WO2014202358A1

WO2014202358A1 - Hollow filter element, filter housing and filter

Info

Publication number: WO2014202358A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/060966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nadine SORGER; Pascal Neef; Pedro Miguel Pereira Madeira
Original assignee: Mann+Hummel Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-06-20
Filing date: 2014-05-27
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: BR112015031362B1; DE102014006852A1; DE102014006852B4; WO2014202450A1; DE102014006850A1; DE102014006853B4; BR112015031362A2; CN105283660B; DE102014006850B4; BR112015030872B1; DE102014006853A1; BR112015030223B1; WO2014202357A1; BR112015030223A2; BR112015030872A2; DE102014007411A1; CN105283660A; WO2014202359A1

Abstract

A hollow filter element (18), in particular a conical-oval rounded filter element, of a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea-water solution, in particular of an air filter, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, in particular of a utility vehicle, a filter housing and a filter are described. For filtering the fluid, the hollow filter element (18) comprises a filter medium (64) which circumferentially surrounds an element interior space about an element axis (32). An extent of the filter medium (64) at least in a direction radially with respect to the element axis (32) is smaller at a first of the face sides (66) of said filter medium than at a second of the face sides of said filter medium. The filter medium (64) has a first end body (74) at least at the smaller end side (66). In a radially outer section with respect to the element axis (32) in the at least one direction of the relatively small extent with respect to the element axis (32), the first end body (74) has at least one levelling element (58).

Description

Hollow filter element, filter housing and filter Technical field

The invention relates to a hollow filter element, in particular a conical and / or oval round filter element, a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter, in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, with a filter medium for Filtration of the fluid which surrounds an element interior circumferentially with respect to an axis element whose extension is at least in a direction radially to the element axis at a first of its end faces smaller than on a second of its end faces and at least on the smaller end side has a first end body.

The invention further relates to a filter housing of a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter, in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, with an apparent filter housing having at least one inlet for to be cleaned fluid and at least one outlet for purified fluid and in which a hollow filter element with a filter medium for filtering the fluid surrounding an element interior with respect to a filter axis, in particular an element axis, can be arranged interchangeably so that it at least one Inlet separates from the at least one outlet.

In addition, the invention relates to a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter, in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with an apparent filter housing, in which a hollow filter element is arranged.

State of the art

From DE 10 2010 049 41 1 A1 an air intake system is known, which has a housing with a raw air inlet and a clean air outlet. In the housing between the unfiltered air inlet and the clean air outlet, a filter element is arranged. The filter element comprises a filter medium, in particular in the form of a bellows, for cleaning unfiltered air, and a central tube for supporting the filter medium. The filter element has a flow protection for flow deflection in a Anströmbereich of the filter medium and an end plate. In the end plate of the Anströmschutz and preferably also the center tube and the filter medium are embedded one end.

The invention has for its object to design a hollow filter element, a filter housing and a filter of the type mentioned, in which a positioning and / or holding the filter element in the filter housing improved, in particular simplified, can be. In particular, an installation process of the hollow filter element is to be simplified in the filter housing. Disclosure of the invention

This object is achieved in that the first end body with respect to the element axis in the at least one direction of the smaller extent with respect to the element axis in a radially outer portion has at least one leveling element.

The hollow filter element is provided with a filter medium for filtering the fluid, which circumferentially surrounds an element interior with respect to an element axis. It is preferably intended as an exchangeable filter element of a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter, in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The expansion of the element interior at least in a direction radial to the element axis is preferably smaller at a first of its end faces than at a second one of its end faces. The hollow filter element preferably has, at least on the smaller end face, a first end body which has at least one leveling element with respect to the element axis in the at least one direction of smaller extension with respect to the element axis in a radially outer section.

According to the invention, at least one leveling element is provided, with which different distances from edges of the hollow filter element radially to the element axis at the different sized end faces of the hollow filter element can be compensated. With the at least one leveling element height compensation can be achieved. The hollow filter element can thus be aligned in the filter housing. In particular, in a horizontal arrangement of the hollow filter element, in which the element axis extends horizontally, different heights can be compensated in this way at the different sized end faces. Furthermore, the at least one leveling element can serve as a positioning aid during assembly of the filter, in particular during installation of the hollow filter element in the filter housing and / or during closing of the filter housing. By means of the at least one leveling element, the smaller end face can be centered, in particular raised, corresponding to the larger end face. For this purpose, the filter housing can have at least one guide section cooperating with the at least one leveling element, in particular at least one guide track. With the at least one guide section, the at least one leveling element can be guided and / or positioned during the assembly of the filter.

Advantageously, the at least one leveling element can have no sealing function. In this way, the holding / positioning / leveling / guiding function can be separated from a sealing function and optimized in each case. A corresponding sealing function can be assigned to at least one other component separated from the at least one leveling element and optimized for itself.

The at least one leveling element can advantageously be firmly connected to the first end body. The at least one leveling element may advantageously be integral with the first end body be connected. Alternatively, the at least one leveling element may in particular be adhesively bonded, welded or foamed or in some other way fixedly connected to the end body as a separate component. The at least one leveling element may also be mechanically connected to the end body in particular by means of a latching connection, a snap connection or in another way. The at least one leveling element can be releasably or non-detachably connected to the end body.

Advantageously, the at least one leveling element may be made of a plastic, in particular polyurethane (PUR). Polyurethane can simply be connected directly or indirectly to the first end body. The at least one leveling element can advantageously be foamed on or on the end body. Alternatively, the at least one leveling element may be foamed together with the end body on or onto the filter medium.

Advantageously, the at least one leveling element may be at least partially elastic. In this way, the hollow filter element can be easily fixed in the filter housing. The at least one leveling element can yield during the assembly of the filter and be pressed. With the at least one leveling element, any tolerances, in particular production-related and / or component-related and / or assembly-related and / or operational tolerances, of the hollow filter element in the filter housing can be easily compensated. Furthermore, the at least one leveling element can additionally serve as a vibration damper, in particular during operation of the air filter.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one leveling element can advantageously be at least partially rigid. This can result in advantages when installing the filter. With a rigid leveling element, a more accurate and easier guidance can take place on a corresponding housing-side guide section.

