Interlock device

A filter receptacle assembly is described including a filter receptacle having a receptacle wall and a circular edge defining an opening for receiving a filter cartridge and a first interlock device coupled to the receptacle wall of the filter receptacle, wherein the first interlock device comprises a first actuator moveable between a first position and a second position and biased into the first position, wherein at least a portion of the first actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall in the first position, wherein the first interlock device is configured so that when a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the first actuator is moved by the filter cartridge from the first position to the second position and is held in the second position by the filter cartridge.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates to filtration assemblies and methods. In particular, this disclosure relates to an interlock device for a filtration assembly.

BACKGROUND

Filters are commonly used in connection with lubrication systems and fuel systems for internal combustion engines, and hydraulic systems for heavy-duty equipment. Filters are also used in many other types of liquid systems. In these types of systems, the filter is changed periodically. In the art, there are at least two standard types of filters used. One type is a spin-on canister filter, while the other is a bowl-cartridge filter.

Bowl-cartridge filters typically include a reusable bowl holding a replaceable filter element (filter cartridge). Bowl-cartridge filters are sometimes preferred instead of spin-on canister filters due to disposal or other issues. Bowl-cartridge filters are mounted onto a filter head, and liquid to be cleaned passes through the filter head, into the bowl, through the replaceable filter cartridge, out of the bowl, and back into the filter head. After a period of use, the bowl-cartridge filter is removed from the filter head, and the replaceable filter cartridge is removed from the reusable bowl. The old filter cartridge is discarded and replaced with a new filter cartridge. The new filter cartridge is operably-mounted into the reusable bowl to provide a refurbished bowl-cartridge filter. This refurbished bowl-cartridge filter, containing the new filter cartridge, is then mounted onto the filter head.

In some of the existing arrangements it is possible to forget to replace the filter cartridge after removing the old filter cartridge. That is, after removing the old filter cartridge for servicing, it can be possible to replace the bowl back onto the filter head without operably inserting a new filter cartridge. This can lead to consequences for the equipment that needs the filtration.

SUMMARY

In one example implementation, a filter receptacle assembly includes a filter receptacle having a receptacle wall and a circular edge defining an opening for receiving a filter cartridge and a first interlock device coupled to the receptacle wall of the filter receptacle, wherein the first interlock device comprises a first actuator moveable between a first position and a second position and biased into the first position, wherein at least a portion of the first actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall in the first position, wherein the first interlock device is configured so that when a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the first actuator is moved by the filter cartridge from the first position to the second position and is held in the second position by the filter cartridge.

In another example implementation, a filter assembly includes a filter head configured to receive a filter receptacle assembly and a filter receptacle assembly configured to attach to a filter head. The filter receptacle assembly includes a filter receptacle having a receptacle wall and a circular edge defining an opening for receiving a filter cartridge, and a first interlock device coupled to the receptacle wall of the filter receptacle. The first interlock device comprises a first actuator moveable between a first position and a second position and biased into the first position, wherein at least a portion of the first actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall in the first position. The first interlock device is configured so that when a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the first actuator is moved by the filter cartridge from the first position to the second position and is held in the second position by the filter cartridge. The first interlock device is configured so that the first actuator in the first position interferes with installation of the filter receptacle onto the filter head.

In another example implementation, a filter receptacle assembly includes a filter receptacle having a receptacle wall and a circular edge defining an opening for receiving a filter cartridge. The filter receptacle assembly further comprises first, second and third interlock devices coupled to the receptacle wall of the filter receptacle. Each interlock device includes an actuator moveable between a first position and a second position and biased into the first position, wherein at least a portion of the actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall in the first position. Each interlock device is configured so that when a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the actuator is moved by the filter cartridge from the first position to the second position and is held in the second position by the filter cartridge. Each interlock device is configured so that the actuators in the first position interfere with installation of the filter receptacle onto a filter head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A filter receptacle assembly having an interlock device consistent with the current technology can be relevant to a variety of technological areas for implementation, and is generally configured to prevent the installation of a filter receptacle to a filter head unless a filter cartridge is properly installed therein. The interlock device is located on a receptacle wall of a filter receptacle and has a first position and a second position. In a first position, an actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall and interferes with the filter head so that the receptacle cannot be installed on the filter head. When a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the filter cartridge causes the actuator to be pushed into and held in a second position where it is out of the way and does not interfere with the filter head. As a result, when the actuator of the interlock device is in the second position, which indicates that a filter cartridge is present in the filter receptacle, the filter receptacle can be installed onto the filter head.

