FILTER WITH A FILTER HOUSING AND AN INTERMEDIATE COVER

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a filter comprising a filter housing, a filter insert and an intermediate cover. State of the art

[0002] US 4,640,772 A discloses an oil filter comprising a filter and a centrifuge. The filter, in the form of a screw-on, replaceable filter, is screwed to a mounting flange, and the centrifuge rotor is also mounted on the flange and surrounded by a cover. DE 103 44 664 A1 discloses a device for separating contaminants from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, particularly in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a filter insert, a centrifuge, a supply line system, a discharge system, and a partition wall. The filter insert and the centrifuge are arranged one above the other in a housing that can be closed by at least one cover. The filter insert and the centrifuge can be removed from the housing when the housing is opened.The partition is located between the filter insert and the centrifuge, can be removed from the housing when the housing is opened, has features for holding, storing, or centering the filter insert and / or the centrifuge, and contains a connecting channel that is connected to a centrifuge inlet on the outlet side. To improve the performance of the device, the connecting channel is connected to the supply system on the inlet side upstream of the filter insert.

[0003] From FR 2 900 350 A1 an oil filter device for an internal combustion engine is known, the device comprising a filter body having means for attachment to the engine and arranged to support an auxiliary filter for filtering oil circulating in a branch circuit, the filter body defining a chamber containing the filter and defining an oil inlet channel between the means for attachment of the filter body to the engine and an upper part of the filter body.

[0004] From EP 1 260 260 A1 a device for separating impurities from a lubricating oil of a motor vehicle is known, with a housing which can be closed by a cover and in which a ring filter element is arranged, with a central nozzle formed on the housing base, onto which the ring filter element is placed with one end on the outside, with a raw-side inlet, with a clean-side outlet and with a relatively pressure-free return.

[0005] From DE 103 44 664 A1 a device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of a motor vehicle is known, comprising a filter insert, a centrifuge which can be driven by means of flowing lubricating oil, an inlet for lubricating oil to be cleaned and an outlet for cleaned lubricating oil, wherein the filter insert and the centrifuge are arranged in a housing, wherein an intermediate wall is arranged between the filter insert and the centrifuge in the filter housing.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of designing a filter with an intermediate cover and a filter insert of the type mentioned above, in which the overall expenditure for clean fluid lines on the filter housing side can be reduced. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the attached set of claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a filter is provided with an intermediate cover, wherein the intermediate cover at least co-forms at least one clean fluid channel, which is or can be arranged as a fluidic connection between a clean fluid side of the at least one filter insert and at least one fluid outlet of the filter housing for cleaned clean fluid.

[0009] According to the invention, the intermediate cover forms part of the clean fluid channel, which connects the clean fluid side of the at least one filter insert to the fluid outlet of the filter housing. In contrast, the device known from the prior art requires a separate drainage system in the filter housing, which connects both the fluid outlet on the centrifuge side, which is located at the top of the filter housing, and the fluid outlet on the filter insert side, which is located at the bottom of the filter housing, to the fluid outlet of the filter housing. This drainage system known from the prior art is correspondingly complex, both in terms of production and the required installation space.The invention makes it possible to arrange both the fluid outlet of the at least one centrifugal separator and the fluid outlet of the at least one filter insert in the area of ​​the intermediate cover. This eliminates the need for complex drainage systems in the filter housing.

[0010] The intermediate cover at least co-forms the at least one clean fluid channel. Advantageously, a corresponding section of the clean fluid channel can be realized in the intermediate cover. This section of the at least one clean fluid channel can connect the preferably central fluid outlet on the side of the at least one filter insert with the fluid outlet on the side of the filter housing.

[0011] Alternatively, the intermediate cover can only form part of the wall of a section of the at least one clean fluid channel. A supplementary part of the wall of the at least one clean fluid channel can be formed on the filter insert, in particular with an end body, in particular an end plate, of the at least one filter insert. In this way, the relevant section of the clean fluid channel can be completed when the intermediate cover is connected to the filter insert.

[0012] Advantageously, the at least one filter insert, the intermediate cover, and the at least one centrifuge separator can be arranged axially with respect to the axis. In this way, these components can be mounted one above the other. Furthermore, these components can be connected to one another and / or arranged in the filter housing by means of rotational and / or plug-in movements, particularly around the axis.

[0013] Advantageously, the intermediate cover and the at least one filter insert can be connected to one another, in particular detachably, by means of a rotary and / or plug-in connection. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate cover and the at least one centrifuge separator can be connected to one another, in particular detachably, by means of a rotary and / or plug-in connection.

[0014] A rotary and / or plug-in connection is a connection that can be made and released by means of a rotary and / or plug-in movement. This can be a screw connection, a bayonet-type connection, a locking connection, a clip connection, a snap connection, and / or a plug-in connection, or similar. A screw connection is made by a combined rotary and plug-in movement, with the rotation of the components involved relative to one another causing a plug-in movement.

