JP2004195437A - Fluid filter and its drain mechanism, and drain method of the fluid filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drain mechanism of a fluid filter having a simple and inexpensive structure preventing a fluid heated when the fluid is discharged in changing an element or the like from spattering to an operator and suppressing the mixture of dust or the like from the outside through normal usage. <P>SOLUTION: The drain mechanism 7 has a cap 3 equipped with a drain part (a cap cylinder part 16) with a drain hole 15, and a drain member (a drain bolt 20) engaged with the cap so as to close the drain hole from the outside. In a state where the engagement of a male screw 21 provided on one side of the drain member and the cap with a female screw 17 provided on the other side is released, a state where a seal member (an O ring 23) provided on one side of the outer peripheral side of the drain member and the inner peripheral side is brought into pressure contact with a seal surface 18 provided on the other side is maintained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid filter and a drain mechanism thereof, and a method of draining the fluid filter. More specifically, the present invention can prevent a heated fluid from being applied to a worker at the time of discharging a fluid at the time of element replacement or the like, and prevent mixing of dust and the like from the outside during normal use to prevent a drain hole from being discharged. The present invention relates to a fluid filter having a simple and inexpensive structure capable of maintaining high reliability of a seal for a long time, a drain mechanism thereof, and a drain method of the fluid filter.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is widely used in, for example, an oil filter for filtering foreign matter, abrasion powder, carbon and the like mixed in oil for lubricating an internal combustion engine, a fuel filter, and related fields.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a fluid filter, for example, an element exchange type fluid filter that replaces a filtration element when a filter medium has clogged and reached a service life after a lapse of a predetermined time has been generally known.
As a drain mechanism of such an element exchange type fluid filter, for example, a mechanism in which a drain member (a drain plug 15) is screwed into a drain hole formed in a cap (the lower case 12) is known (see FIG. 1). See Patent Document 1.). Thus, when the filter element is replaced, before the case and the cap are disengaged from each other and separated from each other, the drain member is loosened and removed from the drain hole to open the drain hole. The residual oil inside can be discharged.
[0003]
By the way, in an oil filter for filtering engine oil for automobiles, the engine is often warmed up when the filter element is replaced, and the oil is heated.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional drain mechanism, drainage of the residual oil at the time of replacement of the filtration element is performed by removing the drain member from the cap, that is, while loosening the screw of the drain member, a seal member for the drain member is used. The seal of (packing 15a) is released, and at the same time, the discharge of residual oil has started. As a result, during the operation of removing the drain member, there occurs a problem that the heated residual oil overflows and catches the operator's hand.
[0004]
Therefore, as a drain mechanism of a conventional fluid filter that solves the above problem, for example, a cylindrical drain having a drain passage (center hole 15g, window hole 15f) in a drain hole formed in a cap (lower case 12). A member formed by screwing a member (drain plug 15) is known (see Patent Document 2).
During normal use of the fluid filter, the drain passage of the drain member and the inside of the housing are sealed by a pair of seal members (packing 15g) mounted on the outer periphery of the drain member. In addition, when replacing the filtration element, when the drain member is loosened, the seal of the upper seal member is released, the drain passage of the drain member communicates with the inside of the housing, and the residual oil inside the housing is discharged through the drain passage. You. Since the residual oil is discharged through the drain passage of the drain member as described above, it is possible to prevent the oil being discharged from catching on the operator's hand.
When the seal of the upper seal member is released by loosening the drain member, the seal of the lower seal member is held, and the residual oil leaks from a portion other than the drain passage of the drain member when the residual oil is discharged. Never.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-42309 A [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-104408
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned drain mechanism of the conventional fluid filter, since the drain member is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a drain passage, during normal use of the fluid filter, earth and sand from outside through the drain passage of the drain member, Dust such as mud enters the inside of the cap, and it is difficult to ensure the reliability of the seal by the seal member for the drain hole. Further, it is necessary to provide a pair of upper and lower seal members on the drain member to form a seal structure, which is expensive as a whole.
