FLUID FILTER SYSTEM FOR PROCESS AIR TECHNOLOGY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid filter as a filtration device, in particular for industrial air filtration, as known as so-called cartridge dust collectors. Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter element with a flange plate, as known in practice as a so-called filter cartridge, as well as the use of the filter element in a fluid filter according to the invention and the method for its assembly in the fluid filter.

[0002] German patent applications DE 10 2021 132 743 A1 and US patent 2019 / 0374892 A1 each disclose a generic fluid filter for industrial air filtration and a generic filter element whose flange plate has different dimensions in two different directions when viewed from above and is therefore elongated. The filter elements are inserted into the interior of the open housing of the fluid filter in a translational, horizontal sliding motion, specifically by sliding them onto support rails located in the interior and extending in the direction of the sliding motion. The filter body, which forms the filter-effective surface of the filter element through which the respective fluid flows, hangs downwards from the flange plate and thus extends between the two support rails.

[0003] The known fluid filters each have a housing with a typically rectangular cross-section, the interior of which is accessible via a door. For the sake of housing stability, the door does not extend across the full width of one side of the housing, so that even when the door is open, the interior is not accessible across its entire width. Rather, spaces are created on both sides of the door within the interior, which, within the scope of the present invention, are referred to as dead space because they constitute an inaccessible, unusable space when the filter elements are inserted into the housing.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of enabling an improvement in the ratio of the filter-effective surface area of ​​the filter element to the housing cross-section in a fluid filter, in particular a cartridge dust collector for industrial air filtration.

[0005] This problem is solved by using a filter element according to claim 1, by a method for mounting a filter element in a housing of a fluid filter according to claim 3, by a filter element according to claim 6, by a fluid filter according to claim 10 and by a holder according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides for the use of a filter element comprising a filter body that is elongated and permeable to the fluid to be filtered, is oriented upright in use, and has an upper outlet opening, and comprising a flange plate that extends around the outlet opening of the filter body, which hangs downwards in use, and supports the filter body and creates a circumferential collar that extends radially outwards beyond the filter body, wherein the flange plate has two different lengths in two different directions in a top view, and thus a longitudinal and a transverse direction, for a fluid filter comprising a housing that surrounds an interior space and selectively opens or closes access to the interior space of the housing by means of a closable access opening, wherein the interior space is wider than the access opening and the portion of the interior spacewhich runs laterally next to the access opening, is referred to as the dead space, and which has a holder in the housing designed to secure the flange plate of a filter element, wherein the holder and the filter element each extend into the dead space, and the filter element is held in such a way that the flange plate extends in its longitudinal direction into the dead space.

[0007] In other words, the invention proposes to insert the filter element with its elongated flange plate into the housing of the fluid filter in its longitudinal direction and only then to rotate it into an orientation that deviates from this longitudinal orientation.

[0008] The rotational movement occurs around the vertical axis of the filter element, so that the elongated flange plate now projects into the dead space. According to the invention, the opening width of the door does not need to be used to allow the width of the flange plate to pass through in its operating orientation, but can instead be used for the passage of the filter body. Only then, inside the housing, is the filter element brought into its operating orientation by rotation, in which the flange plate is securely held in the holder, for example, by resting with sufficient overlap on two support rails. Since the design of the holder with two parallel support rails is common in practice, the following description frequently refers to these support rails as an exemplary design of a holder, even in cases where the holder is not necessarily limited to such a design.

[0009] By using the dead spaces to accommodate filter inserts according to the invention, for example the support rails of brackets can be arranged at a greater distance from each other, and accordingly the filter bodies of the filter inserts used can have a larger cross-section than is possible with the known cartridge dust collectors.

[0010] With respect to the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid filter housing, a fluid filter according to the invention therefore has a comparatively larger filter area. The housing can thus, for example, have smaller dimensions, which improves the selection of a suitable installation location. With unchanged housing dimensions, the comparatively larger filter area allows for longer maintenance intervals or a lower pressure drop, which in turn requires less drive power, e.g., from the blower, to operate the fluid filter.

[0011] The elongated shape of the flange plate means that it has a shape that deviates from a circle and has different lengths in two different directions.

[0012] One design for using a filter element involves a flange plate that, when viewed from above, deviates from a square. The flange plate thus has a shape other than a square when viewed from above. For example, the flange plate can be elongated and round, i.e., oval. However, the largest possible contact area, and therefore the most stable position of the flange plate in the fluid filter's mounting, for example on the aforementioned support rails, can be achieved if the flange plate has a rectangular base.

