Filter element, element frame of a filter element, filter bellows of a filter element, filter housing, and filter

Abstract

A fluid filter has a filter housing with inlet opening for fluid to be cleaned and outlet opening for cleaned fluid. A filter element arranged in an element receptacle of the filter housing separates inlet opening from outlet opening. The filter housing has a housing body with an installation opening to the element receptacle, through which the filter element in an installation direction is introduced into the element receptacle. The filter housing has a housing cover for closing the installation opening. The installation opening is arranged in a transverse side of the housing body that is lateral relative to the housing axis. The filter housing has a sealing surface, surrounding the housing axis at least partially circumferentially, for contacting a seal of the filter element. The filter element has a seal support device for the seal and the filter housing has a pressing device for the seal support device.

Claims

1. A filter element of a filter for a fluid, the filter element configured to be installed in a filter housing in an installation direction extending parallel or coaxial to an installation axis; the filter element comprising: an element axis that is perpendicular or transverse to the installation axis; a radial outer circumferential side radially arranged relative to the element axis; at least one filter bellows comprising at least one filter medium, wherein the at least one filter bellows comprises a first flow face and a second flow face for fluid, wherein one of the flow faces is an inflow face and a remaining one of the flow faces is an outflow face, wherein the first and second flow faces are arranged axially opposite each other at axially oppositely positioned sides of the at least one filter bellows relative to the element axis of the filter element, the element axis extending through the first and second flow faces, wherein radial, as used herein, is a direction transverse to the element axis, and axial, as used herein, is a direction parallel to the element axis; wherein the radial outer circumferential side of the filter element includes: a first lateral wall on a first radially outer exterior side of the filter element and extending from the first flow face to the second flow face; a second lateral wall on an opposite second radially outer exterior side of the filter element and extending axially from the first flow face to the second flow face; wherein the second flow face is slanted and a non-zero angle relative to both the second lateral wall and the first flow face such that the first lateral wall is axially longer than the second lateral wall; at least one seal arranged, relative to the element axis, circumferentially at least partially continuously at least in sections at the radial outer circumferential side of the filter element; at least one seal support device arranged adjacent to the second flow face and projecting radially outwardly from the radial outer circumferential side of the filter element; wherein the at least one seal support device comprises: a first leg arranged at a radially exterior side of the filter element and extending in a radial direction between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; a second leg arranged on an opposite a radially exterior side of the filter element and extending in a radial direction between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; wherein the first leg and the second leg each have a length; wherein an axial width of the first and the second legs varies by position along the length of the first and second legs; wherein the at least one seal is supported on a first axial side of the first and the second legs.

2. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg include: at least one seal-facing support surface arranged on the first axial side of the first and the second legs, the at least one seal supported on the at least one seal-facing support surface; at least one second support surface facing away from the at least one seal and disposed on the opposite second axial side of the first and the second legs; wherein the second support surface is arranged between and spaced axially apart from the first and second flow faces.

3. A filter element according to claim 2, wherein the second support surface includes: a rearward support surface formed as a first portion of a length of the second support surface, the rearward support surface forming a first pressing surface; a forward support surface formed as a different second portion of the length of the second support surface, the forward support surface extends at a slant relative to the at least one seal-facing support surface and the rearward support surface such that the axial width of the first leg and second leg varies by position along the second portion of the length of the second support surface.

4. The filter element according to claim 2, wherein the at least one second support surface facing away from the at least one seal extends, at least in sections thereof, parallel or at a slant relative to at least one of the first and second flow faces of the at least one filter bellows.

5. The filter element according to claim 3, wherein the at least one forward support surface and the at least one rearward support surface are positioned relative to each other at a slant at an angle of between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.

6. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seal support device is a frame extending, relative to the element axis, at least partially circumferentially about the filter element.

7. The filter element according to claim 6, wherein the frame is a filter element frame or a support frame of the filter element.

8. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seal support device is connected to the at least one filter bellows so as be separable from the at least one filter bellows.

9. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seal support device is connected to the at least one filter bellows so as be separable from the at least one filter bellows only with destruction thereof.

