CN112107925A

CN112107925A - Filter element

Info

Publication number: CN112107925A
Application number: CN202010553054.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 施特芬·本德; 罗伯特·费希尔; 亚历山大·耶格尔
Original assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Current assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Priority date: 2019-06-19
Filing date: 2020-06-17
Publication date: 2020-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-17
Also published as: CN112107925B; DE102019208958A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element (1) having a filter body (6) arranged between two end plates (2, 3) for filtering raw air, wherein the end plates (2, 3) are connected to one another by means of an outer wall (5) arranged on an edge region (4) of the end plates (2, 3). The filter element (1) also has a primary air opening (7) and a clean air opening (8) for directing a primary fluid flow (12). It is essential that the filter body (6) divides the filter element (1) into a clean air channel (9) and a raw air channel (10), wherein in the raw air channel (10) a flow guide means (11) is arranged for guiding a raw fluid flow (12) to a filter load surface (13) at the inflow side of the filter body (6) for achieving a balanced and uniform fluid pressure load of the filter load surface (13).

Description

Filter element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filter element according to the preamble of claim 1.

Filter elements are used in particular in the field of motor vehicle technology and in this field, for example, in air conditioning systems, air filters, oil filters or fuel filters and are used to filter a raw fluid supplied to the filter element. The filter element according to the invention can be used as an air cleaner for an internal combustion engine or as an intake air filter for a fuel tank. The primary fluid is, for example, outside air, inside air or a combination of outside and inside air or fuel or lubricant. The particles and/or other matter are separated from the original fluid by filtration, thereby cleaning the original fluid and providing it for further use as a clean fluid.

Background

In practice, the particles or substances separated from the fluid gradually accumulate on the filter body of the filter element and gradually become incorporated therein forming a more or less coherent layer of dirt. Thereby, the filtering performance of the filter element is reduced. During operation of the filter element, particles or substances forming the fouling layer are preferentially deposited in low-flow "dead water" regions of the filter element, which in known filter elements typically results in an uneven formation of the fouling layer on the filter body. However, the unevenly formed fouling layer is accompanied by a reduction of the active filter loading surface of the inflow side, which still can flow through the fluid, so that a relatively unfavorable fluid flow is generated inside the filter element as a whole, thereby adversely affecting the filter performance of the filter element. To avoid the above-mentioned adverse effects, the filter body is replaced periodically during use of the filter element, in some cases relatively frequently, to ensure a perfect filtering function. However, as a result, it is desirable to have a filter element that is easy to maintain, and in particular to have a filter body that is used that has a relatively long service life.

A filter element with a replaceable filter body is known from WO 2016/087386. The filter element has first and second end plates between which a filter body, referred to as filter material, is arranged for filtering a fluid. The filter body divides the filter element into a clean air zone and a raw air zone, wherein the raw air zone has at least one "dead water" zone that results in a non-uniform formation of a fouling layer on the filter body.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved embodiment or at least another embodiment of a filter element for filtering a fluid.

In the present invention, this object is achieved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

The basic idea of the invention is to load the inflow-side filter element surface of a filter body for filtering a fluid, which faces the raw fluid, in its entirety uniformly with the raw fluid, which inflow-side filter element surface is referred to as inflow-side filter loading surface in the following. The inflow-side filter load surface is thus always acted upon by a virtually always identical original fluid force per unit area, so that a relatively uniform and balanced original fluid pressure distribution is produced over the filter load surface. This has the surprising effect that a flow-favorable condition is created in the filter element and that the fluid can flow uniformly through the filter body, so that the original fluid with a relatively large volume flow can be filtered. Furthermore, particles and substances forming the fouling layer are uniformly deposited on the filter body, so that the filter body can be used for a longer time.

