Filter insert for insertion into a filter housing

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter insert for insertion into a filter housing of a fluid filter, with a filter material which is designed to be flowed through by a fluid to be filtered from a raw side to a clean side of the fluid filter during operation of the fluid filter.

[0002] The invention further relates to a fluid filter for filtering a fluid, wherein the fluid filter comprises a filter housing with a housing-side radio module and a filter insert with a buoyant radio module, wherein the filter insert is configured to be inserted into the filter housing. The buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module are configured to communicate with each other.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter system with a fluid filter and an electronic data processing device.

[0004] For some fluid filters, it is advantageous or even necessary to separate water from the fluid being filtered during filtration. Water separation during fluid filtration is found, for example, in fuel filters or fuel cell air filters.

[0005] To ensure proper operation of the fluid filter, the water separated from the fluid and accumulating in the fluid filter's collection water area must be drained from the filter housing or removed by another means. To monitor the water level, the filter housings of corresponding fluid filters can be equipped with a viewing window through which a person can visually check the fill level in the water collection area. Furthermore, fluid filters are known that are equipped with a water level sensor, so that the fill level in the water collection area can be monitored using the sensor data from the water level sensor.

[0006] Further prior art is known, for example, from the documents DE 10 2018 133331 A1, US 2012 / 303204 A1, WO 01 / 94773 A1 and DE 32 17 162 A1.

[0007] In a variety of applications where fluid filters with water separation are used, there is a need for intelligent fluid filters capable of providing information beyond the water level in the water collection area, for example, allowing identification of the filter insert used or concerning operating parameters of the fluid filter or filter insert. This has not been possible with the sensors used to detect the water level.

[0008] In other fluid filters, such as a fluid filter in a steam pressure cleaner, water also collects in a water collection area.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is therefore to enable intelligent water level detection in a fluid filter, in which information beyond the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter is provided for the operation of the fluid filter or the operation of the machine in which the fluid filter is used.

[0010] The object is achieved by a filter insert of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the filter insert according to the invention has a buoyant radio module which is designed to float on a quantity of water located in a water collection area of ​​the fluid filter during operation of the fluid filter.

[0011] Because the buoyant radio module can float on the water volume in the water collection area, its position changes simultaneously with the water level in the water collection area. The buoyant radio module is preferably configured to move axially during operation of the fluid filter depending on the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter. The buoyant radio module thus allows radio-based detection of the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter. The buoyant radio module also allows radio-based identification of the filter insert, as it enables the provision of information that goes beyond a water level indication.Thus, by means of the floatable radio module, for example, filter insert-specific, fluid filter-specific and / or fluid-specific information can be provided, which can be used for the operation of the fluid filter or the operation of the machine in which the fluid filter is used.

[0012] The filter material is preferably configured to separate water from the fluid during operation of the fluid filter. The buoyant radio module is preferably configured to float on a quantity of water separated from the fluid during operation of the fluid filter.

[0013] The fluid filter can, for example, be a fuel filter, so that the fluid is fuel. The fluid filter can also be an air filter of a fuel cell. Alternatively, the fluid filter can be part of a steam pressure cleaner.

[0014] The filter material can form a circumferential filter material body. The filter material can be folded multiple times and / or designed as a bellows.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the filter insert according to the invention, the buoyant radio module has a lower density than water and / or a density of less than 997 kg / m 3 . Due to such a density, the buoyant radio module floats on the surface of the water. This allows the buoyant radio module to change its axial position depending on the current water level in the water collection area.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the filter insert according to the invention, the buoyant radio module is configured to float in a boundary layer between the fluid to be filtered on the raw side of the fluid filter and the amount of water located in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter during operation of the fluid filter. In this case, the buoyant radio module has a higher density than the fluid to be filtered.

