A filter cartridge for insertion into a filter housing of a fluid filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter insert (10) for insertion into a filter housing (102) of a fluid filter (100), having a filter material (14) which is designed for the passage of fluid to be filtered from an untreated side (116) to a clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100) in operation of the fluid filter (100), and a filter-insert-side radio module (30, 30a-30c) which is designed for movement in operation of the fluid filter (100) in dependence on a pressure difference between the untreated side (116) and the clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100) depending on a contamination state of the filter material (14) and for communication with a housing-side radio module (112) of the fluid filter (100) in order to detect the contamination state of the filter material (14), the spacing (A) of the housing-side radio module from the filter-insert-side radio module (30, 30a-30c) changing when the filter-insert-side radio module (30, 30a-30c) moves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter element for insertion into a filter housing of a fluid filter, the filter element having a filter material designed for the fluid to be filtered to flow through the fluid filter from the untreated side to the clean side during operation of the fluid filter.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a fluid filter for filtering fluids. The fluid filter includes a filter housing having a radio module on the housing side and a filter element having a radio module on the filter cartridge side, wherein the filter element is designed to be inserted into the filter housing, and the radio module on the filter cartridge side and the radio module on the housing side are designed to communicate with each other.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a filtration system having a fluid filter and an electronic data processing device. Background Technology

[0004] During operation of a fluid filter, particles become trapped in the filter media due to fluid filtration, and these particles are filtered out from the fluid flowing through the media. This increased contamination of the filter media leads to a higher pressure differential between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter. Some fluid filter types are equipped with bypass valves that open when the pressure differential between the untreated and clean sides exceeds a certain limit, ensuring the required fluid flow through the fluid filter despite severe contamination of the filter media. By bypassing the fluid filtration by opening the bypass valve, at least a portion of the fluid can flow through the fluid filter unfiltered.

[0005] In practice, filter cartridges should be replaced before reaching a critical contamination state. To detect the contamination status of the filter material, for example, the opening status of the bypass valve can be monitored. In this regard, document US2017 / 0340996A1 proposes using a Hall effect sensor to monitor the opening status of the bypass valve.

[0006] In many applications using fluid filters, such as oil or fuel filtration in motor vehicles or industrial filtration, there is a need for intelligent fluid filters that can provide information beyond the state of contamination. This information, for example, allows identification of the filter element used or relates to the operating parameters of the fluid filter or filter element. This has been impossible until now using sensors for detecting the contamination state of filter media. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to enable intelligent detection of contamination status in a fluid filter, wherein information beyond the contamination status is provided for the operation of the fluid filter or the machine using the fluid filter.

[0008] This task is solved by a filter element of the type described at the beginning, wherein the filter element according to the invention has a radio module on the filter element side, the radio module on the filter element side being designed to move during the operation of the fluid filter according to the pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter, depending on the contamination state of the filter material, and to communicate with a radio module on the housing side of the fluid filter in order to detect the contamination state of the filter material, the distance between the radio module on the housing side and the radio module on the filter element side changing as the radio module on the filter element side moves.

[0009] The movement of the radio module is caused by the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter, thereby detecting the contamination status through the variable spacing between the radio module on the housing side and the radio module on the filter element side. In this respect, the radio module on the filter element side allows for radio-based detection of the contamination status. Furthermore, information beyond the contamination status can be provided by the radio module on the filter element side, which can be accessed by the radio module on the housing side. For example, the radio module on the filter element side allows for radio-based identification of the filter element by transmitting a core-specific marker. The radio module on the filter element side is preferably designed to move axially according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter during operation.

[0010] Communication between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side can be continuous or discontinuous. This communication can occur at regular or irregular time intervals and / or be triggered or caused by specific events. Therefore, the detection of contamination status also occurs at regular or irregular time intervals and / or is event-related.

[0011] The filter element may also have multiple filter-side radio modules designed to move according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter during operation and to communicate with the housing-side radio module to detect the contamination status of the filter material. These multiple filter-side radio modules can be of the same type or different types. For example, these radio modules can use different modulation schemes to distinguish their radio signals. Furthermore, radio signals can be matched with the filter-side radio modules using transmitted flags. The multiple filter-side radio modules can use the same transmission frequency or different transmission frequencies. The number of filter-side radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module preferably depends on their axial position and therefore their distance from the housing-side radio module. Therefore, the distance between the housing-side and filter-side radio modules can be determined by the number of filter-side radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module, thereby deriving the contamination status of the filter material. The filter-side radio modules can be arranged stacked on top of each other. With a smaller distance between the filter element-side radio module and the housing-side radio module, more radio modules communicate with the housing-side radio module than with a larger distance.

[0012] The fluid filter can be, for example, a liquid filter (especially an oil filter or a fuel filter) or an air or gas filter. The fluid can therefore be a liquid (especially oil or fuel) or air, gas, or a mixture of gases.

