Patent Publication Number: US-2021178298-A1

Title: Liquid filter

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/946,779 filed Dec. 11, 2019 and entitled LIQUID FILTER, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fluid filters, generally, and more particularly to fluid filters useful in motor vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of fluid filters and filter assemblies are known in the patent literature. U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2019/030466; 2019/030469 and 2018/326332 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,044,698; 9,393,506; 10,456,719 and 9,023,203 describes relevant filter assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide a fluid filter element which is suitable for use with elements of the filter system described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a filter element for use with a filter assembly having a filter housing and a rotationally releasable locking mechanism, the filter element including first and second end plates, the second end plate having a central aperture, a filtering medium arranged between the first and second end plates in a generally hollow cylindrical configuration about a central bore arranged about an axis, the central bore communicating with the central aperture in the second end plate, at least one perforated cylindrical pipe located in the central bore and a locking mechanism rotating assembly, sealingly extending through the central aperture of the second end plate and having a seal mounted thereon, for sealing the filter element in the filter housing. 
     Preferably, the locking mechanism rotating assembly is integrally formed with one of the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe. Alternatively, the locking mechanism rotating assembly is separate from and mounted onto one of the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the locking mechanism rotating assembly includes at least one protrusion for rotational driving engagement with the rotationally releasable locking mechanism. Alternatively, the locking mechanism rotating assembly includes a frictional engagement surface for frictional engagement with the rotationally releasable locking mechanism, whereby rotation of the filter element in engagement with the locking mechanism about the axis, frictionally drives rotation of the locking mechanism about the axis. 
     Preferably, the locking mechanism rotating assembly sealingly engages the central aperture of the second end plate by means of a circumferential seal extending along a periphery of the central aperture. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the locking mechanism rotating assembly is mounted onto the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe by a snap fit mounting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a filter element constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a simplified sectional illustration of the filter element of  FIG. 1A , taken along the lines B-B in  FIG. 1A ; including an enlargement; 
         FIG. 1C  is a simplified exploded view illustration of the filter element of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a simplified pictorial illustration of an integrally formed perforated cylindrical pipe and locking mechanism rotating assembly forming part of the filter element of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 1E  is a simplified sectional illustration of the perforated cylindrical pipe and locking mechanism rotating assembly, corresponding to  FIG. 1D  and taken along lines E-E therein; 
         FIG. 1F  is a simplified pictorial illustration of the perforated cylindrical pipe and locking mechanism rotating assembly, taken in a direction indicated by an arrow F, appearing in  FIG. 1D ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a filter element constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a simplified sectional illustration of the filter element of  FIG. 2A , taken along the lines B-B in  FIG. 2A , including an enlargement; 
         FIG. 2C  is a simplified exploded view illustration of the filter element of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly prior to assembly thereof; 
         FIG. 2E  is a simplified sectional illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly prior to assembly thereof, corresponding to  FIG. 2D  and taken along lines EE therein; 
         FIG. 2F  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly following snap fit assembly thereof; 
         FIG. 2G  is a simplified sectional illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly following snap fit assembly thereof, corresponding to  FIG. 2F  and taken along lines G-G therein; 
         FIG. 2H  is a simplified pictorial illustration of the perforated cylindrical pipe and locking mechanism rotating assembly, taken in a direction indicated by an arrow H, appearing in  FIG. 2F ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a filter element constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a simplified sectional illustration of the filter element of  FIG. 3A , taken along the lines B-B in  FIG. 3A , including an enlargement; 
         FIG. 3C  is a simplified exploded view illustration of the filter element of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly forming part of the filter element of  FIGS. 3A-3C , prior to assembly thereof; 
         FIG. 3E  is a simplified sectional illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly forming part of the filter element of  FIGS. 3A-3C , prior to assembly thereof, corresponding to  FIG. 3D  and taken along lines E-E therein; 
         FIG. 3F  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly forming part of the filter element of  FIGS. 3A-3C , following snap fit assembly thereof; and 
         FIG. 3G  is a simplified sectional illustration of a perforated cylindrical pipe and a locking mechanism rotating assembly forming part of the filter element of  FIGS. 3A-3C , following snap fit assembly thereof, corresponding to  FIG. 3F  and taken along lines G-G therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A-1F , which illustrate a filter element  100  constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1A-1F , the filter element  100  is of generally cylindrical configuration and is arranged about an axis  110  and comprises first and second end plates, respectively designated by reference numerals  120  and  130 . The first end plate  120  is formed with a generally circular army of snap fit protrusions  132  and is formed with a first central aperture  134  and the second end plate  130  is formed with a second central aperture  136 , larger than the first central aperture  134 . 
