Filter element and assembly

Abstract

A filter cartridge having an arrangement of filter media (or media enclosure) extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge; and a first end cap disposed at the first end of the filter media piece and further defining an interior volume wherein the first end cap comprises a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, wherein the end cap is adapted to allow the displaceable portion to be displaced along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position by deformation of the deformable portion; wherein the displaceable portion comprises an inner surface portion, an outer surface portion, and a first member having an arrangement of projection-receptacles, the first member being arranged on the inner surface portion; and an associated filter assembly.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application is filed as a PCT international application on July 25, 2023 and claims the benefit and priority of European patent application EP22186803.7 filed on July 25, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to fluid filter cartridges or elements and associated filter assemblies, such as, for example, air filter elements. Background Art

[0004] Air cleaners are used to filter combustion intake air of internal combustion engines of various vehicles and other equipment, such as trucks; buses; off-road construction equipment; agricultural equipment; generator sets; etc. Such air cleaners generally include a housing having a removable and replaceable main filter cartridge positioned therein. The housing generally includes a service access cover for selectively accessing the filter cartridge received therein for service.

[0005] Some of the issues associated with air purifier devices with serviceable filter cartridges include, for example: ensuring proper installation and sealing; obtaining adequate support of the filter cartridge within the air purifier; ensuring the air purifier housing is protected against improper installation of the filter cartridge; ensuring the air purifier housing is protected against installation of an inappropriate filter cartridge; providing easy installation and removal; and being sturdy and compact.

[0006] The filter cartridge generally includes a seal adapted to seal against an interior surface of the housing when installed, thereby defining a clean air portion and a dirty air portion of an interior volume of the filter housing.

[0007] In some related art air cleaner assemblies, the filter cartridge should be prohibited from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge when installed to avoid loosening and / or damaging the sealing connection of the seal.

[0008] An air purifier has been disclosed in WO2009014988A1, which includes a central support structure or tower for supporting a filter cartridge in a filter housing. The distal surface of the support structure includes a serpentine wall. The end cap of the associated filter element includes a complementary serpentine wall structure. When the filter cartridge is supported by the support structure, the interaction between the corresponding serpentine structures makes the filter cartridge rotationally fixed relative to the support structure and the filter housing.

[0009] Expect some improvements. Summary of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filter cartridge and an associated filter assembly according to claim 1 .

[0011] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a filter cartridge or element is disclosed, preferably for use with an air cleaner assembly, the filter cartridge comprising:

[0012] a) an arrangement of filter media (or a media package) extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge; and

[0013] b) A first end cap, which is arranged at the first end of the filter medium element and further defines the internal volume portion, wherein the first end cap includes a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, wherein the end cap is suitable for allowing the displaceable portion to be displaced along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position by deformation of the deformable portion; wherein the displaceable portion includes an inner surface portion, an outer surface portion, and a first component having a protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure, and the first component is arranged on the inner surface portion.

[0014] An advantage of the disclosed filter cartridge is that after the filter cartridge is inserted into the housing, the filter cartridge is locked against rotation within the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing. This inhibits the filter cartridge from being released from its proper position when in use in the housing, for example when exposed to vibrations, for example, this inhibits the sealing element of the filter cartridge from being released from its proper position when in use, for example when exposed to vibrations. This is particularly significant when the filter cartridge is locked to the housing at its second end by a locking mechanism based on rotation of the filter cartridge about its longitudinal axis.

[0015] The disclosed filter cartridge also provides the advantage that the housing of a filter assembly including the disclosed filter element may require less material, in particular, the tower or central element support structure may have a shortened length, when compared to prior art solutions in which certain towers must extend upwardly to (the inner surface portion of) the non-deformable first end cap of the filter element to provide support and / or rotational locking.

[0016] The disclosed filter cartridge also provides the advantage that the filter element can have a relatively large internal volume or a relatively large internal length when the filter element is not correctly installed. If the first end cap is mated with a cover of a suitable predetermined housing, the cover of the housing will not be able to close, and various aspects of the cover of the housing will be further described below. Therefore, the disclosed filter cartridge provides the advantage that, for a suitable housing, the rotation lock will not be forgotten by the person performing maintenance.

[0017] Use of the disclosed filter cartridge in a filter assembly also provides the advantage that a standard, erroneous filter element will not utilize the rotational locking mechanism, thereby prompting the user to replace the filter cartridge with the correct filter cartridge.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is adapted to allow a displacement of the displaceable portion greater than 0.5 cm, greater than 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, preferably greater than 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm or 10 cm, or greater than 15 cm, or greater than 20 cm.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is adapted to allow a displacement of the displaceable portion of less than 25 cm, or less than 20 cm, or less than 15 cm, or less than 10 cm.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is suitable for allowing a displacement of the displaceable portion along the axis of the arrangement structure of the filter cartridge or the filter medium element, respectively, that is greater than 2.5%, or 5%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20% of the length of the filter cartridge; or greater than 2.5%, or 5%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20% of the length of the arrangement structure of the filter medium element; or greater than 2.5%, or 5%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20% of the length of the filter medium element.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is suitable for allowing the displacement of the displaceable portion along the axis of the arrangement structure of the filter cartridge or the filter medium element, respectively, to be less than 20%, or 15%, or 10% of the length of the filter cartridge; or less than 20%, or 15%, or 10% of the length of the arrangement structure of the filter medium element; or less than 20%, or 15%, or 10% of the length of the filter medium element.

