Abstract:
The present invention belongs to the technical sector of fluid filtration systems which can be used for air filtration in an internal combustion engine. 
     The invention refers to a filtering device ( 1 ) including a filtering element ( 24 ) which presents an open axial end ( 26 ) and an axial end ( 27 ) closed by a cover ( 28 ); and an intake cover ( 7 ). The said cover ( 28 ) includes at least a first tubular boss ( 55 ) projecting towards the intake cover ( 7 ); and the intake cover ( 7 ) includes at least a second tubular boss ( 57 ) complementary to the first tubular boss ( 55 ) and projecting towards the cover ( 28 ); the first tubular boss ( 55 ) is slotted in the second tubular boss ( 57 ). 
     The invention also refers to a tubular filtering element ( 24 ) and to a maintenance process of a filtering device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to fluid filtration systems that can be used in an internal combustion engine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Document WO2014/121990 describes an air filter including an inner filtering element and an outer filtering element. Documents US2005/0016138, US2008/0209869, and US2014/299540 describe cyclone fluid pre-cleaners. Document WO2009/047196 describes a sealing function of a filtering element and of a filtration system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The purpose of the present invention is that of improving the devices known so far. 
         [0004]    To this end, the invention relates to a filtering device including a housing body which delimits a cavity and is equipped with a filtered air outlet; a tubular filtering element installed in the said cavity and presenting an open axial end placed around the said filtered air outlet, and an axial end closed by a cover; and an intake cover which closes the said cavity opposite the filtered air outlet. The said cover includes at least a first tubular boss projecting towards the intake cover; and the intake cover includes at least a second tubular boss complementary to the first tubular boss and projecting towards the cover; the first tubular boss being slotted in the second tubular boss. 
         [0005]    The filtering device may also include either one of the following optional characteristics, or a combination of these characteristics. 
         [0006]    The second tubular boss includes a bracket placed against the cover in order to maintain a space between the cover and the intake cover. 
         [0007]    The first tubular boss presents a cavity along its axis. 
         [0008]    The bracket is a central bracket along the axis of the second cylindrical boss, wherein this central bracket central is inserted in the said cavity. 
         [0009]    The central bracket is equipped with an exhaust hole. 
         [0010]    The first tubular boss presents a beveled end on its edge. 
         [0011]    The beveled end is compressed at the bottom of the second tubular boss. 
         [0012]    The distance between the cover and the beveled end is greater than the distance between the bracket and the bottom of the second tubular boss. 
         [0013]    The first tubular boss and the second tubular boss are round in section. 
         [0014]    The cover includes two first tubular bosses and the intake cover includes two second tubular bosses. 
         [0015]    The intake cover includes a cyclone pre-cleaner. 
         [0016]    The invention also relates to a tubular filtering element presenting an open axial end and an axial end closed by a cover. The said cover includes at least a first tubular boss projecting perpendicularly to the cover. 
         [0017]    The tubular filtering element may also include either one of the following optional characteristics, or a combination of these characteristics. 
         [0018]    The said tubular boss presents a cavity along its axis. 
         [0019]    The said first tubular boss presents a beveled end on its edge. 
         [0020]    The tubular filtering element includes two of the said first tubular bosses. 
         [0021]    The cover includes two slides. 
         [0022]    The invention is also related to a maintenance process of a filtering device including a housing body which delimits a cavity and is equipped with a filtered air outlet; a tubular filtering element installed in the said cavity and presenting an open axial end placed around the said filtered air outlet, and an axial end closed by a cover; and an intake cover which closes the said cavity opposite the filtered air outlet; the said cover includes at least a first tubular boss projecting towards the intake cover; and the intake cover includes at least a second tubular boss complementary to the first tubular boss and projecting towards the cover; the first tubular boss is slotted in the second tubular boss. The process includes the following steps:
   opening the intake cover;   withdrawing a used filtering element;   inserting a new housing body inside the housing body;   closing the intake cover so that the first tubular boss of the cover is slotted in the second tubular boss of the intake cover.   
