Filter and filter assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter and a filter assembly, comprising a pleated filter medium (2), an edge strip (3) which is fixed on one side of the filter medium (2), and at least one retaining element (4) which is associated with the edge strip (3), characterized in that the retaining element (4) is arranged on the edge strip (3). The edge strip (3) and the retaining element (4) form a locking structure (5) for fixing the filter (1) in a filter housing (6). The invention further comprises a filter assembly (22) having a filter housing (6) and the filter (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a filter having a pleated filter medium, an edge strip and at least one retaining element, wherein the edge strip is fastened to one side of the filter medium. The invention further relates to a filter assembly having a filter housing and a filter. Background Art

[0002] Filters for filtering fluids are generally known from the prior art. In particular, filters with pleated filter media are used for air filtration in vehicle cabins. The filter media can have different layers, wherein the design and properties of the different layers can determine the degree of separation of the filter and can be adapted to the respective purpose of use. Usually, the filter needs to be replaced after a predetermined period of use or in the event of severe contamination of the filter medium. For this purpose, the filter is designed so that it can be arranged replaceably, for example in a filter housing. Prior art

[0003] DE 202 21 005 U1 shows an air filter comprising a filter element and an air filter housing comprising an air filter opening which can be closed by means of a cover. The air filter has a sealing device for sealing between the air filter housing and the cover. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a filter which can be produced cost-effectively while having improved operability.

[0005] This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0006] The filter according to the invention comprises a pleated filter medium, an edge strip and at least one retaining element, wherein the edge strip is fixed to one side of the filter medium, wherein the retaining element is assigned to the edge strip, wherein the edge strip and the retaining element form a locking structure for fixing the filter in a filter housing.

[0007] The retaining element may have a retaining structure, wherein the retaining structure may have a latching flag and a handle section. The latching flag may be designed as a locking plate, so that the retaining element can be fixed in the filter housing by means of the locking plate in a form-fitting manner. It is also conceivable here that the latching flag is formed as a snap-on (bite-in) locking device or a latching nose. The filter can thus be detachably connected to the filter housing in order to improve the replaceability of the filter. Through the handle section, the connection between the filter and the filter housing can be established and disconnected again without tools, thereby improving the operability during assembly. Through the design of the retaining element including the latching section and the handle section, the filter can be removed from the filter housing simply, quickly and without tools. In particular, it is not necessary to fix the filter in the filter housing by a separate fixing mechanism, such as a cover and the like. For disassembly, the retaining element can be grasped on the handle section and bent in such a way that the latching mechanism, such as the latching flag or the latching nose, is disengaged from the fixing section of the filter housing, so that the filter can be removed.

[0008] The holding element can have a plate-shaped base body with two main sides, wherein the holding structure is assigned to a first main side facing away from the edge strip. The holding element can be arranged on the edge strip with a second main side facing the edge strip. The base body can be arranged on the narrow side of the edge strip. In particular, the base body can be arranged flush on one of the narrow sides of the edge strip. The edge strip can have an outer side facing away from the filter medium, wherein the holding element is arranged on the outer side of the edge strip.

[0009] The filter medium can be zigzag-shaped and have elongated fold walls and fold ridges. The filter surface of the filter medium is thereby increased. The filter medium can be arranged on the edge strip in such a way that the fold walls and fold ridges protrude substantially orthogonally from the edge strip.

[0010] The filter can have a sealing device for sealing the filter and the filter housing, wherein the sealing device is formed by an edge strip. The filter housing has a receiving space with a receiving opening, wherein the filter medium is pushed into the receiving space through the receiving opening. A circumferential gap is thus generated between the filter medium and the filter housing. The edges of the edge strip are formed in such a way that they abut against the filter housing in the assembled state in order to cover the gap and thus improve the sealing. Therefore, no separate sealing device is required for sealing the gap, so that the number of required components can be reduced in order to achieve low-cost production.

