Assembling the components of an automotive air filter housing, including the filter element and related filters.

Abstract

An invention relating to the assembly of the lid (42) with the filter housing (12) of an automobile filter and the filter element (10). There is a slot (44) in the filter housing (2) for the filter cartridge (10), which can be closed with a lid (42) that contains the fasteners (32). At least one of the filter(10) and the holding component(48) on the mounting bracket(32) is connected to the cover(42). By contact with the surface, a protruding gripping component (48) can be installed in the recess of the filter housing (12). And the fastener (32) has a stop shape (56) that can lock in the collapsed section of the filter housing (12). It is designed to have a recess (64) in which a filter cartridge (10) can be installed in the stop position of the filter housing (12). and the gripping component (48) which is in the form of a shaft (38) with a bar protruding from one side of the shaft at the support bolt side. (40) and another part, the handle (40) for rotating the gripping component (48) by inserting the shaft (38) into the cover (42). To allow the lid (42) and filter to be locked in the position, use the support bolt (40) and the contact surfaces on the fasteners. (32) which is designed to be sloped (52) which will come into contact by rotating the gripping components (48) Further inventions relating to the filter (10) with the extension (32) of the assembly;

Description

[0001] Connection arrangement for securing a cover of an air filter unit of a motor vehicle to a filter housing and to a filter element, and an associated

[0002] Filter element

[0003] The invention relates to a connection arrangement for securing a cover of an air filter unit of a motor vehicle to a filter housing and to a filter element interchangeably arranged in the filter housing, which can be inserted into the filter housing through an insertion opening, wherein the insertion opening can be closed by the cover, and wherein a retaining element is attached to the filter element, which can be secured in a recess on the filter housing by means of a contact surface for contact with a locking element projecting from the cover. Furthermore, the invention relates to a

[0004] Filter element with such a retaining element.

[0005] DE 10 2005 056 004 A1 describes a filter arrangement for the air conditioning system of a motor vehicle with a filter element comprising a frame, wherein the frame encloses a pleated filter material. The filter material is connected to a cover, which serves to close an insertion opening when the filter element is inserted into a receptacle having the insertion opening. A sealing element for sealing the cover against the insertion opening is designed as an elastic sealing lip projecting towards a wall defining the receptacle.

[0006] DE 102015 004645 A1 shows a filter element for gas filtration and a

[0007] Filter assembly with a filter housing. A retaining element for securing the filter element in a recess of the receiving filter housing is arranged on the filter element, the retaining element being arranged on a handle for holding and guiding the filter element. The receiving space of the filter assembly formed by the filter housing for the filter element is closed by means of a separate cover. The cover has on its

[0008] The side facing the filter element has a rod-shaped projection which, when the lid is in place, extends through a recess in the handle of the retaining element and comes into contact with an edge of the recess, thereby pressing the retaining element into a recess in the filter housing.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create a connection arrangement of the type mentioned above, by which a particularly reliable seal of the

[0010] filter housing at the insertion opening which can be closed by the lid, as well as a secure fit of the lid, and a filter element that enables the manufacture of such a connection arrangement.

[0011] This task is accomplished by a connection arrangement with the characteristics of the

[0012] Claim 1 and is solved by a filter element having the features of claim 2. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] The connection arrangement according to the invention for fixing a cover to a filter housing of an air filter device of a motor vehicle and - simultaneously therewith - to a filter element, whereby an insertion opening provided in the filter housing for the filter element can be closed with the cover, comprises at least one retaining element on the filter element and a locking element on the cover, wherein the retaining element is provided by means of a contact surface for contacting the part projecting from the cover.

[0014] The locking element can be fixed in a recess of the filter housing, wherein the retaining element, according to the invention, has a detent geometry with which it can be fixed in the recess.

[0015] The filter element can be locked into a recessed area of ​​the filter housing, thus allowing it to be fixed in a locking position on the filter housing.