10. A filter for a fluid, the filter comprising: the filter element according to claim 1; at least one filter housing comprising a housing body, wherein the housing body comprising an element receptacle and at least one openable installation opening configured to close off the element receptacle, wherein the housing body further comprises at least one inlet opening for fluid to be cleaned and at least one outlet opening for cleaned fluid; wherein the filter element is inserted through the at least one installation opening in the installation direction extending parallel or coaxially to the installation axis of the filter housing, wherein the filter element inserted in the element receptacle separates the at least one inlet opening from the at least one outlet opening; wherein the at least one openable installation opening is arranged in a transverse side of the housing body, wherein the transverse side is lateral relative to a housing axis of the filter housing; wherein the at least one filter housing comprises at least one sealing surface surrounding the housing axis at least partially circumferentially; wherein the at least one sealing surface surrounding the housing axis at least partially circumferentially is configured to contact the at least one seal of the filter element; wherein the at least one filter housing comprises at least one pressing device configured to act on the at least one seal support device of the filter element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, features, and details of the invention result from the following description in which embodiments 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 combination in the drawing, the description, and the claims also individually and combine them to other meaningful combinations.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of an air filter with a filter housing in which exchangeably a filter element according to a first embodiment is arranged.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal view of the air filter of FIG. 1 wherein the forward longitudinal wall of the filter housing in the viewing direction is partially sectioned.

(4) FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the air filter of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is an isometric exploded illustration of the air filter of the FIGS. 1 to 3.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the air filter of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a first installation phase of the filter element.

(7) FIG. 6 shows the air filter of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a second installation phase of the filter element.

(8) FIG. 7 shows the air filter of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a third installation phase of the filter element.

(9) FIG. 8 shows the air filter of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a fourth installation phase of the filter element.

(10) FIG. 9 shows the air filter of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a fifth installation phase of the filter element.

(11) FIG. 10 is an isometric illustration of the filter element of the air filter of FIGS. 1 through 9 looking at a slant onto the inflow side.

(12) FIG. 11 is an isometric illustration of the air filter of FIG. 10 looking at a slant onto the outflow side.

(13) FIG. 12 is an isometric exploded illustration of the air filter of the FIGS. 10 and 11 comprised of a filter bellows and an element frame.

(14) FIG. 13 is an isometric cross section of the filter element of the FIGS. 10 to 12.

(15) FIG. 14 is a detail view of the cross section of the filter element of the FIG. 13 in the region of the inflow side of the filter element.

(16) FIG. 15 is an isometric exploded illustration of the cross section illustration of the filter of FIG. 13.

(17) FIG. 16 is an isometric detail view of the inflow side of the filter element of FIGS. 10 to 12.

(18) FIG. 17 is a filter housing of the air filter of the FIGS. 1 to 9 in an overhead installation.

(19) FIG. 18 shows a detail view of the filter housing of FIG. 17 in the region of a fall-out protection for the filter element.

(20) FIG. 19 shows the air filter of FIGS. 14 and 18 in overhead installation.

(21) FIG. 20 shows a detail view of FIG. 19.

(22) FIG. 21 shows a first demounting phase of the air filter of FIG. 19.

(23) FIG. 22 shows a detail view of FIG. 21.

(24) FIG. 23 shows a second demounting phase of the air filter of FIG. 19.

(25) FIG. 24 shows a detail view of FIG. 23.

(26) FIG. 25 shows a third demounting phase of the air filter of FIG. 19.

(27) FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a filter element according to a second embodiment looking at a slant onto the inflow side.

(28) FIG. 27 is a side view of the filter element of FIG. 26.

(29) FIG. 28 is an isometric cross section illustration of the filter element of FIGS. 26 and 27 along the section line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 27.

(30) In the Figures, same components are provided with same reference characters.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(31) In the FIGS. 1 through 25 an air filter 10 of an internal combustion engine, not illustrated, is illustrated in different illustrations, sections, detail views, and assembly states. The air filter 10 is arranged in an intake manifold for combustion air of the internal combustion engine. It serves for cleaning the combustion air which is supplied to the internal combustion engine for combustion.

