FUEL FILTER

Abstract

A fuel filter for an internal combustion engine may include a filter housing, a ring filter element arranged in the filter housing, a function carrier engaging in an interior space of the ring filter element, a water collection space arranged below the ring filter element, a first venting part channel, and a second venting part channel. The function carrier may include a clean channel extending therein. The first venting part channel may extend from the water collection space through the function carrier and may be communicatingly connected to an air discharge channel extending in the function carrier. The second venting part channel may extend through an upper end disc of the ring filter element and may be communicatingly connected to the air discharge channel.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. A fuel filter for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a filter housing; a ring filter element arranged in the filter housing and through which a fluid is flowable in a radial direction from a raw side to a clean side; a function carrier engaging in an interior space of the ring filter element and including a clean channel extending therein; a water collection space arranged below the ring filter element; a first venting part channel extending from the water collection space through the function carrier and communicatingly connected to an air discharge channel extending in the function carrier; and a second venting part channel extending through an upper end disc of the ring filter element and communicatingly connected to the air discharge channel.

20. The fuel filter according to claim 19, further comprising a first choke disposed between the first venting part channel and the air discharge channel.

21. The fuel filter according to claim 19, further comprising a choke disposed between the second venting part channel and the air discharge channel.

22. The fuel filter according to the claim 20, further comprising a second choke disposed between the second venting part channel and the air discharge channel, wherein the second venting part channel, the first choke, and the second choke are integrally provided as a single piece with the upper end disc.

23. The fuel filter according to claim 22, wherein at least one of: the first choke is tightly inserted into the first venting part channel via a first ring seal; and the second choke is tightly inserted into the function carrier via a second ring seal.

24. The fuel filter according to claim 22, further comprising a first ring seal and a second ring seal, wherein: the first choke is tightly inserted into the first venting part channel via a first ring seal; the second choke is tightly inserted into the function carrier via a second ring seal; and the first ring seal has a smaller diameter than the second ring seal.

25. The fuel filter according to claim 20, wherein the first choke is formed as a separate component and tightly inserted into the first venting part channel via a first ring seal.

26. The fuel filter according to claim 19, wherein the air discharge channel is arranged parallel to the first venting part channel.

27. The fuel filter according to claim 19, wherein the first venting part channel and the second venting part channel are arranged coaxially to one another.

28. The fuel filter according to claim 19, further comprising at least one of a perforated cover and a screen arranged at an inlet of the second venting part channel.

29. The fuel filter according to claim 19, wherein the second venting part channel is communicatingly connected to the raw side.

30. The ring filter element for the fuel filter according to claim 19, comprising the second venting part channel.

31. The ring filter element according to claim 30, further comprising a first choke at a lower free end of the second venting part channel.

32. The ring filter element according to claim 31, further comprising a second choke.

33. The ring filter element according to claim 32, wherein the second venting part channel and at least one of the first choke and the second choke are provided as a single integral piece with the upper end disc.

34. The ring filter element according to claim 32, further comprising at least one of: a first ring seal arranged in a region of the first choke; and a second ring seal arranged in a region of the second choke.

35. The ring filter element according to claim 32, further comprising a first ring seal and a second ring seal, wherein: the first ring seal is arranged in a region of the first choke; the second ring seal is arranged in a region of the second choke; and the first ring seal has a smaller diameter than the second ring seal.

36. The ring filter element according to claim 30, further comprising at least one of a perforated cover and a screen arranged at an inlet of the second venting part channel.

37. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] It shows, in each case schematically

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a fuel filter according to the invention,

[0064] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged extract of FIG. 1,

[0065] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged further extract of FIG. 1,

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a sectional representation through a fuel filter according to the invention,

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a sectional representation as in FIG. 4, however with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] In FIG. 1, a longitudinal section through a fuel filter 1 for an internal combustion engine 2, according to the invention is shown. The fuel filter 1 comprises a filter housing 3 and a filter housing cover 4, which can be detachably connected to one another, wherein in the shown exemplary embodiment the filter housing cover 4 has an external thread, which engages in an internal thread of the filter housing 3.

[0069] The filter housing cover 4 and the filter housing 3 delimit, in the connected state, a filter space 5, which is divided by an inserted ring filter element 6 into a raw side 7 and a clean side 8. A fluid, in particular a fuel, flows through the ring filter 6 substantially transversely to an axial direction 11, shown in FIG. 3, from the raw side 7 to the clean side 8 and in the process is substantially freed of contaminations which can result in damaging the internal combustion engines. The ring filter element 6 comprises a cylindrically formed filter body 28 which on an upper face end, comprises an annular end disc 27. An end disc which is not referred to in more detail can also be arranged on the filter body 28 on the lower face end. Practically, the filter body 28 can be formed of a filter material that is pleated, i.e. folded, preferably in a stellate fold.

[0070] In the fuel filter 1 a function carrier 20 is arranged, which engages in the clean side 8 of the ring filter element 6 and is employed for discharging the cleaned fluid or fuel from the fuel filter 1. Furthermore, an air discharge channel 21 is arranged in the fuel filter 1 which extends at least partly in the function carrier 20 and is fluidically communicatingly connected to a venting channel 16. The air discharge channel 21 can be fluidically connected to a fuel tank and/or fuel reservoir which is not shown.

[0071] Furthermore, the ring filter element 6 comprises a venting device 15 which is shown enlarged in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The venting device 15 comprises a channel cylinder 23 with a cylinder outer diameter 24, wherein the channel cylinder 23 delimits the venting channel 16. Furthermore the venting device 15 comprises a stepped ring portion 25, which has a ring outer diameter 26 that is larger than the cylinder outer diameter 24 of the channel cylinder 23.

[0072] The channel cylinder 23 has a longer longitudinal extension along the axial direction 11 than the stepped ring portion 25, wherein the channel cylinder 23 penetrates the stepped ring portion 25 at least in sections.

[0073] The filter housing cover 4 comprises a head portion 9 and a foot portion 10 which are arranged offset relative to one another along an axial direction 11. In FIG. 3, the longitudinal extension of the respective portion along the axial direction 11 is symbolised in each case, wherein it is noticeable that the respective portion is formed by a wall or a wall portion of the filter housing cover 4. The wall or the wall portion of the filter housing cover 4 can have a substantially constant material thickness. The dashed lines drawn in transversely to the axial direction 11 symbolise the start or the end of a portion of the filter housing cover 4 along the axial direction 11.

[0074] In the foot portion 10, the filter housing cover 4 comprises at least one foot inner diameter 12 transversely to the axial direction 11, which at least corresponds to an outer diameter 13 of the ring filter element 6. In the head portion 9, the filter housing cover 4 has at least one head inner diameter 14 transversely to the axial direction 11 that is smaller than the foot inner diameter 12.

[0075] The venting device 15 of the ring filter element 6 is arranged in the head portion 9 at least in sections and in the foot portion 10 at least in sections. The venting device 15 forms at least one venting channel 16 which with a first end 17 leads into the head portion 9. By way of this first end 17, the venting channel 16 is fluidically connected to the space volume, which is delimited by the head portion 9. Between the end 17 of the venting device 15, and the inner wall of the filter housing cover 4, within the head portion 9, an air volume 29 or an air cushion 29 is formed, the lower end of which is symbolised along the axial direction 11, in FIG. 3 by a dotted line. Through the configuration of the ring filter element 6, the venting device 15 and the filter housing cover 4 according to the invention, the air volume 29 or the air cushion 29 has a minimum space volume, so that a starting or switching-on of the internal combustion engines 2 can take place within a shorter time since a smaller volume 29 or air cushion 29 has to be compressed in order to attain the operating pressure in the fuel system of the internal combustion engines.

[0076] The filter housing cover 4 comprises a shoulder portion 18 which is arranged along the axial direction 11 between the foot portion 10 and the head portion 9, wherein the filter housing cover 4 in the shoulder portion 18, has at least one shoulder inner diameter 19 transversely to the axial direction 11 that is smaller than the foot inner diameter 12 and larger than the head inner diameter 14.

[0077] The venting device 15 is thus arranged in the head portion 9 at least in sections, in the foot portion 10 at least in sections and in the shoulder portion 18 at least in sections.

[0078] The first end 17 of the venting channel 16 forms a choke section 22. This choke section can be formed in that the venting channel 16 has a smaller channel cross section in the choke section 22 and forms a choke. The choke section 22 makes possible a separation between the raw side 7 and the clean side 8. In order to minimise the space volume of the air cushion 29 or of the air volume 29, the distance along the axial direction 11 between the choke section 22 and the inner wall of the head portion 9 of the filter housing cover 4 has to be minimised.

[0079] The head portion 9, the foot portion 10, the venting channel 16, the first end 17 of the venting channel 16 and the choke section 22 are oriented coaxially and/or concentrically to one another and parallel to the axial direction 11.

[0080] According to the FIGS. 4 and 5, a fuel filter 101 according to the invention for an internal combustion engine 102 which is not shown of a motor vehicle 103 comprises a ring filter element 107 that is arranged in a filter housing 104 and flowed through in the radial direction from a raw side 105 to a clean side 106. Additionally provided is a function carrier 108 which engages in an interior space of the ring filter element 107 and in which a clean channel 109 runs. Below the ring filter element 107 a water collection space 110 is arranged, which for the sake of clarity is merely shown in FIG. 5. According to the invention, a first venting part channel 111 is now provided, which runs from the water collection space 110 through the function carrier 108 and is communicatingly connected to an air discharge channel 112 running in the function carrier 108. Additionally provided is a second venting part channel 113 which runs through an upper end disc 114 of the ring filter element 107 and is likewise communicatingly connected to the air discharge channel 112. Between the first venting part channel 111 and the air discharge channel 112 a first choke 115 is provided according to the invention (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Viewing the embodiment shown according to FIG. 4 it is noticeable that a second choke 116 is provided there between the second venting part channel 113 and the air discharge channel 112. In this case, the second venting part channel 113, the first choke 115, the second choke 116 and the upper end disc 114 are formed in one piece. This offers the major advantage that all previously mentioned components 113, 114, 115 and 116 are produced in a single and common plastic injection moulding operation and because of this can be produced in a high quality and cost-effectively at the same time.

[0081] At an inlet of the second venting part channel 113, a perforated cover 119 or a screen 120 can be arranged which prevents an undesirable transfer of dirt particles form the raw side 105 into the second venting part channel 113 and thus into the air discharge channel 112. By way of the perforated cover 119 or screen 120, a transfer of fuel can be additionally at least minimised.

[0082] The first choke 115 is tightly inserted via a first ring seal 117 into the first venting part channel 111, while the second choke 116 is tightly inserted via a second ring seal 118 into the function carrier 108. Here, the first ring seal 117 has a smaller diameter than the second ring seal 118, as a result of which an improved and simplified insertion into the first venting part channel 111 and the function carrier 108 materialises.

[0083] Viewing the version of the fuel filter 101 according to the invention shown according to FIG. 5 it is noticeable there that the first choke 115 is formed as a separate component and tightly inserted via a first ring seal 117 into the first venting part channel 111. This offers the major advantage that the first choke 115 can be produced separately from the function carrier 108 and also separately from the first venting part channel 111 and compared with FIG. 4 also separately from the second venting part channel 113. The assembly of the first choke 115 on or in the first venting part channel 111 proves to be particularly easy by way of a mere insertion.

[0084] Viewing the fuel filter 101 according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 5 further it is noticeable that in this case no second choke 116 at all is provided in the region of the second venting part channel 113, as a result of which a constructive advantage through a simplification can be achieved.

[0085] Looking at FIGS. 4 and 5 further it is noticeable that the air discharge channel 112 is arranged parallel to the first venting part channel 111 and that the two venting part channels 111, 113 are arranged coaxially to one another. In this case, the two chokes 115 and 116 according to FIG. 4 are also arranged coaxially to one another.

[0086] With the fuel filter 101 according to the invention it is possible for the first time to integrate the chokes 115, 116 necessary for the venting into the ring filter element 107. Should the venting function be disturbed through the clogging of the chokes 115, 116 by particles despite all precautions, the functionality can be remedied by simply replacing the service component ring filter element 107. The difficult working and elaborate quality assurance for the separate venting line out of the water collection space 110 and in particular for the choke that is then required, which was arranged in the past in the filter housing 104, which is formed as a cast housing, is now no longer required so that only a common air discharge channel 112 has to be provided in the function carrier 108 which conducts the separated air back into a fuel tank. The version of the fuel filter 101 according to the invention shown according to FIG. 4 is particularly preferred, in the case of which the ring filter element 107, at its upper end disc 114, comprises a connector (second venting part channel 113) directed to the inside, which contains the second choke 116 and at the same time has an extension downwards on which the first choke 115 is arranged, which is inserted in the first venting part channel 111. By way of the two ring seals, 117, 118 it can be ensured that no raw side/clean side intermixing occurs and a comparatively simple assembly is made possible at the same time.

[0087] However it is of particular advantage that the venting channel provided in the filter housing 104 in the past can be entirely omitted and is moved into the function carrier 108.