Filter and oil catch apparatus

A filter for an oil catch apparatus is provided. The oil catch apparatus is capable of efficiently extracting oil from air flowing through the oil catch apparatus while being of compact size. The filter includes a cylindrically wound main filter unit, a first keep member for keeping one end of the main filter unit, and a second keep member for keeping the other end of the main filter unit. Air flowing into the main filter unit from an opening formed in the first keep member is cleared of impurities upon passing through the main filter unit, and exits out of the main filter unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2015/077961, filed Oct. 1, 2015, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-226103, filed Nov. 6, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technical field relating to a filter and an oil catch apparatus disposed in piping for air passage and separating water, oil, impurities, and the like mixed in the air.

BACKGROUND ART

There are conventionally known vehicles that control a system, such as a braking system, using compressed air fed from a compressor. The compressed air may contain oil for lubricating the inside of the compressor. If the oil enters the system, malfunction may occur.

To cope with this, there is disclosed an oil catch apparatus that separates impurities temporarily collected by an oil catch part and exhausts only the air outside (see Patent Document 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The oil catch apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a structure that separates the oil and recovers the same by making air containing the oil collide with a collision plate. Thus, it is necessary to ensure a distance for making the air collide with the collision plate, resulting in an increase in the apparatus size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide an oil catch apparatus capable of extracting a sufficient amount of oil albeit being of compact size.

Means for Solving the Problems

To solve the above problem, a filter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cylindrically formed main filter unit; a first keep member for keeping one end of the main filter unit; and a second keep member for keeping the other end of the main filter unit. Air flowing into the main filter unit from an opening formed in the first keep member is cleared of impurities upon passing through the main filter unit, and exits from a peripheral surface of the main filter unit.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the main filter unit includes an element formed of a metallic network sheet and a resinous mesh sheet.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the element is formed by winding a stack of a stainless network sheet and a resinous mesh sheet cylindrically.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the main filter unit includes: an outer cylindrical member comprising a sheet-form stainless material having an opening formed therein, and an inner cylindrical member located inside of the outer cylindrical member with the element held between them and comprising a sheet-form stainless material having an opening formed therein.

Further, the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes an inlet member inserted into the opening formed in the first keep member.

Further, the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a muffler inside of the main filter unit.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the muffler includes a muffler member that is located on the first keep member side inside of the main filter unit and vertically with respect to an axial direction.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the muffler member includes a surface member and a back-surface member, each formed of a mesh sheet, and a coupler member that makes a coupling between the surface member and the back-surface member.

Further, to solve the above problem, an oil catch apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main unit; a lid that covers up an opening in the main unit; a filter that is located inside of the main unit; and a buffer that supports the filter.

Advantages of the Invention

To solve the above problem, a filter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cylindrically formed main filter unit; a first keep member for keeping one end of the main filter unit; and a second keep member for keeping the other end of the main filter unit. Air flowing into the main filter unit from an opening formed in the first keep member is cleared of impurities upon passing through the main filter unit, and exits from a peripheral surface of the main filter unit. Thus, the filter can extract a sufficient amount of oil albeit being of compact size.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the main filter unit includes an element formed of a metallic network sheet and a resinous mesh sheet, thereby allowing the oil and the like to be separated and collected efficiently within a limited space.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the element is formed by winding a stack of a stainless network sheet and a resinous mesh sheet cylindrically, thereby allowing the filter1to be manufactured at low cost.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the main filter unit includes: an outer cylindrical member comprising a sheet-form stainless material having an opening formed therein, and an inner cylindrical member located inside of the outer cylindrical member with the element held between them and comprising a sheet-form stainless material having an opening formed therein. Thus, it is possible to suppress the oil and the like separated from the air from splashing with a simple structure.

Further, the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes an inlet member inserted into the opening formed in the first keep member can thus be attached to an air flow path with ease.

Further, the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a muffler inside of the main filter unit, thereby allowing muffling effect to be enhanced.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the muffler includes a muffler member that is located on the first keep member side inside of the main filter unit and vertically with respect to an axial direction. Thus, it is possible to enhance muffling effect with a simple structure.