[0013] Another embodiment of the filter insert's use involves an irregularly octagonal flange plate, such that two opposite sides are further apart than two other, also opposite, sides. Thus, one pair of opposite sides can have a greater distance between them than another pair of sides on the flange plate.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention provides a method for mounting a filter element in a housing of a fluid filter, wherein the housing surrounds an interior space and has a closable access opening which selectively opens or closes access to the interior space of the housing, wherein the interior space is wider than the access opening and wherein the portion of the interior space which extends laterally next to the access opening is referred to as dead space, and wherein the filter element has a filter body which is elongated and designed to be permeable and effective for the fluid to be filtered, is oriented upright in use, has a closed lower end and an upper outlet opening, and has a flange plate which extends around the outlet opening of the filter body which hangs downwards in use and supports the filter body and creates a circumferential collar which extends radially outwards beyond the filter body.wherein the flange plate in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal and a transverse direction, and wherein the fluid filter has a holder which is intended for fixing the flange plate of a filter element, comprising the following process steps: , ▪ The housing access opening is opened, ▪ the filter element is inserted into the holder, and the housing access opening is closed, ▪ before the filter element is inserted into the holder, it is brought into a first orientation outside the housing in which the longitudinal axis of the flange plate points into the interior, ▪ in this first orientation the filter element is placed into the interior, ▪ inside the interior the filter element is pivoted about its vertical axis and brought into a second orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the flange plate extends into the dead space.

[0015] This assembly method according to the invention, for arranging a filter element in the housing of the fluid filter, therefore consists in inserting the filter element with its elongated flange plate into the holder in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the flange plate points into the interior or, if the filter element is already located in the interior, points towards the housing opening through which the filter element can be inserted into or removed from the housing. The longitudinal direction of the flange plate thus runs parallel to, or at a first, shallow angle to, the support rails of a holder onto which the flange plate is to be placed.

[0016] Starting from this longitudinal orientation, the filter element is rotated around its vertical axis, so that the longitudinal axis of the flange plate is brought into a second angle with respect to the support rails, which is steeper or even perpendicular to the support rails. While the flange plate initially runs relatively narrowly between the support rails, it subsequently assumes a greater width after the rotation, so that it can now be placed onto the support rails from above, thus holding the filter element in place on the support rails.

[0017] In one embodiment of the method, the filter insert is placed in the holder in the first orientation and, in the state in which the filter insert is supported by the holder, is brought into the second orientation.

[0018] This allows the filter element to be inserted into the holder in its initial orientation and supported by the holder, thus simplifying handling for personnel as early as possible, since the weight of the filter element is at least partially absorbed by the fluid filter holder. Only then does the rotational movement take place, increasing the overlap between the flange plate and elements of the holder and thereby improving the secure hold of the filter element in the holder.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the holder has movable retaining means which are selectively movable between an open position releasing the flange plate and a holding position fixing the flange plate, and that the retaining means are brought into their open position before the filter insert is inserted into the holder, and that the retaining means are brought into their holding position after the filter insert has been brought into the second orientation.

[0020] This ensures a reliably fluid-tight connection of the filter element by incorporating movable retaining elements in the holder. The assembly process for inserting the filter element into the fluid filter involves the following step: first, the retaining elements are moved into an open position, releasing the flange plate so that it can be inserted into the holder and aligned in the desired rotational position. The retaining elements are then moved into a locking position, securing the flange plate. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing the filter element, with its clean air outlet, against a surface of the fluid filter, thus ensuring a fluid-tight connection between this outlet and a clean air area of ​​the filter and preventing the ingress of unfiltered fluid into this clean air area.

[0021] Another embodiment of the method provides that the bracket has support rails onto which the flange plate is placed on both sides of the filter body.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention provides a filter insert for a fluid filter, comprising a filter body that is elongated and designed to be permeable and effective for the fluid to be filtered, is oriented upright in use, has a closed lower end and an upper outlet opening, and a flange plate that extends around the upper outlet opening of the filter body which hangs downwards in use and supports the filter body and creates a circumferential collar that extends radially outwards beyond the filter body, wherein the flange plate has two different lengths in two different directions in a top view, and thus a longitudinal and a transverse direction, and wherein the flange plate is designed in a top view that deviates from a square.

[0023] As mentioned above, a filter insert according to the invention has an elongated shape in top view, deviating from a square, for example, the aforementioned irregular octagonal design. The pairs of sides formed by opposing sides of the flange plate do not necessarily have to be exactly parallel to each other, but can, for example, deviate slightly from such parallelism in a V-shape to facilitate, for instance, the insertion of the flange plate between two support rails. Furthermore, the sides of the flange plate do not necessarily have to be straight, but can, for example, be serrated, wavy, or curved. However, a straight profile is considered advantageous because it allows for the largest possible bearing surface of the flange plate in a holder, for example, on support rails.that the two mentioned opposite sides, which have a comparatively larger distance between them, run parallel to each other.