According to this idea, the invention proposes a filter element, in particular an air filter element, for filtering a fluid, in particular for filtering a primary fluid, such as outside air, inside air, a combination of outside and inside air, fuel or lubricant, comprising two end plates and an outer wall arranged in the edge region of the end plates and connecting the end plates to each other. At least one filter body for filtering fluid is arranged between the end plates. The filter body may be composed of a plurality of sub-filter bodies, or the filter body may be constructed to be integrally molded. In any case, the filter element also has at least one single or multiple primary air openings through which primary fluid can flow into the filter element. Furthermore, the filter element has at least one single or more clean air opening, through which filtered raw fluid (hereinafter referred to as clean fluid) can flow out, for example to consumers arranged downstream. The mentioned filter body, in particular between the clean air opening and the raw air opening, is arranged such that the clean air channel is separated from the raw air channel in the filter element. It can also be said that the filter element is divided into two by the filter body. It is essential that at least one flow guide device for guiding a primary fluid flow of the primary fluid flowing from the primary air opening to the filter body is arranged in the primary air channel. By means of the flow guiding device, the filter loading surface on the inflow side of the filter body is loaded relatively evenly and balanced with the original fluid, so that an original fluid pressure of the same magnitude over the filter loading surface is achieved over almost the entire filter loading surface. The above-mentioned advantage is thus achieved that, firstly, the filter body is relatively evenly and evenly loaded with the original fluid. A relatively flow-suitable state and a relatively large filterable raw fluid volume flow inside the filter element are thus achieved. Furthermore, the particles and substances forming the fouling layer are deposited uniformly on the filter body, so that the filter body has a longer service life than known filter bodies.

Advantageously, the flow guiding device of the filter element comprises at least one intermediate plate which is arranged in sandwich fashion in the primary air channel between the end plates for guiding the primary fluid flow. The intermediate plate is preferably arranged over the entire outer wall at a distance from the two end plates, in particular at a distance (a gap-wide distance) of at least one gap width from one or both end plates, and is in contact with the filter body without a gap. This has the effect that the primary fluid flowing through the primary air opening can be split into a plurality of separate primary fluid streams, preferably into two primary fluid streams. For example, the original fluid streams can be directed onto the filter load surface spatially separated from one another. Overall, the separation of the primary fluid flowing in via the primary air opening has the following advantages: the separated primary fluid flows can be directed onto the filter loading surfaces, respectively, so that a relatively even and balanced loading of the filter body with primary fluid is achieved. For example, a plurality of intermediate plates can also be provided.

In order to further optimize the original fluid flow inside the filter element and thus achieve a more uniform flow through the filter body, the intermediate plate can be formed from a flat or corrugated or curved or perforated flat body. The intermediate plate is constructed, for example, as an integral molding or in multiple parts.

Advantageously, the intermediate plate and/or the outer wall and/or the end plate, respectively, are made of plastic material, variants made of metal material being technically also conceivable. It is preferred that the intermediate plate and/or the outer wall and/or both end plates are made of the same plastic material or composite material, so that the relevant components can be manufactured, for example, using an injection molding process. The filter element can thus be produced at relatively low cost.

The preferred shape is that the intermediate plate divides the original air channel into a first original air sub-channel and a second original air sub-channel, which are preferably arranged in pairs and adjacent to each other in the filter element. Therefore, the filter element is not only divided into the original air passage and the clean air passage, but also divides the original air passage into two parts. It can be said that the filter element is divided into four parts in total. In any case, the following advantages are obtained by this division: the different primary fluid partial flows, which consist of primary fluid, can each be guided onto the filter loading surface, so that a relatively uniform and balanced loading of the filter body with primary fluid is achieved. It is conceivable that the original air sub-channels are formed at different heights, which can be achieved, for example, by arranging the intermediate plate eccentrically with respect to the two end plates on the outer wall of the filter element.

In terms of flow, it is conceivable for the first original air sub-channel and the second original air sub-channel to open together into the original air opening, so that the original fluid can flow into the first original air sub-channel and the second original air sub-channel through the one or more original air openings. In principle, it is conceivable for each primary air sub-channel to have a respective primary air opening, so that, for example, different fluids can be guided through the primary air sub-channel.

Advantageously, the first primary air sub-channel and the second primary air sub-channel open together onto the filter loading surface, so that the available filter loading surface can be loaded with the primary fluid. Preferably, the first primary air sub-passage separates the first sub-filter loading surface from the filter loading surface and the second primary air sub-passage separates the second sub-filter loading surface from the filter loading surface such that two separate filter loading surfaces are formed. The sub-filter loading surfaces are, for example, identical in area or different in area, for example, an area ratio of 1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4. If the sub-filter loading surfaces have the same area, the same primary fluid volumetric flow can flow from the first primary air sub-channel and the second primary air sub-channel to the sub-filter loading surfaces, so that the sub-filter loading surfaces are subjected to the same fluid forces, respectively, in order to set a uniform primary fluid pressure on the filter body. Thus, a balanced pressure loading of the filter loading surface is possible. This has the advantage that a relatively large initial fluid volume flow can be filtered.

