Filter Elements and Assemblies

Abstract

A filter cartridge having a filtration media arrangement (or media pack) extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge, and a first end cap disposed at the first end of the filtration media and further defining the interior volume, the first end cap including a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, the end cap adapted to permit displacement of the displaceable portion along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position upon deformation of the deformable portion, the displaceable portion including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first member of a projection / receptacle arrangement disposed on the inner surface. Also, a related filter assembly.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to fluid filter cartridges, or elements, and related filter assemblies, such as air filter elements.

[0002] This application is filed as a PCT international application on July 25, 2023, and claims the benefit of and priority to European Patent Application EP22186803.7, filed July 25, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Air cleaners are used to filter the combustion intake air of internal combustion engines in a variety of vehicles and other equipment, such as trucks, buses, off-road construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and generator sets. Typically, such air cleaners include a housing in which a removable and replaceable main filter cartridge is disposed. Typically, the housing includes a service access cover that provides selective access for maintenance to the filter cartridge housed therein.

[0004] Some challenges with air cleaner designs with serviceable filter cartridges include, for example, ensuring proper installation and sealing, obtaining proper support for the filter cartridge within the air cleaner, ensuring protection of the air cleaner housing against improper installation of the filter cartridge, ensuring protection of the air cleaner housing against installation of an improper filter cartridge, providing convenient installation and removal, and being robust and compact.

[0005] The filter cartridge typically includes a seal adapted to seal against the interior surface of the housing when installed, thereby defining clean and dirty air portions within the interior volume of the filter housing.

[0006] In some prior art air cleaner assemblies, the filter cartridge must be prevented from rotating about its longitudinal axis during installation to prevent it from coming loose and / or damaging the sealing connection of the seal.

[0007] International Publication WO2009014988A1 discloses an air cleaner that includes a central support structure or tower that supports a filter cartridge within a filter housing. The distal end face of the support structure includes a serpentine wall. The end caps of the associated filter element include a complementary serpentine wall structure. When the filter cartridge is supported by the support structure, interaction between the respective serpentine structures causes rotational fixation of the filter cartridge relative to the support structure and the filter housing.

[0008] This improvement is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a filter cartridge and related filter assembly according to claim 1.

[0010] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a filter cartridge or element is disclosed, preferably for use with an air cleaner assembly, the filter cartridge comprising: a) a filtration media configuration (or filtration media pack) extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge; b) a first end cap disposed at a first end of the filtration medium and further defining an interior volume, the first end cap including a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, the first end cap adapted to permit displacement of the displaceable portion along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position upon deformation of the deformable portion; The displaceable portion includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first member of a projection / receiver arrangement disposed on the inner surface.

[0011] An advantage of the disclosed filter cartridge is that after the filter cartridge is inserted into the housing, the filter cartridge is locked against rotation about its longitudinal axis within the housing. This prevents the filter cartridge, e.g., the sealing element of the filter cartridge, from moving out of position within the housing during use, for example, when subjected to vibration. This is particularly interesting when the filter cartridge is locked to the housing at its second end by a locking mechanism based on rotation of the filter cartridge about its longitudinal axis.

[0012] A further advantage is that less material may be required for the housing of a filter assembly including the disclosed filter element. In particular, the tower or central element support structure may have a shorter length compared to certain technical solutions that necessarily require the tower to extend all the way to the (inner surface) of the non-deformable first end cap of the filter element to provide support and / or rotation locking.

[0013] Furthermore, if not properly installed, the filter element may have a relatively large internal volume or a relatively large internal length. When the first end cap cooperates with the cover of a suitable housing, the housing cover cannot be closed. Such housings will be described further below. Therefore, for suitable housings, the maintenance personnel cannot forget to turn the lock.

[0014] Additionally, the use of the disclosed filter cartridge in a filter assembly provides the advantage of suggesting to the user to replace the correct filter cartridge since the rotation locking mechanism is not available on standard incorrect filter elements.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is adapted to allow a displacement of the displaceable portion of more than 0.5 cm, more than 1 cm, more than 2 cm, more than 3 cm, more than 4 cm, more than 5 cm, preferably more than 6 cm, more than 7 cm, more than 8 cm, more than 9 cm, more than 10 cm, or more than 15 cm, more than 20 cm.

[0016] According to preferred embodiments, the deformable portion is adapted to allow a displacement of the displaceable portion of less than 25 cm, or less than 20 cm, or less than 15 cm, or less than 10 cm.

[0017] According to preferred embodiments, the deformable portion is adapted to allow displacement of the displaceable portion along the axis of the filter cartridge or filtration media arrangement of more than 2.5%, more than 5%, more than 10%, more than 15%, or more than 20% of the length of the filter cartridge, or the length of the filtration media arrangement or filtration media, respectively.

[0018] According to preferred embodiments, the deformable portion is adapted to allow displacement of the deformable portion along the axis of the filter cartridge or filtration media arrangement by less than 20%, or less than 15%, or less than 10% of the length of the filter cartridge, or the length of the filtration media arrangement or filtration medium, respectively.

[0019] Limiting the absolute or relative displacement of the displaceable portions can be advantageous to reduce restriction of airflow through the filter element.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformation of the deformable portion corresponding to the displacement of the displaceable portion is such that for any position between the first and second positions, there is a positive (towards the second position) or negative (towards the first position) bias in the deformable portion. In other words, for any position between the first and second positions, the deformable portion will deform automatically without any external influence. In further words, the deformable portion is in a stable position in both the first and second positions, and is in an unstable position for any position between the first and second positions. According to a preferred embodiment, the bias direction of the deformable portion is constant. According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the bias direction of the deformable portion changes at intermediate positions between the first and second positions of the displaceable portion.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is partially or fully stretchable.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the first end cap is a closed end cap. Alternatively, the first end cap has at least one opening and is therefore an open end cap.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge includes a second end cap at a second end of the filter cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first end cap may be closed while the second end cap is open, or the first and second end caps may be open.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the open end cap, preferably the second end cap, includes a seal or sealing element suitable for axial or radial sealing. For example, it may include a polyurethane (PU) seal or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) seal configured and adapted to seal the inlet or outlet opening of the filter element to the filter housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the seal or sealing element may be adapted and configured for axial sealing, or for radially inward or radially outward sealing.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the seal or sealing element, like the corresponding sealing surface of the filter housing, has N-fold rotational symmetry about an axis (mapping only onto itself for any rotation of 360 / N°, where N is an integer), or no rotational symmetry (N=1).

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the second end cap includes means for locking the filter element relative to the housing, for example relative to the housing outlet, the locking means being suitable for locking by rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusion / receptor arrangement is of a type that prevents relative rotational movement between the protrusion and the receiver. Preferably, the first member includes a protruding structure. Alternatively, the first member includes a recessed structure.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the first member includes or consists of fins or ribs or other key structures, or recesses that receive the respective fins or ribs or other key structures. For example, the first member may include a structure with N-fold rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis (N is an integer including N=1), such as a structure with a cross section that is a regular star-shaped polygon, a cross-shaped, a gear-shaped, a regular polygon (e.g., a hexagonal), or a flower-shaped, or a recess adapted to receive such a structure. N may, for example, define the amount of angular positions that the filter element can be positioned in the corresponding housing.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the first member may include different cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for different axial positions. For example, at a first axial height of the first member (over a first axial portion, e.g., toward the inner surface of the displaceable portion of the end cap), the cross section may be one of the above, e.g., a regular polygon (e.g., hexagon), while at another axial height of the first member (over a second axial portion, e.g., toward the outer portion of the displaceable portion), the cross section may be circular.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the relative angular position between the first member of the projection / receptor arrangement and the seal or sealing element having no or N-fold rotational symmetry is predetermined. For example, the first member of the projection / receptor arrangement may have N-fold rotational symmetry (including no rotational symmetry (N=1)) about an axis, while the seal or sealing element has N-fold rotational symmetry (mapping only onto itself for any rotation of 360 / N°, where N is an integer, or no rotational symmetry (N=1)) about the same axis. Their relative angular position is preferably fixed. Their relative angular position can be such that, once the seal is received by a corresponding sealing surface in the housing, moving the displaceable portion along the longitudinal axis between the first and second axial positions places the first member of the projection / receptor arrangement in the correct position to be received by the second member of the projection / receptor arrangement. Advantageously, when the displaceable portion is in a first axial position (elongated or shaped, e.g., convex), the filter element or cartridge can be rotated within the housing to find the correct angular position for the seal or sealing element. When the seal is correctly positioned, not only can it be positioned in a particularly correct angular position, but the displaceable portion can be moved to a second axial position (retracted or shaped, e.g., concave), locking rotation of the filter element about its longitudinal axis. Advantageously, if the seal is not in the correct angular position, it will not seal to the housing and the displaceable portion cannot be placed in the second axial position (retracted), alerting the person installing the filter element. According to a preferred embodiment, the filter media configuration or media pack includes a pleated media configured in a tubular shape, preferably defining a cylindrical or conical sidewall.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion (or, e.g., its outer surface) is in the plane or is spaced from the plane (e.g., by a distance of less than 5 cm, or less than 3 cm, or less than 1 cm) on the side opposite the side containing the filtration medium.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium, and the displaceable portion (or, e.g., its outer surface) is in the plane or is spaced apart from the plane on a side of the filtration medium when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position. According to a preferred embodiment, the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium, and the displaceable portion (or, e.g., its outer surface) is spaced apart from the plane on a side opposite to the side containing the filtration medium when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, a. the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is in the plane or spaced from the plane on the side of the filtration medium; b. When the displaceable portion is in a second axial position, the displaceable portion is spaced from the plane on the side of the filtration media, the second axial position being further from the plane than the first axial position.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion comprises one or more fold lines or portions of reduced thickness to enable folding of the deformable portion in a predetermined manner, which may for example be predetermined to maximize the axial displacement of the displaceable portion or to have a predetermined axial displacement of the displaceable portion between the first and second positions.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion includes two or more, preferably concentric, fold lines or other hinge portions. The fold lines or other hinge portions are connected by one or more rigid (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions, one or more flexible (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions, one or more stretchable (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions, or a radially alternating combination of one or more rigid (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions and one or more flexible (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions. It may be advantageous to include one or more flexible or stretchable (e.g., ring-shaped or annular) portions to facilitate movement of the displaceable portion between the first and second positions. It may be advantageous to provide the deformable portion with tactile or haptic feedback to the user when the displaceable portion reaches the second position. The tactile or haptic feedback may be the result of interaction with a support structure of the housing, such as a tower or a supporting safety filter cartridge, as described below in connection with the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one fold line or hinge portion is adjacent or immediately adjacent to the filtration media, i.e., adjacent or immediately adjacent in axial projection to the axial projection of the inner surface of the filtration media arrangement or media pack.

[0037] This provides the advantage that the axial displacement distance of the displaceable portion is maximized.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is adapted to deform only above a predetermined axial threshold force or pressure, which is preferably higher than the force or pressure exerted by a differential pressure across the filter cartridge induced by a predetermined dust load of the filtration media, the predetermined dust load corresponding to a load that requires filter replacement in order for the filter cartridge to not substantially jeopardize system performance.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable portion is configured to move between a first axial position and a second axial position when acted upon by a force in the range of 0.5 to 100 Newtons, for example by a force applied by a user.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion includes a gripping portion on its outer surface, allowing the application of an axial pulling force by at least one adult human finger.

[0041] This feature advantageously facilitates manipulation of the displaceable portion between the first axial position and the second axial position, and vice versa. According to preferred embodiments, the displaceable portion is non-deformable. According to preferred embodiments, the displaceable portion is adapted and configured not to deform under the described manipulation of the deformable portion to move the displaceable portion between the first axial position and the second axial position. In certain embodiments, the non-deformable portion has a stiffness at least three times greater than the stiffness of the deformable portion. Preferably, it may be rigid. For example, it may include or consist of a hard plastic.

[0042] A non-deformable displaceable portion has the advantage, for example, of providing better positioning and alignment of a first member of a protrusion / receptor arrangement for mating with a second member of the protrusion / receptor arrangement when compared to, for example, a fully deformable end cap.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion is planar or substantially planar.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer surface may be planar or flat, without any axially protruding portions above it.

[0045] An advantage of a configuration in which the outer surface of the non-deformable displaceable portion is planar or flat is that the distance between the non-deformable displaceable portion and the cover can be minimized, resulting in a more compact filter housing.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the inner surface may be planar or flat, except for the first member of the projection / receptor arrangement disposed on the inner surface.

[0047] Advantageously, when a first member of the projection / receptacle arrangement is received by a complementary second member of the projection / receptacle arrangement on a support structure that supports a filter cartridge disposed within the main filter housing, the distance between the support structure and the inner surface can be minimized, for example, the inner surface can rest on an end surface at the distal end of the support structure, such as an end surface of a tower structure, resulting in a more compact filter housing.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the displaceable portion and the deformable portion are configured such that when the displaceable portion is moved between a first axial position and a second axial position, the end cap (or a combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion, the latter surrounding the former) deforms between a generally convex shape and a generally concave shape, or vice versa.

[0049] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a filter assembly is disclosed, namely: a. a main filter housing comprising a filter replacement opening and an interior volume for receiving a filter cartridge according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect; b. a filter cartridge according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect, wherein the filter cartridge is operably disposed within the main filter housing; c. A cover for closing the filter replacement opening of the main filter housing; d. A support structure, preferably centrally located, for supporting a filter cartridge disposed within the main filter housing.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure includes a tower structure or configuration, a first end of which may be disposed around, for example, the inlet or outlet of the filter housing, and the tower structure has a distal end located distally and opposite the first end.

[0051] According to additional or alternative preferred embodiments, the support structure includes a smaller secondary filter cartridge, which is itself supported within the main filter housing by a support structure, such as a tower structure or arrangement.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge is the main filter element and the smaller secondary filter cartridge is the safety filter element.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure includes, at its axial end, a second member of a projection / receptacle arrangement disposed within the interior volume of the filter cartridge. The projection / receptacle arrangement engages when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position and disengages when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position. Preferably, the second member includes a recessed structure. Alternatively, the second member includes a protruding structure. According to a preferred embodiment, the second member includes or consists of a fin, rib, or other key structure, or a recess that receives the respective fin, rib, or other key structure. For example, the second member may include an N-fold rotationally symmetric structure about the longitudinal axis, such as a structure whose cross section is a regular star-shaped polygon, a cross, a gear, a regular polygon (e.g., a hexagon), or a flower-shaped structure, or a recess adapted to receive such a structure. N may, for example, define the number of angular positions in which the filter element can be positioned in the corresponding housing.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the second member and the first member are complementary. According to a preferred embodiment, the cross sections of the second member and the first member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are complementary.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the cover includes an inwardly projecting portion that is located adjacent to an outer surface of the displaceable portion, preferably centrally located, and that locks the displaceable portion in the second axial position, thereby attaching the protrusion / receptor arrangement.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the filtration media arrangement is greater than the axial length of the support structure.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the axial distance between the first axial position of the displaceable element and the second end of the filtration media arrangement is greater than the axial length of the central support structure.

[0058] As one skilled in the art will recognize, features and advantages disclosed with respect to one of the above aspects of the disclosure may also be disclosed for other aspects, even if not explicitly so. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0059] The present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3(a)] Further, an additional feature of the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 3(b)] Further, an additional feature of the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 3(c)] 1 shows further details of the filter housing and filter assembly. [Figure 4(a)] 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4(b)] 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5(a)] 3 shows a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5(b)] 3 shows a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an alternative structure applicable to any of the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9(a)] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9(b)] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10(a)] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10(b)] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 10 illustrates an example configuration of a deformable portion that can be applied to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 shows a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] The present disclosure will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the disclosure is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may not be drawn to scale. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the present disclosure.

[0062] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third, etc. in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a sequential or chronological order.

[0063] Although various embodiments have been referred to as "preferred," this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but rather as enabling examples of how the disclosure may be practiced.

[0064] Figures 1 and 2 are partial perspective views of a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figures 3(a) and (b) show additional features of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] The filter cartridge 1 includes a pleated filter-type filtration media arrangement 2, which is tubularly configured and extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end 21 and a second end 22, defining an interior volume 20 of the filter cartridge 1. A pleated filter pack may include pleats, for example of a constant pleat height, such that both the radially inner and outer surfaces of the media arrangement 2 have cylindrical envelopes that are concentrically arranged, i.e., along a common axis.

[0066] A first end cap 3, typically constructed of a polymeric material, is disposed at the axial end or first end 21 of the filtration media 2 and further defines the interior volume 20. The end cap is sealingly bound to the first end 21. For example, the end cap 3 may be bound by plastic injection of the end cap into the filtration media construction or media pack 2, or may be bound by direct bonding, adhesive, or the use of a potting material. The first end cap is preferably a closed end cap, in the sense that it does not include a feedthrough opening for fluid, preferably air.

[0067] The first end cap 3 includes a centrally disposed displaceable portion 32 and a deformable portion 31 surrounding the displaceable portion 32. The end cap 3 is adapted to permit displacement of the displaceable portion 32 along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position (P1, FIG. 1) and a second axial position (P2, FIG. 2) by deformation of the deformable portion 31. The filtration medium 2 defines a plane P at or adjacent to a first end 21 of the filtration medium 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the first axial position P1, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced from the plane P on a side opposite the side including the filtration medium 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the second axial position P2, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced from the plane P on the side of the filtration medium 2.

[0068] The centrally located displaceable portion 32 is preferably disk-shaped and includes a circular outer periphery. The deformable portion 31 is preferably an annular portion 313 including a circular radially inner portion and a circular radially outer portion. The radially inner portion forms a connection with and is connected to the outer periphery of the displaceable portion 32. The radially outer portion is connected to the fixed annular portion 30 of the end cap 3 (the portion of the end cap 3 attached to the first axial end of the filtration media arrangement or media 2) and is adjacent or directly adjacent to the inner filtration media, i.e., is axially close to the axial projection of the inner surface of the filtration media arrangement (e.g., within a radial distance of 5 mm, or 3 mm, or 1 mm).

[0069] Here, the end cap may have a constant thickness, but different portions may have different thicknesses overall. For example, the displaceable portion may have a first thickness, and the deformable portion may have a different second thickness. The second thickness may, for example, be smaller than the first thickness. The deformable portion 31 further includes one or more fold lines 311 or reduced thickness portions 311 (thinned portions 311) to enable the deformable portion 31 to be folded in a predetermined manner. These fold lines 311 or reduced thickness portions 311, which may also be referred to as hinge portions 311, are arranged concentrically on the first end cap 3, preferably symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1.

[0070] Here, the deformable portion comprises two concentric hinge portions 311 connected by a single ring portion 313 which may be rigid or alternatively flexible.

[0071] The deformable portion is adapted to deform only at a predetermined axial threshold force or pressure that is higher than the force or pressure exerted by a pressure differential induced by a predetermined dust load on the filtration medium of the filtration medium arrangement 2. The displaceable portion 32 is preferably not movable between the first and second positions (P1, P2) due to pressures that build up on the filter element 1 during use.

[0072] The displaceable portion 32 includes an inner surface 321, an outer surface 322, and a first member 3211 of a protrusion / receptor configuration arranged on the inner surface 321, which here is implemented as a fin or rib 3211 having an elongated shape.

[0073] The first member 3211 of the projection / receiver arrangement is received by a corresponding second member 141 of the projection / receiver arrangement disposed on a central support structure 14 that supports a filter cartridge disposed within the main filter housing 10 (see FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)). Here, the support structure is a tower structure having a first end disposed around the inlet or outlet of the filter housing 10. The tower structure 14 has a distal end, which is located farther from and opposite the first end. The first end includes an end face 142. The end face includes slots 141 that receive the fins or ribs 3211 and lock the rotational freedom of the filter element about the longitudinal axis.

[0074] The filter cartridge 1 further includes a second end cap 5 disposed over or at the second end of the filtration media. The second end cap is open and, in some cases, defines the interior volume of the filter cartridge 1. The second end cap 5 is sealingly bound to the second end 22. For example, this end cap may also be bound by plastic injection of the end cap into the media pack 2, or by direct bonding, adhesive, or the use of a potting material. The second end cap 5 is an open end cap in the sense that it includes a feedthrough opening for a fluid, preferably air. The second end cap 5 includes a circumferential seal 6 around the feedthrough opening, which in this embodiment is an axial seal, i.e., configured and adapted to seal axially toward the filter housing 10. Alternatively, the seal 6 may be configured and adapted to seal radially inward or outward toward the filter housing 10.

[0075] The displaceable portion 32 further includes a grip portion 323 on its outer surface 322 to allow application of an axial pulling force by at least one adult human finger to assist in manipulating the displaceable portion 32 from the second position to the first position.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 3(a), (b), and (c), a filter assembly including the disclosed filter cartridge 1 can receive the filter cartridge 1 within the housing 10 when the displaceable portion 32 is in a first ("extended") state, thereby forming a seal with the housing 10 (FIG. 3(a)). The displaceable portion 32 can then be placed in a second ("shortened") state by pushing the displaceable portion toward the tower structure 14, thereby deforming the deformable portion 31 in a predetermined manner. The tower structure 14 has slots 141 in its distal end face 142 that receive the ribs or fins 3211 of the displaceable portion 32. This locks the filter element 1 from rotating along its longitudinal axis (FIG. 3(b)). The housing 10 further includes a housing cover 13. Preferably, the cover includes a protrusion 131 on its underside (facing toward the housing interior volume), which is configured and adapted to lock the axial movement of the displaceable portion 32 of the filter cartridge 1 by contacting or directly adjacent to the displaceable portion. After installation, the tower structure 14 reaches the interior volume 20 of the filter element 1 and extends to a level below the plane P of the first end 21 of the filtration media 2. FIG. 3(c) shows further details of a typical filter housing 10 and air cleaner assembly 100, which are not shown in conjunction with other embodiments for simplicity. The main filter housing 10 includes a filter replacement opening 15 and an interior volume 16 that receives the filter cartridge 1. The filter cartridge 1 is operably disposed within the main filter housing 10. A cover 13 closes the main filter housing 10. The housing further includes a fluid inlet 11 that receives a fluid to be filtered (such as a gas, e.g., air) and a fluid outlet 12 that guides the filtered fluid out of the housing 10 after being filtered by the media of the filter cartridge 1. The support / tower structure is configured with a second end adjacent to, and preferably surrounding, the outlet 12 of the housing 10 .

[0077] 4(a) and (b) show a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is similar to the first preferred embodiment, but differs in the nature of the displacement of the displaceable portion 32 between a first position (P1) (FIG. 4(a)) and a second position (P2) (FIG. 4(b)). This cartridge 1 may be used in an associated filter assembly in which the support structure / tower 114 (14) extends to a level above the plane P of the first end 21 of the filtration medium 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the first axial position P1, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced from the plane P on the side opposite the side containing the filtration medium 2. When the displaceable portion 32 is in the second axial position P2, the displaceable portion 32 is spaced from the plane P on the side opposite the side containing the filtration medium 2. The second axial position P2 is closer to the plane P than the first axial position P1.

[0078] 5(a) and (b) show a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is again similar to the first preferred embodiment, but differs in the nature of the displacement of the displaceable portion 32 between the first and second positions (P1 (FIG. 5(a)) and P2 (FIG. 5(b))). When the displaceable portion is in both the first and second axial positions, it is spaced apart from plane P on the side of the filtration medium, and second axial position P2 is further from plane P than first axial position P1. The tower structure 114 (14) reaches the interior volume 20 of the filter element 1 and extends to a level well below plane P at the first end 21 of the filtration medium 2.