[0024] The invention further provides that the two aforementioned opposite sides, which have a comparatively larger distance to each other, run obliquely towards each other in a V-shape.

[0025] The filter body can therefore have an elongated cross-section, adapted to the elongated shape of the flange plate. However, in one embodiment, the filter body has a circular cross-section, which is advantageous in several respects: Firstly, a circular cross-section is particularly pressure-stable with radial flow from the outside compared to an elongated, especially a rectangular, cross-section of the filter body. Secondly, a larger effective filter surface is provided compared to a filter body with an elongated cross-section. With regard to the arrangement of a filter element between two support rails, the aim is to design the filter body in such a way that it utilizes the space between the support rails as completely as possible, i.e., extends as close as possible to the support rails.Assuming that an elongated cross-section has the same dimensions in its larger longitudinal dimension as a circular cross-section—ideally the distance between the support rails—the flattened sections of an elongated cross-section result in a smaller filter body surface area compared to a circular cross-section. Furthermore, regardless of this basic cross-sectional geometry, the filter body can be designed as a pleated filter to further increase the effective filter surface area.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the filter body has a circular cross-section. The filter body can also be advantageously cylindrical or conical.

[0027] Starting with a circular cross-section, the filter body is preferably cylindrical in one embodiment. This creates a consistently large effective filter surface area over the entire height of the filter body and supports a comparatively simple and economical manufacturing process.

[0028] Alternatively, in another design, the filter body with a circular cross-section has a conical or frustoconical shape along its height. In a first variant, the filter body tapers downwards, thus supporting self-cleaning of the filter element, whereby a proportion of the adhering particles can automatically fall off the filter body during operation of the fluid filter, for example due to vibrations, thereby extending maintenance intervals.

[0029] In a second variant, the filter body widens downwards towards its end furthest from the flange plate. Assuming that the maximum diameter of the filter body is limited at the top, below the flange plate, by the distance between two support rails, the filter area can be increased compared to a cylindrical filter body due to the downwardly increasing cross-section. From a design perspective, it is advantageous for the filter body to have a dimensionally stable end plate at its lower end. Additionally or alternatively, the filter body can have a closed end plate at its lower end and a fluid-permeable, filter-effective outer surface between the end plate and the flange plate.

[0030] The filter material of the filter body can be a foam or paper material and be deformable in such a way that, in its installed position, the free end of the filter body, which faces the flange plate, can be closed at its lower end by connecting this deformable material to itself, similar to the end of a tube, so that the round cross-section of the filter body transitions into a straight line. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the filter body has an end plate at its free, lower end, allowing the filter body to maintain a circular cross-section over its entire height and thus providing the most uniform possible flow conditions. The lower end plate is dimensionally stable in such a way that it supports the lower end of the filter body under the prevailing operating conditions and prevents collapse.

[0031] The lower end plate can itself provide a filter-effective surface, for example, by being made of the same material as the outer surface of the filter body. This maximizes the filter-effective surface area of ​​the filter body. Alternatively, the lower end plate can be made of a different material than the outer surface of the filter body and, for example, be a so-called closed end plate, impermeable to the fluid being filtered. In this case, the filter body has a filter-effective surface in the form of the outer surface of the circular cross-section, which extends between the lower end plate and the flange plate. Designing the lower end plate as a closed end plate allows for a particularly stable and mechanically robust construction, for example, in the form of a metallic plate.

[0032] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a fluid filter is provided, comprising a housing that surrounds an interior space and has a closable access opening which selectively opens or closes access to the interior space of the housing, wherein the interior space is wider than the access opening and the portion of the interior space which extends laterally next to the access opening is referred to as the dead space, and which has a filter element with a filter body (5) that is elongated and designed to be permeable and effective for the fluid to be filtered, is oriented upright in use, has a closed lower end and an upper outlet opening, and with a flange plate that extends around the outlet opening of the filter body which hangs downwards in use and supports the filter body and creates a circumferential collar that extends radially outwards beyond the filter body.wherein the flange plate in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal and a transverse direction, and which has a holder in the housing which secures the flange plate of the filter element, and wherein the holder extends into the dead space such that the filter element secured in the holder is partially arranged within the dead space.

[0033] A fluid filter according to the invention therefore has a very large filter area relative to the dimensions of its housing, since, depending on the number of filter inserts arranged in the housing, one, several or all of the filter inserts extend into a dead space, so that their filter bodies can be dimensioned accordingly larger than if they had to be arranged exclusively in line behind an access opening, namely, fit into the clearance profile of the access opening.