(32) The air filter 10 comprises an openable filter housing 12 in which exchangeably a filter element 14 is arranged.

(33) For simplifying the explanation, in some of the FIGS. an imaginary main axis 16, an installation axis 18, and an imaginary transverse axis 20 are illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the axes 16, 18, and 20 correspond in an exemplary fashion to the axes of a right angle coordinate system. The main axis 16 defines together with the installation axis 18 a longitudinal center plane, not identified any further, and together with the transverse axis 20 a transverse center plane, also not identified any further. The installation axis 18 defines with the transverse axis 20 a flow center plane, not identified any further. In the FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal center plane extends parallel to the drawing plane. The flow center plane and the transverse center plane extend perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane, in the FIGS. 1 and 2 also perpendicular to the drawing plane. An installation direction of the filter element 14 into the filter housing 12 is illustrated by an arrow 22. In an exemplary fashion, the installation direction 22 extends coaxial to the installation axis 18. It is understood that some of the aforementioned axes and some of the aforementioned planes can also extend at a slant to each other in other embodiments of the invention.

(34) In the mounted state of the air filter 10, the main axis 16 coincides with the element axis of the filter element 14 and the housing axis of the filter housing 12 in the illustrated embodiment. For simplifying the drawing, the reference character 16 is therefore used for the element axis and the housing axis, depending on the illustration. It is understood that the corresponding axis is referred to, respectively, in this context. The same holds true also for the installation axis 18.

(35) The filter housing 12 is manufactured of plastic material. The filter housing 12 comprises a housing body 24 and a housing cover 26.

(36) The housing body 24 comprises an element receptacle 28 for the filter element 24. An air outlet space 30 adjoins the element receptacle 28 downstream relative to the air flow through the air filter 10. The air flow into, through, and out of the air filter 10 is illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 3 by arrows 32.

(37) An outlet socket 34 to which the air conduit of the intake manifold is connected adjoins the air outlet space 30. At the air inlet side, the receptacle 28 comprises an inlet opening 36. The inlet opening 36 extends across the entire inflow side of the air filter 10. It extends parallel to the flow center plane. Upstream of the inlet opening 36, a cyclone arrangement 38 as pre-separator for particles from the air is arranged.

(38) At its outflow side, the element receptacle 28 has an outlet opening 40. The outlet opening 40 extends in a plane parallel to the transverse axis 20 and at a slant to the flow center plane, i.e., at a slant to the plane of the inlet opening 36.

(39) The element receptacle 28, the outlet opening 40, and the inlet opening 36 each have a rectangular cross section, viewed in the direction of the main axis 16.

(40) In the air outlet space 30, a secondary filter element 42 is arranged which is not of interest here. The secondary filter element 42 covers the outlet opening 40 completely.

(41) The outlet opening 40 is surrounded by a housing-associated sealing surface 44. The housing-associated sealing surface 44 is facing the element receptacle 28. Relative to the main axis 16, it is continuous circumferentially. A sealing plane 45 of the housing-associated sealing surface 44 extends parallel to the transverse axis 20 and at a slant to the flow center plane by an angle 47 of approximately 20°.

(42) The transverse sides of the housing body 24 and of the filter element 14 extend on opposite sides of the transverse center plane in the embodiment. Correspondingly, the longitudinal sides of the housing base body 24 of the filter element 14 are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal center plane. The longitudinal sides of the housing body 24 and of the filter element 14 extend each between the corresponding transverse sides and the inflow side and the outflow side.

(43) At the longitudinal sides, the housing body 24 comprises closed longitudinal walls 48. In FIGS. 2, 5 to 9, and 17 to 25, the respective forward longitudinal wall 48 of the housing body 24 is at least partially cut away in order to enable a view of the interior of the filter housing 12.

(44) At a rearward transverse side relative to the installation direction 22, the housing body 24 has an installation opening 46 for the filter element 14. At the transverse side that is positioned axially opposite thereto relative to the installation axis 18, the housing body 24 comprises a closed transverse wall 50.

