Device and method for filtering liquids, in particular in filling valves

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (20) and a method for filtering a liquid, in particular in a filling valve, wherein the filtering device (20) is very easy to maintain and does not require maintenance over a long period of time. The filtering effect is excellent, and the filtering effect cannot be reduced too fast. The filter device (20) provides only a slight resistance to the liquid flow, and the filter action and the flow resistance can be set in a targeted manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for filtering liquids, in particular in a filling valve, as described in the preamble of claim 1, and a method for filtering liquids, in particular in a filling valve, as described in the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Filling valves are mainly used to fill the cisterns in sanitary facilities, especially the cisterns of toilets. For example, such a filling valve is described in EP 1 862 604 B1 on which the present invention is based.

[0003] The rinsing water used is usually water from the drinking water pipe, but treated water can also be used, especially so-called grey water, which is non-fecal, slightly contaminated wastewater from baths, showers or washing machines, and this water can also be used as treated water or service water after pretreatment.

[0004] Water from the drinking water pipe and service water may all be more or less contaminated, which is why most filling valves are now equipped with filtering devices to prevent these filling valves from being contaminated and possibly becoming inoperable. In the context of EP 1862 604 B1, such a filtering device can be used, for example, in the area of the connecting piece or the connecting body, where the connecting body can preferably be formed at least as part of the filtering device.

[0005] However, such a filtering device for liquids can not only be used in filling valves, but can also be advantageously used in other liquid-conducting pipelines. It can also be used in combination with a pressure flush valve for urinals.

[0006] However, the problem with such filtering devices is that they become blocked over time, which means that the corresponding systems (such as filling valves) need to be repaired regularly. It is also disadvantageous that the volumetric flow rate through such a filtering device is reduced due to the resistance exerted by the filtering device on the liquid flow.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to create an improved solution. Preferably, the filtering device should become blocked less often than previously known filtering devices. In particular, the filtering device should have only a minor effect on the volumetric flow rate, preferably not reducing the volumetric flow rate.

[0008] This object is achieved by the device according to the invention according to claim 1, the method according to the invention according to claim 12, and the use according to the invention according to claim 14. The dependent claims and the following description and the attached Figure 1 drawings provide advantageous developments.

[0009] As far as the inventor is concerned, it is recognized that if the filtering device is designed such that the axial flow within the filtering device is at least partially deflected outwardly, in particular into a circumferential flow, the object can be achieved in a surprisingly simple manner. This results in a centrifugal force that deflects the dust particles outwardly towards the wall of the filtering chamber, such that the filter element of the filtering device becomes less clogged, and in turn the volume flow rate through the filtering device does not decrease significantly due to clogging. This results in hydraulic filtering, while the filter element itself and its through openings provide mechanical filtering. This combination makes the filtering particularly effective. The filtering device is preferably used together with a filling valve.

[0010] When the term "flow direction" is used hereinafter, this refers to the general direction from the filter inlet to the filter outlet. On the other hand, "flow" refers to a specific local flow direction.

[0011] When the terms "axial", "circumferential" and "annular" are used hereinafter, they can describe not only rotationally symmetric (i.e., circular cross-section) shapes, but also any other cross-section (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, etc.). This is not intended to be limited to circular cross-sections.

[0012] A device for filtering a liquid, in particular in a filling valve, according to the invention, the device having a filtering chamber with a filter inlet, a filter outlet, a wall of the filtering chamber arranged between the filter inlet and the filter outlet, and a longitudinal extent, wherein there is a filter element having at least one through opening for the liquid to be filtered, the filter element being arranged in the filtering chamber between the filter inlet and the filter outlet in the direction of flow, characterized in that there is a device in the filtering chamber for influencing the flow, the device being adapted to deflect the liquid outwardly relative to the longitudinal extent of the filtering chamber.

[0013] In an advantageous development, the filter element is provided to be bent relative to the longitudinal extent, preferably in a conical shape, in particular in the form of a cone or a frustum of a cone, where the bending preferably proceeds in the direction of the filter inlet. On the one hand, this provides a particularly large filtering surface relative to the cross-section of the filtering chamber, and on the other hand, the filter element contributes to redirecting the flow.