[0034] This arrangement of the filter inserts is made possible on the one hand by a design of the holder, which also extends into the dead space, and on the other hand by the elongated design of the flange plate, so that a filter insert can be inserted lengthwise into the fluid filter and then rotated inside the fluid filter to protrude beyond the clearance profile of the access opening into the dead space.

[0035] In order to provide the largest possible effective filter surface within the fluid filter, the invention further provides that the holder is designed to allow the insertion of at least two filter inserts one behind the other.

[0036] Therefore, it is advantageous to install several filter elements in the fluid filter. Without requiring different types of filter elements, the size of the effective filter surface can be scaled by the number of filter elements used in different types of fluid filters.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the holder is therefore of such a length that it can accommodate two or more filter inserts in succession.

[0038] Alternatively, the fluid filter can also be designed to allow the insertion of two filter inserts side by side by arranging two holders next to each other.

[0039] The measures mentioned above can also be implemented in combination, so that, depending on the length of the two brackets, for example four or six filter inserts can be accommodated in the housing of the fluid filter.

[0040] To enable a simple separation between the pipe side containing unfiltered fluid and the clean side of the filter containing the filtered fluid, particularly when more than one filter element is used in the fluid filter, the housing can have a clean chamber above the filter element. This clean chamber is separated from the one or more filter elements by a partition plate. Since the filter element housing is typically constructed of sheet steel, the partition plate is also referred to as a divider plate.

[0041] The partition plate has a through-opening for each filter insert, to which the interior of the filter insert, i.e. the clean side of the filter insert, is connected.

[0042] At least one sealing ring runs around the outlet opening of the filter element on the flange plate, and with this sealing ring the filter element can be pressed against the partition plate from below, so that the sealing ring surrounds the passage opening of the partition plate in a fluid-tight manner.

[0043] A fifth aspect of the invention defines a holder designed to secure an elongated flange plate of a filter element in a fluid filter during use, wherein the holder has two support rails spaced apart from each other such that, during use, they accommodate between them a filter body suspended from the flange plate and an outlet opening located in the flange plate of the filter element, and wherein the flange plate rests on the two support rails during use, and wherein the support rails are vertically movable between a lowered and a raised position, wherein the two support rails have opposing recesses whose length is dimensioned such that an elongated flange plate, in a first orientation in which it is located longitudinally between the two support rails,is liftable upwards beyond the support rails and is rotatable above the support rails into a second orientation in which it runs transversely to the two support rails and overlaps the two support rails, and wherein the recesses are designed such that the flange plate dips into the recesses in an intermediate position between the first and the second orientation.

[0044] One embodiment of the invention provides that the holder is designed as a double holder and has a central retaining bar and a lifting bar on each side of the central retaining bar, wherein these two lifting bars as inner lifting bars each interact with an outer support rail arranged at a distance from them, such that in use two filter inserts are arranged side by side in the double holder, and wherein guide elements are arranged on both sides of the retaining bar which interact with complementary guide elements of the two lifting bars.

[0045] Another advantageous embodiment of the bracket is achieved when the guide elements arranged on the retaining strip are designed as bolts that extend transversely through the retaining strip, and when slanted elongated holes are arranged on the lifting strips into which the bolts engage, such that a longitudinal displacement of the lifting strips automatically also causes their vertical displacement.

[0046] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the purely schematic representations. These show Fig. 1 a perspective view into the opened housing of a fluid filter, showing a filter element approaching a holder from below, which has two support rails; Fig. 2 the situation of the Fig. 1 from a different perspective, Fig. 3 a view like Fig. 2 , after the filter element has been rotated about its vertical axis and is in its operating orientation, Fig. 4 shows a top view of the situation of Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a top view of the situation of Fig. 2 , Fig. 6 a top view of the filter element during rotation, between the situations of Fig. 4 and 5 , Fig. 7 a vertical section through the filter element during the situation of Fig. 2 , Fig. 8 a vertical section through the filter element during the situation of Fig. 3 , Fig. 9 a front view of the filter insert during the situation of Fig. 3 , Fig. 10 a front view similar Fig. 9 on two adjacent filter inserts, with the door frame removed, Fig. 11 a front view similar Fig. 10 , with the two filter inserts in their intended orientation, with the door frame shown, Fig. 12 a perspective view of a section of a bracket, Fig. 13 a perspective view from a different viewing direction than Fig. 12 on two holders and filter inserts held therein, Fig. 14 a view similar Fig. 13 , whereby the filter inserts change position during their respective rotations, between the situations of Fig. 4 and 5 are located, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a fluid filter with some components of the housing removed.

