"FILTER CARTRIDGE "

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cartridge of a fluid filtration assembly. In addition, the present invention also relates to said fluid filtration assembly which comprises the filter cartridge. In addition, the present invention relates to the assembly method of said assembly .

[0002] The present invention has its preferred application in the automotive field. Specifically, the context which the present invention lies in is that of fluid filtration assemblies, particularly vehicle fuel, preferably diesel.

[0003] Filtration assemblies comprising a bowl body (or tub) and a head body (or head) mutually engaged in an integral manner are typically known of in the prior art. The bowl body and the head body are specially shaped to house within them a filter cartridge. The bowl body and head body are specifically suitable to be fluidically connected to the fuel circulation system. As a result, fuel to be filtered (dirty) enters the fluid filtration assembly and after passing through the filter cartridge, filtered fuel (clean) comes out.

[0004] The main drawback of the prior filtration assemblies is that of presenting complex engagement methods between the various aforementioned components.

[0005] In the presence of complex engagement methods between the various components, the assembly, and similarly the disassembly operations of the fluid filtration assembly are particularly complex. This drawback is therefore strongly felt, negatively affecting the maintenance operations of the filtration assembly and in particular the replacement of the filter cartridge. Solution according to the invention

[0006] The need is therefore strongly felt to provide a filter cartridge of a filtration assembly and a fluid filtration assembly comprising such filter cartridge that overcome such drawback so as to permit simple maintenance operations to be carried out.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a filter cartridge and filtration assembly which provide for a simple method of engagement between the various components and require simple assembly and disassembly operations .

[0008] Such purpose is achieved by the filter cartridge claimed in claim 1 and by the fluid filtration assembly claimed in claim 12. In addition, such purpose is also achieved by the assembly method of a filtration assembly according to claim 17. The dependent claims show preferred embodiment variants having further advantageous aspects .

Description of the drawings

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will, in any case, be evident from the description given below of its preferred embodiments, made by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 shows a filter cartridge of a fluid filtration assembly according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment;

- figures from 2 to 5 show some assembly steps of a fluid filtration assembly comprising the filter cartridge shown in figure 1, according to the present invention;

- figures 2' and 3' show two longitudinal cross-sections of the components shown in figures 2 and 3;

- figures 6a and 6b show some transverse cross-sections of the fluid filtration assembly, respectively in an intermediate assembly configuration and in an assembled configuration;

- figures 6' and 6" show two enlargements of the fluid filtration assembly in an assembled configuration respectively in two transverse cross-sections on two different axial planes;

- figure 7 shows a fluid filtration assembly comprising the filter cartridge according to the present invention, according to an embodiment variant, wherein said filtration assembly is shown in an assembly phase analogous to that shown in figure 3;

- figure 8 shows a transversal cross-section of the fluid filtration assembly as in figure 7 in an assembled configuration, substantially analogous to that shown in figure 6b;

- figure 8 ' is an enlargement of the fluid filtration assembly as in figure 7 in an assembled configuration, substantially analogous to that shown in figure 6';

- figure 9 shows a side view of a fluid filtration assembly, i.e. comprising the filter cartridge as in figures 7, 8 and 8' inserted in a bowl body, according to the present invention.

Detailed description

[0010] In the appended drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a filter cartridge according to the present invention, while reference numeral 10 denotes a fluid filtration assembly comprising said filter cartridge 1 in turn according to the present invention.

[0011] According to the present invention, the fluid filtration assembly 10, which the filter cartridge 1 is suitable to form part of, extends along and around a main axis Y-Y.

[0012] The filtration assembly 10 comprises a bowl body 11 and a head body 12 suitable to reciprocally engage with each other.

[0013] In particular, the bowl body 11 and the head body 12 respectively comprise, circumferentially, a first collar 111 (or inner collar) and a second collar 121 (or outer collar) specially shaped to engage with each other. In other words, the first collar 111 is radially closer to the main axis Y-Y than the second collar 121. In other words again, in an assembled configuration, the second collar 121 surrounds the first collar 111.

[0014] Preferably, the first collar 111 and the second collar 121 have a substantially annular shape. According to said preferred embodiment, the first collar 111 and the second collar 121 are concentric having their centre lying on the main axis Y-Y.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the first collar 111 and the second collar 121 are suitable to implement, by means of an action of roto-translation, the engagement of the bowl body 11 and the head body 12.

[0016] Preferably, the first collar 111 and the second collar 121 comprise an engagement system, such as a bayonet or screw system, made on the first collar 111 and on the second collar 121 (respectively on the walls facing each other) . In other words, the respective "complementary" components of the engagement system (depending on the chosen embodiment) are on the first collar 111 and on the second collar 121.

[0017] For example, in a preferred embodiment, the engagement system is of the type with a bayonet fastening comprising:

- a fixed element extending radially on the outside of the first collar 111; and

- an engagement element extending radially on the inner side of the second collar 121.

[0018] Preferably, the fixed element has a polygonal shape, while the engagement element is suitable to engage the fixed element by means of a roto-translation . In other words, in this embodiment, the engagement element is suitable to engage and house the fixed element inside it.

[0019] Or again, in a preferred embodiment in which the engagement system is of the screw type, on the outside of the first collar 111 there is a first thread, while on the inside of the second collar 121 there is a second thread complementary to the first thread.

[0020] According to the present invention, regardless of the type of engagement system between the bowl body 11 and head body 12, the head body 12 and in particular the second collar 121, comprises at least one slot 125 facing inwards .

[0021] Said slot 125 extends parallel to the main axis Y-Y and is laterally defined by slot edges 126 having an axial extension. Preferably, said slot edges 126 extend parallel to each other. The purpose and function of said slots 125 and respective slot edges 126 is fully described below, and shown in the drawings provided by way of example

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the bowl body

11 has a filtration chamber 110 accessible through an access mouth 110' peripherally delimited by the first collar 111. In said filtration chamber 110 the filter cartridge 1 is at least partly housed.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the head body

12 is suitable to be fluidically connected to the fuel circulation circuit and is suitable to be fluidically connected to the bowl body 11, preferably through the filter cartridge 1.

[0024] The filter cartridge 1 is suitable to be housed at least partially in the bowl body 11, in particular to be housed at least partly in the filtration chamber 110. The engagement methods of the bowl body 11 and head body 12 do not provide for any variation from the above description in a configuration with the filter cartridge 1 inserted. In other words, the presence of the cartridge 1 does not change the method of reciprocal engagement of the engagement system provided for between the bowl body 11 and the head body 12.

[0025] According to the present invention, in fact, the filter cartridge 1 comprises a filter medium 2 suitable to be housed in the filtration chamber 110.

[0026] Preferably, the filter medium 2 is of the tubular type, traversable by the fluid in the radial direction from the outside to the inside.

[0027] Preferably, the filter medium 2 is of the type comprising a pleated body. Preferably, the pleated body is a pleated filter medium.

[0028] In addition, the filter cartridge 1 comprises an end plate 3 positioned at an axial end of the filter medium 2. Preferably, said end plate has at least one opening 39 defined circumferent ially by an annular mouth 38 through which the fluid to be filtered and filtered fluid flows in input and/or output. According to a preferred embodiment, said opening 39 lies centrally at the end plate 3 centred on the cartridge axis X-X.

[0029] Preferably, the filter cartridge 1 also comprises a bottom plate 4 placed at the end opposite the end plate 3.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge 1 also comprises a tubular element 5 which extends along the cartridge axis X-X inside the filter medium 2 from the bottom plate 4 as far as the end plate 3. Preferably said tubular element 5 extends through the opening 39 with an inlet spout 58.

[0031] In other words, the end plate 3, the bottom plate 4 and the tubular element 5 identify the areas through which the dirty fluid and the clean fluid, before and after passing through the filter, flow. By way of example, the appended figure 3' shows the flow of liquid through the filter cartridge 1 according to a preferred embodiment described.

