Filter element and filter system

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element (10) for filtering a fluid, in particular air, comprising at least a filter medium body (12) with a non-closed cross-section and a filter medium (14) arranged in folds (16), in particular in a zigzag pattern, along a longitudinal extension (50) of the filter medium body (12), wherein fold tips (18) form a first end face (22) and fold valleys (20) form a second end face (24) opposite in a transverse extension (52) of the filter medium body (12), with fixing elements (80) which extend between the folds (16) in the transverse extension (52) and fix a distance between the folds (16), with a first edge element (26) at least partially circumferentially around the first end face (22) and a second edge element (28) at least partially circumferentially around the second end face (24). The filter medium body (12) has at least one of its end faces (22, 24) a notch (40, 44) whose length (42, 46) in the transverse extent (52) is at least a part of the transverse extent (52) of the filter medium body (12).

Description

Technical field

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

[0002] The intake air of combustion engines is typically cleaned of contaminants by means of an air filter before entering the combustion chamber. The air filter elements used for this purpose can have a star-shaped pleated filter medium.

[0003] US 11628385 B2 describes a filtration system comprising a housing with a first housing end and a second housing end. The housing defines a central chamber within it. The housing includes an alignment tab located at the second housing end. The alignment tab projects from the second housing end toward the first housing end. The filter element is positioned within the housing. The filter element includes a first end cap, a second end cap, and filter media positioned between and extending between the first and second end caps. The filter media defines a central opening that extends axially within it. An alignment notch is located at the second end cap. The alignment notch projects from the second end cap toward the first end cap. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] One object of the invention is to create an improved filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air.

[0005] Another objective of the invention is to create a filter system with such an improved filter element.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved according to one aspect of the invention with a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, comprising at least a filter medium body with a non-closed cross-section and a filter medium folded, in particular in a zigzag pattern, along a longitudinal extension of the filter medium body, wherein the folds form fold troughs and fold crests, wherein the fold crests form a first end face and the fold troughs form a second end face opposite in a transverse extension of the filter medium body, with fixing elements extending between the folds in the transverse extension and fixing a distance between the folds, with a first edge element at least partially circumferentially around the first end face and a second edge element at least partially circumferentially around the second end face.wherein the filter medium body has at least one of its end faces a notch, the length of which in the transverse dimension is at least a part of the transverse dimension of the filter medium body.

[0007] The further problem is solved according to a further aspect of the invention with a filter system comprising a housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a replaceable filter element arranged in the housing, wherein at least one notch of a filter medium body of the filter element interacts with a counter element arranged in the housing.

[0008] Favorable embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a filter element for filtering a fluid, in particular air, is proposed, comprising at least a filter medium body with a non-closed cross-section and a filter medium folded, in particular in a zigzag pattern, along a longitudinal extension of the filter medium body, wherein the folds form fold troughs and fold peaks, wherein the fold peaks form a first end face and the fold troughs form a second end face opposite in a transverse extension of the filter medium body, with fixing elements extending between the folds in the transverse extension and fixing a distance between the folds, and with a first edge element at least partially circumferentially around the first end face and a second edge element at least partially circumferentially around the second end face.

[0010] The filter medium body has at least one indentation on its end faces, the length of which in the transverse dimension is at least a part of the transverse dimension of the filter medium body.

[0011] The proposed filter element has a notch on at least one of the two end faces of the filter medium body. In this area, fixing elements, such as glue beads, of the pleats are interrupted, so that the pleats are flexible and provide sufficient space for an additional insert or for the notch to be foamed over, for example with polyurethane (PUR), for fixing to the filter medium body.

[0012] The indentation can, for example, create space for a handle on a safety element such as a secondary filter element, or for accommodating a positioning element of the housing. This saves installation space in a filter system.

[0013] The indentation can be formed using a mold for polyurethane foam, with the shape of the indentation being fixed after the polyurethane foam has cured. Alternatively, the indentation can be formed using a separate plastic insert, which is placed in the polyurethane mold to produce an edge element of the filter medium body.

