Patent Application
20060151371
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an oil filter assembly, and more particularly to an oil filter assembly that is configured to be quickly and easily changed.
A conventional oil filter assembly for an internal combustion engine typically includes a threaded end, which is rotated, twisted, or spun, onto a corresponding mounting structure of the engine. Once the assembly is mounted onto the engine, oil is circulated through the engine for filtering. Unfiltered oil from the engine is passed through a filtering media, such as a pleated paper cylinder, of the assembly. As the unfiltered oil passes through the filtering media, impurities contained within the oil are retained by the filter. Filtered oil is then passed back into the engine. Eventually, an oil filter assembly, or at least the filtering media within the assembly, needs to be replaced due to the fact that it becomes clogged with numerous impurities, thereby diminishing its filtering ability.
Typical filters may be one-, two-, or three-part filters, depending on whether the parts of the filter can be disconnected from one another. In a one-part filter assembly, the filtration media is contained within a housing, and the entire filter assembly is screwed onto and off of an engine. When the filter medium is clogged, the entire filter assembly must be replaced.
A typical two-part filter assembly includes a casing and a base that threadably engage one another to form a housing around the filtration media. The base is affixed to a mounting structure of an engine. For example, the base may be screwed onto a mounting stud of the engine. The casing, including the filtration media, may be removably secured, such as through threadable engagement, to the base, without removing the base from the engine. When the filtering media needs to be replaced, the casing is removed from the base, and a new casing is secured to the base.
A typical three-part filter assembly is similar to the two part filter assembly, except that the filtration media is separable from the rest of the assembly. As such, only the filtration media needs to be replaced, and the rest of the assembly may be reused with a new filtration medium.
In order to change the filtration media in typical filters, one component is typically unscrewed from another component. The threads of such threadable interfaces are prone to sticking, which can pose difficulties in removing an oil filter from the engine (for a one-part filter assembly), or the casing from the base (for a two- or three-part filter assembly). Often, a specialized tool, such as an oil filter wrench, is required to remove the filter or casing from the engine. In many vehicles, however, the oil filter assembly is located at a position that is difficult to access. Thus, using a tool with some oil filters may be difficult. Even if a tool were not required, manually unscrewing, or otherwise rotating the oil filter may also not be easy due to limited space proximate the engine and oil filter assembly.
Thus, a need exists for an oil filter assembly that is quick and easy to connect and disconnect from an engine. That is, a need exists for a system and method of quickly and efficiently changing an oil filter.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a fluid filter system including a base or adapter having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, and a casing configured to be removably connected to the base, wherein a fluid filter chamber is defined within at least one of the casing and the base. In general, the casing connects and disconnects from the base in a linear manner such that the casing is not rotated with respect to the base. Further, no tool is needed to connect the casing to the base, or disconnect it from the base.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a ridge formed on an exterior surface of either the base or casing, and a protuberance extending outwardly from an interior surface of the other of the base or the casing. The protuberance is configured to be securely retained by the ridge so that the casing is securely connected to the base. The protuberance is movably retained within a channel, and may be moved between a connection position, in which the protuberance is fully extended, and a disconnection position, in which the protuberance recedes into the channel.
A disconnection sleeve may be positioned over either the base or casing. The disconnection sleeve is operatively connected to the protuberance, and is actuated to move the protuberance between the connection and disconnection positions.
Embodiments of the present invention may also include a fluid inlet valve configured to allow fluid to enter the casing when it is connected to the base, and prevent fluid from leaking from the casing when it is disconnected from the base. The fluid inlet valve may include a first end fixed within the casing and a second end that is configured to move to allow circulating fluid to enter the casing.
Embodiments of the present invention may also include a fluid outlet valve including a mounting post integrally connected with sloped lateral portions that cover fluid passages. The fluid outlet valve is configured to prevent fluid from leaking from the casing when the casing is disconnected from the base.
