Filter element with a handle element in a recess of a filter medium body and filter device with a filter element of this type

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element with a filter medium body which has a depression on one side through which a flow can pass, so that a recess is formed. A handle element is arranged in the depression or recess and extends over a central region of the depression or recess. In particular, the handle element can reach entirely through the depression or recess. The filter element has a peripheral seal on a side opposite the depression or recess. When the filter element is used, the seal is in sealing contact with a first housing part of a filter housing. The filter element can be supported on a second housing part of the filter housing via the handle element.

Description

Description Filter element with a grip element in a recess of a filter medium body and filter device with such a filter element

[0000] This patent application claims priority from German patent application No. 102023110307.5, filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office on April 24, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a filter element with a filter medium body which has an inflow side and an outflow side and can be flowed through in a height direction from the inflow side to the outflow side, wherein the filter medium body has at least one recess on the inflow side or outflow side, in the region of which the filter medium body has a reduced height, wherein a handle element is arranged in the recess, which is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body. State of the art

[0002] Such a filter element is known under the number P618478 of the Donaldson Company, Inc., see the "Product Specifications" overview sheet, downloaded on March 21, 2023 from https: / / shop.donaldson.com / store / cartridges / ProductDetails-DCI / ?_DARGS= / store / cartridges / ProductDetails-DCI / ProductDetails-DCI.jsp.1#. This filter element features grips located at the edges of a V-shaped recess surrounded by a circumferential seal. A single finger can be inserted into each grip.

[0003] US 2022 / 0088518 A1 discloses a filter element in which a seal protrudes beyond an end face of a filter medium body. Grips are provided above this end face and extend between opposite longitudinal sides of the seal.

[0004] WO 2017 / 192441 A1 describes a filter element with two filter bodies arranged in a V-shape and held by a frame. On the open side of the V-shaped filter element, webs of a first frame element extend between the two filter bodies.

[0005] Filter elements of the type mentioned above are used, for example, to filter combustion air for trucks or other heavy commercial vehicles. Due to their size and weight, the air filter elements are difficult to handle during replacement. To separate the dirty side from the clean side, the filter element must be sealed against a filter housing. Furthermore, with regard to filter performance, it is desirable to utilize the available installation space for filtration as much as possible.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an efficient and easy-to-handle filter element. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] This object is achieved by a filter element according to claim 1 and a filter device according to claim 12. Preferred embodiments are specified in the respective subclaims and the description.

[0008] According to the invention, a filter element is provided with a filter medium body that has an inflow side and an outflow side, and through which air can flow in a vertical direction from the inflow side to the outflow side. The filter element is, in particular, an air filter element.

[0009] The filter medium body has at least one recess on the upstream or downstream side, in the area of ​​which the filter medium body has a reduced height. In other words, the filter medium body is partially recessed in height on one of its sides. The recess can also be referred to as a depression. Apart from the recess, the filter element typically extends in one plane on the upstream or downstream side.

[0010] In the area of ​​the recess, the filter body generally has a height greater than zero. The smallest height of the filter medium body in the area of ​​the recess is typically at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, of the largest height of the filter medium body adjacent to the recess.

[0011] A handle element is arranged in the recess, which is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body. The handle element simplifies handling of the filter element, especially during its replacement. The handle element can, for example, be glued to the filter medium body or connected to it by means of a foam, particularly a polyurethane foam.

[0012] By arranging the grip element in the recess, the space required by the filter element for a given filter performance (e.g., with regard to maximum volume flow and / or maximum dust holding capacity) is reduced. Conversely, the filter performance can be increased within a given installation space.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, a circumferential seal is connected to the filter medium body on an upstream or downstream side facing away from the inflow side or downstream side with the recess. In other words, the seal is arranged on the side of the filter medium body facing away from the recess. During operation, the circumferential seal generally seals a raw side and a clean side of a filter device with the filter element from each other. The seal can be made of polyurethane, in particular polyurethane foam. The side of the filter medium body surrounded by the seal can extend in a single plane.

[0014] The invention further provides that the grip element spans at least a central region of the recess. In particular, the grip element can span at least a region that borders a center point of the recess with respect to a plane of the upstream or downstream side with the recess. This makes it easier to grasp the element, in particular with several fingers. In addition, the centrally arranged grip element can be designed with a certain length, which further facilitates grasping with one hand. The grip element is pre- Preferably spaced from the filter medium body along its entire length. It can then be gripped particularly comfortably and securely.

