DE102016208785A1 - liquid filters - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid filter (1) comprising a filter housing having a filter housing cover (2) and a filter housing pot (3), in which a filter element (4) for filtering a liquid is arranged, with an asymmetrical one arranged below the filter element (4) Water collecting chamber (5) for collecting water separated from the liquid (13), - with a water level sensor (6) projecting from the outside into the water collecting space (5), - with a water discharge device (8) for emptying the water collecting space (5), which is arranged in the lowest part of the water collecting space (5). It is essential to the invention that a level of the water collecting space (5) has a plane (10) which is inclined by at most 65 ° relative to a filter axis (14), that the water level sensor (6) is arranged in the region of the inclined plane (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid filter having a filter housing having a filter housing cover and a filter housing housing containing a filter element for filtering a liquid, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine with such a liquid filter.

Such liquid filters are well known in the art. Frequently, the liquid filters mentioned are used as pre-filters of diesel fuel filters in internal combustion engines. Properly detecting a water level of water separated from the liquid is a common problem on large slopes of a roadway. Further, in these circumstances, there may be problems with draining the separated water.

From the EP 2 614 869 A1 a generic liquid filter with a centrally located water level sensor is known, which protrudes through a filter housing cover and an interior of a filter element in a water collecting space arranged underneath. A water drainage device is arranged decentralized on the filter housing pot. The geometry of the water collection chamber is symmetrical and trough-shaped.

From the US 4,470,301 as well as the US 2010/0089805 A1 are also known generic liquid filter, wherein the water level sensor protrudes from the opposite side of the filter element in the water collecting space.

A disadvantage of the cited prior art is that the water level sensor misinterpreted a water level on large slopes or gradients and then a wrong signal is sent to an electronics. Further, no solution is known from the prior art, which allows complete discharge of the separated water at larger gradients or slopes.

The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing for a liquid filter of the generic type an improved or at least one alternative embodiment, which is characterized in particular by an advantageous detection of the water level in a water collection chamber.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general idea of arranging a water level sensor for detecting a water level in a water collecting space of a liquid filter at a bottom of the water collecting space and also align the soil so that an accurate detection of the water level is easily possible even with a steep slope or steep slope , According to the invention this is achieved in that such a bottom of the water collecting space has a plane inclined by a maximum of 65 ° with respect to a filter axis of the liquid filter and that the water level sensor is arranged in the region of the inclined plane. The arrangement of such a level, the flow of water, as well as the error-free detection of the water level is given up to a slope or a gradient of up to 46.63% (to the horizontal). The fluid filter has a filter housing having a filter housing cover and a filter housing pot, in which a filter element for filtering a liquid is arranged. Below the filter element, an asymmetrical water collecting space for collecting water separated from the liquid is arranged, wherein the water level sensor projects from the outside into the water collecting space. In the lowermost region of the water collection chamber also a water drainage device for emptying the water collection chamber is arranged.

Suitably, the plane is inclined by a maximum of 60 ° to the filter axis, in order to ensure operability of the liquid filter in practice up to a slope or a gradient of 30 °, that is up to 57.74% (to the horizontal). A direction of the slope or the gradient is to be equated with, for example, the application of the liquid filter in a motor vehicle, the road position is to be understood as a plane that may have such a slope or a slope in a direction of travel or an opposite direction can. In the application described above, the filter axis is accordingly orthogonal to the road surface, with a plane inclined by 60 ° to the filter axis corresponds to a plane inclined by 30 ° to the road surface. The liquid filter has at the lowest point of the filter housing pot an opening on which a water drainage device is arranged. Starting from this opening begins the inclined plane, which terminates in a side wall of the filter housing pot.

The water level sensor is expediently arranged centrally on the filter housing pot and protrudes into the water collecting space, the sensor being of lance-like design and a height which is identical to a water level at which the sensor sends an electrical signal.

In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the water level sensor is at least partially embedded in the plastic of the filter housing pot or partially encapsulated with the plastic of the filter housing pot. By embedding the sensor in the plastic this is arranged protected and does not have to be laboriously retrofitted in the production. Due to the simple and time-saving production cost-effective production is possible. For example, a water level sensor can be used, which performs a conductivity measurement in the water collection chamber. When a critical water level is reached, the electricity is passed between two electrical lines through the separated water. As a result, a resistance between the two electrical lines changes, whereby a statement is possible, whether the separated water has reached the critical level or not. This is both a simple and a cost-effective alternative for measuring a limit level. Usually, the signal is sent delayed to avoid possible erroneous measurements by uncontrolled water level movements, which can be caused by vibration or vibration from outside to the liquid filter.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the water level sensor has an electrical connection socket on a longitudinal end projecting from the water collecting space, which can serve as a device for connection to a signal cable. The design of a connection socket is expedient in the respect that a user-friendly disassembly is ensured in the case of a defect of the liquid filter and an associated exchange thereof.

Suitably, the water drainage device is held by means of a screw on the filter housing pot. In addition, the water drainage device is preferably secured against possible falling out by a securing device which is firmly locked to the filter housing pot. To drain the water, the water drainage device, which can also be referred to as a valve, is rotated clockwise into the water collection chamber, whereby the separated water can flow off via a water outlet opening via a central channel and at the same time air can be supplied via parallel arranged ventilation channels. The supply of air avoids a negative pressure in the water collection chamber, which would prevent a uniform drainage. To close the water outlet opening, the valve is turned counterclockwise, with sealing elements on the one hand prevent leakage of water and on the other hand, to prevent the ingress of dirt.

Suitably, at least the lower part of the filter housing pot, which includes the water collection chamber, be made of a transparent plastic, so that with the help of a level scale, the water level can be read visually. Further, it can be determined in a review of the functionality of the liquid filter without disassembly of the filter, whether water has been separated from the liquid.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, in each case schematically,

1 a longitudinal sectional view through a liquid filter according to the invention with a preferred embodiment of a water drainage device,

2 a detailed view 1 in the area of the water collection room in a vertical orientation,

3 a representation like in 2 but in an inclined position,

4 a representation like in 2 , but with a rotation about a filter axis by 90 °,

5 an isometric view of a preferred water drainage device,

6 a sectional view through the closed water drain device when installed in the liquid filter state,

7 a representation like in 7 , but in an open state.

1 shows a liquid filter according to the invention 1 For example, as a pre-filter of a diesel fuel filter in a merely indicated internal combustion engine 33 can be trained. The liquid filter 1 has a filter housing head 2 on that with a filter housing pot 3 communicating, which is a filter element 4 for filtering a liquid. Below the filter element 4 is a water collection room 5 arranged in which separated from the liquid water 13 can be caught. For detecting a water level 12 in the water collection room 5 a water level sensor protrudes 6 centrally in the water collection room 5 into it. At the lowest point of the filter housing pot 3 is an opening 9 provided in which a water drainage device 8th for draining the separated water 13 is arranged. At the opening 9 an edge is arranged, which has a counter-locking contour 26 which will be discussed in more detail below. The water collection room 5 has at its bottom a maximum of 65 ° with respect to a filter axis 14 inclined plane 10 on. Advantageously, this level 10 only by a maximum of 60 ° to the filter axis 14 inclined to ensure operability up to a slope of 30 °, ie up to 57.74% (to the horizontal). The direction of the slope or the slope is to be equated for example in the application of the liquid filter 1 in a motor vehicle with the direction of travel or the opposite direction. The level 10 begins in the embodiment shown at the opening 9 at the bottom of the water collection room 5 and runs in a sidewall 15 of the filter housing pot 3 out. The housing section of the filter housing pot 3 which the water collection room 5 encloses, can thereby in one piece with a the filter element 4 surrounding housing portion of the filter housing pot 3 or be formed separately to this. In the latter case, the two can the filter housing pot 3 forming housing sections clipped together or welded.

The 2 and 3 schematically show the lower part of the liquid filter 1 in two different starting positions. In the 2 stands the filter axis 14 essentially perpendicular, resulting in a substantially horizontal roadholding 31 equivalent. In 3 is the liquid filter 1 inclined by 30 ° to the vertical and should represent schematically a slope of said 30 °. The level 10 is in such a road situation 31 almost horizontal. The amount of separated water 13 is identical in both figures. The inventive arrangement of the plane 10 is a faultless measurement of the water level 12 through the water level sensor 6 guaranteed. From the figures it can also be seen that the water level sensor 6 in both starting positions an identical height of the water level 12 can measure. Through the inclined plane 10 of not more than 65 °, preferably not more than 60 °, to the filter axis 14 is also a complete drainage of the separated water 13 ensured.

4 shows the water level sensor 6 , which integrally at the bottom with the filter housing pot 3 is connected and centrally in the water collection room 5 protrudes. The water level sensor 6 is at least partially in the plastic of the filter housing pot 3 embedded or molded with the plastic of the filter housing pot. Only the uppermost longitudinal ends of the electrical cables 11 are appropriate for contacting with the separated water 13 when reaching the water level, in the water collection room 5 free. At the other end of the water level sensor 6 is an electrical connection socket 7 arranged.

5 schematically illustrates a water drainage device 8th with an external thread 19 over which they have a complementary thereto formed internal thread 32 at the opening 9 is screwed. On the upper longitudinal side, the water drainage device 8th a safety device 18 on, the at least two locking contours 23 (in the 5 to 7 there are four), the falling out of the water drainage device 8th from the filter housing pot 3 prevented by these in the installed state as a counter-locking contour 26 acting edge of the opening 9 engage behind. The safety device 18 has a cylindrically shaped main body, wherein the diameter in the lower region is smaller than the diameter of the opening 9 at the bottom of the water collection room 5 ,

The four individual locking contours 23 in the upper area are in the circumferential direction spaced latching lugs 24 educated. The locking lugs 24 have in the upper area a larger circumference than the opening 9 on, with the locking lugs 24 chamfers 25 own a passing through the opening 9 facilitate. When performing the individual locking contours bend 23 elastic to the central axis and feathers after passing through the opening 9 back to their starting position. The upper edge of the opening 9 is as a counter-locking contour 26 designed and ensures a lock between the water drainage device 8th as such, with the filter housing pot 3 , A sealing element 21 , in particular an O-ring seal, which on the water drainage device 8th is arranged seals the water collection room 5 from the inside, with another sealing element 22 urgently a water passage through the screw with open water drainage device 8th should prevent. The water drainage device 8th has an axial blind hole that as a central channel 16 is to be designated and with open water drainage device 8th of water to be drained 13 can be flowed through. In the amount of one ring groove 30 , above the external thread 19 to below the sealing element 21 runs, is expedient at least one radial opening 28 that are in the central channel 16 extends, arranged. Parallel to the central channel 16 is at least one venting channel 17 arranged, which an air supply in the of the circumferential annular groove 30 recessed area ensures and thereby a uniform discharge of the separated water 13 allows. At the bottom of the water drainage device 8th is a nipple 20 arranged, which serves for example for fastening a hose or a pipe, which for the guided discharge of the separated water 13 are provided.

The 6 and 7 show schematically the water drainage device 8th in a closed and an open state. When closed, it can be seen that the sealing element 21 the separated water 13 prevents it from draining. The water collection room 5 is thus closed. The safety device 18 prevented by a latching contact between the latching contour 23 and the counter-locking contour 26 at the edge of the opening 9 a complete unscrewing the water drainage device 8th and thereby also forms a captive. It is expedient to have an axial length 29 the safety device 18 designed so that in the locked state, the sealing element 21 arranged so that the water collection room 5 is tightly closed. In the open state, the water drainage device 8th via the screw connection in the filter housing pot 3 screwed into it. During this process, the sealing element shifts 21 analogous to the water drainage device 8th , causing the opening 9 partially opened. The separated water 13 can on the sealing element 21 over, through the opening 28 in the central channel 16 and drain through it to the outside. At the same time, air can flow through the parallel venting channels 17 in the water collection room 5 to ensure even drainage of the separated water 13 to ensure. The O-ring 22 protects the water collection room both in closed and in open condition 5 against ingress of dirt and at the same time provides a redundant seal to the sealing element 21 represents.

For example, the length 27 of the internal thread 32 the opening 9 be designed so that the external thread 19 the water drainage device 8th still with all turns in the internal thread 32 the opening 9 of the filter housing pot 3 is in the closed state when the catch contour 23 and the counter-locking contour 26 in contact (cf. 6 ).

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• EP 2614869 A1 [0003]
• US 4470301 [0004]
• US 2010/0089805 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Liquid filter ( 1 ) - with a filter housing cover ( 2 ) and a filter housing pot ( 3 ) having a filter element ( 4 ) is arranged for filtering a liquid, - with a below the filter element ( 4 ) arranged asymmetrical water collecting space ( 5 ) for collecting water separated from the liquid ( 13 ), - with a water level sensor ( 6 ) from the outside into the water collection room ( 5 ), - with a water drainage device ( 8th ) for emptying the water collecting space ( 5 ) located in the lowest part of the water collection room ( 5 ), characterized in that - a bottom of the water collecting space ( 5 ) by a maximum of 65 ° with respect to a filter axis ( 22 ) inclined plane ( 10 ), - that the water level sensor ( 6 ) in the region of the inclined plane ( 10 ) is arranged. Liquid filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the plane ( 10 ) by a maximum of 60 ° to the filter axis ( 14 ) is inclined. Liquid filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water level sensor ( 6 ) coaxial with the filter axis ( 14 ) is arranged. Liquid filter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water level sensor ( 6 ) at least partially into the plastic of the filter housing pot ( 3 ), in particular with the plastic of the filter housing pot ( 3 ) is injected. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water level sensor ( 6 ) at an extending into the environment longitudinal end of an electrical connector socket ( 7 ) having. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water discharge device ( 8th ) by means of a screw at the bottom of the filter housing pot ( 3 ) is held. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water discharge device ( 8th ) by means of a safety device ( 18 ) on the filter housing pot ( 3 ) is held. Liquid filter according to claim 7, characterized in that the safety device ( 18 ) at least two latching contours ( 23 ), in particular latching noses ( 24 ), which with a corresponding counter-latching contour ( 26 ), in particular an edge, at least completely into the liquid filter ( 1 ) screwed water drainage device ( 8th ) lock. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the water drainage device ( 8th ) Sealing elements ( 21 . 22 ), in particular O-ring seals, are arranged. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the water discharge device ( 8th ) a central channel ( 16 ) of the water to be drained ( 13 ) can be flowed through, - that at least one parallel to the central channel ( 16 ) arranged venting channel ( 17 ) is provided, via which an air supply takes place at a water outlet. Liquid filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter housing pot ( 3 ) at least in the area of the water collecting space ( 5 ) is made of a transparent plastic. Internal combustion engine ( 33 ) with a liquid filter ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid filter ( 1 ) is designed as a pre-filter of a diesel fuel filter.

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