Filter device for a gaseous medium, filter element, use of a filter element, and method for assembling a filter device

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter device for a gaseous medium, comprising a filter housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A filter element (16) is arranged in the filter housing. The filter housing comprises a first housing part, in which the filter element (16) is arranged, and a second housing part, on which the one inlet opening is formed and which has a cyclone separator. The second housing part releasably closes a service opening in the first housing part. The first housing part has a radially projecting collar which at least partially extends around an imaginary axis (22) and which provides an axial bearing surface on which is supported a peripheral supporting portion (120) of the filter element (16), said supporting portion projecting radially over the filter medium body (90) with respect to the axis (22). On the axial bearing surface of the collar there is arranged at least one elevation which engages in a corresponding aperture (250E, 250F) in the supporting portion (120) of the filter element (16), resulting in an unambiguous installation position of the filter element (16) in the first housing part.

Description

Filter device for gaseous medium, filter element, use of a filter element and method for assembling a filter device

[0000] This patent application claims priority from the German patent application 102023107293.5, filed with the DPMA on 23 March 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a filter device for gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising a filter housing with at least one inlet opening for gaseous medium to be purified and at least one outlet opening for purified gaseous medium, wherein in the filter housing between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening at least one filter element, which has at least one filter medium body, is arranged such that it separates a raw side associated with the at least one inlet opening from a clean side associated with the at least one outlet opening, wherein the filter housing comprises a first housing part on which the outlet opening is arranged and which has at least one filter element receiving space in which the at least one filter element is arranged, and wherein the filter housing comprises a second housing part,on which the at least one inlet opening is arranged and which has at least parts of at least one cyclone separator, wherein the second housing part closes a service opening of the first housing part and the first housing part and the second housing part are detachably connected to one another and separable from one another in order to be able to remove the at least one filter element through the service opening of the first housing part, wherein the first housing part has a radially projecting collar that at least partially surrounds an imaginary axis and provides at least one axial contact surface with respect to the axis, on which at least one support section of the filter element that projects radially beyond the filter medium body with respect to the axis and at least partially surrounds the axis is supported, and wherein at least one elevation is arranged on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part,which engages in at least one corresponding recess of the at least one support section of the at least one filter element.,

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter element for a filter device for gaseous fluid, in particular air, in particular for an air filter device, in particular for a filter device according to the invention, with at least one filter medium body, wherein the filter device comprises a filter housing with at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, wherein the filter element can be received in the filter housing between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening in order to separate a raw side associated with the at least one inlet opening from a clean side associated with the at least one outlet opening, and wherein the filter housing comprises a first housing part on which the at least one outlet opening is present and which has a filter element receiving space in which the filter element can be arranged, and wherein the filter housing comprises a second housing part, on which the at least one inlet opening is present and which has at least parts of at least one cyclone separator, wherein the first and the second housing part are detachably connected to one another and separable from one another in order to be able to remove the filter element through a service opening of the first housing part, wherein the service opening can be closed with the second housing part, and wherein the first housing part has a radially projecting collar that at least partially surrounds an imaginary axis and provides at least one axial contact surface with respect to the axis, on which at least one support section of the filter element can be supported, projecting radially beyond the filter medium body with respect to the axis and at least partially surrounding the axis, and wherein the at least one support section of the filter element has at least one recess,into which at least one corresponding elevation present on the axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part can engage.,

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a filter element, in particular a filter element for gaseous medium, in particular an air filter element, comprising at least one filter medium body in a filter device according to the invention, in particular an air filter device, wherein the filter element has at least one support section which projects radially beyond the filter medium body with respect to an imaginary axis and at least partially surrounds the axis, which support section is supported on at least one contact surface, axial with respect to the axis, of a radially projecting collar of the first housing part which at least partially surrounds the axis, wherein the at least one support section of the filter element has at least one recess into which engages at least one corresponding elevation present on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling a filter device for gaseous media, in particular a filter device according to the invention, in which at least one filter element having at least one filter medium body is introduced through a service opening into a filter element receiving space of a first housing part, which has at least one outlet opening for purified gaseous medium, of a filter housing of the filter device, wherein the first housing part has a radially projecting collar that at least partially surrounds an imaginary housing axis and provides at least one axial contact surface with respect to the housing axis, on which at least one elevation is arranged, and the at least one filter element has at least one support section that projects radially beyond the at least one filter medium body with respect to a filter element axis and at least partially surrounds the filter element axis,which has at least one recess, wherein when inserting the at least one filter element through the service opening, the housing axis and the filter element axis are arranged parallel and the at least one filter element is aligned relative to the first housing part with respect to the rotational orientation to at least one of the axes, which are the housing axis and the filter element axis, such that the at least one elevation of the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part engages in the at least one corresponding recess of the support section of the filter element and, the at least one circumferential support section of the filter element is supported on the at least one axial contact surface of the projecting collar of the first housing part, and then the service opening is closed with a second housing part of the filter housing, which has at least one inlet opening for gaseous medium to be cleaned and at least parts of at least one cyclone separator. State of the art

[0005] From WO 2021 / 005509 A1, an air filter for internal combustion engines is known, comprising a housing with a removable cover, in which a chamber is provided which receives a main filter element that is replaceable and provided with a seal that can be arranged between the housing and the cover. The seal comprises at least one centering seat or projection for receiving a corresponding centering projection or seat provided on the cover or on the housing when the main filter element is located in the housing and the housing is closed by the cover. The seal comprises a plurality of centering seats, each designed to receive a corresponding axial centering projection provided on the housing when the main filter element is located in the housing and the housing is closed by the cover.Since the corresponding centering projections and seats of the filter element and the filter housing are arranged rotationally symmetrically, this results in at least two possible mounting positions for the filter element. This has the disadvantage that after removing and reinstalling the same filter element with a different rotational orientation into the housing, leaks can occur due to settlement of the seal.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a filter device, a filter element, the use of a filter element, and a method for assembling a filter device, in which the filter device is improved, in particular the filter device is improved with regard to functionality, assembly, and / or assembly. In particular, the risk of incorrect assembly, in particular the incorrect installation of at least one filter element or the installation of an incorrect filter element, is to be reduced. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention in the filter device in that an arrangement of the at least one elevation on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part and the at least one corresponding recess of the at least one support section of the at least one filter element is such that a clear installation position of the at least one filter element in the first housing part results.

[0008] According to the invention, the first housing part has at least one elevation which, when the filter element is correctly installed, engages in a corresponding recess of the filter element. The at least one elevation and the at least one corresponding recess are arranged such that they can only correspond in a single, unambiguous installation position, in particular rotational orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis, of the filter element in the housing part. The interaction of the at least one elevation with the corresponding recess prevents the at least one filter element from being installed in a different installation position. In addition, This allows a filter element that does not have the required recess to be installed. This reduces the overall risk of incorrect assembly, both with regard to the incorrect installation of at least one filter element and with regard to the installation of an incorrect, i.e., unsuitable, filter element.

[0009] “Axial contact surface” means that a relative degree of freedom of movement with respect to the axial direction can be blocked by the circumferential support section of the filter element.

[0010] Advantageously, the at least one axial contact surface can extend circumferentially and in the radial direction. In this way, the freedom of movement of the circumferential support section in the axial direction can be limited.

[0011] The at least one elevation is a structure protruding in the axial direction from the at least one axial contact surface. The at least one recess is a depression in the at least one support section of the filter element.

[0012] The filter device and the filter element can be used in particular in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, in construction and / or agricultural machinery, compressors, in conjunction with internal combustion engines, in cathode filters, in particular in conjunction with fuel cells.

[0013] The gaseous medium to be purified can be air. In this case, the filter device can also be referred to as an air filter device. The filter device can remove liquid or solid particles, such as dust particles, from the gaseous medium.

[0014] The axis can coincide with a housing axis of the filter housing, an installation / removal axis of the at least one filter element in the first housing part, a connection axis of the first housing part with the second housing part, and / or an element axis of the at least one filter element. When reference is made to "radial," "coaxial," "axial," "tangential," "circumferential," "concentric," "eccentric," or the like in the description, this refers to the axis, unless otherwise stated. "Circumferential" refers to an imaginary surface surrounding the axis. The axis can, in particular, be a longitudinal axis.

[0015] Advantageously, the at least one cyclone separator, in particular a cyclone block with multiple cyclone separators, can have at least one particle discharge device, in particular a dust discharge device. In this way, particles separated from the gaseous medium to be purified by the at least one cyclone separator can be removed from the cyclone separator, in particular the cyclone block.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one cyclone separator can be an axial cyclone.

[0017] Advantageously, the filter device can comprise at least one cyclone block comprising a plurality of cyclone separators. This allows a larger gas flow to be cleaned and the available installation space to be optimally utilized.

[0018] Advantageously, the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening can be located on axially opposite sides of the filter housing with respect to the axis. In this way, the filter device can be constructed axially as a whole.

[0019] Advantageously, the at least one filter medium body can comprise at least one filter bellows, in particular at least one single bellows and / or at least one double bellows. With a filter bellows, the ratio between active filter area and required installation space can be improved in favor of the filter area.

[0020] Advantageously, the filter medium body can comprise a filter medium suitable for filtering gaseous media, in particular air, in particular filter paper, filter fleece, filter foam, or the like. In this way, the gas to be purified can be purified as it flows through the filter medium.

[0021] Advantageously, the filter medium of the at least one filter medium body can be folded or wound. This allows the active filter surface to be increased. The filter element can be designed accordingly as a pleated filter element or as a wound element.

[0022] Advantageously, the at least one filter element can be a compact filter element, a hollow filter element, a flat filter element or the like.

[0023] Advantageously, the filter medium body can comprise at least one filter medium, in particular folded in a zigzag pattern, with deep pleats. In the case of an approximately cuboid-shaped or prismatic filter medium body, deep pleats are particularly present when the pleat height is at least as large as the extension in the direction of the pleat edges and / or in the direction transverse to the pleat edges.

[0024] A hollow filter element is characterized by the fact that it has at least one element interior which is surrounded by filter medium.

[0025] The hollow filter element can advantageously be a so-called round filter element with a round cross-section, an oval round filter element with an oval cross-section, a flat-oval round filter element with a flattened oval cross-section, a conical round filter element in which the round cross-section tapers in the axial direction towards a main axis, a conical-oval round filter element in which the oval cross-section tapers in the axial direction at least in the direction of a transverse axis, a conical flat-oval round filter element in which the flat-oval cross-section tapers in the axial direction at least in the direction of a transverse axis, or a hollow filter element with a different type of cross-section, in particular a square one, and / or a different type of axial cross-sectional profile in the direction of an element axis.

[0026] The raw side is the side on which the gaseous medium to be purified is located during operation of the filter device. The clean side is the side on which the purified gaseous medium is located.

[0027] The first housing part has an at least partially circumferential, radially projecting collar, which provides at least one axial contact surface against which at least one radially projecting support section of the filter element is supported. In this way, the circumferential seal can be additionally supported on the first housing part in the axial direction with respect to the axis. An additional sealing area can be created there. In the additional sealing area, the at least one circumferential seal can have a sealing effect in the axial direction.

[0028] Advantageously, the radially projecting collar of the first housing part can extend continuously, in particular circumferentially, or can be interrupted.

[0029] Advantageously, the projecting collar can have at least two axial contact surfaces, in particular four axial contact surfaces, located at different axial heights. Alternatively or additionally, the collar can have at least two collar sections, in particular four collar sections, with respective contact surfaces, each of which extends partially circumferentially around the axis. In this way, further protection against incorrect assembly of the filter device can be realized. In particular, incorrect orientation of the at least one filter element, the first housing part, and the second housing part during assembly can be prevented even more reliably.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of elevations can be arranged on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part and / or a plurality of corresponding recesses can be arranged in the at least one support section of the filter element. In this way, the unique installation position can be defined even more precisely. With a plurality of elevations and corresponding recesses, redundancy with regard to the unique installation position can also be achieved.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part with the at least one elevation may not have any rotational symmetry with respect to the axis, and / or the at least one support section of the filter element with the at least one recess may not have any rotational symmetry with respect to the axis. In this way, with the at least one elevation and the at least one corresponding recess, a unique installation position of the at least one filter element in the first housing part can be realized. The unique installation position is defined by a specific angular position or rotational orientation around the axis.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the internal dimensions of the at least one recess of the at least one filter element can be at least as large as the external dimensions of the at least one elevation of the first housing part corresponding to the at least one recess, and / or the at least one recess of the at least one filter element and the corresponding at least one elevation of the first housing part can be complementary. In this way, the at least one elevation can engage in the corresponding at least one recess.