[0032] According to the present invention, the end plate 3 is specifically suitable to engage the first collar 111. In particular, the end plate 3 is suitable to close the access mouth 110' in such a way that the fluid flows only into the openings 39 provided on the end plate 3. In other words, the fluid flows in input through the inlet spout 58 and in output through the opening 39.

[0033] In particular, in fact, the end plate 3 comprises an active blocking member 31 suitable to block the filter cartridge 1 to the bowl body 11.

[0034] Said active blocking member 31 comprises at least one blocking tooth 310 suitable to snap-engage the bowl body 11 during the insertion in the axial direction in said bowl body 11 of the filter cartridge 1.

[0035] In other words, by means of the active blocking member 31, the filter cartridge 1 is fixed to the bowl body 11 in such a manner as to constitute a single filtration group 500.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the active blocking member 31 comprises a first portion 31' which extends in the radial direction from the end plate 3 (radial with respect to the cartridge axis X-X) and a second portion 31" which extends in an axial direction (i.e. parallel to the cartridge axis X-X) . Preferably, on said second portion 31" the at least one blocking tooth 310 is made proving elastically yielding in the radial direction .

[0037] That is to say that the active blocking element 31 is substantially an L-shaped element.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the active blocking member 31 comprises at least one blocking tooth having a stem 311 and an attachment portion 312 or tooth protruding from said stem 311. Preferably therefore the at least one blocking tooth 310 comprises a stem 311 which extends from the end plate 3 in an axial direction, substantially parallel to the axis X-X, and an attachment portion 312 which extends from the axial end of the stem 311 in a radial direction inwards, i.e. transverse to the axis X-X. Preferably the attachment portion 312 defines an undercut with the stem to allow the attachment of the active blocking member 31 to the respective passive blocking member 113.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the active blocking member 31 comprises a plurality of blocking teeth 310.

[0040] Specifically, the active blocking element 31 is suitable to cooperate with a respective passive blocking member 113 made on the bowl body 11, in particular on the first collar 111 (preferably on the outer wall of the first collar 111) . Wherein said passive blocking member 113 extends in a radial direction outwards (in the radial direction with respect to the cartridge axis Y-Y) and also for a circumferential portion (in a circumferential direction relative to the cartridge axis (Y-Y) .

[0041] In other words, said passive blocking member 113 forms an abutment for the active blocking member 31 on which the latter is suitable to operate performing the blocking action.

[0042] Preferably, the passive blocking element 113 has at least one blocking cavity 1130 which is snap-engageable by the at least one blocking tooth 310.

[0043] Preferably, the passive blocking member 113 comprises two blocking cavities 1130.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, said attachment portion 312 of the blocking member 310 comprises in an axial direction an upper portion facing towards the lower surface of the end plate 3 and a lower portion facing towards the bottom plate 4. Preferably, said lower portion has a bevelled and/or inclined profile. Said bevelled and/or inclined portion facilitates the engagement of the blocking tooth 310 in the relative blocking cavity 1130 in the axial engagement action. Said bevelled profile of the attachment portion 312, in fact determines the elastic yielding radially outwards, of the stem 311 during the reciprocal approaching of the filter cartridge 1 and bowl body 11. Upon reaching the attachment position the blocking member 310 elastically recovers its position allowing the insertion of the attachment portion 312 in the respective blocking cavity 1130.

[0045] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the passive blocking element 113 extends between a first circumferential end 1131 and a second circumferential end 1132 circumferentially spaced from one another and having an axial extension. According to said preferred embodiment, the active blocking member 31 comprises at least one abutment tooth 315 suitable to engage the first circumferential end 1131 or the second circumferential end 1132 to axially align the active blocking member 31 with the passive blocking member 113.

[0046] According to the description it is evident that the active blocking member 31 and passive blocking member 113 are specially shaped to cooperate with one another.

