Filter, filter element which is unlockable by means of a handle, handle for removing a filter element, filter element arrangement, and method for uninstalling a filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter (10) having a filter housing (12), to a filter element (14) which is unlockable by means of a handle, to a handle (16) for removing a filter element from the filter housing, to a filter element arrangement and to a method for uninstalling a filter. The filter element (14) may have at least one latching member (26c) for holding the filter element (14) axially in the filter housing (12). The latching member (26c) is preferably releasable at least indirectly by means of an actuation surface of a latching finger (20c) on the handle (16). The latching finger (20c) preferably latches the handle (16) on the filter element (14), the latching finger (20c) in particular engaging behind an upper end disc of the filter element (14). The handle (16) particularly preferably has multiple latching fingers (20c) which, when the handle (16) is pushed axially onto the filter element (14), engage behind the filter element (14) in the region of the upper end disc. The latching fingers (20c) can be pushed with their actuation surfaces pairwise onto displacement surfaces in order to release latching members (26c), which are provided between the displacement surfaces, from the filter housing (12).

Description

[0001] Filter, filter element unlockable by a handle, handle for removing a filter element, filter element arrangement and method for disassembling a filter

[0002] This patent application claims priority from German patent application No. DE 10 2024 106 228.2, filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office on 5 March 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a filter comprising a filter housing, a filter element, and a handle for removing the filter element from the filter housing, as well as a filter element assembly. The invention further relates to a method for disassembling the filter.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] A filter as described above is known from EP 3 263 202 A1. Furthermore, WO 2022 / 076248 A1 discloses a filter with a filter head and a filter element that can be detachably connected to the filter head.

[0007] In contrast, it is the object of the invention to provide a filter with a filter element which is securely fixed in the filter housing in the operating state, but is nevertheless easily removable.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] This object is achieved by a filter according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a filter element for placement in the filter, a handle for removing the filter element from the filter, and a filter element assembly. Preferred embodiments are specified in the respective subclaims and the description.

[0010] According to the invention, a filter is provided with a filter housing, a handle, and a filter element. In the assembled state, the filter element is held axially secured in the filter housing by a filter element latch with at least one latching web. The latching web is radially movable at least in sections. The handle can be connected to the filter element by a handle latch with at least one latching finger. For this purpose, the latching finger is preferably radially movable at least in sections. The handle has at least one actuating surface for releasing the filter element latch. The actuating surface actuates a displacement surface of the filter element latch and thereby at least indirectly releases the filter element latch. The replaceable filter element has the at least one latching web.

[0011] According to the invention, a single movement - namely sliding the handle onto the filter element - allows both the handle to be connected to the filter element and the filter element to be released from its locking mechanism in the filter housing. This makes it easier to remove the filter element, which is securely fixed during normal operation. Since the handle is only placed on the filter element when the filter is removed, no space needs to be provided for the handle in the installed position, thus making optimal use of the available installation space. Furthermore, the handle, filter element and filter housing form a key-lock system that prevents the use of incorrect components during servicing. By providing at least one locking rib for the filter element locking mechanism on the filter element, the at least one locking rib is also replaced when the filter element is replaced.Since the locking bar can wear out due to vibrations during operation, the service life of the filter is typically increased by providing the locking bar on the filter element compared to providing the locking bar on the filter housing.

[0012] The locking web and / or the locking finger preferably extend axially, at least in sections, in particular completely. The locking web and / or the locking finger is / are preferably made of sheet metal or plastic, particularly preferably plastic. The locking finger is preferably substantially L-shaped.

[0013] The filter element has a filter medium that surrounds a longitudinal axis in a ring. The filter medium can, for example, be folded or wound in a star shape. The filter medium can be round or oval in cross-section. The handle can be constructed in several parts. In particular, the handle locking mechanism and the actuating surface can be formed on two different components. However, the handle is preferably constructed in one piece.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the handle is constructed in several parts and lacks an actuating surface for unlocking the locking devices on the filter element. In this alternative embodiment, the handle serves only to remove the filter element from the filter housing. A separate actuating device allows the filter insert to be detached from the housing by moving locking bars through the separate actuating device, releasing the filter element.

[0015] Directional specifications such as axial or radial refer to the longitudinal axis of the filter, in particular the filter element, unless otherwise stated.

[0016] The filter medium can be stabilized radially inward by a support body, particularly in the form of a support tube. Alternatively or additionally, the filter medium can be stabilized radially outward by a cage. For external stabilization, particularly of a wound filter medium, a thread winding or a glue bead can also be attached to the filter element.

[0017] The filter element can have an end plate, which can also be at least partially open, on a lower end face of the filter medium. Alternatively or additionally, the filter element can have an end plate, which can also be at least partially open, on an upper end face of the filter medium. Preferably, the filter element can be flowed through from the radial outside to the radial inside.

[0018] The filter element preferably has a partially open end plate on an upper end face and a closed end plate on a lower end plate, wherein the partially open end plate has a nozzle or an opening, wherein a fluidic connection from the interior of the filter element to a supply or discharge line of the filter housing can be established via the nozzle or the opening. The locking finger can engage behind the upper end plate at least in sections. This particularly simplifies the design of the filter.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the filter element serves to center the handle and lock the handle. The filter element can have means for guiding the handle into the locking position, for example, webs or grooves that interact with grooves or webs on the handle.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, the locking webs on the circumference of the filter element center the filter element in the filter housing and thus facilitate the installation of the filter element in the filter housing; in particular, the centering of the filter element by the locking webs facilitates the positioning of an opening or a nozzle of a first end plate relative to a supply or discharge line in the filter housing.

[0021] The filter is preferably designed as a liquid filter. The liquid filter is preferably designed as a fuel filter or an oil filter. Particularly preferably, the filter is designed as a water-separating fuel filter, in particular a multiple-filter one. Such a filter element can be sealed to the filter housing with an O-ring, so that the filter element sits very firmly in the filter housing, yet can still be easily replaced using the handle according to the invention.

[0022] A particularly simple design of the filter is achieved if the locking finger is provided on the handle.

[0023] More preferably, the actuating surface is formed on the locking finger. The actuating surface is preferably formed opposite a locking projection of the locking finger.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle locking mechanism has a plurality of locking fingers. The locking fingers are particularly preferably arranged or formed symmetrically, in particular axially symmetrically, on the handle. Preferably, the handle locking mechanism has at least six locking fingers. To simplify the manufacture of the filter, the locking fingers are preferably of the same design.

[0025] Further preferably, a plurality of locking webs are provided on the filter element and a plurality of actuating surfaces are provided on the handle for at least indirectly moving the locking webs.

[0026] Preferably, in the assembled state of the filter with the handle pushed on, two locking fingers are provided next to a locking web, wherein the locking webs are each provided between two locking fingers.

[0027] The locking webs can each be connected to two displacement surfaces. The displacement surfaces are preferably arranged or formed on the locking webs at the free ends of the locking webs.

[0028] The displacement surfaces can be designed symmetrically, wherein the actuating surfaces are preferably arranged radially on two displacement surfaces when the handle is pushed on.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the handle locking mechanism has at least one locking finger, wherein the at least one locking finger is substantially rigid and at least one element-side locking web is radially movable at least in sections, so that the handle locking takes place only by radial deformation of the at least one element-side locking web.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the handle locking can be effected not on element-side locking webs, but via at least one separate radially movable locking finger on the handle directly on the edge of the end plate.

[0031] The structural design of the filter can be further simplified if the filter element has an end plate - typically an upper end plate facing the handle - with the at least one locking web and / or if the filter housing has a groove or the like for engagement by the at least one locking web. The end plate preferably has all the locking webs and in particular all the displacement surfaces. The end plate can be formed in one piece, in particular from plastic. The locking webs can extend in the axial direction from a radially outer edge of the end plate. The displacement surfaces can be arranged or formed on the locking webs at the free ends of the locking webs. The end plate can be connected to a filter medium of the filter element, for example, by an adhesive connection or by means of a welding process.When the filter element is mounted in the filter housing, the locking webs can engage in a groove or the like on the filter housing in order to form the filter element locking mechanism.

[0032] In one embodiment, the handle locking mechanism has at least one handle-side alignment element that interacts with at least one filter-element-side alignment element to align the handle in a predetermined angular position relative to the filter element, and / or the handle locking mechanism has a code that prevents a handle that does not fit the filter element from being pushed on. The alignment elements on the handle and on the filter element are designed such that the handle can only be pushed onto the filter element in a predetermined angular position. In the predetermined angular position, the locking fingers of the handle and the locking webs of the filter element are aligned with one another such that the handle locking mechanism is closed when the handle is pushed on. For example, when the handle is pushed on in the predetermined angular position, two locking fingers can be arranged next to each locking web.

[0033] The respective alignment element(s) on the filter element side and the respective alignment element(s) on the handle side can interact in a key-lock manner, e.g., by engaging with one another. For example, the filter element, or more precisely the end plate, can have one or more radially projecting projections in the form of alignment pins, and a respective locking finger can have one or more recesses into which the alignment pins engage when the handle is pushed onto the filter element. The recesses can serve as axial guides for a respective alignment pin. If the alignment elements function in a key-lock manner, they can also serve as a coding that prevents a handle that does not fit the filter element from being pushed on.For example, this can be achieved by the end plate of the filter element having two or more alignment pins, the distance between which in the circumferential direction or the possibly different width of which forms a coding that only fits correspondingly arranged or designed recesses on the handle.

[0034] Coding can also be implemented without the use of alignment elements, for example, by arranging the locking tabs or locking hooks of the filter element asymmetrically in the circumferential direction, i.e., not at equal intervals, along the end plate, or by attaching a different number of locking tabs to the end plate of the filter element for different types of filter elements. The number or position of the locking fingers of the handle suitable for the respective filter element is adapted to the number or position of the locking tabs of the respective filter element.

[0035] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for disassembling a filter described here, comprising the following method steps: a) sliding on the handle while locking the handle to the filter element and loosening the filter element rust; b) pulling out the filter element.

[0036] In the method, preferably in method step a), a locking finger, in particular all locking fingers, are connected to the filter element by pushing the handle onto the filter element and a locking web, in particular all locking webs, are released from the filter element.

[0037] The object is also achieved by a filter element arrangement, comprising: a filter element having a coding that prevents a handle that does not fit the filter element from being pushed onto the filter element, and a handle having a coding that prevents the handle from being pushed onto a filter element that does not fit the handle, wherein the coding of the filter element and the coding of the handle form a handle latch that enables the handle to be pushed onto the filter element, and a further filter element having a coding that prevents a handle that does not fit the further filter element from being pushed onto the further filter element, and a further handle having a coding that prevents the further handle from being pushed onto a filter element that does not fit the further handle, wherein the coding of the further filter element and the coding of the further handle form a further handle latch,which allows the additional handle to be pushed onto the additional filter element and prevents it from being pushed onto the filter element. Accordingly, the handle locking mechanism prevents the handle from being pushed onto the additional filter element. Thus, only pairs of matching handles and filter elements can be connected or secured to each other.

[0038] Short description of the drawings

[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, from the patent claims, and from the figures of the drawing, which illustrate details of the invention. The aforementioned and further detailed features can be implemented individually or in combination in any desired, expedient combinations in variants of the invention. The features shown in the drawing are presented in such a way that the special features of the invention can be clearly seen. In the drawing:

[0040] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filter with a filter housing, a filter element arranged in the filter housing and a handle for connecting to the filter element, unlocking the filter element in the filter housing and removing the filter element;

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the filter from Fig. 1 with the handle placed on the filter element, whereby the rusting of the filter element in the filter housing is released by placing the handle on it;

[0042] Fig. 3 shows the filter from Fig. 2 with the filter element removed from the filter housing; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the handle according to Figs. 1 to 3, with downwardly projecting locking fingers for gripping the filter element being visible in Fig. 4;

[0043] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an upper end plate of the filter element mounted in the filter housing according to Figs. 1 to 3, wherein the end plate has locking webs for holding the filter element in the filter housing;

[0044] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter of Fig. 2, showing that by placing the handle on the filter element the engagement of the locking bar with the filter housing is released;

[0045] Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the filter from Fig. 6, in which the engagement of the locking web in a groove of the filter housing is released;

[0046] Fig. 8 shows a handle and a filter element having alignment elements;

[0047] Fig. 9 the filter element of Fig. 8 with the handle pushed on.