[0015] Advantageously, the at least one filter insert and the intermediate cover can be arranged axially in an interior space of a housing pot of the filter housing.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one centrifugal separator can be arranged in a cup-shaped housing cover of the filter housing. The housing cover can be connected to the housing pot by means of a rotatable and / or plug-in connection.

[0017] Advantageously, the at least one filter insert can be a so-called hollow filter element.

[0018] A hollow filter element is characterized in that it has at least one element interior which is surrounded by a filter medium. The fluid to be cleaned can flow through the filter medium from the outside to the inside of the element interior or vice versa. The element interior has a fluid passage to the outside through which, depending on the direction of flow, the cleaned fluid can leave the element interior or fluid to be cleaned can enter it. The filter medium can surround the element interior circumferentially with respect to an element axis. On at least one end face axial with respect to the element 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 element interior.

[0019] 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 an angular one, and / or a different type of axial cross-sectional profile in the direction of an element axis.

[0020] The filter medium can advantageously be circumferentially closed or open with respect to the element 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.

[0021] The filter can advantageously be part of an internal combustion engine. The filter can be used to purify engine oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, coolant, urea-water solution, water, or other liquid fluids. The filter can also be used outside of automotive technology, particularly in industrial engines.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can have at least one inlet opening for the at least one clean fluid channel on its end face facing the at least one filter insert and axially with respect to the axis. This inlet opening, when the intermediate cover is installed, corresponds to at least one outlet opening for clean fluid of the at least one filter insert. In this way, a direct connection between the clean fluid side of the at least one filter insert and the at least one clean fluid channel in the intermediate cover can be realized in a space-saving manner.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can have at least one outlet opening of the at least one clean fluid channel on at least one circumferential side with respect to the axis, which outlet opening corresponds to at least one fluid outlet of the filter housing for clean fluid when the intermediate cover is installed. In this way, the clean fluid can drain laterally out of the at least one intermediate cover. This allows the space requirement in the axial direction with respect to the axis to be reduced. Furthermore, corresponding connecting channels and bypasses for the clean fluid in the filter housing can be dispensed with.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one outlet opening of the at least one clean fluid channel can extend over the entire outer circumference of the intermediate cover. In this way, the at least one outlet opening can be connected to the at least one fluid outlet of the filter housing in any rotational orientation relative to the filter housing. This can simplify assembly of the intermediate cover.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one clean fluid channel can be realized as an intermediate space axially between a filter-side separating section and a centrifuge-side separating section of the intermediate cover. In this way, the at least one clean fluid channel can be integrated into the interior of the intermediate cover in a space-saving manner. The at least one clean fluid channel can be separated on one side by the filter-side separating section from the centrifuge receiving space and on the other side by the filter-side separating section from the filter receiving space.

[0027] Advantageously, the filter-side separation section and / or the centrifuge-side separation section can be implemented as a disc section. This allows the corresponding separation section to be realized in a space-saving manner with respect to the axial axis. This allows the overall axial height of the filter and filter housing to be reduced.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one raw fluid channel in the intermediate cover can connect a filter-side end face of the intermediate cover with a centrifuge-side end face of the intermediate cover. In this way, a correspondingly short connection between the end faces of the intermediate cover can be realized. This can reduce component complexity. In the case of a housing variant without a centrifuge, both an intermediate cover with such a raw fluid channel and an intermediate cover without such a raw fluid channel can be used in the arrangement described here.

[0029] The at least one raw fluid channel can run approximately parallel to the axis of the intermediate cover with respect to its axis.

[0030] According to the invention, a raw fluid channel leads through an intermediate space, which at least partly forms the at least one clean fluid channel, axially with respect to the axis between a filter-side separating section and a centrifuge-side separating section of the intermediate cover, wherein the at least one raw fluid channel is surrounded in the intermediate space by at least one channel wall. In this way, both the at least one raw fluid channel and the at least one clean fluid channel can be realized in the same spatial area in a space-saving manner. The at least one channel wall simply separates the at least one raw fluid channel from the at least one clean fluid channel. Furthermore, the at least one channel wall can serve as a spacer and / or mechanical connection between the filter-side separating section and the centrifuge-side separating section.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of raw fluid channels can be arranged circumferentially distributed with respect to the axis. This allows for an increased flow cross-section for the raw fluid. Furthermore, a uniform fluid flow can be enabled.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can have at least one circumferentially continuous seal on its radially outer circumferential side with respect to the axis. In this way, the intermediate cover can be sealed radially outwardly against at least one corresponding housing part of the filter housing and / or a part of the at least one centrifuge separator.

[0033] Advantageously, the intermediate cover can be sealed against a radially inner peripheral wall of a housing pot with the at least one seal.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate cover can be sealed against a holding part of the at least one centrifuge separator with the at least one seal.

