Air filter with support grid fixed to housing

Abstract

The invention relates to an air filter. A filter housing has a support element fixed to the housing. Flow openings are formed between ribs of the planar support grid. The support element serves to support a filter element. The filter element can be detachably connectable to the support element.

Description

[0001] Air filter with housing-mounted support grille

[0002] This patent application claims priority over German patent application 102024131302.1, which was filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office on 28.10.2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to an air filter comprising a filter housing with a first and a second housing part and a filter element that can be received in the filter housing.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Such air filters are well known from the state of the art.

[0007] Especially with larger filter elements, it is common practice to permanently attach a plastic grid to the filter element to support its filter media. The plastic grid can, for example, be embedded in a circumferential seal that is foamed onto the filter media. Such permanently attached plastic grids must inevitably be replaced every time the filter element is changed. Because the plastic grid is embedded in the seal, a complex separation of the components is required for single-stream recycling. Furthermore, the permanent connection limits the size and complexity of the plastic grid.

[0008] DE 10 2015 006 496 A1 describes a method for supporting a filter element within a filter housing by connecting a support element to the filter medium body. The support element is located on the clean side of the filter medium body and is separated from the raw side by the filter medium body material. A counter-support element, corresponding to the support element on the filter medium body, is arranged on the filter housing. The support element can consist of polyurethane foam, which is applied to the clean side of the filter medium body in a liquid state. When the filter element is installed, the counter-support element on the filter housing and the support element on the filter element can either be in permanent contact or, alternatively, have a small gap between them. This gap is only bridged and reduced to zero when the filter medium body deforms, at which point the support element comes into contact with the counter-support element.

[0009] From WO 2018 / 137813 A1, a filter element for an air filter is known, comprising a filter bellows with a multiply pleated filter medium. A recess is arranged in the filter bellows, which is curved at least in sections along its longitudinal extent. A guide rib of the air filter can be inserted into the recess of the filter bellows to guide the airflow through the filter medium. The recess can completely divide the filter medium of the filter bellows into at least two filter medium bodies, the filter medium bodies being connected via at least one sealing strip of the filter element. The guide rib engaging in the recess and another guide rib on the opposite side of the filter element can be arranged to seal against the sealing strip.In practice, particularly large pressure differences that can occur above the filter element in exceptional operating conditions are critical for the long-term functionality of an air filter.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a reliable air filter with low resource consumption when replacing a filter element.

[0011] Disclosure of the invention

[0012] This problem is solved by an air filter according to claim 1, a filter housing according to claim 17, and a filter element according to claim 18. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective dependent claims and the description.

[0013] According to the invention, an air filter is provided. The air filter can be used to filter combustion air for an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the air filter can be used as a cabin air filter for the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0014] The air filter comprises a filter housing with a first and a second housing part, and a filter element that can be inserted into the filter housing. The two housing parts can be detachably fastened to each other. To replace the filter element, the two housing parts are separated. To operate the air filter, the filter element is placed inside the housing parts, typically in the area where the two housing parts meet, and the housing parts are then secured together.

[0015] The first housing part can have an inlet for air to be filtered. The second housing part can have an outlet for filtered air.

[0016] The filter element can be a flat filter element. The filter medium body of the filter element is typically permeable from one side to a second side. In other words, the first side can form an inflow surface; the second side can form an outflow surface.

[0017] The filter element can have a filter medium body made of pleated filter medium. The filter medium can be, for example, filter paper or filter fleece.

[0018] The filter element can be designed for particle filtration and / or gas adsorption. The filter medium may contain activated carbon.

[0019] According to the invention, a support element with a plurality of ribs for supporting the filter element is attached to one of the housing parts, in particular to the second housing part. The support element can be detachably or permanently attached to the housing part. The detachable support element can, for example, be snapped into the housing part. The permanently attached support element can, for example, be welded, bonded, or riveted to the housing part. A non-detachable snap-fit ​​is also conceivable. Furthermore, the support element could be detachably or permanently pressed into a receptacle in the housing part.

[0020] The webs of the support element are spaced from an adjacent web perpendicular to their respective direction of extension. Typically, the support element has a grid structure with intersecting webs. However, it is also conceivable that the webs are arranged in a grid-like manner with approximately parallel webs, so that the webs do not touch each other.

[0021] The support element provided on the filter housing allows the filter element to be supported by contacting the filter medium body against the ribs. This prevents excessive deformation of the filter medium body, which could lead to failure. This is particularly important when large pressure differences occur, for example, due to a blocked air supply, or if the filter medium has become wet.

[0022] The support element typically has a frame that completely surrounds the webs. The frame can be used to attach the support element to the housing part.

[0023] The support element is typically made of plastic. The webs and, if present, the frame of the support element are typically molded together as a single piece. The entire support element can be manufactured as a monolithic injection-molded plastic part.

[0024] Each of the two housing parts can have a free edge that faces the other housing part. When assembled, the free edge of the first housing part can surround the filter medium body.

[0025] The support element can completely span the gap between wall sections at the free edge of the second housing part. In other words, the support element can connect opposing wall sections adjacent to, or forming, the free edge, so that the support element rests against the opposing wall sections, for example, with its surrounding frame. It is understood that the support element does not seal the gap completely; rather, the space between the webs of the support element remains largely open for flow. The extent of the support element enables spatially distributed support, particularly of the outflow surface (corresponding to the second side) of the filter medium body, across its entire area.

[0026] According to the invention, the filter element is detachable from the support element. In other words, the filter element and the support element are not permanently connected. Thus, the filter element can be replaced individually and independently of the support element. When a new filter element is used, the existing support element can be reused. This reduces material usage over the entire service life of the air filter. The CO2 footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and particulate matter emissions can be reduced due to the lower material usage. Furthermore, recycling the filter element is simplified compared to a filter element with a permanently attached plastic grid, as fewer different materials need to be separated, or, advantageously, the entire filter element can be recycled without disassembly.

[0027] The support element's ribs provide support for the filter medium body across essentially its entire extent, without significantly impeding the flow through it. Furthermore, the support element's separate design from the filter element allows for a rib configuration that improves flow guidance. For example, the pressure drop during airflow through the filter can be reduced. This is especially true when the ribs are arranged in a grid structure.

[0028] The support element can be arranged on the raw side of the filter element.

[0029] The support element is advantageously positioned on the clean side. The ribs of the support element allow the flow of filtered air to be calmed or homogenized as it travels to a subsequent system or component of the air filter. The support element's separate design from the filter element enables the ribs to be shaped for particularly effective airflow guidance.

[0030] On the second housing part, a receptacle for an air mass meter can be formed in the area of ​​an outlet for filtered air. An air mass meter can be arranged on this receptacle. The improved flow guidance possibilities according to the invention, provided by the clean-side support element, can make it possible to dispense with an additional air guide grille in front of the air mass meter. This further reduces the amount of material used for the air filter.

[0031] The filter element can have a circumferential seal to seal the raw air side against the clean air side. This prevents leakage of unfiltered raw air past the filter medium body to the clean air side. The seal can be foamed onto the filter medium body. The seal can be made of polyurethane, in particular polyurethane foam.

[0032] When the filter housing is closed and the filter element is inserted, the two housing parts can be sealed against each other by the filter element's circumferential seal. An additional sealing element for the joint between the housing parts and the environment is then unnecessary.

[0033] On one of the housing parts, particularly on the second housing part, a sealing seat for the seal can be formed by the support element. Specifically, when the filter housing is closed and the filter element is inserted, the seal can be in a sealing position against the support element. This enables a particularly reliable separation of the raw side and the clean side.

[0034] The support element and the (especially the second) housing part can form a recess, particularly in the form of a groove, for the engagement of the seal. The seal, engaging in the recess when assembled, ensures that the filter element is held securely within the filter housing. This prevents incorrect assembly or slippage of the filter element, for example, during large pressure surges.

[0035] The filter element can be detachably attached to the support element. This simplifies the replacement of the filter element. Particularly with heavy filter elements, for example those containing activated carbon, such as those used in fuel cells, this can facilitate the handling of the housing components or the filter element itself.

[0036] When the filter housing is opened, the attachment of the filter element and support element to each other prevents the filter element from detaching from the (second) housing part, and especially from falling out. This is particularly important if the (second) housing part is an upper housing section, with the support element positioned above the filter element. This prevents damage to adjacent components or injuries to maintenance personnel. Securing the filter element within the housing part is also necessary because filter elements, laden with particles at the end of their service life, can be quite heavy.

[0037] To replace the filter element, it can then be detached from the support element and removed from the housing. This involves disconnecting the support element from the filter element. Typically, this is done without detaching the support element from the housing, provided the support element can be detached from the housing at all.

[0038] A new filter element is then positioned on the support element and (again, detachably) attached to it. This is typically done while the support element is attached to the housing part. Alternatively, in special cases, the detachably connected assembly of filter element and support element can be fixed inside the housing part. The new filter element is thus held in place by the (second) housing part. The filter element therefore does not need to be supported while the first housing part is attached to the second housing part to close the filter housing. This reduces the risk of the new filter element falling and being damaged during assembly, damaging other components, or injuring people. Finally, the housing parts are fixed together.

[0039] At least one first retaining element can be attached to the filter medium body, which can be detachably connected to the support element. The first retaining element, in particular, allows a detachable connection to a web of the support element or to a second retaining element of the support element. For connection to a web, the first retaining element can have a slot for engagement of the web. A friction-fit connection can be achieved if the slot, in its undeformed state, is narrower than the associated web.

[0040] The first retaining element can be foamed, injection-molded, glued or welded to the filter medium body.

[0041] The first retaining element can be made of polyurethane, in particular polyurethane foam. The first retaining element can be made of the same material as the circumferential seal used to seal the raw side against the clean side. Such a retaining element can advantageously be foamed onto the filter medium body together with the seal.

[0042] Alternatively, the first retaining element can be made of polyamide or polypropylene, for example. Such a retaining element can be manufactured independently of the filter medium body and, if applicable, the surrounding seal, and bonded or welded to the filter medium body.

[0043] The support element can have at least one second retaining element corresponding to the first retaining element of the filter element. The second retaining element can be flush (in the plane of the webs), recessed (away from the side of the filter element), or raised (towards the filter element) on the support element. For detachable fastening of the filter element to the support element, the first and second retaining elements can be engaged with each other. If there are multiple first and second retaining elements, they are engaged in pairs. To release the connection between the filter element and the support element, the first and second retaining elements can be disengaged.

[0044] The second retaining element can be formed integrally with the support element. The support element and the second retaining element can be manufactured together in an injection molding process from the same material.

[0045] Alternatively, the second retaining element can be designed as a separate part from the support element's webs. This separate part can be snapped into place with the support element. Alternatively, the separate part can be bonded to the support element using a two-component injection molding process. The second retaining element can be made of polypropylene, polyamide, or an elastomer. A second retaining element designed as a separate part can also be made of the same material as the support element.

[0046] The first and second retaining elements can be (releasably) interlocked. This simplifies attaching and detaching the filter element and support element from each other. In particular, no tools are required. It is sufficient to press the two parts together or pull them apart. One of the retaining elements can have a head that projects radially beyond a neck, at least partially, and in particular completely. The back of the head thus features a recess or undercut towards the neck.

[0047] The other retaining element may have a recess into which the head can be inserted.

[0048] The other retaining element can have at least one hook section for engaging behind the head. The hook section(s) can be formed on the recess for receiving the head. A free edge of the recess can be formed as a single (circumferentially circumferential) hook section extending radially inwards. Alternatively, separate hook sections can be provided, particularly on the free edge of the recess. Separate hook sections can also be spaced apart from each other so that they do not surround a recess.

[0049] The head and / or the recess may be rounded in cross-section, in particular oval or circular, or polygonal.

[0050] Multiple pairs of first and second retaining elements can be provided. This allows for the secure attachment of particularly heavy and / or large filter elements. Different designs or arrangements of the retaining elements on the support elements of different air filter types prevent the accidental or intentional installation of a filter element intended for a different air filter type. This prevents malfunctions of the air filter and potential damage to downstream components.

[0051] For at least two pairs of first and second retaining elements, the first retaining element of one pair cannot be connected to the second retaining element of the other pair. This ensures that the filter element can only be attached to the support element in the intended orientation. This also helps to prevent malfunctions and damage to downstream components.

[0052] The invention further relates to a filter housing, in particular for an air filter according to the invention as described above. The filter housing comprises a first and a second housing part. A support element with a plurality of struts for supporting a filter element is attached to one of the housing parts, in particular the second housing part. In particular, the support element can completely span a gap between wall sections at a free edge of the second housing part that corresponds to the first housing part.

[0053] Finally, the invention relates to a filter element for an air filter according to the invention as described above. The filter element can have a filter medium body made of pleated filter medium. The filter element is designed to be detachable from a support element having a plurality of ribs for supporting the filter element. In particular, the filter element can be designed for detachable attachment to the support element. At least one first retaining element can be attached to the filter medium body, which is designed to be detachably connected to the support element. The first retaining element can be designed to snap into the support element, in particular to a second retaining element of the support element. The filter element can have further features as described above.

[0054] Brief description of the drawings

[0055] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, from the claims, and from the figures in the drawing, which illustrate details of the invention. The aforementioned and further described features can be implemented individually or in any suitable combination in variants of the invention. The features shown in the drawing are presented in such a way that the special features of the invention are clearly visible. The drawing shows:

[0056] Fig. 1 shows an air filter according to the invention with a filter element according to the invention and a housing-fixed support element in a schematic sectional view;

[0057] Fig. 2 shows the air filter of Figure 1 in a schematic exploded view;

[0058] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail view from Figure 1 in the area of ​​the fastening of the support element and a seal of a filter element;

[0059] Fig. 4 shows a filter element and a support element according to the invention, which are detachably held together, for an air filter according to the invention, in a schematic perspective view;

[0060] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail view from Figure 4 in the area of ​​a retaining element of the filter element;

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a further air filter according to the invention with a filter element attached to a support element which is snapped onto a housing part and with a filter element according to the invention which is detachably held on the support element, in a schematic sectional view;

[0062] Fig. 7 shows a variant for the detachable connection of a filter element according to the invention with a

[0063] Support element for an air filter according to the invention, in a schematic sectional view;

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a further variant for the detachable connection of a filter element according to the invention with a support element for an air filter according to the invention, in a schematic sectional view;

[0065] Embodiments of the invention

[0066] Figures 1 and 2 show an air filter 10. The air filter 10 has a filter housing 12 with a first housing part 14, here a lower housing part, and a second housing part 16, here a housing part. The first housing part 14 has an inlet 18 for air to be filtered. The second part 16 has an outlet 20 for filtered air. When assembled together, the two housing parts 14 and 16 of the filter housing 12 enclose an interior space. A filter element 22 can be arranged in the filter housing 12. The filter element 22 has a filter medium body 24. The filter medium body 24 is formed here with pleated filter medium 25 (see also Figure 3). The filter medium 25 serves to retain particles and adsorb harmful gases; for this purpose, several layers of filter paper or filter fleece can enclose a layer of activated carbon particles.

[0067] During operation, air to be filtered enters through the inlet 18 onto a raw side 26 of the filter housing 12, flows through the filter medium body 24 of the filter element 22 to a clean side 28, and leaves the filter housing 12 through the outlet 20, see in particular Figure 1. A first side 30 of the filter element 22, which is designed as a flat filter element, is oriented as the inflow side towards the raw side 26; a second side 32 of the filter element 22 is oriented as the outflow side towards the clean side 28.

[0068] To seal the raw side 26 against the clean side 28, a circumferential seal 34 is arranged on the filter medium body 24, here on the clean side. In this case, the seal 34 consists of polyurethane foam and is foamed onto the filter medium body 24.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 34 is clamped between the mutually facing free edges 36, 38 of the two housing parts 14, 16, as shown in Figure 1 and especially Figure 3. The seal 34 thus also seals the interior of the filter housing 12 from the environment. A groove-shaped sealing seat is formed on the free edge 38 of the second housing part 16, against which the seal 34 rests axially (upwards in Figure 3) with respect to an axis running orthogonally to the sides 30, 32 of the filter medium body 24 (normal direction of the sides 30, 32) and radially outwards (to the right in Figure 3). The free edge 36 of the first housing part 14 presses the seal 34 into the sealing seat on the second housing part 16.

[0070] A support element 40 is provided to support the filter medium body 24. In this case, the support element 40 is arranged on the clean side of the filter element 22. The support element 40 serves, in particular, to limit deformations of the filter medium body 24 when the clean-side pressure is significantly lower than the raw-side pressure, for example, when the air supply to the inlet 18 is (temporarily) interrupted while air continues to be drawn out at the outlet 20. Here, the support element 40 completely spans a gap that extends over the second side 32 of the filter medium body 24 and is bordered by wall sections adjoining the free edge 38 of the second housing part 16.

[0071] The support element 40 has a plurality of webs 42 (of which only some are designated with a reference numeral), which intersect in the present case in a grid-like manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the webs 42 are enclosed by a frame 44, see in particular Figure 2. The webs 42 serve, on the one hand, to support the filter medium body 24, by its second side 32 bearing against the ends of the webs 42 that correspond to the filter element 22. The bearing of the filter medium body 24 against the webs 42 can be permanent or occur only when a certain pressure differential deflects the filter medium body 24 towards the support element 40.

[0072] On the other hand, the webs 42 serve to guide the air flowing out of the filter medium body 24 on the clean side. In other words, the webs 42 also have a function for flow guidance or flow shaping. For this purpose, the webs 42 are set at different angles to the normal direction of the second side 32 of the filter medium body 24, see in particular Figure 1.

[0073] The support element 40 is attached to the second housing part 16. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the frame 44 of the support element 40 is welded to the second housing part 16, for example by ultrasonic welding. The support element 40 is thus permanently (i.e., not detachable without damage) connected to the second housing part 16. In Figure 2, the support element 40 is shown separately from the second housing part 16 only for the sake of clarity.

[0074] In contrast, the filter element 22 is not rigidly connected to the support element 40. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the filter element 22 can rest loosely against the support element 40 in the assembled state, and especially when subjected to pressure.

[0075] When the filter element 22 is replaced, the support element 40 remains in the second housing part 16. The filter element 22 can be easily removed from the support element 40, since the filter element 22 and the support element 40 are not connected to each other in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0076] In the area of ​​the outlet 20, a receptacle 46 for an air mass meter 48 (symbolically indicated by dashed lines in the figure) is provided. Since the flow-guiding webs 42 of the support element 40 already direct the filtered air specifically towards the clean side 28, measures for flow stabilization (such as an air guide grille) that are otherwise often necessary directly in front of the air mass meter 48 can be omitted.

[0077] Figure 4 shows a filter element 50, which could be inserted into the filter housing 12 of the air filter 10 in place of the filter element 22; compare Figures 1 to 3 and the preceding description. In the filter element 50, two first retaining elements 52 are attached to the filter medium body 24. The retaining elements 52, like the circumferential seal 34, can be made of polyurethane foam and, in particular, can be foamed onto the filter medium body 24 together with it.

[0078] The first retaining elements 52 allow the filter element 50 to be detachably attached to the support element 40, see also Figure 5 (for clarity, the support element 40 is shown without the second housing part 16 in Figures 4 and 5). Here, the first retaining elements 52 each have two intersecting slots 54. Landings 42 (here, the intersection points of two landings 42) can be inserted into the slots 54. This creates a friction-fit connection between the filter element 50 and the support element 40. For assembly, the filter element 50 is positioned on the support element 40, with the first retaining elements 52 being slid onto the landings 42. The filter element 50 is thus detachably fixed to the support element 40. In the engagement area, the landings 42 can be provided with a friction-enhancing coating, which acts as a second retaining element 56.