[0007]
As described above, the present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and can prevent a heated fluid from being applied to a worker at the time of fluid discharge at the time of element replacement or the like, and can prevent external dust during normal use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid filter having a simple and inexpensive structure capable of preventing contamination of the drain hole and maintaining high reliability of a drain hole seal for a long period of time, and a drain mechanism thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitable drain method for the fluid filter.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The drain mechanism of the fluid filter of the present invention includes a cap having a drain portion having a drain hole, and a drain member engaged with the cap to close the drain hole from outside the cap, and the drain member and the drain member. With the male screw provided on one of the caps and the female screw provided on the other being unscrewed, provided on one of the outer peripheral side of the drain member and the inner peripheral side of the drain portion The seal member provided is kept in a state of being pressed against a seal surface provided on the other side.
[0009]
The male screw may be provided on an outer peripheral side of the drain member, and the female screw may be provided on an inner peripheral side of the drain portion.
In addition, the drain member has a small-diameter outer peripheral portion on the distal end side provided with the male screw, and a large-diameter outer peripheral portion provided with the seal member and axially continuous with the small-diameter outer peripheral portion. A small-diameter inner peripheral portion on the inner side of the cap provided with the female screw; and a large-diameter inner peripheral portion axially connected to the small-diameter inner peripheral portion and provided with the sealing surface.
Further, the drain member may have a flange portion for forming a gap between the drain member and an outer surface of the cap.
[0010]
A fluid filter according to the present invention includes the drain mechanism described above and a case engaged with the cap that constitutes the drain mechanism.
[0011]
The drain method for a fluid filter according to the present invention is the drain method for a fluid filter as described above, wherein the male screw and the female screw are unscrewed from each other and the sealing member is kept pressed against the sealing surface. In this state, the drain member is detached from the cap, and the fluid inside the housing including the cap and the case is discharged to the outside through the drain hole.
[0012]
Further, the drain member can be detached from the cap by utilizing a gap formed between the outer surface of the cap and the drain member.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the drain mechanism of the fluid filter of the present invention, the press-contact state of the seal member against the sealing surface is maintained even when the male screw and the female screw are unthreaded. Due to the pressure contact of the seal member, the state in which the drain member is engaged with the cap is maintained, and the fluid inside the housing does not leak outside through the drain hole. In this state, if the drain member is detached from the cap using a tool or the like as appropriate, the fluid inside the housing can be discharged from the drain hole to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heated fluid from being applied to the operator when the fluid is discharged at the time of element replacement or the like.
In addition, during normal use, since the drain hole is closed by the solid drain member, dust and the like can be prevented from entering the inside of the cap, and high reliability of the seal of the drain hole can be maintained for a long time. it can.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide a minimum necessary (basically one) seal member, so that a simple and inexpensive structure can be obtained as a whole.
[0014]
Further, when the male screw is provided on the outer peripheral side of the drain member and the female screw is provided on the inner peripheral side of the drain portion, a simpler and less expensive structure can be obtained.
In addition, the drain member has a small-diameter outer peripheral portion on the distal end side provided with the male screw, and a large-diameter outer peripheral portion provided with the seal member and axially continuous with the small-diameter outer peripheral portion. A simpler and cheaper case having a small-diameter inner peripheral portion near the inner side of the cap provided with the female screw, and a large-diameter internal peripheral portion connected to the small-diameter inner peripheral portion in the axial direction and provided with the sealing surface. It is possible to provide a drain mechanism having a simple structure.
Further, when the drain member has a flange portion capable of forming a gap between the drain member and the outer surface of the cap, a tool or the like is appropriately inserted into the gap to more easily remove the drain member from the cap. it can.