[0047] Fig. 15 Figure 1 shows a fluid filter 1, which is designed as a so-called cartridge dust collector for industrial air filtration. The fluid filter 1 has a housing 2 which is in Fig. 15 The illustration is only partially complete. For example, the front of the housing 2 is missing, which has an access opening that allows access to the interior of the fluid filter 1 and which can be optionally closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a door, flap, cover or the like.

[0048] The fluid filter 1 has two chambers arranged one above the other, separated by a partition 3. Unfiltered air is introduced into the lower chamber, which, in the illustrated embodiment, contains six filter inserts 4. Each filter insert 4 has a substantially hollow cylindrical filter body 5, which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a pleated filter element. The filter inserts 4 are each in their operating orientation and seal tightly against the partition 3 from below. The unfiltered air, laden with particles, flows radially through the filter bodies 5 from the outside to the inside, then flows upwards as filtered air within the respective filter body 5 and enters the upper chamber. The partition 3 has a through-opening 6 above each filter insert 4.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the aforementioned, in Fig. 15 front side 7 of the housing 2 (not shown) and through a door opening into the interior of the fluid filter 1. The door, which optionally seals the door opening airtight, is in Fig. 1 not shown. The illustrated filter insert 4 is not yet in its intended use position, but rather below support rails 8, with three of a total of four support rails 8 being visible, which form two adjacent holders to accommodate two filter inserts 4 side by side, as shown in Fig. 15 depicted.

[0050] The filter element 4 has a flange plate 9 above the filter body 5. This flange plate has an octagonal base and two opposing, angled sections serving as handles 10. Its upper surface is fitted with elastic sealing rings 11 to ensure an airtight seal against the baffle plate 3 from below. The sealing rings 11 extend around an outlet opening 21 of the filter element 4, which, during operation, aligns with a through-opening 6 in the baffle plate 3. This allows the filtered air from inside the filter element 4 to flow through the through-opening 6 into the upper chamber of the housing 2.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the situation of Fig. 1 in a perspective view from below. The partition plate 3 with the through-openings 6 is visible, as are the four support rails 8, each of which is designed in multiple parts. The flange plate 9 projects radially beyond the filter body 5 to different extents on its different sides, so that the flange plate 9 has different lengths in two different diagonals and is therefore elongated. In the assembly situation, which is shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 As shown, the filter insert 4 is oriented such that the flange plate 9 has only slight radial overhangs towards the two adjacent support rails 8. The filter insert 4 can therefore be brought into contact with the support rails 8 from below in this orientation, as shown in the Fig. 1 This becomes clear, and he can in this orientation between the two adjacent

[0052] The support rails 8 are raised until the flange plate 9 is located above the support rails 8.

[0053] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows the filter element 4 in an orientation rotated 45° about its vertical axis, corresponding to its operating orientation, and in which the flange plate 9, with its longer length, overlaps the two support rails 8. In this orientation, the filter element 4 can be suspended on the two support rails 8 by lowering it until the flange plate 9 rests on the two support rails 8 of the holder. In this orientation, one of the two handles 10 points towards the access opening, so that the filter element 4 can be grasped and handled by this handle 10, for example, by sliding it further inside the housing 2 on the support rails 8 to arrange several filter elements 4 one behind the other in a holder, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 15 This is evident. When the filter inserts 4 are subsequently removed, they can be grasped by the handles 10 pointing towards the access opening and pulled towards it. After a 45° downward rotation, they can be removed from their respective holders by lowering them between the support rails 8. Outside the holder, the filter insert 4 can be securely grasped and carried using both handles 10.

[0054] Fig. 3 Figure 1 further shows the multi-part structure of the support rails 8: each support rail 8 has a fixed retaining strip 12 and a movable lifting strip 14 with elongated slots 15 arranged in it at an angle. Bolts 16 extend through the elongated slots 15 of the lifting strips 14 and are fixed to the respective retaining strip 12 of the same support rail 8. The lifting strips 14 are angled at multiple points, so that they are at multiple points of distance from the retaining strips 12 and at multiple points of contact with the retaining strips 12 where an elongated slot 15 and a bolt 16 are located in the respective retaining strip 8.

