Filter device

Abstract

A filter device, having a filter housing ( 2 ) in which an exchangeable filter element ( 14 ) is accommodated, is characterized in that the filter element ( 14 ) has a securing device ( 58 ) that can be inserted axially into a receiving device ( 20 ) of the filter housing ( 2 ), in that, after a rotational motion has been performed, snap means ( 70 ) are used to snap the securing device ( 58 ) to the receiving device ( 20 ) in a snap position.

1 . A filter device, having a filter housing ( 2 ) in which an exchangeable filter element ( 14 ) is accommodated, characterized in that the filter element ( 14 ) has a securing device ( 58 ) that can be inserted axially into a receiving device ( 20 ) of the filter housing ( 2 ), in that, after a rotational motion has been performed, snap means ( 70 ) are used to snap the securing device ( 58 ) to the receiving device ( 20 ) in a snap position. 
     
     
         2 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in the snap position, while forming a lock, in particular against axial disassembly, contact surfaces ( 72 ,  74 ) of the securing device ( 58 ) and the receiving device ( 20 ) are in contact with each other when the device is not in operation. 
     
     
         3 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one further pair of contact surfaces in the form of a guide surface ( 66 ) on the securing device ( 58 ) and a further guide surface ( 76 ) on the receiving device ( 20 ) secures the filter element ( 14 ) against its weight force by contact of the guide surfaces ( 66 ,  76 ) to each other during operation of the filter device under the fluid pressure produced. 
     
     
         4 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the securing device ( 58 ) can be inserted into the receiving device ( 20 ) of the filter housing ( 2 ) against the force of an energy storage ( 62 ) acting on the filter element ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . The filter device of  claim 1 , characterized in that the securing device is part of an end cap ( 22 ) of the filter element ( 14 ), wherein said securing device has securing bars ( 58 ) projecting axially from the end cap ( 22 ), wherein said securing bars ( 58 ) have the assignable snap means ( 70 ) and a part ( 72 ) of the contact surfaces ( 72 ,  74 ). 
     
     
         6 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the snap means are formed of snap hooks ( 70 ) projecting radially beyond the axial orientation of the securing bars ( 58 ) and springing back and engaging with assignable snap recesses ( 82 ) in the receiving device ( 20 ) in the snap position. 
     
     
         7 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the receiving device ( 20 ) has guideways ( 78 ) which, following a predeterminable course of curvature, guide the filter element ( 14 ) inserted axially into the filter housing ( 2 ), during its rotational motion until it reaches the snap position. 
     
     
         8 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the guideways ( 78 ) each have an interruption ( 77 ) for a passage of an assignable snap-in hook each when the filter element is inserted axially. 
     
     
         9 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of the interruptions ( 77 ) have a control surface ( 80 ), which move the respective snap hook ( 70 ) into the snap position during the rotational motion for its further travel. 
     
     
         10 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, during continued rotational motion after the respective snap hook ( 70 ) has been lifted out of the assigned interruption ( 77 ), the snap hook ( 70 ) passes over a further guide part ( 84 ) which, projecting radially outwards from a curved path, also supports the snap hooks ( 70 ) in their snap position. 
     
     
         11 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the guide part ( 84 ) as a hollow box is integrally formed on the respective guideway ( 78 ), and in that the guide part ( 84 ) engages with a further third guide surface ( 90 ) in an axial spacing between the snap hook ( 70 ) and the contact surface ( 72 ) of the securing bar ( 58 ). 
     
     
         12 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, when the rotational motion into the snap position of the filter element ( 14 ) in the assigned filter housing ( 2 ) is completed, the respective snap hook ( 70 ) engages with a recess ( 82 ) in the guideway ( 78 ) which adjoins the respective guide part ( 78 ) in the direction of rotation associated with this rotational motion. 
     
     
         13 . The filter device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the energy storage, formed as a compression spring ( 62 ), is a component of a bypass valve, the closing part ( 52 ) of which presses the filter element ( 14 ) in the opposite direction to its axial insertion motion.