FILTER ELEMENT OF A LIQUID FILTER, FILTER AND FILTER HOUSING

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a filter element of a filter for liquid, which is or can be arranged replaceably in a filter housing of the filter, with at least one filter medium which circumferentially surrounds an imaginary axis, at least one drainage closure element which is arranged eccentrically on an axial end face of the filter element with respect to the axis and with which a drainage opening of a drainage channel of the filter housing, which serves to empty the filter when the filter element is removed, is closed when the filter element is installed, wherein the at least one drainage closure element is limited in its circumferential extent with respect to the axis.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter for liquid, with a filter housing in which at least one filter element is arranged exchangeably, wherein the filter housing has at least one inlet for liquid to be cleaned, at least one outlet for cleaned liquid, at least one drainage channel for liquid for emptying the filter when removing the at least one filter element, at least one closable installation opening for installing and removing the at least one filter element, wherein at least one filter element has at least one filter medium which circumferentially surrounds an imaginary axis, at least one drainage closure element which is arranged eccentrically on an end face of the filter element which is axial with respect to the axis and with which a drainage opening of the drainage channel is closed in the installed state of the filter element, wherein the at least one drainage closure element and the drainage opening are each limited in their circumferential extents with respect to the axis. State of the art

[0003] WO 2011 / 070011 A1 discloses a liquid filter comprising a filter housing, a ring filter insert, and a cover. An eccentric drain is arranged in the base of the housing for emptying the housing when the filter insert is removed. The filter insert consists of a filter material body enclosed by end plates. A blocking element for the drain is arranged on the end plate facing the base. Positioning means are provided on the filter insert and the housing.

[0004] WO 2016 / 142389 A1 discloses a filter comprising a filter housing, a housing cover which closes the filter housing during operation and is removable from the filter housing, an inlet for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet for the filtered liquid, a replaceable filter insert which separates a raw side and a clean side of the filter, and a filter bypass valve which consists of a valve seat and a valve body which is guided so as to be movable relative to the valve and is preloaded with a force acting in the valve closing direction.

[0005] An oil filter is known from DE 60 2006 000380 T2. This filter defines a filtration chamber in which a filter insert is housed, with a drain channel provided. This drain channel is opened upon removal of the housing cover. The drain channel comprises a plate that is independent of the filter insert and provided with a tubular part.

[0006] WO 2017 / 050367 A1 discloses a filter insert for removable arrangement in a filter housing, comprising a closure means at the first end of the filter insert for controlling the opening or closing of a drainage opening arranged in the filter housing, wherein the filter insert comprises an actuating means which is operatively connected to the closure means, wherein the actuating means is arranged to be movable in an axial direction relative to a filter material body support structure at the second end of the filter insert in order to produce an axial movement of the closure means when the actuating means is actuated.

[0007] DE 20 2005 002 955 U1 discloses a filter insert for a liquid filter, in particular an oil filter, comprising two end plates, at least one of which has a central aperture, and a filter material body arranged between the end plates. The liquid filter comprises a filter housing provided with a cover, in which the filter insert is to be arranged, and, in addition to an inlet channel for the liquid to be cleaned and an outlet channel for the cleaned liquid, a drainage channel for emptying the filter when the filter insert is changed. A closure mandrel extending axially outward from the end face of the filter insert facing said mandrel is provided as a closure element for the drainage channel. When the filter insert is installed, the closure mandrel lies sealingly in a section of the drainage channel and can be withdrawn from the housing when the filter insert is pulled out, thereby releasing the drainage channel.

[0008] KR 100 775 520 B1 relates to a drain valve for an oil filter, comprising a compression element, a valve pin, and a valve spring. The valve pin has a lower end supported by an upper surface of the compression element and an upper end that moves up and down in a valve receptacle integrally formed at the bottom of a lower plate of a filter element.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of designing a filter element and a filter of the type mentioned at the outset, in which closure and release of the discharge opening can be realized more easily and reliably. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention in the filter element in that the at least one discharge closure element has, on its free end face axial with respect to the axis, at least one closure surface which is at least partially directed axially with respect to the axis and which can bear axially sealingly with respect to the axis on a corresponding housing-side sealing section surrounding the housing-side discharge opening.