[0055] Both the retaining strips 12 and the lifting strips 14 each have beveled end sections facing the access opening. Screws 17 are supported on the end sections of the retaining strips 12 and engage threadedly with the end sections of the lifting strips 14. By actuating the respective screw 17, the distance between the corresponding end faces of the respective retaining strip 12 and the lifting strip 14 is changed. Due to the angled guidance provided by the elongated holes 15, the height of the lifting strip 14 is also automatically adjusted. Since the flange plates 9 of the filter elements 4 each rest on a lifting strip 14 of a support rail 8, the filter elements 4 can be raised by the corresponding vertical movement of the lifting strip 14 until their sealing rings 11 make fluid-tight contact with the separating plate 3 from below, so that the fluid filter 1 is ready for operation in this state.After lowering the lifting bars 14, the filter inserts 4 can be mounted on the support rails 8 or removed from the support rails 8.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows filter insert 4 as Fig. 3 However, in a top view, in the operating orientation, in which the flange plate 9 overlaps the two support rails 8 with its longer dimension. From this view, a closed bottom 18 of the filter element 4 is visible. It can be seen that the flange plate 9 has its longest dimension between two parallel sides in the direction transverse to the support rails 8, while the sides of the flange plate 9 offset by 45° from this have the shortest length of the flange plate 9 between two parallel sides.

[0057] Fig. 5 shows a top view as Fig. 3 , wherein the filter element 4 is shown in its mounting position, which it assumes during assembly or disassembly in the fluid filter 1, according to the Fig. 1 and 2 In this orientation, the flange plate 9, with its shortest length, fits between the two lifting rails 14 of the two support rails 8, so that the filter element 4 can be moved up and down between the two support rails 8 in this orientation. To the right of the two support rails 8 assigned to the filter element 4, a third support rail 8 is visible, which forms part of a second holder. This holder serves to accommodate filter elements to the right of the filter element 4 shown.

[0058] Fig. 6 Figure 4 shows an intermediate position that the filter element 8 assumes during its assembly and disassembly: When the filter element 4 is rotated about its vertical axis, the corners 19 of the flange plate 9 project into the area where the retaining strips 12 run. Accordingly, during assembly, the filter element 4 must either be lifted over the retaining strips 12, which is possible if the retaining strips 12 are arranged at a sufficiently large distance below the partition plate 3. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the retaining strips 12 extend right up to the partition plate 3, ensuring advantageous force transmission when the sealing rings 11 are pressed against the partition plate 3 by means of the lifting strips 14, thus guaranteeing a fluid-tight connection of the filter element 4 to the partition plate 3.The retaining strips 12 therefore have recesses 20, which are designed with a crenellated shape along their upper edge or in the form of slots. The corners 19 project into these recesses 20 during the rotation of the filter insert 4, so that the rotation can proceed unimpeded.

[0059] Fig. 7 shows a vertical section through the filter element 4, which is in its mounting position as it is during assembly or disassembly in the fluid filter 1, according to the Fig. 1 , 2 and 5 The flange plate 9 is not yet raised above the lifting bars 14 of the support rails 8, but is located at the height between the two adjacent lifting bars 14.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows a similar view Fig. 7 The further assembly progress, after the filter element 4 has been lifted beyond the lifting bar and rotated 45° about its vertical axis, so that the flange plate 9 now rests on the two lifting bars 14 and the filter element 4 is in its operating orientation on the support rails 8. The lifting bars 14 have not yet been lifted and are in the same position relative to the retaining bars 12 as in Fig. 7 .

[0061] Fig. 9 shows the situation of Fig. 8 in a side view of the filter insert 4 and in the longitudinal direction of the support rails 8, i.e. for example a view through the access opening of the front side 7 into the fluid filter 1.

[0062] Fig. 10 Figure 1 shows a view into the fluid filter 1 with the front panel 7 removed, where the two holders are fitted with filter elements 4, so that all four support rails 8 are used and two filter elements 4 are arranged side by side. It is evident that the actuating device for adjusting the height of the lifting bars 14, namely the respective end faces of the support rails 8 with the screws 17, obstructs a purely horizontal mounting of the filter elements 4. Due to the mounting method, in which the filter elements 4 are guided between the support rails 8 from below, filter bodies 5 with a suitably large cross-section can be used, which would not be possible with a purely horizontal mounting of the filter elements 4.

[0063] Fig. 11 shows a similar view Fig. 10 , however, the front side 7 of the housing 2 is shown and, for the sake of completeness, the handles 10 of the filter inserts 4 are also shown, which are in Fig. 10 For clarity, the screws 17 of three support rails 8 are not shown. The screws are visible in the door opening, while the fourth, right-hand support rail 8 is concealed by the front panel 7, especially since the door opening is not symmetrically centered in the front panel 7. This fourth support rail 8 is therefore located in a so-called dead space within the housing 2, namely in an area of ​​the interior that is concealed by the front panel 7 and thus cannot be accessed in a straight line through the door opening and perpendicular to the front panel 7. The screw 17 for the vertical movement of the lifting bar 14 of this right-hand support rail 8 can nevertheless be easily operated using an open-end or ratchet wrench or an angled tool such as a ratchet wrench.

