Cabin filter and filter element for a cabin filter

Abstract

Interior filter comprising a filter element receptacle and a filter element (1) comprising a pleat pack (2), wherein the filter element (1) can be inserted into the filter element receptacle along an insertion direction, wherein the filter element (1) comprises a blade (7) which extends from the filter element in the insertion direction, wherein the blade (7) is designed as a flat plastic part, wherein the blade (7) has an asymmetrical shape, and wherein the blade is adapted to a contour of the filter element receptacle.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to an air filter, in particular an interior filter, e.g. for a motor vehicle, in particular in an air conditioning system, and a filter insert for such a filter. State of the art

[0002] DE 10 2005 048 841 B3 discloses a cabin air filter in which a filter element receptacle has a guide pin that engages a guide slot in a filter element when the filter element is inserted into the filter element receptacle along its longitudinal axis. Other cabin air filters are known in which shapes on a filter element receptacle require complementary shapes on the filter element so that the filter element can form a tight seal with the filter element receptacle when inserted into the filter element receptacle.

[0003] From DE 102 31 696 A1 a filter insert is known which has an end cap which in one embodiment is T-shaped so that a web protrudes from the filter element in the plane of the filter element.

[0004] From DE 20 2005 011 078 U1 a filter element is known which comprises a sealing strip which is, for example, attached on three sides around the filter element.

[0005] EP 1 254 694 A1 discloses a method for the sealed assembly of a replaceable filter device for equipping an air circulation device, particularly for motor vehicles, in a housing (5) that tightly accommodates this device and has at least one groove (6B to 6D) into which an edge of the filter device (1) is fitted over its entire thickness on at least part of its circumference. Positioning of the filter device is achieved by at least one means for wedging the filter device, which is adapted to ensure minimal insertion of the device into the groove.

[0006] EP 1 616 736 A1 discloses a pleated filter insert (1) for the interior filtration of vehicles. The pleated filter insert (1) comprises a pleated filter (2) with pleats (4) arranged transversely to its longitudinal direction (3) and having pleat limbs (5). The pleated filter (2) is provided with a frame element (8) on at least one end face (6) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (3). The frame element (8) has a rubber-elastic flexibility adapted for installation in a filter housing (9).

[0007] DE 10 2009 059 782 A1 discloses a filter element (1) for insertion into a housing (10) of a ventilation or air conditioning system, comprising a bellows (2) and at least one coding side (3) that can be turned toward a wall (9) of the housing (10) or a cover of the housing (10). In view of the above-mentioned task, a mechanical coding for a filter element is specified that ensures a clear assignment of a filter element to a housing, characterized in that a profile (4) is assigned to the coding side (3). EP 1 172 240 A2 discloses an insert filter 10 for cleaning a gas stream, in particular for the intake air of an internal combustion engine or an air conditioning system. This insert filter 10 has a filter frame 11, a filter element 12 inserted into the filter frame 11 and a shaft cover 13 and is inserted into a shaft 14 of a gas-carrying line system 15.The filter element 12 and the filter frame 11 separate a dirty side 16 from a clean side 17. The shaft cover 13 closes a shaft opening 24 through which the insert filter 10 is inserted into the shaft 14. The filter frame 11 is connected to the shaft cover 13, whereby the filter frame 11 can be removed from the shaft 14 by pulling on the shaft cover 13 without additional removal aids.

[0008] From EP 1 504 803 A1 an air filter (1) is known, in particular a motor vehicle interior filter for installation in a filter housing (G), wherein the air filter (1) has a frame (3) which has a projection (4) on a first side and a recess (5) correspondingly profiled to receive the projection (4) on a side opposite this first side, or wherein the air filter has a frame which has a recess correspondingly profiled to receive a connecting element on two opposite sides, an air conditioning system with corresponding air filters (1).