[0033] Advantageously, "corresponding" can mean that the at least one recess in the circumferential support section of the filter element forms, in a sense, a negative form of the corresponding at least one elevation on the axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar. In this case, the at least one recess and the corresponding at least one elevation are complementary.

[0034] Advantageously, a clearance, in particular a defined clearance, can remain between the at least one elevation and the corresponding at least one recess. This simplifies the installation and removal of the at least one filter element, as the assembly forces can be reduced. The clearance can be realized, for example, at the height of the elevation or the depth of the corresponding recess relative to the axis, in the circumferential direction relative to the axis, and / or transversely to the circumferential direction.

[0035] Advantageously, a clearance fit can be realized between the at least one elevation and the at least one corresponding recess.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least two elevations can be arranged on the at least one axial contact surface of the first housing part, which elevations can differ in their extent in the circumferential direction, in their height, and / or in their extent transverse to the circumferential direction, in particular in the radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one support section of the at least one filter element can have at least two recesses, which can differ in their extent in the circumferential direction, in their height, and / or in their extent transverse to the circumferential direction, in particular in the radial direction.Alternatively or additionally, at least two elevations differing in their shape, dimensions, and / or orientation can be arranged on the at least one axial contact surface of the first housing part, and the at least one support section of the at least one filter element can have at least two recesses corresponding to the elevations and differing in their shape, dimensions, and / or orientation. In this way, protection against incorrect assembly can be further improved.

[0037] Advantageously, the at least one elevation and the corresponding at least one recess can be configured as a mirror image with respect to an imaginary plane running perpendicular to the imaginary axis.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter element can have, on an inflow side facing the second housing part, a seal encircling the imaginary axis, which has a sealing section encircling the axis and acting at least partially radially to the axis, wherein a radially outer circumferential side of the sealing section with respect to the axis bears sealingly against an inner circumferential surface of the first housing part that is radially inner with respect to the axis. In this case, in particular, a rib protruding from the second housing part at least with a directional component in the axial direction with respect to the axis and at least partially encircling the axis can exert a contact force on the encircling seal in order to press the encircling sealing section, acting at least partially radially to the axis, against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part. The seal can be used to seal the filter element housing from the environment. Furthermore, it can be used to separate the dirty side of the filter element from the clean side.

[0039] Advantageously, the second housing part can have a circumferential rib, which can be used to exert a contact force on the circumferential seal when the filter device is assembled. As a result of the contact force, a circumferential sealing section, which at least partially acts as a radial seal, can be pressed against an inner surface of the first housing part.

[0040] The sealing section acting at least partially in the radial direction makes it possible to ensure that a sealing surface of the seal on the side of the at least one filter element has a clearance, in particular a radial gap, with a mating surface of the filter housing, namely the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part, when the first housing part is not clamped to the second housing part. Only when the second housing part is clamped to the first housing part is the circumferential sealing section pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part. This creates the sealing effect between the first housing part, the second housing part and the filter element. In addition, a cyclone block, which has the at least one cyclone separator, can be sealed axially with respect to the axis by the seal.

[0041] Overall, the design of the filter device allows for easy installation of the filter element into the filter housing without the application of force. The seal can be clamped by axially clamping the first housing section to the second housing section. The leverage effect of suitable locking elements can be used for this purpose.

[0042] The seal can prevent the ingress of particles and / or water to the clean side between the at least one filter element and the filter housing. Furthermore, the ingress of particles and / or water into an area between the at least one filter element and the second housing part, in particular a dip tube plate and / or a cyclone block, can also be prevented.

[0043] Advantageously, a contact area of ​​the sealing section, in which the sealing section bears radially against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part in a sealing manner, can be arranged at an axial distance from the at least one axial contact surface of the collar. In this way, a region can be created between the sealing section and the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part in which the at least one sealing section does not bear against the inner circumferential surface.

[0044] Advantageously, the second housing part can be clamped to the first housing part by means of a clamping device. Advantageously, the clamping device can be used to create a pressing force acting at least in the axial direction between the first housing part and the second housing part.

[0045] Advantageously, the clamping device can be detachable. This allows the first housing part to be separated from the second housing part.

[0046] Advantageously, the clamping device can comprise at least one clamping element, in particular at least one screw, at least one clamping hook, and / or at least one snap hook, or the like. In this way, the clamping device can be easily clamped and released again.

[0047] Advantageously, the clamping device can engage directly on the second housing part. In this way, the second housing part can be clamped directly to the first housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the clamping device can engage on a cyclone housing, between which the first housing part and the second housing part can be arranged. In this way, several housing parts can be connected to one another.

[0048] Advantageously, the rib can be arranged firmly, particularly with respect to compressive load, in particular in a fixed position, on the second housing part. In this way, the rib can be displaced with the second housing part during axial assembly of the first housing part and the second housing part with the interposition of the at least one filter element. This would not be possible if the second housing part were part of the at least one filter element. In particular, the rib can be displaced with the second housing part during assembly by the clamping action of a clamping device.

[0049] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter element can comprise at least one frame element which extends at least partially around the circumference and is connected to the at least one filter medium body, wherein in particular a surface of the at least partially around the circumference frame element is exposed at least in sections, and wherein in particular at least one exposed section of the frame element at least co-forms the at least one radially projecting support section of the at least one filter element, which is supported on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part. In this way, the at least one support section of the at least one filter element can be stably connected to the filter medium body and a rigid, positive contact of the filter element on the housing can be realized.

[0050] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter element can have at least one circumferential seal, which is delimited at an axial end facing away from the second housing part by at least one circumferential frame element. In this way, the at least one seal can be supported on the at least one frame element in the axial direction.

[0051] Advantageously, the at least one frame element can be connected to the filter medium body. In this way, the filter medium body can be supported by the at least one frame element.

[0052] Advantageously, the at least one frame element, in particular a surface of the frame element, can be exposed at least in sections. On the exposed surface At least one support surface of the at least one filter element can be realized. A rigid, positive-locking contact of the filter element with the housing can be achieved via the support surface.

[0053] Advantageously, the frame element, in particular at least one exposed section of the frame element, can at least co-form a radially projecting support section of the filter element, which is supported on an axial contact surface of a radially projecting collar of the first housing part. In this way, the circumferential seal can be even better supported on its side axially facing away from the second housing part.

[0054] Advantageously, the at least one frame element can comprise or consist of plastic. In this way, the frame element can be realized in a robust and lightweight manner. In this case, the term "plastic frame" can also be used for the at least one frame element. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one frame element can advantageously also comprise or consist of at least one other material, in particular metal, carbon fiber, or a composite material.

[0055] Advantageously, the at least one frame element can be part of a skeleton of the at least one filter element and / or connected to a skeleton of the at least one filter element. The at least one filter medium body can be held on the skeleton. The at least one filter element can be stabilized and retained in shape by the skeleton. At least part of the skeleton can comprise or consist of plastic, metal, carbon fiber, or a composite material.

[0056] Advantageously, the skeleton, in particular the skeleton with the at least one frame element, can be realized as a single piece. This allows the skeleton to be realized with particular stability.

[0057] In some embodiments, the at least one frame element can also be realized as a component separate from the skeleton.

[0058] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one recess can be formed on a frame element of the at least one filter element. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one recess can have a continuous boundary wall; in particular, the at least one recess can be formed as a closed pocket. In this way, force transmission between the at least one elevation and the filter element can be improved.

[0059] The continuous boundary wall enables the at least one protrusion to be centered circumferentially and radially in the at least one recess with respect to the axis. The boundary wall can surround an opening in the recess for the corresponding protrusion.

[0060] A recess which has a boundary wall surrounding the opening and extending to the side opposite the opening can be referred to as a closed pocket.

[0061] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter element can comprise at least one circumferential frame element, wherein the at least one frame element can extend from the at least one exposed section at least partially in the axial direction toward the upstream side and / or radially inward. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one frame element can be enclosed at least partially by material of the circumferential seal.

[0062] Advantageously, the at least one frame element can extend at least partially in the axial direction toward the upstream side and / or radially inward. This allows stabilization of the at least one filter medium body. Furthermore, a portion of the frame element can serve as a casting shell for the seal material.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one frame element can advantageously be enclosed at least in sections by the material of the circumferential seal. In this way, the supporting effect for the seal can be improved.

[0064] In a further advantageous embodiment, a rib protruding from the second housing part can support a circumferential sealing section of the at least one filter element, which has an at least partially radially sealing effect, on a radially inner circumferential side of the sealing section, in particular on a radially inner circumferential side of the sealing section radially opposite the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part. In this way, the sealing section can be pressed with the rib, in particular directly, against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part.

[0065] Advantageously, a pressing force exerted by the rib can have at least one directional component that is directed from radially inward to radially outward relative to the axis. In this way, the corresponding sealing section can be pressed directly radially outward against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part with the radial sealing force. The pressing force exerted by the rib can thus directly apply the radial sealing force.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the pressing force exerted by the rib can have a directional component directed at least parallel to the axis. In this way, the at least one seal can be compressed in the axial direction. The sealing material can deflect radially outward from the compression and thus be pressed radially against the inner surface of the first housing part. The contact force exerted by the rib can thus generate the radial sealing force indirectly, in particular by deforming the seal in the transverse direction.

[0067] Advantageously, at least the sealing section of the circumferential seal can be deformed in the filter housing mounted with the at least one filter element compared to the unmounted at least one filter element. The corresponding sealing section can thus be flexibly pressed against the inner surface of the first housing part.

[0068] In a further advantageous embodiment, a rib protruding from the second housing part can contact a seal surrounding the axis of the at least one filter element at a free rib edge axially aligned with the axis, which faces the second housing part, with a directional component of the contact pressure acting in the axial direction with respect to the axis. In this way, the circumferential seal can be deformed by compression, in particular in the transverse direction. The deformed seal can thus be pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the housing in an at least partially radially effective sealing manner.

[0069] Advantageously, the rib can contact the circumferential seal on an upstream end face in the axial direction, in particular directly, in order to cause a deformation of the circumferential seal and thereby press the partially radially effective circumferential sealing section against the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part.

[0070] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second housing part can have a protruding rib and the at least one filter element can have a seal surrounding the axis and having at least one sealing section, wherein the rib can be ramp-shaped at least in sections. Alternatively or additionally, a contact surface of the rib facing the radially inner circumferential side of the circumferential sealing section which at least partially acts to seal radially can enclose an acute angle with the axis. In this way, during the axial assembly of the first housing part and the second housing part, the rib can slide along the radially inner circumferential side of the sealing section and successively press it against the inner surface of the first housing part. Due to the wedge effect between the "angled" rib and the sealing section, high radially acting seal preload forces can be achieved with manageable axial assembly forces.

[0071] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter element can have a seal with at least one sealing section surrounding the axis, wherein the at least partially radially sealing circumferential sealing section can be offset radially outward at least in sections relative to an outer surface of the filter medium body that is radially outer with respect to the axis. Alternatively or additionally, the at least partially radially sealing circumferential sealing section can project axially beyond the upstream side of the filter medium body at least in sections.

[0072] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter device can have a cyclone block with a plurality of cyclone separators, wherein the cyclone block comprises a dip tube plate as the second housing part of the filter housing, which dip tube plate has a plurality of dip tubes, and a circumferential rib is formed on the dip tube plate. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one inlet opening can be arranged or formed on at least a part of the at least one cyclone separator, in particular on a dip tube of the at least one cyclone separator. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can comprise parts of a cyclone block which has a plurality of cyclone separators. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can have or be a dip tube plate with at least one dip tube of a cyclone separator. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can have a dip tube plate with at least one dip tube of a cyclone separator. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can have a plurality of dip tubes of corresponding cyclone separators.Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can be arranged between the first housing part and a cyclone housing. a cyclone block, to which the at least one cyclone separator belongs. In this way, the filter device can be designed compactly with at least one filter element and at least one cyclone block. The cyclone block with a plurality of cyclone separators allows for efficient pre-separation of particles from the gaseous medium to be cleaned, and the space required for pre-separation can be minimized.

