FILTER DEVICE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter device, in particular a cabin air filter system or an intake air filter system of a fuel cell. The invention further relates to the use of filter elements in such a filter device.

[0002] Nowadays, the air flowing into a vehicle cabin is filtered as completely as possible to remove contaminants. Potential contaminants include fine dust, pollen, soot, and aerosols. Filtering such contaminants is particularly important in applications where high concentrations of pesticides or liquid fertilizers are present in the ambient air when spraying equipment is used. Various filter media are available for this purpose. For example, particle filters, activated carbon filters, and HEPA filters are commonly used. These are combined in different layers and arrangements to achieve the desired filtration efficiency for the cabin air.

[0003] Since combinations of various pollutants to be removed occur in practice, the approach of multi-stage filter systems or elements has become established.

[0004] Besides the application of multi-stage filter systems or elements in cabin air filtration, filtering the supply air to a fuel cell system represents another area of ​​application, as this places equally high demands on air purification with regard to particle filtration and pollutant separation. Furthermore, the use of such multi-stage filter systems or elements in hydrogen-powered combustion engines is conceivable. State of the art

[0005] From EP 2 939 725 A1, a cabin air filter element is known that has two filter media bodies through which air can flow in series, one of which is a gas filter stage and the other a particle filter stage, in particular with HEPA efficiency. In one operating state, the cabin air filter element is inserted into a vehicle-mounted filter housing and air laden with contaminants flows through it. A disadvantage of this is that the filter media bodies of the gas filter stage and the particle filter stage cannot be replaced independently of each other, as they are permanently connected, in particular glued into a common frame. This may result in incomplete utilization of the separation capacity of one of the filter media bodies.

[0006] Furthermore, an intake air filter is known from EP 3 453 443 A1, which has a filter element comprising a filter medium body made of a pleated particulate filter medium. The filter element also has a circumferential seal with which it is sealedly inserted into a filter housing, so that an inlet side and an outlet side of the filter housing are separated by the filter element. A disadvantage of the intake air filter described therein is that it only has one filter stage and, in particular, does not allow for the separation of harmful gases.

[0007] Further generic filter elements are known from EP 3 453 443 A1, US 6 348 077 B1, US 2021 / 101102 A1, EP 3 181 210 A2 and CN 110 448 968 A.

[0008] A filter element or filter cartridge is generally understood to be a replaceable unit that can be arranged in a filter housing. It comprises at least a filter medium body made of a filter medium, often in the form of a pleated filter bellows, and usually also a structure that supports or carries the filter medium, and most often a seal. The respective filter medium typically has a limited service life, which is why filter elements must be replaced regularly. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] Against this background, the present invention is based on the objective of creating an improved filter device that makes it possible to further develop an existing - in particular single-stage - filter system into a multi-stage filter system, wherein the filter elements of the individual filter stages are independently interchangeable.

[0010] This problem is solved by a filter device having the features of claim 1 and by a use having the features of claims 14 and 15.

[0011] Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below.

[0012] The filter device according to the invention is intended in particular for use in a cabin air filter system or in an intake air filter system of a fuel cell. The filter device comprises at least two filter elements, each having a filter medium body and a seal surrounding it. Furthermore, the filter device comprises a filter housing with at least two housing parts, a first housing part having a filter element receiving chamber in which a first filter element is arranged. The first housing part has at least one circumferential sealing surface against which a circumferential seal of the first filter element abuts. The filter device further comprises an adapter frame having a filter element receiving chamber in which a second filter element is arranged.The adapter frame has at least one first circumferential sealing surface against which a circumferential seal of the second filter element abuts, and furthermore has a second circumferential sealing surface against which the circumferential seal of the first filter element abuts. A second housing part of the filter device has a circumferential housing sealing surface against which the circumferential seal of the second filter element abuts.

[0013] The filter elements of the filter device according to the invention are provided as replaceable components, which are replaced in the event of service, i.e. when their maximum separation capacity is reached.

[0014] Due to the use of the adapter frame, the present invention allows an existing single-stage filter system to be easily converted into a two- or multi-stage filter system. The adapter frame provides the space for an additional filter element and enables the sealing of the two or more filter elements against the two housing parts. Advantageously, both filter elements of the filter device according to the invention are separately replaceable, so that the separation capacity of both filter elements can be optimally utilized. In other words, the adapter frame represents an intermediate piece that, when assembled, is located between the two filter elements. The first filter element is sealed directly against the first housing part, and the second filter element is sealed directly against the second housing part. The two filter elements are sealed to each other by the adapter frame.To make this possible, the adapter frame has in particular a circumferential fluid-tight wall which is connected to its first and second circumferential sealing surfaces.

