Connection adapter for connecting a treatment apparatus to a connection head of a treatment device for in particular liquid fluids, connection head, and treatment device

A connection adapter for connecting a treatment apparatus to a connection head of a treatment device for a fluid is provided with a connecting section that connects to the connection head. A threaded socket section coaxial to an imaginary connecting axis is provided to screw on the treatment apparatus. The threaded socket section has at least one fluid passage channel connecting a fluid-conducting space of the treatment apparatus to a fluid-conducting space of the connection head. The connecting section has at least two screw holes for receiving screws or threaded bolts or the connecting section has a central thread that connects to a connection head-associated central thread. An assembly of connection head and connection adapter is provided. A treatment device provided with connection head and connection adapter is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a connection adapter for connecting a treatment apparatus to a connection head of a treatment device for in particular liquid fluids, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein the connection adapter comprises a connecting section for connecting to the connection head and a threaded socket section coaxial to an imaginary connecting axis for screwing on the treatment device, wherein the threaded socket section comprises at least one fluid passage channel for connecting a fluid-conducting space of the treatment apparatus to a liquid-conducting space of the connection head.

Moreover, the invention concerns a connection head of a treatment device for in particular liquid fluids, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with at least one connection adapter for connecting a treatment apparatus to the connection head, wherein the at least one connection adapter comprises a connecting section for connecting to the connection head and a threaded socket section coaxial to an imaginary connecting axis for screwing on the treatment apparatus, wherein the threaded socket section comprises at least one fluid passage channel for connecting a fluid-conducting space of the treatment apparatus to a fluid-conducting space of the connection head.

In addition, the invention concerns a treatment device for in particular liquid fluids, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with at least one connection head, with at least one treatment apparatus, and with at least one connection adapter for connecting the at least one treatment apparatus to the at least one connection head, wherein the connection adapter comprises a connecting section for connecting to the connection head and a threaded socket section coaxial to an imaginary connecting axis for screwing on the at least one treatment apparatus, wherein the threaded socket section comprises at least one fluid passage channel for connecting a fluid-conducting space of the at least one treatment apparatus to a fluid-conducting space of the connection head.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,671 A discloses an adapter that enables a person to employ different selected sizes of inexpensively available oil or air filters as air filters in order to achieve a greater air filtration for hydraulic systems. The adapter comprises a housing with an axial central opening, an enlarged cylindrical central section comprising a first and a second oppositely positioned surfaces, a first end section that extends away from the first surface of the central section and that comprises an enlarged external threaded section, a reduced cylindrical section that is fastened to the second surface of the enlarged cylindrical section of the housing, and a male bayonet connecting part that is fixed to the free end of the reduced cylindrical section of the housing for connecting to a female connecting part that is connected to a liquid container. The enlarged external threaded section and the smaller external threaded section are adapted to be connected selectively to differently sized inner thread openings in conventional standard oil filters.

The invention has the object to configure a connection adapter, a connection head, and a treatment device of the aforementioned kind in which the treatment apparatuses with connecting openings with inner threads can be connected to connection heads which comprise innately no threaded sockets for connecting to the connecting openings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is solved according to the invention in that the at least one connecting section comprises at least two screw holes for screws or threaded bolts.

According to the invention, the connection adapter comprises, on the one hand, the threaded socket section to which the treatment apparatus can be mechanically and fluid-conductingly connected and, on the other hand, the connecting section with the screw holes with which the connection adapter by a corresponding screw connection can be connected to the connection head. In this way, treatment apparatuses with conventional connecting openings with inner threads can be screwed by means of the connection adapter to the connection head, wherein the connection head comprises only a connecting possibility by means of conventional screws or screw bolts. Accordingly, different types of connecting devices, in particular bayonet closure-type connecting devices, for connecting to corresponding treatment apparatuses, wherein the connecting devices by means of conventional screws or screw bolts are connected to a base member of the connection head, can be exchanged for the connection adapter according to the invention in order to be able to employ treatment apparatuses with conventional screw connections.