[0015] The arrangement of the seal on the side of the filter medium body facing away from the grip element or the recess has proven advantageous with regard to handling and sealing effect. With this arrangement, it is particularly easy to release the seal from its sealing seat on the filter housing by wiggling the grip element; this is facilitated by the ability to grasp the grip element, which extends centrally in the recess, with several fingers, especially an entire hand. Conversely, the seal can be inserted into its sealing seat by slightly moving the filter element back and forth using the grip element.

[0016] The central region spanned by the grip element generally borders on a center point of the recess on the upstream or downstream side or contains the center point. In particular, the grip element can span the center point of the recess or border it.

[0017] The grip element can span the recess substantially completely. In particular, the grip element can span at least 70% of the recess's extent measured along the grip element, preferably at least 85% of the recess's extent measured along the grip element. This allows for a particularly large, comfortable gripping element. Furthermore, this can simplify the attachment of the element to the filter medium body.

[0018] The recess can extend completely through the filter media body in a longitudinal direction. This simplifies the production of the filter media body, especially if the filter media body is formed with folded edges running in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The grip element can span the recess in the longitudinal direction substantially completely, in particular at least 70%, preferably at least 85%.

[0020] In a transverse direction, the highest-height regions of the filter media body can border the recess on both sides. These highest-height regions typically extend in a common plane. The common plane of the highest-height regions can run parallel to a plane of the opposite side of the filter media body with the seal.

[0021] The handle element can span the recess in the transverse direction substantially completely, in particular at least 70%, preferably at least 85%.

[0022] Particularly preferably, regions of the upstream or downstream side with the recess protrude vertically beyond the grip element. In other words, the grip element is completely accommodated in the recess. This allows for a particularly compact design of the filter element with optimal space utilization. The grip element does not protrude beyond the regions of the upstream or downstream side adjacent to the recess.

[0023] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the filter medium body is formed with a pleated filter medium and has different pleat heights. By varying the pleat height, the recess can be produced particularly efficiently. Furthermore, it is easily possible to vary the depth of the recess. This allows sufficient space to grip the gripping element while maintaining the largest possible flow-through area of ​​the filter medium.

[0024] Alternatively, the filter medium body can be formed with a compact filter medium with honeycombs open on one side. With such compact filter media, the air to be filtered enters a respective honeycomb at an open end on the raw side, flows through a wall of the honeycomb, retaining contaminants, and exits filtered from an open end on the clean side of the adjacent honeycomb. The filter medium body can, in particular, be formed with several flat, interconnected honeycombs. glued media packages of different heights, each with honeycombs open on one side.

[0025] The grip element can be connected directly to the filter medium body. For example, the grip element can be glued to the filter medium body or connected to it by means of a foam, in particular a polyurethane foam.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the handle element can be connected to the filter medium body via a support structure. The support structure can be formed with a plastic frame and / or a grid. Preferably, the support structure is integral with the handle element. The handle element and the support structure can be a single injection-molded part, in particular a plastic injection-molded part.

[0027] The support structure preferably has at least one retaining rib extending transversely to the handle element. The retaining rib or one of the retaining ribs can be arranged in a central region of the handle element. This effectively stiffens the handle element. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining rib or one of the retaining ribs can be arranged at one end of the handle element. This facilitates handling of the filter element using the handle element. At the same time, a secure attachment of the handle element is achieved.

[0028] A further circumferential seal can be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side with the recess, via which the grip element is connected to the filter medium body. In particular, the grip element can be embedded in the further seal directly or indirectly via a support structure. The further seal can be made of polyurethane, in particular polyurethane foam. During operation of the filter element, the further seal typically does not form a seal against a filter housing.

[0029] It can be provided that a circumferential jacket, in particular a cardboard jacket, extends in the vertical direction from the inflow side to the outflow side. Such a jacket ensures that the air to be filtered is only drawn into the air in the inflow side. enter the filter medium body and can only exit the filter medium body on the downstream side.

[0030] The casing can be embedded in the seal and the additional seal. The additional seal thus contributes to fluid flow on the one hand. On the other hand, the additional seal serves to attach the grip element to the filter medium body.

[0031] The present invention also includes a filter device comprising a filter element according to the invention as described above and a filter housing with a housing pot and a housing cover. The filter element can be arranged in the filter housing for operation of the filter device.

[0032] Preferably, the housing cover has a projection for engagement with the handle element. The filter element and the housing cover can be aligned relative to one another and / or supported against one another in this way.

