JP2007040170A - Filter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter device capable of preventing dropping and scattering of oil remaining in a casing at a time of replacement of a filter element. <P>SOLUTION: A cap 3 is detachably attached to a storage part 2 of the casing 1 from a lower side in gravity direction, and the filter element 4 is stored between the storage part and the cap. A recess part 3c isolated by a bottom wall 3a and a cylinder part 3b is formed on an upper part of the cap and a reservoir chamber 11 is formed on a side part of the storage part. When the cap is removed, lubricating oil O remaining in fluid passages 5, 6 and part of oil in the storage part is made flow into the recess part of the cap and flow in the reservoir chamber via a change over valve 12 to prevent oil from dropping. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter device that filters impurities mixed in lubricating oil or the like used in, for example, an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a filter device that can prevent dripping of oil when a filter element is replaced.

  As this type of conventional filter device, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  The filter device is attached to the cylinder block and has a casing in which a housing recess is formed in a lower portion; a lid member that is detachably attached to the lower portion of the casing and opens and closes the opening end of the housing recess; and the housing And a filter element accommodated between the recess and the lid member.

  An oil passage is formed in the casing to guide the lubricating oil discharged from the oil pump into the filter element and supply it to the oil main gallery in the cylinder block.

The lid member is attached below the casing in the direction of gravity. When the lid member is removed from the casing, the filter element is removed together with the lid member.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-146503

  In the conventional filter device, as described above, when the filter element is replaced, when the lid member is removed from the casing, the filter element is removed together with the lid member. When removing the casing from the casing, the residual oil in the housing recess is likely to drip or scatter to the outside, and there is concern that the surrounding environment may be contaminated by the scattered oil.

  Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a filter device that can be easily and reliably replaced without dripping residual oil in the casing when the filter element is replaced.

  As a means for solving the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a casing having a fluid passage, and is detachably attached to the casing at a substantially lower side in the direction of gravity, and has an opening on the casing side. A cap element, a filter element housed and held in a housing portion formed between the casing and the cap, and a fluid holding portion formed in the cap and having an opening on the housing portion side. The filter device is characterized in that when the cap is removed from the casing, the filter element is maintained in a state of being mounted in the accommodating portion.

  According to this invention, for example, when replacing the filter element, the filter element is temporarily housed and maintained in the housing portion when the cap is removed from the casing in the direction of gravity. The fluid in the fluid passage and a part of the fluid in the accommodating portion can be held in the fluid holding portion of the cap by the volume of the filter element. For this reason, dropping of fluid (oil) and scattering to the surroundings can be prevented, and environmental pollution can be prevented.

  The invention according to claim 2 is basically the same as the invention according to claim 1, and in particular, a fixing means for fixing the filter element firmly and detachably to the casing in the housing portion. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, when the cap is removed from the casing in the gravity downward direction, the filter element is accommodated in the accommodating portion by the fixing means, and a part of the fluid or the like in the accommodating portion is reduced by the volume of the filter element. Since it can be held only in the bowl-shaped cap, it is possible to prevent dripping of fluid (oil) and scattering to the surroundings.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casing having a fluid passage, a cap that is detachably attached to the casing substantially downward in the direction of gravity, and has an opening on the casing side, the casing and the cap, And a retention element that retains and retains at least part of the fluid in the accommodation portion only when the cap is removed from the casing. It is a feature.

  According to the present invention, for example, when the cap is removed from the casing in replacement of the filter element or the like, a part of the fluid in the storage portion or the fluid in the fluid passage flows into the retention portion and is stored and held. A part of the fluid is also retained in the cap. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent dripping of a fluid etc. effectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a filter device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an oil filter device used in a lubricating oil supply device that lubricates the interior of an automobile internal combustion engine.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, this filter device is formed in a substantially cylindrical casing 1 fixed to a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine (not shown), and inside the casing 1, and its lower end is vertical. A cylindrical oil circulation space that opens downward in the direction, a closed cylindrical cap 3 that is positioned below the casing 1 in the direction of gravity and opens and closes the open end of the storage portion 2, and the cap 3 And a filter element 4 provided between the housing portion 2 and the housing portion 2.

  The casing 1 is integrally formed of a metal material and constitutes the housing portion 2, and an inflow passage that is a fluid passage for introducing lubricating oil O, which is a fluid discharged from an oil pump (not shown), into the filter element 4. 5 is in communication with the side of the housing portion 2, and an outflow passage 6, which is also a fluid passage for supplying the lubricating oil O that has passed through the filter element 4 and is filtered into the engine, is the upper end of the housing portion 2. The part communicates with the center. A female screw portion 2 a is formed on the lower inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 2.