[0015] The adapter frame can be a separate component and may be either unconnected or only detachably connected to the filter elements. The adapter frame can be removed from the filter device to replace the filter elements.

[0016] In various embodiments, the circumferential seal of the filter elements can comprise or consist of a plastic material, in particular a foamed polyurethane or a thermoplastic elastomer. The aforementioned materials can be readily provided in a liquid or paste-like initial state and, with the aid of a casting mold, directly molded onto the filter medium bodies in a material-bonded manner according to the invention. The sealing base material, provided in a liquid or paste-like initial state, hardens in the casting mold and thus forms the final material of the circumferential seal.

[0017] The filter elements can each have exactly four faces and / or a cuboid shape. Alternatively, they can also have the shape of any polygon or at least have curved edges in sections and / or be circular or elliptical.

[0018] In particular, the first and second filter elements can be flowed through serially in a predetermined flow direction, so that either the first filter element and then the second filter element or the second and then the first filter element is flowed through first.

[0019] The filter element body can consist of a multiply pleated filter medium, so that the filter element body can be a filter bellows. The pleat spacing of the filter bellows can be, for example, between 3 and 5 mm, and the pleat height between 20 and 30 mm. In some embodiments, there can be between 30 and 300 pleats. Alternatively, the filter element body can also comprise a filter medium in unfolded form, for example, as a foam or other porous material or honeycomb structure. Furthermore, the filter element body can be provided as a combination of flat and corrugated layers of filter medium, i.e., as a so-called compact filter.

[0020] Advantageously, the filter elements of the filter device according to the invention can consist entirely of thermally recyclable materials, so that no disposal problems arise and, in particular, dismantling individual components of the filter elements in the recycling loop is not necessary.

[0021] This text refers to the axial and radial directions of the filter device or filter elements, where "axial" refers to the direction of flow, i.e., perpendicular to a flow surface or side of the filter elements. "Radial" refers to the normal direction to a side surface or wall of a frame or to a lateral surface of the filter elements. The radial direction is normal to the axial direction.

[0022] The filter medium body can contain a filter medium, such as a filter fabric, a filter mat, or a filter fleece. In particular, the filter medium can be manufactured using a spunbond or meltblown process. Furthermore, the filter medium can be felted or needle-punched. The filter medium can consist of natural fibers, such as cotton, or synthetic fibers, for example, polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0023] It can be provided, in particular, that the first and second filter elements are indirectly sealed against the at least two housing parts via the adapter frame. In other words, the second filter element has a direct seal against the second housing part, but no direct seal against the first housing part. The first filter element, in turn, has a direct seal against the first housing part, but not a direct seal against the second housing part. The sealing of the two filter elements against both housing parts is thus achieved via the adapter frame, which seals the two filter elements against each other and transmits sealing preload forces. In order to transmit these sealing preload forces, the surrounding fluid-tight wall of the adapter frame must be designed with appropriate stiffness through expert engineering.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the first circumferential sealing surface and the second circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame can be axially spaced apart and aligned away from each other. The axial distance between the first and second sealing surfaces of the adapter frame corresponds to the distance between the circumferential seals of the two filter elements in their assembled state. In particular, the first circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame can be in sealing contact with a lower surface of the circumferential seal of the second filter element, while the second circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame can be in sealing contact with a upper surface of the circumferential seal of the first filter element. The terms "upper surface" and "lower surface" refer here specifically to the direction of gravity when the filter device is assembled as intended.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the adapter frame may have a radially outwardly offset, axially extending, at least partially circumferential flange adjacent to its first and / or second sealing surface, which defines a receiving chamber for the circumferential seal of the first and / or second filter element. The flange limits radial deformation of the circumferential seal of the first and / or second filter element and provides protection for the circumferential seal, thus preventing mechanical damage and preventing dirt from entering the sealing contact.