[0014] In an advantageous development, the filter element is provided to have an angle of a conical surface in the range of 5° to 20° relative to the longitudinal extent, preferably in the range of 10° to 17°, in particular 15°. Then, on the one hand, good guiding ability for the flow is provided by avoiding stall, and on the other hand, the filter element is not too long, so that the installation space can be kept to a minimum.

[0015] In an advantageous development, a filter element is provided having an inlet side and an outlet side, and a jet guiding element, which is preferably a rod, is arranged on the outlet side. This causes the flow on the outlet side to be stratified, since collisions of partial flows are prevented and these partial flows are axially guided in the direction of the outlet side. The jet guiding element is arranged axially, for example, and preferably in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the jet guiding element can be designed as a rod element which extends from the tip of the filter element inside the filter element in the direction of the filter outlet.

[0016] In an advantageous development, a filter element is provided having at least one through-opening which is oriented such that it does not extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the filter chamber, wherein the through-opening is preferably designed such that no jet can pass through the through-opening parallel to the longitudinal extent without impinging on the wall of the filter element. This prevents clogging of the through-opening and thus even more effectively prevents clogging of the filter element, since the liquid is forced to flow through the through-opening, which is why the through-opening is self-cleaned by the liquid repeatedly.

[0017] In an advantageous development, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the through-openings of the filter element is at least equal to, preferably greater than, the cross-sectional area of the filter inlet. Thus, the filter device does not represent a flow resistance for the liquid, such that it can be ensured that in particular a filling valve equipped with this filter device fills the corresponding water tank very quickly.

[0018] In an advantageous development, a filter element is provided having at least one through-opening, the size of which can be adjusted, wherein the filter element preferably has two parts which can move relative to each other, each of which parts has a through-opening, and wherein the displacement of these two parts relative to each other results in a displacement of the positions of the through-openings of these two parts relative to each other. This allows the volume flow rate through the filter device to be adapted to specific requirements. For example, the filter element can consist of a part fixed relative to the filter chamber and a part which can rotate relative to this part, both of which parts have through-openings which can be aligned, wherein the rotation at least partially cancels this alignment such that the effective cross-sectional area of the through-opening is correspondingly reduced or completely removed. The two parts are preferably conical in shape.

[0019] In an advantageous development, the through-opening providing the filter element is arranged at a first minimum distance from the wall of the filter chamber and / or at a second minimum distance from the filter outlet, wherein the first minimum distance and / or the second minimum distance is preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm. "Minimum distance" means that the through-opening can be arranged at a greater distance, but not at a smaller distance. This forms a dead space with respect to the direction of the flow. For example, without flowing against the direction of the flow, liquid cannot easily flow out of the dead space. This causes dust to accumulate in this dead space and even better prevents the filter element from clogging. However, the dead space is small enough to minimize the flow resistance.

[0020] In an advantageous development, a region of the filter chamber is designed as a dead space with respect to the direction of the flow, relative to the longitudinal extent of the filter chamber. This causes dust to accumulate in this dead space and even better prevents the filter element from clogging.

[0021] In an advantageous development, the provided dead space has a volume of at least 700 mm 3 preferably at least 1,000 mm 3 in particular at least 1,200 mm 3 . This provides sufficient space to collect dust.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the region can be designed as a recess without through-openings. Then dust can accumulate in the recess and even better prevents the filter element from clogging.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the region can be designed as an annular space or an annular gap without through-openings. Then dust can accumulate in the annular space or the annular gap and even better prevents the filter element from clogging. If the annular space or the annular gap is arranged outside the cross-section of the filter outlet and is arranged at least in some regions in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the filter chamber, a dead space with a particularly low flow velocity is formed therein, such that dust particularly easily accumulates there.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the region can be arranged between the wall of the filter chamber and the filter element and the region has no through-openings. Then dust can very easily accumulate there and even better prevents the filter element from clogging, because this region is advantageously located in a position where only a low flow velocity is allowed in terms of flow technology.