  The casing 1 is provided with a bypass passage (not shown) that bypasses the filter element 4 and causes the lubricating oil O to flow to the outflow passage 6 side when the internal pressure on the inflow passage 5 side becomes higher than a set pressure. ing. A check valve for allowing the lubricating oil O to flow only into the outflow passage 6 is provided in the bypass passage.

  The cap 3 is formed of a metal material and is integrally formed in a bowl shape, and includes a bottom wall 3a having an outer peripheral surface having a stepped diameter and a cylindrical portion 3b erected integrally at a substantially central position on the upper surface of the bottom wall 3a. A substantially cylindrical recess 3c, which is a fluid holding part capable of holding the lubricating oil O, is formed inside the bottom wall 3a and the cylindrical part 3b.

  The cylindrical portion 3a has an outer diameter set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion 2, and a male screw portion 3d that is screwed into the female screw portion 2a is formed on the outer periphery. Therefore, the cap 3 is detachably provided from the lower position in the gravity direction with respect to the casing 1 via the male and female screw portions 2a and 3d.

  The filter element 4 includes a bellows-cylindrical filter body 7 and metal disk-like support pieces 8a and 8b fixed to the upper and lower ends of the filter body 7. The lower support piece 8b has a substantially conical shape. In the meantime, the filter element 4 is press-fitted into the cylindrical protrusion 6a formed continuously with the outflow passage 6 from the outer peripheral side at the center of the upper surface of the upper support piece 8a. An engaging portion 10 is provided for detachably suspending the entirety. When the cap 3 is removed from the casing 1, the engaging portion 10 maintains the state in which the filter element 4 remains engaged with the protruding portion 6 a so as not to fall inadvertently. And the fixing means together with the protruding portion 6a.

  In the side portion of the housing portion 2 of the casing 1, there is provided a staying chamber 11 that communicates with the housing portion 2 and the concave portion 3 c of the cap 3 and temporarily retains the lubricating oil O. Further, a switching valve 12 is provided for communicating or blocking between the staying chamber 11 and the accommodating portion 2 and the recessed portion 3c when the cap 3 is attached and detached.

  The staying chamber 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, and its volume is set to a size that can accommodate the lubricating oil O remaining in the passages 5 and 6, and the upper part is interposed through the inflow hole 13. In addition, the lower portion communicates with the recess 3 c through the outflow hole 14.

  The switching valve 12 includes a valve hole 15 formed along the vertical direction between the accommodating portion 3c and the staying chamber 11, and a spool valve 16 slidably provided inside the valve hole 14. I have.

  The valve hole 15 communicates with the accommodating portion 3c via a first communication passage 17 formed at the upper end portion, and communicates with the staying chamber 11 via the inflow hole 13, while the lower end. It communicates with the recess 3 c through a second communication passage 18 formed in the section, and communicates with the retention chamber 11 through the outflow hole 14.

  The spool valve 16 is provided at an upper end portion of a relatively long shaft portion, and is provided with a columnar first valve portion 16a for opening and closing the inflow hole 13, and substantially at the center of the shaft portion, and the outflow Also provided between the cylindrical second valve portion 16b for opening and closing the hole 14 and the first and second valve portions 16a and 16b, the same cylindrical shape that slides and guides the spool valve 16 within the valve hole 15. A sliding portion 16c and an extension shaft portion 19 that extends downward from the shaft portion and has a lower end edge abutting against the upper surface of the bottom wall 3a of the cap 3 are provided.

  Further, between the upper end surface of the first valve portion 16a and the upper inner wall surface of the valve hole 15, the extension shaft portion 19 of the spool valve 16 is constantly urged toward the upper surface on the outer peripheral side of the bottom wall 3a. A valve spring 20 as a biasing member is provided. A seal ring 22 is provided on the outer periphery of each of the first and second valve portions 16a and 16b and the sliding portion 16c. The seal ring 22 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve hole 15.

  Further, a stepped stopper portion 21 that restricts the maximum lowered position of the spool valve 16 through the second valve portion 16b is formed at a position below the valve hole 15.

  The formation position of the first valve portion 16a and the second valve portion 16b of the spool valve 16 will be described in detail in the section of the operation of the present embodiment described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the inflow hole 13 and the outflow hole 14 are blocked, but when the cap 3 is moved downward by a predetermined amount or the cap 3 is removed and held at the maximum lower position, As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first valve portion 16 a communicates the inflow hole 13 and the first communication path 17, and blocks communication between the outflow hole 14 and the second communication path 18.

  Conversely, when the cap 3 is attached to the housing portion 2 and gradually moved to the maximum ascending position, the second valve portion 16b communicates with the outflow hole 14 and the like as shown in FIGS. Both are formed so as to block the communication of the outflow hole 14 and the like in the process of upward movement.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the filter element 4 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2 from the lower opening, and the engaging portion 10 is engaged with the protruding portion 6 a of the outflow passage 6 to suspend the whole. Then, the cap 3 is screwed and fastened to the accommodating portion 2 via the male and female screw portions 2a and 3b. As a result, the filter element 4 is set between the recess 3 c of the cap 3 and the accommodating portion 2.