[0016] The locking element is designed as a shaft with at least one locking strut projecting from the shaft at one end and a handle part for rotating the locking element at the other end, wherein the shaft is guided through the lid, so that the lid and the filter element can be clamped against each other in the detent position by means of the at least one locking strut and by means of at least one contact surface designed as a ramp on the retaining element, which come into contact with each other by rotating the locking element.

[0017] The air filter system can be designed, in particular, as an air filter for an air conditioning system or ventilation system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the

[0018] The air filter device can also be provided for an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. With the connection arrangement according to the invention, the inlet opening of a

[0019] The intake chamber of an air filter unit – or air filter for short – must be reliably closed and sealed against the environment. At the same time, the cover is securely attached to the filter housing – or housing for short. The state in which the cover, by means of the connecting mechanism, closes and seals the intake opening against the filter housing is hereinafter referred to as the operating position.

[0020] At least one retaining element has a detent geometry, for example in the form of a detent lug, which can be engaged in a recess in the filter housing, designed as a detent niche, thereby fixing the filter element in a detent position. In the

[0021] In the locking position, the filter element is positioned and secured within the housing so that the cover can be attached without having to hold the filter element in place. This self-locking fixation of the filter element is particularly important when the filter element needs to be installed overhead by a technician, i.e., when the filter element is essentially being inserted against gravity or vertically upwards into the housing. The locking position of the filter element within the housing is also the mounting position, meaning the position in which the cover can be fitted with the locking element. Once fixed in the locking position, the filter element no longer needs to be held manually or with any other makeshift device within the air filter unit's housing for final attachment or installation. This simplifies the cover fitting process.

[0022] The cover can only be secured to close the intake opening of the air filter housing when at least one retaining element or the filter element is moved into the detent position. This reliably prevents the air filter assembly from being operated without an installed filter element. The elements are connected by pre-tensioning the locking element inside the housing via the locking bar, which is guided along the ramp on the retaining element. From the outside, the handle provides a counter-support against the cover by pressing directly against it with its underside facing the cover in the operating position, or indirectly via an intermediate piece.

[0023] The invention also includes a filter element with at least one retaining element of a connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining element is held on a frame which at least partially surrounds a filter material of the filter element. The filter element according to the invention is provided with at least one retaining element as previously described with regard to the connection arrangement according to the invention. According to the invention, the contact surface on the at least one retaining element is designed as at least one ramp by means of which the cover can be drawn into an operating position in a sealing manner against the insertion opening by means of a locking bar that projects from a shaft of the locking element that is guided through the cover and rotatable on a handle part, by guiding the locking bar along the ramp. The retaining element is attached to a frame which at least partially surrounds the filter material of the filter element.

[0024] The frame or enclosure can, for example, be designed in the form of several walls surrounding the filter material. Once the filter element has been inserted into the filter housing's receiving chamber along the insertion direction, this can at least one

[0025] Holding element located on the frame or on a wall of the filter element, with its locking geometry in a direction perpendicular - or transverse - to the

[0026] The filter element is inserted into the locking recess of the housing, thus securing it in a self-locking position. In this position, the retaining element, by means of its locking geometry, engages with a locking geometry of the housing formed by the locking recess, thereby securing the locking element. The locking element then allows the cover to be closed.

[0027] The closing of the insertion opening of the receiving chamber on the filter housing is determined, whereby the handle part of the locking element in the operating position of the connection arrangement is then supported, for example, directly or indirectly on the lid.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the filter element according to the invention, the at least one ramp on the retaining element is designed as a three-dimensional bump. This makes it possible to guide a locking strut, curved inwards – i.e., towards the handle part of the locking element – ​​or angled towards the handle part, over the contact surface or ramp of the retaining element, which is designed as a corresponding bump geometry – for example, as a section of a sphere or a cone geometry.This means that in the operating position, the locking strut is not only fixed at the contact surface in the direction of the tensile force exerted against the cover, but it is also secured in another direction, which offers particular reliability against vibrations. A further advantageous embodiment provides that the at least one retaining element has a through-opening for the insertion of the locking element, wherein the at least one ramp is formed on the rear side of the through-opening. This design makes it possible for the element of the Vem. 'The components of the locking element – ​​handle, shaft, and locking bar – and the contact surface of the retaining element, relative to the force exerted in the fastening position, are aligned in almost the same direction. This enables a particularly torsion-resistant connection. In a design of the retaining element with two egg-shaped, point-symmetrical ramps behind the through-hole, in conjunction with two locking bars projecting in opposite directions from the shaft of the locking element, the elements of the