Alternatively, according to the invention the connection adapter comprises, on the one hand, the threaded socket section with which the treatment apparatus can be mechanically and fluid-conductingly connected and, on the other hand, the connecting section with the screw holes with which the connection adapter, by means of a corresponding screw connection, can be connected to the connection head. In this way, treatment apparatuses with conventional connecting openings with inner threads can be screwed by means of the connection adapter to the connection head, wherein the connection head comprises only a connecting possibility by means of a central thread. In this way, different types of connecting devices, in particular bayonet closure-type connecting devices, for connecting to corresponding treatment apparatuses, wherein the connecting devices by means of conventional screws or screw bolts are connected to a base member of the connection head, can be exchanged for the connection adapter according to the invention in order to be able to employ treatment apparatuses with conventional screw connections. In case that at the connection head no threaded bores for bolts are present but a central thread, the connection adapter can thus be mounted with a corresponding thread at the central thread of the connection head. The at least one connecting section requires therefore no screw holes for screws or threaded bolts but comprises a central thread which is coaxial to the central axis of the connection adapter and coaxial to the seals or sealing surfaces arranged at the connection adapter.

The treatment apparatus can be connected so as to be separable by means of the threaded socket section to the connection adapter and thus to the connection head. Accordingly, the treatment apparatus can be removed and/or exchanged in a simple way, in particular for servicing purposes.

The threaded socket section comprises at least one fluid passage channel for connecting a fluid-conducting space of the treatment apparatus to a fluid-conducting space of the connection head. With at least one fluid passage channel of the threaded socket section, a fluid outlet for purified fluid associated with the treatment apparatus can be connected to an outlet conduit for the purified fluid associated with the connection head. Alternatively or additionally, with at least one fluid passage channel of the threaded socket section an inlet conduit for the fluid to be purified associated with the connection head can be connected with a fluid inlet associated with the treatment apparatus.

Advantageously, the treatment device can be a filter device for filtering fluid. Particles can be removed from the fluid with the filter device.

Advantageously, the treatment apparatus can comprise or consist of a filter for fluid, in particular an exchangeable filter. By selecting a suitable connection adapter, different treatment apparatuses can thus be selectively connected to the same connection head. An exchangeable filter, which is also referred to as spin-on filter, can be exchanged completely with its housing and a filter element contained therein.

Advantageously, the treatment device can be a treatment device for liquid fluid, in particular fuel, oil, water, hydraulic liquid, aqueous urea solution or the like. Such liquids can be employed as operating media in internal combustion engines and/or motor vehicles.

The treatment apparatus can advantageously be a motor oil filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The motor oil filter can advantageously be part of an motor oil circuit of an internal combustion engine. It can serve for purifying motor oil which is supplied to the internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the treatment apparatus can be a fuel filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The fuel filter can be part of a fuel circuit of an internal combustion engine. It can serve for purifying fuel, in particular gasoline or diesel fuel, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine for combustion.

The invention is however not limited to a motor oil filter or a fuel filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Instead, it can also be used in different types of liquid systems, in particular hydraulic systems, cooling systems, fluid systems with aqueous urea solution or the like, of motor vehicles or other machines, in particular agricultural machines or construction machines. The treatment apparatus can be used also outside of the automotive field, in particular in industrial motors.

The invention can be used in motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses, agricultural and/or construction vehicles, construction/agricultural machines, compressors, industrial motors or other devices, in particular with internal combustion engines.

In an advantageous embodiment, the screw holes, relative to the connecting axis, can be arranged radially outside of the threaded socket section or of an axial projection of the threaded socket section. In this way, screws or screw bolts arranged in the screw holes can be made to be better accessible from the exterior. Thus, mounting or demounting of the connection adapter can be simplified.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection adapter can comprise at least one part of at least one radially outwardly positioned fluid conduit which is located radially outside of the threaded socket section or of an axial projection of the threaded socket section and serves for connecting a further fluid-conducting space of the treatment apparatus to a further fluid-conducting space of the connection head. With at least one radially outwardly positioned fluid conduit, a fluid outlet for purified fluid associated with the treatment apparatus can be connected to an outlet conduit for the purified fluid associated with the connection head. Alternatively or additionally, with at least one radially outwardly positioned fluid conduit, an inlet conduit for fluid to be purified associated with the connection head can be connected to a fluid inlet associated with the treatment apparatus.