The leveling element can advantageously serve as a spacer. Advantageously, by means of the at least one leveling element, a radial distance between the radially outer circumferential side of the first end body and a corresponding opposite section of the filter housing can be realized with respect to the element axis. Thus, a gap can be realized between the filter element in the region of the smaller end face and an inner wall of the filter housing surrounding the filter element radially on the outside. Through the gap, fluid can get into or out of a space radially surrounding the filter medium. Thus, in particular fluid can flow axially to the element axis from an inlet space section of the filter housing to the upstream side of the filter medium. In the direction of flow through the filter medium from radially outward to radially inward, the inflow side of the filter medium is located on the radially outer peripheral side of the filter element. The downstream side of the filter element is then located in the element interior. The fluid stream may flow axially of the element axis from the downstream side of the filter medium into a corresponding outlet space portion of the filter housing. By the axial fluid flow, an improved packing size of the filter housing and thus a small footprint can be realized. Furthermore, in the case of an axial fluid flow toward the upstream side and / or from the downstream side, a pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side be reduced. Thus, in particular a smaller pressure difference can be realized than in a comparable filter in which the fluid flow is supplied tangentially to the inflow side of the filter element or derived from the downstream side.

Advantageously, by means of the at least one leveling element, the element axis can be aligned in parallel, in particular coaxially, to a housing axis. In this way, the filter can be constructed as a whole coaxially. Thus, the space requirement of the filter can be reduced. The element axis and / or the housing axis can advantageously be parallel or coaxial with each other. Advantageously, the element axis and / or the housing axis can run parallel or coaxial with an installation axis of the filter element in the filter housing. Thus, the filter element can be easily inserted into the filter housing in the axial direction. In particular, the filter element can be inserted in the axial direction into a corresponding housing part, in particular a housing pot, of the filter housing. Advantageously, a mounting axis, in which the two housing parts are assembled or separated, run parallel or coaxial with the element axis and / or the housing axis and / or the installation axis. Advantageously, one of the housing parts, in particular a housing cover, can be plugged in the axial direction onto the filter element and onto / in the other housing part.

The first end body may advantageously be or at least have an end plate.

With the first end body, the filter medium can be stabilized. Furthermore, the filter medium can be sealed with the first end body on the smaller end face.

The first end body may advantageously be made of plastic. It can advantageously be glued to the end face of the filter medium, welded or otherwise tightly connected. The material of which the end body consists can advantageously also be foamed or foamed onto the end face of the filter medium.

Advantageously, the element interior can be closed at the smaller end face of the filter element with the first end body. In this way, a flow of fluid from the element interior or in the element interior can be prevented there. Thus it can be achieved that the fluid must flow through the filter medium. The fluid can pass through the filter medium from radially outside to radially inside into the element interior or in the reverse direction out of this. The fluid can flow through a corresponding flow opening on the other end face of the filter element in the element interior or out of this. Advantageously, the at least one leveling element can be arranged on a raw fluid side of the hollow filter element. Alternatively or additionally, at least one leveling element can be arranged on a clean fluid side of the hollow filter element. Advantageously, the first end body may face an inlet space portion of the filter housing for fluid to be cleaned. The inlet space portion may be advantageously connected to at least one inlet of the filter housing.

The hollow filter element can advantageously be a round filter element with a round cross section, an oval round filter element with an oval cross section, a flat oval round filter element with a flattened oval cross section, a conical round filter element, in which the round cross section tapers in the axial direction to the element axis a conical-oval round filter element, in which the oval cross-section tapers in the axial direction to the element axis at least in the direction of a transverse axis, a conical flat-oval round filter element, wherein the flat-oval cross-section in the axial direction to the element axis at least in the direction a transverse axis tapered, or a hollow filter element with a different, in particular an angular, cross-section and / or a different cross-sectional variation in the direction of the element axis act.

The at least one leveling element can advantageously be arranged on a long, in particular flat, side of an oval, in particular flat-oval, round filter element.

The at least one leveling element can advantageously be arranged on the tapered end face of a conical, in particular conical-oval or flat conical-oval, round filter element.

The filter medium can advantageously be circumferentially closed, in particular star-shaped, in particular zigzag-shaped or wave-shaped, folded. The filter medium may also be closed circumferentially unfolded. The filter medium may be formed into a filter bellows. The filter medium may be filter paper, filter fleece or a different type of filter medium suitable for filtering the fluid, in particular air. The filter medium can be single-layered or multi-layered.

Advantageously, the filter medium can have a second end body, in particular an end disk, on its larger end face. The second end body may advantageously be of a similar or different material than the first end body. It may advantageously be connected in a similar or other way to the filter medium as the first end body. Advantageously, the second end body may have a passage opening for the fluid. Advantageously, at least one seal can be arranged on the larger end face. The at least one seal may be attached to the second end body. The at least one seal may advantageously be connected in one piece or as a two-component component or as a separate component with the second end body. With the at least one seal, a raw fluid side of the hollow filter element can be separated from a clean fluid side. The at least one seal can advantageously seal axially and / or radially to the element axis against at least one corresponding sealing surface of the filter housing. The at least one housing-side sealing surface may advantageously be arranged on / in the housing pot of the filter housing. The at least one seal can also have a support function. Advantageously, the filter medium can be supported by the at least one seal in the axial and / or radial direction against the filter housing. The at least one seal may optionally serve as an abutment for at least one axially opposite support element of the hollow filter element in the axial direction. The hollow filter element can thus be axially clamped between the at least one seal and the at least one support element.

Advantageously, the at least one seal may be made of an elastic material, in particular polyurethane, in particular a polyurethane foam, or comprise such a material. The filter element may advantageously have a support body, in particular a support tube. The support body can advantageously be located in the element interior. It can also be provided a support body which surrounds the filter medium radially outside. A peripheral wall of the support body may advantageously be permeable to the fluid. The peripheral wall may advantageously be skeletal or lattice-like. The support body may advantageously be made of plastic. The filter medium can advantageously be supported on the support body.

The filter may advantageously be an air filter. The air filter may advantageously be part of an air intake tract of an internal combustion engine. It can serve for the purification of combustion air, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine.

However, the invention is not limited to an air filter of an air intake tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in particular a truck. Rather, it can also be used in other types of air systems of motor vehicles. Advantageously, the air filter may also be a cabin filter. The filter, in particular air filter, can also be used outside the automotive industry, especially in industrial engines. Advantageously, the filter may be part of a utility machine, in particular a construction machine or a utility vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck, a bus, a construction machine or an agricultural machine. The invention can also be used for exhaust gas purification in internal combustion engines or internal combustion engines.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first end body can each have a leveling element with respect to the element axis in the at least one direction of the smaller extension diagonally opposite circumferential sides.

In this way, the first end body can be supported on opposite sides against the filter housing. Thus, a more even and / or more precise guidance / positioning / posture can be made in the filter housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a base surface of the hollow filter element at least in the region of the smaller end face be elongated, in particular oval, and an imaginary center of the at least one leveling element can be located on a minor axis of an imaginary plane which is parallel to the base of the hollow filter element, optionally the centers of the opposing leveling elements are each located on the minor axis.

In this way, the first end plate can be supported approximately centrally on their respective long sides. Thus, a support and / or leadership can be improved.

