DE19827297A1 - Oil/air separator with uniquely dedicated element assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The oil/air separator has a uniquely dedicated element assembly provided by the engagement of a protrusion in a closing ring in a bayonet groove in the element. A filter element (12) is fitted onto an equipment housing (11). Raw air passes from the outside of the filter element radially inwards to discharge through a central pipe (21). The element is covered by a hood (10) that ends in a flange. On assembly a ring (13) is fitted between the hood flange and the housing. The ring protrudes into the opening to the housing to provide a hold for a ring (15) that locks the element in place. A stud (17) on the ring (15) engages a bayonet groove (18) in the element and eventually comes to a stop as the ring is turned. The combination of the stud and groove closure provides geometric means to ensure that only one type of element can be fitted.

Description

The invention relates to a device for separating a phase from a cleaning fluid, especially an air separator of the genus Such an air separator is for example from EP 0 715 877 A1 known. This usually involves separating an oil / air mixture cylindrical inserts for the application, the clean-sided outlet for the air at Pressure vessels are upstream. The lid and the bottom of this Separator inserts are preferably made of sheet metal. The one forming the bottom Sheet metal is generally larger in diameter than that Separation element, so that this with a corresponding flange connection of the Pressure vessel clamped and can be assembled in this way.

However, this design of the separating elements poses problems during assembly yourself. The design freedom for the sheet metal floor is through the choice of Semi-finished product and the manufacturing process limited. Therefore, the installation or Centering the separating element in the receptacle cumbersome. Farther due to the simple geometry of the base plate there is a risk that during the exchange of the separating element confusion and thereby an incorrect separating element is installed. In any case, the sheet metal floors are similar of the different separating elements in such a way that wrong ones Separation elements can be successfully clamped with the flange connection can. Confusion can therefore only be caused by the type designation of the different separator inserts can be counteracted.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a separating element which is easy to handle during assembly and thereby confuses the  Excludes spare parts. This task is characterized by the characteristics of the Claim 1 solved.

Advantages of the invention

The separator insert according to the invention has a bottom, the geometric Features with the corresponding receptacle in the housing correspond. The geometric features on the mount or the insert are designed in such a way that the insert can only be assembled when the geometric features is possible. So accidentally becomes a wrong one If the separating element is selected as an exchange part, the installer will do so at the latest then when he fails to assemble it in the mount.

In this way, offer ranges for separator applications can be created at which each model has different geometrical features. A This prevents confusion with one another. These product ranges can of course not only be used for air de-oilers. Similar product programs are also conceivable for filter inserts, for example.

The bottom of the separating element is a cast part, in particular made of plastic, in front. This creates a wide range of variation for geometric features. This must be observed when designing the castings. In master molding technology can also complicated geometric shapes can be produced inexpensively.

It is advantageous to simplify the installation of insertion aids Separator insert or provided in the housing. These are supposed to be a tour of the Effect when inserting in the axial direction to the direction of insertion. So far the insert is also necessary in the correct angular position brought into the housing. This will assemble the Exchange operations much easier. Provided that the right one Exchange element was selected, the corresponding geometries slip of use and admission into each other without further ado. The insertion aid can also be used in the geometric features themselves must be integrated.  

Another variant of the invention provides the geometric features of the Integrate recording into a guide plate, which in turn is in the housing of the Pressure vessel is used. In contrast to the pressure vessel, the Guide plate and thus also the geometric characteristics of the plastic holder are manufactured, which increases the economy of the solution according to the invention. The guide shield serves to protect the separating element from the inflowing element Raw air. Alternatively, the geometric means can also be in an intermediate plate be integrated between a housing opening and the hood for receiving of the mission is strained. This measure allows in particular a Implement retrofitting of confusion-free inserts in older housings.

According to an appropriate embodiment of the inventive concept, the Geometric features consist of nipples that are in corresponding Intervene in the guide grooves. By a relative movement between insert and Recording, in particular a rotation of the insert, is a positive Connected. A geometrical variation possibility for a program of inserts could be due to the angular position of the nipples on the circumference the joint or by their size can be achieved.

Another variant of the invention provides a rotating ring which is rotatable in the Recording the housing is stored. This then represents the assembly of the Use the link between the recording and the use. This Design has the advantage that the one required for mounting the insert Relative movement between the connecting means realized by the rotating ring can be. This will remove the necessary assembly forces from use relocated the rotating ring. This measure serves to protect the sensitive Separation layers in use.

Another variant of the invention preferably provides elastic connectors which are in Intervene guideways. The guideways are designed in such a way that a relative movement between recording and use a positive connection between two components is generated. It is advantageous that the connector in the assembled Snap the position of the insert into the detents. This prevents the  Use with vibrating stress. Furthermore, the connection in advantageously be designed such that a release only by destroying the Connector is possible. This can prevent one-way use be used a second time.

