FILTER ELEMENT OF A LIQUID FILTER AND FILTER

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a filter element of a filter for liquid, in particular oil or fuel, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one filter medium, which circumferentially surrounds an element interior with respect to an imaginary axis and which is connected at least one axial end face to an end body, wherein the end body has a filter element idle opening surrounding the axis, which is connected to the element interior, and has at least one filter element sealing surface or filter element sealing surface of a filter element sealing device, which circumferentially surrounds the at least one filter element idle opening and with which the at least one filter element idle opening can be closed when the filter element is mounted in a filter housing of the filter.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter for liquid, in particular oil or fuel, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with at least one filter housing in which a filter element is arranged replaceably and which has at least one drain opening for draining liquid from the filter, which can be closed with at least one drain closure element. State of the art

[0003] From JP H11 104409 A, a liquid filtration filter is known, comprising an upper housing, a lower housing, and a cylindrical filter element. The filter element is held by a first tube section and a second tube section. The open end of the lower housing is screwed into a circumferential wall section of the upper housing. When a drain plug is removed to drain liquid from the housings for filter element replacement, the liquid trapped in the screwed section of the upper and lower housings flows out of a drain opening.

[0004] US 3,322,280 A discloses a filter and water separator for liquids such as gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels. This is used between a fuel storage tank and a dispensing nozzle to filter fuels and separate water from the fuel as it is drawn from the storage tank.

[0005] From EP 2 808 071 A1 a filter device is known comprising a filter housing, a housing cover attached to the filter housing which has a housing cover empty opening, and a filter element which can be connected or linked to the housing cover and which has a filter element empty opening and, in a state mounted in the filter housing, separates a raw side from a clean side in the filter housing, as well as a closure element attached to the housing cover.

[0006] From WO 2013 / 178680 A1, a filter device, particularly for a motor vehicle, is known, comprising a filter housing, a housing cover attached to the filter housing which has a housing cover drain opening, a filter element connectable to or attached to the housing cover which has a filter element drain opening and, in a state mounted in the filter housing, separates a raw side from a clean side within the filter housing, and a sealing element attachable to or attached to the housing cover which, in a state attached to the housing cover, seals both the housing cover drain opening and the filter element drain opening. The sealing element has a radial seal by means of which, in the state attached to the housing cover, the sealing element seals the raw side against the clean side in the filter element drain opening.

[0007] Document EP 3 249 184 A1 discloses a filter arrangement comprising a filter element forming a fluid channel with a first longitudinal axis. It is an oil filter disclosed with a filter element and at least one front end cap attached to the filter element, the front end cap having an oil line for coupling the oil filter cartridge to a coupling of an oil outlet of an oil filter housing.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of designing a filter element and a filter of the type mentioned above in which the liquid can be drained more easily, quickly, efficiently and reliably both from the interior of the filter element and from the interior of the filter housing surrounding the filter element. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention in the filter element by the fact that the at least one filter element sealing surface or filter element sealing surface is axially directed with respect to the axis at least with a directional component.

[0010] According to the invention, the filter element sealing device is designed such that it provides at least an axial seal. In this way, axial connection forces applied during filter assembly and / or when inserting a drain plug element into a fluid drain opening can contribute to improving the axial sealing effect of the filter element sealing device. With an axial seal, any swelling of the seals does not necessitate a greater force in the axial direction for removing the seal, as can be the case, for example, with seals that act exclusively radially.

[0011] Advantageously, the filter element sealing device can be designed to seal exclusively in the axial direction. In this case, the filter element sealing surface can be designed to be exclusively axially oriented.

[0012] Advantageously, the filter element sealing device can have a filter element sealing surface. A corresponding sealing surface, particularly of a separate gasket, can abut the filter element sealing surface. Alternatively, the filter element sealing device can have a filter element sealing surface. In this case, the filter element sealing surface can be part of a gasket or a sealing section on the side of the filter element. The filter element sealing surface can abut a corresponding sealing surface. This sealing surface can advantageously be arranged on the side of the filter housing and / or the drain plug element.