[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative structure applicable to any of the first through third embodiments of the present disclosure. The support structure for the filter cartridge 1 is a smaller, second filter cartridge 1', itself supported in the main filter housing 10 by a support structure or tower 14. In practice, the second cartridge 1' may be a safety cartridge. It includes, for example, a filtration media configuration 2' arranged in a tubular configuration between a first end 21' and a second end 22'. It includes a first end cap 3', preferably closed, and a second end cap 5', preferably open, at the second end 22'. The end caps may be attached to each end of the filtration media configuration 2' in the manner disclosed for the first cartridge 1. The end cap 3' includes, on its outer surface, a second member 141' of a projection / receptacle configuration, e.g., a recess or groove, adapted to cooperate with fins, ribs, or other structures of a first member 3211 of a projection / receptacle configuration disposed on the inner surface 321 of the displaceable portion 32 of the first cartridge 1.

[0080] Here, the interaction previously described between the first member 3211 of the projection / receptacle arrangement located on the inner surface 321 of the displaceable portion 32 and the support structure 14, 142, 141 occurs analogously between the first member 3211 of the projection / receptacle arrangement located on the inner surface 321 of the displaceable portion 32 and the second member 141' of the projection / receptacle arrangement configured or located on the first end cap 3' of the second cartridge 1'. The second cartridge 1' may be provided with a circumferential, axial or radial seal 6' on the second end cap 5' that seals against the tower 14 or against another part of the housing 10. The second filter cartridge 1' is rotationally fixed relative to the housing 10 or tower 14, such that the first cartridge 1' cannot rotate about its axis within the filter housing 10.

[0081] Figures 7, 8, 9(a) and (b), 10(a) and (b), 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate examples of deformable portion configurations applicable to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All examples describe a filter cartridge 1 including a first end cap 3 disposed at a first end 21 of a filtration media 2. The first end cap 3 includes a deformable portion 31 and a displaceable portion 32 surrounded by the deformable portion 31, and the first end cap 3 is adapted to permit displacement of the displaceable portion 32 along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position upon deformation of the deformable portion 31. The displaceable portion 32 includes an inner surface 321, an outer surface 322, and a first member 3211 of a projection / receptacle configuration, such as a fin or rib structure, disposed on the inner surface 321. The first end cap 3 further includes a fixed annular portion 30 (the portion of the end cap 3 attached to the first axial end of the filtration media configuration or media 2). Additionally, the displaceable portion 32 preferably includes a gripping portion 323 on its outer surface 322, which is not shown to simplify the drawing.

[0082] For example, in Figure 7, the first end caps (3, 30, 31, 32) are all made of plastic, preferably rigid plastic. The deformable portion 31 forms a hinged connection on one side with the displaceable portion 32 and on the opposite side with the portion 30 of the end cap 3 attached to the first axial end of the filtration media arrangement or media 2. The first member 3211 is also made of rigid plastic.

[0083] Figure 8 shows a similar example. The first end caps (3, 30, 31, 32) are all made of plastic, preferably rigid plastic, but the deformable portion 31 includes two (or more generally, multiple) concentric rings connected by a hinge-like connection. The deformable portion 31 further forms a hinge-like connection with the portion 30 of the end cap 3 attached to the first axial end of the filtration media arrangement or media 2 and the displaceable portion 32.

[0084] 9(a) and (b) show an example in which the first end cap (3, 30, 31, 32) is made of a polyurethane (PU) material, preferably soft, preferably foamed, and preferably applied by potting. This material is stretchable when it has a relatively low (small) thickness, and less stretchable or non-stretchable when it has a relatively high (large) thickness. The portion 30 of the end cap 3 attached to the first axial end of the filtration media configuration or media 2 and the displaceable portion 32 have a relatively high thickness and do not deform during typical operations according to the present disclosure. The deformable portion 31 is thinner and stretches under an applied downward force / pressure. The first member 3211 may also be made of a PU material or may be, for example, a rigid plastic component embedded in the PU material of the displaceable portion 32.

[0085] 10(a) and 10(b) show an example similar to that of Figures 9(a) and 9(b), in which the entire displaceable portion 32, including the first member 3211, is made of hard plastic. The displaceable portion 32 is embedded in the PU material that makes up the other portions (30, 31) of the first end cap 3.

[0086] FIG. 11 shows an example similar to that of FIG. 8, but in which the first member 3211 includes or is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0087] Figure 13 shows another example. It is based on the configuration of Figures 8 and 11, but the fixed part 30 comprises or consists of PU as described for the example of Figure 9. The fixed part 30 embeds the anchoring end 3a of the (e.g. rigid) plastic deformable part 31, for example by overmolding PU onto the anchoring end 3a of the plastic deformable part 31. It is to be understood that the anchoring end 3a of the deformable part 31 does not deform, but only the complementary part of the deformable part 31 is deformable. Viewed another way, the anchoring end 3a of the deformable part 31 is part of the fixed annular part 30 of the first end cap 3.

[0088] 12 shows another example. The fixed portion 30 of the first end cap and the displaceable portion 32 including the first member 3211 comprise or are made of plastic, preferably rigid plastic. The deformable portion 31 forms a stretchable connection between the fixed portion 30 and the displaceable portion 32 and comprises or is made of a TPE material, preferably a stretchable TPE material. Preferably, the displaceable portion is circumferentially embedded by the TPE material of the deformable portion 31.

[0089] FIG. 14 shows another example in which the first end cap 3 (fixed portion 30, deformable portion 31, displaceable portion 32) comprises or consists of TPE.

[0090] Alternative examples may be based on combinations of the properties described in the previous examples for the different portions 30, 31, 32, 3211 of the first end cap 3.

[0091] FIG. 15 illustrates a further advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure. The fixed portion 30 is adapted to be secured to the filtration medium 2 and includes an annular slot 300 that receives the axial end of the tubular filtration medium 2. It is preferably constructed from a rigid plastic material and preferably extends radially into the interior volume 20 of the filter element 1 for a limited distance (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 cm). The deformable portion (31, 31′) is depicted “virtually” at both the first axial position and the second axial position and is constructed from a flexible and / or stretchable material. The deformable portion connects the fixed portion 30 to the displaceable portion 32, which includes a first member 3211 of a projection / receptor configuration that protrudes into the interior volume 20. In this case, the configuration of the displaceable portion 32 includes the first member 3211, although this is not required. The first member includes different cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for different axial positions. At a first axial height of the first member 3211, over a first axial portion 3211b, disposed towards the inner surface of the displaceable portion of the end cap, the cross section is a regular polygon (hexagon). At another axial height of the first member, over a second axial portion 3211a, towards the outer portion of the displaceable portion of the end cap, the cross section is circular.

[0092] This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present subject matter.It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

[0093] The following are embodiments:

[0094] 1. A filter cartridge for an air cleaner assembly, comprising: a) a configuration of filtration media extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume of the filter cartridge; b) a first end cap disposed at a first end of the filtration medium and further defining an interior volume, the first end cap including a deformable portion and a displaceable portion surrounded by the deformable portion, the first end cap adapted to permit displacement of the displaceable portion along the longitudinal axis between at least a first axial position and a second axial position upon deformation of the deformable portion; The filter cartridge, wherein the displaceable portion includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first member of a projection / receptacle arrangement disposed on the inner surface. 2. The filter cartridge of embodiment 1, wherein the projection / receptacle arrangement is of a type that prevents relative rotational movement between the projection and the receptor. 3. The filter cartridge according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first member comprises fins or ribs or other key structures. 4. The filter cartridge of any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium; A filter cartridge wherein when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is in or out of a plane opposite the side containing the filtration media. 5. The filter cartridge of any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium; The filter cartridge, wherein when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion is in a plane or spaced from a plane on the side of the filtration media. 6. The filter cartridge of any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium; The filter cartridge, wherein when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position, the displaceable portion is spaced from the plane on a side opposite the side containing the filtration media. 7. The filter cartridge according to any one of the first to third embodiments, a. the filtration medium defines a plane at or adjacent to a first end of the filtration medium, and when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position, the displaceable portion is in the plane or spaced from the plane on the side of the filtration medium; b. A filter cartridge wherein when the displaceable portion is in a second axial position, the displaceable portion is spaced from the plane on the side of the filtration medium, the second axial position being farther from the plane than the first axial position. 8. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the first end cap is made from a single material. 9. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the deformable portion includes one or more fold lines or portions of reduced thickness to allow the deformable portion to fold in a predetermined manner. 10. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the first end cap is a closed end cap. 11. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a second end cap disposed at a second end of the filtration media, the second end cap being open. 12. The filter cartridge of embodiment 11, wherein the second end cap comprises a circumferential seal. 13. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the displaceable portion includes a grip portion on an outer surface thereof, allowing application of an axial pulling force by at least one adult human finger. 14. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the deformable portion comprises two (concentric) hinge portions connected by a rigid (ring-shaped) portion. 15. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the deformable portion is adapted to deform only at a predetermined axial threshold force that is higher than the force exerted by a pressure drop induced by a predetermined dust load on the filtration medium. 16. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the displaceable portion is non-deformable. 17. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the displaceable portion is substantially planar. 18. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the outer surface of the displaceable portion is planar. 19. The filter cartridge of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the inner surface of the displaceable portion is planar except for a first member of the projection / receptacle arrangement disposed on the inner surface. 20. The filter cartridge of any one of the first through nineteenth embodiments, further comprising a second end cap disposed on a second end of the filtration media; The filter cartridge, wherein the second end cap is open, the second end cap including a circumferential seal. 21. The filter cartridge of embodiment 20, wherein the first member of the projection / receptor arrangement has N-fold rotational symmetry about an axis, and the seal or sealing element has N-fold rotational symmetry about the same axis, and their relative angular positions are predetermined. 22. The filter cartridge of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein the displaceable portion and the deformable portion are configured such that when the displaceable portion is moved between the first axial position and the second axial position, the first end cap (or the combination of the displaceable portion and the deformable portion) deforms between a generally convex shape and a generally concave shape, or vice versa. 23.a. A main filter housing including a filter replacement opening and an interior volume for receiving a filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 22; b. The filter cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 22, operably positioned within the main filter housing; and c. A cover for closing the filter replacement opening of the main filter housing; d. A support structure for supporting a filter cartridge disposed within the main filter housing. Filter assembly. 24. The filter assembly of embodiment 23, wherein the support structure comprises a tower structure. 25. The filter assembly of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the support structure includes a smaller secondary filter cartridge, which is itself supported in the main filter housing. 26. The filter assembly of any one of embodiments 23 to 25, wherein the support structure includes, at an axial end thereof, a second member of the projection / receptacle arrangement disposed within the interior volume of the filter cartridge; A filter assembly wherein the projection / receptacle arrangement is engaged when the displaceable portion is in the second axial position and disengaged when the displaceable portion is in the first axial position. 27. The filter assembly of embodiment 26, wherein the cover includes an inwardly projecting portion, the inwardly projecting portion being positioned adjacent an outer surface of the displaceable portion, preferably centrally located; The inwardly projecting portion locks the displaceable portion in the second axial position, thereby attaching the projection / receptacle arrangement to the filter assembly. 28. The filter assembly of any one of embodiments 23 to 27, wherein the axial length of the filtration media arrangement is greater than the axial length of the support structure. 29. The filter assembly of any one of embodiments 23 to 28, wherein the axial distance between the first axial position of the displaceable element and the second end of the filtration media configuration is greater than the axial length of the central support structure.

