rotation of filter element150from an operative orientation shown inFIG. 4A, about coaxial axes118and170such that bottom wall portion222slidingly moves rotationally through open side opening132of protrusion120, as seen inFIG. 4B, in a direction indicated by arrow202, until end wall portion224of protrusion200abuts against top wall portion122of protrusion120and bottom wall portion222of protrusion200abuts against end wall portion124of protrusion120, as seen inFIG. 4C.

At least partially integrally formed with second end cap190is at least one releasable retainer210associated with at least one locking protrusion200for retaining the at least one locking protrusion200in locking engagement with a corresponding engagement protrusion120of the filter support110. In the illustrated embodiment a single releasable retainer210is provided. Releasable retainer210is operative when the filter element is in its operative orientation vis a vis the filter support110shown inFIG. 4Cto prevent rotation of the filter element150relative to the filter support110about coaxial longitudinal axes118and170in a direction indicated by arrow214inFIG. 4C. When retainer210is displaced, typically by manual action, it is operative to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element150from the filter support110by rotation of the fluid filter element150in the direction indicated by arrow214.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4F, the releasable retainer210comprises a resilient securing finger260which is preferably integrally formed with second end cap190and which is normally in a raised operative orientation, as seen inFIGS. 1A-3 and 4A. Resilient securing finger260preferably includes a radially outwardly extending user engageable tab portion262, which extends beyond the circumference of second end cap190. As seen inFIG. 4B, initial rotational engagement between protrusions120and200causes securing finger260to be pressed as protrusion120passes thereover into full rotational engagement with protrusion200. Upon full rotational engagement with protrusion200, protrusion120clears resilient securing finger260and allows it to reassume its raised operative orientation, as seen inFIG. 4C.

It is appreciated that when resilient securing finger260is in its raised operative orientation and protrusions120and200are in full rotational engagement, as seen inFIG. 4C, a forward edge270of resilient securing finger260engages a corresponding facing edge of protrusion120and prevents rotational movement of protrusion200relative to protrusion120in a direction indicated by arrow214, and thus prevents mutual disengagement of protrusions120and200, thereby preventing disengagement of filter element150from filter support110.

Turning toFIG. 4D, it is seen that depressing resilient securing finger260, as by manual engagement with tab portion262thereof, in a direction indicated by an arrow290, enables protrusion120to clear forward edge270of finger260and thus enables the filter element150to be rotated in direction indicated by arrow214and over finger260, as seen inFIG. 4Eand onward to a fully disengaged mutual orientation as seen inFIG. 4F.

Rotatable disengagement is produced by rotation of filter element150about coaxial axes118and170such that bottom wall portion222slidingly moves rotationally through open side opening132of protrusion120away from end wall portion124of protrusion120until protrusions200and120are no longer in engagement.

Referring now toFIG. 5, it is seen that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a resilient securing finger292may be snap fit mounted onto a mounting socket294formed on second end cap190, rather than being integrally formed therewith. The functionality of resilient securing finger292may be identical to that of resilient securing finger260. Alternatively, the socket294may be obviated and the finger292may be mounted directly onto the second end cap190.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 6-9F, which illustrate a filter system constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As seen inFIGS. 6-9F, there is provided a filter system300comprising a filter support310, which typically forms part of a filter housing of an engine or a vehicle. Filter support310preferably includes a filter support plate312, which is formed with a clean air passage aperture314, which is centered about a longitudinal axis318. Preferably filter support plate312is formed with a plurality of filter element engagement protrusions320, which are evenly azimuthally distributed about longitudinal axis318.

As see inFIG. 6, filter element engagement protrusions320preferably each include a top wall portion322, extending generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis318, and an end wall portion324joining top wall portion322and defining therewith a channel326having an open end328, typically facing in a counter-clockwise direction, indicated by an arrow330, in the downward-facing sense ofFIG. 6, and an open radially inward facing side opening332.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 6-9F, filter system300comprises a filter element350which includes a filter medium360, arranged in a cylindrical arrangement about a longitudinal axis370, which when filter element350is mounted onto filter support310, is coaxial with longitudinal axis318. First and second end caps380and390are arranged at opposite cylindrical ends of the filter medium360and sealed thereto.

Fluid, such as air, to be filtered enters the filter element350via the filter medium360and is filtered thereby and the filtered fluid leaves the filter element350via a filtered fluid outlet394formed in second end cap390.

It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that at least one locking protrusion400is located on second end cap390for rotatably locking the fluid filter element350to filter support300by engagement of locking protrusions400with corresponding filter element engagement protrusions320of filter support310by means of rotation of the fluid filter element350about mutually coaxial longitudinal axes318and370in a first direction of rotation, here shown as counterclockwise, in the sense ofFIG. 6, and indicated by an arrow402.

It is a further particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that at least one releasable retainer410is located on second end cap390and associated with one or more locking protrusion400for retaining locking protrusion400in locking engagement with filter support310. Releasable retainer410, only one of which is shown inFIGS. 6-9F, is operative, when released, to allow rotatable unlocking of filter element350from filter support310by rotation of the filter element about coaxial longitudinal axes318and370is in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction. The second direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow414.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-9F, the locking protrusion400preferably extends downwardly from second end cap390. Protrusion400preferably includes a bottom wall portion422, extending generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis370, and an end wall portion424joining bottom wall portion422and defining therewith a channel426having an open end428, typically facing in a clockwise direction, in the sense ofFIG. 6, indicated by arrow402, and an open radially outward facing side opening432.

Protrusion400is configured for rotatable engagement and disengagement with a corresponding protrusion320of filter support310, whereby rotatable engagement is produced by rotation of filter element350from an operative orientation shown inFIG. 9A, about coaxial axes318and370such that bottom wall portion422slidingly moves rotationally through open side opening332of protrusion320, as seen inFIG. 9B, in a direction indicated by arrow402, until end wall portion424of protrusion400abuts against top wall portion322of protrusion320and bottom wall portion422of protrusion400abuts against end wall portion324of protrusion320, as seen inFIG. 9C.

At least partially integrally formed with second end cap390is at least one releasable retainer410associated with at least one locking protrusion400for retaining the at least one locking protrusion400in locking engagement with a corresponding engagement protrusion320of the filter support310. In the illustrated embodiment a single releasable retainer410is provided. Releasable retainer410is operative when the filter element is in its operative orientation vis a vis the filter support310shown inFIG. 9Cto prevent rotation of the filter element350relative to the filter support310about coaxial longitudinal axes318and370in a direction indicated by arrow414inFIG. 9C. When retainer410is displaced, typically by manual action, it is operative to allow rotatable unlocking of the fluid filter element350from the filter support310by rotation of the fluid filter element350in the direction indicated by arrow414.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-9F, the releasable retainer410comprises a resilient compressible, generally triangular securing finger460which is preferably co-molded with second end cap390and which is normally in a raised operative orientation, as seen inFIGS. 6-8 and 9A. As seen particularly inFIG. 7B, compressible securing finger460has a width that is preferably greater than the width of protrusion400and is thus manually engageable. As seen inFIG. 9B, initial rotational engagement between protrusions320and400causes compressible securing finger460to be compressed as protrusion320passes thereover into full rotational engagement with protrusion400. Upon full rotational engagement with protrusion400, protrusion320clears compressible resilient securing finger460and allows it to reassume its raised operative orientation, as seen inFIG. 9C.

It is appreciated that when resilient compressible securing finger460is in its raised operative orientation and protrusions320and400are in full rotational engagement, as seen inFIG. 9C, a forward edge470of resilient securing finger460engages a corresponding facing edge of protrusion320and prevents rotational movement of protrusion400relative to protrusion320in a direction indicated by arrow414, and thus prevents mutual disengagement of protrusions320and400, thereby preventing disengagement of filter element350from filter support310.

Turning toFIG. 9D, it is seen that compressing resilient securing finger460, as by manual engagement therewith, in a direction indicated by an arrow490, enables protrusion320to clear forward edge470of finger460and thus enables the filter element350to be rotated in direction414and over finger460, as seen inFIG. 9Eand onward to a fully disengaged mutual orientation as seen inFIG. 9F.

Rotatable disengagement is produced by rotation of filter element350about coaxial axes318and370such that bottom wall portion322slidingly moves rotationally through open side opening332of protrusion320away from end wall portion324of protrusion320until protrusions400and320are no longer in engagement.

Referring now toFIG. 10, it is seen that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a compressible resilient securing finger492may be mounted onto a mounting socket494formed on second end cap390, rather than being integrally formed therewith. The functionality of resilient securing finger492may be identical to that of compressible resilient securing finger460. Alternatively, the socket494may be obviated and the finger492may be mounted directly onto the second end cap390.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather it includes combinations and subcombinations of features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which are not in the prior art.