Patent Application
20220048169
The present invention is in the field of removal tools for filters and pertains particularly to removal tools for screw-on canister filters.
Internal combustion engines have periodic maintenance involving the changing of oil. During an oil changing process, an oil filtration device is removed from an engine and replaced along with oil. A common style of an oil filtration device is a screw-on canister filter. A screw-on canister filter will normally need replacement after contaminates have saturated its filtration media for a required purpose. Most commonly, screw-on canister filters are used in oil applications, such as automobile oil. Commonly used methods for the removal of screw-on canister filters involve a tool or device to transfer force onto a filter canister which influences rotation for unscrewing. After many hot-cold cycles, screw-on canister filters have a tendency to become intensely adhered to an engine. Once a screw-on canister filter has become extremely attached, a filter is overwhelmingly resistant to removal.
Existing removal tools for screw-on canister filters will slip, deform, fail or break when removing an extremely attached filter. In some instances, the metal canister of a filter will deform before it will rotate. Currently available removal tools for screw-on canister filters are marginally effective under ideal scenarios and most often completely ineffective when attempting to remove an extremely attached filter. In many applications, existing tools are often impotent due to limited accessibility of filters within an engine compartment. Existing removal tools that can be installed in confined spaces are often unable to secure a filter with a level of retention that is capable of transferring torque necessary for rotating an extremely attached filter. This can be caused by the size-for-size or clearance fits found in present tools not being able to adequately secure the filter. In addition, some existing removal tools will not retain themselves to a filter making it harder to manage the tool in confined spaces. Another fault with some existing removal tools is they attempt to accommodate multiple filter configurations within one tool design rather than targeting a single application. The retention, strength and ability of existing multi-filter tools are most often compromised due to attributes of a multipurpose design. An additional fault with some existing removal tools is they do not provide an avenue for separation of a removal tool and filter after the adjoined pair have been extracted from an engine compartment.
Therefore, what is clearly needed is a removal tool and method for removing canister filters that solves the problems mentioned above.
The aforementioned problems have been recognized and inspire the need of an improved removal tool for screw-on disposable filters.
The primary objective of the present invention is to create a removal tool for screw-on disposable filters with increased grip that allows an operator to apply a high level of torque without slipping on the canister, especially when working in confined spaces. In addition to this objective, once the screw-on canister filter is extracted from an engine bay, the removal tool can be separated easily from the filter.
To achieve the primary objective, a characteristic of a removal tool in accordance with the present invention, would require the manufacture of said tool from a ferrous-based alloy to reduce tool deformation during use and permit thinner material cross sections ideal for use in confined spaces.
Another attribute for achieving the objective is the removal tool will engage the filter strategically on driving edges with an interference fit to increase grip and allow for the influence of more torque. The driving edges and accompanying surfaces will have optimized geometry that will only be useful for one specific size and shape filter, as a result, maximizing filter retention and allowing the exertion of the high level of required torque.
An additional assisting feature for achieving the objective is that the removal tool will not fully encompass a filter. Adding apertures to the removal tool on two opposing quadrants will permit the canister of the filter to contort when the removal tool is installed and thus allowing for an interference fit of the driving edges. Expanding on the benefits, having apertures allows access to the underside of the filter with a screw driver or like tool which can easily pry and separate the removal tool from the filter after use. In addition, apertures can be used to clear engine components when utilized in confined spaces.
The inventor provides a removal tool for screw-on canister filters that provides a tight grip allowing an operator to apply a high level of torque without slipping on a canister when working in confined spaces. The present invention is described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment, removal tool 100 has a plurality of a tooth 102 comprising of a chisel edge 104, a bevel surface 103, and a receding surface 105. Chisel edge 104 is defined by the edge formed between the bevel surface 103 and receding surface 105. Bevel surface 103 reinforces chisel edge 104 for increased strength during rotation of removal tool 100. In this example, receding surface 105 is perpendicular to bevel surface 103. The perpendicularity will sharpen a corner for chisel edge 104 to tightly engage on a screw-on canister filter. Therebetween each tooth 102 is a relief surface 101 that has clearance and does not contact a screw-on canister filter during use. Further iterations of a removal tool 100 comprising a tooth 102 and relief surface 101 can be created to accommodate different sizes and shapes of a screw-on canister filter.
In a preferred embodiment, tooth 102 and relief surface 101 will extend to an interior chamfer 106 surface to give more strength to removal tool 100. In this example, a side aperture 109 is an opening on the side of removal tool 100 to allow access to an interior flat surface 107. Another embodiment is a pocket 108 within removal tool 100 to lighten and prevent defects from manifesting when manufactured from cast metal solidification processes.
To utilize the removal tool, the following procedure would be followed; the internal combustion engine or similar device would be prepped for an oil and filter change following existing well-known procedures; existing oil would be removed, drained and captured. The removal tool would be pressed on to the screw-on canister filter by an operator until the interior chamfer surface contacts the screw-on canister filter. The user would use an external tool that corresponds to a socket hex and apply torque to the removal tool in the removal direction until the screw-on canister filter un-screws. After the adjoined pair have become unscrewed and separated from the internal combustion engine or similar device, the removal tool would be separated from the screw-on canister filter by prying the filter through a side aperture with a screwdriver or like tool until the removal tool is separated from the screw-on canister filter.
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the removal tool invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