[0048] Embodiments of the invention

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a filter 10 with a filter housing 12, a filter element 14 installed in the filter housing 12 and a handle 16. The filter 10 is designed in the form of a liquid filter.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows the filter 10 with the handle 16 mounted on the filter element 14. The handle 16 is secured to the filter element 14. Forces can be applied to the filter element 14 via a handle bar 18 to release it from its fixed seat in the filter housing 12.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows the filter 10 with the filter element 14 pulled out of the filter housing 12, wherein the filter element 14 is still firmly connected to the handle 16 so that the filter element 14 can be easily handled.

[0052] Figures 1 to 3 show a method 19 according to the invention for disassembling the filter element 14 from the filter housing 12.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows the handle 16 with several locking fingers, of which only the locking fingers 20a, 20b are provided with a reference numeral for reasons of clarity. The handle 16 is preferably formed in one piece (single-part) and / or from plastic. The locking fingers, here the locking fingers 20a, 20b, are arranged in pairs. Preferably, several pairs of locking fingers (here six) are provided on the handle 16, evenly distributed around the circumference.

[0054] The locking fingers 20a, 20b are formed axially in sections. The locking fingers 20a, 20b can each have an actuating surface 22a, 22b, preferably on their radial inner side. The actuating surfaces 22a, 22b serve to release the locking of the filter element 14 (see Fig. 2) in the filter housing 12 (see Fig. 2). This locking is apparent in conjunction with Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The actuating surfaces 22a, 22b also serve as sliding surfaces to simplify the placement of the handle 16 on the filter element 14.

[0055] Fig. 5 shows an upper end plate 24 firmly attached to the filter element 14 (see Fig. 2) with a plurality of locking webs, of which only the locking webs 26a, 26b are provided with a reference numeral for reasons of clarity. The locking webs 26a, 26b serve to lock or axially secure the filter element 14 (see Fig. 2) in the filter housing 12 (see Fig. 2). The locking webs 26a, 26b each preferably have a locking edge 28, which can be seen on the locking web 26b in Fig. 5 and engages in a groove 29 (cf. Fig. 6) on the filter housing 12 when the filter element 12 is in the assembled state.

[0056] The locking webs 26a, 26b can be provided, particularly centrally, between displacement surfaces. For reasons of clarity, only the displacement surfaces 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are provided with a reference symbol in Fig. 5. The displacement surfaces 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d extend on the radial outer side of the upper end plate 24. In general, the displacement surfaces 30a-d are preferably provided on the radial outer side. The displacement surfaces 30a-d preferably coincide in their circumferential arrangement with the locking fingers 20a, 20b (see Fig. 4), so that the radially inner actuating surfaces 22a, 22b (see Fig. 4) displace the displacement surfaces 30a-d when the handle 16 is pushed on and move the locking webs 26a, 26b, in particular radially inward, so that the locking edges 28 no longer engage in the groove 29 (see Fig. 6) on the filter housing 12. The locking fingers 20a, 20b each have a locking projection 31 at the free end of their actuating surfaces 22a, 22b (cf.Fig. 4) to engage behind the displacement surfaces 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d at their lower edges and to lock the handle 16 to the upper end plate 24 of the filter element 14. The locking of the handle 16 with the aid of the locking fingers 20a, 20b on the outer edge of the upper end plate 24 also enables centering of the filter element 14.

[0057] The arrangement of the locking webs 26a, 26b on the circumference of the filter element simplifies the installation of the filter element 14 in the filter housing 12.

[0058] Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the filter 10, and Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of the area designated B in Fig. 6. From Fig. 6, it can be seen that the filter element 14 is axially symmetrical to its longitudinal axis 32. It has a filter medium 34, which is particularly folded in a star shape and is supported radially on the inside against a support body 36. The filter element 14 also has a lower end plate 38.

