Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

Field of the invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel filter.

Background of the invention

[0002] Fuel filters are present between the fuel tank and the fuel pump of a vehicle. The fuel filter protects the internal combustion engine from unwanted substances including dirt , particulate matter and water.
[0003] Priming a fuel filter is the process of removing air from the filter and filling it with fuel before starting an engine to ensure a constant fuel flow in the engine.
[0004] The fuel filters are operated during a priming condition and normal working conditions. The pressure drop or reduction in pressure as the fuel passes through is directly contributed to fuel filter mileage or service interval change over. Lesser the fuel filter pressure drop higher the filter mileage or service interval change over benefit. With the two-flap arrangement in the fuel filter, the flow of the fuel. The prior art IN202041022341 A suggests a three flap arrangement of fuel filters to enhance the flow of the fuel into the fuel filter in a shorter duration and greater efficiency.
[0005] Another problem arises during the suction of clean fuel back to the pump. The air (from inlet fuel) gets trapped in the fuel filter making it difficult for the pumps while suction of fuel to the engine. The prior art IN202141014555 A introduces a complex structure of two suction tubes of different length in the fuel filter.
[0006] Further, the cost of the entire fuel filter assembly is high. The existing products identified is a ‘spin-on’ filters have to be replaced multiple times over the lifetime of the vehicle. The present disclosure proposes a cost-effective sheet meta design for a fuel filter that requires only the filter element inside the housing to be replaced. The proposed design is a three flap design with an integrated suction tube. The housing is fixed to the filter head through a locking mechanism making the replacement of the filter element east whilst preventing air lock and startability issues.

[0007] Brief description of the accompanying drawings

[0008] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing:
[0009] Figure 1 depicts a cost effective fuel filter.
[0010] Figure 2a and 2b depict the at least three flaps of the filter head
[0011] Figure 3a depicts the components conventional fuel filter and 3b depicts the components of proposed improved fuel filter.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0012] The present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to accompanying drawings. Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In predetermined instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
[0013] Referring to Figure 1, disclosed is a fuel filter(10) in a fuel supply system (not shown), said fuel filter (10) comprises a filter bowl (1) detachably attached to a filter head (3). It further comprises an inlet (6) and an outlet(7) made on said filter head(3). A filter element(2) detachably fitted inside said filter bowl(1).
[0014] Referring to Figure 2, 2a and 2b represent the bottom and top view (respectively) of the filter head (3) with the at least three flaps ( 8,9,11). There are at least three flaps(8,9,11) formed in said filter head to allow the fuel into the filter bowl from the inlet (6). Any one of the at least three flaps is an auxiliary flap (11) adapted to allow fuel directly into said housing from said inlet. The auxiliary flap is made in proximity to the inlet (6) on the filter head (3) to allow fuel directly into the housing from the inlet during a normal running condition. During a priming condition, when the primer (not shown) is pulled up (upward direction), the fuel from the inlet flows into the first flap (8) and flows towards the second flap (9). During this scenario, the first flap(8) is opened and the second flap (9) and the auxiliary flap(11) are in closed condition. When the primer is pushed down (downward direction), the fuel that is entered through the first flap(8) flows into the housing through the second flap(9). During this scenario, the second flap (9) is opened and the first flap (8) and the auxiliary flap (11) are in closed condition. During the priming condition, the first flap (8) and the second flap (9) are operated simultaneously, and the auxiliary flap(11) is maintained closed, as the flow of the fuel will be less than a predefined value
[0015] During the normal working condition of the vehicle, the fuel flowing through the inlet (6) enters directly into the housing via the auxiliary flap (11) .

[0016] Referring again to figure 1, a suction tube (5) integrated in the filter element (2). (A zoomed cross sectional view of the suction tube is provided in Figure 1. In an example, said suction tube (5) may be integrated in a top cap of the filter bowl (2). The suction tube sucks a clean fuel from the fuel filter through a capillary action. The suction tube further helps venting the air that otherwise gets trapped in the fuel filter.
[0017] A top portion (12)of said filter bowl extends to form at least one plate (12a), said at least one plate (12a) comprising at least one hole (12b) such that filter bowl (1) is secured to the filter head through the said at least hole by a component. The at least one plate(12a) formed by extending the top portion (12a) of said filter bowl and said filter (1) bowl together form a unitary assembly, said unitary assembly made from but not limited to a sheet metal.

[0018] In an example said component (30) is chosen from a group of components comprising a screw, a bolt, a fastener, a rivet, a snap. sheet metal design makes it cost effective. The shape of the filter bowl can be attached to the filter and the locking mechanism is designed to be simple, making element replacement easy.

[0019] According to an aspect of the embodiment, at the time of replacement of the fuel filter, only the filter element has to be replaced unlike in the conventional filters where the filter bowls become unusable.

[0020] Referring to Figure 3, 3a depicts the components of a conventional fuel filter and 3b depicts the components of proposed improved fuel filter. Whilst conventional filter 3a requires seal rings (20, 22), retainer (21) cover plate (25), filter element (2), a spring (28) filter cup (1a), a thread brush (26) and a sensor (27), the improved filer 3b can be assembled with lesser components mainly, O-Rings (23, 24) , filter element (2) ,filter bowl (1) and the sensor (27). The shape of the filter bowl (1) as opposed to the filter cup (1A) allows it to be detachably attached to the filter head by means of the component (30). Therefore, in the event the fuel filter is clogged, only the filter element would be replaced while the rest of the fuel filter components can be reused. This significantly reduces the cost of replacement of the fuel filter.

[0021] The present disclosure advantageously provides the function of better start ability of vehicle . The cost of the disclosed filter will be relatively less compared to existing products along with enhanced properties of filtration. The present disclosure further provides reusability of the fuel filter upon replacement of the filter element.

, C , Claims:We Claim

1. A fuel filter (10) in a fuel supply system, said fuel filter(10) comprising:
-a filter bowl(1) detachably attached to a filter head(3);
-an inlet(6) and an outlet (7) made on said filter head;
-a filter element (2) detachably fitted inside said filter bowl (1);
-at least three flaps (8,9,11) formed in said filter head(3) to allow the fuel into the filter bowl(1) from the inlet;
characterized in that
-a suction tube (5) integrated in the filter element (2) ; and
- a top portion (12)of said filter bowl (3) extending to form at least one plate (12a)(12), said at least one plate (12a) comprising at least one hole (12b) such that the filter bowl (1) is secured to the filter head (3) through the said at least hole (12b) by a component (30).

2. The fuel filter (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component (30) is chosen from a group of components comprising a screw, a bolt, a fastener, a rivet, a snap.

3. The fuel filter in accordance with Claim 1, wherein, the at least one plate (12a) formed by extending the top portion (12) of said filter bowl (1) and said filter bowl (1) together form a unitary assembly, said unitary assembly made from but not limited to a sheet metal.

4. The fuel filter in accordance with Claim 1, wherein, the suction tube (5) sucks a clean fuel from the fuel filter through a capillary action.

5. The fuel filter in accordance with Claim 1, wherein, any one of the at least three flaps (8,9,11) is an auxiliary flap (11) adapted to allow fuel directly into said housing from said inlet (6);

6. The fuel filter (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, the filter bowl is reused in the fuel filter upon replacement of the filter element.