[0035] Advantageously, at least one seal can be designed such that it can seal both against a radially inner peripheral wall of a housing pot and against a holding part of the at least one centrifuge separator.

[0036] Advantageously, at least one seal can be designed in such a way that it acts as a seal both in the axial direction with respect to the axis and in the radial direction.

[0037] Advantageously, the at least one seal can be designed as a so-called half-moon seal. The half-moon seal has an approximately half-moon-shaped profile. With a half-moon seal, several sealing points can be sealed radially and axially simultaneously.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, at least one seal can be designed so that it acts as a seal exclusively in the radial direction or exclusively in the axial direction.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can have two circumferentially connected seals on its radially outer circumferential side with respect to the axis, which seals are axially spaced from one another, with at least one outlet opening of the at least one clean fluid channel leading axially between the seals from the circumferential side of the intermediate cover. In this way, the at least one outlet opening can be sealed both from the centrifuge receiving space and from the filter receiving space. In addition, the raw fluid side can be sealed from the clean fluid side. Furthermore, it can be sealed from the environment.

[0040] In a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can have at least one centrifuge centering device on its centrifuge-side end face for holding it to at least a part of the at least one centrifuge separator and / or at least one filter centering device on its filter-side end face for holding it to the at least one filter insert. With the centrifuge centering device, the at least one centrifuge separator and the intermediate cover can be centered and / or spaced apart from one another. In addition, the centrifuge centering device can also have a holding function so that the components involved can be fixed to one another. Accordingly, the at least one filter centering device can serve to center and / or space the at least one filter insert relative to the intermediate cover.In addition, the filter centering device can also have a holding function for fixing the at least one filter insert to the intermediate cover.

[0041] Advantageously, the at least one centrifuge centering device and / or the at least one filter centering device can be configured as a quick-connection, in particular a locking connection, snap connection, clip connection, plug connection, or the like. In this way, the centering devices can be connected and, if necessary, detached easily and quickly.

[0042] In a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate cover can be cup-shaped on its centrifuge-side end face and / or on its filter-side end face. In this way, the intermediate cover can additionally serve to accommodate a corresponding component on the corresponding end face, in particular a holding part of the at least one centrifuge separator or an end body of the at least one filter insert. The peripheral wall of the cup-shaped end face of the intermediate cover can surround the corresponding components of the at least one centrifuge separator and / or the at least one filter insert. Overall, the mechanical stability of the intermediate cover can thus be increased.

[0043] The object is further achieved in the filter insert according to the invention in that the filter insert has at least one outlet opening for purified clean fluid on an end face axial with respect to the axis, on which the connecting device is located, which outlet opening can be brought into correspondence with at least one inlet opening of at least one clean fluid channel of the intermediate cover, wherein the at least one outlet opening at least co-forms the connecting device.

[0044] According to the invention, the outlet opening of the filter insert for clean fluid is arranged on the side facing the centrifuge separator. This eliminates the need for corresponding clean fluid channels in the filter housing on the end face axially remote from the at least one centrifuge separator. The fluid outlet of the filter housing can thus be realized between the filter receiving space and the centrifuge receiving space, approximately at the level of the intermediate cover. This allows the clean fluid channels in the filter housing to be designed to be shorter overall.

[0045] Advantageously, the filter insert can have a receptacle for a bypass valve on the end face axially facing away from the outlet opening of the filter insert with respect to the axis. The bypass valve allows the raw fluid to bypass the filter medium of the filter insert and be directed directly to the clean fluid side. For this purpose, the bypass valve can be opened when a predefined differential pressure is reached. This differential pressure can be achieved in particular if the filter medium is blocked or the flow is impeded in some other way. In this way, fluid can always pass through the filter. This ensures the operational reliability of a machine in whose fluid circuit the filter is located.

[0046] Advantageously, the bypass valve can be mounted on the side of the filter housing. When the filter insert is installed, the bypass valve can be automatically inserted into the corresponding receptacle.

[0047] Advantageously, the connecting device of the filter insert can comprise at least part of a centering device. The centering device can be used to center the filter insert relative to the intermediate cover.

[0048] Advantageously, a radial dimension of the filter insert on its side facing the intermediate cover, in particular the radial dimension of an end body, can be significantly smaller than the radially inner dimension of a cup-shaped part of the intermediate cover, which can at least partially accommodate the filter insert. In this way, a fluid passage can be realized between the radially outer peripheral side of the filter insert and the radially inner peripheral side of the cup-shaped part of the intermediate cover.

[0049] Advantageously, at least one spacer can be provided between the intermediate cover and the end face of the filter insert facing it. In this way, the end face of the filter insert, in particular the end plate, can be kept at a distance from the end face of the intermediate cover. This allows for a fluid flow through the end face between the filter insert and the end face of the intermediate cover.

