Filter removal tool and method
A tool for draining and removing a vehicle filter (e.g. an oil filter, an air filter, a coolant filter, a fuel filter, or the like) from a vehicle, and a method for removing a vehicle filter from a vehicle. The tool includes a perforator for providing a perforation in a vehicle filter; a housing comprising a cavity and an opening therein for receiving a fluid from a perforation in a vehicle filter into the cavity, the perforator at least partially located in the cavity, and the opening being configured such that least one of the perforator and a vehicle filter are positionable therethrough; and a gripper connected to the housing and comprising a gripping surface for engaging and gripping a vehicle filter to restrict relative rotation between the gripper and the vehicle filter to permit rotation of a vehicle filter by rotation of the tool.
1 . A tool for draining and removing a vehicle filter from a vehicle, comprising:
a perforator for providing a perforation in the vehicle filter;
a housing comprising a cavity and an opening therein for receiving a fluid from a perforation in the vehicle filter into the cavity, the perforator at least partially located in the cavity, and the opening being configured such that at least one of the perforator and the vehicle filter are positionable therethrough; and
a gripper connected to the housing and comprising a gripping surface for engaging and gripping the vehicle filter to restrict relative rotation between the gripper and the vehicle filter to permit rotation of the vehicle filter by rotation of the tool,
wherein the perforator is rotatably connected to the housing via an annular bearing to permit rotational movement therebetween; and
wherein the perforator is moveable from a retracted configuration in which the perforator is disengaged with the engaged vehicle filter in a direction towards the opening of the housing so as to perforate the engaged vehicle filter;
wherein the housing comprises a locking member and the perforator comprises a corresponding locking profile for engagement with the locking member, thereby restricting or preventing rotational movement between the perforator and the housing.
2 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the perforator comprises a spindle.
3 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the perforator is moveable to a locked configuration in which rotational movement of the perforator relative to the housing is restricted.
4 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the perforator comprises a connection profile for connection of a robotic control device thereto.
5 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the opening is configured to permit the vehicle filter to be positioned therethrough and the housing comprises a stopper configured to abut against the engaged vehicle filter to limit movement of the engaged vehicle filter through the opening.
6 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripper is located in the cavity of the housing.
7 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripper comprises a rubber gripping surface.
8 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripper comprises a clamp mechanism.
9 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripper is directly connected to the housing.
10 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the opening in the housing is configured to permit the vehicle filter to be partially inserted into the cavity through the opening.
11 . The tool according to claim 1 , comprising an outer receptacle, the housing being located at least partially within and rotatably connected to the outer receptacle to permit rotation between the housing and outer receptacle.