[0026] Furthermore, the circumferential seal of the first and / or second filter element can have a sealing profile that projects radially beyond the filter medium body of the first and / or second filter element. The sealing profile is the component of the circumferential seal where the actual sealing action takes place. In some versions, the sealing profile can be an axially acting sealing profile.

[0027] It can be provided that the at least partially circumferential flange section of the adapter frame projects beyond the sealing profile in the axial direction. This further improves the protective effect already mentioned.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the at least partially circumferential flange section of the adapter frame can be arranged at an acute angle to the axial direction. This facilitates assembly, as the angled flange section serves as a mounting chamfer, and allows for a combined radial-axial seal on the angled flange section, which can improve the sealing effect.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the first housing part can be a base housing part and the second housing part a removable housing cover. In particular, in a typical operating state of the filter device, the base housing part can be arranged at the bottom, so that, viewed axially from the base housing part, the first filter element, the adapter frame, the second filter element, and finally the housing cover follow the base housing part. In the typical operating state, the base housing part can be arranged, in particular, at the bottom in the direction of gravity, while the housing cover can be arranged at the top in the direction of gravity.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the first filter element can be replaced from below by removing the base housing, and the second filter element can be replaced from above by removing the housing cover. "Above" and "below" here refer to the intended orientation of the filter housing in its operating state with respect to gravity. This advantageously allows for simple and quick filter element servicing even in confined spaces.

[0031] According to yet another embodiment, the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the first filter element can have a circumferential groove, at the base of which the circumferential housing sealing surface of the first housing part rests. In other words, the circumferential groove of the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the first filter element accommodates a wall section of the first housing part that has the circumferential housing sealing surface of the first housing part. By bearing against the base of the groove of the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the first filter element, sealing preload forces are transmitted and the sealing profile is supported in the radial direction, so that it does not deform uncontrollably under the influence of the sealing preload forces.

[0032] Furthermore, the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the second filter element can have a circumferential groove, at the base of which the first circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame rests. In other words, the circumferential groove of the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the second filter element accommodates a wall section of the adapter frame that has the first circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame. By contacting the first circumferential sealing surface of the adapter frame with the base of the groove of the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the second filter element, sealing preload forces are transmitted and the sealing profile is supported in the radial direction, so that it does not deform uncontrollably under the influence of the sealing preload forces.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the first filter element can have an axial sealing surface facing away from the circumferential groove, against which the second sealing surface of the adapter frame rests. In particular, the directions of action of the first and second sealing surfaces of the adapter frame can be opposite to each other.

[0034] Furthermore, the sealing profile of the circumferential seal of the second filter element can have an axial sealing surface facing away from the circumferential groove, against which the circumferential housing sealing surface of the second housing part rests.

[0035] In some versions, the circumferential seal of the first and / or second filter element can have at least two legs in cross-section, namely a transverse leg that is connected to an inflow or outflow surface of the filter medium body of the respective filter element and a longitudinal leg that is connected to a side surface of the filter medium body of the respective filter element.

[0036] In particular, the transverse leg and the longitudinal leg can be connected to the sealing profile, in particular be integral with it, in particular be produced in one piece by a casting process.

[0037] Advantageously, the legs and the sealing profile of the circumferential seal can be produced in a single process step using a single tool (casting mold). The aforementioned legs – transverse and longitudinal – can also be described as connecting legs of the circumferential seal, since they primarily connect the sealing profile to the filter medium body.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the circumferential seal can be directly bonded to the filter medium body of the first and / or second filter element. Regardless of the embodiment, this direct bonding of the circumferential seal can be achieved by foaming, which is a well-established industrial process, particularly when using polyurethane as the starting material.

[0039] In some embodiments, the filter medium body, in particular the filter bellows, of the first and / or second filter element can have sealed pleat edges, especially in the form of a fluid-tight bond between the pleats and / or at least a frame element attached to the pleat edges. The sealed edges prevent bypass of the filter medium body of the respective filter element. The frame element can, in particular, be a frame element that completely surrounds the filter medium body of the respective filter element and can alternatively or additionally be fluid-tightly connected to the surrounding seal, in particular by a material bond, for example, by being foamed around the surrounding seal.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the filter device can have a connecting device that joins the first housing part to the second housing part and generates at least an axially directed preload force. In particular, the adapter frame has a guide device that is coupled to the connecting device for guiding the connecting device in at least one direction normal to the axial direction. The guide device of the adapter frame can, for example, be a through-hole or a radially outwardly open, axially extending guide groove in which the connecting device is received. The connecting device exerts an axially directed preload force to preload the circumferential seals of the first and second filter elements between the first and second housing parts, with the adapter frame being indirectly involved in the force flow.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the connecting device can be accessed from the side of the second housing part, in particular the housing cover, and in particular wherein the connecting device comprises at least one screw which is coupled to a corresponding thread on the first housing part. However, the present invention is not limited to this; rather, the connecting device can also comprise other connecting means that appear suitable to a person skilled in the art and are capable of generating at least an axially directed preload force between the two housing parts.