The minor axis is the short axis of the elongated area through its center. In contrast, the major axis is the long axis of the elongated surface through its center.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one leveling element may extend at least radially, in particular radially and axially, outward beyond the radially outer peripheral side of the filter medium.

Thus, the at least one leveling element allow radial support. With the at least one leveling element, a distance between a radially outer peripheral side of the filter medium and a corresponding peripheral side of the filter housing can be achieved.

If the at least one leveling element additionally protrudes beyond the filter medium in the axial direction, additional axial support may be provided. In this way, tilting or tilting of the at least one end body can be counteracted relative to the element axis.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a distance of a radially outer circumferential side of the at least one leveling element from the element axis approximately correspond to a distance of the corresponding radially outer peripheral side of the hollow filter element from the element axis at the larger end face. In this way, the hollow filter element can be aligned with its element axis uniformly parallel or coaxially to the housing axis.

Alternatively or additionally, advantageously, a distance of the radially outer peripheral side of the at least one leveling element from the element axis be greater than a corresponding distance of the radially outer peripheral side of the hollow filter element, in particular a local end body, on the larger end face. In this way, different diameters of the filter housing can be compensated at the respective end faces of the hollow filter element. In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one leveling element in the end installation position of the hollow filter element can be arranged in a filter housing of the filter in its usual operating position spatially down.

Advantageously, the at least one direction of the smaller extent in the final installation position can be spatially vertical in the usual operating position. Advantageously, the element axis in the installed position in the usual operating position can be spatially horizontal.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the hollow filter element may have at least one support element on an outer side facing away from the interior of the element at the smaller end face.

The at least one support element and thus the hollow filter element can be supported at least transversely to the element axis, in particular radially or tangentially to the element axis or radially to another axis which is parallel to the element axis. In this way, the hollow filter element can be additionally positioned and held in the radial direction with respect to the element axis.

Advantageously, the at least one support element may be arranged on a raw fluid side of the hollow filter element. Alternatively or additionally, at least one support element can be arranged on a clean fluid side. Advantageously, the at least one support element can additionally be supported in the axial direction with respect to the element axis in the filter housing. In this way, the axial position of the hollow filter element can be improved. The hollow filter element can advantageously be clamped and held in the axial direction between two opposite support sections of the filter housing.

Advantageously, at least one support element can be arranged centrally with respect to the element axis on the smaller end face of the hollow filter element. The hollow filter element can be supported centrally. In this way, even with only one support element and only one corresponding support section, improved support of the hollow filter element on the filter housing can take place. So can the support with a small footprint of the components required for this purpose can be realized in the filter housing.

Advantageously, the at least one support element may be at least partially elastic. In this way, any installation tolerances of the hollow filter element in the filter housing can be easily compensated with the at least one support element. Furthermore, the at least one support element can additionally serve as a vibration damper, in particular during operation of the filter. Advantageously, the at least one support element may be made of an elastic plastic, in particular polyurethane (PUR). Polyurethane can be easily connected to the end body. The at least one support element can advantageously be foamed on or onto the end body.

The at least one support element may have at least one cylindrical and / or at least one conical section. A main axis of the at least one support element may extend axially or parallel to the element axis. The support element can be supported against at least one corresponding support section on the side of the filter housing transversely and / or axially and / or parallel to the element axis.

The at least one support element may advantageously have an oval, flat-oval or round base surface. It may also have a different, in particular an angular, base area.

Advantageously, the at least one support element may have a hollow-cylindrical or sleeve-like section.

The at least one support element may have a cavity open to the at least one support section of the filter housing. In the cavity, a corresponding projection of the at least one support portion can dip. In this way, the support can be improved.

The hollow cylindrical or sleeve-like portion of the at least one support element can advantageously be plugged in correctly mounted hollow filter element in a corresponding end-side groove, in particular Gegenstütznut, the at least one support portion. The groove can be considered as a cavity of the support portion, which is open to the free end side of the support portion.

Advantageously, the at least one support element may be arranged on the first end body of the hollow filter element.

The at least one support element can advantageously be firmly connected to the first end body. The at least one support element can in particular be adhesively bonded, welded or foamed or otherwise firmly connected to the end body as a separate component. The at least one support element may also be in particular by means of a latching connection, a snap-action Connection or otherwise mechanically connected to the end body. The at least one support element may be detachably or non-detachably connected to the end body.

Advantageously, the at least one support element can be located on the raw fluid side of the filter medium. Alternatively or additionally, at least one support element can be located on the clean fluid side of the filter medium.

The technical problem is further solved in the filter housing in that a housing pot of the filter housing has an installation opening for the hollow filter element, which is crossed by the filter axis in the built state of the hollow filter element, in particular coaxial with the filter axis, and which is at least as large as the largest outer dimension of the hollow filter element radially to the filter axis, and a housing cover at least one at least with an imaginary main guide line in a plane with an installation axis of the hollow filter element in the housing cover extending guideway for guiding and supporting at least one leveling element on a first end body of the hollow filter element with respect to the Filter axis is arranged radially outside, has.

The advantages and features identified above in connection with the hollow filter element according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments apply correspondingly and vice versa for the filter housing according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

Through the mounting hole, the hollow filter element can be inserted in the direction of the mounting axis in the housing pot. Advantageously, the installation axis can be parallel or coaxial with the element axis. Advantageously, the hollow filter element at its two end faces have different relative to the element axis radial expansions. Advantageously, the hollow filter element can be inserted with the larger end face first in the housing pot. With the at least one leveling element, a difference in size between the installation opening and the smaller end face of the hollow filter element can be compensated.

When attaching the housing cover to the housing pot and thus to the hollow filter element, the at least one main guide line can predefine a path of a contact point or contact region of the leveling element when sliding against the guide track. Advantageously, the housing pot and the housing cover for opening the filter housing from each other can be completely or partially separated. In the housing pot, the hollow filter element can be accommodated. The housing pot may advantageously be coaxial with the housing axis. The installation opening for the hollow filter element can advantageously be coaxial with the housing axis. The filter element can be easily installed in the axial direction with respect to the housing axis through the mounting hole in the housing pot.

The housing cover can be used to close the installation opening of the housing pot and thus the filter housing.

The at least one inlet and the at least one outlet may be located in the same or different housing parts, ie the housing pot and / or the housing cover. In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one guideway may extend into an area outside an interior of the housing cover.

Advantageously, at least one guide arm can be provided on which at least one guideway can be realized.

The at least one guide arm can advantageously protrude out of the interior of the housing cover. In this way, the corresponding at least one leveling element can be guided on the at least one guide arm before the hollow filter element dips into the housing cover.

The interior of the housing cover may advantageously at least form an inlet space section for introducing the fluid.