[0050] Advantageously, at least one spacer can be provided on the front side of the intermediate cover. This allows a standard end plate to be used on the filter insert side.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, at least one spacer can be provided on an end body of the filter insert.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, the filter insert can have at least part of a sealing device with which the at least one outlet opening can be sealed against the intermediate cover. The sealing device can advantageously be a seal or sealing surface that is circumferentially continuous with respect to the axis. By means of the sealing device, the raw fluid side of the filter insert can be separated from the clean fluid side.

[0053] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter insert can have at least part of an actuating device for a fluid drain of the filter housing on its end face axially facing away from the connecting device. Fluid contained in the filter housing can be drained through the fluid drain when the filter insert is removed. This can prevent fluid from accidentally escaping into the environment when the filter insert is replaced. When the filter insert is removed, the fluid drain can be automatically released using the actuating device so that the fluid can drain away. Conversely, when the filter insert is installed, the fluid drain can be automatically closed using the actuating device.

[0054] Advantageously, the filter insert can encompass the intermediate cover, in particular, it can be detachably or permanently connected to it. For example, the parts can be connected to one another by frictional insertion, by a snap-in connection, and / or by an adhesive connection. This can simplify the replacement of the filter element. Such a simplification can also be achieved by a delivery unit according to the invention, which comprises a filter insert according to the invention and an intermediate cover according to the invention for installation in a filter housing for servicing purposes.

[0055] Advantageously, the axial length of the filter insert can be designed in such a way that, when the filter insert is correctly installed, the fluid outlet is closed by the actuating device.

[0056] Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter device comprising a filter housing and a replaceable filter insert according to the invention and an intermediate cover according to the invention as well as the use of the filter insert and / or the intermediate cover in a filter housing.

[0057] The filter advantageously comprises a filter housing with a housing cup, which is closed with a removable housing cover. Both the housing cup and the housing cover are preferably cup-shaped. The housing cover is preferably connected by means of a screw connection so that it can be screwed relative to an imaginary axis. For this purpose, the housing cover preferably has an external thread, and the housing cup has a corresponding internal thread.

[0058] InThe filter housing preferably contains a filter receiving space for a filter insert and a centrifuge receiving space for a centrifuge separator. The filter receiving space and the centrifuge receiving space are each, for example, coaxially circular-cylindrical. The filter receiving space and the centrifuge receiving space are preferably separated from one another by an intermediate cover according to the invention. In the normal installation position of the filter, the filter receiving space is preferably located at the bottom of the housing pot. The centrifuge receiving space is further preferably located spatially above the filter receiving space and more preferably partly in the housing cover and partly within the housing pot. The intermediate cover is, for example, screwed into the internal thread of the housing pot below the free edge of the housing cover. The intermediate cover is thus located axially between the filter receiving space and the centrifuge receiving space.

[0059] The filter housing has a fluid inlet for the fluid to be cleaned. The fluid inlet preferably leads through the bottom of the housing pot into the filter chamber.

[0060] Furthermore, the features and advantages presented in connection with the intermediate cover according to the invention and the filter insert 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

[0061] 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. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features disclosed in the drawing, 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 filter for cleaning liquid, with a filter insert and a centrifugal separator, between which an intermediate cover is arranged; Figure 2 shows a section of a longitudinal section of the filter from the Figure 1 along another section plane; Figure 3 shows another section of a longitudinal section of the filter from the Figures 1 and 2 along another section plane; Figure 4 shows a section of the longitudinal section from the Figure 3in the area of ​​a centrifuge-side seal between the intermediate cover and the filter housing; Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of the filter insert of the filter from the Figures 1 to 3 with the intermediate cover; Figure 6 an isometric partial section of the filter insert with the intermediate cover of the filter from the Figures 1 to 3 ; Figure 7 a longitudinal section of the filter from the Figures 1 to 3 along another sectional plane, showing a fluid drain for draining fluid in the bottom of the filter housing.

[0062] In the figures, identical components are provided with the same reference symbols. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0063] In the Figures 1 to 7 a filter 10 for cleaning liquid fluid is shown in different sections and detailed views.

[0064] The filter 10 can be used to remove particles from liquid fluids, such as engine oil, fuel, water, urea-water solution, hydraulic fluid, or the like. For this purpose, the filter 10 can be arranged in a corresponding fluid line, for example, of an internal combustion engine.

[0065] When reference is made below to "raw fluid," this refers, within the meaning of the invention, to the fluid to be cleaned by the filter 10. "Clean fluid" refers to the fluid cleaned by the filter 10. The raw fluid side is therefore the side on which the fluid to be cleaned is located. The clean fluid side is the side on which the cleaned fluid is located.

[0066] The filter 10 comprises a filter housing 12 with a housing cup 14, which is closed with a removable housing cover 16. Both the housing cup 14 and the housing cover 16 are cup-shaped. The housing cover 16 is connected by means of a screw connection with respect to an imaginary axis 18. For this purpose, the housing cover 16 has an external thread, and the housing cup 14 has a corresponding internal thread.

[0067] When reference is made below to "axial", "radial", "circumferential", "coaxial" or the like, this refers, unless otherwise stated, to axis 18.

[0068] The filter housing 12 contains a filter receiving chamber 20 for a filter insert 22 and a centrifuge receiving chamber 24 for a centrifuge separator 26. The filter receiving chamber 20 and the centrifuge receiving chamber 24 are each, for example, coaxially circular-cylindrical. The filter receiving chamber 20 and the centrifuge receiving chamber 24 are separated from one another by an intermediate cover 28. The filter receiving chamber 20 is in the normal installation position of the filter 10, as shown in the Figure 1 shown, at the bottom of the housing pot 14. The centrifuge receiving space 24 is located spatially above the filter receiving space 20, partly in the housing cover 16. The intermediate cover 28 is screwed, for example, below the free edge of the housing cover 16 into the internal thread of the housing pot 14. The intermediate cover 28 is thus located axially between the filter receiving space 20 and the centrifuge receiving space 24.

[0069] The filter housing 12 has a fluid inlet 30 for the fluid to be cleaned. The fluid inlet 30 leads through the bottom of the housing pot 14 into the filter receiving space 20.

[0070] A fluid outlet 32 ​​for purified fluid leads through the peripheral side of the housing pot 14. The fluid outlet 32 ​​is located approximately at the level of the intermediate cover 28 in an area between the filter receiving space 20 and the centrifuge receiving space 24.

[0071] The opening of the housing pot 14, which can be closed with the housing cover 16, serves as an installation opening for the filter insert 22, the intermediate cover 28 and a holding unit 60 of the centrifuge separator 26.

[0072] Furthermore, a bypass channel 34, in which a bypass valve 36 is arranged, runs centrally through the bottom of the housing pot 14. The bypass valve 36 extends axially into the filter receiving space 20. The bypass channel 34 directly connects the raw fluid side of the filter insert 22 with its clean fluid side. The bypass valve 36 releases the bypass channel 34 as soon as a corresponding pressure difference exists between the inlet side and the outlet side of the bypass valve 36. This can be the case, for example, if a fluid flow through the filter insert 22 is blocked. In this way, a fluid flow through the filter 10 can be further ensured.

[0073] The filter insert 22 is, for example, a so-called round filter element. The filter insert 22 has a filter medium 38, for example, filter fleece or filter paper. The filter medium 38 is circumferentially continuous around the axis 18 and circumferentially delimits an insert interior 40 of the filter insert 22. A grid-like support tube 42 is arranged in the insert interior 40 and extends between the axial end faces of the filter insert 22. The support tube 42 is open on both end faces. The peripheral wall of the support tube 42 is permeable to liquid.

[0074] On the end face of the filter insert 22 facing the bottom of the housing pot 14, an inlet-side end plate 44 is arranged, which is tightly connected to the filter medium 38. The inlet-side end plate 44 has a coaxial opening through which the bypass valve 36 passes. The opening and the area of ​​the support tube 42 there form a receptacle 46 for the bypass valve 36.

[0075] On the centrifuge-side end face facing the housing cover 16, a centrifuge-side end plate 48 is tightly connected to the filter medium 38. The centrifuge-side end plate 48 has a central outlet opening 50 for purified fluid. The outlet opening 50 and the area of ​​the support tube 42 located there belong to a connecting device 52, with which the filter insert 22 is connected to the intermediate cover 28.

[0076] The outer diameter of the filter insert 22, in particular the outer diameters of the end plates 44 and 48, are significantly smaller than an inner diameter of the housing pot 14. In this way, a fluid-conducting annular space 54 is formed on the raw fluid side of the filter insert 22 between the radially outer peripheral side of the filter insert 22 and the radially inner peripheral side of the housing pot 14.

[0077] Furthermore, the inlet-side end plate 44 is held at an axial distance from the bottom of the housing pot 14, so that a front-side inlet chamber 56 for the fluid to be cleaned is created between the inlet-side end plate 44 and the bottom of the housing pot 14. The fluid inlet 30 opens into the inlet chamber 56.

[0078] The centrifuge separator 26 comprises the holding unit 60, a rotor 58 and a bypass valve 62.

[0079] The holding unit 60 has a circular cylindrical coaxial fastening section 64 with an external thread and a central section 66. The central section 66 is located radially inside the fastening section 64 and is integrally connected thereto.

[0080] With the external thread of the fastening section 64, the holding unit 60 is screwed into the internal thread in the area of ​​the installation opening of the housing pot 14.

[0081] The central section 66 forms a partition between a centrifuge outlet chamber 68 and the intermediate cover 28. The central section 66 is convexly curved when viewed from the housing cover 16. The central section 66 has a coaxial centrifuge inlet 70 for the fluid to be cleaned.

[0082] A lower bearing 72 for the rotor 58 is connected to the centrifuge inlet 70 on the side facing away from the intermediate cover 28. A corresponding upper bearing 74 for the rotor 58 is arranged at the top in the base of the housing cover 16. The rotor 58 is mounted in the lower bearing 72 and the upper bearing 74 for rotation about the axis 18.

[0083] The bypass valve 62 is also arranged in the central section 66. The bypass valve 62 can be used to establish a direct connection between an intermediate space 76 on the inlet side of the centrifuge separator 26 and the centrifuge outlet space 68 when a predeterminable pressure difference is exceeded. In this way, the fluid can bypass the centrifuge separator 26 if a fluid passage through the centrifuge separator 26 is blocked, for example, due to contamination.

[0084] A coaxial holding cylinder 78 is arranged on the side of the central section 66 axially facing away from the rotor 58. The holding cylinder 78 is integrally connected to the central section 66. The holding cylinder 78 circumferentially surrounds the centrifuge inlet 70 and the intermediate space 76. The holding cylinder 78 extends axially toward the intermediate cover 28 and ends shortly before a centrifuge-side separating section 80 of the intermediate cover 28. The distance between the free edge of the holding cylinder 78 and the centrifuge-side separating section 80 creates a circumferential passage gap for the fluid.

[0085] On the radially inner circumferential side, the holding cylinder 78 has a circumferential locking groove in which corresponding locking hooks 82 of a holding device 84 of the intermediate cover 28 can engage.

[0086] The intermediate cover 28 comprises the centrifuge-side separation section 80 on the end face axially facing the centrifuge separator 26 and a filter-side separation section 88 on the side axially facing the filter insert 22. The separation sections 80 and 88 are each designed as disc sections. The separation sections 80 and 88 run parallel to one another, for example, at an axial distance.

[0087] The separating sections 80 and 88 are integrally connected to one another by means of a plurality of hollow cylindrical sections 90. The imaginary axes of the cylindrical sections 90 run, for example, parallel to the axis 18. The interiors of the cylindrical sections 90 each form a raw fluid channel 92. The cylindrical sections 90 and thus the raw fluid channels 92 are arranged circumferentially distributed. The raw fluid channels 92 connect the raw fluid side of the filter insert 22 to a centrifuge inlet chamber 94.

[0088] The centrifuge inlet chamber 94 circumferentially surrounds the holding cylinder 78 of the holding unit 60 of the centrifuge separator 26. The centrifuge inlet chamber 94 is connected to the intermediate chamber 76 via the passage gap between the holding cylinder 78 and the centrifuge-side separation section 80, and via the latter to the centrifuge inlet 70.

[0089] An intermediate space between the separating sections 80 and 88 forms a clean fluid channel 96. The clean fluid channel 96 is open radially outwardly and circumferentially and forms an outlet opening 98 there. The cylinder sections 90 with the raw fluid channels 92 lead through the intermediate space, which forms the clean fluid channel 96. The raw fluid channels 96 are separated from the clean fluid channel 96 by the walls of the cylinder sections 90.

[0090] When the intermediate cover 28 is installed, the outlet opening 98 corresponds to an outlet annular space 100. The circumferentially continuously open outlet opening 98 creates the connection to the outlet annular space 100 regardless of the rotational orientation of the filter insert 22 relative to the filter housing 12. The outlet annular space 100 circumferentially surrounds the intermediate cover 28 and is connected to the fluid outlet 32. In this way, the outlet opening 98 corresponds to the fluid outlet 32.

[0091] The filter-side separation section 88 also has a central inlet opening 102 for purified fluid. The inlet opening 102 opens into the clean fluid channel 96.

[0092] On the side of the filter-side separation section 88 axially facing away from the centrifuge-side separation section 80, a filter centering device 104 in the form of a hollow cylinder extends axially. The filter centering device 104 is circumferentially closed on its side facing the filter-side separation section 88.

[0093] The radially outer circumferential side of the filter centering device 104 has a circumferentially connected sealing device 105, which seals against a radially inner circumferential side of the centrifuge-side end plate 48. Thus, the outlet opening 50 is sealed against the intermediate cover 28. The sealing device 105 separates the raw fluid side from the clean fluid side.

[0094] On the side axially facing away from the filter-side separating section 88, the filter centering device 104 has a plurality of circumferentially distributed locking arms 106. The locking arms 106 can engage with the support tube 42 of the filter insert 22 and thus center it with respect to the intermediate cover 28. The outlet opening 50 and / or the support tube 42 form a connecting device on the side of the filter insert 22 for connection to the intermediate cover 28.

[0095] Furthermore, a plurality of spacers 108 are arranged circumferentially distributed on the end face of the filter-side separation section 88 axially facing away from the centrifuge-side separation section 80. The spacers 108 each extend in the axial direction. The spacers 108 define an axial distance between the filter-side separation section 88 and the centrifuge-side end plate 48 of the filter insert 22. A front-side raw fluid chamber 110 is thus created between the filter-side separation section 88 and the centrifuge-side end plate 48. The raw fluid channels 92 lead out of the raw fluid chamber 110.

[0096] At the radially outer edge, the filter-side separating section 88 merges integrally into a filter-side cylindrical section 112. The cylindrical section 112 surrounds the part of the filter insert 22 axially facing the intermediate cover 28. The filter-side separating section 88 with the filter-side cylindrical section 112 has an overall cup shape.

[0097] In the area of ​​the free edge of the filter-side cylinder section 112, a sealing groove with a circumferentially connected ring seal 114 is provided radially outward.

[0098] The centrifuge-side separation section 80 has the locking hooks 82 on its side axially facing away from the filter-side separation section 88. The locking hooks 82 are distributed circumferentially and each extend in the axial direction.

[0099] The peripheral edge of the centrifuge-side separation section 80 merges integrally into a centrifuge-side cylinder section 116. The centrifuge-side cylinder section 116 extends axially away from the filter-side separation section 88. Overall, the centrifuge-side cylinder section 116 and the centrifuge-side separation section 80 have a cup shape.

[0100] A circumferentially continuous crescent seal 118 is arranged on the radially outer circumferential side of the centrifuge-side cylinder section 116. The crescent seal 118 has an approximately crescent-shaped profile.

[0101] When the filter 10 is installed, the annular seal 114 seals radially against the radially inner circumferential side of the peripheral wall of the housing pot 14. The annular seal 114 is located on the side of the fluid outlet 32 ​​axially facing away from the installation opening of the housing pot 14. Thus, the annular seal 114 seals the raw fluid side of the filter insert 22 against the clean fluid side.

[0102] The crescent seal 118 is in the Figure 4shown in detail. When the filter 10 is installed, the half-moon seal 118 is located in an area between the fastening section 64 of the holding unit 60 of the centrifuge separator 26 and the radially inner circumferential side of the housing pot 14. The half-moon seal 118 acts to seal both radially and axially. The axial compression between the axially front edge of the fastening section 64 and a step 120 on the side of the housing pot 14 creates the axial sealing effect. The axial compression causes the half-moon seal 118 to deflect in the radial direction, thereby improving the radial sealing effect. In this way, several sealing points can be sealed radially and axially with the half-moon seal 118.

[0103] During operation of the filter 10, raw fluid flows through the fluid inlet 30 into the annular space 54. The flow of the raw fluid through the filter 10 is indicated by solid arrows. A portion of the raw fluid flows from the annular space 54, radially outward through the filter medium 38 and the fluid-permeable support tube 42, radially inward into the insert interior 40. The purified fluid leaves the insert interior 40 through the inlet opening 102 and enters the clean fluid channel 96. From the clean fluid channel 96, the purified fluid flows into the fluid outlet 32 ​​of the filter housing 12 and exits the filter 10.

[0104] Another part of the raw fluid is diverted from the annular space 54 to the centrifuge separator 26. This part of the raw fluid is in the Figure 1indicated by dotted arrows. The raw fluid flows into an annular gap 122 radially between the radially outer circumferential side of the filter insert 22 and the radially inner circumferential side of the filter-side cylinder section 112. From the annular gap 122, the raw fluid reaches the front-side raw fluid chamber 110. From there, the raw fluid flows through the raw fluid channels 92 into the centrifuge inlet chamber 94. The raw fluid reaches the intermediate space 76 through the gap between the hollow cylinder 78 and the centrifuge-side separating section 80. From there, the raw fluid flows through the centrifuge inlet 70 into the rotor 58. The rotor 58 frees the raw fluid of particles in a known manner that is not of further interest here. The purified fluid sinks downwards following gravity, leaves the rotor housing of the rotor 58 through corresponding openings, which are not of further interest here, and enters the centrifuge outlet chamber 68.From the centrifuge outlet chamber 68, the purified fluid flows into the fluid outlet 32 ​​of the filter housing 112.

[0105] If, for example, due to the loading of the filter insert 22 with dirt, a differential pressure between the raw fluid side and the clean fluid side of the filter insert 22 exceeds a predetermined level, the bypass valve 36 is opened so that the raw fluid can flow directly into the insert interior 40 and there leave the filter 10 through the fluid outlet 32 ​​as described above.

[0106] If, for example, due to a fault, a differential pressure between the intermediate space 76 and the centrifuge outlet space 68 of the centrifuge separator 26 exceeds a predetermined level, the bypass valve 62 is opened so that the raw fluid can flow directly to the fluid outlet 32, bypassing the centrifuge separator 26.