[0022] Limiting the absolute or relative displacement of the displaceable portion may be advantageous for reducing restriction of air flow through the filter element.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformation of the deformable portion corresponding to the displacement of the displaceable portion is such that: for any position between the first position and the second position, there is a positive (towards the second position) bias or a negative (towards the first position) bias in the deformable portion. In other words, for any position between the first position and the second position, the deformable portion will automatically deform without external influence. In other words, the deformable portion is in a stable position in both the first position and the second position, and for any position between the first position and the second position, the deformable portion is in an unstable position. According to a preferred embodiment, the bias direction of the deformable portion is constant. According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the bias direction of the deformable portion changes at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position of the displaceable portion.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is partially stretchable or fully stretchable.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the first end cap is a closed end cap.Alternatively, the first end cap comprises at least one opening and is thus an open end cap.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge includes a second end cap located at the second end of the filter cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first end cap may be closed and the second end cap may be open, or the first end cap and the second end cap may be open.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the open end cap, preferably the second end cap, comprises a seal or sealing element which may be suitable for axial sealing or radial sealing. For example, the open end cap may comprise a polyurethane (PU) seal or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) seal, which is arranged to seal the inlet opening or outlet opening of the filter element against the filter housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the seal or sealing element may be suitable and arranged for axial sealing or for radially inward or radially outward sealing.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the seal or sealing element has N-fold rotational symmetry around the axis (mapping onto itself only for any rotation of 360 / N°; N is an integer), or has no rotational symmetry (N=1), and has a corresponding sealing surface in the filter housing.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the second end cap comprises means for locking the filter element relative to the housing, for example relative to the housing outlet, the locking means being adapted for locking by a rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the projection-receiver arrangement is of a type that blocks relative rotational movement between the projection and the receiver. Preferably, the first member comprises a protruding structure. Alternatively, the first member comprises a recessed structure.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the first member includes or is composed of the following: a fin, a rib, or other key-like structure, or a recess for receiving a corresponding fin, rib or other key-like structure. For example, the first member may include an N-fold rotationally symmetrical (N is an integer, including N=1) structure around the longitudinal axis; for example, the first member may include a structure with a regular star, cross, gear, regular polygon (such as a hexagon) or flower-shaped cross section; or include a recess suitable for receiving such a structure. N can, for example, define the number of angular positions at which the filter element can be installed in the corresponding housing.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the first member may include different cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for different axial positions. For example, at a first axial height of the first member (on a first axial portion; for example, toward the inner surface of the displaceable portion of the end cap), the cross-section may be one of the above cross-sections, such as a regular polygon (e.g., a hexagon), while at another axial height of the first member (on a second axial portion; for example, toward the outer portion of the displaceable portion), the cross-section may be annular.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the relative angular position between the first component of the arrangement structure with a protrusion-receiving part and the seal or sealing element without rotational symmetry or with N-fold rotational symmetry is predetermined. For example, the first component of the arrangement structure with a protrusion-receiving part can have N-fold rotational symmetry around an axis (including no rotational symmetry (N=1)), while the seal or sealing element has N-fold rotational symmetry around the same axis (mapped to itself only for any rotation of 360 / N°; N is an integer; or has no rotational symmetry (N=1)). The relative angular position of the first component of the arrangement structure with a protrusion-receiving part and the seal or sealing element is preferably fixed and can be such that: when the seal is received by the corresponding sealing surface in the housing, when the displaceable part moves between the first axial position and the second axial position along the longitudinal axis, the first component of the arrangement structure with a protrusion-receiving part is in the correct position to be received by the second component of the arrangement structure with a protrusion-receiving part. Advantageously, when the displaceable portion is in a first axial position (elongated state or shape, such as a convex shape), the filter element or filter cartridge can be rotated within the housing to find the correct angular position of the seal or sealing element. When the seal is correctly positioned, in particular but not only when it is correctly positioned in the correct angular position, the displaceable portion can be moved to a second axial position (shortened shape or state, such as a concave shape) and the rotation of the filter element around the longitudinal axis can be locked. Advantageously, when the seal is not in the correct angular position, the seal does not seal against the housing and the person installing the filter element is alerted because the displaceable portion cannot enter the second axial position (shortened state). According to a preferred embodiment, the arrangement structure of the filter media element or the media element packaging includes a folded media element arranged in a tubular manner, preferably, the folded media element defines a cylindrical or conical side wall.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter medium element is defined by a plane located at or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in a first axial position, the displaceable portion (or, for example, an outer surface portion of the displaceable portion) is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion (or, for example, an outer surface portion of the displaceable portion) is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to a side including the filter medium element (for example, a distance of less than 5 cm, or less than 3 cm, or less than 1 cm).

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter medium element defines a plane located at or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion (or, for example, the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion) is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion (or, for example, the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion) is spaced apart from the plane on the side where the filter medium element is located. According to a preferred embodiment, the filter medium element defines a plane located at or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion (or, for example, the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion) is spaced apart from the plane on the side opposite to the side including the filter medium element.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment,

[0037] a. the filter media member defines a plane located at or adjacent to a first end of the filter media member, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is located within the plane, or the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on a side of the filter media member; and