(45) The installation opening 46, viewed in installation direction 22, has an approximately rectangular cross section. Viewed in the installation direction 22 from the installation opening 46 toward the oppositely positioned transverse wall 50, the element receptacle 28 tapers in its expansion relative to the main axis 16. Viewed in the direction of the transverse axis 20, the element receptacle 28 has approximately the shape of a right angle trapezoid wherein the slanted leg of the trapezoid is facing the outlet opening 40.

(46) At the exterior side of the housing body 24, adjacent to the installation opening 46, a bolt section 52 of a hinge-type pivot connection 54 is arranged. The pivot connection 54 serves for connecting the housing cover 26 with the housing body 24. The bolt section 52 is located at the side of the installation opening 26 which is facing the outflow side of the housing body 24. The bolt section 52 and thus the pivot axis of the pivot connection 54 extend parallel to the transverse axis 20.

(47) A fall-out protection device 56 for the filter element 14 is located adjacent to the bolt section 52. The fall-out protection device 56 is visible in particular in FIG. 18 in detail. The fall-out protection device 56 is realized as a stay which is projecting as a projection into the installation opening 46. The fall-out protection device 56 extends approximately parallel to the transverse center plane across the entire width of the installation opening 46 in the direction of the transverse axis. The fall-out protection device 56 decreases an inner width 58 of the installation opening 46 in the direction of the main axis 16 in comparison to the adjoining region of the element receptacle 28.

(48) Moreover, the housing body 24 has two pressing devices 60. The pressing devices 60 are located relative to the transverse axis 20 at axially oppositely positioned inner sides of the longitudinal walls 48. The pressing devices 60 relative to the longitudinal center plane are mirror-symmetrical so that in the following in an exemplary fashion only one of the two pressing devices 60 will be described.

(49) The pressing device 60 is realized as a projection which protrudes axially inwardly at the corresponding longitudinal wall 48 relative to the transverse axis 20. Viewed in the installation direction 22, the pressing device 60 comprises a forward housing-associated pressing surface 62 and a rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64. The rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64 is located near the installation opening 46. The forward housing-associated pressing surface 62 is arranged near the transverse wall 50.

(50) A housing-associated guiding surface 66 is extending between the forward housing-associated pressing surface 62 and the rearward housing associated pressing surface 64.

(51) The pressing surfaces 62 and 64 as well as the guiding surface 66 are facing the housing-associated sealing surface 44. The housing-associated pressing surfaces 62 and 64 and the housing-associated guiding surface 66 extends respectively with a directional component parallel to the transverse axis 20. The forward housing-associated pressing surface 62 and the rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64 extend each with the directional component that is perpendicular thereto approximately parallel to the flow center plane, i.e., parallel to the installation axis 18. The forward housing-associated pressing surface 62 and the rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64 are each positioned at a slant relative to the sealing plane 45 approximately at the same angle as the angle 47, i.e., about approximately 20°

(52) The rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64 is located, viewed in the direction of the main axis 16, at a larger spacing from the flow center plane and the installation axis 18 than the forward housing-associated pressing surface 62. The housing-associated guiding surface 66 extends correspondingly at a slant to the flow center plane.

(53) The housing cover 26 comprises a closure section 68 which forms the transverse side of the housing cover 26. A rim of the closure section 68 extending circumferentially relative to the installation axis 18 extends complementary to a corresponding rim surrounding the installation opening 46 of the housing body 24. The closure section 68 is resting in the closed position of the housing cover 26 seal-tightly against the installation opening 46 and closes it off.

(54) At the side which is facing the outflow side of the filter housing 12, the housing cover 26 comprises a sleeve section 70 which forms the cover-associated part of the pivot connection 54. The sleeve section 70 extends parallel to the transverse axis 20. The sleeve section 70 is open at a circumferential side which is facing the inlet side of the filter housing 12 so that the sleeve section 70 for connecting the pivot connection 54 can be pushed onto the bolt section 52 in radial direction.

(55) At the side which is facing the inflow side of the filter housing 12 and facing away from the sleeve section 70, the housing cover 26 comprises an actuating section 72. The housing cover 26 can be actuated at the actuating section 72 for closing or opening.