[0107] In the Figure 7The filter 10 is shown in another longitudinal section, in which a fluid drain 126 can be seen in the bottom of the housing pot 14. When the filter insert 22 is removed, the fluid drain 126 can automatically open a passage through which fluid contained in the filter housing 12 can drain. The fluid drain 126 can be automatically closed by the inlet-side end plate 44, which presses on a corresponding actuating mechanism of the fluid drain 126 in the axial direction toward the bottom of the housing pot 14. The inlet-side end plate 44 therefore forms part of the actuating device for the fluid outlet 126. The axial extension of the filter insert 22 is dimensioned such that when the holding unit 60 is screwed in, it presses the intermediate cover 28 axially downwards, whereby the intermediate cover 28 in turn presses the filter insert 22 axially against the actuating mechanism of the fluid outlet 126 and this is actuated to close.

Claims

1. A filter (10) for purifying liquid fluids, having a filter housing (12) and an intermediate cover (28), wherein the intermediate cover (28) is installed in an interior space of a filter housing (12) for separating a filter accommodating space (20) for at least one filter insert (22) from a centrifuge accommodating space (24) for at least one centrifuge separator (26) using a rotary and / or plug-in movement with respect to an imaginary axis (18), wherein the intermediate cover (28) at least contributes to form at least one clean fluid channel (96) which is or can be arranged as a fluid connection between a clean fluid side of the at least one filter insert (22) and at least one fluid outlet (32) of the filter housing (12) for purified clean fluid, characterized in that at least one raw fluid channel (92) leads through an intermediate space, which at least contributes to form the at least one clean fluid channel (96), axially with respect to the axis (18) between a filter-sided separating section (88) and a centrifuge-sided separating section (80) of the intermediate cover (28), wherein the at least one raw fluid channel (92) is surrounded in the intermediate space by at least one channel wall (90).

2. The filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features at least one raw fluid channel (92) which is or can be disposed as a fluid connection between at least one fluid inlet (30) of the filter housing (12) for raw fluid to be purified and at least one centrifuge inlet (70) of the at least one centrifuge separator (26).

3. The filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features, on its axial front face facing the at least one filter insert (22) with respect to the axis (18), at least one inlet port (102) for the at least one clean fluid channel (96) which, when the intermediate cover (28) is mounted, corresponds with at least one outlet port (50) for clean fluid of the at least one filter insert (22).

4. The filter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features at least one outlet opening (98) of the at least one clean fluid channel (96) on at least one circumferential side with respect to the axis (18), said outlet opening corresponding with at least one fluid outlet (32) of the filter housing (12) for clean fluid when the intermediate cover (28) is mounted.

5. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one outlet port (98) of the at least one clean fluid channel (96) extends across the entire outer periphery of the intermediate cover (28).

6. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clean fluid channel (96) is realized as intermediate space axially with respect to the axis (18) between a filter-sided separating section (88) and a centrifuge-sided separating section (80) of the intermediate cover (28).

7. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one raw fluid channel (92) connects a filter-sided front face of the intermediate cover (28) to a centrifuge-sided front face of the intermediate cover (28).

8. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of raw fluid channels (92) is disposed circumferentially distributed with respect to the axis (18).

9. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features at least one circumferentially continuous seal (114, 118) on its radially outer circumferential side with respect to the axis (18).

10. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features on its radially outer circumferential side with respect to the axis (18) two respective circumferentially connected seals (114, 118) which are axially spaced apart from one another, wherein at least one outlet port (98) of the at least one clean fluid channel (96) leads axially between the seals (114, 118) out of the circumferential side of the intermediate cover (28).

11. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) features on its centrifuge-sided front face at least one centrifuge centering device (82) for holding on at least one part of the at least one centrifuge separator (26) and / or on its filter-sided front face at least one filter centering device (104) for holding on the at least one filter insert (22).

12. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate cover (28) is cup-shaped on its centrifuge-sided front face and / or on its filter-sided front face.

13. The filter according to one of the preceding claims, having a filter insert (22) replaceably installed in the filter housing (12), - wherein the filter insert (22) features at least one connecting means (42, 50) on an axial front face with respect to an imaginary axis (18), the connecting means being designed for connection to the intermediate cover (28), - and wherein the filter insert (22) can be installed in and removed from the filter housing (12) using a rotary and / or plug-in movement relative to the axis (18), wherein the filter insert (22) features at least one outlet port (50) for purified clean fluid on a front face which is axial with respect to the axis (18) on which the connecting means (42, 50) is located, said outlet port being brought into correspondence with at least one inlet port (102) of the clean fluid channel (96) of the intermediate cover (28), wherein the at least one outlet port (50) at least contributes to form the connecting means.

14. The filter according to claim 13, characterized in that the filter insert (22) features at least one part of a sealing means (105) with which the at least one outlet port (50) can be sealed with respect to the intermediate cover (28).

15. The filter according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the filter insert (22) features at least one part of an actuating means (44) for a fluid outlet (126) of the filter housing (12) on its front face facing axially away from the connecting means (50).

16. The filter according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 15, wherein the filter insert and the intermediate cover are inserted into a housing pot of the filter housing (12).