| JPH0731811 | OIL FILTER CARTRIDGE |
| WO/1997/014494 | A FUEL FILTER HAVING IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH A CONTAMINANT CONTAINER |
| JP2678907 | [Title of Invention] Filter element |
GIRONDI GIORGIO (MC)
| US4422939A | 1983-12-27 | |||
| FR2213792A2 | 1974-08-09 | |||
| US4204960A | 1980-05-27 | |||
| US4618423A | 1986-10-21 | |||
| US2697522A | 1954-12-21 | |||
| US3591004A | 1971-07-06 |
| 1. | A vehicle diesel fuel filter of the type comprising a fixed base within the vehicle engine compartment and a disposable part associated with the base and containing the filter cartridge, characterised in that the disposable part is of prismatic form and is composed of two halfshells securely joined together to define a sealed compartment divided into two chambers by a prismatic filter plate, the disposable part being provided with means for its coupling to and release from the fixed part. |
| 2. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said coupling and release means comprise snapfixing means arranged to engage in suitable seats in the base. |
| 3. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said coupling and release means comprise diesel fuel entry and exit conduits positioned in the top of the disposable part. |
| 4. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the disposable part comprises a lower conduit for discharging the water which accumulates within the diesel fuel exit chamber. |
| 5. | A filter as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said conduit is closed by an external cap. |
| 6. | A filter as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said conduit is closed by a water level sensor comprising a terminal block for connection to the vehicle electrical system. |
| 7. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that from the underside of the base there branches an appendix to be inserted into the compartment containing the cartridge, and comprising a level sensor for the water which accumulates in the fuel exit chamber. |
| 8. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base comprises elements for heating the diesel fuel. |
| 9. | A filter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base comprises at least one terminal block for connection to the vehicle electrical system. |
TECHNICAL FIELD This patent relates to a filter cartridge for diesel fuel.
BACKGROUND ART Known filter cartridges are generally cylindrical in shape and comprise a disposable part containing the filter cartridge and a part permanently fixed to the motor vehicle.
They present a bulk problem deriving mainly from the cylindrical shape of the disposable part, which sometimes creates problems for the vehicle designer, who is presented with an engine compartment which is ever narrower.
The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of known cartridges within the framework of a simple, economical and efficient solution.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION This object is attained by a cartridge having the characteristics defined in the claims.
According to the invention, the disposable part is of prismatic form and is composed of two half-shells securely joined together to define a sealed compartment divided into two chambers by a prismatic filter plate, the disposable part being provided with means for its coupling to and release from the fixed part.
According to the invention, the disposable part is associated with the fixed part by snap-coupling means The merits and the operational characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
Figure 2 an exploded perspective view thereof.
Figure 3 is a front view of the invention.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the invention.
Figure 5 shows the variant of Figure 4 seen from a different direction.
The figures show a base 1, of substantially parallelepiped shape and small thickness, generally constructed of a suitable plastic material, a light alloy or aluminium.
The base 1 comprises a compartment 12 which contains the usual diesel fuel heating device provided to prevent the separation of paraffin which would clog the filter.
It is intended to be permanently fixed within the vehicle engine compartment by the lugs 11, in an easily accessible position.
The base comprises an entry conduit for the diesel fuel, an exit conduit for the filtered diesel fuel, and a first terminal block 4 to be connected to the vehicle electrical system.
The base 1 also comprises, on three sides, the sockets 6 to receive the appendices 7 by which the underlying casing 8 containing the filter cartridge is fixed.
The casing 8 is composed of two shells 81 and 82 securely joined together to form a sealed container.
Said container is divided internally by a filter plate 9, which sealedly divides it into two chambers for the entry and exit of the diesel fuel respectively.
More precisely, the filter plate 9 comprises a small frame 91 which during its constructional assembly is laid against an inner shoulder of the shell 82.
From the entry chamber there upwardly projects a conduit 22 provided with an 0-ring, for insertion into the conduit 2 of the base.
The conduit 22 branches from the shell 82.
From the exit chamber there upwardly projects a conduit 33 provided with an 0-ring, for insertion into the conduit 3 of the base.
The conduit 33 branches from the shell 81.
The shell 81 lowerly comprises a discharge conduit 23 for the water which separates from the diesel fuel on its exit from the filter plate 9, into which a sensor 10 of known type is inserted to indicate when the water level exceeds a certain amount.
The sensor 10 comprises a terminal block for connection to the vehicle electrical system.
According to an equivalent embodiment, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the conduit 23 is closed by a cap 13, while the level sensor 14 branches from the underside of the base 1 for insertion into the hole 15 of the shell 8.
In this case the electrical connections between the sensor and the vehicle electrical system are made via the second terminal block 5 of the base 1.
The filter plate is formed of known materials and presents a porosity which decreases from the entry to the exit of the diesel fuel.
The water suspended in the diesel fuel separates onto the exit wall of the plate 9 and falls to the bottom of the casing 8.
The casing 8 plus the cartridge 9 are disposable and are quickly associated with the base 1 by snap-inserting the appendices 7 under the sockets 6.
All the objects of the invention are attained by the aforedescribed device.
The base is fixed into the vehicle engine compartment in a suitable position, and after being associated with the disposable casing occupies a much smaller space than that of a traditional cylindrical filter of equal efficiency.
The small dimensions of the device enable the cartridge to be replaced with limited loss of diesel fuel.
The detailed description of the water level sensors and of the electrical connections of the device is omitted as these are well known to the expert of the art.