[0033] The projection and the grip element can be coordinated in such a way that the projection resting on the grip element aligns the housing cover transversely to the vertical direction relative to the filter element. This allows for pre-centering of the housing cover during assembly. This facilitates, in particular, closing the housing cover. Furthermore, when fully assembled, the filter element is supported transversely to the vertical direction on the projection of the housing cover, thus reducing vibrations of the filter element.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the projection can be provided to fix the filter element vertically when installed, particularly with the filter element clamped between the projection of the housing cover and the housing pot. This allows the seal to be pressed against the housing pot. When the cover is closed, a reliable seal between the dirty side and the clean side is thus ensured.

[0035] The filter device can further comprise a cyclone block that extends into the recess. The cyclone block enables pre-filtration. In this embodiment, the recess is generally located on the upstream side. Both the cyclone block and the handle element are at least partially accommodated in the recess, resulting in a particularly space-saving filter device. Short description of the drawings

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, from the patent claims, and from the figures of the drawing, which illustrate details of the invention. The features mentioned above and those further described can be implemented individually or in combination in any suitable way in variants of the invention. The features shown in the drawing are presented in such a way that the special features of the invention can be clearly seen.

[0037] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a filter element according to the invention with a filter medium body made of zigzag-folded filter medium, which has a V-shaped recess running through in the direction of folded edges, in which a handle element is arranged, in a schematic perspective view; Fig. 2 shows the filter element of Figure 1 in a schematic cross-section; Fig. 3 shows a filter device according to the invention with the filter element of Fig. 1, in a schematic sectional view; Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a filter element according to the invention with a ribbed filter medium, in a schematic perspective view; Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a filter element according to the invention with a filter medium body made of zigzag-folded filter medium, which has a step-shaped recess in which a handle element is arranged, in a schematic perspective view; Fig. 6 shows a filter device according to the invention with the filter element of Fig. 5, in a schematic longitudinal section; Fig. 7 shows the filter device of Figure 6 in a schematic cross section; Fig. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a filter element according to the invention comprising three media packages bonded together in a schematic cross section. Embodiments of the invention

[0038] Figure 1 shows a filter element 10, which in this case is an air filter element. The filter element 10 comprises a filter medium body 12, which here consists of zigzag-folded filter paper. An inflow side 14 and an outflow side 16 are each defined by folded edges 18, 19, see also Figure 2. The folded edges 18, 19 extend along a longitudinal direction 20 (cf. Figure 1; in Figure 2 the longitudinal direction runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). The filter medium body 12 can be flowed through in a vertical direction 22 from the inflow side 14 to the outflow side 16. An outer circumference of the filter medium body 12 is sealed by a casing 24, which can be made of cardboard. On the inflow side 14, the filter medium body 12 is enclosed by a circumferential seal 26. On the downstream side 16, the filter medium body 12 is enclosed by a further circumferential seal 28.The seals 26, 28 connect the casing 24 to the filter medium body 12.

[0039] In a transverse direction 30, pleat heights 32 of the filter medium body 12 vary, so that the latter—here, for example, on the downstream side 16—has a recess 34. As can be seen in particular in Figure 1, the recess 34 is continuous in the longitudinal direction 20 along the folded edges 18, 19. In the transverse direction 30, on both sides of the recess 34, regions 36 of greatest height extend in a common plane on the downstream side 16. In the region of the recess 34, by contrast, the filter medium body 12 has a reduced (pleat) height 32 (see in particular Figure 2). The upstream-side folded edges 18 extend overall in a common plane, which runs parallel to the plane of the downstream-side regions 36 of greatest height (see in particular Figure 2).In another embodiment, not shown figuratively, the upstream folded edges 18 can extend overall in a common plane, which extends at an angle of inclination to the plane of the downstream regions 36 of greatest height.

[0040] The filter element 10 has a handle element 38 which is completely received in the recess 34. The handle element 38 spans a central area of ​​the recess 34, running at a distance from the downstream folded edges 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle element 38 extends in a longitudinal center plane parallel to the folded edges 18, 19. The handle element 38 extends completely through the recess 34 in the longitudinal direction 20 in the illustrated embodiment. The regions 36 of greatest height protrude beyond the handle element 38 in the vertical direction 22. The handle element 38 has an oval cross-section here, see Figure 2.

