DE102009029672A1 - Filter for valve arrangement and fuel system, has front closure section in flow direction, downstream rod-shaped filter section in flow direction of fluid and rear closure section - Google Patents

Abstract

The filter (12) has a front closure section (28) in flow direction, a downstream rod-shaped filter section (30) in flow direction of the fluid and a rear closure section (32). The filter is arranged in a tube-shaped pipe section (24). The filter section is formed with a rod-shaped rib (34) extending in longitudinal direction. The rib is adjacently formed opposite to the tube-shaped pipe section. The filter section is formed of plastic.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a filter for arranging in a tubular conduit section, which can be traversed by fluid to be cleaned, with a downstream in the flow direction closure portion, a downstream in the flow direction of the fluid rod-shaped filter section and a downstream in the flow direction rear closure portion. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fuel system with such a filter.

State of the art

Filters, in particular fuel filters in motor vehicles, are used to clean fluids or fuels. During cleaning, contaminants, such as small particles of rust or paraffin, are separated from the fluid by means of filter cloths. It is necessary to clean the fuel since impurities can cause damage in fuel pumps or in injection systems of engines of such automobiles. Small particles, in particular, can block nozzles of the injection system, deposit themselves in the engine system or even cause abrasion and corrosion in the interior of the engine.

Conventional fuel filters often have as filter fabric on a filter insert made of special paper, which is wound as a pocket spiral, to provide the largest possible filter area in a given space. This is to be achieved long service life with a large dirt storage capacity. The degree of separation of the filter depends essentially on the porosity of the filter fabric.

Furthermore, disk-shaped filter cloths are generally known as filter inserts, which are held by cylindrical filter housings. In order to provide a good filter effect of the fuel filter, the filter fabrics are constructed so that they form a fine-pored structure. The fine-pored structure especially small particles can be retained.

However, if there are long and thin particles in the fluid, these particles align in the flow direction of the fluid and hit the filter fabric with the side of its smallest dimension. In order to reliably filter out even these long and thin particles from the fluid, sufficiently fine-pored structures must be provided in the filter fabric.

Furthermore, from the DE 4414281 B4 a fuel filter assembly is known in which a fuel filter is connected upstream of a suction port of a delivery unit in the fuel flow direction, and another fuel filter is connected downstream of a pressure port of the delivery unit in the fuel flow direction, wherein a common, the delivery unit receiving filter housing is provided for receiving these fuel filter. By this arrangement, a filter system is provided which provides a good cleaning performance and at the same time can be installed to save space in the engine system.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a filter for arranging in a tubular conduit section, which can be traversed by fluid to be cleaned, provided with a flow direction in the front closure portion, a downstream in the flow direction of the fluid rod-shaped filter portion and a downstream in the flow direction rear closure portion, wherein the filter portion with at least an extending in the longitudinal direction of the rod shape rib is designed, which is designed to abut against the tubular conduit section. In the present case, a tubular conduit section is understood as meaning any type of flow channel, that is, for example, also a bore.

By means of the filter according to the invention impurities, in particular small particles, such as rust or paraffins, are separated from fluids. Fluids are to be understood here as compressible and incompressible fluids. Compressible fluids include, for example, gases. Suitable incompressible fluids are liquids, in particular fuels, such as gasoline or diesel fuels.

The filter has a front in the flow direction of the fluid closure portion, a downstream in the direction of flow of the fluid rod-shaped filter portion and a further downstream in the flow direction rear closure portion.

A rod-shaped filter section is to be understood as meaning a substantially cylindrical section. According to the invention, this filter section is designed in the longitudinal direction of the rod form or in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder with at least one rib, which is formed adjacent to the tubular line section. The at least one rib has an extension direction that corresponds to the main flow direction of the fluid in the tubular conduit section. The at least one rib divides the conduit section into at least two elongated regions separate from one another, namely into at least one first elongated region and into at least one second elongated region. The first elongated region of the conduit section is the region into which the fluid to be filtered flows and the second elongate region follows behind the rib so that the fluid can only enter the first elongated region of the conduit section. The first elongate region is therefore referred to below as the so-called entry region and the second elongated region as the exit region.

The fluid, after flowing into the first elongated region between the rib and the tubular conduit section, is directed into the second elongated region of the conduit section, from where the fluid exits the filter.

