EP-4735144-A1 - FILTER, FILTER COMPONENT, AND FILTER CONNECTOR SYSTEM HAVING INTERLOCKING TABS AND RETENTION ELEMENTS

EP4735144A1EP 4735144 A1EP4735144 A1EP 4735144A1EP-4735144-A1

Abstract

A filter component (141) for a fluid system (10) includes a connector (182) having a peripheral surface (142) including a plurality of retention elements (144) each including a first tab stop surface (146), an end surface (148), and a rostrate overhang (151) including a second tab stop surface (152). A plurality of tab channels (154) are defined between adjacent ones of the retention elements and each include a tapered lead-in section (156), a middle section (158), and a securement section (160) extending in a circumferential direction from the middle section to the first tab stop surface.

Inventors

SUTTON, BRIAN J.
GHIORGHIAS, IULIAN G.
DEA, KEVIN L.
HEYDENRYCH, ZACK
EBLE, JONAS
SONNTAG, MARTIN

Assignees

Caterpillar, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240524

Claims (1)

Claims 1. A filter component (141) comprising: a peripheral surface (142) including a plurality of retention elements (144) having a circumferential distribution around an axis; the plurality of retention elements each including a first tab stop surface (146) facing a first circumferential direction, an end surface (148) facing a first axial direction, and a rostrate overhang (151) extending in a first circumferential direction from the first tab stop surface and including a second tab stop surface (152) facing a second axial direction; and a plurality of tab channels (154) each defined between two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements and including a tapered lead- in section (156) opening in the first axial direction, a middle section (158), and a securement section (160) extending in a second circumferential direction from the middle section to the first tab stop surface of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements. 2. The filter component of claim 1 further comprising: a filter medium (22,42), an end plate (66,68) attached to the filter medium, and a connector protrusion (70,72,182) including the peripheral surface and projecting from the end plate; and an opposite end plate (74,76) attached to the filter medium, a rotatable bracket (78,80) coupled to the opposite end plate, and a seal (82,84,86 mounted upon the rotatable bracket. 3. The filter component of claim 1 or 2 wherein the peripheral surface includes an outer peripheral surface, and the tapered lead-in section is defined between the end surfaces of each respective two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements. 4. The filter component of any of claims 1-3 wherein the rostrate overhang is tapered to a tip (162) in the first circumferential direction, and includes a tab retention bump (164) upon the second tab stop surface. 5. The filter component of any of claims 1-4 wherein the rostrate overhang includes a forward sloped lead-in surface (166) forming in part a first adjacent one of the lead-in sections, and the end surface includes a rearward sloped lead-in surface (168) forming in part a second adjacent one of the lead-in sections; and the end surface forms a peak (170), and the forward sloped lead-in surface advances in the first circumferential direction and the second axial direction from the peak, and the rearward sloped lead-in surface advances in the second circumferential direction and the second axial direction from the peak. 6. A connector system (50,52) for a filter assembly (12,14) comprising: a first peripheral surface (88) including a plurality of tabs (92); a second peripheral surface (142) including a plurality of retention elements (144); the first peripheral surface and the second peripheral surface are positionable in coaxial alignment around an axis to position the plurality of tabs and the plurality of retention elements at respectively offset circumferential distributions around the axis; the plurality of retention elements each including a first tab stop surface (146) facing a first circumferential direction, an end surface (148) facing a first axial direction, and a rostrate overhang (151) extending in a first circumferential direction from the first tab stop surface and including a second tab stop surface (152) facing a second axial direction; and a plurality of tab channels (154) each including a tapered lead-in section (156) defined between the end surfaces of two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements and opening in the first axial direction, a middle section (158), and a securement section (160) extending in a second circumferential direction from the middle section to the first tab stop surface of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements. 7. The connector system of claim 6 wherein the first peripheral surface includes an inner peripheral surface, and the second peripheral surface includes an outer peripheral surface; the connector system further comprising: a plurality of base surfaces (184) each extending between two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements and facing the first axial direction; a connector protrusion (70,72) including the second peripheral surface; and a seal (186) mounted on the connector protrusion adjacent to the plurality of base surfaces. 8. The connector system of claim 6 or 7 wherein the rostrate overhang includes a forward sloped lead-in surface (166) forming in part a first adjacent one of the lead-in sections, and a rearward sloped lead-in surface (168) forming in part a second adjacent one of the lead-in sections; wherein the end surface forms a peak (170), and the forward sloped lead-in surface advances in the first circumferential direction and the second axial direction from the peak, and the rearward sloped lead-in surface advances in the second circumferential direction and the second axial direction from the peak. 9. A filter element (31,41,141) comprising: a filter medium (31,41) extending around an axis; a connector (70,72,182) for mounting the filter medium in a filter housing (30,40), the connector including an outer peripheral surface (142) and projecting in an axial direction from the filter medium; the connector further including a plurality of retention elements (144) upon the outer peripheral surface and having a circumferential distribution around the axis; and the connector further including a plurality of tab channels (154) each defined between two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements, and each including a tapered lead-in section (156) opening in the axial direction, a middle section (158), and a securement section (160) extending in a circumferential direction from the middle section. 10. The filter element of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of retention elements includes an overhang (151) extending in an opposite circumferential direction and including a sloped surface (166) defining in part one of the lead-in sections, and a tab stop surface (152) facing an opposite axial direction and defining in part the respective one of the securement sections. 11. The filter element of claim 9 or 10 wherein each of the plurality of retention elements includes another tab stop surface (146) facing the opposite circumferential direction. 12. The filter element of any of claims 9-11 wherein the tab stop surface and the another tab stop surface are oriented normal to one another. 13. The filter element of any of claims 9-12 wherein the overhang tapers to a tip (162) defining in part a respective one of the middle sections. 14. The filter element of any of claims 9-13 further comprising an end plate (66,68) attached to the filter medium, an opposite end plate (74,76) attached to the filter medium, and the connector is located radially inward of an outer perimeter of the end plate. 15. The filter element of any of claims 9-14 further comprising a bracket (78,80) coupled to the opposite end plate, and a seal (82,84,86) mounted upon the bracket, and wherein the bracket is rotatable and axially movable relative to the filter medium.

Description

Description FILTER, FILTER COMPONENT, AND FILTER CONNECTOR SYSTEM HAVING INTERLOCKING TABS AND RETENTION ELEMENTS Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid system employing filtration, and more particularly to a connector system for releasably attaching a filter element to a filter housing. Background All manner of mechanical systems are known throughout the world employing filters for various purposes. Most, if not all, internal combustion engines employ filters for filtration of liquids including engine oil, fuel, coolant, and others. A wide variety of filter types and overall filtration systems have been used for well over a century. As particles are collected in a filter medium the efficacy of the filter can degrade over time, potentially leading to an undesired pressure drop through the filter, fluid leaks, or other problems. It is generally conventional practice to change out filters on a regular surface interval or when diagnostic equipment indicates filter change is needed. Filter disassembly, removal, and reinstallation is desirably simple and straightforward. For various reasons, filter swapping when an engine or other machinery is serviced can be more time consuming and labor intensive than theoretically required. Moreover, in some instances attaching and/or un-attaching filter components to one another can result in spilled fluids and/or introduction of contamination into the fluid system. Filters and related filter components intended to be serviceable often employ some type of mechanism for securely and releasably locking or positioning a filter element in place. A threaded interface is commonly used. Various other connectors and connector strategies including bayonet connectors, tab and slot connectors, and still others are also well known and in widespread use. One example of a replaceable filter configuration in a liquid filter application is known from United States Patent No.6,814,243 B2 to Amstutz et al. The art provides ample opportunity for improvements and development of alternative strategies. Summary In one aspect, a filter component includes a peripheral surface including a plurality of retention elements having a circumferential distribution around an axis. The plurality of retention elements each include a first tab stop surface facing a first circumferential direction, an end service facing a first axial direction, and a rostrate overhang extending in a first circumferential direction from the first tab stop surface and including a second tab stop surface facing a second axial direction. The filter component further includes a plurality of tab channels each defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements and including a tapered lead-in section opening in the first axial direction, a middle section, and a securement section extending in a second circumferential direction from the middle section to the first tab stop surface of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements. In another aspect, a connector system for a filter assembly includes a first peripheral surface having a plurality of tabs, and a second peripheral surface including a plurality of retention elements. The first peripheral surface and the second peripheral surface are positionable in co-axial alignment around an axis to position the plurality of tabs and the plurality of retention elements at respectively offset circumferential distributions around the axis. The plurality of retention elements each include a first tab stop surface facing a first circumferential direction, an end surface facing a first axial direction, and a rostrate overhang extending in a first circumferential direction from the first tab stop surface and including a second tab stop surface facing a second axial direction. The connector system further includes a plurality of tab channels each including a tapered lead-in section defined between the end surfaces of two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements and opening in the first axial direction, a middle section, and a securement section extending in a second circumferential direction from the middle second to the first tab stop surface of one of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements. In still another aspect, a filter element includes a filter medium extending around an axis, and a connector for mounting the filter medium in a filter housing, the connector including an outer peripheral surface and projecting in an axial direction from the filter medium. The connector further includes a plurality of retention elements upon the outer peripheral surface and having a circumferential distribution around the axis. The connector further includes a plurality of tab channels each defined between two adjacent ones of the plurality of retention elements, and each including a tapered lead-in section opening in the axial direction, a middle section, and a securement section extending in a circumfer