CN107626141B

CN107626141B - Filter coupling device and filter device

Info

Publication number: CN107626141B
Application number: CN201710586070.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.法佐尔德; U.德嫩; A.施彭内曼; D.塔尔蒙-格罗斯
Original assignee: Mann and Hummel GmbH
Current assignee: Mann and Hummel GmbH
Priority date: 2016-07-18
Filing date: 2017-07-18
Publication date: 2022-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-18
Also published as: DE102016008531A1; CN107626141A

Abstract

A filter coupling and a filter device for a fluid, oil or fuel filter device of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle are described. The filter coupling device includes: a connecting member for connecting the filter with the filter coupling device. The connection can be at least connected by means of a rotational movement and/or a plug-in movement about an envisaged connection axis of the filter coupling device. The filter coupling comprises a mating flange for resting against a corresponding flange of the filter. The mating flange has a mating flange body made of plastic and an annular stiffening element. The reinforcing element circumferentially surrounds the connecting part and/or an axial projection of the connecting part with respect to the connecting axis. The reinforcing elements together form at least one contact surface for bearing against the sealing section and/or a corresponding section of the filter. The reinforcing element is connected to the mating flange body in a materially bonded manner, i.e. bonded and/or welded and/or soldered.

Description

Filter coupling device and filter device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a filter coupling device for a fluid, in particular oil or fuel filter device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, having: at least one connecting element for connecting at least one filter to the filter connection, wherein the connecting element can be connected at least by means of a rotational and/or plug-in movement about an imaginary connecting axis of the filter connection; and at least one mating flange for resting against at least one corresponding flange of the at least one filter, wherein the at least one mating flange has a mating flange body made of plastic and at least one annular stiffening element, wherein the at least one stiffening element circumferentially surrounds an axial projection of the at least one connection part and/or of the at least one connection part with respect to the connection axis.

The invention further relates to a filter device for a fluid, in particular oil or fuel, in particular for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, having at least one filter and having at least one filter connection, wherein the at least one filter connection has: at least one connecting part for connecting the at least one filter to the filter connection, wherein the connecting part can be connected at least by means of a rotational movement and/or a plug movement about an imaginary connecting axis of the filter connection; and at least one mating flange for resting against at least one corresponding flange of the at least one filter, wherein the at least one mating flange has a mating flange body made of plastic and at least one annular stiffening element, wherein the at least one stiffening element circumferentially surrounds an axial projection of the at least one connection part and/or of the at least one connection part with respect to the connection axis.

Background

A filter device, for example an oil filter or a fuel filter, having a carrier is known from DE 102013215243 a 1. The carrier has an annular support flange, on which the filter housing can be sealingly mounted. The support flange is made of plastic and has an annular reinforcement in the region of the support flange, which reinforcement at least reduces creep of the plastic at the support flange. The carrier is designed as a plastic injection-molded part, wherein the reinforcement is at least partially injected into it. The reinforcement can, for example, be in the form of a metal ring, but also or with fibers, in particular carbon fibers, glass fibers or aramid fibers. The reinforcement is injection-molded with plastic on all sides. In this case, purely theoretically, an embodiment can also be considered in which the reinforcement is not injection-molded with plastic at the inner circumference of the support flange and is thus in direct contact with the fluid to be filtered.

The object of the present invention is to provide a filter coupling and a filter device of the type mentioned above, in which a connection between the at least one filter and the at least one filter coupling that is also more robust, in particular more stable with respect to pressure and/or pressure differences, can be realized in a simple manner. In particular, the sealing of the connection should be improved, in particular ensured over a long period of time.

Disclosure of Invention

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the at least one reinforcing element at least together forms at least one contact surface for the purpose of bearing against at least one sealing section and/or at least one corresponding section of the at least one filter, and the at least one reinforcing element is connected in a materially bonded manner to the mating flange body.

According to the invention, at least one mechanically reinforcing element is provided with a contact surface at which at least one sealing section and/or at least one corresponding section of the at least one filter can be placed. The at least one reinforcing element can be used to introduce a connecting and/or sealing force from the at least one filter and/or seal into the filter connection, and vice versa.

Advantageously, the at least one contact surface can be realized at least partially as a sealing surface. A corresponding sealing section can be sealingly arranged on the sealing surface. The at least one sealing section can be firmly or detachably connected to the at least one filter. Advantageously, the at least one sealing section can be part of the seal. The seal can be arranged between the flange of the filter and the at least one contact surface of the at least one reinforcing element.

The connecting force can advantageously be a tensile force and/or a compressive force. The connecting force can advantageously be directed axially to the connecting axis. By means of the connecting force, a corresponding sealing force or seal reaction force is achieved, which improves the sealing function of the at least one sealing section.

With the filter coupling according to the invention, it can be prevented that, in conjunction with the flange of the filter, in particular a conventional spin-on flange, deformations occur in the contact region of the spin-on outer seal at the respective plastic mating flange on the basis of the seal reaction forces acting axially with respect to the connection axis, as can occur with conventional plastic flanges known from the market. These deformations can be caused by the fact that, on the basis of the often critical installation space conditions, filter connection devices, in particular plastic modules, cannot be designed such that the mechanical requirements of the filter connection device, which arise from the installation, in particular screwing, of filters, in particular conventional spin-on filters, continue to increase. Filters of this type have therefore hitherto usually been mounted, in particular screwed, on aluminium mating flanges. According to the invention, a plastic solution is proposed, in which a robust design is achieved on the basis of a material-bonded connection.

The at least one reinforcing element is materially bonded with the mating flange body. The at least one strengthening element is disposed in a sealing region between the mating flange body and the at least one filter. By means of the materially bonded connection, a separate sealing between the mating flange body, in particular the axial end face of the mating flange body, and the at least one reinforcing element can be dispensed with.

Advantageously, the at least one reinforcing element can be connected in a material-bonded manner to the end face of the mating flange body at least on its side axially opposite the at least one contact surface. In this way, an axial connecting force between the filter and the filter coupling can support the material-engaging connection.

Advantageously, the at least one reinforcing element can be annular. In this way, a symmetrical arrangement can be achieved. The connection between the at least one filter and the filter coupling device, which is connected at least to the rotary movement, can thus be realized more simply.

The at least one reinforcing element can be firmly connected to the at least one mating flange body by means of the materially bonded connection. In this way, a stable positioning of the at least one stiffening element can be achieved. It is also possible to transmit the forces between the at least one stiffening element and the at least one mating flange body more reliably.

The mating flange body is made of plastic. Plastic parts can also be produced simply with complex shaping. Plastic parts can be realized with a smaller weight than metal parts.

The at least one reinforcing element is bonded and/or welded and/or brazed to the at least one mating flange body. A stable material-bonded connection can be achieved by means of gluing, welding and/or soldering. In this case, the connection can be realized exclusively by means of gluing, exclusively by means of welding or exclusively by means of soldering or a connection joined by a plurality of different materials. The sealing action between the components to be connected can also be achieved simply by means of a materially bonded connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one reinforcing element can be bonded to the at least one mating flange body by means of an adhesive, in particular based on epoxy or polyurethane, and/or a sealing material with adhesive properties, in particular based on silicone. An adhesive and/or sealing material can be applied in the form of a seam to at least one respective adhesive surface, in particular an axial end surface, of the mating flange body and/or to a respective adhesive surface of the at least one reinforcing element. By pressing the at least one reinforcing element and the mating flange body, the adhesive and/or sealing material can be dispensed accordingly. The adhesive and/or the sealing material can be guided along the corresponding recess, if necessary.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the mating flange body, in particular the end face of the mating flange body, can have at least one recess for receiving and/or guiding an adhesive and/or a sealing material. An adhesive and/or a sealing material can be specifically added to the at least one recess. The adhesive and/or sealing material can be hardened in the at least one recess.

Advantageously, the at least one recess can be configured, in particular in an end face of the mating flange body, as a groove which is open with respect to the at least one reinforcing element.

Alternatively, the mating flange body, in particular the end face of the mating flange body, cannot have such a recess for receiving and/or guiding the adhesive and/or the sealing material. In this case, the adhesive and/or sealing material can be distributed flat on the mating flange body without targeted guidance, in particular during the pressing together of the mating flange body and the at least one reinforcing element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one recess for receiving the adhesive and/or the sealing material can extend at least partially in the circumferential direction and/or in the radial direction with respect to the connection axis. In this way, the adhesive connection can be realized in a targeted manner, in particular in sections along a line or point by point, respectively in the circumferential direction and/or in the radial direction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the adhesive region between the at least one reinforcing element and the mating flange body, in particular the at least one recess for receiving and/or guiding the adhesive and/or the sealing material, can be open up to a radially outer circumferential side and/or a radially inner circumferential side of the mating flange body with respect to the connection axis. In this way, excess adhesive and/or sealing material can be made to escape from the region of the bonding surface to the radially inner and/or radially outer side, respectively.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the axial end face of the mating flange body, which is connected in a materially bonded manner to the at least one reinforcing element, can have a bevel and/or a circular arc at the radially outer and/or radially inner circumferential side. Excess adhesive and/or sealant material can be displaced into the bevel and/or arc and accumulate there. It is thereby also possible to bond simple geometric features in the mating flange body and the stiffening element to each other.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one reinforcing element can have a mechanically higher strength than the mating flange body. In this way, the at least one stiffening element is able to stiffen and stiffen the mating flange. Thereby, introduction of the connecting force can be improved when coupling the at least one filter. The strength of the at least one reinforcing element can be predefined in this case by material selection and/or shaping.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one reinforcing element can have at least one flat section and/or at least one curved, in particular angled section. By means of the flat section, a flat, in particular flat contact surface and/or a flat, in particular flat bonding surface can be achieved. Such a flat surface is particularly space-saving in the axial direction. The mechanical stability of the at least one reinforcing element can be improved by means of the curved section.

Advantageously, the at least one reinforcing element can be bent into a respective collar at a radially outer circumferential side and/or at a radially inner circumferential side. The respective collar can surround a respective edge of the mating flange body in the region of the end face. In this way, the edge of the mating flange body there can be mechanically shielded by the collar of the at least one reinforcing element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one reinforcing element can have or consist of a metal, a ceramic, a composite material and/or a high-performance plastic. High mechanical strength can be achieved with such materials. Such materials can also be simply handled, in particular moulded. Furthermore, the use of such a material can improve the stability of the at least one reinforcing element with respect to chemical and/or temperature-conditioned influences.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the outer circular arc of the at least one reinforcing element with respect to the connection axis can be greater than the outer circular arc of the mating flange body in the region of the end face facing the axial direction of the reinforcing element and/or the inner circular arc of the at least one reinforcing element can be smaller than the corresponding inner circular arc of the mating flange body. In this way, the at least one reinforcing element can project radially outwards and/or radially inwards, respectively, in the radial direction over the end face. Thereby, the adhesive connection between the at least one reinforcing element and the end face of the mating flange body can be improved. In particular, in adhesive connections with silicone and/or flat adhesive geometries, the adhesion can thus be improved. Possible surplus of adhesive or sealing material can be kept away from the contact surface by means of the projecting region of the at least one reinforcing element. In this way, it can be prevented that the sealing action in the region of the contact surface is impaired by excess adhesive or sealing material.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least the mating flange body can have or consist of a thermoplastic. Thermoplastics can be processed simply, in particular with the aid of heat input.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting part can be directly connected with the at least one mating flange body and/or the at least one reinforcing element. In this way, a stable holding of the at least one connecting part at the mating flange can be achieved.

A rotatable and/or insertable connection within the meaning of the invention can be, in particular, a screw connection, a plug connection, a latch connection and/or a bayonet-lock type connection.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting part enables at least one part of a fluid connection of the filter coupling device with the fluid-conducting part of the filter. In this way, the at least one connecting part can directly represent a fluid connection to the filter. In this way, the costs for the respective fluid connection can be reduced. Thereby, the costs and/or the space requirements during production and assembly can be reduced in particular.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting part can be hollow, in particular tubular, inside. In this way, the at least one connecting part can at least together form a fluid line, in particular a fluid outlet or a fluid inlet. The at least one connecting element can be used to connect a fluid feed-through, in particular a fluid outlet or a fluid inlet, of the filter to a fluid line, in particular a fluid outlet or a fluid inlet, of a filter connection.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting part can have at least one connecting section with which at least one respective filter-side connecting element can be disconnected or connected in a disconnectable manner, for example indirectly or directly, on the side of the filter without being damaged. The connection section can advantageously be part of a rotatable and/or insertable connection, in particular a part of a threaded or bayonet-type connection.

The at least one head-side connecting element can be realized as a male or female part of the rotatable and/or insertable connecting part.

Advantageously, the head-side connecting element can be realized as a threaded opening with an internal thread or as a threaded pin or socket with an external thread.

Advantageously, the at least one filter can be referred to as a so-called replaceable filter. In the replaceable filter, at least one filter element can be arranged in a shell basin of a filter housing. The replaceable filter can be completely replaced with the filter housing and at least one filter element contained therein. Such replaceable filters can be configured and/or referred to as spin-on filters, rotary filters, in particular spin-on filters, and the like.

Advantageously, the at least one filter element can be arranged firmly in the filter housing. As an alternative, at least one filter element can be arranged in the filter housing in a replaceable manner.

The filter can be simply coupled at the at least one filter coupling device using the at least one connection member.

The at least one filter coupling device can advantageously have at least one fluid line for the fluid to be purified. Advantageously, the at least one filter coupling device can have a fluid inlet line for the fluid to be purified and/or a fluid outlet line for the purified fluid. Advantageously, the at least one filter coupling device can be part of a filter module, in particular an oil filter module or a fuel filter module.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one filter coupling device can be firmly connected to a holding part, in particular a frame part, of the liquid system.

The filter device, in particular the oil filter module, can advantageously be part of a motor oil circuit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The at least one filter can be a motor oil filter for purifying motor oil, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine. As an alternative, the filter device, in particular the fuel filter module, can advantageously be part of a fuel system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. However, the invention is not limited to filter arrangements of fuel systems or motor oil circuits of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. In fact, it can also be used in other types of liquid systems, in particular in systems for guiding water, hydraulic systems, systems for urea-water solutions or systems for guiding air of motor vehicles or other machines. The filter device can also be used outside of automotive technology, in particular in industrial motors.

Advantageously, the at least one connecting part can have or consist of at least one material which is reinforced compared to the material of the mating flange body and/or the material of the at least one reinforcing element. In this way, the at least one connecting part can have greater stability with respect to mechanical connecting forces. Thereby enabling a greater mechanical coupling force to be employed.

Advantageously, at least one connecting element can comprise or consist of at least metal, preferably aluminum or steel, and/or reinforced plastic, preferably a high-performance thermoplastic and/or a thermosetting plastic, or a glass fiber reinforced plastic, or a mixture of different reinforced materials.

The technical task is also solved in a filter device in that the at least one reinforcing element at least together forms at least one contact surface for the purpose of bearing against at least one sealing section and/or at least one corresponding section of the at least one filter, and the at least one reinforcing element is connected in a material-bonded manner to the mating flange body.

In the remaining cases, the features and advantages presented in connection with the filter coupling device according to the invention and the filter device according to the invention and its respective advantageous embodiments are adapted to each other accordingly and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can of course be combined with one another, wherein they can set additional advantageous effects themselves, which would exceed the sum of the individual effects.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and embodiments of the invention result from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with the aid of the figures. The person skilled in the art will observe and review in the figures, description and embodiments, in combination with the disclosed features, both in a targeted manner and individually, other combinations of significance. Schematically showing:

fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a filter coupling device of a fluid filter module of a fluid system of an internal combustion engine according to a first embodiment, at which a spin-on filter can be fastened exchangeably;

fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a filter coupling of a fluid filter module of a fluid system of an internal combustion engine according to a second embodiment;

fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a filter coupling of a fluid filter module of a fluid system of an internal combustion engine according to a third embodiment;

fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through a filter coupling of a fluid filter module of a fluid system of an internal combustion engine according to a fourth embodiment.

In the drawings like components are provided with like reference numerals.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a filter connection 12 in the form of a filter head of a fluid filter module according to a first exemplary embodiment. The fluid filter module is used for purifying a fluid of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, such as motor oil, fuel or other working fluid, or air. The fluid filter module is arranged in a fluid system, for example a motor oil circuit or a fuel system, of the internal combustion engine, which fluid system is not shown in addition.

A filter, not shown in fig. 1, which is located in the upper part of fig. 1 can be connected to the filter connection device 12 in a replaceable manner. The filter coupling 12 is connected to the engine.

The filter coupling 12 comprises a connecting part 14 in the form of a sleeve for connecting the filter to the filter coupling 12 and a mating flange 16 for resting against the flange of the filter.

The mating flange 16 has an inlet channel, which is covered in fig. 1, and an outlet channel 18 for the fluid. The outlet channel 18 is coaxial with the axis 20 in the region of its end facing the filter. The inlet and outlet channels 18 are connected to the respective fluid lines of the fluid system outside the filter coupling device 12 in a manner that is not of further interest here.

Said axis 20 coincides in the embodiment described with the filter axis of the filter and the connection axis of the filter to said filter coupling means 12. In the direction of the connection axis, a connection force, in this embodiment essentially a tensile force and a compressive force, acts from the filter via the connection part 14 onto the filter coupling device 12.

For greater clarity, the filter axis and the connection axis are provided with the same reference numeral 20 and are simply referred to as axis 20 in the following. It is clear that the detached filter, respectively according to the context, refers to the filter axis and/or the connection axis. If in the following reference is made to "radial", "coaxial", "axial", "circumferential" or the like, this is with respect to the axis 20, if not mentioned otherwise.

The filter is designed as a replaceable filter, which can also be referred to as a spin-on filter or a rotary filter. The filter can be connected to and disconnected from the filter coupling 12 by means of the connecting part 14 about the axis 20 with a combined turning/insertion movement, in the illustrated embodiment with a screwing movement.

Mating flange 16 has a mating flange body 22 and a reinforcing member 24.

The mating flange body 22 is formed of a thermoplastic. The reinforcing element 24 is formed of, for example, metal. The reinforcing element 24 can also be formed from ceramics, composite materials and/or high-performance plastics or mixtures of different materials. The material of the reinforcing element 24 is mechanically stronger than the material of the mating flange body 22.

The mating flange body 22 has a joint-side coaxial section of the outlet channel 18 and a section of the inlet channel, which is not shown in fig. 1. The section of the outlet channel 18 merges into a receiving opening 26 for the connecting part 14. The receiving port 26 is coaxial with the axis 20.

On the end side facing axially toward the filter, the mating flange body 22 has a flat, annular end face 28 perpendicular to the axis 20. The end face 28 is coaxial to the axis 20 and surrounds the axial projection of the receiving opening 26 radially on the outside. The reinforcing element 24 is bonded to the mating flange body 22 along the end face 28 by means of an adhesive 32. The adhesive 32 can be based, for example, on epoxy or polyurethane. Instead of the adhesive 32, it is also possible to use, for example, a sealing material based on silicone rubber, which has adhesive properties, for example, for the adhesive connection.

The reinforcing element 24 has the shape of an annular disc. Radially on the inside, the reinforcing element 24 has a flat section 35 which extends radially and in the circumferential direction. The flat section 35 of the reinforcing element 24 merges radially outward into a collar 36. The collar 36 extends in a circumferential direction and in a radial direction. The radially outer circumference of the reinforcing element 24 is greater than the radially outer circumference of the mating flange body 22 in the region of the end face 28. The collar 36 surrounds the edge of the mating flange body 22. Radially on the inside, the reinforcing element 24 has a step 40 running in the circumferential direction, which is located on the side facing the end face of the mating flange body 22. The step 40 acts as a spacer with respect to the end face 28 of the mating flange body 22.

The reinforcing element 24 surrounds a receiving opening 26 for the mating flange body 22 of the connecting part 14 and thus surrounds the connecting part 14 in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis 20.

On its side facing axially away from the end face 28 of the mating flange body 22, the flat section 35 of the reinforcing element 24 forms an annular, coaxial contact surface 30 for the purpose of bearing against a corresponding sealing section of an annular seal, not shown. The annular seal seals the respective flange of the filter against the mating flange 16 of the filter coupling device 12 directly to the surrounding environment. The contact surface 30 is located on the end of the reinforcing element 24 facing the filter. Which is directed axially to said axis 20.

The reinforcing element 24 is bonded to the end face 28 of the mating flange body 22 by means of the side axially opposite the contact face 30. The adhesive 32 is distributed in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction flat on the end face 28 of the mating flange body 22, which serves as an adhesive surface just like the corresponding face of the reinforcing element 24. The step 40 of the reinforcing element 24 forms a restriction which prevents an approximately surplus of adhesive 32 from reaching radially inwards from the adhesive region. The adhesion area between the reinforcing element and the mating flange body opens up straight to the peripheral side radially external with respect to said connection axis 20. Possible excess adhesive 32 can escape radially outwardly and accumulate in the region between the collar 36 of the reinforcing element 24 and the edge of the mating flange body 22.

The connecting part 14 is open at both ends. The connecting part 14 is arranged coaxially to the axis 20 in a receiving opening 26 of the reinforcing element 24. The connecting part 14 is constructed as a separate component. The connecting part 14 is formed from a metal, for example aluminum or steel, which acts in a reinforcing manner compared to the material of the reinforcing element 24 and of the mating flange body 22.

The connecting part 14 has a fastening section 34 which is enveloped by and embedded in the material of the mating flange body 22. The connecting part 14 is firmly connected to the mating flange body 22 by means of the fastening section 34. The fastening section 34 has a plurality of circumferential grooves 38 in its radially outer circumferential side, into which the material of the mating flange body 22 can be inserted.

The connecting part 14 projects with one end from the reinforcing element 24. Here, the radially outer circumferential side of the connecting part 14 has an external thread 42. The external thread 42 is used to screw the connecting part 14 into a coaxial threaded opening on the filter side, for example, of a housing cover of a filter. The connecting part 14 thus indirectly enables the filter coupling device 12 to be detachably connected with the filter. The connecting part 14 furthermore provides a fluid connection of the filter coupling 12 to the fluid-conducting part of the filter.

The filter has, for example, a coaxial filter housing with a housing basin which is closed off by the housing cover. The housing cover has a coaxial filter-side threaded opening which also forms the outlet of the filter for the purified fluid. The housing cover also has, for example, eccentric inlets, through which the fluid to be purified can flow into the filter housing.

In terms of flow technology, a filter element, for example in the form of a circular filter element, is arranged between the threaded opening and the inlet of the filter, for example coaxially: that is, the filter element separates the threaded opening from the inlet.

The element interior of the filter element is connected to the threaded opening on the filter side and thus to the interior of the connecting part 14 when the filter is attached.

The annular seal, which rests at the contact surface 30 when the filter is assembled, surrounds the threaded opening and the inlet of the filter.

A second embodiment of the filter coupling 12 is shown in fig. 2. Elements similar to those of the first embodiment in fig. 1 are provided with the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the collar 36 is arranged at a radially inner peripheral side instead of a radially outer peripheral side of the reinforcing elements 24. The collar 36 surrounds the radially inner edge of the mating flange body 22 in the region of its end face 28. The step 40 is omitted in the second embodiment. The reinforcing element 24 projects beyond the mating flange body 22 in the region of its end face 28 on the radially outer circumferential side. The adhesive area between the reinforcing element 24 and the mating flange body 22 is open up to the peripheral side radially outside with respect to the connection axis 20. About an excess of adhesive 32 can collect there.

A third embodiment of the filter coupling 12 is shown in fig. 3. Elements similar to those of the first embodiment in fig. 1 are provided with the same reference numerals. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that not only the collar 36 but also the step 40 of the reinforcing element 24 is omitted. The outer arc of the reinforcing element 24 with respect to the connection axis 20 is greater than the outer arc of the mating flange body 22 in the region of the end face 28. The reinforcing element 24 projects beyond the mating flange body 22 in the region of its end face 28 on the radially outer circumferential side. The radially outer edge of the mating flange body 22 in the region of the end face 28 has oblique edges 244 which are joined in the circumferential direction. The adhesive area between the reinforcing element 24 and the mating flange body 22 is open up to the peripheral side radially outside with respect to the connection axis 20. About the excess adhesive 32 can collect in the beveled edge 244.

A fourth embodiment of the filter coupling 12 is shown in fig. 4. Elements similar to those of the third embodiment in fig. 3 are provided with the same reference numerals. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that groove-like depressions 426 that are circumferentially connected are arranged in the end face 28 of the mating flange body 22. The recess 426 is open on its side facing the reinforcing element 24. A seam formed by adhesive 32 is disposed in the recess 426. The beveled edge as in the third embodiment is omitted in the fourth embodiment.

Claims

1. A filter coupling (12) for a filter device for a fluid, the filter coupling having: at least one connecting part (14) for connecting at least one filter to the filter coupling device (12), wherein the connecting part can be connected at least by means of a rotational and/or plug-in movement about an envisaged connection axis of the filter coupling device (12); and at least one mating flange (16) for resting against at least one corresponding flange of the at least one filter, wherein the at least one mating flange (16) has a mating flange body (22) made of plastic and at least one annular stiffening element (24), wherein the at least one stiffening element (24) circumferentially surrounds the at least one connecting part (14) and/or an axial projection of the at least one connecting part (14) with respect to the connecting axis (20), characterized in that the at least one connecting part (14) and the at least one stiffening element (24) are configured as separate components and are not connected to one another, wherein the at least one stiffening element (24) at least together form at least one contact surface (30) for resting against at least one sealing section and/or at least one corresponding section of the at least one filter, the contact surface (30) is located on the end face of the reinforcing element (24) facing the filter, and the at least one reinforcing element (24) is connected in a bonded manner, i.e. bonded and/or welded and/or soldered, to the end face of the mating flange body (22) at least on the side thereof axially opposite the at least one contact surface (30).

2. The filter coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid is a fluid of an internal combustion engine.

3. A filter coupling according to claim 2, wherein said fluid is a fluid of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

4. The filter coupling of claim 1, wherein said fluid is oil.

5. The filter coupling of claim 1, wherein said fluid is fuel.

6. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one reinforcement element (24) is bonded to the at least one mating flange body (22) by means of an adhesive (32) and/or a sealing material with adhesive properties.

7. Filter attachment according to claim 6, characterised in that the adhesive (32) is an epoxy or polyurethane based adhesive.

8. A filter coupling device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said sealing material is a silicone based sealing material.

9. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mating flange body (22) has at least one recess (426) for receiving and/or guiding an adhesive (32) and/or a sealing material.

10. A filter coupling device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one recess (426) is provided on the end face (28) of the mating flange body (22).

11. Filter coupling according to claim 9, wherein the at least one recess (426) for accommodating the adhesive (32) and/or sealing material extends at least partially in a circumferential direction and/or in a radial direction with respect to the connection axis.

12. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the adhesive area between the at least one reinforcement element (24) and the mating flange body (22) opens up straight to a radially outer circumferential side and/or a radially inner circumferential side with respect to the connection axis (20).

13. Filter coupling according to claim 9, wherein the at least one recess (426) for receiving and/or guiding the adhesive (32) and/or sealing material opens up straight to a radially outer circumferential side and/or a radially inner circumferential side with respect to the connection axis (20).

14. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the axial end face (28) of the mating flange body (22) which is connected in material-bonded fashion to the at least one reinforcing element (24) has a chamfer (244) and/or a circular arc at the radially outer and/or radially inner circumferential side.

15. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one reinforcement element (24) has a mechanically higher strength than the mating flange body (22).

16. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one stiffening element (24) has at least one flat section (35) and/or at least one curved collar (36).

17. Filter coupling according to claim 16, wherein the collar (36) is angularly configured.

18. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one reinforcing element (24) is of or consists of metal, ceramic, composite material and/or high-performance plastic.

19. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the outer circular arc of the at least one reinforcement element (24) with respect to the connection axis (20) is larger than the outer circular arc of the mating flange body (22) in the region of the axial end face (28) facing the reinforcement element (24) and/or the inner circular arc of the at least one reinforcement element (24) is smaller than the corresponding inner circular arc of the mating flange body (22).

20. Filter coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one mating flange body (22) is of a thermoplastic material or consists of it.

21. A filter device for fluids, having at least one filter and having at least one filter coupling device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter coupling device (12) has: at least one connecting part (14) for connecting the at least one filter to the filter coupling device (12), wherein the connecting part can be connected at least by means of a rotational and/or plug-in movement about a desired connecting axis (20) of the filter coupling device (12); and at least one mating flange (16) for resting against at least one corresponding flange of the at least one filter, wherein the at least one mating flange (16) has a mating flange body (22) made of plastic and at least one annular stiffening element (24), wherein the at least one stiffening element (24) circumferentially surrounds an axial projection of the at least one connecting part (14) and/or of the at least one connecting part (14) with respect to the connecting axis (20), characterized in that the at least one connecting part (14) and the at least one stiffening element (24) are configured as separate components and are not connected to one another, the at least one stiffening element (24) at least together constituting at least one contact surface (30) for resting against at least one sealing section and/or at least one corresponding section of the at least one filter, the contact surface (30) is located on the end face of the reinforcing element (24) facing the filter, and the at least one reinforcing element (24) is connected in a bonded manner, i.e. bonded and/or welded and/or soldered, to the end face of the mating flange body (22) at least on the side thereof axially opposite the at least one contact surface (30).

22. A filter arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fluid is a fluid of an internal combustion engine.

23. A filter device according to claim 22, wherein the fluid is a fluid of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

24. The filter apparatus of claim 21 wherein the fluid is oil.

25. The filter apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fluid is fuel.