Removable shield in an engine oil strainer

#The invention relates to oil strainers for automotive vehicle engines. More particularly, the invention relates to an oil strainer assembly having a removable shield for servicing of the oil strainer assembly.

#Automotive vehicles with internal combustion engines require oil to lubricate high friction areas within engine, such as the crankshaft or the pistons. Particulate or debris, such as metal shavings, gasket material and oil sludge, may damage surfaces in these high friction areas, which can result in reduced engine performance or even premature engine failure. Oil filtrations systems are used to remove the debris from the oil as it is circulated throughout the engine by an oil pump. Oil filtration systems typically include an oil strainer assembly that filters the debris from oil drawn by the oil pump from a sump.

#Over time, the oil strainer assembly may become plugged, which reduces the ability of the oil pump to pull oil from the sump. The oil strainer assembly must be removed, cleaned or replaced.

#Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an oil strainer assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the oil strainer assembly of FIG. 1;

#Referring to the figures, an oil strainer assembly for use in an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated at 10. The oil strainer assembly 10 includes a first shell 20, a strainer mesh or element 30, and a second shell 40. The first shell 20 and second shell 40 can be releasably interconnected to form a housing that supports the strainer element 30 therein. The shells may be formed of any suitable material known by those having ordinary skill in the art, such as metal or molded plastic. Described in greater detail below, the second shell 40 may be separated from the first shell 20 to facilitate cleaning or replacement of the strainer element 30.

#The first shell 20 is generally bell shaped and includes an outlet 21 for coupling the oil strainer assembly to an inlet tube of an oil pump (not shown). The outlet 21 formed as an axially extending tube in a central portion of the first shell 20. The first shell 20 further has a generally circular outer perimeter or edge 24. A first hooked flange 22 extends along half or less than half of the outer wall 24 of the first shell 20. A tab 26 extends generally radially outwardly from the outer wall 24 opposite the first hooked flange 22. The tab 26 has a locating wall 28 that extends generally orthogonally from the outer wall 24 of the first shell 20 toward the second shell 40.

#The second shell 40 has an inlet 31 for receiving oil from a sump in the engine. The second shell 40 also has a generally circular outer wall 42. A second hooked flange 44 and a third hooked flange 46 are formed along portions of the outer wall 42 for retaining the outer wall 24 of the first shell 24. The second hooked flange 44 and the third hooked flange 46 are spaced apart to define a space or slot 48 for receiving the tab 26 from the first shell 20 therethrough during assembly. An outwardly extending locating edge 50 is disposed in the slot 48 for contacting the locating wall 28 of the tab 26 during assembly of the second shell 40 to the first shell 20. It should be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the tab and flange arrangement shown in the illustrated embodiment may be reversed so that the tab extends from the second shell rather than the first shell. It is also appreciated from the drawings that the first hooked flange 22 extends radially outward and then radially inward from the first shell outer wall in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement and second hooked flange 44 and third hooked flange 46 extend radially outward and then radially inward from the second shell outer wall in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement.