Filter and filter arrangement

Abstract

To provide a filter that is improved in handleability and can be manufactured at a low cost.SOLUTION: There is provided a filter 1, including a pleated filter medium 2, an edge strip 3, and at least one retaining element 4. The edge strip 3 is fastened on one side of the filter medium 2. The retaining element 4 is assigned to the edge strip 3. In the filter 1, the edge strip 3 and the retaining element 4 form a locking structure 5 for fixing the filter 1 in a filter housing. The present invention further provides a filter arrangement including the filter housing and the filter 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter comprising a pleated filter material, an edge strip and at least one retaining element, the edge strip being secured to one side of the filter material.The present invention further relates to a filter device comprising a filter housing and a filter.

[0002] Filters for filtering fluids are generally known from the prior art. In particular for air filtration for vehicle cabins, filters with pleated filter material are used. Here, the filter material may have different layers, the configuration and properties of which determine the degree of separation of the filter and can be adapted to the respective purpose of use. Most often, it is necessary to replace the filter after a predefined time of use or if the filter material is heavily contaminated. For this purpose, the filter is designed, for example, in such a way that it can be arranged replaceably in a filter housing. [Background technology]

[0003] DE 20221005 shows an air filter with a filter element and an air filter housing with an air filter opening that can be closed by means of a cover, the air filter including a seal for sealing between the air filter housing and the cover.

[0004] Description of the invention The problem underlying the present invention is to provide a filter that is inexpensive to manufacture while improving handling.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0006] The filter of the present invention includes a pleated filter material, an edge strip, and at least one retaining element, the edge strip attached to one side of the filter material, the retaining element associated with the edge strip, and the edge strip and the retaining element forming a closure structure for securing the filter to a filter housing.

[0007] The holding element may have a holding structure, which may include a locking lug and a gripping portion. The locking lug may be configured as a locking tongue, by means of which the holding element can be fixed in a form-locking manner on the filter housing. In this connection, it is also conceivable that the locking lug is configured as a snap lock or a locking nose. This allows a releasable connection between the filter and the filter housing to be improved in order to improve the exchangeability of the filter. By means of the gripping portion, the connection between the filter and the filter housing can be formed and undone without tools, which improves handling during assembly. The configuration of the holding element with the locking portion and the gripping portion allows the filter to be removed from the filter housing easily, quickly and without tools. In particular, it is not necessary to fix the filter in the filter housing by separate fastening means, such as a cover. For disassembly, the holding element can be gripped at the gripping portion and the locking means, such as the locking lug or the locking nose, can be bent in such a way that they are detached from the fastening part of the filter housing, whereby the filter can be removed.

[0008] The retaining element may have a plate-like base body with two main surfaces, the retaining structure being associated with a first main surface facing away from the edge strip. The retaining element may be arranged on the edge strip with a second main surface facing towards the edge strip. The base body may then be arranged on a narrow side of the edge strip. The base body may in particular be arranged flush with one of the narrow sides of the edge strip. The edge strip may have an outer surface facing away from the filter material, the retaining element being arranged on the outer side of the edge strip.

[0009] The filter material may be configured in a zigzag manner and may have pleat walls and pleat backs configured in an elongated manner, which increases the filtering surface area of ​​the filter material. The filter material may be arranged on the edge strips such that the pleat walls and pleat backs protrude from the edge strips substantially perpendicularly.

[0010] The filter may include a seal for sealing the filter and the filter housing, the seal being constituted by an edge strip. The filter housing has a receiving space with a receiving opening, and the filter material is pushed into the receiving space via the receiving opening. In this case, a circumferential gap is generated between the filter material and the filter housing. The edge of the edge strip is configured to abut against the filter housing in the assembled state, so that the gap is covered and thus the sealing is improved. Therefore, no special seal is required to seal the gap, so that the number of components required can be reduced, which leads to inexpensive production.

[0011] The edge strips can have at least on their longitudinal sides a respective free end that protrudes beyond the filter material and constitutes a seal. The free end can close the gap between the filter material and the filter housing so that the sealing is improved. The free end can be elastically designed, so that it is deformed and compressed when the filter is inserted into the filter housing. This makes it possible to compensate for unevenness in the gap, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, and to further improve the sealing. The edge strips can have at their narrow sides a respective free end that protrudes beyond the filter material and constitutes a seal. A circumferential seal is thus formed. An improved sealing can also be achieved at the narrow sides via holding elements arranged there, which also constitute a seal.

[0012] The retaining element and / or the edge strip may consist of a nonwoven fabric, which is inexpensive to produce and has very good filtration properties.

[0013] The material of the edge strip is 140 g / m 2 The material of the edge strip may have a weight per unit area greater than 800 g / m 2 It may have a smaller weight per unit area.

[0014] The material of the retaining element is 400 g / m 2 It may have a weight per unit area greater than 500 g / m. 2 The material of the retaining element is 800 g / m 2 It may have a smaller weight per unit area. This weight per unit area is preferably less than 700 g / m 2 In one particularly preferred embodiment, the material of the retaining element has a weight of about 580 g / m 2 The surface area of ​​the substrate may be 100 mm or less.