[0029] The locking element and the contact surface of the retaining element are even aligned in a straight line with respect to the force. This prevents the locking element from tilting.

[0030] Locking element on the lid largely prevents this.

[0031] According to a further advantageous design, the at least one retaining element following the at least one ramp has a stop for securing the locking bar in its end position. This allows the at least one locking bar formed on the locking element to be brought into contact with the stop by rotating the shaft of the locking element, thereby providing the installer with haptic feedback that a defined end position of the fastening has been reached. This ensures that the cover is secured with a tensile force defined by the height of the ramp.

[0032] The operating position is tightened. The stop also prevents the locking element from being over-tightened.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one retaining element is held to the frame by means of a flexible connecting web. Here, the at least one retaining element is held in place by elastic deformation of the connecting web, both in the

[0034] The filter housing can be moved into a locking position within the locking recess, and conversely, from the locking position back into a disassembly position. Due to the flexibility of the

[0035] The connecting bridge allows the retaining element to be reliably moved back and forth between one position and the other. The bridge can also be designed to be flexible enough to allow the retaining element attached to it to spring back after complete movement.

[0036] The filter element automatically locks into the locking recess when inserted into the filter housing.

[0037] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the frame of the filter element can have an elastic front wall that can be deformed from an extended shape to a compressed shape. The front wall is the part of the frame that faces the insertion opening when the filter element is installed. Deformation of the front wall advantageously allows the at least one retaining element to be positioned correctly.

[0038] For example, it is attached to a side wall of the filter element and is movable, even if the retaining element itself is inflexible or rigidly attached to the frame. Thus, the

[0039] The retaining element or its locking geometry can also be achieved – or solely – by

[0040] Compressing or pulling apart the flexible front panel both in the

[0041] Locking position as well as vice versa from the locking position back into a

[0042] Disassembly position can be moved.

[0043] Another advantage of the elastic or deformable front wall of the

[0044] The filter element's advantage lies in the fact that the radius along which the locking geometry of the retaining element moves during locking and unlocking is very large compared to a design with a flexible bridge on the frame, as the radius here corresponds to the total length of a side wall. This results in a significantly flatter curve for locking and unlocking the locking geometry of the retaining element compared to a solution with shorter bridges. This simplifies the design.

[0045] This entails requirements for the manufacture of the locking recess on the housing side, whose locking geometry must then have a less acute angle to ensure a precise fit between the locking lug and the locking recess, which is crucial for the secure seating of the filter element in the fixed locking position. It is conceivable to attach a ridge to the end of a side wall opposite the insertion opening, thus allowing a large radius of movement for the retaining element or the

[0046] to maintain the holding geometry, but that would be detrimental to the stability of the arrangement and would complicate the design of the filter housing elsewhere.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter element has at least one actuating element, wherein, by applying pressure against the at least one actuating element, the at least one retaining element can be moved from the detent position into a disassembly position. For example, the actuating element can be designed as a grip tab or grip plate on a side of the filter element facing the insertion opening, against which pressure can be applied with a finger, so that the retaining element or its detent geometry can be easily removed from the

[0048] The filter element can be moved out of its detent position. The actuating element can be attached, for example, directly to the front wall of the filter element or to the retaining element. To remove the filter element from the mounting space, at least one retaining element must first be moved in the opposite direction to the direction in which it moved to reach the detent position – but again essentially perpendicular or transverse to it.

