Ambient air filter device and filter element in ambient air filter device

Abstract

An ambient air filter device (100) for arrangement in a front area of a vehicle comprises a spacer element (30) for mounting to a cooler of the vehicle and a filter element (10) arranged on the spacer element (30) and comprising a comb-like structure, the filter element (10) further comprises an air inlet side (32) and an air outlet side (34) for flowing air therethrough in a flow direction (60). The spacer element (30) comprises a plurality of pegs (40) on the top side (28) for insertion into the filter element (10) in an insertion direction (50). The filter element (10) further comprises a filter media body (12) comprising a pleated filter media (14) comprising a plurality of pleats (16) arranged parallel to the plurality of stakes (40). The plurality of pegs (40) are inserted between adjacent pleats of the plurality of pleats (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle and a filter element in the ambient air filter device. Background Art

[0002] An air filter integrated in a front region of a vehicle is usually arranged in a separate filter frame as part of an air duct in front of a radiator.

[0003] US2010 / 0206172A1 discloses a filter device for filtering a gaseous fluid, having a multi-part housing with a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein in an installed state of the multi-part housing, the first housing part and the second housing part are connected to each other. A filter element can be inserted into the multi-part housing. A connecting device penetrates the filter element and provides a connection between the first and second housing parts. The connecting device has at least one first housing projection integrally formed on the first housing part. The connecting device also has a damping element arranged between the at least one first housing projection and the second housing part.

[0004] US2019 / 0351361A1 discloses a filter element for an air filter, having a filter corrugation with a filter medium folded multiple times. Recesses are provided in the filter corrugation and are designed to receive guide ribs of the air filter. The recesses are bent at least in part along an extension range of the length of the recesses. The air filter has a housing and guide ribs, wherein the filter element is at least partially arranged in the housing and the guide ribs are at least partially immersed in the recesses of the filter element. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and easily installable ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle.

[0006] Another object is to provide the use of a filter element in such an ambient air filter device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by an ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front region of a vehicle, the ambient air filter device comprising: a spacer element for mounting to a cooler of the vehicle and a filter element arranged on the spacer element and comprising a comb-like structure, the filter element further comprising an air inlet side and an air outlet side for air to flow therethrough in a flow direction. The spacer element comprises a plurality of studs on a top side, the plurality of studs for being inserted into the filter element in an insertion direction. The filter element further comprises a filter medium body comprising a pleated filter medium, the pleated filter medium comprising a plurality of pleats arranged parallel to the plurality of studs. The plurality of studs are inserted between adjacent pleats of the plurality of pleats.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a further object is achieved by a filter element in an ambient air filter device, the filter element comprising an air inlet side and an air outlet side for air to flow therethrough in a flow direction and a filter medium body comprising a pleated filter medium, the pleated filter medium comprising a plurality of pleats.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0010] The proposed ambient air filter device is installed in front of the cooler as a front-end fine dust filter to have a large available installation space. The ambient air filter device does not use hard plastic parts in front of the cooling fins to avoid degrading the insurance class of the vehicle. Thus, a flat design is achieved.

[0011] The filter element is mounted on the spacer element using studs, which helps to ensure that the filter element is positioned to fully cover the surface of the cooler transversely to the direction of movement of the vehicle. Additionally, depending on the installation direction, a foam seal attached to the filter on the top or bottom side ensures proper sealing when the filter element is in the intended installation position. Similarly, when the filter element is mounted to the spacer element, an air duct in front of the radiator of the vehicle applies pressure to the filter element via the foam seal such that the pressure is also applied against the mounting points of the spacer element and for mounting to the cooler. Thereby, the filter element has a proper and stable position in the air duct and does not move in any direction (such as the flow direction).

[0012] Advantageously, the insertion direction can be substantially perpendicular to the flow direction through the filter element.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the plurality of studs can comprise a plurality of fins. Thus, easy insertion of the studs between the pleats of the filter medium body can be achieved.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the plurality of piles may be evenly distributed along the extent of the spacer element. A reliable positioning of the filter medium body to the cooler may be advantageously achieved.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the spacer element may include mounting points for mounting to the cooler. The mounting points may be screw fastening points for threaded connection to the cooler or snap fit points for snap connection to the cooler. In this way, the ambient air filter device can be fixed to the vehicle in a reliable manner transversely to the direction of movement of the vehicle. Additionally, as mentioned above, when the filter element is mounted to the spacer element, the air duct applies pressure to the filter element via the foam seal, such that the pressure is also applied against the mounting points of the spacer element. Thereby, the filter element has a proper and stable positioning in the air duct and does not move in any direction (e.g., the flow direction).

