FILTER ELEMENT, FILTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT, AND FILTER SYSTEM WITH A FILTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT

A first filter element has a filter medium body for radial fluid flow therethrough and first and second end plates at opposed end faces of the filter medium body. A first engagement device extending axially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body is arranged at the first end plate. A second filter element has a filter medium body and a seal device for radially sealing the second filter element in a filter housing. A fluid flow through the second filter element is perpendicular to a plane spanned by the seal device. The seal device has a second engagement device extending axially perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the seal device. The filter elements are axially joined to a filter element arrangement, wherein the first and second engagement devices engage each other. A filter system has such a filter element arrangement arranged in a filter housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a filter element, a filter element arrangement as well as a filter system with a filter element arrangement, in particular for gas filtration.

DE 10 2016 004 316 A1 describes an air filter device for an internal combustion engine comprising a main filter element and a secondary element in a filter housing. The secondary filter element serves primarily for preventing a contamination of a clean side of the filter element arrangement with raw fluid to be filtered when exchanging the main filter element.

The main filter element comprises an annularly closed filter medium body whose wall is flowed though by the fluid to be purified in radial direction from the exterior to the interior. The fluid to be purified flows through the wall of the filter medium body in radial direction in relation to its longitudinal axis. The axial end faces of the filter medium body are covered seal-tightly by end plates. One end plate comprises a central opening communicating with the inwardly positioned flow space for the axial flow conduction of the fluid; the oppositely positioned end plate, on the other hand, is of a closed configuration and closes off the inwardly positioned flow space axially seal-tightly relative to the exterior. At the end plate which is of an open configuration, a ring is integrally formed which extends axially outwardly and seals and supports the filter element at the filter housing in the mounted state.

The secondary element comprises a plate with a circumferentially extending seal for radial sealing in relation to the filter housing. For positioning the secondary element within the ring at the end plate of the main element, the secondary element comprises radially projecting engagement sections at the circumference of the plate, with which it engages with form fit in corresponding counter engagement sections in the end plate of the main filter element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to create an improved filter element, in particular an improved main element and/or an improved secondary element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filter element arrangement with at least one improved filter element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filter system with an improved filter element arrangement.

The aforementioned objects are solved according to an aspect of the invention with a filter element, in particular main element, in particular for gas filtration, with a filter medium body whose wall can be flowed through by the fluid to be purified in radial direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium, with an end plate arranged at the oppositely positioned end faces of the filter medium body, respectively. At one end face of one of the end plates, at least one engagement means extending in axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided for contacting a further filter element following in axial direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the objects are solved by a filter element, in particular secondary element, in particular for gas filtration, with a filter medium body and a seal device for radial sealing of the filter element in relation to a filter housing, wherein a flow direction of a fluid to be filtered through the filter medium body is positioned perpendicularly to a plane which is spanned by the seal device. The seal device comprises at least one engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to the plane.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the objects are solved by a filter element arrangement, with a first filter element, in particular main element, with a first filter medium body whose wall can be flowed through by the fluid to be purified in radial direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body, with an end plate arranged at the oppositely positioned end faces of the filter medium body, respectively, and with a second filter element, in particular secondary element, with a second filter medium body, and a seal device for radial sealing of the filter element in relation to a filter housing, wherein a flow direction of a fluid to be filtered through the second filter medium body is positioned perpendicularly to a plane which is spanned by the seal device. At a first end face of one of the end plates of the first filter element, at least one first engagement means extending in axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided, and the seal device comprises at least one second engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to the plane, wherein the engagement means engage each other.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is solved by a filter system with a housing in which a filter element arrangement with a first filter element and a second filter element is arranged so as to be exchangeable. At a first end face of one of the end plates of the first filter element, at least one first engagement means extending in axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis is provided, and a seal device of the second filter element comprises at least one second engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to a plane which is spanned by the seal device, wherein the engagement means engage each other.

Beneficial embodiments and advantages of the invention result from the additional claims, the description, and the drawing.

According to an aspect of the invention, a filter element, in particular main element, in particular for gas filtration, is proposed with a filter medium body whose wall can be flowed through by the fluid to be purified in radial direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body, with an end plate arranged at the oppositely positioned end faces of the filter medium body, respectively. At one end face of one of the end plates, at least one engagement means extending in axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided for contacting a further filter element.

