Air filter device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air filter device (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) which has a housing interior (3) for accommodating an air filter element (5) and a housing base body (4). The usability of the air filter device (1) is improved in that the housing base body (4) has at least two air inlet openings (7, 8) through which raw air (9) to be filtered can flow into the housing interior (3) and an air outlet opening (10) through which raw air (9) to be filtered can flow into the housing interior (3), the housing base body (4) has at least two air inlet openings (7, 8), through which filtered clean air (11) can flow out of the housing interior (3), and at least one air inlet opening (8) of the at least two air inlet openings (7, 8) is closed by means of a covering device (12), which is detachably fastened to the housing base body (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an air filter device for a motor vehicle, which is used, for example, to filter air for an internal combustion engine or for a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In this context, “configured” corresponds to “configured” and / or “set up”, so that the expression “configured so that” is synonymous with the expressions “configured so that” and / or “set up so that”.

[0003] Typically, this type of air filter device comprises a housing having an interior space for accommodating an air filter element for filtering air. The housing is provided with an air inlet opening, through which raw air to be filtered can flow into the interior space of the housing, and an air outlet opening, through which filtered clean air can flow out of the interior space of the housing.

[0004] The air filter device is configured for the respective vehicle with respect to a predetermined air mass flow or fresh air demand, which can occur during vehicle operation and is to be filtered by the air filter device. Therefore, in the case of vehicles that differ from one another (e.g., due to different motorizations) by different air mass flows, but are otherwise substantially identical in design, it may be necessary to provide different filter devices, each adapted to the air mass flow. Furthermore, the installation space available for the air filter device in the vehicle is often limited, which makes it possible to create a compact and, in particular, flat design for the housing. In particular, this can result in relatively little free space for the air inlet opening, which limits the air mass flow. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment of an air filter device of the aforementioned type, which is distinguished in particular by its increased flexibility with regard to its use in motor vehicles with different air mass flows or fresh air requirements.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the following general concept: the base body of an air filter device is equipped with at least two air inlet openings, wherein at least one of the plurality of air inlet openings is closed by means of a removable cover. In the absence of a cover, the maximum possible air mass flow of the air filter device is defined by the two or more air inlet openings, and this maximum possible air mass flow can be reduced step by step or in stages by installing corresponding covers. Thus, with exactly two air inlet openings, two different air mass flows can be set: a smaller air mass flow can be set if one air inlet opening is closed by means of the cover, and a larger air mass flow can be set if the cover is removed, so that both air inlet openings are open. The same applies to three or more air inlet openings.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention requires that the housing be equipped with a housing base having at least two air inlet openings and an air outlet opening, through which raw air to be filtered can flow into the housing interior and through which filtered clean air can flow out of the housing interior, at least one of the at least two air inlet openings being closed by a cover device that is releasably fastened to the housing base. The air inlet opening can be configured flat, so that it requires less structural space.

[0009] The air filter device may be configured for an internal combustion engine or for a fuel cell system in order to filter the air used to operate the internal combustion engine or the fuel cell system.

[0010] Suitably, the corresponding cover can be configured to fully seal the cross section of the corresponding air inlet opening so that the cover can flow through. In this way, it is possible to prevent the air inlet opening sealed by the cover from flowing, that unnecessary erroneous air flows or leakages occur.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing base can have at least one opening frame that circumferentially frames the corresponding air inlet opening. A corresponding cover can be arranged on the opening frame on the inner side of the frame that faces the housing interior. The cover is thus inaccessible from outside the housing and cannot be accidentally or arbitrarily removed from the outside. This improves the operational safety of the air filter device.

[0012] Preferably, the respective air inlet openings extend in the height direction and in a transverse direction extending perpendicularly thereto, and when the cover is removed, air can flow through the respective air inlet openings in a longitudinal direction extending perpendicularly thereto and perpendicularly thereto. In other words, the respective air inlet openings define a local rectangular coordinate system. Preferably, the housing base and the cover are configured or coordinated so that the cover can be mounted on the housing base in an assembly direction extending parallel to the height direction to close the respective air inlet openings. In other words, for assembly, the cover is moved relative to the housing base in the assembly direction. Thus, if the housing base delimits the housing interior downwardly with respect to the height direction and is open upward with respect to the height direction, the cover can be inserted into the housing base from above to close the respective air inlet openings. This results in an assembly that requires less structural space and is relatively easy to perform.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the housing base can have at least one first guide rib, which extends longitudinally in the height direction and projects in the longitudinal direction toward the housing interior. To this end, the respective guide rib can be arranged or formed on the inner side of the base facing the housing interior and project from the inner side of the base in the longitudinal direction, whereby the respective guide rib projects in the direction toward the housing interior.

[0014] The cover device can now have a first guide groove that is complementary to the corresponding first guide rib, into which the corresponding first guide rib engages in the longitudinal direction and is held in the first guide groove in a positive-locking manner in the transverse direction. The cover device is thus held in a positive-locking manner on the housing base in the transverse direction. Together with the first guide rib, the first guide groove forms a tongue-and-groove guide oriented parallel to the height direction, which aligns the cover device with respect to the housing base in the transverse direction. This simplifies assembly.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment, the housing base can have at least one second guide rib on its inner side facing the housing interior, the second guide rib extending longitudinally in the height direction and protruding from the inner side in the transverse direction. The cover device has a second guide groove complementary to the respective second guide rib, the respective second guide rib engaging in the transverse direction and being held in the longitudinal direction in the second guide groove with a positive fit. The cover device is thus held in the longitudinal direction with a positive fit on the housing base. Together with the second guide groove, the second guide rib forms an additional tongue-and-groove guide, which is oriented parallel to the horizontal direction and positions the cover device in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing base. This measure also simplifies assembly.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the housing base can have two vertical frame sections extending in the height direction and lying opposite each other in the transverse direction above the respective air inlet openings. Furthermore, two of the aforementioned second guide ribs can be provided, each disposed on one of the vertical frame sections and projecting laterally toward each other from the respective vertical frame section. The cover device is thus positioned with respect to the longitudinal direction at its transverse ends facing away from each other, thereby enabling a clear orientation of the cover device relative to the housing base in the longitudinal direction. This measure also simplifies assembly.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the housing base can have two horizontal frame sections, which extend in the transverse direction and are situated opposite each other in the height direction on the respective air inlet opening. Suitably, respective first guide ribs can now connect the two horizontal frame sections to one another. Thus, the respective first guide ribs are arranged in the transverse direction away from the two vertical frame sections or between the two vertical frame sections. This makes it possible to achieve a clear orientation of the cover device relative to the housing base with respect to the transverse direction. In addition, if the first guide ribs connect the two horizontal frame sections to one another and are thereby supported on the two horizontal frame sections, then these first guide ribs lead to a reinforcement of the opening frame. Thus, the respective first guide ribs extend approximately through the respective air inlet opening in the height direction.

[0018] In an expedient embodiment, it can be provided that air guide elements are formed on the respective first guide ribs on the outer side facing away from the housing interior and guide or direct the raw-side air flow through the respective air inlet openings in the absence of a cover.

[0019] Expediently, two or more first guide ribs of this type may also be provided, which are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction and extend through corresponding air inlet openings.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the housing base can have at least one positioning rib on its base inner side, which protrudes from the base inner side in the height direction opposite to the assembly direction. The respective positioning rib can be configured such that the cover, on its inner side facing the housing interior, rests against the respective positioning rib in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the cover, at its lower end that is forward during assembly, is also positioned in the longitudinal direction between its transverse ends.

[0021] According to a suitable embodiment, the respective positioning ribs can be arranged in the region of the respective first guide ribs with respect to the transverse direction. In particular, two or more positioning ribs of this type can be provided. Suitably, as many positioning ribs as first guide ribs can be provided.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, a latching connection can be formed between the housing base and the cover. The latching connection is configured such that, when the cover is moved in the assembly direction for assembly onto the housing base, the latching connection snaps into a predetermined assembly position of the cover that closes the corresponding air inlet opening and secures, in particular, positively locking, the cover against movement against the assembly direction. In other words, as soon as the predetermined assembly position is reached during assembly of the cover, the latching connection latches and secures the cover to the housing base. This effectively prevents the cover from becoming loose automatically, for example, during operation of the air filter device in a motor vehicle and / or during further handling of the air filter device, such as during assembly of the air filter device and / or when installing the air filter device in a motor vehicle.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the latching connection is configured such that, when the cover device is assembled, the latching connection audibly / audibly snaps into place when the assembled position is reached. In other words, when the cover is assembled, the latching connection engages in such a way that, when the assembly position is reached, it generates an audible noise, which represents almost acoustic feedback to the respective assembler (male / female / other) and signals to the assembler that the desired assembly position has been reached. This measure also simplifies the assembly of the cover.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the latching connection can include a latching hook, which is formed on the cover device and is configured to be spring-elastic in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the latching connection can include a latching contour, which is formed on a transversely extending frame section of the housing base body at the corresponding air inlet opening. Advantageously, the latching hook and the latching contour can be coordinated or configured so that when the cover device is assembled and the assembled position is reached, the latching hook engages the latching contour. In other words, in the assembled state, the latching hook hooks over the latching contour or engages with the latching contour in a form-fitting manner.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the latching contour can have a latching opening, into which the end section of the latching hook engages in a form-fitting manner in the assembled position, thereby increasing security against any or unintentional loosening of the latching connection.