[0017] Furthermore, a filter insert according to the invention is preferred in which the buoyant radio module has a higher density than gasoline and / or diesel and / or a density of more than 748 kg / m 3 or more than 833 kg / m 3 . Gasoline has a density of 748 kg / m 3 . Diesel has a density of 833 kg / m 3 . In this case, the filter insert is designed to be used in a fuel filter, in particular in a diesel filter or a gasoline filter. The buoyant radio module is preferably designed to float in a boundary layer between the fuel to be filtered on the raw side of the fluid filter and the amount of water located in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter.

[0018] Furthermore, a filter insert according to the invention is preferred in which the buoyant radio module is configured to communicate with a housing-side radio module of the fluid filter in order to detect the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter, the distance of which module from the buoyant radio module changes when the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter changes. The housing-side radio module is preferably arranged immovably on the filter housing or is immovably integrated into the filter housing. The movement of the buoyant radio module is triggered by a change in the water level, so that the water level is detected via the variable distance between the housing-side radio module and the buoyant radio module. In this respect, the buoyant radio module allows radio-based detection of the water level in the water collection area.

[0019] The filter insert can also have a plurality of floatable radio modules or a floatable radio module with a plurality of radio units, which are configured to float on the amount of water in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter when the fluid filter is in operation in order to detect the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter and to communicate with a housing-side radio module of the fluid filter. The plurality of floatable radio modules or the plurality of radio units of the one floatable radio module can be radio modules or radio units of the same type or radio modules or radio units of different types. The plurality of floatable radio modules or the plurality of radio units of the one floatable radio module can, for example, use different modulation types so that their radio signals can be distinguished. Furthermore, the radio signals can be assigned to a floatable radio module ora radio unit of the one buoyant radio module. The multiple buoyant radio modules or the multiple radio units of the one buoyant radio module can use the same transmission frequency or different transmission frequencies. The number of buoyant radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module or the number of radio units of the one buoyant radio module communicating with the housing-side radio module is preferably dependent on their axial position and thus on their distance from the housing-side radio module. Thus, the distance between the housing-side radio module and the buoyant radio modules or the number of radio units of the one buoyant radio module communicating with the housing-side radio module can be determined via the number of buoyant radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module or the number of radio units of the one buoyant radio module communicating with the housing-side radio module.The distance between the housing-side radio module and the radio units of the one buoyant radio module can be determined, from which the water level in the water collection area can be derived. The multiple buoyant radio modules or the multiple radio units of the one buoyant radio module can be arranged one above the other. At a short distance from the housing-side radio module, a larger number of buoyant radio modules or a larger number of radio units of the one buoyant radio module communicate with the housing-side radio module than at a greater distance from the housing-side radio module.

[0020] Communication between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module can occur continuously or discontinuously. Communication between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module can occur at regular or irregular intervals and / or be triggered or initiated by specific events. Thus, the water level in the water collection area is recorded at regular or irregular intervals and / or event-dependent.

[0021] In a further development of the filter insert according to the invention, the buoyant radio module is configured to transmit one or more radio signals by means of which the distance between the buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module can be determined and / or which allow identification of the filter insert or type recognition of the filter insert. For example, the buoyant radio module is configured to transmit a unique and / or filter insert-specific identifier so that the filter insert located in the filter housing can be identified via signal analysis. Filter insert-related operating information, such as mileage or previous operating time, can also be transmitted to the housing-side radio module via the one or more radio signals.Furthermore, fluid-related operating information can be transmitted from the buoyant radio module to the housing-side radio module, for example, the current temperature of the water or the fluid to be filtered or a related past temperature development. The filter insert-related and / or fluid-related operating information can be determined and recorded by the buoyant radio module during operation. The buoyant radio module can thus comprise a memory for storing the filter insert-related and / or fluid-related operating information, which is written with the filter insert-related and / or fluid-related operating information during operation.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the filter insert according to the invention has a floating chamber in which the buoyant radio module is arranged, wherein the floating chamber is configured to protrude into the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter during operation. The floating chamber can be, for example, a floating cage. The buoyant radio module can comprise a module housing or a module body arranged in the floating chamber. The module housing or the module body can be made of plastic, for example. The buoyant radio module can be formed, for example, by a buoyant plastic element with an integrated RFID tag.

