DE102017205330A1 - Filter element for a fluid filter, fluid filter and method for producing a filter element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element (1) for a fluid filter in a motor vehicle, in particular for a fuel filter, for a lubricant filter or for a water filter. The filter element (1) has a substantially hollow-cylindrical fold star (2) with a raw side (3) and with a clean side (4). The hollow-cylindrical pleat star (2) in this case has a plurality of folds (5), which are connected via inner folded edges (6) and outer folded edges (7). According to the invention, at least one inner folded edge (6) has a wave structure (9) running at least partially in an axial direction (8) and resting against the adjacent inner folded edges (6). The invention also relates to a fluid filter with the filter element (1) and a method (13) for producing the filter element (1).

Description

The invention relates to a filter element for a fluid filter, in particular a fuel filter, a lubricant filter or a water filter, in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a fluid filter with the filter element. Finally, the invention relates to a method for producing the filter element.

Fluid filters - such as fuel filters or lubricant filters - are used in a motor vehicle, for example, to free the fuel or the lubricant of solid particles and thereby to extend the life of a motor vehicle engine supplied with the fuel or with the lubricant. The fluid filter in this case has a filter element which is made of a fine mesh material. The fine-meshed material can be traversed by the fluid and the solid particles can no longer penetrate the filter material from a certain size. In order to increase the filter area, the filter element is constructed in the form of a substantially hollow-cylindrical fold star and individual folds of the filter element are supported against each other. Another way to increase the filter area is for example from the document US 2,801,009 known.

When using the fluid filter, the fluid - fuel, lubricant or water - flows to the filter element at a very high pressure. If the flow or in particular the outflow of the fluid - for example by adhering folds - prevented, so the efficiency and the life of the filter element are drastically reduced. From the publication US 2016/0177891 A1 For example, it is known that the influx of fluid through deposits between the individual outer folds of the pleat star can be improved.

However, such a solution is associated with a high cost and cost and the outflow of the fluid can still not be improved.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a filter element and a fluid filter with the filter element, in which the outflow of the fluid is facilitated. A further object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective and reduced-cost method for producing such a filter element.

These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea, a filter element for a fluid filter in a motor vehicle to impart a structure that facilitates the outflow of the fluid. The filter element has a substantially hollow cylindrical pleat star with a raw side and a clean side. The hollow cylindrical fold star has several folds, which are connected via inner and outer folding edges. According to the invention, at least one inner folded edge has a wave structure running at least in regions in an axial direction and resting against the adjacent inner folded edges. The wave structure extends in the axial direction and forms together with the adjacent folded edges a plurality of radial channels, which facilitate the outflow of the fluid from the filter element. In addition, the wave structure prevents the adjacent folds from adhering to each other over a large area, so that a surface of the filter element that can be used for the outflow is retained. Overall, in the filter element according to the invention, the outflow of the fluid can be facilitated, thereby improving the efficiency of the filter element and extending the life.

The wave structure of the adjacent folded edges can be designed so that shaft tips of the first folded edge rests on shaft tips of the adjacent folded edge. In this way, radial channels are formed between the abutting shaft tips, through which the fluid can flow. Alternatively, the wave structure can extend over the folded edge only in regions, the wave structure of the first folded edge resting on a region without the wave structure of the adjacent folded edge. Between the folded edge without the wave structure and the adjacent folded edge with the wave structure also channels for the outflow of the fluid are formed.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the inner folded edges are arranged alternately with the wave structure and without the wave structure. For example, every second or every third folded edge may have the wave structure, while the intermediate folded edges have no wave structure. In this way, channels are formed between the folded edges without the wave structure and the adjacent folded edges with the wave structure, through which the fluid can flow freely. In addition, in this way, the folded edges are supported against each other, so that adhesion of the adjacent folds to each other is prevented.

Advantageously, it is provided that the wave structure from the respective inner folded edge in a radial direction in the fold extends over a width between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. With this width of the wave structure, the channels for discharging the fluid have a sufficient length in the radial direction and filtration properties of the filter material are not impaired by the impressed wave structure. Thus, the outflow of the fluid is facilitated and the filterable area of the filter element is obtained.

In a further development of the filter element according to the invention it is provided that the wave structure has a plurality of shafts which extend between two of the adjacent inner folded edge facing shaft tips. The width of the waves on a folded edge can remain constant or vary in the axial direction. For example, it may be provided that the width of the waves decreases or increases from the middle of the folded edge in the axial direction. In this way, the outflow of the fluid from the filter element can be influenced.

Advantageously, it is provided that the adjacent shaft tips to each other have a distance between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. In such an embodiment of the wave structure, a plurality of channels are formed for the outflow of the fluid and, in addition, the folds are advantageously supported against one another.

The invention also relates to a fluid filter for a motor vehicle with a cylindrical filter body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In the filter body, a filter element is arranged coaxially, wherein a raw side of the filter element to the fluid inlet and a clean side of the filter element are fluidly connected to the fluid outlet. According to the invention, the fluid filter has the filter element described above.

Advantageously, at least one inner folded edge of the filter element has the wave structure, by means of which the individual folds of the filter element can be supported against each other. Furthermore, radial channels are formed by the wave structure for the outflow of the fluid, so that the fluid can flow out of the filter element better. By the filter element described above, both the efficiency and the life of the fluid filter according to the invention can be increased.

The invention also relates to a method for producing the filter element described above. In the method, a filter material is folded in a folding step, thereby forming a plurality of folds connected by internal and external folding edges. In a subsequent forming step, the folded filter material is connected to a hollow cylindrical pleated star with a clean side and with a raw side. The internal folded edges a wave structure is impressed in a pressing step. An impressing of the wave structure can take place, for example, by a press which imprints the wave structure at a pressure of the inner folded edges.

Advantageously, the pressing step can be carried out after the folding step. Thus, the wave structure is impressed on one side of the folded material. Alternatively, the pressing step can also be carried out simultaneously with the folding step, wherein, for example, the folded edges are formed by impressing the wave structure. In this way, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is also envisaged that the pressing step be carried out after the forming step. Thus, for example, first the fold star can be shaped and then the inner fold edges the wave structure are impressed by a special pressing tool.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

list of figures

• 1 a view of a filter element according to the invention;
• 2 a sectional view of a filter element according to the invention;
• 3 a plan view of the inner folding edges of a filter element, each of the folding edges having an impressed wave structure;
• 4 a plan view of the inner folding edges of a filter element, wherein each second of the folding edges has an embossed wave structure;
• 5 a plan view of the inner folding edges of a filter element, wherein each third of the folded edges has an impressed wave structure;
• 6 a sequence of a method according to the invention for producing a filter element.

1 shows a schematic view of a filter element according to the invention 1 for a fluid filter in a motor vehicle, in particular for a fuel filter, for a lubricant filter or for a water filter. The filter element 1 has a substantially hollow cylindrical fold star 2 with a raw page 3 and with a clean side 4 on. The hollow cylindrical fold star 2 also has several folds 5 on, over the inner fold edges 6 and over external folding edges 7 are connected. The inner folded edges 6 have one in an axial direction alternately 8th extending and adjacent to the inner folding edges 6 adjacent wave structure 9 on.

2 shows a schematic sectional view of the filter element according to the invention 1 , Again, the inside folding edges 6 with the wave structure 9 and without the wave structure 9 arranged alternately. The wave structure 9 extends from the respective inner folded edge 6 in a radial direction 10 in the respective fold 5 over a width between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. In this way are characterized by the impressed wave structure 9 Filtering properties of the filter material only insignificantly impaired.

Between the folded edge 6 with the wave structure 9 and the adjacent folded edge 6 without the wave structure 9 be several in the radial direction 10 running channels 11 educated. The channels 11 facilitate the outflow of a fluid - such as the fuel, the lubricant or the water - on the clean side 4 , which improves the efficiency and life of the filter element 1 increase. In addition, the wave structure prevents 9 a large-area adhesion of the adjacent folds 5 to each other, so that a usable for the outflow surface of the filter element 1 preserved.

3 shows a schematic plan view of the inner folded edges 6 of the filter element 1 where each of the folding edges 6 the wave structure 9 having. The wave structure 9 the adjacent inner folded edges 6 is designed such that a shaft tip 12 the folded edge 6 on a wave top 12 the adjacent folded edge 6 rests. In this way, between the abutting shaft tips 12 the channels 11 in the radial direction 10 formed, through which the fluid can flow. The neighboring wave tips 12 can each other have a distance between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm.

4 shows a schematic plan view of the inner folded edges 6 of the filter element 1 , with every second of the folding edges 6 the wave structure 9 having. In 5 is an alternative embodiment of the filter element 1 shown in which every third of the inner folded edges 6 the wave structure 9 having. Again, between the neighboring folds 5 the channels 11 formed, which facilitate the outflow of the fluid and adhesion of the folds 5 to prevent each other advantageous.

Overall, by the filter element according to the invention 1 the efficiency and life of the filter element 1 and one the filter element 1 having increased fluid filter - such as the fuel filter, the lubricant filter or the water filter - be increased.

6 shows a schematic sequence of a method according to the invention 13 for producing the filter element 1 , In the process 1 is in a folding step 14 a filter material folded and thereby several through the inner folded edges 6 and the outer folding edges 7 connected wrinkles 5 educated. In a subsequent molding step 15 the folded filter material becomes the hollow cylindrical fold star 2 with the raw side 3 and with the clean side 4 connected. The inner folded edges 6 is in a pressing step 16 the wave structure 9 impressed. The pressing step 16 can after or at the same time as the folding step 14 be performed. Alternatively, the pressing step 16 even after the molding step 15 be performed.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US Pat. No. 2,801,009 [0002]
• US 2016/0177891 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Filter element (1) for a fluid filter in a motor vehicle, in particular for a fuel filter, for a lubricant filter or for a water filter, - wherein the filter element (1) has a substantially hollow cylindrical pleat star (2) with a raw side (3) and a clean side (4 ), wherein - the hollow cylindrical folding star (2) has a plurality of folds (5) which are connected via inner folding edges (6) and outer folding edges (7), characterized in that - at least one inner folded edge (6) at least partially Having in an axial direction (8) extending and adjacent to the adjacent inner folded edges (6) wave structure (9). Filter element after Claim 1 , characterized in that the inner folded edges (6) with the wave structure (9) and without the wave structure (9) are arranged alternately. Filter element after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the wave structure (9) extends from the respective inner folded edge (6) in a radial direction (10) in the fold (5) over a width between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm , Filter element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wave structure (9) has a plurality of shafts which extend between two of the adjacent inner folded edge (6) facing shaft tips (12). Filter element after Claim 4 , characterized in that the adjacent shaft tips (12) to each other a distance between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. Fluid filter for a motor vehicle, in particular a fuel filter, a lubricant filter or a water filter, with a cylindrical filter body, - wherein the filter body has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, - wherein in the filter body, a filter element (1) is arranged coaxially, and - wherein a raw side (3) of the filter element (1) with the fluid inlet and a clean side (4) of the filter element (1) to the fluid outlet fluidly connected, characterized in that the filter element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 is designed. Method (13) for producing a filter element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 in which in a folding step (14) a filter material is folded and a plurality of folds (5) connected by internal fold edges (6) and external fold edges (7) are formed, - wherein in a subsequent forming step (15) the folded filter material becomes a hollow cylindrical one Wrinkle star (2) with a raw side (3) and with a clean side (4) is connected, characterized in that in a pressing step (16) the inner folded edges (6) a wave structure (9) is impressed. Method according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the pressing step (16) is performed after the folding step (14). Method according to Claim 7 characterized in that the pressing step (16) is performed after the forming step (15). Method according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the pressing step (16) is performed simultaneously with the folding step (14).

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