[0011] The edge strip can have a free end protruding beyond the filter medium at least on its long side, which end constitutes the sealing device. The free end can fill the gap between the filter medium and the filter housing in this way to improve the sealing. The free end can be elastically configured so that when the filter is introduced into the filter housing, the free end is deformed and compressed. This can compensate for unevenness of the gap, for example caused by manufacturing tolerances, and further improve the sealing. The edge strip can also have a free end protruding beyond the filter medium on its narrow side, which end constitutes the sealing device. This constitutes a surrounding sealing device. On the narrow side, an improved seal can also be achieved by a retaining element arranged there, which also constitutes a sealing device.

[0012] The retaining element and / or the edge strip can be formed from a nonwoven fabric, which can be produced cost-effectively and has very good filter properties.

[0013] The material of the edge strip may have a weight per unit area of ​​more than 140 g / m². The material of the edge strip may have a weight per unit area of ​​less than 800 g / m².

[0014] The material of the retaining element may have a weight per unit area of ​​more than 400 g / m². Preferably, the weight per unit area may be greater than 500 g / m². The material of the retaining element may have a weight per unit area of ​​less than 800 g / m². Preferably, the weight per unit area may be less than 700 g / m². In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material of the retaining element may have a weight per unit area of ​​approximately 580 g / m².

[0015] The retaining element and the edge strip can be formed in one piece and of the same material. This design can further reduce the number of components and thus further improve the operability during assembly and disassembly. Due to the material consistency, the filter can be manufactured as a component of a single variety, which can also improve reusability. In addition, the manufacturing process can be simplified because no assembly steps are required for the connection between the retaining element and the edge strip.

[0016] The retaining element can consist of an injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip can consist of a nonwoven fabric, wherein the retaining element is connected to the edge strip. The retaining element is designed as a shaped part. Preferably, the retaining element consists of a thermoplastic. The connection between the retaining element and the edge strip can be achieved by a material-locking connection. Preferably, the connection is produced by ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.

[0017] The filter may have at least one retaining element. The retaining element improves the handling of the filter and simplifies the assembly into the filter housing and the removal of the filter from the filter housing. According to a first advantageous design, two retaining elements are provided, which can be arranged on the edge strip on the two narrow sides of the edge strip respectively and oppositely. According to another advantageous design, two retaining elements are provided (in between), which are centrally arranged on the two long sides. It is also conceivable that only a single retaining element is provided, which extends beyond the two long sides. The number and arrangement of the retaining elements are therefore variable and can be adapted in particular to the available structural space. Correspondingly, the retaining elements can also be arranged on the end side of the filter in other areas.

[0018] Preferably, the arrangement of the two retaining elements is limited to the immediate (immediately adjacent) regions on the two narrow sides of the edge strip. The two retaining elements extend in the longitudinal direction of the edge strip preferably over less than 20% of the length of the edge strip in each case. The two retaining elements are thus arranged only in the end regions of the edge strip, so that no retaining elements are arranged in the central region of the edge strip between the end regions. The retaining elements are thus dimensioned smaller, so that less material is required for production, so that cost-effective production can be achieved.

[0019] The filter can be designed as an interior filter for mobile applications. One application is provided in particular in motor vehicles for filtering the vehicle cab.

[0020] The filter assembly according to the present invention comprises a filter housing and a filter according to the present invention, wherein the filter housing comprises a receiving space and a receiving opening, wherein the filter housing comprises a further locking structure, which is assigned to the receiving opening and is constructed complementary to the locking structure of the filter, so that the receiving opening can be closed by means of the locking structure of the filter.

