Exchangeable Filter System

Abstract

An exchangeable filter system is provided with an exchangeable filter module that has at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a fluid path connecting the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet with each other. The exchangeable filter module is provided with at least one filter element for filtering a fluid. A flange element and a counter flange element are provided. The flange element is provided to releasably engage the exchangeable filter module and to releasably engage the counter flange element. A valve device is arranged in the flange element. The valve device blocks the fluid path when the flange element is in engagement with the exchangeable filter module and is disengaged from the counter flange element. An internal combustion engine is provided with such an exchangeable filter system to filter fuel, lubricant or urea.

Claims

1. An exchangeable filter system comprising: an exchangeable filter module comprising at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a fluid path connecting the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet with each other, wherein the exchangeable filter module further comprises at least one filter element configured to filter a fluid; a flange element; a counter flange element; wherein the flange element is configured to releasably engage the exchangeable filter module and to releasably engage the counter flange element; a valve device arranged in the flange element, wherein the valve device is configured to block the fluid path when the flange element is in engagement with the exchangeable filter module and is disengaged from the counter flange element.

2. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 1, further comprising a pretensioning device comprising a pretensioning element and a counter pretensioning element, wherein the pretensioning device is interacting with the valve device, wherein the pretensioning element is in engagement with the counter pretensioning element when the exchangeable filter module is in engagement with the flange element.

3. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the valve device comprises a valve element and a spring element, wherein the counter pretensioning element is attached to the spring element, wherein the valve element, when the pretensioning element is in engagement with the counter pretensioning element, is pretensioned by the spring element against a valve seat of the valve device.

4. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the filter element comprises a central tube, wherein the pretensioning element is embodied as one piece together with the central tube of the filter element or is attached to the central tube of the filter element.

5. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the filter element comprises an end disc, wherein the pretensioning element is embodied as one piece together with the end disc of the filter element or is attached to the end disc of the filter element.

6. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the exchangeable filter module comprises a threaded cover, wherein the pretensioning element is embodied as one piece together with the threaded cover of the exchangeable filter module or is attached to the threaded cover of the exchangeable filter module.

7. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the exchangeable filter module comprises a seal holding ring, wherein the pretensioning element is embodied as one piece together with the seal holding ring of the exchangeable filter module or is attached to the seal holding ring of the exchangeable filter module.

8. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the pretensioning element comprises an axial projection extending in an axial direction of the exchangeable filter module, wherein the counter pretensioning element comprises a centering counter contour configured to interact with the axial projection of the pretensioning element, wherein the axial projection of the pretensioning element, when the pretensioning element is in engagement with the counter pretensioning element, is in engagement with the centering counter contour of the counter pretensioning element.

9. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 2, wherein the counter flange element comprises an actuating element, wherein, when the flange element is in engagement with the counter flange element, the actuating element interacts with the valve device such that the actuating element exerts a force on the valve device that is greater than a pretensioning force of the pretensioning device.

10. The exchangeable filter system according to claim 9, wherein the pretensioning element, the counter pretensioning element, and the actuating element are arranged in the fluid path at a side of the fluid path facing the fluid outlet, wherein the pretensioning element, the counter pretensioning element, and the actuating element leave open the fluid path at least partially.

11. An internal combustion engine comprising an exchangeable filter system according to claim 1, wherein the exchangeable filter system is configured to filter fuel, lubricant or urea used in the internal combustion engine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further advantages result from the following drawing description. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The drawings, description, and claims contain numerous features in combination. A person of skill in the art will consider the features expediently also individually and combine them to expedient further combinations.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an exchangeable filter system according to the invention in which an exchangeable filter module is in engagement with a flange element that is in engagement with a counter flange element.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows he exchangeable filter system of FIG. 1 according to the invention in which the flange element is disengaged from the counter flange element.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the exchangeable filter system according to the invention of FIG. 2 in which the flange element is disengaged from the exchangeable filter module.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of the exchangeable filter system according to the invention.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the exchangeable filter system according to the invention.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the exchangeable filter system according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The Figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows an exchangeable filter system 1. The exchangeable filter system 1 can be arranged at least partially in a fluid storage (not illustrated) in which a fluid to be filtered is stored. The exchangeable filter system 1 comprises an exchangeable filter module 2 that comprises a housing 3. The exchangeable filter module 2 comprises a fluid inlet 4 and a fluid outlet 5. The fluid inlet 4 and fluid outlet 5 are connected to each other by a fluid path. The fluid path leads through a filter element 6. The filter element 6 is attached to a central tube 7.

