Filter cartridge

The present disclosure relates to filter assemblies such as air cleaner assemblies, their components and features, as well as assembly and usage methods. The filter assembly comprises a housing that houses a removable and replaceable filter cartridge. It is effective that the filter cartridge is configured to have a housing seal structure as an option. Various features of the filter housing and / or cartridge that can provide advantages are described. How to assemble and use will be explained. An optional effective resonator / sonic choke structure is described.

It is desirable to filter air or other gases in many systems. A typical application is filtration of the intake air of an internal combustion engine. Another application is the filtration of crankcase ventilation filter assemblies. Usually, such a system comprises a filter assembly that houses an inspectable filter cartridge. After a period of use, the filter medium inside the filter housing should be inspected by cleaning or complete replacement. For example, in the case of an air cleaner filter assembly or crankcase ventilation filter assembly used with a vehicle internal combustion engine, the filter medium is usually a removable and replaceable component, typically called a filter element or filter cartridge, ie inspection. It is a possible component. The filter cartridge is configured to be removable and sealed in an air cleaner during use.

It is desirable to improve the filter structure in relation to assembly, inspection and use.

The filter assembly (such as an air cleaner assembly or crankcase ventilation filter assembly), its components and features are described. How to assemble and use is also explained. The filter assembly generally comprises a housing in which the filter cartridge is removably arranged. For example, an example of a filter cartridge having a housing seal surface which is a surface facing in the radial direction having a plurality of portions protruding outward in the radial direction separated from each other by a portion protruding inward in the radial direction is shown.

In the particular example structure illustrated, it is effective that the housing includes a connection as an option, with a portion of the connection located between the two housing seals placed on the cartridge.

The selected principle of the present application can be applied to a filter cartridge that does not contain two housing seals but contains one effective housing seal. In one example of the structure, the radially oriented sealing surface is a plurality of spaced lobes or lobes separated from each other by an optional non-linear portion, such as an opposing inwardly projecting (eg concave) portion. It has an outwardly projecting (eg convex) portion.

In the particular example illustrated, the housing seal is provided with a substantially circular surface facing in the radial direction.

In a particular application of the techniques described herein, it comprises two housing seals, each housing seal oriented approximately radially, but with different outer perimeter sizes, usually one housing seal perimeter. A filter cartridge that is significantly larger than the outer circumference of the other housing seal is provided. For such applications, the two seals may both be circular, but different shapes are possible as described and illustrated.

In order to obtain any advantage according to the present disclosure, it is not particularly required that the air cleaner assembly, its components or features include all of the detailed features described herein.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an air cleaner assembly according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a second schematic side view showing the air cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 when viewed from the right side of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a third schematic side view showing the air cleaner assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 including some parts shown in cross section to show internal details.</figref><figref num="3A">FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion showing the selected portion of FIG.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a schematic outlet end perspective view showing a filter cartridge that can be used in the air cleaner assemblies of FIGS. 1 to 3.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view showing some parts to show internal details.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a molded portion of the first open end of the filter cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molded portion of FIG. 6 along line 7-7 of FIG.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is the same portion of the schematic enlarged partial view showing the molded portion of FIG. 7.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the outlet end showing the support component of the filter cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing the support component of FIG.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 11 is a schematic end-view view showing the components of FIG. 10 when viewed toward the left end of FIG.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 12 is a second schematic end-view view showing the components of FIGS. 9 and 10 when viewed toward the end opposite to FIG.</figref><figref num="13">FIG. 13 is the same part of the enlarged partial schematic view shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="14">FIG. 14 is the same portion of the enlarged sectional sectional view shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="15">FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a selected portion of the support component shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic view showing the selected portion of FIG.</figref><figref num="17">FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing a housing portion of the assembly of FIGS. 1 to 3.</figref><figref num="18">FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing the housing portion shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="19">FIG. 19 is a schematic end-view view showing the housing portions of FIGS. 17 and 18.</figref><figref num="20">FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the housing portion of FIG. 19 along line 20-20 of FIG.</figref><figref num="21">FIG. 21 is an enlarged schematic partial schematic showing the selected portion of FIG.</figref><figref num="22">FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view showing the flow tube components of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 to 3.</figref><figref num="23">FIG. 23 is a schematic side view showing the components of FIG. 22.</figref><figref num="24">Figure 24 is a diagram<u style="single">22</u>And figure<u style="single">23</u>It is a schematic plan view which shows the component parts of.</figref><figref num="25">FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially along line 25-25 of FIG.</figref><figref num="26">FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic partial view showing the selected portion of FIG. 25.</figref><figref num="27">FIG. 27 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view substantially along lines 27-27 of FIG.</figref><figref num="28">FIG. 28 is the same part of the enlarged schematic partial view shown in FIG. 27.</figref><figref num="29">FIG. 29 is a schematic end view showing a second end cap molded portion of the cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="30">FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a molded portion of FIG. 29 substantially along line 30-30 of FIG. 29.</figref><figref num="31">FIG. 31 is a schematic end-face perspective view showing a second housing portion of the assembly of FIGS. 1 to 3.</figref><figref num="32">FIG. 32 is a schematic side sectional view showing a housing portion of FIG. 31 along lines 32-32 of FIG.</figref><figref num="33">FIG. 33 shows a second embodiment of the air cleaner assembly according to the present disclosure, but is a schematic side view showing no particular mold-in-place molded portion of the end cap of the cartridge so that details of the internal structure can be seen. Yes, it is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33-33 of FIG. 33A.</figref><figref num="33A">33A is an end plan view showing the cross section of FIG. 33, where lines 33-33 show the access cover of the assembly shown in FIG. 33.</figref><figref num="33B">FIG. 33B is an enlarged partial view showing the identified portion of FIG. 33.</figref><figref num="33C">FIG. 33C is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 33, including an illustration of a mold-in-place molded portion of the two end caps, but shows a selected variant of the second embodiment of the air cleaner assembly. It is a figure.</figref><figref num="33D">FIG. 33D is an enlarged schematic view showing the selected portion of FIG. 33C.</figref><figref num="33E">FIG. 33E is a perspective view showing a housing that can be used with the modifications of FIGS. 33C and 33D.</figref><figref num="34">FIG. 34 is a schematic closed end view showing a filter cartridge using the assembly of FIG. 33.</figref><figref num="34A">FIG. 34A is a schematic exit end perspective view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 34.</figref><figref num="34B">FIG. 34B is a schematic closed end perspective view showing the filter cartridges of the modifications of FIGS. 33C and 33D.</figref><figref num="34C">FIG. 34C is a schematic exit end perspective view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 34B.</figref><figref num="35">FIG. 35 is a schematic side view of the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 34 in cross section with some parts removed to show internal details.</figref><figref num="35A">FIG. 35A is a schematic side view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 34C.</figref><figref num="35B">FIG. 35B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 35A.</figref><figref num="36">FIG. 36 is a schematic open end plan view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 35.</figref><figref num="36A">36A is a plan view showing the outlet ends of the filter cartridges of FIGS. 35A and 35B.</figref><figref num="37">FIG. 37 is a schematic closed end perspective view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 35.</figref><figref num="37A">37A is a plan view showing the closed ends of the filter cartridges of FIGS. 35A and 35B.</figref><figref num="38">FIG. 38 is a schematic outlet end plan view showing the internal components of the filter cartridge of FIG. 35.</figref><figref num="39">It is a schematic side view which shows the component of FIG. 38.</figref><figref num="40">FIG. 40 is a schematic exit end plan view showing the components of FIG. 38.</figref><figref num="41">FIG. 41 is a schematic end-view view showing the components of FIG. 39 when viewed towards the end opposite to that shown in FIG. 40.</figref><figref num="42">FIG. 42 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion showing the components shown in FIG. 39.</figref><figref num="43">FIG. 43 is the same portion of the enlarged sectional sectional view shown in FIG. 42.</figref><figref num="44">FIG. 44 is a schematic partial plan view showing a part of FIG. 40.</figref><figref num="45">FIG. 45 is a schematic perspective view showing the outlet pipe components that can be used with the assembly of FIG. 33.</figref><figref num="46">FIG. 46 is a schematic side view showing the outlet pipe of the component of FIG. 45.</figref><figref num="47">FIG. 47 is a schematic side sectional view showing the components of FIGS. 45 and 46 substantially along lines 47-47 of FIG. 48.</figref><figref num="48">FIG. 48 is a schematic end-face plan view showing the components shown in FIGS. 45 and 46.</figref><figref num="49">FIG. 49 is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially along line 49-49 of FIG.</figref><figref num="50">FIG. 50 is the same part of the enlarged schematic partial view shown in FIG. 49.</figref><figref num="51">FIG. 51 is a schematic side view showing the assembly shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="52">FIG. 52 is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially along lines 52-52 of FIG.</figref><figref num="53">FIG. 53 is a schematic perspective view showing the housing components of the assembly of FIG. 51.</figref><figref num="54">FIG. 54 is a schematic plan view showing the housing components of FIG. 53.</figref><figref num="55">FIG. 55 is a schematic end-face plan view showing the housing components of FIG. 53.</figref><figref num="56">FIG. 56 is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially along line 56-56 of FIG.</figref><figref num="57">FIG. 57 is the same portion of the schematic enlarged partial view shown in FIG. 56.</figref><figref num="58">FIG. 58 is a schematic plan view showing a molded component that can be used to form a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 34A.</figref><figref num="59">FIG. 59 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molded component of FIG. 58 along lines 59-59 of FIG.</figref><figref num="60">FIG. 60 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing a part of FIG. 58.</figref><figref num="61">FIG. 61 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing a part of FIG. 59.</figref><figref num="62">FIG. 62 is a roughly enlarged portion of FIG. 59.</figref><figref num="63">FIG. 63 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing a part of FIG. 58.</figref><figref num="64">FIG. 64 is a development schematic showing the relationship between the inner filter support of FIG. 38 and the molding die of FIG. 58.</figref><figref num="65">FIG. 65 is a schematic development sectional view showing the structure shown in FIG. 64.</figref><figref num="66">It is the schematic which shows the seal structure which replaces the seal structure shown in FIG. 36.</figref><figref num="67">FIG. 67 is a schematic view showing a second seal configuration that replaces the seal configuration shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="68">FIG. 68 is a schematic view showing a third seal configuration that replaces the seal configuration shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="69">FIG. 69 is a schematic view showing a fourth seal configuration that replaces the seal configuration shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="70">FIG. 70 is a schematic view showing a fifth seal configuration that replaces the seal configuration shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="71">FIG. 71 is a schematic side perspective view showing a third embodiment of the air cleaner assembly according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="71A">FIG. 71A is a schematic perspective view showing an air cleaner assembly according to a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 71.</figref><figref num="71B">FIG. 71B is a schematic side view showing a modification of FIG. 71A.</figref><figref num="71C">FIG. 71C is a schematic side perspective view showing a further modification of the structure of FIG. 71.</figref><figref num="72">FIG. 72 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the air cleaner of FIG. 71.</figref><figref num="72A">FIG. 72A is an enlarged partial schematic showing a part of FIG. 72.</figref><figref num="72B">FIG. 72B is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially along line 72B-72B of FIG. 71B showing a modification of the drawings of FIGS. 72 and 72A.</figref><figref num="72C">FIG. 72C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure shown in FIG. 71C.</figref><figref num="73">FIG. 73 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the characteristic structure of the selected housing flow tubes and filter cartridges of the assemblies of FIGS. 71 and 72.</figref><figref num="74">FIG. 74 is a schematic side view showing the filter cartridge components that can be used in the assemblies of FIGS. 71-73.</figref><figref num="74A">FIG. 74A is a schematic side view showing the filter cartridge used in the modifications of FIGS. 71A, 71B and 71C.</figref><figref num="75">FIG. 75 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the filter cartridge component shown in FIG. 74.</figref><figref num="75A">FIG. 75A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of FIG. 74A substantially along the line 75A-75A of FIG. 74A.</figref><figref num="75B">FIG. 75B shows a perspective view of the outlet end of the cartridge.</figref><figref num="76">FIG. 76 is an enlarged schematic end-view view showing the open ends of the cartridges of FIGS. 74 and 75.</figref><figref num="76A">FIG. 76A is a schematic open end plan view showing a modification of the filter cartridge of FIG. 75A.</figref><figref num="77">FIG. 77 is an enlarged schematic end view showing the closed ends of the filter cartridges of FIGS. 74 and 75.</figref><figref num="77A">FIG. 77A is a schematic end view showing a closed end portion of the filter cartridge of the modified examples of FIGS. 74A and 75A.</figref><figref num="78">FIG. 78 is a schematic open end perspective view showing the filter cartridges of FIGS. 74 and 75.</figref><figref num="78A">FIG. 78A is a schematic open end perspective view showing a modification of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 74A and 75A.</figref><figref num="78B">FIG. 78B is a closed end perspective view showing a modification of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 74A, 75A and 78A.</figref><figref num="79">FIG. 79 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a selected portion of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 74 and 75.</figref><figref num="80">FIG. 80 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion showing a portion of the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 79 excluding the molded end cap potting portion visible in FIG. 79.</figref><figref num="81">FIG. 81 is an enlarged schematic view similar to FIG. 76, which provided the selected dimensional information.</figref><figref num="82">FIG. 82 is an enlarged schematic end face plan view showing the molded end cap portion of the cartridge shown in FIG. 77.</figref><figref num="83">FIG. 83 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the molded end cap portion shown in FIG. 82.</figref><figref num="84">FIG. 84 is an enlarged schematic exit end perspective view showing one component of the filter cartridge component shown in FIGS. 74 and 75.</figref><figref num="85">FIG. 85 is a schematic side sectional view showing the components shown in FIG. 84.</figref><figref num="86">FIG. 86 is an enlarged schematic exit end view showing the components shown in FIGS. 84 and 85.</figref><figref num="87">FIG. 87 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing the housing tube components of the assembly shown in FIGS. 71 and 72.</figref><figref num="88">FIG. 88 is an enlarged schematic plan view showing the components shown in FIG. 87.</figref><figref num="89">FIG. 89 is an enlarged schematic partial view showing the identified portion of FIG. 88.</figref><figref num="90">FIG. 90 is a schematic side view showing another support structure for use with the cartridge according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="91">FIG. 91 is a schematic partial perspective view showing the support structure of FIG. 90.</figref><figref num="92">FIG. 92 is a second schematic partial view showing the support structure of FIGS. 90 and 91.</figref><figref num="93">FIG. 93 is a schematic side view showing the second alternative support structure according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="94">FIG. 94 is a schematic partial perspective view showing the support structure of FIG. 93.</figref><figref num="95">FIG. 95 is a second schematic partial perspective view showing the support structures of FIGS. 93 and 94.</figref><figref num="96">FIG. 96 is a schematic perspective development view showing an additional modification of the support structure that can be used in the cartridge according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="97">FIG. 97 is a side view showing a modified example of the support structure of FIG. 96.</figref><figref num="98">FIG. 98 is a schematic perspective view showing a modified example of the support structure of FIG. 97.</figref><figref num="99">FIG. 99 is a schematic end view showing a modified example of the support structure of FIG. 98.</figref><figref num="100">FIG. 100 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the support structure of FIG. 98.</figref><figref num="101">FIG. 101 is an enlarged partial view showing a selected portion of FIG. 100.</figref><figref num="102">FIG. 102 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing another filter cartridge according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="103">FIG. 103 is a schematic diagram showing the process of assembling the medium for use with the cartridge of FIG. 90.</figref><figref num="104">FIG. 104 is a schematic perspective view showing a filter cartridge according to yet another application to which the principles of the present disclosure apply.</figref><figref num="105">FIG. 105 is a schematic plan view showing the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 104.</figref><figref num="106">FIG. 106 is a schematic perspective view showing a further modification of the filter cartridge to which the selected principle according to the present disclosure is applied.</figref><figref num="107">FIG. 107 is a side view showing the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 106.</figref><figref num="108">FIG. 108 is a schematic perspective view showing a filter cartridge for use in crankcase ventilation filtration as an application of the principles according to the present disclosure.</figref><figref num="109">FIG. 109 is a schematic plan view showing the filter cartridge of FIG. 108.</figref><figref num="110">FIG. 110 is a schematic perspective view showing a second filter cartridge for use in crankcase ventilation filtration to which the principles of the present disclosure apply.</figref><figref num="111">FIG. 111 is a schematic plan view showing the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 110.</figref>

An exemplary filter assembly, its features and components are described and illustrated. A variety of specific features and components are described in detail. Many features and components are applicable to provide benefits. However, it is not particularly required to apply the various individual features and components throughout the assembly with all the features described and all the features in order to provide any benefit of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that a plurality of embodiments are illustrated and described. Those embodiments are not intended to be exclusive with respect to the features illustrated. That is, there is an advantage that the selected features of one embodiment can be applied in one or more of the other embodiments as needed.

In many examples, the illustrated filter assembly is, for example, an air cleaner assembly used to filter the intake air of an internal combustion engine. An additional embodiment in which the filter assembly is a crankcase ventilation filter assembly is also described. In that case, the filter cartridge is typically used to filter crankcase blow-by gas containing both particulate and liquid contaminants. These two types of filter assemblies are generally "gas filter assemblies" because the carrier stage to be filtered is the gas (air or crankcase blow-by gas). The techniques described herein are commonly used in applications such as gas filtration, but can also be used to filter other substances, such as liquids, if desired.

I. General features of an exemplary embodiment, FIGS. 1-3, reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 generally indicates a filter assembly according to the present disclosure, such as an air cleaner or air cleaner assembly or air cleaner structure. The filter assembly (air cleaner assembly in this example) 1 includes housing 2. The housing 2 defines the side wall 2s and includes a first body portion 3 and a second body portion or access cover 4. In the illustrated example, the access cover 4 is detachably fixed to the first body portion 3, but other configurations are possible. In the case of the illustrated example, the cover portion 4 is attached to the main body portion 3 by the latch structure 5, but other configurations are also possible. This latch structure typically comprises a plurality of overcenter latches 5x.

Generally, the air (gas) cleaner 1 includes an air (gas) inflow port structure 7. In the illustrated example, the air flow inlet structure 7 is an inlet pipe indicated by reference numeral 7t in the figure in the main body portion 3. The particular inlet pipe 7t shown is configured as a side tangential entrance. That is, the gas flow is not guided directly toward the housing central axis X, but tangentially along the inner wall of the housing 2. Alternative inlet structures, locations and orientations are also possible. However, the illustrated tangential entrance structure is convenient and advantageous for the reasons described below.

Reference numeral 8 in the figure indicates a dust / water discharge structure arranged in housing 2, and this structure includes a pipe 9. In the illustrated example, the tube 9 is part of the access cover 4, but other configurations are possible. The pipe 9 is covered by a pressure reducing exhaust valve structure 10 with a Duckville valve of the type widely used with air cleaners. See, for example, WO 2006/06241A1 and US Pat. No. 6,419,718B1 incorporated herein by reference. An alternative pressure reducing exhaust valve structure can also be used.

Reference numeral 15 in the drawing indicates an outlet pipe or a flow pipe which is a part of the housing 2 arranged in another part of the housing main body part 3. Although the tube 15 can be formed integrally with the housing body portion 3, the tube 15 is usually another member that is snap-fitted or otherwise attached to the housing body portion 3 as described below.

During operation, the air (gas) to be filtered flows into the air cleaner assembly via the inlet pipe 7t. Finally, the air passes through the filter medium of the filter cartridge structure arranged in the internal space 2i of the housing 2. After passing through the medium of the air filter cartridge, the filtered air is guided to be expelled from the housing through the outlet pipe 15. The filtered air is sent from the outlet pipe 15 to downstream equipment such as an air intake of a turbo system or an engine system. (In some cases, assembly 1 may include an optional safety filter cartridge or secondary filter cartridge (not shown) through which air passes as it travels from the filter cartridge towards the outlet tube 15. ) The particular air cleaner (filter) assembly 1 shown includes an optional pre-cleaner stage. The stage of the pre-cleaner is formed by guiding air tangentially from the inlet pipe 7t into the internal space 2i of the housing 2. A portion of the air is then guided by the internal cyclone slope 17 of FIG. 2 to draw a cyclone or spiral pattern around the interior space of Assembly 1. As a result, some of the moisture or dust particles contained in the air flow are bounced toward the inner surface of the side wall 2s. This material, separated from the air stream, eventually travels towards tube 9 into tube 9 and is expelled from tube 9 through valve 10.

The particular air cleaner assembly 1 shown is configured to be mounted in a variety of orientations, eg, the central axis X in the vertical orientation or the central axis X in the horizontal orientation. This allows the outlet tube 9 to be 30-60 ° to axis X at the lower corner of the access cover 4 so that the tube 9 can be oriented downwards whether the axis X is vertical or horizontal. It is easily realized by turning it downward at an angle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, housing body portion 3 includes mounting pad structure 11. The mounting pad structure 11 can be integrally formed with other parts of the housing 2 as shown, but may be another member. The mounting pad structure 11 is used to help secure the housing 2 in place in the equipment where the air cleaner 1 is likely to be used. By providing the mounting pad structure 11 on the housing body portion 3, the housing body portion 3 can be held by bolts to the device or other system during the inspection, and the access cover 4 is a main body for convenience of inspection. Removably fixed to part 3.

In addition, referring to FIG. 2, the outlet pipe 15 includes an optional tap 15t. The tap 15t can be used, for example, as a pressure tap for a limiting indicator (not shown) used as an option with the air cleaner assembly 1.

To the best of our knowledge, air cleaner assemblies are described and described in WO2006 / 06241A1, WO2009014988 and US Pat. No. 6,419,718B1, which are incorporated herein by reference. Similar to many traditional air cleaner assemblies, including assemblies.

Next, focusing on FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows another elevation view of the air cleaner assembly 1, which shows some parts in cross section. With reference to FIG. 3, the filter cartridge 25 arranged in the interior space 2i of the housing can be seen. The filter cartridge 25 will be described in more detail below. Generally, the cartridge 25 is an inspectable component that includes an extension filter medium 26 through which the air to be filtered passes before it can be expelled from assembly 1.

As used herein and with reference to the cartridge 25, the term "inspectable component" means that the cartridge 25 is removable and replaceable in the air cleaner assembly 1. Therefore, if the medium 26 is clogged during use, the cartridge 25 can be removed, regenerated or replaced.

With reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the housing 2 contains an optional but effective shield structure 27 that surrounds a selected portion of the cartridge 25. The shield structure 27 includes a first shield portion 28 in the housing body portion 3, the first shield portion 28 being oriented at that position so as to surround a portion of the cartridge 25, with the shield 28 and the outer wall 30. An annular space 29 is formed between the two. The air flowing in from the inlet 7 is sent out into the inlet annular space 29 (while drawing a cyclone pattern by the inner surface of the inclined surface 17). The shield 28 moves in a cyclone pattern with at least a portion of the air, and the medium 26 contains debris and other substances carried by the inlet air in the annular space 24 until it passes through the shield 28 in the direction toward the access cover 4. Suppress direct collision with.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 33 in the figure indicates a second shield portion of the shield structure 27 in the access cover 4. The second shield portion 33 defines an annular space 34 between the shield 33 and the side wall 35 of the portion 4. Reference numeral 37 in the figure is on the side wall 2 and indicates an outlet opening or an discharge opening from the housing internal space 2i to the internal space 9i of the pipe 9. The discharge opening or outlet opening 37 communicates with the annular space 34. The shield 33 helps remove debris and other substances into the debris discharge structure 8 through the opening 37.

The use of a shield structure similar to the shield structure 27, which has one or more shields similar to the shield portions 28 and 33, is common to many air cleaner structures. For example, WO2006 / 06241A1, WO2009 / 014988, U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 446,653, U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 473,296 and U.S. Patents incorporated herein by reference. See US Pat. No. 6,419,718B1. Similar features and principles can be used in this disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. In FIG. 3A, each part of the shield 28 and the annular space 29 can be seen.

It should be noted that "overlapping stage" or "two stage" air (gas) having a first pre-cleaner stage for separating moisture and large particles from the air before the air is delivered to the filter cartridge 25 (second stage). ) Shield structure 27 and dust discharge structure 8 are used consistently in many applications where cleaners are desired. However, such features are generally optional features, and many of the principles of the present disclosure can be applied to air cleaners that do not include such a two-stage configuration or pre-cleaner stage.

Note that the particular air cleaner assembly 1 shown does not include a safety filter or safety cartridge located in front of the outlet 50 on the downstream side of the medium 26. Many of the principles described herein can be applied as well to systems using such safety filters or cartridges.

II. Features related to housing seal structure-General A. Overview As shown above, the feature structures pointed out and explained above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3A in relation to the configuration and operation of a general air cleaner are well known. It is a feature, and the morphology of those feature structures has been used in a variety of systems. The particular unique feature structure of the air cleaner of FIGS. 1-3A relates to the particular feature structure of the filter cartridge 25, in particular the engagement of the filter cartridge with the rest of the air cleaner assembly 1. This chapter describes the selected feature structure related to this point.

Generally speaking, the cartridge 25 is an inspectable component. That is, the cartridge 25 is removed and replaced during the useful life of the air cleaner 1. If unfiltered air enters the outlet tube 15 without passing through the cartridge 25, it can damage the engine, so to ensure that this happens, the cartridge 25 and the housing A releaseable seal is required between 2 and 2. An releasable hermetically sealed engagement structure between the filter cartridge 25 and the housing 2 that achieves this object is commonly characterized herein as a housing seal structure.

Further referring to FIG. 3, the filter cartridge 25 typically includes a filter medium 26 extending between a first medium end 41 and a second medium end 42 on the opposite side thereof. The first medium end 41 engages with the first end cap or first end member 45. The second media end 42 engages with the second end cap or the second end member 46. Therefore, the medium 26 extends between the end caps (or end members) 45, 46 at both ends.

In the case of the illustrated example, the filter medium 26 is configured to surround the open filter interior space 26i with approximately centering the central axis X of the air cleaner 1 and the cartridge 25, the choices described herein. Other structures are possible using the techniques described. The medium 26 may be a foldable medium, but other structures are possible. The medium 26 can be constructed with a cylindrical pattern as shown, but other structures are possible as needed. For example, the medium 26 may extend between both ends 41, 42 in a slightly conical shape. The medium can also be configured to have a non-circular inner and / outer circumference, such as an elliptical or other cross-sectional shape.

The second end member or end cap 46 is a normally closed end member or end cap of the medium 26 by extending so that the second end 42 completely covers the medium 26. The second end 42 and the filter interior space 26i are closed, but alternative structures are possible using the techniques of choice described herein. That is, in the case of the illustrated example, the end member or end cap 46 is a closed end member or end cap, i.e., an end cap that does not have a through opening communicating with the open filter interior space 26i. ..

On the other hand, the first end member or end cap 45 is an open end member or end cap. That is, the first end member or end cap 45 surrounds and defines a central opening 50 that communicates with the medium through the open filter interior space 26i in this example. During normal use, the opening 50 is an air flow discharge opening that discharges filtered air from the medium, for example, from the open filter internal space 26i. (In another application in which the gas flows in the opposite direction during filtration, the opening 50 may be an inlet opening. In general, the opening 50 is a gas flow opening.) In the case of the illustrated example, the first. The end member 45 of 1 extends from the outer peripheral portion 26x to the inner peripheral portion 26o so as to completely cover the entire medium 26 of the cartridge 25. Typically, the first end member 45 has only one central opening 50 that penetrates the end member 45.

The internal space 2i can be accessed by removing the access cover 4 from the housing body portion 3 to insert or remove the cartridge 25. The filter cartridge 25 must then be properly removably sealed to the housing 2 to prevent unfiltered air from flowing into the outlet tube 15. To make this possible, the cartridge 25 is provided with a first primary (or housing) seal structure 55.

Note the same part of FIG. 3A, which is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 3, with respect to the first housing seal structure or the primary seal structure 55 and other characteristic structures of the first end cap 45. As can be seen from FIG. 3A, in order to achieve a releasable seal, the primary seal structure 55 is oriented radially so as to engage the portion of the air cleaner assembly 1 indicated by reference numeral 58 in the figure. Specify the seal or seal surface 55s that was used. Note that FIG. 3A is a schematic view, and FIG. 3A shows a state in which the sealing material forming the sealing surface 55s is not distorted due to engagement with the structure 58. From this it is usually possible to understand how much interference is occurring between the sealing material of the sealing structure 55 and the surface 58 during sealing, but other structures are possible. This will be explained in more detail below.

Further, referring to FIG. 3A, it will be understood that the surface 55s of the primary seal structure 55 forming the seal together with the structure 58 can be said to be a surface oriented in the radial direction. In this case, the primary seal structure 55 is called a radialally oriented seal. As used herein, "radial" refers to the orientation or center of the seal or sealing surface (and compression of the sealing surface during sealing) with respect to central axis X (ie, around central axis X) toward central axis X. It means that it is defined in the direction away from the axis. Since the particular surface 55s of the illustrated example points radially outward with respect to the central axis X, the seal structure 55 can be characterized as "radially outward". However, according to some principles of the present disclosure, a seal facing inward in the radial direction can also be used.

In the illustrated example, the housing seal structure 55 includes a part of the end cap 45. More generally, the housing seal structure attached to the filter cartridge is such that the particular housing seal structure is releasably sealed to the housing whether or not it contains a portion of an end member. It is composed.

Suitable and effective housing seal structures described herein are generally "non-clamp" or "non-clamp" housing seal structures. This means that at the time the cartridge is inserted into the housing, a housing seal structure is formed without the need to tighten any type of clamp or connector.

The particular feature structure of the primary seal structure 55 of the illustrated example is described in more detail below.

Generally, for the particular structure shown in FIG. 3A, the surface 58 with which the seal structure 55 is detachably engaged to form the primary seal structure 55 is axially oriented toward the access cover 4 of FIG. It has a seal flange 60 facing inward. In the case of this particular example shown, the seal flange 60 is part of the flow pipe, the outlet pipe 15 in the illustrated example.

Further referring to FIG. 3A, in the case of the illustrated structure, the outlet (flow) pipe 15 is a member formed separately from the housing portion 3. For the particular example structure illustrated, the flow tube 15 is snap-fitted to the end 3x of the housing portion 3 and a connection 62 is formed between the two members. The connection portion 62 is a position where water or other substances may enter the internal space 2i of the housing 2. Some possible problems in this regard are effectively solved by the optional second (housing) seal structure 65.

In general, when the engine system (the equipment in which the air cleaner assembly 1 is used) is operated, a vacuum or air suction occurs in the tube 15 of FIG. 3, which causes the air to flow through the air cleaner 1 to the engine or other equipment. It is drawn into the system. That is, in general, air may be drawn from the surrounding environment into the internal space 2i of the housing 2. If a second seal 65 is provided, this suction will cause such pull-in at the connection 62 during normal operation.

In general, the second seal structure 65 defines a seal surface 66 that detachably engages with the seal surface 67 of the housing portion 3 on the cartridge 25. The sealing surface 66 is generally radially oriented and is therefore a radial seal. In the illustrated example, the seal surface 66 is a (peripheral) surface that faces outward in the radial direction and is surrounded by the seal surface 67 of the housing portion 3 when mounted.

It can be seen that the connection 62 communicates with the interior space 2i of the housing 2 at a position between the primary seal structure 55 and the second seal structure 65, which is isolated from the rest of the housing 2 by the cartridge 25. As a result, there is no internal suction force acting on the connection 62 to draw water and / or associated substances into the interior space 2i at that position, thus reducing the risk of vacuum drawing in the connection 62. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the second seal structure 65 is used to adjust a large pressure difference on both sides thereof and / or to prevent unfiltered air from entering the (exit) pipe 15. It is not provided to adjust to. Therefore, it can be said that the second seal structure 65 is a secondary seal having less compression than the primary seal structure 55, that is, a seal having a small sealing force. As will be appreciated from the detailed description below, in certain preferred structures, when the cartridge 25 is mounted, the sealing material of the second sealing structure 65 usually compresses somewhat, but the primary sealing structure 55. Does not compress as much as the sealing material of.

In the next chapter, the characteristic structures of the first seal structure 55 and the optional second seal structure 65 will be described in more detail.

B. Characteristic structure of end members, including first seal structure 55 and second seal structure 65, FIGS. 3 and 3A With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, for the particular assembly 1 illustrated, the cartridge 25 The first (end) member 45 is configured to be, for example, an embedded mold-in-place (end) member 70 to which a portion (eg, one end) 41 of the medium 26 is fixed. This is a typical configuration, but other configurations are possible due to the chosen principles of the present disclosure. In a typical structure, the end member (cap) 70 closes so as to completely cover the end 41 of the medium 26 from the outer circumference 26x of the medium to the inner circumference 26o of the medium. When the medium 26 has folds, the outer peripheral portion 26x is the outer fold tip portion, and the inner peripheral portion 26o is the inner fold tip portion.

Typically, the end member (cap) 70 is manufactured from a flexible and compressible end member (cap) material formed from a foamed resin such as polyurethane foam. The materials that can be used are described below.

For the particular cartridge 25 shown, the first seal structure 55 and the second seal structure 65 are formed as an integral part of the mold-in-place molded portion of the end cap 70, but with a different structure. Is also possible. This will be explained in more detail below in connection with the description of FIGS. 4-8.

Before referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, pay attention to FIG. 3A again. The end member (cap) 70 includes an axially outer end face 72 having a recess, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 73. The size and position of the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 is the size and position of the flange 60 projecting into the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 when the cartridge 25 is mounted and the housing portion 3 indicated by reference numeral 3x in the drawing. Selected to accept some. That is, a part of the connecting portion 62 projects into the recess, the receiving portion or the receiving groove 73. In the illustrated example, the radial innermost surface 73i (radial outward facing surface) of the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 forms the sealing surface 55s of the primary sealing structure 55. In the case of the structure of the illustrated example, it is preferable that the outermost surface 73o (the surface facing inward in the radial direction) of the recess, the receiving portion or the receiving groove 73 in the radial direction does not form a seal at all. Normally, this surface 73o does not engage the housing portion 3 or the flange 58 at all in the radial direction, but other structures are possible. The end cap 70 in FIG. 3A has a portion 70k at the end 41 that does not surround the medium 26. In this example, the end 41 of the medium is embedded in the end member (cap) 70, which is a typical structure. The region 70k may engage part of the housing, but is usually not heavily compressed, so it is often not involved in the sealing of the housing, but other structures are possible.

Further referring to FIG. 3A, the sealing surface 66 of the secondary sealing structure 65 is a part of the outer peripheral portion 70p of the end member (cap) 70. Therefore, this sealing surface is sometimes referred to as a peripheral radial seal. Further, in the case of the illustrated embodiment, it is preferable that the portion of the sealing surface 66 compressed during sealing does not surround the medium 26, but another structure is also possible.

Next, paying attention to FIG. 4, a schematic perspective view of the cartridge 25 when viewed substantially toward the outlet end portion 75 and the end member (cap) 70 is shown. As mentioned above, the cartridge 25 generally comprises a medium 26 extending between the first end member (cap) 45 and the second end member (cap) 46 so as to surround the cartridge central axis X. .. Generally speaking, when the characteristic structures of cartridges are oriented in the radial direction, it means that the characteristic structures are oriented substantially outward from the central axis, that is, away from the central axis X of the cartridge in this example. When we say that the feature structure is axial or "axially oriented", it is generally oriented so that it is approximately aligned with the central axis, eg, the cartridge central axis X (not necessarily parallel to the central axis). Good) means. When a seal is characterized as facing "radially outward", it means that the seal or sealing surface is oriented approximately radially away from a central axis such as the cartridge central axis X.

Further, referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the end member (cap) 45 includes a molded portion of 70 m. The molded portion 70 m defines an open central opening 50 through which (filtered) air is expelled from the cartridge 25 in this example. The end member (cap) 70 (and thus the molded portion 70 m) is an integrally molded end member (cap) that defines a recess, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 73. The concave portion, the receiving portion or the receiving groove 73, which is the inner portion in the radial direction indicated by reference numeral 73i in the drawing, partially forms the sealing surface 55s. It can be seen that the surfaces 55s are oriented substantially outward in the radial direction and form a seal oriented outward in the radial direction. It can be seen that the radial outer surface 73o of the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 defines a surface facing inward in the radial direction, i.e., facing the axis X. As mentioned above, for the particular cartridge shown, the surface 73o is not a sealing surface, but other structures are possible.

It should be noted that a recess such as a recess, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 73, and a sealing surface 55x that is not a side wall of the receiving portion or the receiving groove may surround the protrusion. However, for the particular embodiment illustrated, it is effective if the sealing surface 55x is a recess, a receiving portion or a side wall 73i of the receiving groove 73.

Further referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 66 in the figure indicates the sealing surface of the second (optional) sealing structure 65. This is part of the outer periphery of the molded portion 70 that engages with the housing portion 3 when the cartridge 25 is mounted to form a second seal 65 with the housing portion 3 in the illustrated example.

Next, focusing on FIG. 5, some parts are shown in cross section to show the internal details of the cartridge 25. For the explanations in this chapter, special attention is paid to the first end member (cap) 45. As mentioned above, in a typical preferred structure, the end member (cap) 45 comprises a molded portion 70 m (or end cap 70) located at the end 41 of the medium 26. The sealing surface 66 of the second sealing structure 65 and the sealing surface 55s of the primary sealing structure 55 can be seen. The groove 73 is also shown in cross section.

Seals on surfaces 55s and 66 by forming each seal from a material that is radially compressible and preferably (optionally) embedding a relatively rigid radial support structure within the end member (cap) 70. It is preferred that the sealing pressures of structures 55 and 65 are adjusted, respectively. For the primary seal structure 55, the radial support is indicated by reference numeral 80 in the figure. In the case of the secondary seal structure 65, the radial support is formed by the support 81 embedded in the end member (cap) 70.

Usually, the support structure that supports the seal structures 55 and 65 is a "preform" embedded in the molded portion 70 m of the end member (cap). As used herein, "preform" means a preformed component or preform component used in the assembly of the cartridge 25 along with the support structure. Preform components are usually molded from plastic, but other materials are possible. Normally, the preform component is fixed to a structure that extends toward the second end cap 46, but other structures are possible.

The amount of radial compression of the end member (cap) in the region between the surface 55s and the support 80 is at least 10%, typically at least 15%, preferably no more than about 35% maximum compression and typically. Place the primary seal 55 in a position where the support 80 supports the compression of the surface 55s that occurs in the radial direction toward the central axis X so that the maximum compression is within the range of about 20% or more and 30% or less. The support 80 is usually embedded in the sealing material to be formed. To achieve this, the support 80 is typically separated from the surface 55s by a maximum distance of no more than 20 mm, usually no more than 15 mm, typically with a width of about 5-14 mm. Within. In this regard, the width of the spacing is the maximum spacing between the support 80 and the portion of the face 55s that is farthest from the support 80 in the radial direction if the faces 55s are not distorted by compression, i.e. the separation distance. Means.

On the other hand, as shown above, in the case of the cartridge 25 of the illustrated example, the optional second seal structure 65 does not participate in the ingress of dust and water into the outlet pipe 15 and is not involved in the ingress of dust and water, as shown in FIG. 3A. The amount of compression (if compressed) of the second seal structure 65 is usually less than that of the first seal structure 55, as it serves to isolate the connection 62 from the internal space 2i of the housing 2. Although it is possible to provide the support 81 on the second seal structure 65, the support 81 is an option. In some cases, alignment may be performed between the second sealing surface 66 and the surrounding housing portion to achieve alignment with relatively slight compression (if compression occurs). Normally, in use, the optional support 81 should not exceed about 10 mm, typically about 8 mm, from the outermost radial portion of the surface 66 that compresses when the cartridge 25 is mounted. It is located at a distance, usually within a range of 1 to 6 mm. Typically, these dimensions are up to about 25% or less, usually 20% or less, typically at least 3% of the area 66x compressed towards the support 81, i.e., the total amount of compression of the sealing material on the surface 66. , Often selected to be in the range of at least 5%, usually 5% or more and 20% or less, but other configurations are possible.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the case of the illustrated structure, the portion of the surface 66 forming the seal radially outward includes a portion that extends larger than the deepest portion of the groove 73 toward the end cap 46. You can see that. This is optional, but can be said to be a suitable configuration. That is, in a typical embodiment, there may optionally be a radial overlap between each portion of the surface 66 and the surface 55x, but at least a portion of the surface 66 towards the end member (cap) 42. , Extend farther than any part of the surface 55s. The amount of this extension (in use) is at least 1 mm, usually at least 2 mm, and in some cases at least 4 mm.

Before further discussing the features of the seal structure of the end member (cap) 70, the selected additional feature structures will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Their characteristic structure will be described in more detail below in later parts of the specification.

First, pay attention to the end member (cap) 46 arranged at the end 42 of the medium 26. For the particular structure illustrated, the end cap 46 is a mold-in-place molded end cap that completely covers the end 42 of the medium 26 and closes to cover the open interior space 26i. The particular mold-in-place molded end member 46 shown is made of the same material used for the molded portion 70, but may be a different material if desired.

Further, referring to FIG. 5, attention is paid to the support 90. The support 90 in the illustrated example is a central support extending between the end members 41, 42 and surrounded by the medium 26, and in fact, in the illustrated example, the end cap 45 (ie, the molded portion). 70m) and embedded in the end cap 46. The optional feature structure of the particular support 90 illustrated is described in more detail later in this specification.

With reference to FIG. 6, an end face view of a molded portion (end member or end cap 70) of 70 m is shown. In the present specification, the surface of the end molded portion 70 m facing the person looking at FIG. 6 is generally referred to as the axial end surface 72. In the illustrated example, the axial end face 72 primarily comprises outer rings 72x and inner rings 72i (see FIG. 5) on both sides of the receiving groove 73. On the outer circumference of the ring 72x, the cartridge 25 is an inset that is commonly formed by standoffs at the bottom of the mold, which is generally considered to form two types of insets, ie, a molding portion of 70 m. Includes 93 and an inset 94 commonly formed from the bottom portion of the mold used to help center the media pack within the mold during the formation of the molding portion 70 m. In the illustrated example, the standoff man-made object 93 includes the man-made object selected from the center-aligned man-made objects 94.

Next, paying attention to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 is shown. FIG. 7 shows a mold-in-place molding material with an end member (cap) 46 or a molding portion of 70 m. That is, FIG. 7 is a schematic view, and various supports 80 and 81 are not shown. FIG. 7 is intended to show the configuration of a feature structure formed from a resin commonly used to mold the end member (cap) 70. With reference to FIG. 7, reference numeral 66 in the figure indicates a peripheral portion of the molded portion 70 for forming the secondary seal. Between the portion 66 and the end 72x, the outer peripheral surface of the molded portion 70 m further comprises an inwardly stepped or inwardly inclined region 95. This region is typically sized to collaborate with adjacent portions of adjacent housing portions during mounting so that they are not compressed substantially toward the central axis X during mounting, but other structures are possible. Generally, the region 95 is preferably formed in a size that forms a substantially linear fit with the portion surrounding the region 95 of the housing 2 when mounted. This linear fit preferably lasts for a length of at least 4 mm. Alternative structures are possible, for example, it can be configured such that some amount (eg, slight) compression needs to occur in this region and / or the axial length of the plane can be changed. Is possible. Region 95, in collaboration with Region 66, not only suppresses pull-in at the connection 62 in FIG. 3A, but also helps stabilize the cartridge 25 within housing 2.

Focusing on FIG. 8, an enlarged partial view of the selected portion of the molded portion 70 m of FIG. 7 is shown. In FIG. 8, the receiving groove 73 can be seen. The radial inner surface 73i (radial outward facing surface) of the groove 73 is the bottom configured to form the most compressed portion of the radial outward facing radial seal of the primary seal structure 55. Includes lower 73i adjacent to 73b. As indicated by reference numeral 98 in the figure, the outer portion of the surface 73i is beveled to facilitate guiding the cartridge 25 along the flange 60 during mounting. As can be seen, the radial outer surface 73x has an inclined 73t at the outer end to facilitate fitting along a portion of the flange 60 and housing portion 3t as well during mounting. After further describing the outline of the cartridge 25 and the housing 2, the seal structures 55 and 65 will be described in more detail below.

III. Assembly of cartridge 25, additional detailed explanation of internal structure Next, pay attention to Fig. 9. FIG. 9 shows the support 90 in a perspective view. The support structure 90 generally includes a liner portion 100 and an outlet end support portion 101. In the case of the illustrated assembly, the outer end support portion 101 and the liner portion 100 are non-removably fixed to each other, but different structures are possible. Usually those parts are integrally molded from plastic, but other structures are possible.

The exit end support portion 101 is an inner central support or hub 105, an optional outer ring 106 surrounding the hub 105 and away from the hub 105, and an open lattice extending between the hub 105 and the outer ring 106. Includes structure 108 and. The lattice structure 108 includes a plurality of spaced columns, ribs or support members 110. The support member 110 extends between the outer peripheral ring 106 and the hub 105 to fix the outer peripheral ring 106 in place. Although the outer ring 106 is an option, it is convenient if it is provided. The outer ring 106 acts as a structural support for the strips, ribs or ends of the support member 110. However, not all uses of the present disclosure require an outer ring 106.

Supports, ribs or support members 110 are also optional. However, the stanchion, rib or support member 110 is beneficial in the sense that it aids in the assembly of the cartridge and is also a machine between the molded-in-place molded portion of the end cap and the preformed portion of the support structure 90. Form an area to realize a realistic connection.

Referring to FIG. 9, the outer ring 106 includes an edge 114. The edge 114 is generally the portion of the ring 106 that projects deepest into the molded portion 70 m during the formation of the cartridge 25. For the particular assembly shown, the edges 114 are preferably defined as options by tabs 115 that are spaced apart from each other and have grooves or recesses 116 in between. In general, the recess 116 serves to facilitate the flow of resin along the ring 106 in the areas of the edges 114 and tabs 115 when the end cap 70 is formed. A tabbed configuration is preferred, but alternative configurations are possible.

The outer ring 106 further includes an optional seal support area 118. Generally, when the seal support area 118 is used, in the assembled cartridge 25, the seal support area 118 constitutes an optional support 81 of FIG. 3A for the second seal structure 65.

Normally, the support portion 101 is configured so that no portion of the outer ring 106 surrounds the medium when mounted, but other structures are possible.

Further referring to FIG. 9, the hub 105 includes an inner surface 105i and an outer surface 105x. In the illustrated cartridge 25, the outer surface 105x forms the seal support 80 of the primary rib seal structure 55.

The support 90 further includes an optional inner ring 120 that is radially inwardly spaced from the hub 105. A trough 120t is formed between the inner ring 120 and the hub 105, and resin can flow into the trough 120t during the formation of the cartridge. FIG. 9 shows several openings 121 that allow resin to flow into the trough 120.

Next, focusing on FIG. 10, a side view of the support 90 is shown. It can be seen that the support 90 of FIG. 10 also includes an optional end ring 106, recess 116 and seal support area 118 that define the tab 115 (optional), as described above. There is also an opening 121 that penetrates the ring 120 to facilitate the flow of resin.

Further referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the support 90 has an optional medium centering ring 125. The medium centering ring 125 has the medium 26 (or medium pack) positioned on the support 90 to form a cartridge to facilitate the formation of a suitable medium shape prior to molding the end cap 70. In this case, the inner circumference of the medium 26 is arranged along the ring 125 and around the ring 125 so as to engage the support 90.

In general, the assembly of the cartridge 25 typically supports the medium pack by pushing the medium pack over the end 127 until the medium end 41 of FIG. 3 generally engages the end portion 101 in region 128 of FIG. Includes positioning at 90. The medium center alignment ring 125 allows the medium 26 to take an appropriate peripheral shape in the vicinity of the end support 100. Further, the ring 125 supports the medium 26 in the completed cartridge 25. For the combination of the medium pack 26 and the support 90, the end caps 45 and 46 of FIG. 5 can be molded in place. During the formation of the end cap 45, the resin flows through the recess 116 and the opening 121 and flows into the space between the supports 110 to ensure that the support 100 is mechanically fixed in place. And the end 41 of the medium 26 is securely and completely sealed regardless of whether the medium 26 is folded or not. In addition, the mold will be configured to form sealing surfaces 55s and 66 as well as grooves 73 on the end member (cap) 45.

The medium pack pushed into the support 90 may have an outer liner, but may not have an outer liner, and may have an inner liner, but may have no inner liner. Since the medium pack is usually a foldable medium, it does not include an inner liner or an outer liner when pushed into the support 90. Usually, the medium is folds and may include a corrugated structure extending approximately perpendicular to the tip of the folds to facilitate keeping the folds open during use. As is generally known in the art, various techniques can be readily used to fold the tips of the folds. An example of this technology can be found in the media pack bearing the trademark "Pleatloc" of Donaldson Company Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, the assignee of this application.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of the support 90 when viewed substantially toward the end structure 100.

FIG. 12 shows an end view of the support 90 when viewed substantially toward the end 127.

FIG. 13 shows a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 11. Generally, one of the multiple end tabs 127x at the end 127 is seen. The tab 127 helps to firmly mold the end cap 46 into place.

FIG. 14 shows the same portion of the enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the support 90. You can see the trough 120t. Also, a portion of the opening 121 can be seen between the ring 120 and the hub 105.

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged partial view of a portion of the end support structure 101 of the support 90.

With reference to FIG. 16, certain suitable configurations of the end support 101 are shown. Specifically, in the case of a lattice structure 108 with ribs 110 in this example, the ribs 110 extend from a position adjacent to the inner hub 105 to a position adjacent to the outer ring 106 and media end 41 (FIG. 16). It is preferable that it is inclined in a direction away from (not shown). This tilted or divergent shape from the medium is shown by angle CS in FIG. Thus, when the medium is pushed into the support 90, the medium end 41 generally engages with the support structure 101 at the protrusion 128 of FIG. 16 such that the ribs 110 diverge away from the medium 26. In fact, the media end 41 is approximately aligned with line 111t in FIG. The angle CS has the advantage of forming a flow region as the resin flows across the edges of the media pack. In general, the angle CS is at least 0.5 °, typically at least 1 °, and is often greater. Normally, the angle CS is within the range of 1 ° or more and 3 ° or less, but alternative values are also possible.

The particular cartridge 25 shown includes an optional resonator or sonic choke, but other structures are possible. An optional resonator or sonic choke comprises part 140 of FIG. 10 of support 90. In more general terms, the support 90 includes a support portion 100 with an end perforated liner portion 141 on the opposite side of the support portion 101. When the medium 26 is positioned around the liner 90, the perforated liner portion 141 acts as an inner liner 142 adjacent to the medium end 42. The opening 143 of the inner liner portion 142 eventually forms an air flow path leading to the outlet opening 50 of FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 16, some feature structures are provided between the support portion 101 and the perforated end portion 142 to form the optional sonic choke or resonator portion 140. First, the portion 160 is provided with a funnel portion leading to the throat 161 as an intermediate region between the end portion 142 and the throat 161. An extended conical portion or funnel portion 162 is provided from the throat 161 to the engagement position with the end portion 101. Part 160, throat 161 and part 162 together define a sonic choke or resonator part 140. As a result, the transmission of noise from the external engine system when the cartridge 25 is used is suppressed.

Note that, referring to FIG. 10, the optional resonator / sonic choke structure shown may optionally differ from the structure as described in US Pat. No. 6,419,718B1 in some ways. .. In addition, referring to FIG. 10, a tapered portion 160 having two opposing curved portions in a region extending from the liner 141 toward the throat 161 in the cross section shown in FIG. 10 and / or when viewed from the outside. Is provided. The first portion 171 is a curved shape including a concave portion curved inward in the radial direction and a convex portion curved inward in the radial direction. Further, the region 171 is provided with an opening structure 172 for allowing air to flow. In fact, due to the opening structure 172, at least 40% of the area 171 is generally open, and usually at least 50% is open.

A region 173 is provided between the region 171 and the throat 161 so as to have a curved shape generally including a side that curves outward in the radial direction. Thus, in the intermediate region from region 142 to throat 161, a slight S-shaped curvature is defined on one side of the support 90 (as viewed in cross section). It should be noted that, in the case of the specific structure shown, the region 173 has the advantage that it is solid and has no holes formed, but another structure is also possible.

Generally, the throat 161 has a cross-sectional dimension of at least 25 mm, usually 35 mm or less, often in the range of 26-31 mm. The throat 161 is configured to achieve a suitable resonator effect without excessively restricting air flow during use.

In general, the conical region 175 tilts outward at an angle of about 3 ° to 4 ° on both sides with respect to the central axis, thereby defining a conical expansion angle of about 6 to 8 ° as shown in DB in Figure 10. To do. A typical cone expansion angle is about 7 °.

In general, parts 160, 161 and 162 generate a sonic choke effect or a resonator effect. This serves to suppress noise transmission from the engine to the external environment via the air induction structure of the air cleaner. Also, the sonic choke or resonator is configured to avoid unwanted restrictions on the flow of air flowing into the air cleaner from the ambient environment and through the filter cartridge 25. In particular, the opening structure 161 of the region 162 facilitates this, and at the same time, flows into the tube 162 from the region of the medium 26 surrounding the non-hole portion 162 of the resonator and is discharged through the opening 50 of FIG. It is known to help the flow of air.

The characteristic structure of the region 100 including the support 90, the support portion 101, and the sonic choke can be further understood by examining FIGS. 11 to 16.

Next, focusing on FIGS. 29 and 30, a second end cap 46 is shown. As shown above, the second end cap 46 may be a mold-in-place molded end cap, but other structures are possible. FIG. 29 shows an end face plan view of the end cap 46. FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional view along line 30-30 of FIG. FIG. 30 shows a schematic view of the second end cap 46 without showing the portion of the medium 26 and liner 90 embedded in the second end cap 46. It can be seen that the end cap 46 has an outer axial (or end) surface 46x with a plurality of protrusions or bumpers 46y. During mounting, their protrusions or bumpers engage the access cover 4 to help firmly support the cartridge 25 within the housing 2.

The size of the outer peripheral portion 46p of FIG. 30 is positioned within the housing shield portion 33 of FIG. 3 and the cartridge.<u style="single">25</u>Is specified to be supported within the shield portion 33 to prevent undesirably large movements.

Regarding the configuration of the cartridge 25, there is no particular condition on the order in which the two end caps 45, 46 are formed by molding after the medium pack 26 is properly positioned on the support 90.

After understanding the above description, it can be understood that some modifications can be made in the application according to the present disclosure. For example, the support structure 81 does not have to be integral with the intermediate support of the medium. That is, if necessary, it is possible not to directly mount the support structure 81 on some structure in which the medium is positioned around it, or not to integrally form the structure and the support structure 81. For example, the support structure 81 and some inner liner can be individually provided and incorporated into each cartridge during manufacturing, eg, embedded in a mold-in-place molded end cap material. Further, it is possible that the cartridge is not provided with an inner liner, or that the inner liner, which is not configured as a sonic choke, is surrounded by a medium. Further, referring to FIG. 9, for example, the structure of the support structure supporting the inner seal indicated by reference numeral 105 in the figure is an optional support used for supporting the outer seal indicated by reference numeral 118 in the figure, for example. It does not have to be directly attached to. If a ring that supports the outer seal is used, it is possible to completely separate the ring from the structure that supports the inner seal.

Furthermore, it is not particularly required that the support structure or various parts of the support structure be made of the same material. For example, it is possible to form the inner liner from an expanded metal construction and the support for both or one of the seals from plastic.

IV. Characteristic structures of the selected housing portion and outlet pipe, FIGS. 17-28 and 31-32 Fig. 17-28 and 31-32 show various characteristic structures of the housing 2 and the outlet pipe 15. Is shown in detail. This chapter describes their characteristic structure.

With reference to FIG. 17, a typical appearance of housing portion 3 when molded from plastic is shown. The characteristic structure described above is shown as the inlet pipe 7t, the side wall 3s and the mounting pad 11. Further shown is a rim 3r that is believed to engage the latch structure 5 of the access cover 4 of FIG. You can also see the characteristic shape of the outside of the housing that defines the inner inclined surface 17.

The end 3x of housing portion 3 is shown. In addition, a lining opening 200, in which a portion of the outlet pipe 15 is believed to protrude during use, is also shown. The lining opening 200 is provided with an optional tightening allowance corrugated structure or tightening allowance tooth structure 201 that acts as an indexing structure for facilitating the positioning of the outlet pipe 15 as described below.

In addition, referring to FIG. 17, it is convenient that the housing portion 3 shown in the drawing can be molded from plastic as needed, but the housing portion 3 may be made of another material.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the housing portion 3. FIG. 19 shows an end face plan view of the housing portion 3 when viewed substantially toward the end portion 3x. In FIG. 19, an opening 200 having a tightening margin region (formed by ribs or tooth regions 201 in this example) can be seen. The optional toothed area or indexing area 201 is provided with a plurality of tabs 202 that can be bent outward as an option. Further, the position of the inlet pipe 7t in the tangential direction with respect to the side wall 3s and the central axis X can be seen.

FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view approximately along line 20-20 of FIG. In addition to the feature structure described above, reference numeral 210 in the figure indicates a protrusion structure extending axially from the end portion 3x into the internal space 2i of the housing 2. It is this protrusion 210 that engages part of the outlet tube to form a connection during mounting. The protrusion structure 210 comprises a plurality of optional tabs 202 having optional ribbed or toothed structures along the radial inner portion of the protrusion structure 210.

Further, with reference to FIG. 20, attention is paid to the inner side wall region 211. This region 211 includes a support portion 212 forming a sealing surface 67 for engaging with the surface 66 of the optional secondary sealing structure 65 of FIGS. 3 and 3A. In region 211, the surface 212 is a first end region 213 configured to line up with the cartridge 26 of FIG. 3A (when in use) and generally of region 66 during mounting of the cartridge 26 of FIG. 3A. It generally includes a second end region 214 on the opposite side of the option to compress the sealing material as an option.

FIG. 21 shows a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 20. Areas 213 and 214 can be seen.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of the outlet pipe 15. The outlet tube 15 includes a connector area 220 that engages the housing portion 3 during use. The outlet pipe 15 further includes a gas flow pipe region 221 and an outlet 222. The specific outlet pipe 15 shown in the figure is an L-shaped pipe. That is, the conduit passing through the outlet pipe is bent. Other structures are possible.

Reference to FIG. 22 shows the optional pressure tap 15t of tube portion 221 mentioned above.

Further referring to FIG. 22, it can be seen that the connector portion 220 includes two ring portions, an outer ring 224 and an inner ring 225. Rings 224 and 225 will be described in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 22, connector area 220 is provided with a peripheral ring portion 228 having an optional tooth / protrusion area 229. The size of the tooth / rib region 229 is generally defined to fit with the optional tooth / rib region 201 of housing portion 3. Therefore, the L-shaped tube 221 can be rotated at a specific angle with respect to the housing portion 3, and the tube 221 stays in that direction (in the indexing position) until the force applied by the torsional motion is superior. ..

FIG. 23 shows a side view of the outlet pipe 220. The outlet pipe 221 is provided with a rim 222r to facilitate the connection work of the hose or other conduit.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the outlet pipe 15. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view substantially along line 25-25 of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 25, as previously shown, the connector portion 222 generally comprises a first ring portion 224 and a second ring portion 225. The first ring portion 224 generally includes a feature structure for tightly coupling to the housing portion 3x. The first ring portion 224 generally forms the support 60 of the primary seal structure 55 of FIG. 3A, and the second ring portion 225 forms the outlet flow portion.

Further referring to FIG. 25, it can be seen that the first ring portion 224 has an optional snap-fit induction tip 226 and a receiving portion 227. The tip 226 is pushed into the opening 200 of FIG. 17 until snap fit occurs, and the portion of the housing portion 3 defining the opening 200 is located in region 227. Comparing FIG. 25 with FIG. 3A, it can be seen that the outlet pipe 15 can include an outer ring portion 227a and a base portion 227b in the first ring portion 224. In FIG. 3A, this ring 227a is shown as having an axial protrusion 227p. This axial protrusion 227p can be engaged around the axial outer protrusion 230 of FIG. 3A of the housing end 230 to facilitate water sealing. Note that ring 227a in FIG. 25 is shown without this optional protrusion 227p (shown in FIG. 3A).

FIG. 26 shows an enlarged partial view of the selected portion of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view substantially along lines 27-27 of FIG.

FIG. 28 shows a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 27. In detail, the rib portion 229 can be seen. Further, it can be seen from FIG. 27 that there are rib portions 229 facing each other on both sides of the ring 224.

FIG. 31 shows the access cover 4, which is believed to be made from plastic, without the latch 5. FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the access cover 4. You can see the flange 33. The slit or space 33x of the flange 33 allows water that may enter the inside of the flange 33 during use to be drained from the flange 33.

V. Detailed description of the particular feature structure selected A. Primary seal composition 55 and recesses, receiving parts or grooves 73 In this chapter, we return to Figures 7 and 8 and in a typical assembly, options in the illustrated example. The definition of the primary radial sealing surface 55s in the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 of the above is described, but other structures are possible. If a recess, receiving portion or groove 73 is provided, the depth of the recess, receiving portion or groove 73 is typically at least one or the other of surfaces 72x, 72i, usually the deepest portion from both surfaces. Is at least 5 mm, usually at least 8 mm, and often 10-25 mm. Also, typically at the portion adjacent to the bottom end 73b, the width of the recess, receiving portion or groove 73 is at least 3 mm between the opposing sidewalls 73x, 73i and is usually at least 5 mm (deepest). Ignore the slope at the bottom).

In other words, if the optional recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 is used, the inner and outer side walls 73i, 73x of the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 73 are at the bottom of the groove 73, usually at least 3 mm apart. , Typically at least 5 mm apart, often separated from each other by an amount within the range of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. If the sealing surface formed by the recesses, receiving portions or grooves is circular, this spacing is typically within 30% of the maximum depth of the groove 73, typically within 35% of the maximum depth of the groove 73. At its widest position, it does not exceed a distance of 15 mm, but other structures are possible. However, it is recognized that the side walls 73x, 73i may be inclined inward towards each other at the deepest bottom 73b of the groove.

If the sealing surface formed by the optional recess, receiving portion or groove 73 is circular, the width of the recess, receiving portion or groove 73 is usually at least 5 mm at the outer end adjacent to the surfaces 72x, 72 in FIG. It is typically 7 mm, often 7-25 mm.

When a seal facing outward in the radial direction is formed in the region of the surface portion 73r of the recess, the receiving portion or the groove 73 in FIG. 8, the axial length of the surface portion 73r when the seal is compressed most inward in the radial direction is , Usually having an axial length of at least 5 mm, typically 8-20 mm, usually at least 4 mm from one or the other of the face portions 72x, 72i, typically both faces. Are separated by a distance of, often within a range of 4 to 15 mm.

With reference to FIG. 7, the portion of the molded portion 70 m that defines the radial sealing surface 55 s is typically (if not distorted) the width from the opening 50 to the surface 55 s and at least 5 mm thick. It is at least 7 mm thick, usually 7-25 mm thick. The surfaces 55s are preferably not separated by more than 50 mm from the opening 50, but other structures are possible. In addition, the support 80 of FIG. 5 is usually separated from the closest portion of the surface 55s by a distance not exceeding 20 mm, typically not exceeding 15 mm, before being distorted by compression when mounted in this area. It is embedded, but another structure is possible.

In general, the above features when the optional recesses, receiving portions or receiving grooves 73 are used, even when various cartridges of various sizes are used, are effective first radial seals 55, It is also useful and acceptable in the sense that it realizes two structures, a region that accepts axially protruding portions of both the outlet pipe 15 and the engaging portion of the housing portion 3.

Normally, in the molded portion 70m that defines the radial sealing surface 55x, the material forming the radial sealing surface makes the sealing surface 55s toward the first sealing support 80 (radial direction) with respect to the support 80 at the time of mounting. Compress at least 10% of its thickness (up to), typically at least 15% of its undistorted thickness, usually within the range of 15-35% of its undistorted thickness. It is configured to compress only the amount. A typical example would include compression in the range of 20% or more and 30% or less of the radial thickness when not distorted.

B. Optional outer secondary seal surface 66 Looking back at FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer surface 66 is typically at least 3 mm radially from the surface 55s, often at least 5 mm. Often at a distance of at least 10 mm, usually at a distance of at least 15 mm, and typically at a distance of at least 20 mm in the structures constructed as shown. Normally, this separation distance is in the range of 20 to 80 mm, but other values are possible.

Typically, the first radial sealing surface is at least 6 mm smaller, often at least 10 mm smaller, and more often at least 20 mm smaller than the second radial sealing surface, in structures as shown. It usually has a maximum cross-sectional dimension around the seal that is at least 30 mm smaller. When a circular sealing surface is specified, the "maximum cross-sectional dimension around the seal" is usually the diameter. When a cartridge as shown is used, the seal surface usually oriented in the first radial direction has a maximum cross-sectional dimension around the seal that is at least 30 mm smaller than the seal surface oriented in the second radial direction.

When compression occurs on the support 81, the distance of the second sealing surface 66 from the support 80 usually does not exceed 8 mm. Usually the material in this area compresses up to at least 3% (radially) towards the second seal support, usually at least 5%, and often in the range of 5-20%. Only compress.

In the illustrated example, most of the seal axial length of the surface 66 compressed at the time of mounting is separated from the surface 72x in the axial direction so as to be far from the bottom end of the receiving groove 73, but is different. The structure is also possible. This is a typical structure when the cartridge 25 is assembled as described herein. Typically, the surface 66 extends axially beyond the bottom 73b of the groove 73 towards the opposite end 46 of the cartridge 25 by a distance of at least 2 mm.

C. Materials that can be used to mold the end caps 45, 46 The end caps 45, 46 are molded in to form both an effective seal at the end of the media pack and an effective housing seal. -When place-molded, various materials can be used for the end cap materials 45 and 46. Generally, a foam material having a Shore A hardness of no more than about 30, typically not more than about 22 and preferably no more than 20 is used. Typically, the material of choice is 28 lbs./cubic ft (approx. 450 kg / m).³), More preferably about 22 lbs./cubic ft (355 kg / m)³), Typically about 18 lbs./cubic ft (290 kg / m)³) Has a "molding density" that does not exceed. Often 13 ~ 17lbs./ft (200 ~ 275kg / m)³A material having a molding density within the range of) is selected. In the present specification, the term "molding density" is usually defined as a value obtained by dividing weight by volume. A displacement test or a similar test can be used to determine the volume of the molded foam sample. When applying a volumetric test to absorb water by pressure into the pores of a porous material, it is not necessary to expel the air contained in the pores. Therefore, the displacement test used to determine the volume of a sample will be an immediate drain without having to wait a long time to expel the air in the pores of the material. In other words, only the volume represented by the outer circumference of the sample needs to be used in the calculation of the molding density.

Resins that swell during curing and increase in volume by at least 40%, typically 60%, and often 80% or more during curing are usually selected.

Commercially available polyurethane foam can be used as the mold-in-place molding material for the end cap. A detailed description of the polyurethanes that can be used can be found in conventional techniques such as WO 2006/026241 incorporated herein by reference.

D. Medium pack Which specific material to choose as the medium is a matter of which material to choose according to the intended use. If the filter assembly is an air cleaner, any of the various medium materials currently used in air cleaners can be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

The medium pack may include only the medium 26, but it is also possible to equip the medium with an inner liner and / or an outer liner prior to mounting on the cartridge 25. The medium may be folds, but other structures are possible. The medium may optionally include a high temperature molten medium tip spacer or other medium spacer. The medium may be provided with fold spacers formed from the corrugated structure and / or the folding structure in the medium. The medium can be provided in a variety of configurations, including cylindrical and conical, and the shapes defining the inner and / or outer circumference may also be diverse, such as circular or elliptical.

E. Illustrative structural dimensions The principles described herein are applicable to a variety of systems with varying sizes and varying specific feature structures. An example of the dimensions of the available system is presented. However, their dimensions are merely exemplary and do not attempt to impose any particular limitation on the widespread application of the principles described. Examples of dimensions and angles indicated by text for reference in the drawings are as follows. AA = 112mm, AB = 76.7mm, AC = 56.5mm, AD = 35.2mm, AE = 186.4mm, AF = 173.5mm, AG = 205.2mm, AH = 113.5mm, AI = 24.5mm, AJ = 42.7mm, AK = 54.4mm, AL = 269.8mm, AM = 136.4mm, AN = 47 °, AO = 280.3mm, AP = 130.4mm, AQ = 78.7mm, AR = 129.5mm, AS = 11mm, AT = 5.5mm, AU = 30 °, AV = radius 2mm, AW = diameter 130.42mm, AX = 128.45mm, AZ = 87.53mm, BA = 78.74mm, BB = 55.32mm, BC = radius 3mm, BD = 3mm, BE = 6mm, BF = 25.5 mm, BG = 53.4mm, BH = 130.2mm, BI = 1.5mm, BJ = 6.62mm, BK = 16mm, BL = radius 3mm, BM = radius 2mm, BN = radius 1mm, BO = radius 1mm, BP = radius 4mm , BQ = radius 2mm, BR = 231.4mm, BS = 121.1mm, BT = 2mm, BU = 6.4mm, BV = 7 °, BW = diameter 123.5, mm, BX = 0.95mm, BY = 18 °, BZ = 47.6 °, CA = diameter 29.36mm, CB = radius .5mm, CC = 0.5 °, CD = radius 0.5mm, CE = 1.7mm, CF = radius 1.3mm, CG = radius 0.5mm, CH = 6.5mm, CI = 15.8 °, CJ = 95.6mm, CK = 3.3mm, CL = 18.9mm, CM = 1.5mm, CN = radius 30mm, CO = radius 14.2mm, CP = 0.

F. Optional Resonator / Sonic Choke As previously indicated, in one aspect of the present application, the filter cartridge 25 may be provided with an optional resonator / sonic choke (or sonic choke / resonator). Between the throat and the extended funnel portion between the throat and the first end member (cap) of the cartridge, the transparent liner portion adjacent to the second end member (cap) of the cartridge, and between the throat and the liner portion. An example of a sonic choke containing an intermediate region of is provided. In the illustrated example, the intermediate region tapers downward toward the throat, with an outwardly convex transmissive portion adjacent to the liner portion and an outwardly concave portion adjacent to the throat portion. And include.

In the illustrated example, the throat has an inner diameter in the range of at least 25 mm, typically at least 26 mm, often 26 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

In the illustrated example, the funnel portion is opaque, but other structures are possible. Generally, the funnel portion extends at an internal angle of at least 5 °, typically greater than or equal to 6 ° and less than or equal to 8 °, while extending from the throat to the first end member (cap).

In the illustrated structure of the example, it is preferable that the concave portion toward the outside of the intermediate region is opaque. That is, that part is a solid wall. This provides advantages for the combination of resonator / sonic choke noise suppression and airflow characteristics.

Generally, the outwardly concave portion of the intermediate region has an outer radius of curvature of at least 25 mm, typically 26 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

Usually, the outwardly convex portion of the intermediate region has a radius of curvature of at least 10 mm, typically an amount within the range of 12 mm or more and 18 mm or less.

Generally, the outwardly convex portion of the intermediate region is open at least 40%, typically at least 50%, and often 60% or more. The term "open" refers to the amount of opening in the outwardly convex portion rather than the solid wall. This particular configuration facilitates the flow of air from the region of the medium 26 that directly surrounds the impermeable conical portion to the interior space of the sonic choke and resonator, followed by the outlet end cap 50.

VI. Alternative Embodiments, Alternative Applications to Selected Principles, Figures 33-70 A. Overview Figures 33-57 show some optional alternative principles and features applicable to the structures according to the present disclosure. The structure is shown. Some of these feature structures relate to alternative configurations of primary seals that can be effectively realized. An alternative configuration of the primary seal can be used in combination with the secondary seal, but benefits can be obtained even when used in a structure that does not include the secondary seal.

58-65 show suitable molding structures and molding techniques for manufacturing each part of the types of filter cartridges shown in FIGS. 33-57.

66-70 show schematics of alternative seal shapes that can be used in the filter cartridges and filter assemblies according to the present disclosure.

B. Second Embodiment and Modification Example of FIGS. 33 to 57 Reference numeral 500 in the figure of FIG. 33 indicates the entire filter (air cleaner in this example) assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter assembly uses an effective primary seal that is deformed between the filter cartridge and the housing. With reference to FIG. 33, the air cleaner assembly 500 is shown in cross section and includes a housing 502 that defines a housing body 503 and an access cover 504. The access cover 504 is detachably fixed to the housing body 503 by a latch structure 505 (not shown in FIG. 33). See Figure 51.

The housing 502 defines an internal space 502i, in which a removable and replaceable, i.e. inspectable filter cartridge 510 is located. The cartridge 510 will be described in detail below. Since a part of the end member (cap) of the cartridge 510 is not shown in FIG. 33, the details of the internal structure can be seen. This will be understood by referring to the descriptions in Figures 34 and 35 below.

Further referring to FIG. 33, in the air cleaner assembly 500, the housing 502 includes an end wall 511, and the air flow pipe 512 projects outward from the end wall 511. Normally, pipe 512 is a clean air outlet pipe used similar to pipe 15 in FIG. 1, but if reverse flow is used, this pipe will be the inlet pipe. Tube 512 also includes an optional pressure tap 512x. As shown, the tube 512 may have a different structure than the rest of the housing 502. In that case, the tube 512 is mounted on the rest of the housing 502 to form the entire housing of the air cleaner assembly 500. Other structures are possible.

The illustrated housing 502 further includes an optional dust discharge pipe structure 514 in which the pressure reducing exhaust valve structure 515 is located.

With reference to FIG. 51, the optional mounting pad structure provided on the housing 502 is indicated by reference numeral 516 in the figure.

Returning to FIG. 33, reference numeral 517 in the figure indicates an air flow inlet inclined surface. The shield of the main body portion 503 is indicated by reference numeral 518 in the figure, and the shield of the access cover portion 504 is indicated by reference numeral 519 in the figure. An opening 520 is arranged in the access cover 504 in order to allow dust and water to flow into the internal space of the discharge pipe 514 indicated by reference numeral 514i in the figure.

Reference numeral 521 in FIG. 51 indicates an inlet pipe of the air cleaner assembly.

FIG. 33A shows a plan view when viewed toward the access cover 504. FIG. 33A shows the figure at lines 33-33 of FIG.

As far as we have described, Assembly 500 is similar to Assembly 1. The identified feature structure may be configured to behave similarly to a similar feature structure previously described in connection with the first embodiment.

Next, focusing on FIG. 35, a side view of the cartridge 510, which is partially shown in cross section, is shown to see the internal details. The cartridge 510 is an inspectable component that can be used with the air cleaner 500. Specifically, the access cover 504 can be removed from the rest of the housing 502 to insert or remove the cartridge 510 for inspection.

In general, referring to FIG. 35, the cartridge 510 is located around the open filter interior space 526 (and cartridge central axis X) in this example and has a first end member (or end cap) 528 and a second. It comprises a medium 525 extending between the end member (or end cap) 529 of the, but another structure is also possible. In FIG. 35, the end member 528 is arranged at the outlet end (opened in this example) of the cartridge 510, and air (gas) can flow through the outlet end during operation. In FIG. 33, the cartridge 510 is placed in place without some portion of the end member (cap) 528, so that a suitable internal structure can be seen in detail. The portion of the end member (cap) 528 not shown in FIG. 33 is a mold-in-place molding portion in a typical application of the principles described herein, but other structures are possible. ..

Generally, at least a portion of the end member 528 is mold-in-place molded, the end portion 525x of the medium 525 is embedded in that portion, and at least a portion of the end member 529 is mold-in-place molded and the medium 525. The end 525y of is embedded in that part, but other structures are possible. The medium 525 may be a foldable medium, but other structures are possible. The medium and the form of the medium are selected in consideration of efficiency and service life in use, but are generally used in the characteristic shapes of the medium and medium as described above, or in various air (gas) filters. The medium and the characteristic shape of the medium can be used.

As shown, the medium 525 is placed around the inner liner or central support 527, and in the illustrated example, the inner liner or central support 527 is approximately as previously described for the cartridge 25 of FIG. Includes optional resonator / sonic choke structure 546, which may be of structure.

The end member 529 is typically a closed end member, as shown, and may substantially correspond to the end member (cap) 42 of FIG.

The end member 528 is an open end member through which the air flow opening 530 penetrates in the center. The end member 528 includes a first primary seal structure 533 and an optional secondary seal structure 534. The optional secondary seal structure 534 may be configured in much the same manner as the seal structure 66 of FIG. 5 described above, but other structures may be included, including the seal structure described in the embodiments described below. It is possible.

As in the case of the embodiments described above, in the illustrated example, the primary seal structure 533 is configured as a radial outward facing radial seal or seal surface that is arranged axially overlapping the medium. .. However, the primary seal structure 533 may be configured as a seal facing inward in the radial direction, if necessary. The central axis of the cartridge is indicated by X, and the radial direction as described herein shall indicate the direction towards axis X (inside) or away from axis X (outside).

As with the embodiments described above, the primary seal structure 833 is "non-clamped" in the sense that it is not provided with additional clamps that would normally have to be tightened to achieve secure engagement and sealing. , "Non-clamping" or "no clamp" sealing structure. Sealing is complete when the cartridge 510 is properly and properly mounted in the housing.

With reference to FIG. 37, a closed end member 529 with a bumper 537 similar to the bumper 464 of FIG. 29 described above is shown. The end member 529 is also shown in the bottom perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 34A shows an isometric view of the cartridge 510 as viewed approximately towards the end member 528 and the opening 530.

Next, pay attention to FIG. 36. FIG. 36 is an end view of the cartridge 510 when viewed substantially toward the end member 528. Reference numeral 533 in the drawing indicates a housing seal (or sealing surface) oriented in the radial direction forming the primary seal structure. In the case of the specific example shown, the housing radial seal 533 faces substantially radially outward with respect to the cartridge central axis X in FIG. 35, but other structures are possible.

Referring to FIG. 36, in the case of the illustrated cartridge 510, the primary seal 533 includes a sealing surface that defines a non-circular configuration. This projects outward of the alternating array separated by a non-linear (usually inwardly curved, concavely curved) portion 533y in this example (in this example, outwardly convex). ) Part or lobe 533x is preferred. The specific number of outwardly projecting (convex curved in this example) sealing surface portion 533x and inwardly projecting (concavely curved in this example) portion 533y is at least important for some benefit. Absent. Typically, the number of each part is at least 2, usually at least 3, and in some cases 4 or more, 8 or less, often in the range of 4 to 10, For example, the number is preferably in the range of 6 or more and 8 or less, but another number is also possible.

According to another definition, the sealing surface 533 projects outward (eg, a plurality of separating lobes or radially outwards) separated from each other by a portion 533y of the surface 533 (in this example, not linear, eg concave). It can be characterized by having a (convex) portion 533x. Typically, there are at least two such outwardly projecting lobes or portions, usually at least three, in some cases four or more, eight or less, and often four or more. , 10 or less (eg, 6 or more, 8 or less), but other numbers are possible.

Further referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, recesses, receiving portions or receiving grooves 540 are arranged so as to surround the primary sealing member or the primary sealing surface 533. The recess, the receiving portion or the receiving groove 540, like the groove 73, is a receiving portion arranged and defined to receive the protruding portion of the housing end 511 and the pipe 512. See Figure 3A.

For the particular cartridge 510 shown, the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 540 is configured to have an inner wall forming a surface 533 which is preferably non-circular by definition as described above. By definition, the outer wall 541 of the groove 540 in FIG. 35 is preferably substantially circular about the central axis X, but other shapes are possible.

FIG. 38 shows the central support 545 of the cartridge 510. Support 545 can be formed and used as support 527 in FIG. This is similar to the support 90 described above with reference to FIGS. 9-16 with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-32, except that they are modified to accept the non-circular seal 535. In the illustrated example, the support 545 defines, in part, the optional sonic resonator / choke 546.

Referring to FIG. 38, the support 545 has an end structure 548 with an inner sealed support or hub 549 that is separated from the outer support 550 secured by a stanchion or open lattice structure 551 and surrounded by the outer support 550. Including. The support 549 is embedded in the end member 528 (and seal structure 533) during use to assist in controlled compression during mounting. Therefore, support 549 behaves similarly to support 105 in FIG. 9 in many respects. The particular hub 549 shown is a plurality of radially outwardly projecting (curved in this example) lobes or seal supports alternating with a radial inwardly projecting (curved in this example) sealing portion 549y. Includes a continuous wall with a non-circular shape, preferably comprising a portion 549x. (Alternatively, in the illustrated example, the hub 549 can be characterized to include a plurality of lobes 549x separated by a radially inwardly projecting portion 549y that is non-circular and is not linear in this example. The features of the various hub shapes that can be used with the hub 549 will be described in more detail below.

The number of radial outwardly projecting (eg, curved or convex) portions 549x and inwardly facing (eg, curved or concave) portions 549y in the shape as shown is the relevant seal. Suitable for configuration. Therefore, typically there are at least two parts, usually at least three or more, and in some cases four or more and eight or less, respectively, often in the range of four or more and ten or less. Of these, for example, it is preferable that the numbers are in the range of 6 or more and 8 or less, respectively.

In addition, referring to FIG. 38, in the illustrated example, the non-circular seal support portion of the hub 549 is solid and continuous. That is, the non-circular seal support portion does not include a lateral opening that penetrates while extending beyond the strut 551 towards the tip 549p. This is a typical structure, but other structures are possible.

The outer support 550 and the stanchion 551 may be substantially similar to the support 108 and the stanchion 110 shown in FIG.

The support 545 typically includes an optional sonic choke structure 546 similar to the sonic choke structure described with respect to FIG. 10 in the illustrated structure.

FIG. 39 shows a side view of the support 545. A ring 554 similar to the ring 125 in FIG. 10 can be seen. A resin flow opening 555 similar to the flow opening 121 is shown. In short, referring to FIG. 39, the support 545 in the illustrated example is similar to the support 90 except for the specific configuration of the inner support (or hub) 549 in FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 shows an end view of structure 548. FIG. 41 shows an end view of the opposite side of the support 545.

FIG. 42 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the support 548. It can be seen that the support portion 548 includes the inner axial flange 560 that defines the trough 561 as well as the flange 120 and trough 120e of FIG. The opening 555 allows resin to flow into trough 561.

FIG. 43 shows a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 42. The area inside the support column 551 in the radial direction similar to the portion 128 in FIG. 16 is indicated by reference numeral 564 in the figure. Further, it can be seen that the support column 551 is extended at an angle HF larger than 0 ° with respect to the plane perpendicular to the central axis X, almost the same as the angle CS described above with respect to FIG. With reference to FIG. 33, the inclination of the column 551 extending inward in the radial direction in the direction away from the medium 525x can be seen. Note that FIG. 33 shows that the medium 525 does not abut on any portion of the lattice structure 551. However, in some cases, it is predicted that some axial contact may occur between the medium 525 and the lattice structure 551 at the innermost part in the radial direction.

FIG. 44 shows a partial view of the support 545.

FIG. 45 shows a flow (outlet in this example) tube configuration 570 with an outlet tube 512 along with a pressure tap 512x. The outlet tube 512 includes a sealing surface 571, which in the illustrated example is radially inward with which the seal 533 abuts when the cartridge 510 is engaged to form a radial outward facing seal. It is a sealing surface facing. In many other respects, structure 570 may be similar to tube structure 15 in FIG. The protrusion 572 attached to the ring 572r so as to be rotationally engaged with the housing 502 is different in shape, number, and position from the portion 228 in FIG. This will be further explained below.

As shown in FIG. 45, the tube configuration 570 has a plurality of radial snap-fit cam projections 573 arranged radially on the ring 572r. The ring 572r is part of a tube configuration 570 that is pushed into the receiving opening and housing portion during use. The protrusion 573 suppresses detachment by snap-fitting when the pushing is performed.

FIG. 46 shows a side view of the pipe configuration or pipe structure 570. FIG. 48 shows a plan view of the pipe configuration 570 of FIG. FIG. 47 shows a cross-sectional view substantially along line 47-47 of FIG. FIG. 49 shows a cross-sectional view substantially along lines 49-49 of FIG. FIG. 50 shows an enlarged partial view of the identified portion of FIG. 49.

Note Figure 49. It should be noted that the individual protrusions 572 on the tube 570 of the illustrated example are respectively positioned so as to be radially aligned with the thin extension 574 of the wall 575. That is, it is aligned with the hollow portion 576 in the radial direction each time. This facilitates rotational locking of the portion 570 to the housing 502 by causing some spring effect as the tube 570 is rotated and the protrusion 572 engages the toothed housing portion. It is also useful to avoid a situation in which deformation occurs in the region 574 during assembly or under pressure from the protrusion 572, which affects the shape of the sealing surface region 571. For example, it is important to properly mold the surface 571 while molding the tube 570 from plastic. The hollow portion 526 facilitates uniform cooling to minimize strain on surface 571. In FIG. 50, one of the hollow portions 576 can be easily seen in detail.

Generally, for the cartridge 510 shown in FIG. 35, the housing seal 533 is a non-circular side surface of the groove 540 and projects radially outward or radially inward (curved in the illustrated example). It is formed so as to have a plurality of sealing surface portions arranged alternately. As a result, a seal peripheral portion having a non-circular and alternately arranged outwardly projecting portions and inwardly projecting portions is formed. Referring to FIG. 49, when the cartridge 510 is mounted, the cartridge seal structure 533 is another clamp so that it seals and engages (by a radial seal) with a similarly shaped seal support 571 of the housing. Is pushed in without using. In the particular example illustrated, the seal housing surface 571 is formed as part of the outlet pipe configuration 570.

In the case of the cartridge 510 of this example, the primary seal structure is configured as a recess, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 540 of the end cap 528 of FIG. 35 as a radial inner surface or wall (outward facing surface 533). The recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 540 is configured to accept not only the protruding portion of the outlet tube where the seal occurs, but also the protruding portion of the housing sidewall that is snap-fitted to the tube. Thus, the connection between the outlet tube portion 570 and the housing end wall 511 in the housing is received in the groove 540 of the cartridge 510, see FIG. 33.

By comparing FIGS. 36, 38 and 49, the seal configuration comprises an alternating radial outwardly projecting portion 533x and a radial inwardly projecting portion 533y, and the housing seal surface 571 of FIG. 49. It can be understood that the surface portion 571y can project between the outwardly projecting portions 533x of the seal structure 533 if it also comprises alternating outwardly projecting portions 571x and radial inwardly projecting portions 571y. This can help rotate lock the seal structure 533. Further, when the cartridge 510 is attached, it is possible to obtain a reliable and unique feeling that the operator can understand that the cartridge 510 is correctly inserted and completely sealed. As a result, it can be easily attached to the primary seal 533 without leaving a leakage path. It is particularly convenient if the number of portions 533y is at least four, as proper engagement can be achieved with a relative slight turn of the cartridge.

For some applications, only the primary seal 533 is required. However, in some cases, the benefit can be obtained by providing a secondary seal. This point will be explained in the next part of this chapter.

With reference to FIG. 35, the cartridge 510 includes a secondary seal 534 of FIG. 35 that engages the side wall of the housing. Similar to the secondary seal 65 and seal surface 66 of FIG. 4, the secondary seal 534 can be supported by an optional seal support 581 embedded in the end cap material of the cartridge 510. This optional support consists of an optional support 550 in structure 545 shown in FIG. 38.

The optional support 550 includes optional tabs 531t that are spaced apart from each other, similar to the supports of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-32. In fact, with respect to the configuration of the primary seal 533, the structures of FIGS. 33 to 50 are almost the same as the structures of FIGS. 1 to 32.

The seal configuration illustrated with respect to the primary seal 533 offers several advantages. Also in this embodiment, it is not possible to rotate the tube 570 in the radial direction with respect to the housing body 503 after the (exit) tube 570 has engaged the cartridge 510. Therefore, more reliable sealing that is not affected by rotational stress and rotational force can be obtained.

Further, in seals containing multiple lobes or protrusions, such seals because the (typically curved) sealing surface portion of the various lobes or protrusions is tangentially oriented at some of the perimeter. Is a "self-alignment" sticker. That is, part of the seal 533 is not completely radial. Therefore, after pushing the seal 533 into place, the imbalance in pressure applied to the lobes causes the seal to rotate slightly and self-correct for misalignment. Even in this case, the sealing compression does not occur in the direction aligned with the axis X in the axial direction (that is, the longitudinal direction of the axis X), but most of the sealing compression occurs in the direction toward the axis X or in the direction away from the axis X. Is called a radial seal.

In addition, as mentioned above, the unique configuration of the seal 533 helps the inspector confirm that the correct cartridge 510 suitable for the system has been selected, and that the cartridge lobe is correct with the outlet tube lobe. The components can be selected so that the access cover cannot be closed until they are aligned, so it is fairly easy to recognize if the cartridge is not installed correctly.

The possible seal configurations and the advantages of the seal will be described in more detail below.

Next, focusing on FIG. 51, a side view of the assembly 500 is shown. From FIG. 51, it can be seen that the housing 502 includes a portion 503 and an access cover 504 integrally fixed by a latch structure 505. Further, it can be seen that the outlet pipe 512 includes a part of the pipe 570, the inlet pipe 521 and the discharge pipe 514. As will be appreciated from the further description below, note the section lines 52-52 passing through the housing portion 503, the outlet tube 512 and part of the cartridge 510.

Note Figure 52. FIG. 52 shows a portion of the cartridge 510 that is aligned with a portion of the housing portion 503 so that sealing occurs. However, the mold-in-place molded portion of the end cap 528 is not shown in FIG. 52, so structural details can be seen.

With reference to FIG. 52, first focus on the sealing surface 571 and the hub 549. It will be appreciated that the material forming the sealing surface 533, that is, part of the mold-in-place molded portion of the end member 528, can fill the space 579 between these two components. The outwardly projecting 549x of the hub 549 is aligned with the outwardly projecting area 571x of the surface 571, and the inwardly projecting area 549y of the hub 549 is aligned with the inwardly projecting area 571y of the wall 571. You can see that. Furthermore, it can be seen that interference with rotation occurs so as to prevent rotation. In addition, if some misalignment occurs while inserting the cartridge 510 into the seal surface 571, the inspector can feel that the seal is locked in the correct engagement position by turning the cartridge 510 slightly. Be done.

Further, with reference to FIG. 52, it can be seen that the toothed surface or toothed area of the housing portion 503, or the ratchet surface or ratchet area 581, causes the individual protrusions 572 to engage in a ratchet fashion or with resistance. This will be explained in more detail below.

FIG. 53 shows a perspective view of the housing portion 503. An opening 580 is shown at the end 511. The opening 580 includes a portion 580t in which a notch, a tooth or ratchet structure 581 and a flexible tab 582 are arranged. When the tube structure 570 of FIG. 45 is inserted into the opening 580, the member 572 engages the teeth 581 to help secure the tube 570 in the selected rotational position. The flex tab 582, like member 573 in FIG. 46, helps to achieve a snap-fit effect. In addition, since the tube can be rotated by hand in order to apply a force superior to the ratchet effect during the initial mounting, when the L-shaped tube 512 is used, the tube can be rotated as needed. However, after the cartridge 510 is mounted, the cartridge 510 attempts to lock the tube 570 into a particular rotational position. This is partly because, as described above, the influence of the peripheral seal or the secondary seal 534 on the cartridge 510 causes the housing portion 503 to engage with the side wall portion. Further, the rotation of the tube 570 is also suppressed by the axial pressure on the cartridge 510 that brings the cartridge 510 into contact with the end 511 while the access cover 504 is pushed into the predetermined position.

FIG. 54 shows a side view of the housing portion 503. FIG. 55 shows a plan view of the housing portion 503. FIG. 56 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 56-56 of FIG. FIG. 57 shows an enlarged partial view of the portion indicated by FIG. 56. In FIG. 57, reference numeral 590 in the drawing indicates a seal surface portion of the housing portion 503 that forms a seal with the secondary seal surface 534 of the cartridge 510 of FIG. 35 when the cartridge 510 is mounted. This is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 32.

Next, focusing on FIG. 33B, a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 33 is shown. FIG. 33B shows the engagement of a portion of tube 570 with the end 511 of housing portion 503. Similar to FIG. 33, FIG. 33B does not show a portion of the mold-in-place molded seal material for the end cap 528, so structural details can be seen.

In FIG. 33B, reference numeral 591 in the figure indicates a connection located between the tube 570 and the housing portion 502 and projecting into the recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 540 of the cartridge 510 of FIG. 35 during mounting. A structure effective for suppressing water leakage at the connection portion 591 is also shown in FIG. 33B. In detail, it can be seen from FIG. 33 that the tube 570 includes a mounting ring portion 593 that projects radially toward the end 511 and a rim protrusion 595 that projects toward the end 511. The end portion 511 includes a recess 511r, and the rim portion 595 projects into the recess 511r. Further, the end wall 511 includes a protrusion ring 511p protruding from the tube 570 toward the ring portion 593 at a position surrounded by the rim protrusion portion 595. When a snap-fit engagement occurs between the tube 570 and the housing portion 503 at the end 511, the winding water flow path indicated by the ring protrusion 595 and the protrusion ring 511p in the recess 511r is in the interior space 502i of the housing 502. Prevent water from flowing into the housing. This effect is particularly desirable if the housing 502 is oriented so that the end 511 projects upward.

C. Assembling the cartridge 510, especially the end member 528, FIGS. 58-65 In a preferred application to which the principles of the present disclosure apply, the end member 528 is molded in place on the preform portion of the cartridge 510. Including the part. Specifically, the end member 528 comprises a material molded in place to cover the end 525x of the medium 525, various parts of the support structure 545, and adjacent seal supports 549, 550 and struts 551. .. In this chapter, with reference to FIGS. 58 to 65, a method for achieving this and a molding structure will be described.

FIG. 58 shows a plan view of the molding die 600. The mold 600 includes a peripheral ring surface 601 that surrounds the mold cavity 602. A central protrusion 603 is arranged at the center of the molding cavity 602. During the manufacture of the cartridge 510, the resin is typically fed into the molded cavity 602 by rapid rotation to disperse the resin. The medium (medium pack) and support are then inserted into the mold cavity 602 and the resin is molded into the medium pack and support in a manner appropriate to form the end cap 528.

FIG. 59 shows a cross-sectional view of the molding die 600. The cavity 602 includes the ring 610, and the ring 610 forms the groove 540 of FIG. 35 in the end cap 528 of the molded cartridge.

There is a molding cavity portion 602x on the radial outer side of the protrusion 610, and the outer peripheral portion of the molding cavity portion 602x located at 602p forms the outer sealing surface 534 of FIG. 35 in the molded material.

An inner molded cavity portion 602i is arranged inside the support 610 in the radial direction. The inner surface 610i of the protrusion 610 is configured to form the radial seal surface 533 of FIG. 35 facing the outside of the primary seal.

FIG. 60 shows an enlarged partial view of the cavity 602 and the central protrusion 603. The central protrusion 603 includes an outer peripheral portion 603p having a molded rotation alignment structure of the first member indicated by reference numeral 612 in the drawing. For the particular structure shown, the molded rotary alignment structure 612 comprises a plurality of recesses or grooves 613 that are radially spaced apart from each other around the perimeter of the protrusions 603 that are oriented and arranged approximately vertically. .. The particular assembly shown uses 6 grooves, but different numbers (usually 3 or more, 10 or less) are possible. Although these grooves are shown so as to be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals in the radial direction around the center of the support column 603, another structure is also possible. The action of groove 613 will be understood from the further description below.

FIG. 61 shows the same portion of the enlarged partial view of FIG. 59. The portion illustrated is one cross-sectional view of the groove 613.

FIG. 62 shows the second identical portion of the partial cross section of FIG. 59. A cross-sectional view of the molded cavity 602 is shown, including the feature structure shown above.

FIG. 63 shows a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 58. The portion shown in FIG. 63 shows a mold standoff 615 for facilitating molding. With reference to FIG. 58, a plurality of such molded standoffs 615 are shown. Standoff 615 leaves an artifact on the end cap 528 (see reference numeral 617 in Figure 34A). Standoff 615 functions to ensure that the medium and support are properly supported in the mold.

FIG. 64 schematically illustrates the process of inserting the cartridge structure into the mold for forming the end cap 528. Note that the medium is not shown in Figure 64 for ease of viewing, but the medium may be present during insertion. With reference to FIG. 64, the mold 600 is shown. It is shown that the structure 545 is pushed down into the mold cavity 602. Prior to insertion, the medium will generally be positioned around the center 545c. The medium is believed to surround ring 554. Also, the resin would normally be fed into the cavity 602 towards region 619 by rapidly rotating the mold 600 prior to insertion of the cartridge components.

It will be appreciated that the support 545 must be properly radially oriented in the mold with respect to the outer mold portion 620 that molds the seal surface of the seal 533. By referring to FIG. 65, we can understand how to achieve this.

With reference to FIG. 65, it can be seen that the cartridge support 545 includes an inner surface 545s having a molded rotary alignment structure 625 of the second member at the center 549c. The second member 625 includes a plurality of radial inward facing protrusions 626. The protrusion 626 is configured and positioned to engage the member 612 of the central strut 603. For the particular structure illustrated, the member 626 is a protrusion configured as a vertical rib oriented to be received into the recess 613 while the support 545 is pushed into the mold 600 and separated from each other. Yes (although other structures are possible). Therefore, the support 545 cannot be completely pushed down into the mold 600 until the rib 626 engages the receiving portion 613. As a result, rotational indexing is realized, so that the hub 529 of the support 545 of FIG. 65 is properly rotationally aligned with the mold portion 520.

D. Some dimensional examples In FIGS. 33 to 63, some dimensional examples are presented as follows. GH = 280.3mm, GI = 128.3mm, GJ = 92.4mm, GK = 129.8mm, GL = 45.4mm, GM = 231.4mm, GN = 102.1mm, GO = 2mm, GP = 6.4mm, GQ = 7 °, GR = 117.5mm, GS = 7 °, GT = diameter 117.5mm, GU = 2.8mm, GV = 95.6mm, GW = 3.3mm, GX = 18.9mm, GY = 1.5mm, GZ = 14.62mm, HA = radius 30mm, HB = radius 14.2 mm, HC = 0.2 °, HD = 16 mm, HE = radius 3 mm, HF = 2 °, HG = 14.8 mm, HH = 21.9 mm, HI = diameter 77.93 mm, HJ = radius 11.7 mm, HK = radius 27.9mm, HL = radius 5.5mm, HM = diameter 60.41mm, HN = 30 °, HO = 20mm, HP = 81mm, HQ = 55.5mm, HR = 121.5mm, HS = 48.9mm, HT = 2.5mm, HU = 45.8mm, HV = 50.8mm, HW = 54.2mm, HX = 54.9mm, HY = 88.46mm, HZ = 96mm, HI = 30 °, H2 = 66mm, H3 = Diameter 59.9mm, H4 = Diameter 77.9mm, IA = 111mm, IB = radius 14.2mm, IC = 111mm, ID = 30 °, IF = 1.5mm, IG = radius 0.5mm, IH = 2.1mm, II = radius 1mm, IJ = diameter 7.5mm, IK = radius 2.7mm, IL = 112mm, IM = 105mm, IN = 80.5mm, IO = 40mm, IP = 12mm, IQ = 6mm, IR = 15mm, IS = 8.9mm, IT = 15.8mm, IU = 31.6mm, IV = 8.9mm, IW = 6mm, IX = 55.8mm, IY = 54.4mm, IZ = 210mm, JA = 96.5mm, JB = 12.7mm, JC = 93.5mm, JD = 89mm, JE = 124.4mm, JF = 144.7mm, JG = 133.1mm , JH = 164.9mm, JI = 169.6mm, JJ = 182.7mm, JK = 10. 7mm, JL = 2mm, JM = 30 °, JN = 1.5mm, JO = 0.9mm, JP = diameter 266.7mm, JQ = 124mm, JR = 38.1mm, JS = 130.2mm, JT = 98.2mm, JU = 92.6mm , JV = 43.9mm, JW = 12.7mm, JX = 14mm, JY = 60 °, JZ = 30 °, KA = radius 15.1mm, KB = radius 4.8mm, KC = diameter 77.9mm, KD = diameter 59.9mm, KE = 1mm, KF = 18.6mm, KG = radius 2.9mm, KH = 3mm, KI = radius 2.9mm, KJ = 2 °, KK = 28.2 °, KL = 19.5mm, KM = 2 °, KN = radius 2mm, KO = 14.9mm, KP = 4mm, KQ = 3mm, KR = radius 2.5mm, KS = radius 2.5mm, KT = 0.5 °, KU = radius 2.5mm, KV = radius 1mm, KW = 15 °, KX = radius 3mm, KY = 2 °, KZ = radius 2mm, LA = 3mm, LB = radius 2.5mm, LC = radius 2mm, LD = 31.8mm, LE = radius 4.5mm, and LF = 11.3mm. It is possible to use different dimensions, not to mention that these dimensions are merely an example of the structure. 5mm, KV = radius 1mm, KW = 15 °, KX = radius 3mm, KY = 2 °, KZ = radius 2mm, LA = 3mm, LB = radius 2.5mm, LC = radius 2mm, LD = 31.8mm, LE = radius 4.5mm and LF = 11.3mm. It is possible to use different dimensions, not to mention that these dimensions are merely an example of the structure. 5mm, KV = radius 1mm, KW = 15 °, KX = radius 3mm, KY = 2 °, KZ = radius 2mm, LA = 3mm, LB = radius 2.5mm, LC = radius 2mm, LD = 31.8mm, LE = radius 4.5mm and LF = 11.3mm. It is possible to use different dimensions, not to mention that these dimensions are merely an example of the structure.

E. Some possible alternative seal configurations, general description of the seal, various alternative structures 1. Definition of the seal surface of the alternative example, Figures 66-70 Various seal configurations can be used with the principles of the present disclosure. Figures 66-70 show some examples. These figures are schematic and are only intended to provide definitions of seals and supports that may be possible.

FIG. 66 shows a somewhat "peanut-shaped" shape with two radial outward protrusions or lobes 701 separated by two inwardly projecting portions 702, with reference numeral 700 in the figure. .. Of course, the configuration of this particular lobe 701 and portion 702 can be transformed into a different shape than the configuration shown.

In FIG. 67, reference numeral 730 in the figure shows a three-lobe configuration having three radially outwardly projecting portions or lobes 731 and three radially inwardly projecting portions 732.

FIG. 68 shows a "4 lobe" configuration comprising a plurality (4) radial outward protrusions or lobes 751 separated by radial inward projections or portions 752 with reference numeral 750 in the figure. ..

In FIG. 69, a seal structure having a portion protruding outward in the radial direction is indicated by reference numeral 770 in the drawing. In this case, the seal structure 770 has six radial outward projecting portions 771 separated by a portion 772. In this case, the portion 772 is linear in the direction between the protrusions 771 and does not project inward in the radial direction. However, it would also be beneficial if the portion 772 was configured to project inward.

In FIG. 70, a seal structure having five outwardly projecting portions 781 separated by five inwardly projecting portions 782 is indicated by reference numeral 780 in the figure. In this case, the inwardly projecting portion 782 is not linear as a whole, but each portion 782 includes linear portions 783, 784 on both sides of the innermost apex 785 in the radial direction.

In any of the embodiments of FIGS. 66-70, different shapes are possible with respect to the lobes and portions. Furthermore, the configurations of FIGS. 66-70 demonstrate that a variety of configurations with different numbers of parts or lobes than shown can be used.

2. Outline of the selected seal and the sealing surface described above Note that the seals having the structures of FIGS. 35 and 66 to 70 are sometimes characterized as "radial". However, due to its non-circular shape, some of the sealing force acts in directions other than in particular towards or away from the central axis X of the cartridge. Nevertheless, in general, the sealing surfaces of the cartridge and housing are oriented approximately radially and the sealing force is the axis X, depending on whether the associated sealing surface is the outer sealing surface or the inner sealing surface. These seals are characterized as "radial" herein because they either face radially outward or radially inward with respect to the center. In other words, the compressive force is approximately radial rather than axial (ie, longitudinal of axis X). However, in each of these non-circular seal configurations, there are applications in which the sealing force is not directed directly toward or away from the axis X.

More generally, the radial seal comprises a sealing surface that surrounds the central axis (defined towards or away from the central axis). In many cases, the central axis is the central axis of the filter cartridge, and a medium is also arranged around the central axis. However, for other structures described below, it will be appreciated that the radial seal may be a seal that surrounds an axis that is not the central axis of the cartridge (as opposed to an axial seal). , A seal in which the seal is approximately aligned with the central axis around it, typically the cartridge central axis X, but not in all cases).

In terms commonly used herein, the various housing seal structures illustrated can be characterized as having a generally radial sealing surface. This is any part of the housing (which of the two housing seals is relevant) that can be generally characterized as the sealing orientation of the various housing seals shown in the drawings being a "radially oriented surface". Depending on whether it is part of the outlet pipe or the outer part of the housing), it depends on the surface that engages. In either case, the surface that actually forms the seal is the central axis X (usually also the central axis of the cartridge), unlike the axial seal, which is generally thought to have a sealing force in the longitudinal direction of the central axis X. The direction centered on (the direction toward the central axis or the direction away from the central axis). The example illustrated is "outer radius" because the actual surface of the seal member of the cartridge that forms the seal by engaging with the housing is not towards the central axis of the cartridge, but in a direction approximately away from the central axis. A directional seal surface or an outwardly facing radial seal. However, many of the principles described herein are also applicable to other structures in which the sealing surface of the cartridge that engages the housing to form the seal is radially oriented toward the central axis.

The radial housing seals described herein can generally be characterized by "non-clamping", "non-clamping" or "no-clamping" structures, or similar terminology. This means that the seal structure usually does not include the use of clamps such as hose clamps or other structures that need to be tightened to form a secure seal. The seal is achieved by simply mounting the sealing material against the surface of the housing, which is oriented by the cartridge components, and compressing it.

With respect to the structures of FIGS. 33-70, the non-circular primary seal surface can be characterized as having at least two separated radial outwardly projecting seal surface portions. In fact, with the exception of the structure of FIG. 66, each structure has at least three radially spaced outwardly projecting seal surface portions, typically four or more and ten or less radially spaced outwardly projecting. Has a sealing surface portion to be used. In this case, the term "protruding outward in the radial direction" is defined in such an orientation that the sealing surface forms an inward facing seal or an outward facing seal. Regardless of the above, it shall be shown that the shape of the lobe, apex or projecting portion is in the peripheral direction of the central axis with respect to the central axis. That is, the portion protruding outward in the radial direction is the portion of the sealing surface that protrudes away from the central axis of the seal (and typically the cartridge) regardless of the direction in which the sealing surface itself is facing for sealing. is there. In the case of a structure having "six outwardly projecting seal portions" in FIG. 36, those protrusions are indicated by reference numeral 533x in the figure. In the case of the "two" outwardly projecting parts of FIG. 66, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 701 in the figure. In the case of a structure including three outwardly projecting portions in FIG. 67, those portions are indicated by reference numeral 731 in the figure. In the case of a structure including four outwardly projecting portions in FIG. 68, those portions are indicated by reference numeral 751 in the figure. In the case of a structure including the six outwardly projecting parts of FIG. 69, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 771 in the figure. For structures that include the five outwardly projecting parts of FIG. 70, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 781 in the figure.

Except for the structure of FIG. 69, each of the seal structures of FIGS. 33 to 36 and 66 to 70 has one radial inside arranged between the two radially outwardly projecting portions defined above. It has a sealing part that protrudes to. In the case of the structure of FIG. 36, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 533y in the figure. In the case of the structure of FIG. 66, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 702 in the figure. In the case of the structure of FIG. 67, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 732 in the figure. In the case of the structure of FIG. 68, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 752 in the figure. In the case of the structure of FIG. 70, those parts are indicated by reference numeral 782 in the figure. Since the structure of FIG. 69 has a linear portion extending between the regions protruding outward, the structure does not include a sealing portion protruding inward. In relation to this part of the definition of the sealing surface of the sealing surface portion protruding inward, when referring to the geometric direction with respect to the central axis X, the surface portion is bent or bent in the direction opposite to the direction of the sealing surface force for sealing. Indicates that it is protruding.

In many of the structures, the inwardly facing sealing surface portion is not linear. In the context of the general term used herein, this refers to the condition for the outwardly projecting portion of the portion extending between the outwardly projecting portions of the sealing surface. This characterization applies to all of the seal structures shown in FIGS. 30, 66-68 and 70, except for the seal structure shown in FIG. 69.

In addition, in FIG. 70, the portions 783 and 784 are linear respectively, but since each portion 782 is not linear between the protrusions 781 as a whole, even the seal structure shown in FIG. 70 is outward. According to the definition of the extension between the protruding parts, it is "not straight".

Generally, the radially outwardly projecting seal surface portions are radially evenly spaced around the cartridge central axis, which in fact applies to any structure shown herein. However, this radial arrangement is not specifically required, and many of the principles described herein are applicable to other structures. The same can be said for the seal portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction.

For convenience in molding, manufacturing and use of the seal, the radial outwardly projecting seal surface portion typically has a radius of at least 5 mm, usually a radius of 35 mm or less, often 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Curve with a radius within range. However, other numbers are possible. The radially inwardly projecting portions also have an amount of radius of curvature, typically in the range of at least 2 mm, often 2-35 mm, for convenience of manufacture. However, in this case as well, another numerical value is possible.

Generally, when the principles of the present disclosure are applied in a suitable structure, the sealing surfaces forming the primary seal, eg seal 533, are usually at least 3 mm outward from the innermost perimeter of the medium and the outermost of the medium. It is arranged so as to overlap with one end of the medium in the radial direction so as to be separated from the portion of the inside by at least 5 mm. Also, if the structure includes an outer peripheral seal as described herein or a seal structure oriented in the second radial direction, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of this sealing surface is typically the maximum cross section of the outer peripheral seal. At least 3 mm smaller than the dimensions, usually at least 5 mm, often at least 8 mm smaller, typically at least 10 mm smaller, and most typically at least 15 mm smaller.

It is not particularly required that the cartridge include two seal structures, but it is preferred to include two seal structures if the preferred embodiments described are applied. It is also not particularly required that the primary seal 533 be the side surface of the groove, which is also typical and suitable for the applications described herein. Further, when a groove is used, it is not particularly required that the surface of the groove that does not constitute the housing seal is circular by definition, but an inclined surface is also typical and suitable.

When referring to radialally oriented seal surface dimensions, perimeter or cross-sectional dimensions, this reference refers to the surface when not distorted by mounting, unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, dimensions are sometimes referred to by terms such as "strain-free cross-sectional dimensions" or similar terms.

3. Some exemplary alternative structures Next, note Figure 33C. FIG. 33C is a diagram similar to FIG. 33, which is shown in a rotation direction different from that of FIG. 33 with respect to a general feature structure, but shows some modifications of a specific feature structure.

It should be understood that the assembly of FIG. 33C has a configuration and feature structure similar to that described above with respect to the assembly of FIG. 33 when similar parts are shown.

Referring to FIG. 33C, an assembly 1000 with housing 1001 is shown in which cartridge 1010 is detachably placed within housing 1001. The cartridge 1010 may be substantially similar to the cartridge described above, and includes a medium 1011 extending between the first end member 1012 and the second end member 1013. An example of the difference is the closed end member 1013.<u style="single">In</u>, An outer bumper projection structure 1015 defined in an axially overlapping orientation with one end 1016 of the support structure 1017 on which the medium 1011 is arranged is shown.<u style="single">Is that</u>.. This is different from the assembly of FIG. 33 in which the bumper structure is located radially offset from one end of the support.

With reference to FIG. 33D, an enlarged partial view of FIG. 33 is shown. The end member or the end cap 1012 has a different structure from the end cap shown above in terms of detailed structure, but the operation is almost the same. In particular, the detailed structure of the support 1020 embedded in the mold-in-place molding material 1021 is different.

FIG. 33E shows a perspective view of the assembly 1000 and the housing 1001.

FIG. 34B shows a bottom perspective view of the cartridge 1010. In the illustrated example, the bumper structure 1015 is shown as a continuous ring rather than a split ring. The principle can also be implemented with a split ring.

FIG. 34C shows a perspective view of the open end of the cartridge 1010. A medium 1011 extends between 1012 and 1013. The end member 1012 is marked with a recess, receiving portion or groove 1025, the inner wall of which 1026 is provided with a plurality of radial directions separated by separated inward facing recesses or regions 1026i, similar to the structure described above. It is configured to form a radially oriented sealing surface 1026s with an outwardly oriented lobe or protrusion 1026o. Further, the cartridge 1010 is shown as having an outwardly facing sealing surface 1028s surrounding a surface 1026 forming a secondary radial seal or a second radial seal.

FIG. 35A shows a side view of the cartridge 1010. FIG. 35B shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 1010. FIG. 36A shows a plan view of the cartridge 1010 when viewed toward the end member 1012. Dimensional examples are as follows. XA = 71mm, XB = radius 129mm, XC = radius 16mm, XD = radius 3mm, and XE = 93mm.

FIG. 37A shows an end view of the cartridge 1010 as viewed toward the end member 1013.

F. Additional Remarks on Effective Sealing Feature Structures As mentioned earlier, in order to obtain any of the benefits of this disclosure, all of the feature structures featured herein by the filter cartridge or cartridge assembly. No particular requirement is made to include it. In fact, some filter cartridges benefit from achieving a preferred first seal configuration featured herein, with or without a second seal configuration featured herein. Obtainable.

In many typical applications, for the application of an effective sealing structure, the filter cartridge comprises a medium having a first end and a second end, the medium typically surrounding an open filter interior space. And specify. A first open end cap is arranged at the first end of the medium. The end cap may be a mold-in-place end cap in which the first end of the medium is embedded, as described above. However, other structures are possible.

A housing seal structure is placed on the first end cap. In one example of the definition defined herein, the housing seal structure has at least two, typically at least three, preferably at least four, radial outwardly projecting seal surface projections that are spaced apart from each other. It has a sealing surface facing the radial direction of 1. In this regard, the "radially outwardly projecting seal surface portion" represents the direction in which the surface projects from the central axis, rather than the direction in which the surface faces to form the seal. Therefore, the term refers to the shape of the "robe" or the part itself, not the direction of sealing. Thus, the seal structure can have a plurality of radially outwardly projecting seal surface portions and can be either an outwardly oriented radial seal or an inwardly oriented radial direction.

Typically, the outwardly projecting seal surface portion is separated by a non-linear seal portion, eg, a radial inwardly projecting seal portion, but other structures are possible.

Typically, it is preferable that there are 4 or more and 12 or less (in many cases, 4 or more and 10 or less) sealing surface portions protruding outward in the radial direction. Other numbers are possible.

It is not particularly required that the surface portion protruding outward is substantially curved, that is, the surface portion is convex toward the outside, but this is a typical structure. Further, the surface portion protruding outward is typically formed so as to form a circular radius, but other shapes are also possible. Similarly, if inwardly projecting seal surface portions are placed between the outwardly projecting seal surface portions, those surfaces are typically curved (ie, concave outward) and the curvature thereof. Is typically a circular radius, but other shapes are possible.

It is not particularly required that the curvature of the sealing surface portion protruding outward is the same as the curvature of the sealing surface portion protruding inward. In fact, in the selected structure illustrated, the outwardly projecting portion of the sealing surface is curved with a larger radius than the sealing surface of the inwardly projecting sealing surface portion, but other structures are possible.

Typically, the definition of a seal is to cover above a support that also has a radial outward protrusion and, in a typical preferred structure, has a radial inward protrusion (support). (Above) Molded in place Specified by the material to be molded.

Typically, the sealing surface, which has a non-circular shape as defined above, is the side surface of the receiving groove located in the mold-in-place molded end cap. An example is shown in which the sealing surface is a radial inner surface of such a groove and is configured to have a radial outward facing sealing surface. Other structures are possible.

Typically, a sealing surface that is non-circular as defined in this chapter and includes a portion as defined above is arranged to overlap one end of the medium, and the sealing surface is the outermost part of the medium pack. It is located in a position that recedes radially inward from the portion of the medium and is separated radially outward from the innermost portion of the medium. When the medium is folded, the seal is typically located so that the outermost extension in the radial direction is inwardly separated from the outer fold tip and the innermost radial direction is the inner fold tip. It will be arranged so that it is located radially outside the portion. Typically, the entire sealing surface is located at least 3 mm away from each of the inner and outer fold tips.

Many of the principles described in this chapter for non-circular radial seals are also applicable in connection with a second seal or an outer radial oriented seal, in accordance with the general principles described earlier herein. Is. For example, a secondary seal or an outer seal having a cross-sectional dimension larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the non-circular inner seal can be provided.

VII. Further embodiments and selected variants, FIGS. 71-111 A. Overview Figures 71-111 show some alternative principles and alternative feature structures applicable to the structures according to the present disclosure. Their feature structure relates to an optional alternative configuration of the primary seal, which can be effectively achieved in part. An alternative configuration of this optional primary seal can be used with the secondary seal, but benefits can also be gained when used in structures that do not include the secondary seal.

The selected structure of FIGS. 71-111 also relates to the use of an optional alignment structure to facilitate alignment of the filter cartridge with the selected effective outlet tube configuration. These feature structures can be used with the seal structures and variations thereof described in connection with FIGS. 71-89, but may also be used with other seal structures described herein.

The structure selected from the structures of FIGS. 71 to 111 also relates to a modification of the optional secondary seal applicable to the various structures according to the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the variants selected relate to yet another type of seal and / or support and another sealing method and / or support method. These variations are applicable as needed in various embodiments of the embodiments characterized herein.

The selected embodiment of the embodiments of FIGS. 71 to 111 is shown without using a resonator or a sonic choke. The sonic choke or resonator according to the embodiment described above may be incorporated as necessary as a part of the structure selected from the structures of FIGS. 71 to 111.

The selected embodiment of the embodiments of FIGS. 71-111 relates to another type of medium that can be used in the structures according to the present disclosure. Also, the selected embodiment of the embodiments relates to filtration of crankcase ventilation gas.

B. Examples of Embodiments and Modifications of FIGS. 71 to 89 Reference numeral 800 in the figure of FIG. 71 indicates the entire air (gas) cleaner (filter) assembly according to another embodiment of the filter (air cleaner) assembly of the present disclosure. .. Referring to FIG. 71, the filter (eg, air cleaner or gas cleaner) assembly 800 is shown as comprising a housing 802 defining a housing body 803 and an access cover 804, which is described by means of, for example, a latch structure 805. Removably fixed to.

The housing 802 defines an interior space 802i, within which a removable and replaceable, ie inspectable filter cartridge component or cartridge 810 (not shown in FIG. 71, see FIG. 72). Is placed. The filter cartridge 810 will be described in detail below.

Further referring to FIG. 71, the air (gas) cleaner assembly 800 includes an end wall 811 in the housing 802 with an outwardly directed air flow (outlet) tube 812. In the case of the illustrated forward flow system, the pipe 812 is usually a clean air outlet pipe used in the same manner as the pipes 15 and 512 described above. Tube 812 includes an optional pressure tap 812x. The illustrated housing 802 further includes an optional debris discharge pipe structure 814 in which an optional decompression exhaust valve structure 815 is located.

The housing 802 may be provided with a mounting pad structure similar to that of the above-described embodiment, if necessary. In another structure, clamps or additional structures can be releasably attached to the housing 802 to attach the air cleaner assembly 800.

Further referring to FIG. 71, reference numeral 821 in the figure indicates a second air flow (inlet) pipe connected to the air (gas) cleaner assembly 800. Tube 821 is typically used to guide unfiltered air (gas) into the housing 802. Normally, the pipe 821 is configured as a tangential air (gas) flow inlet pipe, but other structures are possible.

Next, focusing on FIG. 72, a cross-sectional view of the filter (air cleaner) assembly 800 is shown. You can see the filter cartridge 810 located in the interior space 802i (of the air cleaner). The structure of the inclined surface at the air flow inlet is indicated by reference numeral 817 in the figure. The shield portion of the housing body 803 is indicated by reference numeral 818 in the drawing, and the shield portion of the access cover portion 804 is indicated by reference numeral 819 in the drawing. An opening 820 for allowing dust and water to flow into the internal space of the discharge pipe 814 indicated by reference numeral 814i in the figure is arranged in the access cover 804.

As far as described so far, the assembly 800 is almost the same as the assemblies 1 and 500 described above. The same parts of the feature structure can be configured to behave similarly to similar structures described in connection with those embodiments.

One of the selected differences in embodiments of FIGS. 71-89 when compared to the embodiments described above is that the filter cartridge 810 is shown in a configuration that includes a "sonic choke" or a "resonator". There is no such thing. However, also in the embodiments of FIGS. 71 to 89, the same sonic choke or resonator as the sonic choke or resonator described above can be used.

The selected differences among the further differences of the embodiments of FIGS. 71-89 when compared with the embodiments described above are the configuration of the (exit) tube 812 that engages the filter 810 and the (outlet). ) With respect to selected feature structures of the filter cartridge 810 that engages the tube 812. This will be described in more detail below.

Focusing first on FIG. 73, FIG. 73 shows the interaction between the (exit) tube 812 and the cartridge 810. That is, for ease of understanding, other parts of the air cleaner assembly 800 shown in FIGS. 71 and 72 are not shown in FIG. 73. Not surprisingly, the components shown in Figure 73 would normally be used in the overall environment of the Air Cleaner 800 in Figure 72.

With reference to FIG. 73, the cartridge 810 is shown in cross section. The cartridge 810 is an inspection component that can be used with the air cleaner 800. Specifically, removing the access cover 804 of FIG. 73 from other parts of the housing 802 allows the cartridge 810 to be attached to the housing 802 or the cartridge 810 to be removed from the housing 802.

In general, referring to FIG. 73, the cartridge 810 is located around the open filter interior space 826 (and cartridge central axis X) in this example and has a first end member (or end cap) 828 and a second. The medium 825 is provided between the end member (end cap) 829 and the end member (end cap) 829. Note that in FIG. 73, the end member 828 is an open end member or end cap that is located at the open end of the cartridge 810 and thus allows air to flow during operation. In contrast, the end member 829 is shown as a closed end cap, i.e. the end member 829 does not have a central opening through which air flows. This is a typical structure, but other structures including the selected feature structures described herein are also possible.

Generally, at least a portion 828 m of end member 828 is typically an embedded mold-in-place molding portion to which the end 825x (end portion) of the medium 825 is fixed, but with a different structure. Is also possible. Similarly, at least a portion of the end member 829 is usually a mold-in-place molded portion in which the end 825y of the medium 825 is embedded, but other structures are possible. The medium 825 may be a foldable medium, but other structures are possible. Which specific medium 825 is selected is a matter of which medium is selected in consideration of the efficiency and useful life of the medium. In general, the medium as described above and the characteristic structure of the medium can be used.

As shown, the medium 825 extends around an optional porous inner liner or central support 827, and in the illustrated example, the central support 827 has multiple lengths coupled to each other by ribs 827r. It has a lattice structure including a cubic portion 827s. Another configuration can be used for the optional support 827. However, in general, when a support 827 is used, the support 827 is structurally sufficient to have sufficient porosity to achieve the desired (air) gas flow and to support the medium 825. It is configured to be sturdy or rigid. As described above, the support 827 may optionally be configured as a resonator / sonic choke. In fact, as described below, depending on the application, the medium may be configured so as not to include an open internal space.

The end member 828 is an open end member through which the central opening 830 penetrates. During use, air flows through the opening 830. Also, during use, the inner tube portion 821i of the housing flow tube 812 projects through the opening 832.

Referring to FIG. 78, a perspective view of the cartridge 810 when viewed towards the end member 828 is shown, and the central opening 830 forming the air flow path in relation to the open filter interior space 826 can be seen. it can. The end member 828 includes a first primary seal structure 833 and an optional secondary seal structure 834. The optional secondary seal structure 834 may be configured and arranged in much the same manner as the seal structures 66, 534 described above, but different configurations are also possible.

With reference to FIG. 72A, an enlarged partial view of a portion of FIG. 72 is shown. In the case of this example, since no special support is provided, this optional secondary seal structure 834 is provided in a portion that can flex outward in the radial direction. Thus, the portion of the housing / outlet tube protruding into the receiving groove should press the region 834 against the portion surrounding the housing region 834 in order to deflect the region 834 outward and form a secondary seal. Can be configured in. Normally, the portion of the (exit) flow tube / housing that causes deflection can also be configured so that it does not form a seal with region 834. Depending on the application of the technique described in the present specification, a rigid seal support can be provided in the region 834 as needed, and the region 834 can operate without causing the above-mentioned deflection.

Returning to FIG. 78, as in the case of the previously selected embodiment selected, in the illustrated example, the primary seal structure 833 is oriented in the radial direction so as to axially overlap one end of the medium 825. It is configured as a radial sealing surface. As shown, the sealing surface may be oriented substantially radially outward, but may optionally be configured as a surface facing radially inward. The central axis of the cartridge (and seal) is indicated by X, and the term "radial" as used herein refers to the orientation towards axis X (inside) or axis X, just as described above. It shall indicate the direction away from (in the case of the outside). In fact, even if the cartridge axis X does not exist, the seal 833 is thought to surround the central axis so that the sealing force acts approximately in the direction toward or away from the central axis (the axis corresponding to the axis X). , Seal 833 would be characterized as a radial seal. Although such radial seal characterization is common, it is applicable to any of the embodiments described herein.

Also, as in the embodiments described above, the primary seal structure 833 is a "non-clamping" seal, a "non-clamping" seal or a "no clamp" seal in the sense that it is usually not necessary to tighten additional clamps. Is preferable. It is preferred that sealing be achieved without additional clamps (if the cartridge 810 is properly and correctly mounted in the appropriate housing 802).

Further referring to FIG. 78, in the case of the illustrated cartridge 810, the primary seal 833 includes radialally oriented seal surfaces 833s, which in this example define a non-circular configuration, but other structures are possible. The sealed structure 833 of the illustrated example is alternately arranged and separated by the portion 833y (not linear in this example, typically protruding inward, curved or concave in this example). It is a configuration having a portion protruding outward or a lobe 833x (convex portion facing outward in this example) 833x. The particular number of outwardly projecting (curved in this example) sealing surface lobe or portion 833x and inwardly projecting (curved in this example) portion 833y is not important at least to obtain any advantage. Typically, the number of each part is at least 2, usually at least 3, and within the range of at least 4 (according to the embodiments described above), such as 4 or more and 12 or less. In some cases, the number is 4 or more and 10 or less. However, in the particular example illustrated, the number of parts 833x and parts 833y is 10 each. For typical applications, there are 4 or more and 10 or less such parts. However, this number may also change.

As in the case of the particular embodiment described above, according to another definition, the sealing surface 833 is of the surface 833 (in this example, not linear, but protruding inward, eg concave outward). It can be characterized to include a plurality of separated lobes separated from each other by a portion 833y or a portion 833x (convex outward) protruding outward in the radial direction. Typically, there are at least two such outwardly projecting lobes or portions, usually at least three, often at least four, typically a range of four or more and twelve or less. It exists in a number of, for example, 4 or more and 10 or less, but other numbers are possible.

Further referring to FIG. 78, in the illustrated example, an optional recess or recess 839 surrounds the primary seal member surface 833s. The concave surface or concave portion 839 is a concave portion, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 840 in the illustrated example. The recess, receiving portion or receiving groove 840 is a receiving portion arranged and defined to receive the protruding portion of the housing end 811 and / or the pipe 812, similar to the receiving portions 73, 540 described above. .. This will be described in more detail below.

It should be noted that the principles described herein in connection with the seal 833 are also applicable when the seal surface 833 is not surrounded by recesses or receiving grooves. That is, the sealing surface 833 may be a sealing surface on the protrusion of the end cap 828. In fact, this is the structure found in some of the other embodiments described herein. However, in a structure that includes all of the various features described herein, it is convenient and effective to provide a recess, a receiving portion or a receiving groove 840 that surrounds the surface 833s.

For the particular cartridge 810 shown, the recess or receiving groove 840 is centered on an inner wall in the radial direction that forms a non-circular surface 833 with respect to axis X as shown. It can be seen that it is configured to have a radial outer surface 841 of the groove 540, which is approximately circular by definition, but other structures are possible.

In FIG. 72, it can be seen that the portion 811x of the housing end portion 811 and the portion 812x of the outlet pipe 812 project into the recess, the receiving portion or the receiving groove 840. In this regard, also paying attention to FIG. 72A, a partially enlarged partial view of FIG. 72 is shown.

As described above, in the particular secondary seal 834 shown, the housing portion 811x and the outlet tube portion 812x deflect the unsupported end region of the secondary seal structure 834 outwards and of the housing. It is configured to engage with a seal tube that surrounds each portion. This arbitrary deflection is useful when it is not desirable to place the rigid support within the end region of the secondary seal 834 due to its size. This structure is applicable to many variations described herein with respect to the optional secondary seal.

In FIG. 75, the cartridge 810 is shown in cross section so that recesses, receiving portions or receiving grooves 840 (having an inner wall 833 and an outer wall 841) can be easily seen. The groove 840 can be dimensioned as described above and have similar characteristics, if desired.

FIG. 84 shows the support structure of the cartridge 810 or the central support 845. Support 845 can be manufactured as a preform and can be used as support 827 in FIGS. 72 and 73, corresponding to cartridge 810. Similar to the alternative structure described above, the support 845 may be configured to define a resonator / sonic choke for other purposes. However, the particular support 845 shown includes a central portion 845s that defines a central cartridge support 827 that is porous but does not act as a resonator / sonic choke. The support 845 comprises a lattice structure consisting of elongated strips 827s interconnected by ribs 827r.

Like the support 545, the support structure 845 includes an end structure 848 with an inner seal support or hub 849 that is spaced apart from the optional outer rim 850 and surrounded by the outer rim 850. An optional open lattice structure 851 with struts 851s is provided across the gap between the hub 849 and the rim 850. Typically, the seal support 849 is embedded in the mold-in-place molded portion (and seal structure 833) of the end member 828 during use to form a support for controlling compression during mounting. Therefore, hub 849 behaves similarly to similar parts of supports 105, 549 in many respects. The particular hub 849 shown has a plurality of radial outwardly projecting (curved in this example) support portions 849x that alternate with a radial inwardly projecting (curved in this example) seal portion 849y. Includes a continuous wall with a non-circular shape that is preferred to be provided. (Alternatively, in the illustrated example, the hub 849 can be characterized as having a plurality of lobes 849x that are non-circular and, in this example, are separated by a radially inwardly projecting portion 849y.) The number of radial outwardly projecting (curved in this example) portion 849x and inwardly projecting (curved in this example) portion 849y in the shape as shown is suitable for the seal configuration. Therefore, each part typically has at least two, usually three each, and often exists in at least four, for example four or more and twelve or less.

In addition, referring to FIG. 84, in the illustrated example, the non-circular seal support portion of the hub 849 is solid and continuous. That is, this portion does not have a lateral opening or slit that penetrates while extending axially beyond the strut 851 towards the tip 849p. Similar to the example described above, this is a typical structure, but other structures are possible.

The optional outer support 850 and support 851 are the support 108 and support 110 described above.<u style="single">Or</u>Support 550 and stanchions<u style="single">551</u>It may be almost the same as. However, in the particular embodiment illustrated, the outer hub 850 differs in that the extension length to the tip 849p is short and the edge or tip 849p is continuous and has no groove or slit. In some cases, the hub 850 may have a structure that ends with a strut or protrusion 851s whose outer shape is defined to terminate at the mold-in-place molding portion of the end member 828.

Further referring to FIG. 84, in the case of the specific structure shown, the support structure 845 is configured such that the seal support or the end structure 848 is integrated with a portion surrounded by a medium (providing a lattice structure). Will be done. This is an option and is often suitable for convenient manufacturing. However, it is not particularly required that the support structure is one integral member and that the portion supporting the seal can be configured separately from the optional portion supporting the medium. Further, the materials of these two parts may be different, one may be plastic and the other may be metal, if desired. If there are two parts, but they are not integral with each other, they can both be fixed in place by being embedded in the mold-in-place molding material of the end cap. , It is also possible to attach them to each other before assembling the cartridges.

Also, if the optional outer rim 850 is used to support the seal, the outer rim 850 does not need to be attached to any other part of the end structure 848 by rigid coupling if necessary. For example, a ring (or seal support) that is not attached to other parts of the support structure 845 can be used, if desired. Further, it is not particularly required that the support structure in the outer portion of the end member is circular or the structure is continuous.

FIG. 85 shows a side sectional view of the support 845. The support 845 is surrounded by a portion 849 and includes an end medial ring structure 854. This ring structure 854 defines, in part, an outlet opening 830 that penetrates the end caps 828 of FIGS. 73 and 75 and, as a result, the cartridge 810. The support portion 854 (more generally the cartridge 810) has a first member 856 of a cartridge-outlet tube (or outlet tube-cartridge) rotational alignment structure that typically faces inward in the radial direction (or). Inner surface) Includes 854i. In the illustrated example, the first member 856 projects one or more (or more in this example) typically radially inward on the surface 854i, i.e. towards the cartridge central axis X of FIG. 75. It has 856x protrusions that are spaced apart from each other. In the particular example illustrated, the protrusion 856x is non-circular. In this example, the protrusion 850x is U-shaped and the open end of the U is approximately oriented towards the closed end cap 829 of the cartridge.<u style="single">Narrow</u>Alternatively, the curved end faces the outlet 830. That is, it points away from the closed end cap 829 and / or the second end of the medium. This structure is typical and effective for the reasons described below. However, alternative shapes and orientations are also possible. A non-circular protrusion 856x is typical and suitable.

More generally, at least one, typically each protrusion 856x, has a non-circular shape with narrow and wide portions (typically edges). The narrow end is generally farther away from the second end of the medium than the wide part (typically the end). In the illustrated U-shaped projection example, the narrow end is the central or curved portion of the U and the wide portion (the end in this example) is the side edge of the U. Needless to say, a "rhombus" or "oval" shape could also be used as a variant. In that case, the narrow end points away from the second end of the medium, as in the case of "U", and the wide part (the central part in this example) is the second end of the medium. Closer to the edge.

Next, pay attention to FIG. 87. FIG. 87 shows the flow (exit) pipe 812. In this case, the flow tube 82 is characterized as being part of the housing 802. During use, the outlet tube 812 is typically secured at the end 811 to the rest of the housing 802. In general, the outlet pipe 812 can be considered to have the general characteristic structure of mounting flange structure 812f, sealing surface 812s, inner flow pipe portion 812i and outer flow pipe portion 812z. Generally speaking, the mounting flange structure 812f serves to mount the flow tube 812 to the end 811 of the housing 802, as described below. The sealing surface or the sealing member 812s is a surface on which the seal of the cartridge 810 abuts and seals when the cartridge is mounted. The inner flow tube portion 812i defines a flow tube portion that projects into the housing and into the interior space 830 of the cartridge 810 to receive the gas flow after filtration. Further, the flow tube portion 812i includes a characteristic structure for realizing rotational indexing with the cartridge 810, which will be described in more detail below. The outer flow tube portion 812z is a conduit for guiding the filtered gas flow outward from the housing 803. The particular outer flow tube portion 812z shown is a right-angled curved tube or L-shaped tube, but other structures are possible as in the embodiments described above.

Next, pay attention to the inner flow pipe portion 812i. The inner flow tube portion 812i includes a tip or edge 812t that projects to the innermost portion of the housing 802, the tip 812t having at least one recess, typically a plurality of recesses 812r. The recesses 812r are separated from each other by protrusions or tabs 812b. For the particular assembly shown, there are 10 recesses 812r separated, but this particular number is not important to gain any advantage.

Each recess 812r is sized to accommodate the protrusion 856s of FIG. 35 of the cartridge 810. The recess 812r is rotationally positioned with respect to the central axis X so that the protrusion 856x of FIG. 75 can be received only if the cartridge 810 is oriented in the proper rotational position with respect to the central axis X. This rotary indexing is when the cartridge 810 is rotationally aligned with respect to the axis so that the seal lobe 833x is properly oriented with respect to the receiving portion 812o of the sealing surface 812s for convenient and proper sealing. Only configured to accommodate the protrusion 856x in the recess 812r.

Generally speaking, the protrusion 856x constitutes the first member of the cartridge-outlet tube (or outlet tube-cartridge) rotation (indexing) alignment structure. The recess 812r constitutes a second member of the cartridge-outlet tube (or outlet tube-cartridge) rotation alignment (indexing) structure. In other words, the assembly 800 relates to the central axis X so that the cartridge 810 fits into one of one or more selected rotational positions in which the cartridge 810 can be fully inserted with the seals properly aligned. A protrusion / receiving part (indexing) that acts as a rotation alignment (indexing) structure between the cartridge 810 and the outlet tube 812 so that the cartridge 810 can be fully mounted inside the housing 802 only when the cartridge 810 is rotated. Includes structure. In the case of the specific example shown , the protrusion structure is arranged in the cartridge and the receiving structure is arranged in the housing, that is, in the outlet pipe 812. However, other structures are possible.

In the specific example shown, the cartridge 810 is a member of a rotational alignment structure 856 with five (typically two to eight) spaced protrusions 856x. However, the number is not particularly important. Importantly, interference will occur unless the cartridge 810 is properly radially aligned with respect to axis X.

It should be noted that a larger number of receiving portions 812r than the number of protrusions 856x are provided. This is a typical structure, but it is not specifically required. If the inspector does not fit into the desired rotation position from the beginning while installing the cartridge, only a relatively slight rotation of the cartridge is required to achieve sufficient alignment for full insertion. As such, the number of recesses 812r is selected.

Typically, each protrusion 856x is formed in a size and shape so that, when correctly received by the receiving portion 812r, it does not actually come into direct contact with and engage with the outlet pipe portion 812i. This is preferable, but not required for all applications.

Since the protrusion 856x is non-circular, for example, "U-shaped", if the protrusion 856x collides with the tip portion 812t during mounting, it can be easily rotated without being caught, and the U-shape is easy. A convenient structure can be obtained in terms of realizing a configuration that is not damaged. This advantage is further enhanced by the narrow ends and wide portions described above. Other structures are possible.

In general, the protrusion 856x is arranged so as to engage the tip 812t before the non-circular seal structure of the seal lobe 833x begins to be inserted until it is substantially engaged with the seal surface 812x. The reason this structure is preferred is that the cartridge must be properly rotationally aligned before the ends of the cartridge adjacent to the sealing surface collide with or are hindered by the portion of the structure forming the surface 812s. Because.

It should be noted that the feature structure found in another embodiment described herein is also applicable to the process selection receiving portion range for rotating the recess 812i and the protrusion 856x.

Further referring to FIG. 87, note the recess or groove 812g arranged between the tube 812t and the sealing surface 812s. The recess or groove 812g is a receiving groove for receiving a portion of the cartridge 810 that protrudes into the recess or groove 812g during mounting of the cartridge. Specifically, the groove 812g is sized and configured to accommodate the portion of the end member 828 represented by reference numeral 828p in FIG. 78. The portion 828p of the end member 828 is a protrusion having an outer surface that constitutes the sealing surface 833.

As described above, the sealing surface 833 is non-circular and includes, in the illustrated example, a plurality of radially outwardly projecting portions 833x separated by radial inwardly projecting recesses 833y.

Next, referring to FIG. 87, a groove 812g is defined between the inner wall 812y and the outer wall 812o. One of the walls 812y and 812o is generally configured as the sealing surface of the cartridge 810. For the particular embodiment illustrated, the cartridge 810 has a radial outward facing sealing surface 833 so that the sealing wall of the groove 812g (indicated by reference numeral 812s in the figure) faces the outer radial inward. The wall is 812o.

The sealing surface 812s also has a non-circular shape and definition and corresponds to the shape of the sealing surface 833 so that when engaged with the sealing surface 833, sealing occurs due to some compression of the material and protrusions 828p. The shape. Thus, if the surface 833 has the particular shape described above, the surface 812s comprises a plurality of radial outwardly projecting regions 812p separated from each other by the region 812q. In the illustrated example, region 812q is not linear and typically projects radially inward. Thus, region 812p is inwardly concave (or outwardly convex) and region 812q is inwardly convex (or outwardly concave).

Regions 812p and 812q are positioned radially with respect to central axis X so that alignment with surface 833 for complete sealing is achieved in the event of rotational indexing between protrusion 856x and recess 812r. Is regulated.

Where the structure is approximately as described herein, the number of parts 812p and the number of parts 812q are approximately the same as the corresponding numbers of similar regions in the cartridge 810, but different structures are possible. Typically, the number of radial outward protrusions 812p is at least 2, usually at least 3, and often at least 4, typically 4 or more, 12 or less. Yes, often 4 or more and 10 or less, but other numbers are possible. In this example, there are 10 parts 812p, but other numbers are possible.

Further, with reference to FIG. 87, attention is paid to the mounting flange 812f. The mounting flange 812f comprises a radial outward facing rim portion 812v and an axial portion 812a. Axial portion 812a forms a rim around region 812f. The opening 812c is arranged at a position where the portion 812q protruding inward of the surface 812s and the rim 812a are aligned. Those openings 812c act to give some elasticity to the material of the raised portion 812a at that position and to ensure uniform cooling of the plastic.

The protrusion 812a is sized and configured to snap-fit engage with the rest of the housing. Further, the rim or protrusion 812a includes a distantly arranged tightening allowance 812e that engages the rest of the housing at the end 811 to stabilize rotation, as described below.

With reference to FIG. 72A, the portion of the housing end 811 projecting inward in the axial direction, which is previously indicated by reference numeral 811x in the figure, is shown. The tube 812 is attached by pushing the flange 812a into the opening defined by the flange 811x and engaging it with the flange 811x. As shown, the flange 812a includes an end protrusion 812j to facilitate snap-fit engagement. Further, in order to facilitate the rotation alignment, a groove or rib for rotationally locking the protrusion 812e in FIG. 87 can be provided on the inner surface of the protrusion 811x.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 72A and 72, other feature structures described above can be used. For example, the end cap or end member 828 may include an optional outwardly oriented radial perimeter seal 828s, which optionally engages the portion surrounding the seal 828s of the housing 802. Arranged like this. However, this secondary seal is optional as previously indicated. When a secondary seal is used, the cross-sectional dimensions of the secondary seal are typically larger than the primary seal, as described above for another embodiment. As described above, the perimeter seal 828s can be configured to deflect in the radial direction, but it is also possible to provide an internal support to the perimeter seal 828s. Further, the tip portion 828st of the outer seal 828s may be provided as a continuous ring, but another structure (such as a discontinuous ring including a recess) is also possible. An example of the recess is shown by the imaginary line P in FIG.

Typically, the end cap portion 828m is mold-in-place molded, for example from formable urethane or similar material, and is part of the frame structure 845 of FIG. 85, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 79. It is embedded. 82 and 83 show the appearance of the molded portion of the end cap 828, assuming no structural material is embedded, but the definition of the perimeter is the same.

Of the figures shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 71 to 89, the other figures are shown as follows. FIG. 74 schematically shows a side view of the cartridge 810. It can be seen that the medium 85 extends between the end members 828 to 829. The central axis X is shown.

FIG. 76 shows an end view of the cartridge 810 when viewed substantially toward the end member 828. A first seal structure or a primary seal structure 833 can be seen along with a radial outward facing seal surface 833x. In addition, a protrusion 856x penetrating the opening 830 can be seen. The crossing line of FIG. 75 is shown in FIG. 76.

FIG. 77 shows an end view of the cartridge 810 when viewed substantially towards the end member 829. As shown, the end member 829 is a protrusion ring 860 formed in part thereof, with a split ring in the illustrated example. The protrusion 860 can engage the access cover to provide stability to the cartridge 810 when mounted.

FIG. 79 shows an enlarged partial cross section of the selected portion of the cartridge 810. It can be seen that the portion of the end member 848, including the seal support 849 and the outer rim 850, is embedded within the mold-in-place molded end member 828.

FIG. 80 shows the structural portion of FIG. 79 excluding the mold-in-place molded portion 828m of the end member 828. In detail, a medium 825 extending around the support 827 is shown. Axial alignment of the medium 825 and the end portion 848 of the support can be seen. It can be seen that the support column 851 of FIG. 84 extends substantially outward in the radial direction and is inclined in a direction substantially away from the medium 825, as in the above-described embodiment. In general, the configuration of FIG. 80 can be inserted into the mold together with the resin to form the overmolded or molded portion 828m of FIG. 79 of the end cap 828.

When positioning the structure of FIG. 80 in a mold, if the mold is properly configured, use the protrusion 856 for radial orientation with respect to the mold, similar to the fins or protrusions 626 in FIG. 65. it can. Therefore, the purpose is to control the molding of the portion 828m of the end cap 828 so that the desired configuration is obtained, and to achieve rotational indexing with respect to the housing, especially with respect to the inner portion 812i of the outlet pipe, as described above 2 A protrusion 856x can be used for one purpose.

FIG. 81 shows an end view of the cartridge 810 as viewed toward the end member 828. This largely defines the cross-sectional line of FIG. 79.

FIG. 82 shows a schematic plan view of the mold-in-place molded portion 828 m of the end member 828. FIG. 83 shows a cross-sectional view of the mold-in-place molded portion 828 m. Note that FIG. 83 schematically shows the definition of the circumference of the mold-in-place molded portion 828 m. It goes without saying that in an actual cartridge, the structural material is embedded in the end part of 828 m.

FIG. 86 shows an end view of the support 845 of FIG. 84. This figure is a view when viewed toward the end structure 848.

FIG. 88 shows the tube 812 fully described above in connection with the perspective view of FIG. 87. FIG. 89 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 88.

It will be clear from the above description that the configuration of the cartridge may be substantially the same as that of the cartridge described above herein. Preform 845 will be configured as a support. The medium 825 will be placed around the support, after which the two end members 828, 829 will be placed, typically by mold-in-place molding. Projection structures 856s can be used to properly rotate and align the combination of medium and support 845 in the mold to form the sealing surface 833x. This would be similar to the embodiment described above specifically with respect to the fin 626 of FIG. It should be noted that the protrusion structure 856s can be used instead of the embodiment described above.

Examples of dimensions are given below with respect to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 71 to 89. In Figure 79, AA = 13 mm. In FIG. 80, AB = 22.5 mm, AC = 11.9 mm, AD = 12.5 mm. In FIG. 81, AE = 13.5 mm. In Figure 82, AF = 27.5 and AG = 7.1 mm. In Figure 83, AH = 20 mm. In Fig. 89, AI = major axis to minor axis dimensions 7.1 mm, AJ = radius 36.8 mm and AK = radius 43.9 mm. Other dimensions of the structure that can be used can be evaluated and taken into account from the scale. Needless to say, as in all embodiments, different dimensions and different relative dimensions can be used with the principles described herein.

Further referring to FIGS. 71-89, the receiving groove 840, for example as shown in FIG. 79, has a depth and extension length from the closest outer portion of the end member.<u style="single">width,</u>The deepest part of the groove, the outermost open part of the groove<u style="single">Width of</u>It can have almost the same dimensions as the receiving groove described above, with respect to the amount of seal compression that occurs towards the embedded support, the spacing between the inner seal and the optional outer seal, and the like.

The embodiments of FIGS. 71 to 89 can be implemented in a form including various characteristic structures of the embodiments and alternative embodiments described above herein. The descriptions of the various embodiments illustrated are not intended to be mutually exclusive with respect to the application of the feature structures or principles described. Therefore, the feature structure of the principle of one embodiment is applicable to other embodiments as long as it is consistent with the other feature structures present in the other embodiment.

The two-seal configuration as shown is optional but effective. Specifically, the inner seal, which has a non-circular shape, prevents the cartridge from spinning during use, even if the outer seal is circular. This can prevent the generation of contaminants that can enter clean surfaces and / or clean air areas. In addition, dust particles are present in the housing by providing two radial seals oriented as shown in a configuration that guides the filtration flow from outside to inside (outside to inside) through the cartridge. Only the outer (optional) second seal is directed to the position where it is. Therefore, regardless of whether the inner seal is non-circular or not, the sealing surface in the vicinity of the inner seal is kept substantially clean during the inspection.

The non-circular shape has the advantage of reducing the vibrational motion of the element. If the element has a constant diameter, the non-circular seal shape of the primary seal will result in a longer circumference than the simple circumference of a normal circular seal. More specifically, the amount of surface area of the seal available to contact the structure within the housing and to counteract motion (eg, to counteract axial motion) is the seal of a circular seal of corresponding size. More than the amount of surface area. Therefore, the non-circular shape, especially when using an alternating arrangement of outwardly curved portions and inwardly curved portions, is effective in supporting the cartridge against the movement of the seal.

In the embodiment described above, it is explained that the end member on the side opposite to the end portion having the seal of the cartridge is generally closed. In other applications, the end member may be open. In the example of FIG. 73, this would correspond to an end member or end cap 829. It should be noted that the end member of FIG. 29 (optional in some embodiments) may also be open if appropriate for the operation of the cartridge. If the end member needs to be closed for proper operation of the cartridge, the structure within the housing or other material could close the end member.

Next, we focus on the characteristic structure of the options that can be understood from Fig. 75. Referring to FIG. 75, the surface 833s described above is a sealing surface that forms an optional first seal together with the housing. In the figure, reference numeral 828q indicates a sealing surface that forms an optional second seal together with the housing. If two radial sealing surfaces 833s, 828q are used and one of the sealing surfaces is non-circular as described above for surface 833s, in some cases the outer peripheral surface 828 (and its surface is placed). In this example, the portion of the end member that is substantially circular) is the second end of the medium indicated by reference numeral 825y in the figure, that is, the end member on which the sealing surface 833s and its surface are arranged from the far end. It is preferable to have a maximum axial reach different from the maximum axial reach of the portion. More specifically, the surface 833s has a predetermined amount of maximum axial reach, i.e., a portion that is separated by a maximum distance from the second end 825y. The amount would preferably be different from the portion of the surface 828q that engages the housing to form a radially oriented seal. The difference is at least 0.5 mm in total reach, usually at least 1 mm, and in many cases preferably 2 mm or more.

If the areas of these two parts are different, which is longer depends on the balance of priorities. For example, in some cases, the surfaces 833s may preferably be part of the inner end member region with the longer reach. Understanding the behavior will clarify why this structure is suitable for maximum axial reach and distance from the end 825y. To ensure that the non-circular sealing surface 833s is properly aligned with each part of the housing so that the cartridge 810 can be fully inserted and a perfect seal can be achieved when the cartridge 810 is installed, the operator Must rotate the cartridge slightly. During this rotational alignment, it would be preferable that the outer peripheral radial seal 828q is not yet engaged. This is because if they are engaged, the rotation of the cartridge is hindered. It can be seen that rotation is easier by making the maximum reach of surface 833s greater than the maximum reach of surface 828q. This preferred structure can be effectively implemented in any of the embodiments described herein.

However, in some cases, the insertion of the cartridge 810 is restricted by the protrusion structure 856x engaging the flow tube before the region 828 (and tip 841) reaches the position of the sealing resistor. In that case, it would be desirable to make the outer ring of the end member longer than the inner part where the seal 833 is located. The reason is that when the cartridge 810 is erected on the end member 828, the outer ring prevents the area adjacent to the seal 833 from coming into contact with contaminants.

Therefore, whether the region forming the surface 833s has or differs (long or short) the same axial reach as the region forming the perimeter 828q depends on the other characteristic structures of the system and its related matters. Let's go. However, as described above, advantages can also be obtained from the modified examples.

However, this does not imply that every feature structure of a particular embodiment must be applied in that embodiment in order to produce a useful and effective structure. It is possible to achieve the selected benefits without using all of the feature structures illustrated and described.

VIII. Some exemplary variants of the structure of Figures 71-89 A. Figure 71A, Figure 71B, Figure 72B, Figure 71C<u style="single">, Figure</u>72C, Fig. 74A, Fig. 75A, Fig. 75B, Fig. 76A, Fig. 77A, Fig. 78A and Fig. 78B. Modifications of Fig. 71A, Fig. 71B, Fig. 71C, Fig. 72B, Fig. 72C, Fig. 74A, Fig. 75A, Fig. 75B, Fig. 76A, 77A, 78A and 78B show some selected variants of the feature structures described above in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 71-89. Examples of these modifications will be described. The characteristic structures of these modifications are also applicable to many of the other embodiments described herein, including, for example, FIGS. 1 to 70.

First, referring to Figure 71A, the filter assembly 1400 is shown. The filter assembly 1400 has a feature structure substantially according to the feature structure described above, ie, a housing body portion 1402 having an (inlet) flow tube 1403 and an (outlet) flow tube 1404, and a removable access cover 1405. It has a housing 1401. As shown, the removable access cover 1405 has a debris drain pipe 1406. The debris outlet pipe 1406 is shown without a decompression exhaust valve structure, but a decompression exhaust valve structure will typically be used.

Note that, unlike the structure described above, the end portion 1410 of the access cover 1405 has a plurality of axially projecting tabs 1411 as shown. Further shown is a latch structure 1415 including a thumb catch, tab or latch portion 1416 arranged to overlap the end 1410. The latch tab 1416 is placed so that it overlaps the end 1410 for convenience during inspection work. The tab 1411 serves to help prevent damage to the latch portion 1416 when the access cover is erected so that the end 1410 projects downward. The tab 1411 is also useful to avoid the possibility of accidental opening or damage to the latch if something rubs or hits the end 1410.

Since the tab 1416 overlaps the end 1410, the length of the latch 1415 up to the latch end 1415x is relatively long. Reference numeral 1420 in the figure indicates a holding structure that helps hold the latch 1415 in a position close to the outer surface of the access cover 1405. The holding structure 1420 also functions as a guide for the latch structure 1415. When the latch structure 1415 is opened, the latch portion 1421 moves toward the exit 1404. The portion of the latch structure 1421 near the protrusion 1425 is bent so that the end of the latch moves outward while moving towards the outlet 1404, overcoming the holding flange 1422 of the body portion 1402. The protrusion 1425 prevents the latch holding structure 1420 from being damaged while the housing 1401 is operated.

Reference numeral 1427 in the figure indicates a round recess in the access cover 1405. This recess 1427 meshes with the radial sawtooth structure at the end of the body 1402 (the inward protrusion of the access cover 1405 is not visible). This allows the access cover to be held at a selected angular position and easily fixed at that position.

Figure 71B shows a side view of assembly 1400. As illustrated, outlet 1404 has an optional tap 1430 that can be used according to the principles described above for other embodiments herein.

FIG. 72B shows a cross section of assembly 1400 along line 72B-72B of FIG. 71B. Within the housing 1401 is an inspectable filter cartridge 1430 generally equipped with the feature structures as described above, see FIGS. 72 and 72A for the relevant feature structures described above.

Further referring to FIG. 72B, the outlet pipe configuration or the flow pipe configuration 1404 has a flange 1431 extending in the radial direction to substantially the outer peripheral portion of the housing 1401, for example, a part of the outer peripheral portion indicated by reference numeral 1401p in the figure. Including. This modification is also feasible in other embodiments described herein.

Next, focusing on FIG. 74A, a side view of the cartridge 1430 is shown. The cartridge 1430 typically comprises a medium 1435 extending between the first end member 1436 and the second end member 1437. FIG. 75A shows a cross-sectional view approximately along line 75A-75A of FIG. 74A. In this figure, the cartridge 1430 is shown in cross section.

With reference to the end member 1436, the first seal 1440, which may be a non-circular seal as described above, is the far end of the medium 1435, i.e. the second end, as illustrated. It can be seen that it protrudes to the outermost longest reach 1440r in the direction away from 1435y, that is, it protrudes farther than the reach limit indicated by the reference numeral 1441r in the figure of the secondary outer seal 1441. The two seals 1440 and 1441 are illustrated as being part of an end member 1436 located at the end 1435x of the medium 1435. This is effective in some structures, as the seal 1441 is provided so that it is not yet engaged when the seal 1440 is inserted.

With reference to Figure 75A, an example of dimension XF is considered to be 273 mm, but other values are possible.

Further referring to FIG. 75A, the illustrated cartridge 1430 includes a radial projection 1445 that can be used as an indexing member as well as the structures previously described for other embodiments.

Returning to FIG. 72B, the portion of the end member 1436 forming the outer rim or ring 1450 preferably does not include most of the seal support extending towards the tip 1450t. The portion of the housing that is pushed into the groove 1460 is sized to deflect the flexible end 1450 radially outward toward the housing for ease of sealing during mounting. This variation is also applicable in a variety of other embodiments described herein.

Further referring to FIG. 72B, support 1447, which is an end member and is provided to support near the outer periphery, may be a ring separate from other parts of the support structure in the cartridge 1430.

Next, pay attention to Fig. 71C. FIG. 71C shows yet another embodiment 1470 of the filter assembly according to the present disclosure. This filter assembly 1470 contains many of the general feature structures described above with respect to structure 1400, but is slightly modified and has specific features in the details of the structure. Thus, the structure 1470 comprises a housing 1471 including a body portion 1472 and an access cover 1475. The housing 1471 includes a gas flow inlet 1473 and a gas flow outlet 1474 in the access cover 1472 in this example. Figure 72C shows a cross section of assembly 1470. The cartridge 1480 may include a medium 1481 having a first end 1481x and a second end 1481y on the opposite side thereof and arranged to extend between the end members 1484, 1485.

The end member 1484 located at the first end portion 1481 of the medium is an end member having an open central flow opening that penetrates and includes a sealing structure. The illustrated example seal structure comprises a first radial oriented seal 1486 and a second radial oriented seal 1487, with a receiving groove 1490 placed between the two seals 1486, 1487. .. In the illustrated example, seals 1486, 1487 point radially outward. The first seal 1486 is arranged to have a maximum radial outer cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than the outer peripheral cross-sectional size of the medium 1481. The sealing surface 1486 may be circular, but is typically non-circular according to the principles described above herein.

In the example shown in FIG. 72C, the maximum axial reach of the end cap portion of the sealing surface 1486 extends away from the end 1481y beyond the maximum extension of the area of the end cap including the sealing surface 1487. ing. This may be a convenient configuration if the space within region 1495 is too narrow to accommodate the protrusions that project into the space.

FIG. 75B shows a perspective view of the outlet end of the cartridge 1480. As shown, a protrusion 1492 is placed at one end of the end member 1436. The protrusion 1492 can be configured to engage the end wall and facilitate the stabilization of the cartridge 1480 in place during use. Figure 76A shows an end view of the cartridge 1480, excluding the optional protrusion 1492. An example of the dimensions is presented as follows. XG = 80mm, XH = radius 20mm, XI = radius 27mm and XJ = 90mm.

FIG. 77A shows an end view of the closed end 1437 of the cartridge 1480. Examples of dimensions presented are as follows. XK = 106mm. FIG. 78A shows a perspective view of the cartridge 1480, and FIG. 78B shows a further perspective view of the cartridge 1480.

From the above description, depending on the application, the end member having the primary seal is relatively short with respect to the maximum extension length of the end portion having the primary seal, or is relative to that portion of the end member. It would be desirable to include a relatively long outer rim portion. Further, in various structures, it is desirable or desirable that the material of the outer portion of the end cap be a material that is relatively flexible so that it can flex with respect to the housing if desired, or outside it. It may be desirable to support the portion with an inner structural support. The principles described herein can be effectively applied to such diverse structures, and their variations are applicable to the various embodiments described herein.

B. Additional Modifications, FIGS. 90-101 FIG. 90 shows modifications applicable to various embodiments of the embodiments described herein. Shown in FIG. 90 is a modification of the support structure 1600 that can be used with the various filter cartridges described herein. The support structure 1600 shown includes a support portion 1601 that acts as a medium support, and the medium will be placed around the support portion 1601 during use. This particular support portion 1601 is shown as a medium support that does not include a resonator / sonic choke structure, but may optionally be configured to include, for example, the resonator / sonic choke portion described above. right. The support structure 1600 further includes an end support structure that is typically embedded in a mold-in-place molded portion of the end member and can act as a seal support.

FIG. 91 shows a partial perspective view of the support structure 1600 when viewed substantially toward the end support structure 1602. The end support structure 1602 includes a primary seal support 1604 configured to support a non-circular seal having a plurality of outwardly projecting portions and inwardly projecting portions as previously described.

The support structure 1606 including the ribs 1607 and the outer flange portion 1608 projects radially outward from the primary seal support 1604.

FIG. 92 shows a second perspective view for ease of understanding.

From FIGS. 90-92, it can be seen that the principle can be applied to structures where the outermost rim is a split rather than a continuous ring. This can be done with many of the various cartridges shown and described herein.

FIG. 93 shows yet another support structure 1650. The support 1650 is similar to the support structure 1600 and includes a support portion 1651 that supports the medium and an inlet portion 1652 that would normally be embedded in the end cap material during use. Further, although the medium support portion 1651 is shown as a porous medium support, it may have a resonator / sonic choke configuration / characteristic structure as required. The end portion 1652 is typically embedded in the mold-in-place molded portion of the end member during use and includes the seal support portion 1653 of the primary seal. This portion may be circular, but is shown as being configured to form a support for a primary seal that includes alternating outward and inward protrusions.

FIG. 94 shows a perspective view in which the support portion 1655 with the radial portion 1656 and the axial projection 1657 protrudes radially outward from the portion 1653. FIG. 95 shows another perspective view for further consideration. By examining FIGS. 93 to 95, the support of the outer seal can be constructed by a portion having an outer support region and a segment that is not supported by the ribs and is otherwise fixed to another part of the support structure. Will be understood. Axial support portion 1651 can also be used.

The principles of FIGS. 93-95 are applicable to many of the structures described herein.

96 to 101 show a modification related to forming the seal support separately from the medium support.

First, focusing on FIG. 96, FIG. 96 shows structure 1700. Structure 1700 is shown schematically and comprises a medium support portion 1701 and a seal support portion 1702. It can be seen that these two parts 1701 and 1702 are separate from each other, that is, they are not one with each other. Support portion 1701 is shown schematically. The support portion 1701 may be a porous tube having a lattice structure as a medium support, but can also be configured as a resonator / sonic choke portion if necessary. The figure in FIG. 96 is only intended to show schematically that there is a portion protruding into the interior space surrounded by the medium during use.

The support portion 1702 may be configured according to any of the various supports described above herein. In the illustrated example, support portion 1702 comprises a primary seal support 1703 that can be configured to support various shapes of seals. In this particular example, support 1703 is configured to support a seal structure that includes a plurality of inwardly projecting and outwardly projecting portions of the seal. The support 1702 is also provided with an outer rim 1705 secured by ribs 1706. The modified example described above can be used.

Support 1702 further includes a central portion 1708 through which the airflow opening 1709 penetrates and has an optional member 1710 with a radial indexing structure. FIG. 97 shows integrally joined parts 1701 and 1702 as would normally be seen during typical assembly. FIG. 98 schematically shows the structure 1700 of FIG. 97, along with portions 1701 and 1702 as described above. FIG. 99 shows an end view when viewed towards portion 1702, along with the feature structure described above. FIG. 100 shows a cross section of the support structure 1700 along with portions 1701 and 1702 as described above. FIG. 101 shows a partial enlarged partial view of FIG. 100, as well as a portion as described above.

During the preparation of the cartridge, the support 1700 can be assembled from the non-integral members, after which the members during the molding of the end members in order to secure the members integrally and form a suitable feature structure in the cartridge. Will be joined together. The non-integral members may be manufactured from the same material, but can also be manufactured from different materials.

IX. An exemplary embodiment having a direct flow structure, FIGS. 102-107. In the above described examples, the cartridge medium generally surrounds the open filter interior space and the flow is open through the medium during filtration. Enter the internal space of the filter, and then<u style="single">, Open</u>Released end member<u style="single">And the end of the medium pack</u>Regarding the structure that is discharged after passing through. The principles described herein are also in a "direct flow" structure, i.e. another structure in which the medium is configured such that the flow during filtration flows in from one end of the medium and exits the opposite end. Applicable. An example thereof can be understood by referring to FIGS. 102 to 107. It goes without saying that the housing will be deformed for use with direct flow cartridges.

Referring to FIG. 102, a cartridge 900 is shown with a medium pack 901 configured such that the flow during filtration is a direct flow. As an example, unfiltered air (gas) can flow into the end 902 and out as filtered air (gas) through the opposite end 903. The medium 905 can be configured in various forms. For example, the medium 905 may be configured as a grooved configuration with grooves extending between the flow surfaces 902 and 903 at both ends or both ends, with the end 902 open and the end 903 closed. The medium 903 has an inlet groove and an outlet groove that is closed at the end 902 and open at the end 903, so that the air entering the end 902 can exit the outlet 903 without passing through the medium. It is configured to be impossible. Such media may be provided, for example, in the form described in US Pat. Nos. 6,190,432 and 7,396,376, which are incorporated herein by reference. According to those US patent gazettes, the medium pack comprises a grooved material fixed to the backing material, and a groove seal suitable for operation is formed on the medium pack.

A typical example comprises a grooved sheet fixed to a backing sheet (eg) and coiled, as shown by reference numeral 910 in FIG. 103. The construction of such media is described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 6,190,432 and 7,396,736, which are incorporated herein by reference. The medium can be produced from various materials and may be subjected to surface treatment such as ultrafine fibers if necessary. Referring to FIG. 103, as shown, the medium is coiled so that a coil 911 with a seal 912 formed at one end of the groove 913 is shown and the second groove 914 is grooved. It has already been formed between the sheet 916 and the backing sheet 917. Such a coil 911 can be used in a medium pack of cartridge 900.

Returning to FIG. 102, the cartridge 900 is shown as having an end member 920 at the first end of the medium 905. The illustrated end member 920 includes a mold-in-place molding portion 921 configured to have a first seal member 923 as described above, the first seal member 923 being linear. Radial seal 923s (in this example, radius) with multiple outwardly curved (convex) lobes 923l that are not preferably separated by an inwardly oriented, preferably outwardly (concave) region 931c. It is in the form of a seal that faces outward in the direction. The shape and number of lobes 923l may be as described above for other embodiments. Further, the sealing material forming the surface 923s may be formed on the structural support if necessary.

The particular end member 920 illustrated includes an optional receiving groove 940 that surrounds the sealing surface 923s. This groove is almost as described above. Further, the end member 920 includes an outer peripheral portion 920p that can be formed from the sealing material to form the secondary peripheral seal as described above. Further, the end member 920 may include an optional support structure embedded in the outer circumference 920p to form a support for the seal 920p.

As previously indicated, a support structure may be included embedded within a mold-in-place molded portion of the end member 920, thus in the embodiment shown in FIG. 90, this support structure is viewed. It is thought that it cannot be done. The support structure can optionally include a 923 liter support and a 920 p seal support. If a support is used, the medium 905 is not coiled around the open filter interior space in this example, so the support should not extend to the center of the medium 905 if necessary. It would be possible to be configured in. The central portion 905c of the coiled medium need only be plugged into the end 903.

Further referring to FIG. 102, the illustrated cartridge 900 includes a second end member 930 adjacent to the end 902 to facilitate gripping the cartridge. The end member 930 is optional. The end 902 of the end member 930 would typically be open so that the flow could be pumped into the media pack.

The medium pack of the cartridge 900 of FIG. 102 may optionally include an impermeable coating or shield surrounding the medium. However, such a shield is optional and the medium pack may simply be a coiled configuration of the backing medium fixed to the grooved medium, if desired. In general, the characteristic structure of the end member 920 is a structure according to the description previously presented herein with respect to other embodiments, except for modifications that are performed as needed to accommodate the type of medium. May be good.

The figure in FIG. 102 is schematic and is not intended to precisely represent any selected embodiment, and in structures using the types of media described above with respect to direct current flow, the principles described herein. Shows how can be applied. Again, the housing will be configured for direct flow cartridges as needed.

In the illustrated example, some parts of the end member 920 are arranged so as to cover one end of the medium 905, and thus the flow through the outer peripheral part of the medium, that is, some of the outermost grooves in the radial direction. Will block that groove. If necessary, the end member 920 supports the mold-in-place molded portion of the end member 920 and the support portion of the preform in a state of being separated from the end of the groove on the medium surface, whereby the outermost portion in the radial direction is provided. Supports may be provided to block the flow from the grooves or at least a few grooves. To achieve this result, the principles described in connection with US Pat. Nos. 6,190,432 and 7,396,376 can be applied to the support and its sealing members.

It should be noted that the embodiments of FIGS. 102 and 103 are detailed examples of modifications described above in this specification in relation to other embodiments, particularly the dimensions of the seal, the dimensions of the receiving groove, the position and orientation of the seal, and the like. It can be carried out by the modification described with respect to the configuration.

The principles described are applicable to direct flow structures that do not include circular configurations, see, for example, the structures of FIGS. 104 and 105. FIG. 104 shows a cartridge 1800 with a medium pack 1801 that uses a medium as previously described in connection with FIG. 103, except that it is wrapped in a non-circular pattern. Such elliptical structures are described, for example, in WO 00/50149 and WO 2005/063361, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The end 1802 of the medium having the support 1803 as a seal structure 1804 is shown around it. The illustrated seal structure 1804 comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting portions 1805 separated by an inwardly projecting portion 1806 to form a non-circular radial (outward in this example) oriented seal. In this case, 13 or more such parts are shown, but other numbers are possible. It goes without saying that this principle is also applicable to seals that face inward in the radial direction. Although the particular embodiment of FIG. 104 is shown as a single primary seal, the principle could also be applied to an embodiment with an optional secondary outer seal, if desired. FIG. 105 shows an end view of the cartridge 1800 having the characteristic structure as described above.

In addition, various direct flow structures using a medium having a grooved sheet fixed to a backing sheet are known, and in such a configuration, the medium pack is not composed of a coiled structure but a medium. It is a stacking structure of sheets. The sheet constitutes a grooved medium fixed to the backing medium. Examples are described in US Pat. No. 8,216,334, which is incorporated herein by reference. The principles described herein are also applicable to such structures. An example is shown in FIGS. 106 and 107. These figures show variations of the structure shown in US Pat. No. 8,216,334, which is incorporated herein by reference.

First, with reference to FIG. 106, the filter cartridge 1850 is shown. The filter cartridge 1850 includes a medium pack 1851 configured for direct flow. The surface of the medium pack 1851, which is indicated by reference numeral 1852 in the figure, is generally an entrance surface. The cartridge 1850 is provided with an outlet surface indicated by reference numeral 1853 in the drawing. The medium pack 1851 may have, for example, a stacking structure of medium pieces, various strips forming a grooved medium fixed to a backing medium, and inlet and outlet grooves of surfaces 1852 and 1853. It will be extended in between.

Further referring to FIG. 106, the cartridge 1850 includes end members 1855, 1856 attached to the cartridge 1850. The end members 1855 and 1856 shown are molded in place on the medium 1851, but other structures are also possible. Further, the cartridge 1850 includes a covering material 1860 extending around a selected portion of the medium pack 1851, but the configuration can be modified.

Further referring to FIG. 106, the end member 1856 is an open end member through which the flow opening 1870 penetrates to allow gas to flow. Typically, the opening 1890 is an outlet opening that expels filtered gas, usually air, from inside the cartridge 1850.

The structure shown shows an opening 1870 with a radialally oriented seal 1871. The seal 1871 comprises a plurality of lobes 1872 separated by recesses 1873. In the illustrated example, the seal 1871 is a seal that points radially inward, the lobe 1872 projects radially inward (convex), and the recess 1873 projects radially outward (concave). This indicates that the principles of the present disclosure can be applied to radialally oriented seals. However, the cartridge 1850 may be configured with an outward facing seal, if desired.

FIG. 107 shows an end view of the cartridge 1850 having the characteristic structure as described above.

X. Application of Principles to Crankcase Ventilation Cartridges, FIGS. 108-111, as shown above, described herein in connection with the filtration of various substances containing various gases and possibly liquids. The principle to be applied is applicable. Many of these applications are preferably related to the filtration of air, eg, engine intake of an internal combustion engine. However, the principles of the present disclosure can also be provided for the filtration of other gases such as crankcase ventilation gas. An example thereof is shown in FIGS. 108 to 111.

The first example is shown in FIGS. 108-109. Crankcase ventilation filter assemblies that demonstrate the principles of the present disclosure are otherwise largely in accordance with the description of U.S. Patent Applications 61 / 503,008 and 61 / 665,501, which are incorporated herein by reference. It may be a filter.

With reference to FIG. 108, a cartridge 1900 with a medium 1901 arranged to extend between the ends 1902 and 1903 is shown. The particular medium 1901 illustrated is configured to surround the open filter interior space 1905. Which medium is selected for the crankcase ventilation gas filter may be made according to well-known general principles, eg, WO 2008/157251, which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown, the cartridge 1900 has end members 1910, 1911 with a medium 1901 extending between the end members. In a typical application of a crankcase ventilation filter cartridge, the medium 1901 would not be embedded in the end members 1910, 1911, but would only extend between the end members 1910, 1911, but other structures are possible. Typically, the end members 1910, 1911 will include parts of the structure that include a medium support structure, but other structures are possible.

The end member 1910 is shown as having an outer peripheral portion 1911 with a radialally oriented seal. The radially oriented seal is configured to include a plurality of outward facing lobes 1915 separated by recesses or inwardly projecting regions 1916.

FIG. 109 shows a plan view of the cartridge 1900 having the characteristic structure as shown above. Examples of dimensions are as follows. XL = radius 5mm, XM = radius 18.7mm, XN = 106.34mm and XO = 100.5mm.

Further referring to FIGS. 108 and 109, the crankcase ventilation filter cartridge is generally configured to filter a crankcase ventilation gas containing a liquid (fine droplet or aerosol) phase and a solid fine particle phase. The medium is generally selected as the agglomerating medium for the liquid particles and is usually provided with a drainage path for draining the liquid recovered by the cartridge. The cartridge can be configured to generate an outward-to-inward flow during filtration or to filter from the inside to the outside. Depending on the direction of flow, the second end cap may be provided with a through opening to facilitate the drainage flow of the liquid. Principles related to this are described in WO2007 / 53411 and WO2008 / 157251, which are incorporated herein by reference.

110 and 111 show further examples of crankcase ventilation filter cartridges. It should be noted that this cartridge is similar to a cartridge that can be used in a system having a characteristic structure as described in WO2007 / 53411 and WO2008 / 157251, which are incorporated herein by reference. It is composed.

Referring to FIG. 111, a cartridge 1950 with a medium 1951 extending between end members 1952, 1953 at both ends is shown. In this case, the end member 1952 comprises a first seal portion and a second seal portion, and the first portion 1955 comprises a plurality of outward projecting portions 1956 separated by a radial inward projecting portion 1957. It is provided with a seal that faces in the radial direction (in this example, a seal that faces outward in the radial direction). A primary seal 1955 surrounding the opened central opening 1958 is shown.

The end member 1958 is shown as having a peripheral portion 1960 that is radially spaced apart from the seal structure 1955 by a receiving groove 1961. The perimeter rim 1960 can specify an outward facing seal 1965, which optionally has a secondary seal.

Figure<u style="single">111</u>Shows an end view of the cartridge 1950 having the previously described and indicated feature structure.

In FIG. 111, examples of dimensions are as follows. XP = diameter 129mm, XQ = radius 16mm, XR = radius 3mm, XS = 93mm and XT = 71mm.

XI. Selected General Description and Findings The filter assembly, its components and feature structures are described in accordance with this disclosure. It is not specifically required that the assembly, component or feature structure include all of the specific details characterized herein in order to obtain any benefit of the present disclosure.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a filter cartridge for use in a filter assembly is described. The air filter cartridge generally comprises a medium having a first end and a second end. In certain embodiments, the medium surrounds and defines an open filter interior space. The medium may be folds, but other structures are possible. The medium can have a substantially cylindrical peripheral shape or an alternative shape.

For example, a first end member (typically an end cap) is placed at one end of the medium. The first end member is generally an open end member with a penetrating central opening. In the selected embodiment, the first end member is an end cap that extends along the entire first end of the medium, thereby completely closing the first end of the medium. is there. However, other structures are possible. Typically, the portion of the first open end member is mold-in-place molded, but other structures are possible.

In many structures, the second end of the medium engages with an optional second end member. In the selected embodiment, the second end member is typically a closed end cap without a penetrating central opening, but other structures are possible. The second end member may be mold-in-place molded or may include a mold-in-place molded portion, but other structures are also possible.

In one example of the illustrated filter cartridge, a housing seal structure is arranged on the first end member. In one example, the housing seal structure includes a (first) radially oriented seal surface. In the selected example illustrated, the (first) radialally oriented seal surface is not circular in the circumferential direction, for example, at least two mutually spaced radial outwardly projecting seal surface portions, typically. Specifically, at least three seal surface portions that protrude outward in the radial direction separated from each other, preferably at least four seal surface portions that protrude outward in the radial direction that are separated from each other (typically 4 or more and 12 or less). Usually has an outwardly convex sealing surface portion). In many embodiments described herein, the radially outwardly projecting seal surface portion is non-linear, eg, a radially inwardly projecting seal surface portion, usually an outwardly convex seal. Separated from each other by surface portions, different structures are possible. Typically, the sealing surface is axially oriented to overlap the medium.

Typically, the seal surface portion is configured to form a first radialally oriented seal surface that is radially outwardly oriented and outwardly oriented. An example is shown in which the first radial sealing surface comprises six outwardly curved surface portions and six inwardly curved surface portions. In another example, 10 outwardly curved surface portions and alternating inwardly curved portions are used.

An example of a housing seal structure comprising a first radialally oriented seal structure with a first sealing surface and an optional second radially oriented seal structure having a second sealing surface is described. .. Typically, when the two seal structures are provided together, the first seal surface is at least 5 mm radial and often at least 10 mm away from the second seal surface, typically. Are arranged at least 15 mm apart, but other structures are possible.

If an optional second seal is provided, typically the first radial sealing surface will be the second radial sealing surface (when the cartridge is not installed). Has a maximum perimeter cross-sectional dimension that is at least 5 mm smaller, usually at least 10 mm smaller, often at least 20 mm smaller, and in some cases at least 30 mm smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the seal. If both sealing surfaces define a circular pattern, the perimeter cross-sectional dimension is approximately the sealing diameter of the sealing surface (not distorted by mounting).

An example is provided in which the first end member comprises a mold-in-place molded portion in which the first end (or portion) of the medium is embedded. The first sealing surface and the optional second sealing surface are typically surfaces of the mold-in-place molded portion, respectively.

In some of the illustrated structures, the first radial sealing surface is the radial outward facing sealing surface, but other structures are possible. In some of the illustrated structures, the optional second radial sealing surface is, for example, a radial outward facing radial sealing surface around the perimeter of the first end cap. .. Other structures are possible.

In some of the illustrated structures, the first end member comprises a receiving groove and the first sealing surface is a side wall or surface portion of the receiving groove. Typically, the receiving groove is at least 5 mm, usually at least 8 mm deep, from the axial end face of the closest first end member, and typically of the closest first end member. The depth is within the range of 10 to 25 mm from the end face in the outer axial direction.

Typically, the receiving groove has an inner side wall portion and an outer side wall portion on both sides that are separated from each other by at least 3 mm, usually at least 4 mm. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-32, the distance between the side wall portions is 30% of the deepest part of the receiving groove, and usually 35% of the deepest part of the receiving groove. , Typically 15 mm or less. However, the deepest portion of the receiving groove may include an inclined portion in the direction in which the side walls meet. In another application, the seal groove may vary in width around a non-circular sealing surface.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-32, the receiving grooves are typically spaced from each other by a distance of 15 mm or less at any position at a depth of 30% of the deepest part of the groove. It has an inner side wall portion and an outer side wall portion on both sides separated by a distance of 15 mm or less at any position at a depth of 35% of the deepest part of the receiving groove.

Typically, the receiving groove has a cross section that includes an outer end portion that is open outward or open outward, adjacent to the outer end face of the first end member, the maximum opening width of which is at least. 5 mm, typically at least 7 mm, often substantially larger.

In the illustrated example structure, the first end member is embedded with a first seal support that supports the first radial seal. Typically, the first seal support has a relatively rigid structure and is located at a position not more than 20 mm away from the first seal surface when the cartridge is not distorted. Typically, the first seal support will not be more than 15 mm away from the first seal surface if the cartridge is not distorted by mounting. Also, typically, the material between the first seal surface and the first seal support is at least 10%, usually at least 15%, towards the first seal support during mounting, typically. Distort (compress) with an amount in the range of 15% or more and 35% or less, and most often in the range of 20% or more and 30% or less.

The first end cap member is optionally a second seal support embedded at a position not more than 10 mm, typically 8 mm or more, from the optional second seal surface of the second seal structure. Prepare your body. When a second seal structure is used, typically the second seal structure is a face portion of the second seal structure when compressed towards the optional second seal support during mounting. Is configured to be distorted (compressed) by an amount in the range of at least 3%, typically at least 5%, often 5% or more and 20% or less.

In one example, the second sealing surface, in use, towards the second end of the medium, at least 2 mm farther than any part of the deepest part of the receiving groove and / or the first sealing surface, usually Includes a surface portion that extends axially to a distance of at least 4 mm.

The structure having two radial seals, an inner seal and a radial outer peripheral seal, has been described above. One of those seals is at the second end of the medium, that is, the portion of the end member having a maximum axial reach maximum extension length that is greater than the other seal in the direction away from the far end. This allows each of the different advantages described above to be obtained, depending on which is longer.

An exemplary structure with an optional resonator / sonic choke structure (or sonic choke / resonator) is shown. The resonator / sonic choke is the first end embedded in the first end member, the central throat, the intermediate region, and the end of the resonator / sonic choke opposite the first end cap. Includes perforated end area adjacent to. The intermediate region preferably extends between the central throat and the perforated end region and includes a side wall portion having an outwardly concave region and an outwardly convex region. The outward facing concave region or portion is typically adjacent to the central throat, and the outward facing convex region or portion is typically adjacent to the liner portion. The outwardly convex portion is typically at least 40% open, usually at least 50% open, and in some cases 60% or more open. In this case, the opening means the open area of the opening as a ratio (%) to the surrounding area.

The outwardly oriented concave region typically has a surface radius of an amount within the range of at least 25 mm, often 26 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

The central throat typically has an inner diameter of at least 25 mm and usually has an inner diameter in the range of 27 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

The resonator / sonic choke (or sonic choke / resonator) includes a funnel portion whose width is expanded while extending between the throat and the first end member. Usually, the funnel portion has an amount of funnel angles in the range of at least 5 °, typically 6 ° or more and 8 ° or less.

An exemplary filter in which the seal support structure is a preform embedded in a first end member, the seal support structure includes a central hub and a strut that is fixed to the central hub and extends radially outward. The cartridge is shown. To form an open lattice structure, the strut structure may extend to the optional outer ring. In the illustrated example, the stanchion is a plane perpendicular to the medium (or second end cap or cartridge central axis) while the stanchion extends away from the hub, eg, towards the outer ring used. ) At least 0.5 °, typically at least 1 °, often extending at an axial angle of quantity within the range of 1 ° or more and 3 ° or less. The hub may include a circular seal support or a non-circular seal support, examples of which are shown.

When an outer support is used, the outer support typically includes a seal support area extending over an axial length of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, but other structures are possible.

In the illustrated example, the central hub includes a base region adjacent to the medium through which the resin flow opening structure penetrates. In the illustrated example, the support structure includes a central ring surrounded by a central base region and located away from the central base region, the central region forming a trough with the central hub and an opening in the base region of the central hub. The structure forms a communication to the trough.

The principles of the present invention can be applied to a variety of filter cartridges that use a feature structure selected from the feature structures previously characterized or an alternative feature structure. As an example of characterization, the present disclosure provides an air filter cartridge comprising, for example, a previously characterized medium and a mold-in-place molded first end member, the first end. The member has an outer peripheral surface that defines the housing seal structure. The first end member preferably includes a groove having a depth of at least 5 mm and may include one or more feature structures as described above with respect to the receiving groove. For example, a part of the side wall portion of the groove may be a housing seal surface.

According to the present disclosure, another aspect of an effective filter cartridge can be characterized as follows. The filter cartridge may include, for example, a medium having a first end and a second end and enclosing and defining, for example, an open filter interior space. The first end member may be mold-in-place molded and the first end portion of the medium may be fixed to the first end member and, for example, embedded. The first end cap may have a first radial sealing surface and a second radial sealing surface. The seal support structure is embedded in the first end member. The seal support structure is a first that is adjacent to and away from the first seal surface to operably support the material that forms the first seal surface to regulate compression. Includes a first seal support ring embedded in the position of the end cap. The optional second seal support ring may be arranged so as to surround the first seal support ring and to be separated from the first seal support ring. The first seal support ring is adjacent to the first end cap and separated from the second seal surface by an amount sufficient to control the compression of the seal material forming the second seal surface. It is embedded in the position of the end cap of.

An example is shown in which the first sealing surface has such a structure and the first sealing surface faces outward in the radial direction, but another structure is also possible. Further, in the illustrated example, the second sealing surface may be a sealing surface facing outward in the radial direction and a peripheral surface.

In the illustrated example, the first sealing surface is the side wall surface of the groove located on the first end cap.

Of the previously characterized feature structures, various feature structures can be used with this aspect of the present disclosure.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a filter cartridge with an optional support surrounded by a medium is provided. The support includes an optional resonator and / or sonic choke configuration as commonly defined and described above. This embodiment is used as an option with various features of the first end cap and seal structure as described above or with various features of the first end cap and seal structure of other air filter structures. Good.

As used herein, a cartridge having a direct flow structure, i.e., a cartridge in which the medium is configured such that air is filtered while passing from the inlet end of the medium pack to the opposite outlet end, is disclosed. Embodiments to which the principle can be applied are described. The medium has multiple grooves extending between the ends of the media pack, and a set of inlet grooves is open adjacent to the inlet end but closed at the position adjacent to the outlet end. An exemplary media pack is described in which a set of outlet grooves is closed at a position adjacent to the inlet end and open at a position adjacent to the outlet end.

Also, according to the present disclosure, a filter (eg, (air or gas) cleaner assembly is described. A filter (eg, air cleaner or gas) assembly generally includes an (air or gas) inflow port and a (air or gas) outflow port. The filter cartridge having the selected characterization structure as previously characterized is operably and removablely arranged within the housing.

In one example illustrated and described, the housing comprises a body portion to which the flow tube is fixed and has a connection between the body portion of the housing and the flow tube. The first end cap of the (air or gas) filter cartridge mounted on the housing includes an end groove and is one of the connections between the housing body portion of the flow tube (between the housing body portion and the flow tube). The portion protrudes into this end groove. In the illustrated example, the filter cartridge is removably sealed to the flow tube by a radial seal located along the side wall of the groove. A particular example is described in which the radial seal is an outward-facing radial seal. In one example, the seal is circular. In another example, the seal is not circular.

In the illustrated example, the airflow cartridge is not sealed to the body portion other than the flow tube by any portion of the first end cap located in the groove. The first end cap includes an outer peripheral radial seal that is detachably secured to a portion that surrounds the body portion.

Such a configuration can effectively isolate the housing connection between the cartridge seal that abuts the flow tube and the cartridge seal that abuts the side wall of the housing.

The principles described herein are applicable to a wide variety of filter assemblies. The examples described are examples where this principle applies to (air) gas filter assemblies. Examples include the described air filter and crankcase ventilation filter assembly. The principle is applicable to a wide variety of different gas filtration structures, and in some cases even liquid filter assemblies.

The principles, techniques and features described herein are applicable in a variety of systems and all of the effective feature structures identified will be assembled, system or configured in order to obtain any benefit of the present disclosure. It is not required that it must be incorporated into the component.