[0013] The filter material can be formed into a surrounding filter material body. The filter material can be folded multiple times and / or constructed as a folded corrugated element.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the radio module on the filter element side is designed to transmit one or more radio signals, by means of which the distance between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side can be determined, and / or the radio signals allow identification of the filter element or recognition of its type. For example, the radio module on the filter element side is designed to transmit a one-time assigned and / or filter element-specific mark, thereby enabling the identification of the filter element located in the filter housing through signal analysis processing. Through the one or more radio signals, filter element-related operating information (e.g., service life or operating duration to date) can also be transmitted to the radio module on the housing side. Furthermore, fluid-related operating information, such as the current temperature of the fluid or past temperature trends of the fluid, can be transmitted from the radio module on the filter element side to the radio module on the housing side. During operation, this filter element-related and / or fluid-related operating information can be obtained and recorded by the radio module on the filter element side. Therefore, the radio module on the filter element side may include a memory for storing filter element-related and / or fluid-related operating information, which is written to the memory during operation.

[0015] In one improved embodiment, the filter element according to the invention has a bypass valve or at least a portion thereof, wherein a radio module on the filter element side is disposed on or integrated into the bypass valve or the filter element side portion thereof. The bypass valve is disposed between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter during operation. The bypass valve has at least a portion that moves during operation of the fluid filter based on a pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter, depending on the contamination state of the fluid filter. Therefore, the radio module on the filter element side can be disposed on the movable portion of the bypass valve to detect the contamination state of the fluid filter by the position of the radio module on the filter element side and thereby by the distance from the radio module on the housing side.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the bypass valve has a movable closure, or a portion of the bypass valve on the filter element side is a movable closure. The movable closure is designed to move relative to the contact body of the bypass valve's bearing seat according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter. The closure is the part of the bypass valve that moves to open the bypass valve upon implementation. A radio module on the filter element side is arranged on the closure of the bypass valve and / or designed to move together with the closure of the bypass valve. The closure is preferably a shut-off piston. The closure of the bypass valve is preferably designed to move axially according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter during operation. The closure preferably causes a radial seal. The closure is preferably designed to shut off the bypass passage between the untreated and clean sides until the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides reaches a pressure difference limit. Upon reaching the pressure difference limit, the closure releases the bypass passage, allowing at least a portion of the fluid to be filtered to reach the clean side from the untreated side without penetrating the filter material. The bypass line may be formed by one or more through openings in the wall surrounding the enclosure, which are released by axial movement of the enclosure. Below or before reaching the pressure differential limit, the enclosure moves with increasing pressure differential without releasing the bypass line.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the closure is arranged in a guide sleeve designed to guide the closure during movement caused by a pressure differential. The guide sleeve may be surrounded by filter material. Furthermore, the guide sleeve may be arranged axially spaced from the filter material, for example, above or below the end region on the end side of the filter material. Additionally, the guide sleeve may be an integral part of an end disc arranged on the end side of the filter material.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the bypass valve has a movable contact body, or the filter element side portion of the bypass valve is a movable contact body. The movable contact body carries a valve seat for the bypass valve's closure body, wherein the contact body is designed to move relative to the closure body according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter, wherein the radio module on the filter element side is arranged on the contact body of the bypass valve and / or designed to move together with the contact body of the bypass valve. The contact body carrying the valve seat is the portion of the bypass valve that is stationary or does not move during bypass valve opening. Because the radio module on the filter element side is arranged on the contact body of the bypass valve, the contamination status of the filter material can be detected by sensing the distance between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side. The contact body of the bypass valve is preferably designed to move axially according to the pressure difference between the untreated and clean sides of the fluid filter during operation of the fluid filter. The movement of the contactor releases the bypass line between the untreated and clean sides, specifically when the pressure difference between the two sides reaches its limit. Below or before reaching the pressure difference limit, the contactor moves with increasing pressure difference without releasing the bypass line.

[0019] In addition, the radio module on the filter element side can be fixed on the elastomeric bellows of the filter element, wherein the elastomeric bellows deforms when the pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter increases and allows axial movement of the radio module on the filter element side.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the filter material is supported by a support structure designed to move together with the filter material during operation of the fluid filter according to the pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter. A radio module on the filter element side is arranged on the support structure or the filter material and / or designed to move together with the support structure and / or the filter material. The support structure may have an upper end plate and / or a lower end plate. The upper end plate is preferably arranged on the upper end side of the filter material. The lower end plate is preferably arranged on the lower end side of the filter material. The support structure may have a support body connecting the end plates. This support body may have a grid structure. The support structure may be one-piece or multi-piece. The support structure is preferably designed to move axially along with the filter material during operation of the fluid filter according to the pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter. The radio module on the filter element side may, for example, be arranged at the center of the support structure, particularly at the center of the end plates, or at the center of the support structure connecting the end plates.

[0021] Furthermore, the filter element according to the invention is advantageous in which the support structure has a radio module holder, which preferably extends axially from an end disc of the support structure arranged on the filter material side, away from the filter material, wherein the radio module on the filter element side is held by the radio module holder in a manner axially spaced from the end disc and / or the filter material. The radio module holder allows the radio module on the filter element side to be arranged in the vicinity of the housing wall of the filter housing, thereby allowing the housing-side radio module to be arranged and fixed in the area of ​​the housing wall.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the radio module holder has a floating chamber in which a buoyant radio module is arranged. This floating chamber can be a floating cage. Preferably, the floating chamber is designed to extend into a water collection area where water, particularly water separated from the fluid to be filtered, accumulates during the operation of the fluid filter. In this respect, the buoyant radio module can be used to detect the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter. Changes in the water level in the water collection area cause the buoyant radio module located in the floating chamber to move. Therefore, the water level in the water collection area can also be deduced from the position of the buoyant radio module.