[0049] The exchangeable filter system 1 comprises moreover a flange element 8. The flange element 8 is illustrated in engagement with a counter flange element 9. A valve device 10, 11, 12 is arranged In the flange element 8. This valve device 10, 11, 12 comprises a valve seat 10 and a valve element 11. The valve element 11 is pretensioned by means of a spring element 12 in the direction toward the valve seat 10. It is embodied to be flow-optimized. The valve device 10, 11, 12, comprised of the valve seat 10, the valve element 11, and the spring element 12, is arranged in the flange element 8 and at the same time in the fluid outlet 5.

[0050] In the fluid outlet 5, there is furthermore an actuating element 13. This actuating element 13 is attached, on the one hand, by means of a fastening element 14 to the counter flange element 9. It partially leaves open the fluid path in this context. The fluid can pass the fastening element 14.

[0051] On the other hand, it can also be seen that the actuating element 13 is contacting the valve element 11. In this context, the actuating element 13 pushes the valve element 11 against the spring force of the spring element 12 away from the valve seat 10 in an axial direction of the exchangeable filter module 2 toward the exchangeable filter module 2. The valve device 10, 11, 12 is open. The fluid path out of the exchangeable filter module 2 is open.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the flange element 8 is in engagement with the counter flange element 9. This engagement can be produced, for example, by a screw connection or plug-in connection between the flange element 8 and the counter flange element 9. The engagement is thus releasable. When releasing the engagement, the following will happen:

[0053] When being disengaged from the counter flange element 9, the flange element 8 is moved away from the counter flange element 9 in the axial direction of the exchangeable filter module 2. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. During this process, the actuating element 13 remains first in contact with the valve element 11. However, the father the flange element 8 moves away upon disengagement from the counter flange element 9 from the latter, the smaller the section of the actuating element 13 still in overlap with the valve seat 10 becomes. The valve element 11 is thus again lowered, caused by the spring force of the spring element 12, in the direction of the valve seat 10. This happens to the degree at which the flange element 8 moves away from the counter flange element 9. During the course of this movement, finally the point is reached at which the actuating element 13 has no overlap anymore with the valve seat 10. Now the contact of the actuating element 13 at the valve element 11 ends. The spring element 12 now pushes the valve element 11 against the valve seat 10. The valve device 10, 11, 12 is closed. The fluid path is blocked. A leakage of fluid out of the fluid outlet 5 in which the valve device 10, 11, 12 is arranged is interrupted.

[0054] This process is reversed upon engagement of the flange element 8 with the counter flange element 9. The actuating element 13 in this context is brought into contact with the valve element 11. The father the engagement of flange element 8 and counter flange element 9 advances in the direction toward an end position, the more the actuating element 13 lifts the valve element 11 out of its contact with the valve seat 10 against the spring force of the spring element 12. The valve device 10, 11, 12 is open. The fluid can flow along the fluid path unhindered through the exchangeable filter system 1.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the flange element 8 is indeed disengaged from the counter flange element 9. However, the flange element 8 in the illustrated embodiment is still in engagement with the exchangeable filter module 2. This engagement can be produced by a screw connection or a plug-in connection. The engagement is thus releasable.

[0056] In this state of FIG. 2, the valve device 10, 11, 12 blocks the fluid path. This blockage of the fluid pathas describedis achieved by means of the pretension of the spring element 12 of the valve device 10, 11, 12 against the valve seat 10. This pretension is generated by means of a pretensioning device 15, 16. This pretensioning device 15, 16 comprises a pretensioning element 15 and a counter pretensioning element 16. In this context, the counter pretensioning element 16 is attached to the spring element 12. The pretensioning element 15 and the counter pretensioning element 16 are illustrated in engagement with each other. In this context, an axial projection 17 is formed on the pretensioning element 15 which is in engagement with a centering counter contour 18 of the counter pretensioning element 16. In this way, the pretensioning element 15 loads with a force the counter pretensioning element 16 in the axial direction of the exchangeable filter module 2 in the direction toward the valve seat 10. The counter pretensioning element 16, on the other hand, is connected to the spring element 12. In this way, the pretensioning force of the spring element 12 against the valve seat 10 is generated by means of the force which is exerted by the counter pretensioning element 16.

[0057] The engagement between the flange element 8 and the exchangeable filter module 2 is releasable. Upon release of the engagement, the following happens. When disengaging from the flange element 8, the exchangeable filter module 2 is moved away from the flange element 8 in the axial direction of the exchangeable filter module 2. This is illustrated in FIG. 3. The pretensioning element 15 remains during this process initially in contact with the counter pretensioning element 16. However, the farther the exchangeable filter module 2 moves away during disengagement from the flange element 8 from the latter, the more the counter pretensioning element 16 moves in the axial direction of the exchangeable filter module 2 toward the latter. This displacement is caused by the spring force of the spring element 12. This process is continued until the screw connection or plug-in connection between the exchangeable filter module 2 and the flange element 8 is disengaged. At this point in time, the spring element 12 has carried out a second stroke. However, at this point in time the pretensioning element 15 is still in engagement with the counter pretensioning element 16. Only upon further movement of the exchangeable filter module 2 (and thus of the pretensioning element 15) away from the flange element 8 (and thus from the counter pretensioning element 16), the pretensioning element 15 is no longer in contact with the counter pretensioning element 16 after overcoming a first stroke. Now, the valve device 10, 11, 12 no longer blocks the fluid path. Fluid which is still contained in the exchangeable filter module 2 can now flow out of the latter.

[0058] This process is reversed when the flange element 8 engages the exchangeable filter module 2. The pretensioning element 15 is brought thereby into contact with the counter pretensioning element 16. Upon approach of the two elements, the counter pretensioning element 15 compresses the spring element 12 across a first stroke. Then, the exchangeable filter module 2 contacts the flange element 8 and a screw, plug-in or a combined screw/plug-in connection of the two elements is produced. During the course of this connecting action, the spring element 12 is then compressed by means of the counter pretensioning element 16 across a second stroke.

[0059] The spring element 12 must still enable a sufficient stroke in its pretensioned state so that the valve device 10, 11, 12 can still (partially) open the fluid path upon engagement of flange element 8 and counter flange element 9. It is possible to provide in different embodiments of the invention different configurations for the attachment of the pretensioning element 15. These different embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0060] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 it is shown that the pretensioning element 15 is embodied as one piece together with an end disc 19 of the filter element 6. As an alternative, it is possible to attached the pretensioning element 15 to the end disc 19.

[0061] Then, it is initially shown in FIG. 4 that the pretensioning element 15 can also be embodied as one piece together with the central tube 7 of the exchangeable filter module 2. It can also be alternatively provided that the pretensioning element 15 is attached to the central tube 7.

[0062] FIG. 5 shows that the pretensioning element 15 is embodied at a threaded cover 20 of the exchangeable filter module 2. It can be either embodied as one piece together with the latter or it can be attached to it.

[0063] Finally, FIG. 6 shows that the pretensioning element 15 is attached to a seal holding ring 21. It can also be embodied as one piece together with it.