[0013] According to the invention, an annular seal surrounding the axis, with at least one axially acting sealing surface, is arranged on the end body. In this way, the seal can be pre-assembled on the filter element and replaced together with it. The seal can be permanently connected to the end body. Alternatively, the seal can be mounted to the end body, in particular by being attached or pushed onto it. In this case, the end body can have a corresponding at least axially directed and acting sealing surface, which can interact with a corresponding axially acting sealing surface of the seal. Furthermore, the seal can have another at least axially directed sealing surface on the side facing away from the first-mentioned sealing surface, with which it can axially seal together with a corresponding sealing surface on the side of the filter housing and / or the drain plug element.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the annular seal can be sleeve-shaped. In this way, the seal can bridge an axial gap between corresponding sealing surfaces on the one hand on the side of the filter element and on the other hand on the side of the filter housing and / or the drain closure element.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter element's blanking port can connect a raw side of the filter element with a clean side. Similarly, the filter element's sealing device can separate the clean side from the raw side.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter element sealing device can be elastic with respect to its axis, at least in the axial direction. In this way, tolerances, particularly those caused by assembly, manufacturing, and / or the component itself, can be better compensated for by appropriate elastic deformation. Furthermore, the sealing effect can be improved.

[0017] According to the invention, the at least one end body has several circumferentially distributed and spaced-apart positioning sections on its outer surface, which faces axially away from the interior of the element with respect to the axis. These positioning sections have radially outward-facing positioning surfaces for positioning an annular seal of the filter element sealing device. The spaced-apart positioning sections allow for improved positional tolerance. The seal can partially contact the positioning sections radially on the inside without exerting a radial sealing effect there. No radially acting forces act on the seal in this case.

[0018] Advantageously, the positioning sections can be implemented on a type of sleeve, particularly in the form of a cylinder, a cone, or the like. The radially outer circumferential surface of the sleeve can have corresponding radial projections, particularly teeth, which implement the individual positioning sections. In this way, the positioning sections can be integrally formed with the sleeve. Furthermore, the interior of the sleeve can also at least partially form the filter element's idle opening.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, such positioning surfaces for positioning an annular seal of the filter element sealing device can be arranged on an annular or sleeve-shaped seal and formed integrally with it. These positioning surfaces, for example in the form of radial projections, especially teeth, prevent radial sealing of the seal, for example in the case of positioning sections of the seal that extend radially inwards.

[0020] The at least one sealing or sealing surface of the drain closure element is axially directed with at least one directional component with respect to the axis.

[0021] According to the invention, the filter element sealing device is designed such that it provides at least axial sealing with respect to the axis. In this way, axial connection forces applied during the assembly of the filter and / or when inserting a drain plug element into a drain opening for fluid can contribute to improving the axial sealing effect of the filter element sealing device.

[0022] Preferably, the filter element sealing device is designed such that it seals exclusively in the axial direction. The sealing element or sealing surface is then designed such that it is exclusively axially oriented.

[0023] Advantageously, the filter element sealing device can have a sealing surface for the closure element. A corresponding sealing surface, particularly of a separate seal, can abut against this sealing surface. Alternatively, the filter element sealing device can have a sealing surface for the closure element. In this case, the sealing surface for the closure element can be part of a seal on the side of the drain closure element. The sealing surface for the closure element can abut against a corresponding sealing surface. This sealing surface can advantageously be located on the side of the filter element.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one centering projection can be arranged radially within the at least one sealing surface of the closure element, which can engage in the at least one drain opening of the filter element. In this way, the filter element can be centered with respect to the drain closure element with respect to the axis. This centering can be performed when attaching the drain closure element to the filter housing or when inserting the filter element into the filter housing.

[0025] In the embodiment according to the invention, at least one axially oriented cover surface circumferentially surrounding the axis can be arranged radially outside the at least one sealing surface or sealing surface of the closure element for closing at least one drain opening of a filter housing. In this way, a filter element drain opening and the corresponding drain opening of the filter housing can each be closed with separate sections of the drain closure element. This prevents unfiltered liquid from passing from the raw side to the clean side of the filter when the drain closure element is removed.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, part of a drain sealing device for sealing the drain opening of the filter housing can be arranged radially outside the at least one sealing surface of the closure element. The drain sealing device seals the interior of the filter housing from the environment. The drain sealing device can be a radially and / or axially acting seal. For this purpose, the drain closure element can have a seal or a receptacle, in particular a sealing groove, for a seal on its outer surface circumferentially with respect to the axis. The seal can advantageously be a ring seal, in particular an O-ring seal.

[0027] Advantageously, the drain plug element can have at least a portion of the rotatable and / or pluggable connection. The rotatable and / or pluggable connection can, in particular, be a screw connection or a bayonet-type connection. Correspondingly, the drain plug element can have a thread or a portion of the bayonet-type connection. The corresponding opposite connection can advantageously be arranged on a housing part, in particular a housing cover, of the filter housing.

[0028] A problem not related to the invention is solved in the housing part by the fact that the housing part has at least one radially inner drain opening with respect to the axis, which can communicate with the filter element idle opening of the at least one filter element, and at least one radially outer drain opening with respect to the axis, which can communicate with an interior space of the filter housing carrying fluid surrounding the at least one filter element, wherein the radially inner drain opening is separated from the at least one radially outer drain opening by means of at least one separating section.

[0029] Two types of drain openings can be provided: at least one radially inner drain opening and at least one radially outer drain opening. When the corresponding drain closure element is removed, the two different drain openings can be opened independently. This prevents unfiltered liquid from passing from the raw side of the filter to the clean side. When the radially outer drain opening is opened, the liquid from the element's interior can escape through the corresponding fluid element drain opening. The liquid from the interior surrounding the filter element can escape separately through the at least one radially outer drain opening. In this way, the different liquids are not mixed.

[0030] The at least one separating section allows the area connected to the filter element's idle opening to be separated from the fluid-carrying area surrounding the filter element. This prevents any dirt from the interior surrounding the filter element from entering the area of ​​the filter element's idle opening and the filter element's sealing device located there.

[0031] In another embodiment, the at least one separating section can be a partition wall circumferentially surrounding the axis. In this way, a circumferentially continuous separating section can be achieved.

[0032] In another embodiment, several radially outer drain openings can be arranged distributed across an end face of the housing part surrounding the axis. This ensures a uniform flow of liquid through the drain openings.

[0033] In a further embodiment, at least part of an environmental sealing device can be arranged on the side of the at least one radially outer drain opening facing the environment. The environmental sealing device seals the interior of the filter housing, and thus also the interior of the element, from the environment.

[0034] The housing part can have at least one sealing surface that is continuous around its circumference. Advantageously, the sealing surface can be directed radially inwards. In this way, a radially acting seal can engage with the sealing surface.

[0035] The housing part can have a circumferentially continuous, and in particular stepped, receptacle with respect to the axis. The receptacle can have at least one radially inner drain opening, at least one radially outer drain opening, and at least one separating section. Additionally, the receptacle can have at least one part, in particular at least one sealing surface, of the surrounding sealing device. Furthermore, the receptacle can have at least one part of a connection rotatable and / or pluggable with respect to an imaginary axis, with at least one drain closure element.

[0036] Finally, the problem according to the invention is solved in the filter by the fact that it has at least one filter element according to the invention, at least one housing part and at least one drain closure element.

[0037] Furthermore, the features and advantages described in connection with the filter element, the drain closure element, 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 one another, potentially resulting in further advantageous effects that go beyond the sum of the individual effects. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which an embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features disclosed in the drawing, the description, and the claims individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. The drawing schematically illustrates Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a liquid filter for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle; Figure 2 shows an isometric detail view of a housing cover of the filter from the Figure 1 in the area of ​​a drain opening for the liquid; Figure 3 an isometric detail view of a filter element of the filter from Figure 1 in the area of ​​a filter element drain opening for the liquid.

[0039] In the figures, identical components are labelled with the same reference symbols. embodiment(s) of the invention

[0040] In the Figures 1 to 3 A filter 10 for a liquid, for example oil or fuel, is shown in a longitudinal section and in detailed views of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The filter 10 is arranged in a fluid circuit, for example an engine oil circuit or a fuel circuit, of the internal combustion engine.

[0041] The filter 10 comprises a filter housing 12, of which in the Figure 1Only the housing cover 14 is shown. The housing cover 14 is screwed into a main housing of the filter housing 12 (not shown) at the bottom. The filter housing 12 has a liquid inlet for the liquid to be cleaned and a liquid outlet for cleaned liquid, both of which are located in the Figure 1 are not shown.

[0042] Furthermore, the filter housing 12 has a drain 16 at the lowest point of the housing cover 14, through which liquid can be drained from the interior of the filter housing 12, for example, for maintenance purposes. A filter element 18, designed as a circular filter element, is arranged in the filter housing 12 such that it separates the liquid inlet from the liquid outlet. The filter element 18 is detachably attached to the housing cover 14 in a manner not relevant here.

[0043] The filter element 18 has a filter medium 22 that is continuous around an imaginary axis 20 and surrounds an interior space 24. During operation of the filter 10, the liquid flows through the filter element 18 from radially outside to radially inside, so that the interior space 24 forms the clean side of the filter element 18 and the interior of the filter housing 12 surrounding the filter element 18 forms the dirty side.

[0044] When terms like "axial," "radial," "coaxial," "circumferential," or similar are used below, they refer to axis 20 unless otherwise stated. In the illustrated embodiment, axis 20 coincides with an element axis of the filter element 18, an installation axis of the filter element 18 in the housing cover 14, a housing axis of the filter housing 12, and a connecting axis of a drain closure element 26 of the drain assembly 16 with the housing cover 14. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, all subsequent references will refer to axis 20. It is understood that when the filter 10 is removed, axis 20 corresponds to the axes mentioned above.

[0045] At one of the outlet arrangements 16 facing, in the Figure 1An end plate 28 is attached to the lower end face of the filter element 18. The end plate 28 extends over the entire end face of the filter element 18. In the area of ​​the element's interior 24, the end plate 28 is axially stepped towards the element's interior 24. There, the end plate 28 has a coaxial filter element idle opening 30.

[0046] The filter element idle opening 30 is formed on the outer side of the end disk 28, which faces axially away from the element interior 24, in a positioning element 32.

[0047] The positioning element 32 has the form of a sleeve, which is circularly cylindrical on its radially inner circumferential side. On its radially outer circumferential side, the positioning element 32 is toothed and thus forms a plurality of circumferentially spaced positioning sections 34 for a filter element seal 36. The positioning sections 34 each extend parallel to the axis 20.

[0048] The filter element seal 36 is designed as a sleeve in the form of a circular hollow cylinder, which is arranged coaxially. With its radially inner circumferential side, the filter element seal 36 does not seal radially, but rather with circumferential interruptions against the respective positioning sections 34, and is thus positioned.

[0049] The filter element seal 36 has a filter element sealing surface 38 on each of its axially opposite end faces. The filter element sealing surfaces 38 are exclusively axially oriented. The filter element seal 36 therefore has no sealing surface acting in a radial direction.

[0050] The filter element seal 36 projects beyond the positioning element 32 in the axial direction. The filter element seal 36 is made of an elastomer and is elastic at least in the axial direction.

[0051] With its filter element sealing surface 38 facing axially towards the interior of the element 24, the filter element seal 36 rests against a filter element sealing surface 40, acting as a seal in the axial direction. The filter element sealing surface 40 surrounds the positioning element 32 radially and circumferentially on the outer surface of the end disk 28, which faces away from the interior of the element 24. The filter element sealing surface 40 is also oriented exclusively in the axial direction.

[0052] The drain assembly 16 comprises the drain closure element 26 and a receptacle 42 for the drain closure element 26, which is located in the lower part of the housing cover 14. The receptacle 42 is formed integrally with the housing cover 14.

[0053] The receptacle 42 comprises a coaxial connecting section 44 in the form of a circular cylindrical sleeve on the outside of the housing cover 14. On its radially inner circumferential side, the connecting section 44 has an internal thread 46 of a screw connection 48, which interacts with a corresponding external thread 50 on the radially outer circumferential side of the drain closure element 26.

[0054] On the inner side of the housing cover 14, facing axially towards the filter element 18, the receptacle 42 has a coaxial sealing section 52 in the form of a hollow circular cylinder. The sealing section 52 forms an ambient sealing surface 54 on its radially inner circumferential side, which is directed radially inwards. An ambient sealing ring 56 rests against the ambient sealing surface 54, providing a radial seal. The ambient sealing ring 56 is arranged in a sealing groove in the radially outer circumferential side of the drain plug element 26.

[0055] On the side facing axially away from the base of the housing cover 14, the sealing section 52 is bent radially inwards by 90° and forms an end wall 58 there. Several radially outer drain openings 60 are arranged circumferentially distributed in the end wall 58.

[0056] Radially within the radially outer drain openings 60, the end wall 58 is bent at a 90° angle away from the base of the housing cover 14 and transitions into a separating section 62. The separating section 62 has the shape of a coaxial hollow circular cylinder. The separating section 62 thus forms a circumferentially continuous partition. The separating section 62 surrounds a coaxial radially inner drain opening 64. The separating section 62 thus separates the radially outer drain openings 60 from the radially inner drain opening 64.

[0057] In the region of its edge axially facing away from the end wall 58, the separating section 62 is flared in a funnel shape on its radially inner circumferential side. The axial extent of the separating section 62 is smaller than the axial extent of the filter element seal 36 in its relaxed state. During axial compression of the filter element seal 36, the separating section 62 can act as a stop. The inner diameter of the separating section 62 is larger than the outer diameter of the filter element seal 36. When the filter element 18 is installed, the separating section 62 surrounds the filter element seal 36 without touching it. Thus, no radial sealing effect occurs between the separating section 62 and the filter element seal 36.

[0058] The end face of the drain closure element 26, which faces axially towards the interior of the filter housing 12, is flat and perpendicular to the axis 20. At its center, the end face has a conical coaxial centering element 66. The maximum outer diameter of the centering element 66 is smaller than the inner diameter of the filter element drain opening 30. The centering element 66 can thus engage in the filter element drain opening 30 to center the filter element 18 accordingly.

[0059] Radially outside the centering element 66, the end face of the drain closure element 26 forms a circumferentially continuous sealing surface 68. The diameter and radial extent of the sealing surface 68 correspond to the corresponding, spatially lower filter element sealing surface 38 of the filter element seal 36. The sealing surface 68 is oriented exclusively in the axial direction. When the filter 10 is installed, the filter element sealing surface 38 of the filter element seal 36 rests against the sealing surface 68, sealing exclusively in the axial direction.

[0060] Radially outside the sealing surface 68, the end face of the drain closure element 26 forms an annular covering surface 70, with which the radially outer drain openings 60 are covered and closed when the filter 10 is installed.

[0061] A radial outer diameter of the end face of the drain closure element 26 corresponds to a radial inner diameter of the sealing section 52 of the receptacle 42.

[0062] The filter element seal 36 separates the clean side of the filter element 18 from the dirty side. The separating section 62, in combination with the labyrinthine arrangement of the recess in the end disc 28, prevents coarse dirt, such as chips, from entering the area of ​​the filter element seal 36 from the dirty side and impairing its sealing effect.

[0063] To drain the liquid from the filter 10, for example for maintenance purposes, the drain plug element 26 is moved out of the receptacle 42, for example unscrewed. In doing so, the filter element seal 36 on the side facing the sealing surface 68 releases the connection between the filter element drain opening 30 and the radially inner drain opening 64, allowing liquid to drain from the clean side.

[0064] Furthermore, the cover surface 70 exposes the radially outer drainage openings 60, allowing the liquid to drain from the pipe side through the radially outer drain openings 60.

[0065] To replace the filter element 18, the housing cover 14 is unscrewed from the housing body. The filter element 18, together with the filter element seal 36, can then be pulled axially out of the housing cover 14 and replaced.

[0066] The assembly of filter 10 is carried out in reverse direction.

Claims

1. Filter element (18) of a filter (10) for liquid, in particular oil or fuel, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with at least one filter medium (22) which surrounds an element interior space (24) in a circumferentially continuous manner with respect to an imaginary axis (20) and which is connected to an end body (28) on at least one axial front face, wherein the end body (28) features a filter element idle opening (30) surrounding the axis (20), said filter element idle opening being connected to the element interior space (24), and at least one filter element sealing surface or filter element seal surface (38, 40) of a filter element sealing device (36, 38, 40, 68) which circumferentially surrounds the at least one filter element idle opening (30) continuously and with which the at least one filter element idle opening (30) can be closed when the filter element (18) is mounted in a filter housing of the filter (10), wherein the at least one filter element sealing surface or filter element seal surface (38, 40) is directed axially with respect to the axis (20) with at least one directional component, wherein an annular seal (36) surrounding the axis (20) with at least one axially acting seal surface (38) is disposed on the end body (28), characterized in that the at least one end body (28) features, on the exterior side facing axially away from the element interior space (24) in relation to the axis (20), a plurality of circumferentially distributed and mutually spaced positioning sections (34) with radially outwardly directed positioning surfaces for positioning the annular seal (36) of the filter element sealing device (36, 38, 40, 68).

2. Filter element according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular seal (36) is sleeve-shaped.

3. Filter element according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the filter element idle opening (30) connects a raw side of the filter element (18) to a clean side.

4. Filter element according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the filter element sealing device (36, 38, 40, 68) is elastic with respect to the axis (20) at least in the axial direction.

5. Filter (10) for liquid, in particular oil or fuel, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with at least one filter housing (12) in which a filter element (18) is replaceably disposed and which features at least one discharge opening (60) for discharging liquid from the filter (10), which can be closed with at least one discharge closure element (26), characterized in that the filter (10) features at least one filter element (18) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, at least one housing part (14) and at least one discharge closure element (26) with at least one part (50) of a connection (48) that can be rotated and / or plugged in relative to an imaginary axis (20) for connecting the discharge closure element (26) to the filter housing (12) and at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68) for closing the filter element idle opening (30) of the filter element (18).

6. Filter according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68) surrounds the axis (20) in a circumferentially continuous manner, wherein the at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68) is directed exclusively axially with respect to the axis (20), and wherein at least one axially oriented cover surface (70) surrounding the axis (20) circumferentially is disposed radially outside the at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68) of the sealing element for closing at least the discharge opening (60) of the filter housing (12).

7. Filter according to claim 6, characterized in that a centering projection (66) is arranged radially inside the at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68) with respect to the axis (20), said centering projection being able to engage in the at least one filter element idle opening (30).

8. Filter according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a part (56) of a discharge sealing device (54, 56) for sealing the at least one discharge opening (60) of the filter housing (12) is arranged radially outside the at least one closure element sealing surface or closure element seal surface (68).