Advantageously, an inlet conduit for fluid to be purified can be at least partially formed with at least one radially outwardly positioned fluid conduit and an outlet conduit for purified fluid formed with the fluid passage channel of the threaded socket section, or vice versa.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting section can comprise at least one cylinder section coaxial to the connecting axis for receiving a connecting socket of the connection head that is coaxial to the connecting axis. In this way, the connecting socket of the connection head can at least partially be conducted through the connection adapter to the treatment apparatus.

Advantageously, the connecting section can comprise two cylinder sections that are coaxial to the connecting axis. In this way, different regions, in particular fluid spaces, can be delimited with the cylinder sections and the connecting socket.

The cylinder sections can be arranged one behind the other, viewed axially relative to the connecting axis. An element-associated cylinder section axially facing the treatment apparatus can have a smaller diameter than a head-associated cylinder section facing away from the treatment apparatus. In this way, a fluid-conducting annular space can be realized in a region that is radial relative to the connecting axis between the radial outer circumferential side of the connecting socket and the radial inner circumferential side of the head-associated cylinder section. The radial inner circumferential side of the element-associated cylinder section can contact in particular tightly the radial outer circumferential side of the connecting socket.

Depending on the flow direction of the fluid through the treatment device, the interior of the connecting socket can serve as a fluid discharge for purified fluid and the annular space surrounding the connecting socket as a fluid inlet for purified fluid, or vice versa.

In the region of the head-associated cylinder section, flow openings for fluid can be realized advantageously. The flow openings can connect the annular space with an outer annular space of the connection adapter surrounding the cylinder sections. The outer annular space of the connection adapter in the mounted state can be in communication with the at least one fluid passage of the treatment apparatus.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection adapter can comprise a circumferential wall which surrounds circumferentially relative to the connecting axis at least one fluid-conducting annular space of the connection adapter. In this way, the at least one annular space can be delimited by the circumferential wall relative to the environment.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection adapter can comprise a sealing collar, which is facing the exchangeable filter to be connected, for contacting an exterior annular seal of the exchangeable filter to be connected, wherein the sealing collar is preferably arranged at a free rim of the circumferential wall. The sealing collar is arranged, further preferred, radially outside of the connecting section, in particular radially outside of the at least two screw holes or of the central thread. In this way, the entire interface can be designed in a space-saving way such that the radial extension does not project past the circumference of the outer annular seal of the exchangeable filter to be connected.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one screw hole can be arranged relative to the connecting axis radially within the circumferential wall or within an axial projection of the circumferential wall and/or at least one screw hole can be arranged relative to the connecting axis radially outside of the circumferential wall or of an axial projection of the circumferential wall.

Advantageously, at least one screw hole can be arranged relative to the connecting axis radially within the circumferential wall or of an axial projection of the circumferential wall. In this way, an annular space delimited by the circumferential wall can be designed to be correspondingly large.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one screw hole can be arranged relative to the connecting axis radially outside of the circumferential wall or of an axial projection of the circumferential wall. In this way, the corresponding screw or the threaded bolt can be arranged to be better accessible from the exterior. Also, the screw holes thus must not be sealed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection adapter can comprise at least one part of an element sealing device for sealing a connection to the treatment apparatus and/or at least one part of a head sealing device for sealing a connection to the connection head.

Advantageously, the connection adapter can comprise at least one part of an element sealing device for sealing a connection to the treatment apparatus. In this way, at least a fluid-conducting space between the connection adapter and the treatment apparatus can be sealed in particular relative to the environment.

Alternatively or additionally, the connection adapter can advantageously comprise at least one part of a head sealing device for sealing a connection to the connection head. In this way, at least one fluid-conducting space between the connection adapter and the connection head can be sealed relative to another fluid-conducting space and/or relative to the environment.

Advantageously, a free rim of a circumferential wall can comprise a corresponding sealing surface, in particular an annular surface coaxial relative to the connecting axis, for contacting a seal, in particular an annular seal coaxial to the connecting axis, associated with the treatment apparatus. In this way, the connection between the connection adapter and the treatment apparatus can be sealed automatically by means of the corresponding seal when screwing on the treatment apparatus.

Advantageously, the connection adapter can comprise at least one seal, in particular an annular seal coaxial relative to the connecting axis, for sealing a fluid-conducting space relative to the environment. Alternatively or additionally, the connection adapter can comprise at least one seal, in particular an annular seal coaxial to the connecting axis, for sealing a fluid-conducting space between the connection adapter and the connection head relative to another fluid-conducting space between the connection adapter and the treatment apparatus.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one part of a screw hole sealing device can be arranged at least at one screw hole. In this way, the screw hole and a corresponding screw or a bolt can be sealed relative to a fluid-conducting space and/or the environment.

Advantageously, the at least one screw hole can be surrounded by a sealing surface for an in particular annular seal, in particular an O-ring seal. The seal can be compressed seal-tightly between a screw head or a nut, on the one hand, and the sealing surface, on the other hand.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection adapter can be designed unitarily with the connecting section and the threaded socket section. In this way, it can be manufactured, mounted, and demounted as one piece.

Moreover, the technical object is solved according to the invention by the connection head in that the at least one connecting section comprises at least two screw holes for screws or threaded bolts.

Also, the technical object in regard to the treatment device is solved in that the at least one connecting section comprises at least two screw holes for screws or threaded bolts.

Furthermore, the features and advantages disclosed in connection with the connection adapter according to the invention, the connection head according to the invention, and the treatment device according to the invention and their respective advantageous embodiments apply among each correspondingly, and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can be combined of course among each other, wherein further advantageous effects may be provided which surpass the sum of the individual effects.

In the Figures, same components are provided with same reference characters.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

InFIGS. 1 to 9, a filter device10is shown in different perspective views, section views, and detail views. The filter device10can be, for example, an oil filter device for cleaning motor oil of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The filter device10can be arranged in an exemplary fashion in a motor oil circuit of the internal combustion engine.

The filter device10comprises a connection head12, at the top inFIG. 1, to which, at the bottom, is detachably screwed on a treatment element in the form of an exchangeable filter16by means of a connection adapter14according to a first embodiment. The filter device10comprises an imaginary connecting axis18relative to which a detachable screw connection between the exchangeable filter16and the connection adapter14is realized.

When in the followingAradial@,Aaxial@,Acoaxial@,Acircumferential@,Aeccentric@ or the like is mentioned, this relates to the connecting axis18, if nothing else is mentioned.

The connection head12can be fixedly connected to a component of the internal combustion engine, for example, a motor block or a frame of the internal combustion engine. The connection head12comprises an outlet conduit20for purified oil which opens into a coaxial connecting socket22at the connecting side of the connection head12which is facing the exchangeable filter16.

The radially outer circumferential side of the connecting socket22extends conically and tapers toward the free end of the connecting socket22which is facing the connection adapter14.

In the region of its end that is axially facing away from the exchangeable filter16, the connecting socket22is surrounded by a coaxial annular wall24. An annular inlet space26, into which an inlet conduit28of the connection head12for motor oil to be purified opens, is realized radially between the annular wall24and the connecting socket22.

The annular wall24is surrounded radially outwardly by an annular coaxial connecting surface30which is facing the connection adapter14. In the connecting surface30, a total of 4 threaded bores32are arranged, distributed uniformly in circumferential direction, whose axes extend parallel to the connecting axis18.

The exchangeable filter16is a generally known spin-on filter. The exchangeable filter16comprises a filter housing in which a filter element for purifying the motor oil is arranged. A housing cover34closes off the filter housing and is arranged at the side which is axially facing the connection head12.