[0042] In various configurations, the filter medium body can comprise at least one of the filter elements as a particle filter medium, in particular comprising a synthetic nonwoven material and / or a cellulose-based filter medium, wherein the particle filter medium in particular meets filtration class H13 or H14 according to DIN EN 1822-1. Alternatively or additionally, the filter medium body can comprise at least one of the filter elements as a gas filter medium, in particular comprising at least one adsorbent, in particular activated carbon, zeolite and / or an ion exchanger.

[0043] The gas filter medium can also include its own particle filter layer, in particular comprising a nonwoven material, especially a synthetic one. Alternatively, the gas filter medium can also have only a support layer that immobilizes the adsorbent provided in granular or particle form, whereby the support layer can have a nonwoven material with a significantly larger pore size compared to the particle filter medium.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the second filter element can comprise the gas filter medium. In particular, in the intended operating state of the filter device, the second filter element can be subjected to flow after the first filter element.

[0045] In other words, the filter element containing the gas filter medium can be arranged downstream of the filter element containing the particle filter medium. Thus, an airflow passing through the filter device according to the invention can first flow through the filter element containing the particle filter medium and then through the filter element containing the gas filter medium. This has the advantage that the gas filter medium can be permeated with particle-free air, which improves the adsorption capacity of the gas filter medium, particularly over time, since the pores of the adsorbent in the gas filter medium are not "clogged" with particles.

[0046] Furthermore, the particle filter medium and / or gas filter medium can have an antimicrobial and / or anti-allergenic effect. Examples of antimicrobial substances include zinc pyrithione or nanosilver, while polyphenols are suitable anti-allergenic substances.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the first housing part and / or the second housing part can be designed to be collapsible for the replacement of at least one of the filter elements, such that the extension of the respective housing part can be reduced, at least in or against the flow direction. This enables further improved filter element servicing in confined spaces. "Collapsible" here means, in particular, that the respective housing part, especially the main housing part, has at least one flexible section along which the respective housing part can be pushed together and / or folded along the flow direction. Such flexible sections can be achieved by one or more circumferential reductions in material thickness on the wall of the respective housing part, so that these effectively form a film hinge.Alternatively or additionally, the flexible sections can also be made of a more flexible and / or less flexible material than the wall of the respective housing part, with a 2K plastic injection molding process being particularly suitable for this purpose. The flexible sections can also be connected to the wall of the respective housing part in other ways, for example by welding or positive-locking fasteners such as clips.

[0048] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a filter element comprising a filter medium body and a seal circumferential to it as the first filter element in a filter device according to the invention. The circumferential seal rests in a sealing manner against the second sealing surface of the adapter frame and against the circumferential housing sealing surface of the first housing part.

[0049] A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a filter element comprising a filter medium body and a seal surrounding it as a second filter element in a filter device according to the invention. The surrounding seal rests in a sealing position against the first sealing surface of the adapter frame and against the surrounding housing sealing surface of the second housing part.

[0050] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features described previously or subsequently with regard to exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0051] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0052] This shows: Fig. 1a longitudinal sectional view of a filter device according to the invention; Fig. 2 Detail A according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of a filter device according to the invention; Fig. 4 an isometric view of an adapter frame as well as a first and second filter element of a filter device according to the invention; Fig. 5 a longitudinal sectional view of a filter device according to the invention in a further embodiment in an operating state; Fig. 6 a longitudinal sectional view of the filter device according to Fig. 5 in a service state with the first filter element partially removed; Fig. 7 a longitudinal sectional view of the filter device according to Fig. 5 in service condition with the first filter element completely removed. embodiment(s) of the invention

[0053] Fig. 1 Figure 100 shows the filter device 100 according to the invention in a longitudinal section view, wherein the underlying section plane S1 is in Fig. 4The section plane is shown, i.e., it runs parallel to a short side of the filter housing 3. The filter housing 3 has a first housing part 31, in particular a base housing part 31, and a second housing part 32, in particular a removable housing cover 32. The filter housing 3 has a raw-side inlet (not shown) and a clean-side outlet, wherein two filter elements 1, 2 of the filter device 100 separate the inlet from the outlet.

