Filterelement

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element (10) for filtering a fluid, in particular air, at least comprising a filter medium body (12) with a filter medium (14) folded, in particular in a zigzag shape, wherein the folds (16) form fold valleys (20) and fold peaks (18), at least one sealing element (28), and an edge protection element (30) arranged on an inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24).The edge protection element (30) has a circumferentially closed profile and runs at least at opposite corners (60, 61, 62, 63) of a circumferential edge (33, 35) of the inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24) transversely to the fold tips (18) and / or fold valleys (20) along the circumferential edge (33, 35) and has, in at least one intermediate section of one of the adjoining circumferential edges (32, 34) which run parallel to the fold tips (18) and / or fold valleys (20), an indentation (36) along which the edge protection element (30) runs on the inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24) at a distance from the circumferential edge (32, 34).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air. State of the art

[0002] WO 2014 / 154484 A2 discloses a filter element for installation in a filter housing, which has at least one filter element holding device for holding the filter element in a filter housing, which is directly or indirectly connected to the filter bellows, and which has at least one support element for supporting the filter element in the filter housing, separate from the at least one filter element holding device.

[0003] DE 10 2014 015 905 A1 describes a flat filter element for fluids with a filter bellows made of a filter medium that is folded in a zigzag pattern along folded edges, each extending between opposite end edges of the filter bellows. A front pleat with a folded edge and an opposite free front edge is arranged on opposite end sides of the filter bellows. At least one of the front pleats is cut to length along its front edge by means of a perforation. Before cutting to length, the filter bellows is provided with a shape-stabilizing medium, in particular a hardening adhesive bead.

[0004] DE 10 2017 222 591 A1 describes a plate filter element comprising a plate-shaped filter body made of folded filter material, which has a plurality of folds extending parallel to a transverse filter direction and arranged next to one another in a longitudinal filter direction. It also comprises a closed, circumferential seal made of a sealing material, attached to the filter body, which seal has two longitudinal sections extending in the longitudinal filter direction and two transverse sections extending in the transverse filter direction. A longitudinal section or a transverse section has at least one compression section in which the seal extends in a wave-like or zigzag shape. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a robust filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, with the largest possible effective filter area.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to one aspect of the invention with a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, at least comprising a filter medium body with a filter medium folded, in particular in a zigzag shape, wherein the folds form fold valleys and fold tips, wherein the fold tips span at least one inflow surface and the fold valleys span at least one outflow surface opposite the inflow surface in the flow direction, at least one sealing element which is arranged circumferentially around the filter medium body and is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body, and an edge protection element arranged on the inflow surface and / or outflow surface, characterized in thatthat the edge protection element has a circumferentially closed course and runs at least at opposite corners of a circumferential edge of the inflow surface and / or outflow surface transversely to the fold tips and / or fold valleys along the circumferential edge and in at least one intermediate section of one of the adjoining circumferential edges, which run parallel to the fold tips and / or fold valleys, has an indentation along which the edge protection element runs on the inflow surface and / or outflow surface at a distance from the circumferential edge,

[0007] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0008] The invention is based on a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, at least comprising a filter medium body with a filter medium folded, in particular in a zigzag shape, wherein the folds form fold valleys and fold tips, wherein the fold tips span at least one inflow surface and the fold valleys span at least one outflow surface opposite the inflow surface in the flow direction, at least one sealing element which is arranged circumferentially around the filter medium body and is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body, and an edge protection element arranged on the inflow surface and / or outflow surface.

[0009] According to the invention, the edge protection element has a circumferentially closed profile and runs at least at opposite corners of a circumferential edge of the inflow surface and / or outflow surface transversely to the fold tips and / or fold valleys along the circumferential edge and has, in at least one intermediate section of one of the adjoining circumferential edges running parallel to the fold tips and / or fold valleys, an indentation along which the edge protection element runs on the inflow surface and / or outflow surface at a distance from the circumferential edge.

[0010] For support in a filter element housing and for protection during installation of the filter element in the filter element housing, the filter medium body of the proposed filter element has an edge protection element, for example made of polyurethane (PUR) foam, which is advantageously arranged opposite the sealing element. To ensure that an inflow surface of the outer folds is not completely closed, the contour of the edge protection element is designed to be variable and is guided over the front side of the filter medium body. The proposed design of the edge protection element has advantages in the manufacturing process compared to an edge protection element that is designed locally over the corners of the filter medium body. The dosing process of the material of the edge protection element is advantageously carried out continuously. A round shape for the indentation in the plane of the contour of the edge protection element has proven particularly advantageous for the dosing process.

[0011] This design of the edge protection element is particularly advantageous because the dosing width can be relatively large compared to the width of the sealing element, which also seals folds in the filter medium body on the opposite side of the filter medium body, i.e., on the end face with the sealing element. However, this area is narrower, and fewer folds are sealed. A minimum width of the PUR foam during dosing can, for example, be at least 7 mm.

[0012] State-of-the-art edge protection elements usually run continuously along the outer contour of the filter medium body.

[0013] With the proposed filter element, more effective filter area can be created with the same size of the filter medium body.

[0014] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the pleat height can be at least 100 mm. With larger pleat heights, the enlargement of the filter surface can have a greater impact if individual edge pleats are not closed due to the design of the edge protection element. Typical pleat heights can be up to 400 mm, for example. With such large pleat heights, the effective filter surface would be significantly reduced if pleats at the peripheral edges were closed, for example, by wide edge protection elements. This can be advantageously avoided by the proposed arrangement of the edge protection element with indentations transverse to the extension of the pleats.

[0015] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the indentation can be formed transversely to the peripheral edge of the filter medium body. This allows the outer folds to be advantageously kept open for the flow of the fluid to be filtered.

[0016] According to a favorable design of the filter element, indentations can be formed on opposite peripheral edges of the filter medium body. This can advantageously result in favorable flow behavior of the filter medium body.

[0017] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the indentations on the opposite peripheral edges can be mirror images of each other. This can advantageously result in a favorable flow behavior of the filter medium body.

[0018] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the edge protection element can have a continuous profile along its entire length. This allows the manufacturing process for the edge protection element to be designed particularly efficiently.

[0019] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, the edge protection element can comprise or consist of an elastomer. In particular, the edge protection element can be foamed onto the filter medium body. The edge protection element can advantageously be made of polyurethane (PUR) foam, for example. PUR foam offers a particularly favorable manufacturing process. Elastomers are particularly effective for protecting against impacts during installation or handling of the filter element. The dosing width of such an edge protection element can usually be at least 7 mm. The edge protection element can overlap the peripheral edge by, for example, between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm. The mechanical properties of the material of the edge protection element are uncritical. Foams with typical Shore hardnesses of 22 or 27 can be advantageously used.

[0020] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the pleat tips can be embedded in the edge protection element. This results in a particularly advantageous connection of the edge protection element to the filter medium body.

[0021] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the sealing element can be arranged on one end face of the filter medium body, while the edge protection element can be arranged on the opposite end face of the filter medium body in the direction of flow. This results in an advantageous installation situation in a filter housing, which also facilitates replacement when replacing the filter element for maintenance.

[0022] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the filter medium body can have an element frame at least partially on its outer circumference, which is tightly connected to the sealing element. This provides robust handling for the filter element during installation and replacement in a filter housing.

[0023] According to a favorable design of the filter element, the element frame can have an additional sealing element on an edge facing away from the sealing element for sealing against a filter housing when properly arranged in the filter housing. This allows the filter element to be advantageously installed in a filter housing sealed against the environment. Short description of the drawings

[0024] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0025] Examples include: Fig. 1 an isometric representation of a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, according to an embodiment of the invention with a view of an outflow side of the filter element; Fig. 2 an isometric view of the filter element according to Fig. 1 with view of the upstream side; Fig. 3 a plan view of the upstream side of the filter element; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the filter element along a section plane AA according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 a sectional view of the filter element along a cutting plane BB according to Fig. 3. Embodiments of the invention

[0026] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0027] To explain the invention, Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a filter element 10 for filtering a fluid, in particular air, with a view of an outflow side 24 of the filter element 10. In Fig. 2 shows the filter element 10 with a view of the inflow side 22. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the inflow side 22 of the filter element 10.

[0028] The filter element 10 comprises a filter medium body 12 with a zigzag-folded filter medium 14. The folds 16 form pleat valleys 20 and pleat tips 18. The pleat tips 18 define the inflow surface 22, while the pleat valleys 20 define the outflow surface 24 opposite the inflow surface 22 in the flow direction 26.

[0029] The folds 16 of the filter medium body 12 are aligned parallel to the peripheral edges 32, 34.

[0030] On the downstream side 24, a sealing element 28 is arranged circumferentially around the filter medium body 12 and is directly connected to the filter medium body 12.

[0031] An edge protection element 30 is arranged on the inflow surface 22 and has a circumferentially closed profile. The edge protection element 30 runs at opposite corners 60, 61, 62, 63 of the circumferential edge 33, 35 of the inflow surface 22, transversely to the pleat tips 18 along the circumferential edge 33, 35. The edge protection element 30 has indentations 36 in at least one intermediate section of one of the adjoining circumferential edges 32, 34, which run parallel to the pleat tips 18, along which the edge protection element 30 runs on the inflow surface 22, spaced from the circumferential edge 32, 34.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the edge protection element 30 can also be arranged on the outflow surface 24. The sealing element 28 can be arranged on the inflow surface 22. The sealing element 28 can be arranged on an end face 42, 44 of the filter medium body 12, and the edge protection element 30 can be arranged on the opposite end face 42, 44 of the filter medium body 12 in the flow direction 26.

[0033] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the indentations 36 are formed transversely to the peripheral edges 32, 34 of the filter medium body 12. The indentations 36 are formed on opposite peripheral edges 32, 34 of the filter medium body 12, mirroring each other.

[0034] The edge protection element 30 has a continuous profile along its length, which allows for efficient metering of the edge protection material. The edge protection element 30 can advantageously comprise or consist of an elastomer, such as polyurethane (PUR). The edge protection element 30 can be foamed onto the filter medium body 12. Pleat tips 18 of the pleats 16 can thus advantageously be embedded in the edge protection element 30.

[0035] The filter medium body 12 has stiffening elements 48, for example in the form of glue beads, arranged parallel to the pleat tips 18 on the end face 42. A further stiffening element 49 is arranged transversely to the other stiffening elements 48 in the direction of the pleats 16. The stiffening elements 48, 49 serve to stabilize the pleat tips 18. This advantageously allows the spacing between the pleats 16 to be maintained.

[0036] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the filter medium body 12 has, at least partially, an element frame 50 on its outer circumference 46, which is tightly connected to the sealing element 28. The element frame 50 has, on an edge 52 facing away from the sealing element 28, a further sealing element 54 for sealing against a filter housing when arranged as intended in the filter housing.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the filter element 10 along a section plane AA according to Fig. 3, while in Fig. 5 a sectional view of the filter element 10 along a section plane BB according to Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0038] In the illustrations, the folds 16 of the filter medium body 12 are cross-sectionally cut. It can be seen how the fold valleys 20 on the outflow side 24 are embedded in the sealing element 28 at the outer edge of the filter medium body 12. On the inflow side 22, however, the pleat tips 18 of some of the folds 16 are embedded in the edge protection element 30. Fig. 4, where indentations 36 of the edge protection element 30 can be seen, the corresponding folds 16 are located in the interior of the filter medium body 12, while in Fig. 5, where the edge protection element 30 rests against the peripheral edges 32, 34, folds 16 on the outer circumference 46 are embedded in the edge protection element 30.

[0039] Since the fluid flowing in at the inflow side 22 is also distributed in adjacent folds 16, such an arrangement of indentations 36 of the edge protection element 30 can prevent the folds 16 from being closed off by the inflowing fluid. This advantageously results in an increase in the effective filter surface compared to an edge protection element 30 arranged circumferentially only at the peripheral edges 32, 33, 34, 35, in which the folds 16 would otherwise be closed off at the peripheral edges 32, 34.

[0040] This arrangement of the edge protection element 30 is particularly advantageous for deep filter medium bodies 12 with a large pleat height 21 ( Fig. 4). Advantageously, in the proposed filter element 10 with the edge protection element 30, the pleat height 21 of the pleats 16 can be at least 100 mm.

[0041] In the sectional views in the Fig. 4 and Fig.5 shows a section of the element frame 50. The edge 52 of the element frame 50 has a groove in which the sealing element 54 is arranged for sealing during installation in a filter housing. Reference symbol 10 filter element 12 filter medium bodies 14 Filter medium 16 folds 18 pleat tip 20 Fold Valley 21 pleat height 22 Inflow area 24 outflow area 26 Flow direction 28 Sealing element 30 edge protection element 32 peripheral edge 33 peripheral edge 34 peripheral edge 35 peripheral edge 36 indentation 38 long side 40 long side 42 front side 44 front side 46 outer circumference 48 stiffening element 49 Stiffening element 50 element frames 52 Rand 54 Sealing element 60 corner 61 Corner 62 Corner 63 Corner QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2014 / 154484 A2

[0002] DE 10 2014 015 905 A1

[0003] DE 10 2017 222 591 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Filter element (10) for filtering a fluid, in particular air, at least comprising - a filter medium body (12) with a filter medium (14) folded, in particular in a zigzag shape, wherein the folds (16) form fold valleys (20) and fold tips (18), wherein the fold tips (18) span at least one inflow surface (22) and the fold valleys (20) span at least one outflow surface (24) opposite the inflow surface (22) in the flow direction (26), - at least one sealing element (28) which is arranged circumferentially around the filter medium body (12) and is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body (12), and - an edge protection element (30) arranged on the inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24), characterized byin that the edge protection element (30) has a circumferentially closed profile and runs at least at opposite corners (60, 61, 62, 63) of a circumferential edge (33, 35) of the inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24) transversely to the fold tips (18) and / or fold valleys (20) along the circumferential edge (33, 35) and in at least one intermediate section of one of the adjoining circumferential edges (32, 34) which run parallel to the fold tips (18) and / or fold valleys (20), has an indentation (36) along which the edge protection element (30) runs on the inflow surface (22) and / or outflow surface (24) at a distance from the circumferential edge (32, 34). [2] Filter element according to claim 1, wherein a pleat height (21) of the pleats (16) is at least 100 mm. [3] Filter element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indentation (36) is formed transversely to the peripheral edge (32, 34) of the filter medium body (12). [4] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein indentations (36) are formed on opposite peripheral edges (32, 34) of the filter medium body (12). [5] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the indentations (36) on the opposite peripheral edges (32, 34) are formed as a mirror image of one another. [6] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge protection element (30) has a continuous course along its extension. [7] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge protection element (30) comprises or consists of an elastomer, in particular wherein the edge protection element (30) is foamed onto the filter medium body (12). [8] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein pleat tips (18) of the pleats (16) are embedded in the edge protection element (30). [9] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (28) is arranged on an end face (42, 44) of the filter medium body (12), wherein the edge protection element (30) is arranged on the end face (42, 44) of the filter medium body (12) opposite in the flow direction (26). [10] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter medium body (12) has at least partially on its outer circumference (46) an element frame (50) which is tightly connected to the sealing element (28). [11] Filter element according to claim 10, wherein the element frame (50) has, on an edge (52) facing away from the sealing element (28), a further sealing element (54) for sealing against a filter housing when arranged as intended in the filter housing.

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