[0064] Fig. 12 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support rail 8. Above the lifting bar 14, only a strip-shaped section of a flange plate 9 is shown, which has a trapezoidal shape due to the octagonal geometry of the flange plate 9. From this perspective, a recess 20 in the retaining rail 12 is also visible, into which the flange plate 9 can engage with a corner 19 when the filter element 4 rotates. No further recesses 20 are provided in this embodiment of the fluid filter 1, because, ergonomically, it is advantageous to mount or dismount a filter element 4 not in the rear area of ​​the interior, but rather near the access opening, so that the rotation of the filter elements 4 only occurs here and the recess 20 is only required here.

[0065] Fig. 13 Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of two filter inserts 4 in their respective holders, with the flange plate 9 of each filter insert 4 resting on its two associated support rails 8 and, in particular, on their lifting rails 14. The recesses 20 in the retaining rails 12 of the support rails 8 are also visible from this viewpoint.

[0066] Fig. 14 shows in a perspective view how Fig. 13 The two filter inserts 4 during their rotational movement, during which the corners 19 of the flange plates 9 protrude into the recesses 20 of the retaining strips 12. This representation is symbolic, since due to spatial constraints only a single filter insert 4 is handled at any one time by a person standing in front of the door opening of the housing 2. Reference symbol list:

[0067] 1 Fluid filter 2 Housing 3 Dividing plate 4 Filter element 5 Filter body 6 Through-hole 7 Front 8 Support rails 9 Flange plate 10 Handle 11 Sealing ring 12 Retaining strip 14 Lifting strip 15 Slotted hole 16 Bolt 17 Screw 18 Base 19 Corner 20 Recess 21 Outlet opening

Claims

1. Use of a filter insert (4), • comprising a filter body (5), ∘ which is designed to be elongated ∘ and permeable to the fluid to be filtered, ∘ is oriented upright during use, ∘ and has an upper outlet opening (21), • and comprising a flange plate (9), ∘ which runs around the outlet opening (21) of the filter body (5) hanging downwardly during use and supports the filter body (5), ∘ and provides a peripheral collar which extends outwardly in the radial direction beyond the filter body (5), ∘ wherein the flange plate (9) in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, for a fluid filter (1), • which has a housing (2), ∘ which surrounds an interior, ∘ and selectively opens or closes the access to the interior of the housing (2) by means of a closable access opening, wherein the interior is wider than the access opening and the portion of the interior which runs laterally adjacent to the access opening, i.e. a region of the interior which is concealed by the front face (7) and thus is not accessible in a linear movement, which runs in a direction of movement through the door cutout and transversely to the front face (7), is denoted as dead space, • and which has in the housing (2) a holder which is designed to secure the flange plate (9) of a filter insert (4), wherein the holder and the filter insert (4) extend in each case into the dead space, and the filter insert (4) is held in such a manner that the flange plate (9) extends into the dead space in its longitudinal direction.

2. Use of a filter insert (4) according to Claim 1, the flange plate (9) thereof in plan view being designed to deviate from a quadrilateral.

3. Method for the assembly of a filter insert (4) in a housing (2) of a fluid filter (1), • wherein the housing (2) surrounds an interior, ∘ and has a closable access opening which selectively opens and closes the access to the interior of the housing (2), ∘ wherein the interior is wider than the access opening and the portion of the interior which runs laterally adjacent to the access opening, i.e. a region of the interior which is concealed by the front face (7) and thus is not accessible in a linear movement, which runs in a direction of movement through the door cutout and transversely to the front face (7), is denoted as dead space, • and wherein the filter insert (4), ∘ has a filter body (5), - which is designed to be elongated - and permeable to the fluid to be filtered and have a filtering action, - is oriented upright during use, - has a closed lower end - and an upper outlet opening (21), ∘ as well as a flange plate (9) - which runs around the outlet opening (21) of the filter body (5) hanging downwardly during use and supports the filter body (5), - and provides a peripheral collar which extends outwardly in the radial direction beyond the filter body (5), - wherein the flange plate (9) in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, • and wherein the fluid filter (1) has a holder which is designed to secure the flange plate (9) of a filter insert (4), • having the following method steps ∘ the access opening of the housing (2) is opened, ∘ the filter insert (2) is introduced into the holder, ∘ and the access opening of the housing (2) is closed, characterized by the following method steps • before the filter insert (4) is introduced into the holder, it is brought outside the housing (2) into a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the flange plate (9) faces into the interior, • in this first orientation, the filter insert (4) is introduced into the interior, • in the interior, the filter insert (2) is pivoted around its vertical axis and brought into a second orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the flange plate (9) extends into the dead space.

4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the filter insert (4) is introduced into the holder in the first orientation, and is brought into the second orientation in the state in which the filter insert (4) is supported by the holder.

5. Method according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the holder has a movable holding device which is selectively movable between an open position releasing the flange plate (9) and a holding position securing the flange plate (9), and in that the holding device is brought into its open position before the filter insert (4) is introduced into the holder, and in that the holding device is brought into its holding position after the filter insert (4) has been brought into the second orientation.

6. Filter insert (4) for a fluid filter (1), • comprising a filter body (5), ∘ which is designed to be elongated ∘ and permeable to the fluid to be filtered and have a filtering action, ∘ is oriented upright during use, ∘ has a closed lower end ∘ and an upper outlet opening (21), • and comprising a flange plate (9) ∘ which runs around the upper outlet opening (21) of the filter body (5) hanging downwardly during use and supports the filter body (5), ∘ and provides a peripheral collar which extends outwardly in the radial direction beyond the filter body (5), ∘ wherein the flange plate (9) in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, characterized in that the flange plate (9) in plan view is designed to deviate from a quadrilateral, wherein the flange plate (9) is designed to be irregularly octagonal, wherein two opposing sides are at a greater distance from one another than two other, also opposing, sides.

7. Filter insert according to Claim 6, characterized in that the filter body (5) has a circular cross section, wherein the filter body (5) is preferably designed to be cylindrical or conical.

8. Filter insert according to Claim 7, characterized in that the filter body (5) widens toward its end remote from the flange plate (9).

9. Filter insert according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the filter body (5) has a dimensionally stable end plate at its lower end.

10. Fluid filter (1), • which has a housing (2), ∘ which surrounds an interior, ∘ and has a closable access opening which selectively opens or closes the access to the interior of the housing, ∘ wherein the interior is wider than the access opening and the portion of the interior which runs laterally adjacent to the access opening, i.e. a region of the interior which is concealed by the front face (7) and thus is not accessible in a linear movement, which runs in a direction of movement through the door cutout and transversely to the front face (7), is denoted as dead space, • and which has a filter insert (4), ∘ comprising a filter body (5), - which is designed to be elongated - and permeable to the fluid to be filtered and have a filtering action, - is oriented upright during use, - has a closed lower end - and an upper outlet opening (21), ∘ and comprising a flange plate (9), - which runs around the outlet opening (21) of the filter body (5) hanging downwardly during use and supports the filter body (5), - and provides a peripheral collar which extends outwardly in the radial direction beyond the filter body (5), - wherein the flange plate (9) in plan view has two different lengths in two different directions and thus a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, • and which has in the housing (2) a holder which secures the flange plate (9) of the filter insert (4), characterized in that the holder extends into the dead space in such a manner that the filter insert (4) secured in the holder is partially arranged within the dead space.

11. Fluid filter according to Claim 10, characterized in that the holder is designed to enable the receiving of at least two filter inserts (4) one behind the other.

12. Fluid filter according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the housing (2) has above the filter insert (4) a clean space for filtered fluid, wherein the clean space is separated from the filter insert (4) by a partition panel (3), and wherein the partition panel (3) is arranged above the holder in such a manner that the filter insert (4) located in the holder adjoins the partition panel (3) from below.

13. Holder which is designed to secure during use an elongated flange plate (9) of a filter insert (4) in a fluid filter (1), • wherein the holder has two support rails (4) which run at such a distance from one another ∘ that during use they receive between one another a filter body (5) hanging down from the flange plate (9) as well as an outlet opening (21) which is located in the flange plate (9) of the filter insert (4), ∘ and that the flange plate (9) during use is positioned on the two support rails (8), • and wherein the support rails (8) are vertically movable between a lowered position and a lifted position, characterized in that the two support rails (8) have opposing recesses (20), the length thereof being dimensioned such that an elongated flange plate (9), in a first orientation in which it is located longitudinally between the two support rails (8), can be lifted upwardly beyond the support rails (8), and is rotatable above the support rails (8) into a second orientation in which it runs transversely to the two support rails (8) and overlaps the two support rails (8), wherein the recesses (20) are designed such that the flange plate (9) enters the recesses (20) in an intermediate position between the first and the second orientation.

14. Holder according to Claim 13, characterized in that the holder is designed as a double holder and has a central holding bar (12), and in each case a lifting bar (14) on both sides of the central holding bar (12), wherein these two lifting bars (14) cooperate as inner lifting bars (14) in each case with an outer support rail (8) arranged at a distance therefrom, such that during use two filter inserts (4) are arranged adjacent to one another in the double holder, and wherein guide elements which cooperate in each case with complementary guide elements of the two lifting bars (14) are arranged on both sides of the holding bar (12).