[0023] A filter insert according to the invention is also advantageous in which the floating chamber has a buoyancy area for the buoyant radio module, which allows the buoyant radio module to rise as the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter rises. Within the buoyancy area, the buoyant radio module can perform an axial movement as the water level rises.

[0024] In another embodiment of the filter insert according to the invention, the buoyant radio module or another radio module on the filter insert side is configured to move during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the dirty side and the clean side of the fluid filter and to communicate with a housing-side radio module of the fluid filter to detect the contamination level of the filter insert. The distance of the housing-side radio module from the buoyant radio module or another radio module on the filter insert side changes when the buoyant radio module or another radio module on the filter insert side moves. The buoyant radio module or another radio module on the filter insert side can also allow radio-based identification of the filter insert. The buoyant radio module or another radio module on the filter insert side further allows radio-based detection of the contamination level of the filter material.The floatable radio module or the additional radio module on the filter insert side is preferably designed to move in the axial direction during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter.

[0025] The filter insert can also have a plurality of additional radio modules on the filter insert side, which are configured to move during operation of the fluid filter in order to detect the contamination level of the filter material as a function of the pressure difference between the dirty side and the clean side of the fluid filter and to communicate with a radio module on the housing of the fluid filter. The plurality of radio modules on the filter insert side can be radio modules of the same type or radio modules of different types. The additional radio modules on the filter insert side can, for example, use different modulation types so that their radio signals can be distinguished. Furthermore, the radio signals can be assigned to one of the additional radio modules on the filter insert side based on a transmitted identifier. The plurality of additional radio modules on the filter insert side can use the same transmission frequency or different transmission frequencies.The number of additional filter insert-side radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module preferably depends on their axial position and thus on their distance from the housing-side radio module. Thus, the number of additional filter insert-side radio modules communicating with the housing-side radio module can be used to determine the distance between the housing-side radio module and the filter insert-side radio modules, from which the contamination level of the filter material can be derived. The additional filter insert-side radio modules can be arranged one above the other. At a short distance from the housing-side radio module, a larger number of additional filter insert-side radio modules communicate with the housing-side radio module than at a greater distance from the housing-side radio module.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the filter insert according to the invention, the further filter insert-side radio module is configured to transmit one or more radio signals by means of which the distance between the further filter insert-side radio module and the housing-side radio module can be determined and / or which allow identification of the filter insert or type recognition of the filter insert. For example, the further filter insert-side radio module transmits a uniquely assigned or filter insert-specific identifier. The filter insert can have a bypass valve or at least part of a bypass valve, wherein the further filter insert-side radio module is arranged on the bypass valve or the filter insert-side part of the bypass valve or is integrated into the bypass valve or the filter insert-side part of the bypass valve.During operation of the fluid filter, the bypass valve is arranged between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter. Preferably, the bypass valve has a movable closure body, or the filter insert-side part of the bypass valve is a movable closure body, which is designed to move relative to a contact body of the bypass valve carrying a valve seat as a function of the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter. The further filter insert-side radio module is arranged on the closure body of the bypass valve and / or is designed to move together with the closure body of the bypass valve. The closure body preferably ensures a radial seal. The closure body is the part of the bypass valve that executes the movement leading to an opening of the bypass valve.The contact body carrying the valve seat is the part of the bypass valve that remains stationary or does not move while the bypass valve is open. The closure body is preferably a shut-off piston. The closure body of the bypass valve is preferably designed to move in the axial direction during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter. The closure body is preferably designed to block a bypass line between the raw side and the clean side until the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side reaches a differential pressure limit. When the differential pressure limit is reached, the closure body then opens the bypass line so that at least part of the fluid to be filtered can pass from the raw side to the clean side without flowing through the filter material.The bypass line can be formed by one or more openings in a wall surrounding the closure body, which are opened by an axial movement of the closure body. Below the differential pressure limit or before the differential pressure limit is reached, the closure body moves with increasing differential pressure without opening the bypass line. The closure body can be arranged in a guide sleeve designed to guide the closure body during a differential pressure-induced movement, with the guide sleeve being surrounded by the filter material.Preferably, the bypass valve has a movable contact body or the filter insert-side part of the bypass valve is a movable contact body which carries a valve seat for a closure body of the bypass valve, wherein the contact body is designed to move relative to the closure body as a function of the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter, wherein the further filter insert-side radio module is arranged on the contact body of the bypass valve and is designed to move together with the contact body of the bypass valve.