Further, in the filter according to the embodiment of the present invention, the muffler member includes a surface member and a back-surface member, each formed of a mesh sheet, and a coupler member that makes a coupling between the surface member and the back-surface member. Thus, it is possible to further enhance muffling effect with a simple structure.

Further, to solve the above problem, an oil catch apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main unit; a lid that covers up an opening in the main unit; a filter that is located inside of the main unit; and a buffer that supports the filter. Thus, the oil catch apparatus100can extract a sufficient amount of oil albeit being of compact size.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an oil filter according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction of the arrow II-II ofFIG. 1.

A filter1includes a main filter unit2, a first keep member3, a second keep member4, an inlet member5, a mounting member6, and a muffler7. One end of the main filter unit2is held by the first keep member3, and the other end thereof is held by the second keep member4. The inlet member5is attached to the first keep member3, and the mounting member6is attached to the second keep member4. The muffler7is attached to the inner periphery of the main filter unit2at the side of the inlet member5.

The main filter unit2has an outer cylindrical member21, an inner cylindrical member22, and an element23. The outer cylindrical member21is formed by winding, in a tubular shape, sheet-form stainless having openings21aformed therein. The inner cylindrical member22is formed by winding sheet-form stainless having openings22ain a tubular shape and is located inside the outer cylindrical member21. The element23is formed by winding a stack of a predetermined number of stainless network sheets and a predetermined number of resinous mesh sheets cylindrically and incorporated between the outer cylindrical member21and inner cylindrical member22. The above material and structure of the element23are illustrative and may be arbitrarily selected considering separation efficiency or resistance.

The first keep member3and second keep member4keep the both ends of the cylindrically-formed main filter unit2, respectively to thereby keep the winding state of the main filter unit2. A first insertion opening3ais formed at the center of the first keep member3, and the inlet member5is inserted thereinto. A second insertion opening4ais formed at the center of the second keep member4, and the mounting member6is inserted thereinto. A not illustrated flow path for inflow of air containing impurities such as oil is inserted into the inlet member5. A filter support member to be described later is inserted into the mounting member6. A configuration may be possible in which second insertion opening4aand mounting member6are not provided, but the second keep member4is directly supported by another member.

The first and second keep members3and4may be made of the same material, and the inlet member5and mounting member6may be made of the same material, whereby manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The muffler7has a muffler member71, a first support member72, and a second support member73. The first and second support members72and73are attached to the inner periphery of the main filter unit2at the side of the inlet member5with a predetermined interval therebetween. The muffler member71is incorporated between the first and second support members72and73.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare perspective views each illustrating an example of the muffler member according the present embodiment.FIGS. 4A and 4Beach illustrate an example of a mesh structure of a surface member or a back-surface member.FIGS. 5A to 5Ceach illustrate an example of a coupling structure of a coupler member.FIGS. 6A and 6Beach illustrate an example of the first support member or second support member.

The muffler member71has a surface member71a, a back-surface member71b, and a coupler member71c.

The surface member71aand back-surface member71bare each a sheet formed in a mesh by use of polyethylene terephthalate, synthetic resin, or chemical fiber. The surface member71aand back-surface member71bare formed into a circular shape having substantially the same diameter as the inner periphery of the inner cylindrical member22. The mesh structure of each of the surface member71aand back-surface member71bmay not only be the mesh patterns illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, but also the hexagonal pattern as illustrated inFIG. 4Aor the plain weave pattern as illustrated inFIG. 4B. Using the thus configured surface member71aand back-surface member71ballows extensibility and surface rigidity to be improved.

The coupler member71cis formed in a fiber shape by use of polyethylene terephthalate, synthetic resin, or chemical fiber and makes a coupling between the surface member71aand back-surface member71b. The coupler member71cmay have not only the coupling structures illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, but also the bracing structure as illustrated inFIG. 5A, the cross structure as illustrated inFIG. 5B, or the truss structure as illustrated inFIG. 5C. Using the thus configured coupler member71callows strength at compression to be improved.

The first and second support members72and73support the muffler member71by sandwiching the same from both sides. The first and second support members72and73are each formed into a circular shape having substantially the same diameter as the inner periphery of the inner cylindrical member22and attached to the inner periphery of the inner cylindrical member22. The first and second support members72and73have openings72aand73a, respectively, at a position including at least the center thereof. The shapes of the openings72aand73amay each be the circular shape as illustrated inFIG. 6A. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 6B, the first and second support members72and73may each have a support part for supporting the muffler member71inside the circular shape.