     A filtering medium, indicated generally by reference numeral  140 , is arranged in an accordion-like circular arrangement between the first and second end plates  120  and  130  in a generally hollow cylindrical configuration about a central bore  150  centered on axis  110 . The central bore  150  communicates with central aperture  136  formed in second end plate  130 . At least one perforated cylindrical pipe, indicated generally by reference numeral  160 , is located in central bore  150  interiorly of the filtering medium  140 . 
     It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that a locking mechanism rotating assembly, generally designated by reference numeral  170 , sealingly extends through central aperture  136  of the second end plate and has a seal  180  mounted thereon, for sealing the Filter element to a filter housing, not shown, such as the filter housing described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1A -1F , the filtering medium  140  comprises three separate cylindrical arrangements of filtering medium, here designated by reference numerals  182 ,  184  and  186 , and the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe  160  comprises three separate perforated cylindrical pipe segments, here designated by reference numerals  192 ,  194  and  196 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1A -1F , filtering medium  182  is adhered, as by heat welding, to an interior planar surface of first end plate  120 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  192  is press fitted within the filtering medium  182 . Filtering medium  182  is also joined to a first planar surface of a first intermediate aperture disk  200 , as by heat welding, In this embodiment, filtering medium  184  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of intermediate aperture disk  200 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  194  is press fitted within the filtering medium  184 . Filtering medium  184  is also joined to a first surface of a second intermediate aperture disk  210 , as by heat welding. Also In this embodiment, filtering medium  186  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of second intermediate aperture disk  210 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  196  is press fitted within the filtering medium  186 . Filtering medium  196  is also joined to an inner planar surface of second end plate  130 , as by heat welding. 
     It is a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS 1A-1F  that locking mechanism rotating assembly  170  is integrally formed as one piece with perforated cylindrical pipe segment  196  and sealingly extends through central aperture  136  of the second end plate  130  via a peripheral seal  220 . Locking mechanism rotating assembly  170  comprises a generally cylindrical body portion  222  preferably formed with recesses  224  and  226  for mounting thereon of seals  220  and  180  respectively. 
     It is also a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1F  that locking mechanism rotating assembly  170  is formed with a plurality of locking mechanism engagement protrusions  230 , shown particularly in  FIG. 1F , which are configured for operative engagement with rotational driving cams in a locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A-2H , which illustrate a filter element  300  constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2A-2H , the filter element  300  is of generally cylindrical configuration and is arranged about an axis  310  and comprises first and second end plates, respectively designated by reference numerals  320  and  330 . The first end plate  320  is formed with a generally circular array of snap fit protrusions  332  and is formed with a first central aperture  334  and the second end plate  330  is formed with a second central aperture  336 , larger than the first central aperture. 
     A filtering medium, indicated generally by reference numeral  340 , is arranged in an accordion-like circular arrangement between the first and second end plates  320  and  330  in a generally hollow cylindrical configuration about a central bore  350  centered on axis  310 . The central bore  350  communicates with central aperture  336  formed in second end plate  330 . At least one perforated cylindrical pipe, indicated generally by reference numeral  360 , is located in central bore  350  interiorly of the filtering medium  340 . 
     It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that a locking mechanism rotating assembly, generally designated by reference numeral  370 , sealingly extends through central aperture  336  of the second end plate and has a seal  380  mounted thereon, for sealing the filter element to a filter housing, not shown, such as the filter housing described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 2A -2H , the filtering medium  340  comprises three separate cylindrical arrangements of filtering medium, here designated by reference numerals  382 ,  384  and  386 , and the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe  360  comprises three separate perforated cylindrical pipe segments, here designated by reference numerals  392 ,  394  and  396 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 2A -2H , filtering medium  382  is adhered, as by heat welding, to an interior planar surface of first end plate  320 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  392  is press fitted within the filtering medium  382 . Filtering, medium  382  is also joined to a first planar surface of a first intermediate aperture disk  400 , as by heat welding. In this embodiment, filtering medium  384  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of intermediate aperture disk  400 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  394  is press fitted within the filtering medium  384 . Filtering medium  384  is also joined to a first surface of a second intermediate aperture disk  410 , as by heat welding. Also In this embodiment, filtering medium  386  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of second intermediate aperture disk  410 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  396  is press fitted within the filtering medium  386 . Filtering medium  396  is also joined to an inner planar surface of second end plate  340 , as by heat welding. 
