Filter components for vehicle motor air filter systems and air filtration equipment.

Abstract

DEPCT66 The invention relates to a filter component (10) for an air filter device. A motor vehicle with a frame that at least partially encloses the filter material (18). The filter component (10) frame is assembled with a front wall (20) which extends perpendicular to the direction. The insertion route (22) in which the filter component (10) can be inserted into the receiving area (14). The covering (12) of the air filter device in the closed position of the fastening component (26) is Arranged on the front (24) of the front wall (20) on which the cover of the air filter device is placed. Designed to enclose the receiving area (14), can be fixed to the front wall plate base (20) with sides. Narrow on which the fastening strip (76) of the filter component (10) is formed from At least one component in the fastening (26) extends the filter component (10) and can be fixed against the Move inward or in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (22) by bringing the fixing strip (76) into the groove in The fasteners (80) that are provided on the sides of the covering (12) of the invention's air filter device. This is further related to air filtration devices that contain filter components (10) like this one. (Figure 8);

Description

[0001] Filter element for an air filter device of a motor vehicle and air filter device

[0002] The invention relates to a filter element for an air filter device of a motor vehicle, comprising a frame which at least partially surrounds a filter material of the filter element. The frame comprises a front wall which extends substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction. In the insertion direction, the filter element can be inserted into a receiving space of a housing of the air filter device. At least one fastening element is arranged on a front side of the front wall. A cover of the air filter device, which is designed to close the receiving space, can be secured to the fastening element. Furthermore, the invention relates to an air filter device comprising such a filter element.

[0003] DE 198 04 452 A1 shows an air filter for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle with a filter housing with an insertion opening for a filter insert, wherein the opening can be closed by a cover that is firmly connected to the filter insert. The cover projects beyond the insertion opening on its outer side, with which it comes into contact with the housing. The side of the cover facing inwards - in the insertion direction - corresponds in its extent to the width of the insertion opening and has a rigid locking lug on one side that engages behind a corresponding edge of the filter housing when closed. An elastically deformable seal running approximately centrally between the outer and inner sides of the cover ensures that the cover sits correctly in the closed insertion opening.

[0004] DE 20 2005 005 067 U1 shows a filter element for insertion into a filter holder, wherein the access opening provided for inserting the filter element into the filter holder can be closed by a separate closure element. For this purpose, hook-shaped, aligned fastening elements protrude from the closure element, which are assigned corresponding recesses in the filter holder. To seal between the closure element and the filter holder, the filter element has a flat sealing element on its end face facing the closure element, which extends beyond the edge of the end face on all sides. The projections provide openings for inserting the fastening elements.

[0005] DE 10 2015 003 297 A1 describes an air filter device for a motor vehicle comprising a housing in which a filter element can be accommodated, and a cover. The filter element has at least one locking device in the form of two opposing and counter-movable retaining tabs or eyelets, which, once the filter element is inserted into the housing and the cover is placed thereon, can be locked to corresponding retaining lugs on the housing and the cover, thereby sealing the three interacting parts from one another.

[0006] DE 10 2017 007 497 A1 discloses an air filter for a motor vehicle, in which a filter element is inserted into the housing of the air filter through an insertion opening, and the insertion opening can be sealed by a cover element. The filter element has at least one retaining element with a fastening element, wherein the retaining element engages behind the housing when the filter element is inserted. The fastening element connected to the retaining element is then in a position in which a locking strut assigned to the cover element can be passed through a through-opening in the fastening element and rotated, thereby sealingly connecting the cover to the housing.

[0007] DE 10 2007 018 215 A1 describes an air filter for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, in which a frame surrounds a pleated filter medium. Two receptacles protrude from one wall of the frame, into which locking means can be inserted. The locking means are arranged on a cover, with which a housing can be closed, in which the frame with the pleated filter medium is housed. A sealing element, which rests against the edge of the housing when the housing is closed by the cover, is formed integrally with a connecting plate of the cover.

[0008] With such an air filter, it proves difficult to manipulate the cover so that the locking elements can engage with the receptacles. This is due, among other things, to the fact that there is no defined installation position for the frame in the housing.

[0009] In addition, the two locking devices on the cover must be precisely aligned so that they can be inserted into the receptacles. This is particularly difficult if the receptacles are not easily visible to the person assembling the cover.

[0010] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 004 645 A1 describes a filter element for filtering combustion air supplied to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The filter element has a filter medium body, which is supported and held on an internal carrier body in the form of a support frame. End plates are located on the axial end faces of the carrier body. Two tab-shaped components, which have respective locking elements, are connected to one of the end plates via respective connecting parts. The components with the respective locking elements are formed integrally with the end plate via the connecting parts. Furthermore, the components protrude laterally from the filter element. In an installed position of the filter element, the locking elements lock with counter-locking elements arranged on a filter housing.The locking elements are secured in a locking position by means of a cover placed on the filter housing.

[0011] The disadvantage here is that the laterally protruding components with the locking elements take up a comparatively large amount of space within the filter housing, which therefore cannot be used or is not available for filtering the air to be filtered.

[0012] Furthermore, with this air filter system, the cover can be attached to the filter housing even if there is no filter element inside. This is also a disadvantage.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a filter element of the type mentioned at the outset, which simplifies the closing of the receiving space by means of the cover, and to provide an air filter device with such a filter element.

[0014] This object is achieved by a filter element having the features of patent claim 1 and by an air filter device having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims and in the following description.

[0015] The filter element according to the invention for an air filter device of a motor vehicle has a frame which at least partially surrounds a filter material of the filter element. The frame comprises a front wall. The front wall extends substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction in which the filter element can be inserted into a receiving space of a housing of the air filter device. The housing of the air filter device is also referred to below as the “air filter housing” or simply as the “housing”. At least one fastening element is arranged on a front side of the front wall. A cover of the air filter device, which is designed to close the receiving space, can be secured to the at least one fastening element. A plate-shaped base body of the front wall has a narrow side. A retaining tab of the filter element, which is designed separately from the at least one fastening element, projects beyond this narrow side.By inserting the retaining tab into a retaining recess provided on the side of the housing of the air filter device, the filter element can be secured against movement in the insertion direction.

[0016] In other words, once the retaining tab is inserted into the retaining recess of the housing, the filter element can no longer be inserted further into the housing or pulled out of the housing in the opposite direction of insertion. Consequently, by inserting the retaining tab into the retaining recess, the entire filter element is correctly aligned. In this installed position of the filter element in the housing, the at least one fastening element is then also correctly aligned, so that the cover of the air filter device can be reliably secured or fixed to the at least one fastening element. Consequently, the filter element simplifies the closing of the receiving space by means of the cover.

[0017] When the retaining tab engages the retaining recess provided on the side of the housing of the air filter device, this not only pre-fixes the filter element relative to the cover of the air filter housing. Rather, it also prevents the filter element from slipping in the housing's receiving space, even if the insertion direction is not horizontal, but rather the filter element is inserted or pushed into the receiving space at an angle to the horizontal. Even in such a case, the retaining tab prevents it from slipping out of the receiving space or further into the receiving space once the retaining tab has been inserted into the retaining recess.

[0018] This applies in particular if the retaining tab, in the installed position of the filter element, projects essentially in the direction of gravity beyond the narrow side of the plate-shaped base body of the front wall, which is then a lower narrow side of the base body.

[0019] Due to the separate design of the at least one fastening means, which is particularly spaced apart from the retaining tab, the fastening means is also very easily accessible to a corresponding closure element formed on the cover. In particular, such a design can ensure that the closure element arranged on the cover encloses or engages around the fastening element. This contributes to a particularly robust and resilient, yet highly reliable, fixation of the cover to the filter element.

[0020] A further advantage of the filter element with the at least one fastening element arranged on the front side of the front wall is that the air filter device of the motor vehicle can only be operated when the filter element is installed or introduced into the receiving space. This is because in order to securely close the receiving space by means of the cover of the air filter device, the at least one fastening element, which is a component of the filter element, is required. In other words, a secured or firm position of the cover on the air filter housing is not possible if the filter element is not introduced or installed in the receiving space of the housing. In this way, it can be prevented that the air filter device is operated improperly (i.e. without the filter element). Consequently, the filter element enables particularly reliable operation of the air filter device.

[0021] In particular, the insertion of the retaining tab into the retaining recess provided on the side of the housing of the air filter device ensures that the at least one fastening element is aligned in the correct position and can thus be used to securely fix the cover to the air filter housing.

[0022] Furthermore, the at least one fastening element is replaced together with the filter element when the filter element is replaced. This is advantageous in view of the fact that, for example, a clamping geometry and / or holding geometry of the fastening element is subject to wear when the cover of the air filter device is secured to the fastening element in order to close the receiving space formed in the air filter housing by means of the cover. Thus, the at least one fastening element subject to wear is also renewed or replaced when the filter element is replaced.

[0023] Furthermore, due to the arrangement of the at least one fastening element on the front side of the front wall, which is opposite a rear side of the front wall facing the filter material, the at least one fastening element is very easily accessible. This facilitates the interaction of the fastening element with a closure element of the cover, thereby ensuring a tight fit of the cover against the housing.

[0024] Inserting the retaining tab into the recess provided on the side of the housing also means that when removing the filter element, i.e., when removing it from the receiving space in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, the front panel and thus the entire filter element must first be lifted slightly. This largely prevents the filter element, and in particular the filter material of the filter element, from getting caught in the area of ​​the air filter unit's housing and potentially becoming damaged.

[0025] This is particularly useful if the filter element is only removed temporarily, for example to remove dust or solids from the filter element by shaking or tapping it off and then reinstalling the filter element in the housing.