(56) Moreover, the housing cover 26 comprises two pressing blades 74 for pressing a seal 76 of the filter element 14 against the housing-associated sealing surface 44. The pressing blades 74 are identical and arranged mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane.

(57) In the following, in an exemplary fashion one of the pressing blades 74 will be described. The pressing blade 74 extends substantially parallel to the installation axis 18 and to the main axis 16, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal center plane. The pressing blade 74 passes within the rim of the closure section 68 as one piece into closure section 68. In the installed state, the pressing blade 74 extends through the installation opening 46 into the element receptacle 28. Here, the pressing blade 74 is positioned between the corresponding longitudinal wall 48 of the housing body 24 and the exterior side of the filter element 14, on the one hand, and between the seal 76 of the filter element 14 and the pressing device 60 of the housing body 24, on the other hand.

(58) The pressing blade 74 comprises a seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78. The seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78 is located at the side of the pressing blade 74 which is facing the sleeve section 70 of the pivot connection 54. The seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78 in the closed state of the housing cover 26 is facing the housing-associated sealing surface 44 and the seal 76. It extends then parallel to the transverse axis 20 and at a slant to the installation axis 18 at an angle which corresponds to the angle 47 of approximately 20°. The housing-associated sealing surface 44 and the seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78 extend parallel to each other in the closed state of the housing cover 26. The seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78 is located in the closed state at a spacing to the housing-associated sealing surface 44 which corresponds to a corresponding expansion of the seal 76 and of a seal support device 82 of the filter element 14 thereat.

(59) On the side which is opposite the seal-facing cover-associated pressing surface 78, the pressing blade 74 comprises a cover-associated pressing surface 80 which is facing away from the seal. The cover-associated pressing surface 80 which is facing away from the seal is facing the inflow side of the filter housing in the closed state of the housing cover 26. A rearward section, facing the closure section 68, of the cover-associated pressing surface 80 facing away from the seal extends then approximately parallel to the installation axis 18 and parallel to the transverse axis 20. This section is then flat against the rearward housing-associated pressing surface 64 of the housing body 24. Behind a bend, the rearward section of the cover-associated pressing surface 80 facing away from the seal passes as one piece into a forward section. The forward section of the cover-associated pressing surface 80 facing away from the seal extends approximately tangentially relative to the pivot axis of the pivot connection 54.

(60) At the closure section 68, two pressing sections 84 which are axially oppositely positioned relative to the transverse axis 20 are arranged between the sleeve section 70 and the pressing blades 74.

(61) The housing cover 26 is secured in its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with two clamping fasteners 86 on axially oppositely positioned sides relative to the transverse axis 22 at the housing body 24. In regard to their leverage action, the clamping fasteners 86 are located beneficially in the region of the actuating section 72 on the side which is facing away from the pivot connection 54.

(62) The filter element 14 comprises a filter bellows 88 which is inserted into an element frame 90. In the following, the filter element 14 will be explained in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 10 to 12.

(63) The filter bellows 88 comprises a zigzag-shaped folded filter medium 92. The filter bellows 88 is rectangular viewed in the direction of the main axis 16. Viewed in the direction of the transverse axis 20, the filter bellows 88 has approximately the shape of a right angle trapezoid. An inflow side 94 of the filter bellows 88 extends parallel to the flow center plane, thus perpendicular to the main axis 16. An outflow side 96 extends parallel to the transverse axis 20 and at a slant to the flow center plane, thus at a slant to the inflow side 94.

(64) The filter bellows 88 tapers, viewed in installation direction 22, toward its forward transverse side. The fold edges of the filter medium 92 at the inflow side 94 and the outflow side 96 extend each parallel to the transverse axis 20. The fold edges define the inflow surface at the inflow side 94 and the outflow surface at the outflow side 96, respectively. The heights of the folds of the folded filter medium 92 in the direction of the main axis 16 decrease from the transverse side of the filter bellows 88 that is rearward relative to the installation direction 22 toward its forward transverse side. The filter bellows 18 has thus variable fold heights.