Advantageously, the at least one guide arm can be bevelled outside the housing cover on a peripheral side facing the housing axis. The bevelled peripheral side forms the at least one guideway.

The at least one guideway can thus be seen in the direction of the housing axis on the interior of the housing cover to run on the housing axis. In this way, the insertion of the at least one leveling element can be simplified.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least two guide tracks with respect to the element axis can be located on diagonally opposite radially inner circumferential sides of the housing cover.

In this way, the hollow filter element can be uniformly guided, centered and / or held by means of correspondingly opposing leveling elements in the filter housing. In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing pot and / or the housing cover may have at least one connecting tab for connection to the respective other component of the filter housing. Advantageously, the corresponding other housing part, namely the housing cover and / or the housing pot, have at least one tab receptacle which is suitable for the at least one connecting tab. The at least one connecting strap can be inserted into the at least one tab receptacle for connecting the housing cover to the housing pot. The at least one connecting strap can advantageously taper towards its free edge in particular in a wedge-like manner. Thus, an insertion of the connecting strap can be simplified in the corresponding tab holder.

The at least one tab receptacle can advantageously be a recess which is circumferentially closed with respect to its axis. In this way, the at least one connecting tab can be held on all peripheral sides in the at least one tab receptacle.

The at least one tab receptacle can advantageously have on its side facing the respective other housing part a corresponding insertion opening for the at least one connecting tab.

The at least one tab receptacle can advantageously be integrated in a peripheral wall of the corresponding housing part. Advantageously, the at least one connecting link and / or the at least one tab receptacle may extend parallel or axially to an assembly axis of the housing cover with the housing pot. In this way, the at least one connecting strap can be inserted into the at least one tab receptacle when mounting the housing cover on and / or in the housing pot. By cooperating the at least one connecting strap with the at least one tab receiving means, the housing pot and the housing cover can be pre-adjusted during assembly. In this way, the assembly can be facilitated. The at least one connection tab and the at least one tab receptacle can cooperate as a guide aid during assembly of the housing cover.

Furthermore, component-related and / or assembly-related and / or operational tolerances can be compensated with the at least one connection tab and the at least one tab receptacle. When the housing cover is mounted, the at least one connecting link can improve a mechanical stabilization of at least one corresponding peripheral wall section of the housing cover and / or of the housing pot. The at least one connecting strap can support the at least one circumferential wall section radially to the element axis and / or to the housing axis. By the interaction of the at least one connecting link with the at least one tab receptacle a tightness of the connection of the housing cover can be improved with the housing pot. A guide of the hollow filter element in the housing cover and / or in the housing pot when mounting the housing cover can be more precise. Advantageously, the at least one connecting strap can be arranged with the housing cover mounted on the same circumferential side of the filter housing as the at least one leveling element. In this way, the at least one leveling element can press against the at least one circumferential wall section of the housing cover and / or the housing pot from the inside, and the at least one connecting link and / or the corresponding tab receptacle can withstand from the outside.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting strap can be arranged with the housing mounted on the same circumferential side of the filter housing, as may be the at least one guide track for the at least one leveling element. Advantageously, the at least one guide track can be arranged radially with respect to the element axis between the at least one leveling element and the at least one connecting tab / tab receptacle. In this way, by means of the at least one connecting tab / tab receptacle, the at least one guideway can be supported against a pressure of the at least one leveling element.

The connecting straps / tab receptacles and the corresponding leveling elements / guide tracks can advantageously be arranged circumferentially offset from one another.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a base surface of the installation opening may be oblong, in particular oval, and the main guide line of the at least one guide track may be located in a secondary plane with a minor axis of the base of the installation opening and the installation axis, where appropriate, the main guide lines of the opposite guideways may respectively the secondary level are located.

In this way, the support and guidance can be carried out by means of the at least one leveling element on the at least one guide track on a long side of the filter housing. Thus, the leadership and / or positioning can be further improved.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one support section can be arranged centrally in the filter housing with respect to a housing axis, which may coincide with the element axis when the hollow filter element is installed.

Advantageously, the at least one support portion cooperate with assembled filter with at least one support element of the hollow filter element. Thus, the positioning of the hollow filter element and / or the assembly of the at least one support element with the at least one support section can be simplified. Advantageously, the at least one support section can be located on the housing cover. In this way, the at least one support portion and the at least one support element can be brought together after installation of the hollow filter element in the housing pot. Thus, a mounting of the filter can be simplified.

Advantageously, the at least one support section may be arranged on a raw fluid side of the hollow filter element.

Advantageously, the hollow filter element can be supported on the other housing part on the end face opposite the at least one support element.

Advantageously, the at least one support element and the at least one support section can have no sealing function. In this way, the support function can be separated from each other and each optimized. A corresponding sealing function can be assigned to at least one other, from the at least one support element and the at least one support portion separate component pairing and optimized for.

Advantageously, the at least one support section may have at least one cylindrical and / or at least one conical section. A main axis of the support section, in particular of the cylindrical / conical section, can advantageously extend axially or parallel to the housing axis. In this way, the at least one support section and the at least one support element with the hollow filter element installed can have the same orientation.

Advantageously, the main axes of the at least one support element and the at least one support section may be coaxial with the hollow filter element mounted. In this way, the at least support element can be easily inserted on and / or the support section. Advantageously, the main axes of the at least one support element and the at least one support portion with built-hollow filter element parallel or axially to a mounting axis of the filter element relative to the filter housing, in particular to the housing part with the at least one support section run. Thus, the at least one support element and the at least one support section can simply be automatically related to the assembly of the filter element in the filter housing, in particular during assembly of the filter housing. Advantageously, the at least one support element can be brought into relationship with the at least one support section so easily when mounting the housing cover to the housing pot.

Advantageously, the at least one support element may be at least partially complementary to the at least one support section. The at least one support element can rest against the at least one support section virtually without play. In this way, simply a reliable and stable support transversely, in particular radially and / or tangentially to the element axis and / or housing axis done. The at least one support portion may advantageously have an oval, flat-oval or round base. He can also have a different, especially a square, base. Advantageously, the at least one support section may have an end-side groove, in particular a counter-support groove, which extends circumferentially with respect to the main axis of the at least one support section. The groove may advantageously be located on an end face of the at least one support section facing the hollow filter element. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one support section may advantageously have a hollow-cylindrical or sleeve-like section.

Advantageously, the at least one support section may be a kind of pillar or dome, comprising it or being part of it. At the free end of the pillar or dome, the at least one support element of the hollow filter element can be supported. At the other end, the pillar or dome may be connected to the filter housing, in particular the housing cover. It may in particular be integrally connected to the filter housing.

