CN113117427A

CN113117427A - Blow-by gas filter assembly having shaft with outflow

Info

Publication number: CN113117427A
Application number: CN201911397625.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔基奥·基隆迪
Original assignee: SHANGHAI OUFEI FILTER CO Ltd
Current assignee: SHANGHAI OUFEI FILTER CO Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-30
Filing date: 2019-12-30
Publication date: 2021-07-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a blow-by gas filter assembly (1). The filter assembly (1) has an axis (X-X) and comprises: a support body (2) comprising a filtering chamber (20), an inlet (21) for blow-by gas to be filtered and an outlet (22) for filtered blow-by gas. Furthermore, the filter assembly (1) comprises: a hollow cylindrical filter group (3) having a central chamber (300), the central chamber (300) being radially passable from the outside to the inside by a blow-by gas; a control drive (4) operatively connected to the filter group (3) to control the rotation of the filter group (3); and a shaft (5) for support and control, extending along an axis (X-X), and internally defining an air duct (50), through which the filtered blow-by gas flows (50). The shaft (5) comprises: a filter unit (53) on which the filter group (3) is mounted; a control portion (54) operatively connected with the control drive (4); and an outflow portion (52) axially located between the filter portion (53) and the control portion (54), including at least one outflow window (520), through which the filtered blow-by gas flows (520).

Description

Blow-by gas filter assembly having shaft with outflow

Technical Field

The invention relates to a blow-by gas filter assembly.

Specifically, the blow-by gas filter assembly of the present invention may be fluidly connected to a crankcase ventilation circuit of an internal combustion engine within a vehicle to receive blow-by gas (from the crankcase) and filter suspended particles contained therein from the blow-by gas.

In particular, "blow-by" means oil vapor that is vented from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine during operation of the internal combustion engine. Specifically, the blow-by gas has a composition similar to that of the exhaust gas, and is produced by combustion of an air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. These gases pass by the cylinder and carry with them carbon particles and oil droplets, leaking into the lower part of the crankcase, rather than reaching the waste drain circuit. In the present discussion, for simplicity, blow-by gas is considered to include air and suspended particles; the suspended particles comprise oil droplets and/or carbonaceous particles.

Background

In the prior art, solutions of filter assemblies fluidly connectable to a crankcase and adapted for exhausting suspended particles from blow-by gas are known.

In particular, known solutions of blow-by gas filter assemblies that separate undesired suspended particles from the aforementioned blow-by gas comprise filter groups having such a purpose.

In the prior art, various embodiments of filter assemblies are known comprising a filter group containing a porous type of filter medium, supported and rotated by a special control drive and control member, to separate the suspended particles from the air by passing through the porous material and by the action of centrifugal force.

Such embodiments are often complex in shape, particularly in the fluid connection method between the filter pack and the crankcase ventilation circuit. In particular, known embodiments are such as having an air inlet and an air outlet connectable to said crankcase ventilation circuit located in the force area. In the known solutions, this leads to particular problems such as for the blow-by gas filter assembly, in particular adjusting the positioning and geometry of the filter pack and of the control drive. Furthermore, in the known solution, this means that the space occupation of the known blow-by gas filter assembly proves to be large.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, in the above-described prior art, there is strongly felt a need to have a blow-by gas filter assembly that solves these problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new embodiment of a blow-by gas filter assembly having a novel shape and a fluid arrangement comprising various components of the novel shape.

This object is achieved by a blow-by gas filter assembly as claimed in claim 1. The dependent claims show advantageous embodiment variants with further advantageous aspects.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be in any case apparent from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention given below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of separate parts of a blow-by gas filter assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1a shows a cross-sectional view of the blow-by gas filter assembly as in FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of separate parts of a blow-by gas filter assembly according to the present invention according to another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2a shows a cross-sectional view of the blow-by gas filter assembly as in FIG. 2 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of separated parts of some components of the blow-by gas filter assembly as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the components as in FIG. 3 in an assembled configuration;

figures 4 a' and 4a "show two cross-sectional views of the component as in figure 4 in different cross-sectional planes at two angles, respectively;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a supplemental body included in the blow-by gas filter assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

fig. 5a shows a cross-sectional view of fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a blow-by gas filter assembly adapted to perform a filtering/separating action on particles (liquid and/or solid) suspended in a gas flow.

The blowby gas filter assembly 1 may be fluidly connected to a crankcase ventilation circuit of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle to receive blowby gas and filter suspended particles contained therein from the blowby gas and return a clean (i.e., filtered) flow of gas to other vehicle systems, such as to an engine intake circuit in communication with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Preferably, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 may be assembled directly to the crankcase of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. In particular, the present invention is not limited to this feature. The blow-by gas filter assembly 1 may be configured to include respective inlet ports in communication with the crankcase to receive blow-by gas to be filtered and outlet ports in communication with the intake circuit to recirculate the solid and liquid particle filtered gas stream to the combustion chamber.

According to the invention, the filter assembly 1 comprises an X-X axis, with respect to which the components described below extend or are positioned.

According to a preferred embodiment, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 comprises a support body 2. Preferably, other components of the system are located in or on said support body 2, as is widely described below and evident from the attached exemplary drawings.

Specifically, the support body 2 includes a filter chamber 20, and the filtering/separating operation for the blow-by gas occurs in the filter chamber 20. Accordingly, the filter chamber 20 is fluidly connected to a crankcase ventilation circuit of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to receive dirty blow-by gas (i.e., blow-by gas including suspended particles (solids and/or liquids)) and to discharge clean (i.e., cleaned of suspended particles) blow-by gas into the engine intake system.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support body 2 comprises a respective blow-by gas inlet and blow-by gas outlet.

Preferably, the support body 2 comprises an air inlet 21 in fluid connection with the crankcase ventilation circuit of the vehicle to receive blow-by gas to be filtered. Preferably, the air inlet is made radially spaced from the X-X axis, e.g. substantially parallel to the X-X axis. Preferably, said air inlet is made on the side wall of the support body 2. Preferably, said air inlet is made on the wall of the support body 2 defining the filtering chamber 20.

Furthermore, the support body 2 preferably comprises an air outlet 22. The air outlet 22 is radially spaced from, e.g., substantially parallel to, the X-X axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, said air outlet 22 is made on a coupling flange of the supporting body 2 to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine. Preferably, the outlet 22 and the inlet 21 are axially parallel to each other.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the supporting body 2 comprises a main body 210 and a secondary body 220 mutually engageable, as fully described below and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

According to the invention, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 comprises a filter group 3, the filter group 3 being particularly suitable for performing said filtering/separating operation on particles suspended in the blow-by gas. The filter group 3 can be located in the filtering chamber 20 and operate in the filtering chamber 20.

The filter group 3 extends along an axis X-X, is of hollow cylindrical shape and in fact comprises a central chamber 300.

The filter group 3 may be radially penetrated by the blow-by gas.

According to the invention, the filter group 3 can be crossed by the blow-by gas from the outside towards the inside in a radial direction.

Preferably, the air inlet 21 faces radially towards the filter group 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the air inlet is radially facing the outer surface of the filter group 3.

Preferably, the air outlet 22 also faces substantially radially towards the filter group 3.

In other words, the filter group 3 identifies in the filter chamber 20 a dirty side, in which there is blow-by gas to be filtered, and a clean side, in which there is filtered blow-by gas. An air inlet 21 is in fluid connection with the dirty side and an air outlet 22 is in fluid connection with the clean side.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 3 comprises a filter medium 30. The radially traversable filter media 30 comprises a nonwoven pleated in the form of a star or a porous cylindrical membrane.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 3 comprises a first filter plate 31 and a second filter plate 32, which are reciprocally arranged at the ends of the filter medium 30.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 3 comprises a central structure 33, the central structure 33 being housed inside the filter medium 30 and joining the two

filter plates

31, 32 so that the

filter plates

31, 32 are integrally connected in rotation. Preferably, said central structure 33 has one or more through openings suitable for allowing the passage of the fluid to be filtered.

According to a preferred embodiment, said central structure 33 is made in one piece with the first filter plate 31.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 3 comprises an outer structure 34, which outer structure 34 surrounds the filter medium 30 on the outside and joins the two

filter plates

31, 32. Preferably, the outer structure 34 has a plurality of through openings adapted to allow the passage of the fluid to be filtered.

According to a preferred embodiment, said central structure 33 is made in one piece with the second filter plate 32.

As shown in the figures, the central chamber 300 extends through the

filter plates

31, 32 surrounded by the filter media 30. According to a preferred embodiment, the central chamber 300 extends through respective through

openings

318, 328 made on the

filter plates

31, 32. Preferably, the

openings

318, 328 are concentric with the X-X axis as is the central chamber 300.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the filter assembly 1 comprises a control drive 4, the control drive 4 being operatively connected to the filter group 3 to control the rotation of the filter group 3 about said X-X axis.

Preferably, said control drive 4 is of the electrical type or of the mechanical type or of the electromechanical type.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control drive 4 comprises a motor unit 40, the motor unit 40 comprising a rotor 41 and a stator 42. Actuation of the stator 42 causes rotation of the rotor 41. According to a preferred embodiment, the motor unit 40 is of the electrical type, preferably brushless.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor 41 comprises one or more elements of ferromagnetic material arranged in a ring shape.

According to the invention, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 comprises a support and control shaft 5.

The shaft 5 extends along an axis X-X and is specifically designed to be operatively connected to the filter group 3 and to the control drive 4.

Preferably, at least a portion of the shaft 5 is hollow.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 is manufactured as a single piece.

According to an alternative embodiment, the shaft is a hollow body made up of two or more pieces that can be mechanically connected (for example, by welding, mechanical coupling, screws, etc.) reversibly or irreversibly to each other, so as to form a single component whose constituent pieces rotate synchronously under the control of the control driver 4.

Preferably, the shaft 5 includes at least one air conduit 50, and the filtered blow-by gas flows through the air conduit 50.

According to the invention, the shaft 5 comprises a control portion 54 engaged with the control drive 4 and a filter portion 53 on which the filter group 3 is housed. Preferably, the rotor 41 is accommodated on the control portion 54. In particular, the rotor 41 and the filter group 3 are integrally mounted to the shaft 5, respectively to the control portion 54 and to the filter portion 53, in such a way that the controlled rotation of the rotor 41 corresponds to the rotation of the shaft 5 and therefore of the filter group 3. In particular, in the present description, "integrally" means that the control drive 4 and the filter group 3 are mechanically connected to the shaft 5 so as to rotate in unison (or synchronously).

Preferably, the air duct 50 extends inside the filter portion 53 to be in fluid connection with the central chamber 300. Preferably, the air duct 50 is housed in the clean side of the filtering chamber and is in fluid connection with the filter group 3.

For the purposes of the present invention, the method of coupling the filter group 3 to the shaft is not limited except for the features described below.

According to a preferred embodiment, such as shown in the example in fig. 1 and 1a, the shaft 5 and the filter group 3 can be mutually engaged by screwing by means of specially provided threaded portions.

According to an embodiment variant, such as shown in the example in fig. 2 and 2a, the shaft 5 and the filter group 3 may be mutually engaged by a shape coupling.

According to yet another embodiment variant, the shaft 5 and the filter group 3 can be mutually engaged by being specially shaped and by being provided with insertion special inserts or threaded parts.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 3 sealingly engages the shaft 5 in two axially spaced apart sealing areas.

Preferably, the two sealing areas are located adjacent to the first filter plate 31 and the second filter plate 32. Preferably, at said sealing area, the filter group and the shaft are specially shaped with respect to each other to sealingly engage each other, and/or the filter group has specially shaped gasket elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 comprises an air slit 500 axially between the two sealing areas. The air slit 500 is adapted to place the air conduit 50 in fluid communication with the central chamber 300.

According to a preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of slits 510 and they are positioned angularly equidistant from each other. Furthermore, according to the invention, the shaft comprises an outflow portion 52 axially between the filter portion 53 and the control portion 54. In other words, the shaft includes the filter portion 53, the outflow portion 52, and the control portion 54 in the axial direction along the X-X axis.

According to the present invention, the outflow portion 52 includes at least one outflow window 520, and the filtered blowby gas flows toward the gas outlet 22 via the outflow window 520.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outflow portion 52 comprises a plurality of outflow windows 520 arranged annularly about the X-X axis.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the filtered blowby gases flow in the air duct 50 until they reach at least one outflow window 520, through which the blowby gases flow outside the shaft 5 toward the air outlet 22.

Preferably, the outflow portion 52 is an outlet of the air duct 50.

According to a preferred embodiment, the air duct 50 extends at least partially between said slit 500 and at least one outflow window 520 for an axial stretch. In other words, the air duct 50 allows the filtered blow-by gas to circulate from the central chamber 300 directed toward the air outlet 22. The blow-by gas then preferably flows radially through the at least one slit 500, axially along the X-X axis into the air duct 50 and radially out through the at least one outflow window 520.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 comprises a closing wall 55, the closing wall 55 being located inside the air duct 50, adapted to close said air duct 50 to force the filtered blow-by gas out through at least one outflow window 520.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closing wall 55 is located at the control portion 54, close to the outflow portion 52.

Preferably, the closing wall 55 is shaped to promote the blow-by gas to flow out toward the at least one outflow window 520.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 comprises a bottom wall 56, the bottom wall 56 being located at the filter portion 53, at an axial end of the filter portion 53. Preferably, said bottom wall 56 closes the axial end of the air duct 5 at the filter group 3, preventing the filtered blow-by gas from circulating through said end of the shaft 5.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 comprises a diffuser element 51, the diffuser element 51 being housed inside the air duct 50, at the filter portion 53, at an axial end of the filter portion 53, preferably tapered, suitable for conveying the filtered blow-by gas towards the outflow portion 52.

According to the present invention, the shaft 5 radially receives (through at least one slit 500) the blowby gas filtered by the filter group in its axially stretched section corresponding to the filter portion 53, and radially releases (through at least one outflow window 520) the blowby gas into another axially stretched section corresponding to the outflow portion 52.

According to a preferred embodiment, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 further comprises a guide plate element 6, the guide plate element 6 being located on the shaft 5 in the control portion 54 and being adapted to rotate together with said control portion 54 to perform a pushing action on the filtered blow-by gas in output from the at least one outflow window 520 towards the gas outlet 22.

Preferably, the deflector element 6 is located outside the shaft 5.

Preferably, the deflector element 6 is a substantially annular element axially fittable onto the shaft 5. Preferably, the guide plate elements 6 are couplable to the shaft 5 by shape mutual coupling.

Preferably, the guide plate element 6 is located on the shaft 5 at the control portion 54, axially proximal of the outflow portion 52.

Preferably, the deflector element 6 is an impeller element comprising one or more walls or blades extending orthogonally to the X-X axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the deflector element 6 is designed to assist the blow-by gas in flowing out in the output from the shaft 5 towards the air outlet 22. The guide plate member 6 prevents the blow-by gas from randomly flowing into the support body 2 in the output from the shaft 5 toward the air outlet 22. Specifically, the deflector element 6 helps to minimize recirculation of blow-by gas in the rotor receiving area 42 by ensuring that the running clearance provided between the rotor 42 and the stator 41 is properly maintained.

As described above, the support body 2 includes the main body 210 and the auxiliary body 220 sealingly engageable with each other along the X-X axis.

Preferably, the coupling between the main body 210 and the auxiliary body 220 defines the filtering chamber 20 hermetically. Preferably, said filtering chamber 20 is housed in the main body 210, closed at one axial end by the auxiliary body 220.