[0026] Such handling of the filter element is particularly advantageous if the motor vehicle having the air filter device is designed as a truck which is to be used in an environment with high dust load, for example on a construction site or the like.

[0027] Preferably, the retaining tab is formed integrally with the base body of the front wall. This allows for the retaining tab to be provided particularly easily and with minimal effort during frame production. Furthermore, the retaining tab can have a thickness in the insertion direction that corresponds to the thickness of the narrow side of the plate-shaped base body. This makes the retaining tab particularly robust and resilient.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one fastening element can be inserted into a sleeve-shaped holding area of ​​a closure element arranged on the cover. By rotating the closure element about a rotation axis, the at least one fastening element encompassed by the holding area can be clamped to the closure element of the cover. In this way, a very robust and resilient fastening or fixation of the cover to the filter element is achieved.

[0029] Alternatively, the at least one fastening element can advantageously have a sleeve-shaped holding area into which the closure element arranged on the lid can be inserted. By rotating the closure element about a rotation axis, the at least one fastening element encompassed by the holding area can be clamped to the closure element of the lid. This realizes a reverse geometry, which constitutes an equally advantageous solution.

[0030] Preferably, the at least one fastening element is spaced apart from a lower narrow side of the plate-shaped base body in the vertical direction of the front wall. This is advantageous, on the one hand, with regard to the good accessibility of the fastening element for the closure element of the lid.

[0031] Furthermore, when the filter element is inserted or pushed into the receiving chamber, gravity ensures that the front wall lowers in the direction of insertion, thus inserting the retaining tab into the retaining recess. This ensures that the filter element is particularly well secured in the receiving chamber against accidental slipping out. In order to be removed from the receiving chamber, the filter element would first have to be lifted in the area of ​​the front wall.

[0032] Preferably, the at least one fastening element has at least one retaining part spaced apart from the front side of the front wall. A corresponding retaining part of the closure element can engage behind the at least one retaining part for the purpose of closing the receiving space by means of the cover. Such a design of the fastening element allows for a particularly tight fit of the cover to the air filter housing. Furthermore, the cover is then also securely secured in its closed position.

[0033] Preferably, the at least one retaining part is designed as a wing protruding from a shaft of the fastening element transversely to the insertion direction. Such a wing can be particularly easily engaged behind by the corresponding retaining part of the closure element arranged on the lid. Furthermore, such a wing requires very little installation space.

[0034] In the case of the reverse geometry, i.e. when the closure element arranged on the cover can be inserted into the sleeve-shaped holding area on the fastening element, the above statements regarding the geometry of the holding area on the closure element apply analogously to the design of the holding area on the fastening element.

[0035] Nevertheless, the cover can be securely fixed in the area of ​​a receiving opening, which can be provided for inserting the filter element into the receiving space in the air filter housing. This is because when the cover's closure element interacts with the fastening element and the corresponding retaining part of the closure element engages behind the wing, the cover is very securely fixed.

[0036] It is further advantageous if the at least one holding part has a first end region and a second end region, wherein the at least one holding part has a ramp-like shape extending from the first end region to the second end region. The corresponding holding part of the closure element can be moved along such a ramp when the cover is secured to the filter element when the cover is secured to the housing in its closed position.

[0037] The ramp-shaped design of the retaining part simplifies the process of securing the cover to the fastening element. Furthermore, a particularly tight fit of the cover against the air filter housing can be achieved. This is because, due to the ramp-shaped design, when the cover is secured in its closed position, in which the cover rests against the housing, a movement of the cover toward the housing can be achieved, which supports the sealing. Furthermore, tolerances, in particular manufacturing tolerances, can be compensated for to a particularly large extent in this way, yet the cover still sits tightly against the housing when the cover is secured to the at least one fastening element of the filter element.

[0038] The frame of the filter element preferably comprises two side walls extending from the front wall in the insertion direction. The filter element has at least one support web spaced from the front wall and supporting the filter material. The at least one support web connects the side walls to one another. By providing such a support web, the frame and also the filter material are well stabilized, which the frame of the filter element at least partially (and preferably completely) surrounds, or around which the frame of the filter element at least partially (and preferably completely) encloses.This makes it possible, for example, to remove solids in the form of dust or the like retained on a raw air side of the filter material from the filter material after the filter element has been removed from the receiving space by shaking or tapping, without permanently impairing the shape of the filter material.

[0039] If the filter material has a plurality of pleats, the support web can have projections designed like prongs or pins, which protrude from a strip-shaped back of the support web, for example, and engage with the pleats of the filter material. This allows the shape of the pleats of the filter material to be very well maintained even during and after the removal of solids from the pleated filter material by tapping, shaking, or the like.

[0040] The air filter device according to the invention for a motor vehicle has a filter element according to the invention, wherein the filter element is introduced into a receiving space which is formed in a housing of the air filter device.

