Fluid-Purifying Element of a Fluid-Purifying System for Purifying Liquid Fluid, Fluid-Purifying System, and Sealing Element of a Fluid-Purifying Element

Abstract

A fluid-purifying element has a purifying medium delimiting an element interior. An end body is disposed at an axial end face of the purifying medium and has a radially outer circumferential side provided with an elastic annular seal element. The end body has an end body holding contour for the seal element that extends at least in sections continuously circumferentially at the radially outer circumferential side. The seal element has a seal holding contour arranged at a radially inner circumferential side thereof. The seal element has a seal surface extending at least across a portion of a radially outer circumferential side thereof. The end body holding contour has a protrusion extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly. The protrusion tapers radially outwardly. The seal holding contour has a V-shaped depression extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly. The end body holding contour engages the seal holding contour.

Claims

1. A fluid-purifying element of a fluid-purifying system for purifying liquid fluid, the fluid-purifying element comprising: a purifying medium at least partially delimiting an element interior, a first end body disposed at an axial end face of the purifying medium in relation to an axis of the fluid-purifying element, wherein the first end body comprises a radially outer circumferential side in relation to the axis; an elastic annular seal element arranged at the radially outer circumferential side of the first end body; wherein the first end body comprises an end body holding contour configured to hold the seal element, wherein the end body holding contour extends at least in sections continuously circumferentially at the radially outer circumferential side of the first end body; wherein the seal element comprises a radially inner circumferential side in relation to the axis and a radially outer circumferential side in relation to the axis, wherein the seal element further comprises a seal holding contour arranged at the radially inner circumferential side of the seal element, wherein the seal holding contour of the seal element contacts at least in sections the end body holding contour of the first end body; wherein the seal element comprises a seal surface extending at least across a portion of the radially outer circumferential side of the seal element; wherein the end body holding contour of the first end body comprises a protrusion extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly in relation to the axis, wherein the protrusion tapers in a radial direction in relation to the axis from the interior to the exterior; wherein the seal holding contour of the seal element comprises a V-shaped depression extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly in relation to the axis; wherein the end body holding contour of the first end body engages at least partially in the seal holding contour of the seal element.

2. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the end body holding contour of the first end body comprises a V-shaped profile or U-shaped profile.

3. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 2, wherein an angle between flanks of the V-shaped profile of the end body holding contour amounts to approximately between 25° and 70°.

4. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 2, wherein an angle between flanks of the V-shaped profile of the end body holding contour amounts to approximately between 25° and 70° and an angle between flanks of the V-shaped depression amounts to approximately between 25° and 70°.

5. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein an angle between flanks of the V-shaped depression amounts to approximately between 25° and 70°.

6. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element comprises a seal element support surface disposed at the radially inner circumferential side of the seal element, wherein at least a portion of the seal element support surface is a seal surface.

7. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the first end body comprises an end body support surface at the radially outer circumferential side of the first end body, wherein at least a portion of the end body support surface is a seal surface.

8. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element comprises a seal element support surface disposed at the radially inner circumferential side of the seal element, wherein at least a portion of the seal element support surface is a seal surface, and wherein the first end body comprises an end body support surface at the radially outer circumferential side of the first end body, wherein at least a portion of the end body support surface is a seal surface.

9. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element comprises at least two radially inwardly oriented radial support surface sections arranged on axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the V-shaped depression.

10. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the end body holding contour of the first end body comprises at least two radially outwardly oriented end body support surfaces arranged on axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the protrusion.

11. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element comprises at least two radially inwardly oriented radial support surface sections arranged on axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the V-shaped depression, and wherein the end body holding contour of the first end body comprises at least two radially outwardly oriented end body support surfaces arranged on axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the protrusion.

12. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the at least two radially inwardly oriented radial support surface sections are symmetrically arranged on the axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the V-shaped depression, and wherein the at least two radially outwardly oriented end body support surfaces are symmetrically arranged on the axially oppositely positioned sides in relation to the protrusion.

13. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the radially outer circumferential side of the seal element comprises an arc-shaped profile.

14. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element comprises at least one axial end face in relation to the axis and the at least one axial end face comprises a seal surface.

15. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the first end body and the seal element are configured together as a multi-component structure.

16. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element is fastened to the first end body so as to be separable from the first end body.

17. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the seal element is fastened to the first end body so as to be separable from the first end body only destructively.

18. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the first end body comprises at least one fluid connection to the element interior.

19. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the purifying medium is a filter medium surrounding the element interior and wherein a part of a water separation device is arranged in the element interior.

20. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the first end body and the end body holding contour are configured together as one piece.

21. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, wherein the first end body and the end body holding contour are configured as a multi-part structure.

22. The fluid-purifying element according to claim 1, further comprising a second end body arranged oppositely to the first end body at the purifying medium axially.

23. A fluid-purifying system for purifying liquid fluid, the fluid-purifying system comprising: a filter housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the filter housing further comprises a fluid inlet for fluid to be purified and a fluid outlet for purified fluid; a fluid-purifying element exchangeably arranged in the filter housing such that the fluid-purifying element separates the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet; wherein the fluid-purifying element comprises a purifying medium at least partially delimiting an element interior and further comprises an end body disposed at an axial end face at the fluid-purifying element in relation to an axis of the fluid-purifying element, wherein the end body comprises a radially outer circumferential side in relation to the axis; wherein the fluid-purifying element further comprises an elastic annular seal element arranged at the radially outer circumferential side of the end body, wherein the end body comprises an end body holding contour configured to hold the seal element and extending at least in sections continuously circumferentially at the radially outer circumferential side of the end body; wherein the seal element comprises a radially inner circumferential side in relation to the axis and a radially outer circumferential side in relation to the axis, wherein the seal element comprises a seal holding contour at the radially inner circumferential side of the seal element, wherein the seal holding contour of the seal element contacts at least in sections the end body holding contour of the end body; wherein the seal element comprises a seal surface extending at least across a portion of the radially outer circumferential side of the seal element; wherein the seal element sealingly contacts respectively an end body support surface of the end body, a first housing seal contact surface of the first housing part, and a second housing seal contact surface of the second housing part; wherein the end body holding contour of the end body comprises a protrusion extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly in relation to the axis; wherein the seal-holding contour of the seal element comprises a V-shaped depression extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly in relation to the axis; wherein the end body holding contour of the end body engages at least partially in the seal holding contour of the seal element.

24. A seal element of a fluid-purifying element for a fluid-purifying system for purifying liquid fluid, wherein the seal element is elastic and annular, wherein the seal element comprises: a radially inner circumferential side and a radially outer circumferential side in relation to an axis of the seal element; a seal holding contour arranged at the radially inner circumferential side; a seal surface extending at least across a portion of the radially outer circumferential side; wherein the seal holding contour comprises a V-shaped depression extending at least part-circumferentially and radially outwardly in relation to the axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention result from the following description in which an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the drawing. A person of skill in the art will consider the features disclosed in the drawing, description, and the claims in combination expediently also individually and combine them to expedient further combinations.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a fluid-purifying system for liquid fluid according to a first embodiment, with a filter element which is arranged in a filter housing and which comprises, at a bottom end body, a seal element for sealing in relation to the filter housing.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the fluid-purifying system of FIG. 1 in the region of the bottom end body with the seal element.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the seal element of the filter element of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a water separator element of a fluid-purifying system according to a second embodiment.

[0063] In the Figures, same components are identified with same reference characters.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] In FIG. 1, a fluid-purifying system 10 in the form of a combined filter-water separator system for purifying liquid fluid, for example, fuel or motor oil, is illustrated in a longitudinal section. The fluid-purifying system 10 can be arranged in a liquid conduit, for example, a fuel conduit or motor oil conduit of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can be a part of a motor vehicle.

[0065] The fluid-purifying system 10 comprises a filter housing 12 with a first housing part 14 that is cup-shaped as an example, in FIG. 1 at the bottom, and a second housing part 16 at the top that is cup-shaped as an example. The filter housing 12 comprises a fluid inlet for fluid to be purified and a fluid outlet for purified fluid which are both hidden in the illustration in FIG. 1 and therefore not illustrated.

[0066] In addition, the filter housing 12 comprises a water drain 18 through which water that has been separated from the fluid by the fluid-purifying system 10 can be drained from the filter housing 12. The water drain 18 is located in an exemplary fashion in the bottom of the first housing part 14.

[0067] A circumferential wall 20 of the first housing part 14, in the region of its free rim at its inner side, is circular cylindrical and coaxial to an axis 22.

[0068] When in the following “radial”, “axial”, “coaxial”, “circumferential” or the like is mentioned, this relates to the axis 22, provided nothing to the contrary is mentioned.

[0069] In the region of the free rim, the circumferential wall 20 comprises an inner thread 24. At the side of the inner thread 24 facing axially away from the free rim, the circumferential wall 20 passes into a step 26. The step 26 extends radially inwardly.

[0070] The radially inner circumferential side of the circumferential wall 20 comprises a first housing seal contact surface 28. The first housing seal contact surface 28 extends from the inner thread 24 across the step 26. The first housing seal contact surface 28 is circumferentially continuous.

[0071] At the bottom side facing away from the inner thread 24, the first housing part 14 comprises a water collection chamber 30.

[0072] The second housing part 16 comprises, in the region of the free rim of its circumferential wall 32, a coaxial outer thread 31 which matches the inner thread 24. The free rim of the circumferential wall 32 comprises a second housing seal contact surface 34. The second housing seal contact surface 34 is circumferentially continuous. The second housing seal contact surface 34 is oriented at a slant radially inwardly toward the first housing part 14.

[0073] In the filter housing 12, a fluid-purifying element in the form of a filter element 36 is arranged such that it separates the fluid inlet of the filter housing 12 from the fluid outlet. As an example, the filter element 36 is a so-called round filter element.

[0074] The filter element 36 comprises a purifying medium in the form of a filter medium 38 which surrounds circumferentially continuously an element interior 40 through which the axis 22 extends.

[0075] The filter medium 38 is comprised of a material which is permeable for the fluid to be purified and that is suitable for filtering the fluid. For example, the filter medium 38 can comprise or be comprised of filter nonwoven, filter paper or the like.

[0076] At the axial bottom end face of the filter medium 38 which is facing the first housing part 14, a first end body 42 is fastened. The first end body 42 has the shape of an annular disk and can be referred to as end disk. The first end body 42 serves for closing off the filter medium 38 at the end face and for mechanical stabilization.

[0077] The first end body 42 comprises a coaxial water outlet opening 44. The water outlet opening 44 forms a liquid connection between the element interior 40 and the water collection chamber 30.

[0078] At its side facing away from the filter medium 38, the first end body 42 comprises a circular cylindrical holding region 46 in the region of its radial outer rim.

[0079] At the radially outer circumferential side of the holding region 46, a circumferentially continuous end body holding contour 48 in the form of a protrusion is arranged. The end body holding contour 48 has an approximately V-shaped profile, wherein the radially outer tip is rounded. The end body holding contour 48 is extending in an exemplary fashion symmetrically in relation to a virtual section plane 50 which is perpendicular to the axis 22. A respective angle 52 between the flanks 54 amounts to approximately 65°.

[0080] The regions of the radially outer circumferential side of the holding region 46 above and below the end body holding contour 48 extend circumferentially and in axial direction.

[0081] At its radially outer circumferential side, the holding region 46 comprises a circumferentially continuous radially outer end body support surface 56. The radially outer end body support surface 56 extends continuously across the axial region above and the axial region below the end body holding contour 48 and along the end body holding contour 48.

[0082] The holding region 46 comprises a support region 58 at its free end face rim. The support region 58 is flat and extends radially and circumferentially. By means of the support region 58, the filter element 36 is supported against the step 26 of the first housing part 14.

[0083] On the holding region 46 of the first end body 42, a circular annular elastic seal element 60 is arranged. One side of the seal element 60 is illustrated in profile in FIG. 3. The seal element 60 is comprised of a flexible, for example, elastic, seal material. For example, the seal element 60 is designed as a so-called half-moon seal.

[0084] At its radially inner circumferential side, the seal element 60 comprises a seal holding contour 62 in the form of a depression. The seal holding contour 62 has, for example, an approximately V-shaped profile wherein the tip is rounded. The seal holding contour 62 is open toward the radially inner circumferential side. The seal holding contour 62 is approximately complementary to the end body holding contour 48.

[0085] The seal element 60 is symmetrical in relation to the section plane 50. An angle between the flanks 64 of the seal holding contour 62 corresponds to the angle 52 on the part of the end body holding contour 48 with, for example, approximately 65° and, for better clarity, is provided with the same reference character 52. In regions axially adjacent to the seal holding contour 62, in FIGS. 1 to 3 above and below, the radially inner circumferential side of the seal element 60 extends axially and circumferentially.

[0086] The radially inner circumferential side of the seal element 60 forms a radially inner seal element support surface 66. The radially inner seal element support surface 66 is comprised of a contour support surface section 66a within the seal holding contour 62 and two radial support surface sections 66b in the region of the two regions adjoining the seal holding contour 62. Contour support surface section 66a passes continuously into the radial support surface sections 66b, respectively. The radially inner seal element support surface 66 extends as a whole across the entire radially inner circumferential side of the seal holding contour 62. The seal element support surface 66 with the contour support surface section 66a and the radial support surface sections 66b serves as support surface with sealing action in relation to the end body 42 or the end body holding contour 48.