[0047] For example, in a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge 1 comprises a plurality of active blocking members 31, preferably three active blocking members 31. Preferably, the number of active blocking members 31 corresponds to the number of passive blocking members 113.

[0048] According to this preferred embodiment, said active blocking members 31 are angularly spaced in an irregular manner, in such a way that they are not angularly equidistant (in the same manner therefore so are the passive blocking members 113) .

[0049] According to the present invention, moreover, the end plate 3 also comprises at least one anti-rotation element 32 which extends in a radial direction from the end plate 3.

[0050] Preferably, said anti-rotation element 32 is suitable to engage circumferentially the head body 12 in such a manner as to oppose the mutual rotation between the filtration group 500 and the head body 12.

[0051] According to the present invention, in particular, the anti-rotation element 32 is suitable to be housed in the slot 125 of the second collar 121. Preferably, the anti-rotation element 32 is therefore suitable to perform on the edges 126 which laterally delimit said slot 125 an action of circumferential abutment which opposes the mutual rotation between the filtration group 500 and the head body 12.

[0052] According to the present invention, in particular, the anti-rotation element 32 comprises an end portion and/or tip suitable to be housed in the slot 125 of the second collar 121. Preferably said tip portion interacts with the edges 126 delimiting the slot 125 to perform an end stroke action upon passing one of said edges. Preferably, the end stop action is obtained upon passing the edge 126 in the vicinity of the active blocking member 31.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the anti- rotation element 32 is suitable to interfere with the slot 125 and in particular with the slot walls 126. That is to say that the anti-rotation element 32 geometrically couples with the slot 125. Preferably, the anti-rotation element 32 and the slot walls 126 mutually engage with a shaped coupling.

[0054] In yet other words, the anti-rotation element 32 performs an end stop action.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the anti- rotation element 32 extends integrally from the end plate 3. [0056] Preferably, the anti-rotation element 32 extends in a radial direction in tapered shape.

[0057] Preferably, in a further preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation element 32 is an element made in the shape of a tab hinged to the end plate 3 with its axis of rotation oriented parallel to the cartridge axis X-X. According to said preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation element 32 is elastically yielding upon engagement of the head body 12, in particular it is elastically yielding in a radial direction.

[0058] In accordance with said tapered shape of its distal end, the anti-rotation element 32 facilitates, during the relative rotation between the filtration group 500 and the head body 12, the engagement of the anti-rotation element 32 with the edges 126 of the slot 125. This way the housing of the anti-rotation element 32 is facilitated, to facilitate its housing in said slot 125.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, said anti- rotation element 32 comprises a surface for clockwise sliding 321 and a surface for anti-clockwise sliding 322. Preferably, the two surfaces are thus suitable to engage the respective edges 126.

[0060] Preferably, such surfaces for clockwise sliding 321 and for anti-clockwise sliding 322 have the same inclination with respect to the main cartridge axis. [0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the inclination of the surface for clockwise sliding 321 is different from that of the surface for anti-clockwise sliding 322. Depending on the mutual inclination it is possible to adjust the clamping force for opening and closing the filtration assembly depending on the specific application. For example the closing force may be less than the opening force, minimising the risk of unintentional opening of the filtration assembly and facilitating the closing of the assembly.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the end plate 3 comprises a plurality of anti-rotation elements 32, preferably as a function of the number of slots 125 present on the respective head body 12.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, three anti- rotation elements 32 are provided suitable to be housed in three specially shaped slots 125.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the anti- rotation elements 32 have different shapes from each other, depending on the shape and dimensions of the slots which they must cooperate with.

[0065] According to the present invention, it is important to note that the active blocking member 31 and the anti- rotation element 32 are two distinct elements, respectively angularly spaced from one another. [0066] According to a preferred embodiment, the active blocking member 31 is specially shaped to operate in an axial direction and in a radial direction; instead, the anti-rotation element 32 is specially shaped to operate in a circumferential direction, either clockwise or anti ^¬ clockwise .