[0079] To disassemble, the filter element 50 is pulled away from the support element 40. This disengages the first retaining elements 52 from the webs 42. Only moderate force is required for this. In particular, disassembly is possible without damaging the filter element 50 and, more importantly, without damaging the support element 40.

[0080] Figure 6 shows another air filter 60, which in many aspects corresponds to the air filter 10 from Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, reference is made to the description above; the differences are explained primarily below.

[0081] The support element 40 of the air filter 60 is locked to a second housing part 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the support element 40 has flexible locking hooks 62; rigid locking lugs 64 are formed on the second housing part 16.

[0082] In the air filter 60, a groove-shaped sealing seat 66 is formed between the support element 40 and the free edge 38 of the second housing part 16. For this purpose, the support element 40 can have a circumferential collar 68 projecting towards the filter medium body 24 on the frame 44. The seal 34 attached to the filter medium body 24 engages in the sealing seat 66, bearing against the support element 40 (here, the collar 68) and a lateral section 69 of the frame 44. The seal 34 also rests against the free edge 38 of the second housing part 16 on its outer side. Opposite the lateral section 69, the seal 34 rests against the free edge 36 of the first housing part 14. By clamping the two housing parts 14 and 16 against each other, the seal 34 is held in a sealing position between the sealing seat 66 on the second housing part 16 and the first housing part 14.

[0083] A filter element 70 of the air filter 60 can be detachably locked to the support element 40. For this purpose, the first retaining elements 72 have hook sections 74 which engage behind a thickened head 76 of a second retaining element 78 on the support element 40.

[0084] The second retaining elements 78 are manufactured in one piece with the support element 40 as a single injection-molded plastic part. The first retaining elements 72 can be injection-molded onto the filter medium body 24.

[0085] Figure 7 shows a variant of the releasable locking mechanism for filter element 70 and support element 40. The cross-section shows that the head 76 projects radially beyond a neck 80 of the respective second retaining element 78. The hook sections 74 of the first retaining elements 72 can surround a recess 82 for receiving the head 76. In the variant shown in Figure 7, the first retaining elements 72 are injection-molded plastic parts and are bonded or welded to the filter medium body 24. The second retaining elements 78 can be integrally molded onto the webs 42 of the support element 40 using a two-component injection molding process.

[0086] In the variant shown in Figure 8 for the releasable locking of filter element 70 and support element 40, thickened heads 76 extending beyond a neck 80 are provided on the first retaining elements 72 of the filter element 12. Hook sections 74 for engaging behind the heads 76 are formed on second retaining elements 78 of the support element 40. The hook sections 74 are formed integrally with the webs 42 of the support element 40.

[0087] A filter element 22 could be provided with several of the previously described first retaining elements 52, 72 to prevent incorrect assembly of other similar filter elements (with different first retaining elements). Likewise, identical first retaining elements 52, 72 and, if applicable, second retaining elements 78 could be positioned at different locations to ensure unambiguous assignment of different types of filter elements 12 to the respective appropriate filter housing 12.

[0088] In summary, the invention relates to an air filter. A filter housing has a fixed support element. Flow openings are formed between the struts of the flat support grid. The support element serves to support a filter element. The filter element can be detachably connected to the support element.

[0089] Reference symbol list

[0090] Air filter 10

[0091] Filter housing 12 first housing part 14 second housing part 16

[0092] Admission 18

[0093] Outlet 20

[0094] Filter element 22

[0095] Filter medium body 24

[0096] Filter medium 25

[0097] Raw page 26

[0098] Page 28, first page 30, second page 32

[0099] Seal 34 free edge 36 of the first housing part 14 free edge 38 of the second housing part 16