The pillar or dome can advantageously extend through a space section of the filter housing. In this way, the hollow filter element can be supported in a bridged by the pillar or dome distance to a corresponding housing wall of the filter housing. Advantageously, the space portion can be flowed through during operation of the filter of fluid. Depending on the direction of flow of the fluid in the filter housing, the space portion may be an inlet space portion or an outlet space portion.

The technical problem is also solved in the filter according to the invention in that a hollow filter element according to the invention is arranged in the filter housing.

The advantages and features identified above in connection with the hollow filter element according to the invention and the filter housing according to the invention and their advantageous embodiments apply correspondingly to the filter according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

Advantageously, the filter housing may be a filter housing according to the invention. Advantageously, an inlet side inlet space portion, an element space portion in which the hollow filter element may be disposed, and an outlet side outlet space portion of the filter housing may be arranged linearly along the flow path of the fluid through the filter. In this way, simply an axial flow of the fluid to the upstream side of the filter medium can be realized. Furthermore, such an axial outflow of the filtered fluid from the clean fluid side of the hollow filter element can be achieved. Any pressure differences between the clean fluid side and the raw Fluid side can be reduced. Advantageously, a main flow direction of the fluid from the inlet space portion through the element space portion into the outlet space portion may be substantially axial to the element axis and / or to the housing axis. Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings is explained in more detail. The person skilled in the art will expediently also individually consider the features disclosed in combination in the drawing, the description and the claims in combination and combine them into meaningful further combinations. It show schematically

Figure 1 is a plan view of an air filter of an internal combustion engine with a composite of a housing pot and a housing cover filter housing in which an exchangeable conical-oval round filter element is arranged;

FIG. 2 shows a transverse section of the air filter from FIG. 1 along the section line II-II there;

3 shows a longitudinal section of the air filter of Figure 1 along the section line III-III ..;

Figure 4 is a first isometric oblique view of the air filter of Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a second isometric oblique view of the air filter of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the open housing pot of the air filter of the figures

1 to 5 with the round filter element;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the open housing pot of the air filter of the figures

1 to 6, here without round filter element;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the open housing pot of the air filter of the figures

1 to 7 without round filter element from another perspective;

9 shows an isometric view of the housing cover of the air filter from FIGS. 1 to

5 with the round filter element without housing pot;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of the housing cover of the air filter of Figures 1 to

5 without round filter element;

Figure 1 1 is the isometric view of the housing cover of Figure 10 from another

Perspective;

Figure 12 is a side view of the air filter of Figures 1 to 5 in an early assembly phase of the housing cover on the housing pot;

Figure 13 is a plan view of the air filter in the assembly phase of Figure 12;

FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the air filter in an assembly phase following the assembly phase shown in FIG. 13;

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the round filter element of the air filter of Figures 1 to 5;

FIG. 16 shows a transverse longitudinal section of the round filter element of the air filter from FIGS. 1 to 5; Figure 17 is a longitudinal side view of the round filter element of the air filter of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the round filter element of the air filter of Figures 1 to 5;

19 shows a top view of an inlet-side end disk of the round filter element of the air filter from FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the figures, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals. Embodiment (s) of the invention

FIGS. 1 to 14 show an air filter 10 of an internal combustion engine of a commercial vehicle in different representations and assembly phases. The air filter 10 is arranged in an air intake tract of the internal combustion engine. It serves to purify combustion air, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine for combustion.

The air filter 10 includes an apparent filter housing 12. The filter housing 12 is flat-oval. The filter housing 12 is flattened in relation to an oval filter housing with an approximately elliptical cross section in the direction of its short transverse axis. FIG. 3 shows a section along a short transverse axis of the filter housing 12. The filter housing 12 has a housing pot 14, in Figures 1 and 3 on the left. The housing pot 14 has a mounting opening 16, which is shown in the foreground, for example in Figures 6 to 8, for installation of a filter element 18. The mounting opening 16 is closed with a housing cover 20, in the figure 1 right.

The housing pot 14 has an outlet 22 for the filtered air, which opens into an outlet space portion 24 of the housing pot 14. The outlet 22 is connected outside of the filter housing 12 via air lines, not shown, to the internal combustion engine.

The housing cover 20 has an inlet 26 for air to be filtered, which opens into an inlet space section 28 of the housing cover 20 and is connected outside the filter housing 12 to the environment. Alternatively, the inlet 26 may also be arranged in a side wall of the housing pot 14.

The filter element 18 is disposed in an element space portion 30 of the housing pot 14 so as to separate the inlet 26 from the outlet 22. The element space portion 30 is in a linear arrangement between the inlet space portion 28 and the outlet space portion 24.

The inlet space portion 28, the element space portion 30 and the outlet space portion 24 are arranged axially of a filter axis 32 in series. In FIG. 3, the filter axis 32 is shown for better understanding, although it is located outside the sectional plane III-III of FIG. 1, namely in front of the plane of the drawing. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filter axis 32 coincides with a housing axis of the filter housing 12 and, with the filter element 18 installed, with an element axis of the filter element 18. The filter axis 32 also coincides here with an installation axis along which the filter element 18 can be inserted into the housing pot 14 and removed therefrom. The filter axis 32 also coincides with a mounting axis along which the housing cover 20 is mounted on the housing pot 14. For the sake of clarity and comprehensibility, in the embodiment described in the description, the above-enumerated axes will be referred to as "filter axis 32." In the following, "axial,""radial,""circumferential," or "coaxial," is discussed this refers to the filter axis 32 unless otherwise stated.

The mounting opening 16 surrounds the filter axis 32 circumferentially. In the installed state of the filter element 18, the filter axis 32 crosses the mounting hole 16. The inner dimension of the mounting hole 16 is larger than the largest outer dimension of the filter element 18 radially to the filter axis 32. A base of the mounting hole 16 is oblong flat-oval.

Axially between the element space portion 30 and the outlet space portion 24, the housing pot 14 has a circumferentially closed sealing surface 34. The sealing surface 34 extends in the radial direction. The sealing surface 34 faces the housing cover 20. At the sealing surface 34 is a seal 36 of the filter element 18 circumferentially closed tightly against.

The radially inner cross section of the element space section 30 is larger than a radially outer cross section of the sealing surface 34.

Between a radially outer peripheral side of the filter element 18 and the radially inner peripheral side of the element space portion 30, a Anströmringraum 38 is realized. The Anströmringraum 38 is separated by means of the seal 36 of the outlet space portion 24.

On the side facing the housing cover 20, the inflow annular space 38 is connected to the inlet space section 28 via a circumferential gap 40. The inlet space section 28 and the inlet ring section 38 are located on the unfiltered air side of the filter element 18.

