DE102014102436B4 - Filter element assembly and fuel filter device - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter element assembly comprising:a filter element (22) having an inlet at one end of an axis (XX) and an outlet at the other end of the axis, which filters fuel flowing along the axis;a separation element (211, 214) arranged is to cover one end of the filter element, and which has a dirty side end portion (10a1) for fuel before flowing through the filter element and a clean side portion (10a2) for fuel after flowing through the filter element at one end of each other separates; anda penetrating passage forming member (215, 217-219, 213) comprising a cylindrical member (213) extending to penetrate the filter element between one end and the other end thereof and having a penetrating passage (215a, 217a-219a, 213a) for connecting between the dirty side portion and the other end by providing an end opening formed on the partition member to be connected to the dirty side portion and another end opening, which is formed at the other end, wherein the separating member (211, 214) defines the clean side region at a central part containing the axle and defines the dirty side region at a radial outside of the dirty side region.

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel filter device and a filter element assembly, which are arranged, for example, in a fuel system for a vehicle and filter fuel.

The JP 2003 - 293 884 A discloses a fuel filter device. The fuel filter device has a housing as an outer shell consisting of a socket and a cover attached to an upper opening of the socket. The housing houses a filter component having a center cylinder and a filter element disposed to surround the center cylinder.

Fuel to be supplied to a fuel processing or consuming device is supplied into the housing through a fuel inlet formed in a central portion of the lid. The fuel flows through an inside of a center cylinder and flows into a lower cavity in the housing. As the fuel flows up a radial outside of the center cylinder, the fuel is filtered by an element. The fuel is exhausted from the housing through a fuel outlet formed at a peripheral region in the lid. A recirculated fuel inlet through which recirculated fuel can be supplied to the lower cavity in the housing is formed at a lower part of the sleeve.

The fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are formed in an upper part, which is an end portion in an axial direction of the housing. The recirculated fuel inlet is formed in a lower part, which is the other end portion of the housing.

In the fuel filter device according to the JP 2003 - 293 884 A Fuel flows into a center cylinder located directly below a fuel supply feed hole. Therefore, within an upper cavity in the housing, an upstream space located on an upstream side, namely on a dirty side rather than the element, is very small. Therefore, in the case of the fuel filter device in the JP 2003 - 293 884 A difficult to form a recirculated fuel inlet at an upper portion of the housing. In view of the above-mentioned point of view or the above-mentioned point of view, it is necessary to improve a filter element assembly and a fuel filter device.

Furthermore, the reveals JP H07- 208 292 A a fuel filter assembly having a base, a filter cartridge attachable to the base for filtering fuel, and a holding member for holding the filter cartridge to the base, the base having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, a first conduit, and a first axial to limit passage, wherein the first axial passage is in fluid communication with the inlet, a second line to limit a second axial passage, wherein the second axial passage is in fluid communication with the outlet, wherein the filter cartridge has at least one filter element, an end region , which defines an axial opening for receiving the first and second conduits of the base, a first seal for sealing the second conduit of the base against the cartridge end region, and delimits a fuel path connected to the first axial passage of the base, the second axial passage of the base communicates and traverses the element, the base having cooperating first and second modules, the first module having the inlet, the outlet and the first and second axial conduits, the second module being connected to the first module and having an opening to the Receiving the first and second lines.

The JP 2008 - 151 090 A describes a side-flow diesel filter comprising a housing, a cap closing an open portion at the top of the housing and having a fuel outlet, a filter medium, a filter medium holding member holding the upper part of the filter medium, and a clogging sensor, and is so constructed in that a fuel flowing from a fuel inlet is introduced into the housing through a fuel passage between the housing and the filter medium and the fuel filtered by the filter medium is discharged from the fuel outlet. In the side-flow diesel filter, a communication passage communicating with the fuel outlet is formed in the cap, the clogging sensor is disposed in the communication passage, and the pressure on the downstream side of the filter medium is transmitted to the clogging sensor via the fuel outlet and the communication passage.

The JP 2009 - 197 687 A discloses a fuel filter comprising a filtration filter element and a water separation unit. The water separation unit is arranged on the upstream side of the filtration filter element and below the housing. The water separation unit has a housing element and a separation filter element carried by the housing element. The interior of the housing element is of a space below the casing, and a storage part for temporarily storing condensed water is vertically formed below the filtration filter element within the casing member.

The DE 102 08 425 A1 discloses a fuel supply device having a fuel pressure delivery pump disposed in a delivery passage for delivery of diesel fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel injection pump through a filter. Located upstream of the fuel filter and capable of delivering diesel fuel under pressure, a thermal valve is disposed in a communication passage for communication between a return passage for returning fuel overflowing from the fuel injection pump to the fuel tank and the delivery passage located upstream of located in the fuel filter. The thermal valve causes the communication passage to open at least at a low temperature at which wax is formed from the diesel fuel, and a shut-off valve closes the communication passage during operation of the fuel pressure transfer pump.

Furthermore, the reveals DE 35 03 728 A1 a fuel supply device for diesel internal combustion engines with an injection pump, a fuel filter with a filter element through which the fuel flowing to the injection pump flows and a device including a heat-sensitive valve for returning part of the excess fuel flowing back from the injection pump to the upstream side of the filter element, the heat-sensitive Valve is integrated into the fuel filter and comprises a check valve in a fuel channel connected to the upstream side of the filter element and a bimetallic element for opening the check valve.

Further relevant state of the art is in the JP 2011 - 163 243 A disclosed.

It is an object of the disclosed invention to provide a filter element assembly which can provide both a dirty end portion and a clean end portion at one end of an axial flow filter element.

It is a further object of the disclosed invention to provide a filter element assembly which can provide a dirty end portion over a large area.

It is a further further object of the disclosed invention to provide a filter element assembly capable of providing a dirty end portion over an annular portion.

It is an object of the disclosed invention to provide a fuel filter device which provides a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet and a recirculated fuel inlet at an upper part of the housing while using an axial flow filter element.

It is a further object of the disclosed invention to provide a fuel filter device which is flexible in the arrangement of a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet and a recirculated fuel inlet.

The above tasks are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the subsequent dependent claims.

An illustrative example according to the present disclosure provides a filter element assembly. The filter element assembly includes a filter element having an inlet at one end of an axis and an outlet at the other end of the axis that filters fuel flowing along the axis. The filter element assembly includes a separator element arranged to cover one end of the filter element and sandwiched between a dirty side for fuel before it flows through the filter element and a clean side for fuel after it flows through at one end the filter elements flow, separates. The filter element assembly includes a penetrating passage forming member which includes a cylindrical member extending to penetrate the filter element between one end and the other end thereof and which provides a penetrating passage for communication between the dirty side and the other end by having an open end which opens to the partition member to be in communication with the dirty side and the other open end which opens to the other end.

According to this configuration, both the dirty side and the clean side are arranged at one end of the axial flow filter element. For this reason, it is possible to provide a filter element assembly which can be used for a housing on which a plurality of fuel inlets are arranged at one end, for example an upper part.

Another illustrative example according to the present disclosure provides a fuel filter device. The fuel filter device includes a filter element assembly and a housing that houses the filter element assembly. The fuel filter device has an upper end portion of the housing. The one end region is arranged on an end side of the filter element with respect to the axis. The fuel filter device has a first fuel inlet through which fuel flows into the housing at one end region. One end region faces one end of the filter element assembly. The first fuel inlet is designed to face a dirty side area. The filter device has a fuel outlet for draining fuel from the housing. The fuel outlet is formed on the housing at one end portion. The fuel outlet is formed to face a clean side area. The fuel filter device has a second fuel inlet adapted to allow fuel to flow into the housing. The second fuel inlet allows the inflow of fuel which flows back from a device supplied with fuel via the fuel outlet. The second fuel inlet is formed on the housing at the one end portion and is formed to face the dirty side portion.

Another illustrative example according to the present disclosure provides a fuel filter device. The fuel filter device includes a housing having a cylindrical portion in which fuel supplied to a device flows; a central cylinder disposed in the cylindrical section to extend along an axis of the cylindrical section so that fuel flows within the central cylinder from one end side to the other end side at the axis; and a filter element accommodated in the housing and disposed around the central cylinder so that fuel flowing between the cylindrical portion and the central cylinder from the other end side to the one end side after flowing from an interior of the central cylinder . The fuel filter device includes a separator member which divides a space formed in the housing at one end side rather than at the filter element, a downstream space disposed downstream of the filter element, and an upstream space disposed upstream of the filter element and is arranged radially outside the downstream space. The fuel filter device has a first fuel inlet for fuel to flow into the housing, which is formed on the housing at an end portion which is located on an end side rather than on the filter element with respect to the axis, and which is adapted to the facing upstream space; a fuel outlet for draining fuel from the casing, which is formed on the casing at the one end portion and is formed to face the upstream space; and a second fuel inlet adapted for fuel to flow into the housing, the fuel flowing back from a device supplied with fuel via the fuel outlet, and wherein the second fuel inlet is formed on the housing at the one end portions and is designed so that it faces the upstream space. The fuel filter device has a communication passage forming member that forms a communication passage that communicates with the upstream space and the interior of the central cylinder.