[0015] The retaining element and the edge strip may be integral and made of a single material. This arrangement allows for a further reduction in the number of components and therefore for further improved handling during assembly and disassembly. The single material also allows for improved recyclability, since the filter can be manufactured as a homogenous component. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can be simplified, since no assembly step is required to connect the retaining element and the edge strip.

[0016] The retaining element may be made of an injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip may be made of a nonwoven fabric, the retaining element and the edge strip being connected together. The retaining element is configured as a molded part. The retaining element is preferably made of a thermoplastic. The connection between the retaining element and the edge strip can be obtained by a material-bonding connection. The connection is preferably formed by ultrasonic welding or gluing.

[0017] The filter may have at least one retaining element, which improves the handling of the filter and improves the assembly and removal of the filter from the filter housing. According to a first advantageous embodiment, two retaining elements are provided, which may be arranged on opposite sides of the edge strip, respectively, on the two narrow sides of the edge strip. According to another advantageous embodiment, two retaining elements are provided, which are arranged in the middle of the two longitudinal sides. It is also conceivable to provide only one retaining element that protrudes beyond the two longitudinal sides. The number and arrangement of the retaining elements can thus be varied and can in particular be adapted to the available installation space. Correspondingly, the retaining elements can also be arranged in other regions of the end face of the filter.

[0018] The arrangement of the two retaining elements is preferably limited to the direct area of ​​the two narrow sides of the edge strip. The two retaining elements extend in the longitudinal direction of the edge strip preferably over less than 20% of the length of the edge strip in each case. As a result, the two retaining elements are arranged only in the end regions of the edge strip, so that in the central region of the edge strip no retaining elements are arranged between the end regions. As a result, the retaining elements are dimensioned relatively small, so that less material is required for their production, which allows for cheaper production.

[0019] The filter may be configured as a cabin filter for automotive applications, where one application is specifically for filtering the vehicle cabin in an automobile.

[0020] The filter device according to the present invention includes a filter housing and a filter according to the present invention, the filter housing having an accommodating space and an accommodating opening, the filter housing having a further closure structure which is associated with the accommodating opening and is configured complementarily to the closure structure of the filter, such that the accommodating opening can be closed using the closure structure of the filter.

[0021] The closure structure of the filter housing includes at least one further retaining element, so that the retaining element of the filter can be fixed to the retaining element of the filter housing, thereby connecting the filter and the filter housing. The retaining element of the filter housing preferably has a shape complementary to the retaining element of the filter, so that the retaining element can be connected with a form-fit. It is also conceivable that the retaining element can be connected with a force fit. In this way, the filter and the filter housing can be connected releasably, which improves handling.

[0022] In the following, an embodiment of the filter according to the invention and a filter device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which respectively show diagrammatically: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a filter. [Diagram 2] 2 is another perspective view of the filter of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing a retaining element of the filter of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the filter. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a filter device including the filter of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a filter device including the filter of FIG. 2. FIG.

[0024] Implementation of the invention A first embodiment of a filter 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. A second embodiment of a filter 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 4. First, common points between the two filters 1 will be summarized.

[0025] Filter 1 is configured as a cabin filter for automotive applications, particularly for filtering the interior air of an automobile.

[0026] The filter 1 shown in the figure comprises a pleated filter material 2, an edge strip 3 and two retaining elements 4. The two retaining elements 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the edge strip 3 at two narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The edge strip 3 is attached to one side of the filter material 2. The retaining elements 4 are associated with the edge strip 3. The edge strip 3 and the retaining elements 4 form a closure structure 5 for fixing the filter 1 in a filter housing, which is not shown in this figure for the sake of clarity.

[0027] The holding elements 4 each have a holding structure 12, which includes a locking lug 13 and a gripping portion 14. The holding structure 12 can be seen particularly well in FIG. 3. The locking lug 13 is configured as a locking tongue, with which the respective holding element 4 can be fixed in a form-locking manner to the filter housing. In this connection, it is also conceivable that the locking lug 13 is configured as a snap lock or a locking nose, which allows a releasable connection between the filter 1 and the filter housing. Thanks to the gripping portion 14, the connection between the filter 1 and the filter housing can be formed and removed manually and without tools.

[0028] The filter material 2 has a zigzag configuration with elongated pleat walls 15 and pleat backs 16, which increases the filtering surface area of ​​the filter material 2 and improves the filtering effect. The filter material 2 is arranged on the edge strips 3 such that the pleat walls 15 and pleat backs 16 protrude from the edge strips 3 substantially perpendicularly.

[0029] The filter 1 comprises a seal 7 for sealing the filter 1 and the filter housing, the seal 7 being constituted by an edge strip 3. For this purpose, the edge strip 3 has, on its longitudinal side 8 and on its narrow side 11, a free end 9 in each case which protrudes beyond the filter material 2 and constitutes the seal 7. The free end 9 can be seen in particular in FIG. 1. The free end 9 can close the gap between the filter material 2 and the filter housing so that the sealing is improved. The free end 9 is constituted elastically.