The filter assembly includes a filter head, a filter receptacle and a filter cartridge, and a fluid flow path is defined by these components. The fluid flow path passes through the filter cartridge, where filter media filters the fluid. In one example implementation, the interlock device is positioned along the flow path on an upstream side of the filter cartridge. As a result, if the interlock device breaks in any way, or comes loose, it will be caught by the filter cartridge and will not flow into the filter head. In one example implementation, the interlock device is positioned on an interior surface of the receptacle wall near a circular edge that defines an opening for receiving the filter cartridge. In the first position, the actuator of the interlock device protrudes from the interior surface. In one example implementation, the actuator extends from the interior surface at an angle of more than 90 degrees as measured from the interior surface of the filter receptacle.

In one example implementation, the actuator is the interlock device is biased into the first position by a spring. In one example implementation, the actuator is a lever. In one example implementation, the actuator is a lever that pivots about a pin.

When it is time to remove a used filter cartridge from the receptacle, the interlock device allows the used filter cartridge to translate past the interlock device. In one example implementation, an end of the actuator or lever includes a chamfer to facilitate removal of the used filter cartridge without jamming against the interlock device.

In one example implementation, the interlock device fits into a cavity formed in the receptacle wall. In one example implementation, the interlock device fits into the cavity with a press-fit. In one example implementation, a single interlock device is provided on the receptacle wall. In one example implementation, two interlock devices are provided on the receptacle wall and are separated by 180 degrees. In another example implementation, three interlock devices are provided on the receptacle wall and are separated by 120 degrees. In another example implementation, four interlock devices are provided and are separated by 90 degrees. Other numbers of interlock devices are also possible.

The interlock device as described herein can be constructed of simple components and is cost-effective, reliable and lightweight. An interlock device of this design can be simple to accommodate in most filter assemblies.

Example Implementation of the Figures

FIG. 1depicts an exploded perspective view of a filter assembly100of an example implementation, which is a liquid filter application. A filter head110is configured to attach to a filter receptacle assembly120. The filter receptacle assembly120includes a filter receptacle130and two interlock devices140. In the example ofFIG. 1, two interlock devices140are provided on the filter receptacle130and are separated by 180 degrees. In another example implementation, three interlock devices140are provided on the filter receptacle and are separated by 120 degrees. In another example implementation, four interlock devices140are provided and are separated by 90 degrees. Other numbers of interlock devices are also possible.

A filter cartridge150is shown attached to a filter head110. InFIG. 1, the filter cartridge150is shown without the filter media to simplify the drawing. The filter receptacle assembly120defines a cavity152and is configured to receive the filter cartridge150and connect to the filter head110. In one example implementation, the filter receptacle assembly120has an outer annular surface160that is threaded for attachment to a threaded surface of the filter head110. The filter receptacle assembly120also has a circular edge164defining an opening168for receiving the filter cartridge150.

The interlock devices140are configured to prevent the installation of an empty filter receptacle assembly120onto the filter head110. If a filter cartridge150is positioned within the filter receptacle assembly120, then the interlock devices140are configured to permit installation onto the filter head110.

