Air filter for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air filter (44) with a filter element (10) which is inserted into a receiving chamber (46) provided by a housing (16) of the air filter (44), wherein the filter element (10) has a frame part (12) which surrounds a filter material (14) of the filter element (10) at least partially, and wherein the filter element (10) has at least one fastening element which can be coupled to a corresponding housing-side fastening element for fastening the filter element (10) to the housing (16), wherein a spreading element (20) received in a receptacle (42) can be moved into a fixing position by means of a spreading means (28) in which the spreading element (20) is held in the receptacle (42) forming a positive fit, wherein a fastening arrangement is formed by coupling the at least one fastening element of the filter element (10) with the housing-side fastening element.which comprises a spreading element (20) and a receptacle (42) corresponding to the spreading element (20), and wherein the spreading element (20) received in the receptacle (42) is brought into a fixing position by means of a spreading means (28) in which the spreading element (20) is held in the receptacle (42) by forming a positive locking, wherein a cover element (62) can be fixed to the housing (16) of the air filter (44) by inserting the spreading means (28) into the spreading element (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air filter for a motor vehicle comprising a filter element and a frame part that at least partially surrounds the filter material of the filter element. The filter element can be inserted into a receiving space provided by the housing of the air filter. The filter element has at least one fastening element which can be coupled to a corresponding fastening element on the housing for attaching the filter element to the housing.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2014 017 483 A1 describes an air filter housing for receiving an air filter element for filtering combustion air for an internal combustion engine. The air filter housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The two housing parts are held together by means of fasteners. The filter element can be integrated into one of the housing parts, which is designed as a cover element, and thus be designed as a single wear part. The fasteners can include snap hooks that engage from the cover element in recesses on the second housing part or housing base. Alternatively, the housing parts can be connected to each other by means of screws, or locking hooks and tabs can be used.

[0003] From DE 100 26 437 A1, a filter device is known with a replaceable filter element arranged in a housing. This element is cylindrical in shape, with an axial seal provided on at least one end plate. This seal, in conjunction with a sealing surface of the housing, provides a seal between a raw air and a clean air area of ​​the housing. Furthermore, a clamping wedge is provided, which exerts a force on the filter element to ensure that the axial seal reliably rests against the sealing surface of the housing.

[0004] DE 10 2017 007 498 A1 discloses a filter element for an air filter of a motor vehicle. This element can be inserted into a receiving space provided by the housing of the air filter. The filter element has at least one retaining element which, by inserting the filter element into the receiving space, can be moved from a starting position to a functional position in which a fastening element can be fixed to the retaining element.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 299 07 428 U1 discloses a fastening device comprising a rivet which can be inserted through through holes in components to be fastened together. The connection is then achieved by spreading expanding elements on the rivet.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2012 016 558 A1 shows a filter device comprising a filter element and a filter housing. A positive locking element is arranged on the filter element, which corresponds to another positive locking element on the housing cover.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 20 2006 005 012 U1 discloses an air filter with a filter housing and a replaceable filter element located therein. This element comprises a hollow cylindrical filter body and two end plates. The first end plate has an opening through which the filter element can be sealed onto a clean air inlet on the housing. The filter housing also features a movable or removable housing section to provide access for maintenance.

[0008] Thus, there are numerous application solutions for attaching an air filter cover to the lower part of the air filter housing. However, when using screw connections, an additional part in the form of a nut must be installed on the lower housing, which increases costs. Alternatively, self-tapping or self-screwing screws can be used. However, repeated screwing in of these can damage the material of the lower housing, so a secure hold is no longer guaranteed.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to create an air filter of the type mentioned above in which a secure hold of the filter element on the housing can be achieved in a particularly low-effort manner.

[0010] This problem is solved by an air filter with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The air filter according to the invention for a motor vehicle, for example a commercial vehicle, a bus or a passenger car, comprises a filter element, wherein the filter element is placed in a receiving space which is provided by a housing of the air filter.