Next, the air flow in the thus configured filter1will be described.

Air containing impurities such as oil flows into the filter from the inlet member5. Subsequently, the air flows into the muffler7. In the muffler7, the air passes through the opening72aof the first support member72and flows into the muffler member71. In the muffler member71, the air sequentially passes through the surface member71a, coupler member71c, and back-surface member71bin this order. Thereafter, the air passes through the opening73aof the second support member73and flows out of the muffler7. Then, the air flows into the main filter unit2. In the main filter unit2, the air passes through the openings22aof the inner cylindrical member22, element23, and openings21aof the outer cylindrical member21. The impurities such as oil contained in the air are collected mainly by the element23and fall to the lower portion of the filter1through the element23.

Using the thus configured filter1allows the oil and the like to be separated and collected efficiently within a limited space. Further, using the stainless material allows the filter1to be manufactured at lower cost than with a conventional filter made of brass. Further, using the mesh structure element23can enhance muffling effect. In addition, incorporating the muffler7can further enhance muffling effect. Furthermore, the axis of the main filter unit2of the filter1can be set in the horizontal direction, so that effective utilization of space and space-saving arrangement can be achieved.

Next, an oil catch apparatus100using the thus configured filter1will be described.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment.FIG. 8is a side view of the oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment.

The oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment includes a main unit120, a lid130that covers the opening of the main unit120, a hose140attached to the lid130, an exhaust guide150that guides flow of exhaust air, and a mounting part160installed in the main unit120.

The main unit120has a cylinder121, a bottom part122, and a main unit flange123. The cylinder121according to the present embodiment is disposed such that the axis thereof is set in the horizontal direction. Although the cylinder121is formed into a cylindrical shape, it may have a rectangular cylindrical shape or an elliptic cylindrical shape. The bottom part122is formed so as to close one opening of the cylinder121. An exhaust opening121ais formed on the bottom part122side of the cylinder121. The main unit flange123protrudes outward from the cylinder121at a side opposite to the bottom part122in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main unit120. Although the cylinder121, bottom part122, and flange part123may be formed separately and joined together by welding or the like, they are preferably formed integrally.

The lid130has a flat part131, a side part132, and a lid flange133. The shape of the flat part131is preferably the same as that of the bottom part122of the main unit120. An inlet131aprotrudes from the flat surface of the flat part131and has therein a hole penetrating therethrough in the same direction as the protruding direction thereof. The inlet131apreferably protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface. The side part132extends in the vertical direction from the outer periphery of the flat part131. The side part132has first and second protruding parts132aand132bprotruding the side thereof. A drain outlet131bprotrudes from the flat surface of the side part132and has therein a hole penetrating therethrough in the same direction as the protruding direction thereof. A stop131cprotrudes from the flat surface of the second protruding part132b. The first and second protruding parts132aand132bpreferably protrude in a direction perpendicular to the side surface. The lid flange133protrudes outward from the side part132at a side opposite to the flat part131in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main unit120. Although the flat part131, side part132, and lid flange133may be formed separately and joined together by welding or the like, they are preferably formed integrally.

Coupling holes123aand133athrough each of which a bolt B for coupling the main unit120and lid130penetrates are formed in the main unit flange123and lid flange133, respectively. The bolt B penetrating through each of the coupling holes123aand133ais fastened by a nut N. Although the bolt B and nut N are used as a coupling part for coupling the main unit120and lid130in the present embodiment, another structure may be used.

The hose140has a tubular member141made of a transparent or translucent soft material. One side of the tubular member141is coupled by a first clip142or the like to an amount detecting port131dseparated from the drain outlet131bin the first protruding part132aof the lid130. The other side of the tubular member141is normally attached to the stop131cof the lid130by a second clip143or the like.

By installing the hose140in this manner, it is possible to confirm the amount of oil or the like accumulated in the transparent or translucent tubular member41.

The exhaust guide150is installed to the cylinder121so as to cover the exhaust opening121aformed in the upper portion of the cylinder121of the main unit120with its eaves. The exhaust guide150guides exhaust gas exhausted from the exhaust opening121a.