[0023] The filter material is preferably designed to separate water from the fluid during operation of the fluid filter. A buoyant radio module is preferably designed to float on the volume of water separated from the fluid during operation of the fluid filter.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the buoyant radio module is designed to float on water collected in the collection area, wherein the flotation chamber preferably has a buoyancy region for the buoyant radio module, which allows the buoyant radio module to rise as the water level in the collection area of ​​the fluid filter increases. The buoyant radio module preferably has a density lower than water and / or less than 997 kg / m³. 3 The density of the floating radio module is considered. Floating radio modules can be designed to float in the boundary layer between the fluid to be filtered on the untreated side of the fluid filter and the volume of water located in the collection area of ​​the fluid filter during operation. Floating radio modules can have a higher density than gasoline and / or diesel fuel and / or greater than 748 kg / m³. 3 or greater than 833 kg / m 3 The density of gasoline is 748 kg / m³. 3 The density of diesel fuel is 833 kg / m³. 3 The density.

[0025] The filter element may also have multiple floating radio modules or a single floating radio module with multiple radio units, designed to float on the water in the collection area of ​​the fluid filter during operation and communicate with a radio module on the housing side of the fluid filter to detect the water level in the collection area. The multiple floating radio modules or the multiple radio units of the single floating radio module may be of the same type or different types. The multiple floating radio modules or the multiple radio units of the single floating radio module may, for example, use different modulation schemes to make their radio signals distinguishable. Furthermore, the radio signal can be matched with a single floating radio module or a single radio unit of the single floating radio module by means of a transmitted flag. The multiple floating radio modules or the multiple radio units of the single floating radio module may use the same transmission frequency or different transmission frequencies from each other. The number of floating radio modules communicating with the radio module on the shell side, or the number of radio units of a single floating radio module communicating with the radio module on the shell side, preferably depends on its axial position and therefore on its distance from the radio module on the shell side. Thus, by determining the number of floating radio modules communicating with the radio module on the shell side, or the number of radio units of a single floating radio module communicating with the radio module on the shell side, the distance between the radio module on the shell side and each of the floating radio modules, or the distance between the radio module on the shell side and each radio unit of the single floating radio module, can be determined, thereby allowing the derivation of the water level in the catchment area. The plurality of floating radio modules or the plurality of radio units of a single floating radio module can be arranged overlapping each other. When the distance to the radio module on the shell side is small, a greater number of floating radio modules or a greater number of radio units of a single floating radio module communicate with the radio module on the shell side than when the distance to the radio module on the shell side is large.

[0026] In an improved embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side are designed to obtain the energy required for communication with the radio module on the housing side from the electromagnetic field generated by the radio module on the housing side. Therefore, the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side do not require their own power supply. In this respect, the cabling for the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side can be eliminated. This results in less wear and improved fault tolerance. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the arrangement of the radio module and floating radio module on the filter element side.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side is a transponder, especially an RFID transponder, or the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side respectively include a transponder, especially an RFID transponder. The radio module on the housing side is preferably an RFID reader or includes an RFID reader.

[0028] Furthermore, the radio module on the filter element side can be designed to detect or measure the conductivity of the fluid in the vicinity of the radio module. The conductivity of a fluid (e.g., oil) increases over time due to carbon black and water input or metal wear, allowing the fluid quality to be determined by measuring the conductivity. To measure conductivity, the radio module on the filter element side can have open or interrupted electrical leads, the state of which is monitored by an electronic monitoring device. The fluid conductivity can be determined by measuring the current and / or resistance on the open leads, and thus the current fluid quality. This data can be considered in motor vehicles, for example, when monitoring engine status. Therefore, the following scenario is relevant to the use of such a system in oil filtration for internal combustion engines: When the oil conductivity is high and short-distance driving is frequent, a large amount of water is typically present in the oil, thus informing the driver that a longer distance is imminent to optimize service life. Furthermore, the vehicle's control system can adjust maintenance intervals using the collected data. Furthermore, when the oil has high electrical conductivity, combined with data from long-distance driving and the vehicle's bus system, it can be determined, for example, that there is a lack of sealing between the coolant and oil reserves. In this case, the driver can be informed that maintenance or inspection is required.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the radio module and / or floating radio module on the filter element side have a temperature measuring device and are designed to transmit the temperature measurement value to the radio module on the housing side. The filter element may be, for example, a fuel filter. The radio module on the housing side receives, for example, the temperature signal from the radio module on the filter element side and / or the floating radio module. The radio module on the filter element side and / or the floating radio module may include an additional microcontroller and one or more temperature sensors, which constitute the temperature measuring device. The transmitted temperature measurement value can be used for open-loop or closed-loop control of the heating device, especially the fuel heating device. If the fuel temperature is too low, the fuel heating device is activated. The radio module on the housing side can control the fuel heating device in a closed-loop manner. The one or more temperature sensors may each have a temperature-dependent resistance, such as a negative temperature coefficient resistor (NTC resistor) or a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTC resistor). The detection range of such sensors is sufficient for detecting fuel temperature because only relatively low temperatures below 80°C need to be detected. Furthermore, measurements are not required to be continuous, but only during engine startup and / or at regular or irregular time intervals.

[0030] The objective upon which this invention is based is also addressed by a fluid filter of the type described at the beginning, wherein the filter element of the fluid filter according to the invention is constructed according to any of the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, regarding the advantages and modifications of the fluid filter according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the filter element according to the invention.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention, the housing-side radio module is designed to receive one or more radio signals from the filter element-side radio module, by means of which the distance between the filter element-side radio module and the housing-side radio module can be determined. Based on the determined distance between the filter element-side radio module and the housing-side radio module, the contamination state of the filter material can be determined through the relationship between the distance and the contamination state or through a corresponding family of characteristic curves.

[0032] Furthermore, the following fluid filter is preferred, in which the filter housing has a housing base and a housing cover, with a radio module on the housing side disposed in or on the housing base or housing cover. The housing base and housing cover are preferably detachably connected to each other without damage, for example, through corresponding threaded sections on the housing base and housing cover. The housing cover, for example, can be screwed onto the housing base. The housing cover may, for example, be cup-shaped. Furthermore, the filter housing of the fluid filter according to the invention may have a support mandrel for the filter element, wherein the radio module on the housing side is disposed on or in the support mandrel.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid filter according to the invention has a drain valve for discharging water accumulated in a collection area of ​​the fluid filter, wherein the drain valve is designed to be operated according to the distance between a floating radio module and a housing-side radio module. In this case, the fluid filter may be, for example, a fuel filter. The drain valve may, for example, automatically open and / or close according to the water level in the collection area. For example, the drain valve may automatically open when a water level limit is reached or exceeded to drain water from the collection area or from the fluid filter. The water level may be determined, for example, by a data processing device of the filtration system, based on the distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module. The drain valve may be a solenoid valve. Control of the drain valve based on the distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module is preferably performed by a control device that is part of the filtration system. In addition to the floating radio module, the filter element of the fluid filter may have a filter element-side radio module designed to move during operation of the fluid filter according to a pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter, depending on the contamination state of the filter material. However, this radio module on the filter element side is not mandatory. The filter element of the fluid filter may also include a floating radio module for controlling drainage, without having a radio module on the filter element side for detecting contamination.

[0034] The objective of this invention is also addressed by a filtration system of the type described at the beginning, wherein the fluid filter of the filtration system according to the invention is constructed according to any of the foregoing embodiments. The data processing device is preferably designed to analyze and process one or more signals and / or signal characteristics transmitted from a radio module on the filter element side to a radio module on the housing side to determine the distance between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side. To detect the distance, the data processing device preferably determines the signal quality of the radio signal received by the radio module on the housing side. The radio module or data processing device on the housing side may therefore have amplifier circuitry for signal amplification and / or filter circuitry for signal filtering. Regarding the advantages and modifications of the filtration system according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the fluid filter according to the invention.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the filtration system according to the invention, the electronic data processing device is designed to determine the distance between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side based on the signal strength and / or signal noise of one or more signals. By analyzing the signal strength and signal noise of the signals transmitted from the radio module on the filter element side to the radio module on the housing side, the distance between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side can be calculated relatively accurately through appropriate signal analysis processing. Based on this calculation, the contamination state of the filter material can then be determined.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention, the electronic data processing device is designed to determine the contamination state of the filter material based on the spacing between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side. To determine the contamination state of the filter material, the electronic data processing device can use a relationship between the spacing between the radio module on the filter element side and the radio module on the housing side and the contamination state of the filter material, particularly a filter-specific, filter element-specific, or filter material-specific relationship. This relationship can, for example, be a family of characteristic curves. The relationship, or family of characteristic curves, can be stored in the memory of the electronic data processing device. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 An embodiment of a fluid filter according to the invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view, in which the filter element's filter material is uncontaminated;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown in Figure 1 The fluid filter depicted in the image has a filter element whose filter material is slightly contaminated;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown in Figure 1 The fluid filter depicted in the image has a filter element whose filter material is severely contaminated;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown in Figure 1 A detailed diagram of the fluid filter depicted in the image;

[0042] Figure 5 A partial area of ​​another fluid filter according to the invention is shown in a perspective cross-sectional view;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a portion of another fluid filter according to the invention;

[0044] Figure 7 A partial area of ​​another fluid filter according to the invention is shown in a perspective cross-sectional view;

[0045] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a portion of another fluid filter according to the invention;

[0046] Figure 9 A portion of the filter element according to the present invention is shown in a perspective cross-sectional view;

[0047] Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a portion of another fluid filter according to the invention;

[0048] Figure 11 Another embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view, in which the filter element's filter material is uncontaminated;

[0049] Figure 12 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown in Figure 11 The fluid filter depicted in the image has a filter element whose filter material is severely contaminated;

[0050] Figure 13 The water collection area of ​​the fluid filter according to the invention is shown in the case of low water level.

[0051] Figure 14 This shows the situation under high water levels. Figure 13 The water catchment area depicted in the text;

[0052] Figure 15 Another embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view;

[0053] Figure 16 Another embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention is shown, in which the filter element's filter material is uncontaminated;

[0054] Figure 17 Shown in Figure 16 The fluid filter depicted in the image has a filter element whose filter material is slightly contaminated;

[0055] Figure 18 Shown in Figure 16 The fluid filter depicted in the image has a filter element whose filter material is severely contaminated; and

[0056] Figure 19 Another embodiment of the filter element according to the invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Figure 1 A fluid filter 100 configured as an oil filter is shown. The fluid filter 100 includes a multi-piece filter housing 102, wherein the filter housing 102 has a housing base 104 and a housing cover 106. The cup-shaped housing cover 106 and the housing base 104 are threaded together via threads 108.

[0058] Furthermore, the fluid filter 100 has a support spindle 110 on which the filter element 10 is placed. The filter element 10 can be removed from the filter housing 102 of the fluid filter 100 by unscrewing the housing cover 106.

[0059] The filter element 10 has a surrounding pleated corrugated element as filter material 14, wherein the filter material 14 is used by the fluid to be filtered to flow from the untreated side 116 to the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 during operation. The filter material 14 is supported by a support structure 12. The support structure 12 includes an end plate 16, which is arranged at the end of the filter material 14 on the end side.

[0060] Furthermore, the fluid filter 100 includes a bypass valve 20, via which a bypass passage between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 can be released to ensure sufficient fluid flow through the fluid filter 100 even if the filter material 14 is heavily contaminated. As contamination increases, the closure body 22 of the bypass valve 20 undergoes axial movement within a guide sleeve toward a spring 28, wherein the spring 28 reacts to the axial movement of the closure body 22. Due to the axial movement of the closure body 22, the distance between the valve seat 26 and the closure body 22 increases as the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. The valve seat 26 is part of the contact body 24, which is an integral part of the end disc 16. As contamination of the filter material 14 increases, the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. When the pressure difference exceeds a limit, the bypass passage is released through the bypass valve 20.

[0061] The filter element 10 includes a filter element-side radio module 30. The filter element-side radio module 30 is an RFID transponder and is disposed on the enclosure 22 of the bypass valve 20. A housing-side radio module 112 is disposed on the filter housing 102. The housing-side radio module 112 is an RFID reader. The filter element-side radio module 30 and the housing-side radio module 112 are designed to communicate with each other. Because the filter element-side radio module 30 is disposed on the enclosure 22 of the bypass valve 20, it moves during the operation of the fluid filter 100 according to the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100, depending on the contamination state of the filter material 14. As the contamination state of the filter material 14 changes, the distance A between the filter element-side radio module 30 and the housing-side radio module 112 also changes. The contamination state of the filter material 14 can be detected by the variable distance A between the housing-side radio module 112 and the filter element-side radio module 30.

[0062] To detect the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side, the radio module 112 on the housing side can be connected to an electronic data processing device. This device analyzes and processes the signal transmitted from the radio module 30 on the filter element side to the radio module 112 on the housing side and / or the signal characteristics of that signal to determine the distance A between them. Preferably, the electronic data processing device is designed to analyze and process the signal strength and / or signal noise of the signal transmitted from the radio module 30 on the filter element side to the radio module 112 on the housing side and to determine the distance A between the radio modules 30 and 112 based on this analysis. Based on the distance A between the radio modules 30 and 112, the electronic data processing device can then determine the contamination state of the filter material 14. This contamination state is determined, for example, through a filter-specific, filter element-specific, or filter material-specific relationship between the distance A between the radio modules 30 and 112 and the contamination state of the filter material 14.

[0063] The filter-side radio module 30 is designed to obtain the energy required for communication with the housing-side radio module 112 from the electromagnetic field generated by the housing-side radio module 112. Therefore, the filter-side radio module 30 does not require its own power supply.

[0064] The radio module 30 on the filter element side is designed to transmit radio signals, through which other filter element-specific and fluid-specific characteristic parameters can be obtained, in addition to the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side. For example, the radio module 30 on the filter element side can transmit a filter element-specific flag, which can identify the currently used filter element 10. During the operation of the fluid filter 100, the radio module 30 on the filter element side can detect and record operating information related to the filter element and / or fluid-specific operating information, so as to transmit them to the radio module 112 on the housing side.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In the state shown, the filter material 14 of the filter element 10 is not contaminated, resulting in a relatively small pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. This pressure difference is small enough that the radially sealed closure 22 of the bypass valve 20 remains pressed against the valve seat 26 by the spring 28.

[0066] exist Figure 2 In the state shown, the filter material 14 has become slightly contaminated. The resulting increased pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 116 of the fluid filter 100 causes the enclosure 22, along with the radio module 30, to be pressed downwards against the spring 28. As the enclosure 22 moves, the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side increases. This change in distance can be detected by signal analysis processing of the radio signals transmitted from the radio module 30 on the filter element side to the radio module 112 on the housing side.

[0067] exist Figure 3 The following state is shown, in which the filter material 14 of filter element 10 is severely contaminated. The contamination of the filter material 14 causes a further increase in the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100, causing the closure 22 of the bypass valve 20 to press further against the spring 28. The distance A between the radio modules 30 and 112 also increases accordingly. The pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 has exceeded the pressure difference limit, causing the bypass line between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 to be released. The bypass line is formed by multiple through openings in the wall surrounding the closure 22. Once the closure 22 has passed through these through openings, at least a portion of the fluid can reach the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 unfiltered. The flow through the released through openings... Figure 3 This is represented by flowing arrows. Ideally, it should reach the point where... Figure 3Replace the filter element 10 before the state shown in the diagram to avoid opening the bypass line during operation of the fluid filter 100.

[0068] Figure 4 A snap hook is shown on the upper end plate 16 of the support structure 12, through which the filter element 10 is clamped into the surrounding groove of the housing cover 106. The snap hook and the guide sleeve of the guide closure 22 are integral components of the end plate 16.

[0069] Figure 5 An alternative arrangement of the radio module 112 on the housing side is shown. In this case, the radio module 112 on the housing side is arranged on the support spindle 110 of the filter housing 102, wherein the filter element 10 is placed on the support spindle 110.

[0070] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An embodiment with multiple filter-side radio modules 30a-30c is shown. These filter-side radio modules 30a-30c can move during operation of the fluid filter 100 according to the pressure difference between the untreated side and the clean side of the fluid filter 100 and communicate with the housing-side radio module 112 of the fluid filter 100 to detect the contamination state of the filter material 14. The number of filter-side radio modules 30a-30c communicating with the housing-side radio module 112 depends on their axial position and therefore on their distance from the housing-side radio module 112. Therefore, the distance A between the housing-side radio module 112 and the filter-side radio modules 30a-30c can be determined by the number of filter-side radio modules 30a-30c communicating with the housing-side radio module 112, so that the data processing device can then calculate the contamination state of the filter material 14. The filter-side radio modules 30a-30c are arranged overlapping each other.

[0071] exist Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the radio module 112 on the housing side is arranged on the housing cover 106. When the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases due to increased contamination of the filter material 14, the radio module holder 34 supporting the filter element side of the radio modules 30a-30c is pressed away from the housing side of the radio module 112, causing the distance between the filter element side of the radio modules 30a-30c and the housing side of the radio module 112 to increase as the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. In the illustrated state, the radio module holder 34, along with the radio modules 30a-30c, has not yet been pressed away from the housing side of the radio module 112 because the filter material 14 is not contaminated or only slightly contaminated. The radio module holder 34 moves together with the contact body 24 supporting the valve seat. When the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 increases, the contact body 24 and the closure body 22 of the bypass valve 20 first move axially away from the radio module 112 on the housing side. During this movement, the radio module 30c on the filter element side first leaves the receiving area of ​​the radio module 112 on the housing side. As the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 further increases, the contact body 24 and the closure body 22 move further axially, causing the radio module 30b on the filter element side and, if necessary, the radio module 30a on the filter element side to also leave the receiving area of ​​the radio module 112 on the housing side. By determining the number of radio modules 30a-30c on the filter element side communicating with the radio module 112 on the housing side, the data processing device can then determine the contamination state of the filter material 14.

[0072] Before the bypass valve 20 opens, the contact body 24 supporting the valve seat abuts against the stop surface 126, causing the closure body 22 to move further axially away from the radio module 112 on the housing side without moving the contact body 24 when the pressure difference further increases. The bypass valve 20 is opened by the relative movement between the closure body 22 and the contact body 24. Therefore, the closure body 22 is the part of the bypass valve 20 that performs the movement that opens the bypass valve 20. The contact body 24 supporting the valve seat is the part of the bypass valve 20 that remains stationary or does not move during the opening of the bypass valve 20.

[0073] Figure 7 One embodiment is shown in which the radio module 112 on the housing side is arranged in the support spindle 110 of the filter housing 102.

[0074] Figure 8 and 9The filter element 10 is shown, in which the radio module 30 on the filter element side is not arranged on the closure body 22, but on the contact body 24 of the carrier seat 26 of the bypass valve 20. The closure body 22 is also the part of the bypass valve 20 that moves to open the bypass valve 20. The contact body 24 of the carrier seat is also the part of the bypass valve 20 that remains stationary or does not move during the opening of the bypass valve 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure body 22 and the contact body 24 move together before the bypass valve 20 opens when the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. Therefore, when the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases, the contact body 24 of the carrier seat 26 also moves. By the axial movement of the contact body 24, the distance between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side arranged on the contact body 24 changes. In addition, a surrounding seal 32 is arranged on the contact body 24 for radial sealing between the contact body 24 and the sleeve guiding the contact body 24 on the end disc 16.

[0075] Figure 10 Shown with Figure 7 A variant of the embodiment shown is provided in which the filter element 10 has only one radio module 30 and the radio module 112 on the housing side is arranged on the support spindle 110 of the filter housing 102.

[0076] exist Figure 11 and 12 In the embodiment of the fluid filter 100 shown, the entire filter element 10 moves axially as the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. The radio module 30 on the filter element side is arranged in the radio module holder 34 of the filter element 10.

[0077] exist Figure 11 In the state shown, the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side is relatively small due to the relatively small pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100.

[0078] Figure 12The following state is illustrated, in which the filter material 14 of the filter element 10 is severely contaminated, resulting in a high pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. This high pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 has caused the filter element 10 to shift axially, thereby increasing the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side. By analyzing and processing the radio signals transmitted from the radio module 30 on the filter element side to the radio module 112 on the housing side, the distance A between the radio modules 30 and 112 can be determined, and thus the contamination state of the filter material 14 can be determined. This signal analysis and processing is performed using an electronic data processing device.

[0079] exist Figure 11 and Figure 12 The fluid filter 100 shown relates to a fuel filter, whose filter material 14 separates water from the fuel during filtration. The separated water collects in a collection area 120. Figure 13 and Figure 14 An embodiment with an additional floating radio module 40 is shown, wherein two different water levels W in the water collection area 120 are shown.

[0080] The radio module holder 34 has a float chamber 36 configured as a float cage in which a buoyant radio module 40 is disposed. The float cage 36 extends into the water collection area 120 of the fluid filter 100, where water separated from the fluid to be filtered during operation of the fluid filter 100 collects. The buoyant radio module 40 floats on the water collected in the water collection area 120, wherein the float cage 36 has a buoyancy area for the buoyant radio module 40, which allows the buoyant radio module 40 to rise as the water level W in the water collection area 120 of the fluid filter 100 increases. During operation of the fluid filter, the buoyant radio module 40 floats in the boundary layer between the fluid to be filtered on the untreated side of the fluid filter 100 and the water in the water collection area 120 of the fluid filter 100. As the water level W rises, the distance B between the radio modules 40 and 112 also increases. The distance B can be determined by analyzing and processing the radio signals transmitted from the floating radio module 40 to the radio module 112 on the shell side. The data processing device can then determine the water level in the water collection area 120 from the distance B. Furthermore, the contamination state of the filter material 14 can be determined from the radio module 30 and its distance A from the radio module 112 on the shell side. Radio modules 30 and 40 are different types of radio modules using different modulation methods, making their radio signals distinguishable. Moreover, each radio signal can be matched with the radio modules 30 and 40 according to the transmitted flag.

[0081] In another embodiment, the same radio module can also be used to detect both the water level and the contamination status of the filter material 14. By analyzing the time-varying spacing changes, the electronic data processing device can determine whether the spacing changes are due to axial movement of the entire filter element caused by an increase in pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118, or due to an increase in the water level W. In other words, in this case, analyzing the radio signal can distinguish between spacing changes caused by contamination and those caused by water level changes.

[0082] Figure 15A fluid filter 100 configured as a fuel filter is shown, wherein a radio module 30 on the filter element side has a temperature measuring device 38 and is designed to transmit temperature measurements to a radio module 112 on the housing side. The radio module 30 on the filter element side may include an additional microcontroller and one or more temperature sensors that constitute the temperature measuring device 38. The transmitted temperature measurements can be used for open-loop or closed-loop control of a heating device 114, which heats the fuel within the filter housing 102. The heating device 114 can be activated when the fuel temperature is too low. The one or more temperature sensors of the temperature measuring device 38 may be thermistors, such as negative temperature coefficient resistors. Furthermore, data processing devices can... Figure 15 In the embodiment shown, the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module 112 on the housing side is determined, and the contamination state of the filter material 14 is thus determined.

[0083] Figures 16 to 18 A fluid filter 100 with a bypass valve 20 is shown. The bypass valve 20 includes a contact body 24 that carries a valve seat and a closure body 22 on which a radially sealing and surrounding seal 32 is arranged. The closure body 22 is the part of the bypass valve 20 that moves to open the bypass valve 20. The contact body 24 that carries the valve seat is the part of the bypass valve 20 that is stationary or does not move during the opening of the bypass valve 20. A radio module 30 on the filter element side is arranged on the contact body 24.

[0084] Spring 122 acts on closed body 22 via intermediate member 124. Figure 16 In the state shown, the filter material 14 is not contaminated, so the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 is small, causing the spring 122 to press the enclosure 22 together with the contact body 24 and the radio module 30 upward to the maximum extent.

[0085] Figure 17 The following state is illustrated, in which the filter material 14 is more severely contaminated, causing the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 to cause the enclosure 22, along with the contact body 24 and the radio module 30, to move axially. Therefore, as the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases, the distance between the radio module 30 on the filter element side and the radio module (not shown) on the housing side changes.

[0086] As the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 further increases, the stop body 42 connected to the contact body 24 abuts against the stop surface 126, thereby preventing further axial movement of the contact body 24 and the radio module 30 on the filter element side. Due to the increased contamination of the filter material 14 and the consequent increase in the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100, the bypass valve 20 is opened.

[0087] exist Figure 18 The diagram shows the open bypass valve 20. Therefore, the radio module 30, which allows for the detection of contamination on the filter side, is positioned on the portion of the bypass valve 20 that remains stationary or does not move during the opening of the bypass valve 20.

[0088] exist Figure 19 In the filter element 10 shown, the radio module 30 on the filter element side is fixed to the elastomeric corrugated member 44. The elastomeric corrugated member 44 is connected to the support structure 12 of the filter element 10. The filter element 10 can, for example, be connected to... Figures 16 to 18 The filter housing 102 shown is used together such that the radio module 30 on the filter element side presses against the intermediate member 124 when the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases. Therefore, the elastomeric corrugated member 44 deforms when the pressure difference between the untreated side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 increases, wherein the radio module 30 on the filter element side simultaneously moves axially.

[0089] Figure Labels

[0090] 10 Filter Cartridges

[0091] 12. Support structure

[0092] 14 Filter Material

[0093] 16 End plate

[0094] 20 Bypass valve

[0095] 22 Closed body

[0096] 24 Contact bodies

[0097] 26 Valve seat

[0098] 28 Springs

[0099] 30, 30a-30c Radio Module

[0100] 32 Seals

[0101] 34 Radio module retainer

[0102] 36 Floating Chamber

[0103] 38 Temperature measuring device

[0104] 40 Radio Modules

[0105] 42 stop body

[0106] 44 Elastomer Corrugated Components

[0107] 100 fluid filter

[0108] 102 Filter housing

[0109] 104 Shell base

[0110] 106 Housing cover

[0111] 108 thread

[0112] 110 Support spindle

[0113] 112 Radio Module

[0114] 114 Heating device

[0115] 116 Untreated side

[0116] 118 Clean Side

[0117] 120 water catchment area

[0118] 122 Spring

[0119] 124 Middleware

[0120] 126 Stop surface

[0121] A Spacing

[0122] B Spacing

[0123] W water level

Claims

1. A filter element (10) for insertion into a filter housing (102) of a fluid filter (100), the filter element having Filter material (14) is designed to allow the fluid to be filtered to flow from the untreated side (116) to the clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100) during operation; The filter element-side radio modules (30, 30a-30c) are designed to move during operation of the fluid filter (100) based on the pressure difference between the untreated side (116) and the clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100), depending on the contamination state of the filter material (14), and communicate with the housing-side radio module (112) of the fluid filter (100) to detect the contamination state of the filter material (14). The distance (A) between the housing-side radio module and the filter element-side radio modules (30, 30a-30c) changes as the filter element-side radio modules (30, 30a-30c) move; and A bypass valve (20) or at least a portion thereof, wherein a radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side is disposed on or on the filter element side portion of the bypass valve (20) or integrated into or in the filter element side portion of the bypass valve (20), the bypass valve (20) having a movable closure (22), or the filter element side portion of the bypass valve (20) being a movable closure (22), the closure being designed to contact the bearing seat (26) of the bypass valve (20) relative to the pressure difference between the untreated side (116) and the clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100). (24) Movement, wherein the radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side is arranged on the closure (22) of the bypass valve (20) and / or designed to move together with the closure (22) of the bypass valve (20), the closure (22) being designed to shut off the bypass line between the untreated side (116) and the clean side (118) until the pressure difference between the untreated side (116) and the clean side (118) reaches the pressure difference limit and releases the bypass line when the pressure difference limit is reached, so that at least a portion of the fluid to be filtered can reach the clean side (118) from the untreated side (116) without penetrating the filter material (14). Its features are, The enclosure (22) is designed to move as the pressure difference increases below the pressure difference limit without releasing the bypass line.

2. The filter element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radio modules (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side are designed to transmit one or more radio signals, by means of which the distance (A) between the radio modules (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side and the radio module (112) on the housing side can be determined, and / or the radio signals allow the identification of the filter element (10) or the identification of the type of the filter element (10).

3. The filter element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The enclosure (22) is arranged in a guide sleeve designed to guide the enclosure (22) during movement caused by a pressure difference.

4. The filter element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter side includes a transponder or a transponder.

5. The filter element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side includes an RFID transponder or an RFID transponder.

6. A fluid filter (100) for filtering fluids, the fluid filter comprising: A filter housing (102) having a radio module (112) on the housing side, and A filter element (10) having radio modules (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side, the filter element (10) being designed to be inserted into the filter housing (102); The radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side and the radio module (112) on the housing side are designed to communicate with each other; Its features are, The filter element (10) is constructed according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The fluid filter (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The radio module (112) on the housing side is designed to receive one or more radio signals from the radio modules (30, 30a-30c) on the filter side, and the distance (A) between the radio modules (30, 30a-30c) on the filter side and the radio module (112) on the housing side can be determined by means of the radio signals.

8. A filtration system, which has —Fluid filters, and —Electronic data processing device, Its features are, The fluid filter (100) is constructed according to any one of claims 6 or 7, and the data processing device is designed to analyze and process one or more signals and / or their signal characteristics transmitted from the radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side to the radio module (112) on the housing side in order to determine the distance (A) between the radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side and the radio module (112) on the housing side.

9. The filtration system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electronic data processing device is designed to determine the distance (A) between the radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter side and the radio module (112) on the housing side based on the signal strength and / or signal noise of one or more signals.

10. The filtration system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The electronic data processing device is designed to determine the contamination status of the filter material (14) based on the distance (A) between the radio module (30, 30a-30c) on the filter element side and the radio module (112) on the housing side.

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