Filter elements for gaseous media, filtering devices, use of filter elements, and methods for assembling filtering devices.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter element (16) for a gaseous medium for a filter device, the filter element comprising at least one filter medium body (90) having an inlet side (226) and an outlet side (228) and being located at the axial ends of the filter medium body (90) facing away from each other with respect to a virtual axis (22), and a frame element (100) surrounding at least part of the filter medium body (90) and protruding radially beyond the filter medium body (90) with respect to the axis (22) and connected to the filter medium body (90). A seal (96) surrounding the axis (22) is provided on the side of the frame element (100) facing the inlet side (226), and at least one support (120 A 、120 B 、120 C ) is provided, by means of which the filter element (16) can be supported at least axially within the filter housing of the filter device. The at least one support (120 A 、120 B 、120 C ) is distributed over a circumferential range with respect to the axis (22) and axially spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis (22), and has at least two support surfaces (122 A 、122 B 、122 C ), and the circumferential seal (96) has a circumferential seal step (146) protruding axially with respect to the axis (22) and configured to seal at least partially radially against a corresponding seal surface of the filter housing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter element for a gaseous medium for a filter device, more particularly to an air filter element, the filter element having at least one filter body having an inlet side and an outlet side, which are located at the axial ends of the filter body, which are oriented in directions separated from each other with respect to a virtual axis, A frame element that extends at least partially circumferentially around at least one filter media body, projecting radially beyond the filter media body with respect to its axis and connected to at least one filter media body, comprises: On the side of the frame element facing the inflow side, there is a circumferential seal that extends around the axis. On the side of the frame element facing the outflow side, there is at least one support portion, by which the filter element can be supported at least axially with respect to its axis within the filter housing of the filter device.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a filter device for a gaseous medium, particularly air, the filter device comprising a filter housing having at least one inlet opening for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least one outlet opening for the purified gaseous medium, Within the filter housing, with respect to the gas flow, at least one filter element, including at least one filter media body, is positioned between at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, such that the untreated side associated with the inlet opening is separated from the clean side associated with the outlet opening. The filter housing includes a first housing component in which at least one outlet opening is located, and the first housing component includes at least one filter element housing space in which at least one filter element is located. The filter housing includes a second housing component in which at least one inlet opening is located, and the second housing component includes at least a portion of at least one cyclone separator. The second housing part closes the service opening of the first housing part, and the first and second housing parts are detachably connected to each other and separable from each other such that at least one filter element can be removed through the service opening of the first housing part.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a filter element comprising at least one filter medium body in a filter device for a gaseous medium.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a filter device for a gaseous medium, in which method at least one filter element is inserted through a service opening into a filter element accommodation space of a first housing part of the filter housing of the filter device having at least one outlet opening for the purified gaseous medium, and then the service opening is closed by a second housing part of the filter housing comprising at least one inlet opening for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least a part of at least one cyclone separator.

Background Art

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0077932 discloses an air filter assembly, which assembly comprises a housing having a body, an access cover, an air inlet, and an air outlet. Further, the assembly comprises an air filter cartridge operably disposed within the housing, and the access cover pre-tensions an axial compression seal against the body.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to design a filter element, a filter device, the use of a filter element, and a method of assembling the filter device as described above, in which the filter device is improved, particularly with regard to functionality, attachment and / or assembly.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present objective can be solved by a filter element according to the present invention, wherein at least one support portion has at least two support surfaces that are dispersed over a circumferential range with respect to the axis and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction with respect to the axis, and the circumferential seal comprises a circumferential seal stay that protrudes in the axial direction with respect to the axis and is configured to seal at least partially radially with respect to the axis with respect to the corresponding seal surface of the filter housing.

[0008] In a more advantageous embodiment, the support has at least two, particularly four, support surfaces that are distributed circumferentially and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. This allows for protection against incorrect mounting of the filter element into the filter housing by providing support surfaces at different axial heights.

[0009] In a more advantageous embodiment, the seal stay protrudes axially with respect to its axis, beyond the inlet side of at least one filter media body. This allows the inlet side of the filter media body to be positioned radially inward of the circumferential seal stay with respect to its axis.

[0010] In a more advantageous embodiment, the seal stay is positioned directly adjacent to the radially outer wall surface of the frame element with respect to its axis, and / or The seal stay is positioned with respect to the axis completely radially outward from the radially outer wall surface of at least one filter media body.

[0011] Advantageously, the seal stay is positioned directly adjacent to the radially outer wall surface of the frame element. This allows the seal stay to be supported by the frame element, particularly in the axial direction with respect to the axis.

[0012] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the seal stay is advantageously positioned entirely radially outward from the radially outer wall surface of at least one filter media body. This allows for better separation of the seal stay from the at least one filter media body with respect to the contact pressure required to achieve the sealing action.

[0013] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element is configured to be less flexible than the circumferential seal, and in particular, the frame element is formed from a material that is harder than the circumferential seal, and / or The seal contains or is composed of elastic material, particularly elastomer, particularly foamed elastomer, and / or The frame elements include or are composed of plastic materials, particularly injection-molded rigid plastic materials.

[0014] Advantageously, the frame elements are configured to be less flexible than the circumferential seals. This allows the frame elements to provide support and the seals to provide better deformability. In this regard, different levels of flexibility can be achieved by different materials and / or different shapes.

[0015] Advantageously, the frame elements are formed from a material that is rigider than the circumferential seal. This allows the frame elements to be formed to be less flexible than the seal. The material may be a single material or a mixture of materials, particularly a composite material.

[0016] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the frame elements may be constructed, at least partially, from the same material as the seal, particularly from the seal material. This can improve the connection between the frame elements and the seal.

[0017] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the frame elements and seals may be constructed as multi-component parts, particularly two-component parts. This can simplify manufacturing.

[0018] Advantageously, the seal and frame elements are manufactured by multi-component injection molding, particularly two-component injection molding.

[0019] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the seal may, advantageously, include or be composed of an elastic material. This allows the seal to be deformed. Elastic seals can be readily manufactured from elastomers, particularly foamed elastomers.

[0020] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the frame elements may be made of or composed of plastic material. This makes it possible to achieve stable, lightweight frame elements. Rigid and robust frame elements can be easily obtained by injection molding from injection-mold rigid plastic materials. Complex shapes for frame elements can also be realized by injection molding.

[0021] In a more advantageous embodiment, the circumferential seal is defined by a frame element on the side facing the outflow side, and / or The surface of the frame element facing the outlet side is at least partially exposed and provides at least one support portion. The definition by the frame element allows the frame element to support the circumferential seal on the side facing the outlet side. In the exposed portion, the surface of the frame element can contact the corresponding portion of the filter housing without the interposition of sealing material.

[0022] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element extends radially inward and / or toward the inflow side, starting from the support portion and / or The frame elements are at least partially surrounded by a circumferential sealing material.

[0023] Advantageously, the frame elements extend radially inward and / or toward the inflow side, starting from the support. This allows for the stabilization of at least one filter media body. Furthermore, this allows a portion of the frame elements to function as a mold for the seal material.

[0024] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the frame elements may be at least partially surrounded by a circumferential sealing material. This can improve the support function for the seal.

[0025] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element does not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the axis with respect to the shape of at least its radially outer wall surface and / or its radially inner wall surface. This prevents incorrect installation, particularly incorrect alignment, of the filter element when it is installed in the filter housing.

[0026] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element has at least four parts along a shape extending around an axis, of which adjacent parts have shapes with different curvatures and straight shapes, and in at least one pair of two parts opposite each other across the axis, each part has a shape with different curvatures, and / or The circumferential seal stay projecting in the axial direction has at least four parts along its shape extending around the axis, of which adjacent parts have shapes with different curvatures and straight parts, and at least one pair of two parts opposite each other across the axis have shapes with different curvatures. This avoids rotational symmetry of the frame element and / or seal stay with respect to the axis, thereby preventing incorrect mounting of the filter element into the filter housing.

[0027] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element has at least two curved portions that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape about an axis, the curved portions being connected by two connecting portions, in particular two linear connecting portions that are linear with respect to the circumferential shape about an axis, the connecting portions, in particular the linear connecting portions, located on the long sides of the frame element opposite to each other with respect to the axis, the two curved portions located on the short sides of the frame element opposite to each other with respect to the axis, and / or The axially projecting circumferential seal stay has at least two curved portions that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis, and these curved portions are connected by two connecting portions, in particular two linear connecting portions that are linear with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis, the connecting portions, in particular the linear connecting portions, are located on the long sides of the seal stay, opposite each other with respect to the axis, and the two curved portions are located on the short sides of the seal stay, opposite each other with respect to the axis. This avoids rotational symmetry of the frame element and / or seal stay with respect to the axis. This prevents incorrect mounting of the filter element into the filter housing.

[0028] In a more advantageous embodiment, the frame element has a first curved portion and a second curved portion, wherein the first curved portion has at least partially a larger radius of curvature than the second curved portion, and / or The circumferential seal stay projecting in the axial direction has a first curved portion and a second curved portion, the first curved portion having a larger radius of curvature than the second curved portion, at least partially. By combining various curvatures of the curved portions with various lengths of the connection and curved portions, rotational symmetry with respect to the axis can be avoided.

[0029] In a more advantageous embodiment, the first curved portion of the frame element has a flat region with a radius of curvature reduced compared to the radius of curvature of the second curved portion, and / or The first curved portion of the seal stay has a flat region with a reduced radius of curvature compared to the second curved portion. This makes it easy to achieve different radii of curvature.

[0030] In a more advantageous embodiment, at least one of the support surfaces of the frame element is located at least partially in the region of the long side of the frame element. This enables support over a large area.

[0031] In a more advantageous embodiment, the radially outer wall surface of the filter body with respect to the axis has at least two curved portions that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis, and the curved portions are connected by two connecting portions, in particular two linear connecting portions, and / or The outer circumference of the filter media decreases from the inlet side to the outlet side when viewed in the axial direction. In particular, the filter media tapers radially outward from the inlet side to the outlet side when viewed in the axial direction, especially in a conical shape.

[0032] The combination of at least two curved sections and connecting sections allows for the creation of a filter media body with an elliptical outer shape when viewed in the axial direction. Advantageously, the two connecting sections are linear. This enables the creation of an oval-elliptical outer shape for the filter media body.

[0033] By decreasing the outer circumference from the inlet side to the outlet side, the space surrounding the filter media within the filter housing can be expanded.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment, the filter media is distributed radially from the inside to the outside with respect to the axis, or vice versa. This allows the ratio between the required installation space and the available effective filter surface area of ​​the filter media to be improved in a way that favors the effective filter surface area.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one filter body comprises at least two filter bellows, in particular an inner filter bellows and an outer filter bellows, in particular at least two folded filter bellows, the filter bellows extending at least partially around an axis and circulating in parallel by the gaseous medium to be purified, and / or At least one inner filter bellows of a filter media body is located inside, surrounded by at least one outer filter bellows of a filter media body, and / or At least one filter media body comprises at least one filter bellows, particularly an inner filter bellows and / or an outer filter bellows, the filter bellows having an inclination with respect to an axis. The use of multiple filter bellows and their specific arrangement relative to each other can improve, overall, the ratio of spatial requirements to the effective filter surface area circulated.