According to this configuration, the first fuel inlet, the fuel outlet and the second fuel outlet are arranged at the one end portion of the housing. Fuel flows into the central cylinder from one end side to the other end side, then the fuel flows between the central portion of the housing and the central cylinder in a direction from the other end side to the one end side. The filter element, located between the cylindrical portion of the housing and the central cylinder, filters fuel. The upstream space is formed at a radial outside of the downstream space with respect to a radial direction intersecting perpendicularly with the axis. An interior of the upstream space and an interior of the center cylinder communicate with each other through the communication passage.

Thereby, it is possible to make a downstream space area formed at a radial outside of the upstream space larger than a downstream space area formed in the central portion.

• 1 ist eine Draufsicht, welche eine Kraftstofffiltervorrichtung nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt;
• 2 ist eine Querschnittsansicht entlang der Linie II-II in 1;
• 3 ist eine Draufsicht auf ein Filterelement;
• 4 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht, welche zwei Lagen des Filterelementes zeigt;
• 5 ist eine vergrößerte perspektivische Teilansicht, welche einem blattförmiges Filtermedium zeigt;
• 6 ist ein Blockdiagramm, welches ein Kraftstoffeinspritzungssystem für Dieselmotoren des Common-Rail-Typs zeigt;
• 7 ist eine Draufsicht, welches eine Filterelementbaugruppe nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt;
• 8 ist eine Teilquerschnittsansicht, welche eine Filterelementbaugruppe nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt;
• 9 ist eine Teilquerschnittsansicht, welcher eine Filterelementbaugruppe nach einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt; und
• 10 ist eine detaillierte Ansicht einer Kraftstofffiltervorrichtung nach einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

• 1 Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a fuel filter device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in 1 ;
• 3 is a top view of a filter element;
• 4 is a perspective view showing two layers of the filter element;
• 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a sheet-shaped filter medium;
• 6 is a block diagram showing a fuel injection system for common rail type diesel engines;
• 7 is a top view showing a filter element assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 8th is a partial cross-sectional view showing a filter element assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a filter element assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• 10 is a detailed view of a fuel filter device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

A variety of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, the same parts and components as those in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the same description is repeated. In the event that only part of a component or part is described, other descriptions for the remaining parts of components or parts may be included in the other description. The embodiments may be partially connected or partially interchanged in a manner clearly specified in the following description. In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may be partially combined or partially substituted in ways that are not clearly specified as long as no problems arise.

(First embodiment)

The first embodiment is described with reference to 1-6 described.

The fuel torture device 1 is used in a fuel injection system for common rail type diesel engines mounted in automobiles, for example. As in 6 As shown, the common rail type fuel injection system has a fuel tank 2, a feed pump 3, a common rail 4, an injector 5, and a fuel filter device 1 disposed between the fuel tank 2 and the feed pump 3.

The feed pump 3 includes components such as a feed pump, namely a low pressure feed pump, an electromagnetic valve used as a flow rate control device, and a high pressure pump. The conveyor pump can be, for example, a trochoid pump or a rotary vane pump. The high-pressure pump can be, for example, a plunger pump. By activating the supply pump 3, diesel fuel, for example light oil, at normal pressure stored within the fuel tank 2 is sucked and supplied into a manifold 4 through an interior of the fuel pipe 6. During this operation, the fuel filter device 1 separates water from fuel and traps foreign matter in the fuel.

Fuel under high pressure by the feed pump 3 is kept under pressure in the manifold 4. At least one injection nozzle, which injects fuel into an associated cylinder of the engine, is connected to the manifold 4. A plurality of injection nozzles 5 can be provided corresponding to the number of cylinders of the engine. The fuel held in the manifold 4 is injected through the injectors 5. The supply pump 3, the manifold 4 and the injector 5 are components that serve as a device that handles fuel supplied from the fuel filter device 1 and the tank 2. The components 3, 4 and 5 provide a fuel supply system for an engine, which is a device that consumes fuel supplied from the fuel filter device 1.

A return line 7 is connected to the collecting pipe 4. Excess fuel in the manifold 4 is returned to the low-pressure part including the tank 2 via the return line 7. Returned fuel from the injector 5 connects to the return line 7 and is also returned to the low pressure system including the tank 2. For example, recirculated fuel from the injector 5 includes low pressure fuel discharged from a low pressure port of the injector 5, which may include fuel introduced into a control pressure chamber in the injector 5 and used to operate the injector 5, and leakage fuel. Low pressure fuel, such as leakage fuel from the feed pump 3, also connects to the return line 7 as returned fuel and are returned to the low pressure system.

Such recirculated fuel is heated by components such as the feed pump 3, which heats the fuel by pressurizing it. As a result, fuel that is relatively hot, namely fuel that is hotter than fuel freshly supplied from the fuel tank 2, flows within the return line 7. The return line 7 is connected to the fuel filter device 1. The fuel supply system is configured to be suitable for introducing the returned fuel into the fuel filter device 1. Recirculated fuel is returned to the low pressure system including the fuel tank 2 from the feed pump 3, the manifold 4 and the injectors 5.

The common rail type fuel injection system has an ECU which is operatively connected to components to serve as a controller. The ECU controls the fuel flow amount supplied from the supply pump 3 based on input signals such as a fuel pressure within the manifold 4, the rotational speed of the engine, and an operation degree of acceleration. The ECU also controls the operation and closing timing of an electromagnetic valve in the injector 5. This controls fuel injection timing and fuel injection amounts into the cylinder of the engine.

As in 2 As shown, the fuel filter device 1 includes components such as a housing 10, a filter element assembly 20, a water separator 50, a diaphragm pump 60 and a return valve 80. The housing 10 defines a receiving cavity for receiving the filter element assembly 20 and fuel lines for fuel to flow through the receiving cavity. The filter element assembly 20 can also be a so-called filter element 20. The filter element assembly 20 is a replaceable component.

As in 1 shown, a supply line 30 for introducing fresh fuel into the housing 10 and a discharge line 40 for draining fuel from the housing 10 are connected to the housing 10. A fuel line 6, which extends from the fuel tank 2, is connected to the supply line 30. The fuel line 6, which extends from the supply pump 3, is connected to the discharge line 40.

The diaphragm pump 60 is arranged on an upper surface of the housing 10. The diaphragm pump 60 is manually operated to exhaust air mixed into the fuel system and fill the interior of the system with fuel. The diaphragm pump 60 is a manually operated pump. The membrane pump 60 corresponds to a pump device. The return valve 80 is arranged on an upper surface of the housing 10. The return valve 80 corresponds to a valve device for introducing returned fuel into the housing 10. The return valve 80 has a cover 82 to which a return line 7 is connected.

A vacuum pressure sensor 41 is arranged on an upper surface of the housing 10. The vacuum pressure sensor 41 selects a pressure of the fuel on a downstream side of the filter element 22. The vacuum pressure sensor 41 is a pressure sensor. Components such as a signal output terminal 41a of the vacuum pressure sensor 41 are also arranged on the upper surface of the housing 10. The vacuum pressure sensor 41 detects a pressure in the discharge line 40. In 2 the illustration of the vacuum pressure sensor 41 and the signal output terminal 41a is omitted.

As in 2 shown, the housing 10 has a jacket 11 and a cover 12, both of which are made of plastic, for example. The shell 11 is a cup-like element that provides an outer shell. The jacket 11 can be viewed as a cylindrical element with a closed bottom end. The lid 12 is attached to an upper opening of the shell 11 in a manually attachable and detachable manner. The lid 12 provides a cup shape which is flatter than the shell 11. The fuel filter device 1 is mounted on a vehicle to be supported so as to maintain the XX direction parallel to the vertical direction, namely, for example, the shell 11 under the lid 12 placed.

The shell 11 has a cylindrical portion 111 formed in a cylindrical shape extending in a top-down direction, a bottom portion 112 disposed near the bottom portion of the cylindrical portion 111. The cylindrical area 111 and the bottom area 112 are formed in one piece. The shell 11 is formed by welding the cylindrical member and the cup member together. The cylindrical member, which is an upper part in the drawing, is formed to accommodate the filter element assembly 20 therein. The cup member, which is the lower part in the drawing, is formed to have an outer peripheral surface where a bracket for attaching to a vehicle body is formed.

Hereafter, the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 111 may also be referred to as the XX direction be referred to. An axis of the cylindrical portion 111 is disposed at the same position with an axis of the filter element assembly 20 and an axis of the filter element 22, which will be explained in more detail later. An upper end of the housing 10 corresponds to an end of the housing 10 in the axial direction (XX direction). A lower end of the housing 10 corresponds to the other end of the housing 10 in the axial direction (the XX direction). Therefore, in the case of the fuel filter device, which corresponds in 2 is shown, a top with an end side in the XX direction and a bottom side corresponds to the other end side in the XX direction. Below, the top side is also referred to as one end side and the bottom side is also referred to as the other end side.

A part among the parts of the housing 10 that is located above the filter element 22 of the filter element assembly 20 is called an end portion. The one end portion is a part disposed on an end side rather than on the filter element 22 in the axial direction. Specifically, in the example, the cover 12 corresponds to one end region. More specifically, among the parts of the lid 12 disposed more above than the upper surface of the upper cover plate 211 of the filter holder 21, a part of the lid 12 is the one end portion.