[0027] The radio module on the filter insert side can also be attached to an elastomer bellows of the filter insert, whereby the elastomer bellows is deformed as the differential pressure between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter increases and allows an axial movement of the radio module on the filter insert side.

[0028] The filter material is preferably carried by a support structure which is configured to move together with the filter material during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter, wherein the further radio module on the filter insert side is arranged on the support structure or the filter material or is configured to move together with the support structure and / or the filter material. The support structure can be one-piece or multi-piece. The support structure is preferably configured to move in the axial direction together with the filter material during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter. The radio module on the filter insert side can be arranged centrally on the support structure.The floating radio module and the filter insert-side radio module can communicate with the same housing-side radio module or with different housing-side radio modules. Preferably, the type of floating radio module differs from the type of the additional filter insert-side radio module, so that a housing-side radio module communicating with these radio modules can assign the received signals. Preferably, the floating radio module and the additional filter insert-side radio module are configured to use different modulation types and / or transmission frequencies.

[0029] In a further development of the filter insert according to the invention, the floating radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module are each configured to obtain the energy required for communication with the housing-side radio module from an electromagnetic field generated by the housing-side radio module. The floating radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module therefore do not require their own power supply. This eliminates the need for cabling of the floating radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module. This ensures less wear and tear and increased reliability. Furthermore, restrictions on the arrangement of the floating radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module are eliminated.

[0030] In a further development of the filter insert according to the invention, the buoyant radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module each comprise a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder. Alternatively, the buoyant radio module and / or the additional filter insert-side radio module can each be designed as a transponder, in particular as an RFID transponder. The housing-side radio module preferably comprises an RFID reader or is designed as an RFID reader.

[0031] Furthermore, the floatable radio module and / or the additional radio module on the filter insert can be configured to detect or measure the electrical conductivity of the fluid in the immediate vicinity of the floatable radio module and / or the radio module on the filter insert. The electrical conductivity of fluids increases over time due to soot and water ingress or metal abrasion, so that the fluid quality can be determined by measuring the electrical conductivity. To measure the electrical conductivity, the floatable radio module and / or the additional radio module on the filter insert could have an open or interrupted electrical line, the condition of which is monitored by an electronic monitoring device. The electrical conductivity of the fluid and thus the current fluid quality can then be determined by measuring the current flow and / or resistance on the open line.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the filter insert according to the invention, the floatable radio module and / or the further filter insert-side radio module has a temperature measuring device and is configured to transmit temperature measured values ​​to the housing-side radio module. The filter insert can be a fuel filter insert, for example. The housing-side radio module receives, for example, a temperature signal from the floatable radio module and / or from the further filter insert-side radio module. The floatable radio module and / or the further filter insert-side radio module can comprise an additional microcontroller and one or more temperature sensors, which form the temperature measuring device. The transmitted temperature measured values ​​can be used to control or regulate a heating device, in particular a fuel heating device. If the fuel temperature is too low, the fuel heating device is switched on.The housing-side radio module can control the fuel heating system. The one or more temperature sensors can each have a temperature-dependent resistor, for example, a NTC resistor or a PTC resistor. The detection range of such sensors is sufficient for measuring fuel temperatures, as only relatively low temperatures below 80 °C need to be detected. Furthermore, measurements do not need to be taken continuously, but only when the engine is started and / or at regular or irregular intervals.