Advantageously, the at least one engagement means permits a stable support and positioning of the filter element, in particular main element, in a housing in that it can be supported at an axially following filter element, in particular secondary element. Advantageously, no separate radial support means are required in order to protect the main element in the housing from vibrations in operation. An insertion of the filter element into the housing can be facilitated in this way.

Advantageously, the filter element can be configured as a round filter element in which the filter medium body surrounds as a closed ring an interior. The round filter element comprises an axial extension and perpendicularly thereto a cross section which can be circular, oval or angular. The fluid to be purified passes in radial direction, i.e., transversely to the axial extension, through the filter medium body or the filter medium. Advantageously, an end plate can be open toward the interior and the oppositely positioned end plate can be closed. The interior can form a raw side of the filter element so that the fluid to be purified flows from the interior to the exterior through the filter medium body. The clean side surrounds correspondingly the filter element. Alternatively, the interior can form a clean side of the filter element so that the fluid to be purified flows from the exterior through the filter medium body into the interior.

The filter medium of the filter medium body can be folded so that fold edges are lying in the circumferential surface of the filter medium body. Alternatively, the filter medium can be embodied as a coil which is provided with one or a plurality of layers resting on each other. The filter medium can be a filter fabric, laid filter or a filter nonwoven. In particular, the filter medium can be produced by a spunbond nonwoven method or melt-blowing method. Furthermore, the filter medium can be felted or needled. The filter medium can comprise natural fibers, such as cellulose or cotton, or synthetic fibers, for example, of polyester, polyvinyl sulfite or polytetrafluoroethylene. The fibers can be oriented during processing in, at a slant to and/or transversely to the machine direction. Also, the filter medium body can be formed of a combination of different filter media.

The at least one engagement means can be provided as a recess in the end plate which can be engaged by an engagement means of the other filter element. Alternatively, the at least one engagement means can be provided as a pin which engages a corresponding engagement means of the other filter element.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the engagement means can be arranged at an end face with closed end plate. Advantageously, the interior of the filter element can form the raw side.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the engagement means can be formed as a recess. In particular, the engagement means can be embodied as a recess in a rim region of the end plate. This region is particularly stable.

A recess can be designed as an opening or depression surrounded by a material or as a type of groove, for example, in U-shape or V-shape, in a material with an open side facing outwardly in radial direction.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the engagement means can be arranged in a region of the end plate in which the filter medium or the filter medium body is embedded. This region is particularly stable so that damages to the end plate can be prevented when pushing together two filter elements.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the at least one engagement means can be provided as a recess in a frame, in particular of a plastic material, of a filter element which can be engaged by an engagement means of the other filter element. Alternatively, the at least one engagement means can be provided as a pin which engages in a corresponding engagement means of the other filter element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a filter element, in particular secondary element, in particular for gas filtration, is proposed with a filter medium body and a seal device for radial sealing of the filter element in relation to a filter housing, wherein a flow direction of a fluid to be filtered through the filter medium body is positioned perpendicularly to a plane spanned by the seal device. The seal device comprises at least one engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to the plane.

Advantageously, the at least one engagement means permits a stable support and positioning of a filter element, in particular main element, at the filter element, in particular secondary element, in a housing. Advantageously, no separate radial support means are required in order to protect the main element in the housing from vibrations in operation. An insertion of the filter element, in particular main element, into the housing can be facilitated thereby.

The cross section of the filter element, in particular secondary element, can be circular, oval or angular. In particular, the cross section can be configured to match the cross section of the other filter element.

The filter medium of the filter medium body can be folded so that the fold edges are lying in an end face of the filter medium body. Alternatively, the filter medium can be designed in layers, wherein one or a plurality of layers resting on each other can be provided. The filter medium can be a filter fabric, laid filter, or a filter nonwoven. In particular, the filter medium can be produced by a spunbond nonwoven method or melt-blowing method. Furthermore, the filter medium can be felted or needled. The filter medium can comprise natural fibers, such as cellulose or cotton, or synthetic fibers, for example, of polyester, polyvinyl sulfite, or polytetrafluoroethylene. The fibers can be oriented during processing in, at a slant to and/or transversely to the machine direction. Also, the filter medium body can be formed of a combination of different filter media.