[0025] In an advantageous development, the provided region has a depth of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm in the longitudinal extent of the filter chamber. On the one hand, this provides a sufficiently large area for the absorption of dust, but on the other hand, it forms the smallest possible flow resistance.

[0026] In an advantageous development, the region is provided with a width that is at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber. On the one hand, this provides a sufficiently large area for the absorption of dust, but on the other hand, it forms a flow resistance that is as small as possible.

[0027] In an advantageous development, the region is provided with an inlet opening that has a cross-section that is smaller with respect to the longitudinal extent than the section of the region located behind the inlet opening. Preferably, the inlet opening is designed as a gap. This allows the dead space to collect dust particularly effectively without releasing it back into the liquid to be filtered.

[0028] In an advantageous development, the region is provided with an inlet opening, where the cross-sectional area of the region widens in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening. This also enables the dead space to collect dust particularly effectively without releasing it back into the liquid to be filtered.

[0029] In an advantageous development, the inlet opening of the region has a width of at most 6 mm, preferably at most 3 mm, in particular at most 1 mm. This results in a narrowing associated with the dead space such that the dead chamber can collect dust particularly effectively without releasing it back into the liquid to be filtered.

[0030] The specified widths of the region and the inlet opening are radial widths, i.e., measurements taken only on one side with respect to the central axis of the filter element.

[0031] In an advantageous development, the device for influencing the flow is adapted to convert the axial flow into a circumferential flow at least partially. Due to the centrifugal force, the hydraulic filtration is particularly effective.

[0032] In an advantageous development, the device for influencing the flow comprises at least one protrusion that is designed to be curved at least in certain regions with respect to the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, at least one protrusion is provided that extends between the filter element and the wall of the filtration chamber, preferably adjoining both the wall of the filtration chamber and the filter element up to manufacturing-related tolerances. Thus, the flow deflection is particularly effective, resulting in a particularly high hydraulic filtration effect.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one protrusion is provided to be firmly connected to the wall and / or firmly connected to the filter element. This makes the device particularly easy to manufacture, enabling an excellent filtration effect.

[0035] In an advantageous development, at least one protrusion is provided, which may be arranged in cooperation with additional protrusions, such that there can be no direct flow in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber, but the entire flow undergoes a vortex with respect to the longitudinal extent. This effectively prevents the flow from passing axially in the direction of the longitudinal extent and thus ensures a complete deflection of the flow.

[0036] The above-mentioned protrusion serves as a flow guiding element. For example, it can be simply a protrusion that winds around the length of the filtration chamber at least once. On the other hand, there can also be two, three or even more protrusions, which are arranged in such a way that together they wind around the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber at least once. Preferably, the plurality of protrusions are arranged in such a way that they at least partially overlap in the viewing direction of the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber.

[0037] In an advantageous development, at least one protrusion is provided, such that it does not extend over the entire depth of the above-mentioned region of the filtration chamber with respect to the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber, and preferably does not extend into this region. This minimizes the flow in this region so that dust can easily accumulate there.

[0038] Independent protection is claimed for a method according to the invention for filtering a liquid, especially in a filling valve, wherein a filtration chamber is used, which has a filter inlet, a filter outlet, a wall of the filtration chamber arranged between the filter inlet and the filter outlet, and a longitudinal extent, and wherein a filter element having at least one through-opening for the liquid to be filtered is used, which is arranged in the filtration chamber between the filter inlet and the filter outlet in the flow direction, characterized in that means for influencing the flow are used in the filtration chamber, which are adapted to deflect the liquid outwards with respect to the longitudinal extent of the filtration chamber.

[0039] In an advantageous development, the use of a device according to the invention is provided.

[0040] Independent protection is also claimed for the use of a device according to the invention in the case of a liquid transfer pipeline according to the invention, preferably in the case of a filling valve, especially in the case of a water tank having a filling valve.