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The invention is explained below by the description of a preferred embodiment, given as an example, with reference to the figures, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  represents a filtering device, in conformity with the invention, mounted on a vehicle; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2  which shows the filtering device; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the filtering device; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 7A  are detailed views of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the filtering device and of its means for assemblage on the vehicle; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the filtering device; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are enlarged views of  FIG. 8 , of details IX and X, respectively; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the filtering device; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  represents both a perspective and a longitudinal-sectional view of the filtering device; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a longitudinal-sectional view of the filtering device; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 14, 15 and 16  are enlarged views of  FIG. 13 , of details XIV, XV, and XVI, respectively; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the intake cover of the filtering device; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the intake cover of the filtering device; 
           [0042]    views  19 ,  20 , and  21  are sectional-detailed views of the intake cover of the filtering device, showing three alternative assemblage modes; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a sectional-detailed view of the intake cover; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged view of detail XXIII of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is a front view of the filtering device; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is a perspective detailed of  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]      FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  represent filtering device  1  mounted on a vehicle  2 . In the present example, vehicle  2  is a light commercial vehicle comprising a cab  3  and a compartment  4 . 
         [0048]    Filtering device  1  is preferably mounted on an outer structure  5  of vehicle  2  so that it can be placed between cab  2  and compartment  4 , especially on the back of the cab  3 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  separately represents filtering device  1 . It preferably includes a housing body  6 , an intake cover  7  and a filtered air outlet  8 . The intake cover  7  and air outlet  8  are preferably located at opposite ends of the filtering device  1 , defining a distance in axial direction. 
         [0050]    Filtering device  1  may be used, as in the present embodiment, as an air filter for a combustion engine. The function of filtering device  1  is that of providing filtered air to the engine of vehicle  2 . 
         [0051]    Thereunto, the air is aspirated by intake cover  7  preferably essentially in axial direction, is filtered inside housing body  6  by filtering element  24 , and leaves through filtered air outlet  8  which is connected to the engine preferably in axial direction. The filtering device  1  is preferably arranged in a position so that the axial direction defined above is essentially horizontal. 
         [0052]    Filtering device  1  may also include a fluid reservoir  10  which can contain any fluid, especially liquid suitable for the functionality of the engine and/or for the other elements of vehicle  2  such as the coolant, glass cleaning liquid, break liquid, etc. 
         [0053]    As shown in the present embodiment, reservoir  10  may be a coolant reservoir for the engine of vehicle  2 . 
         [0054]    Reservoir  10  preferably includes a cover  11  and is connected to fluid pipes  12  and electric cables  13 , necessary for the functionality of reservoir  10 . Fluid pipes  12  are connected to the engine and electric cables  13  are connected to the engine control system. 
         [0055]    Housing body  6  includes claws  14  to keep pipes  12  and cables  13  so that they neatly surround filtered air outlet  8  and that they stay fixed ( FIG. 5 ). The claws  14  are preferably located at the outlet end of the housing body  6 , preferably in proximity to the filtered air outlet  8 . 
         [0056]    In reference to  FIG. 6 , housing body  6  is preferably equipped with a support  15  for reservoir  10 . Support  15  includes a rear fitting bracket  16 A, a front fitting bracket  17 A, and a first element  71  of a retention system  70 . Support  15  is preferably located either on the top side or bottom side of housing body  6 . 
         [0057]    Reservoir  10  is, on the other hand, preferably equipped with at least one rear housing  16 B and/or one front housing  17 B, adjusted to at least one fitting bracket  16 A,  17 A of housing body  6  ( FIG. 7 ). Housings  16 B,  17 B of reservoir  10  may be internally coated with rubber, so that the contact between each fitting bracket  16 A,  17 A and corresponding housing  16 B,  17 B occurs through a rubber thickness for a clearance-free and flexible fastening of reservoir  10 . 