The shell 11 has a ring member 11a on a larger periphery of the cylindrical portion 111. The lid 12 is attached to the housing 11 by engaging a thread formed on an inner periphery of the ring member 11a and a thread formed on an outer one Circumference of the lower region of the lid 12 is formed, attached.

An O-ring made of rubber, namely a sealant, is attached to the casing 11. The upper end of the jacket 11 is arranged within the open end of the lid 12. The O-ring is attached to the outer circumference of the jacket 11. When the lid 12 is attached to the shell 11, the O-ring provides a seal between the shell 11 and the lid 12. This forms a filter receiving space in the housing 10 which is sealed from the environment.

The filter element assembly 20 is arranged in a rather upper region of an inside of the cylindrical region 111 in the housing 10. An outer peripheral surface of the filter element 22 of the filter element assembly 20 comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 111 along an entire circumference. A headspace 10a is formed and defined over the filter element assembly 20 in the housing 10. A bottom space 10b, which is larger in volume than the headspace 10a, is formed and defined beneath the filter element assembly 20 in the housing 10.

A lower part of the floor space 10b provides a water tank 13 for receiving water separated from the fuel flowing through the housing 10. A float type water level sensor 14 is disposed in the water tank 13 to extend upward from the bottom portion 112. The water level sensor 14 detects a water level in the water tank 13. The water level sensor 14 is designed to emit an output signal when a water level in the water tank 13 reaches a predetermined warning level.

A vent hole 113 for draining water stored in the water tank 13 is formed at the lowermost portion of the cylindrical portion 111. A vent plug 15 is disposed on the vent hole 113 to open and close the vent hole 113.

The filter element assembly 20 has a filter element 22 made of a filter medium made of, for example, wood pulp, and a filter holder 21 which holds the filter element 22. The filter holder 21 is made of plastic, for example. The filter holder 21 has an upper cover plate 211, a connection cylinder 212, a central cylinder 213, a separation cylinder 214 and a connection area 215. These components are formed in one piece. The upper cover plate 211, the connection cylinder 212, the central cylinder 213 and the separation cylinder 214 are arranged coaxially with one another. The central cylinder 213 provides a cylindrical core element.

The upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214 provide a separation member. The separating element is arranged to cover one end of the filter element 22. The separating element separates between the area of the dirty side 10a1 for fuel before flowing through the filter element 22 and the area of the clean side 10a2 for fuel after flowing through the filter element at one end of the filter element 22. The upper cover plate 211 and the separating cylinder 214, in Substantially the upper cover plate 211 define an annular first region which directly faces the end of the filter element 22. The upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder, essentially the separation cylinder 214, define a columnar second region disposed at a center including the XX axis and is disposed slightly apart from one end of the filter element 22. The first area and the second area communicate with each other and provide the area of the clean side 10a2. The area of the clean side 10a2, which is defined within the filter holder 21, is funnel-shaped, which has a neck area within the separation cylinder 214 and an expanded area below the cover plate 211. The upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214 define an annular third region which is arranged above the upper cover plate 211 and which is arranged radially outside of the separation cylinder 214. The third area provided the dirty side area 10a1.

The connection area 215 provides a penetrating passage forming element. The element forming the penetrating passage may also be referred to as a means forming a connecting passage. The central cylinder 213 and the connection portion 215 provide the means forming the penetrating passage. The connection area 215 provides a connection passage 215a. The communication passage 215a extends from the dirty side portion 10a1 to an inside of the central cylinder 213. The communication passage 215a penetrates a wall member formed by the upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214, passes through the clean side portion 10a2, and penetrates one Wall of the central cylinder 213. The central cylinder 213 and the connection area 215 form a penetrating passage. The penetrating passage extends and communicates between the dirty side region 10a1 defined at one end of the filter element 22 and the other end of the filter element 22. The penetrating passage extends from the dirty side region 10a1 defined by the one end is defined, to the other end of the filter element 22. The penetrating passage penetrates a member provided on the upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214, passes through the clean side area 10a2 defined by the one end, and penetrates within the filter element 22. The penetrating passage reaches the other end of the filter element 22 and opens at the other end. The penetrating passage allows the fuel to flow in a reverse direction, which is opposite in the penetration direction, from the other end to the one end provided by the filter element 22.

The upper cover plate 211 extends in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis XX above the filter element 22. The connection cylinder 212 is arranged at an outer edge of the upper cover plate 211 and extends downward from the outer edge. The central cylinder 213 is arranged to extend downward from the central opening formed on the upper cover plate 211. An upper end of the central cylinder 213 protrudes slightly upward from the central opening in the upper cover plate 211 at a height lower than the separation cylinder 214.

An inner peripheral side of the central portion 111 and an outer peripheral side of the central cylinder 213 define a gap that is uniform in the circumferential direction. The filter element 22 is arranged between the inner peripheral side of the central region 111 and the outer peripheral side of the central cylinder 213. An upper end portion of the filter element 22 is attached and held between the connection cylinder 212 and the central cylinder 213. An outer surface at the upper end portion of the filter element 22 is connected to the connection cylinder 212, for example by an adhesive. The filter holder 21 has ribs that serve as a positioning member and extend, for example, downward from the lower surface of the upper cover plate 211 to form and define a space between the upper cover plate 211 and the lower end of the filter element 22.

The separation cylinder 214 protrudes upward from an upper surface of the upper cover plate 211. The separation cylinder 214 has an annular seal ring 214a attached to an annular groove at an upper end portion. The seal ring 214a, for example, is made of rubber and is what is called a lip seal, which has a sealing lip. The lip of the seal ring 214a is in annular close contact with a top surface of the lid 12. The separation cylinder 214 divides and separates the head space 10a into an upstream space 10a1 and a downstream space 10a2.

The upstream space 10a1 is arranged on an upstream side in the fuel flow direction rather than the filter element 22. Specifically, before flowing through the filter element 22 and being filtered, the fuel flows through the upstream space 10a1. The upstream space 10a1 may also be called a dirty side area 10a1 for fuel before flowing through the filter element 22. The downstream space 10a2 is arranged on a downstream side in the fuel flow direction rather than the filter element 22. Namely, after the fuel flows through the filter element 22 and is filtered, it flows through the downstream space 10a2. The downstream space 10a2 may also be called a clean side area 10a2 for fuel after flowing through the filter element 22.

3 shows a top view of a filter element assembly 20. The filter element assembly 20 has a single connection region 215. The connection region 215 is arranged between the central cylinder 213 and the separation cylinder 214 to extend in the radial direction. The connection area 215 provides a connection passage 215a therein. An arrow DF shows fuel flow starting from the dirty side region 10a1, flowing through the connecting passage 215a and reaching the central cylinder 213. An arrow CF shows fuel flow beginning at the clean side region 10a2 below the top cover plate 211, flowing through a central opening in the top cover plate 211, and terminating at an outlet connecting passage 214b, which may be referred to as a C-shaped or semicircular bore , which is defined between the separation cylinder 214 and the connection area 215 and reaches the area of the clean side 10a2 within the separation cylinder 214.

The downstream space 10a2 occupies a part located in the central part within the head space 10a with respect to the radial direction that intersects the XX direction at right angles. The upstream space 10a1 occupies the remaining part disposed at a radial outside of the downstream space 10a2 within the head space 10a.

The separation member 211, 214 defines the clean side area 10a2 at a central part containing the axle. The separating element 211, 214 defines the dirty side 10a1 on a radial outside of the clean side area 10a2. This allows the dirty side area 10a1 to be formed over a larger area. The separating element 211, 214 forms the dirty side area 10a1, so that the dirty side area 10a1 surrounds a radial outside of the clean side area 10a2. This enables the dirty side area 10a1 to be formed in a circumferentially extending shape.

The central cylinder 213 has an upper end, which can also be referred to as an end. The upper end protrudes upward rather than the upper cover plate 211, so that the upper end is disposed on a radially inner side of the separation cylinder 214. The upper end is closed. The outlet communication passage 214b is defined between the separation cylinder 214 and the upper end of the central cylinder 213. The outlet connection passage 214b communicates with a space between the filter element 22 and the upper cover plate 211 and a downstream space 10a2. The filter element assembly defines a connection passage 214b, which may be referred to as an outlet connection passage. The filter element assembly may define a plurality of connection passages 214b which are circumferentially separated from one another. The communication passage 214b directs fuel filtered by the filter element 22 to the downstream space 10a2.

The connection portion 215 in FIG. 11 forms a connection passage 215a, which may be called an inflow connection passage 215a, which extends radially in the connection portion 215. The inflow communication passage 215a connects the upstream space 10a1 and an inside of the central cylinder 213. The inflow communication passage 215a is formed to penetrate the central cylinder 213 and the separation cylinder 214. The inflow communication passage 215a connects the upstream space 10a1 and an inner space of the center cylinder 213. The inflow communication passage 215a is formed at a peripheral region where the outlet communication passage 214b is not formed. The inflow connection passage 215a has a cross section as an annular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the inflow connection passage 215a is not limited to a circular shape and may also be a rectangular shape.