[0014] If the fixing elements, such as glue beads, which are typically used to secure the pleats of the filter medium body, are interrupted within a certain area, the pleat tips can be bent in a limited range. This range can be large enough to create a gap to accommodate other components, such as a positioning element of the housing or a handle of a secondary filter element. This advantageously saves space within the filter housing.

[0015] According to a favorable design of the filter element, at least one indentation can begin at the end face and extend transversely away from the end face. This allows a sufficient gap to be created between the folds of the filter medium body to accommodate other components, such as a positioning element of the housing or a handle of a secondary filter element.

[0016] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, the at least one indentation can be formed radially within the first or second edge element of the filter medium body. Alternatively, the at least one indentation can begin at the first or second edge element of the filter medium body and extend longitudinally into the filter medium body. Advantageously, the indentation can be arranged inside an end face of the filter medium body, for example, to accommodate a handle of a secondary filter element. Alternatively, the indentation can be arranged at the edge element of the filter medium body, for example, to accommodate a positioning element of the housing.

[0017] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, several folds on both sides of the at least one indentation can be free of fixing elements at least in the transverse dimension, and in particular free of fixing elements at least in the transverse dimension and along the longitudinal dimension. This allows the folds of the filter medium body to be advantageously bent open sufficiently far to form the gap of the indentation.

[0018] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, the pleats in the area around the indentation and / or within the indentation can be continuous. In particular, at least one indentation can run parallel to the pleats. This advantageously creates a gap between the pleats for the indentation.

[0019] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, the at least one indentation can be formed as a spreading between two folds in their longitudinal and / or transverse direction. Thus, a gap between the folds can advantageously be formed for the indentation.

[0020] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, at least one indentation can be supported by a fixing contour, in particular an injection-molded one.

[0021] This allows the indentation to be advantageously fixed and stabilized, so that, for example, a handle of a secondary filter element can be safely inserted during the assembly of the filter element.

[0022] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter element, the at least one notch can be supported in its longitudinal and / or transverse direction by a separate insert. In particular, the insert can have a support structure that engages in the at least one notch. This allows the notch to be advantageously fixed and stabilized, so that, for example, a handle of a secondary filter element can be securely inserted during assembly of the filter element.

[0023] Advantageously, at least one indentation can be formed by an indentation structure in a casting tool for producing at least one of the two edge elements, for example in a PUR casting process. The casting tool can also advantageously form the fixing contour around the indentation.

[0024] Alternatively, at least one indentation can also be formed by an indentation structure of an insert during the casting process of at least one of the two edge elements. The insert can also advantageously form the fixing contour around the indentation.

[0025] Advantageously, at least one of the edge elements can be designed as a sealing element. This allows a clean fluid area to be sealed off from a raw fluid area when the filter element is inserted into the housing of the filter system. Furthermore, the filter element can be advantageously supported by this edge element when installed in the housing.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, a filter system is proposed comprising a housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a replaceable filter element arranged in the housing, wherein at least one notch of a filter medium body of the filter element interacts with a counter element arranged in the housing.

[0027] The filter element has a notch on at least one of the two end faces of the filter medium body. In this area, fixing elements, such as glue beads, of the pleats are interrupted, so that the pleats are flexible and create enough space for an additional insert or for the notch to be foamed over, for example with polyurethane (PUR), for fixing to the filter medium body.

[0028] The indentation can, for example, create space to accommodate a handle of a safety element such as a secondary filter element, or to accommodate a positioning element of the housing. This saves installation space in a filter system.

[0029] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter system, at least one indentation in the filter medium body can interact with a counter element of a secondary filter element arranged in the housing downstream of the filter element. Advantageously, the counter element, for example a handle, of the secondary filter element can thus be received in the indentation.