[0054] The filter elements 1, 2 each comprise a filter medium body 11, 21, which includes a filter medium. In particular, the filter medium bodies 11, 21 can have a multiply folded filter medium, so that they are each filter bellows.

[0055] The two filter elements 1, 2 are designed for serial flow; in particular, the first filter element 1 is flowed through in the direction of flow D before the second filter element 2. The direction of flow D runs in or parallel to the axial direction A. An airflow passing through the filter device 100 first passes an inlet side 12 of the first filter element 1, then the filter medium body 11 of the first filter element 1, and exits the first filter element 1 at the outlet side 13 of the first filter element 1. Subsequently, the airflow passes an inlet side 22 of the second filter element 2, then the filter medium body 21 of the second filter element 2, and exits the second filter element 2 at the outlet side 23 of the first filter element 1.

[0056] The filter elements 1, 2 each have a frame 14, 24 extending at least partially around the entire circumference, which laterally seals the filter medium body 11, 21 of the respective filter element 1, 2. The frame 14 of the first filter element 1 is designed as a seal for the pleated end faces of the filter medium body 11, while the frame 24 of the second filter element 2 is designed as a frame element attached to the pleated end faces of the filter medium body 21, in particular comprising at least one side and / or head band.

[0057] The two filter elements 1, 2 are separate and unconnected to each other and seal off the first and second housing parts 31, 32 indirectly via an adapter frame 4 located between them.

[0058] The first filter element 1 is received in a filter element receiving chamber 312 of the first housing part 1 and has a circumferential seal 15 that is tightly connected to the filter medium body 11. The circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 abuts a circumferential sealing surface 311 of the first housing part 31 at one axial end. At another axial end, the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 abuts a second circumferential sealing surface 42 of the adapter frame 4.

[0059] The second filter element 2 is received in a filter element receiving chamber 43 of the adapter frame 4 and has a circumferential seal 25 that is tightly connected to the filter medium body 21. The circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element 2 abuts a first circumferential sealing surface 41 of the adapter frame 4 at one axial end. At another axial end, the circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element 2 abuts a circumferential housing sealing surface 321 of the second housing part 32.

[0060] According to the invention, the two filter elements 1, 2 each have only one direct sealing point against one of the housing parts 31, 32, while the seal against the other housing part 31, 32 is provided indirectly via the adapter frame 4. In this respect, the present invention enables the simple further development of an existing single-stage filter system into a multi-stage filter device 100. To achieve this, it is particularly advantageous if a cross-section of the circumferential housing sealing surface 311 of the first housing part 31 corresponds to a cross-section of the first circumferential sealing surface 41 of the adapter frame 4. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cross-section of the circumferential housing sealing surface 321 of the second housing part 32 corresponds to a cross-section of the second circumferential sealing surface 42 of the adapter frame 4.

[0061] The circumferential seal 15, 25 of the filter elements 1, 2 each has a sealing profile 151, 251 projecting in the radial direction R (see Fig. 2 ) where the actual sealing action takes place. The sealing profile 151 of the first filter element 1 is received in a receiving chamber 45, which is located on the adapter frame 4 adjacent to its second sealing surface 42. The receiving chamber 45 is radially bounded on the outside by a flanged section 44 of the adapter frame 4, which projects beyond the sealing profile 151 of the first filter element in the axial direction A. The flanged section 44 of the adapter frame 4 limits unintended deformation of the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 in the radial direction R under the influence of the sealing preload forces acting at least in the axial direction A.