The first sub-filter loading surface and the second sub-filter loading surface advantageously define a dimensionless area ratio. The area ratio is preferably determined by the quotient of the first sub-filter loading surface and the second sub-filter loading surface, for example: the quotient first sub-filter loading surface/second sub-filter loading surface. The defined dimensionless area ratio is preferably 1/10, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 9/10 or 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9; 1.0.

in order to achieve a relatively firm and gap-free abutment of the intermediate plate against the filter body, it is preferred that the intermediate plate abuts in contact against the filter loading surface of the filter body by an intermediate connection of edge projections which are arranged detachably or non-detachably on the intermediate plate. Advantageously, the edge projection can project beyond the intermediate plate. The edge projection is also preferably resilient and is therefore in practice made of a resilient material such as a plastics material or a composite material. However, it is also conceivable for the edge projection to be made of the same material as the intermediate plate. Furthermore, the edge projection can be integrally molded on the intermediate plate or alternatively be arranged on the intermediate plate as a separate, separate component. For example, the edge projection can be formed by a sealing body (e.g., a sealing strip or tape). The above-described effect of the intermediate plate thus being held relatively firmly against the filter body, in contact and without play, results in the advantage that, during operation of the filter element, only a relatively small and virtually bypass-free flow is formed between the first primary air sub-channel and the second primary air sub-channel, which are separated by the intermediate plate. In this way, a particularly uniform loading of the filter body can be achieved.

In order to minimize or prevent a further bypass flow between the first primary air sub-channel and the second primary air sub-channel, which are separated by the intermediate plate, the intermediate plate can be in contact with the outer wall on all sides against it, or be molded onto the outer wall in a material-fit, force-fit or form-fit manner, preferably at half height between the two end plates. Thus, the flow conditions inside the filter element are further optimized, thereby improving the uniform loading of the filter body.

It is advantageous to form the intermediate plate made of metal, plastic or composite material as a single part and to mold it permanently or detachably onto the outer wall. The intermediate plate can thus be provided, for example, as a procurement or as a retrofit. Alternatively, the intermediate plate can be integrally formed with the outer wall.

Preferably, a resonator device comprising resonator chambers separated from each other is arranged between the intermediate plate and the outer wall. Each resonator chamber is capable of interacting with the original fluid flow. Possible resonator types are, for example, interference dampers, resonance dampers or absorption dampers. Furthermore, the intermediate plate can be joined into at least one or all of the resonator chambers in order to divide the at least one or all of the resonator chambers into at least two resonator sub-chambers. Thus, from a manufacturing point of view, a plurality of resonator chambers can be provided at relatively low cost. Advantageously, the resonator subchamber can be loaded with the primary fluid independently of each other by a first primary air subchannel and/or a second primary air subchannel according to the above.

Preferably, according to the above, resonator devices are arranged between the intermediate plate and the outer wall inside the first or the second primary air sub-channel, each resonator device comprising resonator chambers separated from each other. In this case, the intermediate plate can advantageously be joined into at least one or all of the resonator chambers in order to divide at least one or all of the resonator chambers into at least two resonator sub-chambers. In this case, it is further advantageous that the resonator subchambers can be loaded with the original fluid by the first original air subchannel or the second original air subchannel independently of each other. The damping produced and the effective frequency can thus be adjusted in a wide range and adapted to the characteristics of the noise source.

A preferred shape of the filter element can be achieved if the two end plates are oriented at an angle to each other or parallel to each other and the filter load surface of the filter body is oriented at an angle or orthogonal to the end plates. Thus, the intermediate plate is preferably arranged parallel to the end plates.

Another preferred shape of the filter element can be achieved if the two end plates are oriented at an angle or parallel to each other and the filter load surface is oriented at an angle or orthogonal to the end plates. Furthermore, it is preferred that a normal vector is defined on the filter loading surface, about which normal vector the intermediate plate is arranged in parallel, wherein the intermediate plate is arranged at an angle with respect to the end plate. In particular, the angle between the intermediate plate and the end plate is defined to be 0 ° to 90 °. Thus, the intermediate plate is angled, i.e. tilted or inclined, with respect to the two end plates.

As part of another preferred shape of the filter element, the endplates are also oriented at an angle or parallel to each other, and the filter load surface is oriented at an angle or orthogonal to the endplates. In this case, it is optimal to define a normal vector and a tangent vector oriented parallel to the end plate on the filter loading surface, wherein the intermediate plate is arranged at an angle to the normal vector and parallel to the tangent vector. Specifically, the angle between the intermediate plate and the normal vector is defined to be 0 ° to 90 °. Thus, the intermediate plate is angled, i.e. tilted or inclined, with respect to the two end plates.

Preferably, the flow guide device comprises at least one flow guide rib device for guiding the primary fluid flow. Furthermore, the flow guiding rib arrangement can comprise at least one, two or more flow guiding ribs for guiding the primary fluid flow. Advantageously, at least one flow guiding rib arrangement is arranged in each of the first and/or second primary air sub-channels according to the above.

Advantageously, the at least one air guide rib can be arranged integrally or as a single component on one end plate or on both end plates or on the intermediate plate or on the outer wall. For example, the flow-guiding ribs can be glued or screwed. It is also possible that at least one flow guiding rib is arranged between the end plate and the intermediate plate in the manner of a support in order to support the intermediate plate with respect to the end plate. Thus, reinforcement of the filter element can be achieved. In order to achieve a further reinforcement of the filter element, one or all of the flow-guiding ribs can be supported exclusively or additionally on the outer wall.

In any case, the at least one flow guiding rib can engage into a resonator chamber of the resonator device arranged between the outer wall and the intermediate plate, for example in order to divide the at least one resonator chamber into a first resonator sub-chamber and a second resonator sub-chamber.

In particular, at least one flow guide rib of the flow guide rib arrangement arranged in the first primary air sub-channel can open into the primary air opening in order to divide the primary fluid flow flowing through the primary air opening into at least a first primary fluid partial flow and a second primary fluid partial flow. It is therefore expedient if at least one further flow guide rib of a further flow guide rib arrangement arranged in the second primary air sub-channel likewise opens into the primary air opening in order to divide the primary fluid flow flowing through the primary air opening into at least a third primary fluid partial flow and a fourth primary fluid partial flow. Hereby is achieved that the first primary fluid partial flow is able to load a first sub-filter loading surface portion of the first sub-filter loading surface with primary fluid and the second primary fluid partial flow is able to load a second sub-filter loading surface portion of the first sub-filter loading surface with primary fluid, whereas the third primary fluid partial flow is able to load the first sub-filter loading surface portion of the second sub-filter loading surface with primary fluid and the fourth primary fluid partial flow is able to load the second sub-filter loading surface portion of the second sub-filter loading surface with primary fluid.

Advantageously, the first original fluid partial flow comprises 10% to 35% of the original fluid flow, in particular 28% of the original fluid flow, the second original fluid partial flow comprises 10% to 25% of the original fluid flow, in particular 22% of the original fluid flow, the third original fluid partial flow comprises 10% to 35% of the original fluid flow, in particular 28% of the original fluid flow, and the fourth original fluid partial flow comprises 10% to 25% of the original fluid flow, in particular 22% of the original fluid flow.

Advantageously, non-equidistant circumferential gaps are defined in the area of the primary air passage and/or the clean air passage between the outer wall and the filter body and/or the filter loading surface.

Further advantageously, the filter body is pleated and/or horseshoe-shaped. The filter body can also comprise a filter material, which is realized in particular as a textile, knitted textile, crocheted textile or as another mesh-forming material or as a foam.

It can be provided that a circumferential centering groove for receiving an edge region of the intermediate plate or an edge region of an edge projection of the intermediate plate is arranged on the filter loading surface of the filter body, so that in the event of a filter change the filter body can be pushed against the intermediate plate and the edge region or the edge projection can penetrate into the centering groove, in order to make a correct positioning of the filter body on the intermediate plate relatively easy and perceptible both tactilely and visually.

In summary, it should be noted that: the invention relates to a filter element having a filter body which is arranged between two end plates for filtering raw air, wherein the end plates are connected to one another by an outer wall arranged on an edge region of the end plates. The filter element also has a raw air opening and a clean air opening for directing a raw fluid flow through the filter element. It is essential that the filter body divides the filter element into a clean air channel and a raw air channel, wherein in the raw air channel a flow directing device is arranged for directing the raw fluid flow to the filter load surface at the inflow side of the filter body for achieving a balanced and uniform fluid pressure load of the filter load surface.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description of the figures.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following detailed description, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or similar or functionally identical elements.

Schematically showing:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a filter element,

fig. 2 shows the filter element of fig. 1 in a plan view according to arrow II inserted in fig. 1, wherein the filter element is broken away according to the section shown in dashed lines in fig. 1,

fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the filter element of fig. 2 according to the section line III-III, which is indicated in fig. 2 by a dashed line,

fig. 4 shows a further sectional view of the filter element of fig. 2 according to the section line IV-IV, which is indicated in fig. 2 by a dashed line,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an intermediate component of the filter element, an

Fig. 6 shows the filter element of fig. 1 in a mounted position in another perspective view, wherein the end plates of the filter element are shown in a transparent manner for the sake of viewing.

Detailed Description

The figure shows a filter element, generally designated by reference numeral 1, which is used in particular in the field of automotive technology. In the field of motor vehicle technology, the filter element 1 is preferably used in an air conditioning system, an air filter, an oil filter or a fuel filter in order to filter a raw fluid supplied to the filter element.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a filter element 1 comprising two

end plates

2, 3, the

end plates

2, 3 being oriented parallel to one another, although in principle any orientation at an angle to one another is also conceivable. Between the

end plates

2, 3, an outer wall 5 is arranged, which outer wall 5 connects the two

end plates

2, 3 to one another in a material-fit, force-fit or form-fit manner. The outer walls 5 are arranged on the edge regions 4 of the two

end plates

2, 3, respectively. In the example according to fig. 1, the outer wall 5 is connected flush to the periphery of the

respective end plate

2, 3. Alternatively, the outer wall 5 can be arranged at a minimum distance from the circumference of the

respective end plate

2, 3, so that a circumferential edge projection remains on the edge region 4 of the two

end plates

2, 3, respectively.

In any case, the two

end plates

2, 3 and the outer wall 5 define between them a filter chamber 36 which can be loaded with a raw fluid via a raw fluid inlet connector 37 arranged on the outer wall 5 for introducing the raw fluid, see fig. 1. The raw fluid is filtered inside the filter chamber 36 and can flow out of the filter chamber 36 as clean fluid via a clean fluid outlet connector 38 arranged on the outer wall 5 for discharging the clean fluid. The raw fluid inlet connector 37 thus advantageously defines at least one raw air opening 7 having a clear cross section through which raw fluid can flow into the filter chamber 36. The raw fluid outlet connector 38 defines at least one clean air opening 8 having a clear cross-section through which filtered clean fluid can flow out of the filter chamber 36. The raw fluid inlet connector 37 and the clean fluid outlet connector 38 can be respectively configured as cylindrical tubular bodies with a hollow interior. For example, the tubular body can be arranged on the outer wall 5 in a material-fit, form-fit or force-fit manner.

In fig. 2, the filter element 1 of fig. 1 is shown in a plan view according to the arrow II inserted into fig. 1, wherein the filter element 1 is broken away along the section shown in dashed lines in fig. 1. It can be seen that a filter body 6 for filtering the raw fluid is arranged between the two

end plates

2, 3 in the filter chamber 36. The filter body 6 is configured in a horseshoe shape. It goes without saying that other filter body shapes can be provided. The filter body 6 divides the filter chamber 36 into a clean air passage 9 and a raw air passage 10. Thereby, the raw fluid, which has flowed through the raw air opening 7 of the raw fluid inlet connector 37, can only pass from the raw air channel 10 through the filter body 6 to the clean air channel 9, and can thus leave the filter chamber 36 through the clean air opening 8 of the clean fluid outlet connector 38. In figure 2, the fluid flow 12 (hereinafter also referred to as clean fluid flow 12 or original fluid flow 12) is indicated by a number of arrows shown in dashed lines wriggling through the filter element 1.

As can also be seen in fig. 2, a flow guide 11 for guiding the primary fluid flow 12 is arranged in the primary air channel 10. The flow guiding device 11 is configured such that it guides the original fluid flow 12 to a filter loading surface 13 on the inflow side of the filter body 6. A relatively balanced and uniform fluid pressure loading of the filter loading surface 13 is thereby achieved.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the filter element 1 of fig. 2 according to the section line III-III indicated in fig. 2. It can be seen that the two

end plates

2, 3 are connected to each other by an outer wall 5 so as to define a filter chamber 36. Fig. 3 also shows a view of the raw air opening 7 through the raw fluid inlet connector 37 and at least partially shows a longitudinal section through the clean fluid outlet connector 38 and its clean air opening 8. The filter body 6 is inserted into the filter chamber 36 to form the clean air passage 9 and the raw air passage 10. For a better understanding of the filtration process, the path of the fluid through the filter element 1 is illustrated in fig. 3 by the fluid flow 12 in the form of a plurality of arrows. As part of the filtration process, the raw fluid flows into the raw air channel 10 through the raw fluid inlet connector 37 and to the filter loading surface 13 of the filter body 6. When passing through the filter body 6, the primary fluid is separated, i.e. filtered, from the entrained particles and matter. Then, the fluid, now called clean fluid, can reach into the clean air channel 9 in order to flow therefrom out of the filter element 1 through the clean fluid outlet connector 38.

Fig. 3 also shows that the flow guide device 11 arranged in the primary air duct 10 comprises an intermediate plate 14 arranged in sandwich fashion between the two

end plates

2, 3, which intermediate plate 14 serves to guide the primary fluid flow 12. The intermediate plate 14 advantageously divides the primary air channel 10 into a first primary air sub-channel 16 and a second primary air sub-channel 17, the first primary fluid partial flow 28 and the second primary fluid partial flow 29 flowing from the primary air opening 7 through the first primary air sub-channel 16 and the second primary air sub-channel 17, thereby forming a primary fluid flow 12 in the direction of the filter body 6. The first original air sub-channel 16 and the second original air sub-channel 17 together open in pairs onto the filter loading surface 13 on the inflow side of the filter body 6 and separate the filter loading surface 13, wherein said first original air sub-channel 16 and second original air sub-channel 17 define a first sub-filter loading surface 18 and a second sub-filter loading surface 19. First and second sub-filter loading surfaces 18, 19 are loaded with first and second raw fluid splits 28, 29, respectively, such that filter body 6 is divided into different loading regions. The filter loading surface 13 is thus divided into sub-filter loading surfaces 18, 19 of relatively small area, which sub-filter loading surfaces 18, 19 can be more easily loaded with the original fluid in a uniform and balanced manner, so that a more flow-suitable fluid line is realized in the filter element 1 as a whole. As shown in fig. 3, first sub-filter load surface 18 and second sub-filter load surface 19 are configured to be the same size in area, which is achieved, for example, by arranging half of middle plate 14 on outer wall 5 between first end plate 2 and second end plate 3. Of course unequal area configurations of sub-filter load surfaces 18, 19 are contemplated, for example in an area ratio of 1/2, 1/3.

The intermediate plate 14 is, for example, a flat body 15, which is made of, for example, a metal material, a plastic material, or a composite material. As shown in fig. 3, a flat body 15 or an intermediate plate 14 is integrally formed on the outer wall 5.

In fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the filter element 1 of fig. 2 is shown according to the dashed line IV-IV shown in fig. 2. It can be seen, for example, that the outer wall 5 is oriented orthogonally to the two

end plates

2, 3 oriented parallel to one another. The filter chamber 36 defined by the two

end plates

2, 3 and the outer wall 5 is divided by the filter element 6 into a raw air channel 10 and a clean air channel 9, wherein the view according to fig. 4 allows a view in the direction of the clean fluid outlet connector 38 and its clean air opening 8. As can be seen in both fig. 3 and 4, the intermediate plate 14 is arranged on the one hand on the outer wall 5 and on the other hand, by an intermediate connection with the edge projection 20, abuts in contact against the filter body 6. Furthermore, a resonator device, indicated by reference numeral 21, is arranged between the intermediate plate 14 and the outer wall 5. The resonator device 21 serves to vibrate the fluid flowing through the filter element 1 in order to be able to adjust and/or optimize the acoustic properties of the filter element 1.

In any case, the resonator device 21 comprises a plurality of resonator chambers 22 through which a fluid can flow and which are used as a resonant body like the guitar body of a guitar. For example, in the region of one or more resonator chambers 22, the resonator device 21 has an opening, referred to as resonator open slot 39, which allows the raw fluid to flow in and out. Furthermore, it can be seen from fig. 4 that the intermediate plate 14 is joined into a plurality of resonator chambers 22, whereby the resonator chambers 22 are divided into at least two resonator sub-chambers 23. Thus, the acoustic properties of the filter element 1 can be better adjusted and optimized.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an intermediate part of the filter element 1, which is not labeled in detail. The intermediate part comprises an intermediate plate 14 and an outer wall 5 and a resonator device 21 formed between them. The intermediate plate 14 is arranged over the entire outer wall 5 in a material-fit, form-fit or force-fit manner, the intermediate plate 14 having, toward the inside, a free intermediate plate edge region 40 which rests in contact and relatively tightly against the filter body 6 during operation of the filter element 1. On an intermediate plate edge area 40 of the intermediate plate 14, edge protrusions 20 are arranged, which protrude, for example, upwards and downwards, respectively orthogonally to the large surface of the intermediate plate 14 in front of the intermediate plate 14 to form edge flanges. Advantageously, the edge projection 20 abuts in contact and relatively tightly against the filter body 6 when the filter element 1 is in operation. A flow guiding rib device 26 consisting of at least one flow guiding rib 27 for guiding the fluid is also provided on the intermediate plate 14. In fig. 5 two flow guiding ribs 27 can be seen, according to fig. 3 a single flow guiding rib 27 can be seen, and according to fig. 2 even four flow guiding ribs 27 can be seen. Like the intermediate plate 14, the guide ribs 27 are intended to divide and guide the raw fluid flowing in through the raw fluid inlet connector 37.

By means of the plurality of flow-guiding ribs 27 and the intermediate plate 14, four primary fluid partial flows 28, 29, 30, 31 are caused, for example as shown in fig. 4, which four primary fluid partial flows 28, 29, 30, 31 from the primary fluid inlet connectors 37 flow along the four shown primary air sub-channels 16, 17, 41, 42 through the primary air channels 10 to the filter loading surface 13 on the inflow side of the filter body 6. The plurality of primary air sub-channels 16, 17, 41, 42 divide the filter load surface 13 into a relatively large number of sub-filter load surface portions 32, 33, 34, 35. Thus, a relatively balanced and uniform fluid pressure load of the filter load surface 13 is achieved.

Finally, fig. 6 shows the filter element 1 of fig. 1 in a perspective view, wherein the filter element 1 is in the installed position and the end plate 2 of the filter element 1 is transparent for better viewing. For example, fluid hoses are arranged on the raw fluid inlet connector 37 and the clean fluid outlet connector 38, respectively, through which fluid can be supplied to the filter element 1.

Claims

1. A filter element, in particular an air filter element,

-having two end plates (2, 3),

-having an outer wall (5) arranged in an edge region (4) of the end plates (2, 3) and connecting the end plates (2, 3) to each other,

-having a filter body (6) arranged between the end plates (2, 3) for filtering a fluid,

-having at least one raw air opening (7) for introducing a raw fluid and at least one clean air opening (8) for discharging a clean fluid,

-wherein the filter body (6) separates a clean air channel (9) from an original air channel (10), characterized in that,

-flow guiding means (11) for guiding a primary fluid flow (12) to a filter load surface (13) at an inflow side of the filter body (6) are arranged in the primary air channel (10) to achieve a balanced fluid pressure load of the filter load surface (13).

2. The filter element of claim 1,

the flow guiding device (11) comprises at least one intermediate plate (14), which intermediate plate (14) is arranged in a sandwich-like manner in the primary air channel (10) between the end plates (2, 3) for guiding the primary fluid flow (12).

3. The filter element of claim 2,

the intermediate plate (14) is a flat or corrugated or curved or perforated flat body (15) made of metal, plastic or composite material.

4. The filter element of claim 2 or 3,

the intermediate plate (14) divides the original air channel (10) into a first original air sub-channel (16) and a second original air sub-channel (17).

5. The filter element of claim 4,

the first primary air sub-channel (16) and the second primary air sub-channel (17) open together into the primary air opening (8) such that a primary fluid can flow into the first primary air sub-channel (16) and the second primary air sub-channel (17) via the primary air opening (8).

6. The filter element of claim 4 or 5,

-the first original air sub-channel (16) and the second original air sub-channel (17) open together onto the filter loading surface (13),

-wherein the first primary air sub-channel (16) separates a first sub-filter loading surface (18) from the filter loading surface (13), and

-wherein the second primary air sub-channel (17) separates a second sub-filter loading surface (19) from the filter loading surface (13).

7. The filter element of claim 6,

-the first sub-filter load surface (18) and the second sub-filter load surface (19) are of the same area, or

-the first and second sub-filter loading surfaces (18, 19) define a dimensionless area ratio, i.e. the quotient of the first sub-filter loading surface (18) and the second sub-filter loading surface (19), wherein the dimensionless area ratio is 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 or 1.0.

8. A filter element according to one of claims 2 to 7,

-the intermediate plate (14) abuts in contact against the filter loading surface (13) by intermediate connection with an edge projection (20) mounted removably or non-removably on the intermediate plate (14), and/or

-the intermediate plate (14) abuts against the outer wall (5) in contact on all sides, and/or

-half of the intermediate plate (14) is arranged between the end plates (2, 3).

9. A filter element according to one of claims 2 to 8,

-the intermediate plate (14) made of metal, plastic or composite material is formed as a single component and is moulded onto the outer wall (5) permanently or detachably, or

-the intermediate plate (14) made of metal, plastic or composite material is integral with the outer wall (5).

10. A filter element according to one of claims 2 to 9,

-a resonator device (21) is arranged between the intermediate plate (14) and the outer wall (5), the resonator device (21) comprising resonator chambers (22) separated from each other, and/or

-the intermediate plate (14) is joined into at least one or all resonator chambers (22) so as to divide at least one or all resonator chambers (22) into at least two resonator sub-chambers (23), and/or

-the resonator subchamber (23) can be loaded with primary fluid independently of each other by the first primary air subchannel (16) or the second primary air subchannel (17) according to one of claims 4 to 6.

11. A filter element according to one of the preceding claims,

-the end plates (2, 3) are oriented at an angle or parallel to each other, and the filter load surface (13) is oriented at an angle or orthogonal to the end plates (2, 3), and a normal vector is defined on the filter load surface (13), the intermediate plate (14) being arranged in parallel with respect to the normal vector, wherein the intermediate plate (14) is arranged at an angle with respect to the end plates (2, 3), in particular defining an angle between the intermediate plate (14) and the end plates (2, 3) of between 0 ° and 90 °.

12. A filter element according to one of the preceding claims,

-the end plates (2, 3) are oriented at an angle or parallel to each other, and the filter load surface (13) is oriented at an angle or orthogonally with respect to the end plates (2, 3), and a normal vector and a tangential vector oriented parallel to the end plates (2, 3) are defined on the filter load surface (13), wherein the intermediate plate (14) is arranged at an angle with respect to the normal vector, in particular the angle between the intermediate plate (14) and the normal vector is defined between 0 ° and 90 °, and wherein the intermediate plate (14) is arranged parallel with respect to the tangential vector.

13. A filter element according to one of the preceding claims,

the flow guiding device (11) comprises at least one flow guiding rib device (26) for guiding the primary fluid flow (12).

14. The filter element of claim 13,

single or two flow guiding rib devices (26) are provided, each of which comprises at least one, two or more flow guiding ribs (27) for guiding a primary fluid flow (12), wherein at least one flow guiding rib device (26) is arranged in the first primary air sub-channel (16) and/or the second primary air sub-channel (17) according to one of claims 4 to 6, respectively.

15. The filter element of claim 14,

-at least one flow guiding rib (27) of a flow guiding rib arrangement (26) arranged in the first primary air sub-channel (16) opens into a primary air opening (8) and divides a primary fluid flow (12) flowing in via the primary air opening (8) into at least a first primary fluid partial flow (28) and a second primary fluid partial flow (29),

-at least one flow guiding rib (27) of a flow guiding rib arrangement (26) arranged in the second primary air sub-channel (17) opens into a primary air opening (8) and divides a primary fluid flow (12) flowing in via the primary air opening (8) into at least a third primary fluid partial flow (30) and a fourth primary fluid partial flow (31),

-wherein the first raw fluid partial flow (28) loads a first sub-filter loading surface section (32) of the first sub-filter loading surface (18) according to claim 6 or 7 with raw fluid and the second raw fluid partial flow (29) loads a second sub-filter loading surface section (33) of the first sub-filter loading surface (18) with raw fluid,

-wherein the third raw fluid partial flow (30) loads a second sub-filter loading surface section (34) of the second sub-filter loading surface (19) according to claim 6 or 7 with raw fluid and the fourth raw fluid partial flow (31) loads a second sub-filter loading surface section (35) of the second sub-filter loading surface (19) with raw fluid.