[0033] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a fluid filter of the type mentioned above, wherein the filter insert of the fluid filter according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the fluid filter according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the filter insert according to the invention.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention, the housing-side radio module is configured to receive one or more radio signals from the buoyant radio module, by means of which the distance between the buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module can be determined. The housing-side radio module can further be configured to receive one or more radio signals from another filter-insert-side radio module, by means of which the distance between the another filter-insert-side radio module and the housing-side radio module can be determined. The water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter can then be determined via the determined distance between the buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module using a relationship between distance and water level or via a corresponding characteristic map.The determined distance between the additional radio module on the filter insert side and the radio module on the housing side can be used to determine the contamination level of the filter material of the filter insert via a relationship between the distance and the contamination level or via a corresponding characteristic map.

[0035] A fluid filter is also preferred in which the filter housing has a housing base body and a housing cover, wherein the housing-side radio module is arranged in or on the housing base body or on the housing cover. The housing base body and the housing cover can preferably be detachably connected to one another in a non-destructive manner, for example via corresponding threaded sections on the housing base body and the housing cover. The housing cover can, for example, be screwed onto the housing base body. The housing cover can, for example, have a cup shape. The water collection region, for example, can be arranged in the housing cover. The filter housing of the fluid filter according to the invention can furthermore have a support mandrel for the filter insert, wherein the filter housing-side radio module is arranged on the support mandrel.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid filter according to the invention has a water drain valve for draining the water that accumulates in a water collection area of ​​the fluid filter, wherein the water drain valve is configured to be actuated depending on the distance between the floatable radio module and the housing-side radio module. In this case, the fluid filter can be a fuel filter, for example. The water drain valve can, for example, be opened and / or closed automatically depending on the water level in the water collection area. For example, the water drain valve can be opened automatically when a water level limit is reached or exceeded in order to drain the water from the water collection area or from the fluid filter.The water level can be determined, for example, by a data processing device of a filter system, via the distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module. The water drain valve can be a solenoid valve. The water drain valve is controlled as a function of the distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module, preferably via a control device that is part of a filter system. In addition to the floating radio module, the filter insert of the fluid filter can have a filter-insert-side radio module that is configured to move during operation of the fluid filter depending on the pressure difference between the raw side and the clean side of the fluid filter, which pressure difference depends on the contamination level of the filter material. However, such a filter-insert-side radio module is not absolutely necessary.The filter insert of the fluid filter can also include a floating radio module for controlling the water drain without having a radio module on the filter insert side for detecting the contamination level.

[0037] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a filter system of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the fluid filter of the filter system according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above and the data processing device is configured to evaluate one or more signals sent from the buoyant radio module to the housing-side radio module and / or their signal properties to determine the distance between the buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module. For distance detection, the data processing device preferably determines the signal quality of the radio signals received by the housing-side radio module. For this purpose, the housing-side radio module or the data processing device can have an amplifier circuit for signal amplification and / or a filter circuit for signal filtering.With regard to the advantages and modifications of the filter system according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the fluid filter according to the invention.

[0038] The data processing device can further be configured to evaluate one or more signals sent from a further filter insert-side radio module to the housing-side radio module and / or their signal properties to determine the distance between the further filter insert-side radio module and the housing-side radio module in order to determine the contamination state of the filter material on the basis of this evaluation.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the filter system according to the invention, the electronic data processing device is configured to determine the distance between the floatable radio module and the housing-side radio module on the basis of the signal strength and / or the signal noise of the one or more radio signals emitted by the floatable radio module. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic data processing device is configured to determine the distance between the further filter insert-side radio module and the housing-side radio module on the basis of the signal strength and / or the signal noise of the one or more radio signals emitted by the further filter insert-side radio module. The distance between the floatable radio module and the housing-side radio module orbetween the additional radio module on the filter insert side and the radio module on the housing side can be calculated relatively precisely. Based on this calculation, the water level in the water collection area and the contamination level of the filter material can then be determined.