[0049] Insert the filter element into the removal position. As long as at least one retaining element is not moved into the removal position, the filter element cannot be removed from the housing. Once the retaining element or its locking mechanism is no longer in contact with the locking mechanism or recess on the side of the filter housing, the filter element can be easily removed from the air filter assembly.

[0050] Conversely, it can also be provided that by pressing against the at least one actuating element, the at least one holding element can be moved from an intermediate position, which the at least one holding element assumes when the filter element is in the

[0051] Once the receiving space has reached an installation position, it can be moved into the detent position. For example, the retaining element can be moved transversely or perpendicularly to the

[0052] The filter element must be pressed in the direction of insertion towards the locking recess.

[0053] Accordingly, when the filter element is to be removed from the recording chamber, the at least one retaining element is pressed in the opposite direction – towards the filter element – ​​this time by pressing against the at least one actuating element. The at least one actuating element can therefore serve as a locking or unlocking tab for securing the filter element and for the

[0054] Disassembly of the filter element is required.

[0055] The advantages described for the connection arrangement according to the invention also apply to the filter element according to the invention and its described embodiments, as well as vice versa.

[0056] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the

[0057] The following description of preferred embodiments and the

[0058] Drawings. The features mentioned above in the description and

[0059] The combinations of features, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. The figures show:

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a filter element for an air filter of an air conditioning system.

[0061] motor vehicle, wherein flexible retaining elements are arranged on the side walls of a frame of the filter element;

[0062] Fig. 2 shows one of the frame walls with the retaining element according to Fig. 1 in an enlarged detail view;

[0063] Fig. 3 shows another perspective detail view of the retaining element according to Fig. 2;

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the housing of the air filter, through which a receiving space for the filter element according to Fig. 1 is provided;

[0065] Fig. 5 shows two housing halves in perspective, from which the structure shown in Fig. 4 is made.

[0066] housing is constructed;

[0067] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail view of a partial area of ​​the lower

[0068] Housing half of the housing;

[0069] Fig. 7 shows a lid for closing the receiving space for the filter element according to Fig. 1 in a first perspective view;

[0070] Fig. 8 shows the lid according to Fig. 7 in a further perspective view;

[0071] Fig. 9 shows a first step in the insertion of the filter element according to Fig. 1 into the

[0072] Filter housing according to Fig. 4;

[0073] Fig. 10 shows the deformation of a web by means of which the retaining element is attached to the

[0074] The side wall of the frame is held during further insertion of the

[0075] Filter elements in the recording space;

[0076] Fig. 11 shows a further step in the insertion of the filter element, in which the part in the

[0077] The filter element inserted into the receiving space has reached its final position with respect to the insertion depth; Fig. 12 the application of pressure to a locking tab arranged on the retaining element, whereby the retaining element is moved into a locking position;

[0078] Fig. 13 Steps for attaching the cover according to Fig. 7 to the filter housing according to Fig. 4, wherein the filter element according to Fig. 1 is inserted into the housing;

[0079] Fig. 14 shows a variant of the filter element in which a front wall of the frame is elastically deformable, wherein the at least one retaining element is connected to a support element on which two spring arms are arranged;

[0080] Fig. 15 shows the filter element according to Fig. 14 in the area of ​​the retaining element in a

[0081] enlarged detail view;

[0082] Fig. 16 shows a further enlarged detail view of the filter element according to Fig. 14.

[0083] Area of ​​the retaining element;

[0084] Fig. 17 shows another perspective view of the retaining element according to Fig. 16;

[0085] Fig. 18 shows in section the two housing halves of the housing of the air filter, into which the filter element according to Fig. 14 can be inserted;

[0086] Fig. 19 shows a section along a line XIX-XIX in Fig. 18;

[0087] Fig. 20 Steps in inserting the filter element according to Fig. 14 into the housing according to Fig. 18 in a side view;

[0088] Fig. 21 shows a section of another variant of the filter element with flexible

[0089] Front wall;

[0090] Fig. 22 shows the removal of one of the retaining elements of the filter element according to Fig.