[0015]
According to the fluid filter of the present invention, similarly to the above-described drain mechanism, it is possible to prevent the fluid heated at the time of fluid discharge at the time of element replacement or the like from being applied to the operator. In addition, during normal use, dust and the like can be prevented from entering the inside of the cap, and high reliability of the seal of the drain hole can be maintained for a long time. Further, a minimum necessary (basically one) seal member can be provided to configure the seal structure, and the structure can be simplified and inexpensive as a whole.
[0016]
According to the drain method of the fluid filter of the present invention, the threaded connection between the male screw and the female screw is released, and a state in which the sealing member is pressed against the sealing surface is held. From this state, the drain member is removed from the cap. By detaching, the fluid inside the housing can be discharged outside through the drain hole. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heated fluid from being applied to the operator when the fluid is discharged at the time of element replacement or the like.
[0017]
Further, when the drain member is detached from the cap by utilizing a gap formed between the outer surface of the cap and the drain member, a tool or the like is appropriately inserted into the gap to make the cap easier. From the drain member.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<Fluid filter>
The “fluid filter” according to the present embodiment includes a drain mechanism described below and a housing. The fluid filter can include, for example, a filtration element housed in a housing.
[0019]
The structure, shape, material, and the like of the “housing” are not particularly limited as long as the housing includes a cap and a case that can be engaged and disengaged from each other. As the mechanism for engaging and disengaging the cap and the case, for example, (1) a screwing mechanism including male and female screw portions that can be screwed together, (2) a bayonet mechanism including a groove and a convex portion that can be engaged and disengaged from each other, and the like. Can be mentioned. The case is usually provided with an inlet for taking in the liquid from the outside and an outlet for sending the liquid to the outside.
[0020]
<Drain mechanism>
The “drain mechanism” according to the present embodiment includes a cap and a drain member described below.
The structure, shape, material, and the like of the “cap” are not particularly limited as long as the “cap” includes a drain portion having a drain hole. The structure, shape, size, and the like of the drain hole are not particularly limited as long as the drain hole is for discharging the fluid inside the housing to the outside.
The “drain portion” may have, for example, a small-diameter inner peripheral portion provided near the inner side of the cap, and a large-diameter inner peripheral portion continuous with the small-diameter inner peripheral portion in the axial direction. Here, for example, on the inner peripheral side of the small-diameter inner peripheral portion, a female screw to be screwed with a male screw of a drain member described later is provided, and on the inner peripheral side of the large-diameter inner peripheral portion, a seal of the drain member described later is provided. A seal surface (or a seal member) that is in pressure contact with the member (or the seal surface) can be provided. Further, for example, the sealing surface (or sealing member) may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the small-diameter inner peripheral portion, and the female screw may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the large-diameter inner peripheral portion.
The seal member is sealed (liquid-tightly maintained) with a predetermined compressive load by pressing against the seal surface. Examples of the seal member include an O-ring, a V-ring, and an X-ring.
[0021]
The structure, shape, material, and the like of the “drain member” are not particularly limited as long as the “drain member” can be engaged with the cap so as to close the drain hole from the outside. The drain member can have, for example, a small-diameter outer peripheral portion on the distal end side, and a large-diameter outer peripheral portion continuous with the small-diameter outer peripheral portion in the axial direction. Here, for example, on the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter outer peripheral portion, a male screw to be screwed with the female screw of the drain portion is provided, and on the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter outer peripheral portion, the sealing surface (or sealing member) of the drain portion is provided. A sealing member (or a sealing surface) that comes into pressure contact with the sealing member can be provided. Also, for example, the seal member (or the seal surface) may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter outer peripheral portion, and the female screw may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter outer peripheral portion.
[0022]
The drain member may have, for example, a flange portion for forming a gap between the drain member and the outer surface of the cap. This gap is usually a tool insertion gap for appropriately inserting a tool (for example, a driver tool or the like). This flange portion can be provided, for example, on the lower end side of the large-diameter outer peripheral portion of the drain member. Furthermore, the drain member may have an operation unit (for example, a hexagonal octagonal part or the like) that is appropriately operated by a tool or the like when engaging or disengaging with the cap. This operation unit can be provided, for example, on the lower end side of the flange unit.