[0040] In a further preferred embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention, the electronic data processing device is configured to determine the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter based on the distance between the buoyant radio module and the housing-side radio module. To determine the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter, the electronic data processing device can use a relationship, in particular a filter-specific, filter insert-specific, or filter material-specific relationship, between the distance from the buoyant and housing-side radio module and the water level in the water collection area of ​​the fluid filter.The relationship can, for example, take into account the filter-specific distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module when the water collection area is empty and / or the filter-specific distance between the floating radio module and the housing-side radio module when the water collection area is at maximum fill level. The electronic data processing unit can further be configured to determine the contamination level of the filter material based on the distance between another filter insert-side radio module and the housing-side radio module.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention in a schematic sectional view; Fig. 2 shows the water collection area of ​​the Fig. 1 shown fluid filter in at low water level; Fig. 3 the water collection area of ​​the Fig. 1 fluid filter shown in Fig. 4 at high water level; Fig. 1 Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the fluid filter shown with heavily contaminated filter material; Fig. 5 shows a floatable radio module of a filter insert according to the invention in a perspective view; and Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of the fluid filter according to the invention in a schematic sectional view.

[0042] The Fig. 1 shows a fluid filter 100 designed as a fuel filter. The fluid filter 100 comprises a multi-part filter housing 102, wherein the filter housing 102 has a housing base body 104 and a housing cover 106.

[0043] A filter insert 10 is located in the filter housing 102. The filter insert 10 has a circumferential bellows as the filter material 14, wherein the fuel to be filtered flows through the filter material 14 during operation of the fluid filter 100 from a dirty side 116 to a clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. The filter material 14 separates water from the fuel during filtration. The separated water collects in the water collection area 108 (see. Fig. 2 & 3 ). The filter material 14 is supported by a support structure 12. The support structure 12 comprises end plates 16, which are arranged on the front side of the filter material 14.

[0044] The filter insert 10 comprises a floatable radio module 32 and another filter insert-side radio module 30. The radio modules 30, 32 each comprise an RFID transponder. The floatable radio module 32 is arranged in a floating chamber 36, which is part of a radio module holder 34. The filter insert-side radio module 30 is firmly attached to the radio module holder 34 of the filter insert 10.

[0045] A housing-side radio module 112 is arranged on the filter housing 102. The housing-side radio module 112 includes an RFID reader. The filter insert-side radio modules 30, 32 and the housing-side radio module 112 are configured to communicate with each other. The radio modules 30, 32 are configured to obtain the energy required for communication with the housing-side radio module 112 from an electromagnetic field generated by the housing-side radio module 112. Thus, the radio modules 30, 32 do not require their own power supply.

[0046] The Fig. 2 shows that the floating chamber 36 is designed as a floating cage. The floating chamber 36 projects into the water collection region 108 of the fluid filter 100, in which water separated from the fluid to be filtered collects during operation of the fluid filter 100. The buoyant radio module 32 floats on the water collecting in the water collection region 108, wherein the floating chamber 36 has a buoyancy region for the buoyant radio module 32, which allows the buoyant radio module 32 to rise as the water level W in the water collection region 108 of the fluid filter 100 rises. During operation of the fluid filter 100, the buoyant radio module 32 floats into a boundary layer between the fuel to be filtered on the raw side of the fluid filter 100 and the amount of water located in the water collection region 108 of the fluid filter 100.