The fluid outlet valve may optionally include two flaps disposed within a fluid passage. Each of the flaps has a fixed end and a free end. The free ends of the flaps connect at distal ends to form a sealing apex that prevent fluid from leaking when the casing is disconnected from the base. When the casing is connected to the base, circulating fluid forces the flaps apart to allow fluid to pass through the valve.
Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide a spring lock outwardly extending from a lateral wall of either the base or casing. The spring lock includes a main body having a ramped surface. The other of the base or casing, which does not include the spring lock, includes a lock retaining member, such as a slot or compartment that conforms to the shape of the spring lock. The spring lock is configured to be securely retained within the lock retaining member in order to securely connect the casing to the base.
Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide a fluid filter system, including a trapezoidal locking member extending outwardly from either the base or the casing, and a lock receptacle extending inwardly from the other of the base or casing. The lock receptacle is configured to securely retain the trapezoidal locking member in order to securely connect the casing to the base.
The lock receptacle includes first and second teeth separated by a gap. In a fully connected position, the trapezoidal locking member is lodged within the gap, thereby providing a secure connection between the casing and the base. The lock receptacle may also include a ramped base, wherein the trapezoidal locking member is configured to slide over the ramped base when the casing is being connected to the base. A lock boundary extending inwardly from either the base or casing, assists in aligning the trapezoidal locking member when the casing is connected to, and disconnected from, the base.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.
Sealing members, such as gasket 51, are also positioned about a mating interface of the casing 48 and the base 50 in order to prevent fluid leaks. The sealing members, such as the gasket 51, may be integrally formed with the casing 48 and/or base 50. The casing 48 and the base 50 may also include additional sealing members, O-rings, gaskets and the like, that form sealing connections when the casing 48 is mated with the base 50 so that fluid does not leak at connection interfaces.
The base 50 may be a portion of an engine. For example, the base 50 may be a mounting stud of an engine. Alternatively, the base 50 may be an adapter that mounts on the mounting stud of the engine. For example, the base 50 may threadably, snapably, or latchably engage the mounting stud.
The oil filter assembly 46 filters oil in a known manner. That is, unfiltered oil enters an internal filtering chamber through the inlets 52 formed through the base 50, and passes through a filtering medium (not shown) that is positioned about a filter support member 74. The filtering medium filters the unfiltered oil. The filtered oil then passes through passages 75 formed through the support member 74, and out of the base 50 through the oil outlet 54.
The casing 48 includes a channel, indentation, or ridge 56 formed around an outer circumference of the casing 48. The ridge 56 may contiguously extend around the casing 48, as shown in
As shown in
The base 50 also includes a spring 72 that may be retained within the filter support member 74. The spring 72 may assist in ejecting the casing 48 from the base 50 during disconnection.
When the sleeve 62 is in a connection position, the sleeve 62 exerts an inwardly-directed force into the protuberances 68 such that the protuberances 68 are forced toward, and fully extend into, the filtering chamber 60. When the sleeve 62 is urged in the direction of arrow A, the sleeve 62 loses full contact with the protuberances 68, thereby exerting less, or no, force into the protuberances 68. Optionally, instead of losing full contact with the protuberances 68, the sleeve 62 may act to shift the protuberances 68 in a direction that causes the protuberances 68 to recede into the channels 70. As such, the protuberances 68 recede back into the channels 70. Thus, the protuberances 68 no longer fully extend into the filtering chamber 60. As the sleeve 62 moves to its original position in the direction of arrow B, either by a user urging it in that direction, or by a spring force returning it to its original position, the sleeve 62 fully engages the protuberances 68, thereby forcing the protuberances 68 back into a position in which the protuberances 68 fully extend into the filtering chamber 60.
Referring to
The casing 48 is urged in the direction of arrow A in order to connect it to the base 50. The casing 48 of the oil filter assembly 46 is not screwed or threaded onto the base 50. Instead, the casing 48 is urged into the base 50 in a linear direction denoted by arrow A, and is removably secured to the base 50.
In order to connect the casing 48 to the base 50, the casing 48 is urged into the base in the direction of arrow A. At the same time, the sleeve 62 may also be urged in the direction of arrow A in order to retract the protuberances 68 from their fully extended positions, as described above, so that the casing 48 may slide into the base 50. Optionally, the oil filter assembly 46 may be configured so that the mating end 76 of the casing 48 slides over the protuberances 68, thereby pushing them into the channels 70, and allowing the casing 48 to further slide into the base 50 in the direction of arrow A.
The casing 48 continues to slide into the base 50 until the ridge 56 encounters the protuberances 68. At this point, the force exerted on the protuberances 68 by the sleeve 62 causes the protuberances 68 to snap, spring, or otherwise move into the ridge 56. As such, the protuberances 68 are retained by the ridge 56, thereby securely connecting the casing 48 to the base 50.
In order to disconnect the casing 48 from the base 50, the sleeve 62 is pushed in the direction of arrow A. Consequently, the protuberances 68 recede into the channels 70, as described above, and lose contact with the ridge 56. As the protuberances 68 lose contact with the ridge 56, the force exerted by the spring 72 into the casing 48 ejects the casing 48 from the base 50.
While the embodiment shown in
Further, the sleeve 62 may include finger-engaging indentations, or surfaces 67 (as shown in
The base 82 includes a fluid passage area 96 and lock paths 98, which may be sealed from the fluid passage area 96. Lock-securing features, such as slots 100 are formed through outer walls 102 of the base 82.
In order to connect the casing 80 to the base 82, the casing 80 is urged into the base 82 in the direction of arrow A. As the casing 80 is urged into the base 82, the ramped surfaces 94 of the locks 86 slide over inner surfaces 104 of the outer walls 102. When the locks 86 reach the slots 100, the forces exerted on the locks 86 by the springs 88 urge the locks into the slots 100, thereby securing the locks 86 within the slots 100. Thus, the casing 80 is secured to the base 82 by the slots 100 securely retaining the locks 86.
In order to disconnect the casing 80 from the base 82, an inwardly-directed force is exerted upon each of the locks 86 so that the locks 86 no longer extend through the slots 100. The casing 80 may then be slid away from the base 82. Optionally, the base 82 may include a spring, as discussed above with respect to
The casing 80 may alternatively be disconnected from the base 82 by urging the casing 82 in the direction of arrow A so that the ramped surfaces 94 of the locks 86 slide over the upper boundaries of the slots 100. The casing 80 is further urged in this direction until the locks 86 slide completely past the slots 100. Once the locks 86 are removed from the slots 100, the casing 80 may be rotated (so that the locks 86 will no loner be aligned with the slots 100, and then the casing 80 may be slid away from the base 82.
Alternatively, the base 82 may include the locking members 84 while the casing 80 includes the slots 100. Also, while only two locking members 84 and corresponding slots 100 are shown in
The locking members 120 extend inwardly from the interior wall 110 and are shaped as trapezoids. Each locking member 120 includes a vertical short side 128 connected to a vertical long side 130 through an upper ramped surface 132 and a lower ramped surface 134. The short and long sides 128 and 130 are parallel with one another. The orientation of the upper and lower ramped surfaces 132 and 134 may be 90 degrees out of phase with one another.
The lock receptacles 122 and lock boundaries 124 extend inwardly from the interior wall 112. Each lock receptacle 122 includes a ramped base 136 and two teeth 138 and 140 separated by a slanted gap 142. Each lock boundary 124 includes a slanted column 144 and a shorter ramp 146 separated by a gap 148.
In order to connect the casing 114 to the base 116, the casing 114 is urged into the base 116 in the direction of arrow A, as shown in
The casing 114 is urged into the base 116 in the direction of arrow A, until the upper ramped surface 132 of the locking member 120 engages the ramped base 136 of a first lock receptacle 122′. The position of the locking member 120 is denoted by “1a” at this point.
As the casing 114 continues to be urged in the direction of arrow A, the locking member 120 slides over the ramped base 136 in the direction of arrow B until it encounters a channel 150 that separates the lock receptacles 122′ and 122″, at position “1.” The channel 150 is configured to be slightly wider than the locking member 120, thereby allowing the locking member 120 to pass therethrough.
As the casing 114 continues to be urged in the direction of arrow A, the locking member 120 moves through the channel 150 and through the space 126 until its progress is impeded by the slanted column 144. The locking member 120 than slides over the slanted column 144 into the gap 148 until its movement in that direction is halted by the ramp 146 at position “2.”
Once the movement of the casing 114 is halted by the locking member 120 engaging the ramp 146 at position “2,” the casing 114 is precluded from moving further in the direction of arrow A. Instead, the casing 114 may be urged in the direction of A′ or simply be allowed to drop back in such a direction. As the casing 114 moves in the direction of A′, the lower ramped surface 134 of the locking member 120 engages the first tooth 138 of the locking receptacle 122. The locking member 120 then slides down the tooth 138 into the gap 142 until it is lodged between the first tooth 138 and the second tooth 140 at position “3,” thereby securing the casing 114 to the base 116.
In order to disconnect the casing 114 from the base 116, the casing 114 is urged in the direction of arrow A, so that the locking member 120 is dislodged from the gap 142 between the teeth 138 and 140. The locking member 120 continues to be moved in the direction of arrow A, until it encounters the ramped surface of the ramp 146. The locking member 120 slides over the ramp 146 until it encounters the slanted column 144 of an adjacent lock boundary 124′ at position “4.” Movement of the casing 114 in the direction of arrow A at this point will be stopped by the lock boundary 124′. The casing 114 is then moved in the direction of arrow A′, and the locking member 120 passes through the space 126 in that direction until it encounters the second tooth 140 at position “5.” The locking member 120 then slides over the tooth 140 until it reaches another gap 150, at which point the locking member 120 exits the base 116 at position “6.” As such, the casing 114 may be removed from the base 116.
Alternatively, the base 116 may include the locking members 120, while the casing 114 includes the lock receptacles 122 and lock boundaries 124. Also, the locking members 120, lock receptacles 122 and lock boundaries 124 may assume various other geometric shapes and sizes. For example, the locking members 120 may include rounded edges, while the lock receptacles include rounded cooperating teeth, and the like.
The oil filter assembly 152 also includes an oil inlet valve 162 positioned over an unfiltered oil inlet 164. The valve 162 may be a check valve or any other such type of device that allows fluid to pass in only direction. The valve 162 may be a flap of material, such as an elastomeric material, that is fixed at one end 166 to the casing 154. As unfiltered oil enters the oil inlet 164, the free end of the valve 162 moves in the direction denoted by arrow C, thereby allowing the unfiltered oil to pass into the filtering chamber 161 of the oil filter assembly 152. The valve 162, however, prevents oil within the filtering chamber 161 from flowing back into the oil inlet 164. Thus, when the casing 154 is disconnected from the base 156, fluid does not drip from oil inlet areas of the casing 154.
The oil filter assembly 152 also includes an oil outlet valve assembly 168, which includes a main body 170 having a mounting post 171 secured within a mounting receptacle 173 of the casing 154. The main body 170 also includes lateral portions 172 that extend from an end of the mounting post 171 that is distally located from the filtering chamber 161. The lateral portions 172 slope downwardly from the mounting post 171 to cover filtered oil outlets 174 located to the sides of the mounting post 171. Oil passing through the oil outlets 174 in the direction of arrows C forces the lateral portions 172 to pivot open about the mounting post 171. The valve assembly 168, however, prevents filtered oil that has passed through the casing 154 from re-entering the casing 154 through the outlets 174. Further, the valve assembly 168 is configured to prevent oil from passing through the casing 154 when oil circulation stops. Thus, when the casing 154 is removed from the base 156, the valve assembly 168 ensures that oil does not leak through the oil outlets 174.
Embodiments of the present invention may be used to filter oil within an internal combustion engine. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide an oil filter assembly that is quick and easy to connect and disconnect from an engine. In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of quickly and efficiently changing an oil filter without using a tool.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