[0091] 21 from the detent position by deforming the front wall; Fig. 23 in a perspective view the movement of the retaining element into the

[0092] Disassembly position in which the filter element according to Fig. 21 can be removed from the receiving space of the housing according to Fig. 18;

[0093] Fig. 24 shows another view of the filter element according to Fig. 21 with not yet

[0094] deformed front wall;

[0095] Fig. 25 shows the compression of the filter element in the area of ​​the front wall and the resulting movement of the retaining elements into the disassembly position;

[0096] Fig. 26 shows a further variant of the filter element in detail and perspective, in which the retaining element is attached at the lower end in the middle of the front wall;

[0097] Fig. 27 shows a section of the filter element according to Fig. 26 seen from an oblique angle above;

[0098] Fig. 28 shows a side view of a locking element for this variant of the

[0099] Filter elements, as well as

[0100] Fig. 29 shows a partial, partially cut-away view of a

[0101] Connection arrangement with the filter element according to Fig. 26, the locking element according to Fig. 28 and a filter housing cover.

[0102] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a filter element 10, as it is designed for installation in a housing 12 (see Figure 4) of an air filter, for example, of an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle. The filter material 14 of the filter element 10 is shown here as an example of a pleated filter. The filter material 14 is surrounded by a frame 16, which comprises a front wall 18, adjoining side walls 20 and 22, and a rear end wall 24.

[0103] The side walls 20, 22 extend into an insertion direction 26, which is illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 1. The filter element 10 can be inserted or slid into this insertion direction 26 into a receiving chamber 28, which is provided by the filter housing 12 (see Fig. 4). Looking specifically at the insertion direction 26, the wall closer to the viewer in Fig. 1 is the front wall 18 of the filter element 10, and the wall furthest from the viewer is the rear end wall 24 of the filter element 10. In the version of the filter element 10 according to Fig. 1, a retaining element 32 is connected to the respective side wall 20, 22 via a flexible web 30. The flexible web 30 extends essentially along the respective side wall 20, 22 towards the front wall 18.

[0104] Above the web 30, a strip-shaped sealing element 34 is arranged on the respective side walls 20, 22 as well as on the rear end wall 24. Fig. 2 shows that the retaining element 32 has a passage opening 36 into which a shaft 38 with locking struts 40 arranged on the shaft 38 (compare Fig. 8) can be inserted.

[0105] This shaft 38 with the locking struts 40 is part of a locking arrangement by means of which a cover 42 (compare Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) can be attached to the filter housing 12 (compare Fig. 4). The cover 42 allows for a

[0106] Seal the insertion opening 44 of the receiving chamber 28 (see Fig. 4). The two locking struts 40 extend perpendicularly from the shaft 38. Accordingly, the passage opening 36 has a geometry corresponding to the cross-section of the shaft 38 and the locking struts 40.

[0107] From the rear view of the retaining element 32 according to Fig. 3, it can be seen that stops 46 for the locking bars 40 are formed on the retaining element 32. The stops 46 enable a defined operating position. To bring the locking bars 40 into contact with the stops 46, locking elements 48 are formed and rotated on a handle part 50, as shown in duplicate in Fig. 7. The handle parts 50 shown here each have two wings.

[0108] Turning the handle 50 of the locking element 48 causes the shaft 38 to rotate, and together with it, the locking struts 40 are rotated about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 38 along the ramps 52, which are formed on the rear side of the retaining element 32 adjacent to the through-opening 36. This clamps the locking struts 40 against the retaining element 32 and the wings of the handle 50 against the cover 42 on their underside. When the locking struts 40 come into contact with the stops 46, haptic feedback is provided that the locking process is complete, or that the locking arrangement is in the defined operating position.

[0109] The pulling force with which the cover 42 is pulled against the housing 12 can be adjusted via the height of the ramps 52. The force against the cover 42 can, but does not necessarily have to, be applied directly through the handle 50. A disc-shaped or sleeve-shaped intermediate piece, or the like, could be inserted between the cover 42 and the handle 50, surrounding or enclosing the shaft, to provide support against the cover 42.