The at least one engagement means can be designed as a pin. Alternatively, the at least one engagement means can be designed as a recess.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the at least one engagement means can be arranged in a region of the seal device outside of the filter medium. In particular, the seal device can be embodied as a plate with a circumferentially extending seal. This positioning of the at least one engagement means permits an undisturbed function of the filter medium. The plate comprises a plurality of openings so that the filter medium body can rest thereon stably and fluid can flow through the filter medium body and the plate. Preferably, the plate can have a type of grid structure with a rim circumferentially extending in the region of the seal. The plate can be manufactured preferably of a strong plastic material, for example, polyamide.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the at least one engagement means can be configured as a pin. In particular, the at least one engagement means can comprise a demounting aid. Advantageously, a distance between axially adjoining filter elements can be adjusted by a length of the pin. The demounting aid enables a simple release of the plug-in connection between the filter element, in particular secondary element, and a further filter element, in particular main element, which is in contact with the engagement means. In a beneficial embodiment, the demounting aid is embodied with a cutout in the form of an undercut in order to be able to apply with form fit a demounting force by means of a tool or manually.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a filter element arrangement is proposed with a first filter element, in particular main element, with a first filter medium body whose wall can be flowed through by the fluid to be purified in radial direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body, with an end plate arranged at the oppositely positioned end faces of the filter medium body, respectively, and with a second filter element, in particular secondary element, with a second filter medium body and a seal device for radial sealing of the second filter element in relation to the filter housing, wherein a flow direction of the fluid to be filtered through the second filter medium body is positioned perpendicularly to a plane spanned by the seal device. At a first end face of one of the end plates of the first filter element, at least one engagement means extending in radial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided, and the seal device of the second filter element comprises at least one second engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to the plane, wherein the first and second engagement means engage each other.

Advantageously, the at least one engagement means permits a stable support and positioning of the first filter element, in particular main element, at the second filter element, in particular secondary element, in the housing. Advantageously, no separate radial support means are required in order to protect the first filter element in the housing from vibrations in operation. An insertion of the first filter element into the housing can be facilitated in this way.

The first filter element, in particular the main element, can push the further filter element, in particular the secondary element, in axial direction into the end position and fix the further filter element in the operating position. The further filter element delimits the freedom of movement of the filter element in axial direction and radial direction.

Advantageously, the second filter element can remain in the housing when the first filter element is exchanged. As needed, the second filter element can be exchanged also.

According to a beneficial embodiment, for joined first and second filter elements, the end face of the end plate with the at least one first engagement means can be spaced apart by a clearance from a second end face of the second filter element facing the first end face. Advantageously, the clearance can be adjusted by means of the engagement means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a filter system, in particular for air filtration, is proposed, with a housing in which a filter element arrangement with a first filter element and a second filter element is exchangeably arranged. At a first end face of one of the end plates of the first filter element, at least one engagement means extending in axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis is provided. A seal device of the second filter element comprises at least one second engagement means extending in axial direction perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the seal device, wherein the first and second engagement means engage each other.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the housing can comprise in a housing part at least one housing engagement means at which the second filter element can be mounted, in particular can be pushed on or inserted.

Beneficially, the second filter element can be positioned stably and vibration-proof in the housing.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the at least one second engagement means and the at least one housing engagement means can engage each other. A secure positioning of the second filter element is enabled.

According to a beneficial embodiment, the at least one housing engagement means can be configured as a pin extending in axial direction and engaging an opening of the at least one second engagement means. Optionally, the secondary element can comprise as an engagement means a pin which can project into the housing engagement means when the latter is configured as a recess.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, same or same-type components are identified with same reference characters. The Figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

In order to explain the invention,FIG.1shows, in perspective view, an embodiment of a filter system400with a first and a second filter element100,200in a housing10in exploded illustration, whileFIG.2shows the filter system400illustrated in exploded illustration in a longitudinal section.FIG.3shows a detail view of the filter element arrangement300of the filter elements100,200in partially sectioned housing10, andFIG.4shows a detail view of the filter element arrangement300according toFIG.3.

The filter system400serves, for example, for gas filtration, in particular for air filtration. The filter system400comprises a housing10with a first housing part12and a second housing part14. The first housing part12is configured here as a hood and comprises a fluid inlet24in this example. The second housing part14is configured here as a housing pot and comprises at the bottom a socket16which comprises a fluid outlet26.

In the housing10, a filter element arrangement300is arranged in the flow path of the fluid, with a first filter element100which forms a main element, and a second filter element200which forms a secondary element. The filter elements100,200are arranged following each other in longitudinal direction50. Both filter elements100,200can be provided so as to be exchangeably arranged.

