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EP-4541447-B1 - FILTER AND FILTER ASSEMBLY

EP4541447B1EP 4541447 B1EP4541447 B1EP 4541447B1EP-4541447-B1

Inventors

  • Güngör, Bastan
  • Bickel, Maria
  • BREUER, ANDREAS

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241009

Claims (12)

  1. Filter (1) comprising a pleated filter medium (2), an edge strip (3) and at least one retaining element (4), the edge strip (3) being attached to one side of the filter medium (2), the retaining element (4) being associated with the edge strip (3), the edge strip (3) and the retaining element (4) forming a closure structure (5) for fixing the filter (1) in a filter housing (6), the retaining element (4) having a retaining structure (12), the retaining structure (12) having a locking tab (13) and a grip portion (14), characterized in that the filter (1) comprises a seal (7) for sealing the filter (1) and the filter housing (6), the seal (7) being formed by the edge strip (3).
  2. Filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking tab (13) is designed as a latching flap in such a way that the retaining element (4) can be form-fittingly locked in the filter housing (6) by means of the latching flap.
  3. Filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection between the filter (1) and the filter housing (6) is made without tools.
  4. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the edge strip (3) has, at least on each of its longitudinal sides (8), a free end (9) projecting over the filter medium (2), which free end forms the seal (7).
  5. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the retaining element (4) and/or the edge strip (3) are made of non-woven fabric.
  6. Filter according to claim 5, characterized in that the material of the retaining element (4) has a weight per unit area of more than 400 g/m 2 .
  7. Filter according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the material of the edge strip (3) has a weight per unit area of more than 140 g/m 2 .
  8. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retaining element (4) and the edge strip (3) are formed in one piece and of a single material.
  9. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retaining element (4) is made of injection-moldable plastics material and the edge strip (3) is made of non-woven fabric, the retaining element (4) being connected to the edge strip (3).
  10. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filter (1) comprises two retaining elements (4).
  11. Filter according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the filter (1) is designed as an interior air filter for mobile applications.
  12. Filter arrangement comprising a filter housing (6) and a filter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the filter housing (6) comprises a receiving space and a receiving opening, the filter housing (6) having a further closure structure (10) which is associated with the receiving opening and is complementary to the closure structure (5) of the filter (1), so that the receiving opening can be closed by means of the closure structure (5) of the filter (1).

Description

The invention relates to a filter comprising a pleated filter medium, an edge strip, and at least one retaining element, wherein the edge strip is attached to one side of the filter medium. The invention further relates to a filter arrangement comprising a filter housing and a filter. Technical field Filters for filtering fluids are well-known in the art. Particularly in air filtration for vehicle cabins, filters with pleated filter media are used. The filter media can have different layers, with the design and properties of these layers determining the filter's filtration efficiency and allowing it to be adapted to the specific application. Usually, after a predetermined service life or when the filter medium becomes heavily contaminated, it is necessary to replace the filter. For this purpose, filters are designed to be replaceable, for example, within a filter housing. State of the art DE 202 21 005 U1 shows an air filter with a filter element, as well as an air filter housing with an air filter opening that can be closed by means of a lid. The air filter includes a seal to seal between the air filter housing and the cover. DE 10 2017 007325 A1 , EP 2 692 559 A1 , US 2023/158433 A1 , US 2020/230540 A1 and DE 10 2017 007497 A Each filter shows a filter medium, an edge strip and a holding element. Description of the invention The invention is based on the objective of providing a filter that can be manufactured cost-effectively while offering improved handling. The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The filter according to the invention comprises a pleated filter medium, an edge strip and at least one retaining element, wherein the edge strip is attached to one side of the filter medium, wherein the retaining element is associated with the edge strip, and wherein the edge strip and the retaining element form a closure structure for fixing the filter in a filter housing. According to the invention, the retaining element has a retaining structure comprising a locking tab and a handle section. The locking tab can be designed as a snap-in lug, allowing the retaining element to be positively locked into the filter housing by means of the snap-in lug. Alternatively, the locking tab could be designed as a snap fastener or locking lug. This allows the filter to be detachably connected to the filter housing, thus improving filter replaceability. The handle section allows the connection between the filter and the filter housing to be made and detached without tools, improving handling during assembly. The design of the retaining element with a locking section and handle section allows the filter to be easily, quickly, and tool-free removed from the housing. The filter housing can be removed. It is not necessary to secure the filter within the housing using separate fasteners such as lids. To remove the filter, grasp the retaining elements at the handle sections and bend them so that the locking mechanisms, such as the locking tabs or lugs, release from the mounting sections of the filter housing, allowing the filter to be removed. The retaining element can have a plate-shaped base body with two main sides, the retaining structure being associated with the first main side, which faces away from the edge strip. The retaining element can be arranged on the edge strip with its second main side, which faces the edge strip. The base body can be arranged on a narrow side of the edge strip. In particular, the base body can be arranged flush with one of the narrow sides of the edge strip. The edge strip can include an outer side facing away from the filter medium, with the retaining element being arranged on the outer side of the edge strip. The filter medium can be zigzag-shaped and have elongated fold walls and crests. This increases the filter surface area of the filter medium. The filter medium can be arranged on the edge strip in such a way that the fold walls and crests project essentially orthogonally from the edge strip. According to the invention, the filter comprises a seal for sealing the filter and the filter housing, wherein the seal is formed by the edge strip. The filter housing has a receiving chamber with a receiving opening, wherein the filter medium is inserted into the receiving chamber through the receiving opening. This results in a circumferential gap between the filter medium and the filter housing. The edges of the edge strip are designed such that, in the assembled state, they come into contact with the filter housing to cover the gap and thus improve the seal. Therefore, no additional sealing is required for the gap. A separate seal is required so that the number of components needed can be reduced to achieve cost-effective manufacturing. The edge strip can have a free end projecting beyond the filter medium on at least its long sides, forming the seal. The free The end can fill the gap between the filter medium and the f