[0036] In this context, "parallel flow" means that the filter bellows are arranged to act in parallel, particularly with respect to the flow of the gaseous medium. This does not mean that the filter bellows are arranged parallel in a geometric sense. The filter bellows are flowed through by the gaseous medium being purified in parallel. In contrast, in a series arrangement of filter bellows, they flow sequentially, i.e., in series.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, in the radial direction with respect to the axis, there is at least one fluid-permeable support element between at least two filter bellows, particularly between the inner filter bellows and the outer filter bellows, and in the support element, at least one of the at least two filter bellows, particularly the inner filter bellows and / or the outer filter bellows, is at least partially supported and / or The filter element comprises at least one support element, the support element supporting at least one of the filter bellows, and the at least one support element is formed integrally with the frame element. The support element can improve the shape stability of the filter material body. In this regard, fluid permeability does not obstruct the flow of the gaseous medium.

[0038] Advantageously, the filter element comprises at least one support element, in which at least one of the filter bellows is supported, and the at least one support element is formed integrally with the frame element. This further improves mechanical stability.

[0039] Advantageously, the support elements and / or frame elements are part of the framework. The framework can stabilize the overall shape of the filter element.

[0040] Furthermore, this objective can be solved according to the present invention by ensuring that at least one of the filter elements in the above-mentioned filter device is the filter element of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, this objective can be resolved according to the present invention, with respect to the above use, by ensuring that the filter element is the filter element of the present invention.

[0042] Furthermore, this objective can be solved, according to the present invention, by introducing at least one filter element according to the present invention into the filter element housing space with respect to the above method.

[0043] Advantageously, a filter device for a gaseous medium, particularly air, comprises a filter housing having at least one inlet opening for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least one outlet opening for the purified gaseous medium. Within the filter housing, with respect to the gas flow, at least one filter element, including at least one filter media body, is positioned between at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, such that the untreated side associated with the inlet opening is separated from the clean side associated with the outlet opening. The filter housing includes a first housing component in which at least one outlet opening is located, and the first housing component includes at least one filter element housing space in which at least one filter element is located. The filter housing includes a second housing component in which at least one inlet opening is located, and the second housing component includes at least a portion of at least one cyclone separator. The second housing component closes the service opening of the first housing component, and the first and second housing components are detachably connected to and separable from each other so that at least one filter element can be removed through the service opening of the first housing component.

[0044] Advantageously, at least one filter element comprises a circumferential seal extending around a virtual axis on the inlet side facing a second housing component, the circumferential seal acting to seal at least partially radially with respect to the axis and including a circumferential seal portion extending around the axis, the radially outer circumferential surface of the circumferential seal portion with respect to the axis sealing and abutting with respect to the axis the radially inner internal wall surface of the first housing component, and ribs extending at least partially circumferentially around the axis and projecting in a direction away from the second housing component with respect to the axis in at least one axial component are applied to the circumferential seal to press the circumferential seal portion acting to seal at least partially radially against the internal wall surface of the first housing component.

[0045] Advantageously, the second housing component is equipped with circumferential ribs, and when the filter device is assembled, these ribs apply contact pressure to the circumferential seal. The contact pressure presses a circumferentially extending seal portion, which acts to seal at least partially radially, against the inner wall surface of the first housing component. This seals the filter element housing space to the environment. Furthermore, this separates the untreated side of the filter element from the clean side.

[0046] The sealing surface of at least one filter element-side seal can have clearance, particularly a radial gap, with respect to the opposing surface of the filter housing, i.e., the inner wall surface of the first housing component, when the first housing component is not clamped to the second housing component, by a sealing portion that acts at least partially radially. The circumferential sealing portion is pressed against the inner wall surface of the first housing component only by clamping the second housing component to the first housing component. This creates a sealing effect between the first housing component, the second housing component, and the filter element. The seal also seals the cyclone block having at least one cyclone separator axially with respect to its axis.

[0047] Overall, the structure of the filter device according to the present invention allows for easy installation of the filter element without applying force to the filter housing. The seal clamping can be achieved by the axial clamping action between the first housing component and the second housing component. For this purpose, the lever action of a suitable cover element can be utilized.

[0048] The seal prevents particles and / or water from entering the clean side between at least one filter element and the filter housing. It also prevents particles and / or water from entering the area between at least one filter element and a second housing component, particularly the immersion plate and / or cyclone block.

[0049] The filter device and filter element can be used in relation to internal combustion engines in vehicles, particularly automobiles, construction machinery and / or agricultural machinery, and compressors, and in relation to fuel cells, particularly in cathode filters.

[0050] The gaseous medium to be purified can be air. In this case, the filter device is also called an air filter device. The filter device can remove solid or liquid particles from the gaseous medium.

[0051] The axis may coincide with the housing axis of the filter housing, the axis for installing / removing the filter element from the first housing component, the axis for connecting the first housing component and the second housing component, and / or the element axis of the filter element. Wherever “radial,” “coaxial,” “axial,” “tangential,” “circumferential,” “concentric,” “eccentric,” or similar terms are used herein, unless otherwise specified, this refers to an axis. “Circumferential” in this context refers to a virtual wall surrounding the axis. The axis may be a longitudinal axis in particular.

[0052] Advantageously, the second housing component is clamped to the first housing component by a clamping device. Advantageously, the clamping device provides a pressing force acting at least axially between the first and second housing components. Advantageously, the clamping device is releasable. Advantageously, the clamping device includes at least one clamping element, particularly at least one screw, at least one clamping hook and / or at least one snap hook, etc. Advantageously, the clamping device can engage directly with the second housing component. Alternatively or in addition to this, the clamping device can engage with a cyclone housing, and the second housing component may be positioned between the latter and the first housing component.

[0053] Advantageously, at least one cyclone separator, and in particular a cyclone block having multiple cyclone separators, comprises at least one dust discharge device.

[0054] Advantageously, at least one cyclone separator is an axial flow cyclone.

[0055] Advantageously, the filter device includes at least one cyclone block with multiple cyclone separators. This allows for the purification of larger gas flows and optimizes the use of available installation space.

[0056] Advantageously, at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening are positioned on opposite sides of the filter housing with respect to the axis.

[0057] Advantageously, at least one filter media body comprises at least one filter bellows, in particular at least one single bellows and / or at least one double bellows.

[0058] Advantageously, the filter material itself includes a filter material suitable for filtering a gaseous medium, especially air, particularly filter paper, filter nonwoven fabric, filter foam, etc.

[0059] Advantageously, the filter media of at least one filter body can be folded or rolled. This allows for an increase in the effective filter surface area. The filter elements can be designed accordingly as folded filter elements or rolled elements.

[0060] Advantageously, at least one filter element is a compact filter element, a hollow filter element, a flat filter element, etc.

[0061] Advantageously, the filter media body includes filter media having deep folds, particularly those folded in a zigzag shape. In the case of a filter media body that is roughly rectangular or prismatic in shape, the folds are called deep if the fold height is at least equal to the length in the direction of the fold edge and / or the length in the direction intersecting the fold edge.

[0062] The hollow filter element is characterized by having at least one element inside which is surrounded by a filter material.

[0063] The hollow filter element may be, advantageously, a so-called circular filter element having a circular cross-section, an elliptical filter element having an elliptical cross-section, a flattened elliptical filter element having a flattened elliptical cross-section, a conical filter element in which the circular cross-section tapers axially with respect to the principal axis, a cono-elliptical filter element in which the elliptical cross-section tapers axially in the direction of at least one transverse axis, a cono-flattened elliptical filter element in which the flattened elliptical cross-section tapers axially in the direction of at least one transverse axis, or a hollow filter element having a different type of cross-section, in particular a rectangular cross-section, and / or a different type of axial cross-sectional shape in the direction of the element axis.

[0064] Advantageously, the ribs are positioned on the second housing component, particularly in a fixed position, and are fixed against pressure loads. This allows the ribs to move together with the second housing component when the first and second housing components are assembled axially with at least one filter element in between. This would not be possible if the second housing component were part of at least one filter element. In particular, the ribs move together with the second housing component during assembly due to the clamping action of the clamping device.

[0065] The untreated side is the side where the gaseous medium to be purified is located when the filter device is operating. The cleaned side is the side where the purified gaseous medium is located.

[0066] Advantageously, the rib can support a circumferential sealing portion that acts to seal at least partially in the radial direction on the radially inner circumferential surface of the sealing portion, particularly on the radially inner circumferential surface of the sealing portion that is radially opposite to the inner wall surface of the first housing component. This allows the rib to press the sealing portion against the inner wall surface of the first housing component, particularly directly.

[0067] Advantageously, the contact pressure applied by the ribs has at least one directional component with respect to the axis, from the radially inward to the radially outward direction. This allows the radial sealing force to press the corresponding seal portion outward, directly against the inner wall surface of the first housing component. Thus, the contact pressure applied by the ribs can directly generate a radial sealing force.

[0068] Alternatively, or in addition to this, the contact pressure applied by the ribs may have a directional component at least parallel to the axis. This allows at least one seal to be compressed axially. The seal material deforms radially outward with respect to the compression, thereby acting radially and pressing against the inner wall surface of the first housing component. Thus, the contact pressure applied by the ribs can indirectly generate a radial sealing force, particularly through the lateral deformation of the seal.

[0069] Advantageously, at least one sealing portion of the circumferential seal is deformed in a filter housing with at least one filter element attached compared to the case where at least one filter element is not yet attached. This allows the corresponding sealing portion to be flexibly pressed against the inner wall surface of the first housing component.

[0070] Advantageously, the rib contacts the circumferential seal with a directional component of contact pressure acting axially with respect to the axis at its axial end face facing the second housing component. This causes the circumferential seal to deform by compression. Thus, the deformed seal can be pressed against the inner wall of the housing, acting to partially seal radially.

[0071] Advantageously, the rib can cause deformation of the circumferential seal by contacting it axially, particularly directly, at the inlet end face, thereby pressing the circumferential seal portion, which acts partially radially, against the inner wall surface of the first housing component.

[0072] Advantageously, the rib is configured at least partially with an inclined surface shape, and / or the contact surface of the rib facing the radially inner circumferential surface of the circumferential seal portion, which acts to seal at least partially radially, is at an acute angle with respect to the axis. This allows the rib to slide along the radially inner circumferential surface of the seal portion and continuously press it against the inner wall surface of the first housing portion during axial assembly of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The wedge action between the "angled" rib and the seal portion allows for a high radially acting seal pretension with a manageable axial mounting force.

[0073] Advantageously, the circumferential sealing portion acting to seal at least partially radially is offset at least partially radially outward with respect to the radially outer outer wall surface of the filter media body with respect to the axis, and / or the circumferential sealing portion acting to seal at least partially radially protrudes at least partially axially beyond the inlet side of the filter media body.

[0074] Advantageously, the filter device comprises a cyclone block having a plurality of cyclone separators, the cyclone block including an immersion plate having a plurality of immersion tubes as a second housing component of the filter housing, circumferential ribs formed on the immersion plate and / or at least one inlet opening located on at least one component of at least one cyclone separator, in particular the immersion tube of at least one cyclone separator, and / or the second housing component includes a portion of the cyclone block having a plurality of cyclone separators, and / or the second housing component includes or is an immersion plate having at least one immersion tube of a cyclone separator, and / or the second housing component includes a plurality of immersion tubes of the corresponding cyclone separators. and / or, the second housing component is positioned between the first housing component and the cyclone housing of the cyclone block to which at least one cyclone separator belongs. This allows the filter device to be designed in a compact configuration having at least one filter element and at least one cyclone block. The cyclone block having multiple cyclone separators enables efficient preliminary separation of particles from the gaseous medium to be purified, and reduces the size requirements for the configuration for preliminary separation.