The variant with connectors is particularly suitable for smaller ones Separation elements that are suspended in the lid of the pressure vessel. Due to the limited space available, assembly can take place with these designs be awkward. The connector can simplify assembly can be achieved in that the separating element can be preassembled in the cover is and this can then be placed on the pressure vessel.

Another variant of the invention provides webs which are in the axial direction Central axis of the insert are attached. These engage in recesses and thus enable the insert to be assembled. A risk of confusion with the wrong ones This variant can be used by varying the web shape or the Realize web division with regard to the scope. In addition, for example The height of the webs can be varied for the same application. This then leads to accidental installation of a wrong insert to jiggle on the webs and is therefore immediately noticed by the fitter. A modification of this Variant provides radially arranged lugs instead of the webs, which in engage the appropriate slot. The same result Variation options as with the web variant.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the risk of confusion the elements by providing a special polygonal contour on the insert guaranteed. This then corresponds to a corresponding negative form of the Polygonal contour in the picture. Such a design of the geometric Features has the advantage that a centering is integrated due to the geometry.

The geometric means described above can be used to expand the Variety of variants can be combined. Of course, there are also others geometrical features conceivable, also with those described here can be combined.  

These and other features of preferred developments of the invention go in addition to the claims and the description and drawings the individual features stand alone or in several Form of sub-combinations in the embodiment of the invention and on be realized in other areas and advantageous as well as protectable Can represent versions for which protection is claimed here.

drawings

Particular embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to Drawings explained. Show here

Fig. 1 is a section through the upper shell of a pressure vessel, wherein the Luftentöleinsatz is installed by using a rotating ring,

Fig. 2 shows a possible course of the guide groove in the Luftentöleinsatz as a side view,

Fig. 3 shows the detail of a variant of the arrangement of the Luftentölelementes according to Fig. 1, no rotary ring for use comes and a rib is provided in the housing as insertion aid for use,

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of a small Luftentölelementes in the lid of the pressure container in section with the connector and guide tracks are used,

Fig. 5 shows the section AA according to FIG. 4, in which the connectors in the disassembled state of the insert are present,

Fig. 6 shows the view of the connector of FIG. 5 in the assembled state,

Fig. 7, which engage a section of a variant of the Luftentölelementes of FIG. 4 in section with the connector are used in detents

Fig. 8 shows the section BB of Fig. 7, which is in particular a locked connector in section,

Fig. 9 shows the detail of Fig. 4 corresponding arrangement of the Luftentölelementes in the housing cover of the pressure vessel, wherein webs are provided for protection against confusion and a spline as an insertion aid,

Fig. 10 shows the section CC of Fig. 9 as processing, wherein the webs and the corresponding recesses are shown in section,

11 shows the section DD according to FIG. 9 as a settlement, the toothing being shown in section as an insertion aid,

Fig. 12 shows a variant corresponding to FIG. 9 in section, of the insert for use are used as means for avoidance of confusion mounting lugs and a polygonal contour,

Fig. 13 shows the view of the variant according to FIG. 12 with the cover removed of the housing prior to installation of the filter,

Fig. 14 shows the section EE of FIG. 12 with lugs and insertion guides are shown as a cut processing,

The view being shown with and without built-in filter cartridge Fig. 15, the star-shaped variant of a polygonal insert shown in Fig. 12, shown in plan view corresponding to FIG. 13.

Description of the embodiments

In Fig. 1, an air deoiling element is shown, which is mounted under a hood 10 . The hood is mounted on an opening of the housing 11 , the opening allowing the raw air to be fed to an insert 12 for de-oiling the air. Between the hood 10 and the insert 11 , an intermediate plate 13 is provided, which serves as a receptacle 14 for a rotating ring 15 . Screws 16 are attached to the outer circumference of the rotating ring, the heads of which cooperate with the receptacle 14 , which in this variant serves as a stop surface for the screw heads. Nipples 17 are provided on the inner circumference of the rotating ring 15 . The insert 12 is assembled by placing it on the intermediate plate 13 . If the correct exchange insert has been selected, the nipples 17 of the rotary ring 15 slide into corresponding guide grooves 18 . By rotating the rotating ring, the nipples 17 move through the guide grooves 18 , the insert being braced with the intermediate plate. The hood 10 must of course be removed for the exchange process. The hood may have a release lock 19 on its inner wall, which engages in a recess 20 in the rotating ring and thus prevents an unwanted release of the insert during operation.

During operation, the unpurified compressed air penetrates through the opening in the housing 11 past the rotary ring 15 into the hood 10 and then passes through the insert from the outside in. In the interior of the insert there is a central tube 21 which is led out of the container and thus serves as a clean air outlet. The separated oil collects inside the insert around the center tube and can exit the system through a drain line 22 . This arrangement of the air separator has the positive property that the hood 11 has no connections. When replacing the insert, therefore, no connecting lines have to be dismantled, which simplifies the replacement process.

FIG. 2 shows the insert 12 according to FIG. 1 in a side view. The guide grooves 18 can be seen which cooperate with the nipples 17 . At the end of the guide grooves, small shoulders can be seen, which serve as locking means 23 for the nipple. These can be seen as an alternative to the release lock 20 .

The function of the rotating ring is also given if this with grooves in Is provided on the inner circumference and the insert has the corresponding nipples. However, this variant is not shown.

FIG. 3 shows a further variant of the solution according to FIG. 1. There is no rotating ring here, but the nipples are realized by rivets 24 , which are embedded directly in the intermediate plate 13 . The intermediate plate forms an annular groove 25 into which the insert 12 is inserted. The guide grooves 18 come into engagement with the nipples, the insert being fixed by twisting in the intermediate plate. In order to ensure the lowest possible assembly torque on the insert 12 , a radial shaft sealing ring 26 is provided for sealing between a base 27 of the insert and the intermediate plate 13 . The other sealing means 28 correspond to the version shown in FIG. 1.

The passage of the raw air into the hood 10 is ensured according to the variant presented in FIG. 1 by spaces between connecting webs 29 . In this variant, however, these run to a point and therefore simultaneously act as an insertion aid 30 .

In Fig. 4, the insert 12 is suspended in a housing cover 31 , which belongs to the pressure vessel, not shown. The cover is removed from the pressure vessel to change the insert. The insert is fixed in the cover by connector 32 . This connection is detachable, so that the insert can be easily replaced.

In this variant, the raw air exits the pressure vessel directly through the insert 12 to the central tube 21 . Since the insert hangs freely in the pressure vessel, it is additionally protected from the incoming raw air by a guide plate 33 .

The operation of the connector 32 can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, which represent the section AA through the cover 31 ( FIG. 4). The connectors 32 consist of a clamping element 34 and an elastic tongue 35 and are firmly connected to an inner ring 36 of the cover. The insert 12 has an outer ring 37 in which guideways 38 are embedded. The guideways are accessible from above, so that the insert 12 in the angular position shown in FIG. 5 can be easily pushed onto the inner ring 36 . By rotating the insert, a relative movement takes place between the inner ring 36 and the outer ring 37 , so that the clamping element 34 is clamped between the guide track 38 and a clamping groove 39 in the inner ring. The insert 12 is thereby fixed (see FIG. 6). Of course, the clamping elements 34 can also be fastened in the outer ring.

FIG. 7 shows a variant for the assembly of an insert 12 in the sense of FIG. 4. The connectors 32 are injection molded directly onto a plastic cage 40 surrounding the insert. For assembly, the insert 12 is inserted into the cage 40 and inserted into the housing cover 31 together with the cage. A sealing lip 41 of the insert is pushed onto the central tube 21 . The insert can then be rotated together with the cage 40 , the torque required for this being transmitted through the cage. As a result of the rotation, the connector 32 dips through a mounting opening 42 into a sheet metal receptacle 43 which is firmly connected to the cover 31 (see FIG. 8). The connector slips into the catch 23 and is supported in the mounting opening 42 at a predetermined breaking point 44 , which is provided in the connector. This connection cannot be released, unless the connector is destroyed at the predetermined breaking point 44 provided for this purpose.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the hanging arrangement of the insert 12 in the housing cover 31. The basic functional elements such as guide plate 33 , center tube 21 and the screw connection to the housing 11 can also be found in this variant. Fig. 9 illustrates a cut segment with details of the mounting of the insert 12. The guide plate 33 is inserted through a pivotal connection 45 in the housing 11. The guide plate can be made of plastic, for example. The guide plate also carries the means for the unmistakable installation of the insert in the form of axially arranged webs 46 . These interact with recesses 47 , which are also embedded in the bottom 27 of the insert 12 in the axial direction. Provided that the correct insert has been selected for the exchange, a contact surface 48 of the base 27 comes to rest between the webs 46 when the insert is replaced. The correct angular position of the insert 12 is ensured by a toothing 49 which serves as an insertion aid for this variant.

The interplay between the webs 46 and the cutouts 47 can be seen in FIG. 10. The webs 46 have different heights. If an incorrect insert is installed, the contact surface 48 of the base 27 will not lie between but on the webs. Due to the different heights, the fitter will notice this immediately by wobbling the insert 12 . In Fig. 11, the toothing 49 is shown cut as insertion aid.