[0030] According to a favorable embodiment of the filter system, at least one indentation in the filter medium body can interact with a counter element in the housing to position the filter element. Advantageously, the counter element, for example a positioning element, can be received in the indentation of the housing. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Further advantages 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. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0032] They show, for example: Fig. 1 an isometric representation of a filter system for filtering a fluid, in particular air, according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 an isometric representation of a filter element of the filter system according to Fig. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, with a view to a first end face; Fig. 3 an isometric representation of the filter element according to Fig. 2, with a view to a second end face; Fig. 4 an isometric view of an insert from a top view; Fig. 5 an isometric representation of the insert part according to Fig. 4 from a bottom side; Fig. 6 a top view of the insert part according to Fig. 4 with a cutting plane BB; Fig. 7. Cut a cross-section through the insert along the section line BB. Fig. 6; Fig. 8 an isometric representation of a filter element according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the second end face; Fig. 9 an isometric representation of a filter element according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the second end face; Fig. 10 a cross-section through the filter element according to Fig. 8; Fig. 11 a cross-section through the filter system according to Fig. 1; Fig. 12 a combined cross-section and longitudinal section through the filter system according to Fig. 1; Fig. 13 an isometric representation of a filter element according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the first end face; Fig. 14 a side view of the filter element after Fig. 13; and Fig. 15 an isometric representation of the filter element according to Fig. 13, looking at the second frontal surface. Embodiments of the invention

[0033] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference symbols. The figures merely show examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0034] To explain the invention, Fig. 1 an isometric representation of a filter system 100 for filtering a fluid, in particular air, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] The filter system 100 has a housing 102 with a fluid inlet 110 and a fluid outlet 112 and a replaceable filter element 10 arranged in the housing 102 (not visible) as well as a secondary filter element 120 (see Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). For easier assembly, the housing 102 consists of a first housing part 104 with the fluid inlet 110 and a second housing part 106 with the fluid outlet 112.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows an isometric representation of a filter element 10 of the filter system 100 according to Fig. 1 with a view to a first frontal surface 22, while in Fig. 3 shows a view of a second end face 24.

[0037] The filter element 10 comprises a filter medium body 12 with a non-closed cross-section and with a filter medium 14, in particular in a zigzag shape, folded 16 along a longitudinal extent 50 of the filter medium body 12.

[0038] The folds 16 form fold troughs 20 and fold peaks 18. The fold peaks 18 span the first end face 22, while the fold troughs 20 span the second end face 24 opposite in a transverse extension 52 of the filter medium body 12.

[0039] Fixing elements 80, which extend between the folds 16 in the transverse dimension 52, fix a distance between the folds 16.

[0040] The filter medium body 12 has a first edge element 26 surrounding the first end face 22 and a second edge element 28 surrounding the second end face 24. The edge elements 26, 28 can, for example, be made of polyurethane (PUR) foam, with which the pleat crests 18 and pleat troughs 20 are foamed.

[0041] The edge element 26 of the first end face 22 is designed as a sealing element 30. This advantageously allows a clean fluid area to be sealed off from a crude fluid area when the filter element 10 is inserted into the housing 102 of the filter system 100. Furthermore, the filter element 10 can be advantageously supported by this edge element 26 when installed in the housing 102.

[0042] The filter medium body 12 shown as the first embodiment has a notch 40 on the second end face 24.

[0043] The indentation 40 begins at the end face 24 and extends in the transverse dimension 52 away from the end face 24. The indentation 40 is formed radially within the second edge element 28 of the filter medium body 12.

[0044] The folds 16 are continuous in the area around the notch 40. The notch 40, 44 runs parallel to the folds 16. The notch 40 is formed as a spreading between two folds 16 in longitudinal dimension 50 and transverse dimension 52.

[0045] As in Fig. 3 several folds 16 are visible on both sides of the indentation 40 along the longitudinal extent 50, free of fixing elements 80.

[0046] The notch 40, 44 is supported by a separate insert part 48 in longitudinal extension 50 and in transverse extension 52.

[0047] Such an insert part 48 is in the Fig. 4 to 7 are shown. Fig. Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the insert part 48 from a top view, Fig. 5 from a bottom. Fig. Figure 6 shows a top view of the insert part 48 with a section plane BB. Fig. Figure 7 shows a cross-section through the insert part 48 along the section line BB.

[0048] It can be seen that the insert 48 has a support structure 49 which can engage in the notch 40. In this way, the notch 40, which is designed as a spreading between two folds 16 in longitudinal extension 50 and transverse extension 52, can be effectively stabilized. The insert 48 also protects the filter medium body 12 against damage from an inserted counter element.

[0049] Fig. Figure 8 shows an isometric representation of a filter element 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the second end face 24.

[0050] In this embodiment, the indentation 40 is supported by a fixing contour 32, in particular an injection-molded one, instead of by the insert part 48.

[0051] The indentation 40 can be formed by an indentation structure in a casting tool for producing the edge element 28, for example in a PUR foaming process. This allows the fixing contour 32 to be conveniently produced during the foaming process for forming the edge element 28.

[0052] Fig. Figure 9 shows an isometric representation of a filter element 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the second end face 24.

[0053] The notch 40 is designed similarly to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, however, the indentation 48 is not overmolded as a fixing contour 32. Instead, two fixing structures 32, which run parallel to the fixing elements 80, are guided transversely across the second end face 24. The two fixing structures 32 are each arranged in longitudinal extension 50 at the ends of the indentation 48.

[0054] In Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the filter element 10 according to Fig. 8 shown.

[0055] It can be seen that the folds 16 in the area around and within the notch 40 are continuous. In particular, the notch 40 runs parallel to the folds 16. The notch 40 is formed as a spreading between two folds 16 in longitudinal dimension 50 and transverse dimension 52. The notch 40 can be very small in its extent in longitudinal dimension 50 and transverse dimension 52, or it can extend over the entire filter medium body 12 in longitudinal dimension 50 and transverse dimension 52.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the length 42 of the indentation 40 is significantly shorter in its transverse extent 52 than the transverse extent 52 of the filter medium body 12.

[0057] Fig. Figure 11 shows a cross-section through the filter system 100 after Fig. 1, while in Fig. Figure 12 shows a combined cross-section and longitudinal section through the filter system 100.

[0058] The housing 102 of the filter system 100 contains a filter element 10, as shown in Fig. 8, and a secondary filter element 120 is arranged downstream of the filter element 10. The notch 40, 44 of the filter medium body 12 receives the counter element 122 of the secondary filter element 120 arranged in the housing 102 downstream of the filter element 10. The counter element 122 can, for example, be, as shown in Fig. 12. A handle for handling the secondary filter element 120 is recognizable.

[0059] It is also evident that the fixing elements 80, which are designed, for example, as glue beads, are set off in the area of ​​the indentation 40 to fix the folds 16, so that there is sufficient flexibility in the filter medium 14 of the filter medium body 12 to form the indentation 40 by widening the folds 16.

[0060] The two housing parts 104, 106 are tightly closed after the insertion of the secondary filter element 120, followed by the insertion of the filter element 10. The filter element 10 is supported and / or sealed against the filter housing 102 by the edge element 26 of the first end face 22, which is designed as a sealing element 30.

[0061] The filter element 10 is supported and / or sealed against the second housing part 106 at the second end face 24 by the circumferential edge element 28. Likewise, the secondary filter element 120 is supported and / or sealed against the second housing part 106 by the circumferential edge element 124, which may also be designed as a PUR foam covering.

[0062] Fig. Figure 13 shows an isometric representation of a filter element 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, with a view to the first end face 22. Fig. Figure 14 shows a side view of filter element 10, while in Fig. Figure 15 shows an isometric representation of the filter element 10, with a view to the second end face 24.

[0063] In this embodiment, the filter element 10 has a notch 44 which begins at the second edge element 28 of the filter medium body 12, which is interrupted at the location of the notch 44, and extends longitudinally 50 into the filter medium body 12. The notch 44 is supported by the fixing contour 32.

[0064] The length 46 of the indentation 40 is significantly shorter in its transverse extent 52 than the transverse extent 52 of the filter medium body 12.

[0065] The indentation 44 can be formed, for example, by an indentation structure of an insert of the edge element 28 during the manufacturing process of the edge element 28, for example, by a PUR foaming process. The edge element 28 and the indentation 44 can be manufactured and overmolded together. The fixing contour 32 can also be produced at the same time.

[0066] As in Fig. As can be seen in section 15, the fixing elements 80 are interrupted in the area of ​​the indentation 44 in order to provide the necessary flexibility to widen the folds 16.

[0067] Advantageously, the notch 40, 44 of the filter medium body 12 can cooperate with a counter element of the housing 102 for positioning the filter element 10 when inserting it into the housing 102. Reference sign 10 filter elements 12 filter media bodies 14 Filter medium 16 folds 18 pleats 20 Folded Valley 22 first front face 24 second front face 26 Edge element 28 Edge element 30 sealing element 32 Fixation contour 40 notches 42 Length 44 Notch 46 Length 48 Insert part 49 Support structure 50 Longitudinal extent 52 Transverse extension 80 fixing element 100 filter system 102 cases 104 first housing part 106 second housing part 110 Fluid inlet 112 Fluid outlet 120 secondary filter elements 122 Counter-element 124 edge element QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 11628385 B2

[0003]

Claims

[1] Filter element (10) for filtering a fluid, in particular air, comprising at least a filter medium body (12) with a non-closed cross-section and with a filter medium (14) folded, in particular in a zigzag pattern, along a longitudinal extension (50) of the filter medium body (12), wherein the folds (16) form fold troughs (20) and fold peaks (18), wherein the fold peaks (18) span a first end face (22) and the fold troughs (20) span a second end face (24) opposite in a transverse extension (52) of the filter medium body (12), with fixing elements (80) which extend between the folds (16) in the transverse dimension (52) and fix a distance between the folds (16), with a first edge element (26) at least partially surrounding the first end face (22) and a second edge element (28) at least partially surrounding the second end face (24), wherein the filter medium body (12) has at least on one of its end faces (22, 24) a notch (40, 44) the length (42, 46) of which in the transverse extent (52) is at least a part of the transverse extent (52) of the filter medium body (12). [2] Filter element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) begins at the end face (22, 24) and extends in the transverse dimension (52) away from the end face (22, 24). [3] Filter element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) is formed radially within the first or second edge element (26, 28) of the filter medium body (12), or wherein at least one indentation (40, 44) begins at the first or second edge element (26, 28) of the filter medium body (12) and extends longitudinally (50) into the filter medium body (12). [4] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several folds (16) on both sides of the at least one indentation (40, 44) are free of fixing elements (80) at least in the transverse dimension (52), in particular at least in the transverse dimension (52) and along the longitudinal dimension (50) are free of fixing elements (80). [5] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folds (16) in the area around the notch (40, 44) and / or in the notch (40, 44) are continuous, in particular wherein the at least one notch (40, 44) runs parallel to the folds (16). [6] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) is formed as a spreading between two folds (16) in longitudinal extension (50) and / or transverse extension (52). [7] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) is supported by a fixing contour (32), in particular an injection-molded contour. [8] Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one notch (40, 44) is supported by a separate insert part (48) in longitudinal extension (50) and / or transverse extension (52), in particular wherein the insert part (48) has a support structure (49) which engages in the at least one notch (40, 44). [9] Filter system (100) with a housing (102) having a fluid inlet (110) and a fluid outlet (112) and a replaceable filter element (10) arranged in the housing (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one notch (40, 44) of a filter medium body (12) of the filter element (10) interacts with a counter element (122) arranged in the housing (102). [10] Filter system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) of the filter medium body (12) interacts with a counter element (122) of a secondary filter element (120) arranged in the housing (102) downstream of the filter element (10). [11] Filter system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one indentation (40, 44) of the filter medium body (12) cooperates with a counter element of the housing (102) for positioning the filter element (10).

Images