[0041] A support structure 40 is formed integrally with the handle element 38. The support structure 40 comprises three retaining ribs 42 extending transversely to the handle element 38. The retaining ribs 42 of the support structure 40 are each embedded in the further seal 28, so that the handle element 38 is permanently attached to the filter medium body 12. Two of the retaining ribs 42 are arranged at the ends of the handle element 38. One of the retaining ribs 42 is located in the center of the handle element 38.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a filter device 44 with the filter element 10. The filter element 10 is arranged in a filter housing 46, which is formed with a housing pot 48 and a housing cover 50. A raw air inlet 52 is formed in the housing pot 48; a clean air outlet 54 is formed in the housing cover 50. Air to be filtered is guided to the upstream side 14 via the raw air inlet 52. Filtered air is discharged from the downstream side 16 via the clean air outlet 54.

[0043] It should be noted that the flow through the filter medium body 12 and the filter housing 46 could also occur in the opposite direction; the recess would then be located on the upstream side. The raw air inlet and clean air outlet, as well as the upstream and downstream sides, would be interchanged accordingly (not shown in detail).

[0044] A projection 56 is formed on the housing cover 50, which in this case projects inward into the filter housing 46 in the area of ​​the clean air outlet 54. In the assembled state, the projection 56 rests on the handle element 38.

[0045] A free end 58 of the projection 56 is indented corresponding to the oval cross-section of the handle element 38. In the transverse direction 30, a shaped A seal is formed between the projection 56 and the grip element 38; the filter element 10 is aligned in the transverse direction 30 via the projection 56 on the housing cover 50. In this way, contact between the further seal 28 and the filter housing 46 can be avoided.

[0046] In the vertical direction 22, the projection 56 is dimensioned such that the seal 26 facing away from the recess 34 is pressed against a sealing seat 60 in the housing pot 48. The occurrence of a leakage flow past the filter element 10 is thus reliably prevented.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a filter element 62, which in essential aspects corresponds to the previously described filter element 10 (see Figures 1 to 3). The differences are primarily presented below. For the rest, reference is made to the above description.

[0048] The filter element 62 comprises a filter medium body 12 with a compact filter medium 64. The compact filter medium 64 has honeycombs 66 extending in the vertical direction 22. The honeycombs 66 are each closed on the inflow side 14 or the outflow side 16 in a manner not shown in detail, with adjacent honeycombs 66 being open or closed on different sides. Air to be filtered thus enters one of the honeycombs 66 at one end and exits an adjacent honeycomb 66 at the other end after passing through the compact filter medium 64 defining the honeycombs.

[0049] In the filter element 62, the entire downstream side 14 is recessed in a V-shape, forming a recess 34 as a V-shaped depression. The filter medium body 12 can be formed by two media packs 68 glued together in the longitudinal center plane. Lateral edges of the media packs 68 or of the filter medium body 12 protrude vertically beyond the grip element 38 received in the recess.

[0050] The filter element 62 can be used like the filter element 10 in the filter housing 46.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a filter element 70 whose filter medium body 12 consists of pleated filter paper. For the structure and function of the filter element 70, reference is made to the above description of the filter element 10. The differences are primarily described below.

[0052] A recess 34, here on the downstream side, has a rectangular cross-section. In other words, the filter medium body 12 of the filter element 70 is recessed in a stepped manner on its downstream side 16. The recess 38 extends in a longitudinal direction 20 along folded edges 19 through the filter medium body 12. Regions 36 of greatest height are formed on both sides of the recess 34 in the transverse direction 30.

[0053] A grip element 38 extends here in the transverse direction 30 across the entire width of the recess 34. The grip element 34 is arranged vertically below the raised areas (areas 36 of greatest height) of the downstream side 16. For fastening the grip element 38, two retaining ribs 42 of a support structure 40 are provided at the end thereof and integrally formed therewith, which engage in a downstream seal 28.

[0054] Figures 6 and 7 show that the filter element 70—similar to the filter element 10—can be accommodated in a filter housing 46 comprising a housing cup 48 and a housing cover 50. To align and secure the filter element 70 in the filter housing 46, a projection 56 rests on the grip element 38, with the projection 56 and the grip element 38 being correspondingly shaped in the contact area. The filter element 70 is thus positively supported on the housing cover 50 in the longitudinal direction 20 by means of the projection 56 (see Figure 6). In the vertical direction 22, the projection 56 presses the filter element 70 (as in the filter element 10) into a sealing seat 60 of the housing cup 48.

[0055] Figure 8 shows a filter element 72 which corresponds in shape to the filter element 70 (see Figure 5) and how this is used in a filter device 44 In this respect, reference is made to the above description and Figures 6 and 7.