[0021] The locking structure of the filter housing has at least one further retaining element, so that the retaining element of the filter can be fixed to the retaining element of the filter housing in order to connect the filter to the filter housing. Preferably, the retaining element of the filter housing has a shape complementary to the retaining element of the filter, so that the retaining element can be connected in a form-fitting manner. It is also conceivable that the retaining element can be connected in a force-fitting manner. The filter can be connected to the filter housing in a detachable manner in this way, thereby improving the operability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Next, the design of the filter according to the invention and the filter assembly according to the invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. They are schematically shown respectively:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the filter;

[0024] Figure 2 Figure 1 Another perspective of the filter;

[0025] Figure 3 Figure 1 Detailed view of the retaining element of the filter;

[0026] Figure 4 A perspective view of a second embodiment of the filter;

[0027] Figure 5 include Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a filter assembly of a filter;

[0028] Figure 6 include Figure 2 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a filter assembly of a filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figures 1 to 3 A first embodiment of a filter 1 according to the invention is shown. Figure 4 A second embodiment of the filter 1 according to the invention is shown. Firstly, the common features of both filters 1 are described together.

[0030] The filter 1 is designed as an interior filter for mobile applications, in particular for filtering the interior air of a motor vehicle.

[0031] The filter 1 shown in the figure has a pleated filter medium 2, an edge strip 3 and two retaining elements 4. The two retaining elements 4 are arranged on the edge strip 3 on two narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3, respectively, opposite each other. The edge strip 3 is fixed on one side of the filter medium 2. The retaining elements 4 are assigned to the edge strip 3. The edge strip 3 and the retaining elements 4 form a locking structure 5, which is used to fix the filter 1 in a filter housing. The filter housing is not shown here for a better overview.

[0032] The holding elements 4 each have a holding structure 12, wherein the holding structure 12 has a latching flag 13 and a grip section 14. The holding structure 12 is particularly suitable for Figure 3. The latching flags 13 are designed as latching tabs, so that each of the retaining elements 4 can be fixed in the filter housing in a form-fitting manner by means of the latching tabs. It is also conceivable here that the latching flags 13 are designed as snap-on closures or latching noses. The filter 1 can thus be detachably connected to the filter housing. The connection between the filter 1 and the filter housing can be established and disconnected again manually and without tools by means of the handle section 14.

[0033] The filter medium 2 is zigzag-shaped and has elongated fold walls 15 and fold ridges 16, thereby increasing the filter surface of the filter medium 2 in order to improve the filtering result. The filter medium 2 is arranged on the edge strip 3 in such a way that the fold walls 15 and the fold ridges 16 protrude from the edge strip 3 essentially orthogonally.

[0034] The filter 1 has a sealing device 7 for sealing the filter 1 and the filter housing, wherein the sealing device 7 is formed by the edge strip 3. For this purpose, the edge strip 3 has a free end 9 on its long side 8 and on its narrow side 11, which protrudes beyond the filter medium 2 and forms the sealing device 7. The free end 9 is in particular formed by Figure 1 It can be seen that the free end 9 can fill the gap between the filter medium 2 and the filter housing in such a way that the seal is improved. The free end 9 is of elastic design.

[0035] Figures 1 to 3 A first embodiment of the filter 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the retaining element 4 is made of an injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip 3 is made of a nonwoven fabric. The retaining element 4 is connected to the edge strip 3. The retaining element 4 is designed here as a molded part made of thermoplastic. The retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 are connected in a material-locking manner. Preferably, the connection is produced by ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.

[0036] The holding element 4 has a plate-shaped base body 17 with two main sides, wherein the holding structure 12 is assigned to a first main side 18 facing away from the edge strip 3. The holding element 4 is arranged on the edge strip 3 with a second main side facing the edge strip 3. The base body 17 is arranged on one of the narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The base body 17 is arranged flush on one of the narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The edge strip 3 has an outer side 19 facing away from the filter medium 2, wherein the holding element 4 is arranged on the outer side 19 of the edge strip 3.