         [0058]    At the time of the assemblage of reservoir  10  on housing body  6 , reservoir  10  is axially slotted in support  15 . Preferably, it is slotted in a way that brackets  16 A,  17 A project into housings  16 B,  17 B, thereby providing a form-fit connection. Housings  16 B,  17 B may slide and/or be guided along brackets  16 A,  17 A. Preferably, fitting brackets  16 A,  17 A and the housings  16 B,  17 B cooperate as shown in  FIG. 7 , wherein the reservoir slides in an axial direction, preferably along a defined track to an end position where the reservoir is fixed, for example by a screw. Preferably, the reservoir  10  and the housing body  6  comprise a retention system  70  for fixing the reservoir  10  in its end position. The retention system is preferably provided as a snap-fit connection. The snap fit connection may be consisting of a first element  71 , fastened on housing body  6 , and a second element  72 , fastened on reservoir  10 . In the present example, the first element is a latch  71  and the second element is a jag  72 . Alternatively, these elements  71 ,  72  can be swapped round or replaced by others elements adapted to the function of the retention system  70 , like, for example, clips or clamps. With the snap-fit connection, the reservoir  10  can slide until the arrest of the retention system whereby the reservoir is safely fixed in its end position without a further separate assembly step like screwing, welding or gluing. 
         [0059]    This set-up ensures a simple and safe assembly and disassembly of reservoir  10  on support  15 . 
         [0060]    Housing body  6  also preferably includes a pedestal  18  for fastening filtering device  1  on the vehicle. 
         [0061]    Pedestal  18  may comprise two fastening supports  19 ,  20  that are bolted on an outer structure  5  of vehicle  2  ( FIG. 7B ). 
         [0062]    The housing body  6  also preferably includes stiffening grooves  75  between the pedestal  18  and the support  15 . 
         [0063]    Thus filtering device  1  preferably forms an autonomous set which carries out both the function of air filtration for the engine and support for reservoir  10 , driving pipes  12  and cables  13 . The fastening of this set is advantageously simply carried out through the fastening of pedestal  18  to vehicle  2 . 
         [0064]    In reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , filtering device  1  may be mounted on external structure  5  of vehicle  2  so that intake cover  7  and cover  11  of reservoir  10  are accessible from the outside of the vehicle for an easy accessibility. 
         [0065]    In this embodiment, housing body  6  preferably has an essentially oblong cross section along the axial direction, defining a vertically upper edge  66  and lower edge  67  of housing body  6 . Pedestal  18  may be placed on lower edge  67  as shown in the Figure or on a sidewall. Support  15  for fluid reservoir  10  is preferably placed on upper edge  66 , although it can also be placed at the lower edge  67  in case the pedestal is located on a sidewall. 
         [0066]    Thus, reservoir  10  is preferably on top of filtering device  1 , which creates a tight set vertically assembled in an interstice of vehicle  2 , between cab  3  and compartment  4 . Such localization facilitates the operations of maintenance and control of the filtering device insofar as intake cover  7  and cover  11  of reservoir  10  may be directly removed from the outside of the vehicle. 
         [0067]    The arrangement of filtering device  1  also makes room in the engine compartment. Alternatively, filtering device  1  may be also placed in another interstice of the vehicle where it is practical and accessible, for example, in a horizontal interstice. 
         [0068]    Such ready accessibility allows the opening of filtering device  1 , that is, the removal of intake cover  7 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of fastening means of intake cover  7  on housing body  6 . Such fastening means may comprise upper and lower fasteners, the fasteners preferably including one or a pair of upper clips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and/or a lower hinge  23  (see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0070]    The removal of intake cover  7  is carried out by disengaging the pair of clips  22  and swing intake cover  7  backwards about the hinge  23  until releasing hinge  23 , thus releasing intake cover  7 . 
         [0071]    The hinge  23  preferably comprises a housing body hinge part and a intake cover hinge part, wherein those parts 
         [0072]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view showing intake cover  7  disassembled. Filtering element  24  is mounted inside housing body  6  and is also represented disassembled in its exploded view of  FIG. 11 . Housing body  6  delimits a cavity to receive a filtering element  24 . 
         [0073]    Filtering element  24  is hollow and tubular in shape. It preferably comprises a pleated, star-shaped filter bellow  25  made of a filter media like paper or non-woven and may be coated with filtering coating like micro- or nano-fibers. The filter element preferably presents an open axial end  26 , and a closed axial end  27  with a cover  28 . The cover can also be defined as an end disc or end cap. Along its circumference, open axial extremity  26  includes a gasket  29  for the sealing with housing body  6 . The filter element  24  preferably has an oval shape, either elliptical or established by two opposing sections creating opposing half circles which are connected by totally straight or almost straight lines. The housing body  6  and the intake cover preferably mirror the shape of the filter element  24  and are also oval, wherein the filter element  24  and the housing body have section with a height that is at least twice, preferably three times bigger than the width in horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction. 