[0041] The features and other advantages of the present invention will become clearer in the following description of two preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, the following is shown purely schematically:

[0042] Figure 1 A filling valve having a filtration device according to the invention is shown in a side top view,

[0043] Figure 2 The filtration device according to the invention is shown in a longitudinal cross-section according to a first preferred embodiment,

[0044] Figure 3 The filter elements of the filtration device according to the present invention are shown in different views Figure 2 and according to

[0045] Figure 4 The devices for influencing the flow of the filtration device according to the present invention are shown in various views Figure 2 and according to

[0046] Figure 5 The interaction between the filter element according to Figure 3 and the device for influencing the flow according to Figure 4 is shown

[0047] Figure 6 The filter element according to the present invention is shown in different views according to a second preferred embodiment.

[0048] Figure 1 The filling valve 10 according to the present invention is shown in a side view. It can be seen that the filling valve 10 has a housing 12 in a conventional form, a supply line connection 14 with a connecting body 15, a height-adjustable floating body 16, and a filling tube 18. Regarding the exact design of the filling valve 10, reference is made to EP 1 862604B1, the content of which is fully incorporated herein in this regard.

[0049] In Figures 2 to 5 it is shown in more detail that the filtration device according to the present invention is integrated into this filling valve 10 according to the present invention, and this filling valve 10 can be used, for example, to fill a toilet cistern.

[0050] In Figure 2 it can be seen that the filtration device 20 according to the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment has a filter housing 22, which has a longitudinal extent L, the connecting body 15 is integrated into the filter housing 22, and the connecting body 15 simultaneously forms a filter inlet 24, and the supply line connection 14 is integrated into the filter housing 22, and the supply line connection 14 simultaneously forms a filter outlet 26. The supply line connection 14 is connected to the connecting body 15 via a union nut 28, and there is a seal between the supply line connection 14 and the connecting body 15 via a rubber seal in the form of an O-ring 30.

[0051] The connecting body 15 is generally made of a solid material (such as brass) to withstand high loads, while the supply line connection 14 and the rest of the filling valve 10 can be made of plastic.

[0052] Other components of the filtration device 20 are a filter element 32 and a hydrocyclone 33 as a device for influencing the flow.

[0053] According to Figure 3For a) to e) thereof, the filter element 32 has a conical surface 34 disposed on the base annular surface 36, where the collar 38 extends at the opposite end of the conical surface 34. Inside the conical surface 34, the rod element 42 extends from the tip 40 of the conical surface 34 towards the base annular surface 36 on the inner side 48 of the conical surface 34. The rod element 42 is used for simple flow diversion on the filter outlet 26 side. More precisely, the flow on the filter outlet 26 side is stratified by the rod element 42, as the collision of partial flows inside the filter element 32 is prevented, and these partial flows are axially guided in the side direction of the filter outlet 26.

[0054] The conical surface 34 has a groove 46 on its outer side 44. The ribs 50 are again disposed on the inner side 48 of the conical surface 34. The through-opening 52 is defined by these ribs 50 and the groove 46, as in the region between adjacent ribs 50, the groove 46 is formed as a through-hole 52.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment (not shown separately), the ribs 50 may be disposed on the outer side 44, and the groove 46 is disposed on the inner side 48.

[0056] The through-opening 52 is positioned relative to the longitudinal extent LF of the filter element 32 such that no jet S parallel to the longitudinal extent LF of the filter element 32 can pass through the through-opening 52 unimpeded without hitting the wall of the conical surface 34 (see Figure 3 of b). Thus, the jet S has to deflect inwards before it can pass through the corresponding through-opening 52.

[0057] The collar 38 is adapted to surround the filter seat portion 54 of the supply line connection 14, where the collar 38 is surrounded and clamped by the outer wall 56 of the supply line connection 14. The base annular surface 36 rests on the filter seat portion 54.

[0058] Thus, the filter outlet 26 is sealed from the filter chamber 58, which exists between the filter element 32, the cyclone 33, and the outer wall 56 of the supply line connection 14.

[0059] The cyclone 33 has a cylindrical wall 60 with a collar 62. The collar 62 is clamped between the lower edge 64 of the connection body 15 and the seat portion 66 in the connection 14 by means of the union nut 28, such that a seal is also formed (see Figure 2 and Figure 4 ).

[0060] In addition, the cyclone 33 has three protrusions 68, which are arranged such that they cover a complete circle in the projection along the longitudinal extent L, where there is a slight overlap between two adjacent protrusions 68 in the projection along the longitudinal extent.

[0061] These protrusions 68 are designed in such a way that when installed, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, they fit tightly against the conical surface 34 of the filter element 32 and wedge it in. For this purpose, the protrusions 68 have a greater height H in the direction of the tip 40 of the filter element 32 than in the direction of the base annular surface 36 (see also Figure 5 ).

[0062] Furthermore, the cyclone 33 has two recesses 70 in its wall 60, which together with the corresponding protrusions of the connecting body 15 serve as anti-rotation protection.

[0063] As can be best seen in Figure 2 , an annular space 72 is formed in the filter chamber 58 by the annular base surface 36 and the conical surface 34 of the filter element 32, the collar 62 of the cyclone 33, and the outer wall 56 of the supply line connection 14. This annular space 72 does not have any through openings 52, such that although there is an inlet into the annular space 72 via the small gap 74 between the cyclone 33 and the conical surface 34 of the filter element 32, there is no outlet, such that it forms a dead space in terms of flow. However, this dead space can be easily cleaned by opening the union nut 28 and removing the connecting body 15, the cyclone 33, and the filter element 32.

[0064] Furthermore, there are no through openings 52 in the region of the tip 40 either, such that the tip 40 can optimally be used to divide the axial jet entering the filter chamber 58 via the filter inlet 24 into a gap flow.

[0065] The function of the filtration device 20 is now as follows:

[0066] The liquid flowing in the flow direction along the longitudinal extent from the filter inlet 24 to the filter outlet 26 enters the filter chamber 58 in the region of the tip 40 of the filter element 32 and is converted into a gap flow from the tip 40 of the filter element 32. The components of the gap flow now impinge on the protrusions 68 and are forced by the protrusions 68 to form a spiral flow around the conical surface 34 by the flow along the conical surface 34 downward. This is supported by the fact that the protrusions 68 enclose a complete circle and are also in a sealed manner between the wall 60 and the conical surface 34.

[0067] Accordingly, the liquid stays in the filter chamber 58 for a longer time. Furthermore, a centrifugal force is generated, which affects the dust particles in the liquid in such a way that they are deflected outward away from the conical surface 34 in the direction of the wall 60 of the cyclone 33. Then, these dust particles fall into the dead space 72, where they are hardly exposed to any flow anymore and can thus deposit there.

[0068] These effects result in the hydraulic filtration of the liquid.

[0069] Pure mechanical filtration of the liquid is achieved through the through-openings 52, which do not allow dust particles of a certain size to pass through. Clogging of these through-openings 52 is prevented by the fact that they are not positioned perpendicular to the incoming flow, but are positioned offset from the incoming flow, which is why dust particles accumulating above the through-openings 52 can be repeatedly entrained by the flow and transferred to the dead space 72.

[0070] Relative to the longitudinal extent L, the dead space 72 has an axial height of approximately 7 mm and a radial width of approximately 4 mm. The annular gap 74 between the conical surface 34 and the wall 60 is approximately 8 mm in the region of the tip at the start of the through-opening 52 and approximately 5 mm in the region of the collar 62 at the end of the through-opening 52. The dead space 72 has a volume of approximately 1,300 mm 3 Thus, the filtration device 20 has a high absorption capacity for dust particles, such that compared to conventional filtration devices with the same level of dust in the liquid to be filtered, the filtration device 20 is maintenance-free for a relatively long time. The specified width is the radial width, i.e., the measurement on only one side with respect to the central axis of the filter element 32.

