Removable shield in an engine oil strainer

An oil strainer assembly is used to filter oil in an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The oil strainer assembly includes a strainer element and a housing. The housing has a first shell and a second shell. The housing has an inlet formed in one of the first and second shells and an inlet formed in the other of the first and second shells. The strainer element is disposed between the first shell and the second shell for filtering debris from oil passing between the inlet and the outlet of the housing. Each of the first and second shells has an outer wall. The first shell having a first flange for retaining the outer wall of the second shell. The first shell further having an outwardly extending tab for retaining a portion of the outer wall of the second shell opposite the first flange. The tab being movable away from the outer wall of the second shell to allow removal of the outer wall of the second shell from the first flange of the first shell along a generally radial direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to oil strainers for automotive vehicle engines. More particularly, the invention relates to an oil strainer assembly having a removable shield for servicing of the oil strainer assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicles with internal combustion engines require oil to lubricate high friction areas within engine, such as the crankshaft or the pistons. Particulate or debris, such as metal shavings, gasket material and oil sludge, may damage surfaces in these high friction areas, which can result in reduced engine performance or even premature engine failure. Oil filtrations systems are used to remove the debris from the oil as it is circulated throughout the engine by an oil pump. Oil filtration systems typically include an oil strainer assembly that filters the debris from oil drawn by the oil pump from a sump.

Over time, the oil strainer assembly may become plugged, which reduces the ability of the oil pump to pull oil from the sump. The oil strainer assembly must be removed, cleaned or replaced.

It remains desirable to provide an improved oil strainer assembly design that is easier to remove and service compared to conventional designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, an oil strainer assembly is provided for filtering oil in an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The oil strainer assembly includes a strainer element and a housing. The housing has a first shell and a second shell. The housing has an inlet formed in one of the first and second shells and an outlet formed in the other of the first and second shells. The strainer element is disposed between the first shell and the second shell for filtering debris from oil passing between the inlet and the outlet of the housing. Each of the first and second shells has an outer wall. The first shell has a first flange for retaining the outer wall of the second shell. The first shell further has an outwardly extending tab for retaining a portion of the outer wall of the second shell opposite the first flange. The tab is movable away from the outer wall of the second shell to allow removal of the outer wall of the second shell from the first flange of the first shell along a generally radial direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, an oil strainer assembly for use in an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated at10. The oil strainer assembly10includes a first shell20, a strainer mesh or element30, and a second shell40. The first shell20and second shell40can be releasably interconnected to form a housing that supports the strainer element30therein. The shells may be formed of any suitable material known by those having ordinary skill in the art, such as metal or molded plastic. Described in greater detail below, the second shell40may be separated from the first shell20to facilitate cleaning or replacement of the strainer element30.

The first shell20is generally bell shaped and includes an outlet21for coupling the oil strainer assembly to an inlet tube of an oil pump (not shown). The outlet21formed as an axially extending tube in a central portion of the first shell20. The first shell20further has a generally circular outer perimeter or edge24. A first hooked flange22extends along half or less than half of the outer wall24of the first shell20. A tab26extends generally radially outwardly from the outer wall24opposite the first hooked flange22. The tab26has a locating wall28that extends generally orthogonally from the outer wall24of the first shell20toward the second shell40.

The second shell40has an inlet31for receiving oil from a sump in the engine. The second shell40also has a generally circular outer wall42. A second hooked flange44and a third hooked flange46are formed along portions of the outer wall42for retaining the outer wall24of the first shell24. The second hooked flange44and the third hooked flange46are spaced apart to define a space or slot48for receiving the tab26from the first shell20therethrough during assembly. An outwardly extending locating edge50is disposed in the slot48for contacting the locating wall28of the tab26during assembly of the second shell40to the first shell20. It should be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the tab and flange arrangement shown in the illustrated embodiment may be reversed so that the tab extends from the second shell rather than the first shell. It is also appreciated from the drawings that the first hooked flange22extends radially outward and then radially inward from the first shell outer wall in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement and second hooked flange44and third hooked flange46extend radially outward and then radially inward from the second shell outer wall in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement.

In assembly, the strainer element30is held both axially and radially between the first shell20and the second shell40. The outer wall42of the second shell40is retained in the first hooked flange22of the first shell22. The outer wall24of the first shell24is retained in both the second hooked flange44and the third hooked flange46. The first hooked flange22of the first shell22is opposed relative to the second44and third46flanges of the second shell40, so that the first20and second40shells are constrained relative to each other in an axial direction. The first20and second40shells are also constrained relative to each other along all of radial directions, except for along a radial direction F (FIG. 3). Contact between the locating wall28and the locating edge50, however, constrains the first20and second40shells along the radial direction F.

In use, the oil strainer assembly10is submerged in oil in a sump. The flanged outlet21of the first shell20is coupled to an inlet tube (not shown) of an oil pump in the engine. As the engine is running, the oil pump sucks oil from the sump through the oil strainer assembly10. More specifically, oil enters the oil strainer assembly10through the inlet21of the second shell40. Debris is filtered from the oil by the strainer element30as the oil moves through the strainer element30. Oil filtered by the strainer element30exits the oil strainer assembly10through the flanged outlet21and is fed to the oil pump. Over time, debris may accumulate on the strainer element30, thereby reducing or hindering the flow of oil through the strainer element. At this point, the strainer element30may need to be removed, and cleaned or replaced.

The strainer element30is removed by disassembling the first20and second40shells. The locating wall28of the tab26is bent away from the locating wall28. The second shell40is then displacable along the radial direction F (FIG. 3) without interference between the locating wall28and locating edge50. The second shell40is displaced along the radial direction F until the edges24,42are no longer retained in the flanges22,44,46. The second shell40is then separable from the first shell20to access the strainer element30. The cleaned strainer element or a new strainer element may be reassembled between the first20and second shells40by reversing the aforementioned steps.

Optionally, gaskets may be provided between the shells to prevent oil from leaking therebetween.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the shells described above are generally bell shaped, but may be formed in any suitable shape depending on the packaging constraints of the engine and the desired oil carrying capacity of the oil strainer assembly. As another example, a single flange opposing the tab may be used instead of the three flanges shown in the illustrated embodiment for retaining the shells together. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.