JP2008229517A - Element exchange type filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an element exchange type filter of a simple and inexpensive structure with excellent durability, having a loose-rotation restricting structure housed in a casing with a minimum number of parts. <P>SOLUTION: The element exchange type filter is provided with: a filter element 12; a first casing member 3 and a second casing member 2 housing the filter element which are mutually thread-engageable by relative rotation; a protector 13 rotating integrally with the second casing member and penetrating the filter element and holding it in the first casing member; and the loose-rotation restricting structure 30 installed between the first and the second casing members. The loose-rotation restricting structure is provided with a second restricting part 32 installed on the end surface of the protector, and a first restricting part 31 installed at a position facing the end surface of the protector of the first casing member and abutting on the second restricting part by relative rotation of the first and the second casing members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an element exchange type filter. More specifically, the present invention has a simple and inexpensive structure with a loosening restriction structure housed in a casing, can minimize the number of parts, and has excellent durability. The present invention relates to an element exchange type filter.

  Conventionally, in an element exchange type filter in which an element assembly having a filter element is accommodated in a casing composed of a cap and a case that can be screwed together by relative rotation, loosening of the cap is restricted between the cap and the case. A structure is known that suppresses oil leakage due to loosening of the cap (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conventional loosening restriction structure 100 includes a restricting portion 102 provided on the outer peripheral side of a metal cap 101 and a metal plate provided on the outer peripheral side of a metal case 103. And a spring member 104. The leaf spring member 104 is provided with a base end portion 105 that is press-fitted and fixed to a receiving seat 106 provided on the outer peripheral side of the case 103 so as to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the case 103. An abutting portion 107 that abuts on the regulating portion 102 by relative rotation of the case 103 is provided.
Thereby, in a state where the cap 101 is screwed to the case 103 and tightened, the contact portion 107 of the leaf spring member 104 is positioned close to or in contact with the restriction portion 102. Even if the screwing of the cap 101 and the case 103 is slightly loosened from this state, the cap 101 and the case 103 are prevented from rotating more than necessary due to the contact between the restricting portion 102 and the contact portion 107. .
However, in the conventional loosening restriction structure 100, the leaf spring member 104, which is a dedicated member, must be provided in order to maintain the contact between the restriction portion 102 and the contact portion 107, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps increase. Resulting in. Further, since the leaf spring member 104 is press-fitted and fixed to the case 103, the assembling work is complicated. Furthermore, since the leaf spring member 104 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the case 103, it is easier to drop off than when it is integrally formed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-249109

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned present situation, has a simple and inexpensive structure and includes a loosening restriction structure accommodated in a casing, can minimize the number of parts, and is durable. An object is to provide an excellent element exchange type filter.

The present invention is as follows.
1. A filter element, a first casing member and a second casing member that house the filter element and can be screwed together by relative rotation, and rotate integrally with the second casing member and penetrate through the filter element In an element exchange type filter comprising: a protector that holds between a casing member; and a loosening restricting structure provided between the first casing member and the second casing member.
The loosening restricting structure is provided at a portion of the first casing member facing the front end surface of the protector, and the first casing member and the second casing are provided on a front end surface of the protector. An element exchange type filter comprising: a first restricting portion that comes into contact with the second restricting portion by relative rotation of a member.
2. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are protrusions. Element exchange type filter as described.
3. A support spring for biasing the protector toward the first casing member is provided between the second casing member and the protector. Or 2. Element exchange type filter as described in 1.
4). The protector is provided with an elastic support body that elastically supports the second restricting portion with respect to the protector. 4. The element exchange type filter according to any one of items 1 to 3.
5. The filter element is an element exchange type filter that is an oil filter for filtering engine oil.

According to the element exchange type filter of the present invention, the first of the protector that rotates integrally with the second casing member with respect to the first restricting portion of the first casing member in the tightened state of the first and second casing members. 2 It is located in the position which a control part adjoins or contacts. Even if the first and second casing members are slightly loosened from this state, the first and second casing members rotate more than necessary due to the contact between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. Is regulated. In addition, since a separate dedicated member for maintaining the contact between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion is not required, the number of parts, man-hours and complexity during assembly can be reduced, and the dedicated member can be reduced. The dropping of the member can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the loosening restricting structure is housed in the first and second casing members, the stepping stones during traveling, contact with peripheral parts and replacement equipment during filter replacement work, or parts deterioration due to poor environment, etc. Can be prevented and durability can be enhanced.
Further, when the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are protrusions, there is almost no state in which the restricting portions ride on each other and the casing members are separated from each other. The sealing performance can be improved.
When a support spring is provided between the second casing member and the protector to urge the protector toward the first casing member, the filter element is interposed between the protector and the first casing member. Since it can press, a sealing performance can be improved. In addition, when the first casing member and the second casing member are rotated relative to each other and the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion ride on, the support spring is compressed, thereby reducing the pressure applied to each restricting portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent damage to each restricting portion.
Further, when an elastic support that elastically supports the second restricting portion with respect to the protector is provided, the first restricting portion and the second casing member are relatively rotated by rotating the first casing member and the second casing member relative to each other. Since the elastic support body is elastically deformed when the second restricting portion rides, it is possible to reduce the pressure applied to each restricting portion and prevent damage to each restricting portion.
When the filter element is an oil filter that filters engine oil, loosening of the casing member can be effectively controlled even when there is vibration of the engine itself or vibration caused by movement.

Hereinafter, the element exchange type filter of the present invention will be described in detail.
1. Element Replaceable Filter An element replaceable filter according to the present invention includes a filter element, a first casing member and a second casing member that house the filter element and can be screwed together by relative rotation, and the second casing member. And a protector that rotates integrally and passes through the filter element and is held between the first casing member and the protector. This element exchange type filter has a loosening restricting structure described later.

Examples of the material of the “first case member”, “second case member”, and “protector” include metal and synthetic resin. The first and second case members may be screwed in, for example, (1) a form including a male screw part and a female screw part that can be screwed together, and (2) a groove part and a convex part that can be screwed together. (Also referred to as “bayonet structure”).
Examples of the shape of the “protector” include a cylindrical shape having a large number of through holes.
The “filter element” is usually formed in a fold-fold chrysanthemum shape. Examples of the material of the filter element include filter paper and non-woven fabric.
The “loosening restriction structure” is provided between the first casing member and the second casing member, and includes a second restriction portion and a first restriction portion described below.
The “second restricting portion” is not particularly limited in shape, size, number, or the like as long as it is provided on the front end surface of the protector on the first casing member side.

  The “first restricting portion” is provided at a portion of the first casing member that faces the front end surface of the protector, and contacts the second restricting portion by relative rotation of the first casing member and the second casing member. The shape, size, number, etc. are not particularly limited as long as they are in contact with each other. This first restricting portion, for example, a protrusion can be used. Moreover, the 1st control part can be provided integrally with the 1st casing member, for example, or can be attached to the 1st casing member as a separate member from the 1st casing member.

For example, a support spring described below can be provided between the second casing member and the protector.
As long as the “support spring” biases the protector toward the first casing member, its shape, size, number, etc. are not particularly limited. This support spring can be a metal coil spring, for example.

The second casing member can be provided with an elastic support described below, for example.
The “elastic support” is not particularly limited in shape, size, number, or the like as long as it elastically supports the second restricting portion with respect to the protector.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an oil filter mounted on a cylinder block (not shown) of an internal combustion engine is illustrated as an “element exchange type filter” according to the present invention.

(1) Configuration of Oil Filter As shown in FIG. 1, the oil filter 1 according to the present embodiment is made of a metal and bottomed cylindrical cap 2 that can be screwed to each other by relative rotation (the “second It is illustrated as a “casing member”) and a casing 4 including a case 3 (illustrated as a “first casing member” according to the present invention).