The first filter element100is embodied as a round filter element with a closed filter medium body102of a filter medium and comprises in the longitudinal direction50an oval cross section, for example. The cross section can decrease beginning at an end plate150in direction toward the end plate160so that the first filter element100tapers conically. Preferably however, the first filter element100comprises an oval or elliptical cross section. The first filter element100comprises an oval base surface. Alternatively, the cross section can have a rectangular cross section with rounded corners, an elliptical cross section, or a cross section which is formed of a plurality of circular arcs. The first filter element100can comprise a central tube which delimits an interior space120of the first filter element100.

The filter medium of the filter medium body102is folded, for example, such that the outer fold edges are lying in an outer circumferential surface and inner fold edges in an inner circumferential surface. The fold ends are embedded in the respective end plates150,160.

The end plates150,160can be fused, glued or welded to the filter medium.

The open end plate150of the first filter element100can be clamped stably between the first housing part12and the second housing part14when the first housing part12is connected to the second housing part14. The end plate150is seated on a shoulder18of the second housing part14and, in this context, radially and/or axially seals with a circumferential collar152raw side relative to clean side.

The end plate150of the first filter element100is of an open configuration and is arranged, for example, as a ring of foamed polyurethane (PUR) at the filter medium body102. The end plate160is closed fluid-tightly. The end plate160can be formed of plastic material, for example, of PUR.

At an outer end face162of the end plate160of the first filter element100, two engagement means110extending in axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis50are provided. The engagement means110are embodied as recesses in the end plate160and arranged in the rim region164thereof in a region where the filter medium or the filter medium body102is embedded.

The interior120of the first filter element forms in this example the raw side of the filter element100. The fluid to be purified flows through the fluid inlet24of the first housing part12into the first filter element100and passes radially through the filter medium body102into the outer region of the filter element100.

The second filter element200is configured as a flat filter with a filter element body202which, for example, is folded and is arranged on a seal device204. The seal device204comprises a plate216surrounded by a seal218extending circumferentially about the rim so that the second filter element can be sealed radially in relation to the housing10. Outer fold edges of the filter medium are lying in an end face212which is facing the first filter element100, while the inner fold edges adjoin the plate216. The filter medium can be over-molded or can be sealed by a strip.

The seal device204of the second filter element200comprises two second engagement means210in the form of pins extending in axial direction perpendicularly to a plane208spanned by the seal device204, wherein the engagement means110of the first filter element100and the engagement means210of the second filter element200engage each other when the two filter elements100,200are joined as a filter element arrangement300.

The engagement means210are arranged in a region206of the seal device204outside of the filter medium body202. The plate216comprises a plurality of openings so that the filter medium body202can stably rest thereon and fluid can flow through the filter medium body202and the plate216.

The pin-shaped engagement means210, as can be seen inFIGS.3and4, are of a hollow configuration so that the pin-shaped housing engagement means22at the bottom of the housing part14of the housing10can engage an opening214at their base.

The pin-shaped engagement means210of the second filter element200comprise at their circumference a demounting aid220embodied as a cutout so that the second filter element200, as needed, can be pulled off the housing engagement elements22, for example, when exchanging the second filter element200.

The fluid to be purified enters the filter system400and the interior120of the first filter element100through a fluid inlet24, flows radially through the filter medium body102of the filter element100into the external space between housing and filter medium body102, through the free space formed by the clearance302to the second filter element200, and flows through its filter medium body202to the fluid outlet26in the socket16.

FIG.5shows a longitudinal section of the filter system400according toFIG.1with filter elements100,200inserted in end position in the housing10.

The second filter element200has been inserted all the way to the bottom of the second housing part14of the housing10and is seated on a shoulder of the housing part14above the socket16comprising the fluid outlet26and seals with its seal218, circumferentially surrounding the plate216of the seal device204, in relation to the inner side of the housing part14. In this context, the second filter element200is fixedly seated with its engagement means210stably on the pin-shaped housing engagement means22at the bottom of the housing10. The housing engagement means22guide the second filter element200upon insertion into the housing10and fix the second filter element200in operation of the filter system400.

The first filter element100is placed on top of the second filter element200. The engagement means210of the second filter element200engage in this context in the engagement means110of the first filter element100embodied as recess. When the first and second filter elements100,200are joined in the end position in the housing10, the end face162of the end plate160is spaced apart in relation to the second end face212of the second filter element200at a clearance302.

The second filter element200supports in this context the first filter element by means of the engagement means210and, due to its stable fixation at the housing engagement means22, reliably prevents movements of the first filter element100, even in case of vibrations in operation of the filter system400.