[0011] According to the invention, the at least one drain closure element is designed such that it can close the drain opening in an axially sealing manner. In the closed state, the at least one drain closure element covers the housing-side drain opening, wherein the at least one closure surface seals against the housing-side sealing section in the axial direction. In this way, it is not necessary to insert the at least one drain closure element into the drain opening, as is the case with the filter insert from the prior art. In the closed state, the at least one drain closure element can be located completely outside the drain opening and the corresponding drain channel. The filter element can thus be arranged in the filter housing with a larger tolerance.

[0012] Advantageously, the at least one closure surface can be circumferentially continuous with respect to an imaginary axis of the discharge opening. In this way, a correspondingly circumferentially continuous seal can be achieved.

[0013] The at least one drain closure element is arranged on an end face of the at least one filter element. In this way, the filter element can be inserted axially into the filter housing with the at least one drain closure element leading with respect to the axis, so that the at least one drain closure element automatically closes the drain opening in an axially sealing manner.

[0014] Advantageously, the drainage opening can be arranged in a bottom region of the filter housing that is axial with respect to the axis. In this way, the at least one drainage closure element can be automatically connected to the drainage opening upon insertion of the filter element.

[0015] The at least one drain closure element is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis. This allows a central area of ​​the filter element to be used for other components, in particular an inlet or outlet for the liquid.

[0016] The at least one drain closure element is limited in its circumferential extent relative to the axis. This means that the at least one drain closure element extends circumferentially only over a preferably small section relative to the axis. This allows for a space-saving design. The at least one drain closure element can thus be implemented as a single drain closure element. The at least one drain closure element only needs to be large enough to close the drain opening. This allows for material savings.

[0017] The filter element can advantageously be designed as a so-called hollow filter element. A hollow filter element is characterized in that it has at least one element interior which is surrounded by the filter medium, in particular a filter bellows with filter medium. The liquid to be cleaned can flow through the filter medium from the outside to the inside to the element interior or vice versa. The element interior has a liquid passage to the outside through which, depending on the flow direction, the cleaned liquid can leave the element interior or liquid to be cleaned can enter it. The filter medium can circumferentially surround the element interior with respect to an axis, in particular an element axis. On at least one end face axial with respect to the axis, the filter medium can be connected to an end body, in particular an end plate.At least one end body can have at least one passage opening for the interior of the element.

[0018] The hollow filter element can advantageously be a so-called round filter element with a round cross-section, an oval round filter element with an oval cross-section, a flat-oval round filter element with a flattened oval cross-section, a conical round filter element in which the round cross-section tapers in the axial direction towards a main axis, a conical-oval round filter element in which the oval cross-section tapers in the axial direction at least in the direction of a transverse axis, a conical flat-oval round filter element in which the flat-oval cross-section tapers in the axial direction at least in the direction of a transverse axis, or a hollow filter element with a different type of cross-section, in particular a square one, and / or a different type of axial cross-sectional profile in the direction of an axis.

[0019] The filter medium can advantageously be circumferentially closed or open with respect to the axis. The filter medium can be, in particular, star-shaped, preferably zigzag-shaped or wave-shaped, folded or curved. The filter medium can also be unfolded or unbent.

[0020] The filter element can advantageously be part of an engine oil filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The engine oil filter can advantageously be part of an engine oil circuit of an internal combustion engine. It can serve to clean engine oil supplied to the internal combustion engine. However, the invention is not limited to an engine oil filter of an engine oil circuit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Rather, it can also be used in other types of fluid systems, in particular fuel systems, hydraulic systems, cooling systems, or fluid systems with urea-water solution, of motor vehicles or other machines. The fluid filter can also be used outside of automotive technology, in particular in industrial engines.

[0021] The invention can be used in motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses, agricultural and / or construction vehicles, construction / agricultural machinery, compressors, industrial engines, or other devices, in particular those with internal combustion engines. The invention can be used in land, water, and / or aircraft.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one drain closure element can be configured, at least in sections, to be bell-shaped, cup-shaped, bowl-shaped, plunger-shaped, or the like, so that a side of the drain closure element facing away from the end plate of the filter element has a larger circumference than a side facing the end plate. In this way, the at least one drain closure element can be arranged over the drain opening and close it. The peripheral wall of the at least one drain closure element can enclose the drain opening in a covering manner. The closure surface can be realized on the free edge of the peripheral wall.

[0023] According to the invention, the at least one drain closure element is elastic. In this way, an axial positional tolerance, in particular of the filter element in the filter housing, can be compensated. Furthermore, operational vibrations, in particular, can be better compensated. A bell-shaped, cup-shaped, or similarly shaped drain connection element can be arranged above the drain opening when the filter element is installed in the filter housing and, through appropriate axial compression with its edges against the housing-side sealing section, can exert an increased sealing effect.