[0073] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second housing part can have a protruding rib and the at least one filter element can have a seal surrounding the axis with at least one sealing section, wherein an upstream axial end of the circumferential seal, viewed in the direction axial to the axis, can project beyond a free end of the rib of the second housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the rib can project beyond a free end of the circumferential seal, in particular of the at least one sealing section, viewed in the direction axial to the axis. Alternatively or additionally, the rib can dip into a recess in the circumferential seal, which is open on its side axially facing the upstream side with respect to the axis.Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part can have at least one dip tube of at least one cyclone separator, which has an outflow end on its side facing the inflow side of the at least one filter element, which is at least partially surrounded by a dip tube edge section, wherein the dip tube edge section can be located radially inside the sealing section at an axial distance from the free end of the circumferential seal when the filter device is mounted.

[0074] In this way, an axial overlap between the seal and the second housing part, in particular the rib and / or the dip tubes, can be realized.

[0075] Advantageously, when the filter device is installed, the dip tube edge section can be located at an axial distance from the free end of the seal, radially within the sealing section. Advantageously, the outflow end, viewed axially, can be located beyond the upstream axial free end of the circumferential seal. The dip tube edge section, which at least partially surrounds the outflow end, and thus also the outflow end of the at least one dip tube, can, viewed axially, extend behind the free end of the circumferential seal and thus behind the upstream end of the at least one filter element.

[0076] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second housing part can have a protruding rib and the at least one filter element can have a seal surrounding the axis and having at least one sealing section, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part form a sealing chamber in which the at least partially radially effective circumferential sealing section is received, wherein the sealing chamber is delimited radially inwardly by the rib of the second housing part, radially outwardly by the inner circumferential surface of the first housing part and axially by a collar connected to the second housing part, in particular by a collar of a further part connected to the second housing part. In this way, a space is created within which the sealing section can find space even after deformation.

[0077] Advantageously, the collar can provide an axial sealing surface against which the circumferential seal rests, forming a seal in the axial direction. This enables sealing to the outside, particularly to the environment.

[0078] Advantageously, the sealing chamber can be axially delimited on the inflow side by a collar connected to the second housing part, in particular by a collar of a further part connected to the second housing part.

[0079] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second housing part can have a protruding rib and the at least one filter element can have a seal surrounding the axis and having at least one sealing section, wherein in a state of the filter device in which the at least one filter element is arranged in the at least one filter element receiving space and the second housing part is detached from the first housing part, a radial gap is present between the inner circumferential surface of the second housing part and the radially outer circumferential side of the circumferential sealing section which at least partially acts in a radially sealing manner. In this way, the at least one filter element can be moved in the axial direction into or out of the filter element receiving space without the circumferential sealing section which acts in a radially sealing manner rubbing against the inner circumferential surface of the second housing part, whereby the assembly forces can be minimized.

[0080] In a further advantageous embodiment, the first housing part, in particular the radially projecting collar, can have a collar wall surrounding the axis, which surrounds the service opening and which projects beyond the axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar on the side axially facing away from the filter element receiving space.

[0081] Advantageously, the collar wall can surround the axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part and the at least one elevation radially outward.

[0082] Advantageously, the axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part, on which the at least one elevation is located, can be axially recessed relative to a plane in which the service opening is located. In this way, the axial contact surface and the at least one elevation can be protected from the environment by corresponding sections of the radially projecting collar.

[0083] “Axially set back” can mean axially removed from the upstream side in the axial direction.

[0084] Advantageously, an inner circumferential surface of the first housing part, against which an at least partially radially effective circumferential sealing section of a circumferential seal can rest, can be located directly adjacent to the axial contact surface. In this way, the seal can be realized near the service opening.

[0085] Advantageously, an upstream free edge of a collar wall can be connected to an inner surface of the first housing part, on which an at least partially radially sealing acting, the axis The circumferential sealing section of a seal surrounding the axis can be located axially adjacent to, and in particular in the same plane as, the service opening. In this way, the service opening can be realized in the area of ​​the free edge of a flange wall.

[0086] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter medium body can have a cross-sectional shape having at least two curved sides that are connected by two, in particular, straight sides. Alternatively or additionally, the filter medium body can have a radially outer filter medium section and a radially inner filter medium section, which are each circumferentially connected with respect to the axis, wherein the radially inner filter medium section is arranged within the radially outer filter medium section. Alternatively or additionally, an outer shell of the filter medium body, in particular of a radially outer filter medium section of the filter medium body, can have an elongated oval cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, an inner shell of the filter medium body, in particular of a radially inner filter medium section of the filter medium body, can have an elongated oval cross-section.Alternatively or additionally, an outer shell of the filter medium body, in particular a radially outer filter medium section of the filter medium body, can taper, in particular conically, when viewed from the upstream side in the direction of the axis. Alternatively or additionally, an inner shell of the filter medium body, in particular a radially inner filter medium section of the filter medium body, can taper, in particular conically, when viewed from the downstream side in the direction of the axis. In this way, a filter element can be realized that has an improved ratio between space requirement and filter area in favor of the filter area.

[0087] Advantageously, at least one filter medium section can be implemented as a filter bellows. In a filter bellows, the filter medium can be pleated. This allows for an increase in the active filter surface.

[0088] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one filter medium section of the filter medium body, in particular a radially outer filter medium section of the filter medium body, can be flowed through from the radial inside to the radial outside. Alternatively or additionally, at least one filter medium section of the filter medium body, in particular a radially inner filter medium section of the filter medium body, can be flowed through from the radial outside to the radial inside. In this way, the ratio between the axial and radial expansion of the filter element can be improved.

[0089] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one filter medium body can comprise at least two filter bellows, in particular an inner filter bellows and an outer filter bellows, in particular at least two folded filter bellows, which extend at least partially around the axis and through which the gaseous medium to be cleaned can flow in parallel. Alternatively or additionally, an inner filter bellows of the at least one filter medium body can be arranged in an interior space enclosed by an outer filter bellows of the at least one filter medium body. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one filter medium body can have at least one filter bellows, in particular an inner filter bellows and / or an outer filter bellows, which has an inclination relative to the axis. By using several filter bellows and their special arrangement relative to one another, Overall, the ratio of space requirement to the active filter area through which the flow can be improved in favor of the filter area.

[0090] "Parallel flow" means that the filter bellows are arranged in a functionally parallel manner, particularly with regard to the flow of the gaseous medium. It does not mean that the filter bellows are arranged in a geometrically parallel manner. The gaseous medium to be cleaned flows through the filter bellows in a functionally parallel manner. In contrast, with a serial arrangement of the filter bellows, the flow passes through them one after the other, i.e., serially.

[0091] Advantageously, the filter device can comprise at least one further filter element, in particular a secondary filter element, which is fluidically arranged downstream of the at least one filter element, in particular the filter element, in particular a main filter element, with the at least one support section. In this way, the separation of particles from the gaseous medium to be cleaned can be further improved and, alternatively or additionally, the introduction of contaminants onto a clean side during servicing of the main filter element can be prevented.

[0092] Advantageously, the at least one further filter element, in particular the secondary filter element, can be arranged in the filter element receiving space spatially between the filter element with the at least one support section and the at least one outlet opening of the filter housing. In this way, the filter device can be constructed more compactly.

[0093] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in the filter element in that an arrangement of the at least one recess of the at least one circumferential support section of the filter element is such that in an assembled state in which the at least one corresponding elevation on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part engages in said recess, a clear installation position of the filter element in the first housing part results.

[0094] According to the invention, a filter element is realized which, with the aid of at least one specially arranged recess in conjunction with at least one corresponding elevation on the first housing part, enables unambiguous installation into the first housing part. This makes it possible to determine, at the latest during assembly of the filter device, whether the correct filter element with the required at least one recess is being used. Furthermore, the filter element must be oriented so that the at least one recess corresponds to the corresponding elevation on the first housing part. Overall, this significantly reduces the risk of incorrect installation.

[0095] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in use in that an arrangement of the at least one elevation on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part and the at least one corresponding recess of the at least one support section of the at least one filter element is such that a clear installation position of the at least one filter element in the first housing part results.

[0096] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in the method in that by means of the arrangement of the at least one elevation on the at least one axial contact surface of the radially projecting collar of the first housing part and the at least one corresponding recess of the at least one support section of the at least one filter element, the at least one filter element is arranged in a clear installation position in the first housing part.

[0097] According to the invention, the at least one filter element is inserted into the filter housing simply and clearly.

[0098] Advantageously, the installation of the filter element in the filter element receiving space of the first housing part and the attachment of the second housing part to the first housing part can be carried out in the axial direction with respect to at least one of the axes, which are the housing axis and the filter element axis.

[0099] Advantageously, the circumferential seal can be clamped by means of clamping means which engage between the first housing part and the second housing part.

[0100] Furthermore, the features and advantages presented in connection with the filter device according to the invention, the filter element according to the invention, the use according to the invention, and the method according to the invention, and their respective advantageous embodiments, apply to each other accordingly and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with each other, whereby further advantageous effects can arise that go beyond the sum of the individual effects. Short description of the drawings

[0101] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features disclosed in the drawings, the description, and the claims in combination individually and combine them into useful further combinations. The schematic drawings show: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a filter device for gaseous media according to a first embodiment, with a cyclone block viewed from the side of an outlet nozzle; Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the filter device from Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view of a main filter element of the filter device of Figures 1 and 2 in the area of ​​a circumferential seal; Figure 4 is a detailed view of a longitudinal section of a housing pot of the filter device from Figures 1 and 2 in the region of a collar of the housing pot surrounding a service opening; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a skeleton of a main filter element of the filter device from Figures 1 and 2, viewed from the upstream side of the main filter element; Figure 6 is a detailed view of a longitudinal section of a dip tube plate of the cyclone block of the filter device of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a detailed view of the longitudinal section through the filter device of Figure 2 in the area of ​​a Connection of the housing pot and the cyclone block; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a housing pot of a filter device for gaseous media according to a second embodiment; Figure 9 is an axial view of the housing pot of Figure 8 viewed in the direction of a service opening; Figure 10 is an isometric view of a main filter element for installation in the housing pot of Figures 8 and 9 of the filter device according to the second embodiment; Figure 11 is an axial view of the main filter element of Figure 10 viewed towards the downstream side.

[0102] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0103] Figures 1 to 6 show various views of a filter device 10 according to a first embodiment for gaseous media and its components. The filter device 10 can be used to remove solid particles, such as dust, from gaseous media, such as air.

[0104] The filter device 10 can be used in vehicles, for example motor vehicles, in construction and / or agricultural machinery, compressors in conjunction with internal combustion engines, in cathode filters, for example in conjunction with fuel cells, or the like.

[0105] The filter device 10 comprises, as shown for example in an exploded view in Figure 2, a housing pot 12, a post-filter element 14, a main filter element 16, a dip tube plate 18 and a cyclone housing 20. The filter device 10 is constructed axially with respect to an axis 22.

[0106] The components of the filter device 10 and their relative arrangement with respect to the imaginary axis 22 are described below. The axis 22 can coincide with a housing axis of the housing pot 12, an installation / removal axis of the post-filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 into the housing pot 12 or out of the housing pot 12, a connection axis of the dip tube plate 18 with the housing pot 12, a connection axis of the cyclone housing 20 with the dip tube plate 18, a connection axis of the cyclone housing 20 with the housing pot 12, an element axis of the post-filter element 14, an element axis of the main filter element 16, a housing axis of the housing pot 12, a plate axis of the dip tube plate 18 and / or a housing axis of the cyclone housing 20.When the description refers to “radial,” “coaxial,” “axial,” “tangential,” “circumferential,” “concentric,” “eccentric,” or the like, this refers, unless otherwise stated, to the axis 22. “Circumferential” refers to the course of the respective imaginary lateral surfaces surrounding the axis 22.

[0107] In the connected state, the immersion tube plate 18 and the cyclone housing 20 form a cyclone block 24. On the other hand, the housing pot 12 as a first housing part and the immersion tube plate 18 as a second housing part in the connected state, a filter housing 26. When the filter device 10 is mounted, the dip tube plate 18 is connected to the cyclone housing 20, for example by means of screws.

[0108] The housing pot 12 is explained in more detail below.

[0109] The housing pot 12 is constructed as a single piece. The housing pot 12 is made of plastic, for example, a hard plastic.

[0110] The housing pot 12 has a housing wall 30 that continuously surrounds the axis 22. On an axial end face of the housing pot 12, a housing base 32 adjoins the housing wall 30. On the side axially opposite the housing base 32, the housing wall 30 surrounds a service opening 34.

[0111] The housing wall 30 and the housing base 32 define a filter element receiving space 36 of the housing pot 12. When the filter device 10 is installed, the secondary filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 are arranged in the filter element receiving space 36. The secondary filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 can be inserted into and removed from the filter element space 36 through the service opening 34.

[0112] An outlet nozzle 38 is integrated into the housing base 32. The outlet nozzle 38 has an outlet opening 40 for the purified gaseous medium. The outlet nozzle 38 extends axially to the axis 22, for example. For example, the outlet nozzle 38 has a circular-cylindrical shape, at least in sections.

[0113] In the area axially adjacent to the housing base 32 on the side axially facing the service opening 34, the housing wall 30 is stepped radially outward twice. Overall, the housing pot 12 tapers axially toward the housing base 32. The stepped area forms a receiving area for the secondary filter element 14. The area of ​​the filter element receiving space 36 located between the stepped area and the service opening 34 serves to accommodate the main filter element 16.

[0114] Viewed perpendicular to the axis 32, the housing wall 30 has a long oval cross-section.

[0115] On the axial side with the service opening 34, the housing wall 30 has a collar 42 which continuously surrounds the axis 22.

[0116] Viewed in the axial direction, the collar 42 has an elongated oval cross-section. However, the elongated oval cross-section of the collar 42 differs from the elongated oval cross-section of the housing wall 30 between the collar 42 and the housing base 32. The housing wall 30 is symmetrical in the area between the housing base 32 and the collar 42 by 180° with respect to a rotation about the axis 22. In contrast, the collar wall 44 has no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0117] The collar wall 44 is offset radially outward relative to a main wall section 46 of the housing wall 30. The main wall section 46 extends axially between the collar 42 and the housing base 32.

[0118] A collar 48 extends between the main wall section 46 and the collar wall 44.

[0119] The collar 48 has a plurality of contact surfaces 50 on its axially directed inner side facing the filter element receiving space 36. The contact surfaces 50 are arranged circumferentially distributed along the collar 48 in respective collar sections of the collar 42. For ease of differentiation, the reference numerals of the contact surfaces 50 can be provided with the indices A, B, C, or D, i.e., 50A, 50B, 50C, or 50D, whereby the contact surface 50B is not shown in the figures.

[0120] A ramp surface 52 is arranged between the contact surface 50A and the contact surface 50D. On the radially opposite side, another ramp surface 52 is arranged between the contact surface 50C and the contact surface 50D. The two ramp surfaces 52 are arranged on radially opposite sides.

[0121] The contact surfaces 50 extend in the circumferential direction and perpendicular to the axis 22. The ramp surfaces 52 extend circumferentially and are inclined towards the axis 22 in the axial direction from the service opening 34 towards the axis 22.

[0122] The ramp surfaces 52 of the collar 42 extend along long sides 54 of the overall long-oval filter device 10, viewed in the axial direction. Respective short sides 56 extend between the long sides 54.

[0123] For the sake of clarity, the designations long sides 54 and short sides 56 are used below for the components of the filter device 10 which have a long oval cross-section.

[0124] A flat, curved section 58 extends along one of the short sides 56 of the collar wall 44. A circularly curved section 60 of the collar wall 44 extends along the short side 56 opposite the axis 22. The flat, curved section 58 has a larger radius of curvature than the circularly curved section 60. A straight connecting section 62 of the collar wall 44 extends along each of the long sides 54 between the flat, curved section 58 and the circularly curved section 60.

[0125] The three contact surfaces 50A, 50B, and 50C are located in the area of ​​the flatly curved section 58. The fourth contact surface 50D is located on the side of the circularly curved section 60. The two lateral contact surfaces 50A and 50C each extend from the transition of the respective straight connecting section 62 to the flatly curved section 50B to the third contact surface 50B. The third contact surface 50B extends between the lateral contact surfaces 50A and 50C.

[0126] The central contact surface 50B on the side of the flatly curved section 58 and the contact surface 50D on the side of the circularly curved section 60 are located at the same axial height. The contact surfaces 50A, 50B, and 50c on the side of the flatly curved section 58 are located at different axial heights, as can be seen, for example, in Figure 4. The central contact surface 50B (not shown) and the contact surface 50D are located closer to the free edge of the collar wall 44 than the two outer contact surfaces 50A and 50c, viewed in the axial direction. An axial distance 64 between the contact surface 50D and the contact surface 50c is smaller than an axial distance 66 between the contact surface 50D and the contact surface 50A.

[0127] The contact surface 50D extends circumferentially in the center of the circularly curved section 60 on the side of the circularly curved section 60 approximately over a circumferential angle of approximately 90° around a circle center (not shown) of the circularly curved section 60.

[0128] Between the contact surface 50D and each of the adjacent ramp surfaces 52 there is an indentation 68. The indentations 68 extend in the axial direction, radial direction and along the collar wall 44. The ramp surfaces 52 extend along the collar wall 44 from the respective straight connecting sections 62 into the respective circularly curved sections 60.

[0129] A first elevation 248A is arranged on the first outer axial contact surface 50A in the flatly curved contact section 58 of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing cup 12. A second elevation 248c is arranged on the axial contact surface 50c in the flatly curved contact section 58. The elevations 248A and 248c are each structures protruding in the axial direction from the corresponding axial contact surface 50.

[0130] The first elevation 248A on the first outer axial contact surface 50A and the second elevation 248c on the second outer axial contact surface 50c of the housing cup 12 differ in their shape, dimensions, and / or orientation. The first elevation 248A on the first outer axial contact surface 50A and the second elevation 248c on the second outer axial contact surface 50c differ in their circumferential extent and / or their radial width. The axial contact surfaces 50 of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing cup 12 with the elevations 248 do not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22.

[0131] In the main wall section 46 of the housing wall 30, a plurality of grooves 70 each extend approximately axially from the collar 48 to just before the stepped region of the housing wall 30. The grooves 70 are arranged circumferentially distributed along the main wall section 46. The grooves 70 are each implemented as bulges in the main wall section 46 towards the radially outward. Each groove 70 forms an elongated depression on the radially inner side of the main wall section 46. Furthermore, each of the grooves 70 forms an elongated elevation on the radially outer side of the main wall section 46. Depending on their circumferential position, the grooves 70 open towards the contact surfaces 50 or towards the ramp surfaces 52. The cross sections of the grooves 70 taper towards the housing base 32 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0132] Furthermore, a total of eight fastening blocks 72 are arranged on the radially outer side of the main wall section 46. Four of the fastening blocks 72 are located on the side of the main wall section 46 axially facing the collar 42. The four other fastening blocks 72 are located on the side axially facing the stepped area next to the housing base 32. A screw flange 74 is arranged on each of the fastening blocks 72 on the side facing the corresponding long side 54. The screw flanges 74 are implemented, for example, as flat areas. The screw flanges 74 on a common long side 54 run in one plane. Each screw flange 74 can have a threaded hole. The axes of the threaded holes of the screw flanges 74 can run parallel to one another. The filter device 10 can be fastened to corresponding holding elements via the screw flanges 74.The holding elements can, for example, be firmly connected to the machine in which the filter device 10 is used.

[0133] Furthermore, a total of four clamping lugs 76 are arranged on the outer side of the collar 48 axially facing away from the collar wall 44. The clamping lugs 76 rise away from the collar wall 44 in the axial extension of the collar wall 44. Two of the clamping lugs 76 are located in the area of ​​the flat-bent section 58 near the transitions from the flat-bent section 58 to the adjacent straight connecting sections 62. The other two clamping lugs 76 are located in the area of ​​the circular-bent section 60 near the transitions to the adjacent straight connecting sections 62. Viewed in the axial direction, the clamping lugs 76 can each be aligned with the axially adjacent fastening blocks 72. The clamping lugs 76 serve to engage respective clamping clamps 78. The clamping clamps 78 are mounted on the cyclone housing 20, as explained in more detail below.

[0134] Between the collar 48 and the free edge of the collar wall 44, the collar wall 44 has, on the radially inner circumferential side, an inner surface 86 extending in the circumferential direction. On the side axially facing the free edge of the collar wall 44, the inner surface 86 has a ramp section 80. In the ramp section 80, the inner surface 86 extends obliquely to the axis 22. The radially inner circumference of the collar wall 44 increases in the ramp section 80 in the axial direction toward the free edge. The ramp section 80 thus forms a funnel-shaped installation aid for the secondary filter element 14 and the main filter element 16. The inner surface 86 extends axially between the ramp section 80 and the collar 48, parallel to the axis 22.

[0135] Furthermore, two nipples 84 are arranged on the outer side of the housing base 32, axially facing away from the filter element receiving space 36. The nipples each extend parallel to the axis 22. The nipples 84 are located on radially opposite sides of the axis 22, each adjacent to the short sides 56 of the housing pot 12.

[0136] The post-filter element 14 is designed, for example, as a so-called flat filter element. The post-filter element 14 serves as a secondary filter element. Viewed in the direction of the axis 22, the radially outer side of the post-filter element 14 has a long oval shape. The shape of the radially outer circumferential surface of the post-filter element 14 corresponds to the long oval shape of the radially inner circumferential side of the Housing pot 12 in the double-stepped area next to the housing base 32. On one of its axial end faces, the post-filter element 14 has a seal 88 that runs circumferentially relative to the axis 22. When installed, the seal 88 separates the clean side of the post-filter element 14 from the dirty side.

[0137] The main filter element 16 is described in more detail below.

[0138] The main filter element 16 comprises a filter medium body 90, a skeleton 92, an end body 94 and a seal 96.

[0139] The skeleton 92 is shown in detail in Figure 5. The skeleton 92 is constructed as a single piece. For example, the skeleton 92 is manufactured as an injection-molded part made of hard plastic.

[0140] The skeleton 92 has a central element 98 and a frame element 100.

[0141] The central element 98 serves as a support element, on which the filter bellows 134 and 136, explained in more detail below, are supported. The central element 98 comprises a plurality of axial struts 102. The axial struts 102 each run approximately parallel to the axis 22. The axial struts 102 are arranged distributed around the axis 22. On one axial side of the skeleton 92, the ends of the axial struts 102 are connected to one another via a connecting ring 104.

[0142] Viewed in the axial direction, the axial struts 102 have an approximately rectangular cross-section. The long sides of the rectangular cross-section of each axial strut 102 are each aligned parallel to a radial direction with respect to the axis 22. The circumferential dimensions of the axial struts 102 with respect to the axis 22, i.e. the extent of the short sides of the rectangular cross-section of the axial struts 102, are constant over their axial lengths. The radial dimensions of the axial struts 102 with respect to the axis 22, i.e. the extent of the long sides of the rectangular cross-section of the axial struts 102, increase in the axial direction from the end facing the connecting ring 104. In other words, the axial struts 102 are approximately wedge-shaped with respect to the axis 22 when viewed circumferentially.

[0143] The radially outer sides of the axial struts 102 with respect to the axis 22 are each inclined toward the axis 22, as viewed from the frame element 100 to the connecting ring 104. Thus, an imaginary radially outer surface surrounding the central element 98, spanned by the radially outer sides of the axial struts 102, has a conical shape that tapers toward the connecting ring 104. The imaginary radially inner surface, which is spanned by the axial struts 102, has a shape that tapers toward the frame 100, as viewed axially from the connecting ring 104.

[0144] The connecting ring 104 has an elongated oval cross-section when viewed in the axial direction. The connecting ring 104 has two parallel, coaxial ring sections of the same circumference, which are connected to each other via axially extending struts.

[0145] The ends of the axial struts 102 axially opposite the connecting ring 104 are connected to a radially inner ring 106. The radially inner ring 106 extends parallel to the connecting ring 104 on the one hand and coaxially to the connecting ring 104 on the other. The radially inner ring 106 extends between the radially inner circumferential sides of the ends of the axial struts 102.

[0146] An intermediate ring 108 is arranged between the radially inner ring 106 and the connecting ring 104. The intermediate ring 108 connects the axial struts 102 to one another. The intermediate ring 108 extends parallel to the connecting ring 104 and the radially inner ring 106 on the one hand and coaxially to the connecting ring 104 and the radially inner ring 106 on the other. In radial extension, the intermediate ring 108 extends from the radially inner circumferential sides of the axial struts 102 to the radially outer circumferential sides. The intermediate ring 108 is located at an axial distance from the radially inner ring 106 that corresponds approximately to one-third of the axial distance between the radially inner ring 106 and the connecting ring 104.