On the housing cover 20, a support post 42 is arranged. The pillar 42 is integrally connected to the housing cover 20. It is approximately coaxial with the filter axis 32. It is arranged centrally with respect to the filter axis 32. The supporting pillar 42 extends in the inlet space section 28 from an inside of the housing cover 20 facing the filter element 18 to an inlet-side end side 66 of the filter element 18. The supporting pillar 42 is located on the unfiltered air side of the filter medium 64.

On the filter element 18 facing free end face of the support post 42 is a, for example, in Figures 10 and 1 1 shown, to a main axis of the support post 42, so the filter axis 32, circumferentially extending coaxial Gegenstütznut 44 arranged. The Gegenstütznut 44 is an annular cavity in the pillar 42, which is open to the free end face of the support post 42.

The housing pot 14 also has two connecting straps 46 for connection to the housing cover 20. The connecting tabs 46 are located on the opposite relative to the filter axis 32 flattened peripheral sides of the housing pot 14. They are each integrally with one end at the free peripheral edge of the housing pot 14, which surrounds the mounting hole 16, attached. The connecting straps 46 extend parallel to the mounting axis of the housing cover 20 with the housing pot 14, ie parallel to the filter axis 32. Thought central axes of the connecting straps 46 lie in an imaginary plane with the filter axis 32. This imaginary plane is viewed in the direction of the filter axis 32 inclined to one other imaginary plane with a minor axis of the oval mounting hole 16. The imaginary center axes of the connecting plates 46 are thus, as seen for example in Figure 2, on opposite sides each laterally offset to the minor axis. The mutually facing inner sides of the connecting straps 46 are smooth. The inner sides of the connecting straps 46 each form an initial section of corresponding guide ramps 48. The guide ramps 48 continue on the inner side of the housing pot 14. At the guide ramps 48, respective radially outer circumferential sides of an outlet-side end plate 50 of the filter element 18 are guided during installation of the filter element 18 into the housing pot 14, for example at leveling elements 58.

The opposite outer sides of the connecting plates 46 are equipped with stabilizing profiles. At their free edges facing away from the free peripheral edge of the housing pot 14, the connecting straps 46 taper in a wedge-like manner. This simplifies the insertion of the connecting straps 46 into corresponding tab receptacles 52 of the housing cover 20 for connecting the housing pot 14 to the housing cover 20. The housing cover 20 has two tab receptacles 52. The tab receptacles 52 in each case match one of the connecting lugs 46 of the housing pot 14.

The tab receptacles 52 are located on the opposite relative to the filter axis 32 flattened peripheral sides of the housing cover 20. Each of which are arranged in one piece in the region of the free peripheral edge of the housing cover 20. The tab receptacles 52 are integrated in the peripheral wall of the housing cover 20.

The tab receptacles 52 each extend parallel to the mounting axis of the housing cover 20 with the housing pot 14, ie parallel to the filter axis 32. Thought central axes of the tab receptacles 52 lie in a plane with the filter axis 32. This plane is viewed in the direction of the filter axis 32 inclined with respect to an imaginary plane with a minor axis of the oval mounting opening 16. The central axes of the tab receptacles 52 are thus, analogous to the central axes of the connecting plates 46, laterally offset on opposite sides to the minor axis. The tab receptacles 52 are circumferentially closed recesses with respect to their respective central axis, which are parallel to the filter axis 32. The connecting straps 46 are held in each case on all peripheral sides in the corresponding tab receptacle 52. The tab receptacles 52 have on their side facing the housing pot 14 on a corresponding insertion opening 54 for the corresponding connection tab 46.

When the housing cover 20 is mounted, the connecting straps 46 stabilize the peripheral wall sections of the housing cover 20 mechanically and vice versa. The connecting straps 46 support the circumferential wall sections radially to the filter axis 32, that is to say radially to the element axis and to the housing axis. The housing cover 20 also has two guide tracks 56 for guiding and supporting corresponding leveling elements 58 of the filter element 18. The guideways 56 can be seen for example in Figures 9 to 1 1. The guideways 56 are located with respect to the filter axis 32 on diagonally opposite, radially inner circumferential sides of the housing cover 20. The guideways 56 are each realized on a guide arm 60. The guide arms 60 are integrally connected to an inner side of the housing cover 20, which forms the inlet space portion 28, with a longitudinal side with the respective radially inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall of the housing cover 20. The respectively opposite longitudinal sides of the guide arms 60 form the corresponding guide tracks 56.

The guide arms 60 protrude, for example, each out of the interior of the housing cover 20. In particular, outside the housing cover 20, the guide arms 60 are beveled in each case on the radially inner longitudinal sides with the guide tracks 56. The corresponding guideways 56 run towards the filter axis 32 in the direction of the filter axis 32 toward the interior of the housing cover 20.

The guideways 56 each extend with an imaginary main guide line 62 in a plane with the mounting axis, so the filter axis 32, the housing cover 20 with the housing pot 14 and the filter element 18. The main guide lines 62 give when plugging the housing cover 20 on the filter element 18 a way a contact area of the corresponding leveling element 58 when sliding against the corresponding guide track 56. During closing of the housing cover 20 thus engage the guide arms 60 from radially outside in the region of the main guide line 62 to the leveling elements 58 and raise the filter element 18 continuously until it has reached its central end position in the fully closed state. The main guide lines 62 are in an imaginary secondary plane, which is spanned by the minor axis of the flat-oval base of the mounting hole 16 and the filter axis 32.

The filter element 18 described in more detail below is shown in FIGS. 15 to 19 in different perspectives and sections. The filter element 18 is a flat conical-oval round filter element. The filter element 18 is coaxial with the element axis, that is to the filter axis 32. The filter element 18 has a flat-oval cross-section. The short transverse axis, ie the minor axis, of the oval lies in the plane of the drawing of FIG. 15, the long transverse axis, that is to say the main axis, is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. In the direction of the short transverse axis, the filter element 18 is additionally flattened, hence the term "flat conical-oval." In contrast, "oval" designates an approximately elliptical cross-section A radially outer peripheral side and a radially inner circumferential side of the filter element 18 have in the direction of The outer cross-section and the inner cross-section of the filter element 18 taper from its outlet-side end face 68, which faces the outlet chamber section 24, to the inlet-side end face 66.

The direction of the minor axis of the flat-oval filter element 18 extends in the final installation position in the usual operating position spatially vertical. The filter axis 32 extends in the installed position in the usual operating position spatially horizontal. The filter element 18 includes a zig-zag folded toward a filter bellows, with respect to the element axis, so the filter axis 32, circumferentially closed filter medium 64. The filter medium 64 is a filter fleece, which is suitable for filtering air.

The expansion of the filter bellows from the filter medium 64 in the direction radially to the element axis, ie to the filter axis 32, at its inlet-side end face 66 is smaller than at its outlet-side end face 68.