[0075] Advantageously, the inlet-side axial end of the circumferential seal protrudes beyond the free end of a rib of the second housing component when viewed axially with respect to the axis, and / or the rib protrudes beyond the free end of the circumferential seal, particularly of at least one circumferential seal portion, when viewed axially with respect to the axis, and / or the rib enters into a recess of the circumferential seal that opens on the side facing the inlet side axially with respect to the axis, and / or the second housing component includes at least one immersion tube of at least one cyclone separator, the immersion tube having an outlet end that is at least partially surrounded by an immersion tube edge on the side facing the inlet side of at least one filter element, the immersion tube edge being located radially inward of the circumferential seal portion at an axial distance from the free end of the circumferential seal when the filter device is installed. This makes it possible to achieve axial overlap between the seal and the second housing component, particularly the rib and / or the immersion tube.

[0076] Advantageously, the immersion tube edge is located radially inward of the seal portion and at an axial distance from the free end of the seal when the filter device is installed. Advantageously, the outlet end is located axially beyond the axial free end on the inlet side of the circumferential seal. The immersion tube edge, and thus the outlet end of at least one immersion tube, which at least partially surrounds the outlet end, may extend axially behind the free end of the circumferential seal and thus behind the inlet end of at least one filter element.

[0077] Advantageously, the first housing component comprises a radially projecting collar that is at least partially circumferentially extending, providing at least one axial contact surface, and at the axial contact surface, at least one radially projecting support portion of the filter element is supported. Thus, the circumferential seal can be additionally supported in the first housing component axially with respect to the axis. Here, a further sealing region can be provided. In the further sealing region, at least one circumferential seal can act to seal axially.

[0078] Advantageously, the protruding collar of the first housing component may extend continuously and without interruption, particularly in the circumferential direction, or it may be interrupted.

[0079] Advantageously, the collar has at least two axial contact surfaces, particularly four axial contact surfaces, arranged at different axial heights. and / or, the collar includes at least two, particularly four, collar portions, each having a contact surface that partially extends circumferentially around the axis. This provides protection against incorrect assembly of the filter device. In particular, this prevents at least one filter element, the first housing component, and the second housing component from being incorrectly oriented during assembly.

[0080] Advantageously, the contact area of ​​the sealing portion, which acts to seal radially against the inner wall surface of the first housing component, is positioned at an axial distance from at least one axial contact surface of the collar. This allows for a region between the sealing portion and the inner wall surface of the first housing component in which at least one sealing portion does not contact the inner wall surface.

[0081] Advantageously, the first and second housing components form a seal chamber, within which a circumferential seal portion acting at least partially radially is housed, and the seal chamber is defined radially inward by the ribs of the second housing component, radially outward by the inner wall surface of the first housing component, and axially by collars connected to the second housing component, particularly by collars of further components connected to the second housing component. This makes available space that can accommodate the seal portion even after deformation.

[0082] Advantageously, the collar provides an axial sealing surface, on which the circumferential seal acts to seal in the axial direction. This provides a sealing effect outward, particularly to the environment.

[0083] Advantageously, the seal chamber is axially defined on the inlet side by a collar connected to a second housing component, and in particular by a collar of a further component connected to the second housing component.

[0084] Advantageously, the circumferential seal is defined at its axial end facing away from the second housing component by a frame element connected to the filter media body, which at least partially surrounds the axis circumferentially, and the frame element, in particular its surface, is at least partially exposed, and the frame element, in particular at least one exposed portion of the frame element, at least partially forms a support portion projecting radially from the filter element, which is supported by the axial contact surface of a collar projecting radially from the first housing component. This allows the circumferential seal to be supported on the side facing away from the second housing component axially. Furthermore, this allows at least one support portion to be stably connected to the filter media body, enabling a rigid shape-fit contact of the filter element in the housing.

[0085] Advantageously, the frame elements include or are composed of plastic material. This allows for robust, flexible, and lightweight frame elements. In this case, the term “plastic frame” may also be used for the frame elements. Alternatively or in addition to this, the frame elements may advantageously include or be composed of at least one other material, particularly metal, carbon fiber, or composite material.

[0086] Advantageously, the frame element is part of the framework of the filter element and / or connected to the framework of the filter element. At least one filter media body may be held in place by the framework. The framework can stabilize at least one filter element and maintain its shape. At least part of the framework may include or be composed of plastic material, metal, carbon fiber, or composite material.

[0087] Advantageously, the framework, especially the framework with frame elements, is constructed as a single unit. This allows for a particularly stable framework to be constructed.

[0088] In this embodiment, the frame element may be configured as a component separate from the framework.

[0089] Advantageously, the frame element extends at least partially axially toward the inlet side and / or radially inward, starting from at least one exposed portion, and / or the frame element is at least partially surrounded by the material of the circumferential seal.

[0090] Advantageously, the frame elements extend at least partially axially and / or radially inward in the direction of the inflow. This allows for the stabilization of at least one filter media body. Furthermore, this allows a portion of the frame elements to function as a mold for the seal material.

[0091] Alternatively, or in addition to this, advantageously, the frame elements may be at least partially surrounded by a circumferential sealing material. This can improve the support function for the seal.

[0092] Advantageously, in the state of the filter device, where at least one filter element is positioned within at least one filter element housing space and the second housing component has been removed from the first housing component, a radial gap exists between the inner wall surface of the second housing component and the radially outer circumferential surface of the circumferential sealing portion that acts to seal at least partially in the radial direction. This allows at least one filter element to be moved axially into or out of the filter element housing space without the circumferential sealing portion acting to seal radially rubbing against the inner wall surface of the second housing component, thereby minimizing mounting forces.

[0093] Advantageously, the filter media body has a cross-sectional shape having at least two curved sides connected to each other by two straight sides, and / or the filter media body comprises a radially outer filter media portion and a radially inner filter media portion, each continuous in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis, wherein the radially inner filter media portion is located inside the radially outer filter media portion, and / or the outer wall of the filter media body, particularly the outer wall of the radially outer filter media portion of the filter media body, has an oval-elliptical cross-section, and / or the inner wall of the filter media body, particularly the inner wall of the radially inner filter media portion of the filter media body, has an oval-elliptical cross-section, and / or the outer wall of the filter media body, particularly the outer wall of the radially outer filter media portion of the filter media body, tapers, particularly conically, when viewed axially from the inflow side, and / or the inner wall of the filter media body, particularly the inner wall of the radially inner filter media portion of the filter media body, tapers, particularly conically, when viewed axially from the outflow side. This makes it possible to obtain a filter material with an improved ratio of spatial requirements to filter surface area.

[0094] Advantageously, the filter media is configured as a filter bellows. In the case of a filter bellows, the filter media can be folded. This allows for an increase in the effective filter surface area.

[0095] Advantageously, at least one filter element portion of the filter body, particularly the radially outer filter element portion of the filter body, is capable of flowing from the radially inner to the radially outer portion, and / or at least one filter element portion of the filter body, particularly the radially inner filter element portion of the filter body, is capable of flowing from the radially outer to the radially inner portion. This improves the ratio between the axial length and radial length of the filter element. This makes it possible to realize a filter element with an axially elongated shape in comparison to its radially extended length.

[0096] Advantageously, at least one filter media body comprises at least two filter bellows, in particular an inner filter bellows and an outer filter bellows, in particular at least two folded filter bellows, the filter bellows extending at least partially around an axis and circulating in parallel by the gaseous medium to be purified, and / or the inner filter bellows of at least one filter media body is located inside surrounded by the outer filter bellows of at least one filter media body, and / or the at least one filter media body comprises at least one filter bellows, in particular an inner filter bellows and / or an outer filter bellows, the filter bellows having an inclination with respect to an axis. The use of multiple filter bellows and their particular arrangement relative to each other can improve, overall, the ratio of spatial requirements to the effective filter surface area circulating.

[0097] In this context, "parallel flow" means that the filter bellows are arranged to act in parallel, particularly with respect to the flow of the gaseous medium. This does not mean that the filter bellows are arranged parallel in a geometric sense. The filter bellows are flowed through by the gaseous medium being purified in parallel. In contrast, in a series arrangement of filter bellows, they flow sequentially, i.e., in series.

[0098] Advantageously, the filter device comprises at least one further filter element, in particular a secondary filter element, which is fluidly downstream of at least one filter element, in particular a main filter element, having a circumferential seal. This further improves the separation of particles from the gaseous medium to be purified and, instead or in addition, prevents contaminants from entering the clean side during maintenance of the main filter element.

[0099] Advantageously, at least one additional filter element, particularly a secondary filter element, is spatially positioned within the filter element housing space between a filter element having at least one circumferential seal and at least one outlet opening of the filter housing. This allows the filter device to be constructed in a more compact configuration.

[0100] Advantageously, a filter element for a filter device for a gaseous medium, especially air, and more particularly for a filter device according to the present invention, comprises at least one filter body, The filter device comprises a filter housing having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, The filter element is housed within a filter housing between the inlet and outlet openings to separate the untreated side, associated with at least one inlet opening, from the clean side, associated with at least one outlet opening. The filter housing includes a first housing component in which an outlet opening is located, and the first housing component includes at least one filter element housing space in which at least one filter element is located. The filter housing includes a second housing component in which an inlet opening is located, and the second housing component includes at least a portion of at least one cyclone separator. The second housing component closes the service opening of the first housing component, and the first and second housing components are detachably connected to and separable from each other so that at least one filter element can be removed through the service opening of the first housing component.

[0101] Advantageously, at least one filter element comprises a circumferential seal extending around a virtual axis on an inlet side that may face a second housing component, the circumferential seal acting to seal at least partially radially with respect to the axis and including a circumferential seal portion extending around the axis, the radially outer circumferential surface of the circumferential seal portion with respect to the axis being capable of sealed contact with the radially inner internal wall surface of the first housing component with respect to the axis, and contact pressure can be applied to the circumferential seal by ribs that extend at least partially circumferentially around the axis and project from the second housing component with at least one axial component, thereby pressing the circumferential seal portion, capable of sealing at least partially radially, against the internal wall surface of the first housing component.

[0102] Advantageously, a filter element comprising at least one filter media body is used in a filter device for a gaseous medium according to the present invention.

[0103] Advantageously, the filter element includes a circumferential seal on the inlet side facing a second housing component of the filter device, the circumferential seal includes a circumferential sealing portion that acts to seal at least partially radially, the circumferential sealing portion sealingly abutting against the radially inner wall surface of the first housing component with respect to the shaft at the radially outer circumferential surface with respect to the shaft, and applying contact pressure to the circumferential seal by ribs that protrude from the second housing component with at least one axial directional component and extend at least partially circumferentially, thereby pressing the circumferential sealing portion that acts to seal at least partially radially against the inner wall surface of the first housing component.

[0104] Advantageously, in a filter device for a gaseous medium, and more particularly in a method of assembling a filter device according to the present invention, at least one filter element is introduced through a service opening into the filter element housing space of a first housing component of the filter device's filter housing, which has at least one outlet opening for the purified gaseous medium, and the service opening is then closed by a second housing component of the filter housing, which includes at least one inlet opening for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least a portion of at least one cyclone separator.

[0105] Advantageously, a circumferential seal extending around a virtual axis on the inlet side of at least one filter element facing the second housing component is pressed against the radially inward inner wall surface of the first housing component by ribs that project from the second housing component with at least one axial component with respect to the axis and at least partially surround the axis, thereby acting to seal at least partially radially with respect to the axis.