[0100] Support element 40

[0101] Bridge 42

[0102] Frame 44

[0103] Recording 46

[0104] Air mass meter 48

[0105] Filter element 50 first retaining element 52

[0106] Slots 54 second retaining element 56

[0107] Air filter 60

[0108] Locking hook 62

[0109] Rastnasen 64

[0110] Seal seat 66

[0111] Collar 68, side section 69

[0112] Filter element 70, first retaining element 72

[0113] Hook section 74

[0114] Head 76 second retaining element 78

[0115] Neck 80

[0116] Exclusion 82

Claims

Claims 1. Air filter (10; 60) comprising a filter housing (12) with a first and a second housing part (14, 16) and a filter element (22; 50; 70) to be accommodated in the filter housing (12), in particular with a filter medium body (24) made of pleated filter medium (25), wherein a support element (40) with a plurality of webs (42) for supporting the filter element is attached to one of the housing parts (14, 16), in particular to the second housing part (16), and wherein the filter element (22) is detachable from the support element (40).

2. Air filter according to claim 1, wherein the support element (40) is arranged on the clean side.

3. Air filter according to claim 2, wherein a receptacle (46) for an air mass meter (48) is formed on the second housing part (16) in the area of ​​an outlet (20) for filtered air, in particular wherein an air mass meter (48) is arranged on the receptacle (46).

4. Air filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (22; 50; 70) has a circumferential seal (34) for sealing a raw side (26) against a clean side (28).

5. Air filter according to claim 4, wherein in the closed state of the filter housing (12) with the filter element (22; 50; 70) inserted the two housing parts (14, 16) are sealed against each other by the circumferential seal (34) of the filter element (22; 50).

6. Air filter according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a sealing seat (66) for the seal (34) is formed at least with the support element (40) on one of the housing parts (14, 16), in particular on the second housing part (16), in particular wherein, in the closed state of the filter housing (12) with the filter element (50) inserted, the seal (34) rests in a sealing position against the support element (40).

7. Air filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (50; 70) is detachably attachable to the support element (40).

8. Air filter according to claim 7, wherein at least one first retaining element (52; 72) is attached to the filter medium body (24), which can be detachably connected to the support element (40).

9. Air filter according to claim 8, wherein the first retaining element (52; 72) is foamed, injection molded, glued or welded to the filter medium body (24).

10. Air filter according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the support element (40) has at least one second retaining element (56; 78) corresponding to the first retaining element (52; 72) of the filter element (50). 1 1 . Air filter according to claim 10, wherein the second retaining element (78) is formed integrally with the support element (40).

12. Air filter according to claim 10, wherein the second retaining element (56; 78) is designed as a part separate from the webs of the support element (40).

13. Air filter according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first and second retaining elements (72, 78) are lockable together.

14. Air filter according to claim 13, wherein one of the retaining elements (72, 78) has a head (76) projecting at least partially, in particular completely, over a neck (80) in a radial direction, and wherein the other retaining element (72, 78) has at least one hook section (74) for engaging behind the head (76), in particular wherein the hook section (74) is formed on a recess (82) for receiving the head (76).

15. Air filter according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein several pairs of first and second retaining elements (52, 56; 72, 78) are provided, in particular wherein for at least two pairs the first retaining element (52, 72) of one pair is not connectable to the second retaining element (56, 78) of the other pair.

16. Air filter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (22; 50; 70) is designed for particle filtration and / or gas adsorption, in particular wherein the filter medium (25) contains activated carbon.

17. Filter housing (12), in particular for an air filter (10; 60) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first and a second housing part (14, 16), wherein a support element (40) with a plurality of webs (42) for supporting a filter element (22; 50; 70) is attached to one of the housing parts (14, 16), in particular the second housing part (16), in particular wherein the support element (40) completely spans a gap between wall sections at a free edge (38) of the second housing part (16) assigning to the first housing part (14).

18. Filter element (22; 50; 70), for an air filter (10; 60) according to one of claims 1 to 16, in particular with a filter medium body (24) made of pleated filter medium (25), wherein the filter element (22) is designed to be detachable from a support element (40) with a plurality of webs (42) for supporting the filter element, in particular to be detachably attached to the support element (40).

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