[0038] b. The displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on the side of the filter medium when the displaceable portion is in a second axial position, the second axial position being further from the plane than the first axial position.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion comprises one or more folding linear portions or portions with reduced thickness to allow the deformable portion to be folded in a predetermined manner. The predetermined manner may be predetermined, for example, to maximize the axial displacement of the displaceable portion or to allow the displaceable portion to have a predetermined axial displacement between the first position and the second position.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion comprises two or more folded linear portions or hinged portions, preferably, the deformable portion comprises two or more concentric folded linear portions or hinged portions, which are connected by: one or more rigid (annular or ring-shaped) portions, one or more flexible (e.g. annular or ring-shaped) portions, one or more stretchable (e.g. annular or ring-shaped) portions, or a combination of one or more rigid (annular or ring-shaped) portions and one or more flexible (e.g. annular or ring-shaped) portions and / or one or more stretchable (e.g. annular or ring-shaped) portions, for example, alternating in radial direction. It may be advantageous to include one or more flexible or stretchable (e.g. annular or ring-shaped) portions to facilitate the movement of the displaceable portion between the first position and the second position. It may be advantageous to provide a deformable portion that provides a tactile or haptic feedback to the user when the displaceable portion reaches the second position. The tactile or haptic feedback may be the result of interaction with a supporting structure of the housing as described below in the second aspect of the disclosure, such as a tower or supporting safety filter cartridge.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one folded linear portion or hinged portion is adjacent to or directly adjacent to the filter medium element, that is, in an axial projection, at least one folded linear portion or hinged portion is adjacent to or directly adjacent to the axial projection of the arrangement structure of the filter medium element or the inner surface portion of the medium element packaging element.

[0042] This provides the advantage of maximizing the axial distance of displacement of the displaceable portion.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is adapted to deform only above a predetermined axial threshold force or pressure. The predetermined axial threshold force or pressure is preferably greater than the force or pressure exerted by the pressure drop caused by a predetermined dust load of the filter media element on the filter cartridge, the predetermined dust load corresponding to the load requiring filter replacement so as not to substantially compromise system performance due to the filter cartridge.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is configured to move between a first axial position and a second axial position when subjected to a force in the range of 0.5 Newton to 100 Newton, for example applied by a user.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion comprises a gripping portion on an outer surface portion of the displaceable portion, thereby allowing the axial pulling force to be applied by at least one adult finger.

[0046] Advantageously, this feature will facilitate the manipulation of the displaceable portion between the first axial position and the second axial position, or facilitate the manipulation of the displaceable portion between the second axial position and the first axial position. According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion is non-deformable. According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion is adapted to be arranged not to deform under said manipulation of the deformable portion so that the displaceable portion moves between the first axial position and the second axial position. In some embodiments, the non-deformable portion has a stiffness that is at least three times the stiffness of the deformable portion. Preferably, the non-deformable portion is rigid. For example, the non-deformable portion may comprise or consist of a hard plastic.

[0047] Advantageously, the non-deformable displaceable portion provides better positioning and alignment of a first member having a boss-receiver arrangement, for example for coupling with a second member having a boss-receiver arrangement, for example when compared to a fully deformable end cap.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion is planar or substantially planar.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer surface portion may be planar or flat and without any axially protruding portion on the outer surface portion.

[0050] An advantage of a configuration with a planar or flat outer surface portion having a non-deformable displaceable portion is that the distance between the non-deformable portion and the cover can be minimal, resulting in a more compact filter housing.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the inner surface portion may be planar or flat apart from a first component having a projection-receiver arrangement arranged on the inner surface portion.

[0052] Advantageously, when a first member having a projection-receiver arrangement is received by a complementary second member having a projection-receiver arrangement provided on a support structure for supporting a filter cartridge arranged in the main filter housing, the distance between the support structure and the inner surface portion can be minimal, for example, the inner surface portion can rest on the end face of the distal end of the support structure, such as, for example, the inner surface portion can rest on the end face of a tower-shaped formation. This results in a more compact filter housing.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion and the deformable portion are such that: when the displaceable portion moves between the first axial position and the second axial position, the end cover (or a combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion; the deformable portion surrounds the displaceable portion) transforms between a generally convex shape and a generally concave shape, or the end cover (or a combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion; the deformable portion surrounds the displaceable portion) transforms between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape.

[0054] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a filter assembly is disclosed, the filter assembly comprising:

[0055] a. a main filter housing comprising a filter replacement opening and an internal volume for receiving a filter cartridge according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect;

[0056] b. a filter cartridge according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect operatively arranged into a main filter housing;

[0057] c. a cover member for closing the filter replacement opening of the main filter housing; and

[0058] d. A support structure, preferably a centrally arranged support structure for supporting a filter cartridge arranged in the main filter housing.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises a tower-like configuration or arrangement, and the first end of the support structure can be arranged, for example, to surround the inlet or outlet of the filter housing. The tower-like configuration comprises a distal end away from and opposite to the first end.

[0060] According to a further or alternative preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises a smaller second filter cartridge which is itself supported in the main filter housing by a support structure, such as, for example, a tower-like configuration or arrangement.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge is a main filter element and the smaller, second filter cartridge is a safety filter element.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises a second member having a projection-receiving arrangement at an axial end of the support structure, the support structure being arranged in the inner volume of the filter cartridge, and wherein the projection-receiving arrangement is engaged when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position and separated when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position. Preferably, the second member comprises a recessed structure. Alternatively, the second member comprises a protruding structure. According to a preferred embodiment, the second member comprises or is composed of a fin, a rib, or other key-like structure, or a recess for receiving such a corresponding fin, rib or other key-like structure. For example, the second member may comprise an N-fold rotationally symmetrical structure around the longitudinal axis; for example, the second member may comprise a structure having a cross section of a regular star, a cross, a gear, a regular polygon (such as a hexagon) or a flower; or a recess suitable for receiving such a structure. N may, for example, define the number of angular positions at which the filter element can be mounted in the corresponding housing.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the second member and the first member are complementary. According to a preferred embodiment, respective cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second member and the first member are complementary.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the cover includes an inward protrusion, preferably, the cover includes a centrally arranged inward protrusion, which is arranged adjacent to the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion to lock the displaceable portion to the second position, thereby fixing the arrangement structure of the protrusion-receiving portion.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the arrangement of filter media elements is greater than the axial length of the support structure element.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment, the axial distance between the first axial position of the displaceable element and the second end of the arrangement of filter medium elements is greater than the axial length of the central support structure.