[0013] The filter element comprises a frame section that at least partially surrounds the filter material of the filter element. The filter element can be inserted into the receiving space provided by the air filter housing. The filter element has at least one fastening element that can be coupled to a corresponding fastening element on the housing for attaching the filter element to the housing. By coupling the at least one fastening element of the filter element to the housing-side fastening element, a fastening arrangement is provided or formed. The fastening arrangement comprises a spreading element and a receptacle corresponding to the spreading element. The spreading element, received in the receptacle, can be moved into a fixed position by means of a spreading device. In the fixed position, the spreading element is held in the receptacle by means of a positive locking mechanism.

[0014] The air filter can be designed specifically as an air filter for the intake manifold of a combustion engine in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the air filter can be intended for an air conditioning or ventilation system in the motor vehicle.

[0015] Such a filter element can be attached to the housing in a particularly simple manner, ensuring a secure hold. This is achieved simply by inserting the expanding agent into the expanding element to cause it to expand. No additional part, such as a nut, is required. Furthermore, the risk of damage resulting from repeated insertion of the expanding agent into the expanding element, which could compromise the secure hold, is avoided. This is because the expanding agent only temporarily moves the element into the fixed position, creating a positive fit with the housing.

[0016] By forming the fastening arrangement in which the spreading element is received in the receptacle and brought into the fixing position or spread position by means of the spreading device, a particularly secure hold of the filter element on the housing is achieved.

[0017] By inserting the expanding agent into the expanding element, a cover element or housing upper part can be secured to the air filter housing. This ensures that the cover element or the cover can only be attached to the housing when the filter element is installed in the housing or housing lower part. Therefore, the air filter can only be operated with the filter element installed.

[0018] Preferably, at least one fastening element of the filter element is designed as the expanding element, because then the expanding element is replaced together with the filter element and thus renewed every time the filter element is replaced. This ensures that the filter element is always securely held in the housing.

[0019] Preferably, by removing the spreading device, the spreading element can be moved into a disassembly position in which the positive locking is released. In other words, by removing the spreading device, the spreading element can be easily moved into a position in which the filter element can be removed from the housing. It is only necessary to remove the spreading device from the spreading element to move it into the disassembly position. By moving the spreading element into the disassembly position, the coupling of the spreading element to the receptacle can be released, and consequently, the filter element can be easily detached from the housing.

[0020] Preferably, the expanding element has at least two wall sections that can be moved away from each other by expanding it. This results in a particularly simple design for the expanding element. The at least two wall sections can be separated from each other, in particular by slots provided in the expanding element. More than two wall sections, in particular three, or even four, five, or more wall sections, can also circumferentially define a passage for the expanding agent. This allows for a particularly uniform expansion of the expanding element by introducing the expanding agent into the passage.

[0021] It has proven advantageous if the respective wall section has a first section that tapers in the insertion direction of the expanding element into the receptacle and a second section that adjoins the first section in the insertion direction. In this second section, the wall section is radially widened. This allows the second section to provide a locking lug or similar feature, which ensures the formation of a positive fit or undercut when the expanding element is moved into the fixed position by means of the expanding agent or when the expanding element is deformed. Furthermore, the tapered section of the wall sections makes it particularly easy to insert the expanding element into the receptacle before the expanding agent is introduced into the opening of the expanding element.

[0022] Preferably, the first sections of the at least two wall parts form a cone that tapers in the insertion direction, and the second sections of the at least two wall parts form a cone that widens in the insertion direction. This ensures high stability of the expanding element and allows for particularly close circumferential contact of the expanded or spread element in the receptacle. This promotes good fixation of the filter element to the housing.

[0023] Preferably, the spreading element has a central passage into which the spreading agent can be inserted. This ensures secure fixation of the spreading agent within the spreading element and makes attaching the filter element to the housing particularly easy.

[0024] Preferably, the expanding element can be moved into the fixed position by screwing the expanding device into the passage. In particular, the expanding element can be widened by screwing a screw into the passage. This allows for easy widening of the expanding element and secure retention of the filter element on the housing.

[0025] Preferably, the spreading element is held to the frame part of the filter element via a connecting web. This allows a certain degree of movement of the spreading element relative to the frame part, which facilitates the insertion of the spreading element into the receptacle.

[0026] Furthermore, this design allows the filter element to be easily positioned and secured between the upper housing or cover and the lower housing of the air filter. Specifically, the lower housing can serve as the receiving space for the filter element. This simplifies the air filter's construction. Moreover, this ensures that the air filter can only be operated with the filter element installed, as mounting the cover or upper housing to the housing or lower housing is impossible without the replaceable filter element.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one fastening element of the filter element is designed as the expanding element, and the at least one housing-side fastening element is designed as the receptacle, because this ensures that when the filter element is replaced, the at least one expanding element is also replaced. This ensures a more secure long-term fastening of each replaced filter element to the housing.

[0028] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the filter element according to the invention also apply to the air filter according to the invention, and vice versa. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0030] This shows: Fig. 1: Schematic and perspective view of a filter element for an air filter of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2: in an enlarged schematic detail view, a spreading element arranged on a frame of the filter element; Fig. 3: Partially, schematically and in perspective, a lower housing part of the air filter, wherein the lower housing part is for receiving the in Fig. 1 filter element shown, wherein receptacles for the spreading elements are formed on an upper edge of the lower part of the housing; Fig. 4: one of the recordings according to Fig. 3 in an enlarged schematic perspective view; Fig. 5: the admission according to Fig. 4 in a schematic sectional view; Fig. 6: in a schematic sectional view, the insertion of the spreading element according to Fig. 2 into the admission according to Fig. 4; Fig. 7: in a schematic sectional view, the recording according to Fig. 4 with the spreading element arranged therein according to Fig. 2; Fig. 8: in a schematic sectional view, the placement of a cover or housing top on the housing bottom according to Fig. 3, wherein a fastening screw is provided as a spreading means for the spreading element and Fig. 9: in a schematic sectional view, the attachment of the cover or housing upper part to the housing lower part according to Fig. 3, wherein the fastening screw is screwed into the spreading element as a spreading device and thereby the spreading element is spread open.

[0031] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a filter element 10 in perspective, which is used, for example, in an air filter 44 (compare Fig. 8) can be installed. The air filter 44 can be used in particular in the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. However, the air filter 44 with the filter element 10 can also be used in an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, for example to filter air to be conditioned. The filter element 10 comprises a frame 12 which surrounds a filter material 14 of the filter element 10 on its circumference. The filter material 14, which can be designed, for example, as a pleated filter, is then, when the filter element 10 is installed in a Fig. 3 housing 16 shown or lower housing part of the air filter 44 is installed, through which air flows in a vertical direction 18 of the filter element 10. The vertical direction 18 is in Fig. Figure 1 is illustrated by a double arrow. However, the vertical direction 18 does not necessarily have to coincide with an installation direction of the filter element 10. Rather, the filter element 10 can also be installed horizontally in the housing 16 instead of vertically. A plurality of expanding elements 20, serving as fastening elements, are arranged on the frame 12 of the filter element 10, which is made, for example, of a plastic material. Fig. 1 Three such spreading elements 20 can be seen, which in this case are formed in one piece with the frame 12.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 2 shows one of these spreading elements 20 in an enlarged perspective view. The frame 12 of the filter element 10 has a circumferential web 22 shaped like a rim, to which the respective spreading element 20 is held by means of a connecting web 24. The connecting web 24 is designed as a cantilever or in the manner of a film hinge, via which the respective spreading element 20 is connected to the web 22.

[0034] The spreading element 20 has a central passage 26 into which a spreading agent can be inserted to spread the spreading element 20. For example, the spreading agent is designed as the shaft 28 of a screw 30, which is Fig. Figure 8 shows that, in the exemplary embodiment of the spreading element 20, the passage 26 is circumferentially bounded by three wall sections 32, 34, 36, which are separated from each other by slots 38. The slots 38 extend from a lower end of the spreading element 20 in the vertical direction 18 to an annular upper part 40 of the spreading element 20.

[0035] Out of Fig. Figure 3 shows that each of the spreading elements 20 is assigned a corresponding housing-side fastening element, which is designed as a receptacle 42. The housing 16 is designed here as the lower housing part of the air filter 44, which is in Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 is shown in a section and cut away. Accordingly, the housing 16 defines a receiving space 46 on its circumference, into which the filter element 10 can be inserted.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 4 shows one of the images 42 enlarged. Accordingly, the images 42 are formed integrally with an upper edge 48 of the housing 16.

[0037] From the sectional view in Fig. 5 clearly shows that the respective inlet 42 is viewed in an insertion direction 50 of the spreading element 20, which in Fig. As illustrated by an arrow in Figure 6, the first section 52 has a tapered section, which forms a cone that tapers in the insertion direction 50. A second section 54 adjoins this first section 52 in the insertion direction 50. In this second section 54, the receptacle 42 is widened radially. Accordingly, the second section 54 forms a cone that widens in the insertion direction 50.

[0038] Especially from the in Fig. As can be seen in the sectional view shown in Figure 6, the wall sections 32, 34, and 36 each have first sections 56 that taper in the insertion direction 50. In the insertion direction 50, these first sections 56 are followed by second sections 58, in which the respective wall section 32, 34, and 36 widens radially. Consequently, the first sections 56 of the wall sections 32, 34, and 36 form a cone that tapers in the insertion direction 50, and the second sections 58 of the wall sections 32, 34, and 36 form a cone that widens in the insertion direction 50. Due to the slots 38, the wall sections 32, 34, and 36 are shaped by the expanding element approximately in the form of the shaft 28 of the screw 30 (compare Figure 6). Fig. 8) movable away from each other. Accordingly, the expanding element 20 is expanded or spread in a radial direction by means of the screw 30. This spreading leads to the formation of a positive fit or undercut, whereby the second partial sections 58 of the wall parts 32, 34, 36 bear against the second partial section 54 of the receptacle 42 (compare Fig. 8 and Fig. 9).

[0039] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates how the spreading element 20, which has not yet been spread open by means of the shaft 28 of the screw 30, is inserted into the receptacle 42 in the insertion direction 50.

[0040] Fig. Figure 7, in contrast, shows the state in which the spreading element 20 is fully inserted into the receptacle 42. However, the spreading element 20 is not yet fully extended. Accordingly, the wall sections 32, 34, 36 have not yet moved away from each other in a radial direction. Furthermore, the first sections 56 of the wall sections 32, 34, 36 are not yet in full contact with the first section 52 of the receptacle 42. Additionally, the second sections 58 of the wall sections 32, 34, 36 are still spaced apart from the second section 54 of the receptacle 42. However, a sealing element 60 is in contact with the housing 16. This forces air passing through the filter element 10 to flow through the filter material 14.

[0041] However, wall sections 32, 34, 36 are in the Fig. The spreading element 20 can also be moved towards each other in the position shown in Figure 7. This occurs, for example, when the spreading elements 20 are pulled out of the receptacles 42 against the insertion direction 50 during a filter element 10 replacement. In this case, the second sections 58 of the wall parts 32, 36 are moved towards each other in a radial direction before entering the first section 52 of the receptacle 42. Accordingly, the undercut or positive locking of a fastening arrangement comprising the respective spreading element 20 and the receptacle 42 corresponding to the respective spreading element 20 is released.

[0042] Fig. Figure 8 shows how a cover 62 or such a housing upper part of the air filter 44 is arranged on the housing 16 or housing lower part of the air filter 44, in particular how it is placed on it. The screw 30, which can then be used to secure the cover 62 to the housing 16, is also shown.

[0043] Fig.Figure 9 shows how the cover 62 or such a housing upper part of the air filter 44 is fixed to the housing 16 or housing lower part of the air filter 44 by means of the screw 30. The threaded shaft 28 of the screw 30 is screwed into the expanding element 20. This causes the wall sections 32, 34, 36 to move away from each other in a radial direction, thus expanding the expanding element 20. Preferably, after expansion, the first partial sections 56 of the wall sections 32, 34, 36 lie flat against the conical first partial section 52 of the receptacle 42. Furthermore, preferably the second partial sections 58 of the wall sections 32, 34, 36 lie flat against the conical second partial section 54 of the receptacle 42 and thus form an undercut to the lower shell or the housing 16.

[0044] The screws 30 can be pre-mounted on the cover 62 or the upper housing part or the upper shell of the air filter 44 when the cover 62 is placed on the housing 16. The screws 30 then expand the fastening elements of the filter element 10, which are designed as expansion elements 20, after the expansion elements 20 have been inserted into the receptacles 42 or similar seats with corresponding geometries of the housing 16. The undercut or positive fit between the second partial areas 58 of the wall parts 32, 34, 36 and the receptacle 42 creates a secure connection between the housing halves in the form of the housing 16 or the lower shell on the one hand and the cover 62 or the upper shell on the other. However, the expansion element 20 does not remain permanently expanded.Rather, after removing screw 30, the respective expanding element 20 can be moved into a disassembly position in which the positive locking is released. Consequently, the respective expanding element 20 can then be easily pulled out of the respective receptacle 42 against the insertion direction 50.

[0045] However, inserting the filter element 10 into the housing 16 is necessary to tighten the screws 30. Therefore, the cover 62 cannot be attached to the housing 16 without the filter element 10 being installed in the housing 16. This is because the screw 30 cannot be tightened in the receptacle 42. This ensures that the air filter 44 can only be operated with the filter element 10 installed. Reference symbol list 10 filter elements 12 frames, frame part 14 filter material 16 cases 18 Upward direction 20 spreading elements 22 Bridge 24 Connecting bridge 26th round 28 Shaft, Spreader 30 screw 32 Wall section 34 Wall section 36 wall section 38 slots 40 Top 42nd entry 44 Air filters 46 Recording room 48 Rand 50 Insertion direction 52 Sub-area 54 Sub-area 56 Sub-area 58 Sub-area 60 sealing element 62 lids, lid element 64 threads

Claims

[1] Air filter (44) for a motor vehicle, comprising a filter element (10) which is placed in a receiving chamber (46) which is provided by a housing (16) of the air filter (44), wherein the filter element (10) has a frame part (12) which surrounds a filter material (14) of the filter element (10) at least partially, and wherein the filter element (10) has at least one fastening element which can be coupled to a corresponding housing-side fastening element for fastening the filter element (10) to the housing (16), characterized by, that by coupling the at least one fastening element, the filter element (10) can be provided or formed with the housing-side fastening element, comprising a spreading element (20) and a receptacle (42) corresponding to the spreading element (20), wherein the spreading element (20) received in the receptacle (42) can be brought into a fixing position by means of a spreading means (28), in which the spreading element (20) is held in the receptacle (42) by forming a positive locking, wherein a cover element (62) can be fixed to the housing (16) of the air filter (44) by inserting the spreading means (28) into the spreading element (20). [2] Air filter (44) according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least one fastening element of the filter element (10) is designed as the spreading element (20), wherein by removing the spreading means (28) the spreading element (20) can be moved into a disassembly position in which the positive locking is eliminated. [3] Air filter (44) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the spreading element (20) has at least two wall parts (32, 34, 36) that can be moved away from each other by spreading. [4] Air filter (44) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the respective wall part (32, 34, 36) has a first part (56) tapering in an insertion direction (50) of the spreading element (20) into the receptacle (42) and a second part (58) adjoining the first part (56) in the insertion direction (50), in which the wall part (32, 34, 36) is widened in a radial direction. [5] Air filter (44) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the first sub-areas (56) of the at least two wall parts (32, 34, 36) form a cone that tapers in the insertion direction (50) and the second sub-areas (58) of the at least two wall parts (32, 34, 36) form a cone that widens in the insertion direction (50). [6] Air filter (44) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the spreading element (20) has a central passage (26) into which the spreading means (28) can be inserted. [7] Air filter (44) according to claim 6, characterized by , that by screwing the spreading device (28) into the passage (26) the spreading element (20) can be moved into the fixing position. [8] Air filter (44) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the spreading element (20) is held on the frame part (12) of the filter element (10) via a connecting bridge (24). [9] Air filter (44) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one fastening element of the filter element (10) is designed as the spreading element (20) and the at least one housing-side fastening element is designed as the receptacle (42).

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