Claims

1. A filter cartridge (1) for an air cleaner assembly (100), a) The configuration of the filtration medium (2) which extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end (21) and the second end (22) and defines the internal volume (20) of the filter cartridge (1), b) A first end cap (3) disposed at the first end (21) of the filtration medium (2) and further partitioning the internal volume (20), the first end cap (3) includes a deformable portion (31) and a displaceable portion (32) surrounded by the deformable portion (31), the first end cap (3) is adapted to allow the displaceable portion (31) to be displaced along the longitudinal axis at least between a first axial position (P1) and a second axial position (P2) by deformation of the deformable portion (32), The displaceable portion (32) includes an inner surface (321), an outer surface (322), and a first member (3211) having a projection / receiving portion configuration arranged on the inner surface (321). The aforementioned projection / receiving part configuration is of a type that prevents relative rotational movement between the projection and the receiving part. The filter cartridge further comprises a second end cap (5) positioned at the second end of the filtration medium, the second end cap (5) being open, and the second end cap (5) including a circumferential seal (6). A filter cartridge wherein the second end cap (5) includes means for locking the filter cartridge to the housing, the locking means is suitable for locking by rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge (1).

2. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium (2) defines a plane at the first end (21) of the filter medium (2), or a plane adjacent to the first end (21), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the first axial position (P1), the displaceable portion (32) is on the side opposite to the side containing the filter medium (2), and is in the plane or separated from the plane.

3. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium (2) defines a plane (P) at the first end (21) of the filter medium (2), or a plane (P) adjacent to the first end (21), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is in the plane or separated from the plane on the side of the filter medium (2).

4. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium (2) defines a plane (P) at the first end (21) of the filter medium (2), or a plane (P) adjacent to the first end (21), and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is separated from the plane on the side opposite to the side containing the filter medium.

5. a. The filter medium (2) defines a plane (P) at the first end of the filter medium (2), or a plane (P) adjacent to the first end, and when the displaceable portion (32) is in the first axial position (P1), the displaceable portion (32) is in the plane or separated from the plane on the side of the filter medium (2), b. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when the displaceable portion (32) is in the second axial position (P2), the displaceable portion (32) is separated from the plane (P) on the side of the filter medium (2), and the second axial position (P2) is separated from the plane more than the first axial position (P1).

6. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion (31) includes one or more fold lines (311) or a portion with reduced thickness (312) to enable the deformable portion (31) to be folded in a predetermined manner.

7. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable portion (32) includes a grip portion (323) on its outer surface, allowing the application of an axial tensile force by at least one adult human finger.

8. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion (31) includes two (concentric) hinge portions (311) connected by a rigid (ring-shaped) portion (313).

9. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion (31) is adapted to deform only by a predetermined axial threshold force that is higher than the force exerted by the pressure drop induced by a predetermined dust load of the filtration medium (2).

10. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable portion (32) is non-deformable.

11. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first member (3211) of the projection / receiving portion configuration has N rotational symmetry about an axis, and the seal or sealing element (6) has N rotational symmetry about the same axis, and their relative angular positions are predetermined.

12. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when the displaceable portion (32) is moved between the first axial position and the second axial position, the first end cap (3) (or the combination of the displaceable portion (32) and the deformable portion (31)) is deformed between an overall convex shape and an overall concave shape, or vice versa.

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