(65) The outflow side 96 is surrounded by the seal 76. The seal 76 is made of polyurethane. It is elastic. The seal 76 is foamed onto the end face of the filter medium 92. The seal 76 projects past the filter medium 92 relative to the main axis 16 radially in outward direction and in axial direction. An outflow-associated end face sealing lip of the seal 76 forms a sealing surface 98 which is continuous circumferentially relative to the main axis 16. The sealing surface 98 in the installed state is resting against the housing-associated sealing surface 44.

(66) At the rear side of the seal 76, which is facing away from the sealing surface 98 relative to the main axis 16, a reinforcement frame 100 of plastic material is embedded in the sealing bead of the seal 76. The reinforcement frame 100 extends parallel to the sealing plane 44 and parallel to the sealing surface 98. The reinforcement frame 100 is continuous circumferentially relative to the main axis 16. A sealing rear side 102 of the seal 76, which is facing away axially from the sealing surface 98 relative to the main axis 16, extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the sealing surface 98. With installed filter element 14, the respective planes of the sealing surface 98 and of the sealing rear side 102 extend parallel to the sealing plane 45 of the housing-associated sealing surface 44.

(67) Moreover, an edge protection 104 is fastened at the inflow side 94 of the filter bellows 88. The edge protection 104 is comprised of polyurethane and is foamed onto the filter medium 92. The edge protection 104 extends continuously circumferentially relative to the main axis 16 along the inflow-associated rim of the filter bellows 88. The edge protection 104 projects past the filter medium 92 relative to the main axis 16 in axial direction.

(68) The edge protection 104 comprises, approximately centrally at the longitudinal sides of the filter bellows 88, a respective locking nose 106. The locking noses 106 are part of a locking device 108 between the filter bellows 88 and the element frame 90. The locking noses 106 are each monolithically formed of the material of the edge protection 104. The locking noses 106 are thus combined with the edge protection 104. The locking noses 106 extend at opposite longitudinal sides of the filter bellows 88 in the direction of the transverse axis 20 outwardly and parallel to the installation axis 18, respectively.

(69) Viewed in the direction of the installation axis 18, the edge protection 104 has two cutouts 110, respectively, in front of and behind each locking nose 106. The cutouts 110 serve for inserting a frame stay 112 of the element frame 90, respectively.

(70) The element frame 90 is made of plastic material. The element frame 90 comprises a rectangular circumferential wall which extends relative to the main axis 16 circumferentially as one piece and continuously and which is comprised of longitudinal walls 114 and transverse walls 116 that are parallel to each other, respectively. At the inflow side and the outflow side, the element frame 90 is open. The outer shape of the element frame 90 corresponds otherwise approximately to the outer shape of the filter bellows 88.

(71) At the outflow side, the element frame 90 comprises the seal support device 82. The seal support device 82 is arranged at the outflow-associated rim of the element frame 90. The seal support device 82 extends at the exterior side of the filter element 14 circumferentially continuously relative to the main axis 16. The seal support device 82 is connected as one piece together with the longitudinal walls 114 and the transverse walls 116.

(72) One leg each of the seal support device 82 extends along the exterior sides of the longitudinal walls 114. The legs of the seal support device 82 in greater shape are identical and relative to the longitudinal center axis mirror-symmetrically arranged. In the following, one of the legs of the seal support devices 82 will be explained in more detail in an exemplary fashion.

(73) At its end face which is facing the outflow side, the leg of the seal support device 82 forms a corresponding section of a seal-facing element-associated support surface 118. The entire seal-associated element-associated support surface 118 extends relative to the main axis 16 circumferentially continuously in a plane. The plane of the seal-facing element-associated support surface 118 extends parallel to the transverse axis 20 and at a slant to the flow center plane. The slant angle of the plane of the seal-facing element-associated support surface 118 relative to the flow center plane corresponds to the slant angle of the seal rear side 102 of the filter bellows 88 relative to the flow center plane. Both slant angles correspond to the angle 47 of the housing-associated sealing plane 45 relative to the flow center plane.

(74) Moreover, each leg of the seal support device 82, viewed in the installation direction 22, comprises a forward element-associated support surface 120 facing away from the seal and a rearward element-associated support surface 122 facing away from the seal. The rearward element-associated support surface 122 facing away from the seal is located adjacent to the rearward transverse wall 116. The forward element-associated support surface 120 facing away from the seal is located adjacent to the forward transverse wall 116.