[0110] The ramps 52 provide a clamping geometry to bring the cover 42 into a tight-fitting position with the filter housing 12. The clamping geometries of the

[0111] Retaining elements 32, which may be subject to wear, are replaced together with the filter element 10, i.e., together with the replacement part.

[0112] Furthermore, a circumferential, also strip-shaped seal 54 is arranged on the side of the cover 42 facing the filter housing 12 (see Fig. 8). The respective retaining element 32 also has a locking geometry 56 formed integrally with it, here in the form of locking lugs (see Fig. 2).

[0113] In Fig. 4, this is shown as consisting of a lower housing half or a lower

[0114] Housing part 58 and an upper housing half or an upper housing half

[0115] Housing part 60, compound housing 12, is shown. In Fig. 5, the upper part is shown.

[0116] Housing part 60 and the lower housing part 58 are shown separately. In the assembled state, the two housing parts 58 and 60 form receiving areas 62 for the retaining elements 32. In these receiving areas 62, the upper housing part 60 and the lower housing part 58 respectively

[0117] Locking recesses 64 or locking geometries are provided which serve to receive or lock the locking geometries 56 or locking lugs (compare Fig. 2 and 3).

[0118] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of the locking recess 64 formed by the lower housing part 58. The locking recesses 64 serve as abutments or locks for the corresponding locking geometries 56 or locking lugs on the side of the filter element 10, which are held in a locking position of the filter element 10 by a rib-like projection of the locking recess 64.

[0119] Figure 7 shows the cover 42 in a first perspective view. In the area of ​​the

[0120] The lid 42 has locking elements 48 and protrusions 66. These

[0121] The protrusions 66 correspond to cavities 68 or receiving spaces, which are formed on the side of the cover 42 that, when the cover 42 is mounted, faces the front wall 18 of the filter element 10. These cavities 68 protrude

[0122] Actuating tabs 70 (see Fig. 2) are inserted when the cover 42 is attached to the housing 12 and the insertion opening 44 (see Fig. 4) is closed by means of the cover 42. These actuating tabs 70 allow the retaining elements 32 to be moved back and forth transversely to the insertion direction 26, i.e., essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction 26. The actuating tabs 70 thus serve to secure and remove the filter element 10. This is described in more detail with reference to Figs. 9 to 12.

[0123] Fig. 9 shows a section view of the housing part 60 and the filter element 10. First, the filter element 10 is inserted into the housing 12 in the insertion direction 26.

[0124] inserted. When the wedge-shaped locking lugs or locking geometries 56 come into contact with the edge of the filter housing 12, further insertion of the

[0125] The flexible web 30 of the filter element 10, and with it the retaining element 32, is moved closer to the side wall 20 (compare Fig. 10). In Fig. 11, the filter element 10 is shown in its installed or final position, in which the detent geometries 56 are located at the level of the detent recesses 64. By manually pressing outwards against the actuating tab 70, which is illustrated in Fig. 12 by an arrow 72, and / or by suitable preloading of the flexible web 30,

[0126] The locking lugs 56 are inserted into the locking recesses 64 with an undercut.

[0127] The engagement of the locking lugs 56 in the locking recesses 64 is tactile and audible. Consequently, an operator who moves the holding element 32 into the locking position receives haptic and acoustic feedback that the holding element 32 has reached the locking position.

[0128] Subsequently, the retaining element 32, which serves as a receptacle for the shaft 38 of the locking element 48, has reached its detent position, and the clamping geometry of the ramps 52 is correctly aligned, so that the locking element 48 can be passed through the keyhole-shaped passage opening 36 and the cover 42 can be mounted.

[0129] Fig. 13 shows the fastening of the cover 42 in a rear view. The section shown corresponds to that in Figs. 9 to 12, section of housing part 60 and

[0130] Filter element 10. When the respective hook element 32 is received in the receiving area 62 and thus moved into the detent position (compare left illustration in Fig. 13), the cover 42 can be placed on top. The middle illustration in Fig. 13 shows how the locking struts 40 have been pushed through the passage opening 36 so that the locking struts 40 are at the level of the ramps 52 (compare Fig. 3). For this purpose, the shaft 38 is guided through the passage opening 36. The locking struts 40, here in the form of pins that project perpendicularly from the end of the shaft 38, and the shaft 38 or bolt of the locking element 48 fit into the receiving geometry provided by the retaining element 32. Subsequently, the locking element 48 or the shaft 38 with the locking struts 40 is rotated by means of the handle part 50. A corresponding rotational movement is shown in Fig.13. The right-hand illustration is further clarified by an arrow 74. By pressing the...

[0131] The locking element 48 pulls the lid tightly against the filter housing until the locking struts 40 rest against the stops 46 (compare Fig. 3) of the retaining element 32.

[0132] Fig. 14 shows a variant of the filter element 10, in which the front wall 18 of the

[0133] The frame 16 is designed to be elastically deformable. Otherwise, the frame 16 corresponds to the variant of the filter element 10 described with reference to Fig. 1. The filter element 10 also has the retaining elements 32 described above. However, the

[0134] Retaining elements 32 are connected via a rigid connecting web 76 to the respective, attached

[0135] Front wall 18 is connected to the adjacent side wall 20, 22. This connecting web 76 lies here in continuation of the plane formed by the front wall 18, or in other words, it is flush with the front wall 18.

[0136] From the retaining element 32, which has the through-openings 36 for the shaft 38 with the locking struts 40 (see Fig. 8), a first strut 78 of a support element 80 extends rearward in the insertion direction 26. Two resilient arms 84 are arranged on a second strut 82 of the T-shaped support element 80 (see Fig. 5). Fig. 16 shows that the retaining element 32 also has the stops 46 for the locking struts 40 (see Fig. 8) and the ramps 52. The stops 46 and the ramps 52 of the retaining element 32 are also clearly visible in Fig. 17, which also shows a connection area 86 where the connection to the frame 16 is made.

[0137] The retaining elements 32 of the filter element 10 according to Fig. 15 also feature the clamping geometry of the locking arrangement. In this variant of the filter element 10, the flexible locking elements 84 serve as a detent geometry for the components provided in the filter housing 12.

[0138] Locking recesses 64 (compare Fig. 18). Particularly from the sectional view in Fig. 19, it can be seen how the locking recesses 64 are provided for locking with the arms 84 by means of rib-like projections 88, 90, which are provided on the sides of the housing. The fixing of the filter element according to Fig. 14 in the housing 12 according to Fig. 18 will be illustrated with reference to Fig. 20. First, the filter element 10 is inserted into the housing 12 (compare Fig. 20, left-hand view). The flexible arms 84 come into contact with the housing 12 – or rather, with the rib-like projections 88, 90 – via the housing 12.

[0139] Housing halves 58 and 60 are in contact and, during further insertion in the insertion direction 26, are moved towards the first strut 78 of the support element 80 (compare Fig. 20, second illustration from the left). The flexible arms 84 deform elastically against the webs 88, 90 (compare Fig. 20, second illustration from the right). When the

[0140] Once the filter element 10 has reached its end position, the arms 84 – now behind the webs 88, 90 – spring back to their initial position (compare Fig. 20, right-hand illustration). The locking geometries in the form of the arms 84 now prevent the removal of the filter element 10 from the receiving space (compare Fig. 18) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 26.

[0141] Figures 21 to 23 show another variant of the filter element 10, with the disassembly illustrated in the progressive sequence of images. The method of disassembly corresponds to the disassembly of a filter element 10 as shown in Figure 14. In both the variant of the filter element 10 shown in Figure 14 and the variant of the filter element 10 according to Figure 21, the reciprocating movement of the retaining elements 32 from the locking position to the disassembly position – and vice versa – is achieved by means of an elastically deformable or flexible front wall 18.

[0142] In the filter element 10 shown in Fig. 21, rigid locking lugs are provided as locking geometries 56 instead of the spring-loaded arms 84. These locking lugs prevent the filter element 10 from being removed from the receiving chamber 28 in its end position. However, the retaining elements 32 are not attached to the respective side wall 20 by means of the flexible web 30, but rather via a rigid connecting web 76, which has also been described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. In Fig. 21, the retaining element 32 is in the locking position in which the locking element 48 (compare Figs. 7 and 8) can be attached to the retaining element 32.

[0143] By applying pressure against the actuating tab 70 transversely to the insertion direction 26 and inwards towards the filter element 10, the flexible front wall 18 yields, allowing the retaining element 32 to be moved out of the receiving area 62, which is provided on the side of the housing 12 (see Fig. 4). It can be seen in particular from Fig. 23 that by applying pressure against the actuating tab 70 inwards towards the filter element 10, the front wall 18 can be deformed to such an extent that the filter element 10 can be removed from the receiving space 28 opposite to the insertion direction 26.

[0144] Fig. 24 shows the variant of the filter element 10 according to Fig. 21 with two retaining elements 32 on both sides of the front wall 18 and with the front wall 18 still undeformed. In Fig. 25, arrows 92 illustrate the compression of the filter element 10 in the area of ​​the elastically deformable front wall 18, by which the retaining elements 32 are removed from the

[0145] The removal position is achieved by pressing together or moving the actuating tabs 70 of the flexible front wall 18 of the filter element 10 towards each other. In particular, the force required to deform the front wall can be introduced particularly well by a stiff or rigid connection of the retaining elements 32 to the side wall 20, 22.

[0146] Fig. 25 also clearly shows that a radius along which the detent geometry 56 is moved during detenting or unstacking is present in a

[0147] The design of the filter element 10 with a flexible front wall – compared to the design with the flexible ribs according to Fig. 3 – is very large, in that the radius length corresponds to the total length of the side wall 20, 22. This allows the curve of the locking geometry of the locking recess 64 on the side of the housing 12, which is necessary for engaging and disengaging the locking geometries 56 (see Fig. 6, the indentation of the rib-like projection of the locking recess 64), to be designed more flat than in the solution with the shorter flexible ribs 30. This simplifies the design requirements for the

[0148] Production of the locking recesses 64, 88, 90 on the side of the housing.

[0149] Figures 26 to 29 illustrate a further embodiment of the filter element 10 according to the invention, or of the connection arrangement according to the invention. Figure 26 shows the retaining element 32 attached centrally to the lower edge of the front wall 18 of the filter element 10. The retaining element 32 has an angled shape, with the downward-facing surface or the lower section of the retaining element serving as

[0150] The locking geometry 56 serves as a locking recess in the housing 12. The filter element 10 is fixed in the housing 12 by this locking geometry 56.

[0151] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the retaining element 32 has a ramp 52 as a contact surface for the locking strut 40 of the locking element 48. The locking strut 40, here in the form of a tongue, can, as shown in Figures 28 and 29, be inclined inwards at its free end – towards the shaft. This, in conjunction with a corresponding counter-geometry of the ramp 52 on the retaining element 32, which is then shaped like a hump or a truncated cone, ensures that the locking strut 40 is secured in the operating position not only in the direction of pull against the cover, but also in an inclined direction, thus additionally securing the connection, for example against vibrations.

[0152] Fig. 29 shows the locking element 48 in a state between an unlocked and locked position. For complete locking, the locking bar 40 – or here, locking tongue – must be guided clockwise over the ramp 52 by means of the handle part 50. The distance between the underside of the locking tongue 40 and the ramp 52 is shown enlarged here for clarity. For the same reason, the

[0153] Interlocking of lid 42 and housing 12 in the upper part of the figure is shown only schematically.