[0062] The two housing parts 31, 32 are connected by means of at least one connecting device 5, which includes a screw 5. The screw 5 is inserted through a through-hole in the second housing part 32 and extends further through a guide device 52 of the adapter frame 4 and is finally coupled to a thread 51 on the first housing part 31. The connecting device 5 generates a preload force directed at least axially A and thus provides the sealing preload necessary for sealing the filter elements 1, 2. A plurality of screws 5 can be distributed around the circumference of the filter housing 3, in particular to enable the most uniform possible preload of the circumferential seals 15, 25 of the first and second filter elements 1, 2. The guide device 52 of the adapter frame 4 is in particular designed as a through-hole, through which the screw is loosely inserted.The connecting device 5 secures the adapter frame 4 radially R relative to the housing parts 31, 32, preventing it from slipping laterally even if the filter device 100 is misused. Furthermore, this allows for easy and guided assembly of the screw 5. The screw 5 is positioned so that, in a normal operating configuration of the filter device 100, it is accessible from the second housing part 32, which is, in particular, a housing cover.

[0063] In Fig. 2 is Detail A according to Fig. 1 shown, in which the sealing interfaces between the two filter elements 1, 2, the adapter frame 4 and the two housing parts 31, 32 are clearly visible.

[0064] The circumferential seals 15, 25 of the two filter elements 1, 2 each have a longitudinal leg 155, 255, which is connected to the side surfaces or the frame 14, 24 of the filter medium body 11, 21 of the respective filter element 1, 2. Furthermore, the circumferential seals 15, 25 of the two filter elements 1, 2 each have a transverse leg 154, 254, which is connected to an inlet or outlet surface 13, 23 of the filter medium body 11, 21 of the respective filter element 1, 2. The sealing profile 151, 251 of the circumferential seals 15, 25 is formed integrally with the longitudinal legs 155, 255 and the transverse legs 154, 254. The sealing profile 151, 251 projects radially R over the filter medium body 11, 21 of the respective filter element 1, 2. The longitudinal legs 155, 255 and transverse legs 154, 254 hold the sealing profile 15, 25 securely and tightly against the filter medium body 11, 21 of the respective filter element 1, 2.The longitudinal legs 155, 255 and transverse legs 154, 254 can be produced by foaming a flowable and curable sealing material onto the filter medium bodies 11, 21.

[0065] The sealing profile 151 of the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 has a circumferential groove 152, at the base of which the circumferential housing sealing surface 311 of the first housing part 31 rests. The sealing profile 251 of the circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element 2 has a circumferential groove 252, at the base of which the first circumferential sealing surface 41 of the adapter frame 4 rests.

[0066] The sealing profile 151 of the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 comprises an axial sealing surface 153 facing away from the circumferential groove 152, against which the second sealing surface 42 of the adapter frame 42 abuts. The sealing profile 251 of the circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element 2 comprises an axial sealing surface 253 facing away from the circumferential groove 252, against which the circumferential housing sealing surface 321 of the second housing part 32 abuts.

[0067] The receiving chamber 45 of the adapter frame 4, which is bounded radially outwards by the flange section 44, has an acute angle 441 with respect to the axial direction A. This facilitates assembly, as the angled flange section 44 serves as a mounting chamfer, and allows for a combined radial-axial seal of the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 on the angled flange section 44, if, in certain embodiments, an outer surface of the circumferential seal 15 is brought into contact with it.

[0068] Fig. 3 Figure 100 shows the filter device 100 according to the invention in a longitudinal section view, wherein the underlying section plane S2 is in Fig. 4 is shown, i.e. the cutting plane runs parallel to a long side of the filter housing 3.

[0069] In Fig. 4The first filter element 1, the second filter element 2, and the adapter frame 4 of the filter device 100 according to the invention are shown without the filter housing. It can be seen that the adapter frame 4 has a plurality of guide devices 52 distributed around its circumference for the connecting device 5 (see Fig. 1 ) exhibits.

[0070] Based on the in Fig. 4 The device components shown are installed in the filter housing as described in the following method for installing filter elements in a filter device according to the invention: Inserting the first filter element 1 into the filter element receiving chamber 312 of the first housing part 31, thereby bringing the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element 1 into contact with the circumferential housing sealing surface 311 of the first housing part; placing the adapter frame 4 onto the first filter element 1, thereby bringing the second circumferential sealing surface 42 of the adapter frame 4 into contact with the circumferential seal 15 of the first filter element; placing the second filter element 2 onto the adapter frame 4, thereby bringing the circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element 2 into contact with the first circumferential sealing surface 41 of the adapter frame 4; placing the second housing part 32 onto the second filter element 2, thereby bringing the circumferential housing sealing surface 321 of the second housing part 32 into contact with the circumferential seal 25 of the second filter element.