[0047] As the Fig. 3 shows, as the water level W rises, the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112 increases. By evaluating the radio signals transmitted from the buoyant radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112, an electronic data processing device connected to the housing-side radio module 112 can determine the distance B. The electronic data processing device evaluates the signals sent from the buoyant radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112 and / or their signal properties to determine the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112. Based on the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112, the electronic data processing device can then determine the water level W in the water collection area 108.The water level W is determined, for example, via a filter-specific, filter insert-specific, or filter material-specific relationship between the distance B of the floatable radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112 and the water level W in the water collection area 108. The relationship takes into account the filter-specific distance B of the floatable radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112 when the water collection area 108 is empty and at a maximum fill level in the water collection area 108.

[0048] In the Fig. 1 bis 4 In the illustrated embodiment of the fluid filter 100, the entire filter insert 10 moves in the axial direction when the differential pressure increases between the raw side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. The differential pressure increase between the raw side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 results from increasing contamination of the filter material 14. In the Fig. 1 In the state shown, the filter material 14 of the filter insert 10 is uncontaminated, so that a comparatively low differential pressure exists between the raw side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. The differential pressure is so low that the filter insert 10 rests on an inner edge of the housing cover 106. The Fig. 4 shows a state in which the filter material 14 of the filter insert 10 is heavily contaminated, resulting in a comparatively high differential pressure between the raw side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100. The high differential pressure between the raw side 116 and the clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100 has led to an axial deflection of the filter insert 10, which also increased the distance A between the filter insert-side radio module 30 and the housing-side radio module 112.

[0049] By analyzing the radio signals transmitted from the filter insert-side radio module 30 to the housing-side radio module 112, the distance A between the radio modules 30, 112 and thus the contamination level of the filter material 14 can be determined. The signal analysis is performed by the electronic data processing device.

[0050] Radio module 30 and radio module 32 are radio modules of different types, each using different modulation types, so their radio signals can be distinguished. Furthermore, the radio signals of radio modules 30, 32 can be assigned based on a transmitted identifier.

[0051] The Fig. 5 also shows a filter insert 10 of a fuel filter 100. During operation, the fluid to be filtered flows through the filter material 14 from a raw side 116 to a clean side 118 of the fluid filter 100, with water being separated from the fluid during filtration. The water separated from the fluid collects in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100.

[0052] A radio module holder 34 is arranged on the end plate 16 of the filter insert 10 and has a floating chamber 36 extending into the water collection area 108. A floating radio module 32 is arranged in the floating chamber 36. During operation of the fluid filter, the module floats on the water contained in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100. The floating chamber 36 has a buoyancy area for the floating radio module 32, which allows the floating radio module 32 to rise as the water level W in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100 rises. The buoyancy area enables the floating radio module 32 to perform an axial movement 40, wherein the axial movement 40 performed by the floating radio module 32 depends on the water level W in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100. The radio module 32 has a module housing made of plastic into which an RFID tag is integrated.

[0053] The buoyant radio module 32 communicates with a housing-side radio module 112 (outside the image section). The housing-side radio module 112 is configured to receive radio signals from the buoyant radio module 32, by means of which the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112 can be determined. To determine the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112, the radio signals sent from the buoyant radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112 and / or their signal properties are evaluated by an electronic data processing device. The electronic data processing device determines the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112 based on the signal strength and / or the signal noise of the radio signals sent from the buoyant radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112.The electronic data processing device is configured to determine the water level W in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100 based on the distance B between the buoyant radio module 32 and the housing-side radio module 112. For this purpose, the data processing device can, for example, use a filter-specific, filter insert-specific, or filter material-specific relationship between the distance B of the buoyant radio module 32 to the housing-side radio module 112 and the water level W in the water collection area 108 of the fluid filter 100.