With the conduit of this type, a change in the flow direction of the fluid is effected, and in this way an improved filtering effect, in particular with regard to long and thinner particles, is achieved. The fluid flowing into the at least one inlet region of the tubular conduit section initially has a main flow direction oriented in the longitudinal direction. Before the fluid flows in the further flow into the second elongated region of the line section, the fluid flow is diverted in a substantially transverse direction. The flow deflection of the fluid is achieved by the arrangement of the at least one rib with respect to the main flow direction.

The aligned in the flow direction of the fluid parallel to the rib long and thin particles at least partially retain their orientation or swirl and thus meet not only with the side of their smallest dimension on the rib, but at least partially with its longitudinal side. As a result, long and thin particles can be better separated from the fluid. There is no need to provide a filter with a very narrow pore tissue structure.

If the rod-shaped filter section is configured with two or more ribs, the ribs divide the tubular conduit section into four regions or into a number of regions which corresponds to twice the number of ribs. Each rib is associated with an entrance and an exit area; an entrance area is thus arranged adjacent to each other via a rib an exit area.

Another advantage of the invention is that the required space requirement of the filter with good filter performance is low.

According to a first advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, the at least one rib in the contact area is designed on the tubular line section with at least one spacer element, so that over the entire length of the rib there is created a predefined and in particular equal filter gap.

In such a development, the at least one spacer element between the at least one rib and the tubular line section forms a filter gap. The at least one spacer element keeps the distance between the rib and the tubular conduit section constant. It may advantageously be designed differently and assume different arrangements, that is, position, number, size and shape of the spacer element are variably selectable. For example, by selecting the height of the at least one spacer element, the gap height can be determined. The type and arrangement of the at least one spacer element determines through openings or releases, through which the fluid to be cleaned flows from the inlet to the outlet region.

The at least one spacer element further contributes to a further turbulence of the particles. The spacer elements thus provide different flow deflection geometries of the fluid in which the particles align differently. The particles to be separated from the fluid catch on the at least one spacer element and are filtered out. In this way, a filter is provided which can be adapted to different uses, such as the type of fluid, and provides good filtering performance.

According to a second advantageous embodiment of the filter according to the invention are designed as a spacer element transversely directed to the rib straight webs.

By means of this development, a filter is provided which filters out even narrow particles with shorter lengths.

According to a third advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, wavy webs directed transversely to the rib are formed as a spacer element.

These wave-shaped webs force long and thin particles as they flow through the filter gap to a deformation and can therefore be better intercepted by the spacer elements. As a result, the filter effect is further improved. Relatively small particles are detected and separated as far as possible by the filter according to the invention.

According to a fourth advantageous embodiment of the filter according to the invention are designed as a spacer element transversely to the rib directed kinked webs.

The kinked webs form at their kink a triangular indentation. This triangular indentation forces long and thin particles as they flow through the filter gap to a strong deformation and can therefore be better intercepted by the spacer elements. In addition, the kinked lands also filter small particles of any shape out of the fluid, as these particles are easily caught in the triangular recess.

According to a fifth advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, staggered pins are formed as a spacer element.

The mutually offset webs lead to an additional flow deflection of the fluid or to an increasingly turbulent flow with turbulence of the long and thin particles. In this particular three-dimensional structure, long and thin particles become entangled particularly easily, so that the filter performance of the filter according to the invention is further improved.

According to a sixth advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, the front closure section only covers a part of the cross-sectional area of the line section and the rear closure section only covers the part of the cross-sectional area of the power section not covered by the front closure section.

In such a development, the at least one first elongate region or the at least one inlet region of the tubular conduit section is closed with the rear closure section. The at least one second elongated region or the at least one outlet region is closed with the front closure section. The fluid, when entering the filter, only flows into the at least one entry region, passes through the gap between the associated rib and the conduit section and exits the filter via the associated exit region. There is thus a deflection of the main flow direction of the fluid from a longitudinal to a transverse flow and again into a longitudinal flow. Long and thin particles, which align in longitudinal flow when they enter the at least one inlet region, retain their orientation at least partially when deflected into the transverse flow and can catch particularly well in the at least one gap. The filter performance is significantly improved.

The tubular conduit section is preferably circular-cylindrical and designed with a rib which is arranged centrally in the conduit section.