[0059] Fig. 6 shows the filter element 14 with the handle 16 attached. Locking fingers, of which a locking finger 20c is provided with a reference symbol, unlock locking webs, of which a locking web 26c is provided with a reference symbol in Fig. 7. The connection of the locking fingers 20c to the filter element 14 forms a handle rust 40. The connection of the locking webs 26c to the filter housing 12 forms a filter element rust 42. As can be clearly seen in particular in Fig. 7, when the handle 16 is attached, the locking web 26c does not engage in the groove 29 and does not rust on an upper edge 44 of the groove 29, so that the filter element rust 42 is released and the filter element 14 can be removed from the filter housing 12.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows a handle 16 and a filter element 14, which have alignment elements 46a, 46b; 48a, 48b in order to align the handle 16 in a predetermined angular position relative to the filter element when it is pushed onto the filter element 14. The handle-side alignment elements are designed in the form of two axially extending recesses 46a, 46b in one of the locking fingers 20a, into which a filter-element-side alignment element in the form of an alignment pin 48a, 48b engages when the handle 16 is pushed onto the filter element 14 in the correct position, as can be seen in Fig. 9. The alignment pins 48a, 48b protrude radially outwards beyond the outer edge of the end plate 24 of the filter element 14. By using the alignment elements 46a, 48a; 46b, 48b, a coding can be realized which prevents the sliding on of handles which do not fit the filter element 14.By implementing a key-lock principle, it can be ensured that, when several differently designed filter elements 14 are present that can be inserted into the filter housing 12, only one respective handle 16 can be pushed onto a matching filter element 14, but not onto the other filter elements. Such coding can also be realized, for example, by an asymmetrical arrangement of the locking webs 26a-c on the circumference of the filter element 14 or by different types of filter elements 14 having a different number of locking webs 26a-c, each of which fits only one type of handle 16.

[0061] Taking a summary of all the figures in the drawing, the invention relates to a filter 10 with a filter housing 12, a filter element 14 and a handle 16. The filter element 14 can have at least one locking web 26a-c in order to hold the filter element 14 axially in the filter housing 12. The locking web 26a-c is preferably releasable at least indirectly by an actuating surface 22a, 22b of a locking finger 20a-c on the handle 16. The locking finger 20a-c preferably secures the handle 16 to the filter element 14; in particular, the locking finger 20a-d engages behind an upper end plate 24 of the filter element 14. Particularly preferably, the handle 16 has a plurality of locking fingers 20a-c which engage behind the filter element 14 in the region of the upper end plate 24 when the handle 16 is pushed axially onto the filter element 14.The locking fingers 20a-c can be pushed with their actuating surfaces 22a, 22b in pairs onto displacement surfaces 30a-d in order to release locking webs 26a-c provided between the displacement surfaces 30a-d from the filter housing 12.

[0062] List of reference symbols

[0063] 10 filters

[0064] 12 filter housings

[0065] 14 Filter element

[0066] 16 handle

[0067] 18 handle bars

[0068] 19 procedures

[0069] 20a-c locking fingers

[0070] 22a, b Actuating surface

[0071] 24 upper end plate

[0072] 26a-c Rest bridge

[0073] 28 locking edge

[0074] 29 grooves

[0075] 30a-d displacement area

[0076] 31 locking projection

[0077] 32 Longitudinal axis of the filter element

[0078] 34 Filter medium

[0079] 36 support bodies

[0080] 38 lower end plate

[0081] 40 Handle locking

[0082] 42 Filter element locking

[0083] 44 edge

[0084] 46a, b recesses

[0085] 48a, b Alignment pins

Claims

Claims 1 . Filter (10), wherein the filter (10) comprises: A) a replaceable filter element (14); B) a filter housing (12) for receiving the filter element (14), wherein a filter element locking mechanism (42) is provided between the filter housing (12) and the filter element (14), which holds the filter element (14) in the mounted state in the filter housing (12) so as to be secured against axial withdrawal, wherein the filter element locking mechanism (42) has a locking web (26a-c) which is radially movable at least in sections; C) a handle (16) for axially pulling the filter element (14) out of the filter housing (12), wherein a handle latch (40) for holding the filter element (14) and an actuating surface (22a, 22b) for releasing the filter element latch (42) are provided between the handle (16) and the filter element (14), wherein the handle latch (40) has latching fingers (20a-c), wherein by sliding the handle (16) onto the filter element (14), the handle latch (40) can be closed by the latching finger (20a-c) and the filter element latch (42) can be released by the at least partial movement of the latching web (26a-c) by the actuating surface (22a, 22b), and wherein the replaceable filter element (14) has the latching web (26a-c).

2. Filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter (10) is designed in the form of a liquid filter.

3. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the handle locking mechanism (40) has the locking finger (20a-c) on the handle side.

4. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating surface (22a, 22b) is formed on the locking finger (20a-c).

5. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the handle locking mechanism (40) has a plurality of locking fingers (20a-c) which are at least partially radially movable.

6. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the filter element locking mechanism (42) has, on the filter element side, a plurality of locking webs (26a-c) which are at least partially radially movable, and, on the handle side, a plurality of actuating surfaces (22a, 22b) for at least partially moving the locking webs (26a-c).

7. Filter according to claim 6 in conjunction with claim 5, wherein two locking fingers (20a-c) are arranged or formed next to a locking web (26a-c) such that the respective locking web (26a-c) is arranged or formed between the respective locking fingers (20a-c).

8. Filter according to claim 7, wherein the locking webs (26a-c) are each connected to two displacement surfaces (30a-d) provided next to the locking webs (26a-c), which are movable by the actuating surfaces (22a, 22b) when the handle (16) is pushed onto the filter element (14) in order to release the filter element locking (42).

9. Filter according to claim 8, wherein the displacement surfaces (30a-d) are symmetrical, wherein the locking webs (26a-c) are each arranged between two displacement surfaces (30a-d).

10. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the filter element (14) has an end plate (24) with the at least one locking web (26a-c) and / or in which the filter housing (12) has a groove (29) for engagement by the at least one locking web (26a-c).

11. Filter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the handle locking mechanism (40) has at least one handle-side alignment element (46a, 46b) which cooperates with at least one filter-element-side alignment element (48a, 48b) for aligning the handle (16) in a predetermined angular position relative to the filter element (14) and / or in which the handle locking mechanism (40) has a coding which prevents the sliding on of a handle which does not fit the filter element (14).

12. Method (19) for disassembling a filter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the method steps: a) sliding the handle (16) onto the filter element (14), wherein the handle (16) is secured to the filter element (14) and at least one actuating surface (22a, 22b) releases the rusting of at least one locking web (26a-c), so that the handle rusting (40) closes and the filter element rusting (42) is released; b) pulling the filter element (14) out of the filter housing (12) by the handle (16).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in method step a) when pushing the handle (16) onto the filter element (14), a locking finger (20a-c) rusts with the filter element (14) and a locking web (26a-c) is released from the filter housing (12).

14. Filter element (14), in particular filter element (14) of a liquid filter, in particular filter element of a fuel filter or an oil filter, for arrangement in a filter according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a filter medium (34) which surrounds a longitudinal axis (32) in a ring shape, characterized in that the filter element (14) has locking webs (26a, 26b) by means of which the filter element (14) can be locked or axially secured in a filter housing (12), wherein the locking webs (26a, 26b) can be at least partially engaged over by an edge (44) of the filter housing (12), wherein a gripping locking device (40) can be formed on the filter element (14) by connecting locking fingers (20d).

15. Filter element (14) according to claim 14, which has at least one alignment element (48a, 48b) for cooperating with at least one alignment element (46a, 46b) on the handle (16) in order to align the handle (16) in a predetermined angular position relative to the filter element (14) and / or which has a coding which prevents the sliding of a handle which does not fit the filter element (14) onto the filter element (14).

16. Handle (16) for removing a filter element (14) according to one of the claims 14 to 15 from a filter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the handle (16) can be connected to the filter element (14) by a handle locking mechanism (40) with at least one locking finger (20a-c), wherein the handle (16) has at least one actuating surface (22a, 22b) for releasing the filter element locking mechanism (42).

17. Handle (16) according to claim 16, wherein the handle (16) has a handle bar (18) via which forces can be introduced into the filter element (14) in order to release the filter element (14) from its fixed seat in the filter housing (12).

18. Handle (16) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the handle (16) has at least one alignment element (46a, 46b) for cooperating with at least one alignment element (48a, 48b) on the filter element (14) in order to align the handle (16) in a predetermined angular position relative to the filter element (14) and / or wherein the handle (16) has a coding which prevents the handle (16) from being pushed onto a filter element which does not fit the handle (16).

19. Filter element arrangement, comprising: a filter element (14) according to claim 15 and a handle (16) according to claim 18, wherein the coding of the filter element (14) and the coding of the handle (16) form a handle latch (40) which enables the handle (16) to be pushed onto the filter element (14), and a further filter element according to claim 15 and a further handle according to claim 18, wherein the coding of the further filter element and the coding of the further handle form a further handle latch which enables the further handle to be pushed onto the further filter element and prevents the further handle from being pushed onto the filter element (14).

Images