[0147] Two connecting arches 110 extend along each of the short sides 56. Each of the connecting arches 110 is connected by its free ends to the connecting ring 104. In the curved center, each of the connecting arches 110 is connected to a central axial strut 102. The connecting arches 110 each extend from the connecting ring 104 on the side axially facing the frame element 100, obliquely to the axis 22, toward the central axial strut 102. On each short side 56, one of the connecting arches 110 is connected to the central axial strut 102 at an axial distance from the connecting ring 104, which corresponds approximately to one-fifth of the axial distance between the frame element 100 and the connecting ring 104. This connecting arch 110 connects the connecting ring 104 to the central axial strut 102.The other connecting arch 110 on the short side 56 is connected to the central axial strut 102 at an axial distance from the connecting ring 104, which corresponds approximately to a quarter of the axial distance between the frame element 100 and the connecting ring 104. The latter connecting arch 110 connects the connecting ring 104 to the central axial strut 102 and the two axial struts 102 adjacent to the central axial strut 102 on the short sides 56.

[0148] At their radially wide end, the axial struts 102 have a step on the radially outer side that rises in the axial direction. The steps of the axial struts 102 are connected to an outer ring 112.

[0149] The radially outer ring 112 has an elongated oval cross-section. The radially outer ring 112 runs coaxially with the axis 22. The radially outer ring 112 is axially spaced from the radially inner ring 106. This is achieved by the steps.

[0150] Between the outer ring 112 and the radially inner ring 106, respective connecting openings 114 are provided at the ends of the axial struts 102. The connecting openings 114 have the axial height of the steps at the ends of the axial struts 102. Axially extending flow chambers 140, which are located between two adjacent axial struts 102, are connected to one another via the connecting openings 114 at the level of the radially inner ring 106.

[0151] The radially outer ring 112 is surrounded by a support ring 116 of the frame element 100. The support ring 116 extends coaxially with the axis 22. The support ring 116 has an elongated oval cross-section, which differs from the elongated oval cross-section of the radially outer ring 112, the radially inner ring 106, and the connecting ring 104, as explained further below.

[0152] The support ring 116 is connected to the radially outer ring 112 by radially extending radial struts 118. On their side facing the support ring 16, the radial struts 118 each have a bend of approximately 90° toward the connecting ring 104. The ends of the radial struts 118 behind the bend each engage the side of the support ring 116 axially remote from the connecting ring 104.

[0153] The support ring 116 has four support sections 120. The reference numerals of the support sections 120 are provided with the indices A, B, C, and D for easier differentiation.

[0154] The sides of the support sections 120 axially facing the connecting ring 104 each form a support surface 122. The reference numerals of the support surfaces 122, like the reference numerals of the respective support sections 120, are provided with the indices A, B, C, and D for ease of differentiation. The support surfaces 122 are each flat. The planes of the support surfaces 122 each extend perpendicular to the axis 22.

[0155] In the first outer support section 120A of the support ring 116 of the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 of the main filter element 16, a first recess 250A corresponding to the first elevation 248A on the first outer axial contact surface 50A is arranged. In the second outer support section 120c of the support ring 116 of the skeleton 92 of the frame element 100, a second recess 250c corresponding to the second elevation 248c on the second outer axial contact surface 50c is arranged.

[0156] Recesses 250A and 250c are each depressions in the corresponding support section 120 of the main filter element 16. Recesses 250A and 250c are each formed as a closed pocket. Recesses 250A and 250c each have a continuous boundary wall. The continuous boundary wall enables circumferential and radial centering of the corresponding elevation 248 in the recess 250 with respect to the axis 22. The boundary wall surrounds an opening of the recess 250 for the corresponding elevation 248. Furthermore, the respective boundary wall extends to the side radially opposite the opening. Thus, the boundary wall closes the side of the recess 250 opposite the opening for the corresponding elevation 248.

[0157] The first recess 250A of the main filter element 16 in the first outer support section 120A and the second recess 250c in the second outer support section 120c are different. The first recess 250A in the first outer support section 120A and the second recess 250c in the second outer support section 120c differ in their circumferential extent and their radial width.

[0158] The internal dimensions of the recesses 250 of the main filter element 16 are as large as the external dimensions of the elevations 248 of the housing pot 12 corresponding to the respective recesses 250. The recesses 250 of the main filter element 16 and the corresponding elevations 248 of the housing pot 12 are complementary. The support sections 120 of the main filter element 16 with the recesses 250A and 250C have no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22. In the assembled state, in which the main filter element 16 is mounted in the housing pot 12, elevations 248 and the corresponding corresponding recesses 250 are mirror images of each other with respect to an imaginary plane running perpendicular to the imaginary axis 22.

[0159] Overall, the frame element 100 extends radially inward from the support sections 120 and in the direction of an inflow side 226 of the main filter element 16.

[0160] The cross-section of the radially outer circumferential side of the support ring 116 corresponds in shape to the cross-section of the radially inner circumferential side of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12. The radially outer circumference of the support ring 116 is slightly smaller than the radially inner circumference of the collar wall 44.

[0161] The support ring 116 has a flatly bent section 124 on the radially outer shell side and a circularly bent section 126. The flatly bent section 124 and the circularly bent section 126 are connected to each other via two opposite, straight connecting sections 128. The radius of curvature of the flatly bent section 124 is greater than the radius of curvature of the circularly bent section 126. Overall, the support ring 116 and thus the radially outer shell side of the frame element 100 have no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22.

[0162] The central support section 120B with the central support surface 122B extends in the center of the flat, curved section 124 between the two outer support sections 120A and 120C with the corresponding outer support surfaces 122A and 122C. The section sections 120A and 120C with their respective section surfaces 122A and 122C extend between the respective straight connecting sections 128. The circumferential extent of the two lateral support sections 120A and 120C corresponds to the circumferential extent of the two lateral contact surfaces 50A and 50C of the housing pot 12.

[0163] The support section 120D with its support surface 122D extends centrally in the circularly curved section 126 on the side radially opposite the central support section 120B. The circumferential extent of the support section 120D and the support surface 122D is greater than the circumferential extent of the contact surface 50D of the housing pot 12.

[0164] The support section 120D with the support surface 122D transitions seamlessly into the adjacent straight connecting sections 128 of the support ring 116.

[0165] The outer support surface 120B and the central support surface 122D are at the same axial height. The outer support surface 122A is located on the central support surface 122B. Connecting ring 104 side of the support ring 116 at an axial distance from the central support surface 122B. The other outer support surface 122c is located on the side of the support ring 116 facing the connecting ring 104 at an axial distance from the central support surface 122B. The distance of the outer support surface 122A is greater than the distance of the outer support surface 122c. The distance of the outer support surface 122A corresponds to the distance 66 of the outer contact surface 50A of the housing pot 12. The distance of the outer support surface 122c corresponds to the distance 64 of the outer contact surface 50c of the housing pot 12.

[0166] Overall, the side of the support ring 116 axially facing the connecting ring 104 in the region of the support sections 120 is complementary to the side of the collar 48 of the housing pot 12 axially facing away from the housing base 32.

[0167] The filter medium body 90 comprises an outer filter bellows 134 and an inner filter bellows 136. The filter bellows 134 and 136 each consist of pleated filter medium, for example filter fleece.

[0168] The outer filter bellows 134 has the shape of a hollow truncated cone with an elongated oval base. The outer filter bellows 134 is coaxial with the axis 22. The base of the outer filter bellows 134 is located on the side of the main filter element 16 on which the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 is also located. The radially inner shell side of the outer filter bellows 134 runs parallel to its radially outer shell side. The folds of the folded outer filter bellows 134 each extend in the axial direction. The folds define the respective shell side.

[0169] The radially outer surface of the outer filter bellows 134 forms a radially outer outer surface 242 of the filter medium body 90. The radially outer outer surface 242 of the filter medium body 90 has two curved sections and two straight connecting sections with respect to its circumferential course around the axis 22. The curved sections are located on radially opposite sides on the short sides 56. The connecting sections are located on radially opposite sides on the long sides 54. The curved sections are connected by the straight connecting sections.

[0170] The radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134 is defined by the pleat height. The radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134 approximately corresponds to the radial distance of the support ring 116 of the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 from the radially outer ring 112 and the radially outer sides of the axial struts 102.

[0171] The radially outer circumference and the radially inner circumference of the outer filter bellows 134 each decrease in size in the axial direction from the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 to the connecting ring 104. The outer filter bellows 134 tapers in the axial direction from the frame element 100 to the connecting ring 104.

[0172] The radially inner shell side of the outer filter bellows 134 is supported on the respective radially outer sides of the axial struts 102, the intermediate ring 108 and the connecting arches 110 of the skeleton 92.

[0173] The inner filter bellows 136 has the shape of a hollow truncated cone with an elongated oval base. The inner filter bellows 136 is coaxial with the axis 22. The base of the inner filter bellows 136 is located on the side of the main filter element 16 on which the connecting ring 104 of the skeleton 92 is also located. The radially inner shell side of the inner filter bellows 136 runs parallel to its radially outer shell side. The folds of the folded inner filter bellows 136 each extend in the axial direction. The folds define the respective shell side.

[0174] The radial thickness of the inner filter bellows 136 is defined by the pleat height. The radial thickness of the inner filter bellows 136 approximately corresponds to the radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134.

[0175] The radially outer circumference and the radially inner circumference of the inner filter bellows 136 each decrease in size in the axial direction from the connecting ring 104 of the skeleton 92 to the frame element 100. The outer filter bellows 134 tapers in the axial direction from the connecting ring 104 to the frame element 100.

[0176] The radially outer shell side of the inner filter bellows 136 is supported on the respective radially inner sides of the axial struts 102, the intermediate ring 108, the radially inner ring 106 and the connecting arches 110 of the skeleton 92.

[0177] The circumference of the radially outer shell side of the inner filter bellows 136 in the area of ​​the base surface is slightly smaller than the circumference of the radially inner shell side of the outer filter bellows 134 in the area of ​​the cover side. The inner filter bellows 136 is arranged coaxially in an interior space enclosed by the outer filter bellows 134.

[0178] On the side of the connecting ring 104 of the skeleton 92, the base side of the outer filter bellows 134 is connected to the base side of the inner filter bellows 136 via a circumferentially and radially extending connecting fold 138.

[0179] The flow spaces 140 are formed between the radially outer circumferential side of the inner filter bellows 136 and the radially inner circumferential side of the inner filter bellows 136. Each of the flow spaces 140 is circumferentially delimited by one of two adjacent axial struts 102. Gaseous medium to be cleaned can flow into the flow spaces 140. From the flow spaces 140, the gaseous medium to be cleaned can flow, functionally parallel, through the outer filter bellows 134 from radially inside to radially outside and through the inner filter bellows 136 from radially outside to inside.

[0180] The end body 94 closes an element interior 142 surrounded by the inner filter bellows 136 on the axial end face facing the frame element 100. The end body 94 is arranged coaxially to the axis 22. The end body 94 has an elongated oval cross-section. The end body 94 is With respect to the axis 22, it is connected circumferentially to the radially inner ring 106 of the skeleton 92 and is supported by it. The end body 94 is made of an elastic material, for example, elastomer.

[0181] The seal 96, which is shown in detail in Figure 3, is explained in more detail below. The seal 96 is annular and has an elongated oval shape when viewed in the axial direction. The seal 96 is made of a single piece from an elastic material, such as an elastomer. The material of the seal 96 is softer than the material from which the skeleton 92 with the frame element 100 is formed.

[0182] The seal 96 includes a holding portion 144 and a sealing portion 146.

[0183] The seal 96 is connected to the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 by the retaining section 144. The seal 96 can be glued or cast onto the side of the frame element 100 axially facing away from the connecting ring 104 by means of the retaining section 144. The retaining section 144 surrounds the radially outer ring 112 of the skeleton 92 and the steps at the ends of the axial struts 102 on their radially outer sides and on the respective radially inner side. The frame element 100 is partially enclosed there by the material of the seal 96.

[0184] The holding section 144 leaves the support surfaces 122 free on the side of the support ring 116 axially facing the connecting ring 104.

[0185] The holding section 144 extends radially outward beyond the radially outer ring 112 of the skeleton 92 and merges into the sealing section 146 in the region of the radially outer side of the support ring 116.

[0186] The sealing section 146 is arranged directly adjacent to the radially outer surface of the support ring 116 and thus of the frame element 100 with respect to the axis 22. Furthermore, the sealing section 146 is arranged completely radially outside the radially outer surface of the filter medium body 90 with respect to the axis 22.

[0187] A free side 150 of the holding section 144 on the side of the holding section 144 facing away from the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 runs in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22.