FIG. 2shows a cross-sectional view of the filter receptacle assembly120that includes the filter receptacle130and the interlock devices140. The filter receptacle130includes a receptacle wall170and an end wall180. The receptacle wall170is generally cylindrical in shape. Each interlock device140is positioned within a cavity190that is defined in the receptacle wall170. In one example implementation, each cavity190is positioned near the circular edge164of the filter receptacle130. In one example implementation, a top edge194of the cavity190is aligned with the circular edge164of the filter receptacle130.

The interlock devices140are each configured to have a first position, shown inFIG. 2, in which they interfere with installation onto a filter head110. The interlock devices140are biased into the first position so that they remain in the first position unless a filter cartridge150is inserted into the filter receptacle assembly120. In the first position, an actuator200of the interlock device140protrudes from the receptacle wall170and protrudes beyond the circular edge164of the filter receptacle130. In the first position, the actuator200protrudes from the filter receptacle130at an angle a as measured from the receptacle wall170. In one example implementation, the angle a is equal to or greater than 90 degrees. In one example implementation, the angle a is equal to or greater than 130 degrees. In one example implementation, the angle a is 139 degrees.

FIG. 3depicts a cross-section view of a filter head110and an empty filter receptacle assembly120having interlock devices140with actuators200in a first position. The actuators200are interfering with an attempt to install the empty filter receptacle assembly120onto the filter head110, according to an example implementation. Because the actuators200protrude above the circular edge164of the receptacle130and protrude away from the receptacle wall170, the actuators200contact the filter head110and prevents the threaded outer annular surface160of the receptacle130from being received by the filter head110.

FIG. 4shows a filter cartridge150being inserted into or removed from a filter receptacle assembly120. When the filter cartridge150is inserted into the filter receptacle assembly120, then each interlock device140is pushed into and held in a second position shown inFIG. 4where it does not interfere with the installation onto a filter head110.FIG. 5shows a filter receptacle assembly120containing a filter cartridge150and installed on a filter head110. The actuator200of each interlock device140is held into the second position by the filter cartridge150. In the second position, the actuator200is positioned partially within the cavity190. In the second position, the actuator200does not protrude above the circular edge164of the receptacle130.

In one example implementation, the fluid to be filtered will pass out of the filter head110and into the filter receptacle assembly120adjacent to the receptacle wall170. Then the fluid will flow through filter media320of the filter cartridge150and into the open filter interior352of the filter cartridge150. Then the fluid will flow from the open filter interior352back into the filter head110. In this arrangement, the interlock device140is located on a part of the flow path which is upstream from the filter cartridge150. If a piece of the interlock device140were to break or come loose, it would be captured by the filter cartridge and would not flow back to the filter head110.

FIG. 6depicts a perspective top view of a filter receptacle assembly120having interlock devices140according an example implementation. The interlock devices140fit into cavities190defined in the receptacle wall170, adjacent to the edge of the receptacle130.FIG. 7shows a cross-section view of a top portion of a filter receptacle130defining the cavities190for receiving interlock devices140in an example implementation.FIGS. 8, 9 and 10show perspective, front and side views, respectively, of an example implementation of an interlock device140.FIG. 11shows a side view of an actuator200separate from the interlock device140. The details of the interlock device140and the cavity190will now be described with reference toFIGS. 7-12.

In one example implementation, the interlock device140includes an actuator200which rotates about a pin210to move between the first and second positions.FIGS. 8-10show the actuator200in a first position. The actuator200has a lever shape and is longer than it is wide. The actuator200may also be referred to as a lever. The pin210is cylindrical in shape and passes through an opening214in the actuator200. The pin210has a first end218and a second end220and is retained by an interlock housing224of the interlock device140. The pin210is received into a first housing opening (not visible in the drawings) and a second housing opening228. As is best visible inFIG. 9, the pin210is positioned above an open area230defined by the interlock housing224. The open area230will partially receive the actuator200when the interlock device140is in the second position.

