Restriction indicator

• US 6,976,448 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Couillard, William E., Diver, Robert W., Kaul, Wayne A., Nepsund, Larry R., Krisko, William J., Matthys, Bernard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reis, Travis
• Application Number:
  US10/640,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20040187765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 116/266, 116/272, 116/268, 116/273, 116/70, 116/DIG.7, 116/DIG.25, 73/497
• US Class Current: 116/272
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/028 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/60 for the intake of internal combustion engines or turbines intake systems for vehicles comprising filters F02M35/024
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/446 by pressure measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/09 Clogging indicators ; Diagnosis or testing of air cleaners sensors therefore F02M35/10373
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/07 Fluid actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/25 Air filter condition indicator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a restriction indicator for an air cleaner system of an internal combustion engine. The restriction indicator includes a housing divided into first and second chambers by a diaphragm. A signal member is connected to the diaphragm. The signal member is moveable along an axis between a reset position and a first indicator position, and defines an axial opening within which a first retaining shoulder is located. A guide member is provided for guiding the signal member as the signal member is moved between the reset position and the first axial position. A retaining member is provided for retaining the signal member in the first indicator position. The retaining member extends within the axial opening of the signal member and includes at least two fingers that project radially outward from the axis. The fingers are configured to engage the first retaining shoulder to retain the signal member in the first indicator position. The restriction indicator further includes a reset button for deflecting the fingers radially inward to disengage the fingers from the first retaining shoulder thereby allowing the signal member to be returned to the reset position. The reset button includes a portion that extends within the axial opening of the signal member between the retaining member and the signal member.

Claims

1. A restriction indicator for an air cleaner system of an internal combustion engine, the restriction indicator comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a diaphragm dividing the housing into first and second chambers, the first chamber being vented to atmosphere and the second chamber being adapted to be connected in fluid communication with the air cleaner system;

c) a signal member connected to the diaphragm, the signal member being moveable along an axis between a reset position and a first indicator position, the signal member defining an axial opening within which a first retaining shoulder is located;

d) a guide member for guiding the signal member as the signal member is moved between the reset position and the first indicator position, the guide member defining a guide opening that extends along the axis and is sized to receive at least a portion of the signal member;

e) a retaining member for retaining the signal member in the first indicator position, the retaining member being generally not movable relative to the housing in an axial direction, the retaining member extending within the axial opening of the signal member and including a least two fingers that project radially outward from the axis, the fingers being configured to engage the first retaining shoulder to retain the signal member in the first indicator position; and

f) a reset button for deflecting the fingers radially inward to disengage the fingers from the first retaining shoulder thereby allowing the signal member to be returned to the reset position, the reset button including a portion that extends within the axial opening of the signal member between the retaining member and the signal member.

2. The restriction indicator of claim 1, wherein the at least two fingers include three fingers.

3. The restriction indicator of claim 2, wherein the fingers are uniformly spaced about the axis.

4. The restriction indicator of claim 1, wherein the first retaining shoulder is formed about an inner diameter of the signal member.

5. The restriction indicator of claim 4, further comprising a ramp positioned adjacent to the first retaining shoulder.

6. The restriction indicator of claim 5, wherein the ramp is generally frusto-conically shaped.

7. The restriction indicator of claim 1, wherein the retaining member includes a hub connected to the housing and a plurality of retaining legs that project axially outward from the hub, the fingers being connected to the retaining legs.

8. The restriction indicator of claim 7, wherein the reset button includes a hollow shaft defined by a plurality of axial legs separated by axial slots, each of the axial legs corresponding to a separate one of the fingers of the retaining member.

9. The restriction indicator of claim 8, wherein the hub defines a plurality of openings, and the axial legs of the reset button extend through the openings.

10. The restriction indicator of claim 8, wherein when the reset button is depressed, the fingers are radially compressed within the hollow shaft by their respective axial legs.

11. The restriction indicator of claim 10, wherein the axial opening of the signal member is defined by a side wall of the signal member, and wherein the axial legs of the reset button are positioned between the side wall and the fingers of the retaining member.

12. The restriction indicator of claim 8, further comprising a button return spring positioned with the hollow shaft and captured between the return button and the hub.

13. The restriction indicator of claim 1, wherein the reset button includes a hollow shaft mounted over at least a portion of the retaining member, and wherein when the reset button is depressed, the fingers of the retaining member are radially compressed within the hollow shaft.

14. The restriction indicator of claim 13, wherein the axial opening of the signal member is defined by a side wall of the signal member, and wherein the hollow shaft of the reset button between positioned between the side wall and the fingers of the retaining member when the reset button is depressed.

15. The restriction indicator of claim 1, wherein each of the fingers has a cantilevered configuration, and each of the fingers extends in both axial and radial dimensions relative to the axis.

16. A restriction indicator for an air cleaner system of an internal combustion engine, the restriction indicator comprising:

a) a housing having a top end and a bottom end;

b) a diaphragm dividing the housing into upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber being vented to atmosphere and the lower chamber being adapted to be connected in fluid communication with the air cleaner system;

c) a signal member that moves in concert with movement of the diaphragm, the signal member being moveable along an axis between a reset position and an indicator position, the axis extending between the top and bottom ends of the housing, the signal member including a central sleeve portion defining an opening that extends along the axis, and a skirt portion that projects outwardly from the central sleeve portion;

d) a locking arrangement for locking the signal member in the indicator position, the locking arrangement including a retaining member including a hub and at least three resilient locking fingers that extend downwardly from the hub, the hub being fixed relative to the housing adjacent the top end of the housing, the locking arrangement also including one or more interlock structures carried by the signal member, the one or more interlock structures being positioned within the central sleeve portion of the signal member, the locking fingers being configured to spring radially outwardly to interlock with the one or more interlock structures and thereby lock the signal member in the indicator portion; and

e) a reset button for disengaging the fingers from the one or more interlock structures, the reset button being accessible from the top of the housing, and the reset button including a hollow shaft portion that slides within the opening of the central sleeve portion of the signal member between the fingers and the one or more interlock structures when the reset button is depressed, wherein, as the reset button is depressed, at least portions of the fingers are compressed within the hollow shaft portion of the reset button causing the fingers to flex radially inwardly and to disengage from the one or more interlock structures thereby allowing the signal member to be returned to the reset position.