         [0074]    Cover  28  preferably includes two slides  73  located at the long sides of the cover which are preferably cooperating with two rails  74  of housing body  6 , to place filtering element  24  crosswise. This allows positioning the filtering element  24  in its vertical end position before closing the intake cover  7  which interacts with the filtering elements  24  cover  28 .  FIG. 12  shows, in section, housing body  6  with filtering element  24  mounted inside it and with intake cover  7  closed. 
         [0075]    In conformity with the functioning of filtering device  1 , the air enters through intake cover  7  (arrow  30 ) and crosses it where a pre-purification operation takes place, which leads to the expulsion of the heaviest particles (arrow  31 ). The pre-cleaned air leaves intake cover  7 , goes around cover  28 , and is filtered (arrow  33 ) by passing the filter media of the filtering element  24 . Finally filtered air leaves through filtered air outlet  8  (arrow  33 ). 
         [0076]      FIG. 13  is also a sectional view of filtering device  1 , and puts in evidence three details of its construction, which will be individually explained below. 
         [0077]    Detail XIV of  FIG. 13  is enlarged in  FIG. 14  and illustrates the pre-purification operation. Intake cover  7  includes a pre-cleaner of “cyclone” type (also called “vortex” pre-cleaner). 
         [0078]    The functioning of the cyclone pre-cleaner is described below. 
         [0079]    Intake cover  7  preferably includes plurality of cyclone cells of the inline-cyclone type, wherein each one of them comprises a swirl pipe  34  cooperating with a discharge pipe  35 . 
         [0080]    The swirl pipe includes a helix  36  in its entrance to make incoming air (arrow  37 ) rotate (arrow  38 ). The heaviest particles, such as dust and water contained in the air are thus driven against the wall of swirl pipe  34 , due to centrifuge force generated by rotation  38 , and move around discharge pipe  35 , without entering it. The heavy particles, which moved around discharge pipe  35 , leave through an opening  48  and fall by gravity in an expulsion pipe  39  of the pre-cleaner, which equipped with a valve  40 , allowing the particles to leave, but avoiding air intake. The pre-purified air, free of particles, enters discharge pipe  35  to reach the cavity delimited by housing body  6 . The pre-purified air is then filtered by filtering element  24 , as explained above. 
         [0081]    One preferred construction of the cyclone pre-cleaner is described below. 
         [0082]    The front view of an advantageous intake cover  7  is represented in  FIG. 11  and its rear view is represented in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0083]    The exploded view of  FIG. 18  shows that the intake cover may comprise three slotted elements: a grid  41 , a set of swirl pipes  42 , and a base  43 . 
         [0084]    Valve  40  is preferably slotted in base  43  and one gasket of cover  44  is provided between intake cover  7  and housing body  6 , for sealing purposes. 
         [0085]    Grid  41  and base  43  are preferably fastened to each other by means of snap-on fittings  45 ,  46  so that to enclose the set of swirl pipes  42 . 
         [0086]    Snap-on fittings may include perforations  45  made on grid  41  and complementary clips  46  made on base  43 . 
         [0087]    Swirl set  42  preferably comprises a plurality of swirl pipes  34  pooled on plate  47 . Plate  47  presents a peripheral end  49  around swirl pipes  42  which allows fastening of plate  47  to base  43  and grid  41 . 
         [0088]    Swirl set  34  may be advantageously and integrally molded in only one piece. 
         [0089]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a cross section of a preferred intake cover  7 , at the level of snap-on fittings  45  and  46 , and shows the preferred cooperation of base  43 , of grid  41 , and of swirl set  42 . 
         [0090]    Clip  46  is slotted in perforation  45  to fasten grid  41  and base  43 . Moreover, base  43  presents an edge  50  and grid  41  presents a shoulder  51  arranged so that peripheral end  49  of swirl set  42  is fastened between such edge  50  of base  43  and shoulder  51 . 
         [0091]    Thus, the pre-cleaner preferably comprises only three pieces  41 ,  42 ,  43  and the simple slot of snap-on fittings  45 ,  46  allows fastening and positioning of three pieces  41 ,  42 ,  43  one with respect to the others. 
         [0092]      FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate two alternatives to carry out the slot. 
         [0093]    In the first alternative of  FIG. 20 , peripheral end  49  of swirl set  42  is, this time, fastened in a groove  52  made on base  43 . 
         [0094]    In the second alternative of  FIG. 21 , peripheral end  49  of swirl set  42  is also fastened in a groove  52  and, furthermore, grid  41  has a bracket  53  for said peripheral end  49 . 
         [0095]    With regard to  FIG. 22 , base  43  includes discharge pipes  35  which are slightly conical so that they can cooperate with swirl pipes  34  in the pre-cleaning function. 
         [0096]    A seal may be used in between each swirl pipe  34  and the corresponding discharge pipe  35 , but in opening area  48 , to let heavy particle out only through such opening  48 . With regard to enlarged view of  FIG. 23 , this seal preferably comprises a ledge  54  which is coaxial with discharge pipe  35 , placed all around discharge pipe  35 , but in opening area  48 . The slot of swirl pipe  34  against this ledge  54  realizes this seal which is, thus, achieved together with the simple slots of snap-on fittings  45 ,  46  and allows fastening and positioning of the three pieces  41 ,  42  and  43 , one with respect to the others. 
         [0097]    The cooperation of one preferred embodiment of intake cover  7  with one preferred embodiment of filtering element  24  is described below, with respect to detail XV of  FIG. 13 , which is enlarged in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0098]    Fastening of filtering element  24  on housing body  6  is advantageously carried out by means of intake cover  7  which retains filtering element  24  so that gasket  29  is compressed against housing body  6 . 
         [0099]    In order to carry out this function, cover  28  of filtering element  24  preferably includes a pair of first tubular bosses  55 , which project perpendicularly away from cover  28 , towards intake cover  7 . These first tubular bosses  55  can be integrally molded with cover  28 . 
         [0100]    The first tubular bosses  55  can exhibit different sections, such as, for example, rounded, squared or oval. 
         [0101]    In the present embodiment the first tubular bosses  55  are round in section, that is, the first tubular bosses  55  are cylindrical. 
         [0102]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , each first tubular boss  55  presents a cavity  68  along its axis and also a beveled end  56  on its edge. In this preferred embodiment, one tubular boss  55  is located on the upper part of the cover  28  and the other one is located on the lower part, especially symmetrically to the middle axis of the filtering element  24 . This allows mounting the filter element in both geometrically possible orientations. In regard to function, only one especially central or more than two eccentric bosses could also be used to support the filtering element  24  on the intake cover  7 . 
         [0103]    Base  43  of intake cover  7  includes a pair or other corresponding number of second hollow tubular bosses  57 , which are placed in correspondence with the first tubular bosses  55  and allow the slot of first tubular bosses  55 . 
         [0104]    On  FIG. 15 , the beveled end  56  is represented with dotted lines, illustrating his form when a preferred embodiment of the first tubular boss  55  is not slotted in the preferred corresponding second tubular boss  57 . After the first tubular boss  55  being slotted in the second tubular boss  57 , the beveled end  56 , which is made of elastically deformable material, fits the bottom of the second tubular boss  57 . 
         [0105]    Each second tubular boss  57  preferably presents along its axis a central bracket  58  which may insert in cavity  68  and which is thus applied against cover  28  when the first tubular boss  55  is slotted in the second tubular boss  57 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 17  shows one embodiment of the second tubular bosses  57  on base  43 . 
         [0107]    The interface between intake cover  7  and filtering element  24  is thus preferably made by the application of central bracket  58  against cover  28  and, simultaneously, by the compression of beveled end  56  on the bottom of second hollow tubular boss  57 . 
         [0108]    The lengths of beveled end  56  and central bracket  58  are preferably such that, at the time of closing intake cover  7 , beveled end  56  reaches the bottom of second tubular boss  57  before central bracket  58  reaches cover  28 . That is, the distance between cover  28  and beveled end  56  is preferably greater than the distance between central bracket  58  and the bottom of second tubular boss  57 . 
         [0109]    Beveled end  56  is preferably compressed against the bottom of the second boss  57  insofar as the intake cover is closed. Central bracket  58  may be finally placed against cover  28 , once beveled end  56  is compressed and fitted into the bottom of the second tubular boss  57 . 
         [0110]    This allows a reduction and a progressivity of the strength needed to close the intake cover. 
         [0111]    For air emission when central bracket  58  is inserted in cavity  68 , central bracket  58  may be equipped with an exhaust hole  69  and the bottom of the second tubular boss  57  may be equipped with an exhaust hole  76  ( FIG. 15 ). 
         [0112]    This interface has a first retention function of filtering element  24  for its cover  28 , a second sealing function by the application of the pressure on cover  28 , which allows the compression of gasket  29  against housing body  6 , and a third spacer function by keeping a space needed for air circulation between intake cover  7  and cover  28  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0113]    The first retention operation of filtering element  24  is safely carried out with regard to shocks and vibration along all axes. 
         [0114]    One preferred embodiment with several preferred features of the seal between filtering element  24  and housing body  6  is described below, with reference to detail XVI of  FIG. 13  which is enlarged in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0115]    Housing body  6  presents an axially-arranged annular bead  59  around filtered air outlet  8 , and a gasket border  60  around this annular bead  59 . 
         [0116]    Gasket  29  of filtering element  24  preferably presents an axial groove  61  that is slotted in gasket border  60 . This ensures axial sealing (arrow  62 ) and preferably also radial sealing and supports the main radial sealing function described below. 
         [0117]    Gasket  29  includes an inner annular wall  63  leaning against annular bead  59  which creates the main radial sealing function. 
         [0118]    Gasket  29  preferably presents such a thickness that the radial distance between axial groove  61  and inner annular wall  63  is greater than the distance between gasket border  60  and annular bead  59 . In this way, when axial groove  61  is embedded in gasket border  60 , gasket  29  is compressed radially between annular bead  59  and gasket border  60 , which also results in radial sealing (arrow  64 ). 
         [0119]    Housing body  6  preferably presents an annular ramp  65  designed to guide axial groove  61  in direction of gasket border  60  during the assemblage of filtering element  24  on housing body  6 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 24  shows the frontal view of the filtering device without intake cover  7 . Filtering element  24  is preferably kept across housing body  6  with slides  73  placed on rails  74  ( FIG. 25 ) and is furthermore preferably kept longitudinally with the first and second tubular bosses,  55  and  57 , compressing gasket  29 . 
         [0121]    Filtering device  1  is accessible from the outside of the vehicle and the operation of filter replacement only needs intake cover  7  to be opened. Afterwards filtering element  24  used is withdrawn by hand, pulling cover  28 , and new filtering element  24  is axially inserted. When slides  73  and rails  74  are provided as preferably proposed, the filtering element  24  is axially inserted until slides  73  runs on rails  74  and until annular ramp  65  drives gasket  29  so that axial groove  61  slots in gasket border  60  and the annular sealing takes place. Filtering element  24  is preferably compressed by two second tubular bosses  57  against first tubular bosses  55 , wherein the pressure is preferably maintained by closing intake cover  7 . 
         [0122]    Gasket  29  and cover  28 , with two first tubular bosses  55  and slides  73 , can be made of either polyurethane foam or another elastomer, or also a thermoplastic elastomer, which allows sealing functions. 
         [0123]    The housing body and the intake cover are made of a rigid material like injection molded thermoplastic material. 
         [0124]    Although a preferred embodiment has been described, the scope of the present invention includes other possible variations, and is only limited by the content of the attached claims, which include the possible equivalents. 
         [0125]    For instance, the filtering device may filter another fluid than air. 
         [0126]    If the filtering device is used as air filter in a combustion engine, it can be mounted on any type of vehicle as well as on other mobile or stationary machines such as a generator unit.