The interlock device140also includes a spring232positioned around the pin210and a washer238positioned around the pin210. The spring232is on one side of the actuator200and the washer238is on the opposite side of the actuator200from the spring232. The spring232interacts with the actuator200so that the actuator is biased into the first position. In one example implementation, an extension portion282of the spring232is positioned within a cut-out portion280of the actuator to bias the actuator200in a first position. In this example, the spring232is a coil spring with the extension portion282. Other spring types can be used in different examples. Other structures for biasing the interlock device140into the first position are possible. The washer238is configured to provide a space between the interlock housing224and the actuator200so that the actuator200can rotate from the first position to the second position without being hindered by the interlock housing224.

The structure of the interlock device140is configured to interact with the cavity190of the receptacle wall170in order to align the interlock device140into its correct position, so that the actuator200can serve its purpose. In one example implementation, this structural interaction is provided by the first end218of the pin210interacting with a side cavity portion250(FIG. 7) of the cavity190. The first end218of the pin210protrudes from the interlock housing224, while the second end220of the pin210does not protrude from the interlock housing224. When the interlock device140is positioned in the cavity190, the first end218of the pin210slides into the side cavity portion250. The protrusion of the pin210into the side cavity portion250prevents the interlock device140from rotating and holds it in the proper alignment so that the actuator200extends in a radial direction toward the center of the filter receptacle130.

Now referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the cavity190includes the side cavity portion250, the lower cavity portion252and the main cavity portion254. The lower cavity portion252receives a portion of the actuator200when it is in the second position, as can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5. Returning toFIGS. 6 & 7, the main cavity portion254is configured to receive the interlock housing224in a press-fit arrangement. In one example implementation, an internal dimension of the main cavity portion254is equal to or very close to the dimension of the interlock housing224, so that the interlock housing224fits tightly into the main cavity portion254. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the interlock housing224can be secured to the receptacle wall170of the filter receptacle130through a variety of approaches and combinations of approaches such as through adhesive or other types of bonding, using fasteners such as screws, and the like.

Aluminum or stainless steel are options for constructing the interlock device, among other metals and other material options. In one example implementation, the filter receptacle is constructed of aluminum and each interlock device is constructed of stainless steel.

Now referring toFIG. 11, the actuator200includes a first end260and a second end262. At the first end260, the actuator200defines a chamfer270. The sloped surface of the chamfer270allows a spent filter cartridge150to be removed from the filter receptacle assembly120without jamming against the actuator200. In one example implementation, the chamfer270has an angle b from the length of the actuator200as shown inFIG. 11. The angle b can be 20 to 70 degrees generally, 40 to 50 degrees in some embodiments, or 45 degrees in at least one embodiment. The first end260of the actuator200also has a curved surface272in one example implementation, which is further configured to ease the removal of the filter cartridge150. The first end260of the actuator200has tapered portions274, visible inFIGS. 8 and 9, in one example implementation, which is also configured to ease the removal of the filter cartridge150.

The second end262of the actuator includes an angled tip276which defines an angle c with a longitudinal axis of the actuator200which passes through the pivot point216, as shown inFIG. 11. The angle c is 20-70 degrees in various embodiments, 40 to 60 degrees in some embodiments, or 49 degrees in at least one embodiment. The angled tip276is structured so that when the actuator140is in the first position, such as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 12, the second end262of the actuator140seats against a back portion of the interlock housing224. As a result of the angled tip resting against the back portion of the interlock housing224, the actuator200will not rotate further and will stop in the first position in response to the force that is biasing the actuator200into the first position.