[0041] The air filter device can be designed, in particular, as an air filter device for an air conditioning system or ventilation system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the air filter device can be provided for an intake tract of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, i.e., as a filter for the air sucked in or otherwise supplied by the internal combustion engine. Preferably, when the retaining tab of the filter element engages in a retaining recess provided on the housing of the air filter device, the receiving space can be closed by means of a cover of the air filter device. For this purpose, the cover can be secured to at least one fastening element of the filter element. In this way, it can be ensured that the receiving space can only be securely closed by means of the cover when the filter element is correctly installed in the air filter housing.

[0042] In addition, the engagement of the filter element's retaining tab in the housing's retaining recess ensures that at least one fastening element of the filter element is correctly aligned or in a position in which the fastening element can interact with at least one closure element formed on the cover. This allows for secure closure of the housing by means of the cover.

[0043] The housing of the air filter device preferably has at least one retaining element, which is positioned upstream of the retaining recess in the insertion direction. Such a retaining element largely prevents the filter element from accidentally moving out of the receiving space as soon as the retaining tab is located in the retaining recess. In particular, it can be provided for this purpose that the retaining tab rests against the at least one retaining element when the retaining tab is inserted into the retaining recess and the cover is secured to the filter element.

[0044] The at least one retaining element can be designed, in particular, as a ramp-shaped retaining prong that slopes upwards as viewed in the insertion direction. In the longitudinal direction of the retaining recess, several such ramp-shaped retaining prongs can be positioned upstream of the retaining recess in the insertion direction. The underside of the retaining tab can then be easily slid over these ramp-shaped retaining prongs until the retaining tab, preferably due to gravity, lowers into the retaining recess, which is positioned downstream of the retaining prongs in the insertion direction. The retaining tab can therefore become undercut, particularly with the ramp-shaped retaining prongs, as soon as the retaining tab engages in the retaining recess.

[0045] Preferably, the housing has at least one ramp which is arranged next to the holding recess in the longitudinal direction of the holding recess.

[0046] In this case, the at least one ramp is designed to slope downwards from the retaining recess in the insertion direction. Such a ramp can easily and reliably prevent the filter element from becoming caught and / or the filter material from being damaged when removing or pulling the filter element out of the receiving space.

[0047] If the filter element has at least one support web which connects the side walls of the frame to one another, the at least one ramp also prevents the filter element with such a support web from getting caught on a component of the housing or the support web from hooking onto such a component.

[0048] Preferably, the at least one ramp has a crest region, wherein the height of the at least one ramp in the crest region is greater than the maximum height of the at least one retaining element. This makes it very easy to ensure that the frame of the filter element does not get caught on the at least one retaining element when the filter element is pulled out of the receiving space.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the at least one ramp is designed to slope upwards toward the apex region, as seen in the insertion direction. This facilitates the insertion of the filter element into the receiving space formed in the housing of the air filter device.

[0050] The lid preferably has at least one closure element that is rotatable relative to a base body of the lid. In a closed position of the closure element, at least one retaining part of the closure element engages behind a corresponding retaining part of the at least one fastening element. Due to such interaction of the closure element with the fastening element, a particularly secure and tight fixation of the lid in its position on the housing can be achieved when the lid closes the receiving space of the housing. The closure element can, in particular, be designed in the manner of a twist lock.

[0051] In particular, it can be provided that the cover is pivotably mounted on the air filter housing. Then, by folding down the cover, it can be achieved that the at least one closure element of the cover corresponding to the fastening element of the filter element can interact with the fastening element. Furthermore, such closure of the receiving space by means of the cover can be accomplished very intuitively. The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the filter element according to the invention also apply to the air filter device according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0052] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0053] Showing:

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a filter element for an air filter device of a motor vehicle;

[0055] Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the filter element according to Fig. 1, in which a fastening element arranged on a front side of a front wall of a frame of the filter element can be seen better;

[0056] Fig. 3 shows a detail of a housing of the air filter device, which is designed to accommodate the filter element according to Fig. 1;

[0057] Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned detailed view in the area of ​​a receiving opening of the housing, through which the filter element according to Fig. 1 can be inserted into the housing;

[0058] Fig. 5 shows a partially sectioned side view of the insertion of the filter element according to Fig. 1 into the housing according to Fig. 3;

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a partially sectioned side view of the filter element inserted into a receiving space of the housing, which has reached its end position in the insertion direction; Fig. 7 shows an enlarged detailed view of a front section of the filter element and the housing, wherein the front wall of the filter element is located at the level of a retaining recess formed on the side of the housing;

[0060] Fig. 8 the gravity-induced lowering of the front wall such that a retaining tab of the filter element formed integrally with the front wall engages in the retaining recess;

[0061] Fig. 9 shows a detail and a front view of a cover for the housing of the air filter device, wherein the cover has a closure element designed as a rotary closure, which cooperates with the fastening element of the filter element shown in Fig. 2 to fix the cover;

[0062] Fig. 10 shows a partial rear view of the lid in the area of ​​the screw cap;

[0063] Fig. 11 shows a first step in removing the filter element or in disassembling the filter element, wherein the filter element is lifted in the area of ​​the front wall and thus the retaining tab is moved out of the retaining recess;

[0064] Fig. 12 shows, in a partially sectioned view, the sliding of a support web of a plurality of support webs of the frame over ramps arranged on both sides of the holding recess when the filter element is pulled out of the receiving space;

[0065] Fig. 13 shows in perspective the frame of the filter element according to Fig. 1 comprising two support webs without a filter material of the filter element;

[0066] Fig. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the fastening element in a detailed view; and

[0067] Fig. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the retaining part on the lid in a detailed view. In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0068] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a filter element 10 intended for installation in a housing 12 (see Fig. 3) of an air filter device of a motor vehicle, particularly a truck. A receiving space 14 is formed in the housing 12 of the air filter device (see Fig. 3), into which the filter element 10 shown in Fig. 1 can be inserted or installed.

[0069] The filter element 10 comprises a frame 16, which surrounds or encloses a filter material 18 of the filter element 10. If the filter element 10 is designed as a pleated filter, the filter material 18 can have a plurality of pleats, as shown here by way of example. However, other configurations of the filter material 18 through which air can flow during operation of the filter element 10 are also possible.

[0070] The frame 16, which in this case completely surrounds or encloses the filter material 18 circumferentially, comprises a front wall 20. The front wall 20 extends perpendicular to an insertion direction 22, which is illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 1. In the insertion direction 22, the filter element 10 can be inserted into the receiving space 14 formed in the housing 12 or air filter housing (see Fig. 3).

[0071] A fastening element 26, which is shown enlarged in Fig. 2, is arranged on a front side 24 of the front wall 20. The frame 16 also comprises two side walls 28, 30, which extend from the front wall 20 in the insertion direction 22.

[0072] At its rear end, the frame 16 is closed by a rear wall 32, which in this case is angled. This is due to the shape of the housing 12, so that in variants of the filter element 10, a differently designed frame 16 can also be provided. Furthermore, the frame 16 does not need to enclose the filter material 18 circumferentially, as shown here by way of example. The fastening element 26 shown in Fig. 2 serves to fix or secure a cover element or cover 34 to the housing 12. The cover 34 is shown in Fig. 9 in a detail view of its outer side 36 facing the surroundings of the housing 12.

[0073] A closure element, which in this case is designed as a twist lock 40, is held on a base body 38 of the lid 34. By means of a lever-like handle 58, the twist lock 40 can be rotated relative to the base body 38 of the lid 34 about a rotation axis 70, which is indicated in Fig. 10. The fastening element 26 (see Fig. 2) cooperates with the twist lock 40 to secure the lid 34 in its closed position.

[0074] For this purpose, the fastening element 26 has a shaft 42, which in this case is designed in the manner of a cylinder with an (optional) slot-shaped recess 62. The shaft 42 protrudes from the front side 24 of the front wall 20 in the insertion direction 22. Two retaining parts in the form of a first wing 44 and a second wing 46 extend from the shaft 42, in this case essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction 22.

[0075] From a respective first end region 48 to a second, opposite end region 50, the respective wing 44, 46 preferably has a ramp-like shape. Accordingly, the respective wing 44, 46 thickens from the respective first end region 48 in the direction of a height of the respective wing 44, 46 to the opposite end region 50 of the respective wing 44, 46. The height of the respective wing 44, 46 thus corresponds to a thickness of the respective wing 44, 46 in the insertion direction 22. The ramp formed on the respective wing 44, 46 thus points in the direction of the front wall 20 of the filter element 10.

[0076] Corresponding to the wings 44, 46 are recesses 52 (see Fig. 10), which are formed on an inner side 54 of the cover 34 in the region of the twist lock 40. Furthermore, the twist lock 40 according to Fig. 10 has two holding parts 56 on its inner side, which are designed to engage behind the wings 44, 46 of the fastening element 26 when the cover 34 is secured in its closed position, in which the cover 34 closes the receiving space 14 in the region of a receiving opening 64 (see Fig. 3). The filter element 10 can be introduced into the receiving space 14 via the receiving opening 64. The wings 44, 46 provide clamping geometries or holding geometries on the side of the filter element 10, which interact with the holding parts 56 of the twist lock 40 to secure the cover 34 in its closed position.In the present case, the rotary closure 40 attached to the lid 34 has the holding parts 56, which correspond to the clamping geometry or holding geometry provided by the wings 44, 46.

[0077] The fastening element 26, which is preferably firmly connected to the frame 16 of the filter element 10 or formed integrally with the front wall 20, thus ensures that the cover 34 is fixed or secured in its closed position in the manner of a bayonet lock. And in the closed position, the cover 34 closes the receiving space 14 formed in the housing 12 in the region of the receiving opening 64.