[0071] The in Figs. 5 to 7The illustrated filter device 100 according to a further embodiment essentially corresponds to the first one shown in the Figs. 1 to 4 as shown, which is why only the differences will be discussed below.

[0072] The main difference is that the base housing part 31 is designed to be collapsible. For this purpose, one wall of the base housing part 31 has two circumferentially flexible sections 313 spaced apart in the flow direction D, along which the base housing part 31 can be folded against the flow direction D during filter element servicing. The service condition with at least one side of the wall of the base housing part 31 collapsed is shown in Fig. 6This allows the first filter element 1 to be replaced from below even in confined spaces, without having to remove the base housing part 31 from the installation space. The collapsed wall of the base housing part 31, at least on one side, creates a gap between the housing sealing surface 311 of the base housing part 31 and the flanged section 44 of the adapter frame 4, through which the first filter element 1 can be easily removed.

[0073] The flexible sections 313 are provided, in particular, around the perimeter of the wall of the base housing part 31 and are made of a more flexible or less flexible material than the rest of the wall. This allows the flexible sections to act, as it were, as film hinges along which the base housing part 31 can be folded. In a collapsed state of the base housing part 31, the flexible sections therefore form folds, which can, in particular, be arranged in opposite directions to each other.

[0074] To optimize the collapsibility, the extension of the base housing part 31 in the radial direction opposite to the flow direction D can decrease, so that the base housing part 31 is particularly telescopic in order to achieve the intended reduction of the extension in or against the flow direction in the collapsed state. Reference sign

[0075] 100 Filter device 1 First filter element 11 Filter medium body 12 Upstream side of the first filter element 13 Downstream side of the first filter element 14 Frame of the first filter element 15 Circumferential seal of the first filter element 151 Sealing profile 152 Circumferential groove 153 Axial sealing surface 154 Transverse leg 155 Longitudinal leg 2 Second filter element 21 Filter medium body 22 Upstream side of the second filter element 23 Downstream side of the second filter element 24 Frame of the second filter element 25 Circumferential seal of the second filter element 251 Sealing profile 252 Circumferential groove 253 Axial sealing surface 254 Transverse leg 255 Longitudinal leg 3 Filter housing 31 First housing part 311 Housing sealing surface of the first housing part 312 Filter element receiving space of the first housing part 313 Flexible section / Fold 32 Second housing part 321 Housing sealing surface of the second housing part 4 Adapter frame 41 First sealing surface of the adapter frame 42 Second sealing surface of the adapter frame 43 Filter element receiving space of theAdapter frame 44Bend section of the adapter frame 441Angle of the end section 45Receiving chamber 5Connecting device / screw 51Thread / bore 52Guide device AAxial direction DFlow direction RRadial direction S1, S2Section planes

Claims

1. A filter device (100), in particular for a cabin air filter system or an intake air filter system of a fuel cell, comprising - at least two filter elements (1, 2), each comprising a filter medium body (11, 21) and a circumferential seal (15, 25) surrounding it, and - a filter housing (3) having at least two housing components (31, 32), - wherein a first housing component (31) features a filter element receiving space (312) in which a first filter element (1) is disposed, - wherein the first housing component (31) features at least one circumferential housing sealing surface (311) against which a circumferential seal (15) of the first filter element (1) bears in a sealing manner, - an adapter frame (4) featuring a filter element receiving space (43) in which a second filter element (2) is disposed, - wherein the adapter frame (4) features at least one first circumferential sealing surface (41) against which a circumferential seal (25) of the second filter element (2) bears in a sealing manner, - and wherein the adapter frame (4) additionally features a second circumferential sealing surface (42) against which the circumferential seal (15) of the first filter element (1) bears in a sealing manner, - and wherein a second housing component (32) features a circumferential housing sealing surface (321) against which the circumferential seal (25) of the second filter element (2) bears in a sealing manner.

2. The filter device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second filter elements (1, 2) are sealed indirectly via the adapter frame (4) with respect to the at least two housing components (31, 32).

3. The filter device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first circumferential sealing surface (41) of the adapter frame (4) and the second circumferential sealing surface (42) of the adapter frame (4) are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction (A) and are oriented away from one another.

