Liquid filter, especially an oil filter

• US 6,936,169 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mahle Filtersysteme GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Mahle Filtersysteme GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Inventors: Baumann, Peter, Monzie, Benoít, Grass, Uwe, Gebert, Hans, Brieden, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Savage, Matthew O.
• Application Number:
  US10/706,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 210/236, 210/248, 210/428, 210/433.1, 210/440, 210/443, 210/444, 210/454, 210/450, 210/457, 210/493.1, 210/493.2, 210/497.01
• US Class Current: 210/497.01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/0415 Details of supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/305 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4007 Use of cam or ramp systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4084 Snap or Seeger ring connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/21 with corrugated, folded or wound sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/96 in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; Particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements; Transport systems for filters B01D29/09, B01D29/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/153 Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/16 Cleaning-out devices , e.g. for removing the cake from the filter casing or for evacuating the last remnants of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/03 Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means filters B01D
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/1064 comprising drains for oil to the carter, e.g. to recover spilled oil during change of filters

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid filter, especially an oil filter, for cleaning lubricating oil, especially for internal combustion engines of automobiles, comprising an upright filter housing which contains a receiving area for a ring-shaped filter insert that is inserted into said receiving area, an inlet channel for unclean liquid, an outlet for clean liquid, and an additional discharge channel which is exposed when the ring-shaped filter insert is removed. An eccentrically projecting pin is moulded to a lower end plate and sealingly penetrates an opening of the discharge channel when the ring-shaped filter insert is introduced into the filter housing. According to the invention, a ramp is configured on the floor of the receiving area and is positioned in such a way that when the ring-shaped filter insert is introduced into the filter housing, the pin lies on said ramp and when the ring-shaped filter insert is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the pin slides downwards along the ramp and enters the opening of the discharge channel at the lower end of the ramp. This improves handling.

Claims

1. A ring shaped filter insert for a liquid filter having a filter housing for receiving the insert, the insert comprising:

a pin that projects eccentrically and runs parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter insert and is integrally molded on a lower end disk of the filter insert, said pin being provided with a chamfer formed at an axially free end of said pin, and

a projection extending axially away from the free end of the pin and being formed on the axially free end of the pin facing a ramp of a receiving area of the filter housing when the insert is inserted into the filter housing, said projection forming a contact zone of the pin.

2. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the contact zone of the pin is adapted to rest on a contact zone of the ramp running between two radially opposite guide contours formed in at least one section of the ramp containing a lower end of the ramp when the insert is inserted into the filter housing, and said projection is thinner in a radial direction than a radial distance between the guide contours.

3. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the contact zone of the pin is adapted to rest on a contact zone of the ramp running between two radially opposite guide contours formed in at least one section of the ramp containing a lower end of the ramp when the insert is inserted into the filter housing, and said projection is longer in an axial direction than an axial distance between the contact zone of the ramp end and an upper end of the guide contours.

4. The insert according to claim 3 wherein the projection further is thinner in a radial direction than a radial distance between the guide contours.

5. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the pin is mounted on the lower end disk in a radially flexible manner via a spring elastic web.

6. The insert according to claim 1 further comprising a retaining means extending axially and radially in an interior space of the insert for mounting the insert on a cover of the filter housing for rotational movement of the insert about its longitudinal axis and for securing the insert axially on the cover.

7. The insert according to claim 1 further comprising an inner frame comprising a retaining means for mounting the insert on a cover of the filter housing for rotational movement on the insert about its longitudinal axis and for securing the insert axially on the cover.

8. The insert according to claim 1 further comprising an upper end disk having a central orifice on whose edge are arranged a gasket and a ring-shaped collar, and a retaining means formed on the upper end disk for mounting the insert on a cover of the filter housing for rotational movement of the insert about its longitudinal axis and for securing the insert axially on the cover.

9. The insert according to claim 8 wherein the retaining means is designed in one piece with the upper end disk.