[0106] Advantageously, at least one filter element can be simply inserted into the filter housing without applying any force.

[0107] Advantageously, the placement of the filter element within the filter element housing space of the first housing component, and the attachment of the second housing component to the first housing component, are performed axially with respect to the axis.

[0108] Advantageously, the clamping action of the circumferential seal is achieved by clamping means that engage between the first housing component and the second housing component.

[0109] In other words, the features and advantages disclosed in connection with the filter elements, filter devices, uses, and methods of the present invention, as well as their respective advantageous embodiments, are applicable to each other and inversely. Individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with each other, thereby potentially producing further advantageous effects that exceed the sum of their individual effects.

[0110] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will find it appropriate to consider the features disclosed in combination in the drawings, specification, and claims individually and combine them into more meaningful combinations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0111] [Figure 1] This is an isometric view of a filter device for a gaseous medium, equipped with a cyclone block, as seen from the outlet socket side. [Figure 2] This is an isometric view of the filter device shown in Figure 1, without the cyclone block, as seen from the inlet side of the main filter element of the filter device. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 are exploded views of the filter device. [Figure 4] Figures 1 to 3 show detailed views of the immersion tube plate of the cyclone block of the filter device in the circumferential rib region. [Figure 5] These are detailed diagrams of the main filter elements of the filter apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the circumferential seal region. [Figure 6] Figures 1 through 3 show longitudinal cross-sectional views through the filter device. [Figure 7] This is a detailed view of the longitudinal cross-section of the filter device shown in Figure 6, in the region of the circumferential seal of the main filter element. [Figure 8] These are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the filter apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3, excluding the cyclone housing of the cyclone block. [Figure 9] This is a detailed view of the longitudinal cross-section of the filter device shown in Figure 8, in the region of the circumferential seal of the main filter element. [Figure 10] These are longitudinal cross-sectional views passing through the filter apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3, excluding the cyclone block. [Figure 11] This is a detailed view of the longitudinal cross-section of the filter device in Figure 10, in the region of the circumferential seal of the main filter element. [Figure 12] Figures 1 and 3 are isometric views of the housing pot of the filter device, as seen from the service opening, with the post-filter elements positioned inside the housing pot. [Figure 13] Figure 12 shows the housing pot as viewed in the axial direction of the service opening. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line XIV-XIV, passing through the housing pod of Figures 12 and 13, which includes a post-filter element. [Figure 15] This is a detailed view of the longitudinal section of Figure 14 in the collar region of the housing pot surrounding the service opening. [Figure 16] Figures 1 to 3 are isometric views of the main filter element framework of the filter device, as seen from the inflow side of the main filter element. [Figure 17] This is an isometric view of the framework shown in Figure 16, as seen from the outflow side of the main filter element. [Figure 18] Figures 16 and 17 are side views of the short side of the frame. [Figure 19] Figures 16 to 18 are side views of the long side of the frame. [Figure 20] Figures 1 to 3 are isometric views of the main filter elements of the filter device, as seen from the outlet side. [Figure 21] Figures 1 to 3 are isometric views of the main filter elements of the filter device, as seen from the inflow side. [Figure 22] Figures 1 to 3 are side views of the main filter element of the filter device, showing the long side. [Figure 23] Figures 1 to 3 are side views of the short side of the main filter element of the filter device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0112] In the diagram, identical components are indicated by the same reference symbol.

[0113] In Figures 1 to 23, a filter device 10 for a gaseous medium and its components are shown in different diagrams. The filter device 10 can remove solid particles, such as dust, from a gaseous medium, such as air.

[0114] The filter device 10 can be used in relation to internal combustion engines, such as in vehicles, such as automobiles, construction machinery and / or agricultural machinery, and in compressors, and in relation to fuel cells, such as in cathode filters.

[0115] The filter device 10 comprises, for example, a housing pot 12, a post-filter element 14, a main filter element 16, an immersion plate 18, and a cyclone housing 20, as shown in the exploded view of Figure 3. The entire filter device 10 is constructed axially with respect to the axis 22.

[0116] The components of the filter device 10 and their relative positions with respect to the virtual axis 22 are described below. The axis 22 may coincide with the housing axis of the housing pot 12, the installation / removal axis of the post-filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 into or out of the housing pot 12, the connection axis between the immersion plate 18 and the housing pot 12, the connection axis between the cyclone housing 20 and the housing pot 12, the element axis of the post-filter element 14, the element axis of the main filter element 16, the housing axis of the housing pot 12, the plate axis of the immersion plate 18, and / or the housing axis of the cyclone housing 20. Whenever “radial,” “coaxial,” “axial,” “tangential,” “circumferential,” “concentric,” “eccentric,” or similar terms are used herein, unless otherwise specified, this refers to the axis 22. “Circumferential” in this context refers to the contour of each virtual wall surface surrounding the axis 22.

[0117] In the connected state, the immersion plate 18 and the cyclone housing 20 form a cyclone block 24. On the other hand, the housing pot 12 as a first housing component and the immersion plate 18 as a second housing component form a filter housing 26 in the connected state. When the filter device 10 is assembled, the immersion plate 18 is connected to the cyclone housing 20 by a screw 28.

[0118] The housing pot 12 will be described in more detail below, based on Figures 3 and 12 to 15.

[0119] The housing pot 12 is constructed as a single unit. The housing pot 12 is made of, for example, a plastic material, for example, a rigid plastic material.

[0120] The housing pot 12 has a housing wall 30 that continuously surrounds the shaft 22. At the axial end face of the housing pot 12, the housing bottom 32 is adjacent to the housing wall 30. On the side facing away from the housing bottom 32 in the axial direction, the housing wall 30 surrounds the service opening 34.

[0121] The housing wall 30 and the housing bottom 32 define the filter element housing space 36 of the housing pot 12. When the filter device 10 is installed, the rear filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 are positioned within the filter element housing space 36. In this regard, the rear filter element 14 and the main filter element 16 can be inserted into and removed from the filter element housing space 36 through the service opening 34.

[0122] The outlet socket 38 is integrated with the housing bottom 32. The outlet socket 38 has an outlet opening 40 for the purified gaseous medium. The outlet socket 38 extends axially with respect to the shaft 22, for example. For example, the outlet socket 38 has a cylindrical shape.

[0123] In the region axially adjacent to the housing bottom 32, on the side facing the service opening 34 in the axial direction, the housing wall 30 is stepped twice radially outward. Thus, as a whole, the housing pot 12 tapers axially toward the housing bottom 32. The stepped region forms a housing area for the rear filter element 14. The area of ​​the filter element housing space 36 located between the stepped region and the service opening 34 serves to house the main filter element 16.

[0124] When viewed perpendicular to axis 22, the housing wall 30 has an oval-shaped cross-section.

[0125] On the axial side having a service opening 34, the housing wall 30 includes a collar 42 that continuously surrounds the shaft 22.

[0126] Viewed in the axial direction, the collar 42 has an oval-elliptical cross-section. However, the oval-elliptical cross-section of the collar 42 is different from the oval-elliptical cross-section of the housing wall 30 between the collar 42 and the housing bottom 32. The housing wall 30 is symmetrical with respect to a 180° rotation around axis 22 in the region between the housing bottom 32 and the collar 42. In contrast, the collar wall 44 does not have rotational symmetry with respect to axis 22. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0127] The collar wall 44 is offset radially outward from the main wall portion 46 of the housing wall 30. The main wall portion 46 extends axially between the collar 42 and the housing bottom portion 32.

[0128] The colored wall 48 extends between the main wall section 46 and the colored wall 44.

[0129] The collar 48 has a plurality of contact surfaces 50 on its axially inward side facing the filter element housing space 36. The contact surfaces 50 are arranged circumferentially along the collar 48 in each collar portion of the collar 42. To facilitate distinction, the reference numerals of the contact surfaces 50 below will be denoted by subscripts A, B, C, or D, i.e., 50A , 50 B , 50 C or 50 D shall be used.

[0130] The inclined surface 52 is arranged between the contact surface 50 A and the contact surface 50 D and is arranged between the contact surface 50 C and the contact surface 50 D on the radially opposite side. The two inclined surfaces 52 are arranged on the radially opposite sides of each other.

[0131] The contact surface 50 extends in the circumferential direction and perpendicular to the axis 22. The inclined surface 52 extends in the circumferential direction and is inclined with respect to the axis 22 in the axial direction toward the axis 22 as viewed from the service opening 34.

[0132] The inclined surface 52 of the collar 42 extends along the long side 54 of the filter device 10 which has an overall oval elliptical structure when viewed axially. The short sides 56 extend between the long sides 54 respectively.

[0133] Hereinafter, for the sake of clarity, the names of the long side 54 and the short side 56 will be used for the components of the filter device 10 having an oval elliptical cross section.

[0134] The flat curved portion 58 extends to one of the short sides 56 of the collar wall 44. The circular curved portion 60 of the collar wall 44 extends to the short side 56 on the opposite side across the axis 22. The flat curved portion 58 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved portion 60. Between the flat curved portion 58 and the circular curved portion 60, the linear connecting portions 62 of the collar wall 44 extend along the long sides 54 respectively.

[0135] In the area of the flat curved portion 58, three contact surfaces 50 A , 50 B , 50 C are provided. The fourth contact surface 50 D is arranged on the circular curved portion 60 side. The two side contact surfaces 50 A and 50 CThe transition portion of each linear connection portion 62 to the flat curved portion 58 to the third contact surface 50 B Each extends to the third contact surface 50. B is the lateral contact surface 50 A , 50 C It extends between these points.

[0136] Central contact surface 50 on the flat curved portion 58 side B and the contact surface 50 on the circular curved portion 60 side D These are arranged at the same axial height. Contact surface 50 on the flat curved portion 58 side A , 50 B , 50 C These are arranged at different axial heights, as seen, for example, in Figures 14 and 15. Central contact surface 50 B and contact surface 50 D When viewed in the axial direction, the two outer contact surfaces 50 A and 50 C It is positioned closer to the free edge of the colored wall 44. Contact surface 50 D and contact surface 50 A The axial distance 64 between the contact surface 50 D and contact surface 50 C The axial distance between them is less than 66.

[0137] Contact surface 50 D As can be seen, for example in Figure 13, on the side of the circular curved portion 60, at the center of the circular curved portion 60, it extends circumferentially over an inscribed angle of approximately 90° around the center of the circular curved portion 60 (not shown).

[0138] Contact surface 50 D A recess 68 exists between each of the adjacent inclined surfaces 52. The recesses 68 extend axially, radially, and along the collar wall 44, respectively. The inclined surfaces 52 extend along the collar wall 44 all the way from each linear connection 62 to each circular curved section 60.

[0139] In the main wall portion 46 of the housing wall 30, a plurality of grooves 70 extend substantially axially from the collar 48 to a position just before the stepped area of ​​the housing wall 30. The grooves 70 are arranged circumferentially along the main wall portion 46. Each groove 70 is provided as a radially outward bulge in the main wall portion 46. Each groove 70 forms an elongated recess radially inward of the main wall portion 46. In addition, each groove 70 forms an elongated convex portion radially outward of the main wall portion 46. Depending on the circumferential position, the grooves 70 open toward the contact surface 50 or the inclined surface 52. Viewed axially, the cross-section of each groove 70 tapers toward the housing bottom portion 32.