The inlet and the outlet region here are half-shell-shaped or semicircular in cross-section. In embodiments with more than one rib, these ribs are preferably arranged uniformly spaced from one another in the line section, and the inlet and outlet regions have approximately the same dimensions.

According to a seventh advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, a bag-like pocket is formed in the flow direction in front of the rear closure section as a collecting area for particles from the fluid.

In such a pocket, the unwanted particles separated from the filter gap are collected. This will prevent the filter gap from clogging and reducing filter performance. The bag may be dimensioned so that the particles are collected over the entire life of the filter according to the invention. This proves to be particularly advantageous in systems with small installation spaces and complete functional groups, since a change or cleaning of the filter is difficult to accomplish here.

According to an eighth advantageous development of the filter according to the invention, the filter section is made of plastic.

The use of plastic provides a robust filter section, which is particularly protected against corrosion and distortion and has a long service life. In particular, the spacer elements can be made as a plastic injection molded part. As a result, a particularly inexpensive to produce filter is provided.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a valve assembly and a fuel system with a filter according to the invention.

The valve arrangement according to the invention is preferably a pressure regulating valve or a check valve. The fuel system according to the invention is preferably a common rail fuel injection system. In these systems, the requirements for filtering the injected fluid are particularly high.

Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the solution according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings. It shows:

1 a longitudinal section of a valve assembly with a filter arranged therein according to the invention,

2 an enlarged view of the filter according to 1 .

3 a perspective view of the filter according to 1 .

4 the cross-section IV-IV in 3 .

5 a top view of a further embodiment of spacer elements on a rib,

6 a plan view of another embodiment of spacer elements on a rib,

7 a plan view of another embodiment of spacer elements on a rib,

8th a plan view of another embodiment of spacer elements on a rib,

9 a schematic representation of a fuel system with a filter according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

1 shows a longitudinal section through a valve assembly 10 with a filter according to the invention 12 , a baggy bag 13 , a housing 14 , a closing body 16 , a spring 18 and two rotationally symmetrical connecting pieces 20 , The valve arrangement 10 is in a tube section 22 inserted and provides there the function of a pressure control valve or a check valve. In the case 14 are the closing body 16 , the feather 18 and the filter according to the invention 12 integrated. On both sides of the closing body 16 and the spring 18 is in each case one of the two rotationally symmetrical connecting pieces 20 arranged. Present is the filter 12 in which the closing body 16 adjacent connecting piece 20 as a tubular conduit section 24 arranged. The feather 18 can on the closing body 16 exert a force, which then the rotationally symmetrical connection piece 20 closes.

In 2 is the filter according to the invention 12 according to 1 shown enlarged. The filter 12 is designed such that it can be traversed by fluid to be cleaned. Such a filter 12 is used for cleaning fuel in an in 9 illustrated common rail systems. The flow direction of the fluid within the filter 12 is with arrows 26 characterized.

The filter 12 includes a flow direction front closure portion 28 , a downstream in the flow direction of the fluid rod-shaped filter section 30 , a further downstream in the flow direction rear closure portion 32 as well as the baggy bag 13 as a catchment area for particles from the fluid. The rod-shaped filter section 30 is with four extending in the longitudinal direction of the rod shape rib 34 with spacer elements 40 designed, which against the tubular conduit section 24 issue. The spacer elements 40 are formed such that between the respective rib 34 and the tubular conduit section 24 a filter gap 42 arises (see 3 ).

Every rib 34 divides the tubular conduit section 24 into two mutually separate elongated areas, namely in a first elongated area, a so-called entry area 36 , and in a second elongated area, a so-called exit area 38 , The entrance area 36 is with the rear closure section 32 and the exit area 38 with the front closure section 28 closed, leaving the fluid only in the inlet area 36 the tubular conduit section 24 flows. That is, the front closure portion 28 only covers part of the cross-sectional area of the pipe section 24 while the rear closure section 32 from the front closure section 28 covers uncovered part.

The fluid is after flowing into the inlet area 36 between the rib 34 and the tubular conduit section 24 through the filter gap 42 in the exit area 38 from where the fluid from the filter 12 leaves. When flowing through the filter gap 42 particles are separated from the fluid to be cleaned.