[0071] The conical surface 34 has an angle of 15° relative to the longitudinal extent L, which on the one hand provides good guiding ability by avoiding stagnation of the flow and on the other hand means that the filter element 32 is not too long, such that the installation space can be kept to a minimum.

[0072] Due to the fact that the through-openings 52 are arranged on the conical surface 34, the passage area for the liquid to pass through the filter element 32 is relatively large with respect to the filter outlet 26, such that no or no significant pressure loss occurs via the filtration device 10.

[0073] In addition, different filter elements 32 and cyclones 33 can be used as required to specifically adjust the hydraulic filtration effect, the mechanical filtration effect, and the pressure loss.

[0074] In addition, a filter element (not shown) with a variable passage area can also be used, where, for example, a second conical surface will be inserted inside the conical surface 34, which will also have through-openings that can be aligned with the through-openings 52. By twisting the two conical surfaces relative to each other, ribs will (partially) cover 50 through-openings, which will continuously reduce the passage area.

[0075] Instead of the filtration device 20 according to the first preferred embodiment, the filtration device 100 can also be designed according to a second preferred embodiment, which will be referred to Figure 6Explain in more detail.

[0076] This embodiment differs from the filtration device 20 only in the construction of the filter element 102 and the cyclone 104. Here, the cyclone 104 has a smooth cylindrical wall 106, and there are continuous protrusions 110 on the conical surface 108 of the filter element 102. The continuous protrusions 110 successively cover the entire circle and are successively adjusted in height such that they closely abut against the wall 106 during installation. The effects of this filtration device 100 are the same, so these effects will not be discussed further.

[0077] Of course, other configurations of protrusions can also be used, such as individual protrusions on the cyclone, multiple protrusions on the filter element, or one or more protrusions on the cyclone combined with one or more protrusions on the filter element.

[0078] From what has been made clear above, it is evident that the present invention provides a solution that brings improvements, namely, the filtration devices 20, 102 are very easy to maintain and are maintenance-free for a long time. The filtration effect is excellent and the filtration effect does not decrease too quickly. The filtration devices 20, 102 hardly offer any resistance to the flow of the liquid, and both the filtration effect and the flow resistance can be adjusted as required.

[0079] Generally speaking, it should be noted that it is particularly advantageous to produce a combined effect of a flow with a circumferential flow component, thereby producing a hydrocyclone (generating a centrifugal acceleration as the driving force for the separation process based on different densities), and preventing the liquid from passing directly through the filter element 32 in the axial direction. This forces the flow to flow parallel to the filter element 32, thereby bringing about a very effective self-cleaning effect of the filter element 32. If a dead space 72 is also provided, dust can be very effectively removed from the flow to be filtered.

[0080] The claims now submitted together with the application and the claims submitted subsequently do not prevent the obtaining of further protection.

[0081] If, through a careful review, especially a careful review of the relevant prior art, it is found that one or another feature is beneficial to the purpose of the present invention but not of decisive importance, then concepts that no longer have such a feature are now being sought, especially in the main claim. Such sub-combinations are therefore also covered by the disclosure of this application.

[0082] The reference in the dependent claims to the main claim indicates a further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the corresponding sub-claims. However, these should not be understood as failing to obtain independent subject matter protection for the features of the sub-claims that back-reference the main claim.

[0083] It should also be noted that the embodiments and variations of the present invention described in various embodiments and shown in the drawings can be combined with each other as needed. Individual or multiple features can be interchanged as needed. Combinations of these features are also disclosed.

[0084] Features disclosed only in the description or individual features from claims comprising multiple features can be incorporated into independent claims at any time, since they are significant for the present invention and can distinguish the present invention from the prior art, even if such features have been mentioned in combination with other features or have achieved particularly advantageous results in combination with other features.

[0085] Furthermore, all features stated in the general description of the present invention, the description of the exemplary embodiments, the following claims and the drawings, whether individually or in any combination with each other, are essential to the present invention. Each of these features or combinations of features can constitute an independent invention, and the rights to the inventions claimed are clearly reserved. Individual features in the description of the exemplary embodiments do not necessarily have to be combined with one or more or all other features specified in the description of the exemplary embodiment; in this regard, each sub - combination has been clearly disclosed. In addition, the subject - matter features of the device can be reformulated and used as method features, and the method features can also be reformulated as subject - matter features of the device. Therefore, such reformulations are automatically disclosed.

[0086] List of Reference Signs

[0087] 10 Filling device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention

[0088] 12 Housing

[0089] 14 Supply pipeline connector

[0090] 15 Connecting body

[0091] 16 Floating body

[0092] 18 Filling tube 18

[0093] 20 Filtering device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention

[0094] 22 Filter housing

[0095] 24 Filter inlet

[0096] 26 Filter outlet

[0097] 28 Binding nut

[0098] 30 Rubber seal, O - ring

[0099] 32 Filter element, device for influencing flow

[0100] 33 Cyclone, device for influencing flow

[0101] 34 Conical surface

[0102] 36 Base annular surface

[0103] 38 Collar

[0104] 40 Tip of the conical surface

[0105] 42 Rod element

[0106] 44 Outer side of the conical surface 34

[0107] 46 Groove

[0108] 48 Inner side of the conical surface 34

[0109] 50 Rib

[0110] 52 Through opening, through hole

[0111] 54 Filter seat

[0112] 56 Outer wall of the supply line connection 14

[0113] 58 Filter chamber

[0114] 60 Cylindrical wall

[0115] 62 Collar

[0116] 64 Lower edge of the connecting body 15

[0117] 66 Seat

[0118] 68 Protrusion

[0119] 70 Recess

[0120] 72 Annular space, dead space

[0121] 74 Gap between the cyclone 33 and the conical surface 34

[0122] 100 Filter device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention

[0123] 102 Filter element

[0124] 104 Cyclone

[0125] 106 Smooth cylindrical wall

[0126] 108 Conical surface

[0127] 110 consecutive protrusions

[0128] H Height of the protrusion 68

[0129] L Longitudinal extent of the filter housing

[0130] LF Longitudinal extent of the filter element 32

[0131] S Jet parallel to the longitudinal extent LF of the filter element 32

Claims

1. An apparatus for filtering a liquid, in particular in a filling valve (10; 100), the apparatus having a filter chamber (58) which has a filter inlet (24), a filter outlet (26), a wall (60) of the filter chamber (58) arranged between the filter inlet (24) and the filter outlet (26), and a longitudinal extent (L), wherein there is a filter element (32; 102) having at least one through-opening (52) for the liquid to be filtered, the filter element (32; 102) being arranged in the filter chamber (58) between the filter inlet (24) and the filter outlet (26) in the direction of flow, characterized in that, In the filtration chamber (58), there are devices (32, 34; 102, 104) for influencing the flow, which are adapted to deflect the liquid outward relative to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58).

2. The device (20; 102) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter element (32; 102) is curved relative to the longitudinal extent (L), preferably in a conical curvature, in particular in the form of a cone or a frustum of a cone, where preferably i) the curvature progresses in the direction of the filter inlet (24) and / or ii) the filter element (32; 102) has an angle relative to the longitudinal extent (L) in the range of 5° to 20°, preferably in the range of 10° to 17°, in particular 15°.

3. The device (20; 102) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The filter element (32; 102) has an inlet side and an outlet side, and a jet guiding element, preferably a rod (42), is arranged on the outlet side, where the jet guiding element (42) preferably extends inside the filter element (32) from the tip (40) of the filter element (32) towards the filter outlet (26).

4. The device (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The filter element (32; 102) has at least one through-opening (52), which is oriented such that it does not extend parallel to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), where the through-opening (52) is preferably designed such that no jet (S) can pass through the through-opening (52) parallel to the longitudinal extent (L) without hitting the wall (34) of the filter element (32; 102).

5. The device (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the through-openings (52) of the filter element (32; 102) is at least equal to, preferably greater than, the cross-sectional area of the filter inlet (24).

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filter element has at least one through-opening, the size of which can be adjusted, where the filter element preferably has two parts that can move relative to each other, each of the two parts having a through-opening, and the displacement of the two parts relative to each other results in a displacement of the positions of the through-openings of the two parts relative to each other.

7. The apparatus (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The through-openings (52) of the filter element (32; 102) are arranged at a first minimum distance from the wall (60) of the filtration chamber (58) and / or at a second minimum distance from the filter outlet (26), where the first minimum distance and / or the second minimum distance is preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm.

8. The device (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, There is a region (72) of the filtration chamber (58) relative to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58). The region (72) is formed as a dead space (72) with respect to the direction of the flow, wherein the dead space (72) preferably has a volume of at least 700 mm 3 , preferably at least 1,000 mm 3 , in particular at least 1,200 mm 3 , and / or The region (72) is designed as a recess without through-openings (52), and / or The region (72) is formed as an annular space (72) or an annular gap without through-openings (52), where the annular space (72) or the annular gap is preferably arranged at least in some regions outside the cross-section of the filter outlet (26) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filter space (58), and / or The region (72) is arranged between the wall (60) of the filtration chamber (58) and the filtration element (32) and has no through-opening (52), and / or The region (72) has an inlet opening (74) whose cross-section is smaller with respect to the longitudinal extent (L) than the section (72) of the region located behind the inlet opening (74), and / or The region (72) has an inlet opening (74), wherein the cross-sectional area of the region (72) widens in the longitudinal extent (L) with respect to the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening (72).

9. The device (20; 102) according to claim 8, characterized in that The region (72) has a depth of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm in the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), and / or The region (72) has a width of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), and / or The inlet opening (74) of the region (72) has a width of at most 6 mm, preferably at most 3 mm, in particular at most 1 mm.

10. The device (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The device (32, 34; 102, 104) for influencing the direction of the flow is adapted to transform the axial flow into a circumferential flow at least in part.

11. The device (20; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The device (32, 34; 102, 104) for influencing the flow comprises at least one projection (68; 110), The at least one projection (68; 110) is designed to be curved at least in certain regions with respect to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), and / or The at least one projection (68; 110) extends with its height (H) between the filtration element (32; 102) and the wall (60; 106) of the filtration chamber (58), preferably adjoining both the wall (60) of the filtration chamber (58) and the filtration element (32; 102) up to manufacturing-related tolerances, and / or The at least one projection (68; 110) is firmly connected to the wall (60) and / or firmly connected to the filtration element (102).

12. The device (20; 102) according to claim 11, characterized in that The at least one projection (68; 110) is arranged, can be arranged in cooperation with a further projection (68) such that there can be no direct flow in the direction of the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), but the entire flow undergoes a vortex with respect to the longitudinal extent (L), and / or The at least one projection (68; 110) is arranged such that it does not extend over the entire depth of the region (72) according to claim 8 with respect to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58), preferably does not extend into the region (72) according to claim 8.

13. A method for filtering a liquid, in particular in a filling valve (10), wherein a filter chamber (58) is used, which filter chamber (58) has a filter inlet (24), a filter outlet (26), a wall of the filter chamber (58) arranged between the filter inlet (24) and the filter outlet (26), and a longitudinal extent (L), wherein a filter element (32; 102) is used together with at least one through-opening (52) for the liquid to be filtered, and the filter element (32; 102) is arranged in the filter chamber (58) between the filter inlet (24) and the filter outlet (26) in the direction of flow, characterized in that, Use means (32, 34; 102, 104) for influencing the flow in the filtration chamber (58), which means are adapted to deflect the liquid outwards relative to the longitudinal extent (L) of the filtration chamber (58).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein Use the device (20; 102) according to any one of claims 2 to 12.

15. Use of a device (20; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in the case of a liquid transfer pipeline, preferably in the case of a filling valve (10; 100), in particular in the case of a water tank having a filling valve (10; 100).

Images