4. The filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter frame (4) features, adjacent to its first and / or second sealing surfaces (41, 42), a radially outwardly offset, at least partially circumferential collar portion (44) extending in the axial direction (A), which defines a receiving chamber (45) for the circumferential seal (15, 25) of the first and / or second filter element (1, 2).

5. The filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential seal (15, 25) of the first and / or second filter element (1, 2) features a sealing profile (151, 251) projecting radially (R) beyond the filter medium body (11, 21) of the first and / or second filter element (1, 2), and / or the at least partially circumferential collar portion (44) of the adapter frame (4) extends beyond the sealing profile (151, 251) in the axial direction (A), and / or the at least partially circumferential collar portion (44) of the adapter frame (4) extends at an acute angle (441) with respect to the axial direction (A).

6. The filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing component (31) is a basic housing component (31) and the second housing component (32) is a detachable housing cover (32), wherein, in particular, in a state of intended use of the filter device (100), the basic housing component (31) is disposed at the bottom, such that, viewed in the axial direction starting from the basic housing component (31), the basic housing component (31) is followed by the first filter element (1), the adapter frame (4), the second filter element (2), and finally the housing cover (32), and wherein, optionally, the first filter element (1) is replaceable by removing the basic housing component (31) from below, and the second filter element is replaceable by removing the housing cover (32) from above.

7. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the sealing profile (151) of the circumferential seal (15) of the first filter element (1) features a circumferential groove (152), against the groove base of which the circumferential housing sealing surface (311) of the first housing component (31) rests.

8. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the sealing profile (251) of the circumferential seal (25) of the second filter element (2) features a circumferential groove (252), against the groove base of which the first circumferential sealing surface (41) of the adapter frame (4) rests.

9. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the sealing profile (151) of the circumferential seal (15) of the first filter element (1) features an axial sealing surface (153) facing away from the circumferential groove (152), against which the second sealing surface (42) of the adapter frame (4) rests.

10. The filter device (100) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the sealing profile (251) of the circumferential seal (25) of the second filter element (2) features an axial sealing surface (253) facing away from the circumferential groove (252), against which the circumferential housing sealing surface (321) of the second housing component (32) rests.

11. The filter device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter device (100) features a connection fitting (5) connecting the first housing component (31) to the second housing component (32) and generates a biasing force directed at least axially (A), wherein, preferably, the adapter frame (4) features a guiding device (52) that is coupled to the connection fitting (5) to guide the connection fitting (5) in at least one direction normal to the axial direction (A), and / or the connection fitting (5) is accessible from the side of the second housing component (32), in particular wherein the connection fitting (5) comprises at least one screw (5) coupled to a corresponding thread (51) on the first housing component (31).

12. The filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the filter medium body (11, 21) of at least one of the filter elements (1, 2) features a particle filter medium, in particular comprising a synthetic non-woven fabric and / or a cellulose-based filter medium, wherein, in particular, the particle filter medium meets filtration class H13 or H14 according to DIN EN 1822-1, and / or - the filter medium body (11, 21) of at least one of the filter elements (1, 2) features a gas filter medium, in particular comprising at least one adsorbent, in particular activated carbon, a zeolite, and / or an ion exchanger, and - wherein, optionally, the second filter element (2) features the gas filter medium, in particular wherein, under the intended operating conditions of the filter device (100), the second filter element (2) is through-flowable after the first filter element (1).

13. The filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing component (31) and / or the second housing component (32) is designed to be collapsible for replacing the at least one of the filter elements (1, 2), such that the length of the respective housing component (31, 32) can be reduced at least in or against the through-flow direction (D).

14. A use of a filter element (1) comprising a filter medium body (11) and a circumferential seal (15) surrounding the same as a first filter element (1) in a filter device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential seal (15) bears sealingly against the second sealing surface (42) of the adapter frame (4) and wherein the circumferential seal (15) bears sealingly against the circumferential housing sealing surface (311) of the first housing component (31).

15. The use of a filter element (2) comprising a filter medium body (21) and a circumferential seal (25) surrounding the same as a second filter element (2) in a filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the circumferential seal (25) bears sealingly against the first sealing surface (41) of the adapter frame (4) and wherein the circumferential seal (25) bears sealingly against the circumferential housing sealing surface (321) of the second housing component (32).