At its outlet-side end face 68, the filter medium 64 is connected to the outlet-side end disk 50. The outlet-side end disk 50 is coaxial with the filter axis 20. The outlet-side end disk 50 is made of a plastic. It is glued tightly to the end face 68 of the filter medium 64. The radially outer peripheral side of the outlet-side end plate 50 abuts with minimal play on the radially inner peripheral side of the housing pot 14 there.

The outlet-side end disk 50 has a central, coaxial outflow opening 70. The outflow opening 70 extends over the entire radially inner cross-section of the filter medium 64. Via the outflow opening 70, an element interior 72 of the filter element 18, which is surrounded by the filter medium 64, connected to the outlet space portion 24.

At the filter medium 64 axially opposite outside of the outlet-side end plate 50, the seal 36 is arranged. The seal 36 is made of elastic polyurethane foam. She is at the Laßseitige end plate 50 foamed. The seal 36 is coaxial with the element axis, ie to the filter axis 32, and circumferentially surrounds the discharge opening 70. It extends in the axial direction. It is supported in the axial direction on the sealing surface 34 of the housing pot 14. At the inlet-side end face 66, the filter medium 64 is tightly connected to an inlet-side end disk 74. The inlet-side end plate 74 is made of polyurethane. The inlet side end plate 74 closes the element interior 72 toward the inlet space portion 28. The inlet-side end plate 74 is connected to the filter medium 64 in a similar manner as the outlet-side end plate 50. Between the inlet-side end plate 74 and the outlet-side end plate 50 extends in the element interior 72, a coaxial support tube 76. The support tube 76 is made of plastic. It is structured like a lattice. Its peripheral side is permeable to air. The support tube 76 has a filter medium 64 corresponding to the flat conical-oval shape. The radially inner circumferential side of the filter medium 64 may be supported on the radially outer peripheral side of the support tube 76.

On the element interior 72 facing away from the axial outer side of the inlet-side end plate 74, a support element 78 is arranged. The support element 78 is located on the unfiltered air side of the filter medium 64. The support element 78 is fixedly connected to the inlet-side end plate 74. The support element 78 is made of an elastic polyurethane foam. The support element 78 is foamed onto the inlet-side end disk 74.

The support element 78 is sleeve-like. It has the shape of a hollow cylinder whose main axis extends in the embodiment shown coaxially to the filter axis 32, ie to the element axis. A cavity 80 of the support element 78 is open on its end face facing away from the inlet end plate 74. The support element 78 has an approximately oval cross-section. Its short transverse axis lies in the drawing plane in FIG. 16, its long transverse axis being perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. When the filter element 18 is installed, the orientation of the support element 78 with respect to the filter axis 32 corresponds to the orientation of the support pillar 42 of the housing cover 20. The section of the support pillar 42 surrounded by the counter support groove 44 is inserted into the cavity 80 of the support element 78 when the filter element 18 is correctly mounted. The peripheral wall of the support member 78 is inserted into the Gegenstütznut 44 of the support post 42.

On its free side facing away from the end disk 74, the wall thickness of the support element 78 in a conical section decreases towards the free edge. Thus, the insertion of the support member 78 can be simplified in the Gegenstütznut 44 of the support post 42.

With the support member 48, the filter element 18 is supported via the support post 42 against the filter housing 12. The support takes place radially, ie transversely to the filter axis 32, that is transversely to the element axis and the housing axis, and axially. By interaction of the support member 48 with the buttress 42, the filter element 18 on the inlet side, so roohluftseitig, radially and axially held and positioned. Thus, the filter element 18 can be held on the inlet space portion 28 side facing in the filter housing 12 with. Furthermore, in each case two support webs 82 are arranged on the radially outer edges of the inlet-side end disk 74 in the region of the short transverse sides. The support webs 82 respectively project beyond the inlet-side end disk 74 both in the radial direction and in the axial direction. The support webs 82 are each supported on corresponding support points 83, shown inter alia in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, on the inside of the housing cover 20 in the radial direction.

The above-mentioned leveling elements 58 are located on the inlet-side end disk 74 with respect to the element axis, that is to say the filter axis 32, radially outward. The leveling elements 58 are made of polyurethane. They are integrally connected to the inlet-side end plate 74. The leveling elements 58 are arranged on a rough air side of the filter element 18.

The leveling elements 58 are arranged with respect to the filter axis 32 diagonally opposite circumferential sides of the inlet-side end plate 74. Thought centers of the leveling elements 58 are located on a minor axis of a flat-oval cross section of the filter element 18. In the direction of the minor axis of the filter bellows of the filter element 18 at the inlet side end 66 has a smaller radial extent than at the outlet side end face 68. The minor axis is located in an imaginary plane which runs parallel to the flat-oval base surface of the filter element 18. The minor axis is the short axis of the imaginary plane through its midpoint. In contrast, the major axis is the long axis of the imaginary plane through its center. The leveling elements 58 each extend radially and axially outwardly beyond the radially outer circumferential side of the filter bellows of the filter medium 64 and the inlet-side end disk 74.

Distances of the radially outer circumferential sides of the leveling members 58 from the filter axis 32 correspond to distances of the corresponding radially outer peripheral side of the outlet side end plate 50 from the filter axis 32, respectively.

One of the leveling elements 58 is arranged in the end installation position of the filter element 18 in the filter housing 12 in its usual operating position spatially down. The other leveling element 58 is spatially above, vertically above the first leveling element 58, arranged.

By means of the leveling elements 58, a uniform radial distance between the radially outer periphery of the inlet-side end disk 74 and an opposite radially inner circumference of the housing cover 20 with respect to the filter axis 32 is realized to form the gap 40. The tab receptacles 52 with the connecting straps 46 are each arranged approximately on the same circumferential side of the filter housing 12 when mounted filter housing 12 as one of the guideways 56 for one of the leveling elements 58. The tab receptacles 52 / connecting straps 46 and the corresponding leveling elements 58 / Guideways 56 arranged circumferentially offset from one another, wherein the tab receptacles 52 overlap connection tabs 46 with the corresponding leveling elements 58 / guideways 56 viewed in the radial direction.