[0030] 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a filter 1 according to the invention, in which the holding element 4 is made of an injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip 3 is made of a nonwoven fabric. The holding element 4 is connected to the edge strip 3. The holding element 4 is configured as a molded part made of thermoplastic. The holding element 4 and the edge strip 3 are connected by a material bond. The bond is preferably formed by ultrasonic welding or gluing.

[0031] The retaining element 4 has a plate-like base 17 with two main sides, the retaining structure 12 being associated with a first main side facing away from the edge strip 3. The retaining element 4 is arranged on the edge strip 3 with its second main side facing towards the edge strip 3. The base 17 is here arranged on one of the narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The base 17 is arranged flush with one of the narrow sides 11 of the edge strip 3. The edge strip 3 comprises an outer surface 19 facing away from the filter material 2, the retaining element 4 being arranged on the outer surface 19 of the edge strip.

[0032] The arrangement of the two retaining elements 4 is limited to the direct end regions 20 of the two narrow faces 11 of the edge strip 3. The two retaining elements 4 extend in the longitudinal direction of the edge strip 3 by less than 10% of the length of the edge strip 3 in each case. As a result, the two retaining elements 4 are arranged only in the end regions 20 of the edge strip 3, so that in the central region 21 of the edge strip 3, no retaining elements 4 are arranged between the end regions 20.

[0033] 4 shows a second embodiment of the filter 1 according to the invention, in which the retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 are integral and made of a single material. The retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 are made of a nonwoven fabric. The material of the retaining element 4 and the edge strip 3 has a weight of about 580 g / m 2 In this embodiment, the retaining structure 12 of the retaining element 4 is directly integrated into the edge strip 3.

[0034] In Fig. 5, a first embodiment of a filter device 22 is shown. The filter device 22 includes a filter housing 6 and a filter 1, in this embodiment the filter 1 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 6, a second embodiment of a filter device 22 is shown. The filter device 22 includes a filter housing 6 and a filter 1, in this embodiment the filter 1 of Fig. 4. The filter housings 6 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 will be described together below. The respective filters 1 have been described above in the description of Figs. 1-3 and 4.

[0035] The filter housing 6 has a receiving space and a receiving opening and further has a further closure structure 10 which is associated with the receiving opening and is configured complementary to the closure structure 5 of the filter 1 so that the receiving opening can be closed by means of the closure structure 5 of the filter 1.

[0036] The closure structure 10 of the filter housing 6 includes two further retaining elements 23, so that the retaining element 4 of the filter 1 is fixed to the retaining element 23 of the filter housing 6, thereby connecting the filter 1 and the filter housing 6. The retaining element 23 of the filter housing 6 has a complementary shape to the retaining element 4 of the filter 1, so that the retaining elements 4, 23 can be connected in a form-fitting manner.

Claims

1. A filter (1) comprising a pleated filter material (2), an edge strip (3) and at least one retention element (4), the edge strip (3) being attached to one side of the filter material (2) and the retention element (4) being associated with the edge strip (3), A filter (1), characterized in that said edge strip (3) and said retaining element (4) constitute a closure structure (5) for fixing said filter (1) in a filter housing (6).

2. 2. The filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (4) has a holding structure (12) including locking lugs (13) and gripping portions (14).

3. 3. The filter according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking lugs (13) are configured as locking tongues, whereby the holding element (4) can be fixed in a form-locking manner to the filter housing (6) by means of the locking tongues.

4. 4. The filter according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection between the filter (1) and the filter housing (6) is effected without tools.

5. 5. The filter according to claim 1, further comprising a seal for sealing the filter to a filter housing, the seal being constituted by the edge strip.

6. 6. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the edge strip (3) has at least on its longitudinal face (8) a respective free end (9) which projects beyond the filter material (2) and constitutes the seal (7).

7. 7. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (4) and / or the edge strip (3) are made of a nonwoven fabric.

8. The material of the retaining element (4) is 400 g / m ２ 8. The filter of claim 7, having a greater weight per unit area.

9. The material of the edge strip (3) is 140 g / m ２ 9. A filter according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it has a higher weight per unit area.

10. 10. The filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element (4) and the edge strip (3) are integral and consist of a single material.

11. 10. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the holding element (4) is made of injection-moldable plastic and the edge strip (3) is made of nonwoven fabric, and the holding element (4) and the edge strip (3) are connected.

12. The filter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter (1) has two retaining elements (4).

13. The filter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter (1) is configured as a cabin filter for automotive applications.

14. 11. A filter device comprising a filter housing (6) and a filter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the filter housing (6) has an accommodating space and an accommodating opening, the filter housing (6) has a further closure structure (10) which is associated with the accommodating opening and is configured complementary to the closure structure (5) of the filter (1), whereby the accommodating opening can be closed by means of the closure structure (5) of the filter (1).

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