[0140] Furthermore, a total of eight fastening blocks 72 are arranged radially outward from the main wall portion 46. Of these, four fastening blocks 72 are positioned on the side of the main wall portion 46 facing the collar 42 axially. The other four fastening blocks 72 are positioned on the side facing the stepped region adjacent to the housing bottom portion 32 axially. In each fastening block 72, a screw collar 74 is positioned on the side facing the corresponding long side 54. The screw collar 74 is provided, for example, as a flat metal plate. The screw collars 74 on the common long side 54 extend within a single plane. Each screw collar 74 has a screw hole. The axes of the screw holes in the screw collars 74 extend parallel to each other. The screw collars 74 allow the filter device 10 to be fastened to the corresponding retaining element. The retaining element is fixedly connected, for example, to a machine in which the filter device 10 is used.

[0141] Furthermore, a total of four clamp noses 76 are positioned outside the collar 48, facing axially away from the collar wall 44. The clamp noses 76 project axially away from the collar wall 44 on the axial extension of the collar wall 44. Two of the clamp noses 76 are positioned in the region of the flat curved section 58, near the transition of the flat curved section 58 to each of the adjacent linear connection sections 62. The other two clamp noses 76 are positioned in the region of the circular curved section 60, near the transition of each of the adjacent linear connection sections 62. Viewed axially, the clamp noses 76 align with the axially adjacent fastening blocks 72. The clamp noses 76 function to engage with their respective clamp clips 78. The clamp clips 78 are supported by the cyclone housing 20, as will be described in more detail below.

[0142] Between the collar 48 and the free edge of the collar wall 44, the collar wall 44 has an internal wall surface 86 extending circumferentially on its radially inner circumferential surface. On the side of the collar wall 44 facing the free edge axially, the internal wall surface 86 has an inclined portion 80. In the inclined portion 80, the internal wall surface 86 extends inclined with respect to the axis 22. The radially inner circumferential length of the collar wall 44 increases axially toward the free edge in the inclined portion 80. Thus, the inclined portion 80 forms a funnel-shaped insertion aid for the post-filter element 14 and the main filter element 16. In the axial direction between the inclined portion 80 and the collar 48, the internal wall surface 86 extends parallel to the axis 22.

[0143] Furthermore, the colored wall 44 has four recesses 82 distributed along the free edge of the colored wall 44, as shown, for example, in Figures 12 and 13. Each recess 82 has an axial depth into the inclined portion 80 and extends circumferentially and radially. Two of the recesses 82 are located in the corresponding transitions between the connecting portion 62 and the flat curved portion 58 on one of the long sides 54. The other two recesses 82 are located in the transitions between the respective connecting portions 62 and the circular curved portion 60 on the long sides 54.

[0144] Two more nipples 84 are positioned on the outside of the housing bottom 32, which faces axially away from the filter element housing space 36. Each nipple extends parallel to the axis 22. Each nipple 84 is positioned adjacent to the short side 56 of the housing pot 12, on opposite sides radially across the axis 22.

[0145] The post-filter element 14 is designed, for example, as a so-called flat filter element. The post-filter element 14 functions as a secondary filter element. Viewed in the direction of axis 22, the radially outer surface of the post-filter element 14 has an oval-ellipse shape. The shape of the radially outer wall surface of the post-filter element 14 corresponds to the oval-ellipse shape of the radially inner circumferential surface of the housing pot 12 in the two stepped region adjacent to the housing bottom 32. The post-filter element 14 has a seal 88 on one of its axial end faces that extends circumferentially with respect to axis 22. The seal 88 separates the clean side of the post-filter element 14 from the untreated side when installed.

[0146] The main filter element 16 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3, 5, and 16 through 23.

[0147] The main filter element 16 comprises a filter media body 90, a frame 92, an end member 94, and a seal 96.

[0148] The frame 92 is shown in detail in Figures 16 to 19. The frame 92 is constructed as a single unit. For example, the frame 92 is manufactured as an injection-molded part of a rigid plastic material.

[0149] The framework 92 comprises a central element 98 and a frame element 100.

[0150] The central element 98 functions as a support element and supports the filter bellows 134 and 136, which are described in more detail below. The central element 98 comprises a number of axial stays 102. Each axial stay 102 extends substantially parallel to the axis 22. The axial stays 102 are distributed around the axis 22. On the axial side of the frame 92, the ends of the axial stays 102 located thereon are connected to each other by connecting rings 104.

[0151] Viewed axially, the axial stays 102 have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The long sides of the rectangular cross-section of each axial stay 102 are aligned parallel to the radial direction with respect to the axis 22. The circumferential dimensions of the axial stays 102 with respect to the axis 22, i.e., the extended length of the short sides of the rectangular cross-section of the axial stays 102, are constant over their axial lengths. The radial dimensions of the axial stays 102 with respect to the axis 22, i.e., the extended length of the long sides of the rectangular cross-section of the axial stays 102, increase axially from the end facing the connecting ring 104. Overall, the axial stays 102 are designed to be substantially wedge-shaped when viewed circumferentially with respect to the axis 22.

[0152] The radially outer side of the axial stay 102 with respect to the axis 22 is inclined toward the axis 22 when viewed from the frame element 100 toward the connecting ring 104. Thus, the virtual radially outer wall surface surrounding the central element 98 and defined by the radially outer side of the axial stay 102 has a conical shape that tapers toward the connecting ring 104. The virtual radially inner wall surface defined by the axial stay 102 has a shape that tapers toward the frame 100 when viewed in the axial direction toward the connecting ring 104.

[0153] The connecting ring 104 has an oval-shaped elliptical cross-section when viewed in the axial direction. The connecting ring 104 comprises two parallel, coaxial ring sections of the same circumference, connected to each other by axially extending stays.

[0154] The end of the axial stay 102 opposite the connecting ring 104 in the axial direction is connected to the radial inner ring 106. The radial inner ring 106 extends parallel to the connecting ring 104 on one side and coaxially with the connecting ring 104 on the other side. The radial inner ring 106 extends between the radial inner circumferential surfaces of the ends of the axial stay 102.

[0155] An intermediate ring 108 is positioned between the radially inner ring 106 and the connecting ring 104. The intermediate ring 108 connects the axial stays 102 to each other. The intermediate ring 108 extends parallel to the connecting ring 104 and the radially inner ring 106 on one side and coaxially with the connecting ring 104 and the radially inner ring 106 on the other side. In its radial extension, the intermediate ring 108 extends from the radially inner circumferential surface to the radially outer circumferential surface of the axial stay 102. The intermediate ring 108 is positioned at an axial distance to the radially inner ring 106 that corresponds to approximately one-third of the axial distance between the radially inner ring 106 and the connecting ring 104.

[0156] Two connecting arc sections 110 each extend along the short side 56. Each connecting arc section 110 is connected to the connecting ring 104 at its free end. Each connecting arc section 110 is connected to the central axial stay 102 at the center of its curve. Each connecting arc section 110 extends inclined with respect to the axis 22 from the connecting ring 104 toward the central axial stay 102 on the side facing the frame element 100 axially. Along each short side 56, one of the connecting arc sections 110 is connected to the central axial stay 102 at an axial distance from the connecting ring 104 that is approximately one-fifth of the axial distance between the frame element 100 and the connecting ring 104. This connecting arc section 110 connects the connecting ring 104 to the central axial stay 102. The other connecting arc portion 110 on the shorter side 56 is connected to the central axial stay 102 with respect to the connecting ring 104 at an axial distance equivalent to approximately one-quarter of the axial distance between the frame element 100 and the connecting ring 104. The latter connecting arc portion 110 connects the connecting ring 104 to the central axial stay 102 on the shorter side 56 and to two axial stays adjacent to the central axial stay 102.

[0157] At the radially wider end, the axial stay 102 has a step that rises axially on the radially outward side. The step of the axial stay 102 is connected to the outer ring 112.

[0158] The radially outer ring 112 has an oval-shaped elliptical cross-section. The radially outer ring 112 extends coaxially with the axis 22. The radially outer ring 112 is axially spaced apart from the radially inner ring 106. This is achieved by a step.

[0159] At the ends of the axial stays 102, each connecting opening 114 is provided between the outer ring 112 and the radially inner ring 106. The connecting opening 114 has an axial height equal to the step at the end of the axial stay 102. The connecting opening 114 connects the axially extending fluid space 140, located between two adjacent axial stays 102, at the height of the radially inner ring 106.

[0160] The radially outer ring 112 is surrounded by the support ring 116 of the frame element 100. The support ring 116 extends coaxially with the axis 22. The support ring 116 has an oval-elliptical cross-section, which differs from the oval-elliptical cross-sections of the radially outer ring 112, the radially inner ring 106, and the connecting ring 104, and will be described in more detail below.

[0161] The support ring 116 is connected to the radially extending outer ring 112 by radially extending radial stays 118. Each radial stay 118 has a bend of approximately 90° on the side facing the support ring 16, in the direction toward the connecting ring 104. The ends of the radial stays 118 behind the bends engage with the sides of the support ring 116, which are facing away from the connecting ring 104 in the axial direction.

[0162] The support ring 116 includes four support sections 120, as shown, for example, in Figures 17 to 19. The reference numerals for the support sections 120 are denoted by subscripts A, B, C, and D for easy distinction.

[0163] The sides of the support portion 120 facing the connecting ring 104 in the axial direction each form a support surface 122. Similar to the reference numerals of each support portion 120, the reference numerals of the support surfaces 122 are denoted by subscripts A, B, C, and D for easy distinction. Each support surface 122 is flat. The planes of the support surfaces 122 each extend perpendicularly to the axis 22.

[0164] Overall, the frame element 100 extends radially inward from the support portion 120 and toward the inlet side 226 of the main filter element 16.

[0165] The cross-section of the radially outer circumferential surface of the support ring 116 corresponds in shape to the cross-section of the radially inner circumferential surface of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12. The radially outer circumferential length of the support ring 116 is slightly smaller than the radially inner circumferential length of the collar wall 44.

[0166] The support ring 116 includes a flat curved portion 124 and a circular curved portion 126 on its radially outer wall surface. The flat curved portion 124 and the circular curved portion 126 are connected to each other by two opposing linear connecting portions 128. The radius of curvature of the flat curved portion 124 is greater than the radius of curvature of the circular curved portion 126. Therefore, as a whole, the support ring 116, and by extension the radially outer wall side of the frame element 100, does not have rotational symmetry with respect to the axis 22.

[0167] Central support surface 122 B Central support section 120 having B At the center of the flat curved portion 124, the corresponding outer support surface 122 A and 122 C Two outer support parts 120 having A and 120 C It extends between each of the two sub-surfaces 122. A and 122 C portion 120 having A and 120 C It extends between each of the linear connection parts 128. Two lateral support parts 120 A and 120C The circumferential extension length is the two lateral contact surfaces 50 of the housing pot 12. A and 50 C This corresponds to the circumferential extension length.

[0168] Support surface 122 D Support portion 120 having D The central support part 120 B On the radially opposite side, it extends to the center of the circular curved portion 126. Support portion 120 D and support surface 122 D The circumferential extension length is the contact surface 50 of the housing pot 12. D It is greater than the circumferential extension length.

[0169] Support surface 122 D Support portion 120 having D The components transition seamlessly to each adjacent linear connection portion 128 of the support ring 116 without any step.

[0170] Outer support surface 120 B and central support surface 122 D These are arranged at the same axial height. Outer support surface 122 A For example, the central support surface 122 shown in Figure 18 B With an axial distance of 130 relative to it, the central support surface 122 B It is positioned on the side surface of the support ring 116 facing the connecting ring 104. C The central support surface 122 B It is positioned at an axial distance of 132 relative to the outer support surface 122 of the support ring 116 facing the connecting ring 104. A The distance 130 is the outer support surface 122 C The distance is greater than 132. Outer support surface 122 A The distance 130 is the outer contact surface 50 of the housing pot 12. A This corresponds to a distance of 66. Outer support surface 122 C The distance 132 is the outer contact surface 50 of the housing pot 12. C This corresponds to a distance of 64.

[0171] Overall, the side surface of the support ring 116 facing the connecting ring 104 in the region of the support portion 120 is complementary to the side surface of the collar 48 of the housing pot 12 which faces in a direction that is axially separated from the housing bottom portion 32.

[0172] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the filter media body 90 comprises an outer filter bellows 134 and an inner filter bellows 136. The filter bellows 134 and 136 are each made of folded filter material, such as a filter nonwoven fabric.

[0173] The outer filter bellows 134 has a hollow frustoconical shape with an oval elliptical base. The outer filter bellows 134 is coaxial with the axis 22. The base of the outer filter bellows 134 is positioned on the side of the main filter element 16 where the frame element 100 of the framework 92 is also located. The radially inner wall surface of the outer filter bellows 134 extends parallel to its radially outer wall surface. The folds of the folded outer filter bellows 134 each extend axially. The folds define the respective wall sides.

[0174] The radially outer wall surface of the outer filter bellows 134 forms the radially outer external wall surface 242 of the filter media body 90. The radially outer external wall surface 242 of the filter media body 90 has two curved sections 244 and two linear connecting sections 246 with respect to its shape surrounding the axis 22. The curved sections 244 are arranged radially opposite to each other on the short side 56. The connecting sections 246 are arranged radially opposite to each other on the long side 54. The curved sections 244 are connected by the linear connecting sections 246.

[0175] The radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134 is defined by the pleat height. The radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134 approximately corresponds to the radial distance from the support ring 116 of the frame element 100 of the framework 92 to the radially outer ring 112, and to the radially outer side of the axial stay 102.

[0176] The radial outer circumference and radial inner circumference of the outer filter bellows 134 decrease in the axial direction from the frame element 100 of the framework 92 toward the connecting ring 104, respectively. The outer filter bellows 134 tapers in the axial direction from the frame element 100 toward the connecting ring 104.

[0177] The radially inner wall surface of the outer filter bellows 134 is supported by the radially outer surfaces of the axial stays 102, intermediate ring 108, and connecting arc portion 110 of the frame 92.

[0178] The inner filter bellows 136 has a hollow frustoconical shape with an oval elliptical base. The inner filter bellows 136 is coaxial with the axis 22. The base of the inner filter bellows 136 is positioned on the side of the main filter element 16 where the connecting ring 104 of the framework 92 is also located. The radially inner wall surface of the inner filter bellows 136 extends parallel to its radially outer wall surface. The folds of the folded inner filter bellows 136 each extend axially. The folds define the respective wall sides.

[0179] The radial thickness of the inner filter bellows 136 is defined by the pleat height. The radial thickness of the inner filter bellows 136 is approximately equivalent to the radial thickness of the outer filter bellows 134.

[0180] The radially outer and radially inner circumferences of the inner filter bellows 136 decrease in the axial direction from the connecting ring 104 of the framework 92 toward the frame element 100, respectively. Viewed in the axial direction, the outer filter bellows 134 tapers toward the frame element 100 from the connecting ring 104.

[0181] The radially outer wall surface of the inner filter bellows 136 is supported by the radially inner sides of the axial stay 102, intermediate ring 108, radially inner ring 106, and connecting arc portion 110 of the frame 92.

[0182] The circumference of the radially outer wall surface of the inner filter bellows 136 in the bottom region is slightly smaller than the circumference of the radially inner wall surface of the outer filter bellows 134 in the cover region. The inner filter bellows 136 is coaxially positioned inside the enclosure of the outer filter bellows 134.

[0183] On the connecting ring 104 side of the frame 92, the bottom surface of the outer filter bellows 134 is connected to the bottom surface of the inner filter bellows 136 by connecting pleats 138 that extend in the circumferential and radial directions.

[0184] A flow space 140 is provided between the radially outer circumferential surface of the inner filter bellows 136 and the radially inner circumferential surface of the inner filter bellows 136. In the circumferential direction, each of the flow spaces is defined by one of two adjacent axial stays 102. The gaseous medium to be purified can flow into the flow space 140. From the flow space 140, the gaseous medium to be purified can flow in a functionally parallel manner: from the radially inner to the outer side through the outer filter bellows 134, and from the radially outer to the inner side through the inner filter bellows 136.

[0185] The end member 94 closes the interior 42 of the element, which is surrounded by the inner filter bellows 136, at its axial end face facing the frame element 100. The end member 94 is positioned coaxially with the axis 22. The end member 94 has an oval-shaped elliptical cross-section. The end member 94 is connected to and supported by the radial inner ring 106 of the framework 92 in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis 22. The end member 94 is made of, for example, an elastic material, such as an elastomer.

[0186] In the following, the seal 96, which is shown in detail in Figure 5, will be described in more detail. The seal 96 is annular and has an oval-elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction. The seal 96 is integrally formed from an elastic material, such as an elastomer. The material of the seal 96 is softer than the material from which the framework 92 is formed together with the frame element 100.

[0187] The seal 96 has a holding portion 144 and a sealing portion 146.

[0188] The retaining portion 144 connects the seal 96 to the frame element 100 of the framework 92. In this regard, the seal 96 having the retaining portion 144 can be bonded or molded to the side of the frame element 100 facing away from the connecting ring 104 in the axial direction. The retaining portion 144 surrounds the radially outer ring 112 of the framework 92 and the step at the end of the axial stay 102, both radially outward and radially inward. Thus, the frame element 100 is partially surrounded by the material of the seal 96.

[0189] The holding portion 144 leaves the support surface 122 exposed on the side of the support ring 116 that faces the connecting ring 104 in the axial direction.

[0190] The retaining portion 144 extends radially outward beyond the radially outer ring 112 of the frame 92 and transitions to the sealing portion 146 in the radially outer region of the support ring 116.

[0191] The sealing portion 146 is positioned directly adjacent to the radially outer wall surface of the support ring 116, and consequently the frame element 100, with respect to the shaft 22. Furthermore, the sealing portion 146 is positioned completely radially outward from the radially outer wall surface of the filter media body 90 with respect to the shaft 22.

[0192] The free side 150 of the holding portion 144, which faces away from the frame elements of the framework 92, extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22.

[0193] The seal portion 146 is a seal stay. The seal portion 146 extends axially in a direction away from the support ring 116. The free end of the seal portion 146 extends in a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis 22. The axial free end 148 of the seal portion 146 protrudes axially beyond the side surface 150 of the retaining portion 144, which faces away from the frame 92. The radial outer circumference of the seal portion 146 in the region of the free end 148 is slightly larger than the radial outer circumference of the seal portion 146 in the region of the support ring 116. Correspondingly, the radial inner circumference of the seal portion 146 in the region of the free end 148 is smaller than the radial inner circumference of the seal portion 146 in the region of the transition to the retaining portion 144. The seal portion 146 tapers axially in a conical shape from the free end 148 toward the support ring 116.

[0194] The sealing portion 146 is offset radially outward with respect to the radially outer outer wall surface 242 of the filter medium 90.

[0195] For example, as shown in Figure 11, when the seal 96 is relaxed, the axial distance 188 between each partial surface 122 of the frame element 100 of the framework 92 and the free end 148 of the seal 96 is greater than the axial distance 190 between the corresponding contact surface 50 of the collar 48 of the housing pot 12 and the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44.

[0196] A recess 152 is positioned at the transition from the retaining portion 144 to the sealing portion 146. The recess 152 extends circumferentially with respect to the axis 22 along the radially inward side of the sealing portion 146 on the side surface 150 of the retaining portion 144, which faces away from the support ring 116 in the axial direction.

[0197] Viewed in the axial direction, the seal portion 146 has an oval-elliptical shape. The shape of the seal portion 146 corresponds to the shape of the color wall 44 of the housing pot 12 and the frame element 100 of the framework 92 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0198] The sealing portion 146 has a flat curved portion 154 on one of its short sides 56 and a circular curved portion 156 on the opposite short side 56. The flat curved portion 154 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved portion 156. The flat curved portion 154 and the circular curved portion 156 are connected at the long side 54 by a linear connecting portion 158.

[0199] The immersion plate 18 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0200] The immersion plate 18 is constructed as a single unit. The immersion plate 18 is made of a plastic material, for example, an injection-molded rigid plastic material. For example, the immersion plate 18 is manufactured by injection molding.

[0201] The immersion tube plate 18 comprises a plate portion 160, a plurality of immersion tubes 162, and ribs 164.

[0202] The plate portion 160 extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22. Multiple immersion tubes 162 are distributed within the plate portion 160. Each of the immersion tubes 162 is part of a cyclone separator 166. Figure 6 illustrates, for example, a part of the cyclone separator 166. The cyclone separator 166 is designed, for example, as an axial flow cyclone. The immersion tube plate 18, having the immersion tubes 162, is integrated with the cyclone housing 20 to form a cyclone block 24. The cyclone block 24 comprises multiple cyclone separators 166.

[0203] Each of the immersion tubes 162 has a substantially cylindrical trapezoidal shape, with its axis extending parallel to the axis 22. The bottom surface of the cylindrical base of the immersion tube 162 is positioned towards the plate portion 160. The immersion tube 162 tapers away from the plate portion 160 when viewed in the axial direction. The interior of the immersion tube 162 functions as an inlet opening 168 for the gas to be purified.

[0204] The plate portion 160 transitions to a rib 164 at its radially outer edge. The rib 164 is shown in detail in Figure 4. The rib 164 extends continuously in the circumferential direction coaxially with the axis 22. The rib 164 as a whole has a substantially V-shaped contour.

[0205] One of the legs of the V-shaped rib 164, hereafter referred to as the axial leg 170, is connected to the edge of the plate portion 160. The axial leg 170 is positioned radially inward of the rib 164. The axial leg 170 extends axially substantially parallel to the axis 22 and circumferentially, at least in the relaxed state, for example, when the immersion plate 18 is not attached.

[0206] The other leg of the "V," referred to below as the inclined leg 172, is connected to the axial leg 170 on the side facing away from the plate portion 160 in the axial direction. The connecting edge between the axial leg 170 and the inclined leg 172, i.e., the closed side of the "V," is referred to below as the rib edge 174. The inclined leg 172 is positioned radially outward of the rib 164. On the side facing the plate portion 160 in the axial direction, the inclined leg 172 extends radially outward from the rib edge 174, inclined with respect to the axis 22. The free end of the inclined leg 172 is referred to as the free edge 176.

[0207] The radially outer side of the inclined leg portion 172 forms a contact surface 178. When the filter device 10 is installed, the contact surface 178 is positioned on the sealing portion 146 of the seal 96 of the main filter element 16, as will be described in more detail below. The contact surface 178 is inclined with respect to the axis 22 and extends circumferentially. The contact surface 178 extends at an acute angle 180 with respect to the axis 22. The angle 180 can be, for example, about 30° to 45°.

[0208] The axial distance 182 between the free edge 176 and the rib edge 174 is approximately the same as the axial distance between the rib edge 174 and the plate portion 160.

[0209] Viewed in the axial direction, the rib 164 has an oval-elliptical shape. The shape of the rib 164 corresponds to the shape of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12, the frame element 100 of the framework 92, and the sealing portion 146 of the seal 96 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0210] The rib 164 has a flat curved section 230 on one of its short sides 56 and a circular curved section 232 on the opposite short side 56. The flat curved section 230 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved section 232. The flat curved section 230 and the circular curved section 232 are connected at the long side 54 by linear connecting sections 234, respectively.

[0211] The circumference of the rib edge 174 corresponds to the circumference of the recess 152 of the seal 96. The acute angle 180 of the contact surface 178 is greater than the angle between the radially inner sealing surface 184 of the sealing portion 146 of the seal 96 and the axis 22 when the seal 96 is relaxed, for example, in the unmounted state. The axial distance 182 between the rib edge 174 and the free edge 176 of the rib 164 corresponds approximately to the axial distance 186 between the base of the recess 152 and the free end 148 of the sealing portion 146 in the seal 96.

[0212] The cyclone housing 20 will be described in more detail below, based on Figures 3, 6, and 7.

[0213] The cyclone housing 20 comprises a fastening frame 194, multiple separation chambers 196, a particle discharge device 198, and a total of four clamp clips 78.

[0214] The separation chambers 196 are located within the main body 200 of the cyclone housing 20. Each separation chamber 196 is associated with one of the immersion tubes 162 of the immersion tube plate 18. Each immersion tube 162 having a corresponding separation chamber 196 forms one of the cyclone separators 166. Each separation chamber 196 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The axis of the separation chamber 196 extends parallel to the axis 22. When the device 10 is installed, the axis of the separation chamber 196 extends coaxially with the axis of the corresponding immersion tube 162.

[0215] The particle discharge device 198 is located radially outward from the main unit 200. The separation chamber 196 is connected to the particle discharge device 198 in a fluid communication manner, in a manner not covered in this context. This allows particles, such as dust particles, separated from the gaseous medium to be purified in each cyclone separator 166 to reach the particle discharge device 198.

[0216] The particle discharge device 198 has a discharge opening 202. The discharge opening 202 is closed during normal operation of the filter device 10. The discharge opening 202 can be opened to discharge particles collected in the particle discharge device 198. For example, in the mounting orientation of the filter device 10 shown in Figure 1, the particle discharge device 198 is positioned spatially at the bottom of the cyclone housing 20. Therefore, the discharge opening 202 is spatially oriented downward.

[0217] The fastening frame 194 is positioned on the axial end face of the main section 200. On the side of the main section 200 opposite to the fastening frame 194 in the axial direction, each of the separation chambers 196 has an introduction opening 204 for the gas to be purified. On the side facing the fastening frame 194 in the axial direction, each of the separation chambers 196 has an opening for the corresponding immersion tube 196.

[0218] The fastening frame 194 has an outer frame wall 206 connected to the main part 200 by a collar 208.

[0219] The outer frame wall 206 and collar 208 extend continuously in the circumferential direction around the axis 22.

[0220] The collar 208 extends radially outward from the main portion 200. The outer frame wall 206 extends axially from the collar 208 in a direction away from the main portion 200.

[0221] The outer frame wall 206 has a guide bevel 210 on its radially inner circumferential surface in the region of its free edge that faces axially away from the main portion 200. In the region of the guide bevel 210, the radially inner circumferential length of the outer frame wall 206 increases axially from the main portion 200 toward the free edge. The circumferential shape of the outer frame wall 206 around axis 22 corresponds to the circumferential shape of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12.

[0222] Viewed in the axial direction, the outer frame wall 206 has an oval-elliptical shape. The shape of the outer frame wall 206 corresponds to the shape of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12, the frame elements 100 of the framework 92, the sealing portion 146 of the seal 96, and the ribs 164 of the immersion plate 18 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0223] The outer frame wall 206 has a flat curved section 236 on one of its short sides 56 and a circular curved section 238 on the opposite short side 56. The flat curved section 236 has a larger radius of curvature than the circular curved section 238. The flat curved section 236 and the circular curved section 238 are connected at the long side 54 by linear connecting sections 240, respectively.

[0224] The radial inner circumference of the outer frame wall 206 in the axial region between the guide slope 210 and the main section 200 is slightly larger than the radial outer circumference of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12.

[0225] The radially outer surface of the main section 200 has an oval-elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction. In this regard, the curved portion on the short side 56 has the same radius of curvature. Therefore, the oval-elliptical shape of the main section 200 is different from the oval-elliptical shape of the outer frame wall 206. The radially outer circumference of the main section 200 is approximately the radially outer circumference of the main wall section 46 of the housing pot 12.

[0226] Two of the clamp clips 78 are positioned on the flat curved section 236 side in the region of the transition to the corresponding linear connection section 42. The other two clamp clips 78 are positioned on the circular curved section 238 side in the region of the transition to the corresponding linear connection section 42.

[0227] Each clamp clip 78 engages in an outer region of the collar 208, facing axially away from the outer frame wall 206. The clamp clips 78 extend beyond the free edge of the outer frame wall 206. The clamp clips 78 are, for example, spring clips.

[0228] The assembly method for the filter device 10 will be described below.

[0229] First, the immersion plate 18 is connected to the cyclone housing 20. For this purpose, with the immersion tube 162 leading, the immersion plate 18 is inserted axially into the fastening frame 194. In this regard, it may be necessary to rotate the immersion plate 18 and the cyclone housing 20 relative to each other around the axis 22 so that, on the one hand, the flat curved portion 236 of the outer frame wall 206 coincides with the flat curved portion 230 of the rib 164, and on the other hand, the circular curved portion 240 of the fastening frame 194 coincides with the circular curved portion 232 of the rib 164. During assembly, each immersion tube 162 is positioned in one of the separation chambers 196. Subsequently, the immersion plate 18 is secured to the cyclone housing 20 with screws 28. If the main filter element 16 and / or post-filter element 14 are to be replaced from the filter device 10 in the future, the immersion plate 18 may remain in the cyclone housing 20. This allows the entire cyclone block 24 to be separated from the housing pod 12.

[0230] The rear filter element 14 is inserted axially into the housing pot 12 through the service opening 34, with the side facing away from the seal 88 leading. In this regard, it may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the rear filter element 14 relative to each other around the axis 22 so that the long side 54 of the rear filter element 14 coincides with the long side 54 of the housing pot 12 and the short side 56 of the rear filter element 14 coincides with the short side 56 of the housing pot 12. The rear filter element 14 is positioned on a stepped portion of the housing wall 30 axially adjacent to the housing bottom 32.

[0231] Next, the main filter element 16 is inserted axially into the filter element interior 36 of the housing pot 12 through the service opening 34, with the side facing away from the seal 96 leading. For this purpose, it may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the main filter element 16 relative to each other with respect to the axis 22 so that the short side 56 of the main filter element 16, which has the flat curved portion 124 of the frame element 100 of the framework 92 and the flat curved portion 154 of the seal 88, coincides with the short side 56 of the housing pot 12, which has the flat curved portion 58 of the color wall 44.

[0232] The main filter element 16 is inserted axially into the housing pot 12 until the support surface 122 of the frame 92 contacts the corresponding contact surface 50 of the collar 42 in the axial direction. This installation step is shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this installation step, the radially outer wall surface 212 of the seal portion 146 is radially spaced apart from the inner wall surface 86 of the collar wall 44 of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. A radial gap 214 remains between the radially outer wall surface 212 of the seal 96 and the inner wall surface 86 of the collar 42. The radial gap 214 extends circumferentially and axially with respect to the axis 22, along the entire axially extending length of the inner wall surface 86. In the installation shown in Figures 10 and 11, the free end 148 of the seal portion 146 protrudes axially beyond the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12.

[0233] Next, with the immersion plate 18 leading, the cyclone block 24 is pressed axially against the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. In this regard, it may be necessary to rotate the housing pot 12 and the cyclone block 24 around the axis 22 so that the short side 56 of the collar wall 44 having the flat curved portion 58 coincides with the short side 56 of the outer frame wall 206 of the cyclone housing 20 having the flat curved portion 236, and correspondingly, the short side 56 of the collar wall 44 having the circular curved portion 60 coincides with the short side 56 of the outer frame wall 206 having the circular curved portion 238.

[0234] When pressed axially, the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 is first guided along the radially inward guide slope 210 of the outer frame wall 206 of the cyclone housing 20, thereby aligning within the fastening frame 94. Further insertion causes the radially outward side of the inclined leg portion 172 of the rib 164 of the immersion plate 18 to slide along the radially inward sealing surface 184 of the seal 96. Because the inclined leg portion 172 has a larger inclination angle with respect to the axis 22 than the radially inward sealing surface 184 of the seal 96, the rib 164 pushes the seal portion 146 radially outward relative to the inner wall surface 86.

[0235] Further insertion causes the rib edge 174 of the rib 164 to fit into the recess 152 of the seal 96. Furthermore, the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20 presses the free end 148 of the seal portion 146 in the axial direction. As a result, the seal portion 146 is compressed and deformed in the axial direction. The material of the seal portion 146 releases the axial compression radially. This generates an additional radially acting contact pressure that presses the seal portion 146 against the inner wall surface 86 of the collar wall 44.

[0236] As shown in Figure 1, the free end of the clamp clip 78 is hooked behind each engaging portion 76. Subsequently, the clamp clip 78 is clamped. This presses the cyclone block 24 firmly against the collar 42 in the axial direction. Axial movement is limited by the free edge 192 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12 being axially supported by the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0237] In the final mounting position shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the radially outer wall surface 212 of the seal 96 is in close contact with the contact portion 218 on the inner wall surface 86 of the collar 42 of the housing pot 12. The contact portion 218 starts at a position 220 axially away from the frame elements 100 of the framework 92, particularly each contact surface 50, and extends axially to the free edge of the collar wall 44. Between the frame elements 100 and the starting end of the contact portion 218, a residual gap 222 remains between the radially outer circumferential surface of the seal portion 146 and the inner wall surface 86 of the collar wall 44. The residual gap 222 is continuous in the circumferential direction and extends axially. The residual gap 222 has a wedge-shaped contour that decreases axially toward the contact portion 218.

[0238] Each immersion tube 162 has an outlet end 248 on the side facing the inlet side 226 of the filter element 16. The outlet end 248 is surrounded by an immersion tube edge 250. The immersion tube edges 250 of adjacent immersion tubes 162 are continuous with each other. The immersion tube edges 250 are formed on the plate portion 160 of the immersion tube plate 18.

[0239] When the filter device 10 is installed, the immersion tube edge 250 is positioned radially inward of the seal portion 146, at an axial distance 252 from the free end 148 of the circumferential seal 96, as shown in Figure 7, for example.

[0240] The outlet end 248 of the immersion tube 162 is located beyond the axial free end 148 on the inlet side of the circumferential seal 96, when viewed in the axial direction. The immersion tube edge 250 surrounding the outlet end 248, and consequently the outlet end 248 of the immersion tube 162, extends axially behind the free end 148 of the circumferential seal 96, and consequently behind the inlet side end of the main filter element 16.

[0241] In the installed state, a seal chamber 224 is provided between the immersion plate 18 and the housing pot 12, and the sealing portion 146 and a part of the retaining portion 144 of the seal 96 are arranged inside it. The seal chamber 224 is defined radially inward by the ribs 164 of the immersion plate 18, radially outward by the inner wall surface 86 of the collar wall 44 of the housing pot 12, and axially by the collar 208 of the cyclone housing 20 connected to the immersion plate 18.

[0242] For example, to be installed in a machine that requires a gaseous medium purified by the filter device 10, the filter device 10 is installed with the short side 56, where the particle discharge device 198 of the cyclone block 24 is located, as the spatial base. In this regard, the shaft 22 is positioned substantially horizontally.

[0243] While the filter device 10 is operating, the gaseous medium to be purified, such as air, is drawn in through the inlet opening 204 of the cyclone separator 166. The flow of the gaseous medium within the filter device 10 is shown by the curved arrows in Figure 6.

[0244] In the cyclone separator 166, coarse separation of particles is performed. The separated particles sink downwards due to gravity to the particle discharge device 198, where they are collected. The discharge opening 202 of the particle discharge device 198 is opened as needed or during maintenance, and the particle discharge device 198 is emptied.

[0245] The pre-purified gaseous medium reaches the inlet side 226 of the main filter element 16 from the inlet opening 168 of the immersion tube 162. The inlet side 226 is located on the side of the main filter element 16, where the seal 96 is also located.

[0246] The gaseous medium to be purified flows into the flow space 140 between the outer filter bellows 134 and the inner filter bellows 136. At that time, the gaseous medium is distributed in the circumferential direction by flowing through the connection opening 114. From the flow space 140, the gaseous medium to be purified flows from the radially inner side to the outer side through the outer filter bellows 134, and is thereby further purified, reaching the annular space surrounding the main filter element 16 in the radially outer direction. The gaseous medium to be purified flows functionally in parallel from the radially outer side to the inner side through the inner filter bellows 136, and is thereby further purified, reaching the inside 142 of the element.

[0247] The gaseous medium from the annular space purified in the second stage and the gaseous medium from the inside 42 of the element purified in the second stage reach the outflow side 228 of the main filter element 16. The outflow side 228 of the main filter element 16 is located on the side facing the direction axially away from the inflow side 226.

[0248] From the outflow side 128, the gaseous medium purified in the second stage flows into the after-filter element 14 and is further purified by the latter.

[0249] The gaseous medium purified in a total of three stages exits the filter device 10 through the outlet opening 40 of the filter housing 26. From there, the purified gaseous medium is suctioned by the corresponding components of the machine.

Claims

1. A filter element (16) for a gaseous medium, particularly an air filter element (16) for a filter device (10), At least one filter media body (90) having an inlet side (226) and an outlet side (228) located at the axial ends of the filter media body (90) which are oriented in directions that are separated from each other with respect to the virtual axis (22), A frame element (100) that extends at least partially circumferentially around the at least one filter media body (90), the frame element (100) projecting radially beyond the filter media body (90) with respect to the axis (22) and connected to the at least one filter media body (90), A circumferential seal (96) extending around the shaft (22) is provided on the side of the frame element (100) facing the inflow side (226). On the side of the frame element (100) facing the outflow side (228), there is at least one support portion (120 Ａ , 120 Ｂ , 120 Ｃ , 120 Ｄ ) exists, and by the support portion, the filter element (16) can be supported at least axially with respect to the shaft (22) within the filter housing (26) of the filter device (10), said at least one support part (120 Ａ , 120 Ｂ , 120 Ｃ , 120 Ｄ ) has at least two support surfaces (122 Ａ , 122 Ｂ , 122 Ｃ , 122 Ｄ ) which are distributed over a circumferential range with respect to said shaft (22) and axially spaced apart from each other with respect to said shaft (22). The filter element is characterized in that the circumferential seal (96) comprises a circumferential seal stay (146) that protrudes axially with respect to the shaft (22), and is configured to seal at least partially radially with respect to the shaft (22) with respect to the corresponding seal surface (86) of the filter housing (26).

2. The support portion (120 Ａ , 120 Ｂ , 120 Ｃ , 120 Ｄ ) are distributed circumferentially and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, with at least two, particularly four, support surfaces (122 Ａ , 122 Ｂ , 122 Ｃ , 122 Ｄ The filter element according to claim 1, characterized by having ).

3. The filter element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal stay (146) protrudes axially with respect to the shaft (22) beyond the inlet side (226) of the at least one filter media body (90).

4. The seal stay (146) is positioned directly adjacent to the radially outer wall surface of the frame element (100) with respect to the shaft (22), and / or The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seal stay (146) is positioned completely radially outward of the radially outer wall surface of the at least one filter media body (90) with respect to the shaft (22).

5. The frame element (100) is configured to be less flexible than the circumferential seal (96), and in particular, the frame element (100) is formed from a harder material than the circumferential seal (96), and / or The seal (96) includes or is composed of an elastic material, particularly an elastomer, particularly a foamed elastomer, and / or The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame element (100) includes or is composed of a plastic material, particularly an injection-molded rigid plastic material.

6. The circumferential seal (96) is defined by the frame element (100) on the side facing the outflow side (228), and / or The surface of the frame element (100) facing the outflow side (228) is at least partially exposed, and the at least one support portion (120 Ａ , 120 Ｂ , 120 Ｃ , 120 Ｄ A filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by providing ).

7. The frame element (100) is the support portion (120 Ａ , 120 Ｂ , 120 Ｃ , 120 Ｄ Starting from ) and extending radially inward and / or toward the inflow side (226), and / or, The filter element according to claim 6, characterized in that the frame element (100) is at least partially surrounded by the material of the circumferential seal (96).

8. The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the frame element (100) does not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the axis (22) with respect to the shape of at least its radially outer wall surface and / or radially inner wall surface.

9. The frame element (100) has at least four parts (124, 126, 128) along a shape extending around the axis (22), and of these parts, adjacent parts (124, 128; 126, 128) have shapes with different curvatures and straight shapes, and in at least one pair (124, 126) of two parts on opposite sides of the axis (22), each part (124, 126) has a shape with different curvatures and / or, The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the circumferential seal stay (146) projecting in the axial direction has at least four portions (154, 156, 158) along a shape extending around the shaft (22), and of these portions, adjacent portions (154, 158; 156, 158) have shapes with different curvatures and straight shapes, and in at least one pair (154, 156) of two portions on opposite sides of the shaft (22), each portion (154, 156) has a shape with different curvatures.

10. The frame element (100) has at least two curved portions (124, 126) that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis (22), and the curved portions are connected by two connecting portions (128), in particular two linear connecting portions (128) that are linear with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis (22), the connecting portions (128), in particular the linear connecting portions (128) are located on the long side (54) of the frame element (100) that are opposite to each other with respect to the axis (22), and / or the two curved portions (124, 126) are located on the short side (56) of the frame element (100) that are opposite to each other with respect to the axis (22), and / or The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the circumferential seal stay (146) projecting in the axial direction has at least two curved portions (154, 156) that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis (22), the curved portions being connected by two connecting portions (158), in particular two linear connecting portions (158) that are linear with respect to the circumferential shape around the axis (22), the connecting portions (158), in particular the linear connecting portions (158) are located on the long side (54) of the seal stay (146) that are opposite to each other with respect to the axis (22), and the two curved portions (154, 156) are located on the short side (56) of the seal stay (146) that are opposite to each other with respect to the axis (22).

11. The frame element (100) has a first curved portion (124) and a second curved portion (126), wherein the first curved portion (124) has at least partially a larger radius of curvature than the second curved portion (126), and / or The filter element according to claim 10, wherein the circumferential seal stay (146) projecting in the axial direction has a first curved portion (154) and a second curved portion (156), and the first curved portion (154) has a larger radius of curvature than the second curved portion (156), at least in part.

12. The first curved portion (124) of the frame element (100) has a flat region in which the radius of curvature is reduced compared to the radius of curvature of the second curved portion (126), and / or The filter element according to claim 11, characterized in that the first curved portion (154) of the seal stay (146) has a flat region in which the radius of curvature is reduced compared to the radius of curvature of the second curved portion (156).

13. The support surface (122) of the frame element (100) Ａ , 122 Ｂ , 122 Ｃ , 122 Ｄ The filter element according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one of the ) is located at least partially in the region of the long side (54) of the frame element (100).

14. The radial outer wall surface (242) of the filter media body (90) with respect to the shaft (22) has at least two curved portions (244) that are curved with respect to the circumferential shape around the shaft (22), and the curved portions are connected by two connecting portions (246), in particular two straight connecting portions (246), and / or The outer circumference of the filter media body (90) decreases in the axial direction from the inlet side (226) to the outlet side (228), and in particular, the filter media body (90) tapers radially outward from the inlet side (226) to the outlet side (228) in the axial direction, and in particular tapers in a conical shape, as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the filter media body (90) is circulating from the radial inside to the outside, or vice versa.

16. The at least one filter media body (90) comprises at least two filter bellows (134, 136), in particular an inner filter bellows (136) and an outer filter bellows (134), in particular at least two folded filter bellows, the filter bellows extending at least partially around the shaft (22) and being able to circulate in parallel the gaseous medium to be purified, and / or The inner filter bellows (136) of the at least one filter media body (90) is located inside the area surrounded by the outer filter bellows (134) of the at least one filter media body (90), and / or The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one filter media body (90) comprises at least one filter bellows (134, 136), in particular an inner filter bellows (136) and / or an outer filter bellows (134), the filter bellows being inclined with respect to the axis (22).

17. With respect to the shaft (22), radially between the at least two filter bellows (134, 136), particularly between the inner filter bellows (136) and the outer filter bellows (134), there exists at least one fluid-permeable support element (98), and in the support element, at least one of the at least two filter bellows (134, 136), particularly the inner filter bellows (136) and / or the outer filter bellows (134), is at least partially supported and / or The filter element according to claim 16, wherein the filter element (16) comprises at least one support element (98), the support element supports at least one of the filter bellows (134, 136), and the at least one support element (98) is formed integrally with the frame element (100).

18. A filter device (10) for a gaseous medium, particularly air, The filter housing (26) comprises at least one inlet opening (168) for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least one outlet opening (40) for the purified gaseous medium, Within the filter housing (26), with respect to the gas flow, at least one filter element (16), including at least one filter media body (90), is arranged between the at least one inlet opening (168) and the at least one outlet opening, such that the untreated side associated with the inlet opening (168) is separated from the clean side associated with the outlet opening (40). The filter housing (26) includes a first housing component (12) in which the at least one outlet opening (40) is located, and the first housing component includes at least one filter element housing space (36) in which the at least one filter element (16) is located. The filter housing (26) includes a second housing component (18) on which the at least one inlet opening (168) is located, and the second housing component includes at least a portion (162) of at least one cyclone separator (166). The second housing component (18) closes the service opening (34) of the first housing component (12), and the first and second housing components (12, 18) are detachably connected to each other and separable from each other so that the at least one filter element (16) can be removed through the service opening (34) of the first housing component (12). A filter device characterized in that at least one of the filter elements (16) is a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The use of a filter element (16) comprising at least a filter media body (90) in a filter device (10) for a gaseous medium, The filter element (16) is characterized in that it is a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A method for assembling a filter device (10) for a gaseous medium, At least one filter element (16) is inserted through a service opening (34) into the filter element housing space (36) of the first housing component (12) of the filter housing (26) of the filter device (10), which has at least one outlet opening (40) for the purified gaseous medium. Subsequently, the service opening (34) is closed by a second housing component (18) of the filter housing (26), which includes at least one inlet opening (168) for the gaseous medium to be purified and at least a portion of at least one cyclone separator (166). A method characterized in that at least one filter element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is inserted into the filter element housing space (36).

Images