[0078] From Fig. 10, it can also be seen that the twist lock 40 has a sleeve-shaped holding area 66 into which the fastening element 26 can be inserted by closing the cover 34. For this purpose, the recesses 52 of the twist lock 40 must first be aligned such that the wings 44, 46 can enter the sleeve-shaped holding area 66 in the region of the recesses 52. The holding area 66 then encompasses the fastening element 26. When the rotary closure 40 is subsequently rotated or twisted about its axis of rotation 70 by actuating the handle part 58 (see Fig. 9), the holding parts 56 of the rotary closure 40 engage behind the wings 44, 46. Due to the ramp-shaped shape of the wings 44, 46, the fastening element 26 is clamped to the rotary closure 40 of the cover 34, and the cover 34 is pulled tightly against the housing 12.

[0079] Due to the geometry of the recesses 52, which corresponds to the shape of the wings 44, 46, the functionality of the twist lock 40 can be very easily visually recognized by a person closing the receiving space 14 of the housing 12 using the cover 34. This is advantageous with regard to the simple operation of the twist lock 40.

[0080] A stop 92 can be formed on the cover 34 for the handle part 58 (see Fig. 9), which defines an end position of the twist lock 40 when the cover 34 is secured. In this end position, the holding parts 56 of the twist lock 40 (see Fig. 10) engage behind the wings 44, 46 of the fastening element 26 (see Fig. 2). It can also be seen from Fig. 2 that the front wall 20 has an upper narrow side 74. A lower narrow side 72 of a plate-shaped base body 60 of the front wall 20 lies opposite this upper narrow side 74 in the vertical direction 68 of the filter element 10, which is illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 2. The vertical direction 68 is preferably opposite the direction of gravity in the installed position of the filter element 10.

[0081] In the present case, the filter element 10 has a retaining tab 76 that is formed separately from and spaced from the fastening element 26. This retaining tab 76 protrudes beyond the lower narrow side 72 of the plate-shaped base body 60 of the front wall 20. In the present case, this retaining tab 76 is formed integrally with the base body 60 of the front wall 20. The functions of this retaining tab 76 are explained below with reference to the following figures.

[0082] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the receiving opening 64 is bounded on the underside by a wall 78. This wall 78 is shown in detail and partially sectioned in Fig. 4.

[0083] In particular, it is clearly visible from Fig. 4 that a retaining recess 80 is formed in the wall 78, the dimensions of which, in this case specifically with regard to a depth in the insertion direction 22 and a width perpendicular to the insertion direction 22, correspond to the dimensions of the retaining tab 76. Accordingly, the retaining tab 76 of the filter element 10 can be inserted into the retaining recess 80, which is provided on the side of the housing 12 of the air filter device. When the filter element 10 is in its installed position in the receiving space 14 of the housing 12 (see Fig. 8), the retaining tab 76 engages in the retaining recess 80 accordingly.

[0084] The retaining tab 76 or locking tab, which is formed on the lower edge of the frame 16, thus functions as an abutment for the filter element 10. Accordingly, the retaining tab 76 prevents the filter element 10 from slipping out of the receiving space 14. This is particularly advantageous when the insertion direction 22 in the specific installation situation of the filter element 10 is not horizontal, but inclined. Furthermore, the retaining tab 76 serves to pre-fix the filter element 10 with respect to the cover 34. When the retaining tab 76 is located in the retaining recess 80, the fastening element 26 or holding element is also correctly aligned, namely such that the twist lock 40 (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) can interact with the fastening element 26.

[0085] In the present case, the fastening element 26 is arranged essentially centrally on the front side 24 of the front wall 20 in the width or transverse direction of the front wall 20, i.e., viewed perpendicular to the insertion direction 22. This results in a very uniform pressing of the cover 34 against the housing 12 when the rotary lock 40 is actuated and rotated about the rotation axis 70.

[0086] Furthermore, the two large-surface ramps of the fastening element 26, formed in the area of ​​the wings 44, 46, ensure a very robust fixation of the cover 34 to the filter element 10.

[0087] The actuation of the rotary closure 40 also ensures that the front side 24 of the retaining tab 76 or of the filter element 10 adjoining it comes into contact with retaining elements, which in the present case are designed in the manner of ramp-shaped retaining prongs 82 (cf. Fig. 4), and which are arranged in front of the retaining recess 80 in the insertion direction 22.

[0088] In the present case, the retaining prongs 82 rise obliquely when viewed in the insertion direction 22, so that the retaining tab 76 initially moves in the vertical direction 68 as it slides along the retaining prongs 82 when the filter element 10 is inserted into the receiving space 14 via the receiving opening 64. In Fig. 5, this insertion of the filter element 10 into the receiving space 14 is illustrated by an arrow 84, the direction of which is the same as the insertion direction 22.