[0009] The disadvantage of such filters is that the filter element must be precisely adapted to the respective filter. For example, a filter insert for a cabin air filter according to DE 10 2005 048 841 B3 must have its guide mounts positioned precisely at the guide pins. The sealing strip according to DE 20 2005 011 078 U1 can compensate for minor unevenness, but has a consistent thickness, for example; the same applies to the web according to DE 102 31 696 A1. Solutions in which a filter element is suitable for different configurations of the filter element mount or is easier to adapt would be desirable. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] A cabin filter comprising a filter element receptacle and a filter element comprising a pleat pack. The filter element can be inserted into the filter element receptacle along an insertion direction or displaced therein. The filter element comprises a blade that extends from the filter element in the insertion direction or displacement direction. Preferably, the blade is so inherently stable that it can transfer compressive forces from the filter element to the filter element receptacle, which can lead to a sealing of the filter element in the filter receptacle.

[0011] The filter element can include side bands that enclose the pleated pack on at least two sides. The side bands are preferably made of nonwoven material.

[0012] The filter element can comprise a plastic-encapsulated pleat pack. This forms a plastic frame for the filter element.

[0013] The blade is designed as a flat plastic part. It can be made of several plastics, for example, a less elastic first plastic and a more elastic second plastic, with the second plastic sealing the blade against the filter element holder. Such a system can be manufactured, for example, using a two-component process.

[0014] The sword can also be part of a plastic part that is connected to the side bands.

[0015] The sword can be part of the plastic frame in a plastic-molded folding pack.

[0016] The blade can also be made of filter media, particularly a two-layer or multi-layer filter media. The multi-layer construction, possibly combined with an adhesive, can provide the necessary stability for the blade.

[0017] The blade can be designed at an angle to the plane of the pleat pack. This allows, for example, seals mounted at different heights on the sides of the filter element to be connected on the side facing the insertion direction.

[0018] Preferably, the blade has a length of more than 2 cm in the direction of insertion or displacement.

[0019] In various embodiments, the blade can have a shape that deviates from rectangular in the filter element plane. The blade has an asymmetrical shape. The blade can be adapted to a contour, e.g., an asymmetrical and / or non-rectangular contour, of a housing.

[0020] The task is solved by a filter element for a cabin filter with the features shown, especially for the blade. Short description of the drawings

[0021] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a filter element for a cabin filter with a blade in the longitudinal direction of the filter element, wherein the blade is attached to the filter element as a plastic part; Fig. 2 a filter element for a cabin filter with a blade in the longitudinal direction of the filter element, wherein the blade is made of the filter medium of the pleat pack of the filter element; Fig. 3 a filter element for a cabin filter with a blade in the longitudinal direction of the filter element, wherein the blade is made of foam; Fig. 4 a) and b) and Fig. 5 a) and b) alternative designs of a filter element for a cabin filter, which allow easy adaptation to the geometries of a filter element holder.

[0022] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a filter element 1 for a cabin air filter with a blade 7 in the longitudinal direction of the filter element 1, wherein the blade 7 is attached to the filter element 1 as a plastic part 10. The filter element 1 comprises a pleat pack 2 that tapers in the insertion direction of the filter element. One side of the filter element 1 is provided with a front plate 3, which, when installed, represents the outer closure and closes a filter element receptacle. The pleat pack comprises a plurality of pleats 6 of a filter medium. Paper or fleece can serve as the filter medium, and the filter medium can comprise adsorbents, e.g., activated carbon. The pleat pack 2 is provided with side bands 4 on the front edges, which close off the pleats and, if necessary, represent a closure and seal for the filter medium if, for example, this contains activated carbon. The side bands 4 can be made of fleece, for example. A seal 5 is applied to the two side bands 4, e.g.a foam strip that provides lateral sealing of the filter element 1 in the filter element receptacle. The sealing of the rear side of the filter element 1 in the insertion direction is provided by a blade 7. The blade is part of a plastic part 10 and can be attached to the filter element 1 via a U-shaped area. The last pleat 6 of the pleat pack 2 can be inserted or glued into the U-shaped area. The plastic part 10 can be connected to the side bands 4, e.g., glued or welded. In an alternative design, the pleat pack 2 could also be overmolded with plastic, whereby the side bands could be replaced and the plastic part 10 could also be connected to the frame shown in this way, e.g., using the same material. The blade 7 can be manufactured in all variants from an elastic plastic or a combination of elastic and less elastic plastics.In particular, the blade can be manufactured using a 2K process from two different plastics or from one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Such a blade 7 reduces the filter surface, but this is particularly important with a pleated pack 2 shape as shown in . Fig. 1 the reduction in an area of ​​the pleat pack that has a smaller width and potentially lower flow at the edge. For different shapes on the side of the filter element holder, a filter element 1 can then be used in which only the plastic part 10 needs to be modified. The disadvantage of the reduced filter area is thus offset by a manufacturing advantage.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a filter element 1 for a cabin filter with a blade 7 in the longitudinal direction of the filter element 1, wherein the blade 7 is made of the filter medium of the pleat pack 6 of the filter element. In contrast to the variant of the Fig. 1 the sword 7 can be made from the filter medium itself and an additional component can be dispensed with.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a filter element 1 for a cabin air filter with a blade 7 in the longitudinal direction of the filter element, wherein the blade can be made of foam. Regardless of the material of the blade 7, the blade 7 can not only be formed in the plane of the pleated pack 2, but can also run diagonally to it. This makes it possible, for example, to realize a sealing configuration in which the lateral seal on both sides of the filter element with the seals 5 runs at different heights of the pleated pack 2. This variant is particularly useful if the material of the seals 5 can be used for the blade 7, e.g., a foam. The variant in Fig. 3 may comprise an additional plastic part 9, which may contribute to lateral sealing and may serve as a support for the sword.

[0026] Fig. 4 a) and b) and Fig. 5 a) and b) show alternative designs of a filter element 1 for an interior filter, which allow easy adaptation to the geometries of a filter element holder.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 4 a) shows a variant in which a foam block with weakened zones allows for the inclusion of uneven areas of the filter element holder. The foam block can, for example, comprise a plurality of foam prisms located in the plane of the filter element or a plurality of recesses or incisions.

[0028] Fig. 4 b) shows a plastic end piece which, with two blades or lips, possibly with different geometries, allows adaptability to a filter element holder.

[0029] Fig. 5 a) and b) show variants for a filter element in which the filter medium is shaped in the insertion or displacement direction in such a way that it allows adaptation to a filter element receptacle. For example, the filter medium can be equipped with a reduced pleat height compared to a larger area of ​​the filter element, thus providing adaptability to a filter element receptacle. The area of ​​reduced pleat height can not only, as in Fig. 5 a), but can also be offset, e.g., mounted centrally. The filter medium or bellows can be enclosed by side bands on both sides in the area of ​​lower pleat height. The area of ​​reduced pleat height can be connected to an L-angle, as shown in Fig. 5 a), or a U-profile, as in Fig. 5 b), complete.

Claims

[1] Interior filter comprising a filter element receptacle and a filter element (1) comprising a pleat pack (2), wherein the filter element (1) can be inserted into the filter element receptacle along an insertion direction, wherein the filter element (1) comprises a blade (7) which extends from the filter element in the insertion direction, wherein the blade (7) is designed as a flat plastic part, wherein the blade (7) has an asymmetrical shape, and wherein the blade is adapted to a contour of the filter element receptacle. [2] Interior filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (1) comprises side bands (4) which close off the pleat pack (2) on at least two sides. [3] Interior filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (1) comprises a plastic-coated pleat pack (2), wherein a plastic frame is formed by the coating. [4] Interior filter according to claim 2, wherein the blade (7) is part of a plastic part (10) which is connected to the side bands (4). [5] Interior filter according to claim 3, wherein the blade (7) is part of the plastic frame. [6] Interior filter according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sword (7) is formed from filter medium, in particular from a two-layer or multi-layer filter medium. [7] Interior filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (7) is inclined to the plane of the pleat pack (2). [8] Interior filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (7) has a non-rectangular shape. [9] Interior filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element receptacle comprises guide or interference structures extending into the interior of the filter element receptacle. [10] Interior filter according to claim 9, wherein the guide or interference structures are pins. [11] Filter element for a cabin filter according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a pleat pack (2), wherein the filter element (1) can be inserted into the filter element receptacle along an insertion direction, wherein the filter element (1) comprises a blade (7) which extends from the filter element in the insertion direction, wherein the blade (7) is designed as a flat plastic part, wherein the blade (7) has an asymmetrical shape, and wherein the blade is adapted to a contour of the filter element receptacle.

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