The central cylinder 213 and the connecting portion 215 provide a penetrating passage forming member 215, 213. The penetrating passage forming member 215, 213 forms a penetrating passage 215a, 213a as a connection between the dirty side portion 10a1 and the other end of the filter element 22 by providing an end opening which opens on the separating member 211, 214 to communicate with the To communicate the area of the dirty side 10a1, and the other end opening, which opens at the other end of the filter element 22. The penetrating passageway forming member 215, 213 includes the central member 213 which extends to penetrate the filter element 22 between one end and the other end thereof. The upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214 provide a separation element 211, 214. The separating member 211, 214 includes the upper cover plate 211 arranged to cover one end of the filter element 22 and the separating cylinder 214 protruding upward from an upper surface of the cover plate 211 with a circular shape. The dirty side area 10a1 is defined to surround the separation cylinder 214. The penetrating passage 215a, 213a includes the connecting passage 215a, which penetrates the separation cylinder 214 and extends in a radial direction.

The cylindrical member in the penetrating passage forming member 215, 213 is the central cylinder 213 disposed at a center of the filter element 22 to enclose the axis. The central cylinder 213 is closed at one end disposed at one end of the filter element 22 and opens at the other end disposed at the other end of the filter element. The central cylinder 213 extends from a radial inside of the separation cylinder to the other end of the filter element 22. The connecting passage 215a connects the dirty side portion 10a1 disposed on a radial outside of the separation cylinder 214 and an inside of the central cylinder 213 located on a radial inside of the separation cylinder 214 is arranged.

The filter element 22 is formed by winding and stacking a sheet-shaped filter medium around the central cylinder 213. 4 shows an enlarged view of two layers of the sheet-shaped filter medium to be wrapped around the central cylinder 213. In 4 The vertical cross sections are also partially shown. The filter element 22 is placed in the housing 10 so that the in 4 shown top in 2 is at the bottom. The filter medium that provides the filter element 22 is formed into a sheet-like shape by connecting a flat medium 221 and a selected medium 222. The selected medium 222 is formed in a wave-shaped plate having a cross section with continuously arranged semicircular shapes. Folded areas between the semicircular shapes of the selected medium 222 are glued to the flat medium 221.

By bonding the selected medium 222 to the flat medium 221, the filter element 22 forms internal cavities 28 between them. The inner cavities 28 have a semicircular cross section with a cross section perpendicular to the XX direction. The inner spaces 28 extend in the vertical direction 2 and 4 . A bottom end of the inner spaces 28 at the lower end in 4 , the upper end in 2 , is closed by adhesive 223. The filter medium that forms the filter element 22 is a plate-shaped sheet element. The blade element has a plurality of tubular filter media 23 which have a closed bottom and are arranged and connected in parallel in individual rows. The tubular filter media 23 form the inner spaces 28, each of which is a semicircular space.

The sheet element is formed into a single filter element 22 by connecting layers of the sheet element wrapped around the central cylinder 213 and stacked. Adhesive 224 is added between the flat media 221 and the selected media 222 on adjacent layers of the sheet member. By providing adhesive 224 between the layers, external spaces 29 are formed between the flat medium 221 of one layer of the sheet element and the selected medium 222 of the other layer of the filter element, which may be external to the tubular filter medium 23, which define the internal spaces 28. Adhesive 224 bonds the flat media 221 and the selected media 222 to adjacent layers of the sheet member at areas near one end near the opening of the interior space 28. As in 4 shown, the adhesive 224 is arranged at an upper region near the opening of the tubular filter medium 23. The external spaces 29 are provided below the adhesive 224 shown in the drawings.

5 shows a partially detached form of the filter element 22, which clearly shows the positions of the adhesives 223, 224. 5 shows the filter element 22 as formed by winding and stacking the sheet element. However, the filter element 22 shown has no core corresponding to the central cylinder. The filter element 22 is a so-called honeycomb filter element. The filter element 22 has an entrance at one end side in the axial direction, has an exit at the other end in the axial direction, and filters fuel flowing in the axial direction.

As in 2 shown, a water separator 50 is connected to a lower end part of the central cylinder 213. The water separator 50 has guide member 51 and a water collecting filter 52. The water collecting filter 52 provides a water separator element that separates moisture from the fuel dispersed in the fuel by using the collision of drops of water and a fiber. The guide member 51 has an upper guide 51a and a lower guide 51b. The upper guide 51a and the lower guide 51b are made of plastic, for example. The upper guide 51a and lower guide 51b are engaged with each other by an engaging means including, for example, an engaging finger and an engaging hole.

A water collecting filter 52 formed in a circular ring shape is held between the upper guide 51a and the lower guide 51b. The water collection filter 52 includes non-woven fibers of a fiber having, for example, hydraulic properties. On a radial outside of the water collection filter 52 is a lateral outlet is formed between the upper guide 51a and the lower guide 51b. All fuel introduced into the water separator 50 after flowing through the central cylinder 213 flows out through the water collection filter 52 and then through the side outlet into the floor space 10b.

Accordingly, the filter element assembly 20 has the water separator element 52. The water separator element 52 is arranged at the other end opening of the penetrating passage 215a, 213a. The water separation element 52 separates water from the fuel after flowing through the penetrating passage 215a, 213a and before filtering through the filter element 22. The water separation element 52 is a water collection filter 52 which separates moisture from the fuel flowing out of the other end opening.

A fuel inlet (a first fuel inlet) 121 for introducing fresh fuel into the housing 10 is formed on the lid 12. The fresh fuel flows through the supply pipe 30. The fuel inlet 121 is formed to open at a position located on a lower surface of the lid 12 and shown on a left side in the drawing. The fuel inlet 121 is formed to face the upstream space 10a1.

The diaphragm pump 60 has a body 61 integrally formed on an upper surface portion of the lid 12. The body 61 is arranged above the fuel inlet 121. The diaphragm pump 60 had components such as a body 61, a cover 62, a diaphragm 63, a spring 64 and a knob 65.

The cover 62 closes an upper opening of the body 61. The membrane 63 has an outer peripheral edge that is firmly held between the body 61 and the cover 62. The spring 64 is a biasing element which biases the membrane 63 upwards. The knob 65 is arranged to move the central part of the membrane 63 alternately in an up and down direction. Both the cover 62 and the knob 65 are made of plastic, for example. The membrane 63 includes a fabric base and a rubber material bearing formed on a surface of the fabric base.

The body defines a pump chamber 61a therein. The pump chamber 61a is defined below the membrane 63. The pumping chamber 61a communicates with a passage in the supply pipe 30 at a left side in the drawing, and also communicates with the head space 10a through the fuel inlet 121 at a lower side in the drawing.

A first one-way valve 71 is arranged within the supply line 30. The first one-way valve 71 allows fuel to flow forward from the supply pipe 30 to the inside of the pumping chamber 61a and prevents fuel from flowing back into the supply pipe 30 from the pumping chamber 61a. A second one-way valve 72 is disposed between the pumping chamber 61a and the upstream space 10a1. The second one-way valve 52 is arranged within the fuel inlet 121. The second one-way valve 52 allows fuel to flow forward from the pumping chamber 61a into the upstream space 10a1. The second one-way valve 72 prevents fuel from flowing back into the pumping chamber 61a from the upstream space 10a1.

A fuel outlet 122 for draining fuel from the housing 10 is formed on the cover 12. The fuel flows through the discharge line 40 to devices located downstream of the fuel system. The fuel outlet 122 is formed to open at a position disposed on a lower surface of the lid 12 and is shown at the center in the drawing. The fuel outlet 122 is formed to face the downstream space 10a2.

A recirculated fuel inlet (a second inlet) 123 for introducing recirculated fuel into the housing 10 is formed on the lid 12. The returned fuel flows through the return line 7. The fuel inlet for returned fuel is designed to open at a position disposed on a lower surface of the lid 12 and shown on the left side in the drawing. The recirculated fuel inlet 123 is formed to face the upstream space 10a1.

A body 81 of a recirculation valve device 80 is integrally formed above the recirculated fuel inlet 123 disposed at an upper lower portion of the cover 12. The return valve device 80 had components such as a body 81, a cover 82, a holding member 83, a valve member 84 made of a temperature-sensitive bimetal plate, and a one-way valve 85.

The lid 82 is made of plastic, for example. The lid 82 together with the body 81 defines a valve chamber 81a therein by closing an upper opening formed on the body 81. The lid 82 has a return insert outlet line 82a and a return outlet line 82b. An upstream side portion of the return line 7 extending from components such as the supply pump 3 is connected to the return inlet line 82a. A downstream side portion of the return line 7 extending to the fuel tank 2 is connected to the return outlet line 82b. Recirculated fuel always flows from the recirculation inlet line 82a to the recirculation outlet line 82b while the supply pump 3 is activated, regardless of the operating status of the recirculation valve device 80.

A valve chamber 81a communicates with a recirculated fuel path to which recirculated fuel is always supplied on the cover 82. The valve chamber 81a includes a holding member 83 disposed between the body 81 and the cover 82. The holding element 83 is made of plastic, for example. A fixed end of the valve element 84 is held between the holding element 83 and the body 81.

The valve element 84 provides both a temperature sensing function and a flow control function in response to a sensed temperature. The valve element 84 changes its shape in response to a fuel temperature and adjusts the opening degree of the recirculated fuel inlet 123. The valve element 84 is sensitive to a fuel temperature within the upstream space 10a1 or the temperature of the recirculated fuel within the valve chamber 81a, which as a temperature which relates to the fuel temperature in the upstream space 10a1. The valve member 84 opens the recirculated fuel inlet 123 to introduce relatively high temperature recirculated fuel into the housing 10 when a fuel temperature introduced into the housing 10 becomes lower than a predetermined temperature or the same is expected.

A one-way valve 85 is arranged between the lid 82 and the holding element 83. The one-way valve 85 allows fuel to flow forward from the recirculated fuel path into the interior of the valve chamber 81a and prevents fuel from flowing back from the valve chamber 81a to the recirculated fuel path.

In this embodiment, the fuel inlet 121 may also be referred to as a first fuel inlet 121. The fuel outlet 122 for supplying fuel to the device may also be referred to as a fuel outlet 122. The recirculated fuel inlet 123 may also be referred to as a second fuel inlet 123. The one end portion of the housing 10 is a part apart from an open end portion of the lid 12 and mostly corresponds to the lid 12. In the following description, the reference numeral 12 showing the lid 12 may also be used to show the one end portion.

The fuel outlet 122 is arranged on the axis at one end region 12 of the housing 10. The upstream space, namely the dirty side area 10a1, is defined between the upper cover plate 211 and the one end portion to surround the separation cylinder 214. The one end portion 12 of the housing 10 provides a central portion containing the axle and an annular portion disposed on a radial outside of the central portion. The fuel outlet 122 is located at the central area. The first and second fuel inlets 121, 123 are arranged in the annular region.

The fuel filter device 1 has the filter element assembly 20 and the housing 10 which houses the filter element assembly 20. The housing 10 has a first fuel inlet 121 for flowing fuel into the housing. The first fuel inlet 121 is formed on the housing 10 at the one end portion 12 facing the one end of the filter element assembly 20 and is formed to face the dirty side portion 10a1. The housing 10 has a fuel outlet 122 for flowing fuel from the housing 10. The fuel outlet 122 is formed on the housing 10 at the one end portion 12 and is formed to face the clean side portion 10a2. The housing 10 has a second fuel inlet 123, which is suitable for introducing returned fuel into the housing 10. The returned fuel is returned by a device which is supplied with fuel via the fuel outlet 122. The second fuel inlet 123 is formed on the housing at the one end portion 12 and is formed to face the dirty side portion 10a2.

When the supply pump 3 is activated, fuel supplied from the fuel tank 2 to the device such as the supply pump 3 flows into the fuel filter device 1 through an upstream end of the supply pipe 30. The fuel flowing through the inside of the supply pipe 30 flows through the pumping chamber 61a, then is introduced into the upstream space 10a1 in the housing 10 through the fuel inlet 121.

Fuel flows through the interior of the filler connection passage 215a and the central cylinder the 213, and flows into the guide element 51 of the water separator 50. In the guide element 51, the water collection filter 52 collects water in the fuel on the fiber surface and collects and enlarges small water drops into larger water drops. Enlarged water drops detach from the fiber surface of the water collection filter 52 and are discharged with fuel through the side exit of the filter element 51 to the bottom space 10b. The water drops settle due to gravity. The water collected in the water tank 13 is then discharged when the vent closure 15 is opened.

On the other hand, fuel discharged into the bottom space 10b through the side exit of the guide member 51 flows up through the bottom space 10b and flows through the filter element 22 of the filter element assembly 20. At this stage, the collection of very small water drops and the removal of foreign bodies. The fuel flows into the filter element 22 through the other end side, into which as a bottom end 2 which is shown as the upper end in 4 is shown. All fuel flows into the interior spaces 28 shown in Figure four, is filtered as it flows through either the flat media 221 or the selected media 222, and flows into the exterior spaces 29. The fuel flows from the filter element 22 from the other end side, which is called the top end in 2 is shown. Accordingly, the filter element 22 provides an axial flow type filter element through which fuel flows from the other end side to the one end side.

The fuel flows into the downstream space 10a2 through the outlet connecting passage 214b from the outer spaces 29. The fuel that has entered the downstream space 10a2 is withdrawn from the inside of the housing 10 through the fuel outlet 122 and flows inside the drain pipe 40 .

As mentioned above, the recirculation valve device 80 opened the recirculated fuel inlet 123 when a fuel temperature in the upstream space 10a1 is lower than a predetermined temperature while fresh fuel is supplied to the fuel filter device 1. As a result, recirculated fuel is mixed with fresh fuel within the upstream space 10a1. Thereby, fuel whose temperature has been increased by mixing with recirculated fuel is supplied to passages on a downstream side opposite to the upstream space 10a1.

Even if some wax, which is a solid form of fuel, is contained in the fuel due to a low temperature, the fuel in the upstream space 10a1 can be heated and the wax can be dissolved. As a result, clogging of the filter element 22 can be reduced. Even if the filter element 22 is already somewhat clogged with wax when the operation of the supply pump 3 starts, it is possible to unclog and unclog promptly and reliably since fuel is supplied to the bottom end of the filter element 22 via the bottom space 10b is heated in the upstream space 10a1.

According to the exemplary embodiment, a filter element assembly 20 and a fuel filter device 1 with the same are provided. A part of the housing 10 of the fuel filter device 1 forms an outer shell which includes the cylindrical portion 111. The housing 10 provides a passage for fuel flowing to and supplied to the device such as the supply pump 3 from the fuel tank 2. The fuel inlet 121, the fuel outlet 122 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 are formed at an upper part of the housing 10.

The central cylinder 213 is disposed within the cylindrical portion 111 along the axis in the XX direction. The fuel flows within the central cylinder 213 from one end to the other end thereof. The filter element 22, which filters fuel that flows out of the central cylinder 213 and flows between the central cylinder 213 and the cylindrical portion 111 to return from the other end side to the one end side, is arranged on the radial outside of the central cylinder 213.

The head space 10a, which is formed in the housing 10 at one end rather than at the filter element 22, is divided and separated by the upper cover plate 211 and the separation cylinder 214 into the downstream space 10a2 which is arranged at the central part in the radical direction and the upstream space 10a1 disposed on the radial outside to surround the upstream space 10a2. The fuel inlet 121 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 are formed on a surface of the upstream space 10a1. The fuel outlet 122 is formed on a surface of the downstream space 10a2.

The filter holder 21 of the filter element assembly 20 has a connection portion 215. The connection portion 215 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis XX of the central cylinder 213. The connection portion 215 formed an inflow connection passage 215a, which upstream space 10a1 and the interior of the central cylinder 213 connects together.

In the fuel filter device 1, the fuel inlet 121, the fuel outlet 122, and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 are arranged together at the one end portion located at the one end along the axis XX. One end region is provided by the upper part of the lid 12. Fuel flows within the central cylinder 213 from one end side to the other end side. Then, the fuel flows between the housing cylindrical portion 111 and the central cylinder 213 in a direction from the other end side to the one end side. At this time, the fuel is filtered by the filter element 22. The fuel filter device 1 forms, at its one end side, the head space 10a within the housing 10. The head space 10a is divided into the downstream space 10a2, which is arranged on the downstream side rather than the filter element 22, and the upstream space 10a1, which is arranged on the upstream side as the filter element 22 is arranged. The upstream space 10a1 is disposed at a radial outside of the downstream space 10a2 with respect to a direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis XX. The downstream space 10a1 and an inside of the central cylinder 213 communicate via the inflow connection passage 215a which extends in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis XX.

A region to be the downstream space 10a2 is formed at a central part of the head space 10a. A region to be the downstream space 10a1 is formed at an outer peripheral part of the downstream space 10a2. Thereby, the upstream space 10a1 can be formed to extend over a large area along the circumferential direction. The upstream space 10a1 can be made larger than the downstream space 10a2. With this, it becomes possible to improve the arrangement flexibility of the recirculated fuel inlet 123 facing and opening into the downstream space 10a1. Thereby, it is possible to increase the arrangement flexibility of the recirculated fuel inlet 123 in a case that it is necessary to arrange the fuel inlet 121, the fuel outlet 122 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 on the same side of the same end of the housing 10. The arrangement flexibility of the recirculated fuel inlet 123 can be improved.

1 1 shows an annular region surrounded by a broken line, a region where the fuel inlet 121 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 can be disposed on an upper surface of the lid 12. In this embodiment, the diameter of the lip of the seal 214a on the separation cylinder 214 is adjusted to be approximately 1/3 of the inner diameter of the lid 12. An area located above the upstream space 10a1, where the fuel inlet 121 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 can be disposed along the lid portion of the lid 12, is provided about 8 times larger than an area located above the downstream space 10a2 is arranged.

Alternatively, since the peripheral portion of the head space 10a is used as the upstream space 10a1, the fuel inlet 121 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 may be disposed on a side wall of the lid 12. That is, the fuel inlet 121 and the recirculated fuel inlet 123 may be disposed not only on an end wall of the one end portion of the housing 10 but also on a side wall of the one end portion. Therefore, the end wall and the side wall which form the head space 10a within the housing 10 can be interpreted as the one end portion of the housing 10. The fuel filter device 1 includes a recirculation valve device 80 disposed at one end portion of the housing 10 and opening and closing the recirculated fuel inlet 123. In a case that it is necessary to arrange the recirculation valve device 80 at the one end portion of the housing 10, it is necessary to provide a mounting space for the recirculation valve device. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a relatively large area for the upstream space 10a1 within the head space 10a. For this reason, the arrangement flexibility for the position of the return valve device 80 can also be improved.

The fuel filter device 1 includes the water collection filter 52 disposed within the housing 10, which separates water from the fuel after flowing through the central cylinder 213 and before filtering through the filter element 22. The water collection filter 52 performs a moisture removing function on any fuel supplied to the bottom space 10b of the central cylinder 213. In addition, it is possible to reduce ice in the water collection filter 52 and wax on the water collection filter 52, which is the recirculated fuel introduced through the recirculated fuel inlet 123 and already a relatively high temperature also flows through the water collection filter 52.

The fuel filter device 1 has a membrane pump 60, which is arranged at an end region of the housing 10 and which can deliver and guide fuel into the housing 10 through the fuel inlet 121. It is necessary to provide a mounting space for the diaphragm pump 60. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a larger area for the upstream space 10a1 within the head space 10a. For this reason, the arrangement flexibility for the position of the diaphragm pump 60 can also be improved.

The filter element 22 has a plurality of tubular filter media 23 along the axis XX. The tubular filter media 23 are arranged parallel to one another. The filter element 22, namely the tubular filter media 23, filters fuel as it flows through the tubular filter media 23 between an inner space 28 and an outer space 29 defined by the tubular filter media 23. The filter element 22 can have a large infiltration area with a small volume. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of the fuel filter device 1. It is possible to improve the arrangement flexibility of the recirculated fuel inlet 123 even if the fuel filter device 1 has a small body.

The filter element 22 is formed by winding and stacking a sheet material made of a plurality of tube-like filter media 23 connected in parallel with each other around the central cylinder 213. It is possible to easily manufacture the filter element 22.

The sheet material is made by connecting a plate-shaped filter medium 221 and a wave-shaped filter medium 222. The sheet material can be easily manufactured by connecting the plate-shaped filter medium 221 and the wave-shaped filter medium 222.

The housing 10 can also accommodate any type of filter element that separates and divides the head space 10a into at least the downstream space 10a2 in a central area and the upstream space 10a1 in a peripheral area.

Accordingly, the housing 10 may also accommodate a filter element assembly having a filter element made by folding a filter media in a zigzag shape or a star shape. In a case where the filter element assembly described above is used, fuel introduced into the upstream space 10a1 from the fuel inlet 121 is directed to an external passage formed between the cylindrical portion 111 and the filter element assembly. Thereafter, the fuel flows radially from an outside to an inside to flow through the filter element in a radial direction. The fuel filtered by the filter element is introduced to the downstream space 10a2 from a space defined by a center of the filter element and flows out through the fuel outlet 122.

Alternatively, the housing 10 can also accommodate a filter element assembly which has a filter holder without the central cylinder. In this filter element assembly, a filter element made in a honeycomb structure is fixed under the filter holder. In a case where the above-mentioned filter element assembly is used, fuel introduced into the upstream space 10a1 from the fuel inlet 121 is directed to an external passage formed between the cylindrical portion 111 and the filter element assembly, and it becomes introduced into a room on the other side. Then the fuel flows upward from a lower part to an upper part, flows through the filter element and is filtered. The fuel filtered by the filter element is directed to the downstream space 10a2 and withdrawn through the fuel outlet 122.

(Second embodiment)

This embodiment is one of modifications based on a basic form provided by the above embodiment. In the present embodiment, a single connection passage 215a is provided through a single connection area 215. Instead of the foregoing, in this embodiment, a plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a are provided through a plurality of connection areas 217, 218, 219.

As in 7 shown, the filter element assembly 20 has three connection areas 217, 218, 219. The plurality of connection areas 217, 218, 219 are arranged radially around the central cylinder 213. Three connection areas 217, 218, 219 provide three connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a. The connection areas 217, 218, 219 form the plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Therefore, a plurality of fuel flows DF are provided, which flow to the central cylinder 213 from the area the dirty page 10a1. The plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a are provided at intervals along the circumferential direction. Therefore, fuel can be absorbed uniformly from the area of the dirty side 10a1, which extends widely over a circular shape along the circumferential direction.

Three connection areas 217, 218, 219 define three passages 214b for flow of fuel from the clean side area 10a2 therethrough. Fuel flow CF from the clean side region 10a2 is uniformly collected from one end of the filter element 22 and introduced into an inside of the separation cylinder 214. This allows a deflection of the fuel flow in the filter element 22 to be reduced.

In this embodiment, a penetrating passage forming member is provided through a plurality of connection portions 217, 218, 219. The central cylinder 213 and the plurality of connection portions 217, 218, 219 provide the penetrating passage forming member. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a desired fuel flow in which flow deflection is reduced.

(Third embodiment)

This embodiment is one of modifications based on the basic form provided by the above embodiment. This embodiment has surfaces that guide fuel toward inlet openings of the connecting passages 217a, 218a, 219a.

The 8th shows a partial cross-sectional view of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. The same configuration is provided for the plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a, respectively. Although the following description focuses on describing the configuration of the connection port 217a, the same can be applied to the other connection ports.

A cross-sectional view of the guide member 125 formed on the lid 12 is shown. The guide element 125 extends downwards from the cover 12. The guide element 125 is arranged on a radial outside of the separation cylinder 214. The guide member 125 provides a funnel-shaped guide surface 125a at the entrance of the connection passage 217a. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, fuel flow gradually concentrating toward the communication passage 217a from the dirty side portion 10a1 is provided. According to this configuration, a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area at the entrance of the connection passage 217a can be achieved. This allows the fuel pressure drop to be reduced.

The guide element 125 and the filter element assembly 20 have a positioning mechanism 125b, 214c, which enable the filter element assembly 20 to be accommodated in the housing 10 so that the connection passage 217a and the guide surface 125a can only be placed at an appropriate position with respect to a rotation direction. The positioning mechanism 125b, 214c aligns a position of the connection passage 217a and a position of the guide surface 125a into the same radial line by determining a rotational position of the filter element assembly 20 about the axis XX. Since the fuel filter device 1 has the positioning mechanism 125b, 214c, the filter element assembly 20 can be well assembled with the cover 12 only in a suitable rotational position where the positions of the connecting passage 217a and the position of the guide surface 125a are aligned with each other in the same radial line.

The positioning mechanism 125b, 214c is provided by an engaging structure with respect to a relative rotational position of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. The engagement structure is provided in the example shown by a groove 125b extending parallel to the axis XX and a nose 214c which can be inserted into the groove 125b. The groove 125b is formed as a slot dented inwardly from the guide member 125. The nose 214c is provided as a portion protruding from an outer surface of the separation cylinder 214. In the embodiment shown, three grooves 125b are formed because three connecting passages are provided. This allows the filter element assembly 20 to be suitably attached and mounted to the lid 12 in three positions in the direction of rotation.

The filter element assembly 20 of this embodiment has the nose 214c as a positioning element. The housing 10 houses the filter element assembly 20 in a replaceable manner. The positioning element 214c allows the filter element assembly 20 to be received within the housing 10 only in a suitable direction of rotation with respect to a direction of rotation by bringing into contact the element 125b of the positioning mechanism 125b, 214c attached to the housing 10 is arranged. The filter element assembly 20 and the housing 10 have a positioning mechanism 125b, 214c. The positioning mechanism 125b, 214c allows the filter element assembly 20 to be received within the housing 10 only in a suitable position with respect to a direction of rotation of the filter element assembly. In other words, the filter holder 21 on the filter element 22, which includes the partition member 211, 214 and the penetrating passage forming member 217-219, and the housing 10 have the positioning mechanism 125b, 214c. According to this configuration, the guide surface 125a can be securely positioned at an entrance of the connection passage 217a. It is also possible to reduce the risk of assembly errors through the positioning mechanism 125b, 214c.

(Fourth Embodiment)

This embodiment is one of modifications based on a basic form provided by the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, a guide surface for guiding fuel to at least one entrance of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a is arranged. In this exemplary embodiment, a direction of rotation of the filter element is guided into a suitable position.

9 12 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. In this embodiment, further description will focus on describing a connection passage 217a, since the same configuration is provided among the plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a.

A cross-sectional view of the guide member 126 formed in the lid 12 is shown. The guide element 126 provides a guide surface 126a. The guide surface 126a corresponds to the guide surface 125a. The guide element 126 is formed in a plate shape to reduce material.

The guide element 126 and the filter element assembly 20 have a positioning mechanism 126c, 214d which enables the filter element assembly 20 to be received in the housing 10 so that the connecting passage 217a and the guide surface 126a can only be placed in an appropriate position with respect to a direction of rotation .

The positioning mechanism 126c, 214d is provided by an engaging structure with respect to a relative rotation direction of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. The engagement structure is provided by a nose 126c and a shaft surface 214d engaged with the nose 126c. The nose 126c is disposed on an inner surface of the guide member 126 and protrudes toward a radical inside from the inner surface. The wave structure 214d is formed on a stair portion formed on an outer surface of the separation cylinder 214. The wave structure 214d faces the direction of the axis XX. The wave structure 214d provides a plurality of valley areas and mountain areas along a circumferential direction of the separation cylinder 214, and provides an oblique ramp along the circumferential direction among them. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three mountain areas and three valley areas are provided because three connecting passages are arranged. The wave surface 214d is formed as a triangular wave.

A radical portion of the nose 126c and a radical portion of the shaft surface 214d are set so that the nose 126c comes into contact with the shaft surface 214d. This allows the nose 126c to slide into the slope extending in the circumferential direction through contact with the shaft surface 214d provided by the shaft surface 214d. The nose 216c and the shaft surface 214d mesh stably when the nose 126c is disposed in the valley region of the shaft surface 214d. At this time, the position of the guide surface 126a and the position of the communication passage 217a are brought into agreement with each other in an appropriate position. In the example shown, the nose 126c and the shaft surface 214d provide three stable engagement positions.

When the slant ramp in the circumferential direction provided by the shaft surface 214d and the lug 126c contact each other and are pushed against each other in a direction of the axis XX, the slant guides the lug 126c toward a stable engagement position. The slope outputs a compressive force in the axis XX, which is applied to combine the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 into rotational force for rotating the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 in the circumferential direction. This allows the position of the filter element assembly 20 to be automatically adjusted to an appropriate position at which the guide surface 126a and the connecting passage 217a are aligned.

10 is a developed view that develops a cross section that is in 9 is shown by a broken line. A partial cross section of the lid 12 and an external appearance of the guide element 126, as well as a partial cross section of the filter element assembly 20 and an external appearance of the separation cylinder 214 are shown. The assembly process is shown from a stage “A” to a stage “D”.

In stage “A”, the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 are arranged separately and spaced apart from each other by the distance DS. In a manufacturing method of the fuel filter device 1, namely, in an assembling process of the filter element assembly 20 and the cap 12, the cap 12 and the filter element assembly 20 are handled to reach each other in a direction along the axis XX from the stage “A”. In the subsequent steps “B”, “C” and “D”, the separation cylinder is gradually inserted into the interior of the guide element 126. The level of introduction increases gradually from +D1 to +D2 and then soon reaches the greatest level of introduction +DM.

As the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 approach each other from stage "A", the components reach the stage shown in stage "B". At this stage, the connecting passage 217a is at least partially covered with the guide member 126. To this Time, the nose 126c comes into contact with the shaft surface 214d. This can prevent the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 from being mounted in an inappropriate position. After the nose 126c and the shaft surface 214d come into contact, if the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 are pushed to come closer to each other, the nose 126c and the shaft surface 214d move relative to each other in a rotational direction along the oblique ramp with respect to the circumferential direction. As a result, the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 rotate together in the circumferential direction. For example, rotates the filter element assembly 20 in a direction to the right in the drawing.

The lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 allow the separation cylinder 214 to be inserted deeper into the guide member 126 during relative rotation. The nose 126c and the shaft surface 214d contacting each other cause relative rotation between the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. The assembly process for the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 progresses from stage "B" to stage "C" and reach stage “D” in the further process.

When the nose 126c reaches a valley of the shaft surface 214d, the cover 12 and the filter element assembly 20 reach a stable state of engagement in the rotational direction. This prevents relative rotation of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20. At this stage, the communication passage 217a is positioned at an appropriate position corresponding to the guide surface 126a.

According to this configuration, the guide surface 126a can be securely positioned at an entrance of the connection passage 217a. It is also possible to reduce assembly errors through the positioning mechanism 126 b, 214 c. The rotational position between the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 can be guided so that the position of the connecting passage 217a and the position of the guide surface 126a match each other. As a result, even in the case of an assembly work in which observation of the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 is difficult, or even if the level of training of an employee is low, the lid 12 and the filter element assembly 20 can be positioned in a suitable position.

(Further embodiments)

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the above embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 111 of the housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, but the cross section shape is not limited. For example, the cylindrical portion may be formed to have cross-sectional shapes such as an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. Although the central cylinder is formed with a circular cross section, the cross sectional shape of the central cylinder is not limited. For example, the central cylinder may be formed with a cross-sectional shape such as an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

In the case that a filter element is formed by winding a sheet-shaped filter medium around a central cylinder having a cross-sectional shape other than a circular shape, it is desired to create a gap between the inner surface of the cylindrical portion and an outer surface of the central cylinder in a manner to provide that the gap has a uniform gap dimension across the circumferential direction.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the central cylinder 213 is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical region 111 but is not limited to this. For example, the central cylinder may be slightly offset from the center of the cylindrical area or slightly be arranged obliquely inclined with respect to the axis of the cylindrical region.

Although in the present embodiment, the filter holder is integrally formed of the upper cover plate 211, the connection cylinder 212, the central cylinder 213, the separation cylinder 214 and the connection portion 215, the configuration of the filter holder 21 is not limited. For example, one or all of the components of the filter alter 21 other than the seal packing may be formed separately from each other and assembled together to form into the filter holder 21.

Although in the present embodiment, the separation cylinder 214 that provides the separation element is disposed on the filter element assembly 20, it is not limited thereto. For example, the separating element can be arranged on the housing. In addition, a cross-sectional shape of the separating element is not limited to a circular shape.

Although in the present embodiment, the connecting passage 215a, which provides a connecting passage formed in the connecting portion 215, is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the central cylinder 213, it is not limited to this. The communication passage connecting the upstream space 10a1 and the interior of the central cylinder 213 can be modified into a variety of other shapes extending in a direction intersecting the axis of the central cylinder 213. For example, the extension direction of the connecting passage may be obliquely inclined to the direction that intersects the axis of the central cylinder 213 at right angles.

Although in the present embodiment the housing 10 is formed by a shell 11 and a lid 12, it is not limited to this. For example, the housing can be formed from three components. For example, an end portion of the housing 10 may not be limited to the lid 12.

Although in the present embodiment, a filter element 22 is provided by a filter element having a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of tubular filter media are arranged in parallel with each other, it is not limited to this. The filter element may have a variety of shapes that filter fuel flowing between the cylindrical portion and the central cylinder from the other end side to the one end side after draining from the central cylinder.

Although in the present embodiment, the filter device includes a recirculation valve device 80 having a valve member 84 as a valve device for opening and closing the recirculated fuel inlet 123, it is not limited to this. For example, the filter device may include a valve device operable to be opened and closed by electromagnetic means. For example, the fuel delivery system may include a valve device disposed separately from the housing to open and close the line connected to the recirculated fuel inlet 123. In addition, the fuel delivery system may include any valve device for controlling the flow of recirculated fuel. In this case, recirculated fuel can always flow back into the housing through the recirculated fuel inlet 123.

Although in the present embodiment, a diaphragm pump 60 is used as a pumping device to introduce fuel into the housing 12 through the fuel inlet 121, it is not limited to this. For example, the filter device may have an electrically operated pump. In addition, the fuel supply system may have a pump device which is arranged separately from the housing 10 on a line which is connected to the fuel inlet 121.

Although in the present embodiment, the filter device is supported to be held in an XX direction parallel to the vertical direction, namely the lower side direction corresponding to the gravitational direction, it is not limited to this. For example, the filter device may be supported so that the XX direction is inclined with respect to the vertical axis. For example, in a case that the filter device does not have a water separator and a water tank, for example, when the water separating function is provided separately from the fuel filter device, the XX direction may be arranged parallel to the horizontal.

Although in the present embodiment, the fuel filter device 1 is used as a component of a common rail type fuel injection system and a device that is supplied with fuel from the fuel filter device 1 through a supply pump 3, it is not limited to this. For example, a device supplied with fuel by the fuel filter device may be a pump such as a distributor type injection pump.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a are arranged at equal intervals. Alternatively, the plurality of connection passages 217a, 218a, 219a may be arranged at unequal intervals. Alternatively, the plurality of connection passages may be randomly arranged in an unevenly distributed manner. For example, a plurality of communication passages may be randomly arranged so that the number of communication passages located near the first fuel inlet, which is the main fuel rail, is greater than the number after the second fuel inlet.

In the present embodiment, the guide surface 125a, 126a is formed on the guide member 125, 126 extending from the lid 12. Alternatively, a funnel area corresponding to the guide surface can be formed on the separation cylinder 214, which forms at least one of the entrances of the connecting passages 215a, 217a.

In the present embodiment, the groove 125b is formed on the guide member 125 and the nose 214c is formed on the separation cylinder 214. Alternatively, the nose can also be formed on the guide element 125 and the groove can be formed on the separation cylinder 214. In the present embodiment, the nose 126c is formed on the guide member 126 and the shaft surface 214d is formed on the separation cylinder 214. Alternatively, the shaft surface can also be formed on the guide element 126 and the nose can be formed on the separation cylinder 214. Additionally, the shaft surface may be formed on both the guide member 126 and the separation cylinder 214.

Claims (20)

Filter element assembly comprising: a filter element (22) having an inlet at one end of an axis (XX) and an outlet at the other end of the axis, which filters fuel flowing along the axis; a separating member (211, 214) arranged to cover one end of the filter element and having a dirty side end portion (10a1) for fuel before flowing through the filter element and a clean side portion (10a2) for fuel after flowing through the filter element at one end; and a penetrating passage forming member (215, 217-219, 213) comprising a cylindrical member (213) extending to penetrate the filter element between one end and the other end thereof and having a penetrating passage (215a, 217a-219a, 213a) for connecting between the dirty side portion and the other end by providing an end opening formed on the partition member to be connected to the dirty side portion and another end opening, which is formed at the other end, where the separating member (211, 214) defines the clean side region at a central part containing the axle and defines the dirty side region at a radial outside of the dirty side region. Filter element assembly Claim 1 , wherein the separation element defines the dirty side region such that the dirty side region surrounds a radial outside of the clean side region. Filter element assembly Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the separating element (211, 214) comprises an upper cover plate (211) arranged to cover one end of the filter element, and a separating cylinder (214) extending upward from an upper surface of the upper cover plate (211). protruding with an annular shape, and wherein the dirty side region is defined to surround the separation cylinder, and wherein the penetrating passage comprises a communication passage (215a, 217a-219a) which penetrates the separation cylinder and extends in a radial direction . A filter element assembly comprising: a filter element (22) having an inlet at one end of an axis (XX) and an outlet at the other end of the axis, which filters fuel flowing along the axis; a separating member (211, 214) arranged to cover one end of the filter element and having a dirty side end portion (10a1) for fuel before flowing through the filter element and a clean side portion (10a2) for fuel after flowing through the filter element at one end; and a penetrating passage forming member (215, 217-219, 213) comprising a cylindrical member (213) extending to penetrate the filter element between one end and the other end thereof and having a penetrating passage (215a, 217a-219a, 213a) forms for connection between the dirty side portion and the other end by providing an end opening formed on the partition member to connect with the dirty side portion and another end opening formed at the other end, the separating member (211, 214) comprising an upper cover plate (211) arranged to cover one end of the filter element, and a separating cylinder (214). which protrudes upward from an upper surface of the upper cover plate (211) having an annular shape, and wherein the dirty side portion is defined to surround the separation cylinder, and wherein the penetrating passage includes a communication passage (215a, 217a-219a ), which penetrates the separation cylinder and extends in a radial direction. Filter element assembly Claim 3 or 4 , wherein the cylindrical member (213) in the penetrating passage forming member is a central cylinder disposed at a center of the filter element to enclose the axis, and wherein the central cylinder is closed at one end disposed at the one end , and opens at the other end disposed at the other end of the filter element and extending from a radial inside of the separation cylinder to the other end of the filter element, and wherein the communication passage extends in a radial direction intersecting the axis , so that the connecting passage connects the dirty side portion disposed on a radially outer side of the separation cylinder and an inner side of the central cylinder disposed on a radially inner side of the separation cylinder. Filter element assembly according to one of the Claims 3 until 5 , wherein the element forming the penetrating passage forms a plurality of connecting passages which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Filter element assembly Claim 6 , wherein the plurality of connection passages are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Filter element assembly according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , further comprising: a positioning element (214c, 214d) which allows the filter element assembly to be received in a housing which holds the filter element assembly in an interchangeable manner only in a suitable rotational position with respect to a direction of rotation by bringing an element (125b, 126c) into contact. which is arranged on the housing. Filter element assembly according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , further comprising: a water separation element (52) disposed at the other end opening of the penetrating passage and separating water from the fuel after it has flowed through the penetrating passage and before it is filtered by the filter element. Fuel filter device comprising: a filter element assembly according to one of Claims 1 until 9 ; and a housing (10) housing the filter element assembly, the housing comprising: a first fuel inlet (121) for flowing fuel into the housing, which is formed on the housing at an end portion (12) corresponding to one end of the filter element assembly is facing, and is designed to face the area of the dirty side; a fuel outlet (122) for draining fuel from the housing, which is formed on the housing at the one end portion and is formed to face the clean side portion; and a second fuel inlet (123) adapted to flow fuel into the housing, the fuel flowing back from a device supplied with the fuel via the fuel outlet, the second fuel inlet being formed on the housing at one end portion is and is formed to face the area towards the dirty side. Fuel filter device after Claim 10 , wherein the filter element assembly and the housing have a positioning mechanism (125b, 214c; 126c, 214d) which enables the filter element assembly to be received in the housing only in a suitable position with respect to a direction of rotation. A fuel filter device comprising: a housing (10) having a cylindrical portion (111) in which fuel flows to a device; a central cylinder (213) disposed in the cylindrical portion to extend along an axis (XX) of the cylindrical portion for fuel to flow within the central cylinder from one end side to the other end side at the axis; a filter element (22) housed in the housing and disposed around the central cylinder for filtering fuel flowing between the cylindrical portion and the central cylinder from the other end side to the one end side after draining from the interior of the central cylinder is; a separating element (211, 214), which has a Space (10a), which is formed in the housing at one end side rather than at the filter element, into a downstream space (10a2) which is arranged on the downstream side of the filter element, and an upstream space (10a1) which is at an upstream side of the filter element and which is arranged on an outside of the downstream space, divided; a first fuel inlet (121) for flowing fuel into the housing, which is formed on the housing at an end portion (12) which is arranged on the one end side rather than on the filter element with respect to the axis, and which is so arranged , that it faces the upstream space; a fuel outlet (122) for draining fuel from the housing, disposed on the housing at the one end portion and formed to face the downstream space; and a second fuel inlet (123) adapted for fuel to flow into the housing, the fuel flowing back from the device supplied with fuel via the fuel outlet, the second fuel inlet being arranged on the housing at the one end portion and is designed to face the upstream space; and a communication passage forming member (215, 217-219) which forms a communication passage (215a, 217a-219a) connecting the upstream space and the interior of the central cylinder, the fuel outlet being disposed at the one end portion on the axis , and wherein the separation member (211, 214) includes an upper cover plate (211) arranged to cover one end of the filter element, and a separation cylinder (214) extending from the upper surface of the upper cover plate with an annular Shape protrudes upward, wherein the separation cylinder connects the downstream space with the fuel outlet, and wherein the upstream space is defined to surround the separation cylinder between the upper cover plate and the one end portion, and wherein the connection passage extends to the separation cylinder penetrates. Fuel filter device after Claim 12 , wherein the central cylinder is closed at one end disposed at one end side and is open at the other end side and extends from a radial inside of the separation cylinder to the other end side of the filter element, and wherein the connecting passage extends in a radial direction, which intersects the axis, so that the connecting passage connects the upstream space disposed at a radial outside of the separation cylinder and an inside of the central cylinder disposed at a radial inside of the separation cylinder. Fuel filter device after Claim 12 or 13 , wherein the one end portion provides a central portion containing the axle and an annular portion disposed at a radial outside of the central portion, and wherein the fuel outlet (122) is located at the central portion, and wherein the first and the second fuel inlet (121, 123) are arranged on the annular area. A fuel filter device comprising: a housing (10) having a cylindrical portion (111) in which fuel flows to a device; a central cylinder (213) disposed in the cylindrical portion to extend along an axis (XX) of the cylindrical portion for fuel to flow within the central cylinder from one end side to the other end side at the axis; a filter element (22) housed in the housing and disposed around the central cylinder for filtering fuel flowing between the cylindrical portion and the central cylinder from the other end side to the one end side after draining from the interior of the central cylinder is; a separator (211, 214) which divides a space (10a) formed in the housing at one end side rather than at the filter element into a downstream space (10a2) arranged on the downstream side of the filter element, and one upstream space (10a1) disposed on an upstream side of the filter element and disposed on an outside of the downstream space; a first fuel inlet (121) for flowing fuel into the housing, which is formed on the housing at an end portion (12) which is arranged on the one end side rather than on the filter element with respect to the axis, and which is so arranged , that it faces the upstream space; a fuel outlet (122) for draining fuel from the housing, disposed on the housing at the one end portion and formed to face the downstream space; and a second fuel inlet (123) adapted to flow fuel into the housing, the fuel flowing back from the device supplying fuel via the fuel outlet wherein the second fuel inlet is disposed on the housing at the one end portion and is formed to face the upstream space; and a connecting passage forming member (215, 217-219) forming a connecting passage (215a, 217a-219a) connecting the upstream space and the interior of the central cylinder, the one end portion including a central portion containing the axle , and provides an annular region disposed at a radial outside of the central region, and wherein the fuel outlet (122) is disposed at the central region, and wherein the first and second fuel inlets (121, 123) are disposed at the annular region are. Fuel filter device according to one of the Claims 12 until 15 , wherein the separating element (211, 214) and the connecting passage forming element (215, 217-219) are arranged on a filter holder (21) for the filter element, and wherein the filter holder and the housing have a positioning mechanism (125b, 214c; 126c, 214d), which allows the filter holder to be accommodated in the housing only in a suitable position with respect to a direction of rotation. Fuel filter device according to one of the Claims 12 until 16 , further comprising: a valve device (80) which is arranged at the one end region and which opens and closes the second fuel inlet. Fuel filter device according to one of the Claims 12 until 17 , further comprising: a water separation element (52) disposed in the housing and which separates water from the fuel after it has flowed through the central cylinder and before it is filtered by the filter element. Fuel filter device according to one of the Claims 12 until 18 , further comprising: a pump device (60) disposed at the one end and which is adapted to supply fuel into the housing through the first fuel inlet. Fuel filter device according to one of the Claims 12 until 19 , wherein the filter element has a plurality of tubular filter media (23) extending along the axis, the tubular filter media being arranged parallel to one another and filtering fuel as the fuel passes through the tubular filter media from an inner space (28) to an outer space Space (29) flows, which is defined by the tubular filter media.

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