  Thereafter, when the oil pump is driven to rotate as the operation of the internal combustion engine is started, as shown in FIG. 2, the lubricating oil O flows from the inflow passage 5 to the outer peripheral side of the filter element 4 and remains as it is. It is filtered while passing through 7, flows into the interior, enters further into the outflow passage 6, and is pumped to the oil main gallery. Thereby, the filtration function of the normal filter element 4 is exhibited.

  Then, when replacing the filter element 4 after long-term use, as shown in FIG. 3, after the engine stops, in order to remove the cap 3, the cap 3 is turned to the left by a tool, for example, left and right. When the threaded portions 2a and 3b are gradually lowered by a predetermined amount while loosening the screw portions 2a and 3b, the spool valve 16 moves downward following the lowering of the cap 3 by the spring force of the valve spring 20. At this time, since the first valve portion 16a is still in the state of closing the inflow hole 13, the lubricating oil O does not flow into the staying chamber 11.

  When the cap 3 is further swung and moved downward, as shown in FIG. 4, the spool valve 16 moves further downward and moves up to the maximum until the second valve portion 16 b hits the stopper portion 21. Then, the first valve portion 16a communicates the inflow hole 13 and the first communication passage 17 via the valve hole 15, while the second valve portion 16b communicates the outflow hole 14 and the second communication passage 18. Cut off.

  As a result, a part of the lubricating oil O remaining in the inflow passage 5 and the outflow passage 6 and a part of the lubricating oil O in the accommodating portion 2 stay in the inflow hole 13 from the first communication path 17 through the valve hole 15. It flows into the chamber 11 and is filled inside.

  Next, when the cap 3 is further swiveled and completely removed from the accommodating portion 2 as shown in FIG. 5, at this point, the filter element 4 is lowered by the engaging force of the engaging portion 10 with respect to the protruding portion 6a. The suspended state is maintained without falling off. On the other hand, since the spool valve 16 maintains the state where the second valve portion 16b blocks the communication between the outflow hole 14 and the second communication passage 18, the staying chamber 11 is filled with the lubricating oil O. In addition, the recess 3c of the cap 3 receives and holds the lubricating oil O existing between its inner bottom surface and the lower outer peripheral surface of the filter element 4 together with the lubricating oil O present in its bottom. It becomes the shape that was made. That is, mainly the lubricating oil O corresponding to the lower volume of the filter element 4 in the accommodating portion 2 is received in the concave portion 3c.

  Subsequently, the lubricating oil O in the recess 3c of the cap 3 is discarded, and the filter element 4 in a suspended state is pulled down to release the engagement between the engaging portion 10 and the protruding portion 6a. 4 is removed and replaced with another new filter element 4. That is, the engaging part 10 of the new filter element 4 is engaged with the protruding part 6a from below, and the whole is attached to the protruding part 6a in a suspended state.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cap 3 is gradually turned right while being screwed into the accommodating portion 2 via the male and female screw portions 2 a and 3 b and is raised to a predetermined position, the bottom wall 3 of the cap 3 is obtained. The lower end edge of the extension shaft portion 19 of the spool valve 16 abuts on the upper surface. When the cap 3 is further screwed in, the spool valve 16 is raised accordingly, and the second valve portion 16b opens the outflow hole 14 and communicates with the second communication passage 18 as shown in FIG.

  For this reason, the lubricating oil O filled in the staying chamber 11 flows into the recess 3c of the cap 3 through the outflow hole 14 and the like, and the staying chamber 11 is made empty. At this time, the first valve portion 16 a blocks communication between the inflow hole 13 and the first communication path 17.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cap 3 is further screwed and finally tightened, the bottom portion 9 of the filter element 4 is supported on the upper surface of the bottom wall 3a of the cap 3, and the second valve portion 16b is connected to the outflow hole. Communication between 14 and the second communication path 18 is blocked. Thereby, the new filter element 4 is easily and reliably held in the casing 1 while the staying chamber 11 is kept empty.

  Therefore, after that, when the oil pump is operated as the internal combustion engine is driven, as shown in FIG. 9, the lubricating oil O circulates in the filter element 4 and exhibits a normal filtration function.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the filter element 4 is replaced, when the cap 3 is removed from the accommodating portion 2 in the gravity downward direction, the filter element 4 has the engaging portion 10 moved to the protruding portion 6a. The engagement state is maintained and the container 2 is stored in the storage unit 2, and a part of the lubricating oil O remaining in the storage unit 2 is held in the recess 3 c of the cap 3 by the volume of the filter element 4. be able to. For this reason, dripping the lubricating oil O on the ground or the like and scattering to the surroundings can be prevented, and environmental pollution can be prevented.