[0023]
The screw depth of the “male screw” and “female screw” can be set to a value smaller than the axial length of the seal surface, for example. Thereby, the pressure-contact state between the sealing member and the sealing surface can be maintained in a state in which the screw engagement between the male screw and the female screw is released.
[0024]
<Drain method>
In the drain method according to the present embodiment, first, the screw engagement between the male screw and the female screw is released, and a state in which the sealing member is pressed against the sealing surface is maintained. At this time, the state in which the drain member is engaged with the cap is maintained by the pressure contact of the seal member, and the fluid inside the housing does not leak outside from the drain hole. In this state, when the drain member is detached from the cap, the fluid inside the housing is discharged to the outside through the open drain hole.
In this drain method, for example, the drain member can be detached from the cap using a gap formed between the cap and the drain member. Usually, a tool (for example, a driver tool or the like) is appropriately inserted into the gap, and the drain member can be detached from the cap according to the principle of leverage.
[0025]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an oil filter mounted on a cylinder block (not shown) of an internal combustion engine is exemplified as an element exchange type filter.
[0026]
(1) Configuration of Oil Filter As shown in FIG. 1, an oil filter 1 according to the present embodiment is housed in a housing 4 including a metal case 2 and a cap 3 that can be engaged and disengaged from each other. It basically has a filtration element 5 and a drain mechanism 7. The case 2 has an inflow passage 2a through which oil flows in from the internal combustion engine side, and an outflow passage 2b through which filtered oil flows out to the internal combustion engine side.
[0027]
On the outer peripheral side of the cap 3, a male screw portion 8 is formed, and an O-ring 9 is mounted. Further, a female screw portion 10 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the case 2. When the male thread 8 and the female thread 10 are screwed together and the case 2 and the cap 3 are engaged via the O-ring 9, the inside of the housing 4 is sealed (liquid-tightly held). Inside the housing 4, the upper and lower ends of the filter element 5 are sealed by the projecting portions 6 provided on the plate 12 and the case 2 by the urging force of the spring 11 via the respective seal members 13 and 14. 5 filters the oil.
[0028]
Next, the drain mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a cap cylindrical portion 16 (illustrated as a drain portion) for forming a drain hole 15 is provided at the center of the bottom 3 a of the cap 3. The cap cylindrical portion 16 has a small-diameter inner peripheral portion 16a provided on the inner side of the cap 3 and a large-diameter inner peripheral portion 16b continuous below the small-diameter inner peripheral portion 16a. A female screw 17 having a predetermined screw depth is formed on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter inner peripheral portion 16a. A seal surface 18 having a predetermined axial length is provided on the inner peripheral side of the large-diameter inner diameter portion 16b.
The spring 11 is interposed between the outer peripheral step 16 c of the cap cylindrical portion 16 and the lower surface of the plate 12.
[0029]
The drain mechanism 7 includes a metal drain bolt 20 (illustrated as a drain member) which is engaged with the cap 3 to close the drain hole 15 from outside. The drain bolt 20 has a small-diameter outer peripheral portion 20a provided on the distal end side, and a large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b connected to a lower side of the small-diameter outer peripheral portion 20a. Further, a flange portion 20c is continuously provided below the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b, and a hexagonal portion 20d (illustrated as an operation portion) is continuously provided below the flange portion 20c. I have.
On the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter outer peripheral portion 20a of the drain bolt 20, a male screw 21 having a predetermined screw depth to be screwed with the female screw 17 of the cap tubular portion 16 is formed. An annular groove 22 is formed at a predetermined height on the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b. In the annular groove 22, an O-ring 23 (pressing against the sealing surface 18 of the cap cylindrical portion 16) is formed. This is exemplified as a seal member.).