The guideways 56 are each arranged between one of the leveling elements 58 and one of the tab receptacle 52 / connecting link 46. By means of the connecting straps 46 / tab receptacles 52, the guideways 56 are supported against a pressure of the leveling elements 58. The leveling elements 58 press from the inside against the corresponding peripheral wall portion of the housing cover 20. The connecting tabs 46 and the corresponding tab receptacles 52 hold each from the outside against it. During operation of the air filter 10, the air to be filtered flows through the inlet 26, indicated in Figure 1 by an arrow 84, in the inlet space section 28. From there, the air passes substantially in the axial direction through the gap 40 in the Anströmringraum 38 on the The inflow side of the filter medium 64. The air flows through the filter medium 64 from radially outside to radially inside and is cleaned. The cleaned air flows through the peripheral side of the support tube 76 and enters the element interior 72. The cleaned air leaves the element interior 72 substantially in the axial direction and enters the outlet space section 24. From there, the filtered air leaves the filter housing 12 through the outlet 22, indicated in Figure 1 by an arrow 86th

For maintenance purposes, for example for cleaning or replacement of the filter element 18, the filter housing 12 can be opened. For this purpose, the housing cover 20 is removed in the axial direction of the housing pot 14. In this case, the support element 78 is automatically pulled out of the Gegenstütznut 44 at the end of the support post 42 out. The connecting straps 46 are pulled out of the tab receptacles 52. The leveling elements 58 slide along the guideways 56. The filter element 18 is pulled in the axial direction out of the element space section 30 of the housing pot 14. It can be replaced by a new filter element 18 or reinstalled after cleaning.

For installation, the filter element 18 is inserted so far with the outlet-side end plate 50 in the axial direction in the housing pot 14 until the seal 36 abuts against the sealing surface 34. Subsequently, the housing cover 20 is placed with its open side first in the axial direction on the mounting hole 16 of the housing pot 14. The connecting tabs 46 are inserted into the respective tab receptacle 52. The housing cover 20 is thus pre-adjusted on the housing pot 14.

When sliding the housing cover 20 onto the housing pot 14 in the axial direction, the connecting straps 46 and the tab receptacles 52 cooperate as a guide aid. Once the free Ends of the guide arms 60 of the housing cover 20 reach the leveling elements 58, embrace the guide arms 60 on radially opposite sides of the leveling elements 58 from the outside. Upon further pushing on of the housing cover 20, the leveling elements 58 are then guided along the main guide lines 62 of the guide paths 56 of the guide arms 60. The side of the filter element 18 with the inlet-side end plate 74 is continuously raised during further advancement of the housing cover 20 by means of the lower guide tracks 56 in its end position. The filter element 18 is positioned and centered in the housing cover 20. Finally, upon advancement, the support element 78 of the housing cover 20 is automatically inserted into the mating support groove 44 of the support pillar 42. The radially inner section at the end of the support pillar 42 engages in the cavity 80 of the support element 78. The element axis runs in the correct installed state coaxial with the housing axis. The housing cover 20 is finally fixed in a manner not of further interest to the housing pot 14.

Claims

claims

1. hollow filter element (18), in particular conical-oval round filter element, a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter (10), in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular one

Utility vehicle, comprising a filter medium (64) for filtering the fluid surrounding an element interior (72) circumferentially with respect to an element axis (32) whose extension is at least in a direction radially to the element axis (32) at a first of its end faces (66) smaller as at a second of its end faces (68) and at least at the smaller end face (66) comprises a first end body (74), characterized in that the first end body (74) with respect to the element axis (32) in the at least one direction of the smaller Extension with respect to the element axis (32) in a radially outer portion at least one leveling element (58).

2. Hollow filter element according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end body (74) with respect to the element axis (32) in the at least one direction of the smaller extension diametrically opposite circumferential sides each have a leveling element (58).

3. hollow filter element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a base surface of the hollow filter element (18) at least in the region of the smaller end face (66) oblong, in particular oval, and an imaginary center of the at least one leveling element (58) on a minor axis an imaginary plane which runs parallel to the base surface of the hollow filter element (18), optionally, the centers of the opposing leveling elements (58) are each on the minor axis.

4. Hollow filter element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one leveling element (58) at least radially, in particular radially and axially, extends outwardly beyond the radially outer peripheral side of the filter medium (64).

5. hollow filter element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance of a radially outer peripheral side of the at least one leveling element (58) of the element axis (32) approximately a distance of the corresponding radially outer peripheral side of the hollow filter element (18) of the element axis (32 ) corresponds to the larger end face (68).

6. Hollow filter element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one leveling element (58) in the final installation position of the hollow filter element (18) in a filter housing (12) of the filter (10) is arranged spatially down in its usual operating position.

7. hollow filter element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow filter element (18) on an element interior (72) facing away from the outer side at the smaller end (66) has at least one support element (78).

8. filter housing (12) of a filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter (10), in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with an apparent filter housing (12) at least one inlet (26) for fluid to be cleaned and at least one outlet (22) for purified fluid and in which a hollow filter element (18), in particular a hollow filter element (18) according to one of the preceding claims, with a filter medium (64) for filtration the fluid surrounding an element interior (72) with respect to a filter axis (32), in particular an element axis, can be interchangeably arranged so as to separate the at least one inlet (26) from the at least one outlet (22), characterized a housing pot (14) of the filter housing (12) has an installation opening (16) for the hollow filter element (18), which is crossed by the filter axis (32) in the installed state of the hollow filter element (18), in particular coaxially to the filter axis (32). is, and which is at least as large as the largest outer dimension of the hollow filter element (18) radially to the filter axis (32), and a housing cover (20) at least one at least with at least one imaginary main guide line (62) in a plane with an installation axis of the hollow filter element (18) guide track (56) extending into the housing cover (20) for guiding and supporting at least one leveling element (58) attached to a first end body (74) of the hollow filter element (18) is arranged radially outward with respect to the filter axis (32).

9. Filter housing according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one guide track (56) extends into a region outside of an interior space (28) of the housing cover (20).

10. Filter housing according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that there are at least two guide tracks (56) with respect to the element axis (32) on diagonally opposite radially inner peripheral sides of the housing cover (20).

1 1. Filter housing according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the housing pot (14) and / or the housing cover has at least one connecting tab (46) for connection to the respective other component (20) of the filter housing (12) ,

12. Filter housing according to one of claims 8 to 1 1, characterized in that a base surface of the mounting opening (16) is elongate, in particular oval, and the main guide line (62) of the at least one guide track (56) in a secondary plane with a minor axis Base surface of the mounting hole (16) and the installation axis is located, where appropriate, are the

Main guide lines (62) of the opposite guideways (56) in each case in the secondary plane.

13. Filter housing according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that at least one support portion (42) with respect to a housing axis, which coincides with built-hollow filter element (18) with the element axis, is arranged centrally in / on the filter housing (12).

14. Filter for fluid, in particular air, water, fuel, oil or urea water solution, in particular an air filter (10), in particular an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with an apparent filter housing (12), in particular a filter housing (12). according to one of claims 8 to 13, in which a hollow filter element (18) is arranged, characterized in that in the filter housing (12) a hollow filter element (18) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged.