GB2344542A

GB2344542A - Fuel filter mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2344542A
Application number: GB9827405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthias Emil Herbert Fox
Original assignee: Nissan Technical Centre Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Technical Centre Europe Ltd
Priority date: 1998-12-11
Filing date: 1998-12-11
Publication date: 2000-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-11
Also published as: GB9827405D0; GB2344542B; GB2344542A8

Abstract

A fuel filter mounting assembly comprises a filter body 4 for containing a fuel filter, a holder 3 embracing the filter body and an adaptor 2 which serves to locate the filter body 4 relative to the holder 3 and prevent direct contact between the two. The adaptor 2 further comprises inner and outer surfaces for making frictional contact with the filter body 4 and the holder 3 respectively and two sets of axial abutment surfaces 23 and 27 (14 and 19, Figure 2) to prevent axial movement of the filter body 4 and the holder 3 relative to one another. The adaptor 2 may also have a slit (12, Figure 2) extending from one axial end to the other, the end sections (12a, 12c, Figure 2) of the slit may be offset from one another and connected by an intermediate section (12b, Figure 2) which may be shaped so as to define catch portions (33, Figure 2) which limit the widening of the end sections. The adaptor may also comprise projections 29 which locate in apertures 31 of the holder.

Description

Fuel Filter Mounting This invention relates to the mounting of a fuel filter in a vehicle.

A fuel filter is usually mounted in the engine bay of a vehicle by means of a holder which is fixed to the vehicle body. The holder is usually in the form of a bracket with a pair of arms which embrace the body of the fuel filter, this typically being made of aluminium. A rubber bushing is usually interposed between the filter body and the holder.

Engine bay layouts in modern vehicles have become more complex and the amount of free space available in the vehicle engine has progressively decreased. These space constraints have necessitated more precise pipe routings within the engine bay which in turn has enhanced the need for more precise location of any components to be connected within the pipe routings, such as the fuel filter. Furthermore, the precise location of the fuel filter must be achieved in a manner which facilitates efficient and reliable assembly of the vehicle.

What is desired is an assembly which helps to achieve this.

The present invention provides an assembly comprising a filter body, a holder for embracing the filter body, and an adapter for preventing direct contact of the filter body with the holder and for locating the filter body relative to the holder.

In particular, the invention provides an assembly comprising: (a) a filter body for containing a fuel filter; (b) a holder for embracing the filter body, the holder being mountable in a vehicle; and (c) an adapter for preventing direct contact of the filter body with the holder and for locating the filter body relative to the holder, the adapter having an inner surface for making frictional contact with an outer surface of the filter body, an outer surface for making frictional contact with an inner surface of the holder, first axial abutment surfaces for cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the filter body to restrict axial movement of the filter body relative to the adapter, and second axial abutment surfaces for cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the holder to restrict axial movement of the adapter relative to the holder.

Preferred and optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 et seq.

The invention will be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly consisting of a fuel filter, an adapter, and a holder; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly consisting of the fuel filter and the adapter; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fuel filter; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adapter; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the holder; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the adapter; Figure 7 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front view corresponding to Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a side view corresponding to Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, an assembly is illustrated comprising a fuel filter 1, an adapter 2, and a holder 3. The fuel filter 1 comprises a filter body 4 (made of aluminium) with, conventionally, a generally cylindrical outer surface 6 with a ledge or collar 7 of larger diameter at (or near) the upper end.

The holder 3 is, typically, a steel bracket having a pair of arms 8 which have a generally part-cylindrical inner surface 9. The holder also has a recessed portion 11 for fixing to the bodywork of the vehicle (e. g. by welding), by suitable fixing through a pre-defined hole in the vehicle body or to a secondary base bracket which is fixed to the body.

The adapter 2 is a moulding, preferably made of polyamide (nylon 66), which is a suitable plastics material for withstanding the temperatures encountered in the engine bay of a vehicle. It has a generally tubular shape with a slit 12 extending from one axial end to the other, which facilitates the fitting of the adapter 2 to the filter body 4 and accommodates manufacturing tolerances in the dimensions of the filter body 4 and the adapter 2. The generally cylindrical inner surface of the adapter 2 makes frictional contact with the outer surface 6 of the filter body 4. The generally cylindrical outer surface 13 of the adapter 2 makes frictional contact with the inner surface 9 of the holder 3. This interference fitting of the filter body 1, adapter 2, and holder 3 assists in restricting relative movement between the parts of the assembly during use of the vehicle.

The adapter 2 has an upper end surface 14 which abuts against the lower end surface 16 of the collar 7 of the filter body 4 and prevents downward movement of the fuel filter 1 relative to the adapter 2. The adapter also has a number of resiliently deflectable fingers 17 (three in this example), each having a radially inward projection 18 with a lower surface 19 which abuts against the upper end surface 21 of the collar 7 (i. e. the upper end surface of the filter body 4) so as to prevent upward movement of the filter body 4 relative to the adapter 2. Thus the surfaces 14 and 19 constitute first axial abutment surfaces cooperating with the corresponding surfaces 16,21 on the filter body 4 to restrict axial movement of the filter body relative to the adapter 2.

The upper end part of the adapter 2 has an external flange 22 whose lower surface 23 abuts against the upper edge surface 24 of the holder 3. The lower end portion of the adapter 2 has a flange 26 whose upper surface 27 abuts against the lower edge surface 28 of the holder 3. Thus the flange surfaces 23,27 constitute second axial abutment surfaces cooperating with the corresponding surfaces 24,28 of the holder to restrict axial movement of the adapter 2 relative to the holder 3.

On each side, the adapter 2 has a projection 29 which is in the form of a ramp rising in the forward circumferential direction and which is arrange to engage in an aperture 31 in the holder 3 to provide increased security of retention of the filter 1 and adapter 2 sub-assembly in the holder 3. The front end surface 32 of the projection 29 abuts against the corresponding front edge surface of the aperture 31 in order to restrict circumferential movement of the adapter 2 relative to the holder 3.

On the vehicle assembly line the fuel filter 1 and the adapter 2 are fitted together and then fitted to the holder 3 (which has already been fixed in the vehicle engine bay). The adapter 2 is pushed up along the filter body 4 until the fingers 17 snap over the collar 7.

Alternatively, the fuel filter and the adapter could be supplied to the assembly line in the form of the sub-assembly shown in Figure 2. The sub-assembly is then pushed through the gap between the arms 8 of the holder 3 until the projections 29 snap into the apertures 31, with the flange surfaces 23,27 cooperating with the surfaces 24,28 of the holder 3.

It is to be noted that the slit 12 in the adapter 2 does not extend in a straight line along the adapter. Instead, the slit has end sections 12a and 12c which are offset from each other in the circumferential direction and which are connected by an intermediate section 12c extending generally in the circumferential direction. This arrangement helps to avoid catching of the holder arms 8 in the slit 12 during fitment to the holder 3, thereby assisting assembly. Furthermore, the intermediate section 12b is shaped so as to define catch portions 33 which cooperate to limit widening of the end sections 12a, 12c of the slit beyond a defined limit and thereby ensure that the filter 1 cannot easily be pulled out of the sub-assembly through the slit 12.

Figures 6 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of the adapter 2. Features which are similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 4 are given the same reference numerals in Figures 6 to 9 and it is unnecessary to repeat the description of them. The adapter in this embodiment has a protruding portion 34 for fitting in the corresponding recessed portion 11 of the holder 3. In this way the overall shape of the adapter is made to match the shape of the holder, in order to assist the vehicle assembly operator in recognising the correct assembly position. The adapter also has two arms 36 each provided with a clip 37 for retaining a fuel line for connection to the filter 1. Usually, one of these will be used, depending on whether the vehicle is right hand drive or left hand drive.

The adapter as described above (in both embodiments) provides several advantages over current fuel-filter/bracket assemblies. The flexible fingers 17 clamp the filter body flange 7 and thereby secure the position of the adapter 2 relative to the filter. When it is necessary to remove the adapter, it is easy to deflect the fingers 17 by hand out of engagement with the top edges of the filter body 4. To remove the filter/adapter subassembly for servicing or repair, the holder 3 can be opened by hand or by using common tools such as a screwdriver. The flanges 22,26 (which may, for example, be 2 mm wide) protect the aluminium filter body 4 from contact with the steel holder 3 at all times. The interaction of the adapter 2 with the filter body 4 on the one hand and with the holder 3 on the other hand provides precise location of the filter 1 relative to the bodywork to which the holder 3 and any fuel lines feeding to and from the filter are fixed, thus facilitating reliable and easy assembly of the vehicle. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to make the adapter of a hard rubber material instead of plastics material.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1. An assembly comprising: (a) a filter body for containing a fuel filter; (b) a holder for embracing the filter body, the holder being mountable in a vehicle; and (c) an adapter for preventing direct contact of the filter body with the holder and for locating the filter body relative to the holder, the adapter having an inner surface for making frictional contact with an outer surface of the filter body, an outer surface for making frictional contact with an inner surface of the holder, first axial abutment surfaces for cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the filter body to restrict axial movement of the filter body relative to the adapter, and second axial abutment surfaces for cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the holder to restrict axial movement of the adapter relative to the holder.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the adapter also has circumferential abutment surfaces for cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the holder to restrict circumferential movement of the adapter relative to the holder.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the adapter has at least one projection, on its outer surface, for engaging in an aperture on the holder.
4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the projection is a ramp rising in a circumferential direction.
5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has an end surface constituting one of the said first axial abutment surfaces.
6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has at least one resiliently deformable fmger having a surface constituting one of the said first axial abutment surfaces.
7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has at least one external flange for abutting against one axial end of the holder.
8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has a slit extending from one axial end to the other.
9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the slit comprises end sections which are offset from each other in the circumferential direction and which are connected by an intermediate section extending generally in the circumferential direction.
10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the intermediate section of the slit is shaped so as to define catch portions which cooperate with each other to limit widening of the end sections of the slit.
11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has at least one arm having a clip for retaining a fuel line.
12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter has a protruding portion for fitting in a corresponding recessed portion of the holder.
13. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adapter is made of plastics material, preferably polyamide.
14. A sub-assembly comprising a filter body as defined in paragraph (a) and an adapter as defined in paragraph (c) of claim 1.
15. An adapter as defined in paragraph (c) of claim 1.
16. An assembly comprising a filter body, a holder, and an adapter, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A sub-assembly comprising a filter body and an adapter, substantially as described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 or Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
18. An adapter substantially as described with reference to Figures 2 and 4 or Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.