The bottom of the insert 27 is preferably made of plastic. This fact means that the deposit layers of the insert have no electrically conductive connection to the metallic housing cover 31 . In order to prevent a static charge on the insert, an electrically conductive connection between the housing and insert must be provided. This is ensured in the variant according to FIG. 9 by a spring ring 50 riveted to the housing cover, which is electrically conductively connected to the insert via a rivet connection 51 .

FIG. 12 shows an arrangement corresponding to FIG. 9, which differs only in the design of the means for confusion-free installation. In this variant, these means consist of radially arranged lugs 52 which are fastened to the guide plate 33 , which is preferably made of plastic. The lugs engage in slots 53 in the bottom 27 of the insert 12 (see FIG. 14). In order to facilitate the assembly of the insert, the surfaces between the slots are chamfered in a roof shape and thus act as an insertion aid 30 .

The installation opening 54 specified by the guide plate is identified by a polygonal contour 55 as a further means of confusing the insert (see FIG. 13). This polygonal contour is repeated in the outer contour of the bottom 27 . The seal between base 27 and installation opening 54 is made radially by an O-ring, which forms the corners of the polygon. This is possible because the polygon contour has 24 corners on the circumference and the corners therefore have very obtuse angles.

Fig. 15 shows an alternative polygonal contour 55 of a star-shaped bottom 27. The lugs 52 can also be seen, which protrude into the installation opening 54 and interact with the slots 53 (see FIG. 14). In this case, the base 27 is sealed axially against the housing cover 31 by an O-ring inserted into a zigzag groove 57 .

FIG. 14 shows the section EE from FIG. 12 in the development. The lugs 52 can be seen in section, which have a different length. As a result, when an incorrect insert is installed, the effect is achieved that it wobbles in the receptacle. As a result, the fault is recognized by the installer.

Reference list

10th

Hood

11

casing

12th

commitment

13

Intermediate plate

14

admission

15

Rotating ring

16

screw

17th

nipple

18th

Guide groove

19th

Release lock

20th

deepening

21

Middle tube

22

Drainage line

23

Detents

24th

Rivets

25th

Ring groove

26

Radial shaft seal

27

ground

28

sealant

29

Connecting bridge

30th

Insertion aid

31

Housing cover

32

Interconnects

33

Guiding sign

34

Clamping element

35

tongue

36

Inner ring

37

Outer ring

38

Guideway

39

Clamping groove

40

Cage

41

Sealing lip

42

Assembly opening

43

Sheet holder

44

Predetermined breaking point

45

Clip connection

46

web

47

Recess

48

Contact surface

49

Gearing

50

Spring washer

51

Riveted joint

52

nose

53

slot

54

Installation opening

55

Polygon outline

56

O-ring

57

Zigzag groove

Claims (11)

1. A device for separating a phase from a fluid to be cleaned, in particular an air separator, comprising a housing ( 11 ) with an inlet on the raw side and an outlet on the clean side, an insert ( 12 ) between the inlet and outlet for separating the phase and a drainage line ( 22 ) for the separated phase, characterized in that the insert and a receptacle ( 14 ) have geometric means for the confusion-free installation of the insert ( 12 ) in the receptacle of the corresponding housing ( 11 ). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an insertion aid ( 30 , 49 ) for the insert ( 12 ) is provided, which can be integrated into the geometric means for the unmistakable installation of the insert. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle ( 14 ) in a guide plate ( 33 ) or an intermediate plate ( 13 ) is integrated, which is inserted into the housing ( 11 ). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometric means for the unmistakable installation of the insert ( 12 ) consist of nipples ( 17 ) which engage in guide grooves ( 18 ). 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that a rotatably connected to the receptacle ( 14 ) rotating ring ( 15 ) is provided, which is connected to the geometric means for confusion-free installation on the insert ( 12 ). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that elastic or articulated connectors ( 32 ) are provided as geometric means for the confusion-free installation of the insert ( 12 ) which engage in guideways ( 38 ) and by a relative movement between the receptacle and the insert are positively connectable. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the connectors ( 32 ) in the assembled position of the insert ( 12 ) are locked in detents ( 23 ). 8. Device according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the connection through the connector ( 32 ) is permanent and these predetermined breaking points ( 44 ). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that webs ( 46 ) are provided in the axial direction to the central axis of the insert ( 12 ) as geometric means for its confusion-free installation, which engage in recesses ( 47 ), the webs ( 46 ) can have different dimensions. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that lugs ( 52 ) in the radial direction to the central axis of the insert ( 12 ) are provided as geometric means for its confusion-free installation, which engage in slots ( 53 ) in the other connection partner, the Lugs ( 52 ) can have different dimensions. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometric means for the confusion-free installation of the insert ( 12 ) are designed as a polygonal contour ( 55 ), the insert ( 12 ) as a positive shape and in the receptacle ( 14 ) as corresponding thereto There is a negative form.