The housing cover34comprises a coaxial connecting opening36with an inner thread which serves also as an outlet for purified motor oil. The connecting opening36is connected with a clean oil-side region of the interior of the filter housing.

The connecting opening36is surrounded by a plurality of eccentrically arranged inlet openings38for motor oil to be purified which lead into a raw oil-side region of the interior of the filter housing.

In the region of its radial outer rim, a coaxial circumferentially continuous annular seal40is arranged at the housing cover34. The annular seal40seals in axial direction relative to the connection adapter14.

The connection adapter14is arranged axially between the connection head12and the exchangeable filter16. The connection adapter14as a whole is of a one piece configuration. The connection adapter14has externally an approximately cup-shaped form. It comprises a connecting section42for connecting to the connection head12and a coaxial threaded socket section44with an outer thread for screwing on the inner thread of the connecting opening36of the exchangeable filter16.

The connection adapter14comprises a coaxial circumferentially continuous circumferential wall46that is adjoined, at the bottom side of the cup-shaped connection adapter14facing axially the connection head12, by a circumferentially extending annular coaxial fastening section48. In the fastening section48, as an example four screw holes50are arranged, circumferentially uniformly distributed, which are correlated respectively with the threaded bores32of the connection head12. The screw holes50, viewed in radial direction, are arranged approximately centrally in the fastening section48, respectively.

A first cylinder section52in the form of a hollow cylinder adjoins a radially inner rim of the fastening section48and extends away from the fastening section48coaxially into the interior of the cup-shaped connection adapter14. The first cylinder section52passes unitarily into a second coaxial head-associated cylinder section54which also has the shape of a hollow cylinder. The diameter of the head-associated cylinder section54is smaller than that of the first cylinder section52. The head-associated cylinder section54overlaps the first cylinder section52at the side which is axially facing the connection head12. An end of the annular wall24of the connection head12is inserted in the mounted state into a groove which is formed thus between the radially inner circumferential side of the first cylinder section52and the radially outer circumferential side of the head-associated cylinder section54.

At the end face rim of the head-associated cylinder section54which is facing the connection head12, a raw oil-side coaxial annular seal56is arranged which seals the head-associated cylinder section54relative to the first cylinder section52at the raw oil side relative to the annular inlet space26and forms part of a head sealing device.

At its axially oppositely positioned rim which is facing the exchangeable filter16, the head-associated cylinder section54passes by means of a collar58, which is extending radially inwardly, into a third coaxial element-associated cylinder section60, also in the form of a hollow cylinder. The diameter of the element-associated cylinder section60is smaller than the diameter of the head-associated cylinder section54.

A plurality of oil passage holes62are arranged, circumferentially distributed, in the collar58. An oil-conducting annular space64is connected to an oil inlet space66via the oil passage holes62. The annular space64is arranged radially between the radially inner circumferential side of the head-associated cylinder section54and a radially outer circumferential side of the connecting socket22. The oil inlet space66is delimited by the fastening section48, the cylinder sections52,54, and60, the circumferential wall46, and in the mounted state by the housing cover34of the exchangeable filter16.

At the side which is axially opposite the oil passage holes62, a gap between the radially outer circumferential wall of the connecting socket22and the raw oil-side annular seal56provides an oil connection between the annular inlet space26of the connection head12and the annular space64in the region of the connection adapter14.

The annular space64, the oil passage holes62, and the oil inlet space66form an oil conduit for the motor oil to be purified that is positioned relative to the threaded socket section44radially outwardly for connecting the annular inlet space26associated with the connection head12to the inlet openings38associated with the exchangeable filter16.

At the rim of the element-associated cylinder section60that is axially facing the connection head12, a coaxial circumferentially continuous clean oil-side annular seal68is arranged. The clean oil-side annular seal68seals the radially outer circumferential side of the connecting socket22relative to the element-associated cylinder section60and separates the raw oil-side annular space64from the clean oil-side interiors of the threaded socket section44and of the connecting socket22. The annular seal68is part of an element sealing device.