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the ambient air filter device may further include a seal disposed on one side of the filter medium body, the side facing the insertion direction and opposite to the other side of the filter medium body facing the mounting points of the spacer element, and the seal is for receiving the pressure from the air duct of the vehicle. Additionally, depending on the mounting direction, the foam seal attached to the filter on the top or bottom side ensures proper sealing when the filter element is in the intended mounting position. Also, as mentioned above, when the filter element is mounted to the spacer element, the air duct applies pressure to the filter element via the foam seal, such that the pressure is also applied against the mounting points of the spacer element. Thereby, the filter element has a proper and stable positioning in the air duct and does not move in any direction (e.g., the flow direction).

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the ambient air filter device may further include a plurality of plastic pads disposed on the air outlet side of the filter element. To avoid direct contact between the filter element and the cooler and deformation of the cooler fins, the plurality of plastic pads (e.g., polyurethane (PUR) pads) may be attached to the filter element on the air outlet side.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the plurality of plastic pads may be evenly distributed over the area of the air outlet side. Thus, the filter element can be advantageously supported by the cooler against the air flow pressure.

[0019] Advantageously, in the use arrangement, both the air inlet side and the air outlet side can be fluidly connected to the environment. Advantageously, the air inlet side can be adapted to be flowed through by unfiltered air and the air outlet side can be adapted to be flowed through by filtered air.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the plurality of studs can be used to fix the filter element relative to a lateral movement in the flow direction or against the flow direction.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ambient air filter device, the plurality of studs can be used to fix the filter element in a direction lateral or perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0022] The ambient air filter device does not use hard plastic parts in front of the cooling fins to avoid degrading the vehicle's insurance rating. Thus, a flat design is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages, can be best understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but is not limited to the embodiments, in which: Figure 1 An ambient air filter device for being arranged in a front area of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in an isometric view; Figure 2 is shown an isometric exploded view of the ambient air filter device according to Figure 1 ; and an isometric exploded view of the ambient air filter device is shown; Figure 3 The ambient air filter device is shown in a rear view; Figure 4 The ambient air filter device is shown in a side view; Figure 5 According to Figure 3 a cross-section A-A in, the ambient air filter device is shown in a sectional view; and Figure 6 is shown a detailed view of detail B according to Figure 5 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements. The drawings are only schematic representations and are not intended to depict the specific parameters of the present invention. In addition, the drawings are only intended to depict typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 An ambient air filter device 100 for being arranged in a front area of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in an isometric view. In Figure 2 , an isometric exploded view of the ambient air filter device 100 according to Figure 1 is shown, while in Figure 3 , the ambient air filter device 100 is depicted in a rear view.

[0026] The ambient air filter device 100 includes a spacer element 30 for mounting to a cooler of a vehicle and a filter element 10 disposed on the spacer element 30 and including a comb-like structure. The filter element 10 has an air inlet side 32 and an air outlet side 34 through which air flows in a flow direction 60.

[0027] A view using the air outlet side 34 shows the ambient air filter device 100.

[0028] The spacer element 30 includes a plurality of studs 40 on a top side 28 for insertion into the filter element 10 along an insertion direction 50.

[0029] The filter element 10 has a filter medium body 12 which includes a pleated filter medium 14. The pleats 16 of the filter element 10 are arranged parallel to the studs 40, where the studs 40 are inserted between adjacent pleats 16 of the filter medium 14.

[0030] In the figure, the pleats 16 of the filter medium body 12 are not depicted in detail. The pleats 16 are only symbolically marked at the positions where the studs 40 of the filter medium body 12 are inserted into the filter medium body 12.

[0031] Likewise, for clarity, only some of the studs 40 in the figure are marked with reference numerals.

[0032] The insertion direction 50 is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction 60 through the filter element 10.

[0033] As can be seen from Figure 2 as shown, the studs 40 can be advantageously formed as fins 42. The studs 40 are evenly distributed along an extension 36 of the spacer element 30.

[0034] The spacer element 30 is provided with mounting points 38 for mounting to the cooler. The mounting points 38 can be screw fastening points for threaded connection to the cooler or snap-fit points for snap connection to the cooler. In this way, the ambient air filter device 100 can be securely fixed to the vehicle in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the flow direction 60 (e.g., in a direction parallel to the extension 36).

[0035] The seal 24 is arranged at least on one side 26 of the filter medium body 12 that faces the insertion direction 50. The seal 24 ensures proper sealing when the filter element 10 is in the intended installation position. Similarly, when the filter element 10 is installed to the spacer element 30, an air duct (not shown) in front of the radiator of the vehicle applies pressure to the filter element 10 via the seal 24, such that the pressure is also applied against the mounting point 38 of the spacer element 30. Thereby, the filter element 10 has a proper and stable positioning in the air duct and does not move in any direction (such as the flow direction 60).

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of plastic pads 20 are provided on the air outlet side 34 of the filter element 10. The plastic pads 20 are evenly distributed over the area of the air outlet side 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the plastic pads 20 are arranged at regular distances from each other. Alternatively, plastic pads 20 in an irregular pattern can also be used to maintain the distance between the filter element 10 and the cooler (to which the ambient air filter device 100 is mounted).

[0037] Figure 4 The ambient air filter device 100 is depicted in a side view. In this view, the plastic pads 20 are visible as protrusions from the surface of the air outlet side 34 of the filter element 10.

[0038] Figure 5 According to Figure 3 section A-A in, the ambient air filter device 100 is depicted in a sectional view. The stakes 40 inserted into the filter medium body 12 of the filter element 10 are visible in the sectional view.

[0039] Figure 6 Depicting according to Figure 5 detail B of. It is clearly visible here that: in this embodiment, the stakes 40 are alternately inserted into the pleats 16 of the filter medium 14 from the air inlet side 32 and the air outlet side 34. In this embodiment, the filter element 10 is fixed against lateral movement in the flow direction 60 or in the direction opposite to the flow direction 60 by the stakes 40 immersed in the pleats 16 of the filter medium 14. In the direction lateral or perpendicular to the flow direction 60 (such as the direction parallel to the extent 36), the filter element 10 is also fixed by the stakes 40.

[0040] In the usage arrangement, both the air inlet side 32 and the air outlet side 34 can be fluidly connected to the environment. The air inlet side 32 can be adapted to be flowed through by unfiltered air and the air outlet side 34 can be adapted to be flowed through by filtered air.

[0041] To install the ambient air filter device 100, first the filter element 10 is installed onto the spacer element 30. The studs 40 of the spacer element 30 slide into the pleats 16 of the filter medium 14 and are thus tightly connected to the filter medium body 12.

[0042] Subsequently, the entire ambient air filter device 100 is installed onto the cooler in the vehicle and tightened.

[0043] The installation of the ambient air filter device 100 can preferably be done in the vertical direction from the lower side of the cooler. Alternatively, a horizontal installation direction can also be possible. List of reference numerals 10 Filter element 12 Filter medium body 14 Filter medium 16 Pleats 20 Plastic gasket 24 Seal 26 Side 28 Top side 30 Spacer element 32 Air inlet side 34 Air outlet side 36 Extension range 38 Mounting point 40 Stud 42 Fins 50 Insertion direction 60 Flow direction 100 Ambient air filter device

Claims

1. An ambient air filter device (100), comprising: a spacer element (30) for mounting to a radiator in a front area of ​​a vehicle; and A filter element (10) arranged on a spacer element (30) and comprising a comb-like structure, the filter element (10) further comprising an air inlet side (32) and an air outlet side (34) for air to flow therethrough in a flow direction (60), wherein the spacer element (30) comprises a plurality of pegs (40) on the top side (28) for insertion into the filter element (10) along an insertion direction (50), wherein the filter element (10) further comprises a filter media body (12) comprising a pleated filter media (14), the pleated filter media (14) comprising a plurality of pleats (16) arranged parallel to the plurality of piles (40), and The plurality of piles (40) are alternately inserted between adjacent pleats among the plurality of pleats (16) from the air inlet side (32) and the air outlet side (34), so that the plurality of piles (40) fix the filter element (10) relative to lateral movement in the flow direction (60) or opposite to the flow direction (60) and fix the filter element (10) in a direction transverse to or perpendicular to the flow direction (60).

2. The ambient air filter device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of piles (40) include a plurality of fins (42).

3. The ambient air filter device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of piles (40) are evenly distributed along the extension (36) of the spacer element (30).

4. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein: The spacer element (30) includes mounting points (38) for mounting to a cooler.

5. The ambient air filter device (100) according to claim 4 further includes a seal (24) arranged on one side (26) of the filter media body (12), the side (26) pointing in the insertion direction (50) and opposite to the other side of the filter media body (12) facing the mounting point (38) of the spacer element (30), and the seal (24) is used to receive pressure from the air duct of the vehicle.

6. The ambient air filter device (100) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of plastic gaskets (20) disposed on the air outlet side (34) of the filter element (10).

7. The ambient air filter device (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The plurality of plastic liners (20) are evenly distributed over the area of ​​the air outlet side (34).

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