The actuator200defines a cut-out portion280on one side, as seen best inFIG. 11andFIG. 12. The cut-out portion280accommodates the extension portion282of the spring232so that the actuator200is biased into the first position. The actuator200has an extension length d from its pivot point216to its first end260, as shown inFIG. 11. The appropriate extension length for the actuator varies depending on the angle a at which the actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall170, the diameter of the receptacle wall170, and the structure of the filter head110. The extension length d of the actuator is generally long enough to interfere with the filter head110when the actuator200is in the first position and installation of the filter receptacle assembly120onto the filter head110is attempted. In a variety of embodiments, the extension length d of the actuator200is sufficient to prevent engagement between the first thread of the outer annular surface160of the filter receptacle assembly120and a threaded surface of the filter head110when the actuator200is in the first position. In one example implementation the filter receptacle diameter is 1 inch to 4 inches, or 1.96 inch. In one example implementation, the extension length d is 0.25 inch to 1 inch, or 0.45 inch. In one example implementation as shown in the figures, the filter receptacle diameter is 1.96 inch, the extension length d is 0.45 inch and the angle a at which the actuator200protrudes from the receptacle wall170of the filter receptacle130is 139 degrees. In one example implementation, the actuator's extension length d is 15% to 40% of the filter receptacle diameter. In one example implementation, the actuator's extension length d is 20% to 25% of the filter receptacle diameter. In one example implementation, the actuator's extension length d is 23% of the filter receptacle diameter. In one example implementation, the actuator's extension length d is 23% of the filter receptacle diameter.

In one example implementation, the interlock housing224includes ridges225on its outer surface. The ridges can facilitate a press-fit installment of the interlock devices140into the cavities.

Filter Cartridge Configuration

FIG. 13depicts a perspective view of an example filter cartridge150, andFIG. 5shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the filter cartridge150ofFIG. 13. The filter cartridge150is generally tubular in shape, having a tubular construction of filter media320with a first media end322and a second media end324. The first media end322is coupled to a first end cap310and the second media end324is coupled to the second end cap330. The filter cartridge generally defines an open filter interior352there-through.

The filter media320can be virtually any type of filter media known in the art, and will generally be filter media associated with fluid filtration including air, liquids, and gases. The filter media320can be corrugated, non-corrugated, granular, fiberglass, paper, wire mesh, synthetic, cellulosic, fibrous, and/or combinations thereof. The filter media320generally has a central axis that is substantially aligned with the central axis of the filter receptacle assembly120(seeFIG. 5, for example).

The filter cartridge150is configured to be installed in a filter receptacle assembly120, such as that depicted inFIG. 1.

Method of Assembly of an Example Implementation

In one example implementation, an interlock device140is assembled by placing a pin210through the openings228in the interlock housing224, the opening214in the actuator200, the opening in the washer238and the opening in the coil spring232. The actuator200is sandwiched between the washer238and the spring232, and these three components are positioned in the open area230defined by the interlock housing224. The pin210is positioned so that a first end218of the pin protrudes from the interlock housing224.

Then each assembled interlock device140can be pressed into position within one of the cavities190in the filter receptacle120. The protruding first end218of the pin210is positioned in the side cavity portion250of each cavity190.

Method of Use of Example Implementation

When the filter cartridge150is inserted through the opening168of the filter receptacle assembly120into the cavity152defined therein, the filter cartridge150causes the interlock devices140to move from a first position to a second position. As a result, the interlock devices140do not interfere with the filter head when the filter receptacle assembly120is installed onto the filter head. The threads of the outer annular surface160of the filter receptacle assembly120are received by a mating structure on the filter head110, and the filter receptacle assembly120is thereby installed on a filter head110. If a filter cartridge has not been inserted into the filter receptacle assembly120, then the interlock devices140will be in the first position and will prevent engagement between the threads of the outer annular surface160of the filter receptacle130and the mating structure of the filter head110, so that it is not possible to install the filter receptacle assembly120onto the filter head110.

When a filter cartridge150needs to be removed and replaced, the filter receptacle assembly120is uncoupled from the filter head110and the filter cartridge150is withdrawn from the filter receptacle assembly120. The interlock devices140stay in the second position as the filter cartridge150is withdrawn. The chamfer270on the actuator first end260and other structures of the actuator allow the filter cartridge150to be withdrawn without jamming.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as “arranged”, “arranged and configured”, “constructed and arranged”, “constructed”, “manufactured and arranged”, and the like.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.