By installing the exhaust guide150in this manner, it is possible to guide exhaust gas properly.

The mounting part160is installed to the cylinder121of the main unit120. The main unit120is mounted to a not illustrated vehicle body through the mounting part160.

A buffer180has a filter support member181, a buffer member182, and a buffer mounting member183. The filter support member181supports the second keep member4through the mounting member6and mounted to the main unit120together with the buffer member182and buffer mounting member183. The buffer member182is formed into a tubular shape so as to cover a portion of the filter1on the side opposite to the inlet131a. A third insertion opening182ainto which the filter support member181is inserted is formed at the center of the buffer member182. The buffer mounting member183is supported by the filter support member181at one end thereof and supported by the lid130at the other end thereof.

By installing the buffer180, it is possible to suppress the oil and the like separated from air from splashing.

Next, the air flow and oil collection will be described.

Air flowing in the oil catch apparatus100from the inlet131aflows inside the filter1is cleared of the oil and the like upon passing through the filter1. The air on the outer peripheral side of the filter1is in a purified state where the oil and the like have been separated. The purified air is exhausted from the exhaust opening121a. The oil and the like separated in the filter1fall downward to be accumulated temporarily in the cylinder121of the main unit120. Thereafter, the oil and the like are discharged from the drain outlet131b.

FIG. 9illustrates an air treatment system200using the oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment.

The air treatment system200according to the present embodiment controls a braking system or the like using compressed air fed from a compressor201. The compressed air exhausted from the compressor201is fed to an air dryer202. The air dryer202removes the oil and the like contained in the compressed air and feeds the resultant dry air to an air tank203.

Direct disposal of the oil and the like removed by the air dryer202can greatly affect environment, so that the oil and the like are separated and collected by the oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment.

As described above, the filter1according to the present embodiment includes the cylindrically-formed main filter unit2, first keep member3that keeps the both ends of the main filter unit2, and second keep member4that keeps the other end of the main filter unit2. Air flowing inside the main filter unit2through the opening3aformed in the first keep member3is cleared of the oil and the like upon passing through the main filter unit2and exits from the outer peripheral side of the main filter unit2. Thus, the filter1can extract a sufficient amount of oil albeit being of compact size.

Further, in the filter1according to the present embodiment, the main filter unit2has the element23formed by use of metallic network sheets and resinous mesh sheets, thereby allowing the oil and the like to be separated and collected efficiently within a limited space.

Further, in the filter1according to the present embodiment, the element23is formed by winding a stack of stainless network sheets and resinous mesh sheets cylindrically, thereby allowing the filter1to be manufactured at low cost.

Further, in the filter1according to the present embodiment, the main filter unit2has the outer cylindrical member21made of sheet-form stainless having openings formed therein, inner cylindrical member22made of sheet-form stainless having openings formed therein and located inside the outer cylindrical member21with the element23interposed therebetween. Thus, it is possible to suppress the oil and the like separated from the air from splashing with a simple structure.

Further, the filter1according to the present embodiment has the inlet member5inserted into the opening3aformed in the first keep member3and can thus be attached to an air flow path with ease.

Further, the filter1according to the present embodiment has the muffler7inside the main filter unit2, thereby allowing muffling effect to be enhanced.

Further, in the filter1according to the present embodiment, the muffler7has the muffler member71located on the first keep member3side inside of the main filter unit2and vertically with respect to the axial direction of the filter1. Thus, it is possible to enhance muffling effect with a simple structure.

Further, in the filter1according to the present embodiment, the muffler member71has the surface member71aand back-surface member71bwhich are each made of a mesh sheet and coupler member71cthat makes a coupling between the surface member71aand back-surface member71b. Thus, it is possible to further enhance muffling effect with a simple structure.

Further, the oil catch apparatus100according to the present embodiment includes the main unit120, lid130that covers the opening of the main unit120, filter1located inside the main unit120, and buffer180that supports the filter1. Thus, the oil catch apparatus100can extract a sufficient amount of oil albeit being of compact size.

While the various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, a configuration obtained by appropriately modifying each embodiment and a configuration appropriately combining configurations of the different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST