# US 10,871,133 B2 · Filter device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,871,133 B2
- Document ID: US10871133B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/569,935
- Filed: 2019-09-13
- Published: 2020-01-02
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2009-09-15
- Assignees: Mahle International GmbH
- Applicants: Mahle International GmbH
- Inventors: Michael Braunheim; Torsten Lika
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871133B2

## CPC

- F02M 37/42: Installation or removal of filters
- B01D 29/11: with bag, cage, hose, tube, sleeve or like filtering elements
- B01D 35/005: {Filters specially adapted for use in internal-combustion engine lubrication or fuel systems}
- B01D 35/153: Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
- B01D 35/16: Cleaning-out devices {, e.g. for removing the cake from the filter casing or for evacuating the last remnants of liquid}
- B01D 35/30: Filter housing constructions
- B01D 36/003: {Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids (B01D35/185 takes precedence)}
- B01D 36/006: {Purge means}
- F02M 37/24: characterised by water separating means
- B01D 17/045: {with coalescers}
- B01D 27/00: Cartridge filters of the throw-away type
- B01D 27/08: Construction of the casing
- B01D 2201/291: End caps
- B01D 2201/295: with projections extending in a radial outward direction, e.g. for use as a guide, spacing means
- B01D 2201/305: Snap, latch or clip connecting means
- B01D 2201/4007: Use of cam or ramp systems
- B01D 2201/4053: using keys
- B01D 2201/4084: Snap or Seeger ring connecting means
- F01M 11/03: Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means (filters B01D)
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING

## Abstract

A filter element includes an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc, a dirt pot on the lower end disc, a pin attached at an attachment location and configured to be received within a channel in an installation orientation, the pin extending away from the attachment location along an axis, the pin having a base of a first width at the attachment location, the pin having a free end and a groove defined between the attachment location and the free end, the pin having a second width that defines a circumference of the groove, the second width approximately orthogonal to the axis, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and an opening in the dirt pot.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A filter element, comprising:
an upper end disc;
a lower end disc;
a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc;
a dirt pot on the lower end disc;
a pin attached to a lower surface of the filter element at an attachment location and configured to be received within a channel in an installed orientation, the pin extending away from the attachment location in a direction parallel to a central axis of the filter element, the pin having a base of a first width at the attachment location, the pin having a free end and a groove defined between the attachment location and the free end, the pin having a second width that defines a circumference of the groove, the second width approximately orthogonal to the central axis, wherein the first width is greater than the second width; and
an opening in the dirt pot.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the lower end disc includes a circumferential outer surface that partially forms an outer surface of the filter element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the attachment location is along an outer surface of the dirt pot.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element positioned in the groove and configured to tightly close with the channel in the installed orientation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The filter element of claim 4, wherein the sealing element is an O-ring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The filter element of claim 4, wherein the sealing element has an outer diameter, the first width being greater than the outer diameter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the free end extends below the opening of the dirt pot.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the pin includes an inner shoulder and an outer shoulder that axially contain the sealing element within the groove, and the inner shoulder is located along an axis of the pin and between the sealing element and the attachment location.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The filter element of claim 8, wherein a width of the pin includes a portion that varies in a continuous and non-narrowing fashion between the inner shoulder and the attachment location.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The filter element of claim 9, wherein the width of the pin along the portion increases between the inner shoulder and the attachment location.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the pin defines a third width between the groove and the free end, the third width being greater than the second width.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the pin includes a shaft that is a cruciform cross-section.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the dirt pot includes an internal space for a separate water separator arranged therein.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the pin is positioned at an offset radial location from the central axis of the filter element, such that the free end of the pin engages with a guide of a functional element prior to positioning the pin within the channel in the installed orientation.

### Claim 15

A filter element, comprising:
an upper end disc;
a lower end disc having a circumferential outer surface that partially forms an outer surface of the filter element;
a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc;
an enclosure on the lower end disc having an internal space, wherein the enclosure is a dirt pot;
a pin attached to a lower surface of the dirt pot as a one-piece construction at an attachment location and configured to be received within a channel in an installed orientation; and
an opening in the enclosure spaced away from the pin.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the attachment location is along a surface of the enclosure.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, the pin having a sealing element that is configured to tightly close with the channel in the installed orientation, the pin extending away from the attachment location along an axis of the filter element, the pin having a base of a first width at the attachment location that extends along the attachment location, the pin having a free end, and a groove defined between the attachment location and the free end for the sealing element and having a second width that defines a circumference of the groove, the second width approximately orthogonal to the axis, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The filter element of claim 17, wherein the free end extends below the opening of the enclosure.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the pin includes an inner shoulder and an outer shoulder that axially contain the sealing element within the groove, and the inner shoulder is located at an axial location along an axis that is between the sealing element and the attachment location.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the dirt pot includes the internal space for a separate water separator arranged therein.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the attachment location is below a surface of the lower end disc.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the filter element is a surface of the dirt pot.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the lower surface of the filter element is a surface of the dirt pot.

### Claim 24 (depends on 15)

The filter element of claim 15, wherein the filter element includes a central axis, the pin is offset from and parallel with the central axis, and the opening is centrally aligned with the central axis.