Claims:We claim:

1. A filter assembly (50) for a vehicle, the filter assembly (50) comprising:
a filter element (20) having a base (16), the base (16) having a rectangular structure (14) integrated thereon, the rectangular structure (14) having a plurality of tubular projections (12) configured equidistantly on either side thereof; and
a foam (30) having a plurality of holes (22) provided in a whole thickness thereof, the plurality of holes (22) receives the plurality of tubular projections (12) of the rectangular structure (14),
characterized in that, the plurality of tubular projections (12) having a mushroom design that expands after the foam (30) assembled with the filter element (20) and the plurality of tubular projections (12) extrudes through the plurality of holes (22) of the foam (20) and receives screws (18) therein thereby forming a snap fitting of the foam (30) with the filter element (20).

2. The filter assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter element (20) is made up of a plastic.

3. The filter assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mushroom design of the plurality of tubular projections (12) on expansion helps in retaining the foam (30) with the filter element (20) during transportation and regular operation. , Description:FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE

Field of the invention:

The present invention generally relates to air filters used in vehicles and more particularly, to a filter assembly for the vehicle.

Background of the invention:

Dust particles in the air cause wear of engine components. Air cleaners are used to remove particulate matter from an atmospheric air entering to the engine. Generally, in automotive filters a foam is mounted on a frame provided with studs that goes through holes formed in the whole thickness of the foam in order to fix the foam on the frame in a simple manner. Specifically, the foam is being assembled with the filter element by a plastic holder.

Figures 1a-1b show a filter assembly (10) in accordance with the prior art. The filter assembly (10) includes a foam holder (2), a filter element (4) and a foam (6). The foam holder (2) is hot riveted with the filter element (4). The foam (6) is inserted between the filter element (4) and the foam holder (2). The foam holder (2) holds the foam (6) in the filter element (4) to avoid removal of the foam (6) from the filter element (4). However, more manpower is required for hot riveting functions.

Reference may be made to Indian patent application number 2360/MUM/2015 that discloses a filter element with a preseparator element and a filter system. A snap fit profile disclosed in the invention is not sufficient to hold foam rigidly and there are chances that the foam may fall and come out on a filter element during transportation due to a vehicle vibration.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a filter assembly for a vehicle that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Object of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated foam on a filter element to eliminate a foam holder.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a filter assembly for a vehicle. The filter assembly comprises a filter element and a foam. The filter element is made up of a plastic. The filter element includes a base. The base includes a rectangular structure integrated thereon. The rectangular structure includes a plurality of tubular projections configured equidistantly on either side thereof. The plurality of tubular projections includes a unique mushroom design.

The foam includes a plurality of holes provided in a whole thickness thereof. The plurality of holes receives the plurality of tubular projections of the rectangular structure. The mushroom design of the plurality of tubular projections expands after the foam is assembled with the filter element. Specifically, the mushroom design of the plurality of tubular projections on expansion helps in retaining the foam with the filter element during transportation and regular operation. The plurality of tubular projections extrudes through the plurality of holes of the foam and receives screws therein thereby forming a snap fitting of the foam with the filter element.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figures 1a-1b show a filter assembly, in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 2a shows a filter assembly for a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2b is an exploded view of the filter assembly of figure 2a showing snap fit details, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the filter assembly for the vehicle, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the filter assembly showing snap fit details, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a filter assembly for a vehicle. In the filter assembly of the present invention, a foam is integrated with a filter element that eliminates the need of a separate foam holder as required in the prior art that in turn reduces process work, production time and cost.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein numbers indicated in the bracket represent the components of the invention throughout the description. Table 1 below enlists the reference numerals and description of corresponding elements.

Table 1
Ref. No. Description Ref. No. Description
2 Foam holder of prior art 16 Base
4 Filter element of prior art 18 Screws
6 Foam of prior art 20 Filter element of present invention
10 Filter assembly of prior art 22 Plurality of holes
12 Plurality of tubular openings 30 Foam of present invention
14 Rectangular structure 50 Filter assembly of present invention

Referring to figures 2a to 4, a filter assembly (50) for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The filter assembly (50) comprises a filter element (20) and a foam (30).

In an embodiment, the filter element (20) is made up of a plastic. The filter element (20) includes a base (16). The base (16) includes a rectangular structure (14) integrated thereon. The rectangular structure (14) includes a plurality of tubular projections (12) configured equidistantly on either side thereof. The plurality of tubular projections (12) is designed to receive screws (18) therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of tubular projections (12) has a unique mushroom design. However, it is understood here that the plurality of tubular projections (12) may have any other type of design in other alternative embodiments of the present invention as per the intended application.

The foam (30) includes a plurality of holes (22) provided in whole thickness thereof. The plurality of holes (22) receives the plurality of tubular projections (12) of the rectangular structure (14). Specifically, the plurality of tubular projections (12) is designed to guide the foam (30) during the assembly. When the foam (20) is positioned on the filter element (20), the plurality of tubular projections (12) extrudes through the plurality of holes (22) of the foam (20). The unique mushroom design of the tubular projections (12) expands after the foam (30) is assembled with the filter element (20) thereby helping in retaining the foam (30) with the filter element (20) during transportation and regular operation. The foam (30) is then fitted to the filter element (20) using screws (18) that form a snap fitting of the foam (30) with the filter element (20).

Advantages of the invention:

1. In the filter assembly (50), the foam (30) is integrated with the filter element (20) that eliminates the need of a separate foam holder as required in the prior art that in turn reduces process work, production time and cost.
2. In the filter assembly (50), the foam (30) is snap fitted with the filter element (20) that reduces manpower as required in process work like hot riveting functions.
3. The unique mushroom design of the tubular projections (12) expands after the foam (30) is assembled with the filter element (20) thereby helping in retaining the foam (30) with the filter element (20) during transportation and regular operation.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.