[0056] In the filter element 72, as in the filter element 62 (see Figure 4 and the associated description), a filter medium body 12 is formed with a compact filter medium 64. In the present case, three media packs 68a, 68b, 68c are glued together, with the two outer media packs 68a, 68c in the transverse direction 30 having a greater height than the middle media pack 68b. Therefore, in the region of the middle media pack 68b, a recess 34 is formed on the downstream side, through which a gripping element 38 extends completely. The gripping element 38 is arranged below regions 36 of greatest height formed on the two media packs 68a, 68c.

[0057] In summary, the invention relates to a filter element with a filter medium body which has a depression on a side through which flow can occur, so that a recess is formed. A handle element is arranged in the depression or recess and extends over a central region of the depression or recess. In particular, the handle element can completely penetrate the depression or recess. On a side opposite the depression or recess, the filter element has a circumferential seal. When the filter element is in use, the seal lies in sealing contact with a first housing part of a filter housing. The filter element can be supported on a second housing part of the filter housing via the handle element. List of reference symbols Filter element 10; 62; 70; 72 Filter medium body 12 Inflow side 14 Downstream side 16 Folded edges 18, 19 Longitudinal direction 20 Altitude direction 22 Coat 24 Seal 26 further seal 28 Transverse direction 30 Pleat heights 32 Recess 34 Areas 36 of greatest height Handle element 38 Support structure 40 Holding ribs 42 Filter device 44 Filter housing 46 Housing pot 48 Housing cover 50 Raw air intake 52 Clean air outlet 54 Lead 56 free end 58 Sealing seat 60 Compact filter medium 64 Honeycomb 66 Media packages 68; 68a, 68b, 68c

Claims

Claims 1. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72), in particular an air filter element, with a filter medium body (12) which has an inflow side (14) and an outflow side (16), and through which air can flow in a height direction from the inflow side (14) to the outflow side (16), wherein the filter medium body (12) has at least one recess (34) on the inflow side (14) or outflow side (16), in the region of which the filter medium body (12) has a reduced height, wherein a grip element (38) is arranged in the recess (34) and is directly or indirectly connected to the filter medium body (12), characterized in that a circumferential seal (26) is connected to the filter medium body (12) on an outflow side (16) or inflow side (14) facing away from the inflow side (14) or outflow side (16) with the recess (34). and that the grip element (38) spans at least a central region of the recess (34).

2. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to claim 1, wherein the grip element (38) spans the recess (34) substantially completely, in particular wherein the grip element (38) spans at least 70% of an extent of the recess (34) measured along the grip element (38), preferably at least 85% of the extent of the recess (34) measured along the grip element (38).

3. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (34) extends completely through the filter medium body (12) in a longitudinal direction (20).

4. Filter element (10; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a transverse direction (30) on both sides regions (36) of greatest height of the filter medium body (12) adjoin the recess (34).

5. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein regions of the inflow side (14) or outflow side (16) with the recess (34) protrude in the vertical direction (22) beyond the handle element (38).

6. Filter element (10; 70) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filter medium body (12) is formed with a folded filter medium and has different pleat heights (32).

7. Filter element (62; 72) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filter medium body (12) is formed with a compact filter medium (64) with honeycombs (66) open on one side.

8. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (38) is connected to the filter medium body (12) via a support structure (40).

9. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to claim 8, wherein the support structure (40) has a holding rib (42) extending transversely to the handle element (38).

10. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the inflow side (14) or the outflow side (16) with the recess (34) a further circumferential seal (28) is provided, via which the grip element (38) is connected to the filter medium body (12).

11. Filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a circumferential jacket (24), in particular a cardboard jacket, extends in the height direction (22) from the inflow side (14) to the outflow side (16).

12. Filter device (44) comprising a filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) according to one of the preceding claims and a filter housing (46) with a housing pot (48) and a housing cover (50).

13. Filter device (44) according to claim 12, wherein the housing cover (50) has a projection (56) for engagement with the handle element (38).

14. Filter device (44) according to claim 13, wherein the projection (56) resting on the handle element (38) effects an alignment of the housing cover (50) transversely to the height direction (22) relative to the filter element (10; 62; 70; 72).

15. Filter device (44) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein in the assembled state the projection (56) fixes the filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) in the height direction (22), in particular wherein the filter element (10; 62; 70; 72) is clamped between the projection (56) of the housing cover (50) and the housing pot (48).

16. Filter device (44) according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the filter device (44) further comprises a cyclone block which projects into the recess (34).

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