  On the outer peripheral surface of the cap 2, a male screw portion 2a is formed and an O-ring 5 is attached. A female screw portion 3 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case 3. When the male screw portion 2a and the female screw portion 3a are screwed together and the cap 2 and the case 3 are screwed together via the O-ring 5, the inside of the casing 4 is sealed so as to be kept fluid-tight.

  A cylindrical protector 13 made of synthetic resin is provided inside the cap 2 and rotates integrally with the cap 2 and has a large number of through holes 6. On the outer periphery of the protector 13, a filter element 12 formed by folding filter paper into a fold-fold chrysanthemum shape is mounted. The protector 13 includes a flange portion 8 formed at the proximal end portion, a step portion 11 formed near the proximal end portion, a spring receiving portion 14 formed inside the proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. An oil passage connecting portion 18 is provided. The flange portion 8 is slidably supported by a protector holding portion 19 formed inside the cap 2, and is prevented from falling off by a stopper 23 formed at the edge of the protector holding portion 19. Further, an engaging mechanism such as an engaging claw for integrally rotating the cap 2 and the protector 13 is provided (not shown). The oil passage connecting portion 18 is fitted to the oil passage pipe portion 24 of the case 3 so as to be relatively rotatable.

The filter element 12 is held between the step portion 11 of the protector 13 and the case projection 9 formed around the oil passage pipe portion 24 of the case 3 via seal members 10a and 10b. A support spring 7 made of a coil spring is provided between the spring receiving portion 14 of the protector 13 and the protector holding portion 19. The support spring 7 biases the protector 13 toward the case 3 side. The sealing members 10a and 10b are pressed by the urging force of the support spring 7 to improve the sealing performance.

  In the center of the bottom portion of the cap 2, a drain hole 15 having a female screw formed on the inner periphery thereof is provided. An O-ring 16 is attached to the bottom of the cap 2 so as to surround the drain hole 15. Further, an annular cap protrusion 17 is provided on the bottom of the cap 2.

Next, the drain mechanism 20 provided in the cap 2 will be described. The drain mechanism 20 includes a metal drain member 21 and a valve member 22.
The drain member 21 has a plug portion 21a in which a male screw is formed, and a flange portion 21b connected to the plug portion 21a. Then, when the male screw of the drain member 21 and the female screw of the drain hole 15 are screwed together and the drain member 21 is screwed into the drain hole 15, the flange portion 21 b of the drain member 21 is pressed against the O-ring 16. The drain hole 15 is sealed.

  The valve member 22 is formed in a saucer shape as a whole, and has a contact portion 25 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cap projection portion 17. The abutment portion 25 is normally abutted against the cap projection 17 by the urging force of the support spring 7, and the drain hole 15 is metal-sealed. Therefore, even if the drain member 21 is removed from the drain hole 15, only a small amount of residual oil inside the casing 4 flows out from the drain hole 15 to the outside. In a state where the drain member 21 is removed from the drain hole 15, a worker inserts a cylindrical drain jig (not shown) into the drain hole 15, and attaches the valve member 22 to the support spring 7 on the tip side. When pressed against the urging force, the seal of the drain hole 15 by the valve member 22 is released, and the residual oil inside the casing 4 is discharged to the outside through the slit and the center hole formed in the drain jig. Will be.

  Next, the loosening restriction structure 30 provided between the cap 2 and the case 3 will be described. The loosening restriction structure 30 includes a first restriction part 31 and a second restriction part 32.

  The first restricting portion 31 includes a protrusion integrally formed with a step portion 33 formed on the outer base portion of the oil passage pipe portion 24 of the case 3. Further, the second restricting portion 32 includes a protrusion integrally formed on the tip surface of the protector 13. The first restricting portion 31 and the second restricting portion 32 come into contact when the cap 2 is screwed into the case 3 and tightened.