[0024] According to the invention, the at least one drain closure element is attached to an end body of the filter element, which is at the front with respect to the axis, by means of a holding device. In this way, the at least one drain closure element can be installed and removed together with the filter element. Furthermore, the holding device can be optimized with respect to its holding function, and the at least one drain closure element can be optimized with respect to its closing and sealing function.

[0025] The end cap can advantageously be a so-called end plate. The end cap can be used to seal one end of the filter medium.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one drain closure element can be connected to the front end body in a separable or non-separable manner by means of the holding device. The filter element can be retrofitted with the at least one drain closure element by means of a separable holding device.

[0027] Alternatively, the retaining device can be connected to the end body in a way that is not non-destructively separable. This allows a correspondingly more stable mechanical connection to be realized.

[0028] Advantageously, the at least one discharge closure element and the holding device can be made of different materials.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment, the holding device can be attached to the end body by means of a quick-connect connection. In this way, the connection between the holding device and the end body can be established easily and quickly.

[0030] Advantageously, the holding device can be fastened to the end body by means of a clamping connection, a snap-in connection, a clip connection, a rotary and / or plug-in connection, in particular a screw connection and / or a bayonet-type connection, or the like or a combination of several types of connection.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one discharge closure element can be connected to the holding device in a separable or non-destructively separable manner.

[0032] The drain closure element is snapped into the holding device. Snapping it in allows for a simple, particularly separable, connection. When the drain closure element is attached to the holding device by snapping it in, no additional components are required. The drain closure element, made of an elastic material, is inserted into a recess in the holding device and held in the holding device by friction or form-fitting due to the expansion of the elastic material after insertion into the recess. The recess can be an opening closed on one side, for example in the form of a blind hole, or an opening extending through the holding device, for example in the form of a through hole.In the case of a projecting opening, the drain closure element can be pulled into the recess from the side facing away from the drain closure or can be pressed into the recess from the side facing the drain closure.

[0033] According to the invention, the filter element comprises at least a portion of at least one positioning device, with which a rotational orientation of the filter element relative to the axis in the filter housing is clearly defined. With the aid of the at least one positioning device, the filter element can be aligned with respect to its rotational orientation during installation such that the at least one drain closure element is automatically positioned correctly at the drain opening. In this way, installation of the filter element and the automatic closure of the drain opening using the at least one drain closure element can be realized more easily and reliably.

[0034] The at least one positioning device can be designed such that, in the event of incorrect assembly of the filter element or the use of an incorrect filter element, closure of the filter housing and / or operation of the filter can be prevented. In this way, the functional reliability of the filter can be improved.

[0035] Advantageously, the at least one positioning device can be implemented spatially separate from the drainage opening and / or the at least one drainage closure element. In this way, the corresponding components can be implemented more flexibly, particularly at different locations.

[0036] According to the invention, the at least one positioning device comprises at least one element-side positioning element and at least one corresponding housing-side positioning element. The at least one element-side positioning element and the at least one housing-side positioning element can thus interact to ensure the appropriate rotational orientation of the filter element in the filter housing.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one positioning element can have at least one recess and at least one corresponding positioning element can have an elevation which can engage in the recess.

[0038] Advantageously, the at least one positioning device can be designed such that correct installation of the filter element into the filter housing is only possible in the correct rotational orientation. Otherwise, the filter can be designed such that, in particular, blocking of the filter element can be prevented. This allows installation errors to be detected early.

[0039] Advantageously, at least one positioning element can have a pin or a projection. Such elevations can interact with corresponding recesses, in particular holes or recesses, in the other component.

[0040] Advantageously, at least one positioning element can be arranged axially on the end face, radially on the outside, and / or radially on the inside of the at least one filter element with respect to the axis. With an axially on the end face, a radial extension of the filter element can be reduced accordingly. Accordingly, with a positioning element arranged radially on the outside or radially on the inside, an axial extension of the filter element can be reduced accordingly. A positioning element can also extend from the radial inside across the end face to the radial outside. It can also be located only radially on the inside and on the end face, or radially on the outside and on the end face.

[0041] Advantageously, the at least one positioning device is located on the side radially opposite the discharge channel or the discharge closure element with respect to the housing axis of the filter housing or the installation / removal axis of the filter element into or out of the filter housing and an element axis of the filter element.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the positioning device is arranged, in deviation from an arrangement radially opposite the discharge channel or the discharge closure element, at an angle about the housing axis of the filter housing or the installation / removal axis of the filter element into or out of the filter housing and an element axis of the filter element.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, at least one positioning device can be predetermined by the external shape of the filter element and a corresponding internal shape of a receiving space in the filter housing for the filter element. In particular, a filter element that is asymmetrical with respect to its axis, in particular non-circular, can be arranged in a correspondingly shaped filter housing. This eliminates the need for separate positioning elements.

[0044] The object is further achieved in the filter according to the invention in that the at least one discharge closure element has, on its free end face axial with respect to the axis, at least one closure surface which is at least partially directed axially with respect to the axis and which bears axially sealingly with respect to the axis against a corresponding housing-side sealing section surrounding the housing-side discharge opening.

[0045] According to the invention, the filter housing comprises at least a part of at least one positioning device, with which a rotational orientation of the at least one filter element relative to the axis in the filter housing is clearly defined. In this way, the filter element can be automatically oriented during installation in the filter housing such that the at least one drain closure element is automatically positioned over the drain opening.

[0046] Furthermore, the features and advantages presented in connection with the filter element according to the invention and the filter according to the invention and their respective advantageous embodiments apply to each other accordingly and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with each other, whereby further advantageous effects can arise that go beyond the sum of the individual effects. Short description of the drawings

[0047] 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. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features disclosed in the drawings, the description, and the claims in combination individually and combine them to form useful further combinations. The figures show schematically: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a section of a filter for liquid according to a first embodiment, with a filter housing in which a filter element is arranged replaceably; Figure 2 shows a cross section of the filter from the Figure 1 along the section line II-II there; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of a section of a filter for liquid according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 shows a cross section of the filter from the Figure 3along the section line IV-IV there; Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of a section of a filter for liquid according to a third embodiment.

[0048] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0049] In the Figures 1 and 2 A filter 10 for cleaning liquid, for example, engine oil, is shown according to a first exemplary embodiment. The filter 10 can be arranged, for example, in an engine oil circuit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle for cleaning the engine oil.

[0050] The filter 10 comprises an openable filter housing 12 in which a filter element 14 is arranged in an exchangeable manner.

[0051] The filter housing 12 comprises an inlet (not shown in the figures) for liquid to be cleaned, an outlet 16 for cleaned liquid, a drainage channel 18 for emptying the filter 10 when removing the filter element 14 and an installation opening (not shown in the figures) for installing and removing the filter element 14 into a receiving space 28 for the filter element 14 in the interior of the filter housing 12. The installation opening can be closed with a housing cover (not shown) which can be opened, for example, to replace the filter element 14.

[0052] The outlet 16 is realized in a cylindrical section 20. The cylindrical section 20 extends from a bottom section 24 of the filter housing 12 coaxially to an imaginary axis 22 into the receiving space 28. The cylindrical section 20 is integrally connected to the bottom section 24. The bottom section 24 is located on the side axially opposite the installation opening and the housing cover.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment, the axis 22 coincides with a housing axis of the filter housing 12, an installation / removal axis of the filter element 14 into or out of the filter housing 12, and an element axis of the filter element 14. For the sake of clarity, the element axis, the housing axis, and the installation / removal axis are provided with the same reference numeral 22 below and are referred to briefly as axis 22. It is understood that when the filter element 14 is removed, depending on the context, the housing axis, the element axis, and / or the installation / removal axis are meant. References to "radial," "coaxial," "axial," "tangential," "circumferential," "concentric," "eccentric," or the like are made below, unless otherwise stated, to the axis 22.

[0054] The drainage channel 18 is arranged eccentrically in the base section 24 with respect to the axis 22. For example, an imaginary axis of the drainage channel 18 runs parallel to the axis 22. The drainage channel 18 opens to the receiving space 28 via a drainage opening 26. Alternatively, the axis of the drainage channel 18 can also run obliquely to the axis 22.

[0055] Furthermore, a housing-side positioning element 30 in the form of a blind hole is arranged in the base section 24. The housing-side positioning element 30 is part of a positioning device, designated overall by 32, with which a rotational orientation of the filter element 14 with respect to the axis 22 in the receiving space 28 of the filter housing 12 is clearly specified. The housing-side positioning element 30 is spatially separated from the discharge channel 18 and the discharge opening 26. For example, the housing-side positioning element 30 is located on the side of the axis 22 radially opposite the discharge channel 18. An imaginary axis of the blind hole of the positioning element 30 runs with its axis parallel to the axis 22.

[0056] The filter element 14 is designed, for example, as a so-called round filter element. The filter element 14 comprises a filter medium 34, which is folded, for example, in a zigzag shape with a closed circumference. The filter medium 34 surrounds an element interior 36 of the filter element 14 in a circumferentially continuous manner. At its axial end faces, the filter medium 34 is connected to a so-called end plate, of which Figure 1 only the outlet-side end plate 38 facing the base section 24 is shown. The outlet-side end plate 38 has a central coaxial opening through which the housing-side cylinder section 20 passes.

[0057] A drain closure element 42 is attached to the outlet-side end plate 38 by an annular retaining device 40. The drain closure element 42 serves to close the drain opening 26 when the filter element 14 is correctly installed.

[0058] The holding device 40 is connected, for example, to the outlet-side end plate 38 by means of a clip connection. For this purpose, the holding device 40 has a plurality of locking hooks 44 distributed circumferentially on the radially outer circumferential side. The locking hooks 44 each engage around a radially outer coaxial cylindrical circumferential wall of the end plate 38 from the outside and lock into place behind the circumferential wall of the end plate 38 on the side axially remote from the base section 24.

[0059] On its side axially facing away from the outlet-side end plate 38, the holding device 40 has a receptacle 46 into which the discharge closure element 42 is buttoned.

[0060] On the side radially opposite the axis 22, on the side of the holding device 40 axially facing away from the outlet-side end plate 38, an element-side positioning element 48 in the form of a pin is arranged. The element-side positioning element 48 is thus spatially separated from the discharge closure element 42. An imaginary axis of the element-side positioning element 48 extends parallel to the axis 22. The element-side positioning element 48 is arranged with respect to the discharge closure element 42 in the same way as the housing-side positioning element 30 is arranged with respect to the discharge opening 26. In the correct rotational orientation of the filter element 14, in which the element-side positioning element 48 engages the housing-side positioning element 30, the discharge closure element 42 closes the discharge opening 26.In other, incorrect rotational orientations, the element-side positioning element 48 prevents the filter element 14 from being fully installed into the filter housing 12, so that the housing cover cannot be closed.

[0061] The drain closure element 42 has a closure section 50 with a shape similar to a bell. The free edge of the closure section 50 faces away from the filter element 14 and towards the drain opening 26. The free edge of the closure section 50 forms an axially directed closure surface 51. The closure surface 51 is circumferentially continuous with respect to an imaginary axis of the drain closure element 42. The closure section 50 is made of an elastic material so that it can be elastically deformed by corresponding axial pressure of the filter element 14 in the direction of the base section 24, thus increasing the sealing effect. When the filter element 14 is correctly installed, the closure surface 51 bears axially against a corresponding sealing section 52 of the base section 24. The sealing section 52 surrounds the drain opening 26 in a circumferentially continuous manner with respect to its axis.

[0062] During operation of the filter 10, the liquid to be cleaned is introduced into the filter housing 12 via the inlet and enters an inlet annular space 54 radially surrounding the filter element 14. The liquid to be cleaned flows from the outside radially to the inside radially through the filter medium 34 into the element interior 36. The liquid is cleaned by the filter medium 34. The cleaned liquid flows from the element interior 36 into the outlet 16 and thus leaves the filter housing 12.

[0063] To replace the filter element 14, the housing cover (not shown in the figures) is opened. The filter element 14 is pulled axially out of the receiving space 28. The drainage closure element 42 thereby releases the drainage opening 26, allowing fluid contained in the filter housing 12 to flow out through the drainage channel 18, thus emptying the filter housing 12.

[0064] To install a new filter element 14, it is inserted axially into the receiving space 28 with the holding device 40 facing forward. If necessary, the filter element 14 must be rotated about the axis 22 relative to the filter housing 12 so that the element-side positioning element 48 can slide into the housing-side positioning element 30. In this rotational orientation, the drain closure element 42 is positioned over the drain opening 26. By applying appropriate axial force to the filter element 14, for example when closing the housing cover, the closure surface 51 of the drain closure element 42 is pressed in the axial direction against the housing-side sealing section 42, thus tightly closing the drain opening 26. The filter 10 is ready for operation once the housing cover is completely closed.

[0065] In the Figures 3 and 4A filter 10 according to a second embodiment is shown. The elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment from the Figures 1 and 2 are similar, are provided with the same reference numerals. In contrast to the filter 10 according to the first embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 In the second embodiment, a housing-side positioning element 130, as shown for example in the Figure 4 shown, realized as a radial recess in the radially inner circumferential side of a peripheral wall of the filter housing 12. A corresponding element-side positioning element 148 is realized as a corresponding projection on the radially outer circumferential side of the holding device 40, which extends radially outward. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the positioning elements 130 and 148 are located on the side of the discharge closure element 42 and the discharge opening 26 radially opposite the axis 22, spatially separated from them.

[0066] In the Figure 5 A filter 10 according to a third embodiment is shown. The elements which are identical to those of the second embodiment from the Figures 3 and 4 are similar, are provided with the same reference numerals. In contrast to the filter 10 according to the second embodiment of the Figures 3 and 4 In the third embodiment, two housing-side positioning elements 230 are arranged in the form of radial recesses in the radially outer peripheral wall of the cylinder section 20. Corresponding element-side positioning elements 248 are realized as corresponding radial projections on the radially inner peripheral side of the holding device 40.

[0067] In addition, instead of the locking hooks 44 on the radially outer circumferential side as in the first and second embodiments, corresponding locking hooks 244 are arranged on the radially inner circumferential side of the holding device 40. These locking hooks 244 lock behind a corresponding radially inner cylindrical coaxial circumferential wall of the end plate 38.

Claims

1. A filter element (14) of a filter (10) for a liquid, which is or can be replaceably disposed in a filter housing (10) of the filter (14), with - at least one filter medium (34) surrounding an imaginary axis (22) circumferentially, - at least one discharge closure element (42) disposed eccentrically on a front face of the filter element (14) which is axial with respect to the axis (22) and with which a discharge opening (26) of a discharge channel (18) of the filter housing (12), which serves to empty the filter (10) when the filter element (14) is removed, is closed when the filter element (14) is installed, wherein the at least one discharge closure element (42) is limited in its circumferential extension relative to the axis (22), characterized in that the at least one discharge closure element (42) features, on its free axial front face with respect to the axis (22), at least one closure surface (51) directed axially with respect to the axis (22), which can bear axially in a sealing manner with respect to the axis (22) against a corresponding housing-side sealing section (52) surrounding the housing-side discharge opening (26), wherein the at least one discharge closure element (42) is made of an elastic material and fixed using a holding means (40) to an end body (38) of the filter element (14) on the front face with respect to the axis (22), wherein the discharge closure element (42) is inserted into a recess in the holding means (40) and is held there in a friction-locking or form-fitting manner, and wherein the filter element (14) at least one part of at least one positioning device (32) with which a rotational orientation of the filter element (14) relative to the axis (22) in the filter housing (12) can be clearly predetermined, wherein the at least one positioning device (32) features at least one element-side positioning element (48; 148; 248) which can interact with at least one corresponding housing-side positioning element (30; 130; 230).

2. The filter element according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one discharge closure element (42) is, at least in sections, designed to be bell-shaped or cup-shaped.

3. The filter element according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (40) is fastened to the end body (38) by means of a quick-release connection (44).

4. The filter element according to one of the above claims, characterized in that at least one discharge closure element (42) is connected to the holding means (40) in a separable or non-destructively separable manner.

5. The filter element according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the at least one element-side positioning element (48; 148; 248) features an elevation which can engage in a recess on the housing side.

6. A filter (10) for liquids, with a filter housing (12) in which at least one filter element (14) according to one of claims 1 to 5 is disposed replaceably, wherein the filter housing (12) features - at least one inlet for liquid to be purified, - at least one outlet (16) for purified liquid, - at least one discharge channel (18) for liquid for emptying the filter (10) when the at least one filter element (14) is removed, - at least one closable mounting opening for mounting and dismounting the at least one filter element (14), wherein the filter housing (12) features at least one part of at least one positioning device (32) with which a rotational orientation of the at least one filter element (14) relative to the axis (22) in the filter housing (12) is clearly predefined, wherein the at least one positioning device (32) features at least one element-side positioning element (48; 148; 248) which can interact with at least one corresponding housing-side positioning element (30; 130; 230).

7. The filter according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one positioning element (30; 130; 230) features at least one recess and at least one corresponding positioning element (48; 148; 248) features an elevation engageable in the recess.