(75) The rearward element-associated support surface 122 facing away from the seal and the forward support surface 120 facing away from the seal are each facing the inflow side of the filter element 14. The rearward element-associated support surface 120 facing away from the seal extends parallel to the seal-facing element-associated support surface 118. The forward element-associated support surface 120 facing away from the seal extends at a slant angle relative to the seal-facing element-associated support surface 118 which corresponds to the angle 47 between the sealing plane 45 of the housing-associated sealing surface 44 and the flow center plane. At the forward side relative to the installation direction 22, the seal-facing element-associated support surface 118 and the respective section of the forward support surface 120 facing away from the seal, viewed in the direction of the transverse axis 20, form a wedge shape having a tip pointing in the installation direction 22.

(76) The seal support device 82 forms in the region of the rearward transverse wall 116 two pressing locations 124 for the respective pressing sections 84 of the housing cover 26.

(77) A grip 26 is provided in the region of the rearward transverse wall 116 of the element frame 90. By the grip 126, the filter element 14 can be gripped, carried, and pulled out of the filter housing 12.

(78) In the region of the inflow side, each longitudinal wall 114 has a locking receptacle 128 of the locking connection 108. The locking receptacles 128 are located at the inner sides of the longitudinal walls. The locking receptacles 128 are approximately complementary to the locking noses 106 of the filter bellows 88.

(79) Viewed in installation direction 22, two frame stays 112 extend parallel to the transverse axis 20 between the two longitudinal walls 114 in front of and behind the locking receptacles 128. The frame stays 112 are located at the inflow side 94 of the filter element 14.

(80) The expansion of the filter element 14 in the region of the rearward transverse side is larger in the direction of the main axis 16 than the inner width 58 of the installation opening 46 of the filter housing 12.

(81) For mounting, the filter bellows 88 with its inflow side 94 leading is inserted into the outflow side of the element frame 90. In the correct installation position, the bellows-associated locking noses 106 of the locking connection 108 lock with the corresponding frame-associated locking receptacles 128. The edge protection 104 projects through the inflow-associated opening of the element frame 90 and projects past it relative to the main axis 16 in axial direction. In this context, the locking stays 112 extend through the corresponding cutouts 110 of the edge protection 104. The seal-facing element-associated support surface 118 of the element frame 90 is resting areally against the seal rear side 102 of the seal 76.

(82) By means of the locking connection 108, the filter bellows 88 is secured in the element frame 90. The filter element 14 can thus be hit with the edge protection 104 against a hard surface for beating the filter bellows 88. The filter bellows 88 must not be removed from the element frame 90 for this purpose.

(83) The locking connection 108 can be separated in case the filter bellows 88, for example, for servicing purposes or for exchange from the element frame 90, is to be pulled out. The element frame 90 can then be reused with a new filter bellows 88.

(84) The assembly of the air filter 10 will be explained in the following with the aid of the FIGS. 5 to 9 in more detail. The assembled filter element 14, as shown in FIG. 6, is inserted with the forward transverse side leading in installation direction 22, axially relative to the installation axis 18, through the installation opening 46 into the element receptacle 28 of the housing body 24.

(85) When inserting the filter element 14, the forward support surfaces 120 of the seal support device 82 which are facing away from the seal glide along the housing-associated guide surface 66 of the pressing devices 60 and are thus guided into their end position. The wedge-type arrangement of the seal support device 82 with the seal 76, on the one hand, and the wedge-shaped arrangement of the housing-associated seal surface 44 and the forward housing-associated pressing surface 62, on the other hand, have the effect that the seal 76 with increasing pressure during installation is pressed against the housing-associated sealing surface 44 in the forward region.

(86) Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sleeve section 70 of the housing cover 26 is placed with its open longitudinal side onto the bolt section 52 of the housing body 24. In this context, the housing cover 26 is held above the installation opening 46 such that the pressing blades 74 project partially through the installation opening 46.