At the side which is facing axially away from the clean oil-side annular seal68, the element-associated cylinder section60passes by means of a radially inwardly extending shoulder into the threaded socket section44that tapers in cross section.

When the exchangeable filter16is mounted, the free end face of the connecting socket22is resting against the shoulder at the transition between the element-associated cylinder section60and the threaded socket section44. The interior of the threaded socket section44forms an oil passage channel for connecting the clean oil-side interior of the exchangeable filter16to the outlet conduit20.

For fixation of the connection adapter14, four fastening screws70are provided as an example, which pass from the side facing the exchangeable filter16through the screw holes50and are screwed into the threaded bores32.

Between the heads of the fastening screws70and the fastening section48, an annular seal, for example, in the form of O-ring seals72, is arranged, respectively. The O-ring seal72are positioned seal-tightly against corresponding annular sealing surfaces74each surrounding the respective screw holes50. The O-ring seals72seal the raw oil-side oil inlet space66in the region of the fastening screws70relative to the environment. An O-ring seal72forms together with the corresponding sealing surface74a screw hole sealing device, respectively.

The free rim of the circumferential wall46facing the exchangeable filter16comprises a sealing collar76that is preferably extending radially outwardly in order to provide a sealing surface that is wider than the thickness of the circumferential wall46. The sealing collar76is positioned seal-tightly against the annular seal40of the exchangeable filter16.

InFIGS. 10 to 18, a filter device10with a connection adapter14according to a second embodiment is illustrated. Those elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 9are provided with the same reference characters. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the screw holes50, instead of being centrally arranged in the fastening section48, are displaced relative to the first cylinder section52radially inwardly.

InFIGS. 19 to 27, a filter device10with a connection adapter14according to a third embodiment is illustrated. Those elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 9are provided with the same reference characters. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the circumferential wall46is displaced radially inwardly so that the screw holes50are located radially outside of the circumferential wall46. Also, the circumferential wall46passes directly into the first cylinder section52. The circumferential wall46is connected with its rim facing axially the exchangeable filter16by means of an annular disk-shaped connection, which comprises the oil passage holes62and the sealing surface74, to the element-associated cylinder section60. The element-associated cylinder section60itself passes with the same diameter directly into the threaded socket section44.

InFIG. 28, a filter device10with a connection adapter14according to a fourth embodiment is illustrated which relative to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 through 9differs by the type of fastening action of the connection adapter14at the connection head12. Here, instead of the screws70, a central thread480between connection head12and connection adapter14is provided. This has the advantage that no screw holes50(seeFIG. 1) must be provided. The central thread480is preferably arranged, as illustrated, radially outside of the seals, in particular outside of the head sealing device56and of the clean oil-associated annular seal68, and thus outside of the region which is flowed through or contacted by the fluids. Preferably, as illustrated inFIG. 28, the first cylinder section52comprises an inner thread and the annular wall24an outer thread for forming this central thread480. Accordingly, the alternative connection adapter14has a coaxial circumferentially continuous circumferential wall46, in deviation from the embodiment ofFIG. 1a closed bottom side of the cup-shaped connection adapter14facing axially the connection head12, as well as a fastening section48adjoining the bottom side which is formed by the central thread480. The central thread480is coaxial to the seals68,56. The central thread480is preferably arranged axially relative to the seals68,56such that the latter reach the sealing position only once a portion of the thread path of the inner thread has been overcome when it is mounted. In this way, a good centering action is achieved and the risk of canting or of damages to the seals68,56during mounting can be prevented. It is understood that an analog modification is also possible and inventive for the embodiments shown inFIGS. 10 to 18 and 19 to 27, wherein the first cylinder section52comprises an inner thread as a central thread480, respectively. In all variants, the central thread is preferably, viewed radially, outside of the seals56,68; in other words, the central thread480comprises preferably a greater diameter than the seals56,68and/or their sealing surfaces.