[0026] The latching opening can advantageously be opened in the vertical direction so that the end section of the latching hook engages in the latching opening in the vertical direction opposite to the assembly direction in the assembled position. To remove the cover device, it is necessary to move the cover device relative to the housing base opposite to the assembly direction. When the latching connection is engaged, this results in the end section of the latching hook being driven further into the latching opening, so that when the latching connection is engaged, the cover device cannot be removed without damaging the latching connection or the cover device and / or the housing base.

[0027] The end section of the latching hook engaging in the latching opening achieves a positive locking of the end section transversely to the engagement direction and therefore in particular transversely to the height direction, thereby preventing an automatic or arbitrary release of the latching connection.

[0028] The latching connection is advantageously arranged or assigned to the rear end of the cover device during assembly, relative to the assembly direction. This provides sufficient structural space within the housing for the latching connection without obstructing the inner side of the base body. In particular, this avoids undesirable flow obstructions that could interfere with the use of the air inlet opening when the cover device is removed, i.e., when the cover device is used.

[0029] The cover device can advantageously include a cover body, which can preferably be plate-shaped and can extend, in particular, in a plate plane extending parallel to the height direction and parallel to the transverse direction, with the thickness or thickness direction of the cover body extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. The latching hook can be configured in an S-shaped manner with respect to the longitudinal direction. In particular, the latching hook can include a U-shaped spring bow that is open in the assembly direction and connected to the plate body. Furthermore, the latching hook can include a U-shaped latching bow that is open opposite the assembly direction and connects the end section to the spring bow. Due to the S-shaped configuration or the two U-shaped bows or sections of the latching hook, the latching hook has a relatively high spring elasticity in the longitudinal direction. This also results in a spring elasticity in the height direction. Due to the U-shaped configuration of the latching bow, the end section can enclose the edge of the frame latching opening and ultimately engage in the latching opening opposite the assembly direction.

[0030] Suitably, the housing base can be open upward in the height direction and can have a housing bottom and a housing wall, the housing bottom delimiting the housing interior space downward in the height direction, the housing wall delimiting the housing interior space laterally transverse to the height direction, and the housing wall containing the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening. In addition, the housing can have a housing cover that is releasably fastened to the housing base and closes the housing base from above. Therefore, the housing cover delimits the housing interior space upward in the height direction. An air filter element can be arranged in the housing interior space so that the air filter element separates the raw space (Rohraum) from the clean space, the raw space being fluidly connected to the air inlet opening, and the clean space being fluidly connected to the air outlet opening. The air filter element can be passed through by air from the raw space to the clean space. Here, the air filter element filters the air so that the raw air supplied via the raw space is filtered and cleaned and flows into the clean space as clean air.

[0031] The air filter element can have a U-shaped filter body composed of filter material.

[0032] The first guide groove can advantageously be formed on the outer side of the cover device facing away from the interior of the housing. In particular, for this purpose, two tabs extending parallel to the height direction can be formed on the outer side of the cover device, each of which protrudes from the cover device in the longitudinal direction. The respective first guide groove is formed in the transverse direction between the two tabs, i.e., is formed by the gap between the two tabs.

[0033] The cover body can have a flange protruding in the longitudinal direction at the edge, which can be closed along the cover body, in particular at the edge. Furthermore, the cover can be configured such that the flange rests against the upper horizontal frame section in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the flange can each have a cutout for the corresponding latching hook and / or for the corresponding first guide groove.

[0034] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0035] It is obvious that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the present invention. The individually labeled components mentioned above and those yet to be mentioned below of a superordinate unit (e.g., an apparatus, a device, or a component) can form individual components or parts of this unit or can be integral regions or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or components having the same function.

[0037] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

[0038] Figure 1 An isometric view of an air filter device is shown, which has a housing base body, an air filter element and a cover device,

[0039] Figure 2 An isometric view of an air filter device is shown, which has a housing cover,

[0040] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the housing base with the cover device pulled apart,

[0041] Figure 4 Another isometric view of the housing base with the cover device is shown,

[0042] Figure 5 shows a view of the housing base body in the region of the cover device in the longitudinal direction,

[0043] Figure 6 shows a view of the housing base in the region of the cover device in the height direction,

[0044] Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the housing base in the region of the cover device,

[0045] Figure 8 Show the basis Figure 6 Isometric sectional view of the section line VIII in the region of the latching connection,

[0046] Figure 9 Show the basis Figure 6 Isometric sectional view of the section line IX in the region of the first guide rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] according to Figures 1 to 4 The air filter device 1 comprises a housing 2 having a housing interior space 3 and a housing base body 4. Figure 1 , an air filter element 5 is arranged in the housing interior space 3. Figure 2 The housing 2 can furthermore have a housing cover 6 which is fixed to the housing base body 4 in the assembled state.

[0048] The housing base body 4 has at least two air inlet openings 7, 8, through which the raw air 9 to be filtered can flow into the housing interior 3. Figure 1 In FIG, the raw air 9 is indicated by arrows. In addition, the housing base body 4 has an air outlet opening 10, through which filtered clean air 11 can flow out of the housing interior 3. Figure 1 In FIG, clean air 11 is indicated by arrows.

[0049] In the case of the air filter device 1 shown here, at least one of the at least two air inlet openings 7, 8 can be or has been closed by means of a cover device 12, which is releasably fastened to the housing base body 4 for this purpose. In the preferred example shown here, the air filter device 1 has exactly two air inlet openings 7, 8, wherein only one of the two air inlet openings 7, 8 is assigned such a cover device 12. Figures 1 to 4 In the example, Figures 1 to 4 One of the air inlet openings on the left or the first air inlet opening 7 is permanently open, and Figures 1 to 4 The other air inlet opening, or second air inlet opening 8, located on the right in the air filter device 1 can be closed by means of a cover 12. If the second air inlet opening 8 is not required for one application of the air filter device 1, it can be closed by means of the cover 12 and thus deactivated. If, however, the second air inlet opening 8 is also required for another application of the air filter device 1, the cover 12 can be removed, so that the second air inlet opening 8 is then open and can be used for the supply of raw air like the first air inlet opening 7. Thus, different air mass flows can be achieved with the air filter device 1.

[0050] In another embodiment (not shown), the cover device 12 can also be configured so that the first air inlet opening 7 can be closed. However, the embodiment shown here is preferred, in which the second air inlet opening 8 can be closed by means of the cover device 12. In this case, a larger, longer flow path for the raw air is provided for the first air inlet opening 7 in the housing interior 3, which brings acoustic advantages during operation of the air filter device 1.

[0051] In the following, according to Figures 1 to 9 Let's examine the cover device 12 in more detail. It can be seen that the cover device 12 can be expediently configured or dimensioned such that it completely closes the flow-through cross section of the corresponding air inlet opening 8. The cover device 12 is thus configured in a manner complementary to the flow-through cross section of the associated air inlet opening 8.

[0052] according to Figures 5 to 9 For the respective air inlet opening 8 , the housing base body 4 can have an opening frame 13 that circumferentially frames the respective air inlet opening 8 . To this end, the substantially rectangular opening frame 13 can have two vertical frame sections 14 , 15 and two horizontal frame sections 16 , 17 . In any case, the cover 12 can be arranged on the opening frame 13 on the frame inner side 18 facing the housing interior 3 . The cover 12 is thus located in the housing interior 3 or delimits the housing interior 3 .

[0053] The respective air inlet opening 8 defines a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y, and a height direction Z extending perpendicularly to one another. The air inlet opening 8 extends in the height direction Z and in the transverse direction Y and is therefore located in an opening plane. When the cover 12 is removed, air can flow through the air inlet opening 8 in the longitudinal direction X. Figure 5 In , the longitudinal direction X is perpendicular to the drawing plane. Figure 6 , the height direction Z is perpendicular to the drawing plane.

[0054] In the example shown, the two air inlet openings 7 , 8 are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y and can otherwise be configured identically, preferably mirror-symmetrically. In particular, the two air inlet openings can extend in an opening plane spanning the height direction and the transverse direction.

[0055] The housing base body 4 and the cover 12 are adapted to one another in such a way that the cover 12 can be mounted on the housing base body 4 in an assembly direction M in order to close the corresponding air inlet opening 8 . Figure 3 、5 , 8 and 9 are indicated by arrows and extend parallel to the height direction Z. Figure 3 The cover device 12 is shown during assembly, ie in a state in which the cover device 12 has not yet been attached to the housing main body 4 .

[0056] according to Figures 5 to 9 The housing base body 4 has at least one first guide rib 20 on its base inner side 19 facing the housing interior 3. This first guide rib extends longitudinally in the height direction Z and projects from the base inner side 19 in the longitudinal direction X. The respective first guide rib 20 is located above the corresponding air inlet opening 8. In this region, the base inner side 19 is formed solely by the opening frame 13. In this respect, the respective first guide rib 20 projects from the base inner side 19 or from the frame inner side 18 on the opening frame 13. In the example shown here, exactly two first guide ribs 20 are provided. It is clear that, in principle, only a single first guide rib 20 can also be provided. Similarly, three or more first guide ribs 20 of this type can be provided. The cover device 12 advantageously has a complementary first guide groove 21 for each first guide rib 20, but at least for one such first guide rib 20. In the example shown, two first guide grooves 21 of this type are provided. The respective first guide rib 20 engages in the associated first guide groove 21 in the longitudinal direction X and is held therein in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction Y. Consequently, the cover 12 is held in a form-fitting manner on the housing base 4 in the transverse direction Y by the form-fitting engagement between the first guide rib 20 and the first guide groove 21 .

[0057] In the preferred embodiment shown here, the housing base 4 also has at least one second guide rib 22 on its base inner side 19, which extends longitudinally in the height direction Z and protrudes from the base inner side 19 in the transverse direction Y. In the example shown here, exactly two second guide ribs 22 of this type are provided. In principle, an embodiment with only a single such second guide rib 22 is conceivable. For each second guide rib, but at least for one such second guide rib 22, the cover 12 is provided with a complementary second guide groove 23. In the example shown, the cover 12 has exactly two second guide grooves 23 of this type. Each second guide rib 22 engages in the corresponding second guide groove 23 in the transverse direction Y and is held therein in a form-locking manner in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the form-locking engagement between the second guide rib 22 and the second guide groove 23 holds the cover 12 in a form-locking manner on the housing base 4 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0058] In the rectangular configuration of the respective air inlet opening 8 shown here, the two vertical frame sections 14 , 15 extend essentially parallel to the height direction Z and are situated opposite each other on the air inlet opening 8 with respect to the transverse direction Y. The two second guide ribs 22 provided here are each arranged on one of the two vertical frame sections 14 , 15 , wherein the two guide ribs 22 project toward each other in the transverse direction Y from the respective vertical frame section 14 , 15 .

[0059] In the rectangular configuration of the air inlet opening 8 shown here, the two horizontal frame sections 16, 17 extend substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y and are situated opposite each other in relation to the height direction Z on the air inlet opening 8. The respective first guide ribs 21 are arranged such that they connect the two horizontal frame sections 16, 17 to one another. The respective first guide ribs 21 are spaced apart from the two vertical frame sections 14, 15 in the transverse direction Y. Two or more first guide ribs 21 are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction Y and from the two vertical frame sections 14, 15.

[0060] according to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The housing base 4 may have at least one positioning rib 24 on its base inner side 19, which protrudes from the base inner side 19 in the height direction Z, counter to the assembly direction M. In the orientation of the housing 2 shown in the figures, the assembly direction M is oriented from top to bottom. Accordingly, the respective positioning rib 24 protrudes from the base inner side 19 from bottom to top. The cover 12 is dimensioned such that, on its inner side 25 facing the housing interior 3, it rests against the respective positioning rib 24 in the longitudinal direction X. In the example shown, exactly two positioning ribs 24 of this type are provided. These positioning ribs are positioned spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y and spaced apart from the two vertical frame sections 14 and 15 in the transverse direction Y. Preferably, there are as many positioning ribs 24 as there are first guide ribs 20. In particular, it can be provided that the respective positioning rib 24 is arranged in the region of one of the first guide ribs 20 with respect to the transverse direction Y. In the example shown here, two positioning ribs 24 are each arranged in the region of one of the first guide ribs 20 .

[0061] In the example shown here, the air filter device 1 is further equipped with a latching connection 26 for latching the cover device 12 to the housing base 4. The latching connection 26 is thus ultimately formed between the housing base 4 and the cover device 12. The latching connection 26 is configured such that when the cover device 12 is moved in the assembly direction M for assembly on the housing base 4, it latches into a predetermined assembly position P that closes the corresponding air inlet opening 8. This assembly position P is Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 9 . The engaged or locked latching connection 26 secures the cover 12 to the housing base 4 against movement counter to the assembly direction M. This locking is achieved, in particular, by form-fitting. The latching connection 26 can be advantageously configured such that, when the cover 12 is assembled, it engages audibly upon reaching the assembly position 12. Thus, during manual assembly of the cover 12, the latching connection 26 generates an audible noise upon reaching the assembly position 12, which acoustically indicates to the respective assembler that the desired assembly position P has been reached.

[0062] according to Figure 8 The latching connection 26 can have a latching hook 27 formed on the cover device 12 and configured in a spring-elastic manner in the longitudinal direction X. The latching connection 26 can also have a latching contour 28, which is formed on a frame section 29 of the housing base body 2 extending in the transverse direction Y at the corresponding air inlet opening 8. In the example shown here, the frame section 29 is formed by the region of a horizontal frame section 16, 17, i.e., by Figure 5 The upper horizontal frame section 16 is formed by the cover being moved past this upper horizontal frame section during assembly. The latching hooks 27 and the latching contours 28 are coordinated with one another so that when the cover 12 is assembled, the latching hooks 27 engage the latching contours 28 when the assembly position P is reached.

[0063] In the example shown here, the latching contour 28 has a latching opening 30, into which the end section 31 of the latching hook 27 engages in a form-fitting manner when the assembly position P is reached. In the example shown, the latching opening 30 is open in the height direction Z. Figure 6 and Figure 8As can be seen in FIG, the latching opening 30 is configured as a through-opening. However, in principle, it can also be sufficient for the latching opening 30 to be open only downward, i.e. in the assembly direction M or towards the corresponding air inlet opening 8. The latching hook 27 can now be configured such that the end section 31 of the latching hook 27 engages in the latching opening 30 in the height direction Z opposite to the assembly position M when the assembly position P is reached. In the figures, the assembly direction M is oriented from top to bottom. Correspondingly, according to Figure 8 , the end section 31 engages into the latching opening 30 from bottom to top. The latching opening 30 can be configured such that the latching opening Figure 8 The end portion 31 engaging in the latching opening 30 is thus locked in a positively locking manner transversely to the height direction Z, ie in particular in the longitudinal direction X, and in the transverse direction Y by the opening edge 32 .

[0064] In the example shown here, the cover 12 can have a plate-shaped cover body 33. In particular, the cover body 33 can be configured flat, wherein the plate plane of the cover body extends parallel to the height direction Z and parallel to the transverse direction Y. The thickness direction of the cover body 33 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Figure 8 The latch hook 27 may have an Figure 8 The spring bow 34 is open downward in the U shape, which is connected to the cover body 33. In addition, the latch hook 27 has a spring bow 34 that is open downward in the U shape, which is connected to the cover body 33. Figure 8 The latching hook 37 is formed in an upwardly open U-shaped latching clip 35, which connects the end section 31 to the spring clip 34. Due to the two clips open in the height direction Z, namely the spring clip 34 and the latching clip 35, the latching hook 37 is formed in an S-shape with respect to the longitudinal direction X and has a relatively high spring elasticity in the longitudinal direction X. Simultaneously, a certain spring elasticity is achieved in the height direction Z. This makes it possible for the latching hook 27 to embrace the opening edge 32 when reaching the assembly position P and to engage in the latching opening 30 in the height direction Z, counter to the assembly direction M.

[0065] In order to remove or disassemble the cover device 12, it is first necessary to release the latching connection 26. In the present case, this requires separating the latching hook 27 from the latching contour 28 or removing the end section 31 from the latching opening 30. In the case of a latching opening 30 designed as a through-opening, this can be achieved, for example, with the aid of a tool that can press the end section 31 out of the latching opening 30 in the assembly direction M.

[0066] In the example shown, the cover 12 also has a flange 36 arranged at the edge, projecting from the cover body 33 in the longitudinal direction X, which flange can be enclosed around the cover body 33 in a largely closed manner. In the region of the latching connection 26, the flange 36 has an interruption 37 in which the latching hook 27 is formed. In the assembly position P, the cover 12 is supported in the longitudinal direction X via the flange 36 at least on the upper horizontal frame section 16.

[0067] In the example shown here, the first guide grooves 21 are formed on the outer side 38 of the cover facing away from the housing interior 3 by means of two webs 39, which extend longitudinally in the height direction Z and protrude from the outer side 38 of the cover in the longitudinal direction X. The two webs 39 assigned to the respective first guide groove 21 are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction Y, so that the respective first guide groove 21 is thus formed between them. Expediently, these webs 29 extend over the entire height of the cover 12 and terminate in particular at a circumferential flange 36, which can each have a further interruption 40 in the region of the respective first guide groove 21, so that the respective first guide rib 20 can protrude beyond the cover 12 in the height direction Z. This is particularly the case when Figure 7 Can be seen in.

[0068] according to Figures 1 to 4 The housing base body 4 can have air guide elements 41 in the region of the respective air inlet openings 7, 8, which direct the air flow at the respective air inlet openings 7, 8 during operation of the air filter device 1. Figure 9 As can be seen in FIG, these air guide elements 41 can be formed on the first guide rib 20 when the air inlet opening 8 can be closed by means of the cover device 12. In other words, according to Figure 9 On the housing base body 4, in the corresponding air inlet opening 8, a web-shaped section 42 is constructed, which forms the corresponding first guide rib 20 on its inner side facing the housing interior space 3, and forms the corresponding air guide element 41 on its outer side facing away from the housing interior space 3.

[0069] according to Figures 1 to 4 The housing base 4 is open upward in the height direction Z and forms a housing bottom 43 and a housing wall 44. The housing bottom 43 delimits the housing interior 3 downward in the height direction Z. The housing wall 44 delimits the housing interior 3 laterally transverse to the height direction Z. Furthermore, the housing wall 44 includes two air inlet openings 7 and 8 and an air outlet opening 10. The housing cover 6 is releasably fastened to the housing base 4 and closes the housing base 4 from above. Thus, the housing cover 6 delimits the housing interior 3 upward with respect to the height direction Z.

[0070] according to Figure 1 The air filter element 5 arranged in the housing interior 3 separates a raw space 45 from a clean space 46 in the housing interior 3. The raw space is fluidically connected to the air inlet openings 7 and 8, and the clean space is fluidically connected to the air outlet opening 10. When the air filter device 1 is in operation, air can flow through the air filter element 5, wherein the air flows from the raw space 45 to the clean space 46. Figure 1 In the example shown, the air filter element 5 is equipped with a U-shaped filter body 47, which consists of filter material and can be flowed through by air. The filter body 47 is sealed in the height direction Z by means of two end plates 48. Figure 1 Only the upper end plate 48 of the two end plates facing the viewer can be seen. The U-shaped filter body 47 ends at an end plate 49, which has a filter outlet opening (not shown here) that is fluidically connected to the air outlet opening 10. A raw space 46 is formed within the air filter element 5. This raw space is bounded in the height direction Z by the two end plates 48 and transversely to the height direction Z by the end plate 49 and the filter body 47.

[0071] The relative positional specifications “top” and “bottom” refer to the height direction Z and are defined by an assembly direction M, which extends parallel to the height direction Z and is oriented from top to bottom.

Claims

1. An air filter device (1) for a motor vehicle, The air filter device comprises a housing (2) having a housing interior (3) and a housing base body (4), wherein the housing interior is used to accommodate an air filter element (5), -in, The housing base (4) has at least two air inlet openings (7, 8) and an air outlet opening (10), raw air (9) to be filtered can flow into the housing interior space (3) through the air inlet openings, and filtered clean air (11) can flow out of the housing interior space (3) through the air outlet openings. wherein at least one of the at least two air inlet openings (7, 8) is closed by means of a cover device (12), which is releasably fastened to the housing base body (4).

2. The air filter device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that - the housing base (4) has at least one opening frame (13) which circumferentially frames the corresponding air inlet opening (8), A corresponding covering device (12) is arranged on the opening frame (13) on the frame inner side (18) facing the housing interior (3).

3. The air filter device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that - the respective air inlet opening (8) extends in a height direction (Z) and in a transverse direction (Y) extending perpendicularly to said height direction (Z) and, when the cover device (12) is removed, can be traversed by air in a longitudinal direction (X) extending perpendicularly to said height direction (Z) and perpendicularly to said transverse direction (Y), The housing base (4) and the covering device (12) are configured such that the covering device (12) can be mounted on the housing base (4) in a mounting direction (M) extending parallel to the height direction (Z) for closing the corresponding air inlet opening (8).

4. The air filter device (1) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that - the housing base (4) has at least one first guide rib (20) on the base inner side (19) facing the housing interior (3) at the corresponding air inlet opening (8), the first guide rib extending longitudinally in the height direction (Z) and protruding from the base inner side (19) in the longitudinal direction (X), - The covering device (12) has a first guide groove (21) that is complementary to the corresponding first guide rib (20), the corresponding first guide rib (20) engaging in the first guide groove in the longitudinal direction (X) and the corresponding first guide rib (20) being held in the first guide groove in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction (Y).

5. The air filter device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, It is characterized in that - the housing base (4) has at least one second guide rib (22) on the base inner side (19) facing the housing interior (3), the second guide rib extending longitudinally in the height direction (Z) and protruding from the base inner side (19) in the transverse direction (Y), - The covering device (12) has a second guide groove (23) that is complementary to the corresponding second guide rib (22), the corresponding second guide rib (22) engaging into the second guide groove in the transverse direction (Y) and the corresponding second guide rib (22) being held in the second guide groove in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction (X).

6. The air filter device (1) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that the housing base (4) has two vertical frame sections (14, 15) which extend in the height direction (Z) and are situated opposite each other in the transverse direction (Y) at the respective air inlet opening (8), - Two second guide ribs (22) are provided, which are each arranged on one of the vertical frame sections (14, 15) and project from the respective vertical frame section (14, 15) towards each other in the transverse direction (Y).

7. The air filter device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, It is characterized in that the housing base (4) has two horizontal frame sections (16, 17) which extend in the transverse direction (Y) and are situated opposite each other in the height direction (Z) at the respective air inlet opening (8), - Respective first guide ribs (20) connect the two horizontal frame sections (16, 17) to each other.

8. The air filter device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, It is characterized in that The housing base (4) has at least one positioning rib (24) on its base inner side (19), said positioning rib protruding from the base inner side (19) in the height direction (Z) opposite to the assembly direction (M), The cover (12) rests on its inner side (25) facing the housing interior (3) in the longitudinal direction (X) against the corresponding positioning ribs (24).

9. The air filter device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, It is characterized in that - A latching connection (26) is constructed between the housing base (4) and the cover device (12), and the latching connection is configured so that: when the cover device (12) moves in the assembly direction (M) to be assembled on the housing base (4), the latching connection is engaged in a predetermined assembly position (P) of the cover device (12) that closes the corresponding air inlet opening (8), and locks the cover device (12) to prevent movement against the assembly direction (M).

10. The air filter device (1) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The latching connection (26) is configured such that, when the cover device (12) is assembled, it snaps in audibly when the assembly position (P) is reached.

11. The air filter device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, It is characterized in that the latching connection (26) has a latching hook (27) which is formed on the cover device (12) and is arranged in a spring-elastic manner in the longitudinal direction (X), the latching connection (26) has a latching contour (28) which is formed on a frame section (29) of the housing base body (4) extending in the transverse direction (Y) at the corresponding air inlet opening (8), When the cover device (12) is assembled, the latching hook (27) engages with the latching contour (28) when the assembly position (P) is reached.

12. The air filter device (1) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The latching contour (28) has a latching opening (30), into which an end section (31) of the latching hook (27) engages in a form-fitting manner in the assembly position (P).

13. The air filter device (1) according to claim 12, It is characterized in that - the latch opening (30) is open in the height direction (Z), The end section (31) of the latching hook (27) engages in the latching opening (30) in the height direction (Z) counter to the mounting direction (M) in the mounting position (P).

14. The air filter device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, It is characterized in that - the cover device (12) has a cover device body (33), The latching hook (27) has a U-shaped spring bow (34) which is open in the assembly direction (M) and is connected to the cover body (33), The latching hook (27) has a U-shaped latching bow (35) which is open opposite to the assembly direction (M) and connects the end section (31) to the spring bow (34).

15. Air filter device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The housing base (4) is open upward in the height direction (Z) and has a housing bottom (43) and a housing wall (44), wherein the housing bottom delimits the housing interior (3) downward in the height direction (Z), and the housing wall delimits the housing interior (3) laterally transversely to the height direction (Z), and the housing wall contains the air inlet openings (7, 8) and the air outlet opening (10), The housing (2) has a housing cover (6) which is detachably fastened to the housing base body (4) and closes the housing base body (4) from above, - An air filter element (5) is arranged in the housing interior space (3) so that the air filter element separates a raw space (45) from a clean space (46), the raw space being fluidically connected to the air inlet openings (7, 8) and the clean space being fluidically connected to the air outlet opening (10), wherein air can flow through the air filter element (5).

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