While the fluid is the filter 12 flows through, takes place as a result of the above-discussed arrangement of the rib 34 and the arrangement of the front and rear closure portion 28 . 32 a change of direction of flow takes place. That in the entry area 36 the tubular conduit section 24 inflowing fluid initially has a main flow direction oriented longitudinally to the rod shape. Before the fluid in the further flow the filter gap 42 flows through, the flow is by means of the rear closure portion 32 diverted into a direction substantially transverse to the rod shape, that is, there is a flow deflection by about 90 ° instead. The flow deflection also causes an initially substantially laminar flow is modified into a turbulent flow.

Before the flow deflection, long and thin particles have an orientation oriented essentially in the main flow direction. however, in the flow deflection, the particles will swirl or at least partially retain their orientation oriented longitudinally to the rod shape. The long and thin particles do not strike the filter gap with the side of their smallest dimension 42 on, but at least partially with its long side. As a result, the particles get caught on the filter gap easier 42 and can be separated from the fluid. The filter performance of the filter according to the invention 12 is significantly improved, especially with regard to long and thin particles, such as small rust deposits or paraffin particles.

Furthermore, this flows into the inlet area 36 inflowing fluid against the rear closure portion 32 , which in the present case is designed as a baffle plate. The baffle plate causes further swirling of the fluid flow before the fluid passes through the filter gap 42 flows. As a result, alignment of long and thinner particles in the main flow direction is largely resolved.

In the main flow direction in front of the rear closure section 32 is the baggy bag 13 formed as a collection area for particles from the fluid. From the filter gap 42 separated particles are in the bag 13 collected. The baggy bag 13 is with a molded ramp in front of the rear closure section 32 educated. The pocket 13 is sized so that the particles over the life of the filter 12 can be collected.

As in 3 it can be seen form two ribs 34 with spacer elements 40 an entry area 36 or an exit area 38 , Ribs 34 are arranged at an angle of about 90 ° to each other and divide the tubular conduit section 24 substantially uniformly in four elongated areas, ie in two diametrically opposite entrance and in two diametrically opposite exit areas 36 . 38 , Furthermore, each entrance area 36 with a rear closure section 32 and each exit region having a front closure portion 28 closed, so that in the filter 12 inflowing fluid only in the inlet areas 36 enter and out of the exit areas 38 from the filter 12 can flow out.

That in the filter 12 inflowing fluid is thus in the two diametrically opposite inlet regions 36 directed. In the further course of the flow, the fluid flows from the respective inlet region 36 through the respective filter gap 42 in the associated exit area 38 , That in the filter 12 introduced fluid is thus divided into two fluid flows. Through each filter gap 42 only half of this split fluid flow is passed. Due to the reduced flow through the filter gaps 42 decreases the risk of having a filter gap 42 could clog. The capacity of the filter column 42 is increased, and the filtering effect of the filter according to the invention 12 is therefore improved.

Embodiments for different spacer elements 40 are in the 5 . 6 . 7 and 8th shown schematically.

5 shows a plan view of spacer elements 40 on the rib 34 are formed. The spacer elements 40 are present across the rib 34 aligned straight bars 44 with approximately equal distance from each other. By means of these straight bars 44 Also, narrow particles with shorter lengths are filtered out of the fluid.

In 6 is another example of spacer elements 40 shown. The spacer elements 40 are here as across the rib 34 directed undulating ridges 45 educated. These wavy webs 45 Forcing long and thin particles when flowing through the filter gap 42 to a deformation and are easily from the wavy ridges 45 caught from the fluid.

Even relatively small particles are from the wave-shaped webs 45 largely detected and separated from the fluid.

7 shows a further embodiment in which the spacer elements 40 across the rib 34 aligned kinked bars 46 are. The kinked bars 46 have in their kink on a triangular indentation, the long and thin particles flowing through the filter gap 42 to a deformation forces. The deformed long and thin particles are easily caught in the webs 46 and are filtered out like this. Furthermore, the kinked bars filter 46 Particles of any shape from the fluid, as any particles easily get caught in the triangular indentation.

8th shows a further embodiment in which the spacer elements 40 as staggered pins 48 are formed. The mutually offset webs formed 48 lead to an increasingly turbulent flow through the filter gap 42 flowing fluid. The long and thin particles in the fluid aggravate and largely resolve their orientation oriented in the main flow direction. As a result, the particles caught better in the filter gap 42 and the filter performance of the filter 12 is improved.