[0188] The sealing section 146 is a sealing web. The sealing section 146 extends away from the support ring 116 in the axial direction. The free end of the sealing section 146 runs in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis 22. The axially free end 148 of the sealing section 146 projects in the axial direction beyond the side 150 of the holding section 144 facing away from the skeleton 92. The radially outer circumference of the sealing section 146 in the region of its free end 148 is slightly larger than the radially outer circumference of the sealing section 146 in the region of the support ring 116. Accordingly, the radially inner circumference of the sealing section 146 in the region of the free end 148 is smaller than the radially inner circumference of the sealing section 146 in the region of the transition to the holding section 144. The sealing section 146 tapers conically in the axial direction from the free end 148 to the support ring 116.

[0189] The sealing section 146 is offset radially outward relative to the radially outer outer surface 242 of the filter medium 90.

[0190] An axial distance 188 between the respective section surface 122 of the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 and the free end 148 of the seal 96 is, when the seal 96 is relaxed, greater than an axial distance 190 between the corresponding contact surface 50 of the collar 48 of the housing pot 12 and a free edge 192 of the collar wall 44.

[0191] At the transition between the holding section 144 and the sealing section 146 there is a recess 152. The recess 152 extends circumferentially with respect to the axis 22 along the radially inner side of the sealing section 146 on the side 150 of the holding section 144 axially facing away from the support ring 116.

[0192] Viewed in the axial direction, the sealing section 146 has a long oval shape. The shape of the sealing section 146 corresponds to the shape of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12 and the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92, viewed in the axial direction.

[0193] The sealing section 146 has a flat curved section 154 on the short side 56 and a circular curved section 156 on the opposite short side 56. The flat curved section 154 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved section 156. The flat curved section 154 and the circular curved section 156 are each connected on the long sides 54 by a straight connecting section 158.

[0194] The dip tube plate 18 is explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 6, which shows a detailed view of the dip tube plate 18.

[0195] The immersion tube plate 18 is made of a single piece. The immersion tube plate 18 is made of a plastic, for example, an injection-moldable hard plastic. For example, the immersion tube plate 18 is manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0196] The dip tube plate 18 includes a plate portion 160, a plurality of dip tubes 162, and a rib 164.

[0197] The plate section 160 extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22. A plurality of dip tubes 162 are distributed within the plate section 160. Each of the dip tubes 162 is part of a cyclone separator 166. Some of the cyclone separators 166 are shown in Figure 2, for example. The cyclone separators 166 are designed, for example, as axial cyclones. The dip tube plate 18 with the dip tubes 162, together with the cyclone housing 20, forms the cyclone block 24. The cyclone block 24 has a plurality of cyclone separators 166.

[0198] Each of the immersion tubes 162 has approximately the shape of a hollow circular truncated cylinder, the axes of which run parallel to the axis 22. The base surfaces of the circular truncated cylinders of the immersion tubes 162 are located on the side of the plate section 160. The immersion tubes 162 taper in the axial direction viewed from the plate section 160. The interiors of the dip tubes 162 serve as inlet openings 168 for the gaseous medium to be cleaned.

[0199] At its radially outer edge, the plate section 160 merges into the rib 164. The rib 164 extends circumferentially coaxially to the axis 22. The rib 164 has an approximately V-shaped profile overall.

[0200] One of the legs of the V-shaped rib 164, which is referred to below as axial leg 170, is connected to the edge of the plate section 160. The axial leg 170 is located on the radially inner side of the rib 164. The axial leg 170 extends axially approximately parallel to the axis 22 and circumferentially, at least in the relaxed state, for example, when the dip tube plate 18 is not mounted.

[0201] The other leg of the "V," referred to below as ramp leg 172, is connected to the axial leg 170 on the side axially remote from the plate section 160. The connecting edge of the axial leg 170 with the ramp leg 172, i.e., the closed side of the "V," is referred to below as the rib edge 174. The ramp leg 172 is located on the radially outer side of the rib 164. The ramp leg 172 extends radially outward from the rib edge 174 on the side axially facing the plate section 160 at an angle to the axis 22. The free end of the ramp leg 172 is referred to as the free edge 176.

[0202] The radially outer side of the ramp leg 172 forms a contact surface 178. When the filter device 10 is mounted, as explained further below, the contact surface 178 rests against the sealing portion 146 of the seal 96 of the main filter element 16. The contact surface 178 extends obliquely to the axis 22 and circumferentially. The contact surface 178 forms an acute angle 180 with the axis 22. The angle 180 can, for example, be approximately between 30° and 45°.

[0203] An axial distance 182 between the free edge 176 and the rib edge 174 is approximately equal to an axial distance between the rib edge 174 and the plate portion 160.

[0204] Viewed in the axial direction, the rib 164 has an elongated oval shape. The shape of the rib 164 corresponds to the shape of the flange wall 44 of the housing cup 12, the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92, and the sealing section 146 of the seal 96, viewed in the axial direction.

[0205] The rib 164 has a flat, curved section 230 on the short side 56 and a circular, curved section 232 shown in Figure 2 on the opposite short side 56. The flat, curved section 230 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular, curved section 232. The flat, curved section 230 and the circular, curved section 232 are each connected to the long sides 54 by a straight connecting section 234.

[0206] The circumference of the rib edge 174 corresponds to the circumference of the recess 152 of the seal 96. The acute angle 180 of the contact surface 178 is greater than an angle between a radially inner sealing surface 184 of the sealing section 146 of the seal 96 and the axis 22 when the seal 96 is relaxed. for example, in the unassembled state. The axial distance 182 between the rib edge 174 and the free edge 176 of the rib 164 corresponds approximately to an axial distance 186 in the seal 96 between the bottom of the recess 152 and the free end 148 of the sealing section 146.

[0207] The cyclone housing 20 is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 7.

[0208] The cyclone housing 20 comprises a mounting frame 194, a plurality of separation chambers 196 and a particle discharge device 198 and a total of four clamps 78.

[0209] The separation chambers 196 are located in a main part 200 of the cyclone housing 20. Each of the separation chambers 196 is assigned to one of the dip tubes 162 of the dip tube plate 18. The dip tubes 162 with the corresponding separation chamber 196 each form one of the cyclone separators 166. The separation chambers 196 each have an approximately circular-cylindrical shape. The axes of the separation chambers 196 run parallel to the axis 22. When the filter device 10 is mounted, the axes of the separation chambers 196 run coaxially with the axes of the corresponding dip tubes 162.

[0210] The particle discharge device 198 is arranged on a radially outer side of the main part 200. The separation chambers 196 are fluidly connected to the particle discharge device 198 in a manner not further relevant here. In this way, particles separated from the gaseous medium to be cleaned in the respective cyclone separator 166, for example, dust particles, can reach the particle discharge device 198.

[0211] The particle discharge device 198 has a discharge opening 202. The discharge opening 202 is closed during regular operation of the filter device 10. The discharge opening 202 can be opened to discharge particles collected in the particle discharge device 198. In the ready-to-use assembly orientation of the filter device 10, as shown, for example, in Figure 1, the particle discharge device 198 is located at the bottom of the cyclone housing 20. The discharge opening 202 is then directed downwards.

[0212] The mounting frame 194 is located on an axial end face of the main part 200. On the side of the main part 200 axially opposite the mounting frame 194, each of the separation chambers 196 has an inlet opening 204 for the gaseous medium to be purified. On the side axially facing the mounting frame 194, each of the separation chambers 196 has an opening for the corresponding dip tube 196.

[0213] The mounting frame 194 has an outer frame wall 206 which is connected to the main part 200 via a collar 208.

[0214] The frame outer wall 206 and the collar 208 extend circumferentially contiguously around the axis 22.

[0215] The collar 208 extends radially outward from the main part 200. The frame outer wall 206 extends axially from the collar 208 away from the main part 200.

[0216] In the region of its free edge axially facing away from the main part 200, the frame outer wall 206 has a guide bevel 210 on the radially inner circumferential side. In the region of the guide bevel 210, the radially inner circumference of the frame outer wall 206 increases in the axial direction away from the main part 200 toward the free edge.

[0217] The circumferential course of the frame outer wall 206 with respect to the axis 22 corresponds to the circumferential course of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12.

[0218] Viewed in the axial direction, the frame outer wall 206 has an elongated oval shape. The shape of the frame outer wall 206 corresponds to the shape of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12, the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92, the sealing section 146 of the seal 96, and the rib 164 of the immersion tube plate 18, viewed in the axial direction.

[0219] The frame outer wall 206 has a flat curved section 236 on the short side 56 and a circular curved section 238 on the opposite short side 56. The flat curved section 236 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved section 238. The flat curved section 236 and the circular curved section 238 are each connected to the long sides 54 by a straight connecting section (not shown).

[0220] The radially inner circumference of the frame outer wall 206 in the axial region between the guide bevel 210 and the main part 200 is slightly larger than the radially outer circumference of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12.

[0221] The radially outer side of the main part 200 has an elongated oval shape when viewed in the axial direction. The curved sections on the short sides 56 have the same radius of curvature. In this respect, the elongated oval shape of the main part 200 differs from the elongated oval shape of the frame outer wall 206. The radially outer circumference of the main part 200 approximately corresponds to the radially outer circumference of the skin wall section 46 of the housing pot 12.

[0222] Two of the clamping clamps 78 are located on the side of the flat-curved section 236, each in the area of ​​the transition to the corresponding straight connecting section. The other two clamping clamps 78 are located on the side of the circular-curved section 238, each in the area of ​​the transition to the corresponding straight connecting section.

[0223] The clamping clamps 78 each engage in the area of ​​the outer side of the collar 208 axially facing away from the frame outer wall 206. The clamping clamps 78 extend beyond the free edge of the frame outer wall 206. The clamping clamps 78 are, for example, spring clips.

[0224] A method for assembling the filter device 10 is described below.

[0225] First, the dip tube plate 18 is connected to the cyclone housing 20. For this purpose, the dip tube plate 18 is inserted axially into the mounting frame 194 with the dip tubes 162 leading. It may be necessary to rotate the dip tube plate 18 and the cyclone housing 20 relative to each other about the axis 22 such that the flat, curved section 236 of the frame outer wall 206 aligns with the flat, curved section 230 of the rib 164 on the one hand, and the circularly curved section of the mounting frame 194 and the circularly curved section 232 of the rib 164 on the other.

[0226] During assembly, the dip tubes 162 are each arranged in one of the separation chambers 196. Subsequently, the dip tube plate 18 is fixed to the cyclone housing 20, for example, with screws. During a later replacement of the main filter element 16 and / or the post-filter element 14 from the filter device 10, the dip tube plate 18 can remain on the cyclone housing 20. This allows the entire cyclone block 24 to be separated from the housing pot 12.

[0227] The post-filter element 14 is inserted into the housing pot 12 with its side axially facing away from the seal 88 in the axial direction through the service opening 34. It may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the post-filter element 14 relative to one another about the axis 22 such that the long sides 54 of the post-filter element 14 align with the long sides 54 of the housing pot 12 and the short sides 56 of the post-filter element 14 align with the short sides 56 of the housing pot 12. The post-filter element 14 is placed in the stepped section of the housing wall 30 axially adjacent to the housing base 32.

[0228] The main filter element 16 is then brought with its side axially facing away from the seal 96 first in the axial direction through the service opening 34 into the filter element interior 36 of the housing pot 12. For this purpose, it may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the main filter element 16 relative to one another with respect to the axis 22 such that the short side 56 of the main filter element 16 coincides with the flatly bent section 124 of the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 and the flatly bent section 154 of the seal 88 coincides with the short side 56 of the housing pot 12 with the flatly bent section 58 of the collar wall 44.

[0229] In this relative rotational position, the elevations 248A and 248c on the side of the housing pot 12 also coincide with the corresponding recesses 250A and 250c on the side of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16.

[0230] The main filter element 16 is pushed in the axial direction into the housing pot 12 until the support surfaces 122 of the skeleton 92 axially rest against the corresponding contact surfaces 50 of the collar 42.

[0231] In the assembled state, in which the main filter element 16 is arranged in the filter element receiving space 36 of the housing pot 12, the first elevation 248A on the first outer axial contact surface 50A of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing pot 12 engages in the corresponding first recess 250A of the first outer support section 120A of the main filter element 16. The second elevation 248c on the second outer axial contact surface 50c of the radially projecting collar 42 of the Housing pot 12 engages in the corresponding second recess 250c of the second outer support section 120c of the main filter element 16.

[0232] The arrangement of the elevations 248A and 248c on the outer axial contact surfaces 50A and 50c of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing pot 12 and the corresponding recesses 250A and 250c of the outer support sections 120A and 120c of the main filter element 16 is such that a clear installation position of the main filter element 16 in the housing pot 12 results.

[0233] The interaction of the elevations 248A and 248c and the corresponding recesses 250A and 250c prevents the main filter element 16 from being mounted in a different installation position. Furthermore, it prevents the installation of a filter element that does not have the required recesses 250A and 250c. This reduces the overall risk of incorrect installation, both with regard to the incorrect installation of the main filter element 16 and with regard to the installation of an incorrect, i.e., unsuitable, main filter element 16.

[0234] In addition, the radially outer surface 212 of the sealing section 146 is spaced radially from the inner surface 86 of the collar wall 44 of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. A radial gap, not shown in the figures, remains between the radially outer surface 212 of the seal 96 and the inner surface 86 of the collar 42. The radial gap extends circumferentially with respect to the axis 22 and in the axial direction over the entire axial extent of the inner surface 86. In the preliminary assembly state, the free end 148 of the sealing section 146 projects axially beyond the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12.

[0235] The cyclone block 24 is then placed, with the immersion tube plate 18 first, in the axial direction onto the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. In doing so, it may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the cyclone block 24 about the axis 22 such that the short side 56 of the collar wall 44 with the flat-bent section 58 coincides with the short side 56 of the outer frame wall 206 of the cyclone housing 20 with the flat-bent section 236 and, correspondingly, the short side 56 of the collar wall 44 with the circularly bent section 60 coincides with the short side 56 of the outer frame wall 206 with the circularly bent section 238.

[0236] During axial insertion, the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 is first guided along the radically inner side of the guide bevel 210 of the outer frame wall 206 of the cyclone housing 20 and thus centered within the mounting frame 94. Upon further insertion, the radially outer side of the ramp leg 172 of the rib 164 of the dip tube plate 18 slides along the radially inner sealing surface 184 of the seal 96. Because the frame leg 172 has a greater angle of inclination relative to the axis 22 than the radially inner sealing surface 184 of the seal 96, the rib 164 presses the sealing section 146 radially outward against the inner circumferential surface 86.

[0237] Upon further insertion, the rib edge 174 of the rib 164 plunges into the recess 152 of the seal 96. In addition, the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20 presses in the axial direction against the free end 148 of the sealing section 146. As a result, the sealing section 146 is compressed in the axial direction. and deformed. The material of the sealing section 146 deflects the axial compression in the radial direction. This creates an additional increase in the radially acting contact force with which the sealing section 146 is pressed against the inner surface 86 of the collar wall 44.

[0238] The free ends of the clamping clamps 78 are hooked behind the respective engagement sections 76, as shown in Figure 1. The clamping clamps 78 are then tightened. This presses the cyclone block 24 firmly in the axial direction against the collar 42. The axial movement is limited by the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12 being supported in the axial direction against the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20, as shown in Figures 2 and 7.

[0239] In the finished assembly position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7, the radially outer circumferential surface 212 of the seal 96 lies tightly in a contact section 218 against the inner circumferential surface 86 of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. The contact section 218 begins at an axial distance 220 from the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92, in particular from the respective contact surface 50, and extends in the axial direction to the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44. Between the frame element 100 and the beginning of the contact section 218, a residual gap 222 remains between the radially outer circumferential side of the sealing section 146 and the inner circumferential surface 86 of the collar wall 44. The residual gap 220 extends circumferentially contiguously and in the axial direction. The residual gap 222 has a wedge-shaped profile which decreases in the axial direction towards the contact section 218.

[0240] Each dip tube 162 has an outflow end 248 on its side facing the upstream side 226 of the filter element 16. The outflow end 248 is surrounded by a dip tube edge section 250. The dip tube edge sections 250 of adjacent dip tubes 162 merge into one another. The dip tube edge sections 250 are formed in the plate section 160 of the dip tube plate 18.

[0241] When the filter device 10 is mounted, as shown for example in Figure 7, the dip tube edge sections 250 are located at an axial distance 252 from the free end 148 of the circumferential seal 96 radially inside the sealing section 146.

[0242] The outflow ends 248 of the dip tubes 162 are located, viewed axially, beyond the upstream axial free end 148 of the circumferential seal 96. The dip tube edge sections 250 surrounding the outflow ends 248, and thus also the outflow ends 248 of the dip tubes 162, are viewed axially beyond the free end 148 of the circumferential seal 96 and thus behind the upstream end of the main filter element 16.

[0243] In the fully assembled state, a sealing chamber 224 is formed between the dip tube plate 18 and the housing pot 12, in which the sealing section 146 of the seal 96 and a part of the holding section 144 are arranged. The sealing chamber 224 is bounded radially inwardly by the rib 164 of the dip tube plate 18, radially outwardly by the inner circumferential surface 86 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12, and axially by the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20 connected to the dip tube plate 18.

[0244] For installation, for example, on a machine that requires the gaseous medium purified by the filter device 10, the filter device 10 is mounted with the short side 56, on which the particle discharge device 198 of the cyclone block 24 is arranged, facing downwards. The axis 22 is arranged essentially horizontally.

[0245] During operation of the filter device 10, the gaseous medium to be cleaned, for example, air, is drawn in through the inlet opening 204 of the cyclone separator 166. The flow of the gaseous medium within the filter device 10 is indicated in Figure 2 by curved arrows.

[0246] Coarse separation of particles takes place in the cyclone separators 166. The separated particles sink downwards under gravity to the particle discharge device 198, where they are collected. The discharge opening 202 of the particle discharge device 198 is opened as needed or during maintenance, and the particle discharge device 198 is emptied.

[0247] The pre-cleaned gaseous medium passes through the inlet openings 168 of the dip tubes 162 to the inflow side 226 of the main filter element 16. The inflow side 226 is located on the side of the main filter element 16 on which the seal 96 is also located.

[0248] The gaseous medium to be cleaned flows into the flow spaces 140 between the outer filter bellows 134 and the inner filter bellows 136. The gaseous medium is distributed circumferentially by flowing through the connecting openings 114. From the flow spaces 140, the gaseous medium to be cleaned flows through the outer filter bellows 134 from radially outward, is further cleaned by the bellows, and enters an annular space radially surrounding the main filter element 16. Functionally parallel, the gaseous medium to be cleaned flows through the inner filter bellows 136 from radially outward to inward, is further cleaned by the bellows, and enters the element interior 142.

[0249] The gaseous medium from the annular space cleaned in the second stage and the gaseous medium from the element interior 42 cleaned in the second stage reach the downstream side 228 of the main filter element 16. The downstream side 228 of the main filter element 16 is located on the side axially opposite the upstream side 226.

[0250] From the downstream side 128, the gaseous medium cleaned in the second stage flows through the post-filter element 14 and is further cleaned with it.

[0251] The gaseous medium, which has been cleaned in three stages, leaves the filter device 10 through the outlet opening 40 of the filter housing 26. From there, the cleaned gaseous medium is sucked in by corresponding components of the machine.

[0252] Figures 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of a filter device. Those elements which are similar to those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 are provided with the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the collar 42 of the housing pot 12, the frame element 100 of the skeleton 92, the seal 96, the rib 164 of the dip tube plate 18 and the fastening frame 194 of the cyclone housing 20 are circularly bent on both short sides 56.

[0253] Furthermore, the collar 42 of the housing cup 12 has only one circumferentially continuous contact surface 50. No ramp surfaces are provided on the long sides 54. The contact surface 50 extends at an axial height in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22.

[0254] Furthermore, the housing pot 12 has no grooves 70.

[0255] The frame element 100 of the skeleton 92 of the main filter element 16 has only a circumferentially continuous support section 120 with a circumferentially continuous support surface 122. The support surface 122 extends at an axial height in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22.

[0256] Two elevations 248E are arranged on the axial contact surface 50 in the one curved section 60 of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing pot 12. One elevation 248F is arranged in each of the straight connecting sections 62 of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing pot 12.

[0257] The two elevations 248E in the curved section 60 of the axial contact surface 50 of the housing pot 12 can be identical in their height, their extension in the circumferential direction and / or transversely to the circumferential direction.

[0258] Likewise, the two elevations 248F in the straight connecting sections 62 of the axial contact surface 50 of the housing pot 12 can be identical in their height, their extension in the circumferential direction and / or transversely to the circumferential direction.

[0259] The two elevations 248E in the curved section 60 of the axial contact surface 50 and the two elevations 248F in the straight connecting sections 62 of the axial contact surface 50 differ in particular in their extension in the circumferential direction and are thus different.

[0260] In the one curved section 126 of the support section 120 of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16, two recesses 250E are arranged, corresponding to the elevations 248E in the curved sections 60 of the radially projecting collar 42 of the housing pot 12. In the straight sections 128 of the support section 120 of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16, one recess 250F is arranged, corresponding to the elevations 248F in the straight connecting sections 62.

[0261] Recesses 250E and 250F are each formed as a closed pocket, similar to recesses 250A and 250C in the first embodiment. Recesses 250E and 250F each have a continuous boundary wall.

[0262] The two recesses 250E in the curved section 126 of the support section 120 of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16 are identical in their height, their extension in the circumferential direction and / or transverse to the circumferential direction.

[0263] Likewise, the two recesses 250F in the straight sections 128 of the support section 120 of the main filter element 16 are identical in their height, their extension in the circumferential direction and / or transverse to the circumferential direction.

[0264] The two recesses 250E in the curved section 126 of the support section 120 and the two recesses 250F in the straight sections 128 of the support section 120 differ in their extension in the circumferential direction and are therefore different.

[0265] The inner dimensions of the recesses 250E and 250F of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16 are as large as the outer dimensions of the elevations 248E and 248F of the housing pot 12 corresponding to the respective recesses 250E and 250F. The recesses 250E and 250F of the frame element 100 of the main filter element 16 and the corresponding elevations 248E and 248F of the housing pot 12 are complementary.

[0266] The support section 120 of the main filter element 16 with the recesses 250E and 250F have no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22.

[0267] In the assembled state, in which the main filter element 16 is mounted in the housing pot 12, elevations 248E and 248F and the corresponding recesses 250E and 250F are mirror-inverted with respect to an imaginary plane running perpendicular to the imaginary axis 22.

Claims

Claims 1. A filter device (10) for a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising a filter housing (26) with at least one inlet opening (168) for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least one outlet opening (40) for the purified gaseous medium, wherein in the filter housing (26) between the at least one inlet opening (168) and the at least one outlet opening (40), at least one filter element (16) having at least one filter medium body (90) is arranged such that it separates a raw side associated with the at least one inlet opening (168) from a clean side associated with the at least one outlet opening (40), wherein the filter housing (26) comprises a first housing part (12) on which the outlet opening (40) is arranged and which has at least one filter element receiving space (36) in which the at least one filter element (16) is arranged, and wherein the filter housing (26) comprises a second housing part (18),on which the at least one inlet opening (168) is arranged and which has at least parts (162) of at least one cyclone separator (166), wherein the second housing part (18) closes a service opening (34) of the first housing part (12) and the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (18) are detachably connected to one another and separable from one another in order to be able to remove the at least one filter element (16) through the service opening (34) of the first housing part (12), wherein the first housing part (12) has a radially projecting collar (42) which at least partially surrounds an imaginary axis (22) and which provides at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) with respect to the axis (22), on which at least one support section which projects radially beyond the filter medium body (90) with respect to the axis (22) and at least partially surrounds the axis (22) (120; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) of the filter element (16),and wherein on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) is arranged, which engages in at least one corresponding recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16), characterized in that an arrangement of the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) and the at least one corresponding recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16) is such that a clear installation position of the at least one filter element (16) in the first housing part (12) results.

2. Filter device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elevations (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) are arranged on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12), and / or a plurality of corresponding recesses (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) are arranged in the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the filter element (16).

3. Filter device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) with the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) has no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis (22), and / or the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) of the filter element (16) with the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) has no rotational symmetry with respect to the axis (22).

4. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein internal dimensions of the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one filter element (16) are at least as large as the external dimensions of the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) of the first housing part (12) corresponding to the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F), and / or the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one filter element (16) and the corresponding corresponding at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) of the first housing part (12) are complementary.

5. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the first housing part (12) at least two elevations (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) are arranged, which differ in their extent in the circumferential direction, in their height and / or in their extent transverse to the circumferential direction, in particular in the radial direction, and / or the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16) has at least two recesses (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) which differ in their extent in the circumferential direction, in their height and / or in their extent transverse to the circumferential direction, in particular in the radial direction, and / or on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the first housing part (12) at least two elevations (248A, 248c;248E, 248F) are arranged and the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16) has at least two recesses (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) corresponding to the elevations (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) and different in terms of their shape, dimensions and / or orientation. 6.Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter element (16) has, on an inflow side (226) facing the second housing part (18), a seal (96) encircling the imaginary axis (22), which seal has a sealing section (146) encircling the axis (22) and acting at least partially radially to the axis (22), wherein a radially outer circumferential side of the sealing section (146) with respect to the axis (22) sealingly bears against an inner circumferential surface (86) of the first housing part (12) which is radially inner with respect to the axis (22), wherein in particular a rib (164) protruding from the second housing part (18) at least with a directional component in the axial direction with respect to the axis (22) and at least partially encircling the axis (22) exerts a contact force on the encircling seal (96) in order to press the encircling sealing section (146), acting at least partially radially to the axis (22), against the inner circumferential surface (86) of the first housing part (12).

7. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter element (16) comprises at least one circumferential frame element (100) which is connected to the at least one filter medium body (90), wherein in particular a surface of the at least one frame element (100) extending at least partially around the circumference is exposed at least in sections, and wherein in particular at least one exposed section of the at least one frame element (100) at least co-forms the at least one radially projecting support section (120; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) of the at least one filter element (16), which is supported on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12).

8. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter element (16) has at least one circumferential seal (96) which is delimited at an axial end facing away from the second housing part (18) by at least one circumferential frame element (100).

9. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) is formed on a frame element (100) of the at least one filter element (16), and / or the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) has a continuous boundary wall, in particular wherein the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) is formed as a closed pocket.

10. Filter device according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one frame element (100) extends from the at least one exposed section at least partially in the axial direction in the direction of the inflow side (226) and / or radially inward, and / or the at least one frame element (100) is at least partially enclosed by material of the circumferential seal (96).

11. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a rib (164) projecting from the second housing part (18) supports an at least partially radially sealing circumferential sealing section (146) of the at least one filter element (16) on a radially inner circumferential side of the sealing section (146), in particular on a radially inner circumferential side of the sealing section (146) radially opposite the inner circumferential surface (86) of the first housing part (12).

12. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a rib (164) projecting from the second housing part (18) contacts a seal (96) of the at least one filter element (16) surrounding the axis (22) at a rib edge (174) axial with respect to the axis (22) and facing the second housing part (18) with a directional component of the contact pressure acting in the axial direction with respect to the axis (22).

13. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second housing part (18) has a projecting rib (164) and the at least one filter element (16) has a Seal (96) with at least one sealing section (146), wherein the rib (164) is at least partially ramp-shaped, and / or a contact surface (178) of the rib (164) facing the radially inner circumferential side of the at least partially radially sealingly acting circumferential sealing section (146) encloses an acute angle (180) with the axis (22).

14. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter element (16) has a seal (96) surrounding the axis (22) with at least one sealing section (146), wherein the at least partially radially sealingly acting circumferential sealing section (146) is offset radially outwards at least in sections with respect to an outer circumferential surface (242) of the filter medium body (90) which is radially outer with respect to the axis (22), and / or the at least partially radially sealingly acting circumferential sealing section (146) projects axially beyond the inflow side (226) of the filter medium body (90) at least in sections.

15. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter device (10) has a cyclone block (24) with a plurality of cyclone separators (166), wherein the cyclone block (24) comprises a dip tube plate (18) as the second housing part (18) of the filter housing (26), which dip tube plate has a plurality of dip tubes (162), and a circumferential rib (164) is formed on the dip tube plate (18), and / or the at least one inlet opening (168) is arranged on the at least one part of the at least one cyclone separator (166), in particular in a dip tube (162) of the at least one cyclone separator (166), and / or the second housing part (18) comprises parts of a cyclone block (24) which has a plurality of cyclone separators (166), and / or the second housing part (18) comprises a dip tube plate (18) with at least one dip tube (162) of a cyclone separator (166),and / or the second housing part (18) has a plurality of immersion tubes (162) of corresponding cyclone separators (166), and / or the second housing part (18) is arranged between the first housing part (12) and a cyclone housing of a cyclone block (24) to which the at least one cyclone separator (166) belongs., 16. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second housing part (18) has a projecting rib (164) and the at least one filter element (16) has a seal (96) surrounding the axis (22) with at least one sealing section (146), wherein an upstream axial end of the circumferential seal (96) viewed in the direction axially to the axis (22) projects beyond a free end of the rib (164) of the second housing part (18), and / or the rib (164) viewed in the direction axially to the axis (22) projects beyond a free end of the circumferential seal (96), in particular of the at least one sealing section (146), and / or the rib (164) dips into a recess (152) of the circumferential seal (96), which is open on its side axially facing the upstream side (226) with respect to the axis (22), the second housing part (18) has at least one dip tube (162) at least one cyclone separator (166),which on its side facing the inflow side (226) of the at least one filter element (16), th side has an outflow end (248) which is at least partially surrounded by a dip tube edge section (250), wherein the dip tube edge section (250) is located at an axial distance (252) from the free end (148) of the circumferential seal (96) radially inside the sealing section (146) when the filter device (10) is mounted.

17. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second housing part (18) has a projecting rib (164) and the at least one filter element (16) has a seal (96) surrounding the axis (22) and having at least one sealing section (146), wherein the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (18) form a sealing chamber (224) in which the at least partially radially effective circumferential sealing section (146) is received, wherein the sealing chamber (224) is delimited radially inwardly by the rib (164) of the second housing part (18), radially outwardly by the inner circumferential surface (86) of the first housing part (12) and axially by a collar (208) connected to the second housing part (18), in particular by a collar (208) of a further part (20) connected to the second housing part (18).

18. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second housing part (18) has a projecting rib (164) and the at least one filter element (16) has a seal (96) surrounding the axis (22) and having at least one sealing section (146), wherein in a state of the filter device (10) in which the at least one filter element (16) is arranged in the at least one filter element receiving space (36) and the second housing part (18) is detached from the first housing part (12), a radial gap is present between the inner circumferential surface (86) of the second housing part (18) and the radially outer circumferential side of the circumferential sealing section (146) which has an at least partially radial sealing effect.

19. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing part (12), in particular the radially projecting collar (42), has a collar wall (44) surrounding the axis (22), which surrounds the service opening (34) and which projects beyond the axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) of the radially projecting collar (42) on the side axially facing away from the filter element receiving space (36).

20. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter medium body (90) has a cross-sectional shape having at least two curved sides that are connected by two, in particular, straight sides, and / or the filter medium body (90) has a radially outer filter medium section (134) and a radially inner filter medium section (136), which are each circumferentially connected with respect to the axis (22), wherein the radially inner filter medium section is arranged within the radially outer filter medium section (134), and / or an outer shell of the filter medium body (90), in particular a radially outer filter medium section (134) of the filter medium body (90), has an elongated oval cross-section, and / or an inner shell of the filter medium body (90), in particular a radially inner filter medium section (136) of the filter medium body (90), has an elongated oval cross-section, and / or an outer shell of the filter medium body (90), in particular of a radially outer filter medium section (134) of the filter medium body (90), tapers, in particular conically, when viewed from the inflow side (226) in the direction of the axis (22), and / or an inner shell of the filter medium body (90), in particular of a radially inner filter medium section (136) of the filter medium body (90), tapers, in particular conically, when viewed from the outflow side (228) in the direction of the axis (22).

21. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one filter medium section of the filter medium body (90), in particular a radially outer filter medium section (134) of the filter medium body (90), can be flowed through from radially inside to radially outside, and / or at least one filter medium section of the filter medium body (90), in particular a radially inner filter medium section (136) of the filter medium body (90), can be flowed through from radially outside to radially inside.

22. Filter device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter medium body (90) comprises at least two filter bellows (134, 136), in particular an inner filter bellows (136) and an outer filter bellows (134), in particular at least two folded filter bellows (134, 136), which extend at least partially around the axis (22) and through which the gaseous medium to be cleaned can flow in parallel, and / or an inner filter bellows (136) of the at least one filter medium body (90) is arranged in an interior space enclosed by an outer filter bellows (134) of the at least one filter medium body (90), and / or the at least one filter medium body (90) has at least one filter bellows (134, 136), in particular an inner filter bellows (136) and / or an outer filter bellows (134), which has an inclination relative to the axis (22).

23. A filter element (16) for a filter device (10) for gaseous fluid, in particular air, in particular for an air filter device, in particular for a filter device according to one of claims 1 to 22, comprising at least one filter medium body (90), wherein the filter device (10) comprises a filter housing (26) with at least one inlet opening (168) and at least one outlet opening (40), wherein the filter element (16) can be received in the filter housing (26) between the at least one inlet opening (168) and the at least one outlet opening (40) in order to separate a raw side associated with the at least one inlet opening (168) from a clean side associated with the at least one outlet opening (40), and wherein the filter housing (26) comprises a first housing part (12) on which the at least one outlet opening (40) is present and which has a filter element receiving space (36) in which the filter element (16) can be arranged,and wherein the filter housing (26) comprises a second housing part (18) on which the at least one inlet opening (168) is present and which has at least parts (162) of at least one cyclone separator (166), wherein the first and the second housing part (18) are detachably connected to one another and separable from one another in order to be able to remove the filter element (16) through a service opening (34) of the first housing part (12), wherein the service opening (34) can be closed with the second housing part (18), and wherein the first housing part (12) has a radially projecting collar (42) which at least partially surrounds an imaginary axis (22) and which provides at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) with respect to the axis (22), on which at least one support section (120; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) of the filter element (16) can be supported, which support section projects radially beyond the filter medium body (90) with respect to the axis (22) and at least partially surrounds the axis (22), and wherein the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the filter element (16) has at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) into which at least one on the axial contact surface (50;50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12), characterized in that an arrangement of the at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one circumferential support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the filter element (16) is such that, in an assembled state in which it engages in the at least one corresponding elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12), a clear installation position of the filter element (16) in the first housing part (12) results.; 24. Use of a filter element (16), in particular a filter element (16) for gaseous medium, in particular an air filter element, comprising at least one filter medium body (90) in a filter device according to one of claims 1 to 22, in particular an air filter device, wherein the filter element (16) has at least one support section (120; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) which projects radially beyond the filter medium body (90) with respect to an imaginary axis (22) and at least partially surrounds the axis (22), which support section is supported on at least one contact surface (50; 50A, 50C, 50D) of a radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) which at least partially surrounds the axis (22), wherein the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the filter element (16) has at least one recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) into which at least one axial contact surface (50;50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12), characterized in that an arrangement of the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) and the at least one corresponding recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16) is such that a clear installation position of the at least one filter element (16) in the first housing part (12) results.

25. Method for assembling a filter device (10) for gaseous media, in particular a filter device according to one of claims 1 to 22, in which at least one filter element (16) having at least one filter medium body (90) is inserted through a service opening (34) into a filter element receiving space (36) of a first housing part (12), which has at least one outlet opening (40) for purified gaseous medium, of a filter housing (26) of the filter device (10), wherein the first housing part (12) has a radially projecting collar (42) which at least partially surrounds an imaginary housing axis (22) and which provides at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) with respect to the housing axis (22), on which contact surface at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) is arranged, and the at least one filter element (16) has at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) which projects radially beyond the at least one filter medium body (90) with respect to a filter element axis (22), at least partially surrounds the filter element axis (22) and has at least one recess (250A, 250C;250E, 250F), wherein upon insertion of the at least one filter element (16) through the service opening (34), the housing axis (22) and the filter element axis (22) are arranged in parallel and the at least one filter element (16) is aligned relative to the first housing part (12) with respect to the rotational orientation to at least one of the axes (22), which are the housing axis (22) and the filter element axis (22), such that the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) of the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) fits into the at least one corresponding recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the filter element (16) engages and the at least one circumferential support section (120; 120A, 120c, 120D) of the filter element (16) is located on the at least one axial contact surface (50;50A, 50C, 50D) of the projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12), and then the service opening (34) is closed with a second housing part (18) of the filter housing (26), which has at least one inlet opening (168) for gaseous medium to be cleaned and at least parts (162) of at least one cyclone separator (166), characterized in that by means of the arrangement of the at least one elevation (248A, 248C; 248E, 248F) on the at least one axial contact surface (50; 50A, 50C) of the radially projecting collar (42) of the first housing part (12) and the at least one corresponding recess (250A, 250C; 250E, 250F) of the at least one support section (120; 120A, 120C) of the at least one filter element (16), the at least one filter element (16) is arranged in a clear installation position in the first housing part (12);

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