[0030]
Here, the screw depth of the female screw 17 is set to a value smaller than the axial length of the seal surface 18. Therefore, in this drain mechanism 7, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the screwing of the male screw 21 of the drain bolt 20 and the female screw 17 of the cap cylindrical portion 16 is released, the O of the drain bolt 20 is The ring 23 is kept in a state of being pressed against the sealing surface 18 of the cap cylindrical portion 16. As a result, due to the compression load of the O-ring 23, the state where the drain bolt 20 is engaged with the cap 3 is maintained, and the oil inside the housing 4 does not leak out from the drain hole 15 to the outside.
As described above, when the male screw 21 and the female screw 17 are unscrewed and the O-ring 23 is pressed against the sealing surface 18, the upper end surface of the flange portion 20 c of the drain bolt 20 and the cap 3 are closed. A tool insertion gap S for inserting a driver tool or the like is formed between the lower end surface and the lower end surface.
[0031]
(3) Operation of Oil Filter Next, the operation of the oil filter 1 will be described. During normal use of the oil filter 1, a drain bolt 20 is screwed into the drain hole 15 of the cap 3 via an O-ring 23, and the drain hole 15 is sealed (see FIG. 2). Then, the oil flowing from the internal combustion engine through the inflow passage 2a of the case 2 is filtered by the filter element 5, and then the filtered oil is returned to the internal combustion engine through the outflow passage 2b. .
[0032]
When replacing the filtration element 5, the O-rings 9, 23, etc., the operator first engages a suitable tool with the hexagonal portion 20d to loosen the drain bolt 20, and the male screw 21 of the drain bolt 20 and the cap cylinder are connected. The screwing of the shaped part 16 with the female screw 17 is released. When the screwing of the male screw 21 and the female screw 17 is completely released, the O-ring 23 of the drain bolt 20 maintains a state of being pressed against the sealing surface 18 of the cap cylindrical portion 16 (see FIG. 3). ). Therefore, due to the compression load of the O-ring 23, the state where the drain bolt 20 is engaged with the cap 3 is maintained, and the residual oil inside the housing 4 does not leak to the outside.
[0033]
From this state, a driver tool or the like is inserted into the tool insertion gap S, and the driver tool or the like is brought into contact with the flange portion 20c of the drain bolt 20 and the lower end surface of the cap 3 to utilize the leverage principle. The drain bolt 20 is removed from the cap 3. Then, the residual oil inside the housing 4 is discharged from the drain hole 15 opened. The drain bolt 20 detached from the cap 3 is received by a mesh member or the like constituting an oil receiving tray disposed at a lower portion.
After that, when all the residual oil inside the housing 4 is discharged, the worker loosens the cap 3 with respect to the case 2 using a detachable jig (not shown), separates the cap 3 from the case 2, and performs filtration. The replacement work of the element 5, the O-rings 9, 23, and the like is performed.
[0034]
(4) Effect of Embodiment As described above, in this embodiment, the drain hole 15 is closed by the solid drain bolt 20 during normal use of the oil filter 1. As a result, dust such as earth and sand, mud, and the like does not enter the inside of the housing 4, and high reliability of the seal of the O-ring 23 can be maintained for a long time.
In addition, when replacing the element, the seal by the O-ring 23 is maintained even when the screw between the male screw 21 and the female screw 17 is released. Accordingly, the state in which the drain bolt 20 is engaged with the cap 3 is maintained, and the residual oil inside the housing 4 does not leak out from the drain hole 15 to the outside. In this state, if the drain bolt 20 is detached from the cap 3 by using a driver tool or the like, the heated residual oil inside the housing 4 can be discharged to the outside from the drain hole 15 without hitting the operator. Can be.
Further, in the present embodiment, a tool insertion gap S can be formed between the flange portion 20c of the drain bolt 20 and the lower end surface of the cap 3, so that a driver tool or the like is inserted into the tool insertion gap S. Thus, the drain bolt 20 can be very easily and quickly detached from the cap 3 using the principle of leverage.