  In addition, when the cap 3 is removed from the housing portion 2 as described above, a part of the lubricating oil O in the housing portion 2 and the lubricating oil O remaining in the inflow passage 5 and the outflow passage 6 are retained in the staying chamber 11. Therefore, the lubricating oil O can be more effectively prevented from dripping onto the ground or the like.

  Further, when the cap 3 is removed from the housing portion 2, it takes some time to loosen the male and female screw portions 2a and 3b. Therefore, it takes some time, but the switching valve 12 operates during the operation of gradually loosening the cap 3. Then, the inflow hole 13 and the outflow hole 14 are relatively opened and closed to allow the lubricating oil O to flow into the staying chamber 11, and further the lubricating oil O in the staying chamber 11 to flow out into the recess 3 c of the cap 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cap 3 from being removed from the housing portion 2 before the lubricating oil O flows into the staying chamber 11.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the volume of the staying chamber 11 is further increased, and the formation position of the staying chamber 11 and the switching valve 12 is positioned further downward. It is also possible to reduce the amount of oil stored in the recess 3c of the cap 3 by making it possible to store and hold much of the residual lubricating oil O in the part 2 and in the fluid passages 5 and 6. Further, the fixing means is not limited to the press-fitting engagement between the engaging portion 10 and the protruding portion 6a, but can be locked using an elastic engaging claw or the like.

  Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the lubricating oil supply device of the automobile but also to a filter device for other fluid supply devices.

  The technical ideas other than the invention described in the claims, as grasped from the embodiment, will be described below.

  (1) The filter device according to claim 3, wherein a switching valve that opens and closes the stay portion according to the position of the cap is provided between the stay portion and the storage portion.

(2) The retention portion and the accommodating portion have an inflow communication portion provided above the gravitational direction, and an outflow communication portion provided at a position below the inflow communication portion in the gravitational direction,
The switching valve shuts off the inflow communication portion and the outflow communication portion while the cap is fixed to the casing, and blocks the inflow communication portion when the cap is separated from the casing by a predetermined amount. The outflow communication portion is communicated while maintaining the state, and the inflow communication portion is brought into a communication state and the outflow communication portion is brought into a cut-off state when the cap is further separated from the casing in a removing direction. The filter device according to claim 1.

  (3) The filter device according to (3), wherein the switching valve is formed by a spool valve urged to abut against the cap by an urging means.

  (4) The filter device according to (3), wherein the cap is detachably provided to the casing via a male screw portion and a female screw portion provided on each member.

  According to the present invention, when the cap is removed from the casing, it takes some time to loosen the male and female threaded portions. Therefore, it takes some time. The inflow and outflow communication portions are relatively opened and closed to move the fluid into the staying portion, and the fluid in the staying portion flows out into the cap.

  For this reason, it is possible to prevent the cap from being removed from the casing before the fluid flows into the staying portion.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the filter apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the effect | action of the filter apparatus in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the removal effect | action of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the removal effect | action of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the removal effect | action of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the attachment effect | action of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the attachment effect | action of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of the completion of attachment of the cap in the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state after completion of the attachment of the cap in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Casing 2 ... Accommodating part 3 ... Cap 3a ... Bottom wall 3b ... Cylindrical part 3c ... Recessed part (fluid holding part)
4 ... Filter element 5 ... Inflow passage 6 ... Outflow passage 6a ... Projection portion 10 ... Engagement portion 11 ... Retention chamber (retention portion)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Switching valve 13 ... Inflow hole 14 ... Outflow hole 16 ... Spool valve 17 ... 1st communication path 18 ... 2nd communication path

Claims (3)

A casing having a fluid passage;
A cap that is detachably attached to a substantially lower side in the direction of gravity with respect to the casing, and has an opening on the casing side;
A filter element housed and held in a housing portion formed between the casing and the cap;
A fluid holding part formed at the top of the cap and having an opening on the housing part side;
A filter device comprising:
A filter device, wherein the filter element is configured to maintain a state where the filter element is mounted in the housing portion when the cap is removed from the casing. A casing having a fluid passage;
A bowl-shaped cap that is detachably attached to a substantially lower side in the direction of gravity with respect to the casing, and has an opening on the casing side;
A filter element housed and held in a housing portion formed between the casing and the cap;
A filter device comprising:
A filter device comprising a fixing means for firmly and detachably fixing the filter element to the casing in the housing portion. A casing having a fluid passage;
A cap that is detachably attached to a substantially lower side in the direction of gravity with respect to the casing, and has an opening on the casing side;
A filter element housed and held in a housing portion formed between the casing and the cap;
Only when the cap is removed from the casing, a retention portion that retains and retains at least part of the fluid in the storage portion;
A filter device comprising:

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