[0087] The two radially inwardly oriented radial support surface sections 66b are symmetrically arranged at axially oppositely positioned sides of the V-shaped depression of the seal holding contour 62.

[0088] At the level of the radial support surface sections 66b, the seal element 60 has a continuous radial expansion 82, for example, of at least approximately 2.7 mm.

[0089] In the region of the flanks 64, the contour support surface section 66a extends at an angle in relation to the normal direction relative to the axis 22 (see section plane 50), i.e., not exclusively in radial direction and not exclusively in axial direction. The contour support surface section 66a contacts the end body support surface 56 in axial direction as well as in radial direction, acting sealingly, in the region of the flanks 54 of the end body holding contour 48. Outside of the seal holding contour 62, the radial support surface sections 66b contact in radial direction sealingly the axial regions of the end body support surface 56.

[0090] Viewed in radial direction outwardly from the radially inner circumferential side, the seal element 60 widens first in axial direction and passes in the region of the oppositely positioned axial end faces into a respective axial projection 68.

[0091] The radially outer circumferential side of the seal element 60 is convexly curved in a region between the axial projections 68 viewed from a radially outer point. In profile, the radially outer circumferential side has the shape of a half moon.

[0092] The radially outer circumferential side of the seal element 60 forms a radially outer seal surface 70. At the axial projections 68, the radially outer seal surface 70 passes continuously into the respective axial seal surface 72, respectively.

[0093] The filter element 36 comprises moreover a second end body 74 at the side which is facing away axially from the first end body 42.

[0094] In the element interior 40, a water separation device 76 is additionally arranged with which water that is entrained in the fluid to be purified can be separated.

[0095] For installation, the filter element 36, with the filter housing 12 open, is inserted with the first end body 42 leading into the first housing part 14 in axial direction until the support region 58 of the first end body 42 contacts the step 26 of the first housing part 14. Subsequently, the second housing part 16 is screwed onto the first housing part 14.

[0096] Alternatively, the filter element 36, with the filter housing 12 open, can be inserted with the second end body 74 leading into the second housing part 16 in axial direction. The second housing part 16 with the filter element 36 held therein can subsequently be screwed into the first housing part 14. Upon screwing together the filter housing 12, the filter element 36 is moved into its end position in the first housing part 14 in which the support region 58 of the first end body 42 is contacting the step 26 of the first housing part 14.

[0097] In the final mounted state of the fluid-purifying system 10, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seal element 60 is compressed between the first housing seal contact surface 28 of the first housing part 14, the second housing seal contact surface 34 of the second housing part 16, and the holding region 46 of the first end body 42. In this context, the radially inner seal element support surface 66 contacts in an areally sealing manner the end body support surface 56. The radially outer seal surface 70 and the top axial seal surface 72 contact respectively in an areally sealing manner the second housing seal contact surface 34 of the second housing part 16. The radially outer seal surface 70 and the bottom axial seal surface 72 contact respectively in an areally sealing manner the first housing seal contact surface 28 of the first housing part 14. In this manner, the raw side 78 of the filter element 36, the collection chamber 30, and the environment 80 are separated mutually from each other. As a whole, three regions are sealingly separated from each other by the seal element 60 in this way.

[0098] The raw side 78 is the region inside of the filter housing 12 from where the fluid to be purified flows to the filter medium 38. For example, a part of the raw side 78 is located radially outside of the filter medium 38. The raw side 78 is connected to the fluid inlet of the filter housing 12. The clean side, which is not identified in the Figures, is connected to the fluid outlet of the filter housing 12.

[0099] In operation of the fluid-purifying system 10, the fluid to be purified is supplied through the fluid inlet to the raw side 78. The fluid flows in radial direction from the exterior to the interior through the filter medium 38, is purified thereby, and flows into the element interior 40. The purified fluid flows to the water separation device 76 with which possibly contained water is separated. The purified fluid freed from water exits the fluid-purifying system 10 through the fluid outlet.

[0100] The separated water exits the element interior 40 through the water drainage opening 44 and flows into the water collection chamber 30. The collected water can be drained through the water drain 18 from the water collection chamber 30.

[0101] In FIG. 4, a water separation element 136 of a fluid-purifying system according to a second embodiment is illustrated. Those elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 are provided with the same reference characters. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the water purifying element 136 is designed exclusively for separation of water. Correspondingly, water separation media 138, for example, coalescence media, are provided instead of the filter medium 38 and surround the element interior 40 circumferentially.