The spacer elements 40 as well as the associated ribs 34 , are manufactured inexpensively as injection molded plastic. This is a robust filter section 30 which is protected against corrosion and warping and has a long service life.

9 shows a representation of a fuel system 50 with a filter according to the invention 12 , The fuel system 50 is a common-rail injection system.

The flow direction of the fuel within the fuel system 50 is with arrows 51 characterized. The fuel system 50 includes a motor unit 60 with a pressure control valve 61 , a motor pump 62 , Cylinders 63 and a valve 64 that is a filter according to the invention 12 includes. The engine unit 60 gets fuel from a tank 70 provided. The Tank 70 includes an electronic fuel pump 71 and a pressure relief valve 72 , Between the tank 70 and the motor unit 60 is a pressure-resistant filter 73 and a fuel cooler 74 arranged.

The electronic fuel pump 71 promotes under high pressure and via the pressure relief valve 72 pressure-regulated fuel via the pressure-resistant filter 73 and the fuel cooler 74 in the motor unit 60 , The fuel also acts as a cooling medium of the electronic fuel pump 71 and takes heat energy from the motor pump 62 on.

If the fuel is the pressure-resistant filter 73 flows through it, it is largely cleaned of impurities. After cleaning, the fuel passes through the fuel cooler 74 which extracts heat from the fuel that it passes through the electronic fuel pump 71 has recorded. One in the fuel cooler 74 arranged temperature sensor 75 continuously collects data on the temperature history of the fuel and sends this data to an engine control unit 76 , The engine control unit 76 determines from the received data whether a defined temperature value is exceeded. If the temperature value is exceeded, the engine control unit controls 76 another control unit 77 on, that's the electronic fuel pump 71 causes a larger amount of fuel than cooling medium through the fuel cooler 74 to pump. The engine control unit 76 thus regulates the temperature of the fuel and protects the fuel system 50 from overheating.

After the fuel is the fuel cooler 76 has passed through, the fuel is in the engine unit 60 directed. In the engine unit 60 the fuel is first by means of the pressure control valve 61 set to a predetermined constant pressure; Pressure fluctuations are compensated as far as possible. The motor pump 62 promotes the fuel to the cylinders 63 for combustion. Excess fuel, not the cylinders 63 is supplied and only the cooling and lubrication of the motor pump 62 serves, gets into the tank 70 returned.

The cylinders 63 is a valve 64 that is a filter according to the invention 12 includes, subordinate. Excess and unburned fuel, called leak oil, passes through the valve 64 passed in the filter 12 cleaned as far as possible and under low pressure the tank 70 fed again.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4414281 B4 [0006]

Claims (11)

Filter ( 12 ) for placing in a tubular conduit section ( 24 ), which can be traversed by fluid to be cleaned, with a flow direction in the front closure portion ( 28 ), a downstream in the flow direction of the fluid rod-shaped filter section ( 30 ) and a further downstream in the flow direction rear closure portion ( 32 ), characterized in that the filter section ( 30 ) with at least one rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar shape ( 34 ) is formed, which against the tubular conduit section ( 24 ) is designed adjacent. Filter ( 12 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one rib ( 34 ) in the contact area to the tubular line section ( 24 ) with at least one spacer element ( 40 ) is designed so that there at the rib ( 34 ) a filter gap ( 42 ) arises. Filter ( 12 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that as a spacer element ( 40 ) across the rib ( 34 ) directed straight webs ( 44 ) are formed. Filter ( 12 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that as a spacer element ( 40 ) across the rib ( 34 ) directed wavy webs ( 45 ) are formed. Filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that as a spacer element ( 40 ) across the rib ( 34 ) directed kinked webs ( 46 ) are formed. Filter ( 12 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that as a spacer element ( 40 ) staggered pins ( 48 ) are formed. Filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front closure section ( 28 ) only a part of the cross-sectional area of the line section ( 24 ) and the rear closure portion ( 32 ) only from the front closure portion ( 28 ) not covered part of the cross-sectional area of the service section ( 24 ) covers. Filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the flow direction in front of the rear closure portion ( 32 ) a baggy bag ( 13 ) is formed as a collecting area for particles from the fluid. Filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the filter section ( 30 ) is made of plastic. Valve arrangement ( 10 ) with a filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9. Fuel system ( 50 ) with a filter ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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