Further, in the present embodiment, a seal structure can be configured by providing one O-ring 23, and the overall structure is simpler and simpler than a conventional structure in which a pair of upper and lower O-rings must be provided to configure the seal structure. An inexpensive structure can be achieved.
[0035]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and application. That is, in the above embodiment, the O-ring 23 is mounted on the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b of the drain bolt 20, and the sealing surface 18 is provided on the large-diameter inner peripheral portion 16b of the cap cylindrical portion 16. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a seal surface may be provided on the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b of the drain bolt 20, and an O-ring may be attached to the large-diameter inner peripheral portion 16b of the cap tubular portion 16. Even with such a configuration, the same operation and effect as described above can be achieved.
[0036]
In the above embodiment, the male screw 21 is provided on the small-diameter outer peripheral portion 20a of the drain bolt 20, the female screw 17 is provided on the small-diameter outer peripheral portion 16a of the cap cylindrical portion 16, and the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b of the drain bolt 20 is provided. The O-ring 23 is interposed between the outer peripheral portion 20a of the cap cylindrical portion 16 and the large-diameter inner peripheral portion 16b of the cap cylindrical portion 16, but is not limited thereto. An O-ring is interposed between the small-diameter outer peripheral portion 16a and the large-diameter outer peripheral portion 20b of the drain bolt 20, and a male screw 21 is provided on the large-diameter inner peripheral portion 16b of the cap cylindrical portion 16. It may be provided. Even with such a configuration, the same operation and effect as described above can be achieved.
Further, the drain bolt 20 is provided with a cylindrical portion having an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral side thereof, and the cap 3 is provided with a cylindrical portion having an external thread formed on the outer peripheral side thereof. The drain bolt 20 may be disengaged from the cap 3 by screwing and releasing the screw.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an oil filter according to an embodiment in a use state.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part in an oil discharge state of an oil filter.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Oil filter, 2; Case, 3; Cap, 4; Housing, 7; Drain mechanism, 15; Drain hole, 16; Cap cylindrical part, 16a; Small diameter inner peripheral part, 16b; Large diameter inner peripheral part, 17 Female screw, 18; sealing surface, 20; drain bolt, 20a; small-diameter outer peripheral portion, 20b; large-diameter outer peripheral portion, 20c; flange portion, 21; male screw, 23;

Claims (7)

A cap provided with a drain portion having a drain hole, and a drain member engaged with the cap so as to close the drain hole from outside, and a male provided on one of the drain member and the cap In a state where the screw and the female screw provided on the other side are released from each other, a seal member provided on one of the outer peripheral side of the drain member and the inner peripheral side of the drain portion is provided on the other side. A drain mechanism for a fluid filter, wherein the state is maintained in pressure contact with the sealing surface. The drain mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the male screw is provided on an outer peripheral side of the drain member, and the female screw is provided on an inner peripheral side of the drain portion. The drain member has a small-diameter outer peripheral portion on the distal end side provided with the male screw and a large-diameter outer peripheral portion provided with the seal member and axially continuous with the small-diameter outer peripheral portion. 3. The cap according to claim 1, further comprising: a small-diameter inner peripheral portion closer to the inside of the cap provided with a female screw; Drain mechanism for fluid filter. 4. The drain mechanism of the fluid filter according to claim 1, wherein the drain member has a flange portion for forming a gap between the drain member and an outer surface of the cap. 5. A fluid filter comprising: the drain mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a case engaged with the cap constituting the drain mechanism. A method for draining a fluid filter according to claim 5, wherein
The male screw and the female screw are unscrewed from each other, and the sealing member is kept pressed against the sealing surface.From this state, the drain member is detached from the cap, and the cap is removed. Draining a fluid inside a housing comprising the housing and the case to the outside through the drain hole. 7. The drain method for a fluid filter according to claim 6, wherein the drain member is detached from the cap using a gap formed between an outer surface of the cap and the drain member.

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