[0037] The arrangement of the two retaining elements 4 is limited to directly adjacent end regions 20 on the two narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The two retaining elements 4 extend in the longitudinal direction of the edge strip 3 over less than 10% of the length of the edge strip 3. The two retaining elements 4 are thus arranged only in the end regions 20 of the edge strip 3, so that no retaining elements 4 are arranged in the central region 21 of the edge strip 3 between the end regions 20.

[0038] Figure 4 A second embodiment of the filter 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 are formed in one piece and of the same material. The retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 are formed from a nonwoven fabric. The material of the retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 has a weight per unit area of ​​approximately 580 g / m². In this embodiment, the retaining structure 12 of the retaining element 4 is directly integrated (formed in one piece) into the edge strip 3.

[0039] Figure 5 A first embodiment of a filter assembly 22 is shown. The filter assembly 22 comprises a filter housing 6 and a filter 1 which in this embodiment is Figure 1 Filter 1. Figure 6 A second embodiment of a filter assembly 22 is shown. The filter assembly 22 comprises a filter housing 6 and a filter 1 which in this embodiment is Figure 4 Filter 1. Next, let's explain Figure 5 and 6 The filter housing 6 shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 The corresponding filter 1 is described in the description of or 4.

[0040] The filter housing 6 has a receiving space and a receiving opening. In addition, the filter housing 6 has a further locking structure 10 which is assigned to the receiving opening and is configured complementary to the locking structure 5 of the filter 1 so that the receiving opening can be locked by means of the locking structure 5 of the filter 1.

[0041] The closure structure 10 of the filter housing 6 has two further retaining elements 23, so that the retaining element 4 of the filter 1 is fixed to the retaining elements 23 of the filter housing 6 in order to connect the filter 1 to the filter housing 6. The retaining elements 23 of the filter housing 6 have a shape complementary to the retaining elements 4 of the filter 1, so that the retaining elements 4, 23 can be connected in a form-fitting manner.

Claims

1. A filter (1) comprising a pleated filter medium (2), an edge strip (3) and at least one retaining element (4), wherein: The edge strip (3) is fixed to one side of the filter medium (2), wherein the retaining element (4) is assigned to the edge strip (3), characterized in that the edge strip (3) and the retaining element (4) form a locking structure (5) for fixing the filter (1) in a filter housing (6).

2. The filter according to claim 1, characterized in that The holding element (4) has a holding structure (12), wherein the holding structure (12) has a locking flag (13) and a grip section (14).

3. The filter according to claim 2, characterized in that The latching flags (13) are designed as latching tabs, so that the retaining element (4) can be fixed in the filter housing (6) in a form-fitting manner by means of the latching tabs.

4. The filter according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The connection between the filter (1) and the filter housing (6) is achieved without tools.

5. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The filter (1) comprises a seal (7) for sealing the filter (1) and a filter housing (6), wherein the seal (7) is formed by the edge strip (3).

6. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The edge strip (3) has, at least on its long sides (8), in each case a free end (9) protruding beyond the filter medium (2) and forming the seal (7).

7. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The retaining element (4) and / or the edge strip (3) consists of a nonwoven fabric.

8. The filter according to claim 7, characterized in that The material of the retaining element (4) has a weight per unit area of ​​more than 400 g / m².

9. The filter according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The material of the edge strip (3) has a weight per unit area of ​​more than 140 g / m².

10. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The retaining element (4) and the edge strip (3) are formed in one piece and from the same material.

11. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The retaining element (4) consists of an injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip (3) consists of a nonwoven fabric, wherein the retaining element (4) is connected to the edge strip (3).

12. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The filter (1) has two retaining elements (4).

13. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The filter (1) is designed as an interior filter for mobile use.

14. Filter arrangement comprising a filter housing (6) and a filter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The filter housing (6) has a receiving space and a receiving opening, wherein the filter housing (6) has a further locking structure (10) which is assigned to the receiving opening and is designed to be complementary to the locking structure (5) of the filter (1), so that the receiving opening can be closed by means of the locking structure (5) of the filter (1).

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