[0067] As will be appreciated by a skilled person, features and advantages disclosed for one of the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure are also implicitly disclosed herein as being applicable to other aspects with corresponding adjustments or modifications under similar circumstances. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] The present disclosure will be further clarified by the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is a partial perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] 3( a ) and 3 ( b ) further illustrate additional features of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 3( c ) shows further details of the filter housing and filter assembly.

[0072] Figure 4 (a) and (b) in FIG. 1 show a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 5 (a) and (b) in FIG. 1 show a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 6 An alternative arrangement structure that can be applied to any one of the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0075] Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9(a) and Figure 9(b), Figure 10(a) and Figure 10(b), Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 Examples of configurations of the deformable portion are shown, and these examples may be applied to any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Fig.15 Additional preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The present disclosure will be described with respect to specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are schematic and non-limiting only. In the drawings, for illustrative purposes, the size of some elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale. Dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions in practice of the present disclosure.

[0078] Furthermore, in the description and the claims, the terms first, second, third and the like are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order.

[0079] Although various embodiments are referred to as “preferred,” these are to be construed as examples in which the disclosure may be implemented, rather than examples that limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0080] Figure 1 and Figure 2 3( a ) and 3 ( b ) also show additional features of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] The filter cartridge 1 comprises an arrangement of a filter medium element 2 of the pleated filter type, which is arranged in a tubular configuration and extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end 21 and a second end 22 and defines an inner volume 20 of the filter cartridge 1. The pleated filter pack comprises, for example, pleats with a constant pleat height, so that both the radially inner and outer surface portions of the medium element 2 have cylindrical envelopes, the respective cylindrical envelopes being arranged concentrically, i.e., along a common axis.

[0082] A first end cap 3, typically made of a polymer material, is arranged at or on a first axial end 21 of the filter medium 2, the first end cap 3 further defining an inner volume 20. The end cap is bonded to the first end 21 in a sealed manner. For example, the end cap 3 can be bonded by plastic injection molding the end cap to the arrangement structure of the filter medium or the packaging of the medium 2, or the end cap 3 can be bonded by direct bonding, or by gluing, or using a potting material. In the aspect that the first end cap does not include a through opening for a fluid, the first end cap is preferably a closed end cap, and the fluid is preferably air.

[0083] The first end cap 3 comprises a centrally located displaceable portion 32 and a deformable portion 31 surrounding the displaceable portion 32. The end cap 3 is adapted to allow the displaceable portion 32 to be displaced along the longitudinal axis in at least a first axial position (P1; Figure 1 ) and the second axial position (P2; Figure 2 ). The filter medium member 2 defines a plane P located at the first end 21 of the filter medium member 2, or the filter medium member 2 defines a plane P adjacent to the first end 21 of the filter medium member 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the first axial position P1, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced apart from the plane P on a side opposite to the side including the filter medium member 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the second axial position P2, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced apart from the plane P on one side of the filter medium member 2.

[0084] The centrally positioned displaceable portion 32 is preferably disc-shaped and includes an annular circumferential portion. The deformable portion 31 is an annular portion 313, which preferably includes an annular radial inner portion and an annular radial outer portion. On the radial inner portion, the annular portion 313 is connected to / connected to the circumferential portion of the displaceable portion 32. On the radial outer portion, the annular portion 313 is connected to the fixed annular portion 30 of the end cover 3 (the portion of the end cover 3 that is attached to the arrangement structure of the filter medium piece or the first axial end of the medium piece 2), adjacent to or directly adjacent to the inside of the filter medium piece, that is, in axial projection, the annular portion 313 is close to (for example, within a radial distance of 5 mm, or 3 mm, or 1 mm) the axial projection of the inner surface portion of the arrangement structure of the filter medium piece.

[0085] Here, the end cap can have a constant thickness, but generally, different parts can have different thicknesses. For example, the displaceable portion can have a first thickness, and the deformable portion can have a different second thickness. For example, the second thickness can be less than the first thickness. The deformable portion 31 also includes one or more folded linear portions 311 or portions 311 with reduced thickness to allow the deformable portion 31 to be folded in a predetermined manner. These folded linear portions 311 or portions 311 with reduced thickness can also be referred to as hinged portions 311, and these folded linear portions 311 or portions 311 with reduced thickness are concentrically arranged in the first end cap 3, preferably, these folded linear portions 311 or portions 311 with reduced thickness are concentrically arranged in the first end cap 3 in a symmetrical manner around the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1. Here, the deformable portion includes two concentric hinged portions 311 connected by a single rigid annular portion 313 , but alternatively, the two concentric hinged portions 311 may also be connected by a single flexible annular portion 313 .

[0086] The deformable portion is adapted to deform only at a predetermined axial threshold force or pressure which is higher than the force or pressure applied by the pressure differential caused by a predetermined dust load of the filter media elements of the arrangement of filter media elements 2. During use, preferably, the displaceable portion 32 should not be able to move between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2) due to pressure accumulated on the filter element 1.

[0087] The displaceable portion 32 includes an inner surface portion 321 , an outer surface portion 322 , and a first member 3211 having a protrusion-receiving arrangement, the first member 3211 being arranged on the inner surface portion 322 , the first member 3211 being embodied here as a fin or rib 3211 having an elongated shape.

[0088] The first member 3211 having a projection-receiving arrangement is received by a corresponding second member 141 having a projection-receiving arrangement, which is arranged on a central support structure 14 for supporting a filter cartridge arranged in the main filter housing 10 (see FIGS. 3( a) and 3( b)). Here, the support structure is a tower-shaped configuration having a first end, which is arranged around an inlet or outlet of the filter housing 10. The tower-shaped configuration 14 includes a distal end away from the first end and at a position opposite to the first end, and the distal end includes an end surface portion 142. The end surface portion includes a narrow groove 141 for receiving a fin or rib 3211 and locking the rotational freedom of the filter element around the longitudinal axis of the filter element.

[0089] The filter cartridge 1 also includes a second end cap 5 arranged on or at the second end of the filter medium, the second end cap being open and further defining the internal volume portion of the filter cartridge 1. The second end cap 5 is bonded to the second end 22 in a sealed manner. For example, the end cap may also be bonded by plastic injection molding the end cap onto the media packaging 2, or the end cap may be bonded by direct bonding, or by gluing, or by using a potting material. In terms of the second end cap 5 including a through opening for a fluid, the second end cap 5 is an open end cap, and the fluid is preferably air. The second end cap 5 includes a circumferential seal 6 around the through opening, which in this example is arranged to be suitable for axial sealing, i.e., for sealing in the axial direction toward the filter housing 10. Alternatively, the seal 6 may be arranged to be suitable for sealing radially inward or outward toward the filter housing 10.

[0090] The displaceable portion 32 further includes a gripping portion 323 on an outer surface portion 322 of the displaceable portion 32, allowing at least one adult finger to apply an axial pulling force, thereby assisting manipulation of the displaceable portion 32 from the second position to the first position.

[0091] As shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c), when the displaceable portion 32 is in the first ("elongated") state, the filter assembly including the disclosed filter cartridge 1 can receive the filter cartridge 1 into the housing 10. Therefore, the element forms a seal with the housing 10 (Figure 3(a)). Then, by pushing the displaceable portion toward the tower-shaped configuration 14, so that the deformable portion 31 is deformed in a predetermined manner, the displaceable portion 32 can be brought into the second ("shortened") state. The tower-shaped configuration 14 includes a narrow groove 141 located at the distal surface portion 142 of the tower-shaped configuration 14, and the narrow groove 141 receives the rib or fin 3211 of the displaceable portion 32, which is a step for locking the filter element 1 from rotating along the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1 (Figure 3(b)). The housing 10 also includes a housing cover 13. Preferably, the cover includes a protrusion 131 located on the lower surface of the cover (pointing to the internal volume of the housing), and the protrusion 131 is arranged to lock the axial movement of the displaceable portion 32 of the filter cartridge 1 by contacting the displaceable portion or by being directly adjacent to the displaceable portion. After installation, the tower-shaped configuration 14 reaches the internal volume 20 of the filter element 1 and extends upward to a level below the plane P of the first end 21 of the filter medium member 2. Figure 3(c) shows additional details of a general filter housing 10 and an air purifier assembly 100, which for simplicity are not described in association with other embodiments. The main filter housing 100 includes a filter replacement opening 15 and an internal volume 16 for receiving the filter cartridge 1, and the filter cartridge 1 is operatively arranged in the main filter housing 10. The cover 13 closes the main filter housing 10. The housing also includes a fluid inlet 11 for receiving a fluid to be filtered (such as a gas, e.g., air) and a fluid outlet 12 for directing the filtered fluid out of the housing 10 after the fluid has been filtered by the media of the filter cartridge 1. The support structure / tower-like configuration is arranged with a second end located near the outlet 12 of the housing 10, and the second end preferably surrounds the outlet 12.

[0092] Figure 4 (a) and (b) in the figure show a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is similar to the first preferred embodiment, but the difference is that the displaceable portion 32 is in the first position (P1 ( Figure 4 (a)) and the second position (P2( Figure 4The filter cartridge 1 can be used in an associated filter assembly in which the support structure / tower 114 extends upward to a level above the plane P at the first end 21 of the filter medium member 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the first axial position P1, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced apart from the plane P on the side opposite to the side including the filter medium member 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the second axial position P2, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced apart from the plane P on the side opposite to the side including the filter medium member 2. The second axial position P2 is closer to the plane P than the first axial position P1.

[0093] Figure 5 (a) and (b) in the figure show a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is also similar to the first preferred embodiment, but the difference is that the displaceable portion 32 is in the first position (P1 ( Figure 5 (a)) and the second position (P2( Figure 5 The displacement properties between (b) in FIG. 1 and (c) are shown in FIG. 1 . When the displaceable portion is in the first axial position and the second axial position, the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane P on one side of the filter medium; and the second axial position P2 is further from the plane P than the first axial position P1. The tower-shaped formation 114 reaches into the inner volume 20 of the filter element 1 and extends upwards until it is well below the level of the plane P at the first end 21 of the filter medium 2.

[0094] Figure 6 An alternative arrangement structure is shown that is applicable to any of the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure. The support structure for the filter cartridge 1 is a smaller second filter cartridge 1', which is itself supported in the main filter housing 10 by a support structure or tower 14. In practice, the second filter cartridge 1' can be a safety filter cartridge. The second filter cartridge 1' has an arrangement structure of a filter medium member 2', for example, arranged in a tubular configuration between a first end 21' and a second end 22'. The second filter cartridge 1' includes a first end cap 3' and a second end cap 5' located at the second end 22', the first end cap 3' is preferably closed, and the second end cap 5' is preferably open. These end caps can be attached to the corresponding ends of the arrangement structure of the filter medium member 2' in the manner disclosed in the first filter cartridge 1. The end cap 3' includes a second component 141' having a protrusion-receiving arrangement structure located on the outer surface portion of the end cap 3', the second component is, for example, a recess or a groove, and the second component is suitable for cooperating with a fin or rib or other structure of a first component 3211 having a protrusion-receiving arrangement structure arranged on the inner surface portion 321 of the displaceable portion 32 of the first filter cartridge 1.

[0095] Here, the interaction described above between the first member 3211 with a projection-receiving arrangement arranged on the inner surface portion 321 of the displaceable part 32 and the supporting structure 14, 142, 141 is performed in the same manner as the interaction between the first member 3211 with a projection-receiving arrangement arranged on the inner surface portion 321 of the displaceable part 32 and the second member with a projection-receiving arrangement 141' included in or arranged on the first end cap 3' of the second filter cartridge 1'. The second filter cartridge 1' may include an axial or radial circumferential seal 6' located on the second end cap 5', which seals against the tower 14 or against another part of the housing 10. The second filter cartridge 1' has a rotational fixing relative to the housing 10 or the tower 14, so that the first filter cartridge 1' cannot also rotate around the axis of the filter cartridge 1' in the filter housing 10.

[0096] Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9(a) and Figure 9(b), Figure 10(a) and Figure 10(b), Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 as well as Fig.14 Examples of configurations of deformable portions are shown, which can be applied to any embodiment of the present disclosure. All examples describe that the filter cartridge 1 includes a first end cap 3 arranged at the first end 21 of the filter medium member 2, the first end cap 3 including a deformable portion 31 and a displaceable portion 32 surrounded by the deformable portion 31, wherein the end cap 3 is suitable for allowing the displaceable portion 32 to be displaced between at least a first axial position and a second axial position along the longitudinal axis by deformation of the deformable portion 31. The displaceable portion 32 includes an inner surface portion 321, an outer surface portion 322, and a first member 3211 having a protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure, the first member 3211 being arranged on the inner surface portion 322, the first member 3211 being, for example, a fin-shaped member or a rib-shaped structural member. The first end cap 3 also includes a fixed annular portion 30 (a portion of the end cap 3 that is attached to the arrangement structure of the filter medium member or the first axial end of the medium member 2). The displaceable portion 32 preferably further includes a gripping portion 323 located on an outer surface portion 322 of the displaceable portion 32, which is not depicted for simplicity of the drawing.

[0097] For example, in Figure 7In the embodiment, the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is entirely made of plastic, preferably, the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is entirely made of hard plastic. The deformable portion 31 is articulated with the displaceable portion 32 on one side and with the portion 30 of the end cap 3 attached to the arrangement of the filter medium element 2 or the first axial end of the medium element on the opposite side. The first member 3211 is also made of hard plastic.

[0098] Figure 8 A similar example is shown, in which the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is entirely made of plastic, preferably, the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is entirely made of hard plastic, but in which the deformable portion 31 comprises two (more generally a plurality of) concentric annular pieces connected by an articulated connection. The deformable portion 31 also forms an articulated connection with the portion 30 of the end cap 3 attached to the arrangement of the filter medium element 2 or the first axial end of the medium element and with the displaceable portion 32.

[0099] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show the following example: wherein the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is made of a polyurethane (PU) material that is preferably soft, preferably foamed, and preferably applied by potting. This material can be stretched when it has a relatively small thickness, but is less stretchable or non-stretchable for a relatively large thickness. The portion 30 of the end cap 3 that is attached to the arrangement structure of the filter medium element 2 or the first axial end of the medium element, and the displaceable portion 32 have a relatively large thickness and do not deform under typical operation according to the present disclosure. The deformable portion 31 is thinner and stretches under the action of the applied downward force / pressure. The first member 3211 is also made of PU material, or the first member 3211 can be, for example, a hard plastic component embedded in the PU material of the displaceable portion 32.

[0100] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) show an example similar to Figures 9(a) and 9(b), wherein the displaceable portion 32 of the first member 3211 is entirely made of hard plastic, and wherein the displaceable portion 32 is embedded in the PU material portion constituting the remainder of the first end cap 3 (30, 31).

[0101] Fig.11 Shown with Figure 8 An example similar to the example of , but wherein the first member 3211 includes a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0102] Fig.13 Shown based on Figure 8 and Fig.11Another example of a configuration, but in which the fixed portion 30 includes the PU discussed in the example of Figure 9 or is composed of the PU discussed in the example of Figure 9. The fixed portion 30 embeds the anchored end portion 3a of the plastically deformable portion 31, for example by overmolding the PU on the anchored end portion 3a of the (e.g. hard) plastically deformable portion 31. It should be understood that the anchored end portion 3a of the deformable portion 31 is not deformed, and only the complementary portion of the deformable portion 31 can be deformed. In another viewpoint, the anchored end portion 3a of the deformable portion 31 is part of the fixed annular portion 30 of the first end cap 3.

[0103] Fig.12 Another example is shown. The fixed part 30 of the first end cap and the displaceable part 32 including the first member 3211 include plastic or are made of plastic, preferably, the fixed part 30 of the first end cap and the displaceable part 32 including the first member 3211 include hard plastic or are made of hard plastic. The deformable part 31 forms a stretchable connection between the fixed part 30 and the displaceable part 32, and the deformable part 31 includes TPE material or is composed of TPE material, preferably, the deformable part 31 includes stretchable TPE material or is made of stretchable TPE material. Preferably, the displaceable part is preferably embedded in the circumferential direction by the TPE material of the deformable part 31.

[0104] Fig.14 Another example is shown, in which the first end cap 3 (fixed part 30, deformable part 31, displaceable part 32) comprises or consists of TPE. Alternative examples can be based on a combination of features of the different parts 30, 31, 32, 3211 for the first end cap 3 described in the previous examples.

[0105] Fig.15Another advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. A fixed portion 30 is adapted to be fixed to a filter medium member 2, the fixed portion 30 comprising an annular slot 300 for receiving an axial end portion of a tubular filter medium member 2. The fixed portion 30 preferably comprises a hard plastic material and preferably extends radially into the inner volume 20 of the filter element 1 to a limited extent (e.g., 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm). The deformable portion (31, 31') is "virtually" described as being in a first axial position and a second axial position, the deformable portion comprising a flexible and / or stretchable material. The deformable portion connects the fixed portion 30 with a displaceable portion 32, the displaceable portion 32 comprising a first member 3211 having a protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure, the first member 3211 protruding into the inner volume 20. In this case, the displaceable portion 32 is constituted by the first member 3211, but this is not necessary. The first member comprises different cross sections for different axial positions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At a first axial height of the first member 3211, on a first axial portion 3211b positioned toward the inner surface of the displaceable portion of the end cap, the cross section is a regular polygon (hexagon). At another axial height of the first member, on a second axial portion 3211a toward the outer portion of the displaceable portion of the end cap, the cross section is circular.

[0106] This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the subject matter.It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

[0107] Protection can be claimed for:

[0108] 1. A filter cartridge for an air cleaner assembly, the filter cartridge comprising:

[0109] a) an arrangement of filter media extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge; and

[0110] b) a first end cap disposed at a first end of the filter medium element and further defining the interior volume, the first end cap comprising a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, wherein the end cap is adapted to allow the displaceable portion to be displaced along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position by deformation of the deformable portion; and

[0111] The displaceable portion includes an inner surface portion, an outer surface portion, and a first member having a projection-receiving portion arrangement structure, wherein the first member is arranged on the inner surface portion.

[0112] 2. The filter cartridge according to item 1, wherein the projection-receiving portion arrangement structure is of the following type: the projection-receiving portion arrangement structure of the type blocks relative rotational movement between the projection and the receiving portion.

[0113] 3. A filter element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first member comprises fins, or ribs, or other key-like structures.

[0114] 4. A filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the filter medium element is defined by a plane located at the first end of the filter medium element or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to a side including the filter medium element.

[0115] 5. A filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the filter medium element is defined by a plane located at the first end of the filter medium element or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on the side where the filter medium element is located.

[0116] 6. A filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 4, wherein the filter medium element is defined by a plane located at or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to a side including the filter medium element.

[0117] 7. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 3, wherein:

[0118] a. the filter medium element defines a plane located at or adjacent the first end of the filter medium element, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on the side of the filter medium element; and

[0119] b. The displaceable portion is spaced apart from the plane on the side of the filter medium when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the second axial position being further from the plane than the first axial position.

[0120] 8. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first end cap is made of a single material.

[0121] 9. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the deformable portion comprises one or more fold lines or portions of reduced thickness to allow the deformable portion to fold in a predetermined manner.

[0122] 10. The filter cartridge of any of the preceding items, wherein the first end cap is a closed end cap.

[0123] 11. The filter cartridge of any of the preceding items, further comprising a second end cap disposed at the second end of the filter media piece, the second end cap being open.

[0124] 12. The filter cartridge of item 11, wherein the second end cap comprises a circumferential seal.

[0125] 13. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displaceable portion comprises a gripping portion on an outer surface of the displaceable portion, thereby allowing an axial pulling force to be applied by at least one adult finger.

[0126] 14. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the deformable portion comprises two (concentric) hinged portions connected by a rigid (annular) portion.

[0127] 15. The filter cartridge of any of the preceding items, wherein the deformable portion is adapted to deform only at a predetermined axial threshold force that is greater than the force exerted by a pressure drop caused by a predetermined dust load of the filter media element.

[0128] 16. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displaceable portion is non-deformable.

[0129] 17. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displaceable portion is generally planar.

[0130] 18. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion is planar.

[0131] 19. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, wherein, except for the first member having a projection-receiver arrangement arranged on the inner surface portion of the displaceable portion, the inner surface portion is planar.

[0132] 20. The filter cartridge of any of the preceding items, further comprising a second end cap disposed at the second end of the filter media piece, the second end cap being open, and the second end cap comprising a circumferential seal.

[0133] 21. A filter cartridge according to item 20, wherein the first component having the protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure has N-fold rotational symmetry around an axis, and the seal or sealing element has N-fold rotational symmetry around the same axis, and the relative angular position of the first component and the seal or sealing element is predetermined.

[0134] 22. A filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the displaceable portion and the deformable portion are such that: when the displaceable portion moves between the first axial position and the second axial position, the first end cover (or a combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion) transitions between a generally convex shape and a generally concave shape, or the first end cover (or a combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion) transitions between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape.

[0135] 23. A filter assembly, comprising:

[0136] a. A main filter housing comprising a filter replacement opening and an internal volume for receiving a filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding items;

[0137] b. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding items, operatively arranged into the main filter housing;

[0138] c. a cover for closing the filter replacement opening of the main filter housing; and

[0139] d. A support structure, preferably central, for supporting the filter cartridge disposed in the main filter housing.

[0140] 24. The filter assembly of item 23, wherein the support structure comprises a tower-like configuration.

[0141] 25. A filter assembly according to clause 23 or 24, wherein the support structure comprises a smaller second filter cartridge which is itself supported in the main filter housing.

[0142] 26. A filter assembly according to any one of items 23 to 25, wherein the supporting structure includes a second member having a protrusion-receiving arrangement structure located at an axial end of the supporting structure, the supporting structure is arranged within the internal volume portion of the filter cartridge, and wherein the protrusion-receiving arrangement structure is engaged when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, and the protrusion-receiving arrangement structure is separated when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position.

[0143] 27. A filter assembly according to item 26, wherein the cover includes an inward protrusion, preferably, the cover includes a centrally arranged inward protrusion, which is arranged to be adjacent to the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion to lock the displaceable portion to the second position, thereby fixing the protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure.

[0144] 28. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding items 23 to 27, wherein the axial length of the arrangement of filter media is greater than the axial length of the support structure.

[0145] 29. The filter assembly according to any of the preceding items 23 to 28, wherein an axial distance between the first axial position of the displaceable element and the second end of the arrangement of the filter media is greater than an axial length of the central support structure.

Claims

1. A filter cartridge (1) for an air purifier assembly (100), the filter cartridge (1) comprising: a) an arrangement of filter media (2) extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end (21) and a second end (22) and defining an interior volume (20) of the filter cartridge (1); and b) a first end cap (3), the first end cap (3) being arranged at the first end (21) of the filter medium element (2) and further defining the inner volume (20), the first end cap (3) comprising a deformable portion (31) and a displaceable portion (32) surrounded by the deformable portion (31), wherein the end cap (3) is adapted to allow the displaceable portion (32) to be displaced along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position (P1) and a second axial position (P2) by deformation of the deformable portion (31); and The displaceable portion (32) includes an inner surface portion (321), an outer surface portion (322), and a first component (3211) having a protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure, and the first component (3211) is arranged on the inner surface portion (322).

2. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The projection-receiver arrangement is of the type that blocks a relative rotational movement between the projection and the receivable.

3. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The filter medium element (2) defines a plane located at the first end (21) of the filter medium element (2) or adjacent to the first end (21) of the filter medium element (2), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the first axial position (P1), the displaceable portion (32) is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion (32) is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to a side including the filter medium element (2).

4. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The filter medium element (2) defines a plane (P) located at the first end (21) of the filter medium element (2) or adjacent to the first end (21) of the filter medium element (2), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion (32) is spaced apart from the plane on the side where the filter medium element (2) is located.

5. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein: The filter medium element (2) defines a plane (P) located at the first end (21) of the filter medium element (1) or adjacent to the first end (21) of the filter medium element (1), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to a side including the filter medium element.

6. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, wherein: a. the filter medium element (2) defines a plane (P) located at or adjacent to the first end of the filter medium element (2), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the first axial position (P1), the displaceable portion (32) is located in the plane, or the displaceable portion (32) is spaced apart from the plane on the side of the filter medium element (2); as well as b. When the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is spaced apart from the plane (P) on the side where the filter medium element (2) is located, and the second axial position (P2) is farther from the plane than the first axial position (P1).

7. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first end cap (3) is made of a single material.

8. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The deformable portion (31) includes one or more folding linear portions (311) or portions (312) having a reduced thickness to allow the deformable portion (31) to be folded in a predetermined manner.

9. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The displaceable portion (32) includes a gripping portion (323) located on the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion (32) so as to allow an axial pulling force to be applied by at least one adult's finger.

10. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The deformable portion (31) comprises two (concentric) articulated portions (311) connected by a rigid (annular) portion (313).

11. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The deformable portion (31) is adapted to deform only at a predetermined axial threshold force that is greater than the force exerted by a pressure drop caused by a predetermined dust load of the filter medium element (2).

12. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The displaceable portion (32) is non-deformable.

13. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The displaceable portion (32) is generally planar.

14. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The outer surface portion (322) of the displaceable portion (32) is planar.

15. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Apart from the first member (3211) having a projection-receiver arrangement arranged on the inner surface portion (321) of the displaceable part (32), the inner surface portion (321) is planar.

16. The filter cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second end cap (5) arranged at the second end of the filter medium element, the second end cap (5) being open and comprising a circumferential seal (6).

17. The filter cartridge of claim 16, wherein: The first component (3211) having the protrusion-receiving portion arrangement structure has N-fold rotational symmetry around an axis, and the seal or sealing element (6) has N-fold rotational symmetry around the same axis, and the relative angular positions of the first component (3211) and the seal or sealing element (6) are predetermined.

18. The filter cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The displaceable portion (32) and the deformable portion (31) are such that: when the displaceable portion (32) moves between the first axial position and the second axial position, the first end cover (3) (or a combination of the displaceable portion (32) and the deformable portion (31)) transforms between a generally convex shape and a generally concave shape, or the first end cover (3) (or a combination of the displaceable portion (32) and the deformable portion (31)) transforms between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape.

19. A filter assembly (100), comprising: a. A main filter housing (10) comprising a filter replacement opening (11) and an internal volume (12) for receiving a filter cartridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; b. The filter cartridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said filter cartridge (1) being operatively arranged in said main filter housing (10); c. a cover (13) for closing the filter replacement opening (11) of the main filter housing (10); as well as d. A supporting structure (14), the supporting structure (14) being used to support the filter cartridge (1) arranged in the main filter housing (10).

20. The filter assembly of claim 19, wherein: The support structure (14) includes a second member (141) having the projection-receiving arrangement structure located at an axial end (142) of the support structure (4), the support structure (4) being arranged in the internal volume portion (20) of the filter cartridge (1), and wherein the projection-receiving arrangement structure is engaged when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2) and is separated when the displaceable portion (32) is in the first axial position (P1).

21. The filter assembly (100) according to claim 20, wherein: The cover (13) includes an inward protrusion (131), preferably, the cover (13) includes a centrally arranged inward protrusion (131), and the inward protrusion (131) is arranged to be adjacent to the outer surface portion of the displaceable portion (32) to lock the displaceable portion (32) to the second position, thereby fixing the arrangement structure of the protrusion-receiving portion.

22. A filter assembly according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein The axial length of the arrangement structure of the filter medium element (2) is greater than the axial length of the support structure element (4).

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