  The first restricting portion 31 loosens the cap 2 with respect to the case 3 and the first abutment surface 33 that abuts against the second restricting portion 32 when the cap 3 is rotated in the direction P1 of tightening the cap 2 with respect to the case 3. A second abutment surface that abuts against the second restricting portion 32 when rotating in the direction P2. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the second restricting portion 32 is a first contact surface that comes into contact with the first restricting portion 31 when rotating in the direction P <b> 1 of tightening the cap 2 with respect to the case 3. 35 and a second contact surface 36 that contacts the first restricting portion 31 when the cap 3 is rotated in the direction P2 of loosening the cap 2 with respect to the case 3. The first contact surfaces 33 and 35 and the second contact surfaces 34 and 36 are not particularly limited in shape, size and the like, and as the contact surfaces 33 to 36, for example, flat surfaces, curved surfaces, etc. Among them, one type or a combination of two or more types can be mentioned.

  Here, for example, the angle A formed by the first contact surfaces 33 and 35 and the rotation direction P1 is set to a value smaller than the angle B formed by the second contact surfaces 34 and 36 and the rotation direction P1. Is preferred. The angle A is preferably, for example, 10 to 50 degrees, more preferably 20 to 40 degrees, and the most preferable 30 degrees in this embodiment. Further, the angle B is preferably, for example, 40 to 80 degrees, more preferably 50 to 70 degrees, and the most preferable 60 degrees in this embodiment.

(2) Operation of Oil Filter Next, the operation of the oil filter 1 having the above configuration will be described.
First, when the cap 2 is attached to the case 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the male screw portion 2a of the cap 2 is screwed into the female screw portion 3a of the case 3, and the cap 2 is tightened. Rotate to P1. Then, the first contact surfaces 33 and 35 of the second restricting portion 32 of the protector 13 and the first restricting portion 31 of the case 3 come into contact with each other. Since the first contact surfaces 33 and 35 are set at a relatively gentle angle of about 30 degrees, the second restricting portion 32 easily rides on the first restricting portion 31 and at the same time has a relatively small force. 13 is pushed against the support spring 7 and the cap 2 can be tightened with a small resistance.

Next, when the cap 2 is completely screwed to the case 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the second restricting portion 32 of the protector 13 and the first restricting portion 31 of the case 3 are in second contact. It arrange | positions in the position where the surfaces 34 and 36 faced each other or contacted. From this state, when the cap 2 is rotated in the loosening direction P2 due to a decrease in the tightening torque, the second contact surfaces 34 and 36 come into contact with each other. At this time, since the second contact surfaces 34 and 36 are set at a relatively steep angle of about 60 degrees and the support spring 7 is biased, the second restricting portion 32 is moved to the first restricting portion 31. It is difficult to ride up and the contact state is maintained, and the rotation of the cap 2 in the loosening direction P2 is restricted.
When removing the cap 2 from the completely screwed state of the cap 2 and the case 3, the cap 2 is rotated with a force larger than the urging force of the support spring 7 using an appropriate tool such as a torque wrench. (2) The restriction part 32 rides on the first restriction part 31.

(3) Effects of the Example According to the oil filter 1 of the present example, when the cap 2 and the case 3 are tightened, the second restricting portion 32 of the protector 13 and the first restricting portion 31 of the case 3 are in contact with the second contact surface. 34, 36 are arranged in close proximity or abutting positions where they face each other, and even if the cap 2 is loosened with respect to the case 3 due to a decrease in the tightening torque from this state, the second abutting surfaces 34, 36 abut against each other. The cap 2 and the case 3 are restricted from rotating relative to each other by the contact. In addition, since the support spring 7 that is a sealing member is also used to maintain the contact between the first restricting portion 31 and the second restricting portion 32, the number of parts, the number of steps and the complexity during assembly are reduced. be able to. In addition, it is possible to suppress the dropout of the dedicated member as in the case where a separate dedicated member is provided as in the prior art. Further, since the loosening restricting structure 30 is housed inside the casing 4, it prevents the stepping stones during traveling, contact with peripheral parts and replacement equipment during filter replacement work, or deterioration of parts due to a poor environment. Durability can be increased.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the first restricting portion 31 and the second restricting portion 32 are protrusions, the restricting portions 31 and 32 ride on each other, and the state in which the protector 13 and the case 3 are separated from each other is only small. This is an instant, and the sealing performance to the filter element 12 is not impaired.

  In the present embodiment, the first restricting portion 31 and the second restricting portion 32 have first contact surfaces 33 and 35 and second contact surfaces 34 and 36, and the first contact surfaces 33 and 35 The angle A formed with the rotation direction of the case 3 is set to about 30 degrees, and the angle B formed between the second contact surfaces 34 and 36 and the rotation direction of the case 3 is set to about 60 degrees. When the cap 2 is rotated with respect to the case 3 in the direction P <b> 1, it can be easily tightened even if the first contact surfaces 33, 35 of the restricting portions come into contact with each other. Even if the cap 2 rotates in the loosening direction P2, it can be made difficult to loosen by the abutment between the second abutment surfaces 34, 36 of each restricting portion.

In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and application. That is, in the said Example, although the 1st control part 31 and the 2nd control part 32 were protrusions, it is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG. Any one of the restricting portions 32 may be concave. As an example of this, in FIG. 4, the first restricting portion 31 has a concave shape. In this case, the formation positions of the restricting portions 31 and 32 are set so that the restricting portions 31 and 32 are engaged when the cap 2 is most tightened with respect to the case 3.
Moreover, in the said Example, although the 2nd control part 32 was urged | biased with respect to the 1st control part 31 by the support spring 7 pressing the protector 13 to the case 3 side, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an elastic support 37 that elastically supports the second restricting portion 32 with respect to the protector 13 may be provided.
As the elastic support 37, for example, a shape (see FIG. 5A) extending in parallel with the rotation direction integrally formed at the tip of the protector 13 or a shape extending in the major axis direction of the protector 13 (FIG. 5B). ))). In any case, the second restricting portion 32 facing the first restricting portion 31 is integrally formed at the free end of the elastic support member 37.
Alternatively, the second restricting portion 32 may be prevented from being biased against the first restricting portion 31 without using the support spring 7 or the elastic support member 37.

  It is used as a technology that regulates the looseness of element exchange filters. In particular, it is suitably used as a technique for regulating loosening of an oil filter that filters oil used in an internal combustion engine.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the filter which concerns on an Example. It is an enlarged view of a 1st control part and a 2nd control part. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st control part of another form. Furthermore, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd control part of another form. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the conventional loosening prevention structure.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Oil filter, 2; Cap, 3; Case, 7: Support spring, 12; Filter element, 13: Protector, 30: Slack rotation control structure, 31: 1st control part, 32: 2nd control part, 37; Elastic support.

Claims (5)

A filter element, a first casing member and a second casing member that house the filter element and can be screwed together by relative rotation, and rotate integrally with the second casing member and penetrate through the filter element In an element exchange type filter comprising: a protector that holds between a casing member; and a loosening restricting structure provided between the first casing member and the second casing member.
The loosening restricting structure is provided at a portion of the first casing member facing the front end surface of the protector, and the first casing member and the second casing are provided on a front end surface of the protector. An element exchange type filter comprising: a first restricting portion that comes into contact with the second restricting portion by relative rotation of a member.   The element exchange type filter according to claim 1, wherein the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are protrusions.   The element exchange type filter according to claim 1, wherein a support spring that urges the protector toward the first casing member is provided between the second casing member and the protector.   The element exchange type filter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protector is provided with an elastic support that elastically supports the second restricting portion with respect to the protector.   The filter element is an element exchange type filter that is an oil filter for filtering engine oil.

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