(87) The housing cover 26 is pushed in the direction of the main axis 16, indicated in FIG. 8 by arrow 130, toward the inflow side. In doing so, the sleeve section 70 and the bolt section 52 are joined to the pivot connection 54.

(88) Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the housing cover 26 is pivoted about the pivot axis of the pivot connection 54 toward the housing body 24, which is indicated in FIG. 9 by an arrow 132.

(89) With pivoting of the housing cover 26, initially the forward tangential sections of the cover-associated pressing surfaces 80, facing away from the seal, of the respective pressing blades 74 are gliding along the corresponding rearward housing-associated pressing surfaces 64 of the housing-associated pressing devices 60. After overcoming the bends of the cover-associated pressing surfaces 80 facing away from the seal, the rearward sections, which are parallel to the installation axis 18, of the cover-associated pressing surfaces 80 that are facing away from the seal are respectively supported in the end position force-transmittingly on the rearward housing-associated pressing surfaces 64, as shown in FIG. 2.

(90) The closed housing cover 26 is secured by means of the clamping fasteners 86 on the housing body 24. By clamping the clamping fasteners 86, the housing cover 26 is pressed farther against the housing body 24. The leverage action has the effect that the pressing blades 74 are more strongly forced into the space between the pressing devices 60 and the seal support devices 82.

(91) In the end position illustrated in FIG. 2, the filter element 14 is clamped in the housing body 24 by means of the seal support device 82 with the aid of the pressing blades 74 and the pressing devices 60. The seal-facing cover-associated pressing surfaces 78 are positioned flat against the respective rearward support surface 122 facing away from the seal. The forward housing-associated pressing surfaces 62 lies flat against the corresponding forward support surfaces 120, facing away from the seal, of the seal support device 82. At the side of the air inlet opening 36 as well as at the side of the transverse wall 50, the seal 76 is uniformly pressed against the housing-associated sealing surface 44 by means of the pressing blades 74, the pressing devices 60, and the seal support device 82. The seal 76 is facing the clean air side of the filter element 14 and seals it relative to the raw air side. The respective wedge-type configuration of the pressing blades 74, of the forward region of the seal support device 82 in the installation direction 22, and of the housing-associated sealing surface 44 in relation to the pressing devices 60 enables in this context use of corresponding installation forces in the installation direction 22 for increasing sealing forces perpendicular to the sealing plane 45.

(92) In the FIGS. 17 to 25, the air filter 10 is shown in an overhead installation position in which the installation opening 46 is facing spatially downwardly.

(93) For demounting the filter element 14 in the overhead installation position, first the clamping fasteners 86 are released. Then the housing cover 26 is pivoted in downward direction about the axis of the pivot connection 54, as illustrated in the FIGS. 21 and 22. Subsequently, the housing cover 26 is pushed away from the inlet side of the filter housing 12 in the direction of the main axis 16 so that the sleeve section 70 of the pivot connection 70 is separated from the bolt section 52. The housing cover 26 is completely removed.

(94) The fall-out protection device 56 of the housing body 24 blocks, as shown in the FIGS. 23 and 24, the sealing lip of the seal 76. The fall-out protection device 56 prevents that the filter element 14 can fall out spatially in downward direction in an uncontrolled fashion out of the housing body 24.

(95) In order to be able to remove the filter element 14 from the housing body 24, it must be pushed somewhat to the inflow side of the air filter 10, as indicated in FIG. 23 by an arrow 134, so that the transverse section of the seal 76 facing the installation opening 46 can be moved past the fall-out protection device 56 with a slight elastic deformation. The filter element 14 can subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 25, be removed spatially in downward direction, indicated by an arrow 136, from the housing body 24.

(96) In FIGS. 26 to 28, a filter element 14 according to a second embodiment is illustrated. Those elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment of the FIGS. 1 through 25 are identified with the same reference characters. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that in the second embodiment of FIGS. 26 to 28 the seal support device 28 is directly attached to the filter bellows 88. In the second embodiment, no exchangeable element frame is provided. The filter element 14 is pre-manufactured and exchanged together with the filter bellows 88 and the seal support device 82.