[0089] Fig. 6 shows the situation in which the filter element 10 has reached its horizontal end position in the receiving space 14. Accordingly, the rear wall 32 of the frame 16 is located near a wall 86 of the housing 12 that borders the receiving space 14 to the rear. In particular, a seal 88 arranged on the rear wall 32 of the frame 16 can bear against the wall 86. In Fig. 7, a further arrow 90 illustrates how the retaining tab 76 lowers due to gravity after crossing the retaining prongs 82 (see Fig. 4) and reaching the retaining recess 80. Consequently, the retaining tab 76 enters the retaining recess 80, which is designed in the manner of a slot, due to the force of gravity. This is because the frame 16 of the filter element 10 falls downwards due to the force of gravity as soon as the retaining tab 76 is at the level of the retaining recess 80 in the insertion direction 22.

[0090] Fig. 8 shows this installation situation, in which the retaining tab 76 engages in the retaining recess 80. In the extension direction, i.e., opposite to the insertion direction 22, the retaining tab 76 is thus undercut with the housing 12. The fastening element 26 is then also in its correct position, in which the rotary closure 40 can interact with the fastening element 26 after the cover 34 has been folded down or the cover 34 has been pivoted accordingly about a pivot axis provided on the side of the housing 12.

[0091] With reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the removal of the filter element 10 from the receiving space 14 will be explained. First, the frame 16 of the filter element 10 is lifted in the region of the front wall 20 so that the retaining tab 76 is no longer located in the retaining recess 80. This movement of the retaining tab 76 out of the retaining recess 80 is illustrated in Fig. 11 by an arrow 104, the direction of which is opposite to the arrow 90 shown in Fig. 7. Otherwise, the orientation of the filter element 10 relative to the housing 12 shown in Fig. 7 corresponds to the orientation of the filter element 10 relative to the housing 12 shown in Fig. 11.

[0092] Subsequently, the filter element 10 is pulled out of the receiving space 14 counter to the insertion direction 22. This movement is illustrated in Fig. 12 by an arrow 94. Furthermore, a support web 96 of the frame 16 is shown partially sectioned in Fig. 12.

[0093] From Fig. 13 it can be seen that the frame 16 of the filter element 10 in this case has two such support webs 96. The support webs 96 connect the side walls 28, 30 to one another. This stabilizes the frame 16 of the filter element 10. In addition, the support webs 96 have a plurality of extensions designed in the manner of the teeth 98 of a comb. These teeth 98, which project upwards or in the vertical direction 68 from a strip-shaped back of the respective support web 96 in this case, engage from below in the folds of the filter material 18 (see Fig. 1). In this way, in particular the teeth 98 of the support webs 96, which in this case taper towards a free end, support the filter material 18. By providing the support webs 96 and the prongs 98, a high degree of dimensional stability of the frame 16 and in particular of the filter material 18 is ensured, even if the filter element 10 is comparatively long in the insertion direction 22.The latter may be the case in particular when using the filter element 10 for an air filter device of a truck.

[0094] The support webs 96 ensure in particular that solids which have settled on the filter material 18 during operation of the air filter device can be easily knocked or shaken off the filter material 18 without damaging the folds of the filter material 18.

[0095] From Fig. 12, particularly in conjunction with Fig. 4, it is clearly evident that when the filter element 10 is pulled out of the receiving space 14 opposite to the insertion direction 22, an underside of the support webs 96 is guided along respective ramps 100. The ramps 100 thus serve as starting slopes for the filter element 10 when the filter element 10 is pulled out of the receiving space 14.

[0096] In the present case, two ramps 100 are formed on the wall 78, which are arranged laterally next to the holding recess 80 in the longitudinal direction of the holding recess 80 or in the direction of the length of the holding recess 80 formed in the manner of a slot (see Fig. 4).

[0097] Starting from a vertex region 102 of the respective ramp 100, which is located approximately at the height of a front edge of the holding recess 80, the ramps 100 are designed to slope downwards as viewed in the insertion direction 22. In the vertex region 102, the ramps 100 in this case have a height that is greater than a maximum height of the holding prongs 82. This prevents, in particular, the support webs 96 from becoming caught on the holding prongs 82 or from getting caught on the holding prongs 82 when the filter element 10 is pulled out of the receiving space 14 counter to the insertion direction 22 (see Fig. 12). Furthermore, the ramps 100 are designed to slope upwards as viewed in the insertion direction 22 toward the vertex region 102, just like the holding prongs 82 (see Fig. 4). Accordingly, the ramps 100 also prevent the filter element 10 from becoming caught on the retaining prongs 82 when the filter element 10 is inserted into the receiving space 14.

[0098] The ramps 100 also prevent the rear wall 32 of the frame 16 from becoming caught, in particular with the retaining prongs 82, when the filter element 10 is pulled out of the receiving space 14, and prevent the filter material 18 from being damaged when the filter element 10 is removed from the receiving space 14.

[0099] Figures 14 and 15 show an alternative embodiment of the fastening element 26 located on the filter element 10 and the associated closure element 40, which is arranged on the cover 34. In contrast to Figures 2 and 10, the fastening element 26 is designed such that it has a sleeve-shaped holding area 110. A holding part 112 of the closure element 40, which is arranged on the cover 34, is inserted into this holding area 110.

[0100] Here, too, retaining parts 114 are provided on the fastening element 26, spaced from the front side 24, which engage behind the retaining part 112. Subsequently, the closure element 40 rotates about the rotation axis 70, as described above, resulting in tension. Thus, a similar geometry ensures that the filter element 10 is secured in the receiving space 14 and that the cover 34 is securely fixed.

Claims

DEPCT661. Filter components for motor vehicle air filter devices with a frame (16) which at least partially encloses the filter material (18) of the filter component (10), in which the frame (16) is incorporated by a front wall (20) which extends fundamentally perpendicular to the insertion direction (22), in which the filter component (10) can be inserted into the receiving area (14) of the cover (12) of the air filter device, in which, in the closed position, the fastening component (26) is arranged on the front (24) of the front wall (20), in which the cover (34) of the device An air filter housing designed to enclose the receiving area (14) can be fixed in a manner that the plate-shaped base (60) of the front wall (20) has a narrow side (72) on which a fastening strip (76) of the filter component (10) is formed from at least one fastening component (26) protrudes, on which the filter component (10) can be fixed against or against the insertion direction (22) by inserting the fastening strip (76) into the fastening grooves (80) provided on the side of the housing (12) of the air filter housing.2.The filter component under claim 1 is characterized that at least one fastening component (26) can be inserted into the sleeve-shaped fixing area (66) of the closure component (40) arranged on the cover (34), in which, by rotating the closure component (40) around its axis of rotation (70), at least one fastening component (26) incorporated by the fixing area (66) can be clamped by the closure component (40) of the cover (34).

3. The filter component under claim 2 is characterized that at least one fastening component (26) has at least one fixing component (44,46) spaced away from the front (24) of the front and rear walls, in which the corresponding fixing component (56) of the closure component (40) can be secured to close the receiving area (14) by means of the cover (34).4.The filter element under Reputation 3 is characterized that at least one of the fastening parts (44,46) is designed as a wing extending from the shaft (42) of the clamping part (26) transversely toward the insertion direction (22) and / or at least one of the fastening parts (44,46) is shaped to extend in a ramp-like manner from the first end (48) of the fastening part (44,46) to the second end (50) of the fastening part (44,46).

5. The filter element under Reputation 1 is characterized that at least one of the fastening parts (26) has a fastening area shaped like a sleeve (110) in which the closing part (40) arranged on the cover (34) can be inserted, in which, by rotating the closing part (40) around the axis of rotation (70), at least one of the closing parts (40) of the cover (34) incorporated by the fastening area (110) can be clamped by the fastening part (26).6.A filter component under claim 5 is characterized as having at least one fixing section (112) spaced away from the front (24) of the front wall (20) and the rear of which the corresponding fixing section (114) of the fastening component (26) can be fastened to close the receiving area (14) by means of a cover (34).

7. A filter component under claims 1 through 6 is characterized as having the frame (16) of the filter component (10) made up of two side walls (28,30) extending from the front wall (20) in the insertion direction (22) where the filter component (10) has at least one support mesh (96) spaced away from the front wall (20) and a filter material support (18) which connects the side walls (28,30) to each other.8.Air filter devices for motor vehicles containing a filter element (10) according to any of the claims 1 through 7 in which the filter element (10) is introduced into the receiving area (14) which is formed in the air filter housing (12) in which, when the fastening strips (76) of the filter element (10) are fastened in fastening grooves (80) provided on the side of the air filter housing (12), the receiving area (14) can then be closed by means of the air filter housing cover (34) which can be fastened to at least one fastening element (26) of the filter element (10).

9. Air filter devices according to claim 8 are characterized in which the air filter housing (12) contains at least one fastening element (82) specifically designed as a sloping fastening strip as viewed in the insertion direction (22) which is arranged origin of the fastening grooves (80) in the insertion direction (22).10.An air filter device under claim 8 or 9 is characterized that the enclosure has at least one ramp (100) which is arranged adjacent to the fixing groove (80) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the fixing groove (80), where at least one ramp (100) is designed to slope downward from the fixing groove (80) as viewed in the insertion direction (22).

11. An air filter device under claim 9 and 10 is characterized that at least one ramp (100) has an apical region (102) where the height of at least one ramp (100) in the apical region (102) is greater than the maximum height of at least one fixing component (82) and / or at least one ramp (100) is designed to slope upward towards the apical region (102) as viewed in the insertion direction (22).12.An air filter device according to any of the claims 8 through 11 that is characterized as a cover (34) which is held on a specific cover (12) so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation, has at least one closure component (40) which rotates relative to the base (38) of the cover (34) in which, in the closed position of the closure component (40), the fixing part (56) of the closure component (40) is attached behind the corresponding fixing parts (44,46) of at least one fastening component (26), or the fixing part (110) of the fastening component (26) is attached behind the corresponding fixing part (112) of the closure component (40);

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