[0054] The Fig. 6 shows a fluid filter 100 designed as a fuel filter, in which the filter insert-side radio module 30 has a temperature measuring device 38 and is configured to transmit temperature measured values ​​to the housing-side radio module 112. The filter insert-side radio module 30 can comprise an additional microcontroller and one or more temperature sensors, which form the temperature measuring device 38. The transmitted temperature measured values ​​can be used to control or regulate a heating device 114, wherein the heating device 114 is used to heat the fuel within the filter housing 102. If the fuel temperature is too low, the heating device 114 can be switched on. The one or more temperature sensors of the temperature measuring device 38 can be thermistors, for example, thermistors. Via a data processing device, in the Fig. 6In the exemplary embodiment shown, the distance A between the radio module 30 on the filter insert side and the radio module 112 on the housing side and thus the contamination level of the filter material 14 can also be determined.

Claims

1. Filter insert (10) for insertion into a filter housing (102) of a fluid filter (100), with - a filter material (14) which, is set up to be flowed through by a fluid to be filtered from a raw side (116) to a clean side (118) of the fluid filter (100) during operation of the fluid filter (100); characterized by a floatable radio module (32) which is set up to float on a quantity of water located in a water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) during operation of the fluid filter (100).

2. Filter insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the floatable radio module (32) is set up to float in a boundary layer between the fluid to be filtered on the raw side (116) of the fluid filter (100) and the amount of water located in the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) during operation of the fluid filter (100).

3. Filter insert (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the floatable radio module (32) is set up to, for detecting the water level (W) in the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100), communicate with a housing-side radio module (112) of the fluid filter (100), whose distance (B) to the floatable radio module (32) changes when the water level (W) in the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) changes.

4. Filter insert (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the floatable radio module (32) is set up to transmit one or more radio signals by means of which the distance (B) of the floatable radio module (32) to the housing-side radio module (112) can be determined and / or which allow an identification of the filter insert (10) or a type identification of the filter insert (10).

5. Filter insert (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a float chamber (36) in which the floatable radio module (32) is arranged, wherein the float chamber (36) is set up to project into the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) during operation of the fluid filter (100).

6. Filter insert (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the float chamber (36) has a buoyancy area for the floatable radio module (32), which allows the floatable radio module (32) to rise when the water level (W) in the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) rises.

7. Filter insert (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the floatable radio module (32) is set up to obtain the energy required for the communication with the housing-side radio module (112) from an electromagnetic field generated by the housing-side radio module (112).

8. Filter insert (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floatable radio module (32) comprises a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder, or is designed as a transponder, in particular as an RFID transponder.

9. Fluid filter (100) for filtering a fluid, with - a filter housing (102) with a housing-side radio module (112), and - a filter insert (10) with a floatable radio module (32), wherein the filter insert (10) is set up to be inserted into the filter housing (102); wherein the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112) are set up to communicate with each other; characterized in that the filter insert (10) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Fluid filter (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing-side radio module (112) is set up to receive one or more radio signals from the floatable radio module (32), by means of which the distance (B) between the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112) can be determined.

11. Fluid filter (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the filter housing (102) has a housing base body (104) and a housing cover (106), wherein the housing-side radio module (112) is arranged in the housing base body (104) or the housing cover (106); or - the filter housing (102) has a support mandrel for the filter insert (10), wherein the housing-side radio module (112) is arranged on the support mandrel.

12. Fluid filter (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by a water drain valve for draining the water accumulated in a water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100), wherein the water drain valve is set up to be actuated depending on the distance (B) between the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112).

13. Filter system, with - a fluid filter, and - an electronic data processing device, characterized in that the fluid filter (100) is designed according to one of claims 9 to 12 and the data processing device is set up to evaluate one or more signals sent by the floatable radio module (32) to the housing-side radio module (112) and / or their signal properties for determining the distance (B) between the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112).

14. Filter system according to claim 13, characterized in that the electronic data processing device is set up to determine the distance (B) between the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112) on the basis of the signal strength and / or the signal noise of the one or more signals.

15. Filter system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the electronic data processing device is set up to determine the water level (W) in the water collection area (108) of the fluid filter (100) on the basis of the distance (B) between the floatable radio module (32) and the housing-side radio module (112).