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, as shown for example in figures 7 to 9, the anti-rotation element 32 also comprises a safety portion 32 ' which projects radially more than the height of the anti- rotation element 32 so as to prevent it being passed: specifically in fact, the safety portion 32' if engaged by an edge 126 prevents a further rotation of the head body 12 on the filtration assembly 500.

[0068] That is to say that the safety portion 32 ' is suitable to prevent a continued rotary action in a given rotary direction of the head body 12 on the filtration assembly 500 from causing the exit of the anti-rotation element from the slot 125. In yet other words, the safety portion 32' is suitable to abut on the edge 126 once the anti-rotation element 32 is housed in the slot 125; preferably the safety portion 32 ' is suitable to abut on the outer side of the edge 126.

[0069] The present invention also relates to an assembly method of a fluid filtration assembly 10 having the characteristics described above.

[0070] Said assembly method comprises the steps of:

- axially inserting the filter cartridge 1 in the bowl body 11 until the at least one blocking tooth 310 of the filter cartridge 1 snap-locks to the bowl body 11 obtaining a filtration group 500;

- performing the action of mutual roto-translation between the filtration group 500 and the head body 11, in such a manner that the head body 12 engages with the bowl body 11 and the at least one anti-rotation element 32 is housed in the respective slot 125.

[0071] In other words, the assembly method distinguishes between two clearly-defined separate operations: a first action in the axial direction between the bowl body 11 and filter cartridge, in which the cartridge axis X-X aligns with the main axis Y-Y and performs the action of axial approach until the active blocking member engages the passive blocking member; a second rotary action between the filtration group 500 and the head body 12 which involves the mutual engagement of the bowl body 11 and the head body 12, wherein said action is performed by means of the engagement system provided on the respective collars, and ends when the anti-rotation element 32 is housed in the respective slot 125.

[0072] Innovatively, the filter cartridge and fluid filtration assembly described above fully achieve the purpose of the present invention overcoming the drawbacks typical of the prior art. Innovatively, the assembly method of the filtration assembly fully achieve the purpose of the present invention overcoming the drawbacks typical of the prior art.

[0073] Advantageously, in fact, the maintenance operations of the filtration assembly are simplified: advantageously the opening of the filtration assembly is obtained by the mere reciprocal rotation of the filtration assembly and head body; overcame the action of the anti-rotation element by mere rotation, the assembly is open, and the cartridge can thus be accessed.

[0074] Advantageously the filter cartridge has specific components (the blocking member) operating exclusively with the bowl body and specific components (the anti- rotation element) operating exclusively with the head body. Advantageously, the former are suitable to operate in an axial direction and in a radial direction, while the latter are suitable to operate in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

[0075] Moreover, advantageously, the anti-rotation element is suitable to provide an abutment suitable to give a feedback to the operator in the assembly and disassembly operations. [0076] Advantageously, the plurality of blocking members and/or the plurality of anti-rotation elements makes it possible to keep the system safe for example in the case of breakage of one of said components.

[0077] Innovatively, it is evident that the assembly method (and conversely, the disassembly method) provides for simple, intuitive operations, repeatable over time.

[0078] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the filter cartridge or production method described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

List of reference numbers:

[0079]

1 filter cartridge

X-X cartridge axis

2 filtering medium

3 end plate

31 active blocking member

31' first portion

31" second portion

310 blocking tooth

311 stem

312 attachment portion

315 abutment tooth 32 anti-rotation element

321 surface for clockwise sliding

322 surface for anti-clockwise sliding 32 ' safety portion

38 annular mouth

39 inlet opening

4 bottom plate

5 tubular element

59 inlet spout

10 filtration assembly

Y -Y main axis

11 bowl body

110 filtration chamber

110' access mouth

111 first collar

113 passive blocking member

1130 blocking cavity

1131 first circumferential end

1132 second circumferential end

12 head body

121 second collar

125 slot

126 edges

500 filtration group