     It is a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2H  that, as distinct from the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1F , in this embodiment locking mechanism rotating assembly  370  is not integrally formed as one piece with perforated cylindrical pipe segment  396  but rather is a separate element and is snap fit mounted onto perforated cylindrical pipe segment  396  as by means of snap protrusions  418 , which engage a circumferential rib  420  of perforated cylindrical pipe segment  396 . Locking mechanism rotating assembly  370  sealingly extends through central aperture  336  of the second end plate  330  via a peripheral seal  422 , which is preferably ultrasonically welded onto the second end plate  330  about an inner-facing edge of central aperture  336 . Locking mechanism rotating assembly  370  comprises a generally cylindrical body portion  424  preferably formed with a recess  426  for mounting thereon of seal  380 . 
     Is also a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2H  that locking mechanism rotating assembly  370  is formed with a plurality of locking mechanism engagement protrusions  430 , which are configured for operative engagement with rotational driving cams in a locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698, 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A-3G , which illustrate a filter element  500  constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3A-3G , the filter element  500  is of generally cylindrical configuration and is arranged about an axis  510  and comprises first and second end plates, respectively designated by reference numerals  520  and  530 . The first end plate  520  is formed with a generally circular array of snap fit protrusions  532  and is formed with a first central aperture  534  and the second end plate  530  is formed with a second central aperture  536 , larger than the first central aperture. 
     A filtering medium, indicated generally by reference numeral  540 , is arranged in an accordion-like circular arrangement between the first and second end plates  520  and  530  in a generally hollow cylindrical configuration about a central bore  550  centered on axis  510 . The central bore  550  communicates with central aperture  536  formed in second end plate  530 . At least one perforated cylindrical pipe, indicated generally by reference numeral  560 , is located in central bore  550  interiorly of the filtering medium  540 . 
     It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that a locking mechanism rotating assembly, generally designated by reference numeral  570 , sealingly extends through central aperture  534  of the second end plate and has a seal  580  mounted thereon, for sealing the filter element to a filter housing, not shown, such as the filter housing described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 3A -3G , the filtering medium  540  comprises three separate cylindrical arrangements of filtering medium, here designated by reference numerals  582 ,  584  and  586 , and the at least one perforated cylindrical pipe  560  comprises three separate perforated cylindrical pipe segments, here designated by reference numerals  592 ,  594  and  596 , 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 3A -3G , filtering medium  582  is adhered, as by heat welding, to an interior planar surface of first end plate  520 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  592  is press fitted within the filtering medium  582 . Filtering medium  582  is also joined to a first planar surface of a first intermediate aperture disk  600 , as by heat welding. In this embodiment, filtering medium  584  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of intermediate aperture disk  600 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  594  is press fitted within the filtering medium  584 . Filtering medium  584  is also joined to a first surface of a second intermediate aperture disk  610 , as by heat welding. Also, in this embodiment, filtering medium  586  is adhered, as by heat welding, to a second planar surface of second intermediate aperture disk  610 . Perforated cylindrical pipe segment  596  is press fitted within the filtering medium  586 . Filtering medium  596  is also joined to an inner planar surface of second end plate  540 , as by heat welding. 
     It is a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3G  that, as distinct from the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1E , in this embodiment locking mechanism rotating assembly  570  is not integrally formed as one piece with perforated cylindrical pipe segment  596  but rather is a separate element and is snap fit mounted onto perforated cylindrical pipe segment  596  by means of snap protrusions  618 , which engage a circumferential rib  620  of perforated cylindrical pipe segment  596 . Locking mechanism rotating assembly  570  sealingly extends through central aperture  536  of the second end plate  530  via a peripheral seal  622 , which is preferably ultrasonically welded onto the second end plate  530  about an inner-facing edge of central aperture  536 . Locking mechanism rotating assembly  370  comprises a generally cylindrical body portion  624  preferably formed with a recess  626  for mounting thereon of seal  580 . 
     It is also a particular feature of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3G  that, as distinct from the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A-1F and 2A-2H , locking mechanism rotating assembly  570  is not formed with a plurality of locking mechanism engagement protrusions, which are configured for operative engagement with rotational driving cams in a locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698. Instead, there is adhered, as by ultrasonic welding or by use of an adhesive, to a bottom surface of locking mechanism rotating assembly  570 , a felt disk  630 , which provides a frictional engagement surface  632  for frictional engagement with a rotationally releasable locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,698, whereby rotation of the filter element  500  in engagement with the locking mechanism, about axis  510 , frictionally drives rotation of the locking mechanism about axis  510 . 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention includes combinations and subcombinations of the various novel features described hereinabove as well as equivalents thereof, which are not in the prior art.