Preferably, both the air inlet 21 and the air outlet 22 are included in the main body 210.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mutually coupled main body 210 and auxiliary body 220 further define an outflow chamber 250 in fluid connection with the outflow portion 52 of the shaft 5 and with the outlet of the blow-by gas 22. The outflow chamber 250 is sealed off from the filter chamber 20 and is fluidly connected to the clean side of the filter chamber by the shaft 5. Preferably, the outflow chamber 250 is fluidly connected to the clean side of the filtration chamber through at least one outflow window 520.

According to a preferred form of the filter assembly, the outflow chamber 250 is at least partially housed in the body 210.

Preferably, the outflow chamber 250 extends at least partially around the X-X axis. Preferably, the outflow chamber 250 has an annular extension.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outflow chamber 250 is radially delimited by the collar wall 222 of the auxiliary body 220 placed in the proximal region of the X-X axis and by the housing wall 212 comprised in the main body 210 placed in the distal region of the X-X axis.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the outflow chamber 250 is axially delimited by a bottom wall 221 and a top wall 223 extending radially with respect to the X-X axis.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the outflow chamber 250 is axially delimited by a bottom wall 221 and a top wall 223 comprised in the auxiliary body 220, extending radially from the collar wall 222 with respect to the X-X axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outflow chamber 250 is fluidly connected to the outflow portion 52 via at least one body window 225, and the blow-by gas exiting the at least one outflow window 520 flows through the body window 225.

Preferably, the collar portion 222 includes at least one body window 225.

According to a preferred embodiment, the collar portion 222 annularly faces the shaft 5 at the at least one outflow window 520.

Thus, preferably, the at least one outflow window 520 and the at least one body window 225 are radially aligned.

According to a preferred embodiment, both the bottom wall 221 and the top wall 223 sealingly engage the body 210.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the top wall 223 engages the body 210 in an axial direction. Preferably, proximal to the housing wall 212, the body 210 includes a seat step 214 that is axially engageable by a second body 220.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the bottom wall 221 engages the body 210 in a radial direction. Preferably, at one radial end of the bottom wall 221, the bottom wall 221 is adapted to receive a washer element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outflow chamber 250 is shaped to promote the outflow of blow-by gas. Preferably, for example, the outflow chamber 250 widens radially in the distal region of the X-X axis. Preferably, the bottom wall 221 actually extends along a particularly inclined radial direction, i.e. a tapered shape.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft extends partially into the main body 210 and partially into the auxiliary body 220.

According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary body 220 includes a stator housing 220' in which the stator 42 is accommodated.

Preferably, the stator 42 is inserted into the stator housing 220' in the axial direction.

Preferably, the stator 42 is integrated with the sub-body 220. For example, the auxiliary body 220 is integrated with the stator 42. Preferably, the stator 42 is co-molded with the sub-body 220.

According to a preferred embodiment, the blow-by gas filter assembly 1 comprises a first bearing 7 and a second bearing 8 engaging the shaft 5 to support the shaft 5 in the support body 2.

Preferably, the first bearing 7 engages the filter portion 53 and the main body 210.

Preferably, the second bearing 8 engages the outflow portion 52 and the supplemental body 220. Preferably, the second bearing is received on the collar wall 222.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second bearing 8 engages the shaft 5 and the auxiliary body in an intermediate axial portion between the outflow portion 52 and the filter portion 53. Preferably, the second bearing is received on the collar wall 222.

Preferably, the second bearing 8 engages the control portion 54 and the auxiliary body 220. Preferably, the second bearing 8 is received on the collar wall 222.

According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the bearing with the shaft and with the respective support body is sealed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 is made of thermoplastic material obtained by a single moulding operation.

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) -like material.

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) type material reinforced with glass fibers (PPS + GF15, PPS + GF30, PPS + GF 40).

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of a nylon-based material (PA, PA 6, PA 6.6 or a mixture thereof).

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of a nylon-like material (PA + GF, PA 6.6+ GF 35, PA 6+ PA 6.6+ GF 35) reinforced with glass fibers.

Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of a material containing a polyamide-based compound (e.g., PPA).

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft 5 is made of metal. Preferably, the shaft 5 is made of an aluminum alloy.

Originally, the blow-by gas filter assembly of the present invention broadly achieves the objects of the present invention. Originally, the blow-by gas filter assembly presents a new and novel shape, in particular a new and novel fluid arrangement.

Advantageously, the flow management of the fluid inside the blow-by gas filter assembly allows for efficient filtering in extremely compact spaces.

Advantageously, the blow-by gas filter assembly has an extremely compact size.

Advantageously, the outflow of filtered blow-by gas substantially follows a radial direction.

Advantageously, the deflector element directs the filtered blow-by gas towards the outlet, accelerating the outflow of the filtered blow-by gas.

Advantageously, the support body is designed to identify and separate the filtering chamber from the outflow chamber in a simple and effective manner. Advantageously, the support body comprises a main body and an auxiliary body, the mutual engagement of the main body and the auxiliary body defining said chamber.

Advantageously, the support body fluidly defines and separates the filtering chamber and the outflow chamber, ensuring a correct outflow of the blow-by gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, minimizing the pressure drop associated with the filtering assembly.

Advantageously, the auxiliary body is adapted to contain a control drive. Advantageously, the auxiliary body comprises an electric motor unit. Advantageously, a stator is embedded, preferably co-moulded with the auxiliary body.

Advantageously, the auxiliary body is a multifunctional part, supporting the motor group, the housing seat comprising the rotor and the shaft control portion on which the filter group is inserted, and comprises a sealing portion (as a result of the coupling with the main body) for defining the filtering chamber and the outflow chamber and separating the filtering chamber from the outflow chamber.

Preferably, the auxiliary body supports most of the components comprised in the assembly, facilitating their insertion inside the filtering chamber, for example in a single operation, simplifying the assembly procedure of the filtering assembly and reducing its production costs.

Advantageously, the guide plate elements allow the correct running clearance provided between the rotor and the stator to be maintained, avoiding the accumulation of contaminants in said areas (which can attenuate the electromagnetic field emitted from the stator and the rotor).

Advantageously, the auxiliary body and the main body comprise respective seats for mounting the support bearings, reducing the number of parts required to ensure the correct rotation of the filter group inside the filtering chamber.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the blow-by gas filter assembly to meet contingent needs, all of which are included in the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

List of reference numerals

1 blow-by gas filter assembly

2 support body

20 Filter Chamber

21 air inlet

22 air outlet

210 main body

212 housing wall

214 support step

220 auxiliary body

220' stator casing

221 bottom wall

222 collar wall

223 ceiling wall

225 body window

250 outflow chamber

3 Filter group

30 filter media

31 first filter plate

32 second filter plate

318, 328 through opening

33 center structure

34 outer structure

300 center chamber

4 control drive

4 electric motor set

41 rotor

42 stator

5 shaft

50 air conduit

51 diffuser element

52 outflow part

520 outflow window

53 Filter part

54 control part

55 closing wall

56 bottom wall

6 guide plate element

7 first bearing

8 second bearing

The X-X axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A blow-by gas filter assembly (1), the blow-by gas filter assembly (1) being fluidly connected to a crankcase ventilation circuit of an internal combustion engine for receiving blow-by gas and filtering suspended particles contained in the blow-by gas from the blow-by gas, wherein the filter assembly (1) has an axis (X-X) and comprises:

a support body (2) comprising a filtering chamber (20) extending along said axis (X-X), an air inlet (21) of the blow-by gas to be filtered and an air outlet (22) of the filtered blow-by gas, wherein the air outlet (22) of the filtered blow-by gas is preferably positioned radially spaced from said axis (X-X);

a filter group (3) extending along said axis (X-X) and having a hollow cylindrical shape with a central chamber (300), the central chamber (300) being radially passable from the outside to the inside by said blow-by gas;

A control drive (4) operatively connected to the filter group (3) to control the rotation of the filter group (3) about the axis (X-X) to perform a filtering operation;

a shaft (5) for support and control, extending along said axis (X-X), internally defining an air duct (50), through which air duct (50) said filtered blow-by gas flows, wherein said shaft (5) comprises:

i) a filter section (53), on which filter section (53) the filter group (3) is mounted;

ii) a control portion (54) operatively connected with the control drive (4);

iii) an outflow portion (52) axially located between the filter portion (53) and the control portion (54), wherein the outflow portion (52) comprises at least one outflow window (520), the filtered blow-by gas flowing through the outflow window (520) towards the gas outlet (22).

2. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said outflow portion (52) comprises a plurality of outflow windows (520) annularly arranged around said axis (X-X).

3. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide plate element (6), said guide plate element (6) being located on said shaft (5) in said control portion (54) adapted to rotate together with said control portion (54) to perform a pushing action on said filtered blowby gas in output from said at least one outflow window (520) towards said gas outlet (22).

4. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein said deflector element (6) is a propeller element comprising one or more walls or blades extending orthogonally to said axis (X-X).

5. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter pack (3) sealingly engages a shaft (5) in two axially distinct sealing zones, wherein the shaft (5) comprises an air slit (500) axially between the two sealing zones, the air slit (500) fluidly communicating the air duct (50) and the central chamber (300).

6. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shaft (5) comprises a closing wall (55), said closing wall (55) being located inside said air duct (50), at said control portion (54) close to said outflow portion (52), adapted to close said air duct (50) to force said filtered gas to flow out through said at least one outflow window (520).

7. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said shaft (5) comprises a diffuser element (51), said diffuser element (51) being located inside said air duct (50), at said filter section (53), at an axial end of said filter section (53), preferably tapered to carry said filtered blowby gas to said outflow section (52).

8. Blow-by gas filter assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter group (3) comprises a filter medium (30), a first filter plate (31) and a second filter plate (32) at the ends of the filter medium (30), respectively.

9. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control drive (4) comprises a motor unit (40), said motor unit (40) comprising a rotor (41) and a stator (42), wherein said rotor (41) is engaged with said control portion (54) of said shaft (5).

10. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support body (2) comprises a main body (210) and a secondary body (220), said main body (210) and said secondary body (220) being mutually sealingly engageable along said axis (X-X) for air-tight delimiting said filter chamber (20), wherein said mutually coupled main body (210) and secondary body (220) delimit an outflow chamber (250), said outflow chamber (250) being in fluid connection with said outflow portion (52) of said shaft (5) and with an outlet (22) of said blowby gas.

11. The blowby gas filter assembly (1) of claim 10, wherein said outflow chamber (250) extends at least partially around said axis (X-X) and is radially delimited by an annular shaft wall (222) of said auxiliary body (220) placed in a proximal region of said axis (X-X) and by a housing wall (212) comprised in said body (210) placed in a distal region of said axis (X-X), wherein said outflow chamber (250) is fluidly connected to said outflow (52) by at least one body window (225), said blowby gas flowing out of said at least one outflow window (520) through said body window (225).

12. The blow-by gas filter assembly (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the collar portion (222) comprises at least one body window (225).

13. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein said collar portion (222) annularly faces said shaft (5) at said at least one outflow window (520).

14. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the outflow chamber (250) is axially delimited by a bottom wall (221) and a top wall (223) comprised in the auxiliary body (220), the bottom wall (221) and the top wall (223) extending radially with respect to the axis (X-X) starting from the collar wall (222).

15. The blow-by gas filter assembly (1) of claim 13, wherein the bottom wall (221) and the top wall (223) sealingly engage the body (210).

16. Blowby gas filter assembly (1) according to claim 9 in combination with any of the claims 10 to 15, wherein the auxiliary body (220) comprises a stator housing (220 ') in which the stator (42) is accommodated, wherein the stator (42) is inserted into the stator housing (220') in axial direction, or wherein the auxiliary body (220) is integrated with the stator (42) therein.

17. The blow-by gas filter assembly (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 16, comprising a first bearing (7) and a second bearing (8), the first bearing (7) and the second bearing (8) being engaged with the shaft (5) to support the shaft (5) to the support body (2), wherein the first bearing (7